Moments together

Tonight my eldest daughter and I continued a tradition together.

We made hardtack candy.

I used to make it with my beloved grandmother.

As a very little girl I remember how happy I was when I would be allowed to twist the tray and crack the candy.

It was so very satisfying to watch the smooth sheet of "glass" shatter into a zillion yummy pieces.

Rolled in sugar and tucked into jars,

everyone had their favorite flavor.

Real peppermint oil made the green ones icky in my book,

while yellow guaranteed a lemony treat.

After dinner tonight,

as we spent several hours together,

we talked about her journey to high school.

We discussed where she was going to go.

I had to tell her that while I would do my best to send her along with her buddies to our Catholic High School... I couldn't promise her it would happen.

This was a sad reality that she hadn't considered.

Over the course of the evening, while we stirred, shattered and sugared, we talked it out.

The possibilities,

the future.

We even ended up talking about college and career choices.

It was an important discussion, one made more natural, more tolerable by the task we were completing together.

The delicious candy,

"sweetened" the situation just a little.

Memories were made and I am so proud of the woman my daughter is becoming.

I am blessed by her gentle spirit...

Glad she is mine to love.

I pray that your own life will be blessed with dear ones to cherish...

that your walk be "sweeter" because of them.

Time together

This morning my parents invited my family and I to come to breakfast with them.

We accepted, of course, and were especially delighted when we learned that the destination was the Waffle House!

The Waffle House is one of those places that is a great equalizer. You might see a beat up car parked next to a BMW. The food is delicious and you get plenty! Top it off with great service and reasonable prices and you'll soon know why they are always doing a brisk business.

One of the best parts of going to the Waffle House, and the reason I originally was going to blog, is how much fun it is to watch your food being made!

There are no interior walls in this restaurant. If you sit at a table near the kitchen area, you can watch as they fry up your customized hash browns or make a fresh batch of coffee.

If you go, may I recommend the waffles they are so famous for. Treat yourself to two, the second one is only 99 cents! Another must try are their hash browns which are amazingly crispy and take up their own plate. You can get all sorts of yummy things mixed into your hash browns. Check out: http://www.wafflehouse.com/default.asp for more information on this happy place.

Besides the good meal, everyone enjoyed the time together. We laughed, ate and formed new memories. My parents have just recently moved back to this state and we couldn't be happier to see them if we tried. It is so very good to spend time with those that love us. The people who have known us our whole lives.

Going out to eat is fun, I will not lie.

But, I will tell you honestly that I'd happily eat peanut butter and jelly with those I love around my own table.

In the end it really isn't about the food at all.

It is about...

Family...

Friendship...

Love....


The important things in life.

Share a meal with someone you love.

=-)