Our two cats, Spade and Diamond, are just like kids. They like Daddy to hold them. They even like pony rides as you can see in the following clip.
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Mom Pop Pow – Where you can do it if you try!
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What makes the perfect gift?
April 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment
There are several occasions throughout the year when we give and/or receive gifts. For the most part, there are no right or wrong gifts. Some gifts are just more appropriate to the person.
When the boys were little, I collected frogs. An amazing (and scary) thing happened. My friends, family, and acquaintances started giving me frogs. It didn’t have to be for an occasion, such as a birthday, it was just because I collected frogs. The frogs I collected came in glass, pewter, wood, soap, rugs, blankets, and many other materials. The frogs were taking over our home. The most memorable gift I received in the shape of a frog was from Chris.
The four of us were out fishing one day. Chris rushed up to me with his hands cupped together in front of him. He was so excited and his face shown with pure joy. “Mama, mama” he said in a loud excited voice, “I have a gift for you.” When he got right in front of me, he carefully opened his hands to reveal the frog he had caught for me. Sadly the joy went from his face as he looked up at me and said, “Mama, he isn’t moving any more.” The outcome was sad, but it remains in my memory as the best frog gift I ever received.
A game to play
All three grandchildren
Now I prefer personal gifts like the hand prints and the cloved apples we receive at Christmas. As Mother’s Day approaches, I am looking forward to receiving a new treasure. My definition of treasure is the scrap books we receive from our children and grandchildren.
Scrapbooks can be made of anything; pictures, drawings, ticket stubs, or whatever captures a memory. It is nice if they are not too large and can fit easily on a shelf in the bookcase. When you give a scrapbook to someone, you are giving a part of you to that person. You are taking the time to make a unique gift.
I am blessed to have received several treasures. They were enjoyed on the day I receive them and when I shared them with my friends. A true joy explodes when I see our grandchildren review the older scrapbooks. There is usually that excited squeal “I remember that.” or “Really, I did that?” Those books just keep on giving.
Please share your perfect gift ideas in the comments section. What do you consider a perfect gift? Do you tell others what you want?
PS – It should be noted, I am spoiled by Steve,Chris, Thom and their families.
This is how we go to Gramma Poppy’s house.
It’s a Masterpiece!
Notice Diamond laying on top of the treasures. It was his way of helping us shoot the pictures.
Don’t forget
to include
Spade and Diamond
Life is a wonderful adventure with lots of happy spots!
Mom Pop Pow – Where You Can Do It If You Try
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Rhubarb
April 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The rain stopped, the sun came out and the front yard was dry enough to be the setting for an Easter egg hunt. As the children gathered eggs the adults stayed in the background offering praise and pointing out more hidden eggs.
As we wandered around, I discovered the beautiful plant in the picture. It is Rhubarb. Our daughter-in-law, Tracey, planted it last year on one of the hottest days to the year. Finding that Rhubarb was so exciting. We don’t have the best soil in the land and we didn’t do anything special to help the plant root itself or grow.
Once upon a time, I was in the hospital. My neighbor came to visit and brought me a Rhubarb plant. Nurses and other hospital staff came to my room for various reasons. Practically everyone who came in my room remarked on the beautiful plant. Several people asked me the name of the lovely plant. When I told them it was Rhubarb,the results were interesting.
Some people responded with disdain. Many people asked me why anyone would give me Rhubarb in a fancy florist pot and why I would be happy with such a gift. Even when I explained it, they didn’t seem to understand. You see, in the course of conversation, I had told my neighbor I wanted to plant some Rhubarb. She listened! She gave me a gift I really appreciated.
Tracey did the same thing. She listened.
Mom Pop Pow – Where You Can Do It If You Try
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Juicer or Blender
April 26, 2011 by 10 Comments
My first experience with a juice machine was at our son Chris’ house. He made me a carrot and orange juice that was to die for. It was so good. Many other drinks were prepared after that one. Some made with fruit and some made with vegetables. The tastes were all unique and individual to each person. Steve and I didn’t always agree on which drink was tasty and therefore on the desired repeat list.
After preparing each drink, Chris threw the pulp away and cleaned the machine. It didn’t seem quite right that all that food would be disposed of. Chris said that if he continued to make wholesome food drinks, he would buy the Vita Mix blender.
On the way home, and the next morning, Steve and I talked about the Waring Pro Juicer and how it would be beneficial to have one. When one of us wants something, it is easy to come up with justification of why we should get it. After much consideration, we decided to buy the Vita Mix blender so that we could use all of the fruit or vegetable that we processed.
When we got the Vita Mix we combined carrots and oranges, but the juice wasn’t as great as Chris had made. The mixture was thick and could easily have been eaten with a spoon. The taste was OK, but different. Steve prefers the Vita Mix drink and I prefer Chris’ carrot orange juice. This is disappointing because now we have the Vita Mix and it is not producing what I want.
Steve used a couple of apples and some raisins mixed with a touch of cinnamon and produced the most awesome drink. Yummy. So spoiled. Do I need two machines to provide what I need – or should I say want?
We asked Chris to bring his Waring Pro Juicer over on Easter. We planned a “tasting” event using the Waring Pro Juicer and the Vita Mix. Bottom line, each machine preforms a little differently. We highly recommend each machine.
After all the verbiage, here is the amazing part of the story. After using the Waring Pro Juicer we took the leftover pulp and put it in the Vita Mix. We added a little water, mixed it up and had another drink. It is just awesome.
You might be interested to know that I have already made it known that I would enjoy receiving a Waring Pro Juicer for Mother’s Day.
Do you use a juicer or blender? Do you have any favorite recipes you would like to share?
Mom Pop Pow – Where You Can Do It If You Try
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Click this link to see the Waring Juice Extractors on Amazon.com
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Easter
April 25, 2011 by 2 Comments
Chris, Kat, Violette, Harold, Thom, Tracey and Cindy Brogan all came to our home for Easter. It was a very perfect day.
The children enjoyed the Easter egg hunt, even though they had already had an egg hunt at their respective homes. All three of our grandchildren are normally limited in the amount of sugar they are allowed to eat, but today they got to eat candy instead of wholesome food. Somehow broccoli does not compete well with chocolate.
We had baked ham, vegetables, chili, breads, and salads. The food was great but the exceptional part of event were the smoothies and juices created by Chris, Steve and Thom. Using fruits and vegetables, they prepared several different drinks. The drinks were served in small tasting cups. It was fun and delicious as well as nutritious.
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The last event of the day was coloring eggs. Harold played the Wii while the girls made colorful creations.
The greatest blessing in life is having a loving family who enjoys being together.
Mom Pop Pow – Where You Can Do It If You Try
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Cats and Paper
April 22, 2011 by 3 Comments
This five star production was a great idea. The only problem was, the cats couldn’t read the script and they don’t follow verbal directions either. It will be on video before it hits the theatre 
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Mom Pop Pow – Where You Can Do It If You Try
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Jean Ragonese
April 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Jean Ragonese is a great lady. When we went to interview Maria Knee, she introduced us to her mother who invited us for coffee. What a treat that was. We sat at the kitchen table and chatted as if we had known each other for years.
We told her about learning how to make maple syrup with Bill Knee had led to our introduction to her daughter Maria Knee. In the course of conversation we learned many more amazing facts.
Jean Ragonese is a Marine Biologist. She still teaches some classes as a docent. Jean’s husband was in the Air Force. As they traveled around the world, she taught in many different places. While talking with Maria Knee, she said that living in different parts of the world taught her about different cultures.
Maria Knee is totally remarkable as a person and an educator, but she is not the only child of Jean Ragonese. There are three others.
Anne Sloan is a biochemist. She is married to Doug Sloan who you met in Sugar Shack.
Mark Ragonese is a woodworker by profession. He currently administers an art program at various schools where he is an “artist in residence.”
John Ragonese is a forester who works on utility company land acquisition.
The list of outstanding family members doesn’t stop there. Her granddaughter, Dr. Abigail Knee Fusaro, is also a marine biologist.
Jean Ragonese is so down to earth, and so easy to talk with. Her company is most enjoyable. She maintains her garden, feeds the birds and is a member of the Fremont Historical Society. We feel honored to have met these great people.
Mom Pop Pow – Where You Can Do It If You Try
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Maria Knee – Part 3
April 20, 2011 by 3 Comments
One of the most endearing qualities of Maria Knee is her humbleness, but that doesn’t make her timid. When I was chattering about my excitement that she uses Skype in her kindergarten classroom she set me straight. She and her class use Skype to communicate with students in other classrooms in the world. Skype is not used to check off countries contacted, it is just a tool. She explained the importance of children learning the culture of other countries.
This was echoed in Chris Brogan’s post: When In Rome Or Norway.
“Some examples of my “when in Rome” attitude were that I learned that Norwegian people don’t like to make small talk in elevators, so I didn’t after the first 40 tries. I learned that Norwegians would rather hack their leg off with a Viking sword than take a compliment, so I tried hard not to compliment them after my first 106 efforts. Things like that.”
When I read that, I said ah ha, that is exactly what Maria Knee said. As a matter of fact, she makes a lot of sense. She is a wonderful person, a great teacher, and we are lucky that she has chosen to be an educator.
For more information check out her blog at http://MariaKnee.com or use Google for even more recognition of her great work.
Special thanks to Maria Knee for talking with us at Mom Pop Pow.
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Mom Pop Pow – Where You Can Do It If You Try
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When Maria Knee discovered Podcasting
April 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Maria talks about her introduction to the iPod when it was first released. She tells about the beginning of podcasting in the area.
She explains how social media is used in the classroom and how it is monitored. Mrs. Knee says she gets permission from the parents to allow the children to be on the class blog: The KinderKids’ Blog.
She doesn’t call it dedication, but her words reveal how she and her husband Bill Knee are dedicating their lives to education. Thank you Bill and Maria Knee and all the great teachers in our world.
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Mom Pop Pow – Where You Can Do It If You Try
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Diane Brogan