Today (written on Tuesday) seemed like a good day to bake some cookies. Nothing special...just my ordinary Oatmeal raisin walnut cookies. (click on the link for the recipe). They seem to be the family favorite and I have convinced myself they are healthy, with all of their nuts and raisins and oatmeal. Never mind the brown sugar and shortening, flour, salt, baking powder and eggs. Oh, and don't forget the vanilla and cinnamon! That's all healthy, right?
And so, while the cookies were baking, in between batches going in and out of the oven, I sat down in my rocking chair in the kitchen and had a cup of tea and "taste-tested" the cookies to make sure they were good enough to eat! Of course, when they are fresh and hot out of the oven is when they are the best!
While sitting there in my rocking chair, which, by the way, is one of my "treasures", as my parents bought it for me just before our first child was born, and I rocked my three babies many a sleepless night in that rocking chair; anyway, while cooking or baking in the kitchen I like to sit in my rocker and read from this little book while I sip my cup of tea and eat that fresh hot cookie... I know I've probably referred to this before, but today it was a special time and I thought it would fit in with this Wednesday Treasures theme.
You see, I originally gave this book to my mother for Mother's Day many years ago. Then when she left this earth to go where her true treasures were waiting, i.e.; heaven, the book came back to me.
And so now I love to sift through its pages and think about how much I know she enjoyed this book at one time, and it gives me great pleasure to know that we shared these special "treasures".
"The very best gifts are the gifts of your time that come with a memory attached. It's easy to give this treasure to the people you love!...Write a letter on a special occasion and save it to give to the recipient later...Nurture a family tradition, or start a new one...Teach a skill that was passed along to you by someone you loved...Research your family tree and make copies for others in your family...Tell the stories!...Pass along the family stories you've heard and tell your own stories..." Emilie Barnes, Timeless Treasures.
"Take it--'tis a gift of love--that seeks thy good alone;
Keep it for the giver's sake, and read it for thine own."
Youth's Keepsake, 1836
Some of my own "Timeless Treasures"...Letters between my mother and me...special little "love notes" that are now priceless.
"You have the special privilege of providing a link to that heritage for oncoming generations.
Write about yesterday.
Write about today, which will be history tomorrow.
Continue to write about all of your todays until the very end of your life.
Put the words on paper which will prevent your life
and the lives of other members of your family from slipping into oblivion."
Lois Daniel
My pink geranium plant that I rescued from overheating outside. It seems much happier inside where it is cool. I can't say that I blame it one bit.
This needlepoint footstool came from my parents' home. I don't know for sure if my grandmother did this needlepoint or not. She did a lot of them many years ago, and this may have come from her house before it went to my parents. I am pretending it is so, and enjoying it as if it was created by her. And even if it wasn't, it still came from my parents' home, and that makes it a special treasure in itself.
Well, the cookies are finally done and it is time for me to clean up the kitchen and start preparing supper.
I hope you have enjoyed this little walk down memory lane with me as I've share a few more of my "Wednesday Treasures".
Oh, this teacup with the sweet bluebird on it (and also the three tea cups in the picture above with the letters) was a gift from a dear friend who was a member of the church where I worked before I retired. She gave me a whole box of special teacups and saucers because she and her husband were leaving their home and moving into a Senior Living apartment where they wouldn't have room for so many "treasures." You can read more about that story HERE.
It was during a very distressful time in my life, and her unselfish gift of her "treasures" really gave me a blessing when I needed it most.
"I have written my life in small sketches,
a little today, a little yesterday,
as I have thought of it,
as I remember all the things from childhood on through the years,
good ones, and unpleasant ones,
that is how they come out and that is how we have to take them."
Anna Mary Moses
(Grandma Moses)
All quotes in this post came from the book, Timeless Treasures, written by Emilie Barnes and paintings by Sandy Lynam Clough. Harvest House Publishers
P.S. While I was writing this last night, we were having a terrific thunderstorm, with lots of thunder and lightning. Thankfully the power never flickered so I was able to finish writing. Afterwards was this magnificent sunset! What a beautiful gift from God to treasure! Another of His stunning masterpieces spread out on His canvas of the skies for us to behold! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
I hope your day is filled with the flow of blessings from the Lord!
The Doxology
"Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above ye heavenly host!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Amen.
Since they were originally intended for "morning and evening worship", they are certainly appropriate here, as we welcome another beautiful morning while we contemplate the wonder and magnificence of God's marvelous creation from the evening before!
