Thankful for love of family, traditions

Leaves changing colors along with other hints of fall bring memories of coming home from school and finding my parents frying homemade yeast doughnuts in our farm kitchen.

My mother was an exceptional cook. Homemade desserts and bread were normal for special occasions, which could range from just because, a birthday, a missionary or evangelist coming for lunch or supper, or Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Apparently a nip in the air was enough reason for parents to declare it was time for homemade yeast doughnuts.

The driveway was about a quarter of a mile from the county road to our farm home and was not a difficult walk. Some days I just wanted to be home. It was especially nice to walk through the unlocked front door and find my parents laughing and enjoying making the doughnuts together. The hot doughnuts were often sprinkled with powdered sugar or a mixture of sugar and cinnamon. We enjoyed a late afternoon treat often with coffee, mine being mostly milk slightly flavored with coffee.

Even when I was in high school, my family didn’t make unnecessary trips to town. If you wanted or thought you needed something, you either made it, found another solution or did without until there was a real reason to leave the farm.

Growing up on a farm with a loving family had it’s advantages. There were less chores by the time I arrived so I missed out on many of those, thank goodness. Everyone was welcomed at our table to enjoy my mother and dad’s special treats no matter the season.

Thanksgiving and Christmas were special times, whether we were around the farm table or later when my folks moved into Campbell or the many times we would go to spend the holidays with my brother’s family in St. Charles County. It was always fun to be around those I loved and those who cared for me.

Barbara Ann Horton is a staff writer at the Daily American Republic. She can be reached at bhorton@darnews.com.