Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Wednesdays with Wanda

Hello, friends.

Before I share my post today, I would like to ask you to pray for my family and me this weekend. Mom and Dad’s house finally sold before Christmas, and we will be moving all of their remaining stuff out of the house.

For me, it’s a final goodbye. Before their house sold, I felt I could still go there and be “home”. When I walk into their home, it takes my breath away. Mom’s fingerprints are everywhere. She loved her home, and she loved making it a loving and beautiful place to be.

Now we have to pack her things up. Some things will go in storage, and some will go into our homes. It’s a blatant reminder that she is gone. And I’m dreading it.

We covet your prayers!

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Now for my Wednesdays with Wanda post.

I hope you don’t mind, but this week I needed to write about something a little less serious and more fun. My mom was definitely fun!

She always had fun things planned for the grandchildren to do whenever they came over. One of the things that my children loved was when Nana would make play dough!

She used to make it for me when I was little. I remember how excited I would get. And I thought it was absolutely amazing that she could actually make play dough right there in our home! The dough was so soft and warm after she made it. Those are such great memories!

Life is about making memories, isn’t it? Those are the treasures we hold beneath our hearts.

So since the weather outside can be yucky this time of year, I thought this would be the perfect thing to share with you. Now when your children get bored and start to say, “There’s nothing to do,” you will be prepared!

I really hope that you try this at home with your children and grandchildren. They will not forget it!

Here is all you need:

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1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

1 cup water

1 T. cooking oil

2 tsp. cream of tartar

Pour all of the above ingredients in a large cooking pot and mix together.

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If you have some food coloring, add it in while the mixture is smooth.

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Cook on medium high heat, stirring the dough constantly.

It will begin to form a dough in less than 2 minutes.

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Remove the dough from the pan and roll into a ball.

It’s ready to go! I’m telling you… this is sooooo easy! You’ve got to try it. I made both of these in less than 10 minutes! And that included washing the pan out in between.

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The boys loved it! And they reminisced about Nana as they played with the play dough. It’s those wonderful memories of her loving acts toward us that bring us joy.

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Thank you, Mom, for teaching me the importance of taking the time to make precious memories with my children. I will never forget the time you took to give me a heart full of wonderful memories too!

Have a blessed week!


36 comments:

  1. What a great idea...I'm gonna have to try it next time it's raining outside :)

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  2. I remember play dough! :-)

    Prayers for peace for you and your family this weekend, and that fun, happy memories like you've shared here will override the sadness.

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  3. You are a good mom--there is nothing messier (or more fun!) than play dough! What else can be an airplane OR a pie :)? I will think of and pray for you as you go through the task of cleaning out your parent's home. I have been there--bittersweet.

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  4. I haven't made that if forever! I think I shall do it this afternoon when the boys get home from school. See? Your wonderful mama continues to bless even from her home in Heaven. :)

    Thanks again for sharing her with us...love Wednesdays with Wanda.

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  5. awwhh- I just love these post about your mom. It is amazing the impact on our lives the little things can make. I will be in prayer for you about the house. I am going through something similar with my granny's house now that she is in the rest home. Thank you for sharing your story and strength with all of us!

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  6. Traci I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers as you go through your parents things. I can't imagine how hard this will be for you. Your mom sounds like a exceptional woman from all the post I have read about her. :)

    Hugs,
    Cindy
    www.cindybazzy.blogspot.com
    www.homesimplehome.blogspot.com

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  7. Traci I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers as you go through your parents things. I can't imagine how hard this will be for you. Your mom sounds like a exceptional woman from all the post I have read about her. :)

    Hugs,
    Cindy
    www.cindybazzy.blogspot.com
    www.homesimplehome.blogspot.com

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  8. I'll remember this one day when I am a grammy! thanks for sharing and I'll be thinking about you and praying for you as you do what you must do this weekend.

    Suzanne

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  9. Such sweet and loving memories. Great recipe too. Such fun to take time to spend with the ones you love so much. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. God Bless. Hugs, Marty

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  10. Traci..
    I so look forward to Wednesdays..
    knowing a Wanda post will be full of fun,love and most of all memories..
    I lost my mom when I was barely 24..
    at an age where a girl really needs a mom..
    fortunately, my sister's Mother in Law stepped in and filled that spot for us..the both of us!
    A lot of your posts so remind me of that loving, gracious, delightful and funny lady!
    I miss her tremendously..
    My prayers for you as you and yours empty the house and say the final goodbyes..
    not an easy undertaking..
    but you will have divine guidance from above..
    warm hugs,laughing smiles..
    Loui♥

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  11. Thank you Traci. I'm having one of those days today and even though this weekend is going to be super difficult for you, you found something to be thankful for. I will pray for you and your family and that you can find peace and understanding right now.
    I so love you sharing your mama with us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My mama will be here this morning for a visit and I'll share with her your post, she thinks your the greatest.
    Take care Traci and again thank you for sharing.
    By the way, I make lots of play dough for the kids just this way and they love it.
    God Bless you Traci.

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  12. Thank you for sharing! Does it store well?

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  13. Oh Traci I can remember my mother making that with us when we were little. I just wrote out my shopping list and added Cream of Tartar to it. I know I don't have that in the house. Thanks for the wonderful reminder of such a wonderful memory!
    xoxo
    Kim

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  14. Oh - the pictures of your kids says it all. God bless you and your family.
    Kiran

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  15. I think that is the same recipe I used to make for my son. (Not sure because it has been a few years.) It is way better than the store bought kind!
    I'll be praying for you as you pack your mom and dad's house. I know that will stir up a lot of memories and emotions for you all.

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  16. Great memories. I did this with my boys when they were young and plan on doing it with my grandchildren some day.

    ~ Tracy

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  17. I'll keep you in my prayers. That would be a hard thing for me to do also. Love the idea for play dough! So easy.

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  18. I love homemade play dough! We used to do this all the time growing up, and I still wish I had someone who would play with me. :) Thanks for sharing. And sending prayers your way.

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  19. Traci:
    This was such a neat post! I will be making this play dough very soon with my 6 grandkids... another reflection of your mom... the threads of her life are being multiplied many times over.

    Blessings!

    Sonja

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  20. My prayers and thoughts are with you... Dee Dee

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  21. I will be thinking of you this weekend. Thanks for sharing these wonderful stories about your mom.

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  22. You will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers this weekend as you go about moving your father and remembering your Mom. I myself am flying to Arizona to spend the weekend with my sister going through my Mama's personal items too. My prayers are with you! ~Lanie

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  23. Thankyou Traci for your beautiful blog. I live in Australia & just want you to know that your warm heart & precious thoughts warm my soul regularly. I too can remember my mum making us 3 girls playdough! Love your comments re "Thankyou mom for teaching me the importance of taking time to make precious memories with my children." I used to work ridiculous hours & had a nanny do everything with my son!!!....after being sick & mentally broken down I have had to choose a different pace of life! God has taught me anew what my mum always says...a mum's place is with her children...creating those memories...God bless you Traci in this blog, one of your ministries! Love, Tiffany (TK) xx

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  24. Hi Traci,
    Definitely be keeping your family in prayer as you pack and prepare to move the remaining things from your parent's house. Hope it will encourage you while you're there to know we're praying and thinking of you and your family.

    So glad you shared this recipe. I say this with seemingly every comment on Wednesdays with Wanda, but she is such a wonderful role model. I'm definitely tucking things like this away so that when my time comes to be a Grandma, I'll be prepared with lots of special things!

    Blessings,
    Tracy

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  25. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you pack up your mother's belongings. I hope you are able to enjoy the memories that her things bring to mind with happiness.
    Your post about the play dough made me smile as I remembered making it for my kids. Do you have the recipe for the goop that you make with Borax? If not just let me know and I will send it to you. My kids loved not only playing with it but making it as well.

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  26. My heart goes out to you and your family as you go through this weekend...I know how it feels. It is one of the most difficult things to do when there is a loss such as this. Just know that her spirit will be with you and you will find things to laugh about too. Memories are indeed treasures ~

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  27. I love to have my grands come over and spend time with their Pop and Grana. Next time they stop by for a while "making play dough" will be in their future. I really enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing!

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  28. Thanks for the playdoe recipe! Yours looks a little easier then mine, so I'll definately try it. Your family will be in our prayers tonight. It can't be an easy thing to pack up your mother's things. But I'm sure you'll have so many happy memories come flooding back. I remember when my grandmother past away, my mom had all the grandkids write down 3 items that they might like to have as a keepsake from Grandma's house. By writing down 3 items, I think everyone was able to have at least one of the things on their list to help them remember grandma.

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  29. Peace that passes all understanding. He will be right there with you holding you up and giving you the strength you need. I praise Him that He is our Rock, our Strength, our Comforter.

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  30. Hi Sweetie. I will definitely have you and your family in my prayers. I know this is probably one of the hardest things you've ever done. I hope having your family all together what you dread might become a time of sharing memories and even laughs. Whatever you feel this weekend, it's all normal and there is no wrong. I'm hear if you ever need me.

    As always, I love hearing your precious memories of your Mother. I loved seeing the pictures of the boys with the playdoh.

    You're in my heart and prayers and I'm thinking of you. Hugs....Tracy :)

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  31. My mom died 18 years ago, and it's truth I miss her everyday. I remember going through her things...

    Peace to you as you remember and ache this weekend, but don't be surprised if you also experience moments of great joy.

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  32. What wonderful memories you have of your mom! I hope the move goes well and becomes a happy time of reliving wonderful memories of your mom and family.

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  33. Just want you to know that I am praying for you. I can only imagine how hard it is to negotiate this next step. You are in my thoughts. Your mom sounds like she was such a gem. Through your posts we get to glean from her wonderful life lessons. I am going to whip up some of that play dough for my darling girls today and know that I will be thinking of you. God bless. Janine

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  34. My Mom is gone 5 years now and cleaning out her house was a very difficult time, so my prayers are with you. I still have a hard time getting rid of anything with her handwriting. I am so glad to have her recipe box with her pretty penmanship! I think you are in a good place when the memories are more important than the things...you seem to be.
    ~Nancy

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  35. I understand what it is to go through a loved ones things, as I'm still in that process myself. I've had to do it in stages over the past fourteen or so months and it simply doesn't get any easier. Some things, like our photos, I can't even open yet, but someday I'll be able to. One step, one breath, one day at a time. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and your sweet comment. Your family is beautiful. This post brought back memories as I used to make play dough for my boys when they were little. ♥

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