Loves a Birthday.......

I admit it- I love a birthday! I love to celebrate and tonight we did just that....and we'll keep the fun going tomorrow on Clare's real birthday when she turns the official 13!  We're also preparing for friends birthdays...and I called a friend on her birthday today....hmmm probably a reason I like Facebook- nice to share people's birthdays so easily!

So what is going on here for Miss Clare Catherine Leithauser's birthday...which is tomorrow...but due to our schedule we did our family thing tonight.  Clare asked for take-out Chinese, a mint chocolate chip ice cream - Oreo cake just like I made years ago and that is what we had for dinner on Newark-Granville Road tonight- after piano lessons, with the dog barking and math homework waiting.  Clare also opened awesome gifts. One from a dear friend that came to visit, family that sent early-something I rarely do- and a very special gift from her father and me...her first phone.  Times are a changing....we've waited as long as we could but it feels like the time is right.  She was soooo happy when she opened it and rolled with our rules and foolery- it was a lovely night.

Just like it was the night we became parents and I became a mother.  Octoberfest at the Leithausers was wonderful- on Clare's actual due date.  We went home to our darling house on Mulford in Granview and I kept waking up and then it hit me...I'm waking up because I'm in labor.  Eventually I woke up Joe and we called the Dr- he said wait a bit or come in and we'll have you walk and then settle in for the arrival.  I encouraged Joe to go back to sleep (he needed to) and I went downstairs and took care of some to-dos, tidied my desk, prepared for the rest of the week, took a shower and then woke up Joe and said- lets go!  It was a Sunday. We didn't call my family until we were checked in as we didn't want it to be a false alarm...but sure enough by mid morning they started their way west.  We had to call them at noon to say slow down you aren't going to make delivery- this baby is coming faster than anticipated. By 1:15 pm we learned we had a girl!  We went in with three names we both liked- the short list- I took one look and knew she was Clare.  (Yes I named her and Peter...Joe named Sally!!)  Birthdays are great for the birthday person but sooo special for the Moms. I'm sure it is a great day for the Dad's too. Joe was awesome with Clare's gift this year and with is a great Dad.  I remember the first moment I watched Clare react to Joe's voice...I get teary just typing about it.  I love each of my children's birthdays...and my nieces/nephews...and my god-daughters and friends' children....I love birthdays and all involved with them.  And when they're involved with life on Newark-Granville Road they're all the more special!

BEing in the moment.....

What a great service we had at FPC today...thank you Karen for the sermon, Kate as the liturgist, the music and of course what makes it all the richer - the people-being with our FPC family.

The message I took away was confirming what I know- life is better with Christ with us.  Details today were shared about that in many ways with focus on our tired, over scheduled lives- hymn, scripture and message and the service's prayers and calls spoken united out loud. Karen shared points about accepting that work and to-dos will always be with us.  A wise man told me when I started my job at The Works that that work in progress, that piles up on the desk was job security and to accept it and work with it.  That wisdom is how I embraced "sit loosely in the saddle of life"....I'm not perfect but I try.  Yoga with some great leaders in the past is what also helped me embrace the "be" that Karen talked about this morning.  The verbs in most of our lives, most of the time- want, have, do....and what is good for us is "be"...be with God and life is better.

I know this- FPC and my faith journey these 12 years has helped me realize this.  The closer and more engaged at church or in spiritual work- the better my life is.  It isn't always easy and when it isn't sincere and real- a task- it doesn't work either.  The same with work, same with activities...all back to that be and not want, have, do....Yesterday was a great "be" day for me- embracing the physical where I was- on the campus and could have a run/walk and catch-up with a friend. Watching Peter play baseball, being with him at the break.  Making it to Clare's run, being with her to process after and then my me time being in the kitchen and with Joe for football at the end of the day- a great great day on Newark-Granville Road.

Thanks for reading and sharing this journey and "being" with me.  Often people remark on how busy we are- and we are- but we try to make sure what we do energizes us, works well for our family- not easy, not perfect but we're in the moment not matter what they are- good back or indifferent- we're together and we're never never alone and always supported- it is good to know and good to be reminded about that on a Sunday morning.

**Update from yesterday's blog.....I really appreciate all that read my post last night- I can see the stats and I'm fascinated by the trends of who reads when..page views, which blogs entries get the most hits, etc...last night was a good one.  So the apple dish that was in the oven came out...over cooked...even though I took it out 10 minutes earlier...I think my caramel done in the 1st step was what was really over-done...oh well- not a too expensive lesson in french cooking.  5 eggs and 5 apples....some sugar and spices...I'll try again and let you know the results.  The good news is Clare's cake in the freezer looks pretty good- preparing for our special week with Clare turning 13 on Newark-Granville Road!

with Julia Child and Jeanne Stoner

I apologize for the delay in posting...it has been a full week.  I helped out one day with a Works Soybean-Farm program- amazing- soy science; hosted a reception for Giving Society Members @ The Works, found the charming town of Fredickburg for Clare's Cross Country Meet, enjoyed time at Columbus Academy for Clare's Field Hockey game and that is why tonight's opportunity to stay home and cook was embraced and well timed!

So what was on the menu on Newark-Granville Road you ask?  Why thank you for asking....the title of this post should give you a hint.  Long time readers of our blog will recall my season of JC a few years ago. The reality is I've always enjoyed french cuisine and was raised by a mother who cooks in her style very well!  I experienced this first hand when I traveled to France my junior year of high school and found the food delicious and very much like my mother's.  A top ten book club book for me was My Life in France and I enjoyed reading the blog about Julia cooking every one of Julia Child's recipes from her first cookbook-Mastering the Art of French Cooking.  I finally received that book for Christmas and it was where I went today for my inspiration.

I knew I was making Beef Bourguinon tonight. I was in the mood for beef and it had been ages since I prepared this Stoner family staple.  Often a go-to for camping trips...easy to freeze and reheat over a fire.  We're camping next weekend and Ann Leithauser reminded me of an adult camping trip with this as the main course.  I looked at two similar but different recipes from Julia Child- one from Mastering, the 2nd from a cook book structured from her Cooking Show years later.  I resorted to Jeanne Stoner's tried and true- dictated to me years ago and recorded in a favorite little book of family favorites. It gives me the basics, some coaching and requires me to channel my Mom and improvise as she taught me.  It turned out just fine....good beef, bouillon, bacon, wine topped off with a roux...how could it not be!  The extra fun was a new dessert with apples- I selected a pomme custard- similar to flan/creme caramel...we'll see it is still in it's steam bath in the oven.....the thing about french cooking- lots of pans and a little longer than I think.  We knew we were in for a late dinner when I picked Sally up at 5:15 from Nutcracker rehearsal.

I love living on Newark-Granville Road and live with people knowing what is going on...we embrace the positive of that as they help when dogs get lost, kids lose their way or don't make the best decisions.  Our dining room activity will draw comments.   We use to put the kids to bed on nights like this and have a late romantic dinner- usually steak au poivre.  So tonight we lit the candles, pulled out the crystal and had a family dinner.  It is important to do for many reasons and it makes Life on Newark-Granville Road exactly what we wanted.  Thank you Jeanne and Julia for the inspiration, coaching and references to make our life (if I do say so myself) pretty yummy too!

grateful for family dinner

Tonight the most amazing thing happened!  I turned pizza dinner into an incredible healthy, yummy, nutritious meal!  How did I do this?  I went to church!  Yup- First Presbyterian Church in Granville.  The last Wednesday of the month is family pot luck night- church family. Come one come all....So last month was kind of slim pickings...looked like it was going to be pizza and cookies...it turned out fine.  Tonight it was amazing....the bbq "wings" cauliflower presented with ranch and celery- incredible- something so new, healthy, yummy, creative, well presented! Joe's favorite Asian slaw, homemade chicken pot-pot-pie, to my kids delight KFC, lots and lots of yummy mac n cheese, sloppy joes, a veggie casserole with squash, egg plant that was awesome....and so much more- cookies, buckeyes, muffins and pie....oh yeah!  Actually the really special part of the night is the feeling like your sitting in your dining room during a holiday meal.  You're surrounded by love, your belly is full....a few of us stayed after dried and put away dishes just chatting....lovely night on Newark-Granville Road for The Leithausers.  You too can make this happen....you can join at the next one- I'll let you know out here on the blog and feel free to message me if interested at ssleithauser@gmail.com!  Life on Newark-Granville Road is filled with amazement and this is one that we hold close and love to share!

and the characters that keep it entertaining......

So the Blog's title- Life on Newark-Granville Road should include those living energies that keep it fun.  I've had it in my head to document the family, capture the energy that keeps me in motion.  Included in my plans has always been a profile about Griffey- are darling dog.  The arrival of whom we announced on the blog.  And then the dog gives me something to share, something that "keeps us real" as a friend likes to say.....

Behold my one and only Amy Hamilton, Granville Millinery, hat...purchased at The First HATSOFF!...maybe the 2nd.....I've worn it for Derby, weddings, baptisms...and it now it is gone....Griffey.....

You know I blame myself.  Joe and I were just saying we've been pretty lucky with our 19 month old's chewing issues....a pair of Uggs did make us sad at the end of last winter.....he chews a lot but pretty unsubstanstial choices...until yesterday...sigh......

We do love this dog- he's all mutt- he still has one ear up, one down.  He passed obedience school but forgets most of his lessons.  He adores us....after his walk in the morning he loves to greet anyone left in bed with big wake-up licks.  He is a great runner. He isn't as big as we thought (hoped) he'd get but we love him.....He barks a bit too much- sorry Newark-Granville neighbors....but he's protecting us. He is smart and social and loves to play with his pals at McNally's Doggie Daycare.  Yes Life on Newark-Granville road is all the better with Griffey in our lives.

Nuture-Nature at The Middle School.....Join MSP!

Joe Leithauser feels pretty strongly that the impressive schools in our community are largely due to the parents of the students.  Where Joe gives credit to the genes they provide, I give credit to the support and encouragement they provide the full system- not just their own children.  And that is why I'd like to encourage every Middle School Parent to join the organization MSP- Middle School Parents.
http://www.granvilleschools.org/Partnerships1.aspx

When Clare arrived at the Middle School it was a "no brainer to me" to join.  They had me with this one sentence:  "Your $5 membership helps fund arts mania, staff appreciation, scholarship funds for 8th grade Washington DC trip and many other events at GMS."   Granted I've heard nothing but huge praise about arts mania, I LOVE DC and think all students need to experience it and want our staff to be supported. 

Of course we're all asked to join so many things, contribute to ten times more so I can see why people don't quickly sign up.  I ask all middle school parents to rethink that and send the $5 with the completed enrollment form (on line- follow above link) or look for the sheet that came home this week with your middle-schooler!   Another great way to support this group is through Market Days food orders! More on this website link.

Another way to be involved is to volunteer...we can all find a way to engage with our schools and keep the focus on the important GMS mission to create a vibrant learning community of tolerant and compassionate adolescents. 

This mission must be done in partnership with parents and the strong teachers, staff and administrators- the organization is really about supporting and enhancing their efforts and helping all of our students be those tolerant and compassionate learners!
MSO is a great way for us to untie and do just that!

And before I sign-off I'll thank the current and past leaders of GPO that have paved the way making life on Newark-Granville Road a bit easier.  The Middle School transition for us has been nothing short of wonderful.  The staff of this school have created an environment that has welcomed Clare.  She is thriving with the challenges, engagement, encouragement and responsibility of GMS.  Her genes do help her ( he he) but we know she wouldn't be as far without the she's had these past 13 years from our immediate and community family.

Welcome Fall

Denison classmate, David Howitt, says it best on facebook today:  "Autumnal Equinox is upon is. Time to set new intentions and to reflect on previous intentions. We are part of nature and we can view the change of seasons as a mirror of our own internal processes/seasons. Autumn is a time of harvest, reaping what one has sewn. We can take an opportunity to recognize the efforts we have exerted toward goals and notice where we have produced abundant results. We can also look at those areas that have not flowered or worked out and we can choose to let those go - so that they may be better turned into the compost for next years crops/intentions."

Despite being a color me beautiful fall and loving the real life colors, activities and sports associated with this season I find it hard to say goodbye to summer. I LOVE SUMMER and I soak in every last minute of it until Fall is officially here...and now it is...so welcome fall to my life on Newark-Granville Road!  Dave's comments above do a wonderful job and I'm so pleased to have his facebook posts.  I encourage you to check out his business page: Meriweather Group on Facebook or the website: http://meriwethergroup.com and like it to keep learning and gaining healthy happy perspectives like this one.  Thanks Dave!