Ode to Mom

Today's post is dedicated to my mom (who Brad affectionately refers to as
"Oh my Helen!"). Without her.... well, I wouldn't be here. Among other sterling qualities, my mom was a whiz at making scrumptious meals out of the most basic of ingredients. She was too cheap (remember, from here on out, this is the highest praise!) to buy Betty Crocker cake mixes like other moms, but we did have a Bettty Crocker cookbook and I had a huge sweet tooth soooooooo... by the time I was about 16 I knew how to cook a number of delicious desserts - from scratch. Some of my favorites were cinnamon rolls, cream puffs, German chocalate cake, and of course, apple pie. To my husband's dismay, I never mastered meats, but I'm still working on that. Mom was extrememly patient about the messes I created along with the goodies. I wish I could be more like that.

Moms out there: can any of us imagine cooking for 12 people day in and day out?! Amazing! So mom, hats off to you. For keeping us well fed and letting us make a big mess in the kitchen while we were learning to cook, I will be forever grateful.

Some of my favorite food momories: Mom's stir fry rice with yummy morsels of meat, tamale casserole, baked chicken & potatoes on Sunday with a crispy salad, and who can forget the whole wheat waffless topped with peaches and whip cream... YUM!

Mom's famous words: "DON'T THROW THAT OUT!.... it's still good!"

Today's quote
"Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has it's stages of drudgery and triumph; a beginning, a struggle, and a victory." Gandhi

ps... the reason I picked that quote is that I am in the 'drudgery' stage of a painting project (preserving an old Conoco sign on Payson Main Street) and I keep finding busy work to avoid it. It is outdoors so I need to finish it before the cold weather hits! Help. Anyone want to come over and crack the whip?