Window on Wentworth

Thanksgiving 2009!

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:25:00 +0000

I'm really not sure where to begin. We've been looking forward to this Thanksgiving since the fall of 2007 when we left for San Francisco. See- I'm not neutral about Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving! I think maybe I always have. I cooked my first turkey in 1974 in Hawaii. I've cooked a turkey- and many of the same "trimmings"- green bean casserole, sweet potatoe casserole, broccoli rice casserole...- for all but 2 of the next 35 years. And I missed it so terribly when I didn't. Thanksgiving is just so perfect- in its simplicity. Take family, friends, food (and maybe just a little football)- and you stir these "f"s vigorously- and you're bound to have the time of your life. And I do. I don't even remember what we did on our first Thanksgivings in San Francisco and I suppose it really doesn't matter much. I can understand why you'd forget- we drove down the ugliest stretch of road in central California to San Clemente- and ended up being towed for 100 miles because the Honda dealer didn't screw in the oil plug right. Oh well... On our second one we spent it with Brandy and Will in a cabin just outside of Yosemite. Max stayed in the cabin and cooked while I took Brandy and Will to Yosemite. I think we did a turkey breast, but taking the tour of Yosemite was more of a memory than Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving in Cincy has EVOLVED to say the least. Don't think any of us (except Brandy who perhaps was so sleep deprived from her first year at the Air Force Academy I'm not sure she remembers any of her holiday trips to Cincy other than sleeping without interruption) will forget that Thanksgiving. Don and I cooked for two days- a table full of food- and gathered all of our children around that big table. And then watched as our children ate in absolutely TOTAL SILENCE for 10 minutes before the first of the gathering asked (politely) to be excused. Clint commented the second year that we were certainly getting better at this "Thanksgiving" thing- it lasted all of 20-30 minutes- and wasn't totally silent!

So it's certainly not that my Thanksgivings have all been the same- or that some haven't been downright painful. But I can tell the story of most- And even with all this- or maybe because of all this- Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday.

So I couldn't wait- just couldn't wait- for this year. To celebrate Thanksgiving- at home- at home with my family- and my friends. And not only the first, but also the first in our newly decorated home. We had spent over 9 months with construction and painting and it was finally done and ready to welcome the crowd that we were looking forward to seeing.

This year Thanksgiving started early. Brandy issued a challenge in the early summer for the Thanksgiving gathering to join her in the Annual Turkey Trot here in Cincy. You can check it out at:: http://thanksgivingdayrace.com/history.php
This was the 100th year anniversary of this 10K- the oldest foot race in the Midwest. For Brandy it became her "get back in shape after the baby" motivation- and when you see the pictures you'll know it was successful. I rather think for Marianne it was just another reason (not that Marianne needs much of a reason) to have a party. So this year Thanksgiving began with a CARBO LOAD on Wednesday night complete with spaghetti (of course).

Samantha liked the spaghetti.

and chocolate cake- chocolate on chocolate from Wyoming Pastry (of course).

Hayes particularly liked the chocolate cake

And then it was OFF TO THE RACE early Thanksgiving morning!

left to right, Niece Amy, Pat and Niece Kelly, Amber and Evan and of course Brandy

Pat and Kelly are so, so, so cute holding hands as they run! This was Pat's first race ever and he was a little nervous, but he ran it like a champ.

Nows where I give credit where credit is due. The photographer in the last 4 pictures are from Amy (as are many you'll see in this blog). Sometimes Don and I were just to busy- or just not there- But Amy is amazing! Her pictures are absolutely glorious! And I'm using them! And you're going to love them.

Now in case you're wondering where I was during this race- well in bed when they left- and then cooking- pies- before they got home again!

Just a quick note to those not familiar with our particular DAY for THANKSGIVING. Our THANKSGIVING is always on Friday-not Thursday. If you've spent a lifetime as a nurse you get rather use to "celebrating" whenever... And picking a day.. and starting your own tradition... And the "this year the kids are with the mom- next year with the dad" is such a distraction to a celebration of family. Little did we know that this rather simple decision would allow many of those we love to join us on our Thanksgiving- who wouldn't be able to if we had ours on the traditional Thursday. So when I think Thanksgiving it never even occurs to me that it means a day of the week- but rather Thanksgiving is the day we gather at the table with those we love...every year... on Friday.

LET THE COOKING BEGIN!

During Thanksgiving the kitchen is always the place to be! Reeder helping make breakfast biscuits.\

And let me hear the LOUD APPLAUSE for the KITCHEN CREW!

And Amy's pictures are amazing:

All the food pictures and most of the "kitchen" pictures are BY AMY!

But Thanksgiving is never MOSTLY about the food, NEVER. Thanksgiving is about FAMILY, about FRIENDS, ALWAYS. Even the food is about FAMILY and FRIENDS. I make the same green bean casserole every year- because it is Brandy's favorite- And for Amber it is always the broccoli rice casserole (with an extra this year to take back to Chicago)- and of course for Amber the pumpkin pie is always TRADITIONAL because Amber is ALWAYS TRADITIONAL. And then Mary's favorite is the sweet potatoe casserole- And I always make the apple cranberry pie because it's Kelly's favorite. Don always makes the cranberry relish- Grandma Lucas' tradition- with Don's own embellishments. And there has to be chocolate for Marianne- because a desert isn't a desert if it's not chocolate! And of course since Michael LOVED the new sweet potatoe casserole that's a keeper- and then I'll have to keep the squash/kale bread pudding on next year's menu because that was Mary Jo's favorite. And then the deviled eggs are a real crowd pleaser (and this year we used the zucchini pickles lwe canned last summer as the "relish" in the eggs)- and also served our own pickled okra and pickled asparagus from the summer. At Thanksgiving the food is all about FAMILY- it's all about FRIENDS.

Lots of pictures to follow most of which are family of one type or another. I think we had 23 of the 41 for dinner that were sons, daughters, grandchildren, nieces, grandnieces and nephews, spouses or in-laws. And then of course there are our family that aren't really what you might call blood relatives, but rather family who are always there and have been for some 30 odd years. Those aren't friends, they are family too.

MY FAVORITE TURKEY!

And those I hold so very dear...

AND FOUAD BROUGHT BALLOONS! WHAT A HIT! WE'LL NEVER HAVE A THANKSGIVING THAT DOESN'T HAVE FOUAD- AND BALLOONS!

All the pictures to follow are from Amy! Thank you Amy for the fun you always bring with you! And for your marvelous pictures- And for emailing them to me so I could post them on the blog!

AND A BIG, BIG, BIG THANKS TO MY OWN THANKSGIVING "PROJECT MANAGER". I AM SO VERY GRATEFUL!

AND OF COURSE A BIG HUG TO DON- WHO IS ALWAYS THE LIFE OF MY PARTY!

Christmas Past and Present

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:45:00 +0000

OK, so I know we've not posted our Thanksgiving blog yet - it will come. But today Max and I put the rest of the ornaments on our tree. Most of our ornaments are rather old though some are brand new, like the one we bought in Muir Woods when we went hiking there two years ago on Christmas morning. We were back on Wentworth last year, but arrived back just before Christmas and had hardly unpacked and just didn't feel like putting up a tree. Lots of stuff was going on last year with the early return from San Francisco, my job tenative, and Max without a job.

Every year since me and my brood arrived from Oklahoma, Don and Amber would get up one Saturday morning and head to the Christmas Tree Farm. Every year I'd tell them to show restraint- but not those two- not when it comes to Christmas Trees! So each year the challenge was would that tree really, really fit in the house- and how much furniture would we need to move. But this year Am is in Chicago- busy- oh so busy- with her own life- So I stepped up to the plate and with Sarah and Deseree and Anthony we headed to The Farm to pick our tree.

I did "assist" Don in showing just a tiny bit of restraint- but more because those 3 more feet for the tree he pointed out was $100 more!
But this year we have a new room to put a tree in and new hope for the future. We even bought all new lights to put on the tree, LED micro lights that project their colored lights all around the wall of the room.

And as we put all of our ornaments on the tree we found those that we bought 16 years ago as we were celebrating our first Christmas as a new blended family. Well, you all know that blending doesn't alway work without a lot of work and energy. Max worked hard those first few years and on that first year she thought we could feel more like a family by demonstrating it on our tree. So eight new ornaments were special ordered and bought just to show what a family we were.
Christmas has always been a mixed bag for me- the highest of highs- the lowest of lows. Somehow you just can't be "neutral" at Christmas. And when the kids were growing up it was all so very often exhausting- And I was already running on empty. But I love, I love Christmas trees. And I always get a little teary when I take out the ornaments and remember...
(Just a note- I did not grow up with a "live" tree- and the only tree I remember at all from Christmas in my childhood home was the aluminum tree with the color wheel- no ornaments at all. You can check it out at:
http://www.hammacher.com/publish/66351.asp?source=CJ&cm_mmc=CJ-_-1225497-_-1783809-_-Color+Wheel .)
But 16 years ago- I picked out those 8 ornaments- for my new family- with the hope that by placing them on that very first tree the magic of Christmas might take hold. It's not been quite so easy. But each year when I take out those ornaments- and all the others from all the past years I get misty eyed at all the blessings of family- of my family- in all its complexity. Christmas at it's best lets us sit in the dark and look at the lights that reflect on our treasures from all our years together.

We know much better now. You just can't take three from one family and four from another and have it add up to seven. The math works, but the social structure doesn't. Instead we now have multiple family units that all are loosely or tightly linked to each other, but are formed by friendships across and between family ties. Max and I are the hub of the spokes of this wheel that gets together on rare occasions in whole and more often as small groups. But this tree this year,as many in the past brings them all together. It works for us and works for them too.
So know that this Christmas season I'll be spending a lot of time just sitting in our new "porch" and gazing at our tree- and remembering... and dreaming... and probably even getting misty eyed every now and again at how very, very blessed I am.

Mikayla Comes To Visit!

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:20:00 +0000

Now not to worry- I'm going to get around to talking about Thanksgiving- And how we had 41 people (8 were 3 years and below)- And how much fun it is to be surrounded by those you love- And how the house really, really, really looked terrific.

But first- Mikayla came to Ohio for her very, very first visit to see her Grama. And did I ever have a great time. This was one happy, happy Grama!

And you can actually take fairly decent pictures of a 6 month old- unlike the moving targets that are the toddlers that also come to visit Grama. And besides not once did Mikayla sigh deeply when I clicked that shutter just one more time.

So we have some pics- 100s (or as Reeder would say- millions) of pictures of Mikayla. Lucky for you I've shown a tiny bit of reserve and am not going to put a million up on the blog- but close... maybe just 999,999.

I spent hours- and I do mean hours sitting on the "porch" rocking and rocking and rocking. Don't think either of us ever got quite enough!

And of course there was bath time- in the kitchen sink- with all of Grama's bath toys!

And then big hugs in the towel that lasted forever...

And lots of time to play...

And sometimes there was food- for her or us...

And then one time we walked up to Half Day and had breakfast- just Brandy, Mikayla and her Grama!

Amazing Maize Maze

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:43:00 +0000

This being our first real fall since going to San Francisco, we have been really enjoying the wonderful fall colors and cool temperatures. One of the really wonderful things about fall is fall apples. Ohio has wonderful apples, and so Max wanted to do some apple picking this year. Unfortunately, we are a bit behind the curve this year and apples have all been harvested for the year. But that doesn't mean you can't go to the apple farm and enjoy all of the other fall festivities.

I've never "done" Halloween successfully. Just ask Amber. I just didn't quite get it. I don't decorate the house- I tend to be the one who hangs pictures on the wall- and they stay there for the next 10-20-30 years (which explains why I'm having SO MUCH TROUBLE putting the pictures up on my newly painted walls- I know I'll look at them well past when I'm too old to care). So no decorations. And then some years I never got around to pumpkins. And costumes- well I made this really great- I mean really great clown costume for Brandy when she was 18 months old- it was terrific- and I had lots of "tucks" so I could let them out as she grew- Well she refused- I mean absolutely refused to wear that costume when she was 4- Don't know where that clown is today. After that it was the dime store type -though those look a little better now than they did when my kids were little. I believe they are all scared for life from having to wear those not very exciting dime store costumes. Of course I could mention the year I tried to be creative- and used a temporary "rinse" on Brandy's hair- so she could be Dracula- only it wouldn't wash out- she had to grow it out- and she lost her blond curls- all because of her Mom's one attempt to be creative.

I have a real bad Halloween history. But what the h... It's a new year. And this year was terrific- it is my favorite- I'm going to do it again- I had sooooooo much fun!

We started with breakfast!

I know, I know, I know- you want to know what we ate- well- in keeping with the season- apples on buckwheat pancakes (you've heard of them before)- and pumpkin bread with maple flavored sausage and fried eggs for those that absolutely have to have eggs with their pancakes.

And then we were off to our next adventure.

So on Halloween Max and I, Mary Ezra, Sarah, Deseree and Anthony drove up to the Irons Fruit Farm just north of Cincinnati.

I have to preface this with the fact that Deseree went to her first ever Halloween party the night before. Then Sarah got her up "early" (9:15) and she just wasn't into spending time with us old fogies, especially when she would much rather be sleeping in a warm bed. But she did have her cell phone and thus the ability to text with her friends.

As we were on a hay ride out to the corn maze and the pumpkin patch!

Am I the only one that thinks Sarah looks so, so, so much like her dad???

Now Max kept talking about the maze and the pumpkin patch that they have at the fruit farm. So once there we climbed aboard the hay wagon pulled by an old Farmall tractor and rode out to the maze. This was the 10th year that Irons had planted a maze and it was really pretty amazing. It was a complicated maze of trails, that spelled out the name of the farm, had images of an ear of corn, a pumpkin and a tractor, all as part of the path in the maze. Here is a map of the maze. The black lines on this paper are the paths and the path from start to finish took you through each of the images and the name "Irons".

The start of this maze is the line on the lower right side that comes out to the edge. The end is the line just above the start that also comes out to the end.

This maze was in a corn field that covered 20 acres and the corn was anywhere from 9 to 12 feet high. So once in the maze, all you could see was the path in front of you and a wall of corn on both sides. This was no simple maze.

Now in case you're wondering. I think it is possible that except for Don- the rest of us would have been still wandering about that corn patch. But Don had the map. We got a little lost at the beginning. Don was trying to multi-task- carry Anthony on his shoulders and read the map. Didn't work very well. But when he focused we were right on track!

Note below that Deseree is still texting her friends, as though they might figure out a way to get her out of this maze.

Now I was pretty curious about just how to grow a maize maze like this one. So of course I asked and, although a bit complicated, not nearly as complicated as I had imagined. See below- Don in deep consultation about the design of a corn maze.

At first I thought it must have been done by space aliens who could see it from high above the earth and who cut out the maze with powerful lasers. But instead is was not so terribly complicated. They initially plant the whole field in corn and while the corn is germinating and starting to grow, they use a computer to plan the paths in the maze. Once a computer plan is done, they map the growing corn field with small flags that show where the paths will be. Then as the corns grows higher, they use the map and mow down the corn where the paths should be. After the corn grows more, they mow it again so that a definitive path is carved in the maze of corn.

But we did find out way out of the maze and moved onto the pumpkin patch where Anthony found just the right pumpkin for him to sit on.

We did find a few more, but decided to instead just buy some that had already been hauled back to the farm house instead of trying to haul them back from the pumpkin patch.

And as we got back home, Anthony and Brutus made some arrangement to the pile of pumpkins that we brought back.

And then finally it was the eve- and the trick-or treaters were out. I have to admit (don't tell anyone) we've actually "skipped" this part- and would go out to eat- or something. But we were ready this year- We are back! And we have just the porch for sitting!

Notice that Brutus is ready! If you think I was going to listen to Brutus barking at the door for two hours you are out of your mind- or maybe a better comment is that I would have been out of mine! So Brutus joined the fun- and he loved it! And he was very, very, very well behaved!

And Deseree and her friends stopped by for our treats!

I did take Don a glass of wine- to finish his night on the porch!

A Trip to Bluffton!

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:44:00 +0000

We missed, really, really missed, really, really, really missed our fall trips to Bluffton to watch Pat's football team play ball. And for two years we were gone- to San Fran- and couldn't go. So this year we couldn't wait. And it was even better than we remembered. Nothing like a weekend cheering on a high school team- and enjoying a wonderful time with a family you love so very much! And this year we had quite a crowd. Traveling north with us were Sarah and Deseree and Anthony and Mary and Taylor and Samantha. And if you think that's a crowd- well this year was a particularly lucky year- Michael and Liz joined as well!

So after an evening of pizza we headed out to the game!

And isn't Sarah so cute in her hat?

And it was so great to have Michael and Liz! And I might mention that Michael did a great job later in the evening managing the fire pit! (I missed most of that cause Don and I retired much before the party ended to our B&B for some R&R- we are the "oldies" but "goldies?"

My beautiful girls...

My Guy!

And the "babies" absolutely love playing at Kelly's. There is so much to do. They think they are in a "baby heaven". And I think they probably are!

Now I have to tell you- that Don and I were in bed by 11:30- but the party lasted until after 2am. So when we arrived the next morning for breakfast everyone looked just a wee bit tired. But Kelly did feed us well. I love having breakfast at Kelly's. Sitting around the Prichard table- always beginning with a prayer brings a rich, deep joy that I carry with me for ever so long.

But we weren't taking pictures.

And then Don left with Kelly and Shelby to take Senior pictures- and most of the rest of the crowd was either napping- or outside (it was cold) on the trampoline. So I watched OU and Texas- I just can't bring myself to print the score... And knitted- on a blanket... for Christmas...I hope.....Perfect weekend. I just love our trips to Bluffton.

On Saturday afternoon, I went out with Shelby for a photo shoot. Shelby wanted some pictures taken as possible senior picture photos. Now I am certainly not a professional photographer, but since Lucas couldn't come that weekend and since I do have a camera, I got to view Shelby through my view finder. We took a lot of pictures and I have no idea which ones, if any, that Shelby may want to use. but below are some of my favorites. She is a beautiful girl and I think these speak for themselves.

Isn't she unbelievable beautiful?! We already have our room reserved for her high school graduation. Wouldn't miss it!

Moving Day in Phili!

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:37:00 +0000

The weekend after we returned from the Birthday Bash in Tulsa we piled back in the mini (van that is) and headed east on a mission. We intended to move everything that Matthew and Sharon own in just one mini (van). Is it possible? It is if the seats fold down (one of Chrysler's really good ideas) and you make lots of trips.

Their apartment they were moving from was on a tiny little street. The picture below pretty well shows what it was really like. The tires of my van just fit between the curbs.

Don and Sharon stand ready (and eager?)...

Well I actually didn't take any pictures of the load (after load, after load, after load) that we hauled to their new BEAUTIFUL CONDO. I'd pack and carry (did a little Face booking from time to time) while Don and Matthew and Sharon carried boxes, loaded the van (and Sharon's Element) and would go to the new Condo and carry everything either up the stairs- or a short elevator ride up. Then we (Sharon and I) would start unpacking while Matthew and Don went back for another load. I really didn't get any pictures of the actual moving- see we were plenty busy. But I did get a few at the end of the moving..

We did get it all in, or at least the majority of it. Note that it is all just in, not arranged and not unpacked.

t is also worth noting that Matthew could open his own library if he so desired. We moved a lot of stuff, but it seems we mostly moved books and a bunch of books shelves to hold them all. I think there is a great opportunity here for Amber to apply her cataloging skills to organize this library.

And then my MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT- THE KITCHEN!

I LOVE KITCHENS! And as I unpacked gadgets and dishes and pots and spoons... I imagined all the meals that would be cooked in this kitchen. It will be interesting to know exactly how long it takes Sharon and Matthew to find all of their kitchen stuff. Max put it all away, somewhere.

I did get one picture by the mini (van). And you really can move an entire apartment to the new condo with only a mini and an Element.

And of course we took a "basement" wine...

And if you're wondering if we were "all work and no play" you don't know me and Sharon well enough. We never let a potential adventure in food and drink go neglected.

And sangria... Gotta to comment on this "modern Mexican" restaurant called Distrito that we went to. It is be owned by some chef that was one of the contestants on Iron Chef. It was highly rated by Philly diners, but what makes anyone think that folks who believe that cheese steaks are high dining would know good Mexican food when they eat it. Well they don't. The food was expensive with tiny servings, but that wasn't so bad because it really wasn't very tasty. Trust me, Max's pictures were much better than the food.

And then we moved to beer...

And our enthusiastic "boys"...

Isn't she cute?

Dad and Fay's Big Birthday Bash!

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:08:00 +0000

We had a fantastic time! Did I mention that we had a fantastic time!?! We started talking/planning/dreaming about a birthday celebration for Dad's (Granddad) 85th birthday and Fay's (Grandma Fay's) 75th more than a year ago. Sometimes it seemed like it would never arrive. But it did! And did I mention we had a fantastic time!

Now this blog is mostly about the pictures- pictures of family- at a celebration all about family!

So first with the BIG GROUP PICTURES!

This is one BIG, BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!

So we'll start with Dad and Fay and my brother and sister and step brother- and our most significant others!

And you just have to see my oh, so beautiful family!

But this blog is mostly about the pictures- so I best get started!

And we had friends from Norman that drove up just to join the celebration!

It was wonderful to see Walt and Earline- and we're already getting excited for the University of Oklahoma and University of Cincinnati Football game next fall here in Cincinnati!

And then Clare and Oliver came from OKC!

And of course Bill and Ellen!

We had the BIG BIRTHDAY BASH at LaFortune Park in Tulsa- complete with Barbq- Thanks to BUBBA...

BIG BUBBA!

And a great time was had by all!

Holding my babies is what I love the best!

The newest member of our family! Mikayla joins in the fun!

Mary and Sam!

It was wonderful to have our niece Tracy join the fun!

And you of course are noticing how cute Sam is looking...

Taylor takes the curve!

Marianne and Deseree in cartwheel contest!

Will, Brandy and Mikayla!

Aunt Mary and her Grandniece, Mikayla!

Cousins! (When Mikayla complains that maybe her BIG CUZ doesn't want her tagging along in a few years- maybe we should remind her she seemed less than enthusiastic when Reeder wanted to hold her- even for a moment.)

AND I THINK THIS MIGHT BE A MOST WONDERFUL GRANDMA MOMENT!

And I haven't even mentioned that we all went to the Tulsa State Fair!

Taylor and Reeder kept me safe! I really, really, really don't like heights! In Ferris Wheels! But I was safe!

I think this ride is more my speed!

Trust me! I'm not a pair of those dangling legs. But if you look closely you'll find Amber and Deseree!

My absolute favorite! The Merry-Go- Round!

And of course we did find the FAIR FOOD!

Amber heard about the Pineapple Whip on NPR and I was determined! And it was amazing- and I don't even like pineapple!

Notice the matching shorts on Marianne and Deseree!

A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

A new coat of paint and a new look

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:58:00 +0000

After several months of work our house painting project has finally been completed. The house was first power washed to remove the dirt and loose paint. This was done about a month before the painting actually started since construction was still in progress. When the painters returned, they power washed it again to remove paint that was still loose. The house looked pretty awful before the first brush of paint was put on it. Then they started priming the house and as they primed it, they scrapped off anything that hadn't been removed by the power washing. We picked out four colors, two shades of brown, an off white, and a red for accents. We wanted a real change from the white, blue, gray and pink we had for the past 14 years.

First, they primed the whole house with the lighter shade of brown. At first I was having some second thoughts about our color choices. The house was solid beige and not very interesting. But we had some faith in the colors and didn't change anything. Once the house was primed they started caulking every crack and crevice that they could find. I was somewhat amazed that they spent almost two weeks caulking the house. I was impressed. Then the real painting got started and we had ladders everywhere.

There were times when we had ladders outside most of our windows. It became a habit to check the bathroom windows just to make sure that a painter wasn't positioned just outside when the bathroom facilities were needed for a shower or other uses.

An, although the construction crew occupied my whole garage during their work, the painters only took up half of it. We were able to occasionally actually park a car in our garage. It had been since early January since were had been able to do that.

But now it is done, and it does look great. Our painters were not cheap, nor were they fast, but I do believe that they did about as good a job painting this house as anyone could have. Their work was meticulous, they didn't leave any mess and they were careful to make sure we knew what they were doing and anytime they thought that a change in plans needed to be made, they discussed it with us. Here is the finished product.

Our front door.

The front porch

The front bay window

The back porch

The view from the driveway

The new Sun Room

The view from the back yard

And since the American Hornbeam in the back yard was putting on such a beautiful display of fall color, I decided it needed a little notice too.

Pine floors

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:33:00 +0000

When I first bought this old house over 22 years ago, the stairway, hall and second floor bedrooms all has beige carpet-ugly beige carpet. Although it wasn't exactly new, it wasn't awful carpet. The awful part is that it is still on the floors and now it is awful-really, really, really awful. It has been on this floor through several dogs, multiple teenagers, multiple grandchildren, and I would be misrepresenting it if I didn't include myself as one of the participants. So we decided that if the outside were to get a face lift, so should the inside. The first step was painting all of these rooms in this house and since we were going to replace these carpets, why use drop cloths when you paint? The painting is now done, so the floors are next. But since I refinished the wood floors in two of the five bedrooms on the second floor over a couple of years several years ago, Max decided they should all be wood. I really do like wood floors, but I really didn't want to refinish these floors, because it is a lot of work, and she was talking about me doing 3 of them instead of just one at a time. I love, absolutely love, wood floors. Especially the wood floors in an really old house (circa 1895)- wood that has been around so very long. Seems so very painful to cover it up with a nylon pile. But Don wasn't so sure- first of all- returning an old wood floor- especially one that has never been loved- is no small feat. Don knows- he did it on two of the fiver rooms on this floor. But I was determined- so I nagged, and nagged, and nagged, and nagged. So in addition to picking out new carpet, we also contracted to get the floors refinished. The carpet on the stairs, hallways, and 3rd floor will be replaced after they finish the wood refinishing. They started yesterday (Wednesday) by first moving all of the bedroom furniture out of the rooms and into the empty spaces on the rest of the second floor.

Below is our hallway. That's the cherry chest of drawers/mirror that belonged to Mom. Behind it is one of our queen beds. The hall is officially clogged.

This is my study, or at least it was before it got stuffed with everything else. I was able to climb over several pieces and around a book shelf to get to my socks and underwear. That was a relief. It has been quite a challenge trying to pack for a trip to Phili (we're going to help Matthew and Sharon move into their new condo- Hurrah!)- I can't get to any of my blue jeans- too much furniture between me and them- so we'll just have to "make do"- but am feeling so grateful I won't have to smell this "stuff" in the air much longer.

And this is a giant vacuum dust sucker that they put in our entry way to try and keep the dust down while they sanded the floors. This vacuum was plugged into our 220 volt dryer outlet in the basement.

The floors on our second story are solid 1X 4 pine boards that have never been refinished since they were first nailed down over 114 years ago. Some previous owner decided that wood was out and so they repainted, much like I did, and splattered paint all over these floors before putting carpet over it. But these floor sanders can take off anything and they brought out the beautiful wood that is below.

Today I came home to floors with a first coat of urethane on them. It will take two more coats that will be put on tomorrow and Saturday, but the floors will be done by Monday. The smell right now is pretty awful as the urethane dries, but we will survive.

Next they will pull the old carpet off the stairs, hall and 3rd floor and put down new carpet. So we are hopeful that in just over another week, this old house will be done.

Buckwheat Pancakes- You just gotta try these!

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:22:00 +0000

I don't usually contribute much in these food blogs that Max writes, except of course in pictures, usually with my mouth open and a fork in my hand. But this one deserves to be commented on since this is a really great recipe and better yet, it is very simple. Max made this somewhat by accident, but I'll let her tell you about that. Try them, you will like them.

Not sure now where the original thought "I think maybe we'll try Buckwheat pancakes" came from- but I'm always looking for new ideas for our Saturday "breakfast at home". So I went on line and found a recipe and went shopping- for Buckwheat Flour- And I had trouble finding it- But finally stumbled on what I thought must be it- only thing with buckwheat in the title- and it was near flours and grains- So brought it home- and we loved them! Absolutely LOVED THEM! They were marvelous! So we had them often enough that I almost ran out of the buckwheat- so went back to the store for more- But as I'm a slow learner I stumbled around again to find the buckwheat flour. Brought it home and we made up a batch- And HATED THEM! How could this be? Well we looked at the package- and sure enough it was buckwheat "FLOUR". And then I compared to the label on the tiny dab left in the package from prior- and I hadn't been using flour at all- but rather "CEREAL" -so rather than "buckwheat flour"- I had been using "creamy buckwheat hot cereal". Well I don't care a bit what all the folks out there making buckwheat pancakes are using- but I can tell them- they're making a big, big, big mistake. Because if they'd just make one tiny little switch to cereal instead of flour theirs would be as good as ours!

So when you try this absolutely wonderful recipe- make sure you get the cereal- not the flour- and you're going to love it. Or maybe instead you'll just come to visit us- And we'll make them for you the RIGHT WAY- OUR WAY OF COURSE! (I'll put the recipe at the end)

Ingredients: Other than the buckwheat cereal it is the usual pancake "stuff", buttermilk, flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, egg, sugar...

My job in this process is cooking these pancakes. As with any other pancakes, get the griddle hot enough that drops of water "dance" on the surface when sprinkled on. Let them cook until you see bubbles coming up through the top and then turn them once and cook until brown on both sides.

As most of you who know Max know that she is a kitchen gadget collector. We have all kinds of kitchen gadgets, and I must admit that most do get used. But the one pictured below is my absolute favorite. What could be better in the fall than an apple peeler, corer, and spiral slicer? It is one item that I would readily replace if this one ever broke.

Well summer is over- and gone are strawberries and blueberries and raspberries and blackberries and plums and peaches and nectarines. The days of abundance are over. We are squarely looking winter in the horizon. And Don is in heaven- IT IS APPLE SEASON. And Don can do without all those summer fruits as long as he has his apples. So we're doing all things apple. (By the way- I have discovered that all I need to make Don REALLY, REALLY, REALLY happy with a recipe- is mix apples with a little cinnamon and a little butter and a little maple syrup)

Apple Topping:

2 peeled, cored, sliced apples

1 tbsp butter

2 tbsp maple syrup (use the REAL stuff and grade b is best)

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp cardomon

Soften apples in non stick skillet on low heat while you make the pancakes

One final comment from me. One of the things that I have always considered odd about Max's eating habits is her insistence on eating pancakes with fried eggs on top. Call it an aberration of pigs in a blanket - more like chickens on top of the sheets. Anyway, she definitely inherited this from her dad and insists that whenever I make pancakes, she gets fried eggs to put on top. I'm more of a purist when it comes to pancakes. They can be topped with a little butter and some maple syrup and now with Max's new recipe, topped with these wonderful apples sauteed in maple syrup and cinnamon. I love eggs- and just quite ever work up to "loving" a pancake if there isn't a fried egg close by. I rather like a "little of everything" on my plate!

BUCKWHEAT PANCAKES FOR TWO:
Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup buttermilk
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) all-purpose flour
8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) creamy buckwheat hot cereal
2 teaspoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon of baking powder
Directions:
1.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and melted butter.
2.
In another bowl, mix together white flour, buckwheat flour, sugar, salt and baking soda. Pour the dry ingredients into the egg-mixture. Stir until the two mixtures are just incorporated.
3.
Heat a griddle or large frying pan to medium-hot, and place 1 tablespoon of butter, margarine or oil into it. Let the butter melt before spooning the batter into the frying pan, form 4 inch pancakes out of the batter. Once bubbles form on the top of the pancakes, flip them over, and cook them on the other side for about 3 minutes. Continue with this process until all of the batter has been made into pancakes.

Scenes From A Summer Just Past

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:29:00 +0000

Well it certainly isn't summer anymore. My, oh my, not sure where the summer went. We stayed so busy- what with work- and the coming and going of family- and of course continued (yes and still continuing) work on the house. But there were moments- moments caught in a picture that tell the disconnected story of the summer just past. So before we firmly close the door on summer and turn to walk through fall into winter we thought we'd look back just one more time..

A walk with Brandy with our brand new Mikayla in Las Vegas...

And Mikayla loved the pedicure-nothing like cuddling in a vibrating chair- think she could have enjoyed for hours (and me too!)...

And then what can be better than popcorn and a movie with Grandpa?

Or better yet- playing with Barbie. The Barbie dolls and house handed down from Aunt Mary to Amber and now enjoyed by the new generation of girls- Hayes was much too little of course- but not Grandpa and Reeder!

And summer wouldn't be summer without a walk to the ice cream shop...

A Reds Game...

The 4th of July parade that always goes right in front of our house. We always have family and friends who come by to enjoy it with us.

Some of us wore red, white and blue to celebrate the day.

Climbing a tree.....

And of course, trips to the playground...

Who has the best cartwheel?

Nice round off Mary!

And a trip to the pool..

And the biggest splash of all- Way to go Pat! And the screaming all the way down the tube was a great touch!

Peaches and of course a Peach Pie!

Dress up in my old dresses...

Even my wedding and prom dresses!

A launching of the fish...

Summer evenings on the porch...

Piano camp!

A trip to Philadelphia..

We matched!

And to finish up, the first day in a new school.

Good bye Summer- See you next year!

Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:34:00 +0000

This past weekend we ventured north and west to the City of Chicago to spend some time with Amber on her 26th birthday. It looks like she will have a minimum of two more years there while she completes her two Masters degrees in Public History (Loyola) and Library Science (Dominion). So the plan was to eat well, celebrate, and enjoy Chicago.

We started at Amber's apartment with - drum roll please- PRESENTS- of course!

I think Don looks especially nice with the bag!

And then it was off to dinner- vegetarian of course! You can check it out at: http://www.greenzebrachicago

And then a BIG FINISH with CUPCAKES!

On Saturday morning we met Evan for breakfast- Now Don says this so very casually- "we met Evan for breakfast"- But there's more to this- WE MET AMBER'S NEW BOYFRIEND FOR THE VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY FIRST TIME FOR BREAKFAST. I think you get the picture- and then headed to the city center. We started by walking out onto Navy Pier and just enjoyed the sites and the sunshine. I've kept you in suspense haven't I? You thought I'd put a picture right at the beginning- but no- as you well know I am a patient person- so I waited 60 words- keeping you in this heightened state of anticipation. But here it is!

Evan and Amber by the Navy Pier!

And then we paused by the statue of the American Gothic for a picture:

Amber had made reservations for us to go on the Chicago River Architecture Tour, something that I had considered any number of times while visiting Chicago, but never really had the time to do. But Saturday was a beautiful day and we had nothing but time on our hands, so the tour was a great idea. I think this particular Saturday was so beautiful that I would have loved meandering down the river even if I hated architecture. But I don't- so this was a real treat. Chicago has such a wide variety of buildings that represent a wide variety of architectural styles. As we left on the tour boat which started at Michigan Avenue, the number of different styles is pretty mind numbing. Our docent was amazing in that she described every building along the river, who designed it, what architectural style it represented and the history of who occupied it. There is no way to remember which were which and since architecture is not one of my strong point, I will only add pictures of the various buildings. The perspective of all of these will be from below, looking up, because we were on the river and these building all were located either on the river bank or near by.

On the Chicago River at Michigan Avenue stand some very stark contrasts of architecture. Across from the street from each other are the Chicago Tribune building and the Wrigley building.

The Tribune building is a neo-gothic building (front facade above) with a high tower and the Wrigley building is in the French Renaissance style with a clock tower.

The Tribune tower above and the Wrigley clock tower below

They compliment each other beautifully, but right next door and looming above the Wrigley building is the new Trump tower that is a high spire of glass and steel.

As our boat moved down stream away from the lake (now that's another story) we passed an amazing variety of building styles, some that were built to take advantage of the river and others that were built to provide a specific function without regard to form. Below are twin apartment towers with the lower levels for parking. If you back too far into your parking space, your car falls into the river many stories below.

This next building has an amazing Greek columned top

The next two buildings were separated from each other, but both were built to emphasize the curve of the river and the blue of the water reflecting the surrounding..

The story behind this next apartment building was that the architect had always built structures using right corners and parallel lines, but decided to abandon that style for curves. At the base below the parking lot was a mooring site for residents boats.

But for the most part, architects stayed with those right angles and straight lines to produce a variety of different styles, which I know all have names, but for the life of me I can't remember any of them.

Thought I might break up the pictures of the buildings with a picture of Amber and Evan on the boat...

This next building is the Merchandise Mart, which claims to be the largest commercial building in the world with 4.2 million square feet of space.

And at the far end of the tour we were provided with a view of the Willis Tower (formally known as the Sears Tower and still called that by the vast majority of people). It was at one time the worlds tallest building, but is now ranked 3rd in the world and will be 4th if the new "Spire" is built by the lake in Chicago. The building next to the Willis Tower is small in comparison (only 65 stories compared 108 for the Willis Tower), but the angle here makes it look almost as big.

Now it is important that what I know about architecture styles is even less than zip! Why we might judge it zippo minus- but the building on the above right is an "Art Deco" And that is my absolute favorite building style- And it is the style of my high school in Tulsa- So it has a particular fondness. So mostly as we meandered down the river I just kept looking for my favorites- I think maybe it is the only style I can actually identify with a modest degree of accuracy.

Art Deco buildings were built in the US primarily in the roaring 20's and then continued by the WPA during the GREAT DEPRESSION. Our high school was built by the WPA during the depression- 1938- you can read about it at:

http://www.tulsapreservationcommission.org/nationalregister/buildings/index.pl?id=71

Somehow I just don't think our current "stimulus money" is going to result in these glorious monuments that last through the decades. I guess I'll always be glad I walked the halls of this grandeur built from despair.

And finally this high rise apartment that sits right on Lake Michigan next to the Navy Pier. This building has three "petals" extending from the center providing a glass exterior that provides privacy from neighbors because the line of sight does not extend from one apartment to any other.

So after the boat tour we were off to dinner- pizza and beer- beer brewed right on site! You can check it out at: http://www.piecechicago.com.

And of course there was certainly desert - not with the beer- we headed for a restaurant called "Hot Chocolate" for the desert!

But the night was still young so it was off to the local bar to finish the evening.

This weekend wasn't quite finished though. On Sunday after breakfast out (Have I mentioned how wonderful breakfast out is in Chicago!). We traveled to the Chicago Art Institute to finish our visit here.

Don's favorite- the Impressionist Gallery.

But our final stop was a visit with the "original" American Gothic:

A new view from the Window

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:56:00 +0000

The view from the Windows on Wentworth has suddenly become a lot clearer. As part of our upgrade of porches, we also decided to upgrade our windows. This old house's windows have been in place for 114 years. They are large double hung wooden single pane windows, many of which had broken ropes on their counter weights. These last few years I just hadn't gotten around to replacing those ropes, and consequently many of them required Herculean efforts to raise them and then a prop to hold them up. We did have aluminum storm windows on the outside, but over the years some of them have also separated at the corners and become leaky or even not usable.

In the winter on a windy day, we usually had a nice cool breeze blowing in when sitting by a window. The other problem is that since the aluminum storm window frames were attached to the house by wood screws, I never took them off when I repainted the house, and thus the outsides of these old wooden windows were looking absolutely terrible. So the windows are being replaced, all of them except for the ones with stained glass in them.

These old windows were heavy and consequently required large counter weights and pulleys to allow you to raise and lower them without straining yourself.

As they take out these old iron counter weights, they reflect a technology that is as old as the buggy whip and about as useful today. I'll probably save some of these counterweights, just to have them, and who knows, I may actually think of a new application for them. Consider it the greening of double hung counter weights.

I must admit, although they were drafty, I really did like these old windows with their unique locks and decorative shoulders. You just can't get windows with that kind of character in something that is energy efficient, at least without paying an arm and a leg for them. So they will be going away with both a certain amount of sadness and a certain amount of relief.

So the Window on Wentworth will have a new look, one that will be displayed in a future post. Because in addition to the construction and the windows, the outside of the house is now being painted. The white that it has been since I bought it 22+ years ago will be covered with a new color, but you will have to wait until the job is completed to see it.

Porches

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:00:00 +0000

This construction project on our house has been going on since January. But this last week we finally finished the last of the real construction project. The new windows still need to be installed, but those will just replace these old drafty windows that were original in the house 114 years ago. This last construction phase was the replacement of our back porch. Below are pictures of this porch prior to the start of construction.

So, the porch was removed along with most of the brick patio that extended beyond the porch.

One additional problem we ran into was the old cistern that sat just behind and under the current kitchen. Unfortunately, one of the piers for the new porch needed to be placed in a place above this cistern. Consequently, 30 cubic yards of a mixture of cement and sand had to be pumped into this hole before we could proceed. At last we were able to pour the piers and place the foundation beams for the porch. This took a while and the entire porch was removed only after the piers for completed. Poor Brutus was used to charging out the back door and thus the first time he did this without warning the porch was gone, he fell the four feet and landed on his head. It didn't seem to hurt him too much, but he has been a bit more cautious in going out since then.

As the porch went up, Max and I started dreaming of actually getting it done. Below Max is sitting on our porch in progress, enjoying a glass of wine and imagining the finished product.

With good weather the porch continued up and showing us what we were hoping to see.

Day by day it looked more and more like the view our two dimensional blue prints.

The new brick work was put in place so the final steps could be put on

And the final wrap around steps were completed putting this phase behind us.

The final stage of our project is to get this old house painted. We've picked the colors and the painters start this week. It will be nice to get this old house looking its best again.

A big hug all around

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:56:00 +0000

Well, I held this post up for over a week hoping Max would have time to chime in, but she has been pretty busy finishing up her work and getting ready to leave for a week at piano camp. She flew out this a.m. so I am posting without her.

These last two weeks were pretty trying to say the least, but last weekend provided a big dose of family, something that always brings a real sense of belonging and security. With Sarah, Deseree and Anthony safely at our house, we also welcomed Kelly and Pat's crew from Bluffton and visits from Mary, Kevin, Taylor and Samantha as well as Michael and Liz. It was a house full, but well worth every minute of it. Kelly et.al arrived for dinner on Friday and stayed until Sunday afternoon. It was so nice to have everyone at the house spending time catching up, eating, drinking, resting, and just being there.

Saturday morning Darby provided assistance in making our pancake breakfast. My previous helper, Bailey, has become a full fledged teenager much more interested in sleeping in than flipping pancakes with her uncle Don. But Darby has grown into the job and did a most excellent job at that. She is growing up into what is sure to become a beautiful young lady, just like her sisters.

Darby also demonstrated how grown up she really is by helping with the fruit salad. Little did Max know that Darby is rarely allowed to even approach a butter knife, much less one of our sharp paring knives. But once again she was up to the task and came away with all of her fingers intact and the strawberries nicely cut up.

A good bit of time was spent just sitting around with the children, making new and renewing old connections.

And Max got to put her new double rocker to the test. She insisted that we really needed this rocker so she could rock grandchildren in it it.

It proved to be just perfect for those evening occasions

And our new "Sun Room" or "Side Porch" was put to great use providing plenty of room for everyone to sit or to gather to eat. Of particular popularity was the corner over stuffed chair, my personal favorite place in the whole room. Kelly and Lucas seemed to appreciate it just as much as I do.

But the best part was just being there with everyone else, enjoying a glass of wine or just enjoying being with each other.

Even we old folks enjoyed trying out our new family room "double overstuffed chair with room for two.

And occasionally room for three.

or even a comfy place to lie down for only one.

The real hit of the weekend was the tool bench and tools that Kelly and Pat brought. Anthony, Taylor, and even Lucas enjoyed using the array of tools provided.

Las Vegas newcomer

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:04:00 +0000

I guess it's my turn to chime in on our newest family member. This week I was a newcomer to Las Vegas to see Mikayla. I don't suppose there is much to be said above and beyond what others have so well provided. She is a pretty little girl who spends most of her time sleeping, eating and pooping. She does wake up a few hours a day and seems to be attempting to figure out what this new world is all about. She does know how to say she is hungry, although sometimes it can be confused with "change my pants!"

Now Max and I have the best of both worlds here in Las Vegas. We go to bed early, sleep late, and get to play with Mikayla during the day. Mom and Dad get night duty, and as you see below, they tend to catch naps whenever they can.

And Max is pretty good at double tasking. Holding Mikayla is something she seems to be pretty good at, and will at times also read facebook or email or even knit.

And Brandy is already well into the double tasking mode. Mikayla needs food regardless of whether or not Brandy has school work to do.

We did spend Father's day here and it was great to celebrate with Will on his very first Father's day. Please excuse this next picture, as it does not have Mikayla in it, but we did celebrate with a fine dinner

And then of course needed a Father's day picture to go along with the meal.

And regardless of whether it was Father's day, we also took some Mother - Daughter/Mother - Daughter pictures.

So enough of these family shots. Here is the star of the show.

And finally, my favorite picture.

Shelby, Samantha's Birthday, and Flutterbys

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:18:00 +0000

Last weekend was a very busy one for us. Shelby (my niece Kelly's daughter for those of you who don't know the family tree) came down from Bluffton to spend the weekend with us. Shelby will be a senior next year and wanted to visit U.C.'s campus as a possible college for her. The fact that Aaron (Shelby's squeeze) is also a student at UC may have had some impact on the decision, and certainly did have an impact on the fact that her interview was on Thursday, but she didn't leave until Sunday. We loved having here and hope she does come to UC so we can see her much more often (like when she needs to do laundry and eat a good meal). I know it's premature- to hope that UC is the final choice- but I can hope can't I?

We also did a pre-celebration of Samantha's first birthday. Her real birthday was June 10 (same as Brandy) and her big party was June 12, but we think its fun to spread birthdays out, so Kevin, Mary, Sam, and Taylor came over for Brunch on Sunday Morning and Aaron and Shelby joined us for French Toast, Sausage and fruit salad. Sam got to open her presents from us and Taylor did offer some occasional help.

And of course there were presents- but I must tell you I think Samantha rather considered them more of a nuisance- My guess is she'll be more enthusiastic next year- and the next- and the next....

Then after breakfast we all went to Krohn Conservatory to see the butterfly show that they are having there. The butterflies were all in the seasonal room (where we had Brandy's reception) and it was filled with flowers and hundreds of beautiful butterflies. Krohn's will always be one of my favorite places to be in Cincy- It is always so very beautiful. And of course since Brandy and Will's wedding was here- and we all spent such an enchanted evening I always relive that wonderful winter night every time I go.
Here are some pictures:

We go places- and do things- with our Grandbabies that we just wouldn't do otherwise- and it is so much fun. Now there's really no reason that we couldn't just take the time and go to Krohn's to see the butterflies- but we'd just never get around to it- I know us- we'd sit by our pond- or take a walk in the neighborhood- or watch a ballgame- But with our babes we find the time- And I am so very glad!

Pretty Family!
Sam and her Daddy!

And her Mommy!

Butterflies!

More Shelby and Aaron (the BIG REASON UC is so appealing?)

Don...

And of course SAMANTHA OPAL- our birthday girl!

And of course, we had to have a picture of Sam and her Grandma sitting on the butterfly chair.

Family Graduation

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:28:00 +0000

It's that time of year and graduation is in the air. We were wonderfully surprised to get an invitation to Kyle Richmond's graduation. There has already been two blogs of this event posted by Tracy (http://www.tracytakesover.blogspot.com/), but here is our two cents worth.

There's absolutely nothing better than a weekend with family! And when Tracy told us we were "REALLY INVITED" to Kyle's graduation we knew we wouldn't miss it. Not only would we get to celebrate this most special of days with Kyle (well mostly with Tracy- I think Kyle might have rather spent the day fishing- rather than dressing for the ceremony)- but we'd get to spend the day with Bill et al. We were excited!

Kyle is Tracy's first born, and for those who don't know the family tree, Tracy is the first born of Bill, my Mom's first born. OK, so Tracy is my niece and Kyle my grand nephew. We didn't see much of Kyle while he was growing up, (he did go with us- and several of our children- and Mom and Dad- to New Mexico to see Bill and Ellen one summer about 12 or so years ago- Kyle was so little- but he was a real hiker- he and Matthew and Don and I hiked the trails around Bill's beautiful New Mexico home-the wild flower pictures from that trip live on our bedroom walls- And there is a picture hanging in the front room of the beauty- and Kyle and I are little specks in the trees- great pic- lots of people comment.) Or for that matter we didn't get to see much of Tracy either. Her marriage took her to a number of different states where Rob, her ex-husband worked for Lowes. Given that she is now settled in Springdale, Arkansas and Rob is off in Alaska to yet another Lowes, we decided it was a great time to renew the relationship and bring Tracy and her family closer to ours.

So Max and I headed south to Arkansas for the Memorial Day weekend and Kyles graduation. It's 700 miles from our house to Tracy's so we left on a Friday when Max got home from work and drove to the middle of Missouri, spent the night at "America's Best Inn" in Rolla, Missouri. Trust me, the name greatly exceeded the the motel itself, but given that it was cheap, and we were only there about 9 hours, it served its purpose. The only thing I can say nice is that it didn't smell too bad- not sure they can use that in an advertisement...

The next morning we got to Tracy's just before noon and met Elaine, Tracy's mom and my brother Bill who were already there. Bill brought some house guests with him, Slick and Denise who are long time acquaintances of his from the UK. Bill was fairly adamant about eating lunch at AQ Chicken House (http://www.aqchickenhouse.net/), one of his favorite dining experiences in Arkansas (how many can there be?). I am sorry we didn't get pictures of the place, but we left in such a hurry that I didn't even think to bring a camera. This place is famous for chicken fixed any way you want it unless you are thinking of something healthy. A speciality is breaded and fried chicken livers served with dipping gravy. I do want to add that they had WONDERFUL fried chicken livers- I loved them- What a treat! Just looking at it made me want to go back and take another Plavix and a couple more Lipitor. They even had breaded and fried French Fries.

After lunch was the graduation ceremony held in the U. of Arkansas field house. There were only 400+ graduates so the ceremony didn't take too long. I think the highlight of the ceremony was the commencement speech given to the graduates. Usually this is something along the lines of: The door is now open for you to succeed, or Set your sites on high goals because you can achieve them, or Your high school education is your first step toward higher education. But this speaker was a local car salesman that never went to college. His message was that a person could succeed in life by going to work after high school and washing cars and sweeping up cigarette butts, and if you worked real hard at it, you might someday be as successful as he had been in the 10 years since his high school graduation. With 7 kids we are something of an expert on graduation speeches- and we really only remember the bad ones. And Matthew- if you're out there reading this- the speech that hot afternoon at Muskingam is still the worst I've heard- It will take a lot to top that one! Long- Boring- Long- Boring-Hot- And the guy even restarted when he was stopped for the paramedics to remove the lady who passed out- Long- Boring (Did I say Long- Boring)- the worst.

Our seating was not very close, and so we really didn't get many pictures of Kyle. Tracy has already posted some in his cap and gown on her blog. Here is Kyle getting his tassel moved from the right side to the left and the now graduated Kyle walking by us.

They also had a camera which projected to the overhead scoreboard above the field house. Unfortunately, they didn't really think that some graduates might be taller than others, so we only saw part of Kyle move by as his head was cut off from the picture

Of course the mother of this graduate alternated between the joy of a first born graduating and a few tears because of a first born graduating.

After graduation we all went back to Tracy's house for libation and dinner. Tracy absolutely waited on us- talk about pampered- Wow- And she made the best Beef Strogonoff (Grandma's recipe- and Grandma would be proud.) Bill and Elaine were both there along with Tracy's two younger girls, Katie and Jesse. We didn't get to see Becca, Tracy's daughter that came with Rob although we did meet her at Mom's funeral last October, but we did get to finally meet Bobby, Becca's brother. So now we are almost caught up with Tracy's family. It's about time.

Jesse and Elaine

Probably the most interesting event of the evening happened later in the evening after the girls had gone out, Bill and friends had left, Kyle was at a graduation party, and we were left with Elaine and Tracy. Now Tracy has two dogs, an enormous Mastiff and a Basset named Beullar. Beullar seemed to be having some itching problems on his back side, and Elaine quickly diagnosed it as "anal gland" problems. But not to worry, because Elaine was well experienced with these types of problems and could quickly relieve Beullar's itch if only she could find some latex gloves. Tracy quickly provide the gloves and Elaine explained my role in this effort. I believe my response (as Max captured below) was: "you want me to do what? so you can do what?"

The "treatment" involved not only the gloves, but also picking Beullar up so he was in the sink (my job), apparently to isolate the offending expressed anal gland material, and finally some butter. Elaine, using the butter for obvious lubrication (anyone see Last Tango in Paris?) quickly performed her canine proctology technique only to reveal that Beullar probably was just itching. Thank goodness for sparing us the cure, but poor Beullar did suffer a somewhat mortifying and humiliating procedure.

I believe after that experience we all decided to call it a night. If you listen real close you can still hear me screaming with laughter!

I will mention here that in contrast to the "Best" in Rolla we stayed at a Doubletree- and it really is the "BEST"- everything you want- great bed- marvelous linens- and a warm cookie.

It was great to see Tracy and reconnect with her kids. Families are too valuable to waste.But mostly I want to thank Tracy for a wonderful, wonderful time! She is an absolutely marvelous hostess- And we had an absolutely marvelous time! Thank you Tracy!

The front Porch

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:16:00 +0000

As construction progressed on our sun room, work also began on the front porch. At least the demolition started at the same time.

These old Victorian houses were built in a fashion that just doesn't exist today. The gable brackets on our house were showing their age and needed to be replaced. But you just can't go out and buy brackets like those in this day and age. If you want them, you have have to make them yourself. Ours were taken off as a first step and set aside for preservation.

One day we had a front porch, the next day that first step was a long one. But at least they did put up a temporary mail box for us.

Our old porch was just sitting on the ground without much between it and the dirt. That was one reason it started tilting as the timbers rotted. The new porch is set on concrete foundation with each post sitting on a pier of 4 feet of concrete that is 18 inches in diameter.

They used serious equipment to build this foundation.

Once the foundation was in, they started building the porch superstructure using treated wood.

For as long as she has been here, Max has wanted a front porch that wraps around the side of the house. So that was our plan. We had to take out a couple of small trees to make room for it, but the new porch will really balance out the sun room on the other side of the house.

These guys that are doing our work aren't just construction guys, they are are true craftsmen in the art of carpentry. Working on an old house like this one is a step by step process. Everything has to be done to custom fit this house. As I said before, buying new soffit brackets just wasn't possible, so they made new ones, except these were made out of PVC "boards" that they cut out and laminated together. Below are 5 new ones that will be put on the new back porch.

Below are the ones that they put on the front porch.

And here is the new porch that is just about completed. They still have to pour the concrete below the steps, something they will do when they pour the foundation for the back porch.

And here are some pictures from the porch itself. We will probably put a porch swing on it on the side and a couple of rocking chairs along with some plant in pots and hangers.

It will be wonderful!

Screened porch to a Sun Room

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:19:00 +0000

Max and I have mentioned several time in this blog that our old house needs some significant work to bring it back up to its stately self. After all, this house is 114 years old and was needing some significant care. The screened porch was one of our favorite places to spend time during the good weather times here in Cincinnati. But the hot and humid summers and the cold winters limited our use of it to parts of spring and fall. Even worse, the exposed parts of this porch was beginning to show age and decay. For Matthew's and Sharon's reception, I had to find a piece of wood to patch a hole that was growing near the edge lest someone fall through it with a chair leg.

So Max and I contracted with Rod Sidley, a local architect (and friend) that I have known for close to 20 years. Rod has done lots of work here in Wyoming and so we asked him help us with our house to bring it back to the to its stately self. Rod drew some plans based on what we told him and what he thought this house should look like. We loved the plans and started the work as soon as we returned from California in January. We contracted with a local father and son team and they got to work starting with the screened porch. It didn't take long for a very large dumpster to arrive in our driveway and it quickly started filling up with screen porch demolition.

Unfortunately, we started this project during a very cold and snowy winter here in Cincinnati. Our driveway was full of lumber, scaffolding, and a giant dumpster. So we lost our garage for the winter months meaning that I did a lot of snow and ice scraping. But losing the garage was worth it for what was to eventually arise from the dust of our old screened porch. The Smart wasn't very happy about this situation, but we all did have to suffer.

I was a bit surprised about how long it takes to tear something down versus how long it takes to build something. I went to work one day with a screened porch attached to the house and when I came home that night all that was left was the foundation. The screened porch had been dismantled and placed in a large dumpster that was parked in front of my garage.

One new addition that we did have immediately was a port-a-potty parked next to my gold fish pond. At least they had a view. You might note in this picture that the pond is frozen over. I wonder if they have heated toilet seats??

The sun room started slowly rising on the old foundation. There were multiple delays caused mostly by the frigid weather, the snow and the ice. For a while there were giant icicle hanging off the house above where the workers would have been working.

But the walls began to rise and the roof trusses arrived and soon it started looking somewhat like a room.

After the room went up the windows arrived and were soon put in place providing a somewhat sheltered place out of the weather for the work to continue. The skylights were put in, the drywall ceiling was installed which I quickly painted, the finish work in the interior was done, and finally the new slate floor was installed. The last step was for me to paint it. That took a vacation day Friday and a Saturday afternoon before it was done.

It's still just an empty room. The heat and AC haven't been installed, but we made a trip to Ikea to buy a dining table and sidebar and end tables and then ordered a new couch/hide-a-bed. There is still some finish work like putting in the ceiling fan, but the room is near completion and it's is going to be wonderful. Now it isn't officially finished yet. The ceiling fan still isn't installed and we haven't done the final inspection, but we decided that we would have our first meal there just because it was a beautiful day and the room was just sitting there waiting on us. So we brought in a card table and table cloth, a couple of chairs and a bottle of nice Italian white wine. We were right, it is wonderful.

Return to the West Edge of the Earth to Prepare for Mikayla Wren (and to visit Reeder and Hayes of course!)

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:57:00 +0000

This is a really, really, really hard blog to write. But I am determined! Very determined! But it so hard. The pains of procrastination!

So now it is almost the end of May- and this blog takes place back in April- And "what a difference a day makes"- well maybe little more than a day. But April seems so long ago- but I want you to see the pictures- because the pictures tell to story of such a good time.

But for that week in April I just rejoiced in family- what a fantastic time! I traveled to Las Vegas to help Brandy get the nursery ready for Mikayla- but before we started the work she and I traveled over t0 California to see Clint, Marianne, Reeder and Hayes.

So the first day I was back to Cincy I started loading up pictures... And then I returned to work (eventually I hope that the work days are around 8 hours- for now they often stretch into 10-11- and I am exhausted- but I am still hopeful that eventually...)

And then my computer BROKE- I don't want to dwell on that- just suffice it to say that I am not ever, ever, ever going to buy anything by Dell- And I still don't have a computer- Don lets me borrow his- And I'm not sure when I will have a computer- they're still trying to find it- they really aren't sure where it is- and they're sure that they probably can't ever find mine (we had returned mine for repairs)- so they think that maybe sometime.... they'll find something similar... and when they do they'll send it...

And need I mention that I spend a WHOLE LOT MORE TIME trying to keep this house at least one step ahead of chaos. There is a whole heck of a lot of difference between caring for a 7 bedroom 2 1/2 bath 114 year old house in the middle of construction -should I mention all the pictures hanging crooked- or the perpetual dust.. Well it's a lot, lot, lot more work than a 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no yard apartment in San Fran...

So April seems so far away. And I meant to get back to this blog..

And now Mikayla is here- and Brandy isn't pregnant anymore...

But I had such a great time- and I really do want you to see the pictures.

So here it is.

Now before Brandy and I started doing any of the work getting ready for Mikayla we traveled to California to see MY GRANDBABIES!

We started at an Earth Day Celebration at Balboa Park in San Diego:

And Reeder and I make homemade pizza!

And Hayes got a bath!

Brandy, Marianne, Reeder and I spent the evening on the couch- and every time one of us would leave for a moment. Reeder would announce- "We're missing a friend!" So below you can see THE FOUR FRIENDS!

And you just must go to the Wild Animal Park next time you're in San Diego! It is AMAZING. It began some years ago as a breeding, recovery park for the San Diego Zoo- it is big open places and LOTS and LOTS of babies- ANIMAL BABIES...

They've been so successful they have actually been able to reintroduce some species back into the wild after they had become extinct except in a Wild Life Shelters.

But of course I was there with MY BABIES!

And of course there was ICE CREAM!

And then we finished the day jumping the lilies..

MY MARINE AND HIS SON!

But there was work to be done! So it was back to Las Vegas to begin..

But it wasn't all work- we found time to walk the puppies...

And play fetch with the puppies...

And oh yes- OUR TOES!

Always Faithful

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:51:00 +0000

The name was so appropriate. He lived his name to the very end. But that end has come, and I am saddened because of it. I promised him that I would never let him suffer.

Semper came into our lives about 13.5 years ago. In fact he was in our house for almost 6 weeks before I even knew it. He was the spontaneous gift of young high school senior girl to her best guy at Valentines Day. Such foolish things we do when we are young and in love. A gift of a Dalmatian puppy to a young man who had plans of leaving for the Marines in only four months. Thus his name, "Semper Fidelis" the motto of the Marine Corps. They were afraid to tell me about Semper, and Clint and Marianne (with the help of Amber) kept him hidden from me up in Clint's room on our 3rd floor. Trust, me, I never went up there unless I had to. Clint and Marianne had a number of animals that lived there including a make shift pond on the floor which housed some turtles. And I was traveling a lot then, so it wasn't so hard to keep the secret. Then one day I heard Semper crying and asked if there was a puppy in the house. I think everyone but me knew. We already had two dogs in the house and the laws of our city say that two dogs is the legal limit per house unless you are breeding dogs and have puppies. This new dog couldn't stay.

But Clint and Marianne took care of him- and he stayed- and after graduation in June when Clint left for Parris Island and the Marines, Semper went with Marianne to the Simmon's house. As I said, young people in love do foolish things. When Marianne left for college at Arizona State, Semper moved again and took up residence with Marianne's brother Matthew and his wife Nikki. Semper did well there and was loved by all. Matthew and Nikki had a son, Cooper, who was born very prematurely, but the miracles of Children's hospital kept him alive and he came home. I remember seeing Nikki walking Semper while pushing Cooper in a stroller with an oxygen tank to supplement his prematurely developed lungs. But then Nikki and Matthew divorced and soon having a fragile young child to take care and a dog became too much work, so Semper moved again to Marianne's parents house, a house that already had two adult dogs. The two older dogs didn't exactly welcome this young pup and Semper didn't do well there. He was able to escape from their fenced yard and roam the neighborhood. I found him a couple of times on the street and took him back home.

Semper was about 4 years old when the Simmons decided that they couldn't keep him any more. It was the Christmas holidays and Brandy was in Cincinnati. With Semper's imminent loss of a home Brandy decided that she could take him, but only if he could stay at our house until she finished her flight training and relocated to Minot, ND at her new assignment. I agreed, but only if Semper and our current dog, Isaac, a large Doberman, could get along. Well Isaac didn't like other dogs, but after an initial get to know each other, they became best of friends and Semper was saved from the pound.

But Semper was a special dog. He and I found a bond that I have never had with any of our previous dogs. He lived up to his name. If I was at home, he was by my side. If I went out without him, he cried at the door until I came back in. He was always there to greet me when I came home from work or a trip. He had a tail that had two speeds, one was just your normal back and forth wag, and then there was what I called his propeller wag, which I always saw when I got home. Semper got along with any dog that came to visit. He loved everyone, but mostly I think he loved me. Semper never made it to Minot. I wouldn't let Brandy have him. He had been handed off too many times, and I decided that he wouldn't ever have to move again.

Semper loved to ride in the car and when Max and I went to visit our children who had houses, Semper came along. We would build up the driver's side passanger seat in our van so he could ride up high and look out the window. He loved to sit there behind me and put his head on my shoulder while I drove. It was at this point that I discovered that Listerine Breath Strips work great for dog breath. Just put one on his tongue, it sticks there and dissolves, and he has minty breath.

Semper also had his own health problems. It seems that Dalmations have a problem with developing bladder stones. Poor Semper was one of the dogs with this problem and he suffered through two major surgeries that included some replumbing of his urinary system. He hated seeing the Vet's office and even whined when we drove by it in the car.

In September, 2007 when Max and I left for my assignment in San Francisco, I didn’t know if I would see him again. He was almost 12 years old, a bit beyond the average age of a Dalmatian. But Amber took great care of him for those 9 months she was there, and she brought Brutus, her "house dog" from college who seemed to give Semper new youth. Then Liz and Michael took over for Amber when she went to Chicago for graduate school and the dogs did well. When we finally returned for good this last December, Semper was there to meet us. He was mostly deaf and mostly blind, but he knew me and greeted us as we came to the door.

These past several months I have noticed a slow decline in his health. His eyesight was terrible at best and his hearing was non-existent. A times he would get anxious in the house because he could not find me, even though I was sitting in the same room. He would start searching for me, not hearing me calling, and not seeing me until I was right in front of him. His bladder problems worsened, and I had to take him out every night between 2 and 3 a.m. and then again around 5:30 a.m. He rarely had accidents in the house, but always told us when he needed to go out.

Yesterday Semper woke me up at 5 a.m. He was throwing up. I cleaned things up, took him out and then got up myself. While I was making coffee, he threw up again. He didn’t eat and when Max got home he had thrown up again and then did again once more. Max called, and I came home. We made an appointment with the vet. I knew this could be as serious as a bowel obstruction or maybe just a sick dog. Regardless he would have to stay at the vets. We knew he was not doing well, and he was terrified sitting in the vet’s office. I made the decision that I wouldn’t let him suffer further. I loved that dog and promised him long ago that he wouldn’t have to suffer in his last days. I held Semper beside me with his head on my lap while the vet gave him a sedative that put him to sleep. Once asleep, he gave him an injection that stopped Semper’s suffering. Promises were kept, and tears were shed. If there is a heaven, Semper is there. The house seems empty. Brutus seems depressed, walking around looking for his friend. He must know Semper isn’t coming back. No, there will never be another Semper.

Tuesdays with Taylor (and Sam and Mary)

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:24:00 +0000

There's no place like home- with family... Watching babies grow- Testing new recipes on a captive audience. The rhythm of the ordinary. Breath in- Breath out- Ahhhhh, home.

So Mary and the babes come to dinner- and for the last three weeks it's been Tuesday. On Tuesday nights lately, Kevin has been working late at his new job, so Mary and the kids came to our house. The title of this post: "Tuesdays with Taylor (and Sam and Mary)" simply expresses the relative help we get in fixing the meal. Sam and Mary are there, but the real help comes from Taylor. Now I have to tell you I am reevaluating exactly what we should cook when we haved SOOOOO MUCH HELP in the kitchen. In fact I don't think we would ever eat at all if we had much more help. Taylor is a whole lot faster than Don and me- even on our faster days. In addition to being fast, he also has a strong curiosity and wants to know about everything in the kitchen. We always answer the questions of: "What's this?" which is always followed by "Why?" Usually the first "Why?" gets an answer, but the next several sometimes get a "just because". He also loves to use all of the kitchen utinsils in all sorts of intended and unintended ways. We keep the knives away, but also keep our eyes on him to make sure he doesn't still find something sharp. He is quick.

It all comes back from my years with babies- I remember vividly why Manwich on a bun- or Kraft Macaroni and cheese- were the high points of my cooking during the week. For special occasions I might splurge on a tuna casserole. But I'd forgotten....

So I have help in the kitchen...

Those knives on the table on the left side of the picture got moved fairly quickly once he climbed onto this chair.
I don't know if Sam is really interested in our cooking, or is just ready to eat and encourages us to hurry up.
And I do have the recipe for you- a recipe that holds up under total chaos in the kitchen- and a meal sure to please. DRUM ROLL PLEASE....

FISH QUESADILLA!

This is a recipe that survives distraction- and holds up when you can't remember- did I put that in- or did I just think about putting that in- and "oh my, these avocados are still as hard as a rock, Oh well..."
Yep- this meal has stamina- And allows for infinite creativity.
Do I have you on the edge of your seat by now? Well here goes.

Basic ingredients for all that is Mexican- well for all that is Mexican that I cook!

1. Green onion- I use in everything Mexican (chopped, my job)
2. Jalapeno- use more or less depending on your diners pleasure- I left out of some stuff for Taylor and Sam- and of course piled it on for Don. (chopped, my job)
3. Lime juice- Ahhhhh- from fresh limes of course (she squeezes the limes)
4. Olive oil
4. Garlic- makes everything better (squished, usually my job)
6. CILANTRO! (tedious cutting all of those little leaves off, so Max usually does this one)

Salad/Relish:
1. Apple- 2-3 peeled, cored, chopped (chopped - my job)
and/or
2. Jicama- peeled- chopped (are you getting the idea that my job is chopping?)
and/or
3. Cabbage- you can just buy cole slaw mix
OR
You can make more of a fruit salad/relish:
4. Peaches (peeled and cut into chunks, my job)
or
5. Mango (peeled and cut into chunks, my job)

And you can always add in a can of drained, rinsed black beans!
Then add the basics:
1/2 cup of green onions, 1/2 of lime- squeezed, 2 tbsp of olive oil (I don't use with the fruit), salt/pepper to taste, jalapeno and of course CILANTRO!
Quesadillas:
1. Tilapia- I used two- but could use shrimp- or black beans if you're doing veggie- or chicken...
Cook in olive oil- and garlic- and green onions and lime juice- salt/pepper= and of course Cilantro. Cook until flaky.
2. Grate cheese- or use the pregrated Kraft Mexican cheese.
3. Heat griddle- or skillet brushed with olive oil.
4. Heat flour tortilla on one side- turn- sprinkle with cheese, top with- fish/chicken/black bean, then another layer of cheese- and another flour tortilla. l
5. Wait until the cheese is melting- so it all sticks together- and then flip! and heat/slightly brown on the other side.

You can serve with salsa- or avocados (if they're not too hard of course)- or better yet- mash an avocado with sour cream- adding a bit of squeezed lime juice- and cilantro- WOW!

Enjoy- With or without Grandbabies!

And their beautiful mother.

Of course with Grandbabies you might get fed!

And of course with Grandbabies there's always fun after the eating is all done!

And did I mention that with Grandbabies you get some real decorating help. If you need any assistance in the finer points of "fluffed" toilet paper I have just the decorator for you! I think this demonstrates that putting toilet paper back on the roll is about as easy as putting tooth paste back in the tube. Luckily, Taylor hasn't found the toothpaste while alone in the bathroom.

Swinging into Ohio Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:02:00 +0000

It is Spring in Cincinnati. And Spring is wonderful. You really don't have Spring in California- the weather doesn't vary that much from season to season in San Fran- and all the rain comes in the winter- not the spring.

We did have one good indicator of the seasons in San Francisco. All you had to do was take a look at what all the young women were wearing. In the Winter, they wore sweaters, coats, gloves, boots and hats. In the summer they wore shorts, flip flops and short sleeves. The interesting part was that the temperatures were pretty close to the same regardless of whether it was February or July. But when you have lots of young women with wardrobes to wear, they used the clothes they had and it worked about as well as a calendar.

But Ohio does Spring- in a Big, Big Way. I think the real factor that dictates Spring is the fact that we also have Winter. If you don't have a cold winter, how would you know when Spring came? So sandwiched in between the cold and wet days- and the nights that plunge back down to a frost, there are these gorgeous days. And when those rains go away- and the sun breaks out in a big smile you almost feel an obligation to get outside and enjoy. So we did! So off to the neighborhood park we went! The other real indicator is the Spring flowers. Tulips, daffodils, pear trees, saucer magnolias, croacus, and hyacinths all are indicators of Spring and they out did themselves this year.

And there were swings... and swingers.

And of course the slide...

Some were fearless....

And some of us tried to act fearless...

And MIRRORS...

And just hanging out on a beautiful day in Ohio!

Sarah was trying to do her Pippi Longstocking imitation.

And if I see the ASPARAGUS- It has to be spring- It costs 1/2 as much and tastes twice as good. And this is the year for Pickled Asparagus- Homemade Pickled Asparagus:

See Mom always did Pickled Okra- why I've seen the "boys" fight over the last jar of pickled okra. But we just don't get very "pretty" okra here in Ohio. In fact the okra is so puny I'm not sure folks in Oklahoma would even recognize it as okra. But we do get asparagus- and asparagus can be pickled. So we (that is the Don and me) decided to get "pickled" for the spring. We used Mom's Pickled Okra recipe- just substituted the asparagus.

So here it is- you'll love it- you just gotta try it!

PICKLED ASPARAGUS

2 cups cider vinegar (Mom used "Hinze")
2 cups of water
2 TBSP of "pickling" salt (she had another recipe that said 4 tbsp- we used this one- but it's a bit too salty so next time I'm just going to use the 2)
1/4 tsp of alum

Bring to a boil to dissolve the salt.

Cut asparagus - enough for 4 pints- to fit the jars- tips standing up- and put them in each pint jar. Add a couple of peppers (in two jars we used Jalapeno- and then in another two we used the little Thai peppers- and add two whole cloves of garlic to each jar.

Divide the "pickling" liquid in half- in one half add 1 TBSP of whole mustard seed and 2 tsp of whole dill seed- And in the other half add 2 tsp of cumin seed and 2 tsp of coriander seed.

Cover the tops of the asparagus in two jars with the "mustard/dill" and two with the "coriander/cumin".

Seal the jars. Place the jars into boiling water for a water "pack" for 5 minutes to get a good seal. Let them set for a few days and then refrigerate until they are cold.

Yum! They are so, so good. You'll just have to make some for yourself- or maybe just come for a visit and I'll serve them up on a platter with deviled eggs. It really is SPRING!

NowRuz, NoRuz, NoRooz (Persian New Year)

noreply@blogger.com (Max's Dream) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:10:00 +0000

Need a reason to celebrate and have a party between Valentines Day and Easter/Passover? Fouad provided the reason and the food last weekend. NoRooz (with accent on the rooz) is the celebration of the Persian New Year which also falls on the vernal equinox. This year it was on March 20th at 08:44 EDT. A Friday morning party wasn't really in the works, but the good thing about NoRooz is that the celebration lasts for 2 weeks. Those Persians really know how to bring in the New Year. So we went to Fouad and Mary's home on Saturday night for a Persian feast (compliments of Mary's wonderful cooking), and as always, Fouad provided the color commentary with all manner of details about how this celebration is supposed to take place.
It is so good to be home! We missed family- and friends- and celebrations- for any reason. And NoRooz was a great way to begin the spring celebrations! PS- And it is always great to have an excuse to eat Mary's cooking! Now that is something to celebrate.

As an added bonus this year, my cousin Vicki and her husband Lindell were in the process of moving from Ft Worth to Pittsburgh and were able to stop over in Cincinnati on their way. Of course Fouad welcomed them to the celebration, because we all know how much Fouad loves a party. Vicki and Lindell will be so much closer (notice Pittsburgh is just not that far from Cincy)- so we expect to see a whole lot more of them!

The celebration started off with Fouad providing an overview of how this party is supposed to be done in Iran. The picture below shows Fouad in front of a table that was laden with examples of traditional fare.

All of the symbolic items were there mostly representing the arrival of Spring. Eggs that are a symbol of new birth seem to be a staple of all Spring celebrations including Easter and Passover. In addition there was also a blooming Hyacinth, garlic, an apple, sumac berries, vinegar and a few other signs of Spring. There are traditionally 7 of these items which represent the seven angelic heralds of life-rebirth, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, patience, and beauty.Another symbol of this holiday is fire. People normally build a bonfire and then jump over it, something that burns off all the bad things in life. We took a different approach and each one of us lit a candle which were allowed to burn out. Below are Vicki and Lindell and below them are Fouad and Me. Note that I am smiling for the camera. I think we still need to work a bit on Don's smile. What do you think?

In addition to jumping over fires (or lighting candles) and eating well, people also cover themselves with cloths, go outside, and bang on pots to welcome the new year. As usual, Fouad provided an excellent example of how it is done. That's him under the cloth.

Another tradition is that the mothers in the celebration are given eggs to eat. They get one for each of their children and grandchildren. Max's expression below pretty well describes her response. I think we can paraphrase it as: "you want me to do what?" Wow- now I like hard boiled eggs- I mean really- I really like hard boiled eggs. But I have a LOT OF CHILDREN- AND GRANDCHILDREN- so I was staring at 13 eggs (fortunately I was spared the grand baby #7 coming in June)- So next year I'm going to have 14 EGGS!

And finally after dinner, Fouad brought out the traditional hookah. Don't take this picture wrong. I was asked to demonstrate the proper use of a hookah and did my best to provide an appropriate digital moment. Trust me- we didn't do anything illegal- we're too old- too tired- and of course we're all now going to bed early- so the party is OVER- when the young ones are just getting started-But we had a great time! And are looking forward to next year- and the start of spring!