Our church switches to 9:30 tomorrow so not much lazy coffee time for me in the morning. My young friends, Ella and Dawson, came out to check their “crops” this morning but first Hazel demanded some belly petting and they were happy to oblige.
Then it was a stop at the barn where Dawson didn’t appreciate the smell from the manure pile outside – haha!
Everything we planted is up – 2 kinds of pumpkins, 2 kinds of peas and a row of radishes!
Our friend Anita from Kansas City coincidentally was quilting Wedding Day the same day I posted the original quilt. Her daughter’s bridal shower is in June so this isn’t quite finished yet.
The tulle was from Anita’s own dress – what a special gift! It’s so fresh and new looking – just like their marriage. Ours is somewhat faded – the quilt I mean of course! Haha!
While at the garden I cut some rhubarb and made this simply wonderful Rhubarb Custard Cake.
And here’s the recipe. I’ve seen it many times on Facebook and Pinterest.
Rhubarb Custard Cake
1yellow or white cake mix
4 c. Chopped rhubarb
1 c. Sugar
1 c. Whipping cream
Prepare cake mix as directed.
Pour into a greased 9×13 cake pan.
Put rhubarb on top of cake mix.
Sprinkle rhubarb with 1 c. Sugar.
Pour cream over the top.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
And why wouldn’t this be good?
Yesterday was the day Becky and I entertained at Concord and I wore these LOUD pants and a sweet t-shirt from my friend Les. It has a goat on the front – just how does that girl always know what I like?
Tomorrow evening Becky and I have a visitation to go to and we’ll all attend the funeral on Monday morning. Many of you remember when my cousin Chuck and his wife Tonya lost their 16 year old daughter to cancer over 10 years ago. Now his older brother Don and his wife Judy have lost their 49 year old daughter to breast cancer. And many years before all of these tragic events they lost their brother Tom in a car accident. Their dad Donald and my mom Hazel were siblings. We were a close knit group of cousins growing up in our small community. This will be a sad occasion.
So if I don’t get a blog post written Sunday or Monday, you’ll know why. The lawn is all mowed nicely this weekend but when the weather stays warm for a day or two, it will really grow since we’ve had our share of rain.
My golden girls say “have a nice weekend!”
Oh, Mary, I am so sorry about this loss in your family. 49 is too young. Gather your cousins and aunts and uncles close and let your love for one another comfort you.
I love your bright pants and goat t-shirt. Such happy colors!!
A friend brought a stash of grain bags to me this morning and I got them all washed up and ready to go—my project for after church tomorrow. I’m excited to have another fun and unique project to do! I didn’t get any super exciting bags this go round, but that will make it better for some trial runs. She promised many more bags would be arriving on my doorstep—until I say “whoa!!!” Her daughters all ride horses and the youngest is a big FFA person. Pigs are her passion (even had her senior picture taken with her pig and it’s the cutest senior portrait I’ve ever seen!!!) and she has already put in a request for a bag made out of a bag with a pig on it! I’m excited to get some bags from our barn that have pictures of horses on them!
Diane Bauer – the bags are not difficult to make but I find them very hard to turn inside out – fingers are stiff and the bag material is stiff, too. But they make the very best grocery bags you can find – anywhere! And they’re a real conversation starter with the cashier, the sackers and anybody else who sees you leaving with your groceries in a goat food bag or horse or cat or chicken bag — haha!
I cannot imagine what these brothers must be feeling – it will be a sad occasion. And I think about Jo and her husband Roger who is now under Hospice Care. Nothing one can offer to do that will help. Cancer is a hideous disease, isn’t it?
Oh, my gosh, yes. And it touches more and more of us every day, it seems. It is a beast and the treatments certainly take a huge toll as well. Be gentle with yourself as you go through the next days and weeks with this new loss.
Mary, my condolences to you and your family. I hope warm memories help to ease the pain – in the days and weeks ahead, and long into the future. Prayers.
thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family. give each other lots of hugs, patti in florida
Mary, so sad to learn of your cousin’s daughter’s passing; too young, certainly, but so much sadness in that immediate family. I know that your youngest visitors brighten up your day on the farm, and the recipient of belly rubs and special attention love it too! You wear those bright colors well!
Sending prayers and hugs for your family in this rough time.
We got our property mowed and one 1 hour later the heavens opened up with a huge storm that lasted late into the night. No doubt it will grow like crazy again. But everything looks wonderfully green!!!
We are in a bit of sad time here as our Kitty…..”TuffY” is on her last days…. a cancer behind one eye. We lost another kitty a couple of months ago to heart problems. Hurts so much to lose our little fur babies. We still have one other indoor cat ad three outdoor cats.
My condolences to you and your family, Mary. God holds us very gently in the palm of His hand during our grief. My prayers are with you.
-Jean
My sympathies to you and your family…….we hear about cancer way too much now. I pray every day for cancer patients and the doctors and researchers for cures. On a lighter note, you look great in your bright shirt and pants!
There is just no other words to say but cancer sucks! It’s so many emotions daily so I will feel your sadness being there for your family in this time of need.
The pictures you took are so sweet and love all of them, and you look great in your bright pants & top to bring cheer to those who need it. The wedding quilt will be a hit at the shower especially using a piece of her own fabric on it so the memory lives on.
Love the shirt n pants they are perfect!!!! So
Sorry for the loss in your family very heartbreaking! Many prayers n Sympathy to all! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Love the wedding quilt it is beautiful!!! As always love
Your blog!!! Until next time!♥️
Cancer is a hideous disease and it takes so many loved ones from us too soon. May you and your family find comfort in the memories of those who were taken to soon. Gather close and remember a hug is never wasted. Reading about Jo and Roders turn of events has saddened my heart.
I love the goat shirt, how darling with those bright fun pants.
Love reading your posts, even the sad ones. Condolences to your family on this untimely loss.
Mary, I am sorry for your loss. It makes me sad when a young woman is taken from this life due to breast cancer. I was an oncology nurse and saw it happen too often. You are in my prayers.
I love your goat tee shirt and lively pants. I like happy clothes.
Cancer seems to be everywhere! I have two friend struggling with it, one a 40 year old woman, plus Jo and her husband Roger. My prayers are full of it.
My condolences on your loss. Hold your family close.
Thanks for the day brighteners of your pictures!
I make this cake recipe with other fruit or berries also and it is a big hit. It also works with a gluten free yellow cake mix. You will find that you need to bake it longer.
Judy Schimmel – I used a white cake mix (Duncan Hines only!) and also a bit of almond flavoring. I think almonds would be good on the top, too. What do you think? I may try it with strawberries – we think it’s very very good!
I love Hazels tummy rubs on the “freckle bottom”!
My condolences to you and your family. Praying that you will all find comfort and peace in wonderful memories and the family bonds you share.
Love the bright pants and goat shirt! Along with your music you brought cheer to those who need it.
Sweet children and a happy dog and a beautiful wedding quilt—-life goes on!
Thanks for sharing your life with us!
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. May she Rest In Peace beside our Lord.
I’m right there with Dawson on the manure smell! LOL When I was around 11, my Aunt took me to a farm in Pennsylvania to purchase manure for her garden. 38 years later my nose has still not recovered…but boy did she have an amazing veggie garden that year!
Your shirt and pants are FABULOUS! Bright colors always make me smile..the brighter, the better!
The Rhubarb Custard Cake looks delicious and so easy to make. I’ve never tasted rhubarb before so this may be the best way to do so!
Apparently I missed th post about the Wedding Day quilt. Can someone here direct me to the month it was posted so I can find it? My son is engaged and I’d love to try to make it for them.
May you & your family find comfort with each other & your faith @ this time of loss.
The bright colors are so becoming on you.
Saved the recipe , next trip into Fort Worth hope to find rhubarb @ Trader Joe’s or Central Market, you don’t find rhubarb in Texas often. I remember as a kid eating it raw..would dip in a mix of salt & sugar, or would sneak a box of jello (strawberry) and dip in dry jello powder. Mother would also stew it with sugar & lemon juice & serve as a side, usually with pork chops.
1 1/2 inches of rain overnight, not complaining up still have hayfields that desperately need cutting, at least got the majority cut…one field the man cut are smaller round bales.. probably 4 to 5 foot rolls that are wrapped in white plastic & when I saw had to laugh as looked like a pasture with goat rolls of toilet paper in it… very unusual sight for this part of the country. Other pasture regular round bales.. about 7 foot…& have plenty.
You look so good in the pic and your outfit is perfect. Will be thinking of YOU the next couple days. paula in KY
Sorry for your loss.
I offer a bible verse: Isaiah 40:31
Love your outfit!
Thanks for sharing all the quilts and for sharing your followers versions of the quilts. The sunflower on the wedding day is a nice touch.
Love your chickens….maybe a chicken pattern soon?
Yes…time to do something with the rhubarb…may need to try your recipe.
Thanks again for your inspiration.
Sorry for your loss, Mary. In life, we have to deal with death but it’s always hard and makes us evaluate ourselves. Peace to you during this time.
Terrific outfit, Mary! Thanks for the easy Rhubarb recipe. Hazel must 💕 love it when Dawson and Ella come to check out their garden’s progress!
Last night there were so many Elk here feeding on new volunteer green growth. Impossible to mow here on the mountain, but these critters and the 2 types of deer are really appreciated for their dining! The long daylight hours help things grow.
I feel your sadness as I have a very close cousin who is under Hospice care now. I found an old Easter snapshot of us with our Easter baskets and sent it to her yesterday snail mail. I think it’s from 1942! She’s was just a toddler then.
Prayers for you and your family. I had an aunt in northern Iowa that made a rhubarb custard pie (no top crust) that I still make and I eat most of it. Will try your rhubarb custard cake, looks like it will be yummy also. Iowa knows how to make such great baked goods.
You look absolutely fabulous in your goat shirt and beautiful pants! I was saddened to hear you’ll be going to another funeral and this time family. Thanks for the recipe! My 85 years young mother loves ALL things rhubarb and I plan on making this dessert for her. Won’t it be good with a cup of coffee??!!!
Sue H – it is BEST with a cup of coffee!
God bless your family at this difficult time.
So sorry for another family funeral for you.
My cousin passed last Tuesday of lymphoma and she was a surgical nurse who smoked her entire adult life but never married and now she is gone at almost 80. We both lived in Minneapolis at the same time and celebrated many occasions together. She was the 4 Th born in her family but the first one to die.
Mary, keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Mary, I’m sorry to hear your sad news. I’ll be keeping your family in my prayers. I thought the picture of you was smashing! Thanks so much for the pictures of Hazel and The Golden Girls.
Mary, thinking of you and your family as you go through this sad time. May Our Lord give all of you comfort, consolation and peace.
So interesting to see Miss Hazel’s belly with such a dark color, I would have expected a pink belly. Zina too, loves belly rubs. You rock that outfit, friend. I like the Wedding Quilt with th piece of tulle and the sunflower.
I think I will try the recipe, my hubby loves rhubarb. Thank you for sharing it. Sending you a big hug.
Felicia – yes, very sad and today Jo’s husband Roger also died.
¿Really? I haven’t been following so closely because sometimes my IPad won’t cooperate with me. Also you mentioned the other day that shad cancer too? How sad, this is “a vale of tears” indeed. Jo and her kids must be devastated, especially with her being sick also. May God give you and them comfort, it is never easy. Hugs and prayers.
Ah, yes, it will be a hard day for all of you. As someone said, keep those cousins close.
I do have to say I laughed out loud at the belly rub, stinky manure, and bright clothes pictures. You have a gift of bringing smiles to our faces. Your wedding quilt and this one are treasures. Four ads closed and I will look again later in the day and close again:)
Diane, Squeaks mom – Diane – why do you think all of your comments come through needing approval? You comment often and usually it’s just a first time commenter that needs approval – I just can’t figure it out! Any ideas?
Oh, so sad to hear that Jo’s husband died. And your family’s loss – so much for one family to go through. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
That rhubarb recipe looks awesome! I make a rhubarb custard pie that I love. I’ll have to make that today! I have rhubarb that a nice man brought to the thrift store where I volunteer a few days ago.
I love you in that outfit, Mary! Those pants are so cute!
It has been very nice here for almost a week, with one storm blowing through last night but it was over as quickly as it came. My lawn is going to need to be hayed soon! Our lawnmower refuses to start. My husband pulled many mouse nests from the innards of the machine but they weren’t the cause of the problem – they just didn’t help much! Hopefully it will be fixed by the end of the day. Jan in MA
Losing someone so young makes the loss worse sometimes. Sorry for your family’s loss and I pray God will give you all comfort. He’s there waiting.
I love your updates and posts, and look forward to your blog! I am going to Rochester for the MN Quilters show, when did you plan to meet and where? I will put this info on my book so I do not misplace it! Looking forward to meeting people in person! I
Cynthia Sabinske – I am going to be there on Thursday, June 13 and we are meeting in the food court area at 1:00 – I’ll try to have a sign. See you then!