While Indiana may not be the tornado haven that Oklahoma or Kansas are (in my mind, Kansas is always the biggest tornado state, thanks to Wizard of Oz), we get our share. And tornadoes are part of my childhood memories. I remember the seemingly frequent school tornado drills. We lined the hallways, just like this:

Perhaps we faced the centers of the hallways, though, because I have a clear memory of opening my eyes and watching the teachers walk slowly down the halls, patrolling us and making sure we were keeping quiet and keeping our heads down. I’d try to guess the teacher by his/her shoes — those khaki pants had to be Mr. Rucker’s, the sensible lace-ups must belong to Mrs. Baughman.

Usually the drills were just that, but at least once during my elementary days a real tornado came through, and we were kept at school about 30 minutes past the end of the school day. One precaution was that the teachers were supposed to open the windows a bit, in the name, I suppose, of equalizing the air pressure. In listening to the radio this week, I learned that that type of thinking is a remnant of the past.

Most times, tornadoes came through when I was at home though, not at school. I can remember swinging on our awesome big swing from the giant backyard tree or doing some task in the garden, all the while surveying a greenish-gray roiling sky. That was a pretty good clue, along with the gathering wind speed, that something was about to happen in the weather department. The family usually gathered in our basement with the transistor radio on, listening for weather reports.

A few times tornadoes touched down in my hometown. I remember afterwards driving slowly past some leveled houses, and feeling such awe that I had been so close to a tornado, yet had been spared.

Then once, a tornado was headed our way while we were in church on a Sunday night. It interrupted the entire service, but I’ll leave that tale for you to read about in my memoir.

What about you? Do you live in tornado alley, or is there another natural disaster more likely for your area?

The post Childhood Memories Friday: Tornadoes appeared first on Girls in White Dresses.

I wondered where it could have come from, and then a thought occurred to me. In 2010, I visited Mount Vernon with one of the girls on a school trip. I wanted to buy something in the (very cool) gift shop there, but not something knick-knacky to sit around collecting dust. I decided on seeds — they stocked several, gathered from the gardens there. How neat to grow a bit of Mt Vernon way back in Indiana!

Foxglove blooming at Mt Vernon

I bought a pack of Foxglove seeds, and planted them the next summer, and got … nothing. I generally don’t have great luck with seeds, but nothing? Not a single sprout? That was disappointing. When I returned to Mt Vernon with another daughter last year, I bought more seeds. I planted them recently and true to form, nothing has come up. Is it me? Is it the seeds? I don’t know.

But Foxglove, like hope, springs eternal — sometimes, right outside in the garden. I’ll be thinking of George and Martha each time I see these dainty little bells.

Here are the latest Mount Vernon seeds I’ll hope to see springing up someday …

Edit to add: I’ve done a bit of searching, and my “surprise plant” actually looks more like lily-of-the-valley. Oh well, it is lovely no matter its name.

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50 Questions

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?

Nothing particular. I pay very little attention to my personal appearance (I should probably do more), but I’m always busy with thoughts of one type of another.

2. How much cash do you have on you?

Going to check … $103. Woo hoo!

3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?

floor

4. Favorite planet?

Earth. Pretty sad if I didn’t pick it, huh?

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?

I don’t know how to figure that out. The kids can. I’m jealous.

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?

Um … see #5. I’m woefully ignorant when it comes to cellphones, and I’m not really motivated to learn more!

7. What shirt are you wearing?

brown with gathers — one of the “summer shirts” I pulled out of the drawer recently, with great relish I might add!

8. Do you label yourself?

I don’t think so …

9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing?

n/a — barefoot — but on my shopping trip I wore my favorite summer shoes, my Nike sandals with squishy memory-foam soles. Bliss!

10. Bright or Dark Room?

bright! bright! bright! Dark rooms are creepy; I enjoy them only in books.

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?

Since I have no idea who that might be, I don’t know.

12. What does your watch look like?

My everyday watch is basic and silver. My ‘dressy’ watch is silver too, but more ornate. It’s from Brighton. Love that store.

13. What were you doing at midnight last night?

sleeping peacefully

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?

Oy … why do you torture me with these cell phone questions? Okay, I will try to see: Nobody else came and the krishnans didn’t show up. Somebody left  and isabel said we should leave and he wouldn’t  drive around he just left. Oh my. Hadn’t read that before. Minor family crisis, dealt with earlier.

15. Where is your nearest 7-11?

No idea — I don’t know if I’ve ever been in one.

16. What’s a word that you say a lot?

I’ll have to ask my kids. I’m sure they’ll come up with a great example.

Kid #1 says: I don’t know

Kid #2 says: Ask me when I get home.

Kid #3 says: No? Yes? School? Grades? Powerschool?

17. Who told you he/she loved you last?

Jesus

18. Last furry thing you touched?

Chili my chinchilla

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?

zero, unless fish oil, flax seed oil, calcium and multi-vitamins count

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed?

gee, how old is this survey?

21. Favorite age you have been so far?

thirties. It’s when my kids were all born.

22. Your worst enemy?

you really think I’d post that on my blog?

23. What is your current desktop picture?

a loaf of bread with mice inside. The kids put it up. It’s disturbing.

24. What was the last thing you said to someone?

Probably “you too” to the grocery clerk who wished me a nice day.

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be?

million bucks. I have no desire to fly.

26. Do you like someone?

sure!

27. The last song you listened to?

Mahler’s 6th symphony at a concert Saturday night. It was heavenly.

28. What time of day were you born?

I actually don’t know!

29. What’s your favorite number?

don’t have one

30. Where did you live in 1987?

Birmingham, Alabama. Just out of college, first “real” job, what an adventure!

31. Are you jealous of anyone?

not at the moment … well, maybe Kate Middleton

32. Is anyone jealous of you?

HOW WOULD I KNOW???

33. Where were you when 9/11 happened?

the first MOPS meeting of the year

34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money?

I don’t think it’s happened, but if it did I would head to the customer service desk.

35. Do you consider yourself kind?

yes

36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be?

Hmmmm … on my butt, so no one (including me) would see it.

37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?

German

38. Would you move for the person you loved?

yes

39. Are you touchy feely?

oh yeah — I was a 2nd grade teacher, for Pete’s sake!

40. What’s your life motto?

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

41. Name three things that you have on you at all times?

There’s nothing I have on me all the time!

42. What’s your favourite town/city?

Don’t have one. My fave place to visit is Europe.

43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash?

Wow. I don’t even know. I charge almost everything.

44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?

Earlier this month, if a birthday card counts …

45. Can you change the oil on a car?

no

46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?

his brother died

47. How far back do you know about your ancestry?

maybe 1800s?

48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy?

Yesterday for church and the annual piano recital. You can even see me in the photo (on yesterday’s post)!

49. Does anything hurt on your body right now?

thankfully, no

50. Have you been burned by love?

hasn’t everyone?

Now, leave a comment and answer a few yourself. C’mon, I don’t like to be the only one talking! I’m the child who put her face down on the plate when everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to me.

The post 50 Questions appeared first on Girls in White Dresses.

Piano recital was Sunday. I have a Christmas recital/party in December, but this is the only recital of the year for parents and relatives. It’s fun! I made some refreshments for that.

Friday night was a belated Sweet 16 get-together for my oldest daughter. We had all kinds of goodies, including a Kit Kat M&M’s cake (so cute and easy to make!) and a delicious peanut butter “cheese” ball.

So, I’m not totally into planning a bit week of meals. Let’s take it easy here, and you can too — okay?

Monday: leftover lentil soup and homemade focaccia bread

Tuesday: Hamburger Stroganoff

This was my dad’s favorite recipe when I was growing up (we always called it straganoff), and he will be here Tuesday and Wednesday to do some painting for us.

HAMBURGER STRAGANOFF

l lb. gr. beef
l/2 c chopped onion
2 T. flour
l t. salt
l/8 t. garlic salt
3/4 t. pepper
l/4 c. mayonnaise
l/2 c. sour cream
l can Cr. of Chicken Soup
l small can mushrooms (optional)
Brown beef and onions and add remaining
ingredients in order given.  Serve over rice or
noodles.

Wednesday: Cheeseburger Buns – a favorite around here.

Thursday:  leftover buffet — the fridge has been filling up.

Friday:  Stir fry — I cut up a few carrots, a chicken breast, and add snow peas and cook that in a skillet with soy sauce. Add a package of beans sprouts and served with rice.

More ideas at OrgJunkie’s. What’s cooking at your place this week?

The post Menu Plan Monday appeared first on Girls in White Dresses.

Here I am back in 1966, not even 2 years old, looking clearly caught in the act by the camera as I reach for strawberries at the kitchen table with my dad (side note: eesh, those awful plastic pants make me grateful for modern disposable diapers!).

As I grew up, we had a huge strawberry patch. I don’t know how many plants, but they were in long, long rows. I spent so many hours picking those berries, slowly making my way down the rows as I worked on my tan while contemplating recent books I’d read, the meaning of life, or maybe just my current 4-H projects. I’d encounter a friendly garter snake or two as I picked quart after quart of berries. I usually alternated rows, picking half the patch each day during peak season. I filled so many of the berry baskets like this, stained with juices from hundreds of uses (hey, that rhymes!).

I’d sell them to neighbors and church friends, and “strawberry money” financed more than a few of my college classes. It was a great lesson in the value of hard work, a shining example of the American way (well, at least at that time). I also prepared berry after berry, making freezer jam, pies, and shortcakes.

Strawberries just taste like summer to me — delicious, fleeting, beautiful summer.

Last year, I planted 50 new plants in our (admittedly much smaller) patch. After the drought, it appears 6 have survived. And of the 40 I bought and planted 3 months ago (bare root style), only one is showing the smallest signs of green.

But that’s okay. Because with strawberries, you can always begin again. Where there’s work, there will — eventually — be rewards.

How about you? Any strawberry memories? Do you have a favorite fruit?

The post Childhood Memories Friday: Strawberry Memories appeared first on Girls in White Dresses.

It’s no secret that I have a thing for royalty. I also long for days-gone-by, and simpler times. So, I was a natural choice to review What Would Grace Do?: How to Live Life in Style Like the Princess of Hollywood.

This was not your typical book — not really a biography, but several snippets about Grace Kelly’s life, along with lessons from that life on how we can live more like she did. There are sections on Grace’s movies, marriage, children, fashion, and more.

The book reads easily, and has a bit of an unusual voice (it will refer to Grace as “la Grace,” “our Gracie,” etc. — and often throw in a comment followed by “Clever Grace!” or something to that effect). It was just a bit too-too, yet I’m thinking perhaps it was written this way in an attempt to channel the 1950s? The two-color drawings illustrating the book definitely hearkened back to that era.

I would say that if you’re a Grace Kelly fan already, you’ll probably know much of the info this book contains. However, I didn’t know much about Grace before reading this — my main memories of her were of the times she and Princess Diana met; both during Diana’s engagement (remember, it was the night when Di wore the “scandalous” low-cut ballgown?), and again during the honeymoon, shortly before Grace’s tragic early death in a car crash (eerie similarity with Diana!).

Uh oh … is it just me, or does Diana already look a bit jealous of Charles talking with Grace?

Grace sounds like a pretty typical ’50s era movie star. I was interested to read that the people of Monaco, home of her husband Prince Rainier, didn’t seem to be too taken with her. Neither, for that matter, did her husband. I was impressed with how she still stayed in her marriage though, and attempted to make the best of the situation. I recalled that her children had turned out to be less-than-perfect, what with the girls partying and marrying playboys, and the son being a playboy himself before finally marrying a bride who seemed less than thrilled with the arrangement — a la Grace?

Grace also sounded a bit promiscuous, though, which was sort of a downer. And majority opinion seems to be that she spoiled her kids. So will I be considering what would Grace do?  when making life decisions? Eh, probably not. But it did make me curious to dig a little deeper into “our Gracie’s” life. If you are a Grace Kelly fan, this would be a quick, fun read that I think you’d enjoy.

Look up at my blog header — see the clear Grace-inspiration for Kate Middleton’s wedding dress? Fun!

Would you like a copy of this book? If you love royals, the ’50s, or old Hollywood glamour, I’ll bet you would. Gotham has generously provided a giveaway copy. Enter on the rafflecopter form below; I’ll choose a winner May 25.

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Thanks to Gotham Books for a review copy of “What Would Grace Do?”

The post What Would Grace Do?: Review & Giveaway appeared first on Girls in White Dresses.

So, when I learned about a healthier diet soda option, I was excited.

It’s called Zevia, and I’m happy to introduce you to it.

Zevia is naturally sweetened with stevia, which is made from a South American plant. Native people there have been using stevia to sweeten foods for hundreds of years. I’m not going to pretend to be a nutritionist or a chemist, but it does look healthier than aspartame or some of the other commonly-used soft drink sweeteners.

Zevia sodas were first produced in Seattle in 2007, so they’re relatively new. They’ve added new flavors since then; the most recent being Cherry Cola, Strawberry and Lime Cola in 2012.

Zevia recommends that you enjoy their sodas COLD — not cool — for the best flavor. I’ve tried several of the samples they kindly sent me, and I think they taste pretty much just like “normal” diet sodas (which, to me, is GOOD). My favorite so far? Cream soda!

The company has an active Facebook page which features frequent contests and giveaways. They have a fun Pinterest page as well. Curious on where to find Zevia in your town? Here you go. Where I live, it’s at Fresh Market and Kroger.

And yes, this generous company is offering a 6-pack of delicious, zero-calorie Zevia soda to not one, not two, not three, not four, but five Girls in White Dresses readers! Woo hoo!

Enter using the rafflecopter form below by May 21, and I’ll choose the winners May 22. What a refreshing way to welcome in the summer heat!
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The post Zevia Soda: Review appeared first on Girls in White Dresses.

I don’t know anyone named Laura Reece Cole. However, it appears that she is highly impressed with me. Check it out! (I normally don’t publish personal emails from my friends, but somehow I don’t think Laura will mind!)

Dearest Friend, I am writing you from the tears, sore and pains in my heart to let you know the reason why I picked you for my proposal. I am sincerely sorry if I disturb your privacy with my proposal, firstly I will start by introducing myself. My name is Laura Reece Cole, I’m 26 years old, I school and work as a cloth maker after my studies, I live in London England. I am the only daughter of my parents, my father died in an auto accident on his way to see my sick mother where she was admitted for breast cancer treatments.

My mother gave up when she heard about the death of my father in same hospital where she was admitted, May their soul rest in perfect peace, amen. Before the death of my father he willed his Real Estate & Gas station business to me and a sum of 50,700,000.00 (Fifty Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling).

After the death of my parents I find it difficult paying my school fees, feeding and taking care of myself as a lady as no one is left to guild me.

Please, somebody, GUILD me!

I went to the bank where my late father deposited the fund for me to make some withdraw out from the account, I was not grant access to draw from the account due to the clause that was placed on the money by my late father before his death, saying I must be 30 years of age before I will have access to claim the fund by myself or if I am married before the age of 30 my husband will be eligible to collect the money for me or if I could present a trust worthy person to the bank as my relative 0r next of kin, then the fund will be given to the person on my behalf. But today I am only 25 years old I have no access to draw from the account till I am 40 but as things are with me now, I might also lose my life since I can’t feed well which is the reason why I am contacting you to help me, Please I am pleading with you to stand in as my husband to claim this fund or if you are married already and still wish to help me by standing as a relative or next of kin to claim this funds for me.

I will be more than happy to tell you more on how to go about it. I will be waiting to hear from you, Reply me lauracole17@aol.com

With Love, Laura Recee Cole

As I was pondering how to help Laura, I was so confused. Is she 25 or 26? Does she get the money when she’s 30 or 40? Laura appears to need help with more than just feeding! Is Laura’s middle name Reece, or Recee (I’m wondering if she was dreaming of Reese Cups near the end. I’m thinking they could help with her inability to feed problem). And, is she trying to be all trendy in asking me to stand in as her husband? Doesn’t she know I’M A GIRL? Apparently not.

However, I just don’t want to leave Laura with nothing. So if any of you gentleman readers out there are feeling chivalrous, perhaps you would be willing to stand in as her husband.

With Love, the Girls in White Dresses blogger

The post A Letter From Laura Reece Cole appeared first on Girls in White Dresses.

Monday: Baked Chicken Chimichangas — this is one of those yummy recipes that popped up on my Facebook page. Let’s see how good it is in real life:
8oz pkg. cream cheese
8oz. Pepperjack cheese, shredded
1 1/2 Tbsp. taco seasoning
1 lb. cooked chicken, shredded
8 flour tortillas
shredded cheddar cheese
green onions, for garnish
sour cream
salsa

Stir together cream cheese, Pepperjack cheese and taco seasoning.
Fold in chicken.
Divide among flour tortillas.
Tuck in sides, and roll up each tortilla.
Lay seam side down in a sprayed 9×13″ baking dish.
Spray tops of tortillas with cooking spray.
Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
Turn chimi’s over, and bake an additional 15 minutes.
Serve with cheddar cheese, green onions, sour cream, and salsa

Tuesday: Savory Bean and Spinach Soup — it’s good Also bread from the bread machine.

2 qt. chicken broth

1 #10 can diced tomatoes

1 #10 can northern beans

1/2 box long grain wild rice

1 large onion, diced

garlic powder

parsley

salt/pepper

1/2 bag of fresh spinach

parmesan cheese

Wednesday: Cheesy Chicken Taco Casserole — I’ve  made this before (although it’s been a while). It’s good.

Thursday: fish — nothing fancy, just out of a box.

Friday: a Michael Angelo’s entree. I’m a member of some type of club they have and they sent me free coupons. Woo hoo! You may want to visit the site; I see a spot there where it says “free coupon,” so you may score as well. These look good, although I haven’t tried them yet. I wanted something easy since shortly after dinner the Sweet 16 extravaganza will begin

Enjoy your week. What’s on the menu?

Oh, and just for fun — did you know that Prince Harry is in the US this week? Here’s his itinerary. Will he be anywhere near you?

More Menu Plan Monday ideas at OrgJunkie’s.

The post Menu Plan Monday appeared first on Girls in White Dresses.

This 1974 photo shows my sister and me with some type of Little People feast. Notice all the types of blocks we used (I wonder if we spelled “Oz” on purpose there on the right? I’m hoping it’s not “no!”). I also see a few Pop Tart premium figures mixed in, and a couple of those animals too where if you pushed up on the bottom, their limbs would become limp and they would “dance.” In the background to the right, my beloved Little People houseboat — one of my favorite Fisher Price toys ever. I had so much fun floating that thing in various pools!

I like to think of childhood as this long, creative time where I could bring all my fun ideas to life with my little people. And my sister, on the left, was usually good-natured enough to go along with my plans. Looking at this photo, I remember how many days I had spent playing like this. Then I thought, “Wow. My kids’ childhood has passed so much more quickly!” But I suppose that’s just the nature of passing time. The older you get, the faster it goes.

Life is fleeting. It is to be enjoyed.

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