Today in the mail, I received a letter my mother had written in 1936 to her mother(before I was born). What a treasure!  Her sister sent it to me along with pictures of my mother and our grandmother. 

She had cut twigs of hair from my brother,age 4 and my sister who was 19 months and mailed them to her mother.  They were still taped to the page. She didn't know who to send it to, my sister or me and since I wasn't born yet at that time, I thought my sister should have it. I did copy everything though for myself and gave her the originals. She was thrilled as much as I. My brother is like the typical guy. He doesn't want to keep up with it...but he's glad we have it.  (smile)

Our mother drew around my sister's hand and sent it to her mother....and the locks of hair from my brother and sister. This is part of the letter our mother sent to our grandmother in 1936, before I was born. Our aunt (mother's sister) sent it to me recently.  I photocopied it and gave the original to my sister, whose little hand tracing this is. Our mother died when we were 3,5 and 8.

I am looking forward to spring planting time, but today I went out and picked spinach and turnips and green onions.  I planted those turnips and spinach in August and October and they have made it this far without freezing.  The ground will have to freeze and stay frozen for 3-4 days before it will hurt them. Here in the south, we actually have three growing seasons...early spring, summer and late fall when we plant winter crops...like lettuce, spinach and turnips. Green peas and sugar snaps can be planted in January or February.

God's bounty is so wonderful!  We should be so thankful for what He sends and not take anything for granted.  We don't have to worry about this spinach having some kind of "bad bug" on it.

I dread the time when we will be too old to raise a garden.  Some of our gardening friends have already given up on it and they are only a few years older.  I hope we don't do that.  DH's mother had a little garden until she was 96.  If she can do it, surely we can...if we live that long. (Smile)

I never cared for meatloaf when we were growing up nor when I was grown either.  But one day I was sick and DH took over the kitchen.  He is always experimenting and sometimes comes up with some great ideas. This was one of those days.  He ate and went to work (He only works from 1-5 the last few years.)  Around 2 P.M. I woke up and meandered into the kitchen and there on the table was his concoction.  It was this meatloaf recipe.  Well.... I tasted it and went back for more...and more...and more!   It was very good for someone who doesn't like meatloaf.  Our grandkids didn't like meatloaf until they tried this one.  It is kinda spicy but delicious. 

Mix all ingredients and shape into loaf. 2 small loaves will cook faster. Decorate top with catsup and bake at 350 degrees about 45 minutes - 1 hour. Let cool a few minutes. Any meat will slice better if left to cool a while.