I am officially becoming.... my mother!

Today, as Holly and I sat at Urban Standard.... one of our most favorite spots to eat lunch... I realized the blessing of having her home... for the one millionth time!!!! driving her around, me being in control of her life for just a day! What a day it was! buying her a few "necessary" clothing items!! LOL!!! trying to decide if Jim would mind! and then it hit me.... Jim wouldn't bat an eye!!! just to be with his baby girl! Of course he would've bought her that dress and those wonderful black shoes that were 40% off!! He would cut off his right arm to be there for her....as he would for both of our sons as well.... but there is a very special bond between Jim and Holly and I am forever grateful for that!!! I think its because SHE loves HIM so much... and always has and has always told him! I could learn alot from her in that area! I wish it was as easy for me to demonstrate my love for others like she does!!! It radiates from her and people truly desire to be around Holly because of that! She is a blessing like I can't describe! Shes everything I wish I had been.... and I am blessed to be her mother! Which leads me back to why I am becoming MY mother! Wow!! What more could I ask for? To be blessed with such a godly, loving, wonderful daughter as well as have the world's greatest mother in the whole world! Not to mention the world's best mother in law and daughter in law!!!! Ok.... I am a very blessed woman!
But.... as Holly and I split a half of a half a sandwich as well as a half of another sandwich.... and I asked for the knife to be the one doing the "splitting"...it hit me!!! I am not only becoming my mother.... i AM my mother!!!!! for those of you that know my mom and her sweet group of friends you will certainly get this!!! for those of you that don't.... use your imagination! They all go out alot together .... they split everything!!! we make fun of them!!! but guess what? They love to eat... they are not overweight.... they are all very fit and trim and gorgeous... and most of all, godly women that give of themselves like I've never experienced yet!!!! It wasn't my first clue that I'm becoming my mother.... I've had several, trust me! But it was my favorite!!! If I can split a half of half of a sandwich with my daughter.... shop with my daughter and buy her the things that she needs for important wedding events for her sweet roomate just as my mom did 20 or so years ago when we couldn't afford it.... if I can teach my daughter to trust in God for her livelihood... LITERALLY!!! If i can be excited about them living in Jackson, MS.... if I can sit patiently and not "fret" as much as I used to over where they will be next... if I can be thankful for the things that God has taught us over these last 4 months.... if I can trust God like never before for their safety and where they will live next.... then I AM MY MOTHER!!!! and i am forever grateful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am officially....becoming my mother!

Beautiful!

BEAUTIFUL ARRIVED AT THE DOOR......

five years ago as a group of girls that didn't even begin to know each other and are now lifelong friends!

in the form of an infant, so soft and cuddly, born with a cleft lip and palette...just the way God intended her to be!

in the life of a friend that was going through serious marriage issues....and thought it was over... and now, 16 years later.... they are more in love than ever!

in a warm pink blanket, monogrammed.... Layton....

in a long, white, flowing wedding dress! the dress of my dreams but the dress that Holly chose!

in a man that loves my daughter unconditionally! and yes, perhaps more than I do!

in a phone call, from my oldest son just two months into his freshman year at Auburn saying very excitedly..."Mom... you will never guess who I'm dating!" it was his future bride! the girl of my dreams that I had always wanted him to ask out!

in a "Surprise" package on January 18, 1994!!! A precious baby boy that has given us such joy! and helped us stay close to our friends, cousins... and is still bringing us inconceivable joy! and.... helping to keep us young!

in the cutest voice you've ever heard on your answering machine..." Hey Nonnie! I love you! Have a great day!"

BEAUTIFUL ARRIVES AT YOUR DOOR IN ALOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.... EMBRACE IT... ENJOY IT AND WHATEVER YOU DO.... BE THANKFUL FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Simple Chicken Pot Pie!!!

OK.... so finally, night time is here and I can sit and reflect! Not for long, mind you!!!! Anyway... after being home all day... and I do mean ALL DAY!!!! I managed to drive myself crazy with thinking that I must cook! I always do that whenever I have time at home... I think its a coping mechanism in my brain to try to get myself organized... to "cook ahead" so to speak... I'm always talking about it so I guess I must do it! Anyway... as Miller, bless his sweet heart... snored away on the sofa... and then retired back to his chilly bedroom! ( i can hardly walk in there he keeps it so cold with his ceiling fan!) to sleep off his fever and let the Phenergan work its magic to make him stop ... well... stop being sick! I won't give you too many details! I began bringing out the cookbooks... the Paula Dean magazines.... the laptop... googling away.... I think I wasted about 3 hours devouring recipes, trying to figure out what ingredients I had on hand, etc.... trying to make the BEST dinner ever... and then even I started feeling not so good! My rational side said... "don't make something you will get sick on and never want to eat again! " ha ha!!! So.... I settled for something "bland"! Something that my great grandmother would have made.... in fact... its what I used to smell when I would walk into her kitchen each time we went back to visit in Memphis.... the memories are as vivid as the lights on this computer! The smells are still there!! How does that happen? how does it always stay the same and never grows dim,

never seems dull.... and I never embelish it to try and make it seem better? it is what it is... it is why I love antiques... why I have an antiques shop... why i love to cook... why i treasure the quilts that were handmade by my grandmother and great grandmother! its why i can say in all honesty.... it was in my blood... i just loved being in "Big Mamma's" attic! Its what started my love of all things family! of all things antique! of all things meaningful! and...my love of Chicken Pot Pie and Chicken and Dumplings! That smell!!!! THAT WONDERFUL SMELL.....

hope you enjoy the recipe as much as we just did!!!!

Simple Chicken Pot Pie

3 Cups cooked chicken, torn in chunks

1 small can tiny English Peas

2 eggs, hard boiled and sliced into quarters

layer chicken, peas, eggs, sprinkle with pepper in a greased medium sized casserole dish. ( smaller than a 9 x 13 )

Layer White sauce over:

3/4 stick light butter

3/4 C flour

melt and blend together in medium saucepan over medium heat: Slowly add 2 1/2 C chicken broth, 1 small can evaporated milk, 3 chicken bouillon cubes... wisk until completely blended and let simmer until thickened. Add more broth or milk if needed. Also sprinkle with 1 1/2 t tarragon.

Pour sauce over chicken mixture... make sure it "seeps" in and top with crust mixture.

Crust

1 C self rising flour

1 C buttermilk

3/4 stick melted margarine or light butter

Pour evenly over all and bake at 350-365 for 40- 45 minutes or until browned and bubbly!!!

So yummy!!! Serve with cranberry sauce on the side!!!