Playing Catch-Up

No, today's entry is not about playing with food, although it kinda sounds and looks that way. 

Every so often, I sift through a bunch of random, unrelated pictures on my Photo Stream and choose a few pics (Okay, it's more like a dozen, or two.) to show you what we've been up to. Most, if not all, of these images have been taken with my phone.

Ready? Set. Go!

We have had a much colder than normal winter, but we have had a 60 or 70 degree day thrown in for good measure. On one warmish afternoon, all five of us went for a bike ride. I simply had to take this shadow shot. Can you tell who's who?

On the cold, blustery days, which have been far too plentiful, I have been sorting though old family photos and boxes of stuff that we had cleaned out of my mother-in-law's house. Recently, I discovered a 1948 book of house plans entitled Small Homes Keyed to the Times. This 32-paged book had belonged to Mr. Smith's father. I am sure that Earnest had used it for inspiration to design a house that he built in the late 1950s. There are calculations written on several of the pages. 

This book contains 82 home plans with rather curious names. All of the names of the designs begin with the letter A. Abalo, Abest, Adcar, Aford, Agils, Allis, Ambit, and Angol are all in there. Those aren't even real words! Soooo, given the list of these peculiar, made-up names, I'm not sure how I feel about the name of the design that is pictured above...

Really? 

And, it's a pretty homely design, to boot. :-(

Let's move on, shall we?

My two favorite mechanics got their hands a little bit dirty as they replaced brakes and rotors on the Audi.

Drilled and slotted rotors add a little style to the Q. The clean wheels/tires also help to spiff things up. Best of all, there is no more brake squeak! :-)

Liesey's "Beaker" got a little love, too.

January 30

Does this picture qualify as a "selfie" since there are two people in the picture? Selvesie? Dual selfie? Selfie plus one? Twosie? Twofer?

I took the picture of the two of us at the DFW airport as we were waiting on our flight to here:

Portland!

A long weekend getaway to Portland/Vancouver, to visit my sister, was just the ticket. No Smithlings were invited.

February 6

There was not enough snow to cancel school on Thursday, which greatly disappointed a certain high school freshman. However, on Friday, school was delayed two hours. 

Although we received under two inches of snow, the roads and overpasses were slippery. No, I did not make our student driver put her novice skills to the test.

The radar looked like this.

The traffic map looked like this. 

There were so many accidents all over the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

The snow lasted a little more than 24 hours, but the cold temperatures have lingered a little too long for my liking. I am now ready for spring. Thankfully, 70s are back in the forecast by the end of this week. :-)

Wait! Why is she holding a bottle of vino? She's not 21.

Did you know that underage drinking is allowed in twenty-nine states? It's okay as long as said minor is on private, non-alcohol selling premises (private home or private office or other private property) and has parental consent. Texas is one of those states. 

There are ten states that allow underage drinking on alcohol-selling premises (bars and restaurants) with parental consent. Texas is one of the ten. 

To satisfy your curiosity, the other nine states are Connecticut, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

I did not know about the TX laws until we went out to eat at an Italian restaurant, and the owner of the establishment offered to serve all three of the Smithlings a glass of wine with their dinner. One Smithling is already of legal age, and the other two really didn't care one way or the other. 

We have always allowed our kids to taste whatever wine we have with a special dinner, so it's no big deal to them. They can take it or leave it. Ninety-nine percent of the time, they leave it. Or they choose to have Martinelli's Sparkling Cider instead. :-)

On a recent shopping trip to one of our favorite "foodie" grocery stores, our resident history nerd picked out a wine that looked interesting to her. The Federalist Dueling Pistols is a blend of Zinfandel and Syrah. Should that be dubbed a Syrfandel or Zinrah?! 

None of us have ever tasted this blend before, so who knows if it's any good. This wine sells for $35 a bottle, so we certainly hope it's tasty. Mr. Smith and I usually keep the bulk of our wine purchases in the $20-$25/bottle range. When we purchase wine at the $40-$50/bottle price point, we do so only after tasting it. 

This wine gets good reviews, it has an awesome label, and it's from Sonoma County, which is Liesey's birthplace. All of these factors played some part in the selection process; however, it's likely that the tie to a historical event ultimately influenced her choice. Our girlie plans on being a history professor, so she loves the fact that the name on this wine comes from the duel on July 11, 1804, between the original Federalist Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Hamilton was shot, and eventually died from his injuries. Two-hundred and ten years later, there's a wine with a name that references the fateful face-off that claimed Mr. Hamilton's  life. :-) A tasty consolation prize?

The winemaker notes that since dueling is no longer socially acceptable, solving differences over a glass of this "dual" of two kinds of grapes is perhaps a better solution.

We'll be uncorking this bottle when our middle child selects her transfer college. We should have a decision in March? April? (I am sure there will be a blog entry in there somewhere about all of that collegiate stuff.)

We will be celebrating indeed. No dueling. If there's a "duel," it'll be between any two of the eight universities (TCU, SMU, Washington University, Rice, Stanford, Pepperdine, University of Pennsylvania, and Butler) as they fight to get our daughter to attend their school. :-)

Cats are unimpressed by the college application/selection process. And discussing the merits of a nice bottle of wine is completely lost on them. Our cats are only concerned with catching enough Zzzzzz! Catnip and cream rate pretty high on that list, too.

Of course, I have pictures of Bartholomew and Jemima on my phone. I am not always sure how they get there, but they're there. 

Seeing Bartholomew all balled up like this is a very common sight, especially since he sleeps the better part of the day, every day. I am not sure how he avoids suffocation.

This shows what Jemima does to paperback books or anything that is printed on card stock. Do you suppose that my cat can read? It appears that she took the "MORE, MORE, MORE" part quite literally.

 During a rare wakeful period, the hairy beasties helped with dusting.

It's a good thing that our houseguests liked (tolerated?) our cats. Boss indeed.

My youngest frequently sends me interesting (screenshot worthy) Snapchats.
What a surprise to find a cat in a picture with Millie.

Here's yet another silly Millie Snapchat.

I don't even know... or rather, idek. 

I feel I must wrap things up, as I've got nothing else that'll top that image. 

Oh, how I love my girl!

Driving Ambition

Thankfully, our youngest daughter is not driving us CrAzY as she takes her turn in the driver's seat.

I cannot imagine what it would be like for a fifteen-year-old to have to learn to operate a motor vehicle in the DFW metro area, alongside millions of other drivers. There are days it's really difficult for us more seasoned drivers to navigate the highways of the Metroplex. Add inclement weather, detours, road construction, lots of traffic, and a few too many jerks, and there is never a dull moment.

Formal behind-the-wheel instruction has officially begun at our local driving school. I managed to snap a few pictures from the very first lesson without embarrassing the students. See?

Wait! That's not the right picture.

Here's the right one.

Our girlie looks like a natural behind the wheel. We are thankful that "Coach" is an excellent, experienced, demanding, yet patient instructor. This driving instructor brings new meaning to the term autocorrect. 

Millie and Mak automatically look good standing next to the fleet of hamstermobiles. You might even say that this duo has got Soul. Or maybe not. I'd say that. I DID say that, but bad puns tend to roll off my lips when I speak and fly off of my fingertips as I type. 

Okay, I'll stop now. 

Here are two more gals who also look good standing next to those same snazzy red Kias.

Of course, we LOVE Carroll Watkins Driving School. Our middle child has been working there for several years as a receptionist/secretary/assistant. And now she can add model employee to her résumé. Liesey got to pose for the Yellow Pages advertisement. No, she is not dressed as a hamster!

A Sunday With Extra Nuts

North Central Ballet's annual Nutcracker performances were extra nutty since all five shows were postponed until after New Year's Day. Nutcracker after Christmas? Yep! All of my Christmas decor was packed away by the time we attended the final Sunday matinee. 

Either we experienced belated visions of sugarplums or we have a really early start on festivities for Christmas 2014. 

The scheduled performances were supposed to take place in early December; the weekend that the northern part of TX got covered in a thick sheet of ice. It was not possible to secure the Will Rogers Auditorium until after the holidays. Better late than not at all?!  The show must go on, even if it's a little bit delayed, right?! Despite the change in the schedule, all five performances went really well.

Our dancer kept a lower profile in the shows this year, due to a full school and work schedule. We are so proud of our daughter! Liesey not only danced three roles, but  she also worked with several groups of the younger dancers, teaching them their roles. There were many hours of rehearsal both as a performer and a teacher. Yes, this is a "lighter" load than she has done in past years.

Role #1 was playing the part of Mrs. Silberhaus, party hostess extraordinaire. Soooo, if my 19-year-old is Clara and Fritz's mom, I suppose that makes me a grandma. YIKES! I'm much too young for that.

Number 2 Smithling's 2nd role was snow; always my favorite piece. Role #3 was Spanish.

These dancers are leaping for joy... it's the finale of the final performance.

This picture is also of the finale leaps, but it was taken from the wings. I think it provides an interesting perspective. Of course, I centered the shot on one dancer in particular. What can I say? That's my girl! 

I want to make it perfectly clear that I'm definitely not a stage mom. I like to say that I'm a "very much in the back, out the stage door" kind of mom. :-) Or maybe I'm an audience mom. I'm not really sure what my title should be. A very blessed and proud mom? That sounds good to me.

After the final final curtain, Clara gathered a few of her friends and they posed for a picture, or two.

Clara and her "Spanish" mom.

 There is always time for an autograph.

Millie, Liesey, and Mak are so photogenic.

Fan club?

I figured that this was an appropriate parting shot, as it sums up my dancer girl. (This must be the part of the story about the extra nuts.) My Spanish beauty is lovely, poised, graceful, talented, etc.; however, she is also pretty much a goofball. There is just enough of silly awkwardness to keep things interesting. It looks as if she might be channeling her inner Lucille Ball. 

See?

And I know exactly what Liesey will say when she discovers that I used the silly "fan" photo without checking with her first.

"Oh, dear!"

But then she'll laugh. 

She's a good sport -- I think. I hope!

A Traditionally Smoochy and Customarily Superstitious New Year

There certainly are some interesting traditions, superstitions, and customs that are tied to New Year's Day. 

One of my favorite customs is kissing at midnight to celebrate the special occasion. For those with a more superstitious nature, that "good luck" stroke-of-midnight smooch also ensures that the love and affection between the kisser and kissee will continue throughout the next twelve months. Pucker up! 

Some believe that the custom of making a lot of noise (yelling, banging pots and pans, and setting off fireworks) to usher in the new year not only serves to celebrate the happy event, but also is done to scare away evil spirits. Hmmmm... If all this noise is supposed to also occur at midnight, there is a conflict with the kissing thing. Tell me how it's possible to smooch and make a lot of noise at the same time -- without annoying the one you are kissing?

I've also heard about people who pay off all bills before January 1st, as it is not wise to start the new year in debt. (That is wise counsel any day of the year, right?!) However, you are not supposed to pay back loans or lend money or other precious items on New Year's Day. To do so is to guarantee you'll be paying out all year.

Another custom that is supposed to ensure prosperity for the upcoming year is to make sure everything in your household is stocked up -- a full pantry and a fat wallet.  

Some folks look to the weather as the new year begins. "If the wind blows from the south, there will be fine weather and prosperous times in the year ahead. If it comes from the north, it will be a year of bad weather. The wind blowing from the east brings famine and calamities. Strangest of all, if the wind blows from the west, the year will witness plentiful supplies of milk and fish but will also see the death of a very important person. If there's no wind at all, a joyful and prosperous year may be expected by all." (Thank you, Snopes, for verifying this superstition.)

When it comes to food, there are plenty of customs, traditions, and even superstitions that are tied to the start of a new year.

As I was growing up, our neighbor, Helen, always prepared cooked cabbage on January 1st. It made her house smell bad, but it surely was tasty! The greens had to be eaten cooked, not raw, to guarantee a good (root-tootin') start to the new year. Why cabbage? It is believed that the green leaves look like folded money and are symbolic of economic prosperity. Why cooked? Who knows. If all the noise-making and revelry at midnight didn't do the trick of chasing off evil spirits, the added aroma of cabbage cooking just might finish the job. 

Although Helen was a God-fearing woman, she was somewhat superstitious. I do know that she held more tightly to her Christian faith than "irrational beliefs" about the unknown. 

Helen and her husband never had children of their own, so she shared stories and beliefs with me and my siblings. She liked to have a lot of fun, and I think that she told us about various superstitious beliefs and notions just to carry on her family's traditions. She provided us with a great source of entertainment -- and good eats! I do wish I would've taken notes.

We always make a pot of cabbage stew at the start of a new year to honor Helen's memory. Lucky or not, it simply tastes delicious. She got that part right.

I don't open up umbrellas in the house or walk under ladders, just in case she was correct about those things, too. 

Our cats are brown. :-P

Now that we live in Texas, we have been instructed by our southern neighbors that cabbage alone just doesn't cut it. The word on New Year's Day is legumes -- specifically black-eyed peas. (And I don't mean the singing variety.) 

Legend says that during the Civil War, the town of Vicksburg ran out of food and supplies while under attack. The hungry residents discovered that the fodder for cattle known as "cow peas" could be made into a tasty dish for human consumption. The Vicksburgians felt fortunate to have this source of food, so that is why "luck" is associated with these legumes. After the war, a local PR firm felt that "rebranding" was in order, so the name was changed from cow pea to black-eyed pea, and the rest is history. Or something like that. I may have a few facts mixed up. Or I may have made up a detail, or two.

And let's not forget yet another food associated with New Year's Day; the tamale. I really do not care for tamales, so don't ask me to make them from scratch. I will buy them for the Smithlings. 

When we lived in California, one of our neighbors would prepare massive amounts of tamales and generously share them with friends and family. Mr. Smith and the kids always enjoyed being on the receiving end of that deal! I do make sure there are tamales in the house to honor our Cali connections, but don't expect me to actually eat one.

I just realized how much of an impact our neighbors have had on us. All three food items that we had on our January 1st menu were influenced by people we have lived next door to, at some time, somewhere in our lives. Interesting... We have had awesome neighbors no matter where we call home. And good eats usually are somewhere in the mix.

Do we really believe that eating these specific foods bring health, wealth, wisdom, and good fortune in the new year? Nope. It just tastes good, and brings fond memories to mind. Besides, we do not need luck. We are already blessed!

Happy 2014!

Jolly

Our house was filled with much laughter and good cheer on CHRISTmas morning.

It truly is better to give than receive, but the receiving part is fun, too!

The youngest Smithling decided to have some fun with her gift giving. Millie Girl used her hard-earned money wisely, and managed to purchase everyone a thoughtful gift. Our daughter's true creativity was shown by how she wrapped each of those gifts. 

Each family member was assigned a band member from her favorite group, One Direction. Yep, we were temporarily transformed into Niall, Harry, Zayn, and Liam. Millie was Louis, naturally. Her gift tags had only the image of the band member that we were representing, if that makes sense. Our real names were not on the gifts at all. Part of the fun was guessing who we were. I was Harry, which means that I am loved! (Harry is a close second to Louis...)

Yikes! I guess my daughter is turning into me. Ever since the Smithlings were wee ones, I have never put names on their Christmas packages. I never wanted to encourage the kids to compare the size of boxes under the tree to see who had the biggest gift. Nor did I want them trying to figure out what gift they were receiving in advance of Christmas Day.

I used to come up with elaborate alpha/numeric codes for each Smith kid. The code is simply written on the bottom corner of the package. 

There were a few times that I made an error in deciphering the code, but mistakes got resolved before the gift landed in the wrong recipient's hands. Whew!

This year, I decided to number each gift with the numbers 1 to 3, where 1=Oldest and 3=Youngest. Obviously 2=Middlest! It seemed too obvious, but no one even noticed.

So, what's with the Justin Beiber posters? Along with our real gift, each of us were given a poster of the Beibs. Justin Beiber has never been one of Millie's favs. She didn't want to waste her supply of One D. posters on us, so we got the rejects. We all thought it was pretty funny. 

No, there aren't any Beliebers in this household, so no one has hung a Bieber poster on any walls. 

Kindling?

 The purrfect gift?

 Much happiness! I guess she got what she wanted.

My youngest has a fashion sense that is...well...ummm...unique? She has an awesome sense of humor, too! I would have never thought of wearing riding boots with Victoria's Secret jammies AND running shorts. I'm sure this look would turn some heads. Louis appears to be impressed.

On the 26th, we loaded the sleigh and headed to Indiana for more family fun.

Oh, dear! I shot G-pa and his (rein)deer grandkids. You see the family resemblance, right?

 Obviously, we all got the memo about the "color of the day."

Oh, the games people play!
Quelf is a very silly game. And these people are pretty silly, too.

The Christmas "undecorating" at my Dad's house got underway, as we were blessed with a warmish afternoon. This unseasonably warm weather proved to be the calm before the next winter storm.

One of the most thoughtful gifts I received this year was a family cookbook that my sister compiled, edited, and published. Each family member had to submit at least one recipe along with a story about their submission. This book not only has lots of good recipes, but it also has lots of family history.

So, what's with all the cookies? To honor my Aunt Eileen, I made "her" peanut butter cookies topped with Brach's Chocolate Stars. I have fond memories of finding these cookies in my aunt's cookie jar. I love peanut butter and chocolate together, especially in the form of a soft, delicious cookie.  I was always amazed that my cousins actually had cookies around long enough to place in a cookie jar. At our house, cookies were pretty much devoured as soon as they came out of the oven. As you can see, the chocolate stars are smaller than Hershey's Kisses. They add just the right amount of chocolate to the mix. My seester even made a special trip to Walgreen's to purchase these not-so-easy-to-find candies, just so I could have a tasty walk down memory lane. SWEET!

Can you tell that I like snowflake ornaments? 

On New Year's Day, the slow, painful process of taking down the tree began. Sigh. 

Everything is all packed away until November 2014. I'll be ready and waiting. And, of course, as I'm decorating the house, I'll be devising my next secret "gift giving" code.