12.29.2014
"I Love Bee" - Art by Lucia Vernon
In going back through the photos from Lucia's birthday party, I somehow failed to include this.
Christmas on the Farm 2014
Another Christmas has come and gone, and before long we'll have to get used to writing and typing 2015, which is always a challenge for me. I'll still be writing 2014 on documents when Spring rolls around.
The whole holiday season, which culminated with Christmas on the farm with the whole family, was as merry and joyous as any I can remember, but I say that every year, and every year it is true.
While Jack and I didn't attend as many parties and gatherings as some people do this time of year, we had fun with family and friends on several occasions, handing out pint jars of our special homemade eggnog all along the way. Jack's dad, J.W., made classic eggnog from a first edition copy of "The Joy of Cooking" every year, and since his passing six years ago, we have carried on the tradition of liquoring-up a bunch of eggs, sugar, cream and half-and-half and keeping it icy-cold until the flavors have mellowed to perfection to "gift" our friends and ourselves.
As Mom said after she poured her first little glass on Christmas afternoon,"Oh, this is the good stuff."
Yes. Yes, it is.
What was once a crack-of-dawn, quick-as-you-can-get-here Christmas morning has mellowed into more of an afternoon thing, because Lucia and Beatrice want to be at their own house to see what Santa brought and spend some time checking out their presents before loading up and heading to Seven Springs. Of course, they're always eager to get to the farm for fun times with Nan-Nan and Papa, especially when they've been on holiday break and haven't seen Nan-Nan and Papa for a week.
Of course, the feeling is entirely mutual.
The Christmas food was as wonderful as ever, and everyone contributed something to our holiday feasting. I'm not even going to try to list everything - the photos tell the whole delicious story.
+
A huge pile of presents surrounded the tree and provided evidence of how good we've all been this year.
Beatrice, who hadn't had a nap but stayed in a happy mood, got tired of opening presents a couple of times and had to chill with one of her books, but Lu was wide-open for the whole day.
Those little girls bring so much love and joy to the family, and the time we all get to spend together as a family is a gift more wonderful than anything any of us could ever pull out of a box or bag.
Here's a link to all the Christmas photos -- Enjoy!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54684154@N02/sets/72157649591154317/
Stay tuned for Part 2 of Christmas on the Farm: T'was the Day After Christmas!!
The whole holiday season, which culminated with Christmas on the farm with the whole family, was as merry and joyous as any I can remember, but I say that every year, and every year it is true.
While Jack and I didn't attend as many parties and gatherings as some people do this time of year, we had fun with family and friends on several occasions, handing out pint jars of our special homemade eggnog all along the way. Jack's dad, J.W., made classic eggnog from a first edition copy of "The Joy of Cooking" every year, and since his passing six years ago, we have carried on the tradition of liquoring-up a bunch of eggs, sugar, cream and half-and-half and keeping it icy-cold until the flavors have mellowed to perfection to "gift" our friends and ourselves.
As Mom said after she poured her first little glass on Christmas afternoon,"Oh, this is the good stuff."
Yes. Yes, it is.
What was once a crack-of-dawn, quick-as-you-can-get-here Christmas morning has mellowed into more of an afternoon thing, because Lucia and Beatrice want to be at their own house to see what Santa brought and spend some time checking out their presents before loading up and heading to Seven Springs. Of course, they're always eager to get to the farm for fun times with Nan-Nan and Papa, especially when they've been on holiday break and haven't seen Nan-Nan and Papa for a week.
Of course, the feeling is entirely mutual.
The Christmas food was as wonderful as ever, and everyone contributed something to our holiday feasting. I'm not even going to try to list everything - the photos tell the whole delicious story.
*
-*
-*A huge pile of presents surrounded the tree and provided evidence of how good we've all been this year.
Beatrice, who hadn't had a nap but stayed in a happy mood, got tired of opening presents a couple of times and had to chill with one of her books, but Lu was wide-open for the whole day.
Those little girls bring so much love and joy to the family, and the time we all get to spend together as a family is a gift more wonderful than anything any of us could ever pull out of a box or bag.
 |
| Lucia wrapped and tagged her gift to Nan-Nan and Papa all by herself. Precious. |
Here's a link to all the Christmas photos -- Enjoy!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54684154@N02/sets/72157649591154317/
Stay tuned for Part 2 of Christmas on the Farm: T'was the Day After Christmas!!
12.15.2014
CORRECTED: A New Blog Post, Complete with Pics; Lucia Nell Vernon Has Turned Six!!
If you read that post, you at least have a little window into my writing process. Onward.
12. 10. 08, or as Europeans would write it, 08.10.12 -
Lucia's birth date is easy to remember. Look at it. Seriously.
Hers is a perfect birthday hopscotch, where the numbers are divisible by two and fall in order. Lucia has nothing to worry about from the universe. Her stars will always be aligned. She is a constellation.
She's a little skeptical and doubtful, and she takes life quite seriously, but that's fantastic and wonderful. She's has a level head and all the good Taurus qualities, said the Taurus aunt with a nearby birthday.
Seriously, I envy Bea's prime number, for it could excuse some of my contrarian positions on things.
It also increases the value of my hugs. just ask Jack.
Both girls are smart, wonderful, and cute as buttons. They were also ready for a party when the family gathered at Sis and Chris' house for dinner on Wednesday night.
Lucia picked the menu and requested her Nan's pinto beans with rolls, which is one of her favorite meals. Mom picked up some chicken strips and made a pot of macaroni and cheese to complete the plate. Everything was delicious, and Lucia entertained us during the meal by telling us all about the birthday party she'd had with some of her friends on the previous Saturday.
After dinner and before cake, Lu opened her presents, and Bea found a couple of packages with her name on them in the pile, too.
They both loved their gifts and couldn't wait to start playing with the toys they received.
Special mention goes to Sis and Lucia for baking their own cake from scratch and decorating it to beautifully depict an underwater scene, complete with fish, seaweed, and a coral reef.
I don't know what was going on with my white balance, so these photos have some totally weird stuff happening with them. Enjoy them anyway. I'll share a full album in a couple of days.
11.30.2014
Thanksgiving Feast
Another Thanksgiving has come and gone, and I have no idea how we got to the end of November so quickly.
The family all celebrated with Mom and Dad at the farm this year, and the table was a bounty of favorite dishes from our different kitchens. Mom, of course, roasted the turkey and made her traditional Kentucky-style dressing balls, along with several other tasty side-dishes. Sis brought her sweet potato casserole - or maybe that's Chris' recipe - a tasty fudge pie with pecan topping, and a carrot cake. Jack's contribution was his mother's traditional broccoli casserole, and I rounded out the table with a made-from-scratch green bean casserole using all-fresh ingredients.
We ate until we were stuffed, but that's the point of cooking so much food on Thanksgiving, isn't it?
The little girls were in a big way and glad to have some time on the farm - they love it there. Lucia drew out the seating chart, and I taught Bea a little bit about football during the Eagles - Cowboys game while she chilled on my lap during her post-nap re-emergence. After some cuddle-time, she was happy to help me mash the potatoes.
Bea naps like her Pammy - all the way under and for as long as we can get-away-with.
I carried my camera and should have taken some new pictures of the girls, but we were all underway with dinner preparations, and some occasions are more about living the moment than hoping little children will cooperate with an on-the-fly photo shoot.
The dinner and time with family was special and wonderful and merely highlights the list of things for which I am thankful this year and always.
Here are some cell phone photos of our eats --
The family all celebrated with Mom and Dad at the farm this year, and the table was a bounty of favorite dishes from our different kitchens. Mom, of course, roasted the turkey and made her traditional Kentucky-style dressing balls, along with several other tasty side-dishes. Sis brought her sweet potato casserole - or maybe that's Chris' recipe - a tasty fudge pie with pecan topping, and a carrot cake. Jack's contribution was his mother's traditional broccoli casserole, and I rounded out the table with a made-from-scratch green bean casserole using all-fresh ingredients.
We ate until we were stuffed, but that's the point of cooking so much food on Thanksgiving, isn't it?
The little girls were in a big way and glad to have some time on the farm - they love it there. Lucia drew out the seating chart, and I taught Bea a little bit about football during the Eagles - Cowboys game while she chilled on my lap during her post-nap re-emergence. After some cuddle-time, she was happy to help me mash the potatoes.
Bea naps like her Pammy - all the way under and for as long as we can get-away-with.
I carried my camera and should have taken some new pictures of the girls, but we were all underway with dinner preparations, and some occasions are more about living the moment than hoping little children will cooperate with an on-the-fly photo shoot.
The dinner and time with family was special and wonderful and merely highlights the list of things for which I am thankful this year and always.
Here are some cell phone photos of our eats --
 |
| Clockwise from top: Black Beans, Broccoli Casserole, Mashed Potatoes, Slow-Roasted Ham |
 |
| Asparagus Casserole (round dish) and Green Bean Casserole (rectangle). |
 |
| Clockwise from top: Sweet Potato Casserole, Asparagus Casserole, Broccoli Casserole, Gravy, Traditional Green Beans. |
 |
| Turkey and Kentucky-Style Dressing Balls; Black Beans. |
 |
| The full spread. |
11.16.2014
Sunday Message
I know many wonderful people who pay-it-forward every day of their lives with small gestures, words of kindness, compassion for strangers, and the simple beauty of their spirits.
The older I get, the more I treasure those traits in others and the more committed I am to finding those qualities within myself.
Human need is human need, and it is not my job to question the form it takes.
The older I get, the more I treasure those traits in others and the more committed I am to finding those qualities within myself.
Human need is human need, and it is not my job to question the form it takes.
11.01.2014
Project Runway: Bea V. Edition
I got five yards of this for $14. It's 60" wide.
For the "ultimate 2T collection," I'm thinking:
- Broad-pleat jumper with empire waist;
- Capri pants with 3/4 sleeve bolero jacket;
- Double-breasted "spring coat" - lined v. unlined? If lined, what color? Black? Hot pink? White? Orange? Bright green?
- Lined skinny pants with side zip and a chunky sweater/sweatshirt (or fleece poncho) with an appliqued bee on the front.
I picture these separates being worn with either black turtlenecks and tights or the bright, contrasting colors from the print.
I want Beatrice to love bees forever --
What are your suggestions? What would Tim Gunn say?
Pammy Sews
Sometimes we all get so caught up in the things we have to do that we forget about the things we love to do.
I recently got a refresher on this rule of life after Sis called and told me that Lucia had her heart set on being Princess Leia for Halloween and asked if I'd be open to making her costume.
My old Singer has been in the closet since the last time Jack and I needed Halloween costumes, but I dragged it out, blew off the dust, and got real about the task at hand.
As popular as "Star Wars" has always been, the costume patterns were discontinued years ago, and searches of eBay and Amazon left me frustrated and confused about the kind of people who spend sixty dollars for a used sewing pattern of "undisclosed" condition from thirty-plus years ago.
Other internet searches were more positive and provided all the direction I needed for creating my own pattern based on Lucia's measurements.
In the end, the force was with me - I don't know if it was arithmetic, intuition, or luck - and Lucia ended up with a fabulous Princess Leia costume, which, according to plan, had ample space underneath for warm layers of clothing.
Sis knocked the side buns out of the park by forming them around socks.
Beatrice was store-bought Minnie Mouse, and abject guilt already has me working on a real outfit for her, especially considering the kitten skirt.
I'd no sooner packed up and shipped out Leia's gown before I was tasked with creating Lu a look for "50's Day: A Celebration of Fifty Days of Kindergarten."
The out-of-print pattern I needed was available for less than suggested price on Amazon Marketplace from a dealer of used sewing stuff and arrived less than 48 hours after my order. A trip to the fabric store for felt and notions later, and we were in business.
Instead of the classic poodle motif, we opted for a cat theme in Lucia's favorite color scheme.
The skirt swallowed her whole, but she still looked adorable and will be rocking this skirt for 50's Day until at least 4th or 5th grade. I finished it at 4 a.m. Wednesday morning and fell asleep staring at it with a smile on my face.
Sis and I were so lucky growing up. Our Ma-Ma Harris loved to sew and constantly outfitted us with beautiful clothing I didn't appreciate at the time. We had matching outfits, not-matching outfits, dresses, and separates made with love and quality. When I wanted a lady-blazer for my seventh-grade 4-H Public Speaking competition, Ma-Ma Harris made me one.
In sewing for Lucia the last couple of weeks, she's been with me, reminding me to take my time. To clip the curves and press the seams with a hot iron. She wouldn't be happy with the zipper on the kitten skirt, but I couldn't find the right foot to use on my machine, and I will definitely do a much better job next time.
I've organized my notions and purchased some cute fabric to make an outfit for Beatrice. It's her turn. And there's enough left-over felt to make her a skirt to match Lucia's, and I've learned how to use math to make a circle skirt without a pattern. It involves pi.
I can't wait to start cutting.
Stay tuned.
I recently got a refresher on this rule of life after Sis called and told me that Lucia had her heart set on being Princess Leia for Halloween and asked if I'd be open to making her costume.
.JPG) |
| Lucia's vision for her Halloween look. |
My old Singer has been in the closet since the last time Jack and I needed Halloween costumes, but I dragged it out, blew off the dust, and got real about the task at hand.
As popular as "Star Wars" has always been, the costume patterns were discontinued years ago, and searches of eBay and Amazon left me frustrated and confused about the kind of people who spend sixty dollars for a used sewing pattern of "undisclosed" condition from thirty-plus years ago.
Other internet searches were more positive and provided all the direction I needed for creating my own pattern based on Lucia's measurements.
 |
| This is the back-view with the classic draped "hoodlet." |
In the end, the force was with me - I don't know if it was arithmetic, intuition, or luck - and Lucia ended up with a fabulous Princess Leia costume, which, according to plan, had ample space underneath for warm layers of clothing.
.JPG) |
| "Help me, Obi Wan!" |
Sis knocked the side buns out of the park by forming them around socks.
Beatrice was store-bought Minnie Mouse, and abject guilt already has me working on a real outfit for her, especially considering the kitten skirt.
I'd no sooner packed up and shipped out Leia's gown before I was tasked with creating Lu a look for "50's Day: A Celebration of Fifty Days of Kindergarten."
The out-of-print pattern I needed was available for less than suggested price on Amazon Marketplace from a dealer of used sewing stuff and arrived less than 48 hours after my order. A trip to the fabric store for felt and notions later, and we were in business.
Instead of the classic poodle motif, we opted for a cat theme in Lucia's favorite color scheme.
The skirt swallowed her whole, but she still looked adorable and will be rocking this skirt for 50's Day until at least 4th or 5th grade. I finished it at 4 a.m. Wednesday morning and fell asleep staring at it with a smile on my face.
Sis and I were so lucky growing up. Our Ma-Ma Harris loved to sew and constantly outfitted us with beautiful clothing I didn't appreciate at the time. We had matching outfits, not-matching outfits, dresses, and separates made with love and quality. When I wanted a lady-blazer for my seventh-grade 4-H Public Speaking competition, Ma-Ma Harris made me one.
In sewing for Lucia the last couple of weeks, she's been with me, reminding me to take my time. To clip the curves and press the seams with a hot iron. She wouldn't be happy with the zipper on the kitten skirt, but I couldn't find the right foot to use on my machine, and I will definitely do a much better job next time.
I've organized my notions and purchased some cute fabric to make an outfit for Beatrice. It's her turn. And there's enough left-over felt to make her a skirt to match Lucia's, and I've learned how to use math to make a circle skirt without a pattern. It involves pi.
I can't wait to start cutting.
Stay tuned.
9.25.2014
Fall Y'All
September has turned into bright blue skies, long afternoon shadows, and earlier darkness each evening.
And there was a rainbow.
While I'm not quite ready for summer to end, it has, and the arrival of fall isn't actually that bad. Leaves are barely beginning to change color and drop, unless you're our young buckeye, who shed her crown of golden leaves in July.
The kittens are still "Kinky" and "You're Not Kinky," though they have developed enough physical and personality characteristics to no longer require tail- or booger-checks for identification. Even Dudley has warmed up to having cubs in the house. And by "warmed up," I mean he's stopped hiding from them and will occasionally share a piece of furniture.
If it's been awhile since you've experienced the beautiful sprawl of a half-grown kitten sunbathing in the middle of your bed, find a rescue organization in your area and a cat to love. You won't be sorry. Little in this world is sweeter than the butterbeans and biscuits of a happy kitty. Numerous studies have found that pets make us happier and help us live longer, more productive lives:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-social-self/201107/friends-benefits-pets-make-us-happier-healthier
Hound dogs are also good.
And there was a rainbow.
While I'm not quite ready for summer to end, it has, and the arrival of fall isn't actually that bad. Leaves are barely beginning to change color and drop, unless you're our young buckeye, who shed her crown of golden leaves in July.
The kittens are still "Kinky" and "You're Not Kinky," though they have developed enough physical and personality characteristics to no longer require tail- or booger-checks for identification. Even Dudley has warmed up to having cubs in the house. And by "warmed up," I mean he's stopped hiding from them and will occasionally share a piece of furniture.
If it's been awhile since you've experienced the beautiful sprawl of a half-grown kitten sunbathing in the middle of your bed, find a rescue organization in your area and a cat to love. You won't be sorry. Little in this world is sweeter than the butterbeans and biscuits of a happy kitty. Numerous studies have found that pets make us happier and help us live longer, more productive lives:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-social-self/201107/friends-benefits-pets-make-us-happier-healthier
Hound dogs are also good.
8.24.2014
Wild and Mostly Wonderful
Indian Summer is upon us, and all is well at Camp Anderson.
The kittens are growing like crazy and fitting in with the family quite nicely. They grow and look more "catty" with each passing day. "Kinky" and "You're Not Kinky" are the only names to have stuck for longer than a moment, though we have learned to tell them apart without having to feel the tips of their tails. For one thing, Kinky always has a dirty nose.
When they went for their baby-shot boosters last week, they each weighed in at 5.75 pounds, and the vet predicts "big cats."
They seem as big as lion cubs when they fly around the living room during their nightly games of chase, using everything in sight as part of a their grand obstacle course. We have been able to successfully dissuade them from bothering our TV and electronic stuff. Most of the time.
They're like kitten angels when they sleep.
A major storm rolled through this area on Wednesday afternoon, and while we avoided any damage here on the home-front, some parts of the county experienced quite a bit of damage with downed trees and power lines, and several homes and businesses in the downtown area suffered damage.
A large tree fell in the backyard of our old family home on Foster Avenue.
In recollecting recent years, neither Jack nor I can remember a storm this powerful, and we were ready to jump into our safe place. Luckily, we didn't get to that point. Luckier still and despite the horrible weather, no one was hurt.
We've had some good things going on in the kitchen, and the local Farmers' Market continues to provide us with a bounty of delicious, local fruits and veggies.
Last week we made the same Spicy Orange and Honey-Glazed Chicken that we fixed for my birthday, but his time we paired it with some delicious cheese grits and okra, which we fried whole.
I used the back of a metal spatula to "smash" the pods until the ribs were all split-open, then they went into a buttermilk bath to soak for about an hour. I dredged them through a mixture of half cornmeal and half cornstarch that had been seasoned with a generous pinch of salt and black pepper before frying them about two inches of hot vegetable oil until they were golden brown.
The outsides were perfectly crisp and the insides were tender and delicious - just the way fried okra is supposed to be.
Late summer has brought color back to our yard with the blooming of wild sunflowers, native echinacea, and statice. Wild and wonderful --
Have a great week, everybody!
The kittens are growing like crazy and fitting in with the family quite nicely. They grow and look more "catty" with each passing day. "Kinky" and "You're Not Kinky" are the only names to have stuck for longer than a moment, though we have learned to tell them apart without having to feel the tips of their tails. For one thing, Kinky always has a dirty nose.
When they went for their baby-shot boosters last week, they each weighed in at 5.75 pounds, and the vet predicts "big cats."
They seem as big as lion cubs when they fly around the living room during their nightly games of chase, using everything in sight as part of a their grand obstacle course. We have been able to successfully dissuade them from bothering our TV and electronic stuff. Most of the time.
They're like kitten angels when they sleep.
A major storm rolled through this area on Wednesday afternoon, and while we avoided any damage here on the home-front, some parts of the county experienced quite a bit of damage with downed trees and power lines, and several homes and businesses in the downtown area suffered damage.
A large tree fell in the backyard of our old family home on Foster Avenue.
In recollecting recent years, neither Jack nor I can remember a storm this powerful, and we were ready to jump into our safe place. Luckily, we didn't get to that point. Luckier still and despite the horrible weather, no one was hurt.
We've had some good things going on in the kitchen, and the local Farmers' Market continues to provide us with a bounty of delicious, local fruits and veggies.
Last week we made the same Spicy Orange and Honey-Glazed Chicken that we fixed for my birthday, but his time we paired it with some delicious cheese grits and okra, which we fried whole.
I used the back of a metal spatula to "smash" the pods until the ribs were all split-open, then they went into a buttermilk bath to soak for about an hour. I dredged them through a mixture of half cornmeal and half cornstarch that had been seasoned with a generous pinch of salt and black pepper before frying them about two inches of hot vegetable oil until they were golden brown.
The outsides were perfectly crisp and the insides were tender and delicious - just the way fried okra is supposed to be.
Late summer has brought color back to our yard with the blooming of wild sunflowers, native echinacea, and statice. Wild and wonderful --
Have a great week, everybody!
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