Grandma's Kitchen Table

Thursday's Favorites Fare

I like posting flower photos from around our yard on Thursdays, but today this one from the Italy tour photos is my choice.  Aren't they pretty?  Flowers just make me smile...no matter what is going on that day, a flower just makes me smile! 

READING:  Vatican Museums (Mark picked up this gem at the Vatican Museum and it lists holdings, has many many pictures, and is absolutely delightful...I am just lost in the awe of it all...next trip to the Vatican is MINE and I go ALONE so no one will rush me through a single room of that museum!)

POOLSIDE READING:  Various little guide books from Italy that the guys brought back with them.

LISTENING TO:  Billy Joel...figure anyone around as long as Billy in the music industry ought to be listened to once a month.  Besides, it's a Hamptons thing and listening to him in the summer always makes me think someday I would just love to say I spent a summer weekend in the Hamptons. 

COOKING THROUGH:  Nothing new...just grilling the fish, chicken, or reds and keeping the sides fresh and simple...what's not to love about summer produce in Indiana tasting as fresh and unadorned as you can get it? 

FAV NEW FIND:   Well, I actually have two, but I will go with the one that will appeal to the wider audience: flash drives for photos on the computer...who knew?! I am becoming a technological whiz over here.  The second one will wait until August...but it has limited appeal, so may just have to skip that one here and find something more wide-range.

FAV THING TODAY;  Scrapbooking the Italy trip with Matthew.  Fun to hear him share all the stories that go with the photos, etc. 

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK;  22 and counting...very simple, very clean, my favorite way:  just the photos and the stories...no gee gaws and silliness.  I am not an arts and crafts type of girl when it comes to scrapbooking.  People keep saying, "How are you getting so many pages done each week?"  My answer, "Keep it simple:  photos and words."  No clutter.  No fussiness.

GOING TO:  Three day swim meet in Noblesville, nice and close!  An IMX meet, so Matt will be swimming all four strokes...the 200 Fly and the 200 Breast he has not been swimming in competition for over a year...we may need to Hail Mary our way through those! 

PRAYING FOR:  Updates:  Tom Hedlund: He continues to struggle greatly...had surgery this week and is making progress.  Keep praying. NEW:  Praying for friends Jim, Diana, Sam, Jacob, Gabe, Peter, and Baby Lily Klee as they venture forth to Michigan for a career change, new lives there, and the safe and healthy delivery of Baby Lily, please join me. 

Thursday's Favorites Fare

My favorite reading chair under the birch beside the pool...Alex trying to work on a tan and "entertaining" me to no end with his views on life...ah, to be 14 again...well...actually, no thanks...would any of us really want to go back to being 14 again?  I can't think that 14 is one of those ages anyone would care to go back and re-live...14 is between childhood and adulthood...with no clear cut path leading in or out of age 14! (Hmmm...maybe every age has some of that!)  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

READING:  Redemption:  The Last Battle of the Civil War by Nicholas Lemann (Mississippi's attempt to abolish (violently in 1875) the civil rights of the slaves and blacks after the Civil War)

POOLSIDE READING:  Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

LISTENING TO:  Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D Minor

COOKING THROUGH:  4th of July recipes...some traditions should just be kept from year to year!

FAV NEW FIND:   a plout:  it is a fruit that is a cross, I have been told at the market, between a plum and an apricot...it is very sweet, so if you make a crumble out of it, you don't need much, if any, sugar...very juicy and tasty on its own...high in Vitamin A....also a little pricey, but fun to try something new anyway.

FAV THING TODAY;  Getting my desk all organized for the coming school year...out with all the homeschooling stuff (a little sad actually), but in with all the new folders for the high school packets of things that keep arriving here in anticipation of a smooth transfer in August.  Best of all:  I have a "Volunteer" folder for St. Theodore Guerin Catholic High with commitments already...I will have something to do after all...I was a little nervous that I would be at loose ends too much this coming year, but looks like I might have things to keep me busy after all...hip, hip, hooray!  I'm not the "go shopping and out to lunch when the kids are at school" type, so this will work out just fine!

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK;  37...no swim or choir practices to drive with Matthew in Italy!

GOING TO:  See the movie Evening with friends this evening...looks like what Mark would call a "chick flick," so am figuring he would not want to see that on date night!

PRAYING FOR:  Updates:  Tom Hedlund: He continues to struggle greatly...very small improvements only (has been able to sit up and be off the ventilator for short periods of time and knows his address, etc.).  Keep praying. Please continue to pray for the safety and well being of the ICC travelers in Italy.  NEW:  Praying for Carrie (not her real name), a Gabriel project client, that she will choose life for her child, please join me. 

Thursday's Favorites Fare

One of my tomato plants...click to enlarge, sorry about the focus.  Matthew took my digital to Italy with him, leaving me with this very inferior one.  I am thinking this will never do...might have to go shopping for a new one (gasp from all you who know me and know I don't shop well).  Yep...might have to go shopping...GASP, CHOKE, GASP.

READING:  Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea:  Why the Greeks Matter by Thomas Cahill (4th in the Hinges of History series)

POOLSIDE READING:  Finishing Grapes of Wrath...don't know why, but am on a Steinbeck kick, so am re-reading GoW and have Of Mice and Men lined up next to re-read (read them in high school...long time ago!).

LISTENING TO:  Tom Petty's Long After Dark cd.

COOKING THROUGH:  Pulling new pasta salad recipes to try...today is orzo and grilled veggies with a light lemony dressing.  Very good actually...definitely a keeper.

FAV NEW FIND:   Hundreds of little blossoms and tiny tomatoes on my potted tomato plants...the little 100s should be ready fairly soon...can't wait!

FAV THING TODAY;  Seeing all the ICC kids off at the airport this morning...they were all so excited and having such a great time together...everyone was very happy and cute!

LEAST FAV THING TODAY;  Saying goodbye at the airport...there is always that part of me that has a panic attack thinking something awful will happen and I will never see them again...I have had my world disappear before and I am here to tell you that I do not rally with any sort of ease, agility, or grace.  (At least I kept it well hidden in front of them...smiling in the midst of panic is not an easy thing to do!)

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK;  10 this afternoon...no swim or choir practices to drive!

GOING TO:  The movies...Alex and I are catching up on some of the newer releases.

PRAYING FOR:  Updates:  Tom Hedlund has been moved to an Indianapolis hospital, making it easier on the family.  He continues to struggle greatly...very small improvements only.  He recognizes all the kids and Terri.  Keep praying.  Charles:  Surgery was successful and Charles is home healing and mending.  He will not be able to swim for the rest of the season, beyond that time will tell when he can hope to be back in the water.  NEW:  Praying for the safety and well being of the ICC travelers in Italy, please join me. 

Thursday's Favorites Fare

Charles

READING:  Still working on the Lincoln/Taney book...not much reading time this past week...will remedy that at the pool this weekend during the swim meet!

POOLSIDE READING:  Tour lists; travel info; Italy guidebooks; packing lists; song lists for the Italy tour

LISTENING TO:  Def Leppard Hysteria

COOKING THROUGH:  Nothing new this week...too many double swim/choir practices and tee times

FAV NEW FIND:  Okay, I can't believe I am owning or admitting this:  a new iPod (see story below)...Oh, my is this ever NICE!  Who knew??? 

FAV THING TODAY;  My early morning swim...nice to just try to swim off the emotional ups and downs over last week and the weekend, busy-ness of this week, and to pray for the families below.  It worked a little...hugs are still appreciated, however.

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK;  0...too many double swim/choir practices;getting ready for Italy, etc.

GOING TO:  3 day swim meet...see you here next week!

PRAYING FOR: Tom and Terri Hedlund and family...Tom was in a very serious accident on June 8th...they have six children (8-17)...Tom's condition is very bad right now and the family can use all the good thoughts and prayers you can spare.  The accident happened in Cincinnati, Tom is hospitalized there, Terri trying to manage everything there and here...please join me and pray for them.  Also, please pray for Charles, Matt's swim team buddy who was hit by a car while riding on his bike and is in surgery today...(Charles is another top notch swimmer in CSC)...please join me and pray for him and his family.  It's been a rough week.

Thursday's Favorites Fare

Mike and Matt being goofy...they found these sunglasses in the pool box (from when Matt and Alex were 4 years old) and decided to wear them around all day to swim practice, etc.  Stunning, don't you think?

READING:  Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney:  Slavery, Secession, and the President's War Powers by James F. Simon

POOLSIDE READING:  Guidebooks for Italy...reading about the areas the ICC will tour!

LISTENING TO:  Italian operas

COOKING THROUGH:  Giada's Everyday Italian

FAV NEW FIND:  Elegant navy tie with little bitty silver dragons on it at the Frazier Museum in Louisville...for Mark for Father's Day as he is out there "slaying the dragons" for us every day!  Shhh...don't tell until after Sunday!

FAV THING TODAY;  Getting closer to making it all work.

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK;  6 journaling pages

GOING TO:  Creating Artistry ICC concert; Father's Day doings all weekend...spoil the Father in your home...Dad gets to do anything he wants all weekend! 

PRAYING FOR:  Fathers everywhere, please join me.

Thursday's Favorites Fare

READING:  Louisville, KY brochures and Internet info...am touring about Louisville this week!

LISTENING TO:  Skipping around on the radio for anything NOT Country & Western

COOKING THROUGH:  Nothing...am out of town, but Mark and Alex are grilling brats and eating out quite a bit, so they are well taken care of...according to them!

FAV NEW FIND;  Lilly's (restaurant in Louisville...put it on your list)

FAV THING TODAY:  The Speed Museum's Dutch paintings collection and its Roman columbarium exhibit

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK:  0...but we are making lots of memories and taking photos!

GOING TO:  Ohio Valley Championships (swimming) to see Matthew swim

PRAYING FOR:  Gary who has just been diagnosed with Leukemia...please join me. 

Thursday's Favorites Fare

Two very spoiled Tibetan Spaniels.

READING:  His Excellency George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis (based on the newly catalogued Washington papers at the U of VA)

POOLSIDE READING:  Mary Jane Clark mysteries

LISTENING TO:  ICC's Ave Maria for the upcoming Italy tour

COOKING THROUGH:  Nothing...I have been gone most of the week and cooking old standbys only

FAV NEW FIND:  Discovering an old friend is now a practicing Roman Catholic!

FAV THING TODAY;  All the teenagers in our pool having a good time this afternoon.

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK;  2 for intro to Italy tour

GOING TO:  Relax at home all weekend...NOTHING on the schedule, can you believe it????

PRAYING FOR:  Patience, please join me.

Thursday's Favorites Fare

Photo:  White peonies and purple irises blooming on the south side of the pool in our backyard. 

READING:  All Matthew's final homeschool papers and essays for the year.

POOLSIDE READING:  American Heritage Magazine (Last issue as they have ceased publishing it!)

LISTENING TO:  Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (I have to stop soon...too nostalgic)

COOKING THROUGH:  Robin Miller's Quick Fix Meals

FAV NEW FIND:  Lemon Thyme...I planted it in one of the herb pots and it is so great...TRY IT!

FAV THING TODAY;  Last day of school!  Let the summer begin!

SADDEST THING TODAY;  Last day of school! End of homeschooling after 10 years of it.

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK;  6

GOING TO:  Cemetery visits for remembrance for Memorial Day Weekend...always nice to see the names and remember the people and stories from the past.  I miss doing this with the Grandmas and Grandpas...they knew all the great stories best.

PRAYING FOR:  Health, Healing, and Happiness for patients everywhere...please join me.

Thursday's Favorites Fare

Backyard view and sky today. 

READING:  Basilica by R.A. Scotti (Story of the building of St. Peter's in Rome)

POOLSIDE READING:  Indianapolis Monthly

LISTENING TO:  U2

COOKING THROUGH:  Giada DeLaurentiis's Everyday Pasta (Still...there are many good recipes in this, especially for my carb-loving swimmers!)

FAV NEW FIND:  Peeled garlic cloves in a jar in the produce section of the market:  time saver!

FAV THING TODAY;  Beautiful pearl gray cloudy sky...absolutely gorgeous!  Everything today is wonderfully beautiful.  Pick anything you want for my favorite today...it is all good!

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK;  2

GOING TO:  Purdue University for a three day swim meet; ICC Hear Our Song concert

PRAYING FOR:  Clarity of Vision...Hoping for 20/20...please join me.

Thursday's Favorites Fare

READING:  Maran Illustrated Knitting & Crocheting and The Crochet Answer Book

POOLSIDE READING;  Dark Tort by Diane Mott Davidson (mystery)

LISTENING TO:  Puccini's La Boheme

COOKING THROUGH:  Giada DeLaurentiis's Everyday Pasta

FAV NEW FIND;  Birthday Cake scented candles (the smell is so delicious, you can skip eating the cake)

FAV THING TODAY;  Our beautiful blooming iris flowers throughout the yard

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK;  3

GOING TO:  Rosie's Garden Center for flowers, vegetable plants, and herbs...it's planting time! 

PRAYING FOR:  The Nocco family, Kelly, Donna, Scott, Sarah, and Katie (Kelly has ALS), please join me.

Thursday's Favorites Fare

More May flowers blooming in our yard!  On Thursdays I am going to post a favorites list of sorts, I think.  Here is the first installment of said list.

READING:  The Ghost Map:  The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Johnson (Cholera Epidemic in 1854 London)

LISTENING TO:  Tom Petty (Is there anyone else when the sun is shining and the car windows are down?)

COOKING THROUGH:  Giada DeLaurentiis's Everyday Pasta

FAV NEW FIND;  Crest Cinnamon Rush toothpaste (like brushing your teeth with little red hot candies)

FAV THING TODAY;  Shopping with Margaret and Katie for pink Azalea for Shelley (Thanks for Histo for the kids this year, Shell...they loved every minute of being in Ancient Rome!)

SCRAPBOOK PAGES THIS WEEK;  4

GOING TO:  See the Tibetan Gyuto monks create mandalas from colored sand (at the IMA)

PRAYING FOR:  My father-in-law Emil (in hospital undergoing tests and treatments), please join me.