Happy 100th Birthday, Mother!

Dear Mom,

So wish you were here. I am having a little celebration to honor your 100^th birthday.

I am serving strawberries and chocolate cake – your favorite. It reminds me of the stories that you used to tell about World War II and how all of the neighborhood ladies would pool their sugar rationing cards to buy sugar, so you could make fudge for everyone. I can certainly understand. Your fudge was wonderful!

I know how much you loved flowers, so I am using plates with flowers and a big bouquet on the table. I remember how you loved to dress in clothes with bright colors and flowers on them and the arguments we had, because I would wear only plain clothes. Guess what? I still wear plain clothes, but I always think of you, when I see the flowered ones.

I put the flowers in the Niloak winged victory vase that you gave me. I am really sorry that my friend broke your matching one, when we were in the seventh grade. These green vases show up on eBay sometimes and I immediately think that I should buy you a replacement. Then, I realize that you are not here to enjoy it.

I am using salad forks from the silver that I chose, when I married. I apologize for giving you only a month to plan that wedding. However, you will be glad to know that the marriage is still going strong. We just celebrated our 43^rd anniversary!

I am inviting Andrea and her two girls to celebrate with me. I wish you could know my three grandchildren. You really would love them. They all are such interesting people and all three are voracious readers like you and I. Thank you for giving me your love of books and all of the arts. Those gifts have made my life so much richer, than it would have been without them.

About those grandchildren – did you know that on the day of your memorial service, Andrea told me on the steps of the church that she was expecting our first grandchild? What a bittersweet moment that was! However, it was such a wonderful blessing! You will also be thrilled that the baby was born on your mother’s birthday and she was named “Emma” like your mother.

I am showing a photo of you, when you were young. It is appropriate that you are sitting in the middle, since you were definitely the middle child. Your older brother and sister are not in this photo, but it must have been interesting to grow up with three older and three younger siblings.

Well, I guess that I had better close for now, but I wanted to let you know that I did not forget this important day. I, also, wanted to tell you that I love you and miss you, but most of all – Happy 100^th Birthday!

Love,

Your daughter, Diane

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To my Trudie: the best grandmother in the world

I love my Trudie! She is my dad's mom, and I have her to thank for her top-secret chicken and dumpling recipe, my green eyes, and the beautiful things she has made me through the years.  She made the place mats on my table for me when I got married, and I still treasure them. 

The fruit motif is really nice because they match so many of my patterns. I think hand-made gifts are the best. I have large cross-stitched wall hangings that she made each of my children when they were born. I have numerous other knitted blankets that are put to frequent use. This year when Emma was so often in the hospital, I was so grateful to have them to bring a little something from home to keep family close when they were not allowed to visit. 

Today, I have used these lovingly cross-stitched place mats with some of my other favorite things. The vintage red Morgantown golf ball iced-teas and the Spode Cranberry Traditions plates are so pretty on a spring table. (These were from eBay, as always, though the Spode Traditions were actually from the Replacements eBay site. These were sold as an auction and were actually cheaper through eBay than on the Replacements site. They have more!)

There are six different patterns in this particular set.

The majolica fruit sculpture matches the place mats and is also a special item. It was a gift from "Mrs. Margie," whom Emma mentioned in her last blog. I grew up across the street from Mrs. Margie, and we still visit even now.

I added my favorite red salad plates from Dillard's, my Dollar Tree soup bowls, and my Target ramekins with bright green apples. My family enjoyed this table for an early spring supper, complete with chicken and dumplings! The only thing missing was my Trudie!





-Andrea

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A Blues Table for Five (Recipes!)

I have been dying to use this TJ Maxx tablecloth for something pretty on the porch, but the pollen and weather are not cooperating. I was too impatient to wait, so tonight we dined on new thrifty finds in the kitchen.





Oh, where to start?





Well, the bargain on the table is the sherberts. I found them on eBay for less than $1 a piece! I can't even believe I almost passed them up! 

And the china was another eBay find. It is the Carlotta pattern made by Eternal Stone.  While it wasn't quite the deal of a $1 per piece, it was still a bargain. 

There is some crazing on a few pieces, but I adore the pattern and the two shades of blue. It is at least 75 years old and so chic! I love, love, love the way it looks with the sherberts and blue in the tablecloth! 

I could kick myself for not buying napkins in Homegoods that would have matched! I am one of those shoppers who (sometimes but not often enough) walks around with all the things I want, and gradually put most of them back only to regret it later! Do you do that, too?





The tablecloth is a good example of that very thing. I found four placemats and a runner in this same pattern at a TJ Maxx in Atlanta, walked around with them, and decided I didn't want just four placements. I left them there only to find the tablecloth in a different TJ Maxx a week later. This time, leaving the first stash behind was a good decision!

The Azaleas in the ice bucket are from the yard. I have one plant with a few flowers. The rest are still budding. The other green comes from camellia and honeysuckle leaves.

So, what's the menu?





Cocktail Shrimp





Frozen and thawed from the supermarket (easy recipe, huh?)

Serve with dipping sauces





Mandarin Orange Salad





Salad:

1 head of lettuce, washed and torn

4-5 green onions, chopped fine

3 stalks celery, chopped fine

1 11oz can mandarin oranges

Combine and chill.





Dressing:

1/4 vegetable oil

1 T white vinegar

5 drops hot sauce

2 T sugar

1/2 t salt

1/2 t pepper





Topping:

1/2 c slivered almonds

2-3T sugar

Caramelize on stove. Spread on wax paper to dry. Can be stored in an airtight container for a snack.





Combine salad and dressing. Toss. Top with almonds. Mmmmm. :)





Easiest Poppyseed Chicken







Preheat oven to 350 degrees.





Casserole:

1-2 lb of shredded or cut up chicken, whatever you have on hand

1 can of mushroom soup (10 3/4 oz)

8 oz sour cream

1/4 c. milk

Combine so that the chicken is covered, even if just barely.





Topping:

Place 1-2 stacks of Ritz crackers in a freezer bag and crush

add 1 stick of melted butter or margarine

add 2 T poppy seeds (if you have them)

Shake.





Spread over chicken mixture.





Bake until bubbly, (about 30 minutes).





Easy Rice Pilaf





Prepare 3 c. quick rice.





Melt a tablespoon or so of butter in a large skillet.

Add 1/2 c. green onions (chopped), 1/3 c. slivered almonds,  and 1 crushed clove of garlic.





When almonds are lightly browned (3-5 minutes), add rice and seasonings to taste such as salt, pepper, thyme, etc. Blend and serve.









I also served a can of corn. Another easy recipe. :)





Enjoy!

-Andrea

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