Everything, Everything!

Anya (photo courtesy of Megan)

Hi. Thx. for reading my blog, first of all. It really thrills me when you leave a comment, however small. I like it!

Thursday, the day after Seth got his license, I had a dental appt. in I.F., so we got to experience freeway driving! I have to say, Seth learns very quickly and the ride home wasn't nearly as scary!

We went to my appt., then swung by the insurance office, where my blood sugar really dropped (but I managed to conceal it). I, for some reason, didn't have something sweet with me so we went to Arby's and I got two cherry turnovers and some curly fries. Seth got a couple of sandwiches and some mozzarella sticks, and we shared a strawberry banana split shake. I felt like I was starving, and the food was EXCELLENT. Oh my goodness! You have to try that shake! And everything was so fresh and hot. It was the best food on earth (given my state of blood sugar and the fact that it really was good). We shared the fries and mozz. sticks, and I had a bite of his sandwich. Mmm, mmm, good. : ) One of those memorable eating experiences that you never forget!

It reminded me of when we'd drive to Bro. Jensen's in St. Louis. We'd take apples to eat, and the car would smell like apples. On the way home, we'd smell the food at a restaurant (it's name escapes me) by the freeway, and we would die! But a couple of times, the kids would earn some free food coupons at school, specifically for that place, and we'd spend a couple of dollars extra, and we'd get to eat from their salad bar. Oh, that was so good! They had chicken wings and potatoes and gravy and really, really good corn. Those are the things that I remember eating there. Megan and Melinda and I all remember those experiences, because we've talked about them.

Other food memories for me are having pork chops (once?) when I was little, and the few times we ate bacon. Also, eating watermelon with my mom - so good! And eating her homemade eggnog and the cookies she'd bake for the church bakesales - the "20,000 Mint Surprise" cookies, or "Starlight Mint Surprise." The best cookies in the world! They don't make the thin, dark chocolate mint discs that she used anymore, unfortunately. Andes Mints are the best substitute I know of.

I also loved her Molasses Chew cookies, and I'm always trying to find that recipe.

Occasionally, I would get a malted milk at Paul's Diner, in Decatur, Illinois. It's been owned by the same family since before I was born, and they make their own ice cream for their shakes, which are huge and delicious. I was introduced to milk shakes by Sis. Weatherbee, Carleen Weatherbee's (she was always my best friend) mom. She made the best homemade milkshakes, and forever spoiled me for fast-food chemical foams!

Another indelible food memory is drinking homemade lemonade at Turners' farm (Aunt Evelyn was good friends with Mrs. Turner), after fishing. We'd eat outside in the evening - the twilights were long and and exquisite, and I'll never forget them.

I'm sure the older kids remember butchering the pigs and having bacon sandwiches with garden tomatoes we had raised. I always felt that Arnold and Fred were happy that they had lived so long and well (they'd been free runts that were going to die, courtesy of cousin Jim, Evelyn's son), and that we really needed the food they provided for our family.

Being married to Mark has given me many indelible food memories. Standing out for me were clam dip, cream of mushroom soup, French onion soup, strawberry ice cream, dreamy hot chocolate, his hamburgers and pork chops and roasts and steaks, and prime rib, when we've had them. His beautiful turkeys for Thanksgiving, and his Christmas hams. And the chocolate pies and cheesecakes and German chocolate cakes and homebaked breads of all kinds, his oatmeal cookies and fragrant banana nut bread, and our meatloaf and vegetable soup, his buttermilk fried chicken and his shish kabobs, and Chinese food, and I could go on and on!

I know I'm forgetting some of his specialties, so remind me if you think of some I've overlooked!

It's amazing, especially being so limited physically, that I don't weigh ten tons!!

As for other food experiences, I love fresh fruit and brocolli, garden tomatoes and green onions, chives, and cucumbers ~ so many fresh and healthy, simple foods.

----

I've been watching some really good movies lately, on tv. I can hardly remember their names, tho. Some were edited shows I've never seen before. I'll let you know if I remember their names, okay?

The weather has been great lately. Some hot days, and a few cool ones. Overall, it's been perfect August weather. Of course, you can't beat September and October here, and in some parts of the Midwest and New England and the Mid-Atlantic states. Megan and family should get to enjoy some great fall scenery in Amish country, in eastern Ohio.

Mark is doing well in his new job. The High Priest's group leader is loaning him a car, starting today. Isn't that nice? It will make a big difference for Mark!

He says that it all feels unreal still. No wonder, with living on the premises, not having a car, and all by himself!

He says he mailed me a box. So sweet of him! I'll have to make him one, too.

Tamathy and I were talking about Glenn Beck's gathering in D.C. today, and I'm going to try to take notes and write something funny about it. I know there'll be kooks there, from both sides of the political spectrum, and it should be great fodder for funny commentary. I hope so, because I really enjoy writing humorous material, but I have to be inspired to do so.

Then it's so easy. : )

What else? I can't think of much. Leto lies on the back patio when I have the door open, which I do when it's not very hot outside.

We both enjoy the fresh air and quiet.

Tut is very needy and reaches out his paws for attention

from his lazy, happy naps on the bed.

Mostly it's an act.

He's always been on the stage, in his mind, playing the part of a fat, happy cat.

He can hold a pose forever.

I think fall will go very quickly. I look forward to Mark's visits

and to visiting him in Las Vegas, as I'm able.

Won't that be fun?

As usual, I'm not planning to give many store-bought gifts this Christmas.

I realize that might seem chintzy, but it makes the season so much more enjoyable to do so.

It turns the holiday into something peaceful, long and loving,

and fun!

It gives me room to think and plan

And it allows time for many more seasonal, traditional activities.

I feel happy when I think of sledding, Christmas caroling, drinking cocoa by the fire,

spending time with family, and being a Secret Santa, some times!

Remember when we went to Linda's parents' home

and went on a horse-drawn hayride in the cold?

And then we rode Buddy and Jewel

We got some great pictures of the family

and the setting is beautiful!

What a fascinating history that location has.

Linda said, I believe, that it's called Deer Springs,

and it was a stop on the Oregon Trail.

Well, that's about all for now.

Keep making memories!

I love you!

xoxoxo