Busy Mother's Day Week

As I was making the mandarin orange jello to compliment our Mother's Day Supper (and to add color to all the delicious deli salads that were so white with mayo!), I had a memory of my Grandma Johnson. During one visit to Newman Grove when I was young, I remember seeing her make a jello salad early one morning, to take with her to work. She was employed at the little town hospital as a cook, and she could save time by making the jello at home before she worked her shift! What a great memory to pop into my head, although I don't think that would fly in this day and age.

For this year's Mother's Day, we had grilled steaks (No Name Steaks, of course), potato/macaroni/coleslaw salads, mandarin orange jello, steamed asparagus, potato chips, raspberry lemonade, and Key Lime Pie for dessert. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies. Delicious.

I decided to wear my mother's ring in honor of the day. All of my babies were out of town, but I did get to hear from them all and that was so nice.

I think Mom liked her gifts.

Mark took Mom to see Dad before they came over for supper, and brought him a Michelob Golden Light beer that they could thicken up for him to drink. It was good and cold, Dad said.

Mom has been having problems with one of her legs being swollen and painful, so we've been in and out of the clinic for X-rays and ultrasounds. The good news is that she doesn't have a fracture or blood clot, the not so good news is that her leg is still bothering her. We'll go back again to the clinic for more follow up. Bruce mentioned that It would have been difficult to fit all of these appointments in if I were still working, and he is so right!

We've also been beautifying the gardens this week. The weather has been warm and sunny, and everything is so lush. We had to look around awhile, but finally found some cocoa bean mulch, and then spread it around the hosta and flowers along side the garage and front walk. Last night when I was drifting off to sleep, I could smell the cocoa bean mulch as the breeze blew in the window over our bed. Nice.

Finally, I've been working on a wedding photo album. It's been so great to see all of the photos, and arrange them in the album. I know that so many things are online these days, but there is just something satisfying about holding a book in your hands, and turning the pages.

I just realized that the week is barely half over! More busyness to come, I'm sure.