New year... new experiences

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ' I've lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along' You must do the thing you think you cannot do." 

- Eleanor Roosevelt

My new year has already given me marvelous memories. On December 31, last year, I was part of a New Year's party with the talented, giving women of From the Heart. (More about them in future posts.) I realized that I really consider that the beginning of my new year. We knew we'd all probably be in bed by 10pm that night, so we celebrated from 10am until 2pm. The food was tasty and the communion of friends wonderful... a great way to start this year.

I'm preparing to gather with my family to celebrate our post-holiday 'holiday.' I think I've mentioned before how all the adults are great cooks. I'm looking forward to more good food and fellowship with most of my favorite relatives.

Last week, my doctor looked me in the eye and said something I never thought I'd ever hear someone say to me. He told me that I am losing too much weight; I need to eat more. I have a witness. I'm trying to be grown up about this, but I am, after all, only human... Neener Neener!

Looking forward to good eats in 2011

The Cooking Channel and Food Network have nothing on the chefs in my family. Virtually all my family members have mastered must-have dishes for our get-together meals. And I have advanced to status Master Eater. I have been thrilled to discover that even with my taste buds altered by medication, I can savor all of my families' delights... YUMM!

My oldest daughter often prepares Shrimp Fettuccine or Chef's Salad with Chicken when I visit. Almost forgot to mention her BLT Salad.
...her son has mastered Mini Burgers.
...just thinking about her husband's grilled or smoker eats makes me salivate. And he is bar-tending wizard.

My son operates a mean grill.
... his wife is a Master Cake Baker and Decorator. Give her a picture of anything and she can duplicate it in batter and icing.
... their girls are chefs-in-training

My youngest daughter delights with Venison Roast and Stew and Oven-BBQ Ribs.
...her youngest daughter makes a Chocolate Chess Pie to die for.
...her oldest daughter whips up From-Scratch Brownies that make all boxed brands taste like chocolate-flavored cardboard.
...her oldest son bakes Mexican Wedding Cookies.
...her youngest son makes a mean Lasagna.

My baby brother puts just the right char on hamburgers and hot dogs whenever the weather allows firing up his grill. (Hmmm... I'm sensing a theme here... males with grills). He also makes the best Boy Scout Stew (also called Hobo Packets).
...his wife has always had to prepare BBQ beans whenever we eat together, and her dressing is a must at Thanksgiving. (She graciously gave me her recipe but, good as it is, it must be prepared by her hand to taste the best.) This year she has added the best biscuits to her menu. Not to mention that we will require her Coconut Pound Cake at all holiday gatherings in the future.
...his sister-in-law makes Pumpkin Pie and Deviled Eggs that barely make it into the house before they disappear.

Serendipity has continued to be active in my life this year, bringing me chance meetings and connections to people about whose whereabouts and conditions I have been wondering... not to mention parking spaces in front of or near to the entrances of places I've gone for various reasons.

My 2011 New Year's Hopes list remains the same as for this year. One of these days, I will learn to para diddle.

My favorite nephew and his wife celebrated their wedding anniversary this past week. When they got married nineteen years ago, my niece-to-be asked me to provide the music for the wedding. I was so honored. I asked if she had anything special she would like me to play and she requested a song by an artist that I enjoyed too. I had already learned one of his piano solos and confidently practiced memorizing the one she had asked for. Did I mention that I still get stage-fright, even after 60 years(!) of performing in public? This may be a factor in her answer when I asked if she had enjoyed her song... she told me, "Yes," but that I had played the wrong one. If they decide to renew their vows sometime in the future, I'm not counting on being the musician of choice.

Happy New Year!

Finishing the old year and staring the new

Went to spend New Year's Eve with my oldest daughter and her family. The kids enjoyed staying up 'til midnight, eating snacks and then putting on hats and blowing on horns to greet the new year. It was easy to get the youngest to go to bed. The male teen retreated to his room (man cave) and probably stayed up using his computer. The 10-year-old wanted to stay up longer but didn't really fight for it.... just didn't want to admit being tired and sleepy. The sky was overcast so didn't get to see the Blue Moon. Lots of wind. Brutally cold for us, but grateful not to have the weather that people are struggling with farther north.

The rest of my children and their families joined us on the 2nd for a get-together. Had my three children and nine of my ten grandchildren there. The oldest was sick. We missed her. At some point, after we had started eating but before the gift swapping game, the adults noticed that it was eerily quiet in the next room... the one with all the kids. Peeking around the corner, we saw every one of them hunched over their personal electronics, stylus and thumbs flying over tiny screens and keypads. Not a sound from any of them. Must admit, we grownups enjoyed visiting during the quiet spell.

Knowing Santa would have taken care of their special wants, I had taken the easy way out and put money in cards for all the kids. Knew I had 'done good' when the first one to open the card shouted, "I got money!"

Looking forward to a wonderful year spending time with my family & friends and in the Garden.

Happy 2010 to all.

Getting ready for the new year

Spent some time last week in the mountains with my daughter and her family. The kids enjoyed swimming lessons at the "Y" and a morning swimming at the American Legion lake. The weather was hot enough for them to enjoy the water but didn't overcome those of us watching from the 'beach.'

For most parents, the real New Year starts with the beginning of the school year. It has been several years since my kids finished with high school but I still get the same feeling of new beginning. My daughter had selected a donation list from the Legion to help a child be ready for the new school year. She had already purchased the backpack and we shopped for the items on the list to fill it. She still has to finish shopping for her own kids' back-to-school needs. I told her how I had done a "I don't have to go school-shopping anymore!" dance the first year after her youngest sibling had graduated. It is something she can look forward to as she searches the aisles looking for the items on the lists for her children. The teachers lists are so specific as to what supplies they require for their students. I am curious as to why only name-brand items are acceptable when less expensive items can be had. Do they get a kick-back from the companies?

Beginning to think of the things I need to do to get ready for the new year...

Wear all my white slacks and summer shoes before the end of Labor Day weekend so I can get them washed and cleaned up, ready to stow away for next year.

Start planning for Fall and Winter decorating and crafts for the holidays that will be here before we know it! Note: I do this every year... have yet to actually be ready for the holidays.

Check out Julia Child's' cookbooks to find her wonderful recipes for heart-warming soups, stews, roasts and side-dishes for the cold-weather season.

Speaking of weather, looks like real summer weather has finally come to our part of the world. We've had an unusually temperate season so far. I wonder if the hot weather will continue into the fall and winter? Time will tell. Happy New Year!