Casseroles

My mother, Pat Bullock, was a casserole queen. She started married life as someone who didn't know how to cook. Lucky for her, she was so gorgeous and smart, Dad didn't mind. #hemarriedahottie

My parents, so young! and Dad's parents

Then she popped out four daughters in eleven years. Dad started traveling the state of Iowa Monday through Friday, repping Lorraine Lingerie. Mom learned to cook the basics. Susi, Cindy, Betsy and I laugh about the things she served us. I don't know how she stayed sane, cranking out meals every night, week after week. No wonder Mom came up with exotic delights like open face hot dog buns with hot dogs and cheese - broiled in the oven. Toasted ham salad sandwiches - ugh! We'd usually also have a salad offering like a canned pear slice on a bed of lettuce with grated cheese. The lunch menu was a peanut butter sandwich that includes a crisp piece of iceberg lettuce on white bread. Campbell's soup - chicken noodle or bean with bacon.

Mom at the stove

Dressed up to cook! 

You know I didn't really pay attention to my mother's needs when I was a kid. Most kids don't. Moms are service providers, right? I feel so fortunate that she worked hard to provide for all of our needs, raising us in our ranch house in small town Iowa. It was an idyllic childhood - one I remember fondly. Our parents didn't need to arrange play dates, the neighborhood was full of kids - families of four to seven running loose on foot and on bikes. At meal time she hollered for us or rang the bell by the back door. We came running.

My Mom didn't have aspirations to be a short order cook. Like many in the post-WWII era, she was a stay at home Mom. In her later years, I learned how much that took a toll on her own ambitions. She graduated from the University of Iowa, tops in her program - Political Science. Mom was busy in our little town - a valued Red Cross swim instructor in my younger years, a Cass County Hospital Board member, and she was active in the Republican Party. But she must have had that "woulda/shoulda/coulda" feeling - if only she'd been born later.

Mom's Thanksgiving dinner

My own years of meal planning and cooking - with the equal partnership of my spouse, increased by admiration of the job Mom did keeping us fed. Even if I do look back laughingly at the menu. In her later years Mom became a good cook. She worked at it! And Dad was the grillmeister. My sisters are all good cooks. I prefer cleanup duty - but can put together a recipe when pressed into service.

Of course, Mom cooked AND took the photo! 

Some people don't like leftovers. I thank Mom for my love of leftovers and the marvelous concoctions we call casseroles. She was especially good with Thanksgiving leftovers. Yummo!

I've never had the magical ability to combine the ingredients to end up with a meal. Thank you, Hamburger Helper! (Amy and Jud may not agree). This work outside the home mom needed all the help I could get to put meals on the table after a long day. We didn't always eat meals out of a box. There were jars (Prego) and cans (Cream of soups) included too. Spaghetti, chops, parmesan chicken, enchiladas and everyone's favorite (okay Paul's and mine) hamloaf. Not a lot of good fish available in SW Iowa back then. We did make a lot of soup - in the Crock Pot and clay cooker. I did have a few fave casserole recipes.

Casseroles mean more to me than food. They mean mealtime - togetherness. That's the best part. It isn't always easy to get the family together for meals once the kids hit sports practice age. Mom would keep a plate warm for me. We did that for our kids. Paul and I still try to eat at the table each night. Unless the Cyclones are playing. We do have our priorities!

Alex got married!

I remember the first time I met Alex and his twin younger brother Paul in March of 1990. The two little guys were so very tiny - weighing in at around 6 pounds at birth. Amy and Judson each crushed that weight - entering the world at over 9 pounds.

That's Alex on the right, Paul on the left

And there were two of them! If one wasn't crying, eating or pooping, the other one was. The idea of twins (or more) is cool. But the reality is overwhelming - and I was only there a few days. I was glad to be part of their early days. After I left, poor Betso got sick with toxic shock and mastitis. Despite all that, A & P grew. Soon to be joined by three siblings. Such a cute fam. It's been fun watching them all grow up - from two time zones away.

2000 Cannon Beach

The good news is that we've had many occasions through the years to see each other. I chuckle thinking about the time niece Leslie and daughter Amy heated up one of the kid's bottles in the microwave for something like 4 minutes. Can you say HOT? Good thing Betso was right there to take charge.

In the last ten years, we've enjoyed spending longer periods of time with the Kohans every other year in Cannon Beach. Alex has always been a fairly quiet guy - unless we were talking about sports. While Alex attended college, his summer job was with the city - a summer camp with kids. He found out how much he loved working with special needs children. That led to extra innings in college while he pursued credits in education. Alex lights up when talking about this topic and his students. Then he met Lisa a fellow teacher. More lighting up! So we weren't surprised when they became engaged last year.

Christine, Paul, Jud, Kara

Scenic view at the winery - and our fam

We were so glad we had this date: 8/4/18 on our calendar all year. Our whole fam was attending - along with my sisters and brother-in-law Jim. Our family hadn't been to Kennewick, Washington since 2000. We all converged in town by Friday for a big family meal at a winery that night. (The rehearsal was the night before.) We had a great time catching up with family and friends. I enjoyed hearing the kids visiting with their cousins. Lots of laughter!

On Saturday, we had some time to explore before the festivities. Our family and Aunt Cindo decided to check out the local a mercantile and a couple wineries. We tasted lots of salsas, pickles, nuts and many wines.

The second place had a wine pourer from South Carolina whose husband was on the Clemson championship team in the 80's. It was a fun time. The views were stupendous!

Then we were off to the Promise Garden for Alex and Lisa's outdoor wedding. It was such a lovely day, upper 80's - not nearly as hot as it could have been. Their vows were straight from the heart. Everyone looked so beautiful and handsome. Then they were announced as man and wife!

We dined on Olive Garden and delish treats and cake made by the bride's mom. Let the dancing begin. Betsy admitted her mother/son dance brought tears to her eyes. It is a special time. Then, seeing that wedding ring on your son's finger. It seems so grown up. Congrats to grown-up Alex and bride, Lisa. We're glad you found each other.

We all had such a grand time laughing and talking. Of course, they played Love Shack. As usual, one of my favorite times was just hanging with our kids. After the wedding, riding back in the rental van, listening to Amy, Corey, Kara, and Jud (with a few additions by Paul and me) talk about shows they watch on TV. Their interactions and genuine friendship. Love.

Welcome to the fam Lisa! 

Coasting

It's been beastly hot (what does that actually mean??) in Iowa this summer. 2018 lurched drunkenly from winter straight to summer. No polite chill in the morn, warmer by day spring. May sported temps in the 90's and plenty of rain. June seemed to like that and copied.

Then we had wacko 4th of July. You working folk know what I mean. Wednesday on the 4th is the worst! I love Independence Day, but I hate to admit it. This one was a dud. The Des Moines area sites didn't quite know when to hold festivities.

Yankee Doodle Pops, the big event complete with symphony and fireworks in the shadow of Iowa's gorgeous State Capitol, was on Monday night, July 2nd. What? That event ran late. Some of us had to work Tuesday. Paul and I had a quiet good time in Valley Junction Tuesday evening and kayaked on the 4th. Our neighbors entertained with fireworks in a nearby park. I kept thinking that at least this year there was no Odie to be scared. I missed that.

Yeah, I know. I sound a little bitchy. I like to sit on my deck. It's been too hot - even for me. Paul and I were more than ready to fly out July 7th for our bi-annual Bullock Girls family reunion in chilly, refreshing Cannon Beach, Oregon. We love the place our sis Betso and husband Wayne discovered - some five hours away from their home in SE Washington State.

By Saturday evening all the "adults" had arrived. It's hard for me to accept the fact that all of our children (even Baby David) are technically considered adults. So I am using that label for my generation. We sat at Betsy and Wayne's condo, one block from the beach and enjoyed each other's company - catching up! Susi and Jim had driven in from Grand Junction with a night in Idaho. Cindy, Paul and I flew into Portland.

On Sunday morning we started our beach walks. By my calculations, we walked about 27 miles that week - Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, The longest day was Monday, coming in just under 8 miles as we walked in the afternoon too. The weather was fab (around 60 degrees partly sunny) and if you've never experienced the NW beach, consider it. The surf makes a delightful noise and fellow beachgoers bring dogs. I love watching them!

Kohan men minus Eric 

S'mores night

The Kohan clan (we'll call them kids) started arriving Sunday. Baby David will be a junior in college this year. Eldest of the fam (by scant minutes) Alex and wife-to-be Lisa joined us for supper that night. It was our first chance to make an impression on Lisa, and Betsy reports she was not frightened away - even by my off-color stories, which made Susi giggle all night.

I was glad to relieve Susi's stress. She and Jim were awaiting the birth of their 4th grandchild the next day. My niece Leslie was scheduled to be induced Monday morning. We spent Monday getting text updates on progress. Les looked amazingly lovely in labor. They do things prettier than in my day! A healthy baby girl was born by mid-afternoon. Then we were on name watch! Lillian Elise Lopez - the name is just as gorgeous as this little girl, beloved by her brother James, mommy, daddy Jordan and many more. Can't wait to watch her grow.

I stole this pic off Facebook. Aren't they adorable?? 

The rest of the Kohan kids arrived Monday. Paul (the younger twin) with girlfriend Christine, and Sarah - new college grad and soon to be law school student. We missed Eric, studying for the bar exam. I've so enjoyed getting to know these young people during our times together at CB.

When some people go on vacation, they can check off a bunch of activities - places they visited, sites seen. Nope! On Tuesday we (Paul, Cindy, Betsy, son Paul and daughter Sarah and me) did venture south to order Dungeness crab at Jetty Fishery Marina in Rockaway Beach. The shopkeeper was very friendly, helping us decide how many crabs to order (1 per person). We made plans to stop back to pick the crab up after it had been steamed and put on ice.

Then we headed onward, through Tillamook. We did not stop to see the cheese factory but it was tempting. We had wine on our minds. It was about an hour's drive inland to the Risdall Ranch Winery, a beautiful location that boasts a large Christmas store. It was a fun trip. That night, the crab was so very delicious!

On Wednesday, Paul Kohan made us Bloody Marys and we watch the World Cup soccer match. On Thursday, our cousin Leslie Morehead and her husband Bob came in from Portland/Astoria for a visit. Christine cooked up lumpia, a Filipino treat similar to egg rolls. Paul and Wayne grilled salmon. It was another culinary success. Kudos to both Betsy for her superior large-scale meal planning skills when it comes to meals. Raising five children prepped her magnificently!

With our cuz Leslie Morehead

Besides a few trips into Cannon Beach "the city" and stops at Warren House, Bolder's favorite bar, that was about it.

• Coffee, muffin
• Walk on beach
• Rest
• Lunch - sandwiches or at our fave, The Driftwood in Cannon Beach
• Shop a bit
• Rest, read
• Cocktails with conversations - priceless
• Eat
• Early bedtime. It stays light late on the West Coast

Saturday came too quickly once again. The good news was we would see each other again soon in the Tri-Cities, Washington for Alex and Lisa's wedding. Our children will join us nearly a year after Amy and Corey's wedding. It will be fun!

Cindy Paul and I drove back to our fave funky town, Portland for the evening. We had a super early flight, so we kept it simple, hitting Henry's Tavern and Powell's City of Books. I just love the vibe in that city. I'd put Oregon in my top four states:
Iowa
Colorado
Oregon
Florida

Probably because I've spent quite a bit of time in each of them.
Which states do you like?

Time with our family is priceless. When our father passed away after Christmas 2006, we vowed to continue to "group up". At events like weddings, we're always so busy that we don't get to share the details about health, life changes, friends, and jobs. Our bi-annual sister reunion allows time to just be together. That's the best!

Walking together through life

December Not Chillin'

Last week was a busy chilly week. I didn't get to snuggle with Odie in my comfy chair in the evenings. Instead on Monday, we went to Bravo at Jordan Creek for the Diamond Brooke Christmas party. We enjoy hanging out with our neighbors who we have gotten to know during the five years we've lived here. Bravo seemed to struggle with new wait-staff that night. Then, when it came time to settle up, some of our single women friends had to endure several references of "being alone". Like - "are you here ALONE?" As if that is forbidden. Sue laughed it off, but I thought it was quite tone-deaf. Overall, a nice evening, despite the waitresses. Plus, leftovers!

Tuesday was my volunteer night at LSI. I'm a classroom assistant in an English as a Second Language class. The class was smaller than usual - about eight that night. The students are still working on short and long vowels. In addition, this week plurals were a topic. There's so much that I don't remember learning - it just seems I always knew how to make things plural. The teacher, Sue, goes over rules - for example, when a word ends in ch, to make it plural you need to add es - such as church, churches. If a word ends in a consonant, you just add s. Seems so easy, right? Not when English isn't your native tongue! Class goes by quickly.

Our pal Krissy gave us tickets to the ISU vs. Iowa women's basketball game in Ames on Wednesday night. We asked our friends Kevin and Kari to meet us at Whiskey River before the game for supper and a beer. It was good to see them and begin making Liberty Bowl plans. The Cyclones played hard but came out on the short end. We trust the coaching staff will have them playing better later in the year.

Cheering at the game

Thursday meant another trek to Ames - this time for the ISU vs Iowa's men's game. It was an early game so we tucked into walking tacos for supper. The crowd was rocking and the game was close until the end when the good guys pulled ahead. We met Kevin and Kari for a beer after the game. Cyclone fans were cheerful as always after a win against the Hawkeyes.

Did I mention we worked all those days too? Paul happened to take Friday off. I work four hours on Fridays after working 36 hours Monday through Thursday. It can be somewhat wearing though - especially after late night Thursdays! Once my work shift was over, I watched Netflix until my car appointment. Suby needed new oil.
That night, thanks to my sisters (a birthday gift - aren't my sissies awesome), we had tickets to the musical Waitress. First, we visited our "go to" when we have show tickets, The Stuffed Olive. Good food and martinis. Loved the show! If you haven't seen it - go! 

Pre-show martini

Saturday was "Tour Des Moines", a walking/food tour of the Court Avenue area - another big birthday gift. This one courtesy of our children/spouses. Kara and Jud have done these types of tours in many cities they've visited along with St. Louis where they live. Des Moines finally caught on, thanks to Angie our tour guide who is super knowledgeable about the city. The website  tourdesmoines.com doesn't seem to be working today.

Our Wisconsin friends

We met at 1:30 PM at The Hub on the corner of Court Avenue and 1st. There were supposed to be 2 couples with us but one canceled, unfortunately. The other couple was from rural Wisconsin. They were fun - a farmer and his nurse wife. They love trips like this, having sampled food in a few other cities. It was their first time to DSM and they were hitting all the highlights! We tried pear, brie and honey flatbread at the Hub - delish!

RoCA

Next, we were off the Vivian's Diner for grilled cheese/beef sannies and grits. On the way, we walked along the river whilst Angie told us historical information about the city. I loved the grits! The diner is at the former Hotel Fort Des Moines which now is being switched over to condos - Angie actually lives there with her husband and college-aged sons in a two bedroom unit.

The last two stops included alcohol tastes, which was fun. We had fancy drinks at RoCA with skewers and roasted Brussel sprouts. Angie showed us a hidden bar - "Shorty's Somewhat Fancy Bar". I had no idea it was there with an alley entrance under RoCA. Dessert was at CABCO. Beer and chocolate. Yum! It was a delightful day. I would say you should not go to something like this for a filling meal - it's "tastes", which was fine with me.

Today was a day of rest! And we stayed home last night too. This week should not be as rigorous for this old girl. But it sure was fun while it lasted.

Oregon Cool

It was so cool in Oregon - literally, and the state just oozes groovy. It's cool. Especially when the Bullock girls hang out there. We arrived for a week's vacation earlier this month - our bi-annual family reunion. When we get together we don't plan a lot of activities, we just hang out in the cute little village in a house close to the beach.

My typical vacations aren't kick ass - scheduled with one activity after another. They are mostly relaxing once we do the travel thing. Flying was once an enjoyable endeavor. Not so much anymore. I do like the TSA Precheck authorization though! It's like having a magic ticket to get you through security. We snagged sister Cindo at the Denver stop.

Susi and Jim arrived at our cute little home away from home in Cannon Beach before we did. They'd driven up the coast from their daughter Leslie's - enjoying their visit with her little family, it was their grandson James' third birthday. Betsy and fam arrive about the same time we did. I love welcome hug time! That night we ordered pizzas and caught up with each other. It was a bit misty that night, but Paul and Cindo couldn't resist a short walk on the beach.

Sunday we took our first of many excellent beach walks. It was a bit chilly, but so gorgeous. I love the raw energy of Oregon coast. I heard the starfish are making a comeback, but didn't see any. We took a lot of steps throughout the week - and walked about 7 miles one day. Cindy was a relentless slave driver, but it's so good when you're walking and talking with your sisters.

Paul golfed one day with my brothers-in-law. I hung out with the girls including Betso's daughter Sarah and did lunch "downtown". On Wednesday, Susi, Jim and I trekked to a little town north called Astoria where my cousin Leslie has a condo with her husband Bob. I could sit and watch that view all day. We had a nice lunch and went to the top of the hill where I walked up seven flights of stairs.

cousin picture

Astoria tower

Every night we had great meals over at Betsy and Wayne's house, which was across the tennis court from ours - so convenient! Many nights we took over six champagne glasses so I could whip up lemondrop martinis for the group. Nephew Paul Kohan's girlfriend Christine has a Filipino background. She cooked up (deep fried) a delicacy called Lumpia. It was kind of like egg roll, very hot and yummy. We bonded over watching sports television and trivia. The Kohan kids were out and about more than usual - Pokémon Go will do that.

Spaghetti, burgers and chicken were all delish. One night we did the Smores on the beach thing. Betsy bought giant marshmallows this year - they were harder to get to medium well on the inside, but were gooey great. #stickyfingers . One night we stopped at Bolder's favorite bar in CB - Warren House. We didn't get to sit at the bar like he did, but we thought of him as we sipped our drinks.

Road warriors Susi and Jim took off on Friday to head back home to Colorado a two-day trip through Twin Falls, Idaho. Betsy, Cindy, Paul and I headed south to Jetty Marina at Rockaway Beach to rustle up some Dungeness Crab. Shirley fixed us right up.

They promised to steam 8 crabs for us and put them on ice for our return. From wine country. Yep, Oregon has vino! My trusty iPhone lead us to a winery about an inland hour from the coast. I'd made this trip with my girlfriends last August - they showed me the way. I do believe my sisters and Paul had begun to doubt me and my phone as we turned this way and that in rural hilly Oregon. I felt vindicated when we popped out at the top of a hill and there was a vineyard! Unfortunately a sign on the building said CLOSED. Oops.

iPhone went back to work and ten minutes later we were at the Shafer Winery talking to a nice young man who took over as head grape guy (but the scientific name) Wine Master? Anyway, he studied at U.C. Davis and his dad has just purchased the winery. We did a tasting and checked out the Christmas store - quite complete. Cindy bought a deviled egg ornament and Betso purchased a white wine. It was fun. There were many more wineries we could have visited, but Shirley and our crab awaited.

Cousin Leslie and Bob came down and we made that crab disappear along with the leftovers from previous nights. We nearly got rid of the Citron Vodka that Betsy bought 2 years prior. Something to shoot for in two years! I dislike saying goodbye to people, but I do like hugs - so there's that. And Amy is getting married next summer (August 5) so we should see everyone then if not before.

Cindy, Paul and I spent a night in another cool place Saturday - Portland at the classic Benson Hotel. We checked in and Paul and I dropped the rental car off, riding the rapid transit back. It's a pretty slick system. That night we ate at a Fish House overlooking a plaza with a fountain. I enjoyed watching kids play in the water while the people of Portland hung out. The lobster mashed potatoes I ate that night were to die for.

So long Oregon until next time!

crab

This goes out to Pat B. and all the mommies

fashion shot Pat Morehead  -around age 16

Without a doubt, my own mother Patricia Nelle Morehead Bullock was the biggest influence my life - the early years. She was a strong, intelligent woman who always advocated for me to do something with my life. She also held each of us Bullock girls accountable for our actions. I love talking with my sisters about her when we get together. During the 2020 pandemic, we've been video-chatting weekly. Before this, our interactions were much less frequent and were more likely to be email - less personal. So that is something good that has come from this invisible evil thing. 

Since she's been gone since 1997, sadly some of my memories are starting to fade.

Me and my Mommy

It's not like my Dad gets no credit in my upbringing. He was part of the formula - but Mom was the glue! To quote one of my fave priests (Father Leonard Kenkel..."thank you, thank you - even when I went to confession) for all you did" Mama.

On this Mother's Day weekend, I also must give a shout out to all those other moms out there - sorry to those I've missed. There are really too many to mention in this blog.  

• Laura Goldsmith, my mother-in-law, a kind, gentle and caring person of so many (9 children, 23 grandchildren). I never Laura say a mean word about anyone.
• My sisters - Susi forged the way, becoming a mom a year before I did. And Cindy and Betsy. All three are awesome mothers who have raised wonderful kids. Now, my niece, Leslie is even a parent herself! Since the original post, nephew Alex and wife Lisa became parents. I love being a great aunt, watching those little ones grow. 
• My Sisters-In-Law -  In my opinion, all the sisters and brother's wives did top-notch jobs as mommies - the 23 Goldsmith grandkids (21 without our 2) - nice people one and all! We're fortunate to be accumulating many great-nieces and nephews on that side as well. Love seeing those photos on FB.  
• Friends - first of all my college pals. Vicki was the first mom among us. She gave birth to Kelli the same year I had Amy. I copied her - on many things, but Amy was much less prissy than Kelli and didn't potty train herself.... Then Kay Wilt chimed in - bringing her girls into the mix. Such close families, fab kids. 
• Atlantic pals, Julia Hoilien, Pam Jepperson, Sally Rodgers, and Chris Watson - all strong loving mommas. 
• College roomie Jane Flack - parenting first three fab children  - who have grown to be great young adults. 
• Crestonians -
• We spent many evenings hanging out with the McFees sharing meals - the kids would play until someone had a problem. Then a mommy (or daddy) would have to settle it. Bobbie is a very organized, no-nonsense kinda mommy (similar to my parenting style) but she had a snuggler with Kim.  
• We also hung out with the McKims - another fam with children the same ages as ours. Diana always seemed to be cooking or coaching with her kids - they were well supported, passionately as only an Italian mamma can pull off.
• The Petersons, mothered by my pal Deb, were blessed with two sons. Deb came from a fam of all girls. She handled parenting boys gracefully - without snapping nearly as much as I might have when the testosterone was oozing and they were rassling or punting the football into each other's faces.
• Lucy Hyde, Joan Weis and other carpool pals - we swapped many a parenting story through the countless hours of carpooling to football, soccer and basketball games.
• Mary Faber - before that lady moved north, the Goldsmiths hung out with the McCann kids and Mary a great deal. She served as a great role model - someone who didn't allow her children to rule the roost. Mary seemed to get the job done without yelling or berating them. Hats off for that - I never quite mastered Mary's method.

There are many more of you Mommies out there - too many to mention. I was watching, you know. Moms - we all try our best. They who say it's the hardest job in the world. They're right!

Here are a few things I learned along the way.

• Babies seem so scary and fragile, but are tougher than they look. Moose bashed baby Kelli Behr's head on a ceiling (Playing "oops a daisy" in a bar). She cried like mad, but she is totally normal today...we think
• It's hard to not give in to a strong-willed child - especially when they are making a scene in a public place. You have to "pick your battles" but it you give in you'll be creating a monster
• I read many parenting books. (Not because Amy and Jud were lil monsters.) I'm a reader - that's how I learn. Parenting isn't innate. One must learn strategies!
• This is one thing that really resonated with me. Children truly want boundaries - rules. That's what makes them feel safe. If they are the ones setting all the rules then they have the power. That is overwhelming for them. In my opinion many families today are in this position - causing chaos.
• It's very easy to want to "fix" everything for your child. Even today - when my children are grown up. One should fight against doing that. Remember it's in battling against the bad things in life that one truly grows as a human being. Let your child fail. And then praise the heck out of them when they find a way back!
• Don't live your life over again through your child. Sure, if they like a sport or other thing that you enjoy - encourage it. That's only natural. But they are not a miniature you. 
• Be prepared for surprises - each generation thinks differently. Yours will too.  
• Let them go. Encourage it! If you blubber when they go off - to a friend's, to school, to grandma's it will make them feel sad/scared. It's hard and it makes moms sad. They came out of our bodies after all! But it's healthy for them. If you need to cry wait until they're gone. It should be an exciting time for them.
• While your child/kids are growing up, develop your own hobbies and nurture friendships. Don't be a martyr - thinking you will be doing the best thing by giving kids 100% your attention. Demonstrating a healthy marriage, (or healthy single parent who can deal with ex-husbands as the parent of your child), healthy friendships and hobbies is a great way to show you love them.
• I know, this all sounds preachy. Even to me. Parenting is much easier to pontificate than it is to do. I wasn't all that great at it. My children have many memories of times when I lost it. Why, oh why don't they remember the good stuff I did? I tell myself that's because that was everyday...

Children are much like the weather...except you don't get forecasts on TV and online. Those perfect days are so sweet! And on those other days - you just bundle up or strip down and go with it - dealing with it as best you can.

I sure enjoy watching and hearing about my little relatives and friends on Facebook and at work. The stories bring back memories of raising our children. I've had many titles through the years, but just like my mother before me...the one I'm most proud of is Mommy.

My fam at the circus in Atlantic

It's all about the Tree

This doesn't look like an Earl May tree. Cute kids though!

When I was a child, Mom always got our Christmas trees from Earl May. They would deliver the beautiful tree to our home at 202 Crombie in Atlantic and put it in the garage. Then later, when Dad came home from a long week selling Lorraine lingerie to stores across Iowa, he'd bring the tree in and put it in the stand. Sometimes he'd have to saw off a couple branches first. That was the extent of Dad's "yard work". There was were usually snarly words involved when the tree came into the house...and then back out again...pine boughs flew. Needles dropped.

Fireplace at right, woven rug and beautiful Christmas tree. TV was temporarily moved. Loved my Juddy dog. I wonder if Mom has her wiglet on here...?

A few years Mom decided to put the tree in the Family Room - that was our former Screened in Porch. My folks decided to finish the porch as another room in 1965 or 1966. They revamped that whole end of the house -  to move the kitchen to the front of the house, from the back. Oak plank flooring was installed in the front hall, kitchen and the new family room. Mom bought a big woven rug featuring earth tones for the Family Room.

For a political science major - Mom had a knack for decorating. A metal fireplace, finished in antiqued blue was installed on one wall of the room. I loved to put my feet on there when a nice fire was popping. Mom always put pine cones and greenery along the mantle with candles. We'd stick our fingers in there when she wasn't looking - coating them with wax. Mom was a great holiday decorator. I'm not quite sure what happened to me...

A console television graced the corner of the room - before remote control, the kids were the channel changers. The options were ABC (7), CBS (6), and NBC (3). Mom wouldn't let us watch Brady Bunch - no matter what station it was on, because she didn't feel it portrayed realistic life. Yeah, like Archie Bunker did...


Someone doesn't look thrilled about the red jumper...

Most of the time the tree took its place in the formal living room. That way it was more out of the way. The living room was the fancy room. Mom decorated that room with furniture from her parents' home. Grandma Morehead liked silk and baubles. Mom would put the gingerbread house here with little figures and puffy stuff to simulate snow. It seemed magical to me. Our stockings were hung on the same Ethan Allen pieces I have today. Mom knitted them for us and then for each grandchild. I'm not sure she got one done for Baby David. I think someone finished one up for him.

So I have a family history of great fresh Christmas trees. In college, my roomies and I always got our own little tree to decorate in our apartment at 230 Campus Avenue. When Paul and I got married, we started putting up our own trees, but it wasn't until we moved to Creston that we started going to Christmas Tree farms to select and cut our own trees. First we went to Corning. Later, a state forester Paul knows had a farm near Afton.

A perfect tree, and cute lil kids. I'm glad Amy learned how to do her hair...

It was fun to take the kids and Moki the Wonder Dog out to select the perfect tree. We would walk around the hillside until I zoned in on just the right one. The family that owned the tree farm always had hot cider warming in the garage - it was so homey. Much nicer than buying one at the store! Alas, when the cherubs got older, they no longer wanted to go along to get the tree. I broke down and bought a fake tree. Less mess. I don't miss cleaning up the pine needles months after Christmas.

Now we spend our Christmas holiday with our fam, the Lefebvres in Vail. They get their tree from the mountainside! Now that our beloved Boldie is gone, Cindy and Bolder's son Colby is in charge of getting the tree. Cindy hides a pickle on it. The person that finds the pickle wins a present!

Kids look for the pickle

Christmas trees have a lot of symbolism. I don't know what the official story is. For me the symbolism is in the ornaments. There are some from my childhood, others from Amy and Jud's childhoods. There is a very special one from Iowa Methodist for Patrick. We have Packers and Cyclones bulbs. Sally's Mom Anna Day used to give me a cute ornament every year. They're very special to me. There are others of deer and recycling. I like that most of the ornaments tell a story - just like most of the things on my walls. They make me smile.

Okay - now I'm ready to put my tree up this weekend - to remember, and to smile.

The Woods and other stuff

I went for a solo bike ride tonight. Pablo decided to stay home. He had flipped the channel to "deer porn" right before I headed out, and he couldn't tear himself away. Deer Porn - it's my phrase for those hunting shows where they whisper - so they won't frighten the game they're hunting. In this case it was really elk. He's going elk hunting in a month.

He was paying rapt attention to the show as I went out the door. I hate deer porn. He used to watch it when we lived separately (during my commuting years), but now he has to slip it in when I'm not around - poor guy - all sneaky like. If I catch him watching it - I slump into the bedroom and watch TV in there until he turns it off. I don't like to see animals die. Yet we've remained married for 31 years. Some things you just have to put up with.

So I rode my bike on a nice summer evening, down the bike trail along EP True (did you know the E stands for Elmer?) eventually crossing underneath near Jordan Creek School which is near the actual Jordan Creek. Running along the creek are some woods that remind me of our Woods - the Woods of my childhood. We called them the Woods - they were really just a narrow stretch of trees, bushes and brush in the middle of our block. I'm not sure who owned the space. Down the middle of the Woods, we kids had created a hard trodden path from our frequent walks through there. It was our path to school. Lots of kids cut through that block. Besides my sissies, the Tylers, Westbrooks, Lanes (Candy, Sandy and Cindy), Skoogs, Reinertsons and lots of others.

Besides a shortcut, the Woods was a heck of a playground! There were bushes available for forts and tall trees for treehouses. It helped that we had vivid imaginations. Along the side that rimmed our yard, there was a row of tall bushes that contained small berries - great for pretend pioneer food. My mom told us "Do Not Eat the Berries They Are Poison" so we never did. That's why I'm alive today! haha.

The Freeses lived across the back yards from us. Ed and wife Bev with their kids Barb, who was Susi's age and Kent, who was Cindy's age. Their yard lined the Woods too - but their end wasn't as thick as they had no bushes - so you could see right into the Woods from their yard. Their dog Pug would bark at you if he saw you cutting through!

For a while we had our sandbox right on the corner of the Woods and our yard, under the shade of a tree. It was the old fashioned kind - made out of wood. There was no lid so neighborhood cats left presents in it every once in a while. I loved making trails and roads in that cool sand. I bet I tracked a lot of it into our house. Bless my mother and her patience.

As I rode my bike I thought once again about how lucky I was to be a kid when and where I was.

Update:
Amy reports that she enjoyed hanging out with the Wilson family, she bought filters for her car and when she got to KC, she and her brother installed them! A bonding experience...and thrifty - awww.