Pear tree lane Farmhouse

~Welcome home~

This blog is dedicated to my dear family who live many miles away, and to you dear ladies , who have a heart for keeping the home fires burning. You, who love and cherish your family, and have a desire to create a home that says "Welcome, you are loved and cared for."

My desire is that when you leave that you will be encouraged and know that you too are loved.

Sue~

Will she have cake?~
Written by Sue, Monday, March 14, 2011....
My Mom, called Saturday night and invited us over for lunch on Sunday.... we always love an  invitation to have lunch at her house. She always has all kinds of goodies!

I have been trying to regain my health and one way has been not taking in sugar, I quit cold turkey some weeks ago and had been doing so well. I had even lost some weight....

 She must have heard through the grapevine that I was starving my dh along with me, because her menu went something like this.... Chicken and dumplings, barbecued pork and beef ribs, dressing,lima beans, corn on the cob, stir fry veggies, collard greens, cornbread, biscuits,  Folks, she put on a spread..plus...

I walked in her kitchen and what did I see, two cakes sitting on the counter, a pineapple with seven minute frosting, I mean icing 1 1/2 inches thick, and an angel food cake. I immediately went  into withdrawals, and I kept asking myself "what are you going to do, you know you have been doing so well?"....

The decision was made for me, (lol), (do you believe someone twisted my arm?)  while I was finishing, Mother hands me a plate with pineapple cake on it...... Of course I ate it, I couldn't hurt her feelings, you know how we mothers are about feeding our children.... I'd like to say this was the end of the story , but it is not, she loaded us all down with take-home plates, and just what do you think she put on one of ours, two pieces of pineapple and one big chunk of angel food cake, not to mention food from lunch.

I have decided that I am fresh out of WILL POWER!!!

After being home for 2 hrs. dh went out to check on the animals, I kept thinking about the cakes, and finally rationalized  that angel food would be okay, just a little piece,.... I ate a little piece, and it was so good that I went and got the rest of it, Yes! I did, Oh! yes I did. I ate the whole thing...  I might add with a cup of coffee.And when I finished, guess what slipped in?... Guilt! I kicked myself so hard, that I got out and walked 2 1/2 miles.

Now keep in mind that there is still two pieces of pineapple cake sitting in the refrigerator.... I told my dh (my cheerleader) what I had done , and he said "I will be eating those other two pieces,... and he did.
I wish I had taken pictures of the table filled with food today and the cakes, but left my camera at home..

There is a plus side to this story...
As I started my walk, I smelled the most wonderful fragrance , and figured out it was the pear trees in bloom. So unbelievably fragrant!!! What an experience  walking down the driveway, and looking up at these blooms.... Note to self:'If you had left with dh you wouldn't have eaten the cake!! My aha! moment!

These trees will soon drop their flowers and as you can see tiny green leaves are beginning to come out, yes spring is on it's way. I heard all kinds of beautiful sounds, the pond was chorusing with frogs,  the sheep were finishing their dinner, and the lambs were beginning to settle down for the night,(see the little white  lamb) so adorable.
We came in, and guess who had a boiled egg, for dinner, while watching someone else chow down?As Scarlett would say "OH! WELL! I will think about it tomorrow!"
Enjoy your day!
Sue

P.S.
I have had the peoples of Japan on my heart and mind today, especially as I see the devastation there, and have been praying for them as we minister to the physical needs that doors will open to the gospel , please help me pray too!
John 15:12~ "This is My commandment that you love one another, as I have loved you.

21 comments:

Nancy Grossi ~ Churned In Cali ~ The Wife of a Dairyman said...

I would have no will power when it came to pineapple cake either! Everything in moderation, right?!
Plus, you worked off the angel food with that long walk! Have a great day:)

Uncovered Ruby said...

I've got a sweet tooth that I'm trying to curb too, but I've also been sick for the last two months and the thought of exercising makes my head spin ;-(..I too am praying for the people of Japan with you. Lisa

Trish said...

Sue, your pear trees are gorgeous!
A blessing came out of the 'guilt'.
You made your mother happy and had a fragrant and fruitful walk!

I am carrying Japan in my heart too.
blessings..Trish

Anonymous said...

What a yummy post it made me hungry for pineapple cake as I too have no will power.
Your property/home is beautiful!

Vee said...

Yes, may many opportunities come as Japan is helped through this terribly difficult time.

Well, you made me laugh and nod my head because whenever I have been dieting and get near "real" food for the first time, I have such troubles. At least, you took that walk! I probably would've taken a nap. :D

John is taking me out to breakfast so I'm trying to plan ahead. Already am repeating over and over "no hashbrowns, no hashbrowns." Ha!

Have a fun day, Sue...the farm looks so lovely in spring that I'm sure you'll have a great day.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

I would have had little will power with that delicious banquet before me!

Beautiful Pear trees! Ours are not that far along yet, but soon!

Debbie said...

I enjoyed your post. Isn't that just like a mom! I'll bet every bit of it was delicious. I'm also needing to lose and don't seem to be able to. It's so much harder than it used to be! I guess I need willpower. Who is this Will guy, anyway! :D

Debbie said...

Oh Sue, you KNOW how I can relate to this haha....the cake would have been a goner over here for sure. And I wouldn't have been able to do the walk...sigh...sooo hard. Why is everything soo yummy?? I am somewhat militant about what comes into the house as I am soo weak...My poor mom...when I go over to her house and spend the day every Tues I usually take her out to lunch and we eat VERY healthy. Veggie soup, half a sandwhich, or a small salad with my Jenny dressing. But I found out last week that she comes home and somehow sneaks her cookies (my mom is SUPER thin but she does love her cookies btw) and eats where and when she knew I wouldn't notice. I caught her last week and she confessed, haha. She soo doesn't want to slip me up, haha...Your pear trees are just gorgeous!! I too have been just sooo saddened by the troubles in Japan. Soo overwhelming. They have my prayers for sure. Have a wonderful day my friend. HUGS

Happy@Home said...

Morning Sue,
I remember when I first discovered your blog you had done a post about your mom. I was so inspired by her and her zest for life. This post just touched me once again. I think in this instance you should feel no guilt about eating some cake. These cakes were obviously baked with so much love and that can never be bad for us, can it? :).
Your photo of your driveway trees in bloom is so beautiful and gave me such a sense of peace. Then when I scrolled down to the little lambs I felt even more peace wash over me. I think there is an inner farmgirl trying to get out over here. LOL.
Like you, my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan right now.

Farm Girl said...

Well that was quite a dinner and I don't think I would want to hurt my Mom's feelings either. Do you by chance have the recipe for the Pineapple cake? I would love to have it. My husband who was dieting along side me has had interesting observations about trying to loose weight/ and working. He has decided that when you have work to get done it is better to eat and get your work done and not be depressed because you are hungry all of the time.

My husband is happy all of the time. He always finds something good about every situation. But dieting he was grumpy and depressed.
He said that he would rather be happy than skinny.
I know it is easier to get work done when I am eating. So I am glad you ate and then you were able to walk again.
I have so much work to get done that I am just going to work and be happy. So happy you shared. It really makes me happy.

happyone said...

Wow that sounds like a lot of food, but it all sounds good.
I can pass cake up but not ice cream! :-)
FYI - Did you know that walking a mile only burns up about 100 calories. Not much is it?

Jenni said...

What a feast y'all enjoyed! Reading about it just made me hungry... Yes that sounds just like a loving mom... feeding her chicks well, no matter how grown they are....

I am so glad you took that walk, because you gave us all a visual "feast" with the tree photos and the darling lambs... y'all's homeplace is gorgeous.
Hugs,
Jenni
May God strengthen, Help, and Heal the people of Japan...
May His Spirit move through the land there today, as only He can...
In Jesus' Name

A Hint of Home said...

Who can resist their Mother's homecooking!.....Or say no when they have baked a cake like that.
Don't beat yourself up too bad.
The pear trees are so beautiful right now.
We have been praying for all who are affected in Japan. We are praying for all who reach out to give aid and the gospel.

Angela said...

You had no choice but to eat the cake. You can't hurt your mother's feelings! ;)

Flat Creek Farm said...

Oh, Sue, can I relate to this! I'm back to weight watchers now. Feeling so much better. There will always be our well-meaning saboteurs out there - usually I'm my own ;) I commend you for taking that nice long walk, and now I really truly see why your blog has its name. Those trees are gorgeous! Our bradford is just beginning to show some buds. Happy Spring! And here's to good health, and feeling good (with the occasional piece of pineapple cake because life w/o any cake at all is no fun!). Praying for Japan also, and our special little Japanese lady we help look after. -Tammy

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Hi Again,
thanks so much for coming by tonight,
and so glad my post encouraged you.
I just cried over that testimony about our Pastors daughters baby.
So Wonderful, God is just so amazing.

Wow, how sweet of your Mom to do all that cooking for you guys. Very special indeed! and sending you home with din din for the next day too,
doesn't get any better than that!
Don't worry about giving in to that
cake, once or twice want hurt so much, and you did the right thing you got out and walked it off, smart thinking!!
and now just get right back on the horse, and you will be fine!

The pics of the lambs and the pear trees were so sweet. Would love to smell the fragrance of the pear trees, we had one in our backyard as a kid, but it wasn't very large,
and don't think it ever bore any fruit that I remember, and don't
remember it having a scent, maybe it was too young a tree yet!!

I know what you mean about having the people of Japan on your heart,
it is just gut wrenching everytime you see those pics. I can't even begin to imagine what that would be like, so I too, am pray pray praying for them. I read on someone elses blog last night a comment from another sister in Christ who is stationed in Japan with her hubby and 5 children and near to where things have happened, they are fine and one the base, but she said the community and even them were starting to feel a sense of panic and to please pray for them and the other believers that they would be good examples and be
a help to those that are hurting so much. She just said M, no name just an initial, but God knows.
My heart just broke for her too,
so have been praying for her and her request many times today.
You have a good rest of the week hon, Blessings galore, Nellie

mum4305 said...

Oh my! I really enjoyed your story. I wouldn't have said no to my mother either. When I am offering food to my kids, my middle son tells me to, "resist my motherly tendencies." I'm sure I don't know how to do that.

Thanks for stopping by. I hate daylight saving time too!

Toyin O. said...

Sound like a yummy dinner, thanks for sharing; praying for the people of Japan:)

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

First what a joy that your mother still cooks like that, I haven't had a mother-in-law or mother cook for me in yearsssssssssssssss I mean decades. She loves you and that is her love language.
Sorry you ate too much, but I am sure the walking helped a lot.
Your place is just beautiful and I could just hear the sounds and smells of spring.
Yea for hubby finishing up the cake and Yea for new beginnings, even with our eating.
Prayers for Japan also.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, girl! Do I sympahtize. I can see that table because it sounds exactly like what would have been on the table at my grandmother's house. Irresistable goodness. I don't know how she managed to stay smallish, but she did. They were always trying to "fatten me up," and it worked when I turned 40. LOL! ;-)

Keep your chin up. Pretty soon, you won't miss the sweets. Keep telling yourself that, and I should, too, as I head out the door for shamrock cookies from Publix. LOL!

XO,

Sheila :-)

elizabeth said...

I would have done the same thing...I have to keep the temptation out of the house or I eat it! Oh the pictures of your property are so beautiful!