THE FIFTH MONTH COMES TO A CLOSE & Lemon Delicious Pudding

Mothers pay a price 

Motherhood comes with a price to be paid,
But cost is not counted
When love bounces back many blessings.

robyn

Never-ending chores
One's tasks are never finished 

for the mother, grandmother, or great-grandmother!
 But there's always time for a cup of tea. robyn

Brenda's Scrap Book

Here are a few more recipes from my mother's 1960s scrap book. 

Thank you to all of you blog readers from 

Russia, Australia, United States, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, Colombia, United Kingdom, Morocco, Philippines, Ukraine, Canada and India.

for taking the time to read this month's blog,

which has been written as a special tribute to Brenda, my mum. 

I wish you well - all of you mothers -  whether you are a mother who has given birth, or whether you are one of those wonderful aunties, big sisters, friends or community members who have taken a young person under your wing to nurture and love them as a mother would do. 

May you continue to be a blessing.  

from Robyn

painting of robin by Brenda     If you wish to contact me, please feel free to email me on currimundioasis@gmail.com 

Chocolate Cake and Great Grandchildren

Mothers give to their children
How a mother gives
rather than how a mother takes
is what helps her to relate
to her children. Robyn

Memoirs from my mother  Brenda talks about her great-grandchildren 

I feel very grateful to have 24 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way this year! I manage to send them each a birthday card and pocket money each year, and I love to do that. Now that my grand-children have children of their own, they still want to come and visit and bring their little children. I have very special times with them when they visit.
Brenda's Scrap Book

Chocolate cakes were my mum's specialty, and her kids loved them! Especially when two cakes were sandwiched together with mock cream. 

I hope that there are some things that I do or make that give my children the same pleasure as my mum's cooking gave to me.  

from Robyn

painting of robin by Brenda

Sweet and Sour & Grandchildren

Mothers travel with their children
Mothers travel the way with their children
With emphasis on the journey 
As much as the destination..Robyn

A Mother's Sacrifice
How many mothers have spent endless hours in the persuit of their child's education?
When their child received an award or certificate, 
while the mother feels great pride, 
it is that memory of cherished hours and loving sacrifice that is the real treasure.  

Memoirs from my mother  Brenda talks about her grandchildren's visits. 
After I finished working at an office job and retired at Pt Elliot, grandchildren came to visit, often staying for a holiday. 

Brenda's Scrap Book

Sweet and Sour and economical Meat Loaf - are today's recipes from Brend's 1960s scrap book. '

Just as my Mum loved her grand-children's visits, now I have the same pleasure with my grand-children! 

from Robyn

painting of robin by Brenda

Pineapple Tarts, Apple Pie & Grandchildren's letters

Mothers 
With a mother's love,
A house is made a home.

Robyn

I met a young man, an 18 year old, the other day.
He had finished school, 
and was working at a part-time job until he could decide on his direction for a future career.
While he was considering joining the AirForce,
he was reticent because it would take him away from the home that he loved.
My heart was warmed by the fact that here was a young man who valued his current home.

Memoirs from my mother  Brenda talks about her grandchildren's letters
Years ago, when the grandchildren used to send me little notes in the post, I would keep them all. A few years ago, Pam gathered them up and pasted all of the notes, letters and drawings in a scrapbook for me! Nobody seems to write notes and letters like that any more, which is a real shame. It's a new era now - it's all email stuff!

Brenda's Scrap Book

My mum always made a "pudding" to eat after our evening hot meal of meat and veges. They were always a treat, and much looked forward to. But the tradition did not carry on, with most of her children and grand-children tending not to eat sweet desserts after a meal. 

While I have the fillings in my teeth like the many baby-boomers who tucked into their home made sweet puddings, it was a special era - and us kids just loved the home cooking!  

from Robyn

painting of robin by Brenda

Coconut Slice & Hobbies

Mothers keep out bad weather
Mothers try to keep the bad weather
Out of their home
While welcoming what is good. Robyn

Diligent mothers 
work at keeping all kinds of "bad" things 
out of their home.

Diligent mothers
also work hard at bringing wholesome things
into their home -
whether it be comforting love, sound education, 
cleanliness and orderliness, provision of food, protection and shelter. 

But even without some of those wholesome things,
if a mother gives love, 
then she has achieved 
the ultimate aim of motherhood.
Robyn

Memoirs from my mother  Brenda talks about her hobbies

Brenda bowling - 2nd from right 

After my five children were married, I was free to be involved in new activities. 

Lawn Bowling kept Dad and I occupied together for some years, and there was Mahjong, Knitting with the sheep wool which I had spent many hours spinning on my wheel, China Paintings which went into the electric kiln I had bought, Paintings on canvas and paper, using water colours and acrylics, Making Greeting Cards with either pressed flowers or paintings to decorate them - these were sold for charities - plus I have been kept busy learning how to use a Computer and more recently an Ipad. 
My hobbies have kept me busy for many years,  and now, even while in a nursing home, they continue to give my days both challenge and variety.   

Brenda's Scrap Book

Brenda's 1960s scrapbook features Coconut Slice - a favourite slice often baked for her family. 

Recently two of my grown daughters visited and stayed for an evening meal before returning to their homes. It was sufficient blessing to see each of them with a baby on their knee, but then they told me how much they enjoy my home cooking!  
My heart was warmed! 

from Robyn

painting of robin by Brenda

Weddings & Cakes

Mothers watch destiny unfolding 
Mothers watch 
Destiny unfold
As their children find their perfect match.

Robyn

Stars and lovers' hearts

Ask the stars why they twinkle,

Ask lovers why their hearts beat so,

And you'll probably find them so lost in their miracle

That the answer to the question 
They really won't know.  Robyn

Memoirs from my mother  Brenda talks about her children's weddings

I was there with "dad" for the first four weddings, but he was gone before the last wedding. I flew all the way to California for that last wedding and had a wonderful time, just as I had done at each of the other weddings. I feel very proud of my children, each one of them happily celebrating and walking into their future. 

Brenda's Scrap Book

My mum would at all times have some delicious treat in a cake tin or biscuit tin, so that when we brought our friends home, they always felt welcome! No wonder all of her 5 kids married happily. That "welcome" - associated with some goodies to eat -which still exists today is an absolute treasure. 

I hope that I make my growing family welcome, 
just as my mum has done for many years.   

from Robyn

painting of robin by Brenda

The Queen & Apple Teacake

Mothers open windows
Mothers open windows
In their children's bedrooms
Letting golden light and gentle breezes
Clear away the dross and dray
Of every dreary yesterday. 

Robyn

Choosing our memories

          It is strange that I do not recall

My mother ever being cross with me,
But she probably was...
Perhaps I choose just not to remember!  

Robyn

Memoirs from my mother  Brenda talks about Queen Elizabeth's visit

When the Queen came to visit South Australia, my neighbour and I received invitations to stand in the parkland at Elizabeth near the Octagon Theatre. Many people lined the pathway where she walked. I was all dressed up - quite pregnant with Janet - with hat, gloves, handbag, and a new dress. The Queen walked by us, quite close to us as we stood there. 

Brenda's Scrap Book

Apple teacake is on the menu for today's afternoon tea. 

What an honor it is to be able to acknowledge important people.  

from Robyn

painting of robin by Brenda

The Coolgardie Safe & Chinese Chicken

The diligence of mothers 
Our world is full of mothers
Watching out for their children's welfare
With careful diligence. Robyn
Off to school

She packed his lunch

And put it in his satchel
On the morning of his first day at school.
As a rule, 
She did not cry in the mornings.
But today was different.  

Robyn
Memoirs from my mother  Brenda talks about her parents' 'fridge'

Today I have a white enamelled fridge/freezer like everyone else. But years ago, it was not like it is today. Nana and Pop, (my parents), had a Coolgardie Safe with flywire all aound. If we hung a wet sugar-bag over it, that helped to keep the food cool. There were 4 jam tins under each leg of the Coolgardie Safe, with water in them to stop the ants crawling into the safe. 
Nana and Pop lived well during the war years and depression years. Pop had friends on a farm and he worked at Paul's Milk Factory - so with both of those put together, there was meat, milk, cream and butter! Nana really only had to buy bread and groceries. Because Pop worked in "essential services" at the milk factory, he did not have to go to the Second World War, although he had fought in the First World War.

Dorothy, who worked in an office with me used to visit us, along with her husband and three kids,  every Saturday afternoon. They would stay and stay... until Nana would have to say each time, "Would you like to stay for tea?" That was what Dorothy was waiting for, because those Saturday night meals would have been their best meals for the week!  

Brenda's Scrap Book

From Brenda's 
1960s scrapbook, 
we have some 
tasty chicken recipes. 

I am pleased that my mother's mother was kind and generous. I hope that I have learned from her.   

from Robyn

painting of robin by Brenda

A Girl Guide Captain & Chicken Recipes

Only one mother

Many things in life
Come in multiples
But each one of us
Has only
One mother 

Robyn

Receiving

It was not in “giving”, but rather it was in “receiving”

That the mother knew a deep satisfaction.

She happily received little arms that caressed her neck.

Robyn

Memoirs from my mother  Brenda as a Girl Guide Captain

I became a Girl Guide captain by accident. After we moved from Queensland to South Australia, my two older girls went to guides, but would come home in tears because it wasn’t like the company they used to belong to. It was run by a little lady who didn’t know how to be a guide captain. After my girls came home in tears, I went down to the guide hut and I offered to help.  On the night I started as a “helper”, the Guide Captain didn’t turn up! She didn’t ever turn up! It wasn’t funny at the time, because I just had to do what I could! I had to learn to be a Girl Guide, and had to do my First Class test just like the guides. I made a scrap-book about guiding as part of that test, which I later donated to the Elizabeth West company.

Here is one funny story from when I was a guide captain at the Elizabeth West company. Most of the girls were little pommy kids from England. We were going to have a supper one evening, and I told them, “Don’t forget to bring a plate!” Most of the girls brought a plate with nothing on it, as they didn’t know that in Australia, when you bring a plate, you bring a plate of food to share.   

Brenda took her Girl Guides camping 

I would take the guides hiking and camping in tents. Our first camp was in an orange grove on the Little Para River in Salisbury, in South Australia.

My two older girls belonged to different companies - they weren't in the company where I was a captain. They became Queen’s Guides and I was very proud of them. It was a big achievement. 

Geoff as a Boy Scout

And Geoff - 
he enjoyed being  a Boy Scout.

Brenda's Scrap Book

My mum's 1960s scrap book is quite a treasure! Here are some of her chicken recipes. 

What a privilege it was to be a Girl Guide when I was growing up. 

from Robyn

painting of robin by Brenda