Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me...

Mr. Food came out with Shoo Fly Pie last week, that he claimed was "Soooooo Good!"
I listened to him describe this" ooey, gooey filling that a person just couldn't resist digging into!" It is an Amish favorite and it gets it's name because even the flies couldn't resist it while it would be sitting on the window sill cooling down.  He went on to say that while the Amish guard their recipe closely, he had one that is just as tasty and easy.
Well, who could resist this recipe after hearing all of that? Not me!! It looked wonderful on the TV screen and hey, if the Amish love it, it has to be great, right? So I went online and got the recipe printed off and proceeded to make it.
The first clue should have been seeing the one cup of molasses....I did question it and even checked other Shoo Fly Pie recipes to make sure this wasn't an error--but they all had the same ingredients. The aroma of the pie filled my house as it baked. I could hardly wait to try it! Waiting an hour for the filling to cool down and set was one of the longest hours ever. Finally, the first slice was cut and handed out to my daughter who kept asking me if it was good? I assured her it had to be as Mr. Food said, "It's Sooooo Good!" After all, he doesn't get paid for tell lies on TV!
As I handed the slice of ooey, gooey pie to her, I grabbed my fork and dipped into it for a taste. We both swallowed our bites about the same time and we both looked at each other and said nothing---- for a moment anyhow. I think my first words were, "Oh my gosh, this is like eating straight molasses out of the jar!" Her words were, "I can't eat this, it is way too strong."
My husband who can, and will eat anything just laughed at us. He promptly took the plate out of our hands proclaiming, "Great! more for me!" He actually did finish it, but said afterward that he probably wouldn't be asking for another piece anytime in the future...
I wish I knew what the attraction is for this pie...maybe you have to grow up eating it or something--or maybe you have to be Amish???? Whatever the answer I would love to know.
Until then, "Shoo fly don't bother me" EVER again!
Talk about an adventure!

Monday, September 19, 2011

A Movie and a Prayer

Watching a movie a few weeks ago confirmed my strong faith. Not that I needed it, but it's always interesting when things like this pop up as a reminder:)
It was one of those movies where the drama and suspense was so intense that I was on the edge of my seat pulling for  the main character to make it through the obstacles that lay ahead; one life threatening scene after another!!!!
I was totally drawn in by all that was happening. My heart was pounding, my stomach hurt and I had goose bumps on the back of my neck, when I suddenly found myself clenching my hands and softly repeating, " Dear Lord, please let her be OK, please help her..." Over and over.
I exclaimed to Kinsey, "Oh my gosh, I can't believe it- I'm praying for this girl in a movie! Talk about having a strong faith in prayer!" In the middle of all the drama we both burst out laughing!

As funny as that was, it was affirming to me on how important prayer is in my daily life. For me, it is an ongoing conversation.
PS.
Oh by the way, the girl in the movie did make it through the horrific ordeal. Now that's what I call the power of prayer!:)

Friday, September 16, 2011

With Gratitude.

This week would have been my Mom's 92nd birthday. Wow! Ninety-two--hard to believe as she was 49 when she passed away. I look at other people I know that are that age, and try to visualize how my mom would look now. I just can't picture it as I keep seeing her looking the same as she was when she passed away, when I was sixteen.
A good friend of mine from high school actually brought my mom up in conversation with me at our class reunion last month. His locker was alphabetically next to to mine all four years so we became real good friends. He told me that he often admired the way I stayed positive and appeared happy while finishing out my school years without a mom. With tears in his eyes, he told me that at the time, he couldn't imagine not having a mom as a teen,  He then went on to say that he thought of me often while raising his own teens.
I was very surprised to hear him share this, and we both had tears running down our cheeks. I hadn't realized at the time that anyone even gave it a thought...no one ever mentioned or brought it up. I'm sure it was too awkward, and they were afraid of making me sad.  But now, 42 years later, he was sweet enough to let me know how he hurt for me, and I was so very touched not only by his sensitivity, but by his thoughtfulness to share it with me all of these years later. It reminded me of "the things we wished we would have shared and didn't" philosophy.
Yes, we were both blubbering by that time, and I hugged him and thanked him for sharing his feelings and thoughts with me; it just endeared him to me even more:) I told him the reason I was able to go on was because of friends and classmates like him--they made coming to school a thing to look forward to and to embrace. I loved going to school. It made me happy and took me away from the sadness and emptiness of being at home.
 All these years later I look back with such fond memories of my school years, and know that I am who I am today because of the circumstances of my life. All because the people that surrounded me loved  and guided me while not knowing what a difference it would make in my life.
I am so thankful for the angels in my life...

Monday, September 12, 2011

Starting Back!

I will be back to posting on my blog again now that I have a new computer and can do so in a timely manner! My old one just wasn't keeping up to what I needed to do.
Glad to be back:)