The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
What You Need
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 TBS. flour
1 1/2 milk
1 stick butter
8 oz bag angel flake coconut
1 TSP vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts
How To Make
Bring to a boil, add the butter and angel flake coconut
Cook on low heat for 7 minutes or until thick
Add vanilla, chopped nuts
Cool and frost cake.
This is one of my favorite types of cake. She would make it for my birthday.
I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
My grandmother passed away from Dementia from two strokes in 2005. I’m reposting for the caregivers dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. For those who have not been a caregiver, these posts may help you down the road. For the caregivers who give every ounce of energy, just one piece of advice if I may. Take time to clear your head, 10 or 30 minutes whatever you can for yourself each week. I did not have anyone to offer suggestions and had a brain drain after both of their deaths. My body was physically broken down. Due to the nature of the illness, it’s hard to take an eye off them, 24/7. I was fortunate we had hospice care for both of my grandparents. My grandfather was healthy enough to help my grandmother.
I’m Morning and She’s Still Alive
As the caregiver for my grandparents, my hands are full yet my mind runs at a high level by switching to what I call “caregiver mode”. I can manage tons of information about what drugs they take, schedule appointments, discuss test results, or anything else needed to take care of two people who are dying and “switch back” when at home.
Before her fall and a broken hip, my grandmother knew me. Our conversations were limited but sharing memories with her made my day. She really enjoyed a photo book I put together with many photos of her beloved dog, Blackie. Thinking about Blackie always made her smile, even though he died twenty years ago she remembers him like it was today.
On the way to their house, last week tears started rolling down my face, I could not stop crying. It took a few minutes to figure out what was causing so much pain. My mind had switched to caregiver mode from granddaughter and realized my grandmother no longer knew me. We would not share our memories again. I knew the day would come and say prayers for the memories we shared. The realization was much harder to accept. I am in mourning and miss my grandmother so much.
Here is how a few countries around the globe celebrate April Fools
Italy, France, Belgium, and French-speaking areas of Switzerland and Canada
In Italy, France, Belgium and French-speaking areas of Switzerland and Canada, the 1 April tradition is often known as “April fish” (poisson d’avril in French, april vis in Dutch or pesce d’aprile in Italian). Possible pranks include attempting to attach a paper fish to the victim’s back without being noticed. This fish feature is prominently present on many late 19th- to early 20th-century French April Fools’ Day postcards. Many newspapers also spread a false story on April Fish Day, and a subtle reference to a fish is sometimes given as a clue to the fact that it is an April Fools’ prank.[citation needed] Boulangeries, pâtisseries and chocolatiers in France sell chocolate fishes in their shop windows on the day.[20]
Poland (Prima aprilis)
In Poland, prima April (“First April” in Latin) as a day of pranks is a centuries-long tradition. It is a day when many pranks are played: sometimes very sophisticated hoaxes are prepared by people, media (which often cooperate to make the “information” more credible), and even public institutions. Serious activities are usually avoided; every word said on 1 April could be untrue. The conviction for this is so strong that the Polish anti-Turkish alliance with Leopold I, signed on 1 April 1683, was backdated to 31 March.[22] However, for some in Poland prima April ends at noon of 1 April and prima April jokes after that hour are considered inappropriate and not classy.
A common prank is to carefully remove the cream from an Oreo and replace it with toothpaste, and there are many similar pranks that replace an object (usually food) with another object that looks like the object but tastes different such as replacing sugar with salt and vanilla frosting with sour cream. As well as people playing pranks on one another on April Fools’ Day, elaborate pranks have appeared on radio and television stations, newspapers, and websites, and have been performed by large corporations. In one famous prank in 1957, the BBC broadcast a film in their Panorama current affairs series purporting to show Swiss farmers picking freshly-grown spaghetti, in what they called the Swiss spaghetti harvest. The BBC was soon flooded with requests to purchase a spaghetti plant, forcing them to declare the film a hoax on the news the next day.[31]
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Granny & Gramps used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
The candy tastes great and it’s so easy to make. Don’t think about the calories as you eat.
What You Need
1 jar marshmallow cream
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/4 TSP salt
1 pkg 12oz semi-sweet chocolate pieces
1 TSP vanilla
1 cup pecans
How To Make
Combine marshmallow cream, sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and salt in a 2-quart saucepan
Bring to a full boil, string constantly
Continue to boil over medium heat string constantly for 5 minutes
Remove from heat, stir in chocolate pieces and vanilla
I believe self-confidence starts with good parenting, not the ones who are on the phone the entire evening. Parents show how important their kids are when they attend all the plays, musicals, and ballet practices.
I built mine by taking the smallest job, the job no one wants, and doing the job without complaint. Your actions will be noticed and your confidence grows.
Admit when I am wrong, and move on. You have to get out of your comfort zone to grow. I joined a wine club and even met a couple of clients there. From there I went to museums and took a few night school classes. I stayed focused on the goal and knew I wanted to achieve it. My confidence grew a little at a time.
So many successful people credit their sense of self and their confidence to their success. But not many people really explain how to build confidence, or how to become confident. It’s tricky, because confidence is built on different things, but overall it is built on choices and accomplishments that feed your passion, and that make you feel happy and proud of who you are. Discovering these things is one of the most worthwhile pursuits of your life according to Forbes.
Be yourself, don’t fake it, and remember the client is right, most of the time.
You have changed my life by filling it with joy every day. I want to say Thank You! Over the years, I have met so many interesting people and blogs. I Thank every country that reads my post.
Many of you have followed me for years, you’re very special.
Thank you for joining my journey and sharing yours.
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
I looked back at my very first post written as a blogger, the site was different, it was called Defining Memories but I have since published on Look for the Light. I started Defining Memories in 2005 to help me mourn my Granny. It was a very dark time and writing was the perfect outlet.
I hope reading this post is as cathartic for you as it has been for me. The subject matter has changed since 2005 but the feeling and release it gives me is the same.
Thank you so much for reading and following me on my journey.
Being a caregiver to a dying loved one can leave you drained of emotion, exhausted, and frustrated. All perfectly normal feelings. I felt a quilt mixed in my bowl of emotions. I grew up knowing my grandparents wanted to die at home. I would grant the wish if possible. They inspired me, saved me from abuse, and blessed me with unconditional love.
Helping my gramps when making difficult life decisions, while working hard to remember she is my Granny. There were uncomfortable conversations, articulate to doctors how she is progressing and butt heads with family members. I ran a tight ship and had no problem telling people it was time to leave, and not allowing people over every day. God blessed me with the ability to turn my depression down and step up to the next level. Love for my Granny drove my decision to give her an extra morphine stick. She died in my hands while I kissed her goodbye.
As our population ages, the number of caregivers increases. It can seem overwhelming at times. If you don’t have a blog I would suggest checking out, it gave me an outlet. Caregivers choose to open their hearts to emotional and physical challenges.
Dementia-Induced Thoughts Of Suicide
Today I used one of four “in case of emergency” pills to keep my Granny from hurting herself during a dementia-related meltdown brought on by my Gramps going to the grocery store. She’s had many of these episodes since her stroke almost two years ago. Today I saw the beginning of the end in her face. As I look at the three pills in the bottle, I try to accept that we will need to “ease” the trauma more times before her memory is gone.
Her stroke caused dementia, and at 84 she continues to slide downhill. The meds do a good job of controlling the anger and aggression but on days like today, nothing short of a miracle works. I had to reach for “the emergency” stash and this sank in as I watched her doze off from the effects.
Today she did not recognize her own home and thought my Gramps abandoned her in somebody else’s house while going to the grocery store. She became enraged and very self-destructive by hitting herself in the head while saying that she would rather be dead than be left “here” by herself. I tried to calm her as I always do but today nothing worked. I tried to get her to focus on what I was saying but it was too late, she was lost in her painful reality. It was a very hard choice but a drug-induced calm over self-inflicted harm is the right thing to do.
While waiting for the drug to work I showed her photos of her and my grandfather from 24 years ago, a photo of my father on a pony when he was a child, and many others I took off the walls to see if she could connect to anything. She recognized my dad but several other family members were a blur. It was so painful to watch her lose touch, it ripped my heart out.
Those four pills were the “holy grail” and they took me back to the night of her stroke when Gramps went home to try to nap and she got upset that he was not there. It took six of us to hold down an 82-year-old who barely weighed 100 lbs. Her aggression reached a point where she needed restraining. Her arms were tied to the bed yet she managed to fight. I used all of my weight to hold her down to the bed, yelling at the nurse where the hell was a shot to knock her out. The nurse did not articulate to the doctor the situation’s urgency so he did not approve a sedative. I told her if she could not articulate the need, she would pass the phone to me. I would get the message across. The doctor ordered a sedative.
Watching her lose touch with reality is like seeing your child get hit by a car in slow motion and not being able to get a word out. I’m thankful for the time we spent together no matter how painful. I focus on the good moments and do not hold on to difficult days like this.
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight the blog of Prasenjeet Gautam Photography.
Prasenjeet Gautam is a notable, famous Indian and global photographer who has garnered recognition for his diverse archives of work spanning various photographic sectors. With a multifaceted approach to his craft, Prasenjeet Gautam has established himself as not only a photographer but also a blogger, editor, entrepreneur, image analyst, and teacher.Read More
Prasejeet shares detailed instructions on how to take the different types of shots, and he has taken many. He is down to earth, loves his family, and photography. Be sure to look at his archives, some of his photos blow me away.
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
This recipe is a keeper! My brother and I would beg Granny to make it.
What You Need
1 can condensed milk
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup peanut chips
2 cups tiny marshmallows
2 cups chopped nuts
How To Make
Stir and melt chips and milk over medium heat, don’t scorch
Stir all the time and fold in marshmallows and nuts
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
Another winner from my Granny, she’s the cake and candy chef.
What You Need
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 ts salt
6 tbsp flour
2 cups milk
2 egg yolks
2 heaping TB of cocoa
1 ts vanilla
1 unbaked pie crust
How To Make
Mix sugar, flour, cocoa, and salt together and mix well
Add milk and eggs
Blend in cocoa
Add milk and stir well
Beat eggs and add to the mixture
Stir the mixture slowly and stir the whole time until it gets thicks
I wasn’t interested in reading until my boarding school counselor gave me several books to read including Man Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. The book is a game changer.
The book was given to me at 13 years old and what sticks in my mind is how he survived the Holocaust Concentration Camps. He is a very strong man and is a great example of how we can take control of our lives.
I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
These shower steamers are great for self-care and make great gifts. I’ve looked on Amazon and was surprised by how expensive Steamers are. Treat yourself and friends and family with the steamers.
Add all the dry ingredients to a large, non-metallic bowl and whisk until blended. Drop the essential oils on the dry ingredients, and stir to combine. The essential oils can create droplets, which will dissolve in the following step.
Spray the mixture with a little water and incorporate it immediately to avoid a reaction. If you don’t have a spray bottle, sprinkle water on the mixture using a teaspoon.
When kneading the mixture, put on nitrile gloves to protect your hands as the citric acid can irritate sensitive skin and nail polish. The mixture should feel like damp sand and be wet enough to hold its shape when pressed together. If using colored mica and dried herbs or flowers, add them to the mixture.
Fill the silicone mold with the mixture, and press firmly into the mold using your fingertips, paying attention to the edges. Let the mixture dry for 24-48 hours. Shower steamers can be affected by the humidity; in a humid environment, the drying time may be longer. When they feel hard and solid, carefully peel back the mold and gently pop out of the disk. Store the steamers in an airtight container or jar, and ensure that the steamers aren’t exposed to water or moisture. The shelf life is one year.
Before use, let warm water run for several minutes to moisturize the air. It’s best to remove the steamer from the running water and the drain. Ideally, only the bottom of the tabs should be wet. You can also put a shower steamer in a soap dish. Breathe in deeply as the essential oils vaporize.
These are the all-around self-care gifts. Make a huge batch and then you have some for gifts. Don’t forget your self-care, save some for yourself.
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
This is Gramps’ favorite, he loved them so much he carried the recipe in his wallet. My brother learned from Gramps and was much better at making them.
What You Need
1 1/2 cups white flour
1/2 ts baking powder
1/4 ts salt
1/4 cup shortening
How To Make
Sift flour, baking, and salt together
Crumble in the shortening with your fingers
Add just enough milk to make a very stiff dough
Using a spoon to mix
Roll out the dough on a well-floured board until it’s very thin
Cut 1/8 thick
Cut into strips and lay into 3-quart post-medium chicken
In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
My Neurologist got out of his lane and tried to change one of my medications. I will only change or stop a medication with the doctor who wrote the script.
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
What You NeedAnd Instructions
Mash 8oz cream cheese and mix
1/2 cup of mayonnaise Not salad dressing
1 1/2 tsp Dill
2 tb parsley flacks
1 tsp celery salt
4 greens onions chopped
1/2 tsp Accent
Mix together and chill overnight
You may not be able to find Accent, it’s an old product. Unfortunately, I don’t know what to replace it with. You can probably find it on the Internet and if nothing else you can see what ingredients are used and make your own.
Sounds like a relaxing butter, a great one to use at bedtime, of course, you can use it anytime.
You Will Need
Large bowl
1 cup organic shea butter
1/2 cup organic coconut oil
Hand-held or stand mixer
3 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops sweet orange essential oil
3 drops of clove essential oil
Airtight container
How To Make
Add the Shea Butter and coconut oil to a large bowl and blend until the mixture is creamy and whipped. Be patient, the whipping process can take some time to achieve consistency
Once completely whipped, fold in lavender, sweet orange, and clove essential oils
Store in an airtight container of your choice
Kick back and take the smell in to get the full effect.
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
This is so good and easy to make. My brother loved this cake so Granny made it often.
What You Need
1 pkg. Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme cake mix
1 pkg of Lemon Jello
4 eggs
2/3 cup oil
2/3 water
1 tsp lemon extract
How To Make
Dissolve Jello in warm water
Add oil, cake mix, and eggs. One at a time and beating well
Add extract and beat until smooth & creamy
Bake 50 minutes at 350 degrees
Icing instructions
Dissolve 1 cup of powdered sugar in 1/4 cup of lemon juice
Combine well and pour over the cake while it is still warm
You can make this cake any time of year and it will not let you down.
I am alive, happy, productive and helping other Survivors. Very Blessed. My childhood and teenage years where so difficult I truly believed suicide was the only answer. My first attempt was at 9 years old, I took all the pills in my dad’s medicine cabinet. I got a buzz then my stomach pumped. Suicide was always on my mind since the abuse was everyday. If it wasn’t physical abuse, it was constant mental abuse by my mother. At the same time I saw my mother physically and emotionally abused by my alcoholic stepfather.
At 13 years old I left my abusive life behind. It sounds great but you are so wounded you don’t want to look anyone in the eye, they may hit you or call you names. My mind stripped down and filled with trash, my mother took every drop of confidence I had. Over time my confidence grew and I started building who I am today. I did get called names and had a couple good fights . Sounds like any teenager trying spread their wings.
I have many unresolved emotions, responses and fears. Who doesn’t? What I can say for sure, I’m a survivor and so much more. Survivors have to dig really deep after being kicked down. It took years for me to discover what I liked and longer to get over my fear of failure.
My mother told me I was stupid all the time. I know better when I look at the books I’ve read. I do research on the internet and find internal medical presentations. Last week was a 155-page presentation by the FDA on ECT to the medical community. I didn’t just find it, I understood entirely and told my husband about it. I’m not stupid.
I love art, music, photography, interior design, ancient history and archeology. At the height of my career, I earned over 300K a year, #1 in the sales force. I can grow beautiful roses, and collect antique cameras. I love travel and went to Russia by myself. I’m not stupid.
I’ve had over 20 ECT Treatments while battling the Black Dog, married three times, and started drinking at 9 years old. I’ve made plenty of mistakes while building the person I am today at 50 years old. I’m a survivor and so much more.
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
What you need
1/2 cup butter
3 TB flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 beaten eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
Dash of nutmeg
How To Make
Have butter soft
Add sugar, and cream together well and add sugar, flour, and eggs beat well.
lookingforthelight.blog 