grandparent party

We are so blessed to live so close to so many of our relatives.  My girls have all of their grandparents within 45 miles...and even a great-grandmother (one great-grandma lives in a different state).  We see them often.  Usually it is in large groups with lots of cousins, aunts and uncles around.  The kids tend to run off and play and don't sit and visit as much as they do in small groups.  So we invited all of our local grandparents to a Christmas dinner party at our house.

We served:

roast beef

mashed potatoes

homemade rolls 

(the first time I can ever remember making them!)

a green salad

(with pomegranate, pistachios, grapefruit, and shredded carrots and a lemon dressing)

carrot cake for dessert

It was a busy afternoon...but worth every minute to have them with us at our table.  It felt good to serve them just a little bit.  They have done and continue to do so much for us.  After dinner we performed the Christmas songs we have been learning and asked them to sing a long with us.

Sophie-  Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Kate-   Jingle Bells

Ellie-  Oh Come All Ye Faithful

me...with Kate accompanying-  Sleep Well Little Children

group-  Away In A Manger

After the music we gave them each a gift.  The grandfather's received the Lower Lights Christmas CD.  The grandmother's received books that reminded us of them.  Great-grandma received a dvd- My Fair Lady (she is a fair lady).  My sweet friend also made Christmas holly pins for each of the grandmothers.

It was such a sweet evening for us.  We asked each of them as we visited what their favorite Christmas memory was--

Nana Miller-  She said that as a young girl, she worried herself sick every Christmas about whether she would not receive what she hoped for Christmas morning.  One year in particular...she felt ill from worry on Christmas Eve.  She woke up that next morning with all that she hoped for...and a special doll with a beautiful coral dress handmade my her mother.

Papa Miller-  "besides turkey & stuffing?"

Great-grandma-  She remembered last Christmas.  She had beautiful quilts made for each of us...grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She loved seeing them in her living room rolling up and cozy each in their own quilt.

Grandma Sally-  She remembered receiving a beautiful doll from her sister, who was quite a bit older than her, with beautiful outfits for the doll.  She also remembered an ice skating outfit.  It had a beautiful full skirt with pom-poms along the bottom.  She remembers ice skating with cousins on the lake that Christmas.

Grandpa Davis- He remembered the year that he and his brother received skis.  He was so surprised.  He remembers finding a hill and skiing that day.  He loved skiing and eventually worked on ski patrol at what is now Sundance.

After the party was over I asked the girls what their favorite part of the day was.
Ellie- playing our songs and watching them open their presents
Kate- Carrot cake
(her first time trying it!)
Sophie-receiving Christmas treat bags filled with tiny toys and stickers from Grandma Sally

We are so grateful for these special people in our lives.  We hope they will come every year to celebrate this beautiful holiday with us.  My plan was to take their pictures with the girls in front of the Christmas tree.  When the house was quiet and our guests had returned to their houses...and I looked at the lights of the tree I realized that I didn't take one picture.  I was enjoying the evening so much, I completely forgot.  I will do better next year...and leave my camera out...and ask Danny...actually the girls (they always remember) to remind me!

at her table

It has been a long week for all of us but especially Danny...and it was only Wednesday!  As I thought about what to feed everyone I knew a sure-fire pick me up for my people.  I gathered a few essentials: sourdough bread from the freezer, golden potatoes, an onion and I knew we would enjoy a nice meal together.  Danny's grandma (Grandma in Las Vegas) ran a busy catering business until very recently.  She is an excellent cook.  One of our favorite meals is her potato soup.  It is sure to make Danny a happy man!

1 cube of butter

3/4 to 1 c. of flour

7 c. water

7 chicken boullion cubes

7 potatoes

diced onion

shredded carrots

half and half (I use cream 9 times out of 10)

melt butter...stir in flour...add water slowly...add b.cubes, potatoes, onion, carrots.  When potatoes are soft add half and half.  Serve hot with sourdough bread and butter :)

Well, it worked.  Danny was in heaven.  The girls ate every bite and our week seemed to slowdown---even if it was just for that one meal.  Grandma has been sick for the past few months with colon cancer.  Sophie talked to her last Sunday.  She has prayed for "Grandma in Las Vegas" every single night.  Grandma thanked her Sunday.  It was sweet.  We love you Grandma! 

clam chowder

I knew it was serious when he bought my clam chowder.  Danny and I had been hanging out for a few months.  He and his roommate Stu were often at our apartment...or my roommates and I at theirs.  Stu and Heidi (one my roommates) were dating.  Danny and I enjoyed each other's company...and I was entertained by his flirting...but we were just friends.  Spring break was approaching and we decided to go on a road trip...my hometown (Petaluma, CA).  Danny, Stu, Heidi and I loaded in Danny's car and we made our way to California.

On our first day in Petaluma we decided to make the short drive to the city...San Fransisco.  We walked...visited Alcatraz and headed to Pier 39 around lunch time.  We chose Boudin Bakery for clam chowder in a bread bowl.  To my surprise, Danny bought my lunch.  Danny takes going out to eat and spending $ seriously.  So seriously that buying my lunch was like a flashing neon sign...DANNY LIKES ME.  I wasn't sure what to do or think.

After lunch we found the car and began driving around.  Danny decided to pull over at a park just after we visited Lombard street.  Stu and Heidi jumped right out...and I tried to stay as close (like glue!) to Heidi as I could.  :)  A romantic walk in the park...I wasn't ready.  I was scared.  Did I like him????  Did I want to marry him...after all---he did by my lunch ;) 

Later that night Danny and I were talking on the couch in my parent's living room.  "You don't want to talk about this..." he observed.  I was awkward and Danny was relaxed.  "Do you like me?" he asked.  I did like him.  He made me laugh.  He treated everyone he knew with kindness.  He was always happy.  He was (and still is) handsome.  He was ambitious, strong, smart...What wasn't to like?  So I told him my rule.  It was a rule to protect my heart... "I am not kissing anyone who is kissing anyone else."

Danny understood...but he wasn't sure how committed he was.  He had just taken a young lady out the week before, after all.  He was planning on taking her out again.  :) So we said "goodnight" with out a kiss.

The next morning the four of us headed out with my family to the ocean and then to church.  By the end of our road trip back to school---he had forgotten all about "what's her name" and it was official.  We were together~  and he has been buying me lunch ever since...

The fall weather inspires soup in our kitchen.  I combined a few different recipes and created my own version of clam chowder...

Clam Chowder
1 cube of butter
3/4 c. flour

Make a rue and add...
16 oz. of clam juice
8 c. of water
4 chicken or vegetable boullion cubes
1 large onion finely chopped
7-8 med. to lg. red potatoes diced
4-6 individual celery stalks chopped
garlic salt (a few heavy dashes)  real garlic with sea salt would be even better
paprika (a few heavy dashes)


Let this cook until potatoes are soft-
then add the following:
2-3 6.5 oz cans of clams with clam juice I did two for my kids but would do three if it was just for Danny and I
cream (half and half for a lighter version) to taste.  I really just pour it in until I like the color, consistency and taste.
2 T. cider vinegar
extra salt and pepper to taste

Cook until warm and then serve with flat leaf parsley (not the Italian curly I have pictured) and lemon wedges.  Have black pepper, red pepper flakes & Tabasco sauce on the table for those who want a kick to their soup.  Have plenty of sourdough bread on hand for dipping...bread bowls get soggy...but some people love them.

you say it's yo' birthday

left: Nana, Great-grandma & Uncle Mike (dying to know who you are sticking your tongue at Uncle Mike)  right: Dede, "brother" Mike & me

There are two special birthdays today!

"Mom."  She became my mother on the day I married her son.  The day before we were married we were talking and she invited me to call her "mom."  It has been an honor to be one of "her kids."  One of my favorite memories of her just happened a few years ago.  She told Danny that she would take the girls...and that Danny and I should spend the day out and together.  We had a wonderful day.  When we pulled up to the house Nana and the girls were coming up the hill.  Nana was pulling the wagon and the girls were riding.  I live on a steep hill---and I don't think I could pull them up that incline!  As they got closer we realized that all of them were in pjs...even Nana.  They had been given baths but begged her for one more trip to the park.  She of course told them "yes," she always does.  We love you Nana.

My brother, Mike.  Dede and I were so excited to have a brother!!!!  My favorite Mike memory was when we lived in Boise, ID near the canal.  Mike was sent to find me.  I rode my bike to a friend's house who lived on the other side of the canal.  As Mike started walking that direction he saw my bike close to the water and I was nowhere to be seen.  He assumed what most 6 year olds would...I drowned.  He gathered some flowers from around the waters edge and threw them in as his final gesture.  (I don't remember why I left my bike there...when I went to Kathy's house...but I am glad I did.)  No one makes me laugh harder than Mike does.  Now he shares his birthday week with his dear wife Annie!  I love that your birthdays are just a day apart!  Love you both.

Happy birthday to two special people...born on the same day...a few years apart :)

happy 80th birthday

It isn't everyday that a person turns 80 years old!

Annie asked me at the beginning of the summer what I thought we should do for dad's special day.

We thought about a large party---but he likes to be at home.

Annie said, "What about his history?  We could have it printed."

It was the perfect idea!

Everyone was on board.

We printed his life-history that my dad had created in a digital/web form.

To mark the occasion---the out of towners (Annie + Mike and family) decided to fly in and surprise him.  We planned a regular Sunday dinner.  All of his kids and their families gathered at the corner of the street and drove up together.  Dede and I walked in with our families (as expected).  Right behind us was cute Braden, Mike's son.  He walked in casually and said, "Hi Papa!"  My dad nearly jumped out of his chair.  The remainder of the "surprise" guests walked in...and his evening was already made!

One of my favorite quotes from the book regarding his childhood:

"Mama was able to get a job at the local sewing room and I think she was paid about 20 to  30 dollars a month.  She had to work long hours and she was always tired and her fingers were sore.  Mildred worked at a new business model called a 'drive-in' restaurant and the money she brought home helped out some.  Harry worked at a bakery at night and made a little money.  Joyce watched the younger kids and did some babysitting.  I stayed busy being incorrigible."

On the back of the book we printed our own "book reviews" of his history.

"A life filled with fun, adventures, loving, caring and sharing.  There's not much he hasn't experienced and it's been my great joy to be a part of 'his wonderful life'...then, now and forever.  I'm so thankful he has written this memoir for our posterity to enjoy all the years to come."

Connie

"Tom Sawyer meets John Wayne but neither hold a candle to the tales of Bobby Gene.  This memoir explains why he knew to be strict as a parent and why his kids know that they are lucky to have him as a dad."

Dede

"This is one of my greatest treasures.  I am so grateful to have in print, the stories I have loved to listen to my whole life.  It's beautifully written from a loving father."

Carin

"Pretty cool reading a life story that culminates with me, his pride and joy.  I consider his life a good start."

Mike (his legacy, buddy & pal, Mikey)

"This is a brilliant story that also serves as a guidebook that life should be lived with adventure, wit, tenacity, optimism, charity, spirited passion and love.  I will read it often and treasure him always."

Annie

Top (left to right): Danny, Carin, Annie, Dad, Cameron, Bill, Connie, Dede, Mike, Reagan, Annie Lee

Bottom (left to right): Chase, Sophie, Ellie, Wesley, Kate, Brade, Grace, Sara

Happy birthday Dad!  

We "LOVE you BIG much!"

a snapshot

a snapshot of the first moment you met our sweet Kate...

and the last picture we took of you.

i can't believe it has been seven years.

we miss you.

my granny

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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Aunt Vivian, me, Granny, Dede and our mom</span></div>
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She was born on August 5th, 1896 in Louisville, Mississippi.</div>
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She would have been 115.</div>
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I always think of her when her birthday comes around.</div>
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We LOVED visiting her when we were kids---</div>
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and felt spoiled by the candies and cookies she shared with us...</div>
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even when my dad protested.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I love what my dad wrote of her in his life history-</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>"<span style="font-size: small;">When she died she left very few
possessions because she never wanted much.
The only ambition she ever had was for the well being of her children
and
their families. She spent her life doing back-breaking work struggling
to
keep her family intact. When someone understands all the obstacles that
 she
faced during her life it is clear that her battle was an impossible
one.&nbsp; One thing we can be sure of is that she never gave up and would face
any
challenge. She would not back down from anyone or anything in defense
of her
children or her beliefs. There are so many things that I could praise
her
for but it would consume volumes."</span></i></div>
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