Thinking about you, mom!

I suppose it is because Mother's Day is just a few short days away, that today I found myself feeling a little bit nostalgic for my mother.  I was thinking back to the days of summer in my early teen years.  I can't say "lazy summer days" because they were anything BUT lazy!  Being raised on a farm with 5 other siblings, lazy was something as teens we probably wanted to be, but we weren't allowed... For instance: I remember getting my mother hooked on "All My Children" back in the day.  She'd let me watch it, but ONLY if I had something in my hands to do...that something was usually stamped cross-stitch blocks that when finished, were turned into a beautiful quilt that I still have today, or I specifically remember snipping beans or shelling peas.  My mom and I would spend the summer mornings cleaning, snipping green beans from the garden and canning them, or sewing.  It was unspoken between us that we were always on the lookout for our dad to drop in on us at any given moment, for a quick bathroom break or a cool drink of water, or perhaps to make a phone call (way before cell phones).  We'd quickly run to turn off the TV and act like we'd been so busy all morning without the companionship of the television.  Oh he HATED us watching TV during the day!  According to him, that was a huge waste of time! 

Anyway, after dinner (our noon meal which was always beef, potatoes, vegetables and fruit, and always a dessert) and our dad was back out working and the dishes were done, we'd settle in for an afternoon of some kind of sewing.  Most of the time she was making clothes for either me or my sisters, or a wedding dress or two for daughters of friends or relatives.  I loved that afternoon time when I usually had my mother all to myself.  We'd share a Pepsi or Tab and cut a Granny Smith apple in slices and enjoy together for our little snack.  I could hear the hum of the Westinghouse fan in the kitchen, this was before AC.  Oh how I long for one of those days again!  I'm really missing my mom today!  Wasn't she a pretty woman?  Love you mom! 

My parent's wedding photo, June 1948

Joan, Cathy, Carolyn, and Mom (front)

 

I can't remember the year this picture was taken, probably during the phen/fen era because I was so thin, so probably 1996 or so.  Mom passed away 7 years later.  I'm so glad we had this picture taken!  I sure do love the women in this picture!  

I'm so thankful that my mother instilled in me the love of a good needle and some thread...along with a great cut of fabric, and several pairs of scissors (one can NEVER have enough of those)!  I'm so thankful I have 2 wonderful sisters that share the same passion with me, just makes it all the more fun... Move over Martha Stewart...the Crandall sisters are here to stay! 

I hope all of you have a fabulous Mother's Day weekend!  We'll be celebrating all weekend long and even into Monday night!  Can't celebrate our mothers, sisters, daughters, and female friends enough, right?  Enjoy your day(s)!