| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Oct 23 2004 : 2:47:24 PM
Hi all -
Today my daughter and her daughter and my husband and I went to the Havana, Florida Pumpkin Festival. We had so much fun! My granddaughter, who is 18 months old, was extremely interested in the African group who brought their drums and played beautiful ethnic music. They let her have a drumstick and she played right along with them while doing a little dance. It was so precious, I will always remember it. She loved the music and the beat and was not afraid when everyone clapped for her. What a gift she is. To spend the glorious fall morning with my family celebrating the harvest, eating food and looking at the crafts and the arts....when I am low, I will try to remember this day.
Remember, girls, when at all possible, choose joy.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
| 23 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Nov 08 2004 : 11:37:24 AM
I am a big cowboy poetry fan too..we had a great cowboy poetry night at the county fair here this summer..I love stuff like that! How fun to have a family connection like that! How fun to have a MIL like that too.you are so lucky!!
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
| Clare |
Posted - Nov 08 2004 : 08:19:19 AM
Nikki! I love cowboy poetry! It is so clever and quick-witted and TRUE. Can't pull a fast one on cowboy poets!
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
| Idahospud |
Posted - Nov 07 2004 : 9:40:49 PM
My MIL and my 11yo daughter participate in another kind of festival every fall--cowboy poetry! My MIL is so clever and hilarious, and has written and performed many poems over the past several years. This year my daughter wrote a poem and memorized two that others have written, and has performed with her Grandma. They also go into schools and do a little travelling and Necia (my daughter) is thinking of taking up the guitar again and adding to her routine. It's a fun family thing to look forward to each fall.
Eileen, I'll be buying your cookbook, too! |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Nov 07 2004 : 1:49:19 PM
Yes, The Sugarplum Fair is usually the first or second week-end in November. We do a full length Nutcracker each year, with the Tallahassee Symphony, and this year our visiting principals are from The American Ballet Theatre, so the girls are very excited about working with two such wonderful professionals.
Bayoubunch, I know you have dancers in your family, have you ever had a Clara? :)
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Nov 06 2004 : 4:14:47 PM
Well, today was a good day. At 6:00 this morning I was up and getting dressed to go help with a day long event called The Sugarplum Fair. This is the 16th year we have done it. It takes place at Goodwood Plantation, and we have breakfast, lunch, artists, hot chocolate, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides, and plenty of fun for the kids. It all benefits the Tallahassee Ballet Company. We had a crisp and almost cold day, lots of blue sky and sun, and lots of fun too. The artists were wonderful! Hand woven scarves, pottery, oil lamps made from granite, jewelry, handpainted glass, fused glass and on and on. The plantation house is still open for tours, and the out-buildings, many in original condition are still there. The dancers performed twice on the huge porch of the antebellum house. It was great.
I wish you could all have visited!
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
| Eileen |
Posted - Nov 02 2004 : 12:02:27 PM
Jenny your family cookbook sounds like a treasure. My brother and his wife did a family cookbook a few years ago but I must admit, most of the recipes are not very good. Most use soup mix and hamburger with things like tatter tots and canned green beans. I guess I am just too picky. For the most part I do not ever buy most of the ingredients that a lot of their recipes called for because they do not fit into my idea of organic wholesome food and are full of preservatives or partially hydrogenated fats of one sort or another. I am not sure that my cookbook would fit into their idea of affordable eating.
Funny how families are all different.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Oct 31 2004 : 10:19:39 PM
We (I guess you can read that I) did a family cookbook for my husband's side of the family a few years back..it was great fun..lot of work, but totally worth it. He has a bigger family than I do, and it worked easier..I had each couple (there were 6 plus his dad and stepmom) each contribute at least two recipes in 7 catagories and a title page for a catagory with a family picture on it. (for example our family was on the breads divider page) I did color copies on the divider pages and just printed the recipe pages as written or typed..some had drawing and stickers..whatever..cute..and then bought 5x7 size binders with the clear pockets on the covers and slid a "cover" page in the front and a collage of family pictures on the backs. Everyone paid the cost for the books and if they wanted more than one they had to copy from their book..I just did the 7 books. It is fun though, since I have the best recipes from each sister in law now. ...Eileen..can't wait to try your muffins!!
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
| Eileen |
Posted - Oct 31 2004 : 09:33:13 AM
You guys are too special!!!!
I posted a treat for all of you on the thanksgiving or was it christmas is coming thread. Anyway try these muffins and tell me what you think. Oh, It was under Thankgiving is coming!!
With all these places to post I get confused. I should have just put it with the rest of the recipies in the recipe thread!DUH
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| bramble |
Posted - Oct 30 2004 : 08:47:40 AM
We put together a family cookbook a few years back so that everyone could have a little "taste " of each other all year long. We included recipes from Mom's,Dad's,Grandparents's and Great Grandparents with our own specialties so that the tradition was recorded for the next generation. It's a nice way to remember those that aren't with us anymore and everyone now has Gram's molasses cookie recipe! Some of the small cookbook fundraising companies have pretty low maximum amounts to order so your overhead could be relatively low. We did this through school also, with great success for PTA fundraising so the profit margin is there if you have a "market"( farm, health food,
coffee shop?) you can sell them from. ( I think I've seen recently that Barnes and Noble and/or Borders is now doing self publishing if you want to go the glossy page route! Probably too pricy, but it doesn't hurt to check!Good luck! Bramble
with a happy heart |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Oct 30 2004 : 08:31:45 AM
I will be the second to purchase. Eileen your recipes are outstanding! That shortbread is melt in your mouth delicious! Good advice from Kim. With your photography of your beautiful home it would add to your recipes. I always like to know about the people who publish their recipes, what their kitchens are like, the people they cook for, just their lives in general and what inspires them. Hey you already have the cool office to start this project in! You Go Girl!
Time Flies |
| Kim |
Posted - Oct 30 2004 : 07:26:38 AM
"Eileen's Coffee Shop Cookbook"! I'll be the first to purchase it!
I would just start collecting the recipes you want to publish along with ideas on types of layouts etc. Some of my favorite cookbooks have bylines on how the cook came up with the recipe, history behind it, or why they wanted to make the item, etc. There must be some source on the internet to give guidance......
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Oct 29 2004 : 8:39:22 PM
Wow all this chat about Pumpkins and I've got the munchies. Going outside to steal one of my daughters pumpkins off the porch and going to whip up some pumpkin bread for breakfast! YUM!
Time Flies |
| Eileen |
Posted - Oct 29 2004 : 6:22:09 PM
Those are 2 recipies that I anm not wanting to share just yet. I created them for a Coffee Shop that I bake pastries for. I think I want to write a cookbook of these special recipies, just not sure where to start.
Eioleen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| Kim |
Posted - Oct 29 2004 : 6:14:29 PM
I was a pumpkin in my previous life...........
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
| Kim |
Posted - Oct 29 2004 : 6:11:44 PM
Eileen
Would love to have those recipes if you care to share?! I always ask because some people have family recipes and may not want to share.
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
| Eileen |
Posted - Oct 29 2004 : 5:57:19 PM
Kim and everybody,
Kim You silly wabbit!!!
We did go and had a wonderful time. The boys did not get to come, so very sad and we missed their lively banter very much, darn. But we did have the pumpkin carving contest all the same and this year Charli added one other new feature, She bought one of those cookie haunted house kits and challenged the oldest member at the party to put it together. It turned out really cute!
I brought my famous Pumpkin Muffins and got Rave reviews. Last year I took Pumpkin Scones. At first everybody was disappointed that I had not brought the Scones but after tasting the muffins I got lots of requests for my recipe.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| Kim |
Posted - Oct 29 2004 : 5:48:52 PM
p.s besides that, it would be worth the airfare or gas prices to me to be amongst all that Pumkin Fare!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's my fave time of year. My mom makes me 2 (yes 2!) pumpkin pies for my birthday, DQ has their pumpkin Blizzards, Barnes/Noble has pumpkin cheesecake and lattes, a local restaurant has pumpkin ravioli with pine nuts, and yesterday at owrk I took place inthe pumpkin seed spitting contest!!! (no luck, I hit the bucket 3 times, reigning champ...6)
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
| Kim |
Posted - Oct 29 2004 : 5:44:07 PM
You all are making me cry!!! jp what a lovely gift from your daughter. My grandmother made me a tape recording of her life including some of her most painful moments growing up. things like these are items/moments to treasure, And bless her for taking upon herself the daunting task of missionary work, noless ina country frought with war.
I hope you took a picture of your grandaugher drumming along. What a precious sight!
Eileen, I agree with you, football,etc, will come and go and one day out of a lifetime is not going to hurt anyone as far as I'm concerned. Other people beg off for what I consider very silly reasons. It's a balance and he may someday regret this decision. Sorry, I will remove myself from my soapbox.....
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Oct 29 2004 : 06:57:13 AM
When my only daughter went to Israel three summers ago, it took all my courage to smile as she got on the plane, alone, headed to Tel Aviv and then to do mission work in Jerusalem. How was my baby going to make it, as a Christian missionary, when every day the papers were showing Israeli sidewalk bombings and etc.? Yet she was just out of college and felt called to do it. She raised her own money to go. It was the summer of the Sbarro bombing, and she ate there once in awhile!
When I got home from the airport, I found a journal she made for me. She had written something for me to read each day she was gone (3 months), and in it were memories she had of growing up and the fun things we did. I am getting tears just writing about this! I read that journal over and over that summer as I was praying for her safety. And it will always be one of my treasures. I still get it out and read it.
Lori - I pray for your boys. The things you send over there are keeping them going, I am sure, and bring a bit of home to them. That is priceless.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
| bramble |
Posted - Oct 28 2004 : 6:34:20 PM
LoriJ- Family is EVERYTHING! You are sending your boys a bit of you with every memory and that will only stir more so they will keep you close in their hearts while they are far away. I hope and pray that they come home to you safe and soon to make more wonderful family memories and complete the family tapestry.
When my son was born I started a journal to him as he grew and wrote about him, the changes I watched and how I felt to be his Mom. It has kind of turned into a log sometimes of sayings, achievements , milestones and events or just when he's done something that's made me so proud. He doesn't know about this, but I would like to give this to him someday when I am old so that he can always remember.
with a happy heart |
| bramble |
Posted - Oct 25 2004 : 09:50:43 AM
A football practice that goes on all day long is too darn long! Compromise sounds like what's needed here so everyone can get something ! We try hard to find that balance too, and it's hard in a world where every activity kids participate in these days is geared like they are training for the Olympics!
Jeannie your memories of your granddaughter will be treasures you can keep close and take out whenever you need them. They also reminded me of a day that was way too busy when my son was about 4 and a friend called to invite us to a "concert" and she convinced me by saying she would make dinner that night. The concert turned out to be a polka band at the Sr. Center! Needless to say at 38 I was wondering what on earth we were doing there! My friends young daughter had adopted a Grandma and they were visiting with her . Next thing I know the music starts playing again and I look around to see my small son asking a 90 year old woman to dance! They weren't the best on the floor but they were my favorite! When I asked him later how he had chosen that particular lady he said " She was talking to us and I liked her. She was sparkling from the inside!" These are those unexpected times to cherish!
When I visited my cousin in Utah many years ago I learned that the Mormons have something called Family Night. I thought at the time what a great idea! We try to do that on Sunday nights since that seems to be our "down" time. Board games, books, sometimes a movie, music, sometimes a craft (last night we made a halloween gingerbread house).
It's a nice way to end one week and start a new one all together.
Cherish them all it goes by way too fast! Bramble
with a happy heart |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Oct 25 2004 : 08:40:59 AM
Family times do count the most when all is said and done. My daughter, who is all grown up now, appreciates that we did not make her feel as if she had to participate in every activity that came along with her school, etc. The activities she did do and enjoy, she does not particularly think back on with fondness. I notice that she remembers the times when we visited family and did things like fishing together, and taking walks, etc. She remembers dyeing Easter eggs and hunting them for hours over and over. Hearing her look back on her young life is very insightful as to what children remember. I myself do not remember with love the dance recitals and stuff. I remember grandpa's farm in the early mornings.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
| Eileen |
Posted - Oct 23 2004 : 6:14:30 PM
Tomorrow we, Rodney and I are going to go to his cousins house in Edmonds to celebrate fall with a family tradition of pumpkin Carving contest and all you can eat pumpkin flavored foods. Pumpkin soup, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies,pumpkin pie alamode! We have done this for a number of years and really enjoy the fun of it. The kids really get into the carving and always insist that part of the party includes separating the seeds and roasting them in butter and salt.
Charlie our cousin who always hosts this event called to tell us that the two youngest will not be there this year because suddenly they are old enough to be involved in sports, soccer and miniture football of all things. They each have a practice each weekend that sometimes run all day. Their Daddy said that they joined a team so cannot dissapoint that team for an old pumpkin carving contest! AAAARRRRGGGGh. I could throttle him! I know team spirit is important but it seems to me that family spirit is or should be more important. Charlie said they both cried when their dad told them they could not come. I hope He has a change of heart before tomorrow. Am I being too selfish? Tradition is family glue, I hate to see it disapear.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
