My Little (younger) Sister

Brenda Lee  my younger sister. I have been thinking of her today as it would have been her birthday. She was born a short 15 months after me. I remember she didn't like it when I called her my little sister because she was taller than I was after we grew up. I spent time looking at pictures today trying to remember fun times that we had together. I'm disappointed that as we became teenagers we didn't get along all that great. In some things a person wishes a do-over, this is one for me. I believe that if she were still living we would have become great friends. I watch my daughters Misty, Rachel and April interact with each other as they have married, as they raise their children and live theirs lives sharing with each other and am sad that I didn't get that opportunity with my sister. Brenda was killed in a car crash not too long after starting to serve her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in San Bernadino CA in 1982. Actually I was with Rachel in the hospital because she had spinal meningitis when I received the news. Not a pleasant time. I wish I would have taken pictures of her with Misty and Rachel. She did love them , held them and played with them. So I guess in all this rambling my thoughts are to remember that each day is a day to live, love each other and cherish current moments and memories with family. And to continue to strengthen the relationships that is family.   

Brenda (1979)

 Brenda and me (Linda) 1963 ish?

Brenda and me again on a car. 1965 ish?

Me (Linda) and Brenda standing in front of corn mom grew. I think we were there to measure the corn against us.

   Brenda at the MTC pointing to San Bernadino, CA where she was called to serve.

   

Lik

                                                     
                                         

Simply...my mom.

As days come along in a year that bring certain memories and emotions you realize how grateful you are to have had the chance to live those moments. The good and the bad. They are what made you who you are. You can take your life and live with regret of the memories of the sorrow and anger or you can take your life and live with the opportunities to grow and develop into the kind of person God would have you become. The kind of person who of course isn't perfect but will try to forgive others, serve God, family, friends and fellow man.
My mom was such a person. Her life was not an easy one from the time she was born to when she died. She taught me how to work, and work some more, she taught me how to serve and give to others when you yourself had nothing, she taught me how to look past the outside of people and see their heart and love them anyway, she taught me how to love camping, she taught me how to fry chicken and make a mean potato salad, she taught me how to make do with not much, she taught me how to love even when you felt the person didn't deserve to be loved even when they took so much from you, she wasn't perfect, she was my girl scout leader, she was my mom. Today 8 years ago she died, tomorrow she would have celebrated her 89th birthday. Love you and miss you mom. P.S. Mom, sorry about making such a fuss about your snappy, nipping, barking little chihuahua's. I understand now. I have a little dog of my own.

The Best Apple Cake Ever

I really should be doing a million other things now instead I'm sharing my favorite apple cake recipe that I got off a friends recipe blog. Which by the way has many wonderful recipe on it.

See those big chunks of apples and  it only uses 1/2 cup of oil in the whole recipe.

Moist and so yummy. For a special twist drizzle a bit of caramel on it. I've made it twice this month already.

Now for the recipe from...

 Apple Cake 

This cake is one of my favorites for Fall. The sweet chunks of apples tucked into the moist cake, topped with a crispy cinnamon crust... perfect. Serve with chilled, lightly sweetened whipped cream, if you wish, but it isn't a requirement.

2 eggs
2 c. sugar
1/4 c. applesauce
1/4 c. oil
4 c. apples, cored, peeled, and chopped
*1/2 c. walnuts, chopped
2 c. flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 9 x 13" cake pan. Mix together eggs, sugar, applesauce, and oil. Add apples and nuts. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Add to apple mixture and blend. Stir in vanilla. Pour into cake pan. Combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over batter. Bake for 40 minutes, when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

POSTED BY KRISTA AT 7:49 AM