Foodie - Jicama

“The act of putting into your mouth what the earth has grown is perhaps your most direct interaction with the earth.”  Frances Moore Lappe

In the third stage of my life journey I am aspiring to be a Foodie – one who embraces the enjoyment of good food and wine!  The taste buds are sensory receptors for flavor.  I don’t strive to be Julia Child reincarnated.  I am pursuing culinary tastes and learning – how to cut a mango, how to eat jicama, how to make flavored vinegars and dressings, how to chop an onion, how to use a mandolin, etc.

So follow me on my ‘Foodie’ journey…..

   


Jicama – Mexican turnip with taste closer to an apple

Wash and peel the jicama with a vegetable peeler.  Use a sharp knife to halve from the top to bottom and slice the jicama into small sticks, discs, chunks or wedges. 

Dip – combine the following:

½ C reduced-fat sour cream

Zest and juice of 1 lime

½ teaspoon chili powder

2 scallions, finely chopped

Coarse salt and ground pepper

Transfer dip to serving dish surrounded by jicama sticks.  Yummy!!

 

 

 

 

 

In Memory of Papa

July 16th commemorates the 112th birthday of my maternal grandfather, Rutherford Birchard Hayes!  He was born o July 16, 1902 in Green Ridge, Missouri. He served in the Army during WWI at the young age of 21 and was stationed in France.  He retired in 1967 from the Proctor & Gamble Manufacturing Company after 39 years of service.

He was a caregiver to his first wife who died after a long illness from tuberculosis.  They had one daughter, Nadine Hayes Sands.  He married Nellie B. Thompson in 1927, and they had one daughter, Ruth Barbara Hayes.  I always thought it was intriguing that my mother and grandfather had the same initials.

Fond Recollections of my Papa:
I was blessed to get his blue eyes from the gene pool!!  And my dimples, well he told me to tell people that is where the angels kissed me.

He always had life savers stashed away in his suit coat pockets for distracting this fidgety little girl during church.

Piles of sand and gravel surrounding a cement mixer - he was always constructing a porch, patio or sidewalk.  Those mounds of sand and gravel provided hours of fun.

Lots of summers spent fishing and swimming at Gardner Lake.  He purchased a wooden boat and dubbed it “Duffy-Pen” for my brother and me to troll around on the lake.  Fourth of July he purchased an array of fireworks for a display over the water.

Fall fun attending the American Royal Parade and Rodeo.  He and my grandmother would get us out of school early for an afternoon of roping and barrel races.  It was so much fun, and I enjoyed this event with my own daughter.

Christmas – my grandfather retired from Procter & Gamble and growing up there was always a picnic basket with a ham, fruit, Cracker Jacks and a box of Russell Stover’s candy.  He and my grandmother would always purchase one big ticket item for us – portable stereo, small television, electric blanket or dressy winter coat.  My grandfather could make the best mashed potatoes and pumpkin/pecan pies all from scratch.  YUMMY!!

My grandfather lost his battle to pancreatic cancer on November 19, 1973.  He was 71 and I was 21.  He was a vital part of my life, growing up living next door.  He wasn’t a perfect person, but he was a person that shared his bounty with others – family and friends.  I decided one day to glean his good traits and carry them forward into the generations to come “Be ye kind one to another”. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freedom and Independence

On July 4th, the United States celebrates its 238^th birthday, declaring our independence from Great Britain.  The Declaration of Independence gives the three examples of “unalienable rights” of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, being given to all human beings by their Creator and for which governments are created to protect.  Over the years, many individuals have sacrificed their lives, families and futures to protect these rights.

On this Fourth of July, we might celebrate our freedom and independence by participating in various activities:  barbecuing, congregating with loved ones, attending a parade or watching fireworks and enjoying our precious free time.  But July Fourth is also a time to reflect, take stock and appreciate the deep freedoms we enjoy every day in our country.

Freedom quotes:

“Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation and freedom in all just pursuits.”

“Freedom is never dear at any price.  It is the breath of life.  What would a man not pay for living?”

“This, then, is the state of the union: free and restless, growing and full of hope.  So it was in the beginning.  So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith.”

The New Colossus   by Emma Lazarus (1883)

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles.  From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she

With silent lips.  “Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

 

Father's Day

Father’s Day is celebrated in the United States on the third Sunday of June.  It is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds and the influence of fathers and father figures in their children’s lives.  Father’s Day was inaugurated in the United States in the early 20th century with the first celebration in 1910 at the YMCA, Spokane, Washington originated by Sonora Smart Dodd.  In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson made the first presidential proclamation designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day; and six years later the day was made a permanent national holiday by President Richard Nixon.

A father has such a vital role in a family – his example of love and respect to his wife teaches a son how to respect women and a daughter how to be honored by a man.  I oftentimes feel our society neglects this important family dynamic.  Christian fathers are to sacrificially love their children.  A child knows that a father cares for them by making them a priority.  Cultivating relationships with each child requires time, discipline and intentionality.

I was blessed to have a caring and loving father with strong values and faith.  I have the distinct pleasure of still having my father’s daily influence upon my life, while many of my friends must call upon the sweet memories.  A father’s relationship with his daughter is important because he’s the standard for what she will expect of a man and a lifelong partner.

The common roles of a father or The 5 P’s:

·         Participator/problem-solver (social/emotional/psychological needs)

·         Playmate (high-energy, physical play)

·         Principled guide (instill socially desirable behavior)

·         Provider (tangible resources – food, money, shelter, material possessions)

·         Preparer (of life’s challenges through family values and morals)

 In order to pass on our faith and impact future generations, a father should spend quality and quantity time with each child.  When we leave a godly legacy we can look back with great satisfaction of a job well done.

A Father's Love

You were the man who loved me first
The one who sat me on your knee.
You kissed my cuts and gave me hugs
And built that house up in the tree.
Even when you scolded me
You let me know your love
You told me all I need to know
About the stars above.
Thank you dad for all you did
And for loving me.
You showed me just how special
A father’s love can be.

 

 

Memorial Day Celebration

John 15:13 Greater a love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Today is Memorial Day – a day of celebrating the spirited lives of those we remember and honor for serving in our armed forces.  The holiday is celebrated on the last Monday of May.  It was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Confederate and Union soldiers.  During the 20^th century the holiday was extended to honor all Americans who died in military service.

On this holiday weekend many people visit remote cemeteries and memorials of their ancestors and rekindle relationships with kinfolk.  Oftentimes Memorial Day is considered the beginning of summer, as picnics and cookouts abound to celebrate the memory of our loved ones. 

I am thankful for the service of my family – grandfather, uncles, husband and members of my extended family.  Their dedication to our country through their service has protected the freedoms that our ancestors fought for and we continue to enjoy to this day.

THANK YOU!  WE LOVE AND HONOR YOU ALWAYS!!!!

 

Graduation Ceremony

This past weekend I had the distinct pleasure to witness my gorgeous daughter’s achievement of a personal goal – graduation from college!!!  It was the culmination of years of hard work, advocating for herself with professors/counselors, working part-time, being responsible for herself – cooking, cleaning, living with other girls in a dorm/apartment – she is an only child, problem solving – car trouble in route to job interview and fun times with friends/classmates.

Tech-Savvy: My daughter’s generation, Millennials or Generation Y, faces technological and economic challenges that my generation, the Baby Boomers, didn’t face.  Generation Y grew up with technology (laptops, cellphones and other gadgets) and tend to rely on it – being plugged in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Thus, her college courses were filled with Google Groups, e-black board, on-line bulletin board, web-based grade books and email/text/twitter messages to professors.  Gone are the days of attending class to obtain the printed syllabus, receiving the printed test with score and scheduling an appointment to meet with the professor.
Achievement-Oriented:  Generation Y is confident, ambitious and achievement-oriented due, in part, to the nurturing and pampering parents wanting to avoid the mistakes of past generations.  They have high expectations of their employers and themselves.  Baby Boomers were raised to be loyal and devoted to employers; do a good job and the next job will be waiting for you.  Generation Y is willing to trade higher pay for flexible schedules and a better work/life balance, providing a position is available in their chosen field in today’s economic job market.

Team-Oriented:  My daughter, like so many Generation Y children, was involved in group activities such as Girl Scouts, CAR and AWANAS, team sports that included softball, cheerleading and dance; and play groups with friends and neighbors.  This fostered teamwork and the desire to be included and involved.

Attention-Craving:  Generation Y craves feedback and guidance.  My daughter values my viewpoint and life experiences - the early morning phone call while she was on vacation seeking my opinion about her summer class.  They also seek out new challenges - white water rafting, snow skiing, jumping off a cliff at the lake; and are not afraid to question authority. 

I see all of the above qualities in the young woman that I am blessed to call my daughter and friend, and the workforce is privileged to have her skills, knowledge, energy and personality to propel our society into the future.

Happy Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May.  It is a celebration honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.  Many people give gifts, cards, flowers, candy, and a meal in a restaurant or other treats to their mothers and mother figures in appreciation.

Celebrations of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans.  Festivals were held in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele.  The early Christian festival known as “Mother Sunday” was celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent when the faithful would return to their “mother church”.  Over time, Mothering Sunday shifted into a more secular holiday where children presented their mothers with tokens of appreciation.  This custom faded and merged with the American Mother’s Day celebration dating back to the 19^th Century.

I was blessed to have a loving and caring mother who believed in instilling values and hope in her children.  Sometimes as a teenager I felt the required church attendance to be too exceedingly rigid as in ‘miss the Beatles debut on the Ed Sullivan Show!!!’, however it has been my faith that has sustained me on my life’s journey.  Now as my mother is elderly I am keenly aware of the missing in-depth conversations, advice and laughter.  She now dredges up the vivid situational details I have long ago suppressed, as opposed to remembering what day this week I am coming to visit.

I am aware that not everyone has a loving remembrance on this holiday.  For some it is a painful reminder of what was abhorrently absent in their lives.  I would encourage those wounded spirits that their Mother is the Universe – full of beauty, shining light, and fragrant flowers.  Open your heart and allow the spirit of a mother image to touch your soul.   I have, and it has proven to be extremely exhilarating!! My life today maybe lacking my own maternal nurturing, but it now contains a myriad of awesome loving and caring women.