Encountering An Angel
When I encounter an angel I feel safe where my fears are acknowledged
When I encounter an angel I feel loved and accepted in all my vulnerabilities
When I encounter an angel my tears flow freely relieving tension
When I encounter an angel I feel hope and meaning in life
When I encounter an angel my pain is more bearable
When I encounter an angel I believe in friendship and devotion
When I encounter an angel I experience the Spirit
-By Kim Worrell
My mom Kim wrote this poem for my family and I last Christmas. When she gave us this poem I could see in her eyes how much she loved all of us. She is a true angel and I will always carry a part of her with me. Forever and always you will be with me in Spirit. I love you Mom, you are best mom I could ever ask for.
A Prayer for my mom:
Call upon You to grant Kimberly rest in the place of Your rest, where all Your blessed saints are, and where the light of Your face shines forever. Oh Christ our God, and to You we give glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Along with Your saints, O Christ, give rest to the soul of Your servant Kimberly, in a place where there is neither pain, nor grief, nor longing, but life everlasting.
My mom eating chocolate covered strawberries I made for her on Mother’s Day. She LOVED strawberries and picnics.
An unbreakable bond. Whether Don will admit it or not he loves to be teased 🙂
My sister Eleni and my precious mom at Racoon River Beach. My mom loved being outdoors whenever she could.
My brother Peter and mom after he ran the Hy-Vee Triathalon-inspiration. She is so proud.
Family ❤
Hiking in the woods on a yoga retreat. I love this picture. I like to call it “mama in the love land”.
10 inch logs on prepared baking sheet.
Slicing the logs into the 3/4 inch thick pieces
Back in the oven for a bit!… the craving for a sweet treat will soon be met 🙂
These cookies are my mom’s favorite cookies. She even enjoyed them on her last days when most foods did not taste good to her. Enjoy everyone. Please say a prayer for my mom.
Cranberry-Walnut Cookies
- 2 C all purpsose flour
- 1 1/2 t baking powder
- 1/2 t salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 C sugar
- 1/2 c unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1 1/2 t orange zest
- 1 t vanilla
- 1 t almond extract
- 1 C chopped walnuts
- 1/2 C dried cranberries
Instructions *24 cookies
Preheat oven to 350. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine eggs and sugar. Beat on medium speed until light in color, about 3 minutes.
Beat in melted butter, orange zest, vanilla and almond extract until combined.
Add dry ingredients and beat until incorporated.
Stir in walnuts and cranberries. *The dough will be a bit sticky.
Scoop out half of the dough onto prepared baking sheet. Form into a log 10 inches and repeat with the remaining dough. Space logs 3 in apart. Press logs down and make them 3 in wide. Smooth tops of logs.
Bake until crisp about 25 mintutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 10 mintures. Reduce oven temp to 300.
Transfer logs to cutting board. Use a serrated knife to cut each log crosswise on the diagonal 3/4 in thick. Put slices cut side down and bake until cookies are golden brown if that 17 minutes.
Thank you mom. I already miss you.
Love,
Niki
Olive Oil and Feta 
This post has literally brought me to tears. You have such an amazing family. I love you all and will sincerely miss your mom. She raised three amazing children that are all something to be envied. My thoughts prayers and love go.out to you and your family Niki
It was good seeing you last weekend Tom. I am glad you enjoyed this post!
You have a beautiful, sweet soul Niki, your mom was so proud of you. She loved the sound of you “creating” in the kitchen! I can see traces of her in you, Eleni and Peter. I’m looking forward to following your food blog!!
Thank you Vicki. We all miss you in Des Moines. I will see you in a few weeks!!
Niki,
This is a very nice tribute to your mom. I sent it to Fr. Basil along with the visitation and funeral times for him to announce in church.
Love,
dad
May her memory be eternal!
As you know this post bright me to tears! You are one of the strongest people I know and are handling this tough time with such grace. I love you Niki Maria and am always here for you.
-Breezy
Everything you have done baby step by baby step has made my heart hurt less. Appreciation is beyond what my words and describe.
I am so proud of you Niki. That took strength. It is so very important that you can express this and share it. Tears of love, and sadness are flowing.
Love,
Peter
Thanks Peter!! We have more pictures from your race that you might want.
Niki Maria,
Oh boy. Just when I’m thinking I couldn’t be more proud, you do something like this. I do have an issue with the picture of your Mom and I. I look like a ‘scared little girl’. (My apologies to all ‘scared little girls’) And is that Tucker behind us getting into the potato salad? Your Mom would love that picture!
When I think of your Mom’s legacy I have to look no further than to you, Eleni and Peter. My Love for the three of you cannot be measured with words.
Love, Don
I love that picture of you and mom. I have many more of her teasing you! Love you lots!!
You three kids just keep her spirit burning bright…really bright. Her spirit touched my world more than I realized and the world shook for a moment. I am so happy to have known her for a time. What a great mom! While her hands are out of service for now her spirit burns on so my hands are at your service if you guys need something.
Thank you Bill. You are right! Her hands may be out of service for now but I feel her spirit is with us.
Niki, You definitely have your Mom’s beautiful soul. Her spirit is already living and shining brightly through you, Eleni and Peter. My heart breaks for your loss. In loving kindness, Barbara
Thank you Barbara 🙂
What a beautiful tribute Niki. Your mom was so proud of the three of you. It was a joy for her to be your mother. I know you will continue to feel her love throughout the coming months and years. She will always be with you. Courtney
Thank you Courtney. It was good seeing you the other night!
Niki, this is so beautiful. You have your mother’s creative soul. She loves you so much.
Niki…I know I am very late in sending my condolences to you and your family but I literally found out today.. long story..I knew your Mom and have met you guys when you were little..It broke my heart hearing such news. May her memory be eternal.
I love your food blog and the tribute you made for your Mom. It brought tears to my eyes.