Life, Death and Friends

Today I was able to go celebrate the life of a wonderful woman, Viola Fleming. When I heard of her passing, I knew I would be attending the funeral service no matter what, it wasn't a question, it was a definite.

I met this woman named Cathey when I worked for an equine surgeon. She was close to my mother's age, but had such a sense of humor and such a warm personality, we quickly went from just coworkers to very close friends. I rode one of her horses. Bear (actually, Cathey's son, Aaron's horse) and must admit to some pretty crazy riding adventures in the woods of Pembroke. I attended family events and parties and got know Cathey's family. Meme, as Viola was called by her grandchildren, had a wonderful sense of humor, a great smile, but had no problems telling anyone if they weren't exercising the best judgement. I was not immune from this...and you know what? She was right. I was about to do something stupid.

Cathey's sister, Susie quickly became a friend, also, along with Susie's daughter, Missy. I left the vet clinic but still rode Bear. Then, Bear injured her leg and I stopped riding her. I was no longer at Cathey's house every day, and eventually moved to Manchester. However, I kept in touch with Missy via email, attended Missy's baby shower and her son's christening. I would see everyone every few years and we'd pick up right where we left off. We didn't see each other much anymore, it happens to everyone, life gets in the way, but we still had that connection.

Today, I really felt the connection. I walked into the church, late, per usual, and went right up to the front and sat behind Missy and the rest of the family and didn't think twice about it. I was doing okay until I saw Susie teary, I started to cry then and when I hugged Cathey, well, I did wonder why I wasted my time putting on makeup this morning. It was a wonderful service...but the best credit to Viola is her family. They all know what's really important. I haven't seen any of them in over a year, yet I was immediately included in the family. There were some family members I didn't remember or hadn't met, but it didn't matter. Today, I was a Fleming. Maybe not by blood, but in the heart, where it really matters.

So, Meme, Rest in Peace. Your memory will always be alive and your kind and generous heart rests in your children and grandchildren. I feel blessed to be a part of it.

January is SNOWY

We got about 8 inches of snow last night and this morning. The kids have been going outside every chance they can get. Michael took them outside tonight, before dinner, but after dark. They thought that was really pretty cool.

They were sliding down the hills, the snowbanks, everything, using sleds, their stomachs and a summer floaty tube the neighbor loaned them. Unlike years past, this year, it's actually tiring them out, instead of wiring them!

something new...something blue

I usually blog about the crazy antics of my children or what I've created in my etsy shops. Today, I'm doing something different. I'm going to share one of my favorite recipes. Healthy eating isn't a real big thing in our house, if it happens, it happens. We tend to lean toward taste....and this is something that incorporates both. (and don't let the Bran in the recipe title scare you. You can always use softened cream cheese as a spread if it makes you feel less healthy)

Blueberry Applesauce Bran Muffins--(and they don't taste like sawdust)
1 1/4 c all purpose flour
1 c Quaker brand Unprocessed Bran (recipe is off the back of the box)
1/2 c sugar
1 T baking powder
3/4 t cinnamon
1/2 t salt
3/4 c unsweetened applesauce
1/4 skim milk (I use whatever milk I have in the house)
1/4 c vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
1 c fresh or frozen (do not thaw) blueberries OR 1/2 c raisins

Heat oven to 400 degrees, line 12 c muffin pan with papers or grease bottoms only.
Mix dry ingredients in large bowl. Mix applesauce, milk, oil and egg in a medium bowl, add all at once to dry ingredients, stirring just until blended (do not over mix) add fruit, if desired. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and bake 18-20 mins, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with few moist crumbs clinging to it. Cool in pan on rack 5 mins, then remove from pan, serve warm.

To freeze, wrap tightly in foil or place in freezer bag, freeze up to 6 months.

No Fainting...but...

I blogged! After a few months off..due to camera problems, hectic life, but most of all, computer problems, I am back to share my lovely pearls of wisdom with you all once again.

In the "off season" we had my daughter's birthday. She got a pair of very fancy jeans with a purple sparkly belt...opened them and said, Mummy, look, a really cool belt with jeans attached (she turned 6).

At the Christmas pageant rehearsal, my son, the shepard, turned his hat around so the back was covering his face and shouted, "Good Lord, I can't see a thing".

Christmas was great, Santa brought Sarah a scooter, which she really wanted, however, she realized the kitchen is a lot smaller on a moving scooter than on her own two feet. And the cabinets are sturdy.

Griffin got the 3 trains he really wanted, Spencer, Bertie the Bus, and Henrietta who is Toby's coach. He also got a freight yard with a tractor trailer so Daddy can play trains, also.

Our New Years wasn't so great. We had the barf bug that week. I think I'm finally caught up on laundry. I did tons of laundry after Christmas (I mentioned Griffin needed new underpants, casually, at Thanksgiving. He got over 40 pairs for Christmas. We did Christmas with my family on the 28th, my mom said she couldn't find any underwear in his size for his stocking. I told her my husband's entire family bought it all out) and then, to top it all off, after yet another load of sheets, blankets and towels, the cat barfed in the laundry basket of clean laundry. What fun.

So, now my computer is working, it's snowing, I've blogged and I think we're all going to go read a Magic Tree House book and snuggle on the couch.