kitchen time and holiday spirit!

I love my kitchen time and I'm craving it big time right now.  One would think Tgiving gave me enough but that was one meal, although it did provide lots of left overs. Reality is my Mom helped a lot with the pies, and brought soup for our night before meal.  So I don't feel like I've done much cooking lately.  Joe and I were going to go out for breakfast to do our planning/plotting Christmas purchases- yes we know we're behind- no reminders. We're prioritizing based on turnaround time and delivery needs (Florida shipment).  But today I just didn't want to go out to eat.  I made creamed chipped beef (no flour so Bisquick worked), cut up the grapefruit (using handy special grapefruit knife) and made a fruit salad for those that didn't want the grapefruit.  It was great.  I also took my alone time to clean the kitchen but even that was satisfying for my life on Newark-Granville Road today!

I hope you're enjoying the beauty this snow provides- really gorgeous here!  Last night's walking tour in Granville couldn't of had a prettier back-drop.  We have never really embraced the walking tour big time- the crowds, parties, kids activities pull us in directions.  We did enjoy two events last night- bluegrass at Park National Bank was outstanding. I'll miss the student recital next Friday at 7 at Swasey so this was a good substitute! Clare was part of the Youth Choir at FPC with Ladies Night Out- what a treat! It all certainly puts me in a happy Christmas spirit- even if I'm behind and just putting away Giving.  We're in planning mode on Newark-Granville Road and we'll get there!

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

Picking up on where we left off with last night's blog for my dear readers following along about my life on Newark-Granville Road.....the beautiful snow isn't keeping any fun from happening.  I'm grateful to my parents for teaching me how to drive in the snow.  Living in Altoona, Pa probably helped that- necessity kept us driving in the winter....in the snow- it was winter, it snowed, we drove.  We skied at Blue Knob- a ski "resort" that was an old army base and lodge on top of resort- so to access skiing- you drove up a snowy mountain.  For some reason tonight's snowy drive reminded me of PA snow driving.

So we indeed get a snow day  - so Clare's conflict was removed.  The weather wasn't as treacherous as anticipated so Joe kept the kids and I went to work to help execute our Volunteer Lunch and keep moving forward on the long to-do list.  Hip Hip Hooray for the volunteers- they braved the concern of weather and joined us for a lovely luncheon.  Festive, fun traditions, opportunity to take in the exhibits and be together- good time- important times.  As usual duty called and I was late to get home- made it in time to do the quick turn around for Sally's Nutcracker Ball- a fun dance for the cast of the Nutcracker performance.  As I drove home in the snow I heard about all the cancellations- I thought certainly this event would not go-on with the weather. I was wrong and I was pleased - driving in snow requires us to slow down, use the tools available- good tires, 4 wheel drive- we were able to attend as planned and have a great night.  The kids (and some adults) danced, looked great in their dress up cloths, created new traditions, and strengthened friendships.  Sally and her friend enjoyed the night and she'd like to go back next year.  I sat and took it all in- the longest I've sat all week in my life on Newark-Granville Road.  

So no hang-out day yet...it will come, I'll get one soon enough.  I'm lucky to have a busy, full life I love and am grateful I can appreciate the beauty the snow brings.  It certainly is beautiful on Newark-Granville Road- art exhibit, special music and gatherings await tomorrow!

which way do I go.......

We had a wonderful dog named Jax.  We didn't name him- he came with that name.  That didn't stop us with later dogs.  Jax was a bouvier we adopted/rescued and he loved us.  He came to us when I was pregnant with Clare. I could blog and blog and blog about that dog.  When we got him he could barely walk around the block. He had been locked up in a kennel all day and not permitted to roam the house as he would scratch the hardwood floors. He roamed our house and slept with us. We took him on long walks.  One day we walked to the village (Granview, not Granville) and Joe went to do one errand and I went another way- I was going to the post office.  That poor dog was so torn- which way do I go he said with his eyes.  Motherhood is like this, maybe parenthood but I'm not a father and this blog is my perspective.  I want a snow day tomorrow so a hardship for Clare is reduced.  I don't want a snow day because I want the Volunteer luncheon to occur easily- I want the weather to miss us and our volunteers can easily get to The Works to enjoy the day just for them.  I want a snow day to cuddle with my kids and let them sleep in.....I want to walk our current dog to town with the kids and he won't have to make a decision.....the good news it is all out of my control.  No matter how many ice cubes get flushed and what direction my PJs are....I don't get a say in the weather....so here I type trying to ride the wave, sit loosely in the saddle on Newark-Granville Road.

Happiness Is.......

early productive, positive work meetings that get to include River Road coffee and a bagel; quality time with Sally at the orthadontist that started with Soup Loft and candy cane Whits and bringing her back to the office, coming home to fresh baked chocolate chip cookies by Peter and Barbara, Peter's band concert- they make real music and I recognized all his practice; seeing so many friends- love this class; oyster stew with Joe, sharing vintage clothes with Clare, scheduling time to get the tree, watching TV, blogging with my feet up in the living room.....

not enough hours in the day, days in the week, etc..

So it was a great day back at work today- great day! I went in ready to go, excited about the tasks ahead- I love everything I'm working on.....but there were not enough hours to do it all. I had to make a quick escape for Mom duty and then went back to work.  Then hurried up and got a number of important tasks done and headed out for more work with fun- did I say how much I love my job and how it does blend with fun!

So Joe is dealing with the same thing in his volunteer sports coaching world. I'm seeing it as parents reach out about conflicts with Sunday practices and games....tomorrow is supposed to be Peter's first basketball game- just figured out the way to connect with the out-of-town coach- can't do it- 6th-grade music concert tomorrow. Why is it so complicated now? Why can't it be more simple?  If the 6th graders are singing, playing music then the Granville Rec certainly knows that and doesn't schedule a game- we're a village.  A simple community where we are aware of such overlaps...We're a good community that prioritizes and values church time- certainly, you can do church and sports too....why is it getting so hard to keep it going?

I don't have the answers in my life on Newark-Granville Road. I share tonight as maybe you do have some thoughts and input? Maybe we're taking it too seriously and should accept we can't do it all and games will get rescheduled and kids will learn life lessons from the disappointment of their friends getting their first games this week and they'll wait.  Life on Newark-Granville Road includes many lessons that I share often- 3 steps forward, 2 back, and so on and so on...we try to sit loosely in the saddle of life and ride the waves....Impromptu gatherings can be the best the lesson for me tonight.  We're doing good things and there are rewards on Newark-Granville Road...but the planner in me wants to find ways and times to make it work.  We do our best, we ask for help and support and we move forward one way or another in my life on Newark-Granville Road!

a day off....

So much to share about today...a day off of work, well timed from the weekend and full in so many ways.  Instead of expanding on subjects, I'll just share the day's activities and maybe some will inspire future blog posts.....

1. Slept in...yes...Joe did bus duty- hip hip hooray and Sally and I stayed in bed! Of course Peter called about his forgotten trumpet and Joe and I chatted but I cat napped off and on from 6 am- it was lovely.
2. Took my time getting dressed, helped Sally pick out her clothes with no stress of a missed bus!
3. Went downstairs to get ready to leave, thinking Sally was walking dog with amazing helper Barbara.  Barbara came back- no Sally.  (yes we've misplaced her a few times and this felt a bit like the Clare being with Joe on a walk when she was 3)  I went up stairs and re-looked- she was curled up asleep in her bed, buried deep in blankets.  Good news is I swept the kitchen and tidied while waiting for Sally.
4. Took Sally to coffee shop, delivered Peter's trumpet, took Sally to school.
5. Holiday coffee - annual tradition!! Nutcracker performance and this well decorated home with huge artistic accomplishment and attention to detail, plus wonderful people to connect with- I'm ready to embrace Christmas!! Fa-la-la-la-la!
6. Came home - discarded some pumpkins- see point 5, cleaned piles, updated the weekly schedule, started moving forward with December.  Also enjoyed Maryland yummies for lunch- Baltimore Market's chicken salad, Utz chips and a cookie from same market- reminiscent of Hutlzer's Bakery....ahhhh
7. Eye appointment- first one in a long long time...I'm going with glasses.....bi-focals- who knew I had  astigmatism and not so perfect vision anymore..I use to have 20-15....oh well....its okay- I knew I was adjusting and compensating....we'll see how this goes.  Enjoyed time with my Dr and am happy i have healthy eyes.
8. Dropped off invitations and gift for friend in new role- woo hoo Penny Sitler with MHA! So nice to chat and catch-up a bit!
9. Home to meet kids from school, do some reading with Peter, help Sally prep for music concert.
10. Removed pumpkins from front of house with Peter's help!
11. REALLY enjoyed Sally's 3rd grade musical presentation- innovative, creative, original, well timed- darling darling.  And good to see Sally's classmates and their parents!
12. Book Club Holiday Dinner and book exchange....I have the best book club- what a lovely group with an amazing tradition.  So good to gather around the table and catch-up, discuss a fun book (always a lighter read for this one) and then swap books- allegedly one's we've read and are pulling from our shelves. Everyone went home with one they haven't read- woo hoo!
13. Quick review of the week, tidy in the kitchen with Joe, blog update and I'm ready for bed!
I needed a day like today in my life on Newark-Granville Road!

Nutcracker-Thanksgiving Weekend- It is a Wrap!

Ahhhh- we did it!  True team effort- two Thanksgiving family gatherings and the four Nutcracker Performances, plus tech week and cast party @ The Works- it is a wrap!  All went so well...Thursday's report was blog theme, so Nutcracker is tonight's- the why and the lessons.

Why the Nutcracker- fond memories of the lessons it taught Clare.  Clare danced in it twice I believe. She attended as a child to see friends dance and to continue a holiday tradition my parents started with me.  I love the music and story and various interpretations.  Clare loved it too and wanted to dance- it is a big reason we started ballet, which wasn't the first dance we were able to make work- tap and jazz. Ballet made its way and Nutcracker gave her all sorts of experience.  The holiday is often one for traveling for us so not always a fit.  Sally started lessons at some point along they way and  this year was old enough to audition. She didn't have a fall sport so this was her thing this fall to stay active and glean the lessons of the stage.  We asked the Stoner clan to travel to Licking County for Stoner Thanksgiving and we're grateful they did!  Wonderful long weekend with my family I don't see often enough- thank goodness for cell phones and email to keep us connected.

COYB is an impressive group - the mission to have youth execute, create, unite and deliver is really something to behold.  This year my daughter wasn' the only one learning my volunteer role backstage for one performance and executing cast party gave me new perspectives.  First - the hard work it takes to make it all go.  I knew it before but it is something to be a helper back stage and witness the stitching, the chart for quick-change, the energy beyond just what the audience sees to get to all the right cues, in the right costumers from hair to shoes and eye/hooks in between.  The auditions in August, rehearsals on the weekend all were out of sight, out of mind a bit for me.  I certainly knew Sally was learning and many were working hard but I didn't understand the depth and detail until this weekend.  So much more to be grateful for- the friends and adults that care deeply for our youth and coach, teach, support.  I also have to share how pleased I was with the students and how they help one another, figure out their processes, ask for help and show appreciation for the support they receive.  I loved sharing it with friends and their children and hope more friends will join this family.   I must say thank you to all that bought tickets and attended- this means a great day and is part of my positive reflection!!  Sally says she'll audition next year and we both will apply the lessons learned to deepen the experience.

I'm glad we check this off our list and it is in the book. Life on Newark-Granville creates so many valuable memories and Thanksgiving 2013 didn't disappoint. So now I'm off to bed with visions of sugarplums, shortbreads and snowflurries in my head. The music is playing too- good thing I really love it!