MEMORIES IN ROSES

I have talked before about my favorite flower: the white rose.  As summer presents itself, I look out my window and see my roses blooming in my garden.

A garden is a wonderful thing. It does not have to be outdoors. Creating a space in your home using a pot of soil instead of the ground has proven great for city dwellers and those in cold weather.

Growing up, my mom always had a rose garden. Regardless of whether it was a holiday, birthday or an ordinary day, she always had her roses from her garden placed in a vase in our home, sometimes a few and sometimes a single rose.

When my mom passed away and we moved my dad to his new home to start a different chapter in his life, he did not want to leave my mom’s roses behind. So we bought some big clay pots, dug her roses out of the garden and carefully repotted them into their new home. With this he has been able to move this special thing of my mom’s with him no matter where he is.

I remember my mom every time we look at our roses.

IN A FRAME

Having framed pictures around the house is a must in our family. I love when I’m cooking in the kitchen and look up to see a photo of my girls, or when I’m writing at my desk and glimpse my mom and dad on their wedding day. But I also like to keep my house clutter-free, since I am allergic to dust—the less there is to clean the better!

So instead of dozens of frames, I carefully selected a few picture frames that I love. Every year or so, when I get an updated photo of my girls, for example, I change the photos in the frames. I open the back of the frame up, take out the photo, put the new one in against the glass and place the previous photo behind the newer one. I then shut all the photos back into the frame. This makes it easy for me to look through these favorite photos I have had out in the past. I know they are a moment away from viewing if I want.  Simple storage of our favorite pictures.

SOGGY SNACKS

Everyone has a preference for how to eat and prepare a favorite meal or snack. It may sound strange, but I absolutely love my favorite treats soggy. For instance, I pre-make my ice cream cones, scooping the ice cream out of the container and stuffing it into the cake cone, all the way to the top rim. I use a cake cone for its flat bottom, so I can set the cone on my kitchen counter for a few minutes and let the ice cream soften. I then push this ice cream into the cone further and add a scoop of ice cream on top of the rim. Sometimes I eat it immediately after adding that top scoop, and other times I wrap it in a bag or container and put it in the freezer to enjoy another day.

Another soggy food I love is either pancakes (or waffles) soaked in syrup. I call it “marinating." I place the pancake in a bowl, add a tad of butter, and then drench it in delicious maple syrup (honey also works if syrup isn’t available). The syrup slowly soaks into the pancake or waffle. It takes a little patience waiting for the perfect sogginess, but you’ll know its done when the pancake significantly darkens in color and there is no syrup left in the bowl. Usually, everyone else has finished eating by the time my pancake has marinated, but for me the wait is worth it.

REFRIGERATOR ROLLS

This easy recipe is a staple in my family. Whether you enjoy them warm out of the oven with butter and your favorite jam, or left over as sandwich bread, these rolls are delicious. They do not take long to make and do not require a lot of ingredients. They are also very budget friendly, using inexpensive ingredients.  The original recipe that my mom used was from her trusty Betty Crocker Cook Book, the one I've mentioned in earlier blog posts. After making these rolls many times, Mom changed the recipe for the better. I am now sharing it with you. I hope you enjoy them as much as my family has, and also the side effect that comes from making and eating them—wonderful memories!

Refrigerator Rolls

2 cups warm water
2 packages dry yeast
1 glass bowl

Dissolve yeast in warm water
Mix together and let rest for a few minutes

Stir in:
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup butter
1 egg

6 1/2 -7 cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Mix until dough is blended and easy to handle, forming into a ball
Grease a large glass bowl and place dough inside
Cover with a damp cloth
Let set for one to two hours in refrigerator
Spray a cookie sheet with a non stick spray or place on a silpat mat

If you are making this dough ahead of time, it can keep in the refrigerator for up to five days

Take out of refrigerator and make individual balls out of the dough about the size of a plum
Place them on the cookie sheet and let them rest on counter for 1 hour

Bake in oven at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes

All ovens heat differently, so watch them after about 10 minutes for desired end result—my girls love them light and doughy, but my husband loves them golden brown and well cooked.

Enjoy!

ADVICE FROM A TREE

Advice from a tree that sits on a trail in Torrey Pines State Park:

Stand tall and Proud

Go out on a limb

Remember your roots

Be content with your natural beauty

Enjoy the view

LOOK UP AND OUT

Whether you are home for the day doing chores, are sick in bed, or the weather does not permit you to leave, take a minute and walk up to one of your windows. Look out into the world and what is going on around you. Stop, look and listen. Think about your life. Breathe deeply, inhaling and exhaling smooth breaths. It is amazing how much is going on around you when you take the time to notice.  

If you have a day that you are out in your community, go to your favorite location or the highest peak you can find. Look out at the beautiful view and breathe.  

FAMILY VACATION

Almost all of us have had a family vacation that, in the end, you just have to laugh at. I like to call it a simple memory.

My dad and mom had made friends with another young veterinarian in Los Angeles and his wife. They had four kids, two boys and two girls.  Our family was Mom, Dad, my sister and me.  With time, we began taking joint family vacations.

One summer our parents decided that we would leave California and visit Florida. They made the plans and booked all the flights and hotel rooms. 

With four adults and six kids in tow, all under the age of ten, we made it to our destination: Orlando. I am positive no one wanted to sit next to us on the plane ride there. (haven’t we all experienced those people?) Our friends definitely were not quiet or under much discipline.  

I remember us renting two cars and driving down south toward Miami. Our family’s car was usually leading the way. A couple hours into the drive, our friends car got a flat tire. Luckily, we saw it happen, so we pulled over on the side of the road and began searching for a phone and someone who may know where we could get their tire fixed. We were in an unfamiliar little town, and I do not remember if there was a spare tire in the car or if the tire was beyond fixing, just that we could not fix it ourselves. 

Dad found a Seven Eleven type store with a phone booth and phone book. Back then there were no cell phones. Dad found a tire store made a plan—he would take the car to be fixed and the rest of us would pile into the good car and go to a motel we had seen down the street to rent a room, to hang out in while we were waiting.  Six kids on the loose in any area was not a good thing.  We all hopped in the car and off we went.  Even with this delay we were all having fun. There was a lot of laughing.  We pulled up into the parking lot of the motel and parked in front of the office.  With a vacancy sign hanging on the office window, our friends' dad went in to rent a room.

After a few minutes, the manager of the motel looked out the door of his office and into our car.  He saw two women and six children under the age of ten years old. Another few minutes went by and their dad came out of the office. He got into the driver’s seat of the car stating the manager would not rent us a room.

Cleary this manager saw one man, two women, and six young children in the car and thought the worst! I can only imagine. We headed to a diner around the corner instead and spent a few hours there eating ice cream and drinking cokes very slowly. Their dad used the diner’s phone to call Dad at the tire place and let him know where we were.

We did not care where we were, we had fun no matter what the circumstances, even if those around us were not amused. That was the kind of people we were.

Dad, armed with a new tire and a spare, arrived at the diner.  We all separated into our own cars and again off we headed south for the rest of our trip.

Its a silly, happy memory from my childhood. One of my simple memories.

GRANDMA'S KNITTED BAG

Grandma's Bag with special notes from my childhood inside

Almost everyone has a mom or grandmother who has made something handmade.  My mom’s mom made wonderful quilts, blankets, table cloths, and clothes, whether sewn by hand, machine, crocheted or knitted.

I keep a lot of what she made stored safely and only use them once in a while. But one item, which she made me when I was in elementary school, I keep special items inside. A knitted drawstring bag.

Every once in a while I will open it up and look at what it has kept safe for years. The funniest are old hand-written notes from some of my childhood girl and boy friends in the fifth grade.

This bag did not cost a lot of money to make and, I will admit, it is not the most beautiful in color choice or design.  But my grandmother made it specially for me, so I think of her every time I open it and appreciate it.

A FINE LINE

Mom was determined that my sister and I experience and learn as many different things as we possibly could in life.  One of these experiences was oil painting lessons. One of our neighbors was a painter, and word got out that she was going to teach lessons on oil painting. So mom signed me up.

So up the hill I walked to my lessons.  I do not remember how often I went or for how long I took these lessons. But it was long enough to have painted at least two paintings that Mom proudly hung in her dining room.  I now have them in a storage box in my garage.

I’ll tell you why they are not my favorite childhood creations and what I learned about art and creativity. It’s a lesson I’ve carried over in raising my girls.

While learning to paint was a good thing, how I learned was disappointing and gave me a negative attitude toward it.  As you would think, my teacher was a good painter. The problem was she did not think that I was a good painter. So, everything I painted she touched up to her standard.  Now, as adult, when I look at these paintings I do not feel proud of them. I do not know where I ended painting the objects and where she started painting on my painting.  I do not think my mom understood what a big deal that was to me.

With my girls, what they create is what they create and as a mom I give my encouragement. The first time you do something is never going to be perfect, but most of the time imperfect is better! It’s the enjoyment in the practice, not the perfect end result. 

The other thing my art teacher did was tell us what to paint. As my girls grew older, I realized many of their art teachers also did this. I understand that in a class there is a curriculum, which means guidelines and techniques to enhance it. But since the arts are about exercising creativity, I wish students could choose what they want to create so the expressions are fully theirs, whether abstract or traditional.

The way I was taught steered me away from wanting to paint throughout my life. I would rather my artwork not be perfect, but be fully mine.

LEARNING ABOUT LIFE + APPRECIATING EVERYDAY

Me with my Bluebird troop and Mrs. Bartlett, our leader.

Growing up, I was joined to a group called the Bluebirds, which as I got older, became the Camp Fire Girls.  I had a wonderful group of friends from our neighborhood that made up our troop.  Similar to the Brownies and Girl Scouts, we did all kinds of activities and outings.  We learned about many different subjects and earned beads and badges.

This group taught me a lot about ethics, morals and values.  It also taught me about relationships.   Not only the relationship with those in my troop but also the women who were my leaders.  My mom helped a lot with running and organizing what our group did.  But our main leader, Mrs. Bartlett, was our backbone.  She was one of my favorite people.  She was so kind and put so much effort into leading the troop.  Throughout the years of our group, she was always cheerful.  

Never would I have imagined she would be diagnosed with Leukemia. I am not sure how long she fought the disease.  I remember seeing how it changed her body, but it never changed her good attitude. I was friends with her daughter, who was also in this troop.  I can’t imagine what she felt when her mom, my troop leader, lost her battle with this awful disease, but I will never forget how I felt when, one night, my parents woke me up and gave me the news that Mrs. Bartlett had died.  This was my first loss in childhood life and a sadness I will never forget.

It taught me at a young age that we must enjoy everyday we are here.  I have tried to do this throughout my life, especially by appreciating the simple things.

I think of Mrs. Bartlett often, a special lady who lives on in my memory, and I’m sure, the memories of those whose lives she touched.

THE RED BARN

Me at the Red Barn

I was so lucky as a young girl to have a wonderful place to ride horses.  It was called The Red Barn.  This barn was literally painted red.  It was a story book place.  My father took care of many of the horses that lived at this barn and stable.  Dad and mom bought me a pony horse and off I went. My mom would drop me off and I would spend many hours at this barn, some days after school, weekends or summer days when school was out of session.

I took many riding lessons and enjoyed showing my pony horse, King Louie.  Though this barn was not fancy, it was filled with loving people and animals.  I learned how to take responsibility for a life and for myself.

This barn is a favorite childhood memory of mine.  Unfortunately, in the past years it was torn down and made into a land fill, which now has a housing development built on top of it.

As an adult, I have driven by the exact spot the barn was built on.  It was a sad feeling for me, but the simple memory of The Red Barn will always bring me happiness.

BIRTHDAY TIME

Almost everybody loves to celebrate their birthday.

When we are young, we can not wait for our next birthday, because they lead to exciting milestones like getting a drivers license, voting in an election and legally drinking.  As we get older, the milestones are fewer, and we do not mind if these birthdays slow down. But I say: why hide from them? Let’s celebrate them! 

My family celebrates birthdays, not just on the day, but as a season.  We love birthday cards. It does not matter if a birthday card is hand made, bought at a store, is small or large.  Everyone in our family starts a few weeks ahead collecting and making these cards for the upcoming birthday person or pet.  This friend or family member’s birthday may last three weeks or so, even if they do not live with you or near you. You can send the cards in the mail ahead of time.  If you want to give these cards to the person at one time, you can label them with consecutive dates so they know when to open them.  This makes everyone’s birthday an event.  When they open the cards, their home or where they are staying becomes filled with birthday spirit.  With this, no presents are needed, just your simple thoughts and love given to them, not only for their birthday, but now their birthday season.

EASTER!

My sister and I circa 1966 on Easter

We were settled into our first real home. I was in first grade and my sister preschool.  We did not care if our home was not filled with furniture.  The few pieces of furniture from our old apartment was fine and plenty.  My mom and dad worked hard and well together.  At this age, they had already given my sister and I more than they ever had growing up, and not just financially, but also emotionally.  So there my sister and I were on Easter morning in 1966, with the biggest Easter basket we had ever laid eyes on, bigger than both of us put together! 

It was really two baskets in one. Each side of it was filled with the same items, so all was fair and square. There were two stuffed bunnies and lots of chocolate, which mom was good at dividing up over time since I was known to get sick from eating excessive amounts of sweets in one sitting—my eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach!

The cellophane that surrounded the basket stopped us from immediately tearing through all the goodies inside.  To this day, I have never cared for that wrapping paper around Easter baskets you see in stores. I realize it has a dual job: keeping things in the basket and keeping kids out.

As an adult, I wonder where my parents hid this huge thing. There was no furniture it would fit behind or under and we were in and out of the garage and car all the time. But I guess that was just part of the marvel of it! 

Wishing you the best Easter and springtime.

MY CHILI COOK-OFF RECIPE

For many years now at the end of January, my husband and I get together with a large group of friends at a local clubhouse and have a chili cook-off. The chef there makes his famous chili and competes against anyone who wants to prepare a chili dish. Of course, not every one has to make chili. Some people come as taste-testers! Others bring a side dish to enjoy with all the different chili recipes there are to try.

Each year we all try to come up with a new chili recipe. So, with this in mind, I created a tomato-less, chicken green chili.  The recipe has turned out to be a favorite of mine and is simple to prepare.

I have two versions of this chili. My goal was for it to be delicious, but also a chili that people with gluten or tomato allergies could still enjoy.  A simple dish to share whether at home or away.

Tomato-less Chicken Green Chili

I first prepare my secret ingredient.

Home made Green Chili Enchiladas.  Yes, enchiladas that will be put right into the chili.

32 oz. bag of shredded mozzarella cheese

2-12 count bags of corn tortillas (I love white corn tortillas if you can find them)

1 large 28-30 oz. can of green chili enchilada sauce (make sure sauce is tomato-less)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

-Spray pam cooking spray on bottom of 8”x11” pan

-Spoon onto bottom of the pan some green enchilada sauce, just enough to make a thin cover to help enchiladas not stick

-Take corn tortilla and dip it into can of enchilada sauce.  This helps soften the tortilla.  Lay flat on bottom of the pan, until bottom covered with one layer of tortillas

-Layer these tortillas with one half inch of mozzarella cheese

-Spoon a little green sauce on cheese layer

-Repeat with tortillas, cheese and sauce

-I do mine three layers thick

-Top last layer with cheese

Cover top with foil, do not let foil touch cheese

Bake until cheese is warm and melted in middle layers (test with knife in middle of pan)

When middle is warm, take foil off top and brown the top layer of cheese

After browning, take out of oven and let cool

The Chili

large cooking pot

6-8 boneless skinless chicken breast

water

2-3 28-30 oz. cans green enchilada sauce

2- jars 16 0z. green chili salsa (made with no tomatoes)

1 can Ortega Green Chili’s diced

cooked enchiladas

-Place chicken in pot

-Fill with water 1 inch above chicken

-Boil water and cook chicken until done (may need to add more water as cooks.  I keep water just above chicken

-Turn stove heat to medium-low

-Once chicken cooked, drain out water, put chicken back in pot

-Shred chicken

-Add in green chili enchilada sauce, green chili salsa, Ortega green chili’s

-Stir

-Cut enchiladas into 2-3 inch pieces, use a spatula and place enchilada pieces into pot with chili

-Stir around

-Turn heat down to low

-Cover and simmer

-Stir every 10-15 minutes, do not let stick to bottom of pot

-As you stir enchiladas in chili they will fall apart and melt into chili, break apart tortillas with spoon or fork if needed

-At this point the rest is to your taste

-Water can be added to thin the chili or more green enchilada sauce or green salsa can be added

-I always buy extra sauces just in case

-Stir and keep heated

-Chili can cool slowly throughout day and eaten later (or placed in crock pot to keep warm and transferred to another setting, or be eaten immediately

If not all enchiladas are used for chili, you can freeze then to save for a meal another day, or eat them along side the chili.

I hope you enjoy!

WALKING HOME

Today, not a lot of kids get to walk to or from school. Our world has changed and many parents do not feel comfortable giving their children free reign of the neighborhood. Also, with districts dictating where each child will go to school, they are often not within walking distance. For me this is sad, because many of my favorite childhood memories are of walking home from school.

The distance between my school and home was just right.  In the middle of my walk was a small shopping center that had the most delicious family run bakery.  Each morning this bakery made all its cakes and baked goods. The people who worked there were so nice to us kids. When they had leftover frosting in their piping bags from decorating their cakes, they would keep it refrigerated and when we walked home past their windows, the baker would wave my friends and I in for one of the yummy frosting treats. We would be sure to say thank you and then be on our way home, squirting the butter cream frosting into our mouths. It was such a treat and I will never forget it.

If your children are lucky enough to walk places, or even if you take them, make sure they do not miss those little spots that have simple treats.  If they walk from your home to a friend’s house, maybe you can make the simple treat and send it with them. My favorite simple treats are cookies, cupcakes, and popcorn.