Father's Day: Why My Dad is the Best

Today we celebrate Dad.  My Dad great up outnumbered in a house full of women.   It was three to one, with two daughters and of course my mom.  Then when I was eleven, we adopted a cat.   Against his wishes.   And she was a girl, too.  

But one of the good things about growing up in this environment is that as a girl, you learn how to do all kinds of useful stuff.   Like how to help put up [or take down] a snow fence (I grew up in the North, y'all).   How to winterize a swimming pool.  

How to caulk a bathroom sink.   How to unclog a toilet.  How to paint a room - and the ceiling!  How to make dinner when Mom's not around.  How to drink egg nog the 'right' way.   For those who wonder, it's with 'extra nog' from the liquor cabinet.

How to spin the aerial antenna toward Toledo to watch Browns games on Sunday afternoon.  How to change window screens on Derby Day. How to eat a ridiculous amount of ice cream in one sitting.

 And, evidently, how to rock a baseball cap.   For reasons unknown we called these Spanky hats.

I have learned much from both of my parents.   But my dad has always had a way of saying things in a funny way to make us laugh (or at times, cringe).  For example, a hard rain is known as a "frog strangler" if Dad is around.  His jokes are unmatched, and he never lets you win at board games or at cards or at anything else, really.   If you win against Dad, you earned it.   To this day, I am a competitor in every game I play and I don't let people win.  That is 100% because of Dad.....  for better or worse!   Dad can be a cornball at times, but he is also one of the most honest and straightforward people you'll ever meet.   I like to think those traits are pumping through my veins too!   He also has a ton of expressions to teach you lessons- like fables but wittier.  I really need to have him write them all down because I can't remember them all.

A few gems from Dad:

If you fail to plan, you plain to fail
Measure twice, cut once
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
The school of hard knocks has the most expensive tuition

If you stop by for a visit on a summer day, and Dad is washing the family cars, he'll wash yours too.  Just ask Hannah.  

And if you're hungry, he'll grill you something for a snack.   Even if you don't ask for it, he'll offer you a 'frozen treat'  If you go into labor and your husband is not home, Dad will take you to the hospital.  Just ask my aunt.  

As if the jokes weren't a giveaway, Dad loves to laugh and kid around.    It was his idea to do the stunt, below.   Last September Al and I recreated the scene nearly 20 years later....  if only he was in town, too, to join the madness!

                      


So, I know it's just one day to celebrate Dad, but if you have an awesome Dad, like my sister and I do, try to celebrate him every day.   He deserves it!  As always, I leave you with one of my most favorite pieces ever written.

Paul Harvey's "What Are Fathers Made Of"

A father is a thing that is forced to endure childbirth, without an anesthetic.

A father is a thing that growls when it feels good–and laughs loud when it’s scared half to death.

A father never feels entirely worthy of worship in his child’s eyes. He never is quite the hero his daughter thinks, never quite the man his son believes him to be. This worries him, sometimes, so he works too hard to try and smooth the rough places in the road for those of his own who will follow him.

A father is a thing that gets very angry when school grades aren’t as good as he thinks they should be. He scolds his son although he knows it’s the teacher’s fault.

Fathers grow old faster than other people.

And while mothers can cry where it shows, fathers stand there and beam outside–and die inside. Fathers have very stout hearts, so they have to be broken sometimes or no one would know what is inside. Fathers give daughters away to other men who aren’t nearly good enough so they can have grandchildren who are smarter than anybody’s. Fathers fight dragons almost daily. They hurry away from the breakfast table, off to the arena which is sometimes called an office or a workshop…where they tackle the dragon with three heads: Weariness, Work and Monotony.

Knights in shining armor.

Fathers make bets with insurance companies about who will live the longest. Though they know the odds, they keep right on betting. Even as the odds get higher and higher, they keep right on betting more and more.

And one day they lose.

But fathers enjoy an earthly immortality and the bet is paid off to the part of him he leaves behind.

I don’t know where fathers go when they die. But I have an idea that after a good rest, he won’t be happy unless there is work to do. He won’t just sit on a cloud and wait for the girl he’s loved and the children she bore. He’ll be busy there, too…oiling the gates, smoothing the way.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - or is it?

Recently, Leah at agirlandaboy (one of my favorite blogs for those keeping track!) wrote about her Christmas traditions and thoughts about changing things up this year due to travel.  The comments were fascinating....  I kept going back to read more about what people do in their homes.

For better or for worse, I compare myself to others.  It's not my best personality trait, but I do it.   Is she a faster runner than me? (probably!)  How does s/he organize the pantry?  etc. etc. etc.  I think that is why I have a mild addiction to Pinterest and blogs in general.  I am curious.

Anyway---- Leah's post got me thinking about how we did Christmas when Al and I were kids, and how things have changed as we got older, but more accurately, since I got married and don't spend Christmas Eve or morning at 'home'  THE HORRORS

As kids, we used to all go to Christmas Eve Mass, presented by the children.  It was, and remains, very entertaining.  We then headed home to eat spaghetti and put the finishing touches on party set up- Mom has hosted the big family since I was in junior high.  (When we were tiny we ate spaghetti and I went to bed early knowing Santa would come.  I was exuberant, what can I say?)

Growing up, Santa wrapped our stuff in ‘santa paper’ and had different handwriting than any person's I have ever seen.  I swear, when I do have kids, my mother will be recruited for the gift tags.  Amazing!  The pile typically included two gifts per person, plus a themed stuff animal, from Santa.  My parents had a few gifts for us mixed in as well, and Al and I always got each other something at school's secret santa shop.  Stockings were hung on the fireplace, with each and every tiny little gift wrapped.  In Santa paper, of course.  Seriously.  My mom must have been cuckoo to have done that- but she did!


Being the Christmas Elf that I am, I always woke up first.  It was so early that it was still dark out.  I would sit in front of the tree for quite awhile waiting for Al to get up- or eventually would get her up myself, if she was super sleepy.  We would sit in front of the tree together looking at all the boxes and the wrapping paper and trying to determine what was in each one.  We didn't pick anything up or shake the boxes-- it was just gazing.

Once Mom and Dad were up, Al and I used to take turns opening gifts, so that we could see who got what.   I never minded alternating, although if we got the same gift, the person who went 2nd was definitely not surprised!  Oh well.

Our ‘big family’ gathering was – and remains- a free for all.  One or two people pass out gifts to everyone else seated in the room.   Al and I have taken on this role the past few years- which I enjoy! -but I sort of hate the buzz saw aspect of gift opening and sometimes wish people took turns. Then again when there are 25 people it would take hours, so maybe it’s more efficient this way?  I guess I have mixed feelings about how to open gifts with the same number of people active on a MLB roster.

I happen to know that Michael's Santa gifts were NOT wrapped which meant he and his sister had to stay out of the living room till their parents were awake. That would have KILLED me as a kid so in retrospect, I am glad ours were wrapped.

As I got older, I actually made brunch for my sister and parents.  I am not a chef.  Or even a cook.  I will bake you cookies or boil pasta but I just don't cook.  I probably could figure it out, but I have no desire. My husband enjoys it.  What can I say?  I am a lucky girl.

But Christmas was different..... I created delicious menus and was able to put my early bird self to work on Christmas morning and make breakfast while listening to Amy Grant or watching a movie.   That is one thing I actually miss now that we spend Christmas Eve and morning at my in-laws.    I miss making breakfast.  (Don't get me wrong, my mother-in-law's breakfast is fun and I am not all weepy here, just sayin')  Once we have our own nuclear family I am confident I will start this up again.

For the past few years our schedule has been as follows:
December 24: Church with my family, dinner with Michael's, play games
December 25: Morning presents with Michael's family, breakfast, presents with my [small] family, stay at Mom's for the big party, at which point Michael's family will join us again

It's sort of a whirlwind but we are lucky to be able to see both sets of parents relatively easily.

So there is a snapshot of what we have done, and what we do now.  After the requisite comparing via the blog comment section, I am still most fascinated by the wrapped or unwrapped gifts.

What are your Christmas traditions?

God Bless America, My Home Sweet Home

America did not exist.  Four centuries of work, bloodshed, loneliness, and fear created this land.  We built America, and the process made us Americans, a new breed, routed in all races.

These three sentences, written by John Steinbeck, are also the beginning of one of my favorite attractions at EPCOT:  The American Adventure.   They seem appropriate as we, as a nation, celebrate 236 years of independence.

Be My Valentine

I did not receive flowers or a box of chocolates.  What I got was way better!

As is typically each weekday, I start my day with a ginormous cup of tea, eat some Kashi and head upstairs to work.  I tend to hunker down and pause only to change from PJs to real clothes around 8 am, and go right on through till my 10:30 video meeting.    Tuesday was no different.

Except that around 9:45 Michael appeared in my doorway.  He was holding a card, a vanilla latte and donuts from Dunks!  My favorites!   And one of the donuts was pink frosted with ….. heart shaped sprinkles.   The way to a girl's heart is copious amounts of sugar in the morning, folks.  He sat in my office while I continued to email my clients, but we did enjoy a few moments of a breakfast treat.

Around lunch time he informed me he was making a 'special Valentine's Jules lunch' which, considering I already had a donut, left me puzzled.  Imagine my surprise when I went downstairs and had a freshly grilled cheeseburger waiting for me.  Oh lordy.  More delicious food!  Then we had chocolate covered strawberries for dessert.

In addition to February 14 being Valentine's day, it is also my mom's birthday!   Michael's mom was kind enough to make dinner so the 4 of us enjoyed dinner, cake*, and Glee.   My sugar consumption was off the charts.  In other words, it was a lovely Valentine's day.


*Saturday was birthday dinner at Flying Fish while Dad was home.  Sunday we had chocolate peanut butter mousse cake, since Dad was still home and loves caked  Why doesn't?  Tuesday we had leftover cake.  Uncouth?  Maybe but it was SO DELICIOUS I did not even care.  Mom decided three days of celebrating is, in fact, better than one.

Christmas Traditions

We live more than 1000 miles away from our parents.   However, when both sets of parents live in the same county, married children don't have to alternate spending Christmas with one side on the odd years, and with the other side on the even years.  We are lucky that we can see everyone.

Sometimes it's a mixed blessing because we're in the car a lot.  Driving back and forth isn't too bad when there is no snow, and we are certainly lucky to be able to see everyone in one trip.  While we're unable to keep every tradition for both of us, I like to think we've done a decent job of blending them together.

Christmas Eve my family goes to Mass at 5pm.   It's the Children's Mass, which used to be absolutely adorable with children processing holding animals, telling the Christmas story (complete with giraffes in the manger) and singing many carols.   It's changed a bit and now a lot of kids are still there, but are no longer performing.  Going with Michael now guarantees we will hear a male voice singing Christmas songs, which is rather lovely!

Michael's family always eats lasagna for dinner on Christmas Eve.   Theresa and Ray join us (Theresa always makes the best salad!), and ML provides the peppermint dessert.  Basically chocolate, graham crackers and pink mint ice cream.  Yeah.  It's delicious.   Most years (at least since I've attended, starting in approximately 2002), we play a game.   My favorite part of the game playing is when my father in law shouts "Julia is on my team!"  I also enjoy when our team happens to win, as was the case this year.  Check out our enthusiasm, especially Mario's thumbs up- we couldn't have done it without Theresa and Michael.  

2011 was particularly lovely because for the first time since 2008, Marissa was home for dinner, along with Howie!  And Mario's parents were there too, making the table full with 10 chairs!

Christmas morning, in both our homes, always meant lots of presents.  We now spend the night at Michael's parents' house, open gifts in our PJs, eat a big breakfast, and then head over to my parents' house for small family presents, followed by dinner with at least 20.   Among other items, this year, dinner included ham and turkey and cheesy potatoes!   Midwesterners will know that this ridiculous dish of frozen hashbrowns, cheese, campbell's soup, and cornflakes is both ridiculous and amazingly good.   It should be consumed annually, though I don't remember the last time I had it...  Erica and I did a little dance when we saw it on the buffet.

Every year we take a Lasky cousin picture.   This is our photo from 2011 and FINALLY Anthony and I (the tallest 2) are not sitting on the darn floor.

  

The entire day is quite the raucous time.  We have dinner, open gifts, chat, eat snacks and appetizers, play games, sing Christmas carols around the piano, and enjoy everyone's company.  At times, the decibel level is at least 80!   And we wouldn't have it any other way

Sing We Joyous All Together

While we're on the subject of all things holiday (see also: It's a Wonderful Life, The Nutcracker) why not talk about music?

For me, Christmas music is as much a part of the holiday season as the tree or the gifts or the online shopping.   Unlike my local radio stations, which begin before HALLOWEEN, I don't start to play Christmas songs until after Thanksgiving.  On the way back from South Carolina, I revel in my freedom to play 6 hours of Christmas music.  Poor Michael.

I have a Christmas playlist on my iPod that includes approximately 36 hours of Christmas music.  I have another Christmas playlist that is instrumental only, appropriate for dinner or times when you don't want to sing along.   I don't know when this time would be.  As a child my dad often would say "Julia, no singing at the table"   For this reason, it helps to have instrumental music whilst eating.   Yet another playlist is labeled Christmas Run and includes all the peppier songs that are appropriate for a jog around the neighborhood.   When you live in the Sunshine state you really can jog outside in December.  It is lovely.  And confusing.

My favorite Christmas song of all time?   That's easy.   Silent Night.  Do you know the story of Silent Night?   I do, mostly because on A Christmas Together John Denver tells the story before he sings Stille Nacht with the Muppets.  Beautiful song, beautiful story.

My favorite Christmas album?  Whoa boy.   That is a toughie.

1) James Taylor at Christmas

Does this require an explanation?  Anyone who has ever heard JT sing knows he is amazing.  Every song is expectedly wonderful.  Even Jingle Bells, which I find a bit tedious at times, is enjoyable thanks to his bluesy interpretation.
Favorite song on the album: Who Comes This Night

2) Amy Grant (all 3, plus the EP, don't judge me)

Amy Grant is awesome because her albums are always a mixture of fast and slow, religious and secular songs.  No matter your mood, Amy Grant will have a song for you.
Favorite song on all albums:  I have 39 Amy Grant Christmas songs.  I cannot choose!  Mister Santa is my least favorite.... how's that?

3) The Time Life Treasury of Christmas

This collection features all the old classics sung by Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Andy Williams, etc.
Favorite song on the album: This is so hard!  White Christmas.  No, Home for the Holidays.

4) Kenny & Dolly's Once Upon a Christmas

Classic singers, a wonderful mix of original songs and standards.
Favorite song on the album: With Bells On

5) Sugarland's Gold & Green

This is a new one, but as with Kenny & Dolly, I love the mixture of original songs along with their interpreting old favorites.
Favorite song on the album: Gold and Green


6) A Rockapella Holiday

Did you watch Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?  Remember the theme song?  Rockapella sang it! This is a legit group that has been recording for years.  And they are awesome.  Some new members over the years but fantastic a cappella singing still reigns supreme.  I have all 3 albums, this is their newest, out in November.  In fact, we are seeing them in concert (again!) on Thursday in Tampa!  So pumped
Favorite song on the album: Christmas All Together

Christmas Movie Feature

I had been planning to write an homage to my favorite Christmas movies.  There are several, but my favorite Christmas movie ever also happens to be my Favorite Movie Ever.

It's a Wonderful Life

This movie and I go way back.  I don't remember the first time I saw it, but it was almost certainly on TV in the 1990s.   You see, my parents always went to the Company Christmas Party in mid-December.   Always on a Saturday, it was the fanciest night of the year.  Mom wore a glittery dress, Dad a jacket and tie!  When your Dad works in the steel industry, these items are not frequently donned.

Initially this night meant a babysitter.  Nene or Auntie or sometimes a neighborhood girl.   But when we were young-ish either they couldn't find anyone or they trusted us because Al and I were left Home Alone!   (Another favorite movie for another time)  Our stay-at-home evenings were very exciting.  I made macaroni and cheese for dinner, which is still a requested item when my sister and I are together at home.  We ate in the family room (!) and watched It's a Wonderful Life on TV.   I am sure I had seen parts of it before, but the first time I saw it start to finish was on a Saturday in December with my sister.

Like clockwork, every year, on that same Saturday as the Christmas party, NBC aired It's a Wonderful Life.  I laughed and cried and my sister laughed at me.  She claimed to like Mr. Potter best.

While it's a Christmas movie, the movie is about so much more than that.  Family togetherness, true friendships, the importance of each individual to so many people, and above all, that life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.

It's a simple film and these messages remain universal.

There are so many 'wonderful' components to this movie, that I encourage you to hop over to The Pioneer Woman's contributor post and get his take.  It's well written and sums up why the movie is still enjoyed by so many.

Waltz of the Flowers and Sugar Plum Fairies: A history

Ah, December.   For me this crazy month means the usual holiday mayhem, but also two family birthdays (hi Al and Dad!) and, since 2001, a Nutcracker performance

Regular readers will recall that in 2001, Hannah, Ashley and I took a trip to the Nutcracker.  You see, Pannie received a ballet subscription from her parents earlier that year: two tickets to several different shows.  Being the trio that we are, we traded in the 2 Nutcracker tickets and paid the difference in order to get 3 together.  We were in the very back row of the top tier at the Kennedy Center.   Not ideal seats, but a lovely show with friends.   I had never seen the show so it was all amazing to me.

In 2002 we planned a repeat evening.  All three of us would see the Nutcracker and take a break from studying for finals, thus beginning a college-long tradition at the holidays.  Only it did not happen that way.   Ashley's grandpa became very ill, and she had to fly home to Missouri just before our show.  Much to our dismay, Pannie and I went without her (my boyfriend, now husband, Michael took the 3rd ticket).

Sadly, Ash did not return to school the following fall.   Pannie and I continued our ballet tradition, though it was not quite the same.   I believe we decided to get slightly better seats, in 2003 and 2004, however.   You can only see so many consecutive shows in the top tier before you start to wish you could see their faces a bit better.

Upon graduation in 2005, we both got jobs in DC, and thus continued our tradition.   Between 2001 and 2007 we saw performances by the Bolshoi, Kirov, Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and The Washington Ballet.  All are lovely in their own unique ways, though Pannie and I have a soft spot for ABT.

In 2008 tragedy struck.   I moved to Florida in May, which meant No! Nutcracker! Performance!   I tried to soften the blow by sending Pannie nutcracker ornaments but it did not work.   We had broken tradition and it was sad.

In fall 2009, soon after getting married, I received an email from Pannie.
In other news: I think you need to come visit this fall/winter.  We need some roommate bonding time--I am in withdrawal.  I'm starting to receive info about this year's Nutcracker performances, and I must say, it rather sucked not to enjoy holiday festivities with you last year.  I'm just throwing that out there for your consideration.


She sure knows how to twist my arm.  The good thing about traveling between Thanksgiving and Christmas is that airfare is rather inexpensive.  Relatively speaking.  Bonus points in 2009: Pannie had a new job and got FREE tickets to the Washington Ballet.

Last year, as you know, we were in Ithaca, NY.  It was cold.  But Michael finished finals the week before the Nutcracker performance, thus requiring us to make a slight diversion to DC before ending up in Ohio for the holidays.   Note: I think we both look exhausted in this photo, but I cannot figure out why!  Anyway.   We are cutest when we do not look like we've been up 3 days in a row

As we are back in the Sunshine State, once again in October I got an email from Pannie

Apropos of nothing...Nutcracker tickets are on sale today.  
Just throwing that out there.  :)

I checked airfare and things were not looking great initially.  However, eventually the expedia travel Gods smiled upon me and I found a decent ticket.  Luckily there were decent seats available for a performance, and we were set!  

Last Friday we celebrated seeing our tenth performance of the Nutcracker.  

Fittingly, it was ABT, with brand new choreography and set design.  And, even better, we were sitting next to 8-year-old Paige and her grandma, who was taking her granddaughter to her very first ballet performance.

For what I am about to share, may I be truly grateful

'Tis the season for turkey and stuffing and green beans cooked in Campbell's soup (sorry I'm from the midwest; green bean casserole is a-ma-zing) and PIE.    Mostly pie.    It's also the beginning of the holiday season -- despite the fact that Target has been hawking Christmas decor since mid-October -- where everyone tends to reflect on the past year.    Thanksgiving, despite being a forgotten step-child in the retail world, really does start us off on the right foot, don't you think?

We're back in Florida so that means we'll be driving to South Carolina to see Michael's maternal grandparents, Nana and Papa.  We had a great time last year (Ithaca = drive to New Jersey to see the other side of the family!) but I am also a stickler for tradition.   That said, I am grateful that we are back here in Florida, and consequently, able to be back there at Thanksgiving.

All 4 of Michael's grandparents are awesome.   Specifically, Nana and Papa are both over 80 and each play 18 holes of golf each day (he walks half, she walks half) and they act like they're closer to 50 than 80.    They watch current TV, read current books, and are lovely people to converse with, about pretty much any topic.   I am thankful that, by marriage, these wonderful people are now part of my family.     I am thankful that we are close enough to to drive to spend time at the holidays with them.   (and avoid the airport!)  I am thankful that in less than 48 hours I will be in their condo wearing yoga pants, glasses, and no makeup, reading a book and drinking tea, with no distractions.

I am thankful that the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend includes watching lots of movies, reading lots of books, playing lots of games, and spending lots of time talking with each other.   That's what Thanksgiving is all about, after all.   Family and love and relaxation.  Not black Friday sales and craziness.

May each of you be blessed with a lovely Thanksgiving weekend, and may you be truly grateful for it.

Happy Mother's Day

A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world.  It knows no law, no pity, it dates all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.

-Agatha Christie, The Last Séance

It's NOT Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Last year the holiday time included decorating a house for Christmas, and a front porch, too!  I was psyched for a trip to DC to see the Nutcracker with Pannie, and the festive-ness abounded.  Minus the snow of course.

In 2010 things have taken a slightly different turn.  Graduate housing does not have the same charm as your first house.  We are only here until December 11, and did not move any of our Christmas decorations when we came here in May.  So, for the first time in my life, I did not spend Thanksgiving weekend putting up a Christmas tree.  It's a little depressing, but from a practical standpoint, I get it.  I did, however, obtain the Fresh Balsam candle from Bath & Body Works.  It smells JUST like a fresh Christmas tree, which I have always thought was impossible based on the other holiday candles to which I have been subjected.  If you are brave enough to go to a mall in the next three weeks, buy one.  They're amazing.  Anyway, with this decorating scheme (or lack thereof) we look like it's a normal day of the year, buy boy do we smell good.  Ironically, the snow began to fall on Wednesday and we've seen a variation of it every few hours since.  So we have no Christmas tree or lights or even a wreath, but we do have snow.

At least the ballet tradition continues.  When your husband, and consequently you, is on a graduate school schedule, there is this wonderful creation called WINTER BREAK.  And golly does he need it (so do I, truthfully).  Winter break is a notable for the several consecutive weeks of no academic obligations.  How are we celebrating?  By going to DC of course, where I will see the ballet with Pannie again.  We also hope to squeeze in a visit to the White House tree, Zorba's and potentially Guapo's.  (What else is there in life?  Friends, food, and holiday celebrating)  It's a six hour drive, so we'll load up the car for DC and Ohio visiting (and, God-willing, a Florida trip, which will be made via airplane) and hit the road next weekend.

While the tradition of the ballet is a welcome one that we treasure, I am also excited about something, or rather, someone, new!  Our wonderful college friends (and my former roommate) had a baby in July and we have not met her.  So this holiday season will also bring the beginning of a beautiful friendship with this cutie pie.  We even got her a small gift to celebrate her first Christmas.

Meanwhile, we'll be tying up loose ends here for the next six days.  Michael will finish 4 papers and study for his finals.  This afternoon I will see a holiday concert on campus with the Crookers, later this week we'll attend a MMH class party, see the Vienna Choir Boys at the local theater, and pack a bunch of bulky sweaters in a suitcase.  Life is hectic...... must be the holidays!

Giving Thanks

Since 'moving out' of my parents home in 2005, I have not been home (or in Ohio) for Thanksgiving.  I have spent a few in DC with Michael's whole family, hosted by Aunt Nina.  I have spent two in South Carolina with one set of Michael's grandparents.  And this year, since we are in Ithaca, we were able to spend time with the other set of grandparents in New Jersey.  I have enjoyed all of these holidays full of food and family.

This year was extra special because Michael's grandparents, knowing Al is close by in the city, invited her, too.  So I had Michael's family and my sister around the table this year.  It was yet another lovely celebration of family, food, and laughter around the dinner table.  We were there for almost 4 hours, but it sure didn't feel like it.  I am lucky to have family near by, no matter where we move.

The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven

This is one of my favorite poems from my childhood.  Mom's too!  Enjoy  

The Turkey Shot Out Of The Oven

The turkey shot out of the oven
and rocketed into the air,
it knocked every plate off the table
and partly demolished a chair.

It ricocheted into a corner
and burst with a deafening boom,
then splattered all over the kitchen,
completely obscuring the room.

It stuck to the walls and the windows,
it totally coated the floor,
there was turkey attached to the ceiling,
where there'd never been turkey before.

It blanketed every appliance,
it smeared every saucer and bowl,
there wasn't a way I could stop it,
that turkey was out of control.

I scraped and I scrubbed with displeasure,
and thought with chagrin as I mopped,
that I'd never again stuff a turkey
with popcorn that hadn't been popped.

 

--Jack Prelutsky

Thanksgiving Yummies

For me, Thanksgiving is a time for transition.  From fall to winter, from the regular year into the holiday season.  And, of course, a ginormous cliff dive into holiday food.  Thanksgiving is all about the people you spend it with (more on that later this week) but it's also all about the FOOD!   Specifically, pie, if you ask me.  I love pie.  L-O-V-E it.  It's a sickness.  I try to avoid it all year because I am the type to cut a slab, top with ice cream or cool whip and go back and keep eating tiny pieces.

I am by no means a chef.  I can barely cook.  Ironically, I bake, but never pies.  This year we're spending Thanksgiving in New Jersey with the young generation of M's family and his wonderful grandparents, and for the first time, I am not contributing to the bounty.   I'm OK with it, and his grandma is quite the cook.  But in lieu of making the foods, or eating the 'family' foods I have had in the past, I am going to share them with y'all.  Virtual Thanksgiving, if you will.

TURKEY

M and I actually cooked a whole turkey last year after t-giving.  We had a wonderful dinner with family in Florida halfway between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It was very fun.  You know what we did?  Rinsed the bird and stuck it into an oven bag.  Seriously.  And it was delicious.  Reynolds is your friend when cooking a turkey

CORN

Some folks do not have corn at their holiday table.  I suspect the reason we had corn is that it was one of two vegetables (the other being potatoes) that I would eat as a child.  In order the guarantee that I did not starve, my mother always provided the following corn dish.  It's by no means gourmet, but it's darn tasty.....  sort of like if cornbread and corn pudding got together- In a good way.   And it's easy!

Corn Pudding 

Serves 12

temp: 350, time:  45 min.

9 x 13 greased pan                        

1 can cream style corn                                    

1 can whole kernel corn, drained           

8 oz. sour cream                                    

1 pkg. Jiffy corn muffin mix

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1/3 cup shredded Swiss cheese (or just get alpine slices in the dairy case)

Combine all but cheese.  Bake uncovered 35 minutes.  Top with cheese.  Bake 10 minutes longer.   

So now that you have turkey and corn, you probably can supplement with your family's stuffing and green vegetable and yams (candied or otherwise).  I personally enjoy a little fresh cranberry relish on my turkey, but I don't know how to make that either.  So that only means one thing- time for dessert!  

Four years ago Michael and I went apple picking in Virginia, and realized we had no pie recipes.  Later that day we spotted a Woman's Day at the grocery checkout featuring a beautiful pie on the cover.  It's become our favorite- never disappoints.  And!!!  It's store-bought crust.  Don't tell my sister

Apple Pie

Crust:1 prepared refrigerated piecrust (from 15 oz package)

Crumb:

¾ c packed light brown sugar

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

pinch ground cloves

¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces and chilled

Filling:

6 Golden Delicious apples, (about 2 ¾ lb) peeled, cored and cut into ½ inch dice

¾ c packed light brown sugar

¼ cup all purpose flour

½ t ground cinnamon

pinch ground cloves

Directions

Arrange rack in lowest slot of oven.  Heat to 375°.  Fit piecrust into 9-inch pie plate and decoratively crimp edge.  Refrigerate until ready to use

Crumb: Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and cloves in bowl.  Rub in butter with fingertips until crumbly. 

Filling: In large bowl, toss together apples, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and clove

Spoon filling into pie shell, mounding slightly in center.  Top filling with crumb topping.  Place onto small foil lined baking sheet

Bake at 375° for 30 minutes.  Reduce temperature to 350°; bake 30 minutes more, until fruit is tender.  Loosely tent pie with aluminum foil during last 20 minutes.  Let cool for at least 1 ½ hours.  (Can be made a day ahead.  Cover pie and store at room temperature)  

Speaking of Al, she makes the best pumpkin pie known to man.  I do not exaggerate.  I attempted it last week for an office Thanksgiving celebration.  It is not for sissies, especially if you make your own damn crust.  I don't do that.  I was going to post it, but then I realized I don't even have her crust recipe.  So that will come at another time.  But, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, and lazy people who don't make pie, I leave you with Pumpkin Bread.  It's a simple quick bread, and quite versatile.  Works for breakfast, a snack, dessert, mindless munching.  It's delicious whenever you eat it.

Pumpkin Bread

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree

4 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2/3 cup water

3 cups white sugar

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.

In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.

Bake for about 50 minutes. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Happy eating, everyone.  And remember..... 

What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets.  I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?  
-Erma Bombeck

Nothing 'kicks off' the holiday season like a kick line

Sorry for the pun-ny headline.  Couldn't resist.

Last weekend was a whirlwind trip to Atlantic City for Michael's casino class (fun field trip, huh) and a jaunt to NYC.  Michael went for a hotel show and I went to see Al.  Guess who had more fun?  As you may recall, my sister agreed to see the Radio City Rockettes with me during our stay, and I had a bit of a run-in with ticketmaster.  I really wanted orchestra seats, but can I tell you something?  Our seats in the first mezzanine were PERFECT!!!!  I felt a teensy bit bad that I had a run-in with Luis, but then remembered how much I paid for the blessed seats and felt immediately better.  We could see the whole stage and the formations, and at times, could make out faces, too.  It was so much fun.  I could see making this a regular holiday tradition- sorry Al.  

Anyway, the trip was a blast, Michael did hotel stuff, Al and I saw the Rockettes and generally hung out together (with Bill and Broadway, of course) and I went to Loehmann's.  What more could a girl want?

An Exercise in Futility.... or Why I Hate Ticketmaster

Warning- a long post.  But the details make the story.
Next month I am tagging along with Michael on his New York city trip.  YAY!  An even bigger yay?  Alison agreed to see the Radio City Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular with me!  Ohmygosh!!!  I have loved the Rockettes since I began watching the Macy's parade.  In fact, each year when they appeared on the TV I leapt up from the couch and did my own solo kickline in the family room while my mom peeled 25 pounds of mashed potatoes for the family Thanksgiving dinner later that day.  The bookcases shook, I jumped around, hoping to be a Rockette some day.  Ironically, I fall within their requirement to be between 5'6" and 5' 10 1/2" tall.  I am not, however, proficient in tap or jazz.  Alas.

So this evening I logged on to the Radio City website to purchase tickets for my trip to Mecca-  I mean Radio City- in November.  Unfortunately, Radio City employs Ticketmaster as their distributor.  Have you ever used Ticketmaster?  They are awful.  You put in a price range and they inevitably give you the worst tickets in that price range, despite your request for 'best available'.  You cannot request a specific row or even section.  "Orchestra" and "Mezzanine" are as specific as we get with them.  Grrrr.

Now would be a good time to mention that I did a google search of the best seats in Radio City for watching the Spectacular.  The results were quite helpful..... any seat in NN through A.  Sections 300, 400 or 500. Tons of selection!  Lots of choices.  Excellent.

Due to the lack of specification options online, I decided to call Ticketmaster and request my specific seats. The first time I called, I waited less than 5 minutes to speak to Brian.  I clearly shared with Brian my preferred performance date and time and number of tickets.  After he asked my price range, I said I actually had a certain area of the theater in mind, regardless of price.  This resulted in much confusion from Brian, as he is evidently not used to searching this way.  I requested seats in double N as in Nancy through double Z as in zebra.  I was placed on hold.  No big deal.  Brian came back.  "I have two seats in row N, seats 308 and 309.  They are on the aisle"  I calmly explained to Brian that I actually wanted seats in "Double N.... Nancy Nancy" Row N is about 5 rows from the back, while row NN is about 12 rows from the stage.  Big difference, Brian.  I was placed on hold, and promptly disconnected.  Michael said he hung up on me because he was confused.

Undeterred by Brian's rudeness and/or incompetencies, I called back.  The wait time was again 5 minutes, but I had to jump through all these hoops with the electronic voice lady.  "Welcome to Madison Square Garden.  Radio City Music Hall.     Please state the name of the even you want tickets for.  Please state the date of the performace you'd like.   Now I will list all the times the show is performed that date.   When you hear the time yuo'd like, say it back to me"  GOOD LORD!  THis was not requried the first time.   I complied with crazy electronic lady and was routed to Alex.  I explained to ALex that I was on the phone with Brian and had been unexpectedly disconnected.  We went through the same song and dance with the performance date and time I wanted (evidently electronic voice lady and Alex are not communicating) I again explained that I did not have a price range but rather wanted to search a specific area of the theater for ticket availability.  Lucky for me, Alex seemed more with it than Brian.  He placed me on hold and came back to tell me he had seats in section 300 in Row T, and some other seats in section 500 in Row U.  Again, I reiterated that I was only interested in orchestra seats that were in double N (Nancy Nancy) through double Z (zebra zebra).  The rows he suggested were at the very back of the theater under the mezzanine.  I was not interested.  Alex put me back on hold, and I was promplty disconnected.  Again.

Grrr.  For the third time in 30 minutes, I redialed the 800 number for Ticketmaster.  I said "representative" to the electronic voice lady and this time had to wait 'less than 10 minutes' to get to an operator.  This time I spoke to Carlos.  Before we even got to my show of choice, I explained my phone woes with Carlos (and used the words 'very frustrated') and asked him for his direct line, should we get disconnected.  He was unable to do that, and asked if I wanted to speak to a supervisor about the problem.  I said I didn't care about a supervisor, just wanted to buy 2 tickets.  But I keep getting disconnected, and wanted to be sure to be able to complete a purchase, so I gave him my number, so he could call me.  Perfect.  We are off to a good start.  For the third time, I explained my date, time, and performance requirements to Carlos.  He even asked if I had a promo code.   "No I don't.  Do I need one to purchase these tickets?"  Carlos assured me no, that a promo code would give me a discount, but was not required"  He probably thought I was a nut.  I was on hold, but could hear Carlos typing.  A very good sign.   Carlos came back onto the line and said "Ma'am, I have seats in row NN, section ___"  and the PHONE WENT DEAD!   For real?

I gave Carlos a few minutes to call me back, and he didn't.  I actually said outloud: Come on Carlos.   I am getting very agitated.  Since Carlos didn't give me a direct number nor did he call me back, I had to call the damn 800 number again.  I shouted "representative" to the annoying electronic voice and waited, again, to speak to someone.  A woman (whose name I did not catch) answered and I explained my situation again.  Told her about disconnected phone calls, 45 minutes on the phone, and requested to speak to a supervisor.  The lady asked me my preferred performance date, time, and number of tickets, so that she could have it ready for her supervisor.  Then she asked to place me on hold.  NO!  I actually pleaded with her to please not put me on hold due to my track record earlier in the day.  She agreed to not hit the hold button and to instead place her headset on the desk.  I thanked her profusely.

Before too long, supervisor Luis came on the line to place my ticket order.   I told Luis about the issues with Brian and Alex and Carlos.  I expressed my frustration with calling Ticketmaster four times and being required to talk to the electronic voice and wait on hold in order to complete a simple transaction.  I want to buy two tickets.  I will pay any amount of money you ask.  Just get me into the damn kickline show.  I mentioned that Carlos said he had NN available but we got disconnected.  Could Luis please help me?  (FOR THE LOVE OF PETE)  Lo and behold, he could not!  All the seats in NN (Nancy Nancy) through ZZ (Zebra Zebra) in my requested section were available to American Express Gold cardholders.  The (few) available to the public had been sold.   The NN that Carlos had found was evidently in section 200, way off to the side.  Carlos offered me garbagey seats in the back of the house that I did not want.  I then asked if there were options in the lowest mezzanine level, since my website said that would be OK if no orchestra NN-ZZ were available.   Lucky for me there were two seats 6 rows from the railing, which is OK.  But I was still kind of ticket off.  I agreed to purchase those.  

And do you know what Luis said?  "How will you be paying for these tickets today, ma'am?  American Express is Ticketmaster's card of choice for transactions"  ARE YOU FOR REAL, LUIS?!  So without skipping a beat I said "Well, Luis, as we have already discussed, I do not have an American Express card, which is why I cannot purchase the seats I'd like.  I will be putting the charges on my Visa card."

In case you wondered, I did successfully purchase two tickets (on the visa card) and Al and I will be attending the show next month.  And we better like it after all that nonsense.

Oh Beautiful, For Spacious Skies....

Where liberty dwells, there is my country. -Benjamin Franklin

Happy New Year!

I just found a rather lengthy questionnaire on a favorite blog; it seems very appropo for the new year and an entry for today. I realize I have said nothing of Christmas, which was enjoyable and very COLD the last two days, what with a mini blizzard and all. Also I got a cold. But that was 2009, and here we are, launching into 2010. Which is NOT a new decade, media folks. 2001 was the start of the new millennium, thus 2011 will be the start of a new decade.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
I got married! (And along with that, bought a wedding gown, planned a wedding, etc. etc. etc.) Michael and I moved into our own house!

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't recall making any. I'm not usually the resolutions type... I say, if something needs to be done, do it, no matter what day it is.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! Molly (from AU) had baby #2 and Alexa (from high school) had baby #1, named JULIA :)

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. Grandma Bilz died in June :(

5. What countries did you visit?
I haven't left the country in quite some time, though I did cross a couple time zones on our honeymoon to Arizona.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Perhaps a job?! Oh that might be nice. And artwork on the walls of our house. And the Indians winning the world series, but come on, now. This should be a serious list.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Our wedding day, 9/19/09, stands out as the obvious biggie

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Oh I don't know- did I achieve anything this year? I became a wife but I didn't really do anything to become one, if you think about it. I helped keep a single family home in working order, which is also called 'basic living 101'

9. What was your biggest failure?
That job thing, probably

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not until five days ago while I was home. Thanks, Ohio, for the congestion and coughing to ring in the new year.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Oh, Michael would say our fancy pants HD big screen TV. And I enjoy it and can't think of anything else right now, so there it is.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My mother, for planning a wedding for children living 1000 miles away. Lots of phone hours logged on that one. Thanks, mom! And of course all the bridesmaids and friends for assistance in the previously mentioned celebration. Finally, Michael, for putting up with me, and for getting into Cornell's graduate program! WOOOOOOOOOOO

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Mostly celebrities... namely, Tiger Woods.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Into Michael's checking account when we combined our money. And also to the Osceola County tax collector.

15. What did you get really excited about?
The usual suspects: Space Mountain, ice cream, Ohio sports teams, taking photos

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Ironically, a song that was not written in 2009.... Don't Stop Believin' as performed by the Glee cast

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

- happier or sadder? About the same, probably. I don't remember
- thinner or fatter? I weigh the same as I did last year, but maybe with a smidge more muscle tone? So technically thinner (as in, less fat)
- richer or poorer? Richer because our two accounts have merged as one. But poorer since we are a one-income famiglia

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Relaxed and enjoyed the present moment.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Flitting about from task to task instead of focusing on one thing at a time. Perhaps I have found my 2010 NY Resolution?!

20. How did you spend Christmas?
We were in Ohio, as usual, with our families. The Sertich grandparents were in town, but Marissa was still externing, as the gang celebrated Christmas in the new house! Also, poor ML had swine flu, ick. My family role call was the same, as was our loud, joyful celebration.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
I darn well better- I have a husband now!

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Dude. GLEE!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Tiger Woods?

24. What was the best book you read?
It's a toss-up: One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus and The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Both highly recommended.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Sadly, I am an ignoramus when it comes to music. I do not recall making any discoveries, except maybe the Glee soundtracks, which is kind of pathetic isn't it? I have mostly oldies and goodies on my iPod

26. What did you want and get?
Lots of things! Most notable and concrete: A beautiful wedding surrounded by all the people we love. A new computer

27. What did you want and not get?
I don't remember having a list of wants last year, to be honest.

27a. What did you not want and not get? Lots of things! A nasty hurricane season, to name one

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
What movies did I see this year?! Well, I really enjoyed Star Trek and Up in theaters. And I think we watched Slumdog Millionaire in early January, so that counts, too

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 26 and PANNIE WAS HERE! Also, we had delicious cake.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I am a glass is half-full person and plead the 5th.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Tank tops, flip-flops and a pedicure

32. What kept you sane?
Pannie, Michael, Mom and Al, in no particular order. This is ironic because the majority of people on that list are NOT sane at all.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Same as always: Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman. Yes, I saw Invictus. No, I did not drool.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I hear about so many, since Michael is my political nerd... I'd go with health care of gay marriage. Different issues, but both mind-boggling

35. Who did you miss?
Family and friends we've met along the way who do not live in Florida and therefore don't see enough.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I don't even know who I have met this year - how pathetic.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Jules, you gotta relax. (TM Michael, who has been saying it since 2002. I am slowly learning this lesson)

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
This poses a great challenge to those who have trouble remembering words to songs... "Whatever comes our way, ah, we'll see it through/And you know that's what our love can do" Michael Buble, Everything