snow

It has been quite sometime since we posted anything. It has been hard to see straight through all the snow. In fact it is hard for me to even think about snow after almost 2 weeks of being stuck at home. Here are a few things that happened during the storm:

-We went to Sunriver the weekend of the snow storm and had the best time. The first snowfall of the season was lovely and I wondered to myself why people complain about bundling their kids up. If you have not been to Sunriver during December you should really consider it, they have really great Christmas activities for kids.

- Hannah came home for Christmas!

- Christian took my car with the traction devices to work everyday. I realize that his employment is more important than my trip to the JoAnns, but when I look in the garage and the escape vehicle is missing I get a little tense.

- One morning with the help of our dear Mackenzie (who walked to my house), we loaded the ladies into the sled and pulled them up the vineyard to Grandma Pru's. We love to go visit my inlaws but I must be honest and say that I only walk there when the weather is above 80. I really hate being cold.

- Katrina and I sewed 6 quilts, barely getting them finished for Christmas. Twice Katrina was dropped off at my house and trapped here for several hours while we finished things up. I was also able to finish up the camping playhouse for my nephew Vincent with just a minute to spare.

- Christmas Eve morning my parents and brothers were able to make it to our house for breakfast and gifts and Christmas day all the Stavigs made it to celebrate at my inlaws.

As I reread my list I'm noting that things weren't all that bad despite the snow. I accomplished something almost everyday and the most important part... we were able to spend the holidays with our family.

NINE

Question: How many trees does one need to get inorder for the nice man at the tree lot to recognize you???

Answer: 9

Between Katrina, Pru and myself, we managed to purchase 9 trees last year at Alices on 212 at the Carver exit. Kat and I each had 2 and then there were 5 at the big house. I really love Christmas trees, they smell so good and there is just nothing like the feeling of driving around town with a couple trees on top of the car. Kind of like taking your new handbag out for a spin!

This year the Roths got their trees up first and I could hardly stand it. If I hadn't been hosting Thanksgiving and a babyshower within 48 hours of each other I would have had mine up too. So, first thing (11am) Monday morning Katrina arrived so that I could go get my trees. Finn volunteered to be my tree expert as he had already practiced over the weekend. We looked at about every tree on the lot and finally decided on "the tree" and then the smaller one I like to have in my bedroom.

The man helping us was so friendly and I wondered if he remembered the scene from last year. As we went inside to pay Finn asked, "Auntie, how will the man know what car is ours?" and as I'm turning around to give the man a little direction I notice that indeed he is already standing on my back bumper.

In the two years I have lived in my neighborhood I have met 2 neighbors. I don't know anyone at the grocery store, or the starbucks but I now feel confident in saying that I know the tree guys. And I suppose if I'm being honest I might also know my safeway.com delivery man. :-)

Turkey Countdown

Well, this is a BIG week around here.  Its time to start getting ready for Thanksgiving.  I have written and rewritten the menu several times.  Its the same every single year, but always needs a fresh rewrite.  There is always a little argument about green bean casserole vs. broccoli casserole. The broccoli wins every time.  There was a scary moment when I couldn't find enough pancetta at the market for both J and I to make our stuffing.  It all worked out and I find it pathetic in a way that it even mattered.  But, we prevailed and got our goods! 

This year, the man at the meat counter took me on and wanted to know just why I wasn't using a Diestel turkey.  I cowered and explained that there have been yearly wars at our house over this.  Most in the family prefer a traditional Norbest or Butterball.  There is not much love at the vineyard for organic, hand fed, free range turkeys.  I love the idea, but we have not had good luck.  When I questioned him about his turkey he admitted he went OUT.  That really made me mad.  I mean, for crying out loud, at least we are cooking the damn thing. 

My dad and I did the shopping, as we always do and it was fun.  Rog mentioned that I had quite the social shop what with the checkers, the butcher, the baker and the cheese mongers. He's right, I do like to chat my way through. These are my people.  I have never spoken to my neighbors but I do like to dally around with the grocery staff. 

 My big haul this year was the fresh turkey necks!  I laid that neck at my mother's feet like a cat with a big fat dead bird at the back door.  We are always trying to streamline the process and now the stock can be made ahead of time.  That stock had better be perfect this year!  As long as I don't screw it up with some fresh herbs of any sort, I am sure it will.  

The discussion regarding size of celery chop for the stuffing has yet to be had.  Mother remembers it being put through a grinder as a kid, but has never had the time or inclination to do it that way as an adult.  I argue every year that I want to try and grind the celery like she remembers and I always get shot down.  No No- there is not time for that.  So, I stand by and watch her do something crazy like use a serrated knife to cut up the veggies and I keep my mouth shut.  It will be a delicious concoction when she is done so I try not to get caught up in the details.  

The week will go on and I find a comfort in rehashing the same conversations year after year with my mom and Julia.  When will we start the bird, can we make the potatoes ahead of time, is it ok to buy a pie (NO!), and do we need an extra loaf of bread for leftovers? It never gets old and the talk is just as comforting as those warm gravy laden mashed potatoes I am looking forward to.  Its just another time for us to get together and chat with the din of children trying to drown us out.  As the kids get older, I swell with pride when I see Daisy cracking the eggs and not a shell to be seen.  I am proud as ever when Finn helps peel potatoes without drawing blood. This year, the twins are just about ready to help pick the bread. 

 I hope these memories will sit deep in their hearts as it does in mine.  When I am old, and even grayer, I will be watching.  I will make sure that Daisy doesn't put ANY EXTRA HERBS in the stock and I will remind Daphne that HOMEMADE whip cream is the ONLY way to go.  I know they will be listening and I know they will roll their eyes as soon as my back is turned.  I know someone will try to talk  me into a heritage turkey or worse yet, tofurkey.  It will spark another year of good natured argument and I can't wait!   

The 70s

In the 70s my brothers and I had a glorious playhouse that my mom made. It was made out of denim fabric and just slipped over the top of a card table. It was perfect for hiding out in and we spent many hours pretending to our hearts content. A few years ago, back when Daisy was still into Cinderella, I felt the need to recreate the playhouse for her. I did a lot of searching and could not come up with a pattern so eventually I just made my own. Over the past few years I have made several themed houses for family and friends... farm, bugs, under the sea, etc. Of course now I don't have as much time as I use to, but after several months of on again off again attempts I have finally finished a house for the Ladies. I hope they will enjoy.

Once Upon a Time...

I was a teacher for 9 1/2 years, 6 years full-time and 3 1/2 I job shared with my dear friend Karen. I really, really miss teaching. I pretty much miss everything about it, the kids, my friends, the parents, I even miss the staff meetings, and the production work, and having to talk at back to school night, the 20 page kindergarten assessment, data teams... I could go on and on.

I mean honestly I even miss driving to Aloha.

All summer I kept telling myself that maybe I could sub this fall. I started the application process, I gathered letters of recommendation and I renewed my teaching license but I just never pulled the trigger. The truth is that I just can't leave the ladies, I mean if I left who would sing Daphne the Barney "I Love You" song completely out of tune? And I would miss Penelope pointing out all my facial features. And if I was gone who would teach them how to manage their crayons and calmly remind them to color on the paper?

So, I volunteer. It is the greatest gift, and the time I look forward to the most during the week. Hannah's mom has been so gracious to let me come in once a week and hang out in kindergarten. I meet with a small group of kiddos and I teach writing. And that's not all... I get to teach Lucy Calkins writing, and I just love Lucy Calkins, and I love to teach kindergartners to write. And this is how I fill the teaching void, 30 minutes once a week. Thank you Racky!

And thank you Katrina for popping in every Thursday, so I don't quite lose my mind.

Quesadillas, Turkey Sandwiches and Paper Airplanes

Its 4:40 and I am REALLY missing our beloved babysitters!  Hannah left for college in September, and MB just started basketball at high school.  Now, I am left yearning for someone to come and just give me a calgon moment.  I love the kidlets but they are in need of babysitter love.  They are tired of me and well, I might get a squidge tired of them once in a while (don't tell anyone).  We are having quesadillas in honor of Hannah tonight. I know at least one kid will let me know that I just don't make them as good as Hannah Girl.  We had turkey sandwiches for lunch and again, that's a Hannah specialty.  Paper airplanes, those are an MB stand by and the kids are not impressed with my lack of paper folding skills.  

The girls are not just babysitters, they are a part of our family.  They are comfortable, and fun and keep us all up on what's cool and what's not.  I doubt they ever even really use the word cool.....When they come in the house, they flip off their shoes and flop on our couch.  The kids flop on them and I am at peace knowing they are loved and well taken care of.  I'm not sure how I will fill the hours like they do- dance party, basketball, playdough, stories of dr. and dentist visits (my kids personal faves), and so on and so forth.  Mostly, I think I miss their role modeling.  These are wonderful girls who have been raised right and I can't imagine leaving my little ones with anyone else.  Except, of course their doting grandparents, but that is different. 

The kids are held rapt when they are around and the girls never let them or me down.  I know if I am heading out, there won't be hours of television, celly talking, ipod listening, texting. Instead there will be laughing, playing, kindness, and fun. 

I am absolutely positive I was a horrible babysitter when I was younger.  I remember babysitting for some toddler twins who's parents were Bahai and I spent the whole night looking at their freaky books wondering just what is Bahai.  The kids didn't want to go to sleep and I couldn't figure out what to do with them.  I also remember baby sitting across the street for some people and I was afraid of their house.  Needless to say, trying to take care of the kids wasn't top on my list.  I was more worried about getting home safe.  

Suffice it to say, I am lucky that as a parent, I found jewels.  While I know MB is meant to play basketball and Hannah was meant to go to college, I still am going to miss seeing them often. 

Off to flip the quesadillas... oh dammit- I think they are burnt- 

 

I don't know why the hell Julia hasn't been updating this thing but I know why I  haven't ~ I have been  looking for the password to actually get on here.   First I need an email, then I need a password and both have been lost in the bowels of this computer that I have a love/hate relationship with.  Julia sends it organized, neat and tidy to me and it immediately gets lost among all those other important emails I am saving.  Of course, I can't go look at the hardcopy I put in my new office ~ I am locked out.  Some idiot lost the key!  Yep, that would be me.  I am the only one with a key.  I put the new handle, with lock on last week and have lost the keys twice.  I found it earlier today in an excellent hiding place.  I found it in the laundry detergent cupboard in the 1/2 empty q-tip box I have in there.  

According to Dan, it was an uneventful weekend.  When I asked what I should write about, he said "you didn't do anything this weekend, you have nothing to write about".  That's kind of rude isn't it?  I KNOW I was busy from sun up to sundown but he's right, I have nothing to show for it.  Saturday, I went to a xmas bazaar in Vancouver and ended up in Camas which then landed me at the Clark County fairgrounds.  That's what I get for trying to help Pru find a log cabin store.  We never found it. By the time we got back, my kitchen pass with Dan was up and I was back on duty.  Bummer!  The rest of the day skittered away from me and by 7pm I was exhausted watching a cupcake challenge on the Food Network.  Sunday was laundry, dishes, pie crusts, dog class, craft store for some Thanksgiving table decorations, princess book reading, homework checking, sneaking in a chapter of Twilight while hiding in the closet instead of putting clothes away, mopping up muddy dog paw prints and so on and so forth.  So, I guess he was right!  It's what makes me the most annoyed at the hubs. I realize this is an age old problem, actually accounting for one's time.  Dan's tasks are so straight forward and ever changing.  He has a fluid job in that everyday there are new customers or different meetings or new lunch buddies.  My days although busy and mostly fun seem so repetitious.  

Out of all of the nothingness I encountered, I did teach the dog to "stay" for more than 30 seconds in class and I did find some super cute jeweled acorn  picks to put with chocolate napkins for Thanksgiving dinner.  I find comfort in the craft store picks.  My mom and I have been using them in some form for most every holiday for what seems like forever.  They aren't a fresh picked pear, or a freshly pressed leaf like Martha shows on her website (which is my homepage btw) but they are our family tradition and I love it.  My mom likes a little glitter in all she does and I prefer to tone it down a little.  The picks hit a nice balance and still always  say "holiday" to me.