Love… One Sip At A Time // A Valentine Tea Party
I started hosting tea parties in an older home propped as pretty as you please on the corner of a quiet street. A family of four in a two-bedroom, one-bath home made for a tight fit, and tea parties felt downright snug, but no one would change a thing. Some teas were scripture-based, and others celebrated holidays, but every time, the room filled with the scent of scones, floral tea, and...
When Friends Were Friends For Life
Kayla Cron I remember the day she was born. I remember the day(s) I caught her eating crackers off the other children’s plates if they turned their head for a split second (and the adorable unrepentant grin she displayed when I caught her eye.) I remember the night her #10 jersey was displayed on the Brashier gym walls in recognition of the 1308 points she scored during her...
What Happens At Ridgecrest Stays at Ridgecrest…Not So Fast!
Friends…they cherish one another’s hopes. They are kind to one another’s dreams. -Henry David Thoreau Dee Dee Parker and I arrived a day early to the writer’s conference—not to play, but to work on a beloved project. We’d planned on trying to find a conference room as soon as we reached the campus. After all, sitting on a cushy mattress isn’t...
My Grandmother’s Special White Cake with Cherry Frosting
by Cathy Baker My grandmother, Elsie Knighton, didn’t bake this cake often but when she did, oh my! Of course, I’m a bit partial because I loved everything she cooked and white cake is my favorite. This sweet delight is perfect for spring and summer tea parties, Fourth of July gatherings, and well, for no reason at all. Special White Cake with Cherry Frosting 3 cups...
I’m Heading to the Hills!
Remember this post? My favorite word in the title is “almost.” This weekend, I, along with hundreds more, will be heading to the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. Some of the things I’m most looking forward to? Seeing friends and making new ones. Catching a glimpse of Becky Gansky’s sweet smile. I don’t know her well but when she enters a...
When Grace is Discovered Beneath the Debris
by Cathy Baker The trunk of the Chaste tree hugged our white picket fence but its branches shot out in all directions, covering everything in its path. While preparing to sell the house last September, Brian cut the tree to ground level so the yard would appear neater for prospective buyers. This weekend, while taking a tour of the yard, I spotted a pink patch of clematis sittin’...
Aunt Rose’s Nut Bars – A Family Tradition
by Cathy Baker My Aunt Rose’s Nut Bars were an essential part of family beach trip. Bites of chewy browned sugar left a perfect powdered lining around the lips, my version of sunscreen at the ripe age of 10. Aunt Rose’s sister, my grandmother, aka Ma-Ma, also served these yummy bars at some of her Garden Club parties. I wish I could share a square with you now but since I...