back on the trail

Almost four seasons have gone by since my last post!  I'd like to say "shame on me" or "I am so sorry I haven't blogged!", but I can't and I won't!  Looking back over this last year I can truly say it has been the hardest walk of my life.  The walk isn't over but I can say it is getting easier!  Over the past year I have had several "ah ha" moments and I have discovered so many things not only about myself but other people in my life as well!  We are all responsible for taking this journey we call life in whatever direction we want to take.  Mine has had several detours but I can finally say I'm back on the right trail!

As I look back over the year I have started and stopped so many projects!  I thought I wanted to learn to sew, bought the fabulous sewing machine and set up a sewing room........only to discover as my best friend Denise says... "Gwyn you like the idea of lots of things!"  Major "ah ha" moment!  She knows me so well!  My mom was a beautiful seamstress and I know she would love for me to be a seamstress.  Sorry mom....not in this lifetime and that's ok!  The sewing machine now sits in my craft room and the sewing room is back to a guest room!  Stop by and see us, I now have a bed for guests!!!

Mom was a great cook and I do have the passion for cooking and creating yummy food and making a "presentation" out of my creations!   My sister in law made cookbooks for all of us last year of our favorite recipes that mom made my family.  Whenever I feel myself feeling sad I open up the cookbook, pull out a mixing bowl I remember mom using and stir up something yummy.  I instantly feel better and all warm and cozy inside!  Thanks mom for instilling in me the love of cooking!

I have discovered I love taking pictures and learning how to get a really nice image!  Thanks to Nelou at nelougrace.com, she is helping me learn all about photography.  I'm having a blast and look forward to learning as much as my brain can handle!

I have started a major project that I am going to complete!  I'm scanning in slides and pictures that we have accumulated over the last 40 years!  I have to say I get side tracked because I look at the pictures and find myself walking down memory lane!  The crazy thing is when I come across a picture with some girlfriends from high school I have been known to pick up the phone and call!  One phone call ended up lasting almost 2 hours!  Can't continue to chat with old girlfriends or this project will never get finished!  Side note....because of me calling 2 of my girlfriends, we are now going to try to get together this fall for a girls weekend and meet in Denver!  We haven't seen each other in 20 years!  There I go again getting side tracked!  My plan is to document the first 40 years of Mark and I being together and pass along our journey to our children and "grands."  It's quite an undertaking but I am up for the task!

Mark and I recently went to the cabin in Valle Escondido,  NM.  I walked everyday with camera in hand and tried to capture some of the beauty the mountains had to offer!  I hope you enjoy!

Mom loved Iris's.  I captured this beauty at the cabin!

The Poppie's were "popping" up everywhere!

Wild flowers by the lake.

Daisy's are my favorite!

Oh Wally!

Nothing better....Mark playing Banjo in the mountains!

my kitchen is my studio

I have always envied those that have a "studio."  You know the kind I am talking about....the charming small structure in stunning backyards we have all seen in magazines?  They come in many forms, potting shed, green house, photography studio etc.....  I recently discovered that I have always had a studio in my home.  My kitchen!  I love to cook and my passion is baking!  My shelves are filled with more cookbooks than I can count!  I also love reading recipes online, Pinterest, blogs, Food Network.......like many of you I have pinned and saved more than I can bake!  So what good are all these recipes doing sitting on the shelf or locked up in my computer?  It's time to get them out and start baking and sharing!  My goal is to take a couple cookbooks off the shelf each week and choose something from my many files on my computer and "bake!"  I know several people that are always willing to sink their teeth into something fresh out of the oven!

My Kitchen Aid is my favorite tool in my "studio!"

I was really in the mood to whip up something scrumptious.  I flipped through cookbooks, looked online and finally pulled out an oldie but goodie!  My mom was on my heart a lot today so I baked Chocolate Drop Cookies.  Mom made these cookies more times than I can count when I was a kid.  I remember many times helping her and as we would frost the cookies I loved how shiny the frosting was but when the frosting dried it became dull!  I would always tell mom I wish they would stay shiny. There was just something about the shine that made them look more inviting.  

I wrote this recipe on this card when I was in 7th grade!  Thank goodness my handwriting has improved!  

Today I happened to catch an episode of Barefoot Contessa (one of my favorite cooking shows), Ida was making Chocolate Ganache' and talked about how ganache' keeps it's shine once it dries.  I had to give this a try!  

Wa La!!!!  Totally Shinny!  

Making cookies from my childhood warmed my heart, cookies warmed my tummy!  I am forever grateful for all the wonderful times I had with mom in the kitchen.  I am thankful I have many of her recipes that I can create in my "studio!"

Bon Appetit'

memories of my mom, my journey and a new season........

Summer is quickly winding down and fall is just around the corner...my favorite time of the year!  Side note...I am for sure a dot dot dot kind of gal!  Sorry always have been always will be...

On Friday, April 5, 2013 my world changed dramatically.  I was shopping at Sam's with my grandson Eli when at 8:50 in the morning I received a call from my dad.  Mom was being rushed to the hospital in Wichita, KS and it wasn't looking good.  After getting a few things together, delivering Eli, my brother and I were on our way to Wichita.  To make a long story short my two brother's and I made it to the hospital in time to say good bye to mom.  It was by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do.  At 1:15 in the afternoon mom began her journey in heaven and I began my journey without my mom here on earth.  I thank God every day for my mom and the time and wonderful memories we all had together.  I focus on the time we had together and not the times we aren't going to have anymore.  The last four plus months have been full of mixed emotions.  Good moments and bad moments!  One day last week it was pretty hot and sticky outside.  I had some baby powder in a drawer and sprinkled some on to take away the "stickiness!"  At that moment I remembered my mom always using a powder called Shower to Shower.  I didn't know if it was made anymore but I had to find out!  I hopped in the car and drove to Walmart.  There on the shelf it was with the "original"scent!  I opened the lid and gently sprinkled some on my wrist.  I closed my eyes and  inhaled and was immediately taken back to my childhood!  I could smell my mom after she had taken her bath at night!  Oh the wonderful memory!  I stood their in the aisle with tears streaming down my face smiling!  The packaging has changed of course but not the wonderful smell!  I bought a bottle and use it every night after my bath......

Mom always used Mary Kay's night cream.  I have this jar that I found in her bathroom.  That fragrance takes me right back to my childhood as well!  The picture was taken at Mitch's wedding in Nappa two years ago.  These things sit on my shelf in my closet and I smile and say hello to mom every day!

I have decided that the best way to honor my mom's memory is through the quality of how I lead my life!  I was spending time with a friend and she made a statement that has really stuck with me.  It's a new season in my life.  Hence the new title of my blog...."a new season"

I miss my mom everyday but I know that she is with me all the time!  I am so thankful for my faith and knowing that on mom's best day here on earth she wouldn't trade it for what she is experiencing in heaven!  I know I will be with her again and everything will be revealed!  So mom until we meet again I am going to enjoy this new season and journey in my life!

Hugs...