The Lost Generation

Read it and weep...or cheer!

My sweet, funny, feisty little sister-in-law sent this to me today and I just had to share.

What was your response? At first I was shocked...and then ready to cheer and get up and take action.

The Lost Generation

Read it and weep...or cheer!

My sweet, funny, feisty little sister-in-law sent this to me today and I just had to share.

What was your response? At first I was shocked...and then ready to cheer and get up and take action.

An Aspiring Momma

Oh, Mother's Day.

It's come and gone....yet resonating in my mind.

I spent it recovering from a week at "home", attending my grandmother's funeral, and driving 5 hours with my favorite sister...an amazing mother whom I admire and aspire to be like.

This Mother's Day I learned more about my grandmother and my mother's up-bringing...raised in poverty by a determined single mother....and a little about how good I've got it as a mother. Despite all my winging and complaining....I am living the "gravy life" (as my dear brother calls it) compared to my grandmother and even my mother.

Can you imagine at 22 marrying a much older man, who had four kids, three of which he adopted...a city girl moving to a farm? That is my mother's story. Some of it, anyway.

I do have it good! Very, very good.

As an example of how good I have it....upon arriving home Sunday evening...dinner was on the go, wine poured (from a bottle labelled "Mommy's Time Out"), a candle burning on the table (except for the three times the boys blew it out), a sweet little card, and a trip to the "movie store" for a family movie, popcorn with butter and a snuggle with each boy at bedtime. Low key, sweet, thoughtful and wonderful....just what this momma needed.

Tell me about your Mother's Day. Was there a surprise for you?

And....as an aspiring Momma....this gal has hit it on the head for me. This is what I aspire for myself as a mother.

An Aspiring Momma

Oh, Mother's Day.

It's come and gone....yet resonating in my mind.

I spent it recovering from a week at "home", attending my grandmother's funeral, and driving 5 hours with my favorite sister...an amazing mother whom I admire and aspire to be like.

This Mother's Day I learned more about my grandmother and my mother's up-bringing...raised in poverty by a determined single mother....and a little about how good I've got it as a mother. Despite all my winging and complaining....I am living the "gravy life" (as my dear brother calls it) compared to my grandmother and even my mother.

Can you imagine at 22 marrying a much older man, who had four kids, three of which he adopted...a city girl moving to a farm? That is my mother's story. Some of it, anyway.

I do have it good! Very, very good.

As an example of how good I have it....upon arriving home Sunday evening...dinner was on the go, wine poured (from a bottle labelled "Mommy's Time Out"), a candle burning on the table (except for the three times the boys blew it out), a sweet little card, and a trip to the "movie store" for a family movie, popcorn with butter and a snuggle with each boy at bedtime. Low key, sweet, thoughtful and wonderful....just what this momma needed.

Tell me about your Mother's Day. Was there a surprise for you?

And....as an aspiring Momma....this gal has hit it on the head for me. This is what I aspire for myself as a mother.

Farewell Grandma

Grandma has bid this earth adieu.

She left us on Monday morning and I truly feel it was her decision...her plan. You see, she wasn't "sick"....just elderly...95 yrs. On Thursday her daughter from BC arrived for a long awaited visit. Friday she fell...twice....Sat admitted to hospital and Sunday the doctor advised to call in the family. Monday morning, with both her daughters by her side, she took her last breath.

Isn't that lovely? To leave with your children by your side? To leave hurriedly...not drawn out and painful.

I think it's lovely. I think it's great.

My grandma was a woman of a determined mind...one who did not sugar-coat things....said it like she saw it whether it was appropriate/kind or not. Certainly a trait that could be annoying and hurtful...but sometimes rather 's appealing. She always knew what she wanted, went for it, and lived her life as she saw fit.

This is a woman of strength. A woman who became a single mom in 1950, with four kids between the ages of 9yrs and 1yr. Can you imagine? A single mom in the age of "Pleasantville"? I cannot. The fact that she provided for her family in one way or another and managed to do what she loved, show horses, grow oodles of flowers, travel back to England often and retire at the age of 65 is amazing. A-mazing.

So, this lady...who I often affectionately referred to as "Grouchy Grandma" because she was open in her opinions....has moved on. I am happy for her because she would not have wanted to live a life with little quality.

Worried for my mom as she has no one to take care of now...and that's always what she has done. Always.

It's the end of a generation. That whole family is gone now.

There is a legacy left behind to live on though....memories, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and even some great-great grandchildren. So, let the legacy begin...

Farewell Grandma

Grandma has bid this earth adieu.

She left us on Monday morning and I truly feel it was her decision...her plan. You see, she wasn't "sick"....just elderly...95 yrs. On Thursday her daughter from BC arrived for a long awaited visit. Friday she fell...twice....Sat admitted to hospital and Sunday the doctor advised to call in the family. Monday morning, with both her daughters by her side, she took her last breath.

Isn't that lovely? To leave with your children by your side? To leave hurriedly...not drawn out and painful.

I think it's lovely. I think it's great.

My grandma was a woman of a determined mind...one who did not sugar-coat things....said it like she saw it whether it was appropriate/kind or not. Certainly a trait that could be annoying and hurtful...but sometimes rather 's appealing. She always knew what she wanted, went for it, and lived her life as she saw fit.

This is a woman of strength. A woman who became a single mom in 1950, with four kids between the ages of 9yrs and 1yr. Can you imagine? A single mom in the age of "Pleasantville"? I cannot. The fact that she provided for her family in one way or another and managed to do what she loved, show horses, grow oodles of flowers, travel back to England often and retire at the age of 65 is amazing. A-mazing.

So, this lady...who I often affectionately referred to as "Grouchy Grandma" because she was open in her opinions....has moved on. I am happy for her because she would not have wanted to live a life with little quality.

Worried for my mom as she has no one to take care of now...and that's always what she has done. Always.

It's the end of a generation. That whole family is gone now.

There is a legacy left behind to live on though....memories, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and even some great-great grandchildren. So, let the legacy begin...

Sweet Potato Enchilada

Super-yum! This GFCF recipe was a total hit at last night's dinner. Even our niece who doesn't normally like sweet potatoes raved about it. Funnily enough, growing up I didn't like them either and my dad was a huge fan. It's the southern influence I guess. Growing up with Kentucky rellies results in lovin' the southern food....sweet potatas, milk gravy,hushpuppies, catfish, etc. As a kid they were just baked with a touch of brown sugar and butter, and as an adult, I'm trying all sorts of different recipes and truly like them....sometimes. THIS is one of those times!

Sweet Potato Enchilada

1 large onion or leek, diced

1 tsp minced garlic

1/8 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp coriander

1/4 tsp chili powder

Dash cayenne pepper

1/8 tsp garlic powder

3-4 cups sweet potatoes, boiled & mashed - I use a mix of sweet potatoes & yams.

1/2 cup salsa

8 GF corn tortillas cut in quarters

CF cheese ( Cashew Cheese is the cheese of choice in our house)

Saute onion and garlic. Or steam together in the microwave. Add spices to onion mixture and cook until translucent. Add to mashed sweet potatoes. Adjust seasonings. Spray a baking pan with oil. Layer with half of the salsa, half of the tortillas, sweet potatoes, remaining salsa, and remaining corn tortillas. Top with CF Cheese, if using. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes, until done.

Yield: 8 servings-193 calories per serving.

Courtesy of The Kid Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook