The Family Mom Built

Mom never stops
being your mother

As we leave the old and begin the new, please, let's remember what's important. Little things. Like when the family’s basic pattern started with breakfast?

Mom set breakfast on the table for her children. She smiled as happy faces spooned cereal and grabbed the jelly to spread on their toast.

She’d remind  her “chicks” to come straight home from school. “Don’t talk to strangers,” she’d repeat like she did so many other times. Some mom's might add, "don't spit on the sidewalk, don't smoke , don't drink, be polite and above all "always love each other." That’s a simple snapshot of morning in an all America home.

Mom’s kitchen moves at a more hustle-bustle pace these days. The family may or may not share the breakfast table at all. It often feels as if every pair of feet in the kitchen hurry in a different direction.

Little Johnny has a half eaten piece of toasted bread hanging out of the side of his mouth.  Susie looks for her paper bag lunch.  The baby sits in his highchair with a happy face smeared with breakfast. No one realizes that they are all living a "happy family memory" that will stay with them until the day they die. Don't ever forget what makes living life good and safe.

101 Ways to Say I Care

Mom never stops
being your mother

Have you ever been criticized for what you did or didn't do? Do people thank you for what you do?  Do you feel appreciated? Do the people you care about feel you appreciate them?

In our world of typed texts, e-mails and instant messages, the art of saying you care seems forgotten, glossed over, not mentioned, not reinforced, not as sincere as it could be.  Yet, nothing means more in life than knowing, believing, feeling inside, that someone cares about you, does it?

For generations, the next best thing to hearing the words -- is reading a personal handwritten message.

Think how you'd feel... taking the mail out of your mail box, slipping open the envelope seal, pulling out and unfolding the paper inside. Take your time. Feel the paper on your finger tips when you find the handwritten note. Your eyes see who it's from. You read the first few words.  The corners of your mouth turn up.  It's a smile you don't forget.

Have You Changed Your Mind Lately -- Why Not

Mom never stops
being your mother

There is a story told about Albert Einstein. He was teaching at Princeton University in the early 50s. It just may be relevant today.

It goes like this: Einstein had just administered an exam to an advanced class of physics students.  He was on his way back to his office. His teaching assistant was walking with him, carrying the exam papers.

The teaching assistant asked, "Dr. Einstein, excuse me for asking, but wasn't this the same exam that you gave to this same class last year?"

Homemade Jam

Mom never stops
being your mother

It's "puttin' up jam" day. This step-by-step tutorial on how to make homemade strawberry jam is very easy. The completed jam in jars can be stored for a year.

Give your own personally made jar of jam as a gift, a homemade is always a delight to receive.

There’s no doubt that being able to offer fresh-tasting, home-canned, or preserved foods to your family and friends throughout the year is definitely one of life’s luxuries. But there's more.

The price of food has skyrocketed in the last few years. Food safety has become a concern for everyone. Plus, homemade jam makes a welcome gift.

What are You Doing this Halloween?

Mom never stops
being your mother

What are you doing this Halloween? Years ago, we've gone dark on Halloween. Turning off the porch light is the traditional signal for kids roaming the streets signaling that there's no candy given out at this house.

Although we have gotten a few doorbell rings, for the most part, trick or treaters skip our house. 

Of course, before he passed, Bailey was a barky boy.

Make Your House Safe

Mom never stops
being your mother

Is your house safe from break-ins and burglars? Statistics show that most people have taken a few steps to add a small level of safety and security. It doesn't take much.

Don't think you are safe because you live in a particular community, or there's a low crime rate where your home is.

Criminals are everywhere. The aftereffects of being robbed can change a person forever even if there is no one home at the time. Read On...

How to Use Your Napkin

Mom never stops
being your mother

The rules for good table manners are absolute and finite. Mind your table manners, or look like an impolite country bumpkin, or uncaring social misfit.

The table napkin has a lot to do with good table manners. Whether you come from a family of wealth or simple surroundings, old fashioned table manners are akin to a "tell" in a poker game.

Time to Flip the Mattress

Mom never stops
being your mother

Yup! It's a good time to flip the mattress "Four Times a Year." My honey already flipped ours. You want to change the position and surface you sleep on at least once a year, but two or three times is better. Four times is best.

It's obvious that clean is better than dirty. A clean, well maintained mattress is good for your health and for your sleeping comfort.

Do You Belong?

Mom never stops
being your mother

Where do you belong in this big wide world? Who are the PEOPLE you allow around you? What words do you permit yourself to hear? Why do you choose what you choose in your life?

How do you live your life because of the who, what and why? Have you even asked yourself who you are, what you’re doing and why?

Most of us belong to a family of like-minded ancestors and descendants. Some of us are estranged.

Dads and Step Dads Day

Father's Day is one of the days when I honor my dad. Even though he’s been in heaven for decades now, I still think about him because I still love him so much.

When I was growing up, my dad made sure I knew he loved me. He did that best by spending time with me. He did more than just sit me down in front of the TV. He was constantly teaching me life lessons I still rely on today.

Of course, I am saddened that my dad passed too soon. I thank him because he left me with a clear sense of what's important in life. I listened and learned. I never argued or brushed him off. I could never do something so thoughtless. He spent his life loving me. It was my turn to show my love for him.

I was 4 or 5 when my daddy would lounge on the couch in front of the TV, and I'd comb his black wavy hair like little girls do. I might have put in a few of my pink doll curlers.

My dad always had a smile for me. He was kind, caring and considerate. He was helpful, humorous, fun and serious, too. I was a good daughter, too.

I made sure, that there was no doubt in his mind, that I loved him beyond words. I did.I do.

When I was young, I was polite to him with my words like “please and thank you.” I was obedient, although he didn’t order me around. He was polite to me, too. An easy example to follow.

Dad was all about being a dad. A good dad. The best dad.He had this big laugh out loud. I loved it.

My dad didn't use foul language. He never said a bad word about anything or anyone. He was generous. He loved to cook. His food was so good. No one he knew ever went hungry.

When I was older, I’d help out at his restaurants. I took orders, served food to customers, washed dishes and whatever else I saw that I could do. My dad never asked me to do anything. I just helped, cause I wanted to help. It was the right thing to do for my dad.


By the time I had kids, my dad had a habit of dropping off these big huge chunks of meat for me and the kids. I’ve never know anyone to do that in my life. I always had something for him, too.

My dad gave me his time. I never had to wonder when I was going to see him again. I invited my dad to our Elm Street home all the time. He couldn’t alway come, but that was okay. He didn’t have to prove his love by visiting. I already knew how much he loved me and the kids.

I usually offered my help so he wouldn’t have to ask. I thought that was what a good daughter did.

Dad excelled with integrity and compassion. My dad was a good human being. He was my hero. There's no doubt in my mind that my dad was a fisherman. He had a big heart. Good instincts.

Dad gave me many gifts. Good values. Rules to live by. But the greatest gift he gave me was the time he shared with me. He gave me his time.

My honey reminds me of my dad. He has my dad’s qualities. His unconditional love, faith, common sense and kindness. My Honey is incredibly helpful and thoughtful. People say daughters often marry men like their fathers. That couldn’t be more true. I did just that.

On this Father's Day, I thank God for giving me the greatest dad a girl could have, and a kind and thoughtful Honey who makes me feel good about myself everyday.

My honey has been a loyal step-dad, too, who welcomed three children as his own. He’s given them his time, support and loving kindness for 35 years.  Step-dads deserve to be recognized, respected and honored for their contribution to the family.

Do You Eat in Front of the TV?

Mom never stops
being your mother

How often do you sit in front of the TV with the dinner plate in your lap instead of site at the kitchen table.

Sometimes, yes; sometimes, no? Does it feel like a ping pong ball? Table yes, table no, table yes…

November is "Eat at the Table" month, and my honey and I face a challenge. I can't believe it either.

What are the Best Gifts to Give?

Mom never stops
being your mother

Hello again blog, October was and is a big happy birthday month for our family. Steven's birthday is October 10, Zachary's birthday is October 19, Little Miss Kim's birthday is October 28.

The there's the big dad who has his birthday this month. too. Sad to say our precious little Wolfie would have been having a birthday this month, as well.

How Dangerous is the Sugar Cycle

Mom never stops
being your mother

When you eat or drink food with simple sugar, the cycle begins.

Whether it's a sports drink, glass of orange juice or a scoop of fat-free ice cream -- all of the ingested sugar floods into your bloodstream like a tsnuami.

You instantly get a rush energy from the feel-good brain chemical serotonin.

What is Mother's Day All About

Mom never stops
being your mother

It's a new year, and I'm full of \hope for the USA. These past years have been traumatic to say the least. I took a lot of time to review my life.

One of the thoughts that popped into my heard was the family. My kids. You see, I had a completely different picture of what "retirement" years looked like.

For a good many years, raising children, doing what mothers do for the betterment of the young lives who depend on her, I guess I thought every day would be "Mother's Day" when the "raising" part was done, and they grew up into awesome adults.

Mother's Day is the day in the year set aside for children to acknowledge everything that mother means them. It's one day to make "Mom" feel as if she is the World's Best Mom.

It's the day sons and daughters give their time to show their love to the one who brought you into this world --especially if your mom struggled, sacrificed and compromised to make sure you had the best childhood memories.

For me, I had a wonderful childhood because of my dad. Those growing up years, my own mother wasn't the best mom, but at least she taught me what not to do. None the less, later in life, I made sure she knew her grandchildren.

After my honey and I moved, I always sent my mother gifts on holidays, her birthday and mother's day. I often sent a dozen red roses on mother's day. We had a "phone" plan. She'd call me every month on the "day" of my birthday, and I called her on the "day" of her birthday,

My honey and I are not rich by any standard, but we traveled 3,000 miles back to California where she lived to visit her. She visited us, too. We hosted an amazing 75th birthday party with live mariachis singing to her and the guests. There was an awesome spread of Mexican food, much homemade. I decorated every room of our home to feel festive and honor her.

I was determined to be the best daughter I could be. My dad taught me that how I treat others, In this case, my mother, is about me, not her -- and not about how --in my judgement -- she treated me. Now, is not the time to talk about how she failed me in so many ways.

When my children were growing up, I never turned my back on them. Not for a second. But I'm not sure they know that.  They don't behave as if they do. But that's okay. I know I am a good daughter, good mother and good person.

Everyone knows that "celebration" refers to the time, effort and sacrifices most mothers make to raise their children to be good stewards of God and country… because it's generally mom who teaches the lessons of life.

It's those lessons that influence how the children affect society in the future... when they grow up. That's huge.
Mom's role is huge.

For me, I couldn't wait to be a mom. From early childhood, I played with baby dolls and planned my day being a mom. 

My dad even built me a two-room playhouse with big windows, a cradle for my dolls and a dutch door with a flower box. It was awesome! Yes, even as a girl, being a mom was all I thought about, and after these many years, I can say with a happy heart that being a mother to three children are a dream come true.

For grown up children, it's a day set aside in their busy lives — just for mom. This is especially important for an adult child, because the reality is that a mom ages, she likely has health issues, and generally passes on long before her child is ready to say goodbye.

Mother's Day is actually a recognized national holiday in America celebrated on the second Sunday of May

President Woodrow Wilson signed the Resolution creating a dedicated Mother's Day on May 8, 1914. Since then people all over America have been celebrating Mothers Day with joy and devotion. 

Even with my grief, I never let my mother know how she hurt me. Until the day she died, I believe I made her feel like every day was mother's day. ///

Yummy Berry Dessert Nachos

Mom never stops
being your mother

Berry dessert nachos for dessert? Yes! I served these up to my honey after dinner a couple of nights ago, and they were a great big hit. It's a delicious way to re-purpose flour tortillas, and they taste so so good.

All you do is bake dressed up tortilla chips until crispy. Lay them on a plate, top with berries and a cream topping. This dessert makes a great follow-through after a dinner from leftovers.

Best New Year's Resolution --Something Different

Thank you so much for following Being Grand this year and all the previous years, too.  I appreciate it so much.  Today's the day to make your one golden New Year's Resolution for next year.  Many people do. 

People promise themselves to lose weight, find a better job, come home earlier, get that makeover they've been putting off, save money for the future, eat healthy, pay off that credit card, even find true love.

The new year is a wonderful time to take stock of your life, the good, the bad and the really really ugly.  You know, we all have our hurdles. 

Now, who do you know who wants to change the good part of their life?  That's why change, repairs, fixes, do-betters, hopes, dreams and wishes are usually about changing the not-so-good.

When Is the Day After Not the Day After?

Mom never stops
being your mother

On he day after Christmas, what's on your to-do list? Are you cleaning up? 

Are you taking out the pile of paper plates and crumpled gift wrap? 

Are you exhausted, driving, giving a report of your Christmas to someone on the phone -- or are you standing in the returns line?

Back to Basics on the Table

Mom never stops
being your mother

With New Year's Resolutions still in draft mode, it's a little bit true that I'm cutting my mental fat with a healthy positive attitude about home, food and family.

Life isn't easy, is it? A lot of people struggle with their weight, health and money. The country seems divided. The world is being terrorized. I get out of breath from people's impatience, intolerance and dissatisfaction, let alone the collapse of morals and morale. I'd like to get back to basics, and that's starts with home, food and family.

Why Do So Many Recipes Call for Garlic?

Mom never stops
being your mother

When I think of garlic, I immediately think of bad breath and vampires. But garlic is a great flavoring agent and it has medicinal uses for many conditions including respiratory problems, poor digestion and low energy.

Many claim that garlic helps to prevent high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease (including atherosclerosis) and cancer. Wow!

Stevia vs Splenda Sugar Substitute

Mom never stops
being your mother

Do you know if a sugar substitute such as Stevia is better than Splenda? As a diabetic, I'm always concerned with my sugar intake.

As a lover of sweets, I admit that I don't avoid sugar snacks and desserts as much as I should, but I do limit the amount of sugar and carbs that I consume. I use a sugar substitute to help my health goals and still enjoy a sweet treat.