Celebrating Memorial Day!

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memorial_dayCelebrating Memorial Day!

Like many families across America, aside from the BBQ’s and picnics, part of the tradition of celebrating Memorial Day for our family is taking the time to visit the cemetaries and gravesites where loved ones are buried.  The colorful flower baskets and small flags fluttering in the breeze commemorating military personnel is a powerful site to behold!  As a child, I was intrigued with the unusual names and dates engraved on the headstones.  You couldn’t help but wonder about the life of a young girl named, Tillie Athena Tillotson, for example, and how she died at age eleven.  My dad always had a deep love for America, and would often share heart-warming stories about his brother and other relatives who had died in the service of this great country.  My father’s sentiments recently hit a little closer to home for me, since my son, Jake joined the army as a way to pay for his dental schooling and will now continue his advanced dental training as a captain in the US Army!

image (3)My Grandma Mecham expressed very eloquently in the beginning of her life history what I think we should all be feeling as we celebrate Memorial Day!

“To be faithful to ourselves, we must keep our ancestors and posterity within reach and grasp of our thoughts and affections, living in memory and retrospect of the past, and hoping with affection and care for those who are to come after us.  We are true to ourselves only when we act with becoming pride for the blood we inherit, and which we are to transmit to those who shall fill our places.”

Whatever you do to celebrate Memorial Day, may you share time with loved ones and be especially grateful for the dedication and service of all those who have paved the way for us to live the wonderful lives we enjoy today!    

Memorial Day Traditions Is there a particular relative of yours that intrigues you, or one that you seem to share a lot in common with as you’ve heard stories about them?  

–Mary        

Thank Goodness I Had “The Meanest Mother”!

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Thank Goodness I Had  “The Meanest Mother”!

I’ve had some requests to print a copy of the story, “The Meanest Mother”.  As I mentioned in this previous entry, my mom was often invited to give humorous poems and recitations at various church and community functions while I was growing up.  My mother was normally quite reserved and gracious; I think doing these readings must have tapped into her alter-ego, because I remember that people would often stop her when we were out and about and rave about her funny, animated interpretations of these stories!

The Meanest Mother Reading

I doubt there is anyone out there who didn’t think their mom was perhaps a little “mean” once in awhile!  After re-reading “The Meanest Mother”, I think I will stand a little taller and maybe feel a tiny bit more pride, knowing that in the long run I was just trying to help my children do well.  After all, they are amazing adults and my dear friends!  Watching the news coverage of the havoc caused by the tornado in Oklahoma this week, it proves to be a good reminder for us, once again, to always let our children know how much we love them–even if we have to be “mean” once in awhile!

–Mary

Best Caramel Popcorn! A Family Favorite Recipe That’s Sure To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth!

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Best Caramel Popcorn!  A Favorite Family Recipe That’s Sure To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth!!

As promised, my family’s favorite caramel popcorn recipe!  This was what my mother loved best to satisfy her sweet tooth!  It’s a yummy, easy recipe…and yes, a bit addicting!

Caramel popcorn with cashews!

Soft Glazed Caramel Popcorn with Cashews:

Prior to making caramel, pop 2 regular sized bags of natural (no salt or flavoring added) microwave popcorn.  Empty into a large mixing bowl and let cool, picking out any kernels that didn’t pop.

1 cup light Karo syrup

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup butter or margarine

2 cups whole cashews

Stir all above ingredients together (except cashews) in a medium-sized sauce pan until the mixture comes to a soft, rolling boil over medium/high heat.  Continue stirring for 3-4 minutes.  (A sure way to check that the caramel ends up being the soft consistency you want, just drop a spoonful of the caramel into a cup of cool water.  It should form a gooey ball.  I have never had it fail however, if I just boiled the mixture for the 3-4 minutes that the recipe recommends.)  Make sure the popcorn and cashews are tossed together well in the mixing bowl, then stir in the caramel glaze, making sure that all the popcorn gets lightly coated with the mixture.

Let the warm popcorn set for a few minutes to cool, then enjoy this scrumptious treat as you have a fun game night! (One of our favorite games growing up was “Yahtzee”!  Keep a damp napkin handy or the dice get a little sticky!)  It’s especially good for a weekend movie night, or you can wrap some up to give as gifts!  (Warning: You’re sure to earn the title of most “favorite neighbor”!  Oh, it’s a good idea to wrap popcorn in wax paper first, then place in gift sack.)  If you do have any left over caramel popcorn–store it in a seal-tight, plastic container to keep it soft and fresh!

Caramel popcorn gift bags!

My granddaughter Makena, is a new generation of appreciative caramel popcorn connoisseurs!

Yummy caramel popcorn treat!

To this day I think of my mother every time I make this recipe!  We could have had licorice ropes, M&M’s, or any other assortment of goodies spread out for a festive game night, and all I ever remember my mom munching on was the caramel popcorn with cashews!  In fact, like any good mother, she usually threw a veggie tray into the mix!  Enjoy!

If you make this caramel popcorn recipe, let me know how you liked it.  I’m sure you could get creative and add other yummy things to this caramel popcorn recipe and it would be just as good, we just happen to like the cashews best!  What are some of the game/party treats your family likes best?

I’ve also had a few email requests for a copy of my mom’s reading “The Meanest Mom”!  I’ll have that ready to post in a couple of days.  Be prepared to have the best laugh!

–Mary