Generations of Mother’s Day Sentiments

May 8, 2015September 25, 2021 cathysmahaLeave a comment

Mother’s Day holds a special place in our hearts that grows each and every year. This Mother’s Day I ventured down Memory Lane reading sentiments shared through the generations and, again, realized the love we hold for Mother’s is so very dear. How I miss my Mother and wish I could hug her and talk with her one more time.

My Mother often expressed her feelings in poetry and I found a poem she wrote in 1956 about her sweet Mother, Susie:

HOW WELL I DO REMEMBER

By Betty Gaunt Smaha

How well I do remember
My Mother sweet and fair,
Who was the first to hold me
And utter a thanks in prayer.

She taught me first to sit up straight
Then baby words to talk,
She gently led me around the room
Until I learned to walk.

She sat me down upon her knee
And taught me how to say,
‘Now I lay me down to sleep’
So I’d know how to pray.

She also taught me how to love
My sisters and my brothers,
To share my toys and not complain
Twas a trying time for Mother.

She proudly sent me off to school
With a smile upon her face,
And assured us all twas well
As off to school we’d race.

She could look at me and always smile
With a twinkle in her eyes,
She loved me in a clean starched dress
Or knee deep in mud pies.

As years passed by and I left home
Mother silently shed some tears,
For she wanted just my happiness
For the many coming years.

But now I am a Mother
With children of my own,
But ‘Mother’s Day’ is special
For that dear sweet Mom back home.
—————————
Most of my childhood drawings and cards are long gone, but one card survived. I only wish I had inherited my Mother’s poetry gene.

Mother’s Day card to my Mother about 1958 (age 5)

There is nothing more precious that the hand-made cards from the girls through the years. I’ve saved many of their cards and drawings and want to share two of my favorites.

Mother’s Day card from my daughter, Sarah

Mother’s Day Poem from Daughter, Megan

To Mother’s everywhere, have a wonderful Mother’s Day this weekend!

Family · My Roots

Mother’s Day…Things I Miss About You

May 9, 2014September 25, 2021 cathysmahaLeave a comment

Time is so precious and passes every so swiftly. When I was younger, I took so much for granted, assuming that time and moments would go on forever.

Each Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day) I recall the times that I did have with my Mom and Dad. How I wish I could call them up to chat and tell them how much I love and miss them.

Things I Miss About You

It’s Mother’s Day again,
And I’m trying to make it through,
Because this day reminds me
Of all the things I miss about you.

I miss your face smiling down at me,
With love shining from your eyes.
I miss the way you’d laugh at my jokes
So hard that it made you cry.

I miss the touch of your dear hands,
How gentle and kind they could be.
And I miss the warth of your hugs, and how
You’d wrap me up tight as could be.

I miss the smell of your perfume,
The way it lingered in the air.
Sometimes I think I smell it again,
And I get a sense that you’re there.

I miss the way you could always tell
When something in my life had gone wrong,
How you’d talk to me until I felt better,
Your words soothed me like a song.

And so I sit here once again
Remembering these things I miss
And this year, just like every year,
I make a silent wish.

I wish that one day I’ll see you again,
Whole, and safe, and sound.
That you’ll take my hand securely in yours,
And for Heaven we’ll be bound.

Author Unknown

Family · Holidays

Mother’s Day 2013…Daughter, Mother, Grandmother, Friend

May 10, 2013January 9, 2021 cathysmahaLeave a comment

Mother’s Day 2013 will be a weekend of celebration starting with my annual Mother’s Day Coffee/Tea on Saturday. There will be much laughter, hugging, catching up and, of course, delicious treats. This year our friend Barbara has designed T-shirts to celebrate our annual event.

Sunday, our family will share a meal celebrating daughter Sarah as a Mother and now adding Grandma to my title. We are blessed.

As I reflect on Mother’s Day, I think about my Mother who passed away in 2001. I miss her every day. How many times have I wished that I could pick up the phone and talk to her!

Our journey as Daughters and then Mothers (and now Grandmothers) takes many twists and turns. I recently read this poem which reminds me of my Mother being there to support me and my own journey as a Mother. And the journey continues with my daughters.

Love you, Mom. Love you girls!

Baby Evan with Grandma, Mommie and Aunt Megan

A Mother…

When you’re a child she walks before you,
To set an example.
When you’re a teenager she walks behind you
To be there should you need her.
When you’re an adult she walks beside you
So that as two friends you can enjoy life together..
Author Unknown

Family Favorites · My Roots · Vegan · Vegetarian

Springtime memories of Mom….gathering and cooking Morel Mushrooms

May 11, 2012September 26, 2021 cathysmahaLeave a comment

Mother's 1968 Morel Mushroom Bounty — Mother’s 1968 Morel Mushroom Bounty

Our Iowa farm was near a large wooded area known as Ferguson’s Timber. This timber was my Mother’s favorite place to hunt those fabulous, spring Morel Mushrooms. She would go to the timber every day she could to hunt and gather the mushrooms to cook, freeze and share with friends and family. My Mother had a keen eye for Morels and taught my sister, brother and I that Morels look like a sponge and are easy to distinguish from other mushrooms; however, she was quick to show us the poisonous ‘false morel’.

1968: I display 2 large morels (love the skinny body and clothes choice!)

Morels are found throughout the Midwest and in parts of eastern Europe. My ancestors, in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) would have gathered these mushrooms in the old country and were probably thrilled to learn that they also grew in their new home, Iowa.

There were two primary recipes my Mother served for these small gifts from heaven:

Fried Morels: After washing and trimming the mushrooms, Mother would cut the mushrooms in half, dredge in flour and brown them in butter, adding salt and pepper. The result was a wonderful browned, crispy, savory Morel.
Scrambled Eggs with Morels: After washing and trimming the mushrooms, Mother would brown the chopped mushrooms in butter until soft then pour beaten eggs, seasoned with salt and pepper, over the mushrooms and cook until hard. The mushrooms add an earthy, wonderful flavor to ordinary scrambled eggs.

Unfortunately, Colorado is not a natural source for Morels and I have been craving Morels since my Mother became ill in the mid-1990s. She would lovingly gather and freeze Morels to cook when I would come home to visit. I was delighted to find dried Morels in our local Savory Spice Shop, www.savoryspiceshop.com.

I have saved these earthy morsels for my spring craving. Mother’s Day is approaching and it’s time to honor my Mother and this spring family ritual. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

The following recipe is adapted my Mother’s recipe using olive oil instead of butter and adding a pinch of Herbs de Provence. More Morels, please!

SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH MOREL MUSHROOMS

1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2-1 ounce dried Morels, reconstitute per directions (or 1-2 cups fresh Morels), chopped
4 beaten eggs
1 teaspoon water
salt & pepper to taste
pinch of Herbs de Provence

Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan. Add chopped morels and brown for 5 minutes or until cooked through/soft.

Whisk eggs with 1 teaspoon water. Add salt, pepper and herbs. Add eggs to mushrooms and cook until eggs are to your liking.

New Traditions

Mother’s Day Coffee…a new tradition

May 4, 2012September 26, 2021 cathysmaha1 Comment

Two years ago I hosted a morning coffee for the wonderful Mothers and friends that shared many of the same life experiences. Mothers everywhere are hustling and bustling 24×7, seldom taking time for themselves. This annual coffee is now tradition, honoring these wonderful women, our friendships, and…our love of good food!

The past two years, the coffee has been held on the Saturday before Mother’s Day. Somehow, this year, I ASSUMED that would be the first Saturday in May. You know what happens when you ASSUME! This year it’s a week early but what the heck!

My friend, Barbara, is the official photographer for all of my gal pal gatherings, commonly referred to as ‘hot flash___’ (just fill in the blank for the actual event of book club, cards, yoga, etc.). She did a wonderful collage last year capturing the great food we all shared that wonderful morning.

Mother's Day Coffee 2011 — Mother’s Day Coffee 2011

The past year has brought many joys for myself and friends and many sorrows. We support each other through thick and thin. I have a sign in my house that sums it up best:

good friends will laugh with you in the sun
great friends will be with you in the shade

Tag: Mother’s Day

Generations of Mother’s Day Sentiments

HOW WELL I DO REMEMBER

Mother’s Day card to my Mother about 1958 (age 5)

Mother’s Day card from my daughter, Sarah

Mother’s Day Poem from Daughter, Megan

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Mother’s Day…Things I Miss About You

Things I Miss About You

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Mother’s Day 2013…Daughter, Mother, Grandmother, Friend

A Mother…

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Springtime memories of Mom….gathering and cooking Morel Mushrooms

SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH MOREL MUSHROOMS

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Mother’s Day Coffee…a new tradition

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HOW WELL I DO REMEMBER

Mother’s Day card to my Mother about 1958 (age 5)

Mother’s Day card from my daughter, Sarah

Mother’s Day Poem from Daughter, Megan

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Things I Miss About You

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A Mother…

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SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH MOREL MUSHROOMS

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