NANA'S MEMORIES

Grandma Middleton almost wasn't my grandma. The story she told me was that she was born a twin. She was named Dena while her sister's name was Gina. Gina died at birth and as grandma's daddy was going to town to bury the tiny baby, he was told to hurry back as the other one would die before he returned. He intended to buy a goat to milk for grandma but while in town someone told him to feed her Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk. He did and grandma survived to marry and bear nine children. My grandparent's first child was born in 1926. She was my Aunt Inez. Grandma said when they were staying in Tulsa, she was so afraid someone would steal her baby, she pinned Inez's nightgown to her own. My daddy was the second born child. Grandma, Daddy, and Aunt Inez Grandma raised her younger children during the Great Depression. Daddy said they never had much but they never felt poor.  Grandpa worked hard, grandma grew what they ate, and they made do with what ...

I have been thinking a lot about food lately. Although I always think about food, this time of the year makes me remember foods from my past. I remember my Grandmas preparing special dishes or foods for the holidays and special occasions. My Oklahoma Grandma made her Thanksgiving dressing with what we called "light bread" instead of the cornbread stuffing I was accustomed to. She always made a German Chocolate cake with a coconut pecan icing for my dad. Although she pretended she did not like him, she bought him Coors Beer too. Because she knew he liked Coors. Because she knew he loved them, Daddy's Mother made him banana puddings for Thanksgiving dinner. The made from scratch pudding was especially good if eaten still warm. Daddy said he also liked my step mom's whipped topping banana pudding.  Grandma made my brother oatmeal cakes with coconut pecan frosting. I wonder if he still likes them? I would make him one if he would come visit. Because I know he loves oa...

I want to show you some of the sweetest pictures I have. This picture was taken at Grandma's in 1977. Just months separated these precious babies. Grandma crocheted the afghan in what I think is the ripple stitch pattern. Grandma loved them all. This is a picture of my son and my uncle's daughter. They are only  one month apart in age. This was taken on Taylor Street before it was paved and before they built the church  across the street from Grandma's.  We have another picture of Greg and Cassie where he has his hands outstretched as if showing her how big the fish was that he caught. Her little hands  are at her face like she is enthralled. She has pretty blue eyes and looked like Tweety Bird when she was this age. This is my daughter and my nephew.  Doesn't it look like they are discussing something very important. Note the ugly tweed carpet I had in my 1970's house and the matching, equally...