Lilac Loveliness

Lilacs are in full bloom now in central Iowa. These were a mother's day gift from Michael. I also got to order two lilac bushes to plant in our front yard.


Sarah and Melissa at a Lilac Arboretum nearby. There was large home school gathering there yesterday, but Melissa and I decided to visit an equally socially-reclusive friend instead of braving the crowd, and Sarah, of course, was in school.


So how did we get these pictures, you ask?
Well, I often worry that my social issues will unduly influence Melissa and cause her to miss out on activities that she might otherwise enjoy. Although, she hates large groups and park outings, and has since she was little. So, it really isn't my fault.


No, it isn't my fault. Really.

But, just in case, we went the evening before and had a lovely time amongst the gorgeous lilacs.
Now, I don't have to feel guilty.
Or maybe, only a little bit.

Monday, Monday

Monday was a really productive day for me. I found a whole wheat bagel recipe. It was easy and fast to make them - and lots of fun to watch them pop-up in the boiling water stage!


I know they look burned, but it was just the poppy seeds I used for topping. I also dipped them in sesame seeds and a little garlic salt.

Melissa arranged all the foods and took these and all the following food pictures.

I had bought a lot of rhubarb at the farmer's markets here in the last couple of weeks. I intended to freeze some, but am short of freezing containers. So, I used up some rhubarb by making a whole grain quick bread.


I also made these rhubarb custard pies.

The rhubarb custard pie was my mother-in-law's recipe. It was the first pie she ever made as a little girl, probably some time in the 1930s. The recipe is easy as, well, pie.


Hilde's Rhubarb Pie

1 cup rhubarb
1 cup cream
1 cup sugar
a little white flour for thickening.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes, or until done.

It is absolutely sinfully delicious! Years ago I tried making it with whole milk or even half and half instead of cream, but neither one approached the incredible decadence of the original.

Go ahead, make one.
You know you want to.

Look what I found...

I pulled out an old bread-making cookbook this morning to search for a whole grain bagel recipe. I remember that this book came with the hearth oven insert I got for Christmas 6 or 7 years ago and I haven't ever really used it. (The book, not the insert).
I opened the book and out fell another Christmas present I received that year from Stephen, who was 12 or 13 at the time.

A Sonnet for Mommy

You are the rock I build upon,
You are my substitute for earthly brawn,
You are the master up to which I run,
You are the source of all my heavenly fun.
You are the shade that helps to dim the glare,
That keeps the sun off my precious lair.
You are the mace that keeps away the bear.

You are my lantern in the dark of night,
You are the shelter where I hide in fright.
You are the book I read each day with care
To find the path to trod on, if I dare.
You are my harbor on a stormy sea,
You give me the strength to get up and be,
The strength I need to stand up and be me.

Merry Christmas, Mom. I love you, Stephen.

I love you, too, Stephen!!

Every day is Mother's Day...

Stephen

There just aren't words to describe how much I love my children.
So today, on Mother's Day, I want to thank them each for making me a mother.
I also want to thank my husband, who has made it possible for me to be the best mom I can be.

Zachary

Today was a great day, full of love for each other. It started with blueberry buckle, the newspaper and coffee; followed by a delightful walk in Brown's Woods, a little mushroom-gathering and garden-planting. Now, we're soon to finish the day with homemade pizza and salad, shared together with much laughter at the dinner table.

Sarah


As time passes, love only grows deeper.

Melissa

I love you guys!

You make every day Mother's Day.

Joys of Spring

Today we got up early to hit the first Downtown Des Moines Farmer's Market of the season. DH, Melissa and I arose at about 6, leaving enough time to take the dog out, make a pot of coffee and drink a cup, and snuggle on the couch a bit before leaving.

Farmer's markets usually create a fair amount of anxiety for me - what if there's something good and I miss it? What if I'm not there early enough to get the best selection? This can make a trip to the market with me a bit, well, unpleasant. But today was different, somehow. Either I'm conquering this particular anxiety (yeah, right) or it's because there's not much besides greens, rhubarb and asparagus this time of year.

Except for the rain, we had a fun time, the three of us. I'm thrilled with the produce I got as well: salad mix, spinach, asparagus, ramps, garlic and leeks. We found some fantastic locally produced whole grain bread (dried cherry walnut was incredible!) and an array of cheeses from a local dairy.

Oh, and this is what happens when you ask your dh to take picture of the produce you bought at the market and he decides to get all artsy:




This is actually the third farmer's market Melissa and I have been to so far this season. There is another market on Thursdays in West Des Moines, where we've stocked up on tomatoes (greenhouse grown, but at least locally), salsa, rhubarb and morel mushrooms.

I've decided to set a goal for myself: to attempt to shop only at farmer's markets or buy locally grown essentials (milk, flours, etc.) for the season. I don't know if I'll be able to accomplish this, but it will be fun to try.

I've already thought of a couple of exemptions, such as sugar (I'll use honey as much as possible for a substitute) and items such as baking powder, baking soda, vanilla and certain herbs and other seasonings.

Hmm, maybe I should only try this for a month??

And, no Zachary, if we want ice cream that means we have to make it ourselves from local cream. It does not mean that I send you or dad out to buy it instead of me!!

Yesterday, when they were young...

Stephen, 1988

Saturday evening was my second oldest son's senior prom. He will graduate later this month. Next week, my oldest son finishes his sophomore year in college. My oldest daughter is finishing her freshman year in high school and my youngest daughter is now 11.

It seems like only yesterday when I was a mom of four children under the age of 10. I can remember exactly how it felt to hold each of them in my arms, inhaling that wonderful baby smell and feeling their soft, fuzzy heads against my cheek. I remember their first words (hi, truck, dada, and mama, respectively), when they each first walked, their favorite baby foods, their triumphs and their sadnesses.

Zachary, 1990

The years have simply flown by, as every grandmother will tell you. Even when you know this and work to cherish every moment, it still is startling to one day be holding your little boy's hand while crossing the street and the next day have to crane your neck to look up at him.

Sarah, 1993

I am so incredibly proud of my children. They each are such good people; kind, caring, considerate, funny, responsible, witty... I could go on. I feel fortunate that, so far, they have decided to attend colleges close to home, so I am as yet spared the separation of a child living far away.Melissa, 1997

So it is with melancholy that I greet this spring. My children are becoming independent adults with lives that are more separate from mine than ever before. So, while I am, of course, proud and happy, I also cry a little as I let them go.

Melissa's Magic

Melissa has turned into a fearless crocheter this year! We discovered the wonders of felting and she has really gone to town, turning out purses galore and now watch this:




With just two cycles in the washing machine, she's created a basket! This one is for one of her dear friends whose birthday is in a week or so.



Cool, huh?