Sunday, November 29, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Leftover Day.
We made hot turkey sandwiches, watched the old version of Swiss Family Robinson (an emerging day after Thanksgiving tradition) and threw some cards.
What a cozy way to spend an evening.
Thanksgiving Images
Labels:
holidays
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Ode to the Supporting Cast
Before I unveil the big holiday star tomorrow I felt it was necessary to acknowledge the hardworking supporting cast of my Thanksgiving menu...
Kids Giving Thanks.
In Emma's Words...
I am thankful for SO many wonderful things in the world. Most of all I am thankful for my family, who provide the rest of the things I am thankful for in life. Without them I wouldn't have dance, or I wouldn't have a descent home. Most of all I wouldn't even be here. Mom has provided some pretty GREAT experiences for me that I'll never forget. Dad, has helped me so much with math and has helped me make my lunch for the past 8 or 9 years. Finn, you've brought so much energy to me and you always forgive me when I am upset. But the thing I get from all of you, and the the thing I am most grateful for, is love.
In Finn's Words...
What I am thankful for. I am thankful for a lot of things like my family. I am also thankful for my pets and all my relatives even if I don't know them. I'm thankful for my abilities in soccer and other activities. I'm thankful for my teachers such as Ms. Gullo my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Baker my first grade teacher, Mrs. Klette my second grade and favorite teacher, my third grade teacher Ms. Tresselt (she is a fifth grade teacher now), and my present teacher Ms. Payton who is normally sitting right behind me.
In Finn's Words...
What I am thankful for. I am thankful for a lot of things like my family. I am also thankful for my pets and all my relatives even if I don't know them. I'm thankful for my abilities in soccer and other activities. I'm thankful for my teachers such as Ms. Gullo my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Baker my first grade teacher, Mrs. Klette my second grade and favorite teacher, my third grade teacher Ms. Tresselt (she is a fifth grade teacher now), and my present teacher Ms. Payton who is normally sitting right behind me.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Jack of all trades
One evening, many years ago, while Leif and I were cleaning up the dinner dishes Emma was puttering around her room and Finn was doing exactly what you'd expect of a 2 year old boy...accidentally locking himself in the bathroom. By this point Leif and I were seasoned parents and we did not over react...we had baby proofed the bathroom very well (except for the damn locks) so we decided continuing our clean up and occasionally suggesting Finn turn the lock again and let himself out was the best course of action. After all we didn't want the little guy to panic.
A while later we were tucking Emma into bed and pretty much insisting Finn turn the lock and open the door, but still nothing. We had inspected the door and knew if Finn didn't undo his little mistake we would have a fairly large problem on our hands. You see, there was not a lock on the outside of the door, the hinges were on the inside of the door and the only window to the bathroom was glass block. He was trapped.
By the time Emma was sleeping Finn was crying and curling his fingers under the crack at the bottom of the door to hold my hand.
Clearly he was not going to turn the lock again and we needed to get some help. We narrowed down our assistance choices to the fire department or Jack.
We chose Jack.
A while later we were tucking Emma into bed and pretty much insisting Finn turn the lock and open the door, but still nothing. We had inspected the door and knew if Finn didn't undo his little mistake we would have a fairly large problem on our hands. You see, there was not a lock on the outside of the door, the hinges were on the inside of the door and the only window to the bathroom was glass block. He was trapped.
By the time Emma was sleeping Finn was crying and curling his fingers under the crack at the bottom of the door to hold my hand.
Clearly he was not going to turn the lock again and we needed to get some help. We narrowed down our assistance choices to the fire department or Jack.
We chose Jack.
I objected at the thought of popping the lock and the surrounding woodwork, but Jack looked at me and said matter of factly, "You want the boy out of the bathroom don't you?" We certainly did and we trusted Jack. I implored Finn to get into the bathtub so he would be away from the door when Jack attacked it. It took Finn a very long time to get into the tub. He was sniffling and crying and telling us to "wait just a minute" and finally told us he was in the bathtub. Knowing Finn was secure, Jack picked his weapon and popped the woodwork, split the door, and demolished the lock in a movement so aggressive that he sent himself flying across the room. Leif caught Jack and the door swung open to reveal a stark naked Finn sitting in an empty bathtub singing a very nervous and teary version of "Woody's Round Up." Apparently he thought he was going to take a bath and had taken off his clothes when we told him to get into the tub.
Our neighbor Jack was our hero that night and after we had a good laugh he packed up his crow bars and humbly headed home.
Jack passed away while we were eating a pot roast dinner several years later, but not before he helped us out countless times more.
If only by proxy, it seemed fitting Jack should have a hand in sprucing up our bathroom; he left a legacy behind in that room. More importantly, however, Jack's legacy is alive and well in his daughter and I know he would be very proud of the woman she continues to be. Thank you Patty, for picking up a paintbrush today and sharing your memories with me...you are truly a Jack of all trades.
Labels:
Finn,
friendship,
improvements
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Horsing Around
Thanks for taking her Jamie!
Labels:
Emma
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Give and Take
Labels:
friendship
Soups On.
Winter Minestrone
Garlic Bread
Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Soup
Fresh Corn, Andouille, and Langoustine Chowder
Clover Leaf Butter Rolls
Pureed Black Bean Soup with Feta, Jalapeno, Lime and Scallions.
Bacon, Cheddar, Chive and Smoked Paprika Corn Muffins.
Labels:
Food,
friendship
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Big Apple.
Most folks know I love the odd little trinkets around my house because they reflect my family history. This Hull Pottery Big Apple Cookie Jar is no exception. I can't look at it without picturing my Grandma's kitchen. Even though her counter tops were littered with antique potato mashers, wrought iron trivets, and speckled crockery bowls, this cookie jar is the one item I associated with her kitchen. Just looking at it I can remember rolling out my first pie crust, hiding dirty breakfast dishes under the sink so we could get out the door faster, and the view of her garden from kitchen window.
These cookie jars were first made in the late 1940's and according to the tape my grandma placed on the bottom of the jar it first belonged to my great grandparents. They purchased it for about $3 on Dousman St. After spending many years in my grandma's kitchen, today the Big Apple rests on my counter, not because I think it is the prettiest thing I've ever seen, but because of this picture...
These cookie jars were first made in the late 1940's and according to the tape my grandma placed on the bottom of the jar it first belonged to my great grandparents. They purchased it for about $3 on Dousman St. After spending many years in my grandma's kitchen, today the Big Apple rests on my counter, not because I think it is the prettiest thing I've ever seen, but because of this picture...
...that is my mom making a sandwich in my grandma's kitchen. See the apple peeking around that humongous jar of mayonnaise? I've had this picture of my mom in my kitchen much longer than I have had the cookie jar. I think the actual piece found it's way to me because I love the idea that a cookie jar can transition through generations. Emma learned to bake her first batch of cookies with it sitting on the counter next to her and she makes her lunches in front of it every day.
Maybe someday her children will do the same.
*UPDATE and CORRECTION*
Here is just one more reason I love my treasures...I have been thinking about this cookie jar for several hours now and something about the time line didn't work for me. I couldn't figure out how it could be possible for my great grandparents to buy their first cookie jar in the late 1940's and have it end up in my grandma's house by 1958 as the picture of my mom indicates.
I checked in with my mom and the Big Apple was in fact my grandparents first cookie jar and the note my grandma put on the bottom of the jar was written with the intention my mom would be the reader.
Labels:
around the house
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