O B I T U A R I E S

Wednesday, May 9, 2012 Hill Country Herald Page 9SCHOOL TREK by Sidney Wells astold to wife JoAnnWhen Iwas sevenor eightyears old, Iwould ridemy horse toschool.We got apretty earlystart onemornin’ an’we werea goin’along at apretty goodclip, whenmy saddlestartedcomin’loosespookin’ myhorse, an’he throwedme up highin the air!The saddle flew off then landin’ in the dirt, an’ I finallylanded.....in some cactus!!My horse kept on a goin’ makin’ it to school long beforeme.It takes lots of practice to get a thorn up yer butt!!Rocking a screaming, kicking child at 2am…midnight tripsto the Emergency Room, a snake bite, a broken foot…and…one morecall from the principal…I am convinced that raising children givesyou memory loss; grey hair and a wealth of other physical and mentalailments…maybe even a loss of brain cells, or a nervous disorder. It isdefinitely an experience that changes you forever.I came from a large, close family and always wanted one of myown. Well, God had plans for me! I was blessed with three beautifuldaughters and a strong willed son of my body, and then—God gave meanother beautiful daughter and three more strong willed sons of love. Itwas not an easy task merging an extended family of that size, but ourchildren were big hearted, my ex-husband, Michael, was “the force”…and me…I was the Mama.Michael was hard on our kids, but that built into them strengthand confidence to face this world on their own terms. I was thelecturer…of the tousled headed child sitting sulkily at the foot of thebed. I knew my words were going in one ear and out the other, but Ithought if I said them enough times, they might just stick somewhere inbetween. Today, I am often in awe of the decisions they make and theirstrength…of what good parents they are and of their capacity to love.I can still see a grubby little hand reaching out to me-a proud smile onCARNEGIE-HECKMAN WEDOnce in a while in this lifewe are allowed to experiencea perfect moment…amoment that leaves a lastingimpression upon time itselfand brings true joy to thehearts of everyone who isprivileged to share in theexperience. Last Saturday,May 5, 2012, was just sucha day--when Michael OnealCarnegie, Jr. and JessicaAdair Heckman were wed in the presence of friends and familyat Kountze, TX. The couple has two children Emysin Ray andCaston Lane and presently make their home in Dayton TX.Michael is the son of Hill Country Herald contributing writerElaine Padgett Carnegie.THE JOURNEY OF A MOTHER’S LOVE By Elaine Padgett Carnegietheir faces…”come look at oursnow chicken”, instead of snowmanbecause they got too cold in thebuilding of it…really…I havepictures! Millions of momentsvie for a place in my mind as Iwatch them now, grown to manand womanhood, each a thriving,contributing force in their ownright…and I remember…Money was always tight, butsomehow we managed to have morepresents under the Christmas Treethan it could hold, plenty of meatin the freezer and a small home,often over-filled with the ringinglaughter of love. The stress ofgetting everyone where they needed to be, working full time, homeworkand knowing where everyone’s socks were-could drive you crazy! Notto mention feeding all those growing boys…and girls, at least a millionhours on my knees before God, and still finding time to sleep!! I knowthere were years I did not have one…not one stress free day—however,that memory is very dim in the light cast by my strong sons and beautifuldaughters today…now multiplied by the many beautiful, mirrored facesof my children—who call me Maw-Maw.‘They’ were my gift from God. I cannot imagine having spentmy life in any other way and I feel so privileged to have been a part ofnurturing, loving and seeing these children into adulthood. This is thejourney of a mother’s love…a filled circle of life.I know some people think I’m crazy and I realize that noteveryone is cut out for this kind of life; it is not easy, by any means.It requires sacrifice, long nights, selflessness and patience. There willalways be heartache, grief, and regret…a struggle which at times seemsmore censure than reward. Life’s trials are brutal, and they are bound totake their toll, yet, those very trials and how we handle them, are howwe grow and become more than what we were, when we began ourjourney. I am so blessed and so proud to have shared my journey withthem…because love…this kind of love is Almighty God’s greatest andmost precious gift! Happy Mother’s Day.FIRSTCLASSFREE!!“Danceyourway tofitness”Beth Lawless InstructorBrittney Petrovics, Instructorbeth@hctc.net zumba.com232-5594 or cell432-664-4266M&W 10:00 a.m.T & Th 5:30 p.m.Saturday10:00 a.m+ 30 min. toningAll classeslocated at FrioCanyonParks Building,LeakeyLINDSAY MERRITTPersonal Trainer/Nutrition CoachDegree in Exercise ScienceAFAA CertifiedCPR Certified830-640-3372 or830-591-6264lindsaylein@yahoo.comSPRAY TANTHIRTY DOLLARTHURSDAY-BookSpray Tan Any Thursdayand Get $10 OFF!!By Appointment830-278-0960 or830-232-5950LOOK GOOD FOR SUMMER!!Tan and TightenGET $10 OFF SPRAY TAN AND $10 OFFANY FITNESS CLASS WHEN YOU SIGNUP FOR ONE MONTH. GOOD FOR THEMONTHS OF MARCH, APRIL OR MAYMILLCREEKCAFE849 US Hwy. 83 S (across from Stripes)Leakey, Texas 830-232-4805LUNCH BUFFETSUNDAY-FRIDAYFRIDAY NIGHT- ALL YOUCAN EAT CATFISH!!LOOK FOR OUR SATURDAY SPECIALS TOO!!HOURS: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.7 DAYS A WEEKCOME BY! WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU!!THE HILL COUNTRY COOKhillcountrycook.com“What are thoselittle black dots?”Really? Must I startevery recipe withthe funniest thingmy husband says?Yes. “They’re seeds.From a banana.Because you wantedbanana cake for yourbirthday. So I usedreal banana.”See my prettyflowered plate inthe background??!Pier One! I love mynew dishes! This isthe first time I usedthem! This cake is good, and the bananamakes you feel a little less guilty abouteating cake with chocolate frosting. Iwas tired and made this in a 9×13, but itwould be beautiful in two layers. WhichI like better only because then you getmore frostingOne more tip, if you have a ricer, this isa great time to use it. Squish all thoseoverripe bananas through the ricer soyou’re husbands won’t taste the little‘nanner lumps and think they’re actuallyeating something made from real food.And the frosting – this recipe is afluffy one. But, I like those ganache-yfrostings on this cake too. Next time.~Peace, Love, and Bananas Ya’ll!Directions:Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease your 9x13, orround, or bundt pan.In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugarBanana Cake with ChocolateFrostingYield: 9x13 cakeIngredients:1/2 cups butter1 1/2 cups white sugar4 eggs3 bananas, squished, mashed andriced1 cup sour cream (makes itmoist!)1 teaspoon baking soda2 cups all-purpose flourFrosting:3 cups Powdered Sugar3⁄4 cups Unsweetened CocoaPowder1 stick Butter, Softened1⁄4 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract1⁄4 cups Milkuntil light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Beat in the mashed, squished, andriced bananas, sour cream and baking soda. Beat in the flour. Pour batter into preparedpan. Do not overmix.Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centerof the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then cool completelybefore frosting.Frosting: Sift together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, set aside. Cream butterand vanilla, then add 1 cup of the cocoa/sugar mixture to the creamed butter and thenadd a tablespoon of milk. Mix and repeat this step until all of the cocoa and sugarmixture is combined (adding a tablespoon of milk after every cup of the mixture) untilyou reach your desired frosting consistency. Beat with hand mixer until fluffy. You canalso add more milk to make more a glaze if you wish, or if you used a bundt pan. I hateusing bundt pans; they’re hard to wash.M & M’sGOOSENECK GRILLFull Menu“FatBoy Burger, SpicyChickenSandwich and much more!!CALL YOUR ORDERIN!!830-232-4771448 Hwy. 83 SouthLeakey, Texas