Today I am excited to share my interview with Sherry, one of my mom’s dear friends from childhood.
I have always had a special admiration for Sherry who taught home economics, married her high-school sweetheart and whom my mom would call to answer any farming questions we could think of. I remember my mom once calling her to ask about cow-tipping. I’m sure we also called to ask more technical questions once or twice. (I was raised in the ‘burbs.)
I have come to admire Sherry even more as I have grown up and think she is an amazing, godly woman. I am so thankful she and my mom have continued their friendship!
Real (Experienced) Mom Interview with Sherry
What are the approximate ages of your children?
Becky 35 and David 31
Do you have any grandchildren?
Yes, Evan Alan age 2
What are some of the qualities you admire in your children?
Their work ethic, integrity, compassion, generosity and love for the Lord.
How much of their personality now was part of them as children?
They were both outgoing as children and continue to be that way as adults.
Before your children were traditional school age, were you a stay at home mom or were you employed outside the home? At that time how did you feel about that decision? How do you feel about it now?
I taught school for 36 years. It was nice to have the same hours as the kids. I always knew I wanted both a career and motherhood. I don’t regret the decision, but I did have to work a little harder on the mother side. I am a firm believer that it is not the quantity of time, but the quality of time you spend with your children.
Tell me about a difficult decision you remember making as a mom concerning one of your children. If you could do it over would you make the same choice?
My son was born with a birth defect and I was somewhat over-protective for that reason. The decision was whether to let him start kindergarten at 5 years old or to hold him back. I decided to hold him back. He was ready, but he was so little for his age. It was definitely the right decision.
Tell me something you feel you did right as a mom.
I think I taught them to take ownership of their choices and to do their best at everything they do.
What were some of your family’s favorite meals that you served?
Chicken and noodles, pot roast, chili soup, spaghetti, and pizza. Even today, when I have them to our house for a meal, they will request chicken and noodles. They would prefer that I make pot pie instead of noodles. I use my grandmother’s pot pie recipe.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
1 1/2 c. uncooked elbow macaroni
5 T. butter or margarine (divided)
3 T. flour
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese ( mild or sharp, depending on your taste)
2 ounces processed American cheese, cubed
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/4 t. dry mustard
2T. bread crumbs
Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. Place in a greased 1 1/2 qt. baking dish. You can also used a 9×13 pan; set aside. In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth ( like you are making a rue). Gradually add milk and bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes; reduce heat. Stir in cheese, salt, pepper, and dry mustard until cheese is melted. Pour over macaroni; mix well. Melt the remaining butter; add the bread crumbs. Sprinkle over casserole. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Serves 6-8 people.
Grandma Carper’s Pot Pie Recipe
( Most people think of Pot Pie as being chicken and vegetables baked in a seasoned pie crust, but my grandma called this “concoction” pot pie.
3 c. flour
1 c. milk
pinch of salt
lump of butter the size of a walnut ( this really “dates” this recipe)
Mix with hand to soft dough. Roll thin on floured board, and cut into small squares. Cook in large pan of chicken stock.
I usually cook a roasting hen and use the stock from this. Serve the pot pie over mashed potatoes, with the chicken, and a vegetable and you have a great “Sunday meal.”
If you do not want to cook the roaster you can use Orrington Farms chicken base. You can find this in most supermarkets.
Noodles are done much the same except the recipe is different:
Easy Homemade Noodles
2 large eggs
3 T. melted butter
1 1/4 c. flour
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. baking powder
Mix flour, salt and baking powder. Add eggs and melted butter. Mix until dough forms. Turn out onto floured board. Roll, cut and cook.
As you can tell, these are not recipes you would want to eat on a regular basis unless you rode a bike 20 miles a day. People back in my grandparents day worked very hard at jobs that required stamina. Most of the calories they took in, they worked off.
(I hope this is helpful and that your kids like the mac and cheese. I always taught my students how to make mac and cheese from “scratch.” They usually continued to prefer Kraft. Go figure! )
Did you follow or establish any family traditions with your children that you especially cherished…then or now? Tell me about a few of your favorites.
Holidays were always special. When my husband was a child, they had dairy cows and when it was time to milk the cows nothing stood in the way. So, on Christmas morning his family was milking cows. Christmas was celebrated on Christmas eve. We still celebrate our Christmas with them on Christmas Eve. As a very young child, my son organized a family Easter egg hunt. It was a big deal and to this day we still have the family Easter egg hunt.
How did you celebrate birthdays with your children? What about adult birthdays?
We always had a party with family and neighbors. We did this until they were 21. Now we usually go out to eat at a nice restaurant.
When you children were very young, did you have any hobbies you enjoyed just for yourself? If so what were they?
Sewing and singing.
What were some of your family’s favorite things to do together when you had preschooler?
During the winter we would build a fire in the fireplace and roast hot dogs and marshmallows.
Elementary: We took the kids to the drive-in in our pick-up truck and watched the movie from the bed of the pick-up. The kids would have their sleeping bags and we brought our own popcorn.
High School: We always attended all the kid’s extra-curricular activities as a family.
Now: During harvest (We live on a farm and raise corn and soybeans) I take meals to the field. My son and my son-in-law are part of the farming operation now, so my daughter (when she is not working) and I prepare the meals together. After we finish eating, we sit in our lawn chairs and watch the combine. It doesn’t take much to make us happy.
Is there anything about your parenting style that you are especially proud of?
I was a hands-on parent that tried to be involved in all aspects of their lives without hovering.
What memories of their youth do you think your children recall most fondly now?
Anything that had to do with 4-H. I was an advisor and both my children were 11-year members. My daughter is looking forward to Evan being in 4-H. It really developed their leadership skills.
If you could give newer moms three pieces of advice what would they be?
- Be involved in all that they do.
- Listen to them and let them know that it is okay to mess up.
- Make sure they know that you love them and that God loves them.
Thanks, Sherry! I appreciate you taking the time to share.
And thanks for the recipes, too. I am determined to find a from scratch mac and cheese recipe my children will enjoy.
Want more? Check out the other Real (Experienced) Moms interviews…
Are you a Real (Experienced) Mom who would like to answer some of these questions for us and share your stories? Or do you know someone who is? Please send me a note… I’m always looking for new moms to feature.
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