Thanks everyone ... I was begining to feel as if I was the only one who held on to tradition as of late. With all the thank you cards and meal traditions still being practiced my faith has been restored. Who knows - maybe I'll start a 'something old is new again' trend in the area when it comes to simple kindness.
I have to run ... 'work' is making my head hurt ... time to find the Aleeve and a dark closet.

There you go ScottMom--now that is being a neighbor that cares...when I was injured the ladies in the neighborhood prepared meals for about 2 weeks...it was really a relief for me and my husband to know that we didn't have to worry about it...and the leftovers were great. I'll also say that we didn't care if someone made it from scratch or brought over some store cooked chickens and some potato salad...it was the fact that they sough to support us emotional and physcially that made all the difference in the world...
d

I don't want to sound like I wish for people to die, but I love the opportunity to cook up a storm, especially if it's in mourning for someone I've lost. When my ex's dad passed away, I made tons of food. A couple of lasagna's, casseroles, desserts, and bought pop. I took it to the house and realized that I was the only one who brought anything. I went out and bought some food gift cards, too. It made me really sad. I guess friends and family brought items to the luncheon after the funeral but no leftovers were given to the family who had people in from out of town and the wife has severe RA and has trouble eating, let alone cooking. I always keep a stock of Gladware and Thank you notes and I feel I am prepared for anything and everything. By the way, for my middle child's last birthday, he took pictures with the item(s) each person gave him and sent them out with a message glued to the back. Almost everyone called me to tell ME thank you for the cute thank you note.

justa - glad you liked the muffins.
shawn - was just starting to wonder where you've been. Recipe is a definite to try.

My mother's cure for her own headaches was a glass of red wine. My father's was Dewer's and water, no ice, tall glass. Me? I'll take a diet cola and coconut rum.

cc - stew sounds so yummy! It's gonna get crummy here again this weekend. I'll have to make some comfort food like that, maybe a chicken chili - oh yeah.

I get to go to Richmond at the end of the month, it should be a little warmer in VA. Let's see, fly to Richmond Sunday night, be there Monday - Tuesday; Tuesday drive to Hagerstown, MD; Wednesday drive to Harrisburg, PA then fly home from there Wednesday night.

I think I'm getting a headache now....

FIL said a shot of whiskey would break a fever. (No, but it sure does clear the sinuses and help you sleep so that you don't care about the fever anymore.) Family lore says my oldest sister was given whiskey for teething pain. She's not exactly a shining example but I don't really think it can be blamed on the whiskey..... My dad used peppermint schnapps to cure the headache he always got on the way to grandma's house. My mom bought baby aspirin in bulk. Whenever she had a headache she'd line us all up at bedtime and give two of them to each of us. Not every night but, well, almost..... Worked miracles for her headaches. :eek:

I found a cool new website today and then shamelessly watched Tim McGraw's "Last Dollar" video 45 times. Faith is a lucky, lucky woman. You can watch your favorite country videos on line. Fun.
www.yallwire.com/musicvideos/country/new/10.html

I still make food for neighbors dealing with an illness or death. I've been on the receiving end of it too and there's nothing like feeling nurtured and cared for when you're going through a difficult time.

I bake yummy treats for new neighbors, friends who've had a baby, fun stuff like that.

We had a particularly tough year in which I found myself making my signature Lazy Man's Beef Stew, bread and brownies for several different families. One night I made it for my own family just because I was hungry for it. Hubby walked in the front door, stopped in his tracks and said, "Oh no. Who died?" I don't make that stew very much any more.....

onarollpto ~ made the muffins~~LOVE them! the kids and i had them for our afternoon snack and they were a big hit. thanks for the recipe. I am going to make another batch or two for the new families who just moved in on our street. They will make a wonderful welcome to the neighborhood treat! (Taking food, quilts, and/or plants is a pretty common practice here to welcome, congratulate, and/or comfort)

Shawn, I am going to definitely try out the recipe you gave. It sounds delicious. Would you serve that with vanilla ice cream or whip cream (or both)? Might just have to make that this weekend as a treat for the hubby.

Okay it sounds like a lot of our families used the liquour trick to take care of teething ~~~ Wow. Well, I bought some teething tablets today and they seem to do the trick. the test will be if they work through the night.... Wish me luck. Hope everyone has very sweet dreams and a great nights rest!

~~justa