Patience

Patience, well I guess if you know me, you know I don't have much. Even thinking back to having children, I didn't have any there either. Just could not wait for them to be born, hence early babies.

Waiting is something I do not do well. I could blame it on this instant society we live in, but who am I kidding. It is just me, I want things now. Not just things, but to accomplish task quickly, go on to the next thing.

I think back to cold winter Saturdays when my dad would cook chili. He was not one to cook much, but what he made for us was always such a treat. Chili and fudge were his specialties. They both took time and patience to achieve. He would cook his chili from early in the morning until around 5:00 p.m. when we would all gather as a family to enjoy that scrumptious meal.

I guess that was one of those life lessons my dad tried to teach me, good things are worth waiting for. Again I find myself waiting, impatiently, for the words that my sister is healthy again. I am hopeful that those words will come soon. I could wish for those words tomorrow, but I know that will not be, but I do have faith they will come in time. Until then, I am thankful for my faith and the healing power of our Father in heaven. Mark 10:27

Sisters

I understand not everyone has an older sister as I do, some of you are thankful you are the oldest, any only child, or just thankful you don't have a sister. You can know you cannot be as blessed as I am to have an older sister like mine. She is the best ever(that may have something to do with the fact that she has a wonderful, much younger sister).

My sister has always been there for so many in her life, my mother, my father, me and so many more. She has been so many things to me through our lives. I am thankful she came to love me, since she had been the only child for nearly seven years when I was born. I am not so sure I would have been such an accepting older sibling, if there had been a new baby in the house just before my 7th birthday. But she somehow tolerated me and came to be my protector.

Yes, she felt it her job to watch out for me. That also turned itself into making sure my parents knew anything I did that she did not approve of as we grew up. Mostly she watched out for me. She has always been there for me. She was there when our dad was sick and was so strong in his last days. She was there when my kids were born and as they have grown into teenagers

Through every thing we have been through - we have become not just sisters but great friends. She is the type of person I would not call from jail - because she would be sitting in the cell right beside me.

The past few days she has become more and more admirable in my eyes. She is facing some tough days ahead, but shows such strength and courage. She is still my protector. She is trying to convince everyone - everything will be fine - six months from now - it will all be good again. Such courage, strength, determination, faith, and gumption she shows.

Guess it just good genes! Sister - I am there for you!

Apple Butter Birthday

What do you do when your mother has an abundance of apples and you are out of freezer space? If you are as crazy as I am, you suggest making Apple Butter. Mom, my sister and I spent my birthday together. We made Apple Butter for Christmas gifts. I think everyone we know will be getting some for Christmas. If I can count, and I am not to sure I could that day, we made 21 BATCHES of apple butter. Each batch makes like 6 cups. That would mean 84 pounds of apples, 21 cups of apple cider vinegar, 42 cups of water, 42 cups of sugar, 42 tablespoons of lemon juice, 48 teaspoons of cinnamon, 10 1/2 teaspoons of all spice, and 10 1/2 teaspoons of cumin. Needless to say my kitchen was rather aromatic with all that apple cider vinegar boiling - I thought it would stink for days, but was back to normal by Sunday.

That day was one of the best in a long time. Just the three of us there most of the day. We aren't sure who was in charge that day, none of us had ever made Apple Butter, but found a rather easy sounding recipe. I suppose we all took turns acting like we knew what we were doing. Mom was probably reliving 30 years ago, trying to get her girls to behave and get along. I truly enjoyed being together, especially the laughter,the silliness, the bossiness we all have, the complaining about the other, and the love we have for each other. That is how we are - some would say disfunctional - we would say just being family.

So, if you are our friends - I guess the secret of your Christmas gift has been spoiled. You guessed it - Apple Butter. Maybe you will forget about it by then and it will be a surprise.

You know the funny thing...

I don't even like Apple Butter. But I have found a way to use it that I like....Apple Pinwheels.