Birthday Cupcake Tower

     Mom requested a quiet, no frills celebration for her eighty-third birthday, so the family stopped by in intervals throughout the afternoon. The visits were less chaotic and more personal than a large party and Mom was able to give her full attention to each small group. The gifts were modest but thoughtful and she loved, as always, the myriad of sentimental, funny, or handmade cards.

     Because of the reserved nature of the day, I thought that simple cupcakes would be appropriate. However I took the liberty of making those cupcakes extra special. After baking and cooling, a small cone was sliced out of the middle of the little yellow cakes, and a topped fresh strawberry dropped into the hollow. Vanilla icing was piped atop each before placing on a cupcake tower. Red candles were placed to match the red paper baking cups and a spray of white flowers in the center completed the arrangement. On second thought, perhaps the smile did.

Turquoise and Bone Set

   Turquoise chips and round bone beads were combined for this simple, Navajo-style necklace and earring set. I designed it to match a similar colored shirt worn with white shorts. The cool and casual effect is perfect for a hot summer day.

Sweet Potato, Corn and Sausage Skillet

     Sweet potatoes in the pantry plus Andouille sausage in the freezer equalled a tasty skillet dinner. While the potatoes baked in the microwave, I sauteed onion, celery, garlic and sliced sausage in a skillet. After peeling and cubing, the potatoes were added to the pan, along with corn and Cajun spices. Simmering just long enough to heat through and blend the flavors took only minutes, so dinner was ready in short order, which was a good thing because the aroma was enticing.

The entree was served in bowls with maple syrup ready to drizzle and lightly sweeten to each diner's taste.

Maximum Strength Thunderstorm

    

     Last evening the western sky was brilliant with rays from the setting sun that highlighted a cluster of mounting thunderheads. The meteorologists weren't too frantic at that point, predicting thunder, lightening, wind and possible hail. But an hour after darkness fell, so did torrents of rain that fell so hard and fast that the gutters overflowed, causing sheets of water that totally limited visibility. Lightning illuminated the black sky and the drenched neighborhood every few seconds, accompanied by booms and rumbles of thunder. Not just a squall line, the storm was constant and lasted for several hours so sleep was negligible. The rain gauge and the tree limbs in the garden were reminders of the latest of this summer's succession of rough weather.

Clean Pony Parade

     The love of horses knows no boundaries to a little girl. Even the bathtub becomes a parade ground for a line of her favorite steeds. I'm not too sure if our equestrian or her cavalry reached a maximum level of cleanliness but it was worth the fun for her and a photo op for me.

Apple Cinnamon Oven French Toast

    For Father's Day we had a special dinner, but we also had a special breakfast. To start the day off with a little celebration, we included this Apple Cinnamon French Toast. Assembled from fresh apples, sliced French bread, eggs, sugar, cinnamon and a few other ingredients, it was then baked in the oven. The mouthwatering aroma woke Pop from his slumber and he had coffee and the newspaper ready on the table in right quick order. Served with scrambled eggs, thick sliced bacon and orange juice, the french toast squares didn't even need any syrup. The apple topping was sweet and syrupy enough!

A Portrait of My Dad (for Father's Day)

     Memories of my dad do not span a very long interval. He figured prominently in my early childhood, of course, because of his love, strength and affection. As a teen, I was able to appreciate his intelligence and idealism, while watching it disappear as alcoholism began to rule his life and hurt his family. It has been two decades since his death and I now understand what drove him to drink and the gentle spirit that was crushed. I do not blame him for his disease, only the circumstances and his weakness, which was an inability to confront the antagonist.

     Dad was the son of hardworking Polish immigrants and he aimed high. Smart, charming and ambitious, he attended college and (at his fiancee's request) aspired to eliminate the foreign accent in his articulate speech. After serving as a Marine in World War II, he got a job, married and began a family. Promotions came quickly, as did the children, and soon a relocation from Michigan to Missouri. He had wanted to be a physician but settled for a career in pharmaceutical sales; he had wanted one child but was accorded seven. He loved toddlers but struggled with teenagers. Throughout his life, Dad strived for perfection, whether in his hobbies of woodworking and gardening or in his knowledge of birds, animals and biology. And that pursuit, I believe was his legacy to his children.

c. 1950 with first child