Meet my Guest:
Traci from Beneath my Heart
Hello! I am so excited to be a guest at Sandy’s wonderful blog today! Though I have been following her blog for almost a year, I finally met Sandy in person for the first time a little over a month ago at BlissDom. I had the honor of eating lunch with her one day while we were there, and we immediately made a connection. It’s was what I like to call a “divine appointment” because it was not a coincidence that we met that day. 
Sandy and I quickly realized that we had a lot in common. We both shared many of the same “loves” in life…two of which were our love for the Lord and our love for our families. However, we also shared a common sorrow…we both have lost our moms to cancer.
My mom passed away on September 22, 2009 from a short 7 week battle with gastric cancer. Though my blog is mostly about DIY home decor projects, I share a post about my mom and her amazing spirit every Wednesday. I want my four young boys to look back on these posts someday and remember what an special lady their Nana was.
My mom was a wonderful cook and writer. She combined those two talents by writing a cooking column for our local newspaper and by becoming the first food editor for Home Life magazine. So I want to share with you one of her favorite recipes.
Poppy Seed Bread
Mom loved this recipe because it was easy to make and oh-so moist and delicious! She also loved this recipe because it makes 5 to 6 little loaves that are perfect for sharing with others.
3 cups flour
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1 1/2 t. salt
2 1/4 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups oil
1 1/2 T. poppy seeds
2 t. butter flavoring
2 t. vanilla
Mix together the above ingredients and beat for two minutes.
Fill 5 or 6 mini-loaf pans 2/3 to 3/4 full.
Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.
Now for the best part! The glaze….YUM!
Glaze
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. butter flavoring
Mix in a glass measuring cup. Pour over hot bread when removed from the oven. Let stand for 30 minutes.
Now they are ready to wrap up and share!
Mom and I would usually wrap each loaf in plastic wrap and secure it with a cute little ribbon. We would also add a scripture or word of encouragement to each loaf.
Mom and I talked about this recipe a few weeks before she passed away. She said that one time she made some of these loaves and took them to work. (She was a secretary at a church.) When a needy person would come to the church for help, she would give them a loaf of poppy seed bread to take home with them.
She thought is was such a simple way to show someone they were loved.
And she was right. I learned very quickly during Mom’s illness and after her passing that it was the little things that people did for us that mattered most. I even wrote a post about it called, “It Matters.”
Can you think of someone this week that you could show God’s love to? A teacher? An elderly person? A friend at work? A neighbor? Your Mom?
One batch of poppy seed bread would make enough to bless all of these people!
Why not make some poppy seed bread and take it to them with your own little note attached?
I know you will be blessed as much as they will!
This is a poem that Mom kept on our refrigerator when I was growing up. She also cross-stitched it and hung it on the wall in a frame. I memorized it as a child, not knowing fully what it meant. But I do now! I only get one life on this earth…and I want to make the most of each moment!
Recipe for Living
I shall pass this way but once.
Any good thing that I can do,
Any kindness I can show,
Let me do it now.
Let me not defer it or neglect it.
For I shall not pass this way again.
Thank you, Sandy, for inviting me over! It has truly been an honor to meet you and call you my friend! And to all of her readers, you are always welcome to come by for a visit at my blog, Beneath My Heart.
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Does Wanda know Millie?
Oh, thank you Traci for being my guest today. I was so happy to meet you in person in Nashville! And every time you write about your Mom, it makes me wonder up in heaven if Wanda knows Miliie (my mom)!? I love that thought!
I also love the post that you wrote about your parents home. It’s touching and I think everyone should read it. And it’s ironic that it was actually your mom who introduced you to me. Think about that!
(Don’t forget to enter the GENEROUS Giveaway from Bush’s Beans!)
This post is also linked to Darcy’s Sweet Shot Day over at m3b! And also to Jen’s Tasty Tuesday!
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this “icon” portrays a great message. 
Can’t wait to make the poppy seed bread! What a testimony. I’ve truly enjoyed the post today! Be blessed. Cindy
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Great post Tracey, and Sandy thanks for having her. I have fallen in love with Tracey through her blog and it’s amazing how Wanda lives on through her daughter/s.
Definitely going to try this bread, and think I am even going to “borrow” that little poem.
Hope your having a blessed week.
Hugs,
Cindy
.-= Cindy´s last blog ..It’s just been one of those day =-.
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Thanks so much for sharing…your mother sounds like she was a wonderful, giving person! And you know…I make this exact same recipe?? I’ve never known anyone else to make it! It makes great muffins, too.
.-= betsy´s last blog ..Oxymorons =-.
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Thank you so much for featuring Tracey! She touches my heart with each and every post she writes and has brought me to tears on more than one occasion…I have lost my mom too.
I have copied this recipe and will make it and pass it on to others…just like Wanda wanted us to.
Have a great day!
Lou Cinda
.-= Lou Cinda´s last blog ..Thrift Finds =-.
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Friends are such a treasure and what a wonderful one you found! I love how “life” brings us together! The recipe you shared looks incredible and thank you for sharing your work!
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Sounds like your mom would have been a wonderful blogger also.:) Thanks for sharing.
.-= Laurie´s last blog ..Greek Salad with all the Works =-.
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Oh yummy!! I may need to make this later this week. I don’t have mini pans but I’ll make a big loaf and look to buy some mini ones.
My mom too passed away 6 years ago next week after a 5 year battle with cancer. She too loved cooking and was an amazing woman whom we miss deeply. I’m so sorry for your recent loss.
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I met her at BlissDom, too…and that bread looks DELICIOUS!!!
.-= the BLAH BLAH BLAHgr´s last blog ..No Boil Noodle Lasagna =-.
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Your posts always encourage and inspire me. This is a wonderful idea and one I will commit to completing by the end of March!
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What a sweet post!
And I just adore poppyseed bread!
Your mom sounds alot like my mother.
My niece and nephew call her Nana too!
I’m so sorry you had to loose her so early….what a special special lady.
Thanks for sharing her with me today!
xxooxx
.-= teresa´s last blog ..Up, Up, Up…Straight to the Top! =-.
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Tracie is such a sweet person and this bread looks delish!!
Please come over and enter my giveaway when you get a chance!
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Traci, you’ve inspired me!
I made several mini loaves of zucchini bread this past weekend for a friend’s bake sale, and when all was done, I still had a bunch of shredded zucchini left over. I decided to go ahead and make it all up in mini-loaves and freeze them, and was waffling on the idea of sending a loaf each to my mom, grandmother, and sisters. Then I read your post, and decided to go ahead and throw it in the mail!
You’re right – this is such a simple and easy way to show people they are loved. I’ve saved your recipe to try in the future!
.-= Kristy´s last blog ..quick takes, vol 2. =-.
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this sounds wonderful! I can’t wait to try it. Do you think I could sub orange juice for lemon juice?
.-= Mimi´s last blog ..Basketball Middle School Boys A =-.
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those look so yummy, will have to give it a try!
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love the pictures!
can’t wait to be together once again with my dear friend & take some pics like the first one.
have a lovely day. coming over from the sweet shot day!
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Great post. Great recipe. Thanks for the reminder and for sharing this wonderful treat.
Lisa
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What a lovely shot, and such a great story to go with it. Nothing is random. It all has a purpose. Thank you for reminding us.
XO*Tricia
P.S. The bread looks and sounds delish!
.-= Tricia´s last blog ..75/365 Sweet Shot Day =-.
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What a great post! Your Mom sounds quite amazing and that bread looks delicious!
Janet
.-= Janet´s last blog ..Would you . . . could you . . . read a book? =-.
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Thanks for the post Tracey – I loved reading it and plan to visit your blog for the first time. 4 boys, huh? You must have lots of energy! I have a silly question and would appreciate anyone answering as I am a poor cook but would like to try the bread – butter flavoring – is that just butter? Thanks!!
Kate
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I love a bread that is so moist! Yum, yours looks good! Joni
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the wonderful recipe. I have never made poppy seed bread before. I think that I will have to go do that tomorrow!
God bless,
Elizabeth
.-= Elizabeth´s last blog ..Cats on Tuesday and I’m Dreamin’ of Spring =-.
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Seriously – how cute can you be?
What a beautiful photo of you two.
And… YUM. Tumbl’d this so I can find it again!
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Sounds like a tasty recipe and certainly food for thought. We all know someone that can use encouragement, reassurance, or love. Thanks for the wonderful words as well as the recipe.
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One of my favorite kinds of bread. Having a sleepless night in Shreveport, so thought I would blog hop….Enjoyed my stop here…
Teresa
http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/
http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com/
.-= Teresa´s last blog ..ANOTHER WINNER =-.
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Traci, you are an amazing lady. I am blessed to have met you this year. This recipe is similar to one my mom made while I was growing up. I can’t wait to compare and see – wouldn’t it be something if it was the same as your moms?
Love and hugs. Thanks for being my guest!
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This post has left me with tears for two reasons: I love the reminder to share and extend ourselves to others, life is really short and the simple gestures we make really do have a huge impact-and my momma is far away, and I miss her lots.
Thanks for an inspiring post!
.-= Gina´s last blog ..Sunday Gratitudes =-.
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