when men rise to the occasion

I'm blogging Mother's Day pictures today since this is of course one of THE most important holidays of the year.  Problem is I got so into the pampering that I never took out my camera.  Erin took a few shots as things were just getting rolling so although I'm sorry I don't have the full kitchen with all of my wonderful cooking brothers, I am glad to have these.  

We have a tradition at our fellowship of the men cooking breakfast (and cleaning up afterward) for all of us moms.  It's amazing.  Do you know that men take food very, very seriously?  They do.  We women were to arrive at 9:30 to enjoy what the men had been laboring over since 8:30.  Our kids definitely contributed too, Audrey adding beautiful cinnamon rolls to the menu.  The home where we meet is the size and design of a lodge.  There are 2 stoves, 3 ovens and 2 sinks in the beautiful, huge kitchen so there is plenty of room for all of the chefs.  And let me tell you I'm not kidding when I call them chefs.  From the oldest to the youngest (We had a 9 year old at the end of the line-up in the apron he made himself flipping pancakes on the griddle) amazing fare was finding it's way to the serving line.  

We had scrambled eggs with green onions and mushrooms, asparagus crepes, hashbrown potatoes, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, toast, pork loin, sausage, bacon, a gorgeous fruit salad, the aforementioned cinnamon rolls, donuts, home-made orange julius' and coffee.  I'm just sure that I'm forgetting something... It was incredible.  And there is nothing like the smile on the faces of men who are cooking together.  It must be some crazy endorphin thing because you almost felt 'high' just walking through all those happy men.  What a way to start the day.  Why don't we do this everyday?  I'm the first yes vote.. any others?

My own sweet mama and daddy came and we even borrowed a grandma since mine is on the other side of the continent.  It was a time of sharing and partaking, both of food and love..

...I decided to go way back and include Erin's ultrasound picture in my post.  This is from 18 years ago and I still get teary remembering the first time I saw her.  I think I was about 8 months along here and I can't believe how much she still resembles the wee thing she was at this time.  Aw, memories.  That's what Mother's Day is all about.  The old ones and the making of new ones.

Thanks Erin for making this ridiculous Mother's Day greeting a new addition to my dorky daughter memories!

Blessings, Debbie  

She is woman hear her roar

Did you read it on the cake?  On the card?  Eighteen.  Apparently I no longer have to sign for her, she can just do whatever she wants.  Eighteen.  I have every reason to believe there's nothing to worry about.  She makes good choices.  She even still values my advice.  Have I covered everything she needs to know?  Can she really do this without me?  Eighteen...

Happy birthday to my... woman?  I really, really want to say my baby girl...

..and thank you, thank you Mindi for the time spent coloring brown dots for pink balloons so they would match the tables!  Your OCD is my personal friend.

Blessings, Debbie  

the girl's got wheels

After much reading and nail-biting... she had all the right answers (except for one). I've already experienced this twice before.  That time when your young lady (or young man) sprouts wheels... Congratulations Erin!

Blessings, Debbie

my old man

It sounds silly but for years... what am I saying?  I still have to stop and think.  My husband and son celebrate their birthday's within 4 days of each other.  I know that we have birthdays on the 14th and the 18th but I have to make a conscious effort to remember who is which.  My helpful reference has always been an obscure little photo that I haven't even looked at for many years but pops into my mind right at the moment of confusion.  It's a picture of wee baby Cory held on his daddy's lap with a bow on his head.  I titled it 'daddy's best birthday gift'.  Baby with bow, on daddy's lap means baby was here for daddy's birthday. Cory-14th, Dad 18th.  Yes, I question this mind of mine.  

An impromptu party consisiting of family, food, cake, gifts, Outburst and Charades...  I think he actually enjoyed turning another year older.  

Blessings, Debbie

the light parade

So, we baked, dipped, wrapped and tagged until 1:00 am Saturday morning.  Everything had to be fresh you know.  We were at the school selling our wares from 8:30 until closing at 4:00.  This is where things got a bit glitchy.  We still had tear down but Erin and Audrey had to be on a float downtown by 4:30 bundled up and looking gorgeous as they would portray two of the 5 Victorian carolers on our fellowships 'Jesus ~ the same yesterday, today and forever' float in the cities Christmas light parade.  Thankfully my sister happened to show up at a quarter to 4:00 so I sent the girls with her to get ready.  Larry would be driving the float, so he could take over from there.  That left Hillary and I loading 2 booths ourselves and then trying to get to our designated meeting spot across from the courthouse before 5:00.  There we met up with family and friends.

I got these interesting, funky shutter speed shots of my niece on the dance float, some angel friends carrying the banner, and our crew waiting to see it all.  What I didn't get because by this time it was absolutely too dark, was a discernible picture of my lovelies donning their muffs and singing alongside their friend on their glittering float.  It was cold, and hectic, and magical...  Have I mentioned that I love this time of year?

Blessings, Debbie

a bazaar weekend...

First the girls dipped marshmallows in chocolate.  Then they sprinkled them with sprinkles or crushed candy cane...  After that they dipped candy canes in chocolate and sprinkled them with sprinkles or crushed candy cane...

Hillary came home for the weekend and she turned out some of her professional quality, decorated sugar cookies...  This is the fifth year the girls have done this craft bazaar.  It's the only one we do but it's a great venue for us.  You know what I always say.  Do something twice and it's tradition!

Mama put in a little bit of her goodness too.  Yes, you may recognize a couple of things that were designated as gifts.  But I figured, if anything sold, I still had a few weeks to replace it.  As it turns out, what did sell I have at least 9 months to replace.  No grandbabies on the way... yet.

Just wait until you see the fun things that the girls created (besides these yummies) and sold.  I didn't have my camera with me but I took pictures with Hillary's phone.  As soon as I figure out how to get them from there to here, I'll share.  Everyone did great and we had a wonderful time!  Have I mentioned that I love this time of year?  Mmm hmm.

Blessings, Debbie