Heart Pondering

My Little Angel

2010-04-19T17:50:00.002-04:00

We had an exciting weekend with Patrick's very first t-ball game. He was very proud to wear his new uniform. And I have to admit, I got a little misty seeing my baby looking like such a little man. All started off very well and then in the middle of the first inning the drama started. Poor Patrick had scraped his knees something fierce the day before. Not such a tough guy with blood and boo boos he somehow tripped coming in from the outfield and hurt his poor tender knees again. Well, let me tell you, embarrassment city! He wailed, he moaned, he yelled, he hooted, he hollered. He was absolutely dead set against walking let alone running, and here we were at his first game and he was about to have his first turn at bat. Brett literally had to pin him down so I could re-Band-Aid his knees, all the while he was screaming "NO! DON"T!! Don't touch me" Who knows what people thought we were doing to him. Anyways, he was all rebandaged, but that still wasn't enough. He wouldn't walk, only Brett could hold him. So, he completely missed the second inning and there are only 3 innings!

However, he made a come back, he said he "decided to throw his sad face away"-- how poignant for a five year old. He realizes that it is a choice sometimes. It's all in the attitude. I need that pep talk more than I can tell you. So, in the third inning he got to play the pitcher position, and I will tell you that boy got every ball that came his way. He was focused and having fun. Great decision, Patrick! Not to mention he had his turn at bat. Thento top it all off, the coach, our neighbor and friend, gave Patrick one of the game balls for how well he did at fielding balls as pitcher. Talk about a come back. I really thought once he bumped those knees he was done for. What a great example of how our change in attitude can make all the difference in our experience.

"to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:23-24

Patrick at bat and running the bases.

On the pitcher's mound

Go Angels!

New Title from Dobson!

2010-04-07T21:08:00.002-04:00

I went into the Family Christian Bookstore today looking for The Hidden Power of the Four Gospels after reading about it in Book World in The Washington Post this weekend. It was a good review about how many Americans claim to be religous and Christian yet know very little about what is actually in the Bible. Both books reviewed are said to "unlock meaning and relevance" so that the reader has some context when reading the Bible. I love this kind of stuff!

So, anyways, I was unsuccessful at finding either The Hidden Power of the Four Gospels or Paul Among the People at the store. Not sure why. It made me wonder. Anyhow, in my browsing I found a different treasure. Right now you can prebuy Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson at Family Christian Bookstores and get the parental devotional titled Night Light by James and Shirley Dobson for free (offer is not online). Hello! So excited about that. To make all things equal, I also bought Bringing Up Boys as well.

I am such a fan of Dobson's teaching. His New Strong-Willed Child really got me and Brett through some rough patches with Patrick. I am such a believer in his discipline methods and that it always should end with forgivness and healing. That is the road to a good relationship between child and parent as well as the road to belief and love of Jesus and God the Father.

Happy Easter

2010-04-06T15:48:00.000-04:00

I hope you had an Easter focused on Jesus! Ours was busy, but Alyssa kept us focused on the real deal. I am so proud of her. When she woke up in the morning and I told her she had to wait for Patrick to wake up until she could come downstairs to check out the Easter baskets, she snuggeled up with me in the chair and said, "I want to focus on Jesus today." Joy. What a joy she is. And how simple and perfect that statement is. Shouldn't that be my prayer everyday?!

Showing off her new Bible

Hunting for some eggs, took Patrick longer as he opened each one as he found it!

No basket is complete without one of these!

A Christian Seder

2010-04-02T21:52:00.004-04:00

After reading Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus I was really moved and inspired to host a Passover Sedar with a Christian emphasis as Jesus celebreated Passover. Ultimately, his last Passover meal is what Christians call the Last Supper. This is where Jesus let his disciples know his fate and where He instituted what we Christians know as Holy Communion or the Eucharist.
So, I invited a few friends over to celebrate with us.

One thing that was very important to me to make clear to our guests is that we were not pretending to be Jewish, but honoring the "Jewishness of Jesus as well as the centrality of the Passover seder in the life of Jews, and therefore, Jesus as a Jew" (Smith xii).

In preparing and hosting the seder I learned so much-- from cooking new foods to deep roots of my faith. The night nourished me physically, mentally and spiritually.

One of resources I found especially helpful was Let Us Break Bread Together: A Passover Haggadah for Christians. It was written by a pastor and a rabbi together. It walked us through many of the parts of the "telling" for that is what Haggadah means in Hebrew. At the Passover seder you retell the story of Exodus, the Israelites being rescued from slavery. This resource added in the fulfillment of the story which is Jesus' redemtion of all of us through the work done on the cross. At different moments in the "telling" this Haggadah really helps Christians connect the dots of how Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover and creates such a deeper understanding as to how he really is the "Lamb of God." I infused our telling with bits I had found elsewhere, such as in Beth Moore's Jesus, The One and Only and Mike Ratcliff's Blog "Possessing the Treasure". Moore's section on the Last Supper really explains thoroughly how events played out at Jesus' last Passover meal.

Things I learned at our Seder:
1) I love the symbolisim of everything. I think it made it more kid-friendly and reinforced the main concepts we were learning about.
The Seder Plate:
haroset: the mortar that the Israelites used in helping build the pyramids
roasted lamb shank: symbolic of the Paschal lamb sacrafice, from the Christian perspective it symbolizes Jesus, "For Christ, Our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us," (1 Cor. 5:7 NIV)
bitter herbs: represents the bitterness of life in slavery
Salt water: tears of suffering turned to tears of joy
Green vegetable: reemergence of life-- dipped in the salt water
Boiled egg: reminder of the fesitval of sacrifice at the temple, it also reminds Christians of the new life we have in Christ

2) The important role of kids in the Passover seder. I learned that questioning and debating has a long history in the Jewish religion. I love that! The Haggadah is full of questions for the kids to ask, as well as adults. It also encourages us to ask more questions and to debate issues, as to broaden and deepen the understanding of our faith.

3) The Third Cup of Wine
Traditionally, four cups of wine are drunk at the Passover seder. Each has a significance and is tied to Exodus 6:6-7:
1- I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
2-I will free you from being slaves to them,
3-and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.
4- I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.

The third cup is my favorite. It is the cup that Jesus did not drink from at the Last Supper as he said, "I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." Matthew 26:29 So, why didn't he drink from the cup of redemption? He was to become the cup of redemption on the cross and spill his own blood out for us. As it says in Exodus 6:6, "and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm"-- that he did, that he did. How beautifully God ties it all together, it awes me.

Jesus grappled with the work that He was sent to do. He prayed long and hard in the Garden of Gethsemane about it. He even asked for His Father to take the cup of redemtion away, if it was His will, "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Matthew 26: 39.

All of this is deepened my understanding of just how important the Passover is to me as a Christian. Passover is about God liberating His people. It is about His promise to do that, and how he kept that promise, not just in the days of Pharoah ruling over Israelites but in the days of all His children, as He sent His one and only Son to be the Paschal Lamb, to cleanse us of sin.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Seder Menu:

Chicken Soup with Mini Leek &; Chive Matzah Balls

Chicken Broth

1 onion chopped

3 stalks celery with leaves chopped

2 carrots chopped

2 parsnips chopped

parsely chopped

Mini Matzah Balls

5 tablespoons margarine

1/2 cup finely chopped leeks

1/2 cup finely chopped chives

4 eggs

2 tablespoons giner ale

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

pepper

ground giner

1 cup matzah meal

Melt margarine in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add leek and saute fro 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add chives.

Beat Eggs, ginger ale, salt, pepper, and ginger in a bowl. Mix in matzah meal and leeks. Cover and chill for at least 2 hrs.

Line a large baking sheet with plastic wrap. Using moistened palms roll rounded teaspoons of mixture into balls. Place on plastic. Chill 30 minutes.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop in matzah balls; cover pot. Cook for 40 minutes. Transfer, using a slotted spoon, to a bowl. Refridgerate, can be made up to 3 days ahead.

Bring soup to a boil, boil vegetables for 40 mimutes, add matzah balls, conutine cooking for another 10 minutes. Serve. (Bon Appetit, Holidays)

Chicken Marrakesh

4 whole chickens (2.5 pounds each), each cut into eighths

12 large cloves garlic, finely minced

3 tablespoons dried thyme

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup red wine vinegar

1 cup best quality olive oil

8 teaspoons green peppercorns, soaked in water and drained

2 cups whole pitted black olives

3 cups dried apricots

2 cups dried small figs

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup good red wine

2 cups large pecan pieces

grated zest of 4 lemons

1. The day before, combine the chicken, garlic, thyme, cumin, ginger, salt, wine vinegar, oil, peppercorns, olives, apricots and figs in 2 large bowls, dividing the ingredients equally; marinate covered in the refrigerator overnight. Mix several times during the day. Remove the bowls from the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3. Arrange chicken in single layer in 2 large, heavy, shallow baking pans. Spoon marinade evenly over both pans. Sprinkle with the brown sugar and pecans and pour the wine evenly between the pieces in both pans.

4. Cover the pans with aluminum foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake, basting frequently with the pan juices, 50 minutes.

5. Using a fork and slotted spoon, transfer the chicken, olives, dried fruit and pecans to a large serving platter. Drizzle with a few large spoonfuls of the pan juices. Serves about 8. (Roselle Cranford, Hadassah, NJ, The Hadassah Jewish Holiday Cookbook)

New Parsley Potatoes

3 dozen small red potatoes, unpeeled and quartered

1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil

salt and pepper

1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

Steam the potatoes over boiling water until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley. (Jewish Holiday Treats, Zoloth)

Steamed Asparagus

The Last cup of wine is drunk in honor of peace. The Hebrew word for peace is "shalom." My friend, Kristen, particulary liked this ending to our celebration, "Peace is not the absence of strife but the ability to engage even an enemy with out losing sight of the truth that even one's enemy is part of the human family of God."

Go in Peace.

Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Oatmeal with Grated Apple & Pear

2010-04-01T09:56:00.002-04:00

I am trying to make a concerted effort to be more healthy and more active. I have been living too much in gluttony these days. I really need to be more disciplined in my eating and my exercising habits.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

So more fiber, more veggies and fruit, more water, and more excerise. Less McDonald's, less chocolate, less butter, yes, less butter. So, this morning I made up a batch of oatmeal. Alyssa who never eats oatmeal, ate it up with no complaints. I feel better already, taking better care of what God gave me.

3 cups water

1 cup Trader Joe's Quick Cook Steel Cut Oats

2 teaspoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 apple grated

1 pear grated

1 teaspoon lemon juice, to keep fruit from browning

Bring the water to a boil. Add the oats and reduce heat. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring regularly. Add brown sugar, cinnamon and fruit. Cook one minute more. Remove from heat.

Alyssa and I like to eat ours with some Greek nonfat vanilla yogurt.

(4 servings)

Jedi Robes Tutorial

2010-03-29T17:24:00.001-04:00

My mom did a super job on these robes. She figured out how to do this without a store-bought pattern. She has some serious sewing skills! I also know I taxed her by having her write all of this down, so thank you, MOM!

Buy 2 yards of brown 72” wide felt per robe.

Cut a 50” piece from the folded fabric.

Fold that piece of fabric in half.

I made a pattern for half of the robe. It was 21” wide from the center seam to the end of the sleeve. It was 36” long from the shoulder to the bottom of the robe. I cut out a curve for the neck opening. This works well for children about ages 4 - 6.

Lay the pattern on the folded fabric with the shoulder at the top fold and the center line 4 inches from the side fold.

Cut out the underarm/side seam section through all 4 layers.

Cut out the neck curve. Cut down the front center line only on the top layer of felt. Flip the robe over and cut 4 inches from the fold. This makes the front section of the robe and leaves and extra 8 inches in the back for a pleat.

Pin and sew the side and under arm seams with right sides together.

Create a pleat at the back neck by overlapping the fabric 2 inches over itself and both sides. The photograph shows the inside of the robe with the pleat pinned. The second and third photos show the front side.

Use the rest of the 2 yard piece to cut a rectangle 12” x 24” for the hood. Fold it in half to make a 12” square.

Starting halfway across the fold, stitch close to the edge and curve down to meet the side. Continue stitching down one edge. Trim off the extra fabric at the curve.

Open up the bottom of the hood and using a basting stitch, sew across 1/2” from the bottom. Pull the thread to gather the bottom of the hood.

Match the center and edges of the hood to the center back and front edges of the robe with right sides together and ease to fit. Stitch the hood to the robe.

The felt can be cut at the bottom and the sleeves for smaller children.

Death Star Pinata

2010-03-29T15:57:00.000-04:00

This pinata was actually really easy to make.

We were not as authentic as our one friend, who actually stole his wife's exercise ball to create his! However, I think this one turned out pretty well.

I bought a soccer ball pinata. Then we took all the black markings off of it and spray painted it with a metallic gray paint.

After allowing it to dry we pushed gently on one section to make a divet for the laser cannon, which we painted black. Then I used elecrial tape to make the trench around the equator.

Swing away!

Oreo Tie Fighters

2010-03-28T19:51:00.000-04:00

I came up with this idea kind of at the last minute, but it worked great. I was actually thinking of Patrick's friend who is allergic to milk and what else I could serve besides the cupcakes. I remembered he could eat Oreos. So, as I picked up the package, the idea occured to me to make them into Tie Fighters. I know, I am weird!!

So, here is how you make them:

Make Royal Frosting:

4 tsp. Deb El Just Whites (these are powdered whites and are totally safe to bake and make frosting with, as opposed to making the frosting with uncooked egg whites)

1/4 cup water

2 cups confectioner's sugar

Beat the powdered egg whites and water with an electric mixer until foamy.

Add the confectioner's sugar and beat until the frosting stands in peaks.

Then add a dab to one of the large Oreos.

Stick the mini Oreo onto the dab.

Add a dab to a 2nd regular sized Oreo and press together.

Let them rest standing up before storing them in an airtight container. The frosting will get really hard to keep these together. I used 2 bags of regular Oreos and 1 bag of minis for 12 kids.

May the Force Be With You

2010-03-27T21:14:00.002-04:00

Today was an exciting day! We had Patrick's birthday party, which we have been planning and preparing for for a while. He wanted a Star Wars party, and I must say, we all had a fun time putting it together. Well, maybe my mom has something else to say about that! She was the hero of the party. She made 12 little jedi robes from felt, that I must say, looked very authentic!

The Agenda and the music that goes with it:
Princess Leia and Queen Amidala greet the young Padawans. Princess Leia (my daughter) handed out robes and Padme (me) collected and labeled weaponry. Music: 20th Century Fox Fanfare and Open Title Music from Return of the Jedi

Obi Wan Kenobi (my brother) trained the Jedis in the ways of the force and how to handle a light saber. Music: Medley: The Hologram/Binary Sunset and Medley: Tales of a Jedi Knight

Jedis then completed their training with Yoda on the obstacle course. Music: Yoda's Theme

Once the Jedis training was complete, they each had a chance to defeat Darth Vader (my husband). Music: The Imerpial March

After Darth Vader was defeated or "debeated" as my son puts it, the kids need to destroy the death star--a pinata and collect the debris! Music: The Battle of Endor III

We then headed to the patio to be hailed as heros and recieve a medal from Princess Leia and Queen Amidala. Music: Medley: The Throne Room/End Title

Then we all went to the Mos Eisely Cantina to celebrate with cupcakes and Oreo Tie Fighter Cookies. Music: Cantina Band and Cantina Band #2

All music can be downloaded from iTunes. I used music from Episodes IV, V, and VI.

It was such a joyful and funfilled day. Alyssa was equally excited as Patrick was. I loved that my brother took time out of his weekend to come be such a big part of the fun, the kids loved him. Brett and I really stretched ourselves creatively for it, and my mom worked so hard to make everything look perfect with all of our costumes. What a team effort!

I will post tutorials for all our crafts and food in the coming days!
Happy Birthday, Young Jedi!

Daily Prayers for Kids

2010-03-26T15:08:00.000-04:00

I checked this book out at the library this week and I wanted to share it. It is a book of daily prayers written for children to say. There are prayers for each day of the week. Each day is broken into three parts: waking, midday, and nighttime. Each prayer is based on one of the Psalms. Each deals with subject matter familiar to children. I liked that the prayers focused on blessings, giving thanks, and asking for protection. My daughter and I read this book cover to cover last night and she really enjoyed it, the simple rhyming lines and familiar imagery was soothing. This is a great book for helping children broaden their prayer life beyond the traditional, "Now I lay me" prayer. We will be looking at this book more!

Do Your Homework!

2010-03-25T22:11:00.002-04:00

Recently, getting homework done without a headache or tears has been an issue in our house. Usually, Alyssa does her work at the kitchen counter. I am usually helping her, keeping her focused, making dinner, answering the phone, doing something for Patrick, or letting the dogs out or in. It is constant chaos. For weeks now I keep hearing what every good teacher knows, what I have told countless parents when I was a teacher, “She needs a quiet place dedicated for homework.” But my rationale for not acting on it sooner was that I needed to be preparing things in the kitchen, and I need to micromanage homework. Yes, a little like Claire on Modern Family the other night. By the way, I LOVE that show. So funny. But back to the homework, so I decided to act on the voice nagging in my head. Yes, Brett, if you are reading this, I do nag myself too!

I moved some things around in her room to make room for my old desk.

I made a really cute pencil holder her for her:

To make this simply use a can where you take off the entire lid. You can't use one that cuts the lid, the edges will be too sharp. Here is a can opener that would work.
Then, peel off the label and wash out the can. Dry it.
Measure the height of the can.
Find a piece of scrapbook paper or other card stock and cut a strip.
Then, use double sided tape to secure one end of the paper to the can. After that, roll the paper around the can and secure with more double sided tape. And voila, a pencil holder.

I liked this desk blotter Michael's had. They have all kinds of cute American Girl craft items there now.

The other thing I added was a swing arm lamp.

This one came from Pottery Barn Kids about seven years ago, here is the newer version.

Before I moved the desk in, she had a night table that had a lamp on it, once the desk was it, it was right next to the bed and the lamp took up way too much room on the desk. Swing arm lamps are terrific space savers. Now this lamp can be used for reading in bed and then shifted over to work at the desk.

I love this toy! Alyssa got it for her fourth birthday. It is so educational. You use a pen to touch the different parts of the globe and it tells you information about the country or contitnent, such as currency, poplation, what time it is there, cultural facts. There is also a game mode and you can quiz yourself.

Now that the desk has been in there for more than a week I can say that she has been more responsible about doing her work. She does more of her work independently. I do go up and get her started on tasks, and periodically check in, but all in all, she is taking more initiative. I think because she has a place to take it seriously and knows that I take it seriously, it has become more important to her.
The best thing I saw her do at it was "study for college" (her words, not mine) and what was she studying? The Bible! Now, that is something to work at. Amen!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23

Showers of Blessings

2010-03-22T12:37:00.003-04:00

Almost a year ago a few friends and I had an opportunity to throw a foster/adoption shower for a friend of ours. Anyone who has gone through the adoption process knows that the process is long and arduous. It takes lots of patience. And there can be lots of disappointments. By the time of the shower our friend had already missed two calls from social services needing to place children quickly. But because they were using the wrong contact number, she missed out. That’s a tough pill to swallow when you are longing for a child.

However, I am moved to write about my friend because I am awed at the love her and her husband give lavishly. More importantly, I am awed at how God has been faithful to them. Sometimes I think the hardest thing to do is wait on God’s timing.

Not long after the shower my friend and her husband got a call to foster two children. A sister and a brother. The kids have been welcomed into this family by all. It’s been amazing to watch their love grow and blossom. Although, all along my friends and I knew that they would make the most amazing parents. They give like they breathe.

The Bible is full of beautiful and redemptive stories of adoption. Moses was saved and adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter in Exodus. Then there is the story of Mordecai adopting Esther. But the most beautiful adoption story in the Bible is our own. God adopts us through Jesus Christ. We are all adopted and children of God through His Son.

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with his pleasure and will--to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Ephesians 1:4-6

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God” --1 John 3:1

Coming to the decision to adopt and to foster took some serious soul searching on my friend’s part. You see, she too, is adopted. She was also foster child as a baby. When she wasn’t getting pregnant, she and her husband took a long hard look around them and realized they had love to give any child. It is a beautiful story about coming full circle and paying it forward.

However, in reality I can only imagine how hard that is. For our whole lives I know she has craved a genetic connection to someone. She would pour over our family albums being amazed at how much my brother and dad look alike, or note similarities in me and my mom. She always notices that in people, maybe since she had never had it for herself.

I love that this story not only has the happy ending of her and her husband fostering two beautiful children but that she is also expecting a natural child of her own. She gets to have it both ways. What blessings God pours out. If we just wait he is faithful in ways we can’t even comprehend.

“I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing” Ezekiel 34:26

Before and After: The Family Room

2010-03-19T09:48:00.000-04:00

I have been wanting to update the family room for some time. I was tired of the TV in the corner and the small bookshelf that really got in the way to and from the kitchen. For some reason, this room attracted a lot of clutter! Nothing was terrible, but I was just ready for a change. Brett really wanted a new TV, one of those LCDs. But I really wasn't ready to get that unless we did the whole room the way we wanted. I didn't want to do it half-way and then be upset later when nothing was the way we wanted it. However, there wasn't money to do it all the way---until, I figured out how to get the look I wanted on a budget!The room also seemed to need some color. There is lots of beige in this room right now.

The curtains were from the previous owners and never matched our stuff. The rug did not match either!

So here is our room redone . . . . TA DA!

I found the look I liked, of course, in a Pottery Barn catalog. But with shears at more than $80 a panel, I just couldn't do it. Then I found these, almost identical in color, at Target. Target also had the pillows and the throw to match. I really struggled with the decision on the couch. My heart wanted that Pottery Barn sectional, but for the family room, I figured we could go cheaper since the kids are in there all the time and I would freak out if I spent a lot and they wrecked the stuff. So we went with the Ikea Ektorp couch and chair in Svanby Beige. They also had the chocolate brown velor pillows. They are the best! This also is what got us to Ikea for the very first time. A bit overwhelming, I must say.

Brett got an incredible deal on the TV. He went with a Dynex. It is Best Buy's generic brand, however it still made by the people who make expensive name brand TVs. It was a great bargain. We needed furiture to put that on, plus I really wanted to add bookshelves to the room. We are huge readers here and we are always looking for more space for books. Of course, I had my eye on some Pottery Barn stuff, but alas, I did find this stuff on sale at Target, that I very happy with. Plus, if the kids ding it up, I will not have a major cow. My favorite thing about the Target purchase is that the bookshelves came with wall straps and child saftey warnings. Way to go Target, thanks! You can see in the picture that I painted an accent wall. That is Behr's Gray Morning. I had some issues with the name, I thought it sounded too negative, and then I got over myself and painted.

This was my favorite purchase for the whole room. I think it ties it all together nicely.

So, I am pretty proud of my design on a dime. It was fun and Brett and I are both very happy with the room. It feels more open and it is easier for me to talk to company when I am in the kitchen! Isn't that what it is all about!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T21:34:00.000-04:00

Both my husband and I have Irish roots. My husband's grandmother is a Davis descended from County Kerry known for its scenic mountains and coastline as well as the Lakes of Killarney. My roots are in County Kildare, home to the shrine of the Celtic goddess Brigid, "woman of poetry, healing, and smith's work" her name means "a fiery arrow." I would love to live up to all of that. It is also where Saint Brigid is from. She was an Irish Christian nun who founded several monastaries.

Brett and I have always loved celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

While he was in college, he would go to Savannah's River Street with fraternity brothers to celebrate it "thoroughly." After college, we found a couple of irish pubs we really liked, and not just for St. Patrick's Day. One was Ireland's Four Provinces in DC, we loved the Irish bands that played there, and I admit, I loved eating a late night shepherd's pie there. But now with kids we have found some other ways to celebrate the Patron Saint of Ireland.

I have to note that this year is the first year that, our son, who is named Patrick, didn't think today was his birthday. Usually he is asking me where his presents are by now since we usually have some sort of party. Alas, this year we have been so busy, we did not do it up as we usually like to. However, we did try to keep the spirit. I bought him this book last year:

It is by Tomie dePaola. I like everything he does! I actually learned a few things from this book:

1) Patrick was English, not Irish

2) He was captured by the Irish and employed as a slave until he escaped about six years later.

3) He returned to Ireland after having a dream that "called" him back to be a missionary

4) How he was conitinually persecuted

5) That he started the first church in Ireland out of a barn.

The book also has a section at the back that tells the legends about St. Patrick, such as how he drove snakes out of Ireland and how he taught the trinity with a shamrock. As always, dePaola's illustrations are amazing.

After learning more about St. Patrick I am reminded that God calls us to difficult tasks, ones that may even seem impossible. However, we must have faith, we must obey, and we must persevere. Patrick led a life that did that.

"As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverence and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."-- James 5:11

Now what you really came for, the food!!

Of course, I made our traditional Shepherd's Pies. Tonight I made them in individual ramekins since we all needed to eat at separate times. I just popped them in the fridge and baked them when I needed them. I will say this, the Hungarian paprika is a must, it has such a wonderful flavor, regular paprika is too bland.

Mini Shepherd's Pies

5 medium sized potatoes, sliced
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons cream cheese
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 onion finely chopped
2 carrots, diced
1 cup frozen peas
1 teaspoon Hungarian paprika

1 teaspoon coriander

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon pepper

8 oz. tomato sauce

In a medium pot boil the potatoes for about 15 minutes or until tender. Preheat oven to 375'. In a nonstick skillet brown the beef with the onions and carrots. Once browned drain the grease. Add the peas and spices. Add the tomato sauce and heat through.

Divide the beef mixture among 8 6 oz. ramekins.

Meanwhile, drain and mash the potatoes with the milk, butter, and cream cheese.

Top the beef mixture with the potatoes.

Bake for 30 minutes.

You can make this a few hours ahead of time and bake once you are ready to eat. Just bring ramekins to room temperature first.

Leek and Potato Soup
This is my favorite! It is super easy, and leeks are super good for you.

3 tablespoons butter
3 large leeks
2 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
4 1/2 cups of chicken stock

Melt butter in a dutch oven over medium heat. Clean leeks and cut leeks. Add leeks to the butter, stirring often. Once leeks are tender add the potatoes. Cover and cook until the potatoes begin to soften but are not browned. Add the chicken stock and simmer 30 minutes. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup, you could also puree in a regular blender in batches.

Of course, all this tastes better with Guiness!

Leprechaun Soda

3 scoops Lime Sherbet

6 oz. Sprite

"May you always walk in the sunshine. May you never want for more. May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door"

Irish Blessing

Mom's Pizza

2010-03-15T21:03:00.000-04:00

Growing up my mom made homemade pizza every Friday night. Such a treat. She even made the dough from scratch. Paul and I used to fight over who got to punch the dough once it had risen. So, I have resurrected this recipe once again and my kids are loving it! The best part is they get to choose their toppings.

So here it is:

Pizza Dough

2 pkg. active yeast

1 tsp. sugar

2 cups very warm water

~5 cups flour

2 tsp. salt

Sprikle the yeast and sugar into water in a large bowl. Stir until blended. Let stand about 10 minutes until it bubbles. Stir in flour and salt until a stiff dough is formed. Turn out onto a lightly floured board. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place in a large greased bowl, turn over, cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 mintues. Punch down. Divide into two. Gently begin rolling out and stretching to fit your pan. Add sauce . . . .

Cook 30 minutes at 400'. Cover for 1st 15 minutes so cheese won't burn.

So, there it is folks. So very simple. But so very good. Tastes like a Friday night. Yum!

Easier Than You Can Imagine Cookie Cake Bars

2010-03-06T09:36:00.001-05:00

So this is what is left of last night's dessert. Actually, since I took the picture I think Brett and Patrick split this last one. I got this recipe from my friend Kristin, who actually got it from her friend Sandra who has an amazing blog.

I brought these over for a little impromptu get together we had with some friends last night and they left the pan so fast. Our little friend Amelia proudly shouted, "I had three!" as if she had meddeled in the Cookie Bar eating Event!!

So, at our other friend, Addy's, request here is the recipe:

Cake Mix Bars

1 box yellow cake mix

1 large egg + 1 egg white

1/2 cup butter (or margarine), melted

2 Tablespoons milk

1 teapsoon vanilla

1 cup mix-in-- I always use chocolate chips, just because that is what my family likes but you could branch out!

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Grease bottom only of a 9x13 pan
Mix cake mix, butter, egg, egg white, milk and vanilla in a large bowl with a wooden sppon. Mixture will be thick.
Spread evenly in the pan.
Bake for 22-25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Best if allowed to cool completely for an hour before cutting.

Enjoy!!

Grammy Martinell's Ravioli

2010-03-04T14:46:00.020-05:00

I have adapted my Pop-Pop's mom's ravioli. She made these for special occasions, probably Easter or Christmas. I've been told she made these much larger than I do. But the filling and the sauce are the same. It is a favorite in our house. I like to make a batch to give to my Pop as well. So, making these are usually an all day affair. But nothing says love, like homemade ravioli!!

Filling:

1 1/2 lbs. stew meat, chuck- cooked in sauce and then ground

fresh ground pepper

parsley

2 large eggs

1/2 cup plain bread crumbs

1 cup Parmesan-Reggiano cheese, grated

Sauce:

2 29 oz. cans tomato sauce

2 12 oz. cans tomato paste

2 tbsp. sugar

thyme

pepper

marjoram

sweet basil

oregano

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 bay leaves

parsley

Brown the stew meat in a dutch oven with garlic, pepper, and parsely. Once browned add a little water. Cook meat until half done and add the rest of the sauce ingredients. Simmer on low until meat is done. Remove meat with a slotted spoon. Grind meat in a meat grinder. Add 2 eggs, bread crumbs, cheese, and parsley. Mix. If dry add some sauce to the meat so it is moist and not crumbly. Use the middle cutter for grinding meat.

Pasta:

2 3/4 cups flour

3 large eggs

1 tsp. salt

Build a mound with the flour on a pastry mat. Make a hole in the moung and crack the eggs into the hole. Add the salt. With a fork start to mix up the egg and the salt. Once mixed start to incorporate the flour. This gets very messy and you will think it is all ruined, not so! Keep incorporating the flour with your hands. If it gets too dry and flaky, add tiny bits of water at a time. Once you have a dough start to knead, as you would bread. Turn the dough a quarter of a turn, push the heel of your hand into the dough, repeat for 5-10 minutes. Don't skimp on kneading time or the pasta will not turn out silky.

Wrap the dough in plastic and let rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.

Clamp a pasta machine to your counter. Set the rollers at the widest setting, on mine it is "1". Unwrap the pasta dough and cut it into quarters. Work with one quarter at a time, wrapping the other three pieces in the pastic wrap.

Flatten the quarter of dough with your hands, lightly floured. Make it into a rough rectangle Feed it through the machine.

Fold into thirds and run through lengthwise 2 or 3 times.

Turn the setting in one notch and feed through, unfolded.

Continue to do this until you have reached the narrowest setting on the machine.

Use a sharp knife to cut the rolled pasta strip into 18-20 inch lengths.

Using a teaspoon, put about 10 little mounds of the filling along one side of the pasta strips, spacing them evenly.

Either use a pastry brush or use your finger to brush water around the mound of filling. Fold the plain side of the pasta strip over the filling.

Starting from the folded edge, press down gently with your fingertips around each mound, pushing the air out at the unfolded edge. Sprinkle lightly with flour.

With a pasta wheel, cut the long side and then between the mounds to make small squares.

Put the ravioli on floured dish towels, sprinkle lightly with more flour and let dry while repeating the process with the remaining dough. You should get about 80 ravioli.

Tips:

You can reroll the trimmings, to keep them from drying out and becoming unworkable, wrap in plastic wrap.

Once pasta is dried you can freeze for up to 1 month.
Once you are ready to eat, boil for 4-5 minutes and serve with sauce.

Long Time No See

2010-03-03T10:57:00.004-05:00

It's been forever since I have blogged. We have had quite a busy year and blogging just fell off the list. However, I am newly insipred to start it up again!

I'll try my best to catch you up on some of our top happenings since I last wrote.

To start, I have read some very good books. My latest is Sitting at the Feet of the Rabbi Jesus Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg. This book really explores what a first century Jew's faith would have been like: feasts celebrated etc. I found it so interesting especially now, during Lent. It makes me want to host a Christian Passover dinner. So, I am trying to figure out how to plan that.

I also have completed both To Live is Christ by Beth Moore and Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild in our Women's Bible study. Both were wonderful. I especially loved To Live is Christ. I did not feel I knew much about the life of Paul unti I read this book, it is fascinating and truly inspirational to learn how much he suffered in the name of Christ. Even more impressive is the zeal he had throughout--that's the Holy Spirit workin'!

I have actually decided to step out of leadership of the Bible study. Tonight is my last night-- I feel a bit like Wendy in Peter Pan. However, it is for the best. Patrick will be full-time in school next year and I need to spend those pm hours at home. I can already tell completing homework with two kids will be interesting to balance. I hope to find a lively am class to attend in the fall. I hear very good things about a few CBC studies around here.

I am sad to leave the fellowship of the ladies in this group, however, I am actually trying not to think about it. It is hard. We all come from different age groups and situations yet we have found a common bond in Christ. We have an interest in what happens to each other, there is care and love there. I will miss the weekly gathering.

Apples!

2009-09-21T15:07:00.012-04:00

Like strawberries, my kids pick apples faster than I can pay for them! We had great weather for some very fun apple picking this weekend with some friends. The funniest part of the trip was when my son and his friend tossed an apple into the dirt road and sat and watched for several minutes for it to be squashed by a car. They were not disappointed!

For many Maryland apples, picking time is almost over, so get out there with your basket and enjoy the beginning of fall!

Here are two recipes to use your picked apples in:

For Gala apples:
Waldorf Salad Jubilee

1 cup mayonnaise

1 tsp. lemon juice

1/2 tsp salt

6 Gala apples, unpeeled nad cut into 1/2" pieces

1 1/2 cups chopped celery

1 1/2 cup chopped radishes

3/4 cup orange flavored craisins

1/2 cup finely chopped red onion

1 1/2 cup toasted pecan pieces
2 heads radicchio, washed

Combine the first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring well. Toss apples with the next 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Add mayonnaise dressing and toss to coat. This can be done 1 day ahead. Cover and refridgerate. Before serving fold in toasted pecans and then spoon salad into the radicchio leaves as if they are little bowls. Yield: 10 servings
For any apple that is excellent for baking:

My Grandma's Apple Pie

This is my grandma’s recipe. She usually used Granny Smith apples. She and her mother were known for their excellent pies.

2 9-inch pie crusts (if you want to make your own click here for a great recipe from Melissa D'Abrabian from Food Network)

1/3 to 2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of salt

8 medium sized apples (a medium apple = about 1 cup)

2 tablespoons margarine

Heat oven to 425. Peel, core and slice the apples. Try to keep the size of the slices even. Mix sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt in large bowl. Stir in apples. Pour into pastry lined pie plate. Dot with butter or margarine. Cover with top crust and seal the edges. Cut slits in the top. Cover edge with foil to prevent too much browning. Remove foil during the last 15 minutes. Bake 40 to 50 minutes.

Strawberry Fields Forever

2009-06-11T11:27:00.007-04:00

Our play group headed out to pick strawberries this week, an annual trip of ours. I always look forward to it. I feel such satisfaction in getting outside and working in the dirt. Maybe I should be a farmer. I also love being able to make things like my grandmothers used to. I like to make jam and pies. So, I was really motivated to pick as much as I could so I could make all these things when I got home.

I went a little overboard. (Geez, I could say that about so much!) I was a picking machine. I picked 21 pounds. Holy moly! This year's crop was definitly full of smaller berries than last year and because of the rain and lack of sunshine, the berries started to spoil faster. I needed to act fast! So, I did--- in two days this is what I did . . .

Strawberry Jam

This is no secret recipe, it actually can be found on the inside of a packet of Sure-Jell.

ingredients:

5 cups crushed strawberries (already washed and cut)

7 Cups sugar

1 packet Sure-Jell

Wash jars in extra hot dishwasher, leave in the steamy dishwasher until ready to fill. Boil the 2 piece lids, drain before using.

Prepare strawberries by washing, hulling, and roughly cutting any large berries.

Measure exact amount of fruit into a saucepan (I use a large pot).

Measure exact amount of sugar into a separate bowl.

Stir one box of Sure-Jell pectin into the fruit. Bring to a full rolling boil on high heat.

Stir in sugar quickly, return to a full rolling boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Ladle quickly into the hot jars filling to 1/8 from the top. Wipe the jars and the threads. Cover with the two piece lids. Screw tightly.

Katie's Upside-Down Seal Method:
Pace upside down on the counter for 15-minutes, then flip over, jars should seal, to test, press the middle of the lid with your finger.

Jam sets in 24 hours.

Strawberry Gelato Hearts

Alyssa loves to help make and eat this. If you have an ice cream maker, this is worth it!

1/2 pound fresh or frozen strawberries
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cold heavy whipping cream

Pull off the leaves and stems of the strawberries and cut in half. Wash in cold water. Put the strawberries with all the sugar in a food processor and pulse for a few moments, then add 3/4 cup water and continue to process until liquefied. Whip the cream until it thickens slightly, to the consistency of buttermilk. Put the cream and the strawberries in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Use a spatula to fill silcone hearts with the gelato. Freeze in the mold. When ready to eat, remove the ice cream from the mold and serve.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
This is my absolute favorite pie! My grandma and I used to make it together when I was little. I love the combination of sweet and tart in this!

2 1/2 cups cut rhubarb (about 6 stalks)
2 1/2 cups cut strawberries
1 cup plus 2 tsps. Sugar
3 tbsp. flour
2 tbsp. butter
2 tsps. Orange or lemon juice
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt

Blend sugar cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and flour. Add rhubarb and strawberries and toss until well coated. Pour into pie shell and dot with butter. Preheat oven to 425°. Bake 30 minutes then reduce temperture to 350° and bake for 30 minutes.

Strawberrries 'n' Cream Pie

1 8 oz. package of light cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

1 baked 9 inch pie crust, I use the Pillsbury kind

1 quart strawberries, hulled

Beat cream cheese at medium speed iwth an electric mixer until creamy. Add sugar and almond extract, beating well. Stir in 1/4 of the whipped cream into the cream cheese. Fold in the remaing whipped cream. Spoon mixture into cooled pie crust. Arrange strawberries stem side down over whipped cream mixture. Cover and chill at least 3 hours.

Need a Blog Make-Over?

2009-05-04T20:47:00.004-04:00

Fellow bloggers-- need a blog make-over? I know I feel in desperate need of one. Fabulous K is offering a free blog makeover if you just become a follower and post a comment here. She has very cute designs, very scrapbooky. I don't even know why I am telling you about this, because I want to win it for myself. But, seriously, I get a third entry if I mention here, so you should mention it on your site too and get three entries in.

So now you know!

Book Review- The Shack

2009-05-03T12:50:00.004-04:00

I read a lot. I love books, always have. Very rarely do I come across a book that I feel so strongly about I think everyone should read it-- and to confess, I think people "should" do a lot of things I think. But this book does something so profound, I'd hate anyone to miss it.

I did not want to read this book. I heard about people reading it, I knew it had to do with kidnapping and a grisly crime. Well, as a mother of two young children, I felt that I just didn't need to read a book that dealt with such "dark stuff." It would just feed my already paranoid, overprotective craziness, right?! Wrong.

If anything, this book helped me overcome some of that paranoia. And believe me, I am QUEEN of paranoia, I was raised on it as if it was something good for you to eat. Maybe I shouldn't say paranoia since the definition of that is "unfounded or exaggerated distrust of others, sometimes reaching delusional proportions. Paranoid individuals constantly suspect the motives of those around them, and believe that certain individuals, or people in general, are "out to get them."

Well, my distrust has always been "founded" so maybe I am not really paranoid. But like any good mom, I am wary, careful, and protective.

So, this books first few chapters were enough to send me screaming, keep my heart pounding, and yes, I did check on my children a few times while they were asleep and I was reading.

But then this book opened up into a beautiful calm. I don't want to ruin it for you, but I will tell you that if you push through those first few chapters, you will be rewarded with so much. This book ambitiously tries to capture the nature of God--from the trinity, what he wants from us, how he approaches us, what we can do, what he will do. It achieves this ambition. For Christians, this book will draw them closer in relationship to Him. For people with little relationship with God or Christ, this will draw them to Him.

This book also deals with the age old question "Why?" Why does God let bad things happen. This book so effectively deals with this question. I have never been so satifised before as I have been with how this book deals with that question. And I am sure everyone has asked that question!

Not only do you care about the people in this book and what happens to them, you fall in love with a loving, forgiving, and merciful God.

Now--go read it!

Eco, Kid, and Pocket Book Friendly Cleansers

2009-04-23T13:40:00.003-04:00

Spring cleaning is here! I have to say, I am messy by nature. I have a real hard time following through with picking stuff up and putting it back in its "home" if it even really has a home in our house. Many objects in our home are nomads or gypsies. However, I have been really dedicated to some new cleaning products.

The first one is vinegar, which my mom uses a lot for windows, but as I have been researching, it does more than windows. Vinegar is a cleaning superstar. My sorority sister Meredith who lived overseas, says the Germans use it to clean everything! I use it in a spray bottle mixed with water. 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. I do windows, clean the kitchen sink, and shine the crome fixtures with this. This mixture also takes the price stickers off glass with a magical ease. I think of the time I spent getting those stickers off the bottom of my new china when I was first married, I wish I'd known the vinegar trick then! I also use it to wash my wood floors! My girlfriend puts some in her wash to soften the clothes instead of using fabric softener. Vinegar is great for descaling and removing calcium and lime deposits as well as removing soap scum.

Here is a great website for vingar uses.

I also have fallen in love with liquid Ivory dishsoap. It is very eco-friendly. Add 1 tablespoon soap to 1 cup water and you have yourself the BEST all-purpose cleaner ever. It makes things sparkle, you even hear that little--ting! You know, like the people on the Orbit commercials. I use this spray to clean my kitchen counters, stovetop, microwave, bathroom sinks, around (not in) the toilet, walls, I could go on forever! Spray, wipe, and dry. Drying I have found is essential to the cleaning process. Especially with windows and countertops. You need to dry it with a cloth or paper towel for it to really look its best.

Probably my favorite product here is the baking soda. My Grammy has always sung its praises and it deserves it. You can use it to scrub, to deodorize, cut grease. I polish silver with it. Use a damp cloth and some baking soda for a beautiful shine. Here is a great website for baking soda uses.

My very favorite thing is when you add vinegar to baking soda--that is a dynamic duo.

I recently found in Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook how to unclog a drain using vinegar and baking soda. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda in the drain, pour 1/2 vinegar down the drain, cover the drain with a cloth to keep the gasses in the drain. Wait five minutes and pour boiling hot water down the drain (use a teakettle to keep from burning yourself).

You really cannot go wrong with any of these products as they are not harmful to kids as many household cleansers are. They are friendly to the earth. And, they are inexpensive.

So, let's get spring cleaning!

Mommy Friends

2009-04-21T14:31:00.004-04:00

I have been blessed with many friendships in my life. Friends I have had since childhood, college friends, church friends. But today I have to give the shout out to my Mommy friends. It it hard to capture in words just what these women do for me. But I will now try.

Just in the past week some of my mommy friends have:
a) watched my preschooler on very short notice so I could go to a Dr's appt.
b) lent me a boatload of dish and glassware so I could host a party
c) disciplined my child gently and without passing judgment on me
d) listened to concerns or worries I had
e) made me lunch
f) made my kid lunch
g) gave me hand-me-downs
h) found the number (and a coupon) for the garage door fix it man
i) encouraged me
j) offered to do a playdate swap giving each of us some alone time
k)shared a great recipe--breakfast casserole
l) lent me a mop!
m) just called
n) gave my kids a snack
o) let my kid give her dog a snack
p) brought my kid home from the bus stop

I would not be as good a mother, wife, or friend without these women. I also would be a little crazier and at wits end most of my days.

Potty training would have been a lot less funny and tolerable had I not had you all around to know I am not alone.
Having moms who have been there before was so crucuile those first few months after birth! The things only another mom would tell you!!
Knowing you love my kids and I love yours.
The wealth of cleaning and cooking tips that we have all shared!
Knowing we don't have to be perfect--or even seem perfect.

Thanks for being such great Mommy Friends!

Eulogy for Caroline Frances Kolacz Martinell, Grammy

2009-03-10T14:36:00.004-04:00

My Grammy was never afraid to give advice among her pearls of wisdom was, “Take care of each other“ and she lived it, as a wife, as a mother, as a grandmother, and great-grandmother, she took care of us and in doing so showed us how to take care of each other.
Grammy lived her childhood amidst the poverty of the Great Depression. Yet, she recalled memories of these days with a thankful heart. She was thankful that her family had a farm, because that meant there was food. She was thankful she slept in the middle of the bed between her two sisters, that meant she was warm. She was thankful to have finished high school, recalling the sacrifice her older sisters made for the family by working at an early age after their father died. But that is what families did, they took care of each other. I’ll never be able to know all she overcame during those years, but I do know she learned some lessons to pass on to us.
The biggest impression Grammy has left on me is in her devotion to my Pop, and it is rivaled only by his devotion to her. A more loving couple you will never find, search if you will, my Gram and Pop chose to love each other through it all. Since the beginning of their marriage, they’ve been taking care of each other. They sacrificed by working alternate shifts so my uncle and dad had parents at home. When Pop suffered his first of many heart attacks Grammy adjusted the menu and cared for him—the rest of us recall that as the “no salt era”. In Grammy’s illness, Pop has cared for her, loved her in such huge ways. My grandparents’ marriage has taught me so much—about how daily love is, how to persevere, how to take care of each other.
Grammy had a zealous kind of love. You know she loved in what she did for you, cooked for you, and sent to you. Grammy would do anything for us kids, I mean anything. I remember, after getting my Polaroid camera, asking her to “pose” for me. We took all the plastic fruit from her counter outside and I made her pose with apple under the tree. I even went as far as to ask her to get up in the tree, she did it. She was that kind of Grammy, the kind of Grammy who played with you. She entered our world when we would play. She knew Pigs in a Blanket were my favorite dinner, so it was always there waiting upon our arrival. My favorite memories are of cooking with her, her showing me how to roll the pig up like diapering a baby. I love the times we’d go visit Aunt Kay together and talk about all the different things you could do with a zucchini. She also used to send me stuff, that made me always know she was thinking of me, whether it was cotton for my nail polish remover, recipes, coupons, or articles from the paper. I especially looked forward to her letters when I studied abroad, a great comfort when far from home and she was my most faithful penpal. And Each and every birthday you could count on a phone call from her and Pop singing in unison. She was always thinking of ways to “take care of us.”
In the past years, I’ve missed being able to call her for advice on cooking, gardening, and cleaning—did you know how many uses there are for baking soda? She did. She also can bake the perfect chocolate chip cookie, cook the perfect pot of chicken soup, and I am convinced that they taste so good because of her secret ingredient: love, her love. So no one else’s will ever quite be the same.

More than once I’ve been told I am like Grammy. My dad once said I was here to replace her. I don’t know about that but I felt a connection to her like I have had to no other person. There are just some things I think we understood about each other. We never spoke them, but they were always there.
My Grammy is feisty—“she’d give you one of these”, strong willed, frugal, spiritual, nurturing, loving,-- If anyone says, “You are just like Grammy” you know that’s a compliment.
When we would visit I got to sleep with Grammy. There is nothing better than laying in bed next to Grammy and saying your prayers, it’s the safest most comfortable place, all is right in the world hearing her say, “Good night, God Bless, tootaloo!” Which I do say to my kids, they smile and think I am silly, but it affords me the opportunity to share with them my memories of a very special Grammy.
And we when we clean with baking soda, or make a batch of pigs, or dance around the kitchen, or sing a little ditty, or work in the garden we will smile and think of her.And now our Grammy is home, we are left with her words to us, “Take care of each other.” That’s what she wants us to do.

Polish Blessing: "Zit-cheh toe-byeh styen-chah, zdrove-yeh, doe-breh poe-vode. Zen-yeh, a poe schmer-chee nyeh-byess-kee kore-oh-knee." I wish you luck, health, and prosperity, and afterward a crown in heaven."