She's Been Watching Me

This morning, my daughter Ruthie and I were texting. As always, it's such a joy anytime I talk to her whether via phone or text. When we are together, we make each other laugh without saying a word.

I realized this morning just how closely she's watched me all these years.

She was helping her husband get ready for work. She made him breakfast and packed him a good lunch. She even found some items he had lost. All this within 25 minutes. Her husband was so grateful that he ran back upstairs a minute after he started the car just to give her a kiss.

Ruthie said it's a great feeling helping her husband succeed even if it's with something as small as getting him off to work in time. Then she texted me this:

"Thanks mom, but I have you to thank. You set the example all these years. 

Little did I realize how much it impacted me!"

All these years of serving my husband were and are not in vain. My children were and are watching. I didn't realize those times when I kept my cool as my husband was scurrying around the house trying to find his keys or glasses would impact my children. But they were watching me. Especially my girls. Now that I look back, I'm so glad that I kept my mouth shut during those times when I wanted to lash out at my husband.

 Sarah and I two years ago having fun.

 Ruthie & I one year ago going to church.

 Me and my girls in April of this year at Ruthie's bridal shower.

Mothers, please know that you're children are watching you, Especially your daughters. Don't dismiss the small things you do in your home while serving your family. Those small things can and will have the greatest impact.

This picture of Ruthie and Sarah was taken yesterday while we were baking. 

I cherish these moments I spend with my girls.

 Mothers please cherish every moment you spend with your children. Make an impact on them today so that they can impact the world tomorrow.

My Son's Encounter

Yesterday I was washing dishes when I heard my son come through the front door huffing and puffing. He has just come from a corporate meeting with the company he works for. He's not part of corporate yet, being only 19 years of age. His hope is to someday make up the ladder with the company he works for. He started out a little over a year ago bagging groceries. My husband encouraged him at that time to move up within a year. He did just that.

The meeting he attended is held once a month. His boss encourages him to attend so that the people in corporate can get to know him. The only problem during this meeting, my son was the only male in attendance. He informed me that the meeting is open to everyone, but it's geared toward women and how women can advance in corporate with this company.

Next word that proceeded from his mouth, "feminist!"

He told me that he couldn't believe what was coming out of the mouths of the women. Over and over again he kept thanking me for educating him about the feminist movement and the dangers that come along with it.

We then proceeded to talking about his wife. He's not married yet, but greatly desires to be one day. Thus the reason for him trying to earn a sufficient living to provide for his future family.

My son walked away from that meeting wondering if he would ever find a young woman who would know the value of her role in the home. Many say he's asking to much from a young woman and that's the reason why he's still single. Perhaps that's the case. Or maybe he's just choosing not to settle. After all, he's very handsome and passionately loves God. He has a job and a car. Best yet, he's never kissed a girl and does not plan on it until after he's married.

By the way, my son said he wants to marry someone who's anti-feminist.

I say hooray for him!

I want to encourage all young women to look into the feminist movement and the history behind it before calling yourself a "feminist." You can search far and wide to find yourself a place in this world. Only to lose yourself by conforming to what someone else says you should be. 

Homemade Peach Cobbler

Over the years when we've opened our homes to guest, my Peach Cobbler has been a favorite among many. Often times my guest will ask for the recipe. I really don't have a recipe. 

I used to watch my momma make her Peach Cobbler hoping to see how much of this and how much of that she would add. When I asked her how did she learn how to make Peach Cobbler, she said by watching my grandmother (my dad's mom).

So as the tradition continues, here's how I make my Peach Cobbler.

Click on the link below for the pie crust I use.

Crisco Pie Crust 

I boil the peaches. I use can peaches. I normally purchase the big 6lb. 10 oz. can from Costco. I found that it's the right amount of peaches for a 13x9 baking pan. I drain most of the juice from the can and keep it for a peace cake in the near future. While the peaches are boiling, I add butter (about 3/4 stick). During this time I add my spices. Salt (teaspoon), cinnamon, brown & white sugar, a dash of allspice & ginger and a cap full of vanilla extract. After 5 minutes of boiling, you can taste the juice and add more spices to your liking.

Roll out the pie dough and cut strips. If the strips are longer than your baking pan, that's fine. Just tear off the ends and use the scraps to fill in gap.

Before you put the crust inside the baking dish, add enough juice to cover the bottom of the baking pan. Bake the bottom crust for 10 minutes on 350 degrees.

Add half the peaches to the first layer of pie crust. Earlier we drained most of the juice. As you can see in this picture, we still have a lot of juice.

Repeat pie crust layer. *Warning: the aroma from the boiled peaches & spices will draw a crowd into the kitchen. Be prepared to repeat "45 minutes" multiple times because your family will continuously ask when will it be ready. That's about how long it will until the Peach Cobbler is done.

Here's a picture of the Peach Cobbler I serve my husband tonight. It tasted so good he didn't mind the floral print on the plate.

I Didn't Make the List

I shouldn't have been surprised that I didn't make the list, neither should you. The list I'm talking about is CNN's 50 Most Powerful Women. Out of curiosity, I skimmed through the list seeing if I recognized any of the women. Now I'm wondering where I've been because majority of those women I have never heard of.  Just because I've never heard of them, doesn't mean much. After all, they've never heard of me.

How can a woman such as me make a list like that? 

I feel that I'm qualified to some degree. I'm Vice-President of the one of the most powerful and influential companies there is. Maybe next year I can ask the President of the company I work for to nominate me to make the list. He can tell them how hard I work within the company and all the long hours I've spent training the newbies on staff. Just wait until they see the financial spread sheet from last year. They will be wowed by my accounting knowledge. They will marvel at how I kept the company above water without steady income for a whole year and did it without using the companies credit cards. Surely when they find out the company I work for didn't get a bailout, but I still remained loyal to my present employer that would count for something right?

I have no desire to make such a list as that. However, I do want to be powerful in the lives of those in my home and have influence in my community.

My husband constantly reminds me of how valuable I am in our home. I finally came to the realization that he's right. I am valuable. Valuable to my family. I may not have made CNN's list, but that doesn't mean my hard work hasn't gone unnoticed. According to this my annual salary is over $117,000.

But as my husband would say, "You're priceless Honey."

You too my friend are priceless. Don't let society and the mainstream media tell you that you are not valuable. You are. The things you do around your home don't go unnoticed by our Father in Heaven. When you serve your families, do it as unto the Lord.