Parental Woes

Just what are you in time out for?

I'm gonna level with you all right out of the gate here. This week I have had a terrible time trying to think of a fun, engaging, participatory project. Partly because I have my sites set on a project I know will take me several weeks to finish (and am very excited about) and partly because life has a tendency of drawing your attention in a thousand different directions. But - light bulb please - then it hit me. If you can't beat'um, join'um.

"I sware it's not my fault"

After a particularly long fit of frustration related to the universal woes of parenting, I was flooded with the memory of a story Nana had shared with me, of a time when her father lost his temper with her. I can't help but understand how every once in a while you may just want to pick up a chair and throw it against a tree and I only have three children, not seventeen.

While you listen to Nana share her story, who's point of view can you relate to most? Click here to listen and find out.

I realized this week that my troubles were coming from the rebellion of my children, well one in particular. And it was my own interests that were keeping me from moving forward. The desire to not have confrontation with my children or have them say hateful words to me. But though I lectured until I was blue in the face I was never getting through. We all have stories where we remember our parents raising the bar to the point of shock. It must have shocked us to some degree or it would never have stuck with us so long. I have no interest in getting sauced and go on a tirade but perhaps a little more enforcement would go a long way.

Numbers 14:18 'The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of rebellion. BUT He does not excuse the guilty.'

Shower Her In Clover

Who doesn't love a wedding?

Weather it's yours, someone else's, or listening to the reflections of a couple reliving their perfect day it is hard not to get caught up in the joy and excitement that a wedding brings. Even the festivities leading up to the nuptials are sure to illicit enthusiasm from even the most spiritless attendee.

Trepidation, Excitement, Butterfly's in the stomach...The Day Would Soon Be Here.

As my sisters bridal shower was nearing it seemed even a 55 year marital veteran was not immune to the juxtaposition that this event mirrored her own. As I searched Nana's advice for edict, menu planning and general brain storming the course of things veered, as they so often do, to a fond remembrance of the day her sister-in-law to be showered her with love and support.

What Elegance

It was a simple affair with only her closest friends and family. Much as her granddaughters would be so many years later

Listen to Nana recall a special day and a frying pan she still uses.

Party Planning Rule #27: Choose things close to the guest of honors heart.

No, I'm not a party planner by trade but I do get a thrill out of watching the joy others receive when you give them something more then they expected. The bride-to-be in this case loves all things Irish, so what better theme then a St. Patrick's Day Wedding Shower. The genious behind this idea wasn't mine but my partner in crime sister, not the one getting married of course.

Party Planning rule #83: Don't go to a party store and buy out the cheep decorations department.

 I find that the easiest place to begin is a color scheme. Well, I don't know about you, but when I think of Irish the first colors that come to mind are Green, Orange, and White, but for St. Patties Day I am flooded with the thought of Leprechauns coins. So I fogo'd the Orange for a range of yellow and gold. Fortunately for me I have a grandmother who loves to hold on to things she thinks are beautiful or in some way useful.

Party Planning Rule #101: Use what you have, Improvise when you don't.

I mostly used what I had around me with a quick trip to the Dollar Store to fill in the blanks. Flowers and Greens cut from the yard. A bolt of fabric and some mason jars I pilfered from Nana's crafting storage. Candles of course! And I littered the table with gold Hershey kisses and chocolate coins. The picture frames were the gifts for the guests to keep.

When all is said and done love matters most

A simple Irish blessing to toast the bride and her future. Great Chitchat. Munchies and Gifts.

Not being a big fan of party games I simply placed a few shamrock stickers on the bottom of the Hershey kisses and gold coins. If you had been "Kissed by the Irish" or found the "Leprechauns Gold" you won a prize.

Party Planning Rule #12: Food coloring is NOT your friend

As a rule of thumb I try to keep the food simple and when possible I share the work with others. All the recipes were found on Pinterest.com and honestly they are all super quick with minimal ingredients. I abhor Sandra Lee (sorry, but I do) but am an avid fan of anything "semi-homemade" when it comes to feeding a large group.

The Menu:

Asparagus Gruyere Tart

Mini Spinach Quiche

Green Cherry Waldorf Salad

Fruit Skewers and Bailey's Irish Fruit Dip

No Bake Cake Pops

Key Lime Poke Cake

Leprechaun Punch

Champagne Toast with Frozen Green Grapes

Party Planner Rule #5: Consider your surroundings your most important decoration.

I find the surroundings set the atmosphere more than anything. Choosing the right place puts everyone in a social mood. I was blessed with having the pleasure of working with the the amazing folks at The Oaks Events. If you are anywhere near Midland, NC (conveniently located on HWY 24/27) then you MUST give this place consideration. There are beautiful vistas of a lake and gazebo and if it hadn't snowed we would have held this outside. No matter what your planning they will go above and beyond to make the day special.

A wealth of wisdom waits in the arms of her new family

Job 12:12 "Wisdom is with aged men, With long life is understanding.
My Prayer for her as she leaves her parents to become one with her husband is that she will embrace the the wisdom of her new family. That their memories of life and marriage will help to guide her as she ventures ahead.

A Special Thank To

Michael A. Anderson Photography for the exquisite pictures
And
The Oaks Events for the amazing venue.

Geography and Geneology

The Gentle Slopes

 This weeks edition is brought to you by the letter "W"

as in

What?

When?

Where?

&

Why?

What this had to do with 3 kids on a school step I still don't know. After years of listening to family stories the one thing I have learned is, just ride the wave. What you might notice listening to this weeks tale is that it is a little on the choppy side. There was hours of editing involved, but on the bright side, I also have 7 other stories that I gleamed from this one.

One of Seventeen?!!!

When you spend enough time listening to your elders you begin to pick up on their moods through the stories they tell. In this instance, deeply sentimental was the vibe. Recalling family with an inkling of longing in her eyes, pausing frequently to remember the faces and familiar surroundings that have long gone by. I had once believed that memories and images that are so clear to me now would dim with time or be lost in the hurried race that is our lives. It is reassuring, in a sense, to know just how vibrant and accessible those recollections can be later in life.

Nana's interpretation of Beefhide KY

Where did you say you were from?! It was truly enlightening to watch Nana remember her childhood abode and be able to draw it in fairly accurate detail. As I was listening to her recall her home and simultaneously draw it on a scrap piece of paper, I thought to my self "That can't be right, I'm sure that's just how she remembers it". Well color me dead wrong! I Google Mapped Beefhide KY guess what folks, she hit the nail on the head. 

                                   

"That's right Susan there is a Beefhide Kentucky." 

For those of you not up on your classic cinema one liners that is a take from Miracle On 34th Street.

Great Great Grandpa Isaac

Great Great Uncle Booker

Why would I want to know about these places and people? Well for starters they are apart of who I am. Oh yes, I went there. Really folks, These people played a part in shaping who Nana is and she played a major role in shaping who I am. As are all the people who filter through our lives. 

Not to mention that if you listen carefully you pick up on the subtle drama behind the careworn memory. I had to rewind a couple times but I believe Nana referred to her grandmother as a bit of a floozy. Just who was Great Great Uncle Booker's daddy?

Well I have to tell you as endearing as it was to listen to Nana recall many of her relatives by name I was still slightly (or not so slightly) apprehensive that all these people were bona fide family. Thanks to my baby sister and modern technology I was able to verify that not only was her internal compass right on, so was her lineage.

Click Here to find out for yourself just how right Nana was,
then dig into your own ancestry by asking those around you where they are from.
(P.S. I know it says 28minutes but really it is more like 8min)

Tales From The Dating Crypt

Dating tip #13: "Watch Out For This Guy"

For those of you who don't know, I have 2 beautiful (yes, I AM  a little prejudice) teenage daughters. And, as of late, they are particularly interested in the topic of dating. During a productive discussion this week I happened to mention that I remember Nana telling me how she dated a member of the mafia (there is no actual evidence of this unsubstantiated comment) before she meet Papa. They had to call my bluff, welcome Nana's most recent tale.

Dating Tip #104: Don't date a guy for his car.

Even if it is a Caddie. 

"Ginittie is the name," Really? I thought I knew may Nana. She has always been the kind of women who knew what she wanted, when, where, and how she wanted it. I just can't see her falling for a guy like this. But then again we were all young gals. It makes me want to know her when...

Just Who Is This Debonair Fellow

Well it is NOT my Papa, I'll tell you that much. I would like to guess it is the dashing fellow in Nana's most recent expose. I have no proof mind you, however, in my very limited experience women don't typically cut men out of pictures and stick them in a box, covered in dust, hidden in the back of a closet, for no reason...

Seeing your women in the arms of another tends to invoke jealousy.

If you are an astute listener to this weeks episode you will notice a gentleman interrupting. I had to cut much of the interruption out, but I couldn't happen to wonder if perhaps Papa did not like Nana reliving her rendezvous. I remember this tale a little longer with inferences to a few unnamed persons, but we will let sleeping dog's lie for this one.
P.S. My Nana was a total hottie.

"Can't buy me looooo-oove"

I can't help but find it more then coincidental that my daughter choose a dating devotional this week as our focus together. Hours later the topic turns to things to look for in a guy, and Nana hits the grand finale with a dating story, the moral of which being "I didn't love him". We close this chapter with, "he can give you the world but if he can't give you love..."

With No further Adu: Click here to listen to Nana relive one of her fondest dating experiences

In honor of the Mafia mother-in-law that never was, I bring you,

Sicilian Kiss

To make a "Sicilian Kiss" you will need to gather together the following ingredients;

1 ounces Di Saronno Amaretto

1 ounce Southern Comfort

Start by taking out a chilled rocks glass. Slowly pour the Di Saronno Amaretto into the glass first, followed by the Southern Comfort. Doing so should create the appearance that the drink has layers. Serve it with your favorite garnish.

Well, if you weren't already a hairy chested Italian fellow before you took a hit of this, I assume you are now.  Don Vito Corleone, "welcomes you to the family," with his best Godfather impression.

Now it's your turn. 

Share with us a tale you have exhumed from the dating crypts of your nearest relatives.