Fab Holiday Gathering

You know how when you plan things - they don't usually go quite to plan. I dare to tempt fate even further by creating a spreadsheet with food, activity ideas. Don't be impressed - it didn't help. I ended up going to HyVee and other stores five times in four days. 😑

I didn't get any pictures with our guests - except this kitchen shot. And our annual group shot on the steps. 

Despite the Thanksgiving holiday food prep cluster, the long weekend lived up to pre-event anticipation. Our kids/Nell arrived Wednesday night - no drive/flight issues. Nell is 15 months old - an age I remember as being "busy, requires constant attention". She's all of that but was content getting into cupboards on the approved list. She totters about in an adorable singsong voice chattering. Her parents have trained her to use sign language to indicate hunger, and full - so helpful. Nell still sleeps around 12 hours at night - waking up cheery. She's a messy eater, and is experimenting with utensils. Green food is not her favorite. 

On Thursday, Paul rose early to put the 17-pound turkey in. I'd made 2 batches of fancy (sour cream, cream cheese) mashed potatoes for the Crock-Pot, and whipped up Mom's Scalloped Corn recipe. Paul baked 2 pies the day before - Key Lime and pumpkin. Paul's sis Carol, her daughter Barb and family - husband Mike, and kids Greyson and Mandy were our guests. Carol and Barb brought salad, stuffed mushrooms, and a chocolate dessert. With all of that and stuffing (thanks Carol for gravy duty). We had plenty to eat. It was so fun to hang with family, especially after spending 2020 Thanksgiving alone. 

Thursday night we switched to Christmas with our kids. We ate leftovers and opened presents. Then we played trivia-type games, always witty with this group. 

Nell's first tailgate!

On Friday our whole gang - Paul and I, kids, and Nell drove to Ames to tailgate at the last ISU home football game. We loved it that they got to visit with old and new family friends including Jeff McFee, Steve Crittenden, Conovers, and our tailgating buds, McKims, Ehreckes, and Chaneys. Jud, Kara, and Paul went to the game - big win over TCU. The rest of us enjoyed Nell time. We may not have followed Jud's explicit directions, but she thrived despite our rookie moves. 😉

We went to Booneville for a Waveland breakfast Saturday morning and Amy and Corey caught a flight out that afternoon. We were sad to see them go. We're not sure when we'll see them again as they begin a new adventure - moving to NYC at the end of December. They were anxious to pick up their dogs - Franklin their alpha weenie had suffered a dog bite at the dogsitters. It sounds like he's on the mend. Jud and Kara's dogs Archie and Henry were at our place. Henry has epilepsy, so he takes meds, but he wasn't feeling well the first day. I hope he's on the mend too - such a good boy. 

Thanks to great weather Nell got to visit a playground. She loves slides and climbing on things. We love to watch her enjoying things.  

Paul made a prime rib that night and we savored that treat along with twice-baked potatoes (thanks HyVee). Chatting over and after a meal with your adult kids is so gratifying. After supper we watched "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" - a funny/touching old holiday movie with Steve Martin and John Candy. I got to serve breakfast to smiley Nell before she and her parents/dogs packed up (babies and dogs require a lot of gear!). Paul headed south to sit in a treestand and I putzed around doing laundry, putting things away - while glowing from a special family time. I'm still glowing. 

On December 2 we celebrated Patrick George Goldsmith's 30th birthday. Grief hit me that morning and I got a bit weepie, thinking of what we lost by not having him physically in our family. Six days is all we had due to a congenital heart issue - hypoplastic left ventricle. I remember the love our family received during Patrick's brief life and funeral - from family, friends, and even strangers. Patrick continues to impact our lives - we try to turn our grief into gratitude. But sometimes the hurt breaks through. Thanks to all who help us remember him. His angel food cake is delicious. 

after C Section - breech baby. That hair! 

Patrick's tree

Thankful - Where to Start?

Hi out there in blog-reading land! It's been a long while. Adele took five years to put out an album...it's all about timing/feeling. It's been a few months for me. Oh, I've written some things - but never hit the publish button. I'm not sure why I've been more reluctant to write the blog and share it lately - it's a strange time in my (all of our) life, this pandemic. 

I like to take photos and share what I'm doing. I also like seeing your photos and hear about what you're doing. 

Covid knocked me off of my stride. It knocked the whole world off its stride. Today and the future are forever changed. Ah, Road of Life, you are not smooth. I've blogged before about how our parents - mostly our mom - prepared the Bullock girls for rough roads. Though supportive, she was no helicopter parent. From that, I learned to bounce back from adversity. It isn't painless - and can be quite tough. On December 2nd, Paul and I will celebrate our baby angel Patrick's 30th birthday. His short life taught me many lessons. 

I've learned as a parent of Amy and Jud how hard it is to watch your children struggle. Teaching them resilience (with support) is one of the best gifts ever. Life will continue to throw up obstacles - health, career, relationships, ISU Cyclone teams (can't leave that out!). This Thanksgiving I'm grateful for the support of friends and family who make resilience possible. 

What are your plans? We are so excited to host our family for Thanksgiving (and early Christmas). Jud and Kara with Baby Nell will be arriving Wednesday.  Amy and Corey fly in that day too. I can't wait to see them all again. 

I set up a calendar reminder to take the 17 lb. turkey out of the freezer - never leave important stuff up to my memory 😆. Last year Paul and I were on our own for Thanksgiving since it was before vaccines were available. We're so excited to host local family on Thursday. Paul's sis Carol and our niece Barb, husband Mike, and kids are coming. We'll miss Paul's sister Jean and husband Dave who can't make it this year. 

I'm not a natural entertainer like my sisters and some friends are (if they're not, they fake it well). I'm jealous, but not enough to change it! When I start to stress about food/activities, my mantra is "it will be fine". Covid helped open my eyes to the fact that it's the people, not the food or house. 

We're so happy that travel is back - even if it requires masks! Paul and I are all vaxxed too. We are thankful that we've been able to hit the trail/road/air in recent months.   

-I traveled on my bike all summer after installing a trailer hitch on Bleuy, my car. I purchased an easy on/off bike rack and Albie, my bike and I were off - traveling to and riding on trails all around DSM - 40 miles a week. Exploring the trails was so good for my mental and physical health. 

-We hosted the Goldsmith fam reunion in DSM in August. It's the first time to get three generations together in over a decade. It was so fun to catch up with our nieces/nephews and meet some of their kids for the first time. And we got to show off our granddaughter darling Nell. (who turned 1 in September!)

-In September we attended UNLV vs ISU football game in Vegas. Jud and Kara were there, sans baby, having a good time. Those trips are good for parental mental health. We traveled with our college pals, Vic/Fred, Moose/Kay. After the game we traveled to several State and Federal Parks for sightseeing and hiking. The beauty of America astounds me. And beer is good everywhere. ;>) Kay did a great job planning out our travels, Moose drove us safely. It's a good travel group. 

Right after we returned home from Vegas and Utah, I drove west to Omaha to "group up" with Atlantic friends - some of whom I've known since preschool. There's nothing like hanging with friends who knew your people, and have known you through many stages of your life - child, young adult, and now as a "senior". Life stages are not as scary when you're surrounded by friends.  

We joined our ISU friends in Ames for several football games this fall. Tailgating was fantastic - food, friends, and a few beverages. The Cyclones haven't had the season we were hoping for, but talk about resilience - team and fans are still "All In". And the ISU Varsity Marching Band is awesome! Especially the drum corps.  

In October, a family wedding (congrats Eric & Molly) took us to California - touristing a few days with sister Cindy in San Fransico and Napa (thanks David and Lisa Lamm for hosting us at a winery!), before going to Half Moon Bay, just south of SF for the wedding. Gathering with family for a special event is simply the best!  

Assignment this week? Enjoy, and be grateful. 

The Smiths

We been hanging with the the Gsmiths the past 2 days. It's been great. First, we had an invite to our niece Barb's in Norwalk (right south of the 5 Bypass) for Thanksgiving. Bless her for getting me out of the whole turkey day production! We took wine, bread and a relish tray that we put together ourselves. No HyVee tray for us.

Barb and Carol

Barb's mom Carol (Paul's sis) helped with the food prep the day before. Good thinking! Barb's fam includes husband Mike, daughter Mandy a frosh at Dowling and Mike's son Grayson a college frosh at NYU/in NYC. Paul's sis Jean from Webster City was there with her husband Dave. Ham and turkey - with all the fixins'. It was all great - followed by pie and cheesecake. #reallyfull.

Dice golf

Dave shows us how to tie a shoe left-handed

After the big meal some of the gang played golf. No, not really. The dice kind. I'm not a game player - memories of playing with George Goldsmith, Paul's dad. The guy played for blood! I prefer to chat and enjoy life when I'm being social. It's always fun to catch up on everyone's lives - the kids and grandkids. Kara fit in well and she was nice to listen to Dave Fox stories. Jud said it was because she hates football that much. The Packers got drilled, but the Cowboys came through.

Food art by Jud and Kara - pilgrim hats and turkey cookies

After we returned home, while the guys finished watching the game, Kara and I worked on a craft. That's right - you heard me. A craft. She had sent information to Paul to cut out pieces of wood. I painted my ass off and got craft paint all over my hands. By the time we were done, a Bond movie was on. Kara and her mom are big crafters. She and Jud even did food craft!

Friday we headed to Earlville for the Goldsmith fam get-together. It was to be a smaller than usual gathering. Back in the day we used to get upwards of 40 people at this event, but now the the kids are growing up - many have their own kids. Friday only 15 were there and Jud (really Kara) was the youngest. Still it was fun. The Wisconsinites were there and Larry and Regina with son Craig - Kara's first opportunity to meet all of them. She didn't run screaming into the street - a good sign! Again there were more games, and snacks. It was a long drive for the day, but well worth the trip. Love those Goldsmiths!

Farkle

Fabulous gifts!

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Christmas Fairy Jean is wearing a Duck Dynasty hat...

Amy got to pick first!

Thanksgiving memories

Dad with Marty left and Jeanie right grew up at 909 Poplar in Atown.







Above - the living room at Momo and Bubba's.
Left to right - Momo, Mom, Dad with Cindy, Bub, Susi with our doggy bro Jud and me on my other Grandma's lap (we called her Gramma) My other gramps Pops must have been behind the lense.


I love Thanksgiving! It's a great holiday, sans much of the hoopla of Christmas. And turkey tastes so good with all the fixins.

When I was a child, I was mostly oblivious to all that went into Thanksgiving dinner. When my grandparents (Dad's parents, Wally and Zora Bullock - we called 'em Bubba and Momo) were still in good health and living in their home at 909 Poplar in Atlantic, we went to their house for Thanksgiving. It was the house my dad and his sisters grew up in.

It was a grand old two story house complete with a dank, dark basement and an attic with creaky stairs and insulation showing between the rafters. My sisters told me not to step on that stuff, because I would sink into oblivion. And I believed 'em! We usually entered the house from the alley - parking behind their detached single car garage, going up the walk to the porch and in through the large kitchen. Beyond the kitchen was the formal dining area which contained a beautiful table that sat 12 or so easily.

From the dining area, you passed through the formal entry area from the large front porch (complete with wooden swing). That room went on into the combination living/family room. To the left - the front of the house, were Momo and Bub's chairs and the center of their universe (by that time they were getting up there in years), the color console television. Bubba's pipe collection and tobacco sat by his chair. I loved to smell the stuff. Momo always had her Salem cigs by her side.

On the other end of the room sat Momo's upright piano. In between there was a gorgeous wood burning fireplace and a floral print couch. Momo's prized mirror (she never would tell anyone what it set her back) was in the room too. I hear Momo could play any song by ear, but I don't remember her playing the piano. There were built in book shelves that contained Momo's cruet collection. Connecting the living room and the kitchen was a long bathroom - stool, sink and a large bathtub.

The door to the dark basement was in that room. On the wall, in the plaster in the stairwell were my handprint belonging to Dad and his sisters Martha and Jean. The basement included the washer and dryer, and huge hold stove and the room where the coal was kept before gas heat was installed. There was a little area where we were sent to play - there were a few toys down there. But we never stayed long. It was cold and dark.

Inside the front entrance sat my favorite item - a pine chest of drawers that contained the toys and games. There was some type of board game - Speed Racer? Can't quite remember. It was old. There was a suede bag of marbles in there too. And tiddly winks. Remember that game? We used Momo's wrought iron corn muffin tin to "wink" into. I grew up thinking that was part of the game, until I was older and figured out those corn shaped things were for baking.

Stairs in the entry way lead up to the four bedrooms and bath. Bub had the largest room, and by then Momo slept in her own room. Bubba did oil painting and one bedroom kept his easel and paints, along with paintings in various stages. The forth bedroom was where we stayed when we overnighted with them. (it was a good jumping bed too).

In the middle of all those bedrooms was the door that led to the attic, up creaky wooden stairs. It contained various treasures including my aunties prom dresses. Along the steps there was a built in bookshelf where I found many beloved books - Happy Hollisters, Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew and more left behind by Dad and his sisters. I still have a few of those books.

Thanksgiving memories in that house are many and rich. Besides my immediate fam and M & B, various others attended through the years. Bubba's brother Max (un PC nicknamed Nig thanks to his dark skin tone and no I didn't get none of that...) and his wife Mary Lou, Hazel Marshall - Momo's bestie to name a few. Momo was a fab entertainer, and had a very quick wit. After we played and the adults had drinks (we always have been an evening eating bunch - no "dinner" turkey for us), it was time to eat. The table was gorgeous - complete with special china and a crystal turkey shaped cranberry dish. Black olives were featured on the relish tray - and they always made their way onto our finger tips.

A card table was set up for turkey carving next to the table. One year it collapsed, dropping the turkey to the floor. Momo whipped it out to the kitchen in a flash and brushed it off. Before we knew it she returned saying "good thing I had that back up turkey in the kitchen!" Many of us like dark meat so she would get 2 extra legs. And after we eat, dad would lay on the floor moaning saying he'd eaten too much. And I can never pass a time eating turkey when I don't think and say his fave phrase "Sherky toot in Kenver Dolorado" which came from an old joke about a drunk.

The best thing about my memories of Thanksgivings past at my grandparents is that I was too young to remember any unpleasantness. Or I've blocked it out. I'm sure there were harsh words at times, fighting and crabbiness (and that doesn't include sibling spats - that's just the grownups) dry turkey and too much alcohol. But not in my memory. I love Thanksgiving.