A birthday and an anniversary…

Happy Birthday to my friend Paul in the Boston area.  If you have a minute please stop by and wish him a happy birthday.  Paul has been my friend for most of my 8 plus blogging years.  I am sure Arlene is taking him out to a super duper place to celebrate!

It is very easy for me to remember Paul’s birthday as it falls on the date of my wedding anniversary some 50 odd years ago.  Seems like only yesterday when Jim and I were young and starting out with absolutely nothing but each other, my old ‘53 pea green Plymouth and Jim’s motorcycle.  I will never forget the day.  It was snowing so there was no honeymoon, not that we could have afforded one anyway.  I hit the jackpot when I married Jim.  He was such a caring guy and he was like my dad in that he never met a stranger.  I honestly can’t remember one person that didn’t like him.  He had a great sense of humor and loved going to country music concerts with me.  We saw all of the popular acts.  We were even sitting in the Civic Center in Champaign Illinois when Loretta Lynn did her famous passing out act on the stage.  If you have ever seen the movie, Coal Miner’s Daughter you will know what I am referring to.

So let’s all celebrate Paul’s birthday and  my wedding anniversary.  Champagne is on the house!  And thanks Jim for being my guardian angel since December 1st, 2006!  I have had great need of one this year.

Beth

November 23, a very special day…

Today would have been my mom and dad’s 89th wedding anniversary!  I just found out from visiting one of my favorite bloggers  Nana Diana that today is also her son’s birthday.

This is how I remember my mom and dad.  This picture was taken in 1963.  They were not fancy people and my daddy never put on his suit unless it was for a wedding or a funeral.  My mom raised 8 kids (I was number 6) and it wasn’t easy for her at all.  I remember supper a lot of times as being bowls of milk and cornbread.  My dad was a truck driver and if times were good I remember Saturday lunch was a special treat.  Baloney and cheese sandwiches, strawberry pop and chocolate covered marshmallow cookies with raspberry filling.  To this day I love marshmallows and I always list it as my favorite candy.  I love those Nabisco chocolate pinwheel cookies too!

My dad was a very proud man.  He never took a handout from anyone so Christmas was always a lean time for us.  No one delivered a turkey or ham to our door because dad always said that he could provide for his family.  And he did the best that he could!  My mom tried to make homemade candy at Christmas time and would start making it a couple of months ahead of time.  She stored the candy in a 5 gallon can and we all knew not to touch it.  Below is a recipe from my recipe web site.

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Mom’s White Fudge

My mother used to start making candy about a month before Christmas. She would store the candy in a large can and keep it in a cool place. This was one of my favorites.

•3 cups sugar
•1 cup evaporated milk
•1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
•3/4 stick margarine
•1 (12 ounce) can angel flake coconut
•1 cup chopped nuts

Mix sugar, milk and margarine together and cook until mixture comes to a boil, stirring frequently. Boil for 5 minutes over medium heat stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in coconut and marshmallow creme, then add nuts. Stir until mixture starts to thicken. Pour into buttered pan. Cool before cutting. Makes about 2 pounds.

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My mom never knew a stranger and would give a hug to anyone who came in our door.  Also offer refreshments of whatever we might have.  I miss you mom and daddy!  Happy Anniversary!!

Today I have a sore throat to go with the congestion.  If I don’t feel better on Monday I will see if I can get in to see the nurse practitioner or I will go to Urgent Care here at the hospital.

I hope today is good for us all.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth