An Old Soul at Heart,  fighting the change . . . oh, yeah, and recipes

I can’t say it’s been a good week.  In fact, if I were honest I’d say it’s been a pretty crappy week, and the worst thing of all is that I really can’t say why.  If I’m completely honest with myself I think it’s because I see change coming and I don’t always do so well with change.  Especially since I’ve been thrown a lot of it lately.  School is gearing up and all of the ridiculous busyness that comes with it has consumed my days and waking hours this week.  The days have been long and full due to really early football workouts, late evening football practices, volunteer jobs at the school, getting books, attending meetings, purchasing equipment and also organizing and gathering all of the stuff for a college bound student.  I’m like most of you – a lot to do with too little time to get it done.  
And I am struggling with the fact that the First Son who is SO ready to be gone, and will be gone.  At this point, it’s not that I’m sad about that.  I, too, am ready for him to be gone!  They said it would happen . . . I was told this was God’s way of getting us Moms ready for these boys to fly the nest.  I didn’t believe them.  The First Son and I have always been okay.  And we are okay.  It’s just time.  

So, I’m tired with that turmoil.  And mostly, if I were really to tell the truth, which I tend to do whether it’s wise or not, I miss my mom.  I really do.  I don’t think I really had time to miss her in the Spring when there was so much going on with the First Son’s graduation.  All of the busyness kept me moving forward.  That was a good thing.  It helped me move forward.  However, the past couple of weeks my mom has really been on my mind.  Every day throughout the day.  I’ve thought about it and wondered why.  I think back on any big time in my life and I know she was always there.  She would listen, guide me, offer her own tidbits of advice, whether I took them or not didn’t really matter.  The fact that she was there and cared enough to think about it and stew on things and constantly call me with her own ideas and input was enough.  I knew she was going through it with me . . . whatever it was.

Tonight I knew I had to get out of my funk, so I turned on the music.  Patsy Cline Radio on Pandora.  I got in the kitchen and cooked a “home cooked” meal.  I made sure I had boys at the table.  I had the Third Son and a friend and the Second Son later in the evening and I even had the First Son, before he went out to yet another “farewell party”.  I prepared an old fashioned meal that brought me some comfort.    When the husband came in he was a bit amused at my choice in music.  He was even more amused when I told him I listened to  Patsy Cline all through high school and had all of her albums.  I said I was just an old soul at heart.  He completely agreed with that.  

So, in honor of my going back to my roots and relishing my old soul, I’ll share my barbecue chicken and scalloped potato recipes.  Maybe they’ll take you back.  I’ll also share one of the songs that made me laugh, and always does.  Up for a little  Loretta Lynn?

Who can beat Loretta singing “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ with Lovin on Your Mind”!

I call this my
Lazy Girl Barbecue Sauce

Mix together in a saucepan over medium heat:
One bottle of your choice of barbecue sauce (when purchasing store sauce I look for the least amount of sugar)
3/4 Jar of Sugar Free Orange Marmelade
1/2 tsp Chopped Garlic
Dash of Tabasco
Heat until Warm
(This was adapted from watching an episode of Pioneer Woman one day.  I just love Ree!)

Baste chicken with sauce and place on a sprayed grill heated to 400 degrees.  Cook for about 8 minutes on each side basting with Barbecue Sauce, turning and basting until done.