Happy Father's Day to All Fathers, Makers of Memories

A most happy and blessed Father's Day to dads everywhere.

It is hard to be a Dad.

It carries so much responsibility and hard, hard, work.

It requires endless supplies of patience and sacrifice. 

My own father created so many of my precious memories.

He was a simple, humble man who really loved his five daughters.

I could never see a huge garden without thinking of him.  

He had one every year of my childhood.

He also loved daffodils and purple iris and he fed the birds in our yard.

He had a very hilarious sense of humor. 

To this day, things he said come to mind and crack me up.

He had a very strong faith in God and passed that down to all of us.

Despite the fact that he's been gone for more than 30 years, I still miss him.

Sometimes I think I see him driving and it catches my breath but it's obviously not him so a huge hug is impossible to give.

He died at age 76 years in 1989 and life was never again the same after that.

One of my wishes is that I'd like to tell him I love him and also, thanks for everything he did for me throughout my life. 

Someday, hopefully, I'll be able to tell him both.

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Three Cheers for Farmers Markets

Farmers markets are back in full swing and they are wonderful.

It's exciting to look over all the greens, baked goods, and other items one can find.

The full range of veggies is not out yet. 

We will have to wait, while they grow, until about August for the stacks of red tomatoes, squash, cabbages, and so on.

The people selling at the markets are almost always so kind and friendly.

On a list written in my mind, real local maple syrup and honey were two items needed at this week's farmers market.

Found both and they look great. 

After eating pancakes with real maple syrup, there is no going back to the fake stuff in plastic bottles.

Because it's nice to have something to munch on, while drinking coffee, I also picked up some scones and two small but tasty hand-held pies--strawberry rhubarb and peach.

A chocolate "babka," a kind of  sweet bread, also came home. 

It has a touch of cinnamon and is tasty. 

It will be cut into slices, wrapped well, and get popped into the freezer for future munching. 

Truly, three cheers to farmers markets. 

 I can hardly wait to go again.

DO YOU HAVE FARMERS MARKETS WHERE YOU LIFE?

Salads for Spring

This is one of the best ever times of year to get fresh ingredients for delicious, healthy salads.

The one shown at the top of this post is a sweet potato salad. 

It's a recipe I never dreamed of making but it is truly delicious.

To cooked chunks of sweet potatoes, add olive oil, lemon juice, chopped fresh green onions,  mint, and parsley.

Add a tiny tad of allspice, cinnamon, salt and pepper, too.

This is a salad popular in Lebanese culinary circles.

The other salad is another one made the other night.

The very fresh, washed, newly clipped and washed lettuce came from the grower in a tied plastic bag. 

The fresh greens tasted sooooo delicious.  

I added pickled beet slices, croutons, feta and parmesan cheeses, chopped green onions, and dipped everything into chunky blue cheese dressing.  Divine!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SALAD TO MAKE? CAN YOU SHARE IT WITH US?

Roses from Heaven

Many years ago, my late husband planted rose bushes in the yard of our home. 

Roses were his favorite flowers.  

When he died, almost six years ago, my daughter dug up the rose bushes before the house was sold. 

She planted them in her own garden.

For the last five years, the rose bushes grew and looked green but produced no flowers.

She called me recently to tell me some astounding news.  

The rose bushes all bloomed this spring and every one of the roses is pink, my very favorite color!

My late husband knew that.

My daughter is as thrilled as I am and gifted me with a bouquet of the pink beauties. 

She even added a couple of pink peonies that my late paternal grandmother loved so much.

I split the bouquet and put flowers into a tall green former olive oil bottle and some smaller ones in a tiny vase.

Of course, when I look at them, the roses make my eyes fill with tears, remembering my beloved husband, who, it seems, sent roses from heaven!

Mini-Miracles Every Day

For several weeks now, it has been a practice to write down any mini-miracles that happen during any given day.

Every day brings some and acknowledging them lifts the spirit and shifts negative thinking to thankful thinking.

Today's miracle is the arrival of two plastic bins from a rented (expensive) storage unit.

It has been being emptied little by little and there were five plastic bins left.

Today, my daughter and son-in-law surprised me with two of the bins.

The other three they placed in their cellar until I can retrieve them.

My expensive storage unit is now CLOSED forever.

Oh, what joy it gave me to go through some of the bags inside one bin that have been tucked away for at least three years.

My all time favorite doll has surfaced!

She was given to me by a very dear friend who died several years ago.

The dolly is sooooo pretty, with beautiful eyes, and a lavender dress and feathered hat.

The dress definitely needs a good washing.

Today's mini miracle is a real blessing and fills my heart with love and deep gratitude.