The Stone Rabbit

A Mother's Day Feast

I could always count on receiving a plant from my mom on Mother's Day.  My favorite one would be a beautiful begonia she had started from one of her own plants "brought in" from the previous summer.

As I spoke of in my last post, my mom is no longer here to celebrate this special day---to give me a begonia or for me to buy her a Mother's Day card.  In all of my sadness over missing her, I hadn't realized that my family was settling into new Mother's Day traditions. They may not be as sappy over the day as I am, but they recognized the specialness of it and certainly made every effort to make this Mother's Day one of joy and happiness.

My husband masterminded the MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH 2008.  I had NOTHING to do with it, except pull out the dishes I wanted to use and show him where the electric griddle was stored.  All matters of brunchness usually fall into my hands (actually, brunch is one meal I love to fix, as I am crazy about breakfast-type food)---but this year, a new tradition was launched, and my job was to lean back and enjoy it.

First, the flowers. He picked out the lovely bouquet of cut beauties.  These served as the centerpiece on the kitchen island. My photo does not do justice to their amazing colors.

                                                                                           

Then my husband sat the table!  In all of the MANY, MANY years we have been married, I believe this is a "table setting first".  Overall, a pretty fine job.  I'm not sure why he put all of the coffee cups in one spot.  He must have gotten side-tracked.

                                                                      

Our daughter, rolled in from working her third twelve hour night shift in a row---and created this beautiful fruit salad.  I would have stumbled straight for bed, as she had one more night of work ahead of her, but YOUTH (and her love for her mom) kicked in and she was able to prepare food and participate with the family in our Mother's Day Feast.

                                                                                 

Our son (with the recipe from our daughter-in-law) made this wonderful Caramel French Toast Casserole.  He is a great cook and so is my DIL.  I thought you would enjoy this recipe--- they were happy to pass it on:

1 C brown sugar

6 T butter

1/3 C whipping cream

1 T light corn syrup

-----------------------

3 eggs

1/2 C milk

1 t vanilla

1/4 t salt

8 slices French bread

Butter(or spray) a 13 x 9 glass baking dish.  In a 2 quart saucepan, mix the first group of ingredients over medium heat until smooth--do not boil--this makes the caramel.  Spread in the glass baking dish. In a shallow bowl, mix the next four ingredients.  Dip the bread slices in the egg mixture.  Place the slices in the pan over the caramel.  Refrigerate 8 hours.  Bake at 400 for 20-25 min. (my DIL pointed out that she typically bakes it 30-40 min.) until slightly brown.  Turn upside down to serve--or just keep in the baking dish).

Our daughter also prepared the strawberries and pound cake, as shown, and my husband fixed the rest himself:  scrambled eggs, hash browns, and turkey bacon. Recalling that I had been whining about not having biscuits and gravy in such a long time---he made a special trip to pick up two orders of that treat for the feast.

This gift came from my DIL, son and grand daughter.  My DIL is a representative for Uppercase Living and she made this wonderful patriotic decorative using one of the products from her company.  She placed the wording on a glass block, then enhanced it with cute ribbons.  I just love it! 

 

  My husband was worried about pulling off the brunch with no one being "sick or burned or hungry".  The only incident occurred while he was cooking the turkey bacon.  He filled the griddle with as much bacon as it would hold, then remembered he wanted to pick up the biscuits and gravy (at the store). While he was gone, I heard a rattling of paper from the kitchen and didn't immediately go and check on the source of the sound.  When I did, I saw my daughter's "precious" Izzie dog scamper away from the empty bacon package on the floor.  I scolded her and didn't think anything about it until later, when my husband had returned with the bounty of biscuits.  He turned on the griddle and asked me, "Where's the rest of the bacon"?  My mental picture was: empty wrapper +scampering dog.  "How much was in the package"?,  I replied.  "About half", he said.  RATS, I thought. What will be happening to that dog in a few hours??????  "Well, I think I know where the bacon is", I cheerfully responded.

She does look really innocent in that photo, doesn't she? hmmmmm.

 

  All the while the dog was feasting on half a package of turkey bacon, my black cat Frankie and THE STONE RABBIT just looked out the window.  They have way too much refinement to behave in such a manner.  They both feel Izzie is a pest and she pretty much put the lid on that issue.

So, while we were short on turkey bacon at our MOTHER'S DAY FEAST, we were long on love.  The two mom's in our little family gathering were honored and appreciated and fed a gourmet brunch. 

Thank you to my great family for such a terrific day.  Dana

PS  The dog was fine.

    

Thoughts of Sue

   

                                                                       

This is a photo of my mom, Sue. If I hadn't been thinking about the topic of Mother's Day for my new post, I might have never discovered this picture.

I had received my first digital camera and on that particular day, I was learning to use it. The memory card I had was one that came with the camera and it only stored eight photos. 

I soon acquired a new card that stored a lot more pictures and the little one with eight photos was returned to the camera box and forgotten.  Until last night.

As I said, I was thinking about Mother's Day and wishing I had a digital photo of my mom to include in my post.  Then, for some strange reason, I thought about that little memory card and vaguely recalled taking  a picture of her.  I wildly dug that camera box out of my closet and eagerly opened the lid.  There, in the bottom, was the card.  As I inserted it into the card reader, I was certain I had been mistaken about the picture I thought might be there--but I was hoping I was wrong.  In a few seconds the photos popped up on the screen and there she was---mom--smiling sweetly for the new digital camera.

This photo was number five on my card of eight pictures.  This photo was taken on Mother's Day 2003.   It was the last Mother's Day we spent together because she passed away that following November. It was the last photo I took of my mom.

I think about her every day.  She was such an important part of my life and taught me so many, many things. I miss her deeply and it seems that Mother's Day is the day I truly feel her absence the most.

                                                                                           

My parents moved out of state when they retired and hadn't been gone too long when they discovered Dad was ill. He passed away about a year and a half later and she soon returned to this area.  As a housewarming gift, I gave her the concrete bunny pictured on the right.  He sat on her porch for about thirteen years. When she died, I decided to bring her bunny home with me.  He gets along great with THE STONE RABBIT (as you can clearly see).  Mom's bunny sits just off our front porch and keeps watch.  He is a daily reminder of her and all the great times we had together.  She loved her concrete bunny, too.

Happy Mother's Day.    Dana

Mint Juleps on the Veranda(s)

In an attempt to share my collection of silver tumblers with you, I have discovered how difficult it is to capture their real beauty in a photograph. In short, my skills as a photographer are pretty weak.

The tall ones were a birthday present from my good friend Bonnie and I found the shorter ones at an antique mall.

So, why do I feel the need to collect silver tumblers?  Simple!  So I can serve Mint Juleps in style!  Why do I feel I need to serve Mint Juleps?  Well, it started out as a joke when we built our home about three years ago.  We have concrete slabs everywhere---front porch, side patio, and back patio.  I fondly started referring to them as our "verandas". That sweet Southern term triggered the idea of hosting a "Mint Juleps on the Verandas Party".  The problem--no silver tumblers.  Hence the beginning of another collection.

         

                                                       

So, now I had my silver tumblers(thanks to Bonnie), a party theme, a mint source (thanks to Marian--another great buddy) and a guest list.  I just needed a recipe for Mint Juleps.  We checked the Internet for ideas--I even found this wonderful old book at a flea market (circa 1949).  It had a couple of possibilities, but we finally settled on one which had appeared in our local newspaper right before the Kentucky Derby last year.  It called for making a simple syrup of sugar and water, then infusing it with fresh mint for several hours.  I thought this would make for easier Julep mixing on party night.

While the majority of our guests had never had a Mint Julep, most were up to trying this new cocktail.  After all, how awesome---visiting with friends on three concrete verandas while sipping Juleps!  Unfortunately, this lovely vision quickly faded as a tremendously heavy downpour started just as we were passing out the first of the Juleps.  Two of the three verandas had a roof--so we all crammed onto those and clicked our silver tumblers, ignoring the storm.  Some guests declined a Julep and enjoyed their beer or wine (chickens), but it wasn't the kind of drink that mattered or even the promise of a serene outdoor summer evening ---it was the pleasure of having such a fantastic group of friends--- huddled under the shelter of two "verandas", spending a great time together on a rainy evening in June 2007.

This Saturday, in honor of the Kentucky Derby, I decided to pull out the silver tumblers again.  After all, how often can we justify a Mint Julep? Besides that, I do enjoy using my collection (even though it was just me and my husband this time).

  THE STONE RABBIT thought he would get in on the action, too, but I reminded him that bunnies shouldn't consume alcoholic beverages.

He wasn't very happy that I said "No" to the Julep request.  I guess that's why he snatched my Kentucky Derby hat right off my head and hopped outside!

         

THE STONE RABBIT soon forgot about the Julep.  It turned out he was a big hit with his little girl bunny pals---he let them take turns wearing my hat all afternoon.  I was OK with that.  It looked a lot better on them anyway.

   

               

      

Sadly, it was such a terrible ending to such a spectacular Run for the Roses race.  I was cheering for Big Brown (I liked the jockey and I loved his patriotic silks--I know NOTHING about horse racing--my selections are based primarily on jockey personality and attire), but my heart just broke for all of the people who were close to the filly, Eight Belles.    Dana

 

A Garden Sale on The Square

                                                                                            

On a recent Saturday, our historic square in Independence, MO, was the scene of its annual Garden Sale.

This is an event we look forward to, as a variety of vendors display wonderful and enticing potting plants, planters, and an array of other terrific items. We are ready to buy and plant!

Our weekends have generally been less than ideal for spring events this year and this particular Saturday was no exception. It was a bit on the chilly side, but we were determined to make it to the square to see what was begging to come home with us!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

This photo is of the courthouse on the square.  We are so lucky to have such a beautiful building so near by.

      

Here we are with our baskets on wheels, ready to find the perfect plants to take home and enjoy. (L to R: Dana (me), Patty and Bonnie.

                          

At our very first stop, we found Leanna and Maurice Holdgraf of GRANDMOTHER'S PANTRY.  I know them as fellow vendors in a variety of local sales.  They sell the best jams (no sugar added!), pickled veggies,salsa and butters--- just to mention a few of their goodies!                        

This is a view of the East side of the courthouse. Do you see the statue of President Harry S. Truman?  He lived in Independence. Check out the great plants for sale.  Check out the warm clothes worn by the shoppers----gads, we're tired of it!  Come on Spring--co-operate!

      

These beautiful plants were almost screaming, "Take us home with you!" Wow, if that picture doesn't put you in the planting mode, nothing will!  I just noticed the lady in the photo wasn't wearing a jacket---she must have had on her long johns! 

   

The St. Francis Greenhouse booth is always beautiful and always busy!

   

Their geraniums were gorgeous, but since it is a death sentence for this variety of plant to come home with me, I passed.  Yet,...... they were tempting.  Very, very tempting.  I really  do love geraniums---I just can't keep them alive. 

Someone with a greener geranium thumb than mine selected a beauty and the cashier was pleased to help her out!

Recalling I had a connection to this town, Patty nudged me and pointed to this sign.  Standing not four feet from me was Bill, an old classmate and owner (along with his wife) of this amazing booth of plants!  We hadn't seen eachother in several years.

As you can tell, he was thrilled to pose for the photo!  They did have gorgeous plants and it was so great to meet his wife and to converse with them for a bit!  We all bought some herbs and one of the white plants you see above their sign (I don't know the name of it, but it has a fair chance of surviving the summer at my house---unlike geraniums).

As we were leaving I saw these cute boot planters.  What a great way to recycle---hope those geraniums make it! (We know they wouldn't at my house.) Hmmmm.

THE STONE RABBIT was thrilled to see all of my plant purchases.  He loved the new fern and was particularly fond of the basil.  I told him about the cute boot planter idea and how I thought he would like a neat container like that to enjoy the herbs in this year.

He thought maybe the charm was lost when the only shoes available were my husband's "mowing sneakers".

He said he wasn't about to reside in a home that required him to schmooze with plants in sneakers, then he turned his back on me.

I guess I'd better find another herb container.  I hate it when he's mad. Dana