Never Have Liked Goodbyes

I remember being a little girl and traveling from Alabama to Kentucky to visit all of my grandparents (and aunts, uncles, great-grandparents, and cousins, too!). It was usually around Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas and we would stay for several days, sometimes a week I think. We slept on pull-out sofas or cots in a small house that only had one bathroom. But I didn’t mind. Well, I take that back. The only time I minded was when Dad would try to follow through on his threat to fold us up in the pull-out sofa if we didn’t get up. Haha!! Oh, how us girls loved (still love??) to sleep!

This is me around 3 or 4 years old – in the aftermath
of Christmas at my grandparent’s house.
I’m pretty sure those pants weren’t supposed to be
cropped pants, but hey – I was rockin’ them!

Whenever we got into the car to go home, I would cry because I didn’t want to leave them. Even as I grew older, as a teenager, my eyes would tear up as we pulled off that gravel drive and headed down the street to travel home. I always felt like a part of my heart was staying behind.

Barry and I visited my parents a few weekends back and I experienced the same feeling as I hugged their necks and got into our car to go home. The tears started to form and I tried with all my might to choke them back refusing to let them leave my eyes. But then as we drove down the driveway, I saw my folks standing there waving goodbye. And the tears came.

I’m not a kid anymore, and I still don’t liked goodbyes. Most of us don’t, I suppose.

My sweet cousins are having to say a very difficult and painful goodbye to their dad this week and my heart hurts so badly for them. I want them to have more time, give more hugs, and create more memories. But, sadly, that is not to be.

You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
Psalm 56:8

Goodbyes just stink. And it seems like our hearts are never ready for them.

Those who believe in God and have accepted Him as our Father have hope. That hope can lessen the pain of loss because we know that although the goodbye feels permanent, it is not. But today, hope is struggling to break through their pain. Right now, the pain is fresh and harsh and breathtaking at times. And it hurts.

If you are someone who prays, would you mind saying a prayer for my cousins today? It would mean so much to me.

Blessings,
♥Rachel

The Gardners of My Soul

[This beautiful print is available in Katie Daisy's Etsy store.]

I have numerous people in my life who bring me happiness – even joy – and I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for their presence in my life. My husband is one of them. My parents are two others. I got to spend time this weekend with my husband and my parents and the garden in my soul is blooming with beautiful, vibrant flowers today!

There’s something about holding my husband’s hand, looking at my mother’s beautiful face and feeling my dad’s hug that just simply makes my heart smile. I realized how truly blessed I am and what a treasure it is to know I am loved.

If you are blessed to have people in your life who bring happiness and joy into your life, please do two things today: 1) say a prayer of thanks for them and 2) let them know how much they mean to you.

Hope you have a beautiful day!

Blessings,
♥Rachel

Mama Turner’s Sour Cream Pound Cake

I saw the doctor on Friday, and wouldn’t you know it – my neck felt the best it had in weeks while I was in his office.  It’s just like taking a car in for service – the problem all but disappears when the mechanic starts to check it out!  We determined, my neck was feeling better because of the steroid pack he had me taking last week.  I explained all of my symptoms and their locations and we talked about possible causes.  Given that the pain sometimes radiates down my shoulder and into my arm, he’s thinking it could be disc degeneration or arthritis in my spine.  Not at all surprising because my mom has and my grandpa had lots of back issues.  What we decided is that I would finish the steroids and see how long they give me relief.  Once the pain increases again, I’ll call him and he’ll probably order some other imaging tests to take a closer look at the spine itself (the MRI only looked at my brain).  So…for now, we wait and hope that the pain stays away for a while.  Saturday was a pretty icky day painwise, but Sunday was very good – no headache and just mild neck pain.

Last week’s Pound Cake Round Up gave me a hankering (can’t remember if I’ve ever actually used that word before now!) for pound cake this weekend.  One recipe I didn’t include in the round up was a pound cake recipe from Barry’s Grandmother.  Mama Turner is a great Southern cook.  You know the kind – she mostly cooks things from scratch, uses generous amounts of bacon grease, salt, butter, sugar, and throws in plenty of love to hold it all together.

This sour cream pound cake is not a “from scratch” or what I would consider a traditional pound cake recipe because it’s not as dense and heavy as most pounds cakes.  But it’s good.  And easy to make.  Which means it meets both of my requirements for baked goods!  {grin}

To start with, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Cake mix, oil, eggs, sugar, sour cream, and water.  That’s it.

The recipe calls for a Duncan Hines Butter Cake Mix, but I am partial to Betty Crocker.  Betty Crocker just sounds so much more “homey” and good tasting.  Duncan Hines sounds a bit like a grumpy old man, or at least some man who doesn’t know the first thing about baking a pound cake.  I don’t trust him, that Duncan Hines, whoever he is.

Sour Cream Pound Cake

1 All Butter Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix
4 Eggs
1/4 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Crisco Oil
1/4 Cup Water
8 Ounces Sour Cream (don’t use fat free or low fat)

Preheat oven to 375.  Lightly grease a tube or Bundt pan and set aside.

Mix eggs and cake with a mixer until well blended.  Add sugar, oil, and water and beat until smooth.  Fold in sour cream.

Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Note: I’ve also tried this using a Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate cake mix and it was delicious.

And that’s it – simple as that!  Hope you enjoy.
♥ Rachel

Peach Cobbler and Other Delicious Things

Hey friends.

source: thinkstockphotos.com

It’s Monday and I’m hungry.

I’m hungry because I’ve been thinking about recipes.

I’ve been thinking about recipes because we are going to a family reunion this weekend and I haven’t decided what to make & take.

Because I haven’t decided what to make & take, I need your help.

Help.  Please.  :)

Do you have any good great recipes for family gatherings/picnics/reunions?  I prefer baking to cooking “real” food unless it’s an easy salad or something like that.  I also prefer s.i.m.p.l.e. to complicated.  A simple recipe that WOWs would be perfect!  Demanding much??  :)  I tend to accidentally  skip over important instructions in complicated recipes and end up with an item that doesn’t resemble at all the picture in the cookbook.

Here are a few that I am considering:

Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake

Mom’s Peach Cobbler (see the recipe at the bottom of this post)

Pound Cake – who doesn’t love pound cake???

Or maybe these Fudge-Filled Bars.

What about a fruit salad?

I’m also considering the lemon cheesecake bars that I made a couple of weeks ago.  They are supposed to be kept refrigerated, so I’d have to take them in a cooler, but I could still make it work.

I could take a pie – apple, chess, oohhh, maybe a chocolate chess pie….  That would be good.

What do you think?

Here’s the recipe for my mom’s peach cobbler that I mentioned above.  It has lots of buttery crust.  This is my mom’s recipe and my favorite peach cobbler ever.  I learned a valuable lesson after making this cobbler one time…and it had nothing to do with the recipe.  I don’t remember how old I was, but I must have been a teenager or in my early twenties.  I made this cobbler – might have even been my first time making it – and sat it on a stove burner to cool.  I started to make something for dinner and turned on a burner – the wrong burner – by mistake.  Not long after that, I heard a cracking sound and watched as the casserole dish shattered and peach cobbler oozed everywhere.  I mean e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.  :)

Easy Peach Cobbler

1 stick margarine
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup milk
1 (29 ounce) can sliced peaches and juice (also very good with fresh or thawed frozen peaches)

Melt margarine in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.  Sift flour, sugar and baking powder into a bowl.  Add milk and mix well.  Pour onto melted butter in baking dish.  DO NOT STIR.  Pour the undrained peaches over the top.  DO NOT STIR.

Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until golden brown.

I would love some new ideas for what to take to the reunion!  What would you take if you were going?  Do you have a classic go-to recipe for things like this?  If not, what would you want to eat if you were going?

It Means More

I may have mentioned before that I was a military kid.  My dad served in the Air Force and my family lived in a variety of places, including some foreign countries.  I have two sisters and we were all born outside of the United States.  I’m proud of our military heritage and especially proud of my dad for serving.

I also have numerous family members who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and the pride I feel extends to all of them.  Military life demands a lot of its servicemen and women, and their families.  The sacrifices are great, sometimes too great.  That’s why we have a day like Memorial Day where we pause to reflect on and remember those who gave their lives serving our country.

source: thinkstockphotos.com

My Uncle Charlie is one of those who lost his life fighting in WWII.  He left in 1942 to go fight in the war and he was only 23 when he died in battle.  His body is laid to rest at the Epinal American Cemetery in Epinal, France.  His mother didn’t get the opportunity to bury her son.

My dad lost his brother.  My uncle and our family lost the possibility of what could have been.  But we are not alone.  So many families have experienced the same type of painful loss.

Today means more than barbecues and picnics.  More than a day of boating on the lake with friends.  More than a day off from work.  It means thousands of men and women have given their lives in an attempt to preserve our freedom, our rights, and our security.

Today is not about politics or who’s right and who’s wrong.  It’s not about whether you believe in war, past or present.  It’s about people with a job to do who went to work one day and were required to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Today, I’m remembering the uncle I never knew, saying a prayer of gratitude for the gift he gave, and praying for the safety of all of those serving in the United States Armed Forces.  I hope you will join me.

♥ Rachel

My Sister’s Debut

One of my sisters is doing something new today and I am really proud of her!  She and several other artists are having Mixed Media Art Exhibit tonight.  The theme is April in Paris and they have all created a variety of mixed media/altered art/collage pieces by taking ordinary items and turning them into beautiful new creations that are full of texture, depth, and history.

If you don’t mind, I’d like to share a few of Jennifer’s pieces with you today.

This one is called Paris is Always a Good Idea.  I love that she incorporated a picture of our parents in it from their time living in France.

The name of this piece is Paris II.  I love the colors in it.

This next piece is especially meaningful as it is named after one of Jennifer’s friends, Ginny Rylak, who passed away from cancer on February 12 of this year.

And this last item is one of several cards she made using dogs, roses and great quotes.  Isn’t that the sweetest face?  I love it!

I especially love that the exhibit will benefit the Gentle Giants Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc.

Jenn’s a little nervous about the show tonight.  Art is all about expressing yourself and sharing part of your soul with others.  Creating art and sharing it with others requires courage and I’m so proud of her for stepping out of her comfort zone, trying new techniques and styles, and being brave enough to put her work on display.  If you have any words of encouragement or wisdom for her, please share!

Claudia – If you are in town, you should stop by HeartStrings in downtown Clinton tonight between 6:00 and 10:00 and say hi to Jennifer!  She’d be tickled to meet you.

Have a happy Friday, a wonderful weekend, and be sure to eat something healthy!  We didn’t learn all about those superfoods this week to let our new knowledge go to waste!  :)
♥ Rachel

3.10.63

If you missed yesterday’s post about the study suggesting there is a link between a chemical in certain sodas and cancer, be sure to check it out.  The comments so far have been very interesting – I’d love to get your thoughts.

Tomorrow is my husband’s birthday.  March 10, 1963 was the day little Barry Turner entered the world in Nashville, Tennessee.  Interestingly, that’s where we met even though that’s not where he grew up or lived most of his adult life.  Funny how God brings things full circle like that.

On this birthday, he’ll be…shhhhh…49.  That’s pretty old.  Glad I’m not that old.  Yet.  :)

This is a picture of him at age 4.  Is that some kind of cute, or what??

Barry: Age 4

Ya’ll, I have to tell you. I am so blessed to be his wife. God knew exactly the type of person I would need to get me through cancer treatments. He’s been my rock. So solid and reassuring. I was an old woman when I met him.  I had accepted that I might never get married. And then came Barry and everything changed for the better.

It’s his birthday and the gifts should be all for him, but the truth is he is the gift and I am the recipient of a lifetime of love with my best friend.

Source: Pinterest

Happy Birthday, Honey!! I love you so much!!

It’s been a really good week.  The side effects from maintenance chemo were almost non-existent except for a small amount of fatigue.  I feel like I’ve really turned the corner toward better days.  I hope you all have a wonderful Friday and a beautiful weekend!

♥ Rachel

What’s Love Got to Do With It?

No offense to Tina Turner, but love has everything to do with it.

With all the love floating in the air yesterday, I started thinking about that little four letter word.  Love is a simple, sometimes overused word, but it has some truly serious power behind it.  Have you stopped think about what it really means and how it impacts virtually every aspect of our lives?

Let’s start with the greatest example of love:

For God so loved the world (that would be us)
that he gave his one and only son (he gave up his only child)
that whoever (that would be us again)
believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16

We may think we love our spouse or our children, but it pales in comparison to the love God has for us.  A love so strong that he was willing to place His son on this earth knowing that He would eventually die for our sins.  That’s some kind of love.

But what is love, really?  Is it a feeling?  Well, yeah.  We feel love for people and we feel loved by people – our spouses, children, parents, siblings, friends, even pets.  I definitely love my little cat, Pumpkin, and I am certain he loves me back.  Can’t you just see the love in his eyes?  (That’s also the same look he has when he’s annoyed with me so sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference.)  :)

Ok, back to the subject at hand.

Is love more than a feeling?  Absolutely.  Love is an action.  It’s a motivator.  It’s a choice.  It’s a healing balm.

Since being diagnosed with cancer, I’ve realized two things about love:

1. I took for granted just how much I was loved, not only by my family, but also by God.
2. Love kept me going, held me up, and made me stronger.

I took for granted how much I was loved because I was loved so much.  Growing up, I never doubted for one second that I was loved and loved deeply.  I was taught about God and I learned of His love for us through my parent’s example.  After getting married, I was even more sure of the fact that I was loved, now not only by my birth family, but by my husband, my stepdaughters, and my husband’s family.  But I took it for granted.  I never stopped to think about what a priceless gift that love is.

To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.
David Viscott

Once the “word” was out about my cancer, I was flooded with cards, calls, emails, gifts, and text messages from people who love me and were praying for me and, to my amazement, this has continued throughout the entire journey.  The rock solid love of my husband kept me sane and grounded.  The love of my family literally held me up for most of the past year.  The love of God, my Father, has given me the most surreal peace from the very beginning as I trusted that he is in control of everything.

We cannot all do great things,
but we can do small things with great love.
Mother Teresa

Love is so incredibly powerful and one of the greatest gifts we can give and be given by any other person.  So, see, Tina?  Love has everything to do with it.  :)

If you didn’t get a chance to take yesterday’s poll on Valentine’s Day, hop over there and let me know where you stand.

♥ Rachel

Dear Mom

Today is your birthday and I want you to know how much you mean to me.

We’re more alike than I ever wanted to admit as a kid.  I’m not sure why that was, but I think most kids go through stages where they feel like the last person they want to resemble is their  parent.  Now that I’m older, and a teensy, tiny bit wiser, I realize being like you is a privilege, an honor, and a blessing.  You are a priceless gift, not only to me, but to our whole family.

If I could go back and have a conversation with 12 year old Rachel, it would probably go something like this:

Hey Rach,

As you get older, try to keep in mind that your mom is not your enemy, but she’s also not here to be your friend – at least not yet.  That can come later.  She has a job to do first and that is to love you, protect you, and raise you in a godly home.  I promise you she doesn’t wake up each morning thinking of ways to make your life miserable.  On the contrary, she wakes up each morning praying for you, for your well-being and for your happiness.  You don’t realize or even notice she does this because you are too busy thinking about yourself (like most kids), but the truth is that you are deeply loved by the woman who gave you life.

Try not to take for granted all the times that you need her to do something, and she does it for you without complaining.  She doesn’t do things for you because she has to, but because she wants to.  As you become a teenager, you will crave your independence and will be easily annoyed by her slightest efforts to maintain a relationship with you.  Don’t push her away so hard.  One day you will realize how important this relationship is to both of you.

The days are not too far away when you will be completely convinced that you know everything and she knows nothing about life and what it’s like to be a teenager, but you forget. She was once a teenager, too, with hopes and dreams, and a desire for independence herself.  She’s an intelligent woman, moreso than you give her credit for being. One day soon, you will realize this.

When you are tempted to lie to her, think twice, my little friend. God has blessed her with one of those mother radars that go off whenever their children are telling a lie. Remember the 2nd grade and how that one backfired on you? They will ALL backfire on you. Trust me on this.  :)

There will be days when it frustrates you that your mother knows you as well as she does, that she can tell what you are thinking or even know when you are about to catch a cold just by looking at the way your mouth is drooping to one side.  Only a mother would notice such a thing.  She has watched you with prayer-filled eyes since the first moment she held you.  Cherish being known that way.  Not every child is so blessed.  Appreciate the fact that she loves you enough to care about the details of your life and try not to be annoyed by her watchful gaze.  She is looking at you through eyes of love and wonder.

One day, you will move away and have a life and family of your own and you will long for the comfort of her presence.  Then you will miss the assurance of her being close by and will cherish every minute you have with her.  Enjoy your time together now.  It will pass quickly.  Trust me on this. I know.

Love,
Your Future Self

I love you, Mom.  I hope you have the most beautiful birthday.  You deserve it.
♥ Rachel

376,680 Hours

Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time.
- Jean Paul Richter

In 1969, on a little island off the southeast coast of China called Taiwan, my mom gave birth to her third child – a 7 pound, 15 ounce girl.  As of yesterday at 11:13 pm, I’ve been alive for 376,680 hours.  That works out to 43 years.

How in THE WORLD did I get to be FORTY-THREE YEARS old??

Have mercy.

You remember how when you were younger you thought people in their forties and fifties were so OLD?  Yeah, I don’t feel that way anymore.  :)  43 is very, VERY young.

Yesterday was great in every way.  I felt really good (it’s been more than 4 weeks since I had chemo so I am cruisin’ these days!), I wasn’t tired or sick, and I just felt blessed to be alive and able to enjoy the day.

From the way back closet, here’s a pic of me at five days old.  I still sleep just like that.  And I still love sleep as much as I did at five days of age.  Some things change a lot in 43 years – that is not one of them.  Ha ha!

It kind of stops me in my tracks when I think back to May of last year and how different things could be right now.  It makes this birthday very meaningful.  My sister has a sweet neighbor who is in the final stage – final days even – of pancreatic cancer.  The realization that my diagnosis could have been very different than what it is is not lost on me.  It is a sober reminder of just how fragile these beautiful lives we’ve been given truly are.

To each of you who have helped make this past year so much better than it could have been – thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I am so thankful for each of you, your encouragement, your friendship, and your prayers!

There’s nothing fancy or special about turning 43 except that this is probably the most hard-earned birthday I’ve ever had.  Let’s see if I can make the next 376,000 hours even better than the first!

Thanks to modern medical advances such as antibiotics, nasal spray, and Diet Coke, it has become routine for people in the civilized world to pass the age of 40, sometimes more than once.
- Dave Barry

Have a Marvelous Monday!!
♥ Rachel