Karen O'Connor

Me abut age 5 in my ‘official’ military uniform during WWII.

My dad and me (abut age 3) waving the flag of freedom. The war was still waging.

I’m thinking of our vets today as we remember them with gratitude for their service–many of whom gave their very lives. We all likely know someone or maybe we ourselves who have served our nation.

I was very young during WWII but Mom bought me a ‘uniform’ to support my two aunts (Army nurses) and three uncles in the Navy and Army.

I still remember the day we went to the store to outfit me. I was so proud to dress up in my uniform even though I was too young to really understand what war was all about. I recall ‘blackouts.’

From Wikipedia: “World War II. … Blackout regulations were imposed on 1 September 1939, before the declaration of war. These required that all windows and doors should be covered at night with suitable material such as heavy curtains, cardboard or paint, to prevent the escape of any glimmer of light that might aid enemy aircraft.”

These events terrified me but Mom and Dad kept us safe and assured us that the war would never come to our country.

Grandpa grew a Victory garden and I helped him harvest the food we needed. “During World War II, Victory Gardens were planted by families in the United States (the Home Front) to help prevent a food shortage. This meant food for everyone! Planting Victory Gardens helped make sure that there was enough food for our soldiers fighting around the world.” (from the Internet)

All these memories come flooding back when I stop and remember those who have kept us safe and those who continue to do so. God bless our vets this Veteran’s Day and everyday.

I read the following in my Spirit of Ireland devotional this week:

“We are given a fresh start not only at the beginning of the year, but every morning when we wake up. We have the chance to start new and make things right.”

That statement really blessed my day and my week. There are always things I wish I could re-do, go back and fix, take a moment to pray about before making a decision and on and on. But life keeps moving forward and it’s just not possible for a make-over. What’s done is done and can’t be undone, even though we can make amends for actions we wish had never occurred.

By seeing each day as an opportunity for a fresh start, however, we can breathe again, smile, and commit to a new way of behaving. And God is there to urge us on, to wipe away our regrets, and to pour on the grace that only God can give.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

2 Corinthians 5:17.

The old girl just turned 13–a teenager now but that’s about right for her lifespan so she’s groaning with age and can’t keep her temperature where it should be. I took the hint and am sending her off to the recycle yard today, to be replaced with a brand new version–a smaller  modern one that fits my current lifestyle.

As I look around my house I’m reminded of all the furniture and appliances Charles and I purchased together for our new (at the time) home here in Watsonville, California, and I realize how temporary each one is. Some pieces last longer than others and some simply can’t hold up as long as I’d like them to.

It’s a good analogy for our own temporary state here on earth. If you’re reading this then you’ve made it well past the teen years but still the end times are a-coming. I used to thing this was a maudlin thought and pushed it away, but now I’ve made friends with the reality that there will be a day when I’m groaning with age, just like my fridge, and it will be my turn to ‘retire’ for good.

But unlike my fridge, a home awaits me with the Lord who is with me now, will be then, and forever after. I’m not ready to take that step just yet but I rest in the truth that when it comes I will be ready.

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9

My friend Lydia Harris recently published her book, In the Kitchen With Grandma: Stirring Up Tasty Memories Together (Harvest House Publishers). I interviewed her and wanted to share her comments and a tasty recipe with you.

What prompted you to write this book?

I’ve had fun cooking with my grandkids since they were old enough to lick a spoon, so I wanted other grandparents to share in the fun. Also, I enjoy writing and testing recipes with my grandkids, and during the past ten years, more than 100 have been published in Focus on the Family’s children’s magazines. Most of all, I wanted to encourage grandparents to share their faith and life lessons while they cooked together with their grandkids.

Do you have a favorite easy recipe to share with my readers?

With 100 recipes in my cookbook, it’s hard to pick a favorite. But one of the most unique recipes with only two ingredients is ice cream bread. You can use any flavor ice cream you wish. I’ve enjoyed strawberry and chocolate chip mint ice cream bread. (See photos.)

Ice Cream Bread

Here’s the scoop: Combining ice cream and flour gives you cake and ice cream in one bite!

Difficulty: 2 spoons

Prep time: 10 minutes

Baking time: 25 to 30 minutes

Gather with Grandma

1 cup ice cream, softened

¾ cup self-rising flour (see tip to make your own)

1 T. sugar (optional)

Make with Grandma

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a small loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Measure the ice cream into a medium-sized bowl and stir until smooth.
3. Add flour and sugar if desired. Stir until blended.
4. Spoon the batter into the loaf pan.
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool for 10 minutes on a cooling rack. Loosen the sides with a knife and remove the bread from the baking pan.
7. When cool, slice the bread and serve it by itself or with a scoop of the same flavor ice cream. Wrap and refrigerate leftovers.

Tip: To make self-rising flour, whisk together 3/4 cup flour, 1 tsp. baking powder, and ¼ tsp salt. Store the flour mixture in a covered container.

How has cooking/baking with your grandkids brought you close together?

Cooking and eating together has brought joy and closeness. I’ve learned a lot about my grandkids and their taste preferences, interests, and how to pray for them. We have enjoyed cousins’ gatherings will all five of them here for sleepovers or to celebrate their spiritual birthdays, and we’ve enjoyed one-on-one times. I learned the importance of seizing the moments from their birth, because there comes a time when they no longer beg for sleepovers. My two oldest grandkids (both boys) are already 18 and 20.

Any suggestions for grandmas that are not as talented in the kitchen as you are?

My cookbook has recipes ranked by one, two, and three spoons of difficulty. So grandparents and grandkids can easily choose ones that fit age and skill level.

Select recipes your grandkids like or that sound good to them. I sometimes make a list of several and ask them which one they would like to make. If you have more than one grandchild over at a time, you can work together on a recipe. Or invite one child over at a time to cook together for a special one-on-one time.

When I give my grandkids a choice of going out to eat or cooking with Grandma, my teenage granddaughter often chooses cooking with me. My grandkids each have their own favorite recipes.

Mainly, cooking together is about relationships, not recipes. It’s about our presence, not perfection. It’s more about the process than the product.

Any closing comments you’d like to share?

When it seems natural and appropriate, I encourage grandparents to share their faith and godly values as they cook and eat together. In the Kitchen with Grandma: Stirring Up Tasty Memories Together includes “A Spoonful of Sharing” discussion prompts for many of the recipes to help grandmas do so. Happy cooking!

Your contact info or website address for readers who wish to write to you?

They can contact me on Facebook or e-mail me at LydiaHarrisBooks@Gmail.com.

They can order books online at amazon.com, Christianbook.com, barnesandnoble.com, and HarvestHousePublishing.com.

Readers, I have one book to give away. If you’re interested, mention that in a comment to this blog and I’ll pick a winner on October 7.

Dear God, old age is creeping up my legs, down my arms, and across my face. I can’t catch it so I can’t stop it. I guess the best thing to do is accept it–with gratitude–since I’m actually very blessed to have made it this far and still be in good health and sound mind.

Maybe I look fine the way I am. I’m too fussy about my appearance these days, aware of every line and wrinkle, which I can no longer hide. I’m old, let’s face it. There’s only so much I can do with what I have. Perhaps it’s time to don a coat of humility and just say ‘thanks’ instead of worrying about how I look to others—including the camera!

Hey, Lord, I just excused myself from the pity party. I feel good as I look in the mirror and see that I’m picture perfect in your eyes.

And all my friends are a delight in your sight too. So hooray for getting better as we grow older.

photo courtesy of Heidi Heath Garwood