Life can be somewhat surprising at times - in good ways and bad- but you have to take it both ways. Last night and on the night before I experienced two very good surprises (my old self would be waiting for the other shoe to drop). Last night, Caroline was intent on making a smoothie. Now, a smoothie to me means yogurt, fruit, and ice. We had 2 of the 3 ingredients, so I was hoping she'd forget about it and wait until I could go to the store. She didn't forget about it. So I had her describe the smoothie to me, and basically it sounded like a Slurpee. I can do that. So we got out some juice, a banana, and some ice. We put it in the food processor and processed away. When it was done, I poured 3 glasses and Jack, Caroline, and I sat down and enjoyed a smoothie. Jason didn't get any, but he tried it (he was having ice cream). This brought back memories of a drink my mom used to make for us when I was little. She would put orange juice, fruit cocktail and ice in a blender and blend it together. It made the most delicious, refreshing drink I'd ever tasted. She would put the cut cherry at the bottom of the drink for a "surprise" at the end. This memory I shared with the kids and we all smiled and giggled the rest of the time we were together.

The second memory has a back story. When my Granny was still alive, we'd visit her and my Grandpa in Oklahoma. Whenever we'd come and visit, my Granny would always make us our favorite foods. It was fine if we were staying for an extended period, but if it was just a weekend or something, she'd try to cram all of our favorites into a few meals. One of the things she'd make was a bean pie. Yes, I know that sounds bad, but it's really quite good. I loved this pie. She'd make it when I was coming (they always had a pot of beans working - this is how I learned that baking soda would eliminate the beans ability to make you gassy). I had always planned on getting Granny's recipe for the bean pie, but I never got the chance. She passed away about 8 years ago and I have always regretted not getting some of her recipes. Every once in a while I'll find myself wanting bean pie. This past Mother's Day we were talking about our favorite pies at the cookout that Jason and his sister planned. Jason and I had bought two pies at our church pie sale, so our dessert discussion was about our favorite pies. I mentioned that one of my biggest regrets in life (there aren't many) was that I never got Granny's recipe for bean pie. Of course, Jason's family was like, "Bean Pie?" But my mom chimed in, "I've got the recipe." Surprise Number 2. My mom wrote down the recipe for me and wrote the date that she'd gotten it from my Granny, "August 16, 1969". I know this is going to sound corny but I feel like that was my Granny in some way saying, "See, I knew you'd want it. Even though you weren't born yet, I knew." My Granny died on August 14, 2000. I'm taking it as a sign from her.