Great Grandma Crane's Birthday

Last Friday, April 22nd was not only my daughter's birthday, but also my Grandmother, Eugenia Ann Crane's birthday. She never drove and was dependent on Heber, her husband taking her shopping or someone else. I don't recall ever driving her anywhere, but I do remember the weekly or monthly shopping trips to Midvale for groceries.

She would always buy a few bags of ginger snap cookies. I don't know if they were her favorite, the cheapest cookie or our favorite. When I saw a bag on the work room table last month, I had a few and took a photo of the bag. They remind me of Grandma's cookie jar that always had a homemade one or something to appease the little kiddies. Thank you Grandma, for always having some when I wanted them.

Enjoy the Jesus Christ at Easter

I feel my Savior's love In all the world around me. His Spirit warms my soul Through ev'rything I see. He knows I will follow him, Give all my life to him. I feel my Savior's love, The love he freely gives me.**** Author Unknown -----Because of Jesus' love, we will live again. ---He’s always our Savior through thick and thin. ---He’ll forgive no matter what mess we get ourselves in. ---But we must do our part. Through His atoning win, win.

*****2. I feel my Savior's love; It's gentleness enfolds me, And when I kneel to pray, My heart is filled with peace. *****3. I feel my Savior's love And know that he will bless me. I offer him my heart; My shepherd he will be.

One of our high school classmates was serving an inner-city mission, when he became sick. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a year ago. He feels the Savior's arms around him hour by hour. Some friends stopped by to see him. What would we do without the knowledge of Jesus Christ and his mission for us? *******4. I'll share my Savior's love By serving others freely. In serving I am blessed. In giving I receive. Chorus: He knows I will follow him, Give all my life to him. I feel my Savior's love, The love he freely gives me.

Enjoy, relish in and celebrate His atonement, death and resurrection this week during the Easter holiday. Always remember Him, Lord of Lord, and King of Kings, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Thank you.

She's a Mom Now

Many have heard that Allyson, one of our youngest nieces in the Crane family is finally a mom. Yes, to a nine pound plus baby boy, named Russell. Grandma & Pa Crane went down to see their newest little fella. He is number twenty-eight. To see some photos go to her Facebook page. Mom, dad and Russell are there along with big smiles and happy hearts. Keep up the great work, Allyson.

Anniversary and Ice Cream

This weekend is the 27th anniversary of my dad's death at age sixty-three of a massive heart attack. One never forgets the events that lead up to and took place afterward. I still miss my father, but imagine how nice it must be to be free of health and other problems. Many of his friends are dying, since they would be in their nineties now.

It's more enjoyable to think about the good times we had. Most Sundays in the summer, Mom would mix up the ingredients for home made vanilla ice cream. Each of us took our equal time turning the crank, round and round. It seemed endless, but eventually (Jim, was the best at sticking with the job. Probably because he anticipated it the most.) the mixture crystalized into a yummy cold treat.

Dad would scoop big dollops of ice cream into bowls and pass them around the table. All was quiet as we slurped away at the tasty treat. We were in heaven when electric ice cream freezers were invented. Still, nothing compares to an afternoon on the back porch turning that old crank.

Baby & Blessed Momma

Melody is a mother. Little Junie Lane was born January 20th at 5 lbs+. Both mom and baby are doing great even though she was a few weeks early. We paid them a visit and held the precious angel in our arms. How sweet and perfect she is. It always amazes me how our bodies can create such perfect beings. Thanks to the great plan of the Lord for making it happen so.

Melody, my brother's daughter, knows her dad would be proud and the best grandfather. Perhaps he has known and been with Junie in heaven. He passed away sixteen years ago this month, but loved his children big. Choosing a life that compromised his health sealed his fate.

Christmas as a Kid -Best Memories

Grandma spent hours sewing our PJ's every year. No matter the weather or her health, never fear; She made forty with Christmas looming near. We cherished our new ones. Now she is no longer here.

Sometimes I would get a nightgown or a top & pants. The soft plush flannel kept us warm all winter. Two of my sisters have carried on the tradition, with their children and now grand children. It is a huge undertaking. I wonder if it is appreciated by their little ones.

Bubble lights at my grand parents home were the best to watch as the air bubble bobbled up and down. We asked our parent's to get some. They never did. I was glad the lights came back in style, but I haven't bought any. When opening gifts with the whole family, we were required to take turns to see what everyone received. As our meal was prepared we played with cousins and enjoyed our gifts. It was a tight squeeze to fit everyone in or at the table. Some small tables were set up for the little ones. It was a big deal when we grew enough to eat at the adults table.

Remember When - Thanks to Grandparents

I remember when we went to our grandmother's home for Thanksgiving dinner. Those sweet angels had truly been slaving over a hot stove. Both of them had black cast iron ones heated with wood or coal. Now I understand why their pies, roasts and many things were a bit on the browned side (burned). They didn't have timers and perfect heating elements that made life easy, like it does today. Thanks to you both for your unselfish service all my life.

This milk separator was at my grand parents in a shed near the house. Each night after milking my brother, but before him my father and before him my grandfather, would carry the freshly obtained milk in pails to the "Milk House" to be separated. The sweet rich cream was the part we divided from the rest of the milk. With this cream we would churn butter, whip up whipped cream, make sweet treats and sell it. I never had pasteurized or homogenized milk until years after I married and moved away. Thank you Granddad, Dad and Jim, my brother, for providing this wonderful drink for our families. We were able to drink as much milk as we wanted. Now and since then, I have rationed it out knowing how costly it can be. When we were in Hawaii years ago it was $6 per gallon.

When or if I want to iron I just plug it in and turn it on, but my grandmother's had to heat their irons on the cook stove. when they were hot enough, they began the arduous task of ironing their wrinkled cotton clothes, bed sheets, pillowcases, and everything else. I hardly iron anything anymore. We are certainly spoiled.