A Royal Tradition

The first televised coronation.

In 1953, my mother-n-law sat with her classmates from school in front of a small television screen to watch the coronation of Elizabeth II. Her mother, a Canadian by birth but by this time an American, was always keenly interested in all things concerning her former monarchy.

So, in June of that year, having one of the only t.v.’s to be found in their tiny community of Culleoka, Tennessee, she invited each of her daughter’s classmates to attend the broadcast of the coronation.

Cake and berries served on my Lenox, which rarely sees the light of day.

Ever the proper hostess, she had made pound cake, served on her best dishes along with fresh strawberries, whipped cream and, of course, tea. My husband also recalls how, as a child on summer trips to his grandparents’ home, his grandmother, “Granny” to him and his siblings, would always have a mid-morning snack of tea and cookies ready for her grandchildren.

Kate gets her ring and her prince.

This past Friday, my daughter and I woke early, as in 3 a.m. early (and yes, I could barely function the rest of the day), to watch the marriage of William and Kate. If there are two things at which the Brits reign supreme, it’s throwing weddings and wearing hats. Well, most Brits don a hat well – not quite sure what Beatrice was thinking with what sat atop her head, but that’s another post altogether.

Ren slept on the couch in preparation for the big day. Notice her tiara (from being on the 8th grade homecoming court a few years ago) - every girl wants to be a princess.

Wake up, sleepy head.

So, in carrying on a family tradition, I thought it would be nice to serve up some cake and strawberries, just like Granny had done almost 60 years earlier, and even though she hates strawberries, Ren gave in to the sense of family unity and partook in a wee bite or two.


And who knows - maybe six decades down the road my great-grandchildren will be watching as William’s son or daughter is crowned and will eat strawberries and think of me.

Coronation image via

Wedding image via

On the First Day of Christmas...

I wish the pictures had turned out better. It's much shinier than shown here.

...we put up the tree in Ren's room. Actually, we put it up for the second time. After thinking the pole for the antique aluminum tree was broken I made a trip to Lowes and purchased a wooden rod (turns out Ren taped it thinking it was broken in half, yet it had simply separated at the point where it was cut in half). John was given the task of drilling the holes in the new pole for the branches and I spray painted it a metallic silver. My only regret with this is that it is a little larger than the original. John, aka "Tim the Toolman Taylor", measured it wrong, so it's a quarter of an inch too big in diameter. Oh well, it'll do for this year.

When we moved into our new house three years ago I knew I wanted one of these vintage trees. I thought it would look very chic in a teen's room. Of course, another reason I just had to have one is that it reminds me of Christmases at my grandparents' house. Mammy and Pa had one just like it that they set atop a lamp table in front of the picture window in their living room. It was always adorned with red balls, the kind that were covered in a satiny thread. I know these trees came with color wheels, but I don't know if my grandparents ever used one. If they did, I don't remember it. Today, my grandparents' tree resides at my cousin Tammy's house. It's nice to know it's still in the family.

Can you tell Ren's an I Love Lucy fan?

I purchased the tree for Ren's room at an antique store in Gallatin the same year we moved in. I think I only paid $40 for it, which I thought was a pretty good deal. My sister later found a color wheel at some sale and bought it for me. It works but John refuses to let me use it for fear it would burn down our house. I have to admit, the cord does look a little questionable.

Ren likes it and thinks it looks pretty hip (my word, not hers) in her purple room. Of course, she doesn't use the red, satiny balls but that's okay.

I still need to find a cute tree skirt or some cool fabric to put around the base of it.

Hope this week is as bright and shiny for you all as my daughter's yule tree.

I'm participating in Metamorphosis Mondays , Amaze Me Mondays and Boring to Better. Stop by these great blogs and check out all the fabulous ideas.

...Where Bright Angel Feet Have Trod.

Allow me to take a break in all things Christmas to share with you the great news of my nephew’s baptism. This would be a post better suited for Easter I suppose, but I didn’t want to wait that long to bring forth such glad tidings.

I, like most of my family, am a Baptist. As such, we believe that baptism, while not required for salvation, is a very important component in our relationship with Jesus. It is an outward sign of our decision to accept Christ into our lives, symbolic of his death and resurrection. Jesus considered this ritual so important that he, himself, was baptized and later told his disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28: 18-20).

My great-nephew Weston was baptized the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Like those in families that are the first to graduate college, he was the first in my (immediate) family to be baptized in a baptistery. Since our little white church is not equipped with one, the service was held at another church in our association. It was a beautiful ceremony and I was fortunate in being able to play the piano for the occasion. It turned out to be my first time in getting to play a grand piano, truly a wonderful experience - though it led to my committing one of the seven deadly sins right there in church...envy.

My father, a minister, baptized Weston. I think it was probably his first baptistery experience too. He did for his great-grandson as he has done for many others throughout the years, including me one hot summer Sunday and Ren on a frigid day in January. He took from his pocket a clean, white handkerchief and, placing it over the mouth and nose of his new brother in Christ, baptized him in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. My dad is 79. I hope he will still be in good health when the time comes for my little boy. It would be nice to know that Daddy was the one with each of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as they took the plunge, so to speak.

As Baptists, baptism by immersion is not only one of the most recognized tenants of our faith it is also one of the most important. And I don’t suppose it matters whether you are in a nice, climate-controlled tub or in a shallow creek off some beaten path. What counts is what is true and truly felt.

Let's Back Up a Minute Here...

How could I have forgotten to post pictures from our Thanksgiving? Oh yeah. There was the excitement over the dishes (Twice! Yay, me!), the regret over the lost purse, and a lot of other life things, like taking a trip to the DMV and setting up the book fair at my school. Well, anyway...here they are. Better late than never.

First, it was time to get the pies out of the way bright and early that morning. Okay, so it was more like 9:30 or 10:00, but on a day off that is bright and early. I made two, plus two casseroles. Yep. You heard that correctly. I made them.

Then it was time for a little tree trimming. For the last few years we have put our tree up on Thanksgiving Day. Notice all the low hanging ornaments? Those had to be moved up a bit when someone wasn't looking.

John-Heath excited at the end to the Macy's parade. He only watched a few minutes of it and I have never been able to get Ren to watch it. I loved watching as a child. I guess it's where kids are so inundated with countless t.v. channels that watching some big blown up Snoopy just doesn't do it for them anymore.

In the Indian costume (aka the pillowcase and pasta necklace) that was made in his kindergarten class.

Ready for his role in some cheesy, B western.

The breaking of the wishbone. I'm not sure what wish was made.

The kids' table.

D-Man, Meg, and Ren doing a little Wii dancing to work off that dressing.

And a little late evening wrestling that turned into "assassinating" (courtesy of Weston) to tire everyone out before bedtime. That's John on the floor, the assassinated one. Doesn't everyone celebrate this day of thanks by whacking someone?

Well, I'm glad I got those off my chest. Now, back to all things Christmas.

P.S. I looked out the windows from the library today and what do you suppose I spied? You guessed it. SNOW. It seems the wooly worms were right.

P.S.S. I am thinking of and sending out warm wishes and lots of love to my dear friend Sherry and her husband Terry tonight. Sherry is one of the secretaries at our school and she's one of the sweetest, funniest ladies you'll ever meet. Her husband experienced some severe facial trauma today while on the job and is in for a not-so-good few weeks ahead (and maybe even longer). Love ya, Sherry.

Decoration (plus a recipe)

New Hope Cemetery - the 1969 on the arch refers, I think, to when the gate was built. The cemetery itself was around long before then. The white table-like structure just inside the gate is the pulpit from which some outdoor sermons have been preached. Don't you just love the oak tree?

My grandparents.

Yesterday was decoration at the cemetery in which my mother’s father and his wife - Pa Vernon and Mama Beatrice - are buried. In case you are not from the south, “decoration“ is the day set aside each year at a particular cemetery when family members of folks buried there come out to adorn the graves with fresh flowers and spend time visiting with others who have come out to do the same. And usually on these days there is a meal.

Now some decorations include dinner on the ground, in which there is a potluck meal served on the grounds of the cemetery. This is not to say that the food is actually placed on the ground. Usually there are folding tables and chairs. My brother-n-law thinks this is waayyy too creepy and refuses to participate in such meals held at cemeteries. He’s a New Yorker by birth, so we'll forgive him this stubborness.

My mother’s family traditionally gets together at someone’s house for just such a meal after church. These past several years it has been held at my Aunt Carol’s. She recently remodeled and has a very nice garage and sun room in which to set up tables. In fact, her garage seems nicer than some of the rooms in my house.

Everyone brings a little something to contribute to the meal. But most of the cooking (the good cooking, at least) is done by the ladies from the more, umm how should I say this, mature generation. Someone remarked yesterday that when these ladies are gone our meal will most likely consist of Kentucky Fried Chicken and side dishes from some deli. And, it’s sad to say, this is probably true. Does anyone from my generation cook like my mom’s generation? I know I don’t.

It was a yummy meal and I know I was not the only one who was stuffed to the point of being miserable. We had turkey and dressing, ham, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, pinto beans, green beans, corn, deviled eggs, and about 13 different casseroles. Then to top it all off there was chocolate pie, coconut cake, banana pudding, fudge pie, pecan pie, and ice cream. We were taking bets on who would fall into a diabetic shock afterwards.

I think I might try to start compiling some of my mom’s, sister’s, and aunts’ recipes one here. I guess I should start with what I took to yesterday’s lunch. This is a little recipe that my sister gave me a long time ago. It’s super easy and is a nice dessert alternative for those who want something a little less rich than chocolate pies or oooey gooey caramel brownies.

Easy Fruit Salad

You will need:

2 29 oz. cans light fruit cocktail
1 15 oz. can mandarin oranges
Apples (red and green)
Bananas
Fresh grapes, if desired
Instant vanilla pudding
Chopped walnuts, if desired


Cut up apples (leaving the skins on). Peel and slice the bananas. Dip the apples and bananas in lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.

In a large bowl, mix the fruit cocktail with the DRAINED can of mandarin oranges. Sprinkle on as much of the instant vanilla pudding as you need to make it the consistency you prefer (If you want it really thick and “puddiny” you will want to add a lot. My family doesn’t like it that way so I add just a light coating of the pudding mix). Stir.

Add the desired amount of apples and bananas to the mix.

Chill.

Just before serving sprinkle on a few chopped walnuts.

From this...

...to this in less than 15 minutes.

P.S. Don't forget...we'll be having a little giveaway on our 100th post. Be sure to stop back by. Just so you'll know today's post is #97.

It's Sprinkler Time

John-Heath with his "sprinklers".

Happy 4th of July!!! Hope each of you have had a safe weekend and have been able to celebrate with family and friends. We spent last evening at Sissy's (by the way, have I ever mentioned that I call my sister "Sissy"? If you see me write about "Sissy" you'll now know of whom I am referring). She had a birthday dinner for Jonathan - her son - who turned 33 today.

The dinner was yummmmy. Megan made two big dishes of chicken casserole and used about two pounds of butter doing so. She uses my mom's recipe as her base and then adds to it. We all are about 5 pounds heavier but was it good! Rounding out the meal was fresh corn, tomatoes, green beans, fried apples, and mashed potatoes with lemon cake and brownies for dessert.

Ren, Weston and Dylan with the "hot air balloon" that landed in Sissy's front yard. We saw two more the next night. They really are a pretty little site to see floating through the evening sky.

The only bad thing about last night was that John-Heath and John were not there. J-H had been running a fever since the day before so he and his dad stayed home and had hamburgers. I promised him I would stop by and buy him some sparklers, which he calls sprinklers, on the way home, and so I did.

And this evening saw us all back at Sissy's for a few fireworks and watermelon.

Again, Happy 4th to everyone! May God continue to bless our country. And a special Happy 4th of July to me nephew. Happy Birthday!

Sissy with the birthday boy.