This week we welcome Cheryl St. John to Author Memories.
Cheryl St.John is the author of almost fifty Harlequin, Silhouette and Love Inspired Historical books for which she has received multiple Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and four RITA nominations. In describing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable characters and real life situations.” Her motivational gifts of exhortation and encouragement make her a sought-after speaker. She's the worship leader at the fastest growing Word of Faith church in her city, serves on her church's advisory board, and is active in her local RWA chapter, the Heartland Writers Group.
Grandma Stretched the Meal with Noodles
by Cheryl St. John
Most of my best memories from my childhood are of my grandparents, my grandmother in particular. She was a devout Christian woman who raised six children during the depression, and who never had an unkind word to say about anyone.
Grandpa and Grandma
Neither Grandma or my mother ever drove. On Saturday mornings, my grandparents used to pick us up. Grandpa gave me $2 a week for shopping, and it was enough to buy Barbie clothes and accessories. My own clothes were all hand-me-downs from my cousin, but my Barbie had new outfits and was always in style.
In the fall, we’d get in the car and drive out into the country, where we’d all get out on a secluded road and pick up walnuts. Back at home, my mom and Grandma cracked walnuts until their fingers were stained dark.
On Saturday evening Grandma washed her hair and my mom set it in pin curls with bobby pins. My grandfather never attended church, but he drove Grandma every Sunday and stopped to pick me up. She sang in the choir and often sang solos in her sweet soprano voice. Grandma never wore trousers. Even cooking, she wore a dress, with an apron.
Grandma was a great cook, and we had a big dinner every Sunday after church. She made noodles with every meal, even if there were potatoes. Now I realize it was one of the many ways she’d learned to stretch a meal. They had fruit trees, so apple and peach pies were a staple.
In the fall, we’d get in the car and drive out into the country, where we’d all get out on a secluded road and pick up walnuts. Back at home, my mom and Grandma cracked walnuts until their fingers were stained dark.
On Saturday evening Grandma washed her hair and my mom set it in pin curls with bobby pins. My grandfather never attended church, but he drove Grandma every Sunday and stopped to pick me up. She sang in the choir and often sang solos in her sweet soprano voice. Grandma never wore trousers. Even cooking, she wore a dress, with an apron.
Grandma was a great cook, and we had a big dinner every Sunday after church. She made noodles with every meal, even if there were potatoes. Now I realize it was one of the many ways she’d learned to stretch a meal. They had fruit trees, so apple and peach pies were a staple.
She never threw anything away, even reusing bread wrappers and twist ties. If there was a craft to be made, she tried her hand at it: Sewing, doll making, doll clothing. When the church choir got new robes, she’d always bring several home for the costume wardrobe that sat in the basement. My cousins and I spent hours dressing up and putting on plays with those recycled choir robes.
Once during a snowstorm, I was riding with my grandparents, my grandfather driving, when we hit a patch of ice and the car slid and spun. My grandmother said one word: “Jesus!” The car stopped sliding, and we drove safely home. She lived her life as an example of a person who loved her Lord and her family, and who trusted in the power of that mighty name of Jesus. I’m convinced her prayers for me played a big part in the person I am today.
I have a few beloved items that belonged to her and several recipes in her handwriting, but what most reminds me of her are the small moments, like when I’m spending time with my granddaughter, when I tie on an apron—or when I set a bowl of noodles on the table. I treasure those memories as I treasured her.
Once during a snowstorm, I was riding with my grandparents, my grandfather driving, when we hit a patch of ice and the car slid and spun. My grandmother said one word: “Jesus!” The car stopped sliding, and we drove safely home. She lived her life as an example of a person who loved her Lord and her family, and who trusted in the power of that mighty name of Jesus. I’m convinced her prayers for me played a big part in the person I am today.
I have a few beloved items that belonged to her and several recipes in her handwriting, but what most reminds me of her are the small moments, like when I’m spending time with my granddaughter, when I tie on an apron—or when I set a bowl of noodles on the table. I treasure those memories as I treasured her.
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Leave a comment with a valid email address by midnight, Oct 23rd
to be entered to win a copy of the Snowflakes and Stetsons anthology
which contains Cheryl's newest release, A Magical Gift at Christmas.
Note: This book is a Harlequin Historical and won't be found in a Christian bookstore. If you don't want to be entered in the draw, say so. Otherwise if you win the book, skip the parts which may offend you. Regardless, it will be an entertaining, heartfelt read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leave a comment with a valid email address by midnight, Oct 23rd
to be entered to win a copy of the Snowflakes and Stetsons anthology
which contains Cheryl's newest release, A Magical Gift at Christmas.
Note: This book is a Harlequin Historical and won't be found in a Christian bookstore. If you don't want to be entered in the draw, say so. Otherwise if you win the book, skip the parts which may offend you. Regardless, it will be an entertaining, heartfelt read.
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Snowflakes and Stetsons, Harlequin Historicals, Oct 2011
The Snowflakes and Stetsons anthology contains:
A Magical Gift at Christmas, a novella by Cheryl St. John
Back cover blurb...
Meredith has always dreamed of a grand life but, stranded on a train in heavy snowfall with two young stowaways, she unexpectedly finds she has everything she needs with just one strong man to protect her.
Cheryl St. John can be found online at
http://www.cherylstjohn.net/
http://cherylstjohn.blogspot.com/
http://petticoatsandpistols.com/
http://www.cherylstjohn.net/
http://cherylstjohn.blogspot.com/
http://petticoatsandpistols.com/
