what we keep

So far this year has been very contemplative for me. Soul searching. A reminder of what is important. Who is important. The new year, mixed with high emotions from the end of last year and the hospitalization and death of my grandma have put me in an almost peaceful content mood (most of the time at least).After my grandma died her house needed to be gone through, of course. What a job. Emotional, exhaustive. How does one decide what to keep, what to toss, what to donate? Because it was only my aunt, uncle, and one cousin (the lovely Lorinda) we had to make decisions for the rest of the family. I believe we made good ones.

Of course most of the things in my grandparent's home are sentimental to us. But, what to keep? Obviously the person isn't their objects, objects not the person who owned them. However, there are certain items that can help bring us that feeling of a person. Remind us of them.
So, what did I keep? More than I expected to. A few things that are just things - a great, old Tupperware caddy and a vase that I don't ever remember seeing. A little metal figurine of a man in a barrel that I assume was my grandpa's. A necklace of my grandma's. However, those things aren't the things that stirred up my emotions.

So, what made my heart sing? What did I feel like I HAD to have?

Well...for starters Mark Twain up there. He always sat on a coffee table next to the shot glass stage coach. My grandpa had a collection of items from the McCormick Distilling Company. What is great is that Mark Twain's head comes off...he originally came full of bourbon.

And the toaster salt and pepper shakers (picture above). My grandma had a vast collection of salt and pepper shakers. Some were quite remarkable. When I was about 7 or 8 I bought her the toaster ones at an antique shop. If you lift the handle the toast pops up. I love them. Always have. Now they sit above my stove, not to be used, but to be loved. I also grabbed the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox shakers that I bought her on a trip to Minnesota with my other grandpa.

She also wanted me to have her knitting needles. In the hospital I told her I was learning to knit. Even though she said I "have a long way to go" she was excited and insisted I take them. I will never have to buy knitting needles. I guess this means I need to continue with this hobby - at least long enough to knit purple scarves for me and my cousin! :)

There are a few other items I picked up, however the one I will treasure, that both Lorinda and I cradled in fear it may be damaged is the cookie jar. It would figure I would have a love of the cookie jar. When we walked in the house it wasn't sitting on it's spot on the counter. I was confused and I could see concern in Lorinda's eyes. I turned around to talk to my aunt and in seconds Lorinda comes to me cradling the bird and handed it over to me...makes me tear up thinking about it even now. I love the birdie cookie jar - I need to fill it with some oatmeal cookies soon, but most of all I love my grandma, I love my cousin. I love that I have a family so rich in blessings.

Have a great love week all! Enjoy!

friday.

This "week in my life" project is really fun. Even when I don't take the pictures I mean to take just slowing down and really thinking about the little things has been such a blessing this week.

Today was all about home. I put on my iTunes play list (an eclectic assortment of music) and cleaned away...with the aid of coffee of course. I'm getting the house in order. Cleaning. Purging. Organizing. Enjoying. Troy and I seem to do our "spring cleaning" in the fall/winter months - saves the spring for enjoying the rain and sunshine...My first cup of coffee for the day. Checking emails, facebook, twittering, and cruising blogs before the real work starts.
There has been a lot of change in my daily life this (school) year. I'm not teaching this year. I am doing academic testing for special education referrals and a little subbing along with my cemetery work and volunteering at the museum. The thing is I don't have a set daily schedule and I like that, however on days that I'm not "working" I can get a little restless. And then on the days I do work I can feel a little out of control. One of the tools I implement, mostly for myself, is a week calendar. I love it. I write down my jobs then fill in "to-dos" on other days. I used this kind of calendar for the family when I was working/going to school - it helped with knowing who was where and when. Anyway I am adjusting to my new "schedule" fairly well and enjoying the flexibility.

Another cup of coffee. Look at the pretty cream swirls. One of the main reasons I like cream. No, just kidding...I like just a tad bit of flavor. Loving right now: Coffee-Mate Italian Sweet Cream - not too sweet.

Our sweet Spazzy Jazzy all cuddled up. She is such a relaxed cat. We love her because we can scoop her up and cuddle her, carry her around, do all those things that little kids like to do with cats but usually can't. She would be a perfect little kid cat. Since we are like little kids in this house she is perfect for us. She loves to be "tucked in" when she is sleeping and usually doesn't mind if we wake her from a sound sleep to play a little. Such a good sport.
Really, tell me that isn't adorable. She woke up to play a bit with Troy, stretched out long enough for several pictures then curled back up and cuddled back in.

moment

A wonderful spring moment: Home after an uneventful (that is GOOD) day at school, sitting on the back porch in the warm shade, reading a book, a slight breeze brings me the delightful fragrance of lilacs. Love lilacs! Happy Spring!

rhubarb custard pie

Rhubarb Custard Pie recipe (via my fabulous mother-in-law Lee!)

3/4 cup of sugar
3 tablespoons flour (slightly rounded)
1/4 cup butter (melted - like liquid, not just soft)
2 eggs (beaten)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
pinch of salt
unbaked bottom pie shell
Rhubarb
*cinnamon/nutmeg/raw sugar to sprinkle on top (optional - we put on the last 25 minutes of baking or so)

Stir flour into sugar
moisten with milk (a tablespoon or so)
add butter, eggs, vanilla, salt & remainder of milk
*stir until thick and custard-y...

Pour mixture into unbaked pie shell. Add rhubarb on top. (The recipe calls for 1 cup, but we tend to add MORE - 2 cups or so or until the filling is up to the bottom lip of the crust).

Bake 20 minutes at 375.
Bake 25 minutes at 300. It is finished when knife is pulled out clean and it should jiggle a little. You may need to bake it for a few more (up to 15) minutes if the custard is too far from set - you be the judge!).

EAT. Eat warm. Eat cold. Eat with ice cream. It is delicious!

the problem with rhubarb pie

...is it doesn't last nearly long enough.

Today Troy and I made a rhubarb custard pie. I cut the rhubarb and made the crust, Troy made the custard. It is delicious.

I think a crisp is on it's way soon.

And...the rhubarb ice cream? Complements the pie very well...not to rhubarb-y! Just perfect.

Here's to lazy, pie baking, sunny Sundays!

*stuff* on Saturday

Ready for some super Saturday *stuff*?

First, got some rhubarb from the fabulous Shelly. Thank you much ma'am and I am sure my family will much appreciate it even more once I make something. Yummers.

When I went to pick up the above mentioned rhubarb I found a book waiting for me from my dear friend Tami. I love when a friend recommends a book and drops it off...yay!

I went into Bellingham and went with my mom to the Bellingham Farmer's Market. I hadn't been there for several years and was very impressed with the whole thing. The new building, the set up, the size, the amount of vendors. It was great. I found some cupcakes (I do LOVE cupcakes) from Icing on the Cake, a local company...and the cupcakes were fan-flipping-tastic! I also bought some lemon-verbena natural salt polish from Kristie (my aunt's sister) who owns Birchwood Botanicals. Love her stuff!

Then last, but NOT least, we went to Mallard's. If you are local (Whatcom County) you no doubt have at least heard of Mallards. Most likely you have been there. You have been there right? No? Go. Now. Drop what you are doing and GO! When Troy and I lived in Bham (prior to the arrival of sweet Archer) we lived within walking distance of the old Mallard's location. Wonderful. Lovely. Love it....My dad has been raving (since last year) about a certain type of ice cream they make there. Of course I love ice cream (and cupcakes) and the ice cream sounded good and I thought I should try it. My parents have been going weekly waiting for this ice cream and today...today it was there...I am holding out...it is...wait for it...

RHUBARB ICE CREAM!!!! Yummers. Delightful. Get some because I am not sharing mine! :) haha They also have a rhubarb ice for those who can't have/don't want dairy (the ice was good too I promise)!

Okay. So next weekend or some weekend real soon go to the Bellingham Farmer's Market and eat crepes (oh yea they had a guy there - from FRANCE who makes crepes - yum), stop by the Birchwood Botanicals booth and say hi to Kristie then go to Mallard's and get some Rhubarb ice cream...

Hey Cheryl, guess where we are going next Saturday? (well...unless it is raining then it will have to wait...)

You can see why I might have been worried...

When I went to pick up Archer at Sparring/Hapkido last night I walked in and saw my child practicing kicks with a friend. Then practicing some rolls...All of this is very normal so I turned my attention elsewhere - to the absolutely adorable 7-month old sitting next to me. Seriously adorable!

When I looked up I was a bit (not a lot) surprised to see my child, my little boy (haha), learning to use num chucks. Really, wouldn't you be a bit worried? Especially after seeing him whack himself in the head once or twice. The master who was teaching him came over when he saw the look on my face...The num chucks are foam rubber (oh thank goodness). Then went on to explain that when he learned they were wood filled with steel...Uh- YIKES!

So, Archer convinced me he needed num chucks so he could practice. He wants to participate on the demo team (possibly) and he would need to practice. Right? He is very convincing...The pictures aren't great, but I didn't really want to take the time to adjust settings and he didn't really want to pose...Imagine that.
In other news. I went shopping with my mom on Wednesday and being that Archer really needs new shoes we took a trip to Famous Footwear. They were having their buy one get one half off sale! Love that sale. I found these little cuties for $24...(ended up $12! Yay). Aren't they cute?
And for those who are thinking about mycaloriecounter.com....GO! It is such a great tool. I love the daily charts and the progress charts! (p.s. I've lost 6 pounds! yay!)

Luxury

I am not a luxurious girl. I don't need fancy things - I'm not a jewelry girl - or even really enjoy getting dressed up to the point of uncomfortable. When I think of luxury (for myself) I think of comfort. Comfortable and cozy - that is luxury to me.

So, when I opened my birthday gift from my parents and it was a bag from Macy's filled with towels I was thrilled. Big, fluffy bath sheets to be exact and a bath mat for my tootsies to greet after the shower. Last night I took my first shower with my new big, fluffy bath sheet waiting for me at the end. I was in love right there. I forgot what really nice towels could feel like. Granted the towels we have were nice once - 13 years ago when we got them for our wedding. It was a wonderful feeling - I think of it as pure luxury. I will never go with out big, fluffy bath sheets again! That is my promise to me.

Thanks mom & David!

New thing to occupy me.

As many of you know I love to read. I love quotes. And I get addicted (only slightly - haha) to new things fairly easily. Over this past year or so my new obsessions have ranged from mySpace to Good Reads to Webkins. Well, my newest love is the quote feature on Good Reads. I have replaced my quotes on my sidebar (go look) with a quote widget from Good Reads. This combines my love of reading, of cataloging
my books and quotes. I love it and there will be new quotes for you my friends on my blog! Your welcome (of course it was all for you...).

Secondhand Rose Mosaic

Here is a selection of photos from our trip to the antique/thrift/junk store - Secondhand Rose. What wonderful photo opportunities!

Heaven.

I went shopping with Cheryl at Costco today and I fell in deep love with this chair! It reclines and massages...It is pure joy! As a matter of fact it is called the Human touch iJoy chair. And as the name says I JOY this chair! So if anyone out there feels the need to buy me an expensive present I would really love this chair! I may never leave the house again, but I would be so happy!