Mom's Recipes

Can we just go back in time? What is happening in our country is abhorrent and I am grateful my parents are not alive to see all they fought for in WWII slowly being destroyed by the fascist, illegitimate regime that has taken over our country. Needing some salve for the heart and mind and wishing for a more peaceful time in history I decided to post this memory on my Moon Child blog. Hope it brings you a thimble of comfort.

Memories...

Bought a great little cookbook cabinet this week. Had searched for one for years and gave up... then this last week one just popped up and now it sits in my kitchen area. I'll be painting it soon and just ordered eclectic glass pulls for the doors. As I loaded my cookbooks into their new home I came across my mom's stacks and stacks of recipes. I knew they were there... just could not dive into that deep pool for all these years. I don't ever remember mom using an official cookbook. Yet she had stacks and stacks and stacks of pamphlets from the local butcher or grocery store and very cool hand clipped recipes from the newspaper ... as a result I spent the day traveling back in time.

Over 16 years since you've been gone mom. Just couldn't bring myself to read all your recipes and hand written notes until now. Maybe that's why this great little cookbook cabinet crossed my path. It was time... time to heal... time to feel close to you again. So nice to feel you here with me today... your presence... your smile... the scent of you... your patient love. There were many recipes from your friends too, who I remember from childhood. I could see you all visiting at coffee clutches and pot luck parties, balancing plates of food on your knees while you laughed, talked and polished off each others creations. Everyone always so willing to share their recipes, some arriving with prepared, manually typed, personalized, kitchen index cards. Most though are clipped from newspapers or are neatly hand written. Like a finger print on my heart there is something so special about coming across the handwriting of someone you love who is now gone from this earth.

Today it was the late 60s and early 70s and I sat with you, mom, once more in the turquoise kitchen of the vacation trailer at the river while you sipped your coffee and clipped recipes. I could smell and taste your yummy home cooked meals of love... some now still my 'go to' comfort foods. Was it the bountiful, wonderful smells and taste or the love you poured into each meal that made them each so scrumptious? Some recipes I read brought happy smiles and wonderment. Fruitcake? Sooooo many recipes for fruitcake and beer bread.

Fond memories flooded in of your care packages in the 80s filled with all sorts of sweet breads at Christmas time. Dad had passed on... you were filling your time staying busy doing holiday baking. Then arrived at my place with piles and piles of small and large loaves of cranberry-orange, banana, pumpkin and zucchini breads and, yes, fruitcake. Each carefully wrapped with tidy aluminum foil. Then when I shared them with friends they fell apart as I cut into them... crumbling completely... as you had forgotten to add the eggs. We laughed so much over that one. You were grieving... I got it. I remember saying, "That's ok... they have great flavor! I can think of something to do with the remainder." Then got creative... nothing gone to waste.

Thank you for always thinking of others. Yes... I miss you.... forever. Thank you for the treasured memories... salve for the heart. Thanks for spending the day with me. It was a very good day.

Moon Child Friends!

Here it is...

The video of many Moon Child friends!

Thank you for all your picture submissions and your support! It's such a blessing to hear from so many of you who read the book. Your wonderful comments and reviews are such a blessing. God bless each and every one of you to the moon and back! 

It was a joy making this video and I hope it brings a smile to your day. Enjoy!


*Germany has blocked the video due to a copyright on one of the songs so there will be another version soon for all the Germany and European friends who submitted their pics.

Get Your Book HERE! Join the Conversation!

Have you purchased your Moon Child: Growing Up NASA book yet?

If not... Don't miss out on a great read! 

For those who would like to own a signed copy... you can order a signed book directly from the author, Betty Byrnes, by sending $22 (includes shipping) for USA orders only to Paypal using this email: moonchildgrowingupnasa@gmail.com

Just include your mailing address with your Paypal payment and the name of the person the book is for or any other special request for the inscription you would like written.

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Are you outside the USA and would like to purchase a signed copy?

Just email me, Betty Byrnes, at moonshildgrowingupnasa@yahoo.com and we will talk about the shipping charges to your country.

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OR you can easily and quickly purchase your copy directly at this Moon Child Amazon Link

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Good News! For those in Canada who have asked about purchasing the book... as of Oct 8, 2015 it is now available in Canada on the new Amazon.ca website. Price automatically converts from US dollars to Canadian dollars.

Canadians get your copy here
Moon Child Amazon - Canada Link

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Join in the Conversation... and get your book NOW!

Face Book says that on March 3, 2016... 30,077 people were talking about Moon Child: Growing Up NASA... it's a Good Read! 

The Birth of Moon Child: Growing Up NASA

 

First a kernel of a thought, a memory of a precious childhood experience. Just a niggling that kept recurring giving way to memories of a lifetime and the birth of this biography.

... “Sandwiched between horses and marching bands we were slowly driven down the city streets of Houston with cheering crowds rubber necking, gaping back at us. I gazed up at high rise buildings dwarfing us while seated in the convertible back seat with my family.  My blonde hair peeking out from under my turquoise cowboy hat following dad’s direction to wave and smile big at the crowd just like a little junior Miss America.  The wave and smile came naturally for dad, his big jovial smile lighting up the crowd as he humbly waved back, saying hello, many people wanting to shake his hand.  He was humble, took it all in stride, shaking his head in disbelief with his typical rolling laugh.  He knew they were not really there for him but for NASA and the astronauts.  They were the real stars, he was their representative.  He had been to Houston many times paving the way, meeting the mayor and city officials working out the details to move NASA to Houston, helping to create NASA’s main headquarters as the country embarked on the “Final Frontier”.  

 

The parade route ended, we disembarked the open convertible car and entered the giant stadium for the rodeo, my first ever western, cowboy rodeo.  The unequivocal and distinct excitement in the air was enthralling and hypnotizing. Our little family moved forward, walking together, hand in hand with dad at the lead along with the crushing flow of the crowd.” ...


‘Moon Child’ is the true story of a NASA family, specifically a little girl’s adoring love of her Daddy and family during the most adventurous time in modern history.  My father, Martin A. Byrnes Jr., the first Manager of the NASA Space Research Center in Houston, Texas during the 1960’s.  Working as an integral part of the Space Task Group reporting to President Kennedy he penned the report which led to Houston as the final home of the ‘NASA Space Research Center’.  As a primary NASA liaison dad wore many hats in Houston and Cape Canaveral.  He was also held and integral position onboard carriers at sea for every Project Mercury launch and flight.

Gus Grissom being lifted from the Atlantic.
Experience the nail biting moments before the release
of his capsule to watery, ocean depths.

There were many smiles and tears while writing this biographical documentation of Byrnes family legacy. Come and share in the Irish Catholic, NASA, Byrnes family journey from the early years of NACA to NASA and the Final Frontier. You will experience 'Baby Boomer' nostalgia, tracked by the songs and music of the decades along the way. Take the journey with the Byrnes family through those post WWII boomer years right up to Space Shuttle years.

Please join me as I share my life... Growing Up NASA. 


*** Read a sneak peek and order your copy here on Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1mep2KD

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~~ Susan Brookes, United Kingdom
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" This Beautiful and True account of a middle class family starts in Post War America takes the reader down Memory Lane to times that will always hold a Gentle and Special Charm and to events that will forever and rightfully be part of History. Endearing, Funny and Informative – this little Gem of a Book is a Must Read! "