6 posts tagged “family”

And I know I've been lazy about writing on my blog.  There have been many times when I thought about it and then sit down to the computer and find myself answering emails; writing few in return; creating art and spending more time with my camera and learning techniques.

I was laid off in mid-July and knew it was coming for awhile.  Had worked with the company back in 2000 and as they say, 'some things never change' and this proved truthful once again.  In the process of considering a career change and avidly researching the idea, I received an email from a CPA firm.  The description was exactly what I've been thinking for a few years, I'd much rather do.  Having been a sole proprietor of a bookkeeping business in my past, and not having found the perfect niche here in Michigan, I had considered doing it once again.  Ultimately, I preferred the idea of working for a CPA firm on a seasonal basis with some time off or the flexibility for it during the summer months.

Low and behold, the email for an interview.  I know it was not a place that I applied, so it is still unbeknown to me where they obtained my resume.  Most likely an online job search agent.

Started working with them in October and learning new things all the time.  I must admit however, that as the days close in on year end, I've been spoiled with the part time status and now must shift gears for full time for 3 to 4 months. 

The boys are growing taller and smarter.  Acing classes all the way to honor roll.  The oldest is taking college level courses in preparation for his future.  Good kids.

The hub is still working and doesn't foresee economic strife at his location .... yet.  The technology industry is still moving ahead so far.

Aside from the normal every day living routine, there hasn't been much in the way of travel, reunions and such.  Been a very low key year.  I voted and my vote didn't win but I was pretty much undecided all the way anyhow.  So I'll bear with the choice of the majority and see how it goes. 

In the meantime, stay warm, stay safe, be cautious but have fun.  Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!

Kathy

Speaking of foods that remind us of people, events, things, I'm reminded of a few other things.

Traditions in my family's (mom's side) holiday menu include and included:

1. A mix of egg and chopped cauliflower - more like cauliflower pancakes.  No one has made these since my grandfather passed away in the early-90's (or was it late late 80's? yikes).  I take that back.  My mother made them once since then and we all agreed it just wasn't the same.  Gramps had a special touch in the kitchen during the holidays.  But it was thoughtful of mom to do it for us.
2. Fried smelt.  Yep, Gramps again.  The fisherman of the family.  I, however, tended to avoid any fish that Gramps cooked because he was not good at de-boning and I wasn't as good as he was in manipulating a bone from my mouth.  I came to the conclusion after I swallowed my first bone (and had to eat many a slice of bread to get that sucker to go all the way down), that I enjoy eating my food and not masticating it to death first, in search of bones before I could swallow.  Today is different however.  I've learned what the best boneless fillets are at the market and I indulge frequently.
   
3. Fried zucchini.  Gramps had a veggie garden every year that was loaded with lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, cukes, and more.  Anytime he wanted a salad it was at his fingertips. (And that man could pack away salads) He grew the most awesome zucchini and would slice it in circles, dip it in egg, bread it in Progresso bread crumbs with some freshly grated Romano cheese added in and pan fry in a little olive oil.  Belisimo!
4. Homemade lasagna or ravioli.  I use to watch Gram measure out her flour and other dry ingredients on a Formica covered wood slab on the kitchen table.  (It had no seams or cracks in it like the table).  She'd carve a well in the center of the mound and crack open and dump her eggs in the center.  And then the labor started.   Kneading and smoothing; cutting and running the dough through the rollers; filling and pinching.  If they made spaghetti, the noodles were laid out on tables and left to dry in the coolness of the basement (which was immaculate and had a second kitchen).  Homemade spaghetti sauce was to die for and Ragu and these sorts were voo-doo in their kitchen.  Gram use to (and still does) gripe when anyone uses anything but 'made from scratch' sauces.  And so I learned the tradition of making s'ghetti sauce from the best of them.
5. Cookies!  Can we talk here?  I am a cookie monster by the way but I hate making them.  I learned how to make pizzelles about 15 yrs ago and it's the only cookie that I actually enjoy making.  It's totally boring to sit in front of an iron pizzelle maker for hours but time flies with a bottle of wine at your side and a friend or two to help polish off the wine and cook the batter.  ;)  The recipe that I linked is a close match to our family recipe.  We use anise seed in some of our batches because not everyone likes the anise flavor or seed.  So yes, our basic recipe is still used but we have learned to modify the flavors for those that aren't keen on anise.
   

Finally, what brought me to writing this particular post (in conjunction with VJ's comment in my previous day post) is memories and to archive some of these and some family traditions in my blog. I have often wondered why certain smells remind us of certain people.  For instance, when a loved one dies what makes us smell their clothes that hang in the closet after they have gone?  When my father passed away, my mother was clearing out his Dodge Ram but missed a comb.  When my niece found it, she smelled it (why?) and said, "mmmmm smells like pop pop."  (That's what she called my dad).  She use to play beautician with him and he'd patiently sit while she combed and styled his hair.  The fact that a 4 yr old could recall a memory based on a smell really surprised me.  But it's obvious that she was close enough to his head to smell his hair and to know what that smelled like.  I was just surprised that she would remember it at that age or that it would bear significance to her.

Dedicated to: Gramps S  

Thank you to my friends and neighbors - for allowing me to vent or occasionally rant; and for allowing me to have my own opinions and arguments without debate.  I am grateful.

Thank you bookchick for disarming the feeling that you might encourage debate by your words of political sarcasm and rant.  You have the freedom of speech and you work to use it wisely.  Thank you Jamie for sharing the word 'eloquent.'

Please accept my offer of gratitude.  Have a prosperous day and remember to laugh.

are now available for free, at least through the end of this month.  You can read the article for details here.

Hopefully, this will offer some breakthroughs and for free.

Sudden unexpected change in mood has brought about a sundry of concerns.

1)   Tired of the automated political phone calls from only one of many persons running in the election here in Michigan.  I suppose our governor hasn't heard of the "Do Not Call Registry."  Initially, these calls were ok to receive but after awhile, they turned on the pre-fetch and many calls had no one on the other side.  With all things added up, I'm 1/2 tempted to vote and to vote against her.

2)   I do not like any of the political choices that are presented before me, this election.  So does that mean I still have to vote?  I would, however, vote to prevent dove hunting from passing.  Save the Dove!

3)   Negative news media.  Need I say more?  Turning the news off now and going to my happy place.

4)   Can you believe that it's almost Christmas?  ugh.  What happened to fall?

Woo hoo!  Yesterday I actually learned how to make some cool things in Adobe's Photoshop.  I've struggled with this software for awhile and it was pretty cool to learn how to finally do something so simple that I instantly become addicted to making circles.  Circles?  Yes.  I'll post some soon.  In the meantime, my order for Paint Shop Pro 8 finally arrived and I'm going to sign off for a bit while I install and play.  I currently own version 7 and understand there's been a few improvements with 8.  Regardless, it was a good price for an older version of Paint Shop, so I can hang with it.

I have a great husband.  Have I ever mentioned that?  Let me count the ways.....