Joy in the Journey

Sunday is the day I share a little of my soul. I call it the Bread of Life section. Enjoy. 

Those how follow me here regularly know that we recently had a deep and personal loss with the death of my dear friend and father in law (we called him Mr. Putt Putt).  It has been an interesting couple of weeks as we've been trying to get "back to normal"...only beginning to realize that normal has changed forever.  I miss dad a lot.   In spite of that sadness, we've been surrounding with the love and support of family and dear friends.  I read this article and gained a lot of spiritual strength.  It was a reminder to me that I am not alone on my journey and when I'm dealing with trials that my God and Friend grieves with me. 

I received 3 messages this week that have helped me tremendously.

Message number 1:
"Heavenly Father’s interest in you does not depend on how rich or beautiful or healthy or smart you are. He sees you not as the world sees you; He sees who you really are. He looks on your heart. And He loves you because you are His child... seek Him earnestly, and you will find Him. I promise you, you are not alone."1

I've taken some time to look around me and see the people I love most. They have held me up. 

Love continues. Love is the universal language and the most powerful language in the world.  I've seen it overcome emotional, spiritual, and physical walls!

Message number 2:

"The love of Christ is not a pretend love. It is not a greeting-card love. It is not the kind of love that is praised in popular music and movies. This love brings about real change of character. It can penetrate hatred and dissolve envy. It can heal resentment and quench the fires of bitterness. It can work miracles... when your primary thoughts and behaviors are focused on serving God and others—when you truly desire to bless and lift up those around you—then the power of the pure love of Christ can work in your heart and life."2

The third message: “Be of good cheer.”

My darling Tara showed up at my house with my favorite flowers this week.  It was a tender mercy moment. They are my favorite flower...ever...in the history of ever. I first fell in love  with these flowers as a child. They are just pure sunshine to my heart.   Every long road trip I go on, I can see them along the side of the road here in Arizona and they always remind me to find joy in the journey.  So,thank you Tara. Seriously. Thank you!

"With this in mind, I invite you to walk confidently and joyfully. Yes, the road has bumps and detours and even some hazards. But don’t focus on them. Look for the happiness your Father in Heaven has prepared for you in every step of your journey. Happiness is the destination, but it’s also the path. “Peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” is what He promises."3


There it is.  Have a wonderful new week my darlings...and look for joy in the journey.

Always My Very Best,

Your Friend Tess.

Graveside Memories and Tender Mercies

 Today we buried my Father in Law. It was a really tough day and one I will never forget. I called him "Mr. Putt Putt" here on the blog because we had the joy of watching him putt around the house with his walker for the last few years. I don't really have a lot to say, but I will share my thoughts on a few of the highlights.

One. We were driving behind the casket when it went under the covered bridge leading to Dad's hometown. If I think about the hundreds of times he passed under that bridge and how it felt as he passed under it one last time, I bawl. He loved that town. 

Second, I've visited this quiet cemetery many times...but never to bury a friend. It was really emotional, but the Spirit of the Lord was with us and we had incredible peace.  

Third, I got to sit on the front row next to my Mother in Law and see a unique perspective as the Navy officers brought her the flag from his coffin.  It was incredible. It was humbling. It broke my heart to see her face as they handed her the flag on behalf of the US Navy and the citizens of this country. I'm so thankful for that experience. 

 Fourth, as we walked away, I knew without a doubt that we'd see Dad again. I'm thankful for our Faith in our Savior Jesus. He brings us so much peace. 

 Finally...a tender mercy.
As everything was winding up, my nieces and grand-nephews brought over a unique treasure...a toad. I was so happy that the children were able to find this new pet during something so difficult for everyone else. Just another reminder to me that the Lord, in his mercy, has joy for us, even during times of adversity. 

And caterpillars that will turn into butterflies when it is all over.

There it is.

Always My Very Best,
Your Friend Chef Tess

Onward He Goes

Sunday is the day I share a little of my soul. Enjoy.

 Those of you who have followed the blog pretty regularly will remember that I have had the honor and privilege of having my sweet Father in Law living with our family during his older years.  It has been one of the crazy-funnest things on earth to have him putt around with his walker.  My children have spent the last 5 and a half years at his feet learning about the world from a Navy veteran of world war two. Yes. My father in law is almost eighty seven years old. My husband was born when his dad was in his forties. 

Over the last few weeks his health has deteriorated immensely.  Thursday and Friday, most of his children, grand children and great grand children trickled into our home in a steady stream to have a grand sending off party. He wasn't awake, but he was embraced and loved by all that came to see him.  

Yesterday morning, in the peace and quiet of our home, he passed from this life. It was the most bittersweet and amazing experiences of my life.  I can't really put into words how it felt to see his body laying there, yet knowing that he was gone from it. I've never had such mixed emotions. Part of me is joyful. I'm so relieved that he is able to be free of pain, rejoicing with his Heavenly Father, Savior, and dear family who have passed before him. I'm happy for him. Elated for him. Joyful that he lived a good life.  There is the other part of me that misses him terribly. 

That part that misses him is the same part of me that wants to be better, do better, live better. That part of me that misses him wants to be ready to meet my own Savior at any given moment with a prepared heart. That part that missed him...is ever thankful that I know that God lives! I know that my Father in Heaven is real and loves me. I know he hears my prayers.  I know he loves us all.  I know we will live again. That part that misses him knows that we will be together again...and it makes the part that is joyful, even more happy.

That being said, this week I will be planning a funeral, making arrangements and connecting with my family. Thank you all for the love and support you give me. It keeps me moving onward.  Onward and upward my darlings!...Off he goes. 


There it is.

Always My Very Best,
Your Friend Chef Tess

Red, White, and Blue Forest Cake for Mr. Putt Putt

Mr. Putt Putt is my 84 year old Father in Law. It appears he is twenty again this year. He says he still feels young, it's just this "daggum' body that got old". He's also a veteran of World War two, so it seemed right to do an American Flag cake for his special day. We are so blessed to have him Puttin' around our place. He's a sweet little man. So, for his Birthday party this last weekend I thought I would add some luscious layers of fruit to the Chocolate Toffee Buttermilk Cake Mix that he already loves. I got this idea from the wonderful folks at:
Lucky Leaf Premium Pie Fillings: "American Flag Cake"
I made fresh whip cream instead of using the tub of whip topping, and added some lemon and Tahitian vanilla extract. In the middle of the double layer cake, I put 2 cups of drained home canned sour cherries into one cup of Spiced Blueberry-Amaretto Jam and spread it to the edges of the cake. Topped with a second layer of cake and frosted with whip cream. I built the edges of the cake up pretty high to hold the filling on top of the cake.

I love how much fruit comes in this pie filling. It's so refreshing. It also made it really easy to decorate the 12 inch cake. I know...it's beautiful to look at...and it tasted just as evil.

Thank you Lucky Leaf!

Happy Birthday Mr. Putt Putt! We love you!

There you go. Make a cool patriotic cake.

Random Thoughts...Mr. Putt Putt

My Father in Law, Mr. Putt Putt is in his late 80's. He's a sweet heart. He has to get on this scale twice a day to be home monitored by his health care provider. Imagine my dismay when the provider kept calling and saying he had some unexplained weight gain. Careful as I am about the whole geriatric diet...we couldn't figure it out. Today Mr. Putt Putt came wheeling around the corner with this sandwich...

Yea, that's a wedge of cheese the size of a baseball plate. I am very impressed with his knife skills. His cholesterol and salt may need to be checked as well. Hmmmm. That's all I have to say about that.