Last Saturday a big box arrived at the refuge with my name on it. I knew what it was, but its size and weight surprised me. It took two of us ladies to manhandle into the back seat of my car. I had ordered a new 4” memory foam topper for my bed. What I’ve been using is just one of those cheap foam things for the last five years, and it was ready for the dumpster.
Today was the day to try to get it out of the car and into the rig. What a job that turned out to be. I finally got the box to the patio, and then took the unwieldy topper out of the box. At one point I got stuck on the stairs trying to get that long heavy thing into the rig while the high winds kept trying to slam the door shut on me. It was folded in thirds and wrapped in plastic, but seemed like it was ten feet long. The directions said I should allow up to 72 hours for it to expand to its optimal size. Fat chance of that! It’s not like I had an extra room to store it in to allow that to happen. It went on the bed, and I did wait eight hours before I battled putting the sheets on. When I finished, I noticed that when I stand next to my bed the top of it comes up to my waist. Good thing I have one of those little steps to get into bed at night. Makes me feel like the Princess and the Pea! I sure hope it makes for a more comfortable sleep.
We had our volunteer Christmas dinner on Thursday, and I offered to provide the ham so I could have my once a year treat of raisin gravy. My mother always made raisin gravy for Christmas, and I’ve carried on the tradition. That also means I get a chance to use one of my favorite inheritances. This silver gravy spoon was my grandmother’s.
 I have always loved this spoon with the thistle buds on the handle and in the spoon part. I carry silver polish with me so I could shine it right up! |  |
I’m sure no one else even noticed this spoon, but it was special for me to feel the connection to those loved ones that I can no longer share a holiday with. This spoon will probably end up at Goodwill or somewhere when I’m gone, as the raisin gravy tradition has not caught on with any of my kids as far as I know. Guess I’m feeling a little melancholy tonight…
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On a cheerier note, I added a new bird to my life list (I really don’t have one, but you know what I mean) last night. An Abert’s towhee came Cha-Cha-ing through my site. Do you remember the Cha Cha dance? Well that’s what towhees remind me of when they’re looking for something to eat. Kind of bouncing back and forth to kick up insects.
I think I’ll leave you tonight with a little Emma vignette. She is always on guard…
I think I smell something!
Mom… There’s a varmint down there!
I can just taste it. Let me go down there!
Aw shucks, it got away…
THE END!!
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
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I have always loved silver. I gave my sterling to my daughter when I moved to Ireland. I will bet she has never used it.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you could cut a piece of the old memory foam for Emma. She would probably love it and so would her bones.
I would like the recipe for raisin gravy----if it isn't a family secret? My husband loves raisins---and ham. I am glad things are going well for you and Emma. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLove Emma's story and that ladle is exquisite. I know the sad feeling that things passed down through generations are of no interest at all to our children. We have a rope bed made by my great great grandfather in the early years of the 1800's. And numerous other precious family heirlooms with only one child who has no interest. It makes me melancholy too. You'[ll love the topper. David has one and he says it makes 1000% difference in his sleep. Let us know.
ReplyDeleteTo the kids, the heirlooms are simply baggage. I find that hard to believe, but it's true. Also sad. Like you said, these treasures will end up in Goodwill or some other donation store, and they'll be snapped up by unknown people who don't know the memories or story. Hey, when we're gone, maybe the kids will step up to the plate (no pun intended) and rightfully claim the heirlooms handed down to us. I'd like to think so.
ReplyDeleteWe have Spotted towhee's here and, you're right, they do like to cha-cha along. Fun to watch!
The spoon is lovely. I bet your daughter would love to have it. Raisin gravy sounds good.
ReplyDeleteThe little towhee is so cute, love is coloring
Your spoon is beautiful! I like Raisin Gravy...almost no one makes it anymore...it has been years since I have had it. The gal that used to make it died last summer. I will have to check out that topper...hope you like it and it is okay to feel like a princess:0
ReplyDeleteLooking at your photo, you must be on the other side of the mountain from where I am. I could see the flames as well as the smoke. I watched that burn for two days and finally it was gone. My neighbor told me it was a controlled burn, but I learned the next day it was not. That's when I got a little worried. Boy, did we have smoke in the sky.
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to use the spoon only for gravy - it'd be great for any time a ladle is needed. It's beautiful and I'll be one of your kids will want it. It's nice that you are always with a group that does a nice holiday dinner. :)
I, too, get sad that our children don't seem to want any of the wonderful things that have been passed down through the years. I had forgotten all about raising gravy. My Mom used to make it but I have no idea how to do it.
ReplyDeleteinstead of the memory foam we bought a latex topper a few years ago and it's still like brand new but heavy isn't the word! Merry belated Christmas, don't eat too many cookies!
ReplyDeleteI did notice the spoon. I looked it all over. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteIf you don' t like the topper you might consider getting a mattress from bedinabox.com. Ours is 11inch thick and the most comfortable bed we've ever had. It also came in a box but we were told to open the box on top of the bed because it would quickly expand....and it did.
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested in your recipe for the raisin gravy. This post about the gravy spoon reminded me that we have a set of silverware from Al's grandparents and I believe there is a gravy spoon in there. I decided I'm going to take it and a few other pieces out and start using them. Ours will probably end up at Good Will as well, so I might as well use them!
I might like to try the rasin gravy. Could you post yhe recipe? I had only a few special things from my family herritage. Instead of asking my daughter if she wanted them, I asked her to keep them for me until we settle again. This way they have become part of her home now.
ReplyDeleteThat spoon is beautiful! My family didn't own any silver... except my Mom's silver dollar collection... and I'm betting any of the kids would want that. We had billows of smoke down here in the valley yesterday... but here they're just burning sugar cane ;-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful spoon. I have my grandma's special gravy bowl. Now that is one bowl everyone wants.
ReplyDeleteEmma looks so content in the first photo. I think she is so happy you made that spot your winter home.
Now I'm left wondering if you were "born with a silver spoon in your mouth"? I love raisins so I'm sure I'd love your raisin gravy!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful spoon. For sure don't send it off to Goodwill. I'm thinking one of your kids may not love raisin pudding but would love the story behind the spoon, and a memory of your Grandmother. I've never had raisin gravy...sound excellent! I bet you've provided the recipe before but maybe do it again for those of us not organized enough to have copied it down the first time?
ReplyDeleteThe blog rules say you can't talk about a recipe without sharing. I look at the items that my grandmother passed down to me. I think I'm going to get that silver ladle out and use it all the time.
ReplyDeleteDid you put down the pea before you added the topper to your mattress? :cD
ReplyDeletePlease do let us know how your topper turns out (and which one you got)! We're in the market for a new one (or mattress) and are having a hard time making a choice!
ReplyDeleteNo fun when you see a varmit close by and the dang leash keeps you back....:)
ReplyDeleteawwww. . .poor Emma. . .temptation on every side. . .
ReplyDeleteGlad you are using your beautiful treasure. . .what is the point of having things you don't use? Just lovely. . .
As soon as you have an opinion on the mattress topper, please post it.
ReplyDeleteIt probably couldn't live up to the Princess and the Pea story.
For a close-up of the fire you saw, check out
http://missadventuretravels.blogspot.com/2014/12/had-to-evacuate-lake-mittry.html
Always nice to add a bird to the list, especially for the bird lady of blogland.
ReplyDeleteBy God!! Ididn't think there was one bird you hadn't seen, smelled or heard!..I had to giggle out loud just imagining you dragging that thing up the camper steps, in the door and down to your bedroom...like Laurel and Hardy and moving the piano, right?
ReplyDeleteThat Abert's Towhee is lovely! I'm glad you photoed him for us! The raisin gravy is not something I ever had, but the silver spoon is something very special since it reminds you of those loved ones. My quilt does that for me. Give Emma a hug from my hounds!
ReplyDeleteEmma is just adorable, the spoon is beautiful and I am glad it brings you such joy, and congratulations on a new life bird!
ReplyDelete