This evening I read a blog post that really touched my heart. Life is not always what we expect, nor is it always what we think we want, but somehow it becomes what we need. I am a person who loves many things and people most of all. During the last several years, major upheaval has taken place in my life and in the lives of many that I hold dear. It was gut-wrenching, heart-breaking change and tried my soul to the core. The blog I read was written by a friend who also faced this same challenge. Her story is poignant and hopeful and helps renew my faith in the resilience of my fellow sojourners.
I did not start out my life thinking I would be what I am today. My thoughts were very simple: grow up, get married, have children and become a mother. Simple goals for a very simple person, or so I thought. I did get the part right about growing up, getting married, having children and becoming a mother, but my life has out stripped all of my expectations, fears, and imaginings in ways I would never have even attempted to contemplate.
Who could have imagined that I would give birth to eleven very talented, creative, beautiful people? Even though life, ideas and even continents separate us, I love each one of them so completely. They have brought a joy to my life that is impossible to describe. There are no words to describe how I feel about each one of these amazing individuals. I joy in their joy and sorrow in their sorrows.
Life has taught me that you cannot go back in time and right a wrong, though you can say, "I'm sorry." Life has taught me that you can't live someone else's life for them, but you can send prayers up on their behalf. Life has taught me to be thankful for each moment, each breath, each blink of an eye, because you never know when it may be your last.
This journey I am on is ever changing, evolving and creating a new vision of me. Through all the changes, there is one thing that has remained constant. It is my faith in my Heavenly Father. He has been my rock and my foundation. I am amazed at His love and mercy, His kindness and faith in me.
Life brings changes, just as my friends and I have experienced. Life will continue to bring changes. My husband once said that it is the process of surviving the changes that refine us. I think he may be on to something.
So tomorrow is a new day, another day to face the challenges, another day to strive to be a better vision of myself. I am sure I will make mistakes and falter. I am also sure, that I will be able to pick myself up from the dust and try again. If nothing else, Life is amazing and what a wonderful blessing it is.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Martha's Crazy Cake
Martha's Crazy Cake
Preheat oven to 350F.
3 c. flour
1 1/3 c. sugar
6 T. cocoa
2 t. salt
2 t. baking soda
10 T. oil
4 t. vinegar
2 t. vanilla
2 c. cold water
Pur flour, baking soda, sugar, cocoa, and salt in bowl and combine. Stir until mixture is throughly mixed. Making wells in the dry mixture, add water. oil, vinegar,and vanilla. Mix throughly. Bake in greased and floured 13” x 9” pan for 20-35 min. Test with a toothpick.
Serve with sweetened whip cream while warm or frost with the following:
Broiled Coconut Topping
1/4 c. butter
1 c. flaked or shredded coconut
1/2 or 2/3 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. nuts (optional)
3 T. half-and-half or milk
Heat broiler, In small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread on warm cake. Broil 4 to 6 inches from heat for 1 or 2 minutes or until bubbly and light golden brown. (Watch carefully, mixture burns easily.) Yield: Tops 13x9-inch cake.
This is a family favorite brought home by my eldest daughter while in grade school. She purchased a small cookbook for kids and we had to try this since it does not use any eggs or milk in the recipe. It's really good.
Preheat oven to 350F.
3 c. flour
1 1/3 c. sugar
6 T. cocoa
2 t. salt
2 t. baking soda
10 T. oil
4 t. vinegar
2 t. vanilla
2 c. cold water
Pur flour, baking soda, sugar, cocoa, and salt in bowl and combine. Stir until mixture is throughly mixed. Making wells in the dry mixture, add water. oil, vinegar,and vanilla. Mix throughly. Bake in greased and floured 13” x 9” pan for 20-35 min. Test with a toothpick.
Serve with sweetened whip cream while warm or frost with the following:
Broiled Coconut Topping
1/4 c. butter
1 c. flaked or shredded coconut
1/2 or 2/3 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. nuts (optional)
3 T. half-and-half or milk
Heat broiler, In small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread on warm cake. Broil 4 to 6 inches from heat for 1 or 2 minutes or until bubbly and light golden brown. (Watch carefully, mixture burns easily.) Yield: Tops 13x9-inch cake.
This is a family favorite brought home by my eldest daughter while in grade school. She purchased a small cookbook for kids and we had to try this since it does not use any eggs or milk in the recipe. It's really good.
Time Flies
Time flies when you're having fun. Isn't it amazing? I have not been on here for some time and I have done a lot of new things since then. I mentioned my 'new' machine. It's a Pfaff Performance sewing/ebroidery/quilting machine. I love it. Did I say that already? If not, I will say it again. I love it. I have had sooooooo much fun sewing and creating new things since I purchased this baby in 2012. I've made aprons, bibs, baby diaper clutch purses and so much more. I can't believe how easy it is to use and how fantastic things look when they are done. Sewing through jeans is a breeze and the embroidery is unbelievable. I have all kinds of projects lined up to do and the creative juices are flowing. I recently made an apron from an old pair of jeans. It was adorable and I am in the process of making another one for a granddaughter. I love being able to add embroidered names and designs to the items I make and personalize them for friends and loved ones. It's fun to picture the finished items in my head and then to see the finished results. Love it, love it, love it.
I have also been busy scanning pictures for my siblings and extended family. My parents took a lot of pictures when they were alive and I now have them in my charge. Last years I scanned in all of the slides they took and began on scanning in all of the pictures. It is still a work in progress and when that is done I will start in on my own pictures. I don't think it will ever end, since I keep taking more pictures all of the time. At least now, the pictures are digital and they won't need to be scanned.
However, having them on the computer has its drawbacks too, since they are on several drives and in many different files and I have to search all over the place for them. I am hoping to get them all in one place soon. The other things is that you can't readily see them. I keep thinking I will make a Shutterfly book or calendar. That is my next goal.
Another project I have been doing is putting together my genealogy and I am using Legacy Tree. I am impressed with it so far and have a lot of information that needs to be added to it. I am hoping that I will be able to get information from my siblings to add to the record so our families can see what our heritage it and where we came from. That same thing for my children and their siblings.
Now I need to start another project. My son asked for some recipes and I would like to put them online. I am not sure how to do this and give access to all of my family and friends if they wish. We have some great recipes and sharing would be so much fun.
Above are some pictures of some of my latest creations.
I have also been busy scanning pictures for my siblings and extended family. My parents took a lot of pictures when they were alive and I now have them in my charge. Last years I scanned in all of the slides they took and began on scanning in all of the pictures. It is still a work in progress and when that is done I will start in on my own pictures. I don't think it will ever end, since I keep taking more pictures all of the time. At least now, the pictures are digital and they won't need to be scanned.
However, having them on the computer has its drawbacks too, since they are on several drives and in many different files and I have to search all over the place for them. I am hoping to get them all in one place soon. The other things is that you can't readily see them. I keep thinking I will make a Shutterfly book or calendar. That is my next goal.
Another project I have been doing is putting together my genealogy and I am using Legacy Tree. I am impressed with it so far and have a lot of information that needs to be added to it. I am hoping that I will be able to get information from my siblings to add to the record so our families can see what our heritage it and where we came from. That same thing for my children and their siblings.
Now I need to start another project. My son asked for some recipes and I would like to put them online. I am not sure how to do this and give access to all of my family and friends if they wish. We have some great recipes and sharing would be so much fun.
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