~A LITTLE SEPHA-A LOT OF LOVE~

A few days ago via email, I received from my sweet sis. Chris, some writings from our grandmother, Mary JoSepha (Abbott) Robison. She passed away before I was old enough to remember her, however, my mother made sure that I had a good education in "Sepha". What I missed out on was her sheer strength and iron clad will to make life better for her children. ALL of them.

In an attempt to share what I have with my children and perhaps help them to understand as I do just how much her blood, sweat and tears molded her own offspring, so those same tears also have watched over us. I stand a little taller today after reading these entries knowing that Sepha was MY grandmother. What a lady, and what an example. I wish that life could have been happier for her. I wish that life could have been happier for everyone during those desperate times. They did the best the could and when ever I asked my mom about her childhood...It was ALL good! My mother recalls being without a lot of "things" but she always said that she never felt as if she was "poor". "Poor" was the family down the road.

So, read the lines and then read between the lines for it is there that you will begin to really "feel" her thoughts.

Journal entry...No date, I am thinking that this was probably written after everyone had left home...

Shall I throw it away or keep it? Yes, I can see it is broken across the bottom and one of the three little legs broken off and another one made of plasti-wood.

But...

I received it for Christmas 1936. I shall always remember.
We were just digging out of the year of the depression.
That time was very trying to all people and very disastrous to many
including us. We lost everything we owned. Almost our self respect.
We were trying hard to regain a footing so we could climb back up to level ground
hoping that we could regain some of our losses and pay some of the accumulated debt.

CHRISTMAS, what a memory! 10 children to buy Christmas for and $5.00 to live and household expenses of $18.50 per MONTH.

Lela had $.50 to buy a Christmas present for me. This pink glass bowl was it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm not sure that I could have thrown it away either grandma. Some things just hold too many memories.

~SUMMER WORK PARTIES~

First let me begin by saying that I know that all of you are STUNNED that I am actually posting! I had to pull myself away from Pinterest to do it but, I successfully find myself on Joeyology today posting a few pictures of our weekend and of coarse the grand kidos.

My work had a party this weekend and I coerced my children...ALL of them, into attending with their children. Guilt may have had something to do with it. Whatever it was it worked they were all there and I was so happy to show them all off! My boss had set it all up so that it was very "kid" friendly. I think that they had a great time. Gage even won the bull riding contest. I think that if Cole would have stayed just a little longer Gage would have had a little competition. As it turned out Gage stayed on the bull about 1 minute longer than anyone else in his age category. Way to go Gage...He won $20 bucks! There were slides, climbing walls, jumping "things" and all sorts of food. Thank you Riverwoods Surgery Center for all the fun! I even won a "Tablet" which I think maybe I will get to use today...Everyone has gone home :)

Thank you everyone for taking time out of your busy schedules to come to my company party. I think that the kids had a good time don't you?

~THANKS~

Thank you Stephanie for the new look on my blog, I LOVE it. I am sure that everyone that reads my blog wishes that they had their own designer like I do that does all the work for them. You make me happy EVERYDAY! Thanks again. Love you!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies
Sweet Pea's Kitchen

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar (plus more for rolling)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
3/4 cup powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375º F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together sugars, butter and 1/4 cup of peanut butter until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg, beating to combine. Stir in the flour mixture and stir to combine, blending well. Set aside.

4. In a medium bowl, mix together powdered sugar and remaining 3/4 cup of peanut butter until smooth.

5. Pull off a heaping tablespoon of cookie dough and flatten with your hands. Take about 1 teaspoon of peanut butter mixture and place it in the center of the chocolate dough. Wrap the chocolate dough around the peanut butter center, pressing to seal. Roll the cookie into a ball and roll the cookie in the sugar. Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart. Using the bottom of a glass, flatten each cookie to about a 1/2 inch thickness.

6. Bake in preheated oven for 7 to 9 minutes. Let stand on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then remove to a wire rack.