This past weekend marked a special event. After thirty one years of living with us, my daughter has moved into her very first house.
It has been quite a transition for us, a big time reality check that includes a stark awareness of how time really does march on. We have all been through much together, thick and thin, and weathered it all with the grace of God.
“And still, after all this time, the Sun has never said to the Earth,”You owe me.” Look what happens with love like that. It lights up the sky.” ― Rumi
I am in the right place (I hope) about my daughter’s departure. She is a love that lights up the sky and it is her time to have the freedom she has long desired and worked so hard for. Her leaving is a testament to having goals. She went to school, got good grades, worked part time then full time, She saved her money and pursued this little house with a big yard because she’d like to have a small farm someday.
My son has been gone for five years already so I am used to him not being here (except for holidays). I think Jim is apprehensive about the quiet around our house but I feel ready. Maybe I will change my mind, but I know time cannot stand still and we all have to move on.
Through all this, I’ve been thinking about peanut butter and jelly. And eating peanut butter and jelly. It is the basic comfort food, the quintessential sandwich of childhood, the “everything will be all right” kind of nourishment that we all crave when life gets alittle challenging.
I found a wonderful blog recently called “Confetti Diaries” and asked Natalie if I could publish the delicious picture of her peanut butter and jelly cookies. I’m going to make a batch of these soon. And then I think I’ll take some over to my daughter’s house.
Click HERE for the link to Natalie’s cookie recipe.
What’s your favorite comfort food?
How lovely for all of you. And it sounds as though your daughter may not be too far away; close enough for a milk and cookies delivery 🙂
Yes, thank goodness. She is about 10-15 minutes away. So just far enough but not too far! 🙂
Excellent.
You must be so proud of her! She is an amazing young woman! I probably won’t know the “empty nest” thing for another 15 years, when this youngest grand daughter moves out, LOL! (Not having much faith in the parents getting them back as you can see!)
As for comfort food? My mom used to make me rice with butter and milk. It always reminds me of her.
Rice with butter and milk sounds like a delicious rice pudding. What a lovely comfort food! xo
It will be different for sure Joanne–but assure Jim–different in a very good way–it makes for oh so sweet “home-comings”…I will say prayers for Grace of the heart for sure…hugs to you—Julie
might try the cookies today–thank you for sharing
Let me know how the cookies turn out if you make them! I hope to make them soon too. Thank you for the reassurance. I’m sure you are right! xo Joanne
Hi Joanne, “congratulations” to your daughter for pursuing her goals & working hard to achieve them! You must be so proud of her efforts, as she must be of herself!! What a testimony to “what love can do♥”….working through the thick & thin & by the grace of God getting through it all!!! It certainly does light up the sky!! When the vegetables & fruits were just fresh from the garden, my mom would make homemade applesauce, pies, stuffed peppers, etc etc. & freeze them all for winter. She even froze fresh berries. So everytime my kids went to visit, they would go right to her freezer & pack a bag full of whatever they found & bring it home to me! They loved doing that, and I know she eventually did it especially for them! Anyway, take something to her or send her home with something & it will become a special memory and a special treat!
Hi Cindy! I plan on being that kind of mom/grandmother- one who bakes and cooks extra. I do it now for my son occasionally; I love to make homemade chicken soup especially when someone isn’t feeling well.
Thank you for your beautiful message- it has cheered my heart. xo Joanne
Thank you for sharing such an important day in your lives. Oh my stars. I can already see you putting on a sassy, happy apron and turning on the music and baking cookies for your daughter.
I can already imagine you standing at her door, fresh baked cookies in hand, ringing the door bell, that moment she opens the door………..you both smiling.
Time marches on but what a lovely parade!
Here’s to your celebration of goals and attaining them.
Hugs my friend.
I have a couple of sassy aprons and I’m ready to bake those cookies!
Thank you for lighting up my day with your well wishes!
xo Joanne
Oh, yum, those peanut butter and jelly cookies sound and look scrumptious, and your daughter will so love them, too. Peanut butter and jelly is not only a comfort food, but it also is a reminder of childhood. So it isn’t any wonder that you are thinking about it so much at this time. Your child has left the nest, and though you are on many levels ready for that, a part of you may be quite nostalgic about her childhood.
I love Rumi, and this quote is soooo beautiful and true. His writings and love of God are remarkable.
Blessings for wonderful, creatively filled days,
Marianne xo
I am becoming very fond of Rumi’s writings and hope to explore them more.
Thank you for your reassuring thoughts- I am trying to take this change all in stride and look to the future!
Blessings Marianne! xo Joanne
Although things will be different, she won’t really be too far away. I know I will have to face the same reality with my daughter someday… preschool this year was tough enough… but I guess raising independent children is what we’re supposed to do. I hope you enjoy the cookies. I know they brought yummy grins from my kids.
Hello Natalie! Thank you so much for stopping by. Preschool feels like many years ago 🙂 but in some ways, the time passed so quickly.
Enjoy your children while they are young!
I know I will enjoy those cookies!
Thank you,
Joanne
Hi There Joanne. You write the neatest blogs. Thank you for the “Peanut Butter and Jelly Moments” and the lovely Farm snapshots. Woh oh Woh! :
)Sherry
Hi Sherry!
Thank you for reading my blog and stopping by to comment.
I appreciate your loving thoughts!
Joanne xo