My aunt Linda is my mother's only sister, and she's always had a special place in my heart. She was always the cool aunt, the fun aunt ,the wild aunt.
The first memory I have of Aunt Linda is from 1972 or '73. I was seven or eight. I will call the memory "The Cigarette and the Seminary." My aunt had come from Kansas to Missouri to visit us when we lived at the Baptist seminary where my parents were taking courses. Our apartment was about the size of a hopscotch board with the airport closer than the grocery store. I remember having to stop mid-sentence while a jet flew over, about every third minute of the day. I think that's when I learned to talk fast. It's also the first time I ever flicked the ash off of a cigarette, and it thrilled me. My aunt would hold the cigarette while she talked, and I just sat there watching the thing burn till I could flick it. Funny how things stick in a kid's mind. Aunt Linda smoked and she was cool; I concluded that I wanted to smoke when I grew up.
By the time I was in the seventh grade, Aunt Linda had moved to Ohio and we to Maryland. My mom took us three girls out to visit her. Aunt Linda was a product of the 60's, so she had this groovy, hippie style about her clothes, her house, and her music. It was all so foreign to this little dyed-in-the-wool Christian school girl of a niece. Her dark house was full of character, antiques, and quilts. She seemed to know everything there was to know about quilts and had her own shop. I couldn't fathom paying that much money for a blanket even if I had it. (I understand now, of course.) Her bed was a high, old, antique wooden bed with a feather mattress and comfy American quilts. We loved to take turns sleeping in it with her because we could stay up late talking. She seemed to really enjoy our company. It was probably hilarious because we were so doggone naive.
Aunt Linda was, and is, a gourmet chef. I won't even say "cook." She exceeds everyone I know in culinary skill, and I know a lot of great cooks. Nothing came out of a box or a can that I remember. Everything was fresh. She chopped onions, tomatoes, avocadoes, cucumbers, lettuce. She grilled fish and chicken and beef long before it was popular. The best homemade I've ever had in my life was at her house on Spring Break in 1993. That's how good it was. I went to her place for the week instead of going home. She served orange roughy with fresh lemon, steamed artichokes with butter, and a tossed salad. The thick oak table was always set with brown cloth napkins and stoneware. No delicate china like my mom used. Aunt Linda's style was 100 percent earthy.
*As an aside, I had three smoking experiences growing up, all of which were quick and non-habit-forming. One was in third grade in the loft of a barn. Not smart at all. One was right after high school when I worked as a Woolworth waitress and everyone smoked. And one was in the college dorm/former convent in my freshman year when my roommate and I wanted to see if we could smoke a whole pack or eat a whole bag of Combos first. We got so sick trying that neither cigarettes nor Combos has ever appealed to us again, so that's the last word on the cool charm of smoking for me. )
Back to Aunt Linda...
Twenty-one years ago she adopted a darling girl who now has a daughter of her own. My young, cool, hippie aunt became a grandmother. It seemed weird that the same woman who loved Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell and marijuana and beads hanging in the doorways was now rocking a grandbaby, but to every thing there is a season. (Turn, turn, turn.)
Aunt Linda and I stayed up late talking about all kinds of stuff. Geriatrics was a favorite topic, believe it or not. I don't know if she or my parents (or all three) helped me develop a love for old people, but I learned much from my aunt. She was the director of a nursing home in Ohio and loved it so much that she moved to Santa Fe to build a home that became an adult daycare facility in the 80s and 90s. When it was no longer financially profitable for her, Aunt Linda converted it into a bed and breakfast called Casa Pacifica. Once again, her signature style of quilts and antiques and rustic, earthy decor filled the rooms. And once again, she used her gift of hospitality to welcome and nourish hungry travelers. Her business acumen (learned from her mother) helped her make a living at what she loved to do. She named one of the rooms in my grandmother's honor. It's called Tola's Favorite. If you're ever in Santa Fe, please stay at Casa Pacifica B&B and ask for Linda. Tell her Zoanna sent you. (She might double your rate, but oh well.)
There is so much more I could say about Aunt Linda. Her love of language, puppies, Kansas skies, and the Rolling Stones are just a few of the things that endear her to me. (Well, I could take or leave the Stones.) Her quick wit, great questions, hearty laugh, and affection have wrapped me up like a warm quilt in my reminiscence of our brief visits together.
I will always love my Aunt Linda, and I'm certain it's mutual. She is leaving a legacy of hospitality, and true hospitality is love.
Showing posts with label hospitality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hospitality. Show all posts
Friday, April 13, 2012
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Hodgepodge: Truth & Relative-ity
I had to stop and think, "What IS my hometown?" I moved so many times as a kid. Let me just pick the main one that pops into my head. Alden, Kansas, did not have paved streets when I lived there in the mid-70s. Now it does.
3. Are you a fan of Harry Potter? Read the books? Seen any/all of the movies? Will you be standing in line somewhere close to midnight later this week? For those of you playing along today who live outside the US or UK is Harry Potter a phenomenon in your part of the world?
No, none/nada, huh-uh.
No, none/nada, huh-uh.
4. If the truth hurts, will you tell a lie? Are we better off as a society in a world that allows no form of deception whatsoever?
I don't usually offer a hurtful truth unless asked. For example, if someone says "How do you like this outfit?" an
d I think it's ugly, I will say, "Oh, is it new?" and if they say, "Yes, I found it on sale for --would you believe 99 cents?--," then I will say, "Wow! Good for you! You are so good at bargain-hunting." See how I haven't said a word ONE about whether I like it, but they feel complimented just the same? Heeheehee.
But if someone asks, "What do you think of this dress, honestly?" I will tell them. However, if someone makes a quilted patchwork cloth vest and wants my opinion? Look out. Please don't put me in that position.
To answer the last question, I think not every truth has to be blatantly expressed if the issue is superficial (like fashion, for example, or whether someone's newborn is cute because they rarely are). We'd eat each other alive if we lost all of our verbal filters, if everything we thought came out our mouths. But when it comes to serious matters, then gut-level honesty and integrity must rule. Relationships can only thrive and businesses succeed when truth governs them.
I don't usually offer a hurtful truth unless asked. For example, if someone says "How do you like this outfit?" an
d I think it's ugly, I will say, "Oh, is it new?" and if they say, "Yes, I found it on sale for --would you believe 99 cents?--," then I will say, "Wow! Good for you! You are so good at bargain-hunting." See how I haven't said a word ONE about whether I like it, but they feel complimented just the same? Heeheehee.But if someone asks, "What do you think of this dress, honestly?" I will tell them. However, if someone makes a quilted patchwork cloth vest and wants my opinion? Look out. Please don't put me in that position.
To answer the last question, I think not every truth has to be blatantly expressed if the issue is superficial (like fashion, for example, or whether someone's newborn is cute because they rarely are). We'd eat each other alive if we lost all of our verbal filters, if everything we thought came out our mouths. But when it comes to serious matters, then gut-level honesty and integrity must rule. Relationships can only thrive and businesses succeed when truth governs them.
5. What is your favorite 'sauteed in garlic and butter' food? Or garlic and olive oil if that makes you feel better.
Lately it's been fresh green beans from the garden. Our youngest son has taken a shine to parboiling them, then sauteeing them while still tender-crisp in G&B with S&P.
Lately it's been fresh green beans from the garden. Our youngest son has taken a shine to parboiling them, then sauteeing them while still tender-crisp in G&B with S&P.
6. Attending any reunions this summer/year? High school? family? Other? Do these events stir up excitement or dread?
We hosted a reunion at our home this past Saturday for my husband's side of the family. It was the first time in two years that all his brothers had gotten together, and one of the few times that our togetherness does not include a bride or a casket. (One brother and both of his parents are deceased.) I'll be blogging about it soon.
I was really excited about the reunion, glad for making the extra effort to get us all togetherer. Glad that almost everyone we invited made the effort to come, if only for a couple of hours.
The only thing I dreaded was the housework and grocery shopping, but that holds true whether I'm having 2 or 32 people over!
We hosted a reunion at our home this past Saturday for my husband's side of the family. It was the first time in two years that all his brothers had gotten together, and one of the few times that our togetherness does not include a bride or a casket. (One brother and both of his parents are deceased.) I'll be blogging about it soon.
I was really excited about the reunion, glad for making the extra effort to get us all togetherer. Glad that almost everyone we invited made the effort to come, if only for a couple of hours.
The only thing I dreaded was the housework and grocery shopping, but that holds true whether I'm having 2 or 32 people over!
7. Lilac, hydrangea, peony...pick one.
Lilacs. I absolutely love them and the memories they evoke. They take me back to that place I spoke of in question 1.
Hydrangea is my future daughter-in-law's favorite flower, and made this lovely backdrop for her stunning engageme
nt ring. Wasn't it kind of God to make our hydrangea its prettiest on May 21st, the day our son popped the question?
The word "peonies" makes me laugh; once I queried my brainiac SIL, Donna, "Is it "pee-OH-nees" or "PEE-on-eez?" She held up two imaginary urine specimen cups and said, "Here, pee in 'ese." That was my answer.
Lilacs. I absolutely love them and the memories they evoke. They take me back to that place I spoke of in question 1.
Hydrangea is my future daughter-in-law's favorite flower, and made this lovely backdrop for her stunning engageme
nt ring. Wasn't it kind of God to make our hydrangea its prettiest on May 21st, the day our son popped the question?The word "peonies" makes me laugh; once I queried my brainiac SIL, Donna, "Is it "pee-OH-nees" or "PEE-on-eez?" She held up two imaginary urine specimen cups and said, "Here, pee in 'ese." That was my answer.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
What doesn't go around, doesn't come around. Or it might, but it makes you feel guilty.
Let me explain.
We went to Rehoboth Beach yesterday--hubby, daughter, youngest, and I.. Beautiful day. Hot but breezy. Nice waves, according to the kids, but it was ice cold according to me. I was therefore perfectly content to lie on the blanket and read. After 2.5 hours I said to myself, "I don't even feel the sun too much. I don't think I'll use sunblock after all."
I then had the gall to tell my hubby, who I could see was getting pink but refusing lotion, "Okay, but don't expect my pity when we get home." Following my shower, I gingerly patted myself dry, gingerly put on my softest cotton nightgown, and gingerly sat on the edge of the bed feeling that the backs of my knees would crack. Moaning and groaning, I said to my soulmate, "Look how red I am! I'm really hurtin'!" and he said, "No pity here."
(He treated my crayon-red back to aloe vera gel as he was uttering the words, so I know he had some pity. What a guy.)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Welcome from a Hummingbird
Finally! I completed one of my art projects, the Welcome sign that I've had for--oh, goodness--at least five years.It was all white. Now only the bird's belly is white, and that by God's design.
I painted this plaster piece with acrylics and coated it with ModPodge to seal and shine it.
This ruby-throated hummingbird caught my eye and so I copied him from an issue of Birds & Blooms. I chose purple to color those flowers, which I think are violets, but even if not, I am partial to purple, and so purple it is.
To get the depth of color contrast, paint the dark purple first and then add lilac highlights. The green leaves are mixed from blue and yellow, starting with the deepest saturation of blue first. I just love playing around with color. Acrylic paints are mighty forgiving--my #1 criterion for any art supply.
Most artists probably could have whipped this out in 90 minutes, but I'm slower and fuss a lot just when I think it's finished. So this one took me almost three hours. And I'm happy with it.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
A Simple Woman's Daybook 7.20.10
Not that I am stuck for writing prompts, but A Simple Woman's Daybook helps to put a lot of them in one place outside my mind.
Outside my window...
it's dark and we saw no evidence of the tornado that threatened the northern part of our county earlier this evening. We hung out in the basement, anyway, and I thought of Kansas.
I am thinking...
of the sudden death of Paul's friend Bob last week. They had gone to school together as kids, and had run into each other many times in the past decade. We found out through a mutual friend that Bob died from injuries after falling off his roof.
I am thankful for...
life and breath, God's mercy, Dunkin' Donuts, spiritual fruit in all four of my children right now,
fresh garden veggies, that God woke me 15 minutes early one day last week to see the ambulance out front and put me in a position to minister to our neighbors; God's protection on Paul involving electric wiring and the AC unit and 24 hours without air on a 98 degree Saturday; a lovely girlfriend for Ben; when my parents ask to keep their grandson overnight; my new family room; and a host of other blessings. which I will soon consolidate into a Gratitude List post.
From the kitchen...
tonight--tempura veggies, shrimp cocktail, zucchini strips and chicken drizzled with Wegman's Basting Oil. Tomorrow morning with a friend: blueberry pancakes, bacon, eggs, coffee, and OJ. I love my Friends' Day Wednesdays.
I am wearing...
a purple polo, tan shorts, enough hair spray to prevent a tornado from messing up my 'do, and pale pink nail polish on all 20 nails.
I am creating...sanctuary in my bedroom, little by little.
I am going...to schedule a cystectomy for Molly, my 10-year-old Golden. GOD BLESS VETERINARIANS who have the stomach for such things. I am still half wretching and half laughing at how cavalier the doctor was when looking at AND touching the ugly growth: "Oh yeah, it's a cyst with a wart on top, and it's oozing. An unfortunate combination."
I am reading... The Holiness of God, by RC Sproul, my favorite Bible teacher ever. Today I read something I'd never thought on before. It's a phrase from an old hymn that is not theologically correct, "God's grace, infinite grace..." Sproul admitted that he once preached a practice sermon on it in seminary, after which his professor asked him where the Bible says that. It doesn't. God is infinite. God is gracious. But His grace is not infinite. He sets limits on His grace. (I may expound more on this soon, and quote Sproul directly when the book is near me.)
I am also reading the book of Ezekiel. I have only ever read it once through in my life, but don't remember it. I hope to get through it with understanding, but I am at least taking notes this time. Recently I came to the part where God tells Ezekiel what do with his six-ingredient bread. Whoa. Betcha won't be coveting your neighbor's bread machine after reading this:
Ezek 4: 9 “And you, take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and emmer, [2] and put them into a single vessel and make your bread from them. During the number of days that you lie on your side, 390 days, you shall eat it. 10 And your food that you eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels [3] a day; from day to day [4] you shall eat it. 11 And water you shall drink by measure, the sixth part of a hin; [5] from day to day you shall drink. 12 And you shall eat it as a barley cake, baking it in their sight on human dung.”
I am hoping...to get my eyebrows threaded again by Saturday. Threading lasts so much longer than waxing and is not nearly as harsh on the skin. Men just have no idea what they're missing out on. They just have the same old bushy eyebrows month after month, year after year. If you ever see that much hair above my eyes, please check for a pulse.
I am hearing... the dinosaur AC unit puffing, blowing, rattling and squeaking. It's like music, really. From a junior high marching band. With your kid on the trumpet. You appreciate the sounds it makes because you remember the day nothing was coming out of the bell except spit and hot air.
Around the house...I am experiencing the satisfaction of being part of completing projects and anticipating new ones.
One of my favorite things...
Petty as this sounds, I'll admit it's a small thrill. It's this new lip gloss I have that has little holes that the colored gel pushes up through. I am not sure why I get such a kick out of the twist-up ritual in the morning, but I do. It also thrills me that the seller was raising money for a missions trip to Kenya and so the "fun" money is going to a worthy cause.
A few plans for the rest of the week... finish cleaning my bedroom; clean Sarah's and Steve's, too; have a friend over for breakfast to hear about her trip (and calling) to Africa; maybe date my husband (???Honey, I know you are reading this!!!hint, hint); take Joel to my parents' for another overnighter filled with Monopoly, Parcheesi, and Master Mind.
A picture thought I am sharing...
for Sarah, who loves penguins.
Outside my window...
it's dark and we saw no evidence of the tornado that threatened the northern part of our county earlier this evening. We hung out in the basement, anyway, and I thought of Kansas.
I am thinking...
of the sudden death of Paul's friend Bob last week. They had gone to school together as kids, and had run into each other many times in the past decade. We found out through a mutual friend that Bob died from injuries after falling off his roof.
I am thankful for...
life and breath, God's mercy, Dunkin' Donuts, spiritual fruit in all four of my children right now,
fresh garden veggies, that God woke me 15 minutes early one day last week to see the ambulance out front and put me in a position to minister to our neighbors; God's protection on Paul involving electric wiring and the AC unit and 24 hours without air on a 98 degree Saturday; a lovely girlfriend for Ben; when my parents ask to keep their grandson overnight; my new family room; and a host of other blessings. which I will soon consolidate into a Gratitude List post.
From the kitchen...
tonight--tempura veggies, shrimp cocktail, zucchini strips and chicken drizzled with Wegman's Basting Oil. Tomorrow morning with a friend: blueberry pancakes, bacon, eggs, coffee, and OJ. I love my Friends' Day Wednesdays.
I am wearing...
a purple polo, tan shorts, enough hair spray to prevent a tornado from messing up my 'do, and pale pink nail polish on all 20 nails.
I am creating...sanctuary in my bedroom, little by little.
I am going...to schedule a cystectomy for Molly, my 10-year-old Golden. GOD BLESS VETERINARIANS who have the stomach for such things. I am still half wretching and half laughing at how cavalier the doctor was when looking at AND touching the ugly growth: "Oh yeah, it's a cyst with a wart on top, and it's oozing. An unfortunate combination."
I am reading... The Holiness of God, by RC Sproul, my favorite Bible teacher ever. Today I read something I'd never thought on before. It's a phrase from an old hymn that is not theologically correct, "God's grace, infinite grace..." Sproul admitted that he once preached a practice sermon on it in seminary, after which his professor asked him where the Bible says that. It doesn't. God is infinite. God is gracious. But His grace is not infinite. He sets limits on His grace. (I may expound more on this soon, and quote Sproul directly when the book is near me.)
I am also reading the book of Ezekiel. I have only ever read it once through in my life, but don't remember it. I hope to get through it with understanding, but I am at least taking notes this time. Recently I came to the part where God tells Ezekiel what do with his six-ingredient bread. Whoa. Betcha won't be coveting your neighbor's bread machine after reading this:
Ezek 4: 9 “And you, take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and emmer, [2] and put them into a single vessel and make your bread from them. During the number of days that you lie on your side, 390 days, you shall eat it. 10 And your food that you eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels [3] a day; from day to day [4] you shall eat it. 11 And water you shall drink by measure, the sixth part of a hin; [5] from day to day you shall drink. 12 And you shall eat it as a barley cake, baking it in their sight on human dung.”
I am hoping...to get my eyebrows threaded again by Saturday. Threading lasts so much longer than waxing and is not nearly as harsh on the skin. Men just have no idea what they're missing out on. They just have the same old bushy eyebrows month after month, year after year. If you ever see that much hair above my eyes, please check for a pulse.
I am hearing... the dinosaur AC unit puffing, blowing, rattling and squeaking. It's like music, really. From a junior high marching band. With your kid on the trumpet. You appreciate the sounds it makes because you remember the day nothing was coming out of the bell except spit and hot air.
Around the house...I am experiencing the satisfaction of being part of completing projects and anticipating new ones.
One of my favorite things...
Petty as this sounds, I'll admit it's a small thrill. It's this new lip gloss I have that has little holes that the colored gel pushes up through. I am not sure why I get such a kick out of the twist-up ritual in the morning, but I do. It also thrills me that the seller was raising money for a missions trip to Kenya and so the "fun" money is going to a worthy cause.
A few plans for the rest of the week... finish cleaning my bedroom; clean Sarah's and Steve's, too; have a friend over for breakfast to hear about her trip (and calling) to Africa; maybe date my husband (???Honey, I know you are reading this!!!hint, hint); take Joel to my parents' for another overnighter filled with Monopoly, Parcheesi, and Master Mind.
A picture thought I am sharing...
for Sarah, who loves penguins.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Defining hospitality
On the brink of redoing our family room, I've been thinking more lately about what makes for a comfy home--mine and others'. What exactly is it that makes some homes more welcoming while others are off-putting or tense?
Here's what makes me comfortable in other people's homes:
-when I feel like they really want me there
- if I "drop in" (which I was taught not to do), there's just enough clutter in the room to tell me there's life in the house (books on end tables, laundry stack in the making, ingredients on the counter near a measuring cup or knife)
-a little bit of noise (I feel awkward in long silences.)
-clean smells
-a dog , cat, or horse (if the dog is calm, the cat doesn't get in my face--I'm allergic--and the horse stays outside:)
-being offered something to drink within the first 15 minutes
-helping in the kitchen before a meal
-people who get along
-sunny rooms
-playing board games
-being able to find an extra roll of toilet paper easily in their bathroom
-art of any kind on display
-a musical instrument
-fireplaces
-candles that are contained (open wicks are pretty but make me afraid of something catching fire, like clothes, hair, accessories)
-fresh flowers on the table
-conversation that goes deeper sooner rather than later or not at all
-a view that includes birds or a birdhouse (I only like wild birds, not domestic ones. They freak me out.)
-carpet underfoot
-when children greet me by name and title if they're old enough to talk (It speaks highly of their parents' training in hospitality--everyone loves the sound of their own name, right?)
-knowing in advance what time people need to leave the house or go to bed or bathe their children or whatever (It gives me the chance to be a thoughtful guest and leave then.)
-when the host or their children are waiting eagerly at the door or window (says "We are so glad you're here) and when they walk me to the car or stand on the porch waving goodbye.
Here's what makes me uncomfortable:
-complete mess (makes me feel claustrophobic, and I can't think, and I have to work extra hard at not judging)
-perfect order (Will they be mad at me if I accidentally spill something? Do they want to impress me or bless me?) Given the choice, though, I'll take perfect order and hope I'm not a klutz in their company.
-no sign of books anywhere (to me it says "dull minds")
-white walls except in a bathroom
-lack of natural light
-dead flowers on the table
-loved ones' urn of ashes on display
-tons of family photos hung everywhere (kind of says "Our Family Shrine"). I like one or two groupings of them. That's it.
-loud noise, children constantly interrupting, any repetitious noise
-people telling me to please take off my shoes at the door. To me it says "notice my housekeeping; it's more important than your comfort" --because, frankly, taking off my shoes is not always socially comfortable for me. Please tell me that I'm not the only one.
-ppl arguing in the house
-smell of smoke, cat pee, dirty dog, urine
-medicine bottles in the open
-not being offered anything to drink (it says "I don't want you to stay long" which may be true, which of course hurts my feelings, or if it's not true, I perceive it that way.)
-yappy dogs or schizo cats, or any rodent, reptile, caged bird
-feeling obligated to help clean up every last thing after a meal (that's taking "make yourself at home" too far--it takes some of the joy out of being a guest)
-when people leave the TV on
-being too hot (I do better being slightly chilly at my age)
-barrage of small talk (which bothers me mostly if I realize it's been coming from me...again says "dull minds")
How about you? I'd love to hear what says "comfy" and "uncomfy" to you in other people's homes. It's always a mix of tangibles and intangibles, huh?
Here's what makes me comfortable in other people's homes:
-when I feel like they really want me there
- if I "drop in" (which I was taught not to do), there's just enough clutter in the room to tell me there's life in the house (books on end tables, laundry stack in the making, ingredients on the counter near a measuring cup or knife)
-a little bit of noise (I feel awkward in long silences.)
-clean smells
-a dog , cat, or horse (if the dog is calm, the cat doesn't get in my face--I'm allergic--and the horse stays outside:)
-being offered something to drink within the first 15 minutes
-helping in the kitchen before a meal
-people who get along
-sunny rooms
-playing board games
-being able to find an extra roll of toilet paper easily in their bathroom
-art of any kind on display
-a musical instrument
-fireplaces
-candles that are contained (open wicks are pretty but make me afraid of something catching fire, like clothes, hair, accessories)
-fresh flowers on the table
-conversation that goes deeper sooner rather than later or not at all
-a view that includes birds or a birdhouse (I only like wild birds, not domestic ones. They freak me out.)
-carpet underfoot
-when children greet me by name and title if they're old enough to talk (It speaks highly of their parents' training in hospitality--everyone loves the sound of their own name, right?)
-knowing in advance what time people need to leave the house or go to bed or bathe their children or whatever (It gives me the chance to be a thoughtful guest and leave then.)
-when the host or their children are waiting eagerly at the door or window (says "We are so glad you're here) and when they walk me to the car or stand on the porch waving goodbye.
Here's what makes me uncomfortable:
-complete mess (makes me feel claustrophobic, and I can't think, and I have to work extra hard at not judging)
-perfect order (Will they be mad at me if I accidentally spill something? Do they want to impress me or bless me?) Given the choice, though, I'll take perfect order and hope I'm not a klutz in their company.
-no sign of books anywhere (to me it says "dull minds")
-white walls except in a bathroom
-lack of natural light
-dead flowers on the table
-loved ones' urn of ashes on display
-tons of family photos hung everywhere (kind of says "Our Family Shrine"). I like one or two groupings of them. That's it.
-loud noise, children constantly interrupting, any repetitious noise
-people telling me to please take off my shoes at the door. To me it says "notice my housekeeping; it's more important than your comfort" --because, frankly, taking off my shoes is not always socially comfortable for me. Please tell me that I'm not the only one.
-ppl arguing in the house
-smell of smoke, cat pee, dirty dog, urine
-medicine bottles in the open
-not being offered anything to drink (it says "I don't want you to stay long" which may be true, which of course hurts my feelings, or if it's not true, I perceive it that way.)
-yappy dogs or schizo cats, or any rodent, reptile, caged bird
-feeling obligated to help clean up every last thing after a meal (that's taking "make yourself at home" too far--it takes some of the joy out of being a guest)
-when people leave the TV on
-being too hot (I do better being slightly chilly at my age)
-barrage of small talk (which bothers me mostly if I realize it's been coming from me...again says "dull minds")
How about you? I'd love to hear what says "comfy" and "uncomfy" to you in other people's homes. It's always a mix of tangibles and intangibles, huh?
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Coffee, Cream, and Cronies: Renee's Birthday Party
Twice in one week I had a hilariously refreshing, great time with sisters in Christ. The first was on Monday night when Laurie gathered a gaggle of us together to catch up on what God's been doing. Sounds serious, and much of it was, but throw in a trio of Kare(y)ns and listen to us cackle!
The second was last night. I had a rather impromptu, surprise dinner party for my friend Renee'. I had asked her a week ago to give me the names for 4 or 5 girlfriends she would want to have dinner with, and she said, "I don't think I have any girlfriends left." It made me laugh, but she was in the doldrums. She said I was the only one she could think of. Malarkey! I knew better. Pondered a few days taking her out one-on-one for dinner, but after praying, I knew in my heart she needed good, old-fashioned girl time to cheer her up, and who among us doesn't need to hear we're loved?
I called her Tuesday and made plans to take her to Applebee's, just the two of us, since she couldn't think of other friends. Fast forward to Thursday night when I started calling her friends (who are also mine, but not as close; they all attend one church, I another. We've all taught at some point together.) Everyone who didn't have something planned already said "yes" on the spot. Cheryl, Liz, Kathy F, Kathy K, and Pam all agreed Renee' needed a party in her honor.
Renee' loves coffee. Addicted is more like it. Even her daughter, Maggie (one of my Inklings),can't make her subjects and verbs agree without caffeine. So Theme Girl here decided to make coffee the theme. On short notice, it was easy for guests to pick up gift cards for her favorite coffee drive-thrus and convenience stores, or a bag of coffee and flavorings. I gave her a mug that says "Friends Forever" that has the verse "a friend loves at all times" scrolled on the inside. The funniest card, Pam's, said something about "at our age , our bodies are still temples...even if the steeples are pointing in the wrong direction."
My centerpiece came together fast. I needed it cheap, simple, and girly. An etched vase with greens begged for new flowers, but I didn't want to buy some. (I mean I didn't want to spend money on them!) While thinking of conversation-starters to write on coffee filters, I scrunched one up when it ripped, and --eureka! --it looked like a rose. Marie Osmond's 1970s song "Paper Roses" popped into my (aging) head. I quickly made three white coffee filter roses and nudged them into the greens. Flanked the vase with a pair of Irish coffee mugs filled with real coffee (lightened with creamer) and floating tea lights. I had brown/tan/creme striped ribbon sort of figure-eighting among the three centerpiece things.
(For the record, I nixed the conversation starters. This group needs conversation enders.)
Guests arrived between 6 and 6: 15, but Renee' didn't show till 7:15. Not to worry, we're a self-entertaining bunch. I made a large, thick paper placemat that we all signed and Renee' loved it. Didn't even spill soup on it.
Menu: Rainbow Bean Soup (would've been butternut squash soup but the store had none), Chicken Caribbean Salad, Boiled and Buttered Potatoes, Portuguese hot rolls, and coffee cake. It all tasted good, but since everyone was so hungry, they ate faster than I could serve things up, so they ate salad THEN chicken THEN potatoes in a rather off-beat sequence, but no one complained. The chicken was a bit dry, but that was from trying to time it for Renee's arrival. Say no more. The best cake I've ever had is the Sock-it-to-Me Cake that my daughter Sarah made, but presentation suffered : when I turned it out of the Bundt pan (either it wasn't cool enough or hadn't been sprayed generously enough) I joked , "Hey, Renee' , ya know, when you're over 40, even your birthday cake falls apart."
We shared some serious moments about how Renee has been a dear friend.
1. She has either hosted a party for one of us or our kids at some point.
2. She has brought food to the ER when we're starving and cashless.
3. She has babysat for us.
4. She has come to our parties. (She came as a Renoir lady for my 40th; a real hoot!)
5. She has always listened, without judging, and reminded us to forgive our offenders.
6. She has never appeared flustered or put out in the least, no matter how many people are in her house or how late they've stayed. To feed so many so often, she owns five Crock Pots. She calls herself Crock Pot Queen.
7. She can be counted on to make us laugh.
We laughed a whole lot last night. Liz brought a new game called "Last Word." Pam, the oldest among us, had a hard time catching on, and every time she messed up, she'd raise her arm and say, "Ten years, girls, ten years." I knew she meant it would be us in ten years , but I just had to ask, "Is that how long it's going to take you to catch on to this game?"
Stephen took a picture of us as a keychain keepsake for Renee'.
Everyone kept saying this was so much fun, we've gotta do it again. Whose birthday is next month? Cheryl! The thing is they say none of them could have as much uninterrupted time as they got here (Paul generously took the kids out to dinner, then sequestered the boys in the basement to watch playoffs, while Sarah was out babysiting). The last person (Renee') lingered till well past midnight. She said, "Thanks, Zo. This was so much fun. I really needed it."
And then, in ture Renee' fashion, she asked, "Do you have a travel mug and could I get some of that extra coffee to take with me? I'm going home to cook now. I've got a bunch of people coming to my house for the Ravens game tomorrow. I need the caffeine."
The second was last night. I had a rather impromptu, surprise dinner party for my friend Renee'. I had asked her a week ago to give me the names for 4 or 5 girlfriends she would want to have dinner with, and she said, "I don't think I have any girlfriends left." It made me laugh, but she was in the doldrums. She said I was the only one she could think of. Malarkey! I knew better. Pondered a few days taking her out one-on-one for dinner, but after praying, I knew in my heart she needed good, old-fashioned girl time to cheer her up, and who among us doesn't need to hear we're loved?
I called her Tuesday and made plans to take her to Applebee's, just the two of us, since she couldn't think of other friends. Fast forward to Thursday night when I started calling her friends (who are also mine, but not as close; they all attend one church, I another. We've all taught at some point together.) Everyone who didn't have something planned already said "yes" on the spot. Cheryl, Liz, Kathy F, Kathy K, and Pam all agreed Renee' needed a party in her honor.
Renee' loves coffee. Addicted is more like it. Even her daughter, Maggie (one of my Inklings),can't make her subjects and verbs agree without caffeine. So Theme Girl here decided to make coffee the theme. On short notice, it was easy for guests to pick up gift cards for her favorite coffee drive-thrus and convenience stores, or a bag of coffee and flavorings. I gave her a mug that says "Friends Forever" that has the verse "a friend loves at all times" scrolled on the inside. The funniest card, Pam's, said something about "at our age , our bodies are still temples...even if the steeples are pointing in the wrong direction."
My centerpiece came together fast. I needed it cheap, simple, and girly. An etched vase with greens begged for new flowers, but I didn't want to buy some. (I mean I didn't want to spend money on them!) While thinking of conversation-starters to write on coffee filters, I scrunched one up when it ripped, and --eureka! --it looked like a rose. Marie Osmond's 1970s song "Paper Roses" popped into my (aging) head. I quickly made three white coffee filter roses and nudged them into the greens. Flanked the vase with a pair of Irish coffee mugs filled with real coffee (lightened with creamer) and floating tea lights. I had brown/tan/creme striped ribbon sort of figure-eighting among the three centerpiece things.
(For the record, I nixed the conversation starters. This group needs conversation enders.)
Guests arrived between 6 and 6: 15, but Renee' didn't show till 7:15. Not to worry, we're a self-entertaining bunch. I made a large, thick paper placemat that we all signed and Renee' loved it. Didn't even spill soup on it.
Menu: Rainbow Bean Soup (would've been butternut squash soup but the store had none), Chicken Caribbean Salad, Boiled and Buttered Potatoes, Portuguese hot rolls, and coffee cake. It all tasted good, but since everyone was so hungry, they ate faster than I could serve things up, so they ate salad THEN chicken THEN potatoes in a rather off-beat sequence, but no one complained. The chicken was a bit dry, but that was from trying to time it for Renee's arrival. Say no more. The best cake I've ever had is the Sock-it-to-Me Cake that my daughter Sarah made, but presentation suffered : when I turned it out of the Bundt pan (either it wasn't cool enough or hadn't been sprayed generously enough) I joked , "Hey, Renee' , ya know, when you're over 40, even your birthday cake falls apart."
We shared some serious moments about how Renee has been a dear friend.
1. She has either hosted a party for one of us or our kids at some point.
2. She has brought food to the ER when we're starving and cashless.
3. She has babysat for us.
4. She has come to our parties. (She came as a Renoir lady for my 40th; a real hoot!)
5. She has always listened, without judging, and reminded us to forgive our offenders.
6. She has never appeared flustered or put out in the least, no matter how many people are in her house or how late they've stayed. To feed so many so often, she owns five Crock Pots. She calls herself Crock Pot Queen.
7. She can be counted on to make us laugh.
We laughed a whole lot last night. Liz brought a new game called "Last Word." Pam, the oldest among us, had a hard time catching on, and every time she messed up, she'd raise her arm and say, "Ten years, girls, ten years." I knew she meant it would be us in ten years , but I just had to ask, "Is that how long it's going to take you to catch on to this game?"
Stephen took a picture of us as a keychain keepsake for Renee'.
Everyone kept saying this was so much fun, we've gotta do it again. Whose birthday is next month? Cheryl! The thing is they say none of them could have as much uninterrupted time as they got here (Paul generously took the kids out to dinner, then sequestered the boys in the basement to watch playoffs, while Sarah was out babysiting). The last person (Renee') lingered till well past midnight. She said, "Thanks, Zo. This was so much fun. I really needed it."
And then, in ture Renee' fashion, she asked, "Do you have a travel mug and could I get some of that extra coffee to take with me? I'm going home to cook now. I've got a bunch of people coming to my house for the Ravens game tomorrow. I need the caffeine."
Thursday, April 17, 2008
I Don't Think the Apostle Paul Meant This Kind of Race
Last night we had a really fun care group meeting. We were told to bring a dollar. That's all we were told. When we got there, each of us had to put our name in the bag that Mitzy passed around the room. She and Jim hinted that the game is akin to the Amazing Race. I asked if anyone in the room spoke a foreign language and I insisted I would not rapel down anything. They assured us that English was all we needed and no ropes or harnasses were involved. (Though, looking back, maybe we should've had harnasses.)
Mitzy then drew out three names: Paul, Ronan, and Bill.
Mitzy handed each team an envelope which contained five dollars and a set of instructions. The instructions were as follows:
1) Be the first team to get back to the house with a snack to feed 12 people with the money.
2) The snack has to start with the letter that you roll on the lettered die.The snack can be a brand name (e.g. Pringles) or general name (potato chips).
3) Bring your receipt back.
4) A judge (in our case, Kelly) will decide which team had the best snack and followed all the rules.
We rolled the die as fast as we could--our letter was "C"-- and then ran for the cars. Ronan and Karen unbuckled two carseats faster than trained EMTs, and tossed them helter-skelter into the third row. Steph and I hopped in the captains' chairs. Why did I choose this night of all nights to wear a skirt and heels? I dunno, but let's just say Emily Post would've shuddered.
"C" was easy. We could get chips, cookies, cheese, crackers, Corn Nuts. "Where do we go?" I quickly assessed our nearby options.
"I bet Paul goes to Giant!" I said.
"How about Wawa?" Steph asked.
"Nah, it can be hard to get in and out of...safely anyway!" I said. "But Walgreen's is right up here."
Ronan nearly lost his Christianity at the wheel. The van in front of us (not part of our care group) just piddly-poked along Abingdon Road while the rushed Irishman threatened to bump him off (off the literal road, not the road of life) or go around him on the foot-wide shoulder. Thankfully his wife is more level headed. And thankfully she's a nurse just in case he made good on either threat. Meanwhile I'm multi-tasking (ie. hanging on for dear life while telling them where to find the snack aisle). "Two-thirds of the way to the photo counter, turn left! All the snacks are right there!" Such knowledge is downright embarrassing.
Ronan and I stayed out curbside while the other two ran in. I told him that revving the engine of a minivan is just wrong. (So is nearly taking out three pedestrians in the parking lot during our trivial pursuit, but we won't talk about that.)
Seconds later--okay, several long, grueling minutes later-- Karen and Steph come flying like thieves out of Walgreen's. (I think the receipt rule was made in case of
cops, but that's just a guess.) They got Chips Ahoy and wafer cookies. We covered both the proper noun and common noun allowance in one fell swoop. With eleven cents in hand, we zoomed back to the Gayner home.
Once again, Run-the-Red-Light Ronan made threats when he saw Paul's car in his rearview mirror on Toby's street. "Hang on! I'm gonna ride up the sidewalk , across the lawn, and park at the front door. Don't let anybody ahead of us!"
I suggested throwing the car seats in the road behind us. I think I saw it on "Speed Racer" once a long time ago. No wait. Racer X didn't have kids. He used metal spikes. Kids don't last very long riding on metal spikes.
Well, Team Paul --which had gone to Giant--made it back the fastest. I am not one whit surprised. "He drives like that all the time, "I said. Mitzy and Dayna had executed their masterplan at the store. "You stand at the self-checkout, I'll go to a register! " They had Eggo chocolate chip waffles and Entenmann's Pop'Ems (donut holes).
Team Bill had gone to Wawa. I think he realized his Nascar fantasy on Rt. 924. Mind you, the posted speed limit is only 40, but in his book it's only a suggestion. Lauren was in such a hurry she forgot the game rules. She grabbed their Doritoes and ran. "Want your receipt?" the cashier asks as Lauren exits. "No, that's okay, thanks!" For the unfamiliar, Wawa is probably a place where it would truly be a good idea to have proof of purchase if you pull a pit crew number like that.
Back at the ranch, we congratulated Team Paul. No, we didn't. We recited all the ways they cheated and should henceforth never fellowship with us again. Who needs Paul's guitar anyway? We can do karaoke worship. It's been done before.
Then we had a wonderful coffee table spread of C,D, and E goodies. We munched right out of the bags and boxes. Again, Emily Post would've shuddered. But boy, would she have had a blast!
Mitzy then drew out three names: Paul, Ronan, and Bill.
These guys became our team leaders. Mitzy chose three names to go with each of the aforementioned guys. I ended up on Team Ronan, along with Karen and Steph.
Mitzy handed each team an envelope which contained five dollars and a set of instructions. The instructions were as follows:
1) Be the first team to get back to the house with a snack to feed 12 people with the money.
2) The snack has to start with the letter that you roll on the lettered die.The snack can be a brand name (e.g. Pringles) or general name (potato chips).
3) Bring your receipt back.
4) A judge (in our case, Kelly) will decide which team had the best snack and followed all the rules.
We rolled the die as fast as we could--our letter was "C"-- and then ran for the cars. Ronan and Karen unbuckled two carseats faster than trained EMTs, and tossed them helter-skelter into the third row. Steph and I hopped in the captains' chairs. Why did I choose this night of all nights to wear a skirt and heels? I dunno, but let's just say Emily Post would've shuddered.
"C" was easy. We could get chips, cookies, cheese, crackers, Corn Nuts. "Where do we go?" I quickly assessed our nearby options.
"I bet Paul goes to Giant!" I said.
"How about Wawa?" Steph asked.
"Nah, it can be hard to get in and out of...safely anyway!" I said. "But Walgreen's is right up here."
Ronan nearly lost his Christianity at the wheel. The van in front of us (not part of our care group) just piddly-poked along Abingdon Road while the rushed Irishman threatened to bump him off (off the literal road, not the road of life) or go around him on the foot-wide shoulder. Thankfully his wife is more level headed. And thankfully she's a nurse just in case he made good on either threat. Meanwhile I'm multi-tasking (ie. hanging on for dear life while telling them where to find the snack aisle). "Two-thirds of the way to the photo counter, turn left! All the snacks are right there!" Such knowledge is downright embarrassing.
Ronan and I stayed out curbside while the other two ran in. I told him that revving the engine of a minivan is just wrong. (So is nearly taking out three pedestrians in the parking lot during our trivial pursuit, but we won't talk about that.)
Seconds later--okay, several long, grueling minutes later-- Karen and Steph come flying like thieves out of Walgreen's. (I think the receipt rule was made in case of
cops, but that's just a guess.) They got Chips Ahoy and wafer cookies. We covered both the proper noun and common noun allowance in one fell swoop. With eleven cents in hand, we zoomed back to the Gayner home.
Once again, Run-the-Red-Light Ronan made threats when he saw Paul's car in his rearview mirror on Toby's street. "Hang on! I'm gonna ride up the sidewalk , across the lawn, and park at the front door. Don't let anybody ahead of us!"
I suggested throwing the car seats in the road behind us. I think I saw it on "Speed Racer" once a long time ago. No wait. Racer X didn't have kids. He used metal spikes. Kids don't last very long riding on metal spikes.
Well, Team Paul --which had gone to Giant--made it back the fastest. I am not one whit surprised. "He drives like that all the time, "I said. Mitzy and Dayna had executed their masterplan at the store. "You stand at the self-checkout, I'll go to a register! " They had Eggo chocolate chip waffles and Entenmann's Pop'Ems (donut holes).
Team Bill had gone to Wawa. I think he realized his Nascar fantasy on Rt. 924. Mind you, the posted speed limit is only 40, but in his book it's only a suggestion. Lauren was in such a hurry she forgot the game rules. She grabbed their Doritoes and ran. "Want your receipt?" the cashier asks as Lauren exits. "No, that's okay, thanks!" For the unfamiliar, Wawa is probably a place where it would truly be a good idea to have proof of purchase if you pull a pit crew number like that.
Back at the ranch, we congratulated Team Paul. No, we didn't. We recited all the ways they cheated and should henceforth never fellowship with us again. Who needs Paul's guitar anyway? We can do karaoke worship. It's been done before.
Then we had a wonderful coffee table spread of C,D, and E goodies. We munched right out of the bags and boxes. Again, Emily Post would've shuddered. But boy, would she have had a blast!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Wanna Come Along 2?
I'm at a loss for what to call these attempts to accomplish things in a week that run the gamut from :
a) making the home look better to
b) serving the family to
c) practicing hospitality to
d) listening intently to God's voice to
e) doing a hobby for personal refreshment to
f) trying a new recipes
Challenges? Goals? I dunno, but I like to add variety.
Here are the goodies for the week that I'm shooting to accomplish.
a) Homefront: deal w/ the clutter in my bedroom
b) Vehicle: get the van fixed (power steering's acting up)
c) Make a soup for HZ and return her soup kettle
d) Read Acts 3-7
e) Sew my k. curtains
f) Do something new with fruit
Wanna come along?
a) making the home look better to
b) serving the family to
c) practicing hospitality to
d) listening intently to God's voice to
e) doing a hobby for personal refreshment to
f) trying a new recipes
Challenges? Goals? I dunno, but I like to add variety.
Here are the goodies for the week that I'm shooting to accomplish.
a) Homefront: deal w/ the clutter in my bedroom
b) Vehicle: get the van fixed (power steering's acting up)
c) Make a soup for HZ and return her soup kettle
d) Read Acts 3-7
e) Sew my k. curtains
f) Do something new with fruit
Wanna come along?
Monday, December 31, 2007
Soup Swap, Anyone?
I'm going to try to post my annual Zubrowski Christmas Chronicle in poetry this afternoon/evening, but in case I don't, I need to at least post this question:
I read about friends doing a Soup Swap. You're familiar with cookie exchanges, right, where everyone makes several dozen of the same kind and then get together with others who've made other kinds and everyone takes home a huge assortment?
Well, same thing here, except that I'm proposing soup. Why?
1) it's easy to make a big pot
2) it's better nutritionally
3) it cuts out having to buy anything except fresh bread for a quick meal
4) it's winter
5) I'll be laid up for awhile after January 7th's surgery and would love to pull soup out of the freezer for lunch or easy dinner since my righthand woman (Sarah) will be in NH.
I'm thinking of having six people--5 plus me--make a 6 qt pot of soup.
1) Sign up in the comment box
2) Tell what kind you'll make and stick to it (so we have a planned variety)
3) Make it far enough ahead of the exchange time for it to cool
4) Package it in 5 qt-size ziplock bags, labeled, with any specific directions (keep one quart for yourself)
5) Bring printed copies of the recipe for five people's cookbooks
Date: January 5th (Saturday)
Time: 11 a.m.
Where: My house
I'll make Provencal soup. It's a tomato base with herbs and veggies.
Anyone want in on the soup swap?
I read about friends doing a Soup Swap. You're familiar with cookie exchanges, right, where everyone makes several dozen of the same kind and then get together with others who've made other kinds and everyone takes home a huge assortment?
Well, same thing here, except that I'm proposing soup. Why?
1) it's easy to make a big pot
2) it's better nutritionally
3) it cuts out having to buy anything except fresh bread for a quick meal
4) it's winter
5) I'll be laid up for awhile after January 7th's surgery and would love to pull soup out of the freezer for lunch or easy dinner since my righthand woman (Sarah) will be in NH.
I'm thinking of having six people--5 plus me--make a 6 qt pot of soup.
1) Sign up in the comment box
2) Tell what kind you'll make and stick to it (so we have a planned variety)
3) Make it far enough ahead of the exchange time for it to cool
4) Package it in 5 qt-size ziplock bags, labeled, with any specific directions (keep one quart for yourself)
5) Bring printed copies of the recipe for five people's cookbooks
Date: January 5th (Saturday)
Time: 11 a.m.
Where: My house
I'll make Provencal soup. It's a tomato base with herbs and veggies.
Anyone want in on the soup swap?
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Alliterative Hospitality for 2008
In the coming year, I want to apply the command to practice hospitality more than I have. So I started making a month-by-month list of ideas that I plan to follow through with. Didn't mean it to be alliterative, but after seeing the first two, I turned it into a game of "Start it with S." I had to force a couple of them to make them work into my plan of hosting singles, couples, families, and girlfriends.
Jan: Soup Swap ..........by Jan 5th (girlfriends--anyone interested?)
Feb: Sweetheart Banquet........ after the 14th (3 other couples)
March: Single Friends of my Son (Ben's b'day March 21)
April: Sarah's Birthday on the 22nd
May: Shower for Kelly.....need it May 1, she's due in mid-month! (care group ladies)
June: Stephen's Grad Party (classmates, teachers, neighbors,family)
July: Stars and Stripes .....4th of July (neighbors?)
August: Stephen's Birthday the 8th (extended family, very close friends)
September: School's Back in Session (homeschool moms).....late in month
October: Single Friends of Zo and Paul
November: Students from Towson (foreign) at Thanksgiving
December: Sugar Cookie Swap....between 10th and 20th
Jan: Soup Swap ..........by Jan 5th (girlfriends--anyone interested?)
Feb: Sweetheart Banquet........ after the 14th (3 other couples)
March: Single Friends of my Son (Ben's b'day March 21)
April: Sarah's Birthday on the 22nd
May: Shower for Kelly.....need it May 1, she's due in mid-month! (care group ladies)
June: Stephen's Grad Party (classmates, teachers, neighbors,family)
July: Stars and Stripes .....4th of July (neighbors?)
August: Stephen's Birthday the 8th (extended family, very close friends)
September: School's Back in Session (homeschool moms).....late in month
October: Single Friends of Zo and Paul
November: Students from Towson (foreign) at Thanksgiving
December: Sugar Cookie Swap....between 10th and 20th
Friday, August 17, 2007
Hungering for Deeper Relationships
I really want to know: is it just me being self-absorbed, or is face-to-face conversation over tea in someone's home a thing of the past? I'm not talking five-course meal type of hospitality. I'm asking: does non-email, non-cell, non-blog, non-phone, non-text, non-IM talk still matter? Does it still happen?
Lately I've been gathering a list in my head of "Favorite Things of 2007" and "Least Favorite Things" and "Regrets" and "Reminders" to post now so that when I look back in December, it won't be so hard to remember back to the pre-August stuff of life.
On my list of "Favorite Things" would have to be dinners in Russia at people's homes. It's the only time all year I've been invited to someone's home for a meal except by my parents, I think.
But when I examine the reverse, the only other people I've had for meals (besides the kids' friends and my extended family--and--oh, and the 'Welcome Home, Trip' Party), the only ones I can recall having over were foreigners. Much as I loved it, I keep thinking, "What's wrong with this picture?"
Shame on me for my laziness and selfishness. (It's not all me, my husband isn't usually motivated to do much but veg when he gets home from a stressful day at work, which has been a daily thing for two years. I have easily said, "Okay, he's tired. Don't bother," when really I should have been making more of an effort to boost Paul's spirits as well as extend hospitality to others. I have long had these great and grandiose plans of inviting a mix of Christians and not-yetters around a big, long table and serve it potluck style. Have I done it? No.
That's a major regret. If I only had over Christians, I would say, "Something's wrong with this picture." But I have sorely lacked in doing good even to the household of faith in this regard. How common is this kind of hospitality in the church? In your little corner of the world? When I was in my early 20s, a newlywed and young mom, it was a weekly thing or so to be in a friend's home for lunch.
I have visions of young women nowadays being in and out of each other's homes, changing kids' diapers and talking about life, love, and the pursuit of God over tuna sandwiches and chocolate cake. Is this your reality or a figment of my imagination?
Lately I've been gathering a list in my head of "Favorite Things of 2007" and "Least Favorite Things" and "Regrets" and "Reminders" to post now so that when I look back in December, it won't be so hard to remember back to the pre-August stuff of life.
On my list of "Favorite Things" would have to be dinners in Russia at people's homes. It's the only time all year I've been invited to someone's home for a meal except by my parents, I think.
But when I examine the reverse, the only other people I've had for meals (besides the kids' friends and my extended family--and--oh, and the 'Welcome Home, Trip' Party), the only ones I can recall having over were foreigners. Much as I loved it, I keep thinking, "What's wrong with this picture?"
Shame on me for my laziness and selfishness. (It's not all me, my husband isn't usually motivated to do much but veg when he gets home from a stressful day at work, which has been a daily thing for two years. I have easily said, "Okay, he's tired. Don't bother," when really I should have been making more of an effort to boost Paul's spirits as well as extend hospitality to others. I have long had these great and grandiose plans of inviting a mix of Christians and not-yetters around a big, long table and serve it potluck style. Have I done it? No.
That's a major regret. If I only had over Christians, I would say, "Something's wrong with this picture." But I have sorely lacked in doing good even to the household of faith in this regard. How common is this kind of hospitality in the church? In your little corner of the world? When I was in my early 20s, a newlywed and young mom, it was a weekly thing or so to be in a friend's home for lunch.
I have visions of young women nowadays being in and out of each other's homes, changing kids' diapers and talking about life, love, and the pursuit of God over tuna sandwiches and chocolate cake. Is this your reality or a figment of my imagination?
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Perfect Peach Tea Recipe?
In my quest for concocting a super-delicious peached iced tea, I whipped up this today:
1) 3 qts boiling water plus cold water to make a full gallon
2) 10 Tetley tea bags (regular)
3) 1 cup sugar
4) all the juice from a lg can of peaches
5) peaches to cover the bottom of 1 gal pitcher
6) 3/4-1 tsp ground ginger (eyeballed it)
Stirred it all up and am sipping it while I clean. I put a few chunks of peaches in my Irish coffee mug (I love these for hot AND cold drinks!) and added ice cubes and freshly brewed tea. It's good, but I'm still trying to come up with (or find) the perfect peach tea. BTW, it's to go with tomorrow's lunch! (See next part of post.)
Got a recipe?
NOTE TO SELF; THIS WAS NOT SUPER-DELICIOUS. GOOD, BUT NOT "IT." FO0R FUTURE: TRY MAKING SARAH'S SOUTHERN SWATE TAY, SUBSTITUTING 1/4 OF THE SUGAR WITH ALL JUICE FROM LG PEACH CAN, PLUS FRESH, SLICED PEACHES DURING STEEPING PROCESS.
1) 3 qts boiling water plus cold water to make a full gallon
2) 10 Tetley tea bags (regular)
3) 1 cup sugar
4) all the juice from a lg can of peaches
5) peaches to cover the bottom of 1 gal pitcher
6) 3/4-1 tsp ground ginger (eyeballed it)
Stirred it all up and am sipping it while I clean. I put a few chunks of peaches in my Irish coffee mug (I love these for hot AND cold drinks!) and added ice cubes and freshly brewed tea. It's good, but I'm still trying to come up with (or find) the perfect peach tea. BTW, it's to go with tomorrow's lunch! (See next part of post.)
Got a recipe?
NOTE TO SELF; THIS WAS NOT SUPER-DELICIOUS. GOOD, BUT NOT "IT." FO0R FUTURE: TRY MAKING SARAH'S SOUTHERN SWATE TAY, SUBSTITUTING 1/4 OF THE SUGAR WITH ALL JUICE FROM LG PEACH CAN, PLUS FRESH, SLICED PEACHES DURING STEEPING PROCESS.
American Lunch Ideas, please! REVISED as TUNA SALAD AND PANINI NOTES
I get the super great privilege to have Andrei and Valer ia Ze sorin at our home for lunch tomorrow. They are Birobidzhan (far east Russia). Serving foreigners is one of THE most exciting things I ever do. I want to make a special memory at the table.
What could I serve? I asked them what they'd like their last American lunch to be and they said they like everything. The only thing I know I want for them is a chance to try Broom's Blooms ice cream, so I hope we can go there for dessert.
Meanwhile, this is a 1:30 lunch which I want to have mostly prepped today, because I am dog tired when I get home from church and seldom host guests at nap time! But this is their only chance before leaving early Monday for home.
So....let me paint the picture: they will be traveling, so it needs to be "safe" for the digestive system. I'd like it to be bright and colorful. I don't really want to mess with the grill. Something with protein for the vegetarians (my folks are coming) and something similar (preferably) for the carnivores. Something hot and something cold. And not corn. They had corn on the cob last night and there's leftover corn at my mom's where they're staying. They love it, but ...
Suggestions, anyone?
TUNA SALAD MELTS: I made it this way which everyone loved:
4 cans white albacore
1/2 cup mayo (eyeballed)
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
10 baby carrots finely chopped
dried savory, dried parsley,celery salt, a few cranks of black pepper
Made a day ahead to let flavors gel.
Fresh croissants, shredded cheddar
Bake in regular oven at 400 for 5 mins (same time as paninis)
Good cold, too.
EGGPLANT, RED PEPPER, and FETA PANINIS
Serves 5
New York Rye Bread, cut into ten 1/2" slices
1 medium eggplant, cut into semicircles (easy to handle this way)
1 lg red pepper --cut across to keep whole "rings" (stays on bread better)
feta cheese, crumbled
apricot preserves (I used Polaner All Fruit)
dijon mustard
good olive oil
soft butter
Lay eggplant semicircles in large frying pan. Cover with 1/8" water. Boil till tender but not mushy, turning once. Remove from pan. Do the same thing with the peppers. Then saute both together in same pan, using olive oil, salt and pepper. (You can saute in olive oil the whole time, but I find it gets too oily.)
While veggies are cooking, spray a cookie sheet with Pam, and spread out bread on it. On one side of each sandwich, spread a thin layer of dijon. On the other, a thin layer of apricot preserves. My pref: Put hot veggies on dijon side and crumbled feta cheese on the apricot side. Close sandwich. Spread soft butter over top and bottom. Roast at 400 for 5 minutes, turning once. Serve hot. MMM!!!
What could I serve? I asked them what they'd like their last American lunch to be and they said they like everything. The only thing I know I want for them is a chance to try Broom's Blooms ice cream, so I hope we can go there for dessert.
Meanwhile, this is a 1:30 lunch which I want to have mostly prepped today, because I am dog tired when I get home from church and seldom host guests at nap time! But this is their only chance before leaving early Monday for home.
So....let me paint the picture: they will be traveling, so it needs to be "safe" for the digestive system. I'd like it to be bright and colorful. I don't really want to mess with the grill. Something with protein for the vegetarians (my folks are coming) and something similar (preferably) for the carnivores. Something hot and something cold. And not corn. They had corn on the cob last night and there's leftover corn at my mom's where they're staying. They love it, but ...
Suggestions, anyone?
TUNA SALAD MELTS: I made it this way which everyone loved:
4 cans white albacore
1/2 cup mayo (eyeballed)
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
10 baby carrots finely chopped
dried savory, dried parsley,celery salt, a few cranks of black pepper
Made a day ahead to let flavors gel.
Fresh croissants, shredded cheddar
Bake in regular oven at 400 for 5 mins (same time as paninis)
Good cold, too.
EGGPLANT, RED PEPPER, and FETA PANINIS
Serves 5
New York Rye Bread, cut into ten 1/2" slices
1 medium eggplant, cut into semicircles (easy to handle this way)
1 lg red pepper --cut across to keep whole "rings" (stays on bread better)
feta cheese, crumbled
apricot preserves (I used Polaner All Fruit)
dijon mustard
good olive oil
soft butter
Lay eggplant semicircles in large frying pan. Cover with 1/8" water. Boil till tender but not mushy, turning once. Remove from pan. Do the same thing with the peppers. Then saute both together in same pan, using olive oil, salt and pepper. (You can saute in olive oil the whole time, but I find it gets too oily.)
While veggies are cooking, spray a cookie sheet with Pam, and spread out bread on it. On one side of each sandwich, spread a thin layer of dijon. On the other, a thin layer of apricot preserves. My pref: Put hot veggies on dijon side and crumbled feta cheese on the apricot side. Close sandwich. Spread soft butter over top and bottom. Roast at 400 for 5 minutes, turning once. Serve hot. MMM!!!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
"Mom, A Bunch of Guys are coming Over"
I accidentally published this post , with pictures, on my old blog site. To see them , go to www.zztalks.blogspot.com. I have a lot of catching up to do picturewise, so won't take time to transfer that stuff over here.
Friday, January 12, 2007
50s Party Cancelled, Soup Swap Too
Between lots of iffy and a few "no" RSVPs, and the fact that Paul and I may need to seize the weekend of the 27th now to go to Ohio, I have officially cancelled all plans for a blogging party, soup swap, or any other excuse for a get-together at my house. Sorry if this announcement messes up anything on your calendar.
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