Grandma's Kitchen Table

Played Out

      Well, September has pretty much played itself out...thought I might as well see it out as I wasn't able to actually fall asleep tonight...sometimes a bit of roaming about helps. 

      The guys returned home safely from their campout early this morning as we had a very busy Sunday scheduled.  Apparently a good time was had by all, although Mark is less enchanted with the whole sleeping-on-the-cold-hard-ground thing with each passing year.  He and the boys really enjoyed the lovely daytime weather and being with the rest of the Gerth guys for the weekend.  Matt, Alex, and Cousin David spent much of their time bicycling about the campgrounds and surrounding areas.

       It was a good weekend for football...well, except for Guerin.  IU managed to win at Kinnick in IC on Iowa's homecoming weekend.  The Purdue fans were happy with their win over Notre Dame, but since we are not Purdue-minded fans much here, enough said.  With tickets in row 13 behind the goal at the Colts game today, Matt was just delighted to have two touchdowns scored right there up close and personal. It was a fine game on a fine day.  It was a good football-watching weekend.   

      The moon has been looking lovely this past week...all shiny and full and nice...I even left the bedroom drapes open so that it would just shine through the windows and spill across the bed at night as it was good company while the guys were away this weekend.  Tonight it is not so full, encased in a foggy mist, but still beautifully bright.  Midnight approaches, September exits, and time for Clarice and I to call it a day.   

Playing to the Gallery of All Taste Palates

CARROT SOUFFLE

1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into chunks (or use short cuts)

1/2 cup butter, diced

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

3 Tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

pinch of salt

Boil carrots until very tender.  Drain.  Cool.

Place all ingredients into a food processor and mix well, scraping sides to incorporate everything nicely.

Pour into a greased 8 by 8 casserole or baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes (lightly browned on edges).

Very rich...cut small pieces.  Can serve hot, warm, or cold.

Easy to double recipe...just double ingredients, process in two batches, and put into a 9 by 13 casserole or pan.  Cook for the same amount of time.  (This is a great dish to take to a potluck as it can sit and is wonderful at room temperature.  It is very rich, so it can be cut into more than the usual amount of servings and will go a long way to serve many.  I take it for all the funeral luncheons at church for the same reasons.)

Playing the Final Trump Card

      My friend Elizabeth has died.  It hasn't been quite the same here without her.  She was an amazing person.  I always felt so honored to know her and that she counted me among her friends.  She will be missed by everyone who knew her, absolutely everyone. 

      I first met Elizabeth at church years and years ago as she was just one of those people who was always around, always involved, always smiling.  The first time we were introduced she looked at me, hugged me, and said, "Oh, I just know I am going to like you very much.  I have seen you around and I can just tell you are someone I am just going to love knowing."  Now, how can anyone resist that?  And, it was I who just loved knowing her...she was such fun and so knowledgeable (I don't think you can name a place in the world that Elizabeth has not traveled to at least once) and we always, always, had a good time and laughed much together. 

      We played bridge in the couples league with Elizabeth and I always knew that if the rotation that night included Elizabeth, we were in for a very good time.  She told the best stories.  She had the funniest jokes.  She made us all laugh until we cried.  I will miss that so much.  I never sit down to a bridge table  that I don't think of her...either for her daring plays, her conquer-it-all-take-no-prisoners attitude, or her sparkling conversation and wit.  It will truly not be the same without Elizabeth. 

      If you would like to read more about her amazing life (and it was amazing as you will see when you read this), here is a link to her obituary (type in her name in the search box) (oh, it is hard to type that).  So, this morning as I am waiting for the carrot souffle to finish in the oven for the funeral luncheon in Elizabeth's honor, I am remembering, and praying, and thinking of her, a most wonderful friend.  Please join me in praying for the repose of the soul of Elizabeth Grossman. 

Playing Fast and Loose

Just when I think I have this child pretty much figured out, I realize I really have not a clue what he is about on any given day.  And, you know what?  I think he likes it like that.  I think he likes playing fast and loose with my mind...secretly planning to do just the opposite of what I predict in my mind that he will do.  (Between you and me, it makes life just a little more exciting around here not to have it all going according to thought and plan all the time.)  This week was Alex's homecoming week at Carmel High School.  They had the different days of dress all week, etc., customary for the homecoming festivities, so at the beginning of the week I said, "Are you going to do the special outfits each day this week for homecoming?"  His answer, "Well, I am going to do one of the days only."  My reply, "Okay, do we need to get anything special for it or what have you?"  His reply, "No, Mom, you don't need to worry about it as I have it all under control and I don't need any help."  I have learned...end of story, don't ask further unless absolutely necessary.  I waited.  Pajama Day came and went, he exited the house in regular school attire.  Same with Western Dress Day.  Likewise on Wednesday with Pirate Day.  Spirit Day, regular attire also.  Hmmmm...and then, will wonders never cease, especially with Alex in this regard, he descends early of a school morning dressed in full suit coat, dress shirt, tie, dress pants, etc. for Dress Up Day.  You could have knocked me over with the proverbial feather.  I looked at my husband, he looked at me, we were both speechless.  It was not a wedding.  It was not a funeral.  It was not Cotillion.  It was not a formal occasion.  And, yet, here was The Cool Dude all dressed up on a day when it was OPTIONAL.  As I said, I think that he is just playing fast and loose with my mind...trying to keep me always guessing...that teenage thing where parents are on a "need to know only" basis.  Okay, you all know Alex...did any of you see this coming?  Anyone?

Thursday's Favorites Fare

Purple Flowers Poolside  (Complements of Guest Photographer Alexander Gerth today.)

READING:   Shakespeare's Hamlet as I have not read it since college and am going to see it performed this coming week...a refresher is always nice...and even in drama, Shakespeare is always fun.

POOLSIDE READING:  Finishing Donna Leon's third mystery book (1994) Dressed for Death; 13 more to go in that series...yahoo!  What's not to love about reading a series of books set in Venice?  It's hard not to fall in love with Guido...he is a nice family man, loves his wife and children, and isn't fussy like Poirot.  He could come for dinner here anytime. 

LISTENING TO:   Dylan...it's been a Dylan kind of week around here...some Stones...a little Traveling Wilburys for whatever reason I was inspired to dig that out...and various classical pieces that will send you all yawning into the weekend because you all aren't very tolerant with me on those.  What's playing there?  Anything new I need to check out?

COOKING THROUGH:  Autumn has arrived...I have lots of staples for autumn cooking involving squash and parsnips and brussels sprouts...oh my!  (Helps to sing it to the tune of "Lions and Tigers and Bears" from the Wizard of Oz.)  Seriously, hands down, one of our favorites:  Peel and cut in large chunks one butternut squash, toss on a sheet pan with a little olive oil (little, mind you...not swimming in it), salt and pepper and bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes (longer if you like it mushier or you have cut them in really big chunks).  This is one of our absolute favorites, healthy, and so very easy!

FAV NEW FIND:   Michael Flohr...he is an American impressionist for those who have not discovered him yet...I think his work is charming and magical...I could look at it for hours and still not see and feel everything going on.  Here is a link to a site where you can watch him paint on YouTube...take a moment...you will be happy you did...and the music is great while you watch.  Come on...it won't kill you...you may love it!  Michael Flohr

FAV THING TODAY;   Feeling really good today about all the nice reports on Matt's grades, etc. last night at the Parent/Teacher gig.  As a homeschooling mom you hear it all...not all of it good, obviously, about how we are "harming" our kids by homeschooling them and how they will never "fit in," etc.  Ad nauseam.  We have never isolated the boys...they have always been out there participating in everything and then some, etc. and they are well-rounded young men who function very nicely in everything they do.  It was so nice to have that validated by the teachers who were all saying how wonderful Matt was and how nice, polite, considerate, helpful, kind, etc. they found him to be each day.   And the thing I loved hearing the most was how easily he was adjusting to school life, how well prepared he is for his classes each day, how he gets along with and makes friends easily, etc.  Music to my ears.  That and his grades are excellent!  Homeschooling:  Another option, not for everyone, but truly another schooling option.  I'm so happy we did it all those years...I would not trade them for anything.

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK;   Tomorrow...going to Anne's to scrapbook for a couple of hours in the afternoon and may find some time while watching the IU/Iowa football game this weekend to do a little also.  Get to do the homecoming photos, etc.  That should be fun.

GOING TO:   Frankly, I have lost track of where everyone is going to be this weekend.  Let's see:  the opera, camping, swimming, IYC singing, church, Carmel Swim Club yearly hayride, and the Colts game on Sunday.  I may have missed something, but if you are looking for us, check these places first.  What's going on in your neck of the woods?

PRAYING FOR:   40 Days for Life please join me.

Playing Hardball

  Surveying the larder before hitting the market...thinking a grilled fish to go with these and the lettuce I have in the frig already.  (Paper thin slices of potato and onion for a gratin.)  Got any better ideas? 

      The Hoosiers travel to meet the Hawks in IC this weekend.  After reading the injury list, am thinking those Hawks are maybe having a little extra practice time this week as rumor has it on the streets Ferentz needs a win at Kinnick, not wanting to start out 0 for 2 in the conference and all.  Will the Hoosiers beat them again this year...quite a few of the same players on both sides...can't discount that traditionally Iowa is a football school and just going into all that with those football fans is daunting...sort of like coming to Bloomington to play basketball.  This being September, Hoosier fans are still focusing on football a bit...come October the focus shifts over to the basketball realm.  In football, during the IU/UofI games, my loyalties are split and I am of a HooHawk mindset:  it feels like a win no matter whose score is higher at the end of the game.  Come basketball season, it is Hoo only, no Hawk loyalties at all (the caveat here being that Hawk loyalties remain high when Hawks are playing anyone but the Hoos).  I hope I have landed somewhere to watch the game on Saturday...even on a nice summery day, the HooHawk football game is a great place to spend a bit of down time.  (Pun intended.)

      Progress Report night for Matt at Guerin tonight...greet the teachers and see what they have to say about progress (or not) during this trimester.  I have never had experience with Trimesters before and I have to say, they move FAST.  (They cover in 2/3 of a school year what schools normally cover in a year.)  I can see where this sort of meet and greet would have been extremely helpful before computers...now we all check in most every day and can see all the homework, class participation, quizzes, worksheets, tests, grades, etc. on a daily basis as the teachers all upload them onto the computer on the parent site, which is password protected, etc.  Makes life nice for parents...no surprises along the way that can't be addressed immediately.  I expect to hear nice things...well, maybe a little less nice on the Spanish grade, but still, very nice things in the long run.

      Meetings today and various volunteer work...am finding things to keep busy...I know you were all worried at the thought of me loose on the streets with not enough to occupy my time...trust me, the crimes I have been committing are minimal. 

      Have a great day today and don't forget to Pray for Life for the next 40 days...it begins today and officially goes until November 4th, although there is nothing that says you can't continue it forward from there.  Here's the site:  40 Days for Life so you can check it out.  Please join me in praying for life for the unborn.  Just do it.

Play for Time

It's been hot, hot, hot here today!  However, signs of fall are gathering much too early this year...this cornfield, a mile from my house, was picked this past weekend already. The trees are starting to turn (usually an October calendar event around here, not September), and the geese are flying in great numbers.  I love autumn.  I just don't love what comes after it so much. 

      Alex and Mark have the flu, Matt and I are crossing our fingers that they won't share it around, so we are actively avoiding the two of them, other than necessary care-taking, that is.  Actually, it's been a pretty easy job as all they seem to want to do is sleep...eating not being a major priority at all.

      Matt had measurements yesterday for his IYC tux and he is now six foot three inches tall, growing a half an inch in this past month...I cannot keep the hems on his pants at the proper length.  Isn't it strange how they grow so quickly right under our noses and we don't really realize it on a daily basis?  He has only an inch to go to be as tall as Mark.  Hard to believe. 

Think this Longhorn is from Texas?  Nope...he and his buddies reside right here in Hamilton County at the Musselman farm.  We still have a little bit of country left here in Hamilton County, but it is quickly disappearing.  I will miss it when it all finally goes...I am already having a difficult time with the fields and critters who have been disappearing one by one these past 30 years.  I can see why the pioneers kept migrating west.   Since people here at the house are ill and doing nothing fun or exciting, I figured a little drive in the country would be good for my soul late yesterday afternoon.

Well, Matt just finished his last bit of homework, closed the book, and retired to the Men's Den...sole possession of the remote control tonight, so he is a happy camper.  I am off to MNO...running a little late, but wanted to be sure Matt did not need any help before I left.  Have a great week!  Oh, and don't forget to look at the moon as it is absolutely gorgeous tonight!  Be still my heart...there's something magical about that moon, isn't there?  I'm off...catch you later!

Playtime

Silly little Vash...always, always carries around these beanie baby stuffed animals, especially when he goes for a ride in the car...he brings one of these little guys along for company.  So cute. 

      Just hanging around here this morning spiffing things up a bit and enjoying the peace and quiet.  Yesterday someone asked if they could have my blog address and as I scratched it out on a scrap of paper, she said, "Does your blog have a theme?"  Hmmm...no, not really.  She said, "Do certain people read your blog for information or whatever?"  Hmmm...not that I would imagine.  She then said, "Well, I have heard about your blog from three people so I thought I should check it out."  Hmmm...I feared that now was the time to tell her that she might just be wasting her time.  I tried to describe why it is entitled as it is and she thought it sounded "quaint."  Okay, maybe so.  I sort of like that idea...being quaint and all...won't she be surprised when she reads some of these entries?  If you are reading now, Chris, welcome and please know that really and truly this blog is nothing more than the chit chat you would find around anyone's kitchen table over a cup of tea or coffee or sipping a soda.  No lofty goals, just shared bits and pieces of life designed to work in tandem with others in my life who are blogging now and providing me with the same bits and pieces of their lives.  When you are up and running, be sure to send me your site!  In the meantime, welcome to the table, hope you find a little here that makes you smile or adds something to your day.

      When Mark returned home from the office last evening, we sat chuckling as he was opening the mail.  He said, "Here is something about parents and computers and log ons from Guerin."  He gave me a big grin and laugh and said, "It's all that technology stuff so we'll have to ask Matt about this."  I also laughed and said, "We have come to that point in our lives when the kids know more than we do, sad isn't it?"  He shook his head and said, "I can hear it now, he will say 'Don't worry about it, Dad, I will take care of it.'  And, I know he will."  Sad but true.  The Dinosaurs are on their way out.

      Guerin finally won a football game last night...by one point...in overtime.  It was senior night, so that was a nice thing.  Three games left, all away games. 

      Alex G, Patrick, Alex K, the other Alex G, and Kevin all attended the Megadeth concert last night.  Patrick's dad drew the short stick and accompanied the boys to said concert.  Mark breathed a huge sigh of relief, trash metal being nowhere close to his taste in music...I am not sure any of the dads wanted to be the one holding the short stick, but no one is quite willing to let the boys attend on their own yet.  Our Alex was just delighted as they had front row seats through the entire concert and thought that was just wonderful..."No one," he relates to me, "could have had a better time than we did last night."  Hmmmm...should I be worried?   

      Enough blogging and spiffing up...it's a beautiful day...I am thinking I should check out the Farmer's Market, run some errands, and get out and enjoy this weather before I meet the girls for lunch.  Have a great weekend!

Child's Play

Apples (left) and Pears (right)

      Happy Feast Day of St. Matthew!  We are rather partial around here to celebrating the Feast of St. Matthew, lucky me as I even got to attend the all-school Mass this morning at Guerin in honor of such, and it was very nice seeing our Matthew in his choir robes singing for the Mass.  Very nice Mass, very nice homily, and a very good time afterward chatting. 

      The real reason I am writing this entry is because I had 14 emails requesting the applesauce slow cooker "recipe."  (I use that word loosely as basically, here it is, a no-brainer for sure...mere child's play.)  Guaranteed to have your family coming in the door saying, "Oh, wow, what smells so good and are we having it for dinner?"  It takes so little to please them on a daily basis...am I lucky or what?

                                                        Slow Cooker Chunky Applesauce

10 medium apples

Juice of one fresh lemon

1 or 2 teaspoons of cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 cup of white sugar (for tart apples) or brown sugar if you want a caramel taste

      Splash a little water in the bottom of a 3 quart crockpot...just to barely cover the bottom.  Wash, peel, core, and slice apples (not too thinly if you want it chunky) and add to the crockpot.  Juice one fresh lemon and mix with the apples.  Add cinnamon.  Add salt.  Add sugar (or not), depending on tartness of apples...you can always add more, so don't add it all at the beginning and adjust as it cooks.  Cook on high about 2 hours or on low for 4 hours.  (I also made one with pears, used 1 t. ginger, 1/4 t. cinnamon, and did not add sugar as the pears were very sweet...no need to add any water as pears are very juicy when cooked down.)  Enjoy...we did!

Play Dates

      Well, thank you all for your prompt responses to my call-out for outstanding interrogatories (questions) on Wednesday's blog...I appreciate all the answers! Who knew this many people would take it to heart?  To Katie, Shelley, and Anne, thank you for adjusting the time schedule to accommodate mine...I look forward to seeing you all on the 28th.  To Shelley, yes to MNO, yes to Megan's Tuesday Book-It for the Kids in October; Yes to the Shakespeare play and can I join the discussion group follow-up?  To Pam S.,  yes that date and time works for me...we can talk about date and time for Roman exhibit then if that works for you.  To Pam B., nope, cannot make it this Friday, but will try to free up some time in October for all the dates you posted. To Ginny...pick any Thursday morning in October and let me know.  To Jan...yes, the bridge is out on Westfield Blvd. just south of 96th Street...don't know when it will be finished, and I agree:  what a drag!  Barb, Campus Ministry meeting next Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in Deb's office and still have not made contact with Marcia, but will try again after the meeting tomorrow morning for the Open House committees at 8:00 a.m.  Anyone game for the opera the last weekend in September?  Friday night or Sunday afternoon?  It is The Magic Flute, however, please note it is being done in English (ugh) and fancied up to "encourage people to come and make friends with opera," you know, this sort of strikes me along the lines of "dumbing down America," but since the Met put out a version of this last year, and KB put his video production out last year also (still not available in U.S., however), I suppose it seems like we should embrace it...still not convinced, but I am game...anyone else?  The guys will be otherwise occupied that weekend, so no takers there.  And, last but not least, thank you, CC for all the answers to questions I did NOT ask...LOL.  And, now...it is time for my HItchcock movie of the evening! 

Thursday's Favorites Fare

View of Guerin this morning at 7:30 looking out from the vacant farmstead and the bean field (and yes, I agree, those beans should have been walked early on in the season).  Just lovely to pause a bit after dropping Matt off at school and appreciate the view...it takes me back and makes me smile.

READING:   Still reading The Tree...way too much movie watching going on over here this week.

POOLSIDE READING:  Finishing Donna Leon's second mystery book (1993) Death in a Strange Country; 14 more to go in that series...yahoo!  What's not to love about reading a series of books set in Venice?

LISTENING TO:   Snow Patrol...am a huge U2 fan, Snow Patrol may be there someday and I can say that I have been listening to them for years...they are having a good run...those Irish boys do rock nicely, don't they?

COOKING THROUGH:  Apple recipes...it is, after all, apple season...and, don'tyaknow...got one for homemade applesauce in the slow cooker going right now.  The house smells divine...cinnamon and apples...how delicious!

FAV NEW FIND:   When young men are transporting a date to Homecoming, they suddenly take a great interest in cleaning, vacuuming, dusting, windexing, armoraling, the transportation vehicle into pristine condition...Blue Bernice enjoyed her spa treatments and she and I are hoping that the next school dance is not too far off (the boys aren't actually allowed to "date" yet, but they can attend school dances with a girl this year).  Blue Bernice looks as good as the day we brought her home from the new car lot...if she were a boat, she would be yare...okay, maybe not for "speed and agility," but she is definitely the "set for action and ready" part of yare!

FAV THING TODAY;   Well, all week actually as AMC is running 7 days of Hitchcock movies...I love Hitchcock movies and have been wasting away each evening enjoying such with proper movie-watching style (alternating between chair and couch and popcorn with salt or without)...and staying up much too late!  Tonight:  The Man Who Knew Too Much.  Trouble With Harry is slated for 8 p.m. Friday (tough one...Guerin second half or Hitchcock...hmmmm...oh, wait, it is also on at 3 p.m. Saturday...this can be our movie after our girls' lunch...we can just watch it here in the new Men's Den as they will all be gone for the day!  I love it when I don't have to choose between two favorites and can have both...life seldom works out that way, however, so I will be very appreciative that in this case it does).

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK;   Ha ha ha...too nice outside to do much in this regard, and there are those Hitchcock movies this week.

GOING TO:   Friday: Swimming, Guerin football; Saturday: Guys going to Catholic Men's Conference, leaving me free for at the very least, swimming, a chick flick and lunch with girlfriends; and Sunday: Mass, singing, golf, swimming, and LifeTeen.  Enough to keep anyone busy and happy.

PRAYING FOR:   The Catholic Men's Conference and the Attendees, please join me.

Rewind and Play

      Catch up time...who knew you were all reading this so intently...so here are the answers to the emails regarding past blog entries. 

      No, I still don't know how to get messages off my cell phone.  (This is sort of low on my list of priorities, so I wouldn't hold my breath on this one as I figure anyone who really needs to get ahold of me knows how to do so already.)

      The "Auto Clean" setting on my new iron is a five step process designed to clean out the little steam vents in the iron...involves heating, reheating, and holding down a button over the sink while everything streams out...recommended once a month...we'll see.   (Shucks...I was hoping it would "auto clean" by dusting and vacuuming.)

      The seniors at Guerin won the hall decorating contest, however, the freshmen did win the Spirit award for Purple and Gold Day and the Decades Dress Day award.  Ritter won the homecoming football game against Guerin...but they were tied at the half (which made half-time festivities a lot more fun) and they only beat us by 14 points, so we are counting that as a victory...of sorts! 

      The Cream and Crimson impatiens have been replaced by mums which look just right and fit very nicely in that spot.  (I was a little heartbroken, however, when I went out one morning to say goodbye to my little impatiens to find that they were gone...ripped out...and the mums nicely nestled in their place...goodbyes are always hard on me...I am filled with regrets about those little impatiens so cruelly meeting their demise...I might in time forget, and then again, I might not.) 

      No decision on the front entrance landscaping...see previous comment...the majority say "let it rip" and recommend just grinding it all up and using it for mulch.  Too much for me to think about right now...I am having enough problems with goodbyes as it is.  It all just sounds unnecessarily cruel.

      No, I will NOT be releasing a cookbook with my new and improved slow cooker recipes as it will just give you all more reasons to giggle and snicker behind my back with comments like this:  "I cannot believe she actually devised a divider for her crockpot so that things would not touch while cooking...."  See, if I release these en masse, you will all have fodder for years with which to torture me and my pickiness on these sorts of things.  If you have a certain recipe you would like, I will consider sharing...but you must sign a waiver declaring there will be no clever references or any snide remarks to any of the particulars involved.

       And, last but not least, here are photos of the Men's Den (yes, I know I promised last week or so, so I would take this as a definite character flaw and adjust your thoughts accordingly on my dependability in matters such as this), not "complete" exactly as I have been informed that "not all the wall enhancements are in place at this time"...however, the photos do come complete with actual men in the den. 

      Anything else I missed updating everyone on...if so, just let me know and I will try my best to rectify the situation.  And, any of you with OUTSTANDING INTERROGATORIES, if you are still checking in on this blog once in a blue moon, am I going to get any answers anytime soon...or should I quit holding my breath?  No pressure, just checking.  Just checking.  I judge not.

Playful and Fun

Matt trying to get the clasp of the bracelet fastened around Lauren's wrist...what is it with guys and clasps...generations of men have not been able to figure this out...so cute...he was blushing!  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Matt and Lauren had a great time at the homecoming dance.  The wonderful thing about being friends is that you know you like the person, can easily talk to the person, and truly enjoy being with that person.  They had a lot of fun chatting, dancing, listening to the music, and just spending the evening together.  She loved her corsage, her dress was so pretty on her, and Matt looked great...they made one fine looking couple.  We took these photos at Lauren's house beforehand...Lauren has two older brothers, one who swims with Matt also, and it was so sweet as you could tell that the boys had been duly "warned" beforehand that they were not to tease Matt or Lauren during any of this.  I have never seen JJ more solemn in my life, but noted that the twinkle never left his eyes and I can imagine that come practice Monday, there will be a bit of teasing going on, as guys this age are wont to do.  And, what did Alex think of all of this?  Hard to tell...I do know that he is opting for a campout that was scheduled the weekend of his homecoming, so I am thinking that, to Alex anyway, camping is still more important than dancing.

Playing the Part

      The bracelet wrist corsage for Homecoming...light purple calla lilies to go with Guerin's school colors...very pretty!  Matt wanted something "different and elegant" that would look like no one else's...I think he's on the right track.   After the dance, the flowers come off and the bracelet is for her to keep and wear as a remembrance of her "first date." 

      Playing the part of a young gentleman, Matthew went first to Lauren's dad to ask him if it would be okay to ask Lauren to the homecoming dance.  After getting permission, he then asked Lauren and she said, "Yes."  Hip hip hooray as the old ego would not have fared well if the answer had been, "No thanks."  Lauren is a friend of Matt's from the swim team, was also homeschooled until recently, and I have to say, a more beautiful girl, I cannot imagine.  She can also swim circles around most everyone in sight.  Beauty and talent...what else...well, she is incredibly nice and has a lovely personality.  So, we have the date, we have the new clothes, we have the flower wrist corsage, we have wheels to the dance (parents driving to and fro), and hopefully all we need now is to have a very good time! 

Thursday's Favorites Fare

This wonderful blooming vine by our pool...it is just full of these beautiful white blossoms.  There is a trellis under all that!  (Click to enlarge.)

READING:  Still reading The Tree.

POOLSIDE READING:  Finishing Donna Leon's first mystery book (1992) Death at La Fenice.  La Fenice being the opera house in Venice...so that was fun in itself.   15 more to go in that series...yahoo!  What's not to love about reading a series of books set in Venice?

LISTENING TO:   John Mellencamp...he performed at the NFL kickoff show and I rummaged around and dusted off all my JCM fare and had Matt put it all on my iPod.

COOKING THROUGH:   Robin Miller's Quick Fix Meals slow cooker recipes from the Food Network...adapting them as they seem to be fairly healthy and simple...I am all about simple on a weeknight.  (I know you are all getting tired of this slow cooker thing, but I am on a roll.  I will tire of it soon.)

FAV NEW FIND:   http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/  I just like looking at the photos on this site (and to my dear friend Jeff out there on Long Island, don't fear, my cupcakes are still the same since our college days, and yes, I will be bringing some when I arrive...all of them, just for you).

FAV THING TODAY;   Volunteering at Guerin and getting to be part of the Homecoming Week Festivities there...actually I have been doing this all week, so I have been enjoying it all week!

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK;   Three...weather is too nice yet to tuck into this much...winter will be here soon enough.

GOING TO:   It's a swimming, football, dancing, singing, golfing kind of weekend...so no doubt we will be busy with all of those things.

PRAYING FOR:  A friend who is searching for a new job to better support his family, please join me.

Role Playing

      It was "Dress in Your Favorite Decade Day" today at Guerin for homecoming week.  Matt thought about it for a bit and decided to dress in the 1940's by wearing a leather bomber jacket, jeans, a white tee shirt, and aviator sunglasses.  He looked really cool.  He thought no one would do the 40's, which is why he chose it, as he wanted something different.  Everyone thought he was role playing Tom Cruise in Top Gun and although he was slightly flattered, he was a little disappointed as he really wanted to be from the 40's.  Now, what's not to love about a lot of chicks thinking you look like Tom Cruise in Top Gun????  I don't think puberty has kicked in all the way yet. 

       I spent five hours at Guerin today doing various volunteer things, enjoyed it all very much, and got the assignment of working with all the teachers/departments for the Open House night by coordinating the activities they will all be offering individually in their room tours that evening.  Sounds like it will be just the thing to keep me busy for a bit.  I like busy. 

      Oh, and the best part of today:  this morning (obviously my mornings start fairly early as it was still pitch dark outside) the constellation Orion was perfectly framed outside my kitchen window...I know Orion is a fall/winter constellation and we all know how much I love winter (NOT), but I do like the "return" of Orion each year...he looks so magical up there looming over us all...I couldn't resist standing out on the deck for several minutes just to say hello to him...it was a beautiful morning and old friends always make me smile.

Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

Tonight's slow cooker dinner...it was a hit (even with the people who like non-touching food). 

Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

6 Bell Peppers

3/4 pound of cooked ground sirloin

3/4 cup cooked rice

1/2 medium onion, diced finely

1 cup marinara sauce or chili

Salt and Pepper to taste

Wash and core the peppers. 

Submerge peppers in boiling water for 2 minutes and then drain.

Mix ground sirloin, cooked rice, diced onion, and tomato based sauce.

Stuff peppers with mixture, top with a little extra sauce, and a few banana pepper rings.

In the bottom of the slow cooker drizzle a mixture of 1/4 cup tomato based sauce and 1/4 cup of water so that it just covers the bottom of the cooker. 

Place peppers into cooker.

Cook on low for two hours.

(I made it all up in the morning when I had more time and kept it in the frig until time to cook it at 4:00 p.m.)

Playback

There are no words.  It is necessary for you to have grown up with this in order to understand and feel the tug on the heartstrings.  Gorgeous day today:  66 degrees and sunny, slightest of breezes to rustle the dry leaves on the cornstalks, sky a beautiful blue, no clouds to be seen, and enough time to stop and appreciate this view.  Be still my heart.  Wish you were here to enjoy it with me.

                                                               

Playing to Win

Mark and I supervised the Freshman Hall decorating process for Homecoming week up at Guerin this afternoon.  I was there as the "Supervising Mom" and Mark was recruited because he is tall!  Fortunately, a freshman named Spencer showed up and he is plenty tall, so between Mark and Spencer, the decorating requiring a far reach got done in a timely manner. There were a nice handful of students and Tess had the idea to design it like a football field, which was very cute and fun, as is Tess, so that worked out well and I think the Freshmen have a fair chance of winning the hallway decorating contest.  It looked very nice when it was all cleaned up and the whole process was even fairly well organized.  (Photos:  Entire group of decorators; Judy and Spencer; Tess and Anna; Silliness abounds; Takes 6 to design the football field emblem!) Guess we will see this week if they win or not...they were all very hopeful!    And, where was our freshman during all of this?  At IYC choir rehearsal...he didn't figure he should skip the singing for the decorating, so I took a lot of photos and he was happy to see those when he returned home.  And so homecoming week commences at Guerin...I have something to do each day for the festivities, so am thinking this will be a fun week with all that going on.  As far as playing to win the game on Friday...Guerin is playing Ritter...it would need to be a bit of a "Hoosiers" type victory to even come close, but the Guerin kids have a lot of spirit, so I am not sure it will even matter at the end of the night who wins...and who knows, as Bob Knight always says..."Any given team can beat any other given team in any given game."  It promises to be a fun week.

Play by Play

This crazy grape tomato plant growing on our deck...look at all those yellow flowers that hope to be tomatoes yet this year...it just keeps producing and producing! It would need a greenhouse at this stage, I fear.  Or a trip to San Diego for the winter.

      We all opted out of the Friday night football games this week due to the touch and go rainy conditions.  Matt headed over to a the homeschool teen party that Sammie was throwing at her house (swimming, football, games, food, and fun) while Alex went over to Ben's and then out to eat.  I decided to go to Blockbuster to get a movie for Mark and I to watch at home...I never do this, the guys always go to Blockbuster and usually if they see a chick flick that they think I might enjoy, they bring that home to me.  The following might be why I don't ever go myself...I went around the shop and selected a couple of movies and made my way to the payment counter...the young man said, AS HE WAS GLANCING OUT THE WINDOW (important to keep this part in mind so I don't look like a complete fool), "Do you have a blu-ray?"  I thought (since it was darkish and raining) that someone had left his/her headlights on perhaps since he was glancing out the window when he said it...in my defense of what came next.  I said, "No, I have Chrysler Pacifica."  Of course, Mark and Matt lapsed into an absolute fit of laughter when I told them about this and Mark said, "Matt, we can't let her out in public.  We just can't let her out anymore."  Very funny, guys.  How was I to know?  I never go there.  I never pick up movies and had not a clue that the different sections were different versions of the same movies.  I didn't know what a blu-ray was, but I do now because I looked it up on the internet.   I barely know how to operate the DVD player when I want to watch a movie...I have got to get out in this electronics driven world more often, obviously.  A blu-ray...who knew?

Thursday's Favorites Fare

Our beautiful ash tree at the back of the yard...so far so good, but all the ash trees around are becoming infected.  We are hoping that since it is a lone tree that somehow the little bugs won't find it and we will be able to keep it.  It's grown so big in just six years.  It would really be sad to part with a six-year old...I have become quite attached to it. 

READING: The Tree by Colin Tudge -- It is about...well, trees...and it is a very good and fast read, despite the 459 pages you need to cart around to do so.  Everything you wanted to know about trees and then some.  It is difficult to really describe this book, so here is what the inside blurb says, "A blend of history, science, philosophy, and environmentalism....an engaging and elegant look at the life of a tree..." and that does a fair job of summarizing it.  (It also has an embossed jacket cover and I love the way it feels on my fingertips as I hold it when I am reading it...very fun to feel that little tree on the cover while reading.)  Anyway, a little botany now and again is very rewarding.  (I know...you all didn't read The Big Oyster when I recommended it either, did you?  I am a lone reed.)

POOLSIDE READING:  Yep, we are back to "easily picked up and put down again reading" while we wait around and by the pool for Matt to finish swim team practice and while at swim meets.  As usual, with me it is mostly mysteries.  Am trying a new author, Donna Leon, recommended by a blogging friend.  Just got the first book today, so far so good...there are 16 titles all set in Venice, Italy...she is not as prolific as Ralph McInerny, who I read for an entire year poolside...and everyone should read Ralph for the vocabulary building alone...but Leon should see me through to the holidays.

LISTENING TO:   Mozart's The Magic Flute opera as it is being performed at the end of the month here. (Of course, the Met in NYC did it last year and that would have been really wonderful, but I am Indy bound so maybe we will see a wonderful performance here as well.)  What's not to love about a fairy tale opera with a prince rescuing a princess (although he falls in line with the captor, so is it really a rescue, or just some Enlightenment propaganda...oh, who knows...it was a piece of the period when all those symbolic acts and songs reflected heavily on the politics of the time and all those men trying to oust kings and queens in favor of rule by reason by the people...or at least that was the plan at the time) with the help of a magic flute, some silver bells, and one of the originals of a guy in a bird costume...the beloved Papageno with his lovely baritone voice...you have to love The Magic Flute, right?  I think it was Mozart's last opera as he died shortly thereafter (and, no, I don't think that is what killed him...LOL). 

COOKING THROUGH:   Crockpot recipes...healthy, non-fake food, Crockpot recipes.  I have been reading how economical it is to cook in a Crockpot vs. heating up the entire oven...amazing...it definitely doesn't work for cooking everything, but I am finding a few things that work nicely.  The most difficult part?  The timing...all these crazy recipes say to cook on low 8 hours or high for 4 hours...good golly, if it is cooking at 350 degrees...4 hours would pretty much render something inedible, right...which may be why Crockpots have a bad rep...that and the layers of goo the stuff is usually cooked in...like I say...I am adapting it all...trying to find something more than stews and soups (and heating the Wassail at Christmas time) to cook in it.  I love the idea of something working while I am out rounding up the boys and having it ready to go when I walk in the door...almost as good as having a private chef (who am I kidding...I would drive a chef up the wall wanting him/her to tweak everything to my specifications...).  Keep sending those recipes...I am determined to make this work two nights a week during the fall/winter/early spring...it can hibernate in the summer.

FAV NEW FIND:   Omer Fast's Godville is coming to the Indianapolis Museum of Art at the end of the month...in the video gallery...check it out!  (Only took two years to get here...but I am not complaining, I am not complaining, I am not complaining....)

FAV THING TODAY;   Well, it has to be the crazy party going on in town for the NFL kickoff game, hosted by the local boys, aka the Indianapolis Colts, winners of a little thing called the Super Bowl last year, and therefore entitled to host said party this year.  I am not a huge pro football fan, but it is rather fun that the Colts have enjoyed bringing the win to the city, and there are a whole lotta serious Colts fans around this neck of the woods, so that makes the fun infectious.  Lots of doings about town these past few days, lots of people in very good moods, lots of excitement and fun all around.  (And, just so you can chuckle, Mark and Alex made an "emergency run" to the store last evening as the thought of watching the game in the new-and-much-improved Men's Den without proper fodder was just too much to contemplate...returning with Crunchy Cheetoes, Barbecue Potato Chips, and Jalapeno Pringles...I hope the expectation of a sympathy vote on Friday morning for consuming too many chips is not running high.  So cute that he does have a weakness after all...who knew?)

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK;   None...was a holiday weekend (and catching up from such).

GOING TO:   Watch a whole lot of football on TV and in person; read my Tree book; maybe scrapbook a little; supervise the homecoming week decorating at Guerin; make a requested apple pie for Mark and Matt; and swim as much as possible while the weather holds...it promises to be a relaxing and great weekend around here!  What's going on at your place?

PRAYING FOR:   Tom and Terri Hedlund and their family as Tom continues his recuperation at home.  Jim and Diana and family as they welcome new baby Lily into their family, and for Lily herself as she undergoes multiple surgeries and medical treatments.  Kelly as he continues his battle with ALS, and for Donna, Scott, Sarah, and Katie as they battle forth with him.  Please join me. 

Playing the Field

Each day when Aimee and I pick up Colin and Matt at Guerin, this is what we see to the side of the long driveway back down from the school. We both park so we can gaze out at the farmland like this.  I absolutely love it.  I can't wait to see it through the seasons.  She and I come early to retrieve the boys so that we get to play a little while we wait for them each day and I look forward to it as Aimee is a whole lotta fun.  We gaze at this view and laugh and giggle and share stories about what the boys say happened at Guerin the previous day, about our own high school years, about life in general, etc.  We call it playing the field in honor of the fields that surround Guerin at this point...no doubt sometime in the near future, it will be a housing development, but for now...it sits in an honest-to-goodness farm field!  It reminds me of Starmont, my own high school, which was, and still is, situated amidst the corn, bean, and hay fields between the three towns of Strawberry Point, Arlington, and Lamont (ST AR MONT) in northeast Iowa.   It is also about the same size, so Guerin always feels very comfortable, familiar, and sweet to me.  I look forward to it each day and am trying to appreciate all these simple things as much as possible, for next year Matt and Colin will be driving on their own to school and Aimee and I will lose our daily playtime and the great view that goes with it...changes, I have found, happen way too quickly these days...it's best just not to let the simple things fly by without proper notice.  This is one of those things.

Playing the Ball off the Backboard

Beautiful flowers gracing my countertop this week...and everywhere else as I cart them about from room to room...truly, my favorite "things" on earth...flowers.

      I'm back!  So, what did you all do while I was gone...what did I miss?  Please, fill up my email box and share what you all did with your holiday...I have a light day today and would love the company as I put order to the chaos resulting from very little "loving attention to detail" for the past four days around here...the rest of the week is a little nuts, but today, I can play for a bit! 

      The men den looks GREAT...I will take a photo later in the week when they will apparently have "everything in place."  I have to say, that men approach things much differently than women...well, at least this woman.  Sometimes a good thing.  (Okay, around here, a lot of the time a good thing.)  I would have said, "Oh, I like everything just as it is, no need to change a thing, except maybe some fresh paint...maybe white or to really go out on a limb, off-white."  That would be me.  The guys, however, painted with two colors, bought all new furniture, as in a new couch, love seat, chair, ottoman, etc. to keep the Big Blue Moose (Mark's huge navy leather serious-TV-sports-watching-chair) company, and arranged to have the old furniture whisked away.  They framed the Italy posters for the walls, vacuumed, dusted, shampooed the carpet, etc.  I did nothing.  I was nowhere around.  Coming in at this stage of the game to fine tune a bit feels a little like I'm playing the ball off the backboard.  Am feeling a little guilty about that, but I am thinking since they were not asking for my help, perhaps all turned out for the best as I would never have stopped gasping at the thought of getting so much new stuff all at the same time on a whim.  It would have taken me two years to work up to something like this...they probably knew that and decided to take matters into their own hands.  They did a great job...looks very cool and guy-like.  Not a flower in sight. 

      Speaking of flowers...I even got flowers (see photo)...I did absolutely nothing and got flowers....this cannot be a good trend...this could make a girl downright lazy and shiftless.  I better come up with some sweet things to do for them this week...I don't deserve these guys...I really don't.  Yep, I have to come up with some really nice thank yous this week.

      I am branching out on movies.  I saw a lot of movies this past weekend...it was a chick weekend, so I saw 4 chick flicks AND I branched out and saw two other movies that I had not known I would like...Oceans Eleven (which I really liked) and  Oceans Twelve (which wasn't as good, imho, as the first one).  Growth...who knew you could teach an old gal new tricks?  My next plan is Oceans Thirteen and then the boys think I should call it a day for a bit as it "may be just too much growth all at once."  They know me well, don't they?

      Thank you for the Crockpot suggestions.  I am thinking using it two weeknights could simplify things during the winter when we aren't grilling as much...the trick is to find ways to cook the protein in it and then just make the sides separately and keep those fresh like we like...and separate...I have a couple of people who will not eat much if things are "touching" or blended together too much...those picky people.  (Okay, I will admit, it is mostly me and Alex as Mark and Matt will pretty much eat anything even if it is touching and have even been known to mix it up on purpose.  Yikes.) 

      Back to serious work here...no more holiday playing around...next holiday isn't until the last week of October when the boys have fall break...Blue Bernice will be happy to see that roll around...she's all about the holidays.