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Showing posts from December, 2012

Passing the Silver Baton

Polishing silverware is therapeutic.    The task is menial, yet it is conducive to reflection and that is always good, especially at holidays.    My mind drifts to how lovely my mother-in-law’s table looked at Christmastime.   Stella had classy taste.   Her tablecloths were expensive and complimented her china.   But what always impressed me was her silverware.   I inherited it while still a very young mother.   I learned, along with my young daughters, how to care for it and how to set a table properly with it.   It became not only a keepsake, but a tradition in our family. Through the years, our daughter, Carrie, never complained when I asked her to polish the silverware.   Even through high school and college, she was faithful to provide polished and cleaned table settings of the “First Love” pattern at each plate.   About five years ago, Carrie announced that she had first dibs on grandmother’s silverware.   I was shocked.   She didn’t hate it!   She loved it like me!

Mom is Home for Christmas

This is the first year I’ve celebrated the holidays without my mom.   Now I know how many of you feel when you write about missing a parent at Christmas.   Your blog posts prepared me.   I didn’t know what to expect.   I’ve been one blessed woman to have my mom for so long.   She lived a full ninety-six years.   As my friend, Carla, told me “still, she’s your mother and you’ll miss her when she goes to heaven.”   Now it’s my turn to write about it. Mom seems to be everywhere.   I was hanging ornaments on the tree with Christmas music playing in the background when Mario Lanza started singing - one of her favorites.   She loved the classical and religious carols, like me.   Many of my ornaments were hand made by mom, either crocheted or created in her ceramic class.   My prized possession is my Lladro Nativity that I’ve been displaying for over 30 years! And recipes…oh, my!   Mom was a baker and it seems like when I sift through my recipe file, I find my

Come to the Table Book Review

I’m sharing my review today about Come to the Table, written by Neta Jackson, a favorite author of mine.   The story features three students from Chicago Crista University and a homeless gal with her son. Also in this story, Avis and Peter appear from the loved Yada Yada Sisters Series. This novel is the second book of the SouledOut Sisters series and can be read easily by itself.   Nick, Brygitta, Kat and Rochelle and her six year old son, Conny all share an apartment and learn to apply Christian principles to living together in harmony overcoming jealousy, criticism and insecurity.   The author does a great job of integrating biblical topics in the storyline and just like the characters, you find yourself asking questions like who should be baptized, is church membership a necessary commitment and how to interact with someone with HIV.     I specifically like the way the main character, Kat, learns how to slow down and pray for God’s leading before running off with her m