Happy Despite Them

Deirdre and John, engaged!

2011-09-06T14:38:00.002-04:00

I've posted on Like Mother, Like Daughter about our great news!

Come visit us there!

"May you see your children's children"

2010-12-26T22:53:00.000-05:00

A blessing fulfilled!

Philip Edward Turner, born December 26, 2010.

The Lawler Family Yearbook, 2010 edition!

2010-12-10T16:33:00.001-05:00

Editor's Note:

Some of you may have already received (or soon will) this "Yearbook" in the mail.

So what's here may seem familiar, but some of it will be new, because I started this post last year before I gave up, and then forgot about it when I did the hard version; and also because here I have more space for quotes, and, of course, pictures.

I want the record to show what the kitchen looks like while we are making gingerbread houses. Christmas 2008.

You see, I'm catching you up on two years’ worth of news or news-like thoughts, since I was unable to send out a yearbook in 2009, due to news overload.

Bridget on her way to visit Rosie and Suzanne in DC in the winter of '09. By herself!

Bridget's dancing days are behind her, but they are a good memory.

Anyway, I will tell you now that we not only had the wedding of Rosie to Marine Lt. Philip Turner on July 4, 2009, but also the wedding of Nick to Natasha Sarkisian (no rank other than delightful) on August 29, 2009.

Both were great occasions of rejoicing. If you would like to see more pictures, also visit Like Mother, Like Daughter (where you can click on the “weddings” category).

Yard work in the aftermath of the ice storm of 2008. What a mess was left. Here are some particularly diligent workers.

Sadly, Phil’s mother, Mary Alberta Lawler, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2009 after a full life. She was 93.

May God rest her soul. We miss her and Grandpa very much!

We visited Virginia in the spring of 2009, and stayed by the Shenandoah River.

On St. Patrick’s Day of this year, in the midst of our second epic battle with floodwaters that were ultimately only conquered by the fire department’s intervention with extra pumps and a convict gang to sandbag our yard, I got a phone call informing me that we had won “the raffle” – a trip to Ireland!

That staggered me, in that I had no recollection of buying any ticket. Come to find out that Phil had bought one to help a friend and promptly forgotten about it or to tell me!

So off to Ireland we went this summer. You can also read about that whole story in several posts on the LMLD blog (read from the bottom up). (Note that in some of the posts here I talked about something unrelated to Ireland but the pictures are from our trip.)

Engaged couple #1.

Engaged couple #2.

Last month my mother, Elizabeth (Habou), went in for some tests at the hospital. In a surprising development for someone who enjoys good health and an active life, she ended up having a triple bypass! Thanks be to God, she’s doing amazingly well and no one who looks at her can believe she underwent open-heart surgery so recently.

And now we look forward to the arrival of our first grandchild! God is very good indeed.

Please keep in touch, come visit, and pray for us – we pray for you!

With much love, we send every Christmas blessing to you! Phil, Leila, and Family

Alumni Corner *NEW!*

Here is where I will tell you my impressions of what our faraway children are doing. I have not been able to fit them into the yearbook structure for a while now, and choose to give up the pretense of doing so by simply filling you in on their whereabouts and doings.

Nick: Along with Natasha, has taken up residence in Hong Kong, somewhere so far away that it’s often a completely different day there. I think that he spends a lot of time going to other faraway places and rounding up businesses to invest in for people who do that sort of thing, and if you do, Asia is where you have to do it. If you want to get to know Natasha, go to her blog, Hong Kong Housewife, where your education will be complete as well as amusing.

Rosie: Along with Philip, has taken up residence in southern California at Camp Pendleton, which would have seemed far away to me scant months ago (before the above couple upped the ante with their move) but which now feels downright cozily at hand. By the time you read this she will have all but completed their project, a new little Turner, due around December 30! She would like to point out that she and Sukie said many funny things in the past two years. Don’t be misled by the dearth of quotes from them below.

Suzanne: Teaching music and literature to children at St. Michael’s in Annandale, Virginia, and controlling her classes with the power of her eyebrows. Often Sukie is to be found trying to convince friends that contra dancing is fun, and hosting parties that include season-specific beers and fabulous pastries. This past summer she visited Toronto, where she successfully married off her god daughter despite the best efforts of political protesters to ruin everything; also Oceanside, CA, where it rained. She was visiting Rosie, whom she also successfully married off the year before. That was an even more impressive feat, as the enemy was not the G20 but Rosie’s bout with mono, which lasted the five weeks up to the wedding. Sukie graduated from George Washington in 2009. Please go here for her senior composition, which is amazing.

Joseph: Also living in Northern Virginia, where he resists Sukie’s contra dancing imprecations. Joseph is managing editor of The American Spectator and thinking about heading elsewhere for graduate studies in economics. Can conservative politics survive without his incisive guidance? I doubt it. Joseph gave a rousing toast at Nick’s wedding that will not soon be forgotten for its hilarity, viz, “It's a tall order to toast Nick, because as those of you who are familiar with us Lawler brothers know, it's hard to think of something nice to say about us that we haven't already said about ourselves.”

Fiddle concert, Advent 2009

Bridget, going on 14, Homeschool, 9th grade

In 2009-2010, Bridget Loved: being a bridesmaid twice; getting a puppy; traveling to Ireland and playing fiddle and dancing in a pub --strong moves for a shy person!

Most Likely to: Surprise herself by learning a Natalie MacMaster fiddle tune by ear.

Hated: Leaving beautiful Dingle where we were graciously invited by our friends the Mitchells. When her kindred spirit, Marguerite, happily agreed to come with us for a few days back to County Clare and beyond, Bridget wondered “why anyone would leave such a lovely place to go with us. I would never leave.”

She also hated when the power came back on after the great ice storm of 2008. I know that should have been in last year's yearbook, but she really hated it, and spent a lot of 2009 talking about how she wishes there would be another ice storm and a much longer power outage.

Recommends: Living on a hillside in Connemara, which she loved for its desolate beauty.

Mom, Will, and Bridget are watching Man vs. Wild on TV. Apparently I’m asking too many questions.

Bridget: “Mom, there’s just no good way to watch this show with you.”

Bridget: “What degree of casual-ty is this party?”

Bridget: “How many e’s are there in lemon?”

Deirdre: “One, or else it would be ‘lemeen’.”

Bridget: “No, that would be ‘leemon’. [Long pause.] But what I wanted to know was how many l’s there are in melon.”

Bridget: "Then she bites me." [Talking about the puppy.]
Mom: "Then you PUNCH her!"
Bridget: "But then she just thinks I'm playing."
Mom: "That's because you don't punch her hard enough."

Jojo: "Bridget, for a Lawler, your eyebrow control is disgraceful."
Bridget: "I know. I work on it every time I'm in front of the mirror."

Will's graduation on an intensely hot May day.

William: 19, Sophomore at Villanova

Loved: Being a groomsman in Nick’s wedding; going to college where he specializes in extracurriculars “where they screen for out-goingness.”

Most likely to: Become a beach bum in Hawaii, where he was treated to a lovely vacation by friends this summer; take Nick up on a ridiculous bet.

Hated: Saying goodbye to his friends to go off to college the first year.

Recommends: Checking twice regarding time, day, and airport when traveling. Ahem.

Will: Oh my goodness. I can't wait to never ever go there again. (About a certain job venue...)

Seeing if a vintage gown from Grandma's extensive collection would work for a bridesmaid's dress. Not really, but isn't it beautiful?

Starting on the wild decorations for Rosie's wedding.

Deirdre: 22, Senior at Catholic University of America

Loved: Her six weeks in France. Also being the resident Bollywood choreographer at the Notre Dame and ISI summer philosophy programs in 2009, not to mention the weddings.

Most likely to: Rope the occasional university bigwig into attending Students for Life events, of which group she’s president this year.

Hated: Leaving Isches, the tiny French village where she was a guest of friends (and where residents draw their drinking water from a central fountain!).

Often: Wishes she could indulge Sukie in her quest for dancing.

Looking Forward To: Being done with riding shotgun in ambulances during midterms, or just generally sitting up in ERs late at night; also 2am rounds after three years as the world’s most committed RA.

We do not recommend that you contract mono in the five weeks preceding your wedding. This is how Mom has to feed you.

Wedding #1.

Habou: "I'm gonna be a saint, in spite of all the other Catholics in the world."

Mom: "It was a fraud. That reminds me, I haven't talked to Jojo in so long."

Our one trip to the beach in 2009 that I can remember. We got to Rockport just as the sun went behind the clouds...

Bridget: "I'm having some trouble with this thing."
Will: "You need to call someone older and bigger and smarter over to help you."
Bridget: "You're older and bigger."

Thanksgiving 2009:
Mom: "These are whiskey yams!"
Bridget: "So, we're hicks?"
Mom: "No! It's expensive whiskey."
Bridget: "So, we're rich hicks."

Habou: "I need more stuff to eat with my wine!"

Pop [to Bridget]: “The truth is, you're brave and you don't know it.” [Short and profound pause]

Pop: “Which means that you're stupid.”

Phil: “Europeans don’t get much done. They did a lot in the last few centuries and they’re taking this millennium off.”

Wedding #2.

The view as we arrived at Nick and Natasha's reception.

Habou: “Well if I'm going to cook, I'll need cooking wine.”

Will: “To cook what?”

Habou: “Just to drink while I'm cooking.”

Habou: “Sure. Go ahead and make fun of me. You'll see what happens.”

Will: “Habou, you taught me to play poker, mix drinks, and swear. I'm not gonna make fun of you.”

Mom: “No! DO NOT TOUCH THAT BACON!”

Will: “Geez! Who's it for, the Pope? What is it, the new currency?”

Mom: “Will, are you going to watch this [educational documentary] movie with Deirdre?”

Will: “No.”

Mom: “The answer is yes.”

Well, if everyone is going to leave, then Bridget needs a puppy!

Bridget with Phil's old typewriter!

For whatever reason this is the only picture I have of Christmas 2009. Count the computers in this room alone!

Deirdre: “Why do you do that?”

Pop: “What?”

Deirdre: “Lie.”

Pop: “It's just so much fun. There are three kinds of fun. Good, clean fun; lying; and wanton destruction.”

Bridget: "I just seems like people want us to feel guilty about the dinosaurs: 'Look what we did!!'
Oops."

Question: How do you mow around the bees? Answer: Very carefully.

Pop: "What do you, Will?"
[pause]
Will: "I'm trying to decide what to eat for breakfast."
[pause]
Pop: "Don't burn yourself out."

Physicists: comment on why the frisbee appears square.

This is the one picture of all of us in Ireland. I think we were pretty tired at this point, and hadn't quite had breakfast yet, so don't judge....

Rosie: “I have the rings! I need to give them to someone to take care of them.”

Jojo: “I'll take them. I'm like the Frodo Baggins of this family; I get the rings where they need to go.”

Will: “Rosie's like, 'I'mmmm not sure; I'm not making any promises!'”

Deirdre: “Haha, except for the VOWS she's making on Saturday. Rosie, are you prepared to make vows?”

Will: “Well, vows are more like suggestions, anyway. A vow is like a yield sign.”

Our French friend Mailys visited this August. Here we are at the top of Mount Wachusett with Boston in the background, although you can't see it.

Deirdre: "Boys, on a scale from plain to glorious, how does Rosie look right now? Her hair, notably, and her jewelry."
[pause. Rosie straightens up expectantly]
Jojo: "Scrum-prilescent."
Will: "I was going to say the personification of Wedding."

Bridget stretched way out of her comfort zone and played soccer this fall! Confound the World Cup, she says, for tricking her into wanting to do it! She is #86.

Sukie: "I have something to say about this wedding: we are going to dance all night long."
Jojo: "Not necessarily."

Note baby bump lurking in there ;)

Phil cooking "Bachelor Swill" on his 60th birthday, because he's a good guy and we were running around.

Will (in Villanova sweatshirt and green shorts) and Joseph (back to us) as quarterbacks of their respective teams in the Thanksgiving Day Classic flag football game at the Abbey. Note the monk in the center, ready for action.

Habou: "I have to say, I'm relieved that Manny is gone. Because I just hated seeing him come up every time in that filthy, filthy, dirty hat."

Will: "You know what Mom, you just lost your tractor privileges."
Mom: [Panicking.] "No I didn't! You know what, you just lost living here!"

Jojo: "If you want an itchy head and a burning mouth, then this is the condiment for you."

Will: “That's because you have a badonkadonk.”

Mom: [reproachfully] “So do I!”

[Pause.]

Will: “Mom, do you know what that means?”

Mom: “Yeah...um…”

Will: “It means you have a huge [behind].”

Mom: “Oh, I thought you meant a big cellphone.”

Leila turns 50, you might as well know...so you forgive the giant FAIL she has perpetrated.

2010-06-08T22:23:00.005-04:00

Yes, you might as well know...since it's all over the interwebs already.

And I admit to a significant FAIL, in that this is not my Christmas -- or Candlemas -- or Lent -- or even Pentecost yearbook/newsletter... you know, the one I promised you!

What can I say. Despite my best efforts, I have been dragged into a new era in which I no longer have focused assistants, ready and able to devote their creative abilities to help me get things like a yearbook done.

I have to figure out a new way to bring you the year's news -- other than via blog, with pictures, which keeps you up to date -- no, make that TWO blogs!! Not sure what you're complaining about...oh, you mean the "overheards"? Yeah, I don't have assistants taking notes on the hilarious and witty things said around here, either....

Instead, these amazingly creative, intense, and driven people got together and gave me a birthday bash. It lasted all weekend.

So for now, you might as well enjoy the lovely party...I'll show you in pictures, okay?

Last-minute frosting of cakes is a tradition in these parts!
If we're not at the party, we're frosting the cake!

I want you to see the goodness concealed in there:

That would be layers of lemon curd alternated with whipped cream, oh yeah.

The idea was to have a tea party at which one wore hats, pearls, and even gloves....

It never hurts for the hostess, the warm, welcoming Nancy Bell, to have a beautiful 18th century tavern with glorious grounds, setting off the lovely ladies to wonderful effect.

Deirdre and Natasha adorn themselves with the youngest party-goers.

Someone makes darned sure she samples everything!

I don't know if you can see the bird on Habou's hat:

I love how many sweet girls joined us! Bridget is on the left with the big pink flower!

Natasha, above...and Sukie, below...

Rosie...

I didn't know anything about any of this until a couple of weeks before (when I found myself wondering why my name was on someone's wedding invitation, so elegant was what I received in the mail).

They all (except Philip, Rosie's husband, who had to hold Fort Sill together in Rosie's absence) converged. The day after the party Habou made me a wonderful family shish-kebab dinner for the family.

It was a birthday-bash-reunion!

We had delicious baba-ghanoush...

Wonderful lamb-kebabs...

Leftover desserts...

No picture of us all together, of course. Sigh.

I had a lovely weekend. How delightful to see everyone unexpectedly (well, I had about two weeks' warning)! What a blessing!

Here you see Will playing with my birthday present, which promises to do everything for me...except get them in one place for a picture.

There will be something in this space...soon.

2009-12-29T09:33:00.004-05:00

Did you come here to read our Lawler Family Yearbook for 2009? It's coming...I hope...why not bookmark or subscribe to RSS feed so that you won't miss it?

We look forward to having something for you to read. Try to be patient. Try not to forget about us in the meantime. Don't give up. We love you!!

Nick and Natasha get married!

2009-11-17T22:34:00.004-05:00

Oh yes, I have some catching up to do!

The wedding day of our dear Nick and his Natasha was August 29th, and here I am to show you pictures! (I can take a picture -- though I didn't take these, Rosie and others did -- but man, I cannot handle organizing pictures...)

For this wedding, we had one task, besides getting ourselves presentable and over to San Francisco. And that was, providing the flowers (in Mason jars) and place cards for the rehearsal dinner. From afar, of course...

So please excuse me if out of the thousands of pictures I could show you, I take up four to admire the arrangements! Thank goodness for a florist who listens...

Bridget and Rosie made the cards, for a signature Lawler girl homemade touch!

The rehearsal dinner was at the Pelican Inn at Muir Beach, the site of the Proposal. How romantic! After wine and cheese we walked to the actual beach and enjoyed the beauty of the spot Nick chose.I can't describe how many events preceded this dinner, not to mention the wedding. It would be too much.

But suffice it to say that we had an amazing week getting to know Natasha's family, and the fun continued unabated until beyond the end, if that's possible.

On the morning of the wedding, the ladies met at the salon to get spiffed up and watch Natasha get her dress on. This dress had been worn by her grandmother half a century ago, and then put in a box until Natasha pulled it out....

Beautiful!
And yes, she wore my veil (that was also Aunt Fran's and Rosie's) over the one she had made to match the dress...

We rode in an actual San Francisco trolley to and from the wedding!

Habou with Natasha's mother's mother, Inez, whose dress it was.

Of course we had to sing...

Do you think he is excited?
The church (St. Dominic's) is stunning...

Joseph was Best Man.

My vote for Bridesmaid of the West:

Very happy and proud POG:

And a fun reception at the Fort Mason Officer's Club. A sunny San Francisco day, a beautiful wedding. We couldn't be more grateful to God for His blessings.

Thirty years ago today...

2009-08-11T08:37:00.004-04:00

...I woke up and realized...this is the day I start my life for real...

...and if you were at Rosie's wedding, and you want to know what that expression on my face was, walking down the aisle on my son's arm, as my daughter waited in the narthex with my husband to start her life for real...I can't explain it, except to say, God is good.

Mary Alberta Collins Lawler, RIP

2009-07-21T16:49:00.004-04:00

Monday was the funeral of Phil's mom, Mary. She had a long life and died a peaceful death. She will be much missed!

The older kids visited her shortly before her death. Rosie and Philip dropped in on her on the way to their honeymoon (which lasted all of a day), and Suzanne, and later Nick and Natasha, saw her the following week in the hospital.

Rosie, Grandma, and Philip

May her memory be eternal!

Rosie's wedding!

2009-07-07T14:02:00.001-04:00

Rosie got married on July 4th, 2009. Come over to Like Mother, Like Daughter, to see pictures and hear about how we celebrated her wedding!

Will's high school graduation!

2009-06-18T09:39:00.005-04:00

There he is in the middle group of boys, with the black shirt under his robe. See him?

Listening to Amazing Grace...yes, at a public high school!
I was proud of Will for removing his cap during the singing of the National Anthem. If you click on the picture, you can see him on the right side on the aisle in the middle.
He made it. Off to Villanova in the fall! Congratulations, Will! (and Mom, and Pop :)

Bees 2009: introducing Cleopatra and Nefertiti

2009-05-17T10:09:00.002-04:00

For those of you living far away, it's time to get acquainted with this year's bees.

We have two colonies for this summer, which we've named Cleopatra and Nefertiti.

They arrived just two weeks ago, in "nuc" boxes that hold about enough to fill half of a brood box-- which is one of the deep boxes on the bottom of the hive, where the queen lays and the workers raise brood. Within a week after we'd installed them, to my astonishment the brood box in Nefertiti was totally full, so we added a 2nd. On Saturday we did another inspection.

It was a beautiful sunny morning, and as I approached the hives-- accompanied by Bridget, the official staff photographer-- there was plenty of activity at the entrance of Nefertiti (the blue hive).

We smoked them, and the bees mostly withdrew into the hives. But you can see a lone drone hanging out on the entry-board to Cleopatra.

When we'd first installed them, we had given them feeders (the upside-down jar). They were completely empty, but they'd done their job. There's plenty of pollen for the bees now.

When we opened Cleopatra we found a nice healthy colony: plenty of activity even after we'd smoked them back off the top. (Don't ask me how that oak leaf got inside the hive.)

But again Nefertiti was even more impressive. The 1st brood box was completely full; the 2nd one coming along nicely. (That's the 2nd one on the bottom; you add a new one below the 1st one, because the queen tends to move downward as she lays.**) We added a "super" so that they can get to work producing honey for us.

By the way, see how a few bees are showing up at the entrance again, in the picture above? The camera doesn't catch it, but all the while, as you're working on the hives, there's a constant buzz around you.

It's unsettling at first; then you learn to relax and it becomes a pleasant sound-- a bit like waves on the shore: loud but not offensive. And the buzz says a lot; if it starts to rise in pitch, you know it's time to finish up and get out of there.

Want to see what a full frame of brood looks like? Here's a really busy one.

And then here's another, not quite so full, but in better light.

That's all for this week. Maybe next time we'll see the beginning of the comb for our honey.

--------

** (Edit added much later:) Sorry; I was misinformed. The queen tends to move up as she lays. Somehow I had got things wrong, so I thought it would be clever to add an empty brood chamber on the bottom. It wasn't such a bright idea. But the bees sorted things out eventually and filled both boxes anyway.

Nick and Natasha are engaged!

2009-04-24T20:14:00.005-04:00

I apologize for not posting sooner about this news! I can't believe it's taken me so long -- chalk it up to being distracted.

However, here we go.
Above you will see why we love Natasha so much. She's just a great person! There she is at her parents' house, very soon after being popped The Question.

The wedding will be August 29th in San Francisco! Here you have the best picture I could find of the ring, and if you are like me, you really want to know! (I just love jewelry, don't you?)
But the picture I most want to show my grandchildren is this one:

I think it would help them to understand that their mother, while charming,

and undoubtedly fashionable,

and sweet,

and always kind,

and a California Girl, which we hardly can approve of (being dour New Englanders ourselves),

nevertheless,

has some spunk!

As Prophets Had Foretold!

2009-04-23T23:15:00.008-04:00

*I think you can view it now!*

Here is the video I took of Suzanne's concert. That is she conducting the world premiere of her piece!

I will add the words as soon as I get them -- it will enhance your viewing experience to know what is being sung.

*Here you go!*

I. Sing, O Daughter! (Zephaniah 3:14, 20)

Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel...and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth.

II. Magnificat (Luke 1:46-49)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed;
The Almighty has done great things for me
And holy is His name.

III. And there shall come forth (Isaiah 11:1, 4:2)

And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse and a flower shall rise out of his root. On that day, the branch of the Lord will be luster and glory; and the fruit of the earth will be honor and splendor for the survivors of Israel.

IV. Ave Regina Caelorum (Traditional)

Hail, O Queen on Heaven's throne!
Root of Jesse, gate of morn!
From you unto us true Light has shone,
Hail, O Queen of Angels!

Praise the Father, praise the Son,
Holy Spirit, Three in One!
O God Most High, we Thee adore;
Grant Thy grace evermore!

To help you listen for a couple of things, I will say that the first and third movements are prophecies from the Old Testament, and the hopefulness and perhaps uncertainty is expressed musically by some dissonance.

The second movement is the Magnificat. I will have to get you the name of the beautiful singer.

*Elizabeth Hai!*

The fourth is the Ave Regina Caelorum (the first verse of which is translated by Bridget!). Listen for the descant on the second verse. The soprano singing that is Jennifer Russo, a voice to remember! (I would also love to hear Rosie singing that!).

Enjoy!

A Victory (of sorts) for Real Maple Syrup

2009-04-21T15:16:00.001-04:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/21/dining/21ihop.html?hpw

What liturgical season precedes St. Patrick's Day?

2009-03-14T11:31:00.003-04:00

We are now in the busy time known as The Time Before St. Patrick's Day and Often After As Well, when we are running around like crazy getting ready for and performing in Irish Step shows.

We will return to our normally scheduled Lenten season when this blows over.

The Lawler Family Yearbook for 2008!

2009-02-12T20:52:00.027-05:00

For many years now we have been sending our "yearbook" to friends and family along with our Christmas cards. Some years I'm a little late -- I'm never early -- some years I'm very late. This year I'm so late it's Valentine's Day already...

But to make up for it we are going online with it -- with pictures (which I am normally too disorganized to produce).

And even if you have seen this editorial content, you will be treated here on the blog with our new feature -- outtakes!!

We are pathetically happy when you leave a comment! Please do!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Editor’s Note: What a year this has been for us! Phil’s book, The Faithful Departed, was published by Encounter Books in February.

And we are so very happy to announce that Rosie is engaged to Philip Turner, a fine young man she’s known for going on ten years now, and the son of very good friends of ours. Their strong friendship suddenly blossomed into something more. Everyone is so excited!

Please keep in touch, even if you follow our example in tardiness. Better late than never, I always say!

A blessed year to all,

Leila, Phil, and family

~~~~~~~~

Bridget, 12, Homeschool, 7^th grade

In 2008, Bridget Loved: Visiting Nick in San Francisco with Mama and Papa in April, and going to Cape Cod for a week in the summer with the whole family.

With Natasha in San Francisco

She Hated: Getting the back of her legs sunburned on the beach.

She Often: Plays her violin (Aunt Fran’s gift, much beloved).

She’s Looking Forward To: Being a bridesmaid!

She Recommends: Silas Marner, Kit Kittredge

Bridget with Christine Preuss

There are a lot of Preusses. And we love them all.

Bridget: Could somebody hand me a chip? Preferably Rosie, and preferably with her left hand?

Bridget [complaining about being teased]: I'm just a child.

Nick: You are just a child.

Bridget: Shh!

Bridget [to Will]: I just creepily kissed your head.

"Takes more than a gun to kill a man

I ain't afraid to die."

- Bridget’s original composition, used on her gmail status for a while.

Bridget: Deirdre, make our beds. Or I will say, "Fie upon you! Now I will hit you with my bunny!" [quoting Rosie!]

Suki: Wait -- why was the White Witch in it? [Prince Caspian, the movie]

Bridget: Well, she's there in an “existence but not in essence” kind of thing.

~~~~~~~~

William, 17, Senior, Nashoba High School

Loved: Becoming a certified EMT.

Hated: Being bitten by a rabid bat while painting the house and having to practically inhabit the ER for his shots. And even more: college applications.

Often: Reads.

Looking Forward To: Being done with high school.

Recommends: Jumping off a very high bridge in the next town into the river on a hot summer day. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Checking out a hole in the eaves maybe with an object before sticking your hand in.

Will: “It must be tough operating with half your brain missing.”

Suki [speechless for a moment].

Will: “ … apparently where your “comeback” center is located.”

[Will has had a job at the International Golf Club for a long time now. He’s actually assistant manager of the guest lodge and conference center, where they often have weddings.]

Guest: “We are looking for the assistant wedding planner.”

Will: “There is no assistant wedding planner.”

Guest: “His name is Will.”

Will [pauses with an interior groan]: “That…would… be…me.”

Will: You have the reflexes of a kind of old cat.

Will: Can we just have you two have a cage match and end this right here? Tell you what -- Pop gets a knife and a baseball bat; Mom gets a faulty revolver.

~~~~~~~~

Deirdre, 20, Catholic University of America, Sophomore, majoring in philosophy

Loved: Having the Pope visit my campus; having amazing friends at school.

Hated: Doubling up first-semester RA responsibilities with extra coursework (finals week was no picnic).

Often: Has meetings. Records many of the quotes you read here. Which is why we don’t have any from her.

Looking Forward To: Turning 21 (more for the opportunities to dance than for the alcohol).

Recommends: Kit Kittredge. Going on retreat with Msgr. Reilly in New York to learn sidewalk counseling at abortion clinics.

~~~~~~~~~

Joseph, 22, Collegiate Network Fellow, Writer/researcher, The American Spectator

Loved: Graduating from Notre Dame; ALCS game 5.

Hated: ALCS game 7; people who listen to music on their headphones in a public place so loud you can hear it.

Often: Joins the girls for Sunday brunch at their apartment which is across the driveway from his.

Looks Forward To: Having his Econ paper published in a professional journal.

Recommends: The Dark Knight, Flight of the Conchords, all Dr. Scholl's and Gold Bond products for anyone who is even thinking about going for a run.

Jojo: That’s my preferred mode of procrastinating: PREcrastination. It’s what I do to get started procrastinating.

Jojo: Pop, it was disgusting. It was like drinking a nightmare.

[Joseph and Nick were bunking together, which perhaps influenced Nick's perception of what year it was. Joseph's alarm went off.]

Nick: Dude, it's mad early!

Jojo: It's early, but it's not the nineties.

Jojo: Bridget, come into the kitchen with me for a sec.

Bridget: No.

Jojo: No, I promise I won't teach you calculus. I just want to show you something.

Bridget: Joseph! OOWWWWWWWWWWWW!

Jojo: Oh, yeah, that's true; sometimes my fingers are like giant whips.

When our power went out...

Will: Fudge is not good.

Jojo: Will, I'm starting to actually like you!

~~~~~~~~~

Suzanne, George Washington University, Senior, majoring in music.

Loved: The Pope's visit – having him drive by one block from her school and going to the Mass.

Often: Worries that she’s not practicing enough.

Looking Forward To: Graduating at long last.

Recommends: Camping on Assateague Island.

~~~~~~~~

Mary Rosaleen, Teacher, Trinity School at Meadow View

Loved: Hosting the whole family for Easter at her apartment. (Except Will, who spent Easter with the monks.)

Often: Looks at her engagement ring.

The engagement blessing before or after...

Recommends: Diamonds and sapphires.

Philip's first liberty from Officer Candidate School

Looking Forward To: Take a wild guess.

~~~~~~~~

Nicholas, Managing Director, Maverick Capital

Loved: Amazon Prime (more books, cheaper), Amazon Kindle (ditto), Gold.

Hated [well, does not recommend]: Long-dated US Treasuries

Often: Plays Wii Fit

Looking Forward To: A month’s sabbatical.

Recommends: Hussman Strategic Growth Fund (HSGFX); kiva.org (an organization that allows individuals to make loans to needy entrepreneurs all over the world).

The girls with Lorraine and Natasha

Nick: I would never deign to choose a dress for a woman.

Suki: I think you mean dare?

Mom: ‘I do not think that word means what you think it means.’

[pause]

Nick: I... think… it conveys the confusion I would feel on the subject.

Habou: I just hate December birthdays.

Annie: Is your birthday in December?

Habou: Yeah. It always has been.

Bridget: I would like some.

Pop: Well then get some!! What do you think this is, a welfare state?!

Habou: Could you get me a glass of wine? It's WAY past my cocktail hour.

Suki: What kind would you like.

Habou: Oh my goodness, it's 6:18! It doesn't matter!

Mom: Well, if I had known then what I know now, which is that your kids turn on you, I would have spent more on Christmas music.

Will: How are you?

Pop: Well, I'm not certifiably insane...

Pop [reading a manual with increasing irritation.] : Geez! 'Warning, warning, warning, warning, warning, warning, warning!'

Jojo: Pop, it's a chainsaw.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2009-01-03T12:35:00.007-05:00

We have great news: Rosie is engaged! The question was popped by Philip Turner, the son of wonderful friends of ours -- they have known each other for almost 10 years, but only recently has this friendship developed into something more :)
At our New Year's Eve party, Fr. Mark Withoos came to celebrate and give the couple a traditional blessing for the betrothed, which was lovely.
We couldn't be happier!

A storm blew through...

2008-12-15T13:22:00.004-05:00

Come on over here for an update. It's been a wild weekend here in Worcester County!

If you'd like to take a peek...

2008-11-06T11:12:00.002-05:00

...at the kitchen progress, go here.

Follow Joseph's writing....

2008-10-24T16:25:00.003-04:00

Joseph has been writing for the American Spectator online. I hope you will bookmark the site and catch his pieces!
This article is about how the Catholic Church has been supporting ACORN, the far-left organization that has recently been in the news because of their association with Obama.
Interesting that the support of the Church wasn't withdrawn until the group was involved in financial fraud. Their socialist bent didn't seem to be an issue.

Autumn leaves more permanent than a firework...but impermanent

2008-10-13T09:39:00.003-04:00

Autumn gives me a crazy feeling of impermanence. I'll just throw that out there.

I thought you might enjoy this picture, which combines the firework aspect of this tree, bursting for weeks above the house, with a little glimpse of "after" for the painting.
In the back, this tree is dumping its leaves on the deck. You really only appreciate its beauty this way!

Sometimes I think we'll only ever paint any more.

Today, the porch floor, conveniently edited from this picture!

In which William gets bitten by a rabid bat, and the house takes another step towards becoming its true self.

2008-09-25T09:22:00.015-04:00

I don't mean to make my posts long, but here goes. A lot has been happening!

As you know, we've had the plan to paint the house one side at a time. This year it's the front. Which is vast.

We also decided we needed to get serious about keeping the kitchen warm. That old insert was a joke! It kept itself warm using my body heat! I hate it!

We found a new one and dear Mike from Complete Heat in Nashua said that we needed a 60' boom to enable him to work on the chimney liner. I don't blame him for not wanting to perch on a ladder on top of our roof 40' up in the air and try hoisting a steel liner with insulation over his head. I get it. (The chimney in question is the one on the left, not the higher one! It's pretty darned high. Whose idea was it to buy this house anyway.)

Still, that thing is expensive. But he made the excellent point that we could rent it on a Friday and keep it all weekend and get to all the high parts of the house without endangering our lives too!
Quite Providential as you will see.

So we rented this blue boom, which the rental guy said was just the right boom, and the chimney guys came. An hour into his puttering around with it, one of them comes to me and says, "I have bad news."

The boom is not big enough! You are kidding me. This thing is putting ruts the size of a young creek in my lawn and it's not big enough? No.

But here's where the first part of The Amazing Workings Of Providence comes in: since the rental guy was not correct about the boom, we got the weekend free! We used that thing like crazy and got a ton of painting done in places that were going to be a challenge, to say the least. Here is Will with his buddy Bobby, who also did lots of work.

And here is where the second part of TAWOP comes in: since Will was on the platform of the boom, safely surrounded by its safety features, when he put his hand into a hole in the eave to check whether a squirrel could fit in there and a bat bit him and came out still attached to his hand, he didn't fall off the ladder he would have otherwise been on! He was so completely freaked out by this unexpected crazy happening that I have no doubt he would have gone flying off a ladder. Thank goodness he was in that bucket.

I urged him to put it in the empty paint can he had up there, and we actually got the bat tested. Yes, it was rabid! I was shocked. Who thought we had rabid bats? So far Will has had 3 of his five shots...and he has also acquired amazing superpowers, so that the work has already progressed this much with the very little time he has to devote to it:

The next week we got this orange boom, which is more reach-worthy for our chimney but not as expensive as the blue one (and also has the amazing sanity-saving feature of being able to shut off the beeping from the platform). It makes just as big ruts in the lawn though!

So Mike went up there and finished up the job, the house got closer to its true beauty, and I now have a fabulous wood stove insert in the fireplace. I also found out that my fireplace is sort of good looking (it might need a mantel at some point), and that's a satisfaction as well.

(I'll post pictures of the completed kitchen soon.) (It's not completed yet.)
And Phil and Bridget got a ride up 60' in the air with Mike. The stinkers went up while I was out for one minute changing my clothes.

You are about to discover how many vacation pictures you can really stand.

2008-08-22T10:51:00.016-04:00

Every road trip starts with the right snacks and the right headgear (when your Suburban no longer has air conditioning, that is!).
And quite a bit of gas. When you have a Suburban.

Hyannis was fun! We had a great view of the Kennedy compound from the little beach where we hung out, and if you know us, you know just how much we appreciated that. :) It's kind of off to the right in this picture -- oops, I think it's cut off here, too bad.

Here's dear Rosie with what might be the world's oldest beach towel:
Now, see that house behind Rosie, on her right? Well, the one to the left of that, behind her and out of view, is Paul Wiley's! Remember him? From Olympic skating? Never mind.

We made friends with a family from Wisconsin. This is Lauren, their daughter, playing cards with Bridget:

The obligatory burial in sand. Ask Nick if he cares!

Life is tough -- sometimes it's a little breezy and you actually have to hold on to your beach umbrella!

Seriously, it was the fastest week I have ever experienced. We lay on the beach, read, played cards, ate, and swam. What could be better?

We enjoyed a Cape Cod League game with the Hyannis Mets (soon to be Ospreys):
More sitting, reading:

For a change, sitting and reading at Nauset Beach:

These waves are a bit daunting:

And since we're dressed up for Mass, a little photo op. Sisters:

Brothers. What, you only have a red shirt?
Oh, lucky I brought a white one too!

Yes, I am just now getting around to posting about Joseph's graduation

2008-07-20T15:59:00.005-04:00

This graduation was quite the celebration. There were many receptions and activities, and I won't bore you with them because they could only be interesting to those involved and even then I'm not so sure.

But it was fun to meet Joseph's friends and their families. Here we have the Perkins family, from central Illinois.

This is the only picture I have of the three of us together, alas, as it's somewhat out of focus. But nice nevertheless, I think:

Here is Joseph with Ed:

There was an unbelievable amount of roaming around to get photo opps at random important venues on campus.
Ah, that Golden Dome!

The Grotto:

Here, if you look very carefully (perhaps clicking on the picture to enlarge it), you will see that Joseph, Sam, Will, and Chris are in the very front row! (to the left of the sign-language lady at the podium. Do you see them? Do you?)

And now, it's done! We are very proud, and I only wish that we had had this quick and easy way of commemorating the other graduations.

We visited Grandma today

2008-06-29T18:01:00.008-04:00

I love the Deutches Altenheim! I'm moving in there myself soon...

The people are so friendly, they apologize to you for making you sign in. They pop out of the dining room and ask if you are staying for dinner - like they are hoping you are.

The birds were twittering outside Grandma's windows...and a breeze was coming in. What's not to like?

I took some photos but I'm telling you now that when I turned on the camera it said to change the batteries, so Deirdre did that trick of taking them out and putting them in again (yup, these are totally different, really charged batteries, you old camera!) and I took the pics real quick. So don't judge me.

This is the view (with a Bridget added) of the left side of the room after you come in, with the kitchen and entry behind you:

This is the right side of the room (I think she was wondering why I was taking a picture at that moment, which is why she looks concerned. That's Bridget and Deirdre with her.Please don't ask me why this part is underlined. I'm doing my best.):

Then you turn around and all of that is behind you and you see the kitchen and the doorway (note that we put down the rug that she likes because it is quirky with the strip of red):

See that open doorway in the picture above? If you stand in it you see this: (This stupid blogger won't let me scroll to the end, so I'll just say that the bathroom is out of view on the left.)

Puzzle houses

2008-06-28T14:20:00.001-04:00

You should look at this.

A bit crazy, but very very cool.

Bugs

2008-06-16T13:33:00.001-04:00

This entry from the NYTimes Metropolitan Diary reminded me of, well, me:

Dear Diary:

On a crowded Q train bound for Manhattan, a woman in gray standing in front of me told a lady in blue next to her that a “roach” was crawling on her shoulder.

The lady in blue flicked the bug in panic, and it flew off, landing on the gray lady’s chest. The gray lady jumped in anger as she flicked the “roach” onto the next person.

That set off a chain reaction in which people started hopping, dodging and yelping in the crowded train.

The bug wasn’t a cockroach; it was a gnat.

Finally, all calmed down and the woman in gray sheepishly said to me:

“Well, I had to tell her. You know, conductors keep saying if you see something, say something, so I said something.”

A chorus of laughter swept the train. Tinmarla Oo

My Christmas Present from Nick

2008-05-26T18:03:00.003-04:00

All planted in their little pots. This was actually a group effort: Bridget planted all the seeds, carefully color-coordinating the packets with their respective pots, and Habou put them in her sunny studio window.

Soon I will find a place for the pots, but soon after that I will start putting them in the garden, because they are already sort of jumping out of there!

beekeeping

2008-05-23T20:59:00.012-04:00

Bridget and I inspected the hive this evening. It was her first experience close up, with her new veil. For me, the second time. It's a very odd experience, and we both think we'll be more comfortable next time. You can see us testing the smoker, then approaching the hive and give a few puffs to calm down the bees. (At least that's what it's supposed to accomplish; they seemed pretty angry despite the smoke.) I took off the covers, and you can see the top of the frames insides. I picked up one so that you can see the comb that the bees have been building. For some reason it looks darker in the picture than it really is. Everything looked OK, so we closed up the hive and left-- with one very persistent bee buzzing around us, trying to impress upon us that our interference in their domestic life had not been appreciated. But no stings this time. Our next adventure will be trying to identify the queen and decide whether the little critters need a larger home, to expand the brood before they get serious about making honey full-time.

It's really exciting. There's a whole lot going on inside that little box! Unfortunately you don't get a clear sense of how very many bees there are living inside-- literally thousands of them.

It's a challenge to get good pictures, too-- partly because the designated photographer tends to want to keep a safe distance. Maybe next time we'll have one of the people in the Martian-explorer suits take a snap or two.

It just goes on...but start at the first post -- this is the third

2008-05-07T22:10:00.001-04:00

Here we are in a Redwood:

Yes, I'm sorry to say I'm including this cute pic of Natasha which she expressly ordered me to delete. I am mean that way, I admit. I wish I could be quicker and more sneaky with the camera. This is the best I can do for a candid.

This makes up for it, doesn't it? We went out to eat at night, and Bridget ate her first oysters (raw) and wonderful salmon (cooked -- in a fig leaf) and had a "virgin mojito"!

On Sunday evening we headed out for Alcatraz, which we thoroughly enjoyed, which seems macabre, but there it is.
Here we are on the ferry, and that is San Francisco in the background:

Here's Bridget with the Golden Gate Bridge over her shoulder. You can see how glorious the weather was, can't you?

Practically our first view of the island:

Nick, Bridget, and Phil looking a tad uncomfortable in one of the cells:

SF in the background:

And that is all!

More fabulous trip pics

2008-05-07T21:57:00.001-04:00

I forgot to mention that after the beach but before this scenic looking over we had an amazing grilled lunch at the picnic tables by the shore. Nick grilled chicken and veggies (I suspect Natasha had something to do with the preparation of the food -- I know for a fact that she made delightful cookies -- and the thoughtful procurement of amenities such as forks, watermelon, and napkins). One had no idea one was going to be presented with a banquet by the seaside!

Then we went to Muir Woods where we goggled over the Redwoods:

Here's Bridget at the bottom of the Redwood:

And here's my attempt to show the rest of it:

Sunny California

2008-05-07T21:41:00.002-04:00

At the end of April Phil, Bridget, and I visited Nick in San Francisco. We had a great time! Nick certainly took us to see everything and made us eat so much that we didn't get hungry until about two days after we returned home.

First we visited his office. Across the way there is a rather anti-aesthetic fountain, but fascinating nonetheless. A sort of suspended walkway goes along a couple of inches below the water level, and Bridget explored this while we waited for Nick and Phil to finish their respective work-related activities. We also checked out the Ferry Building and walked around a bunch.

Later we had a great Chinese dinner where we met Natasha, and then we headed for the Giants game. It was cold at the park, but what a fun place. The bleachers there were jumpin', with fans who kept things interesting with some intense heckling. At one point a park official actually sat down, in the friendliest way possible, next to one guy and talked him into a better place, spiritually.

I admit that Nick is making a funny face here...

...and here...really funny! Look how sweet that field is!

The next day we went to the beach. The weather could not have been more warm, breezy, and sunny. Here we are at a somewhat understatedly designated scenic overlook:

More to come in the next post.

Nancy-Ann Seancey

2008-04-21T23:17:00.005-04:00

I have no idea if that's how you spell her name, but this article made me think of her. You should read it. You will enjoy it.

Easter by the Jefferson Memorial

2008-04-14T22:28:00.004-04:00

I thought that this one came out kind of cool in a funky way, despite everyone's complaining.

And too bad Will wasn't here...

But someone was watching over us:

I think I could be a Literary Critic

2008-03-17T16:27:00.005-04:00

Here is a sample of the brilliance I spent all of yesterday sifting through in order to write my English paper for tomorrow:

"Here again, it is the sense of hybridity and recontextualisation that is being foregrounded with respect to the different languages and cultures which acted as influences on his developing consciousness. "

And no, the context of that outrageous sentence did not lend it any glimmer of reason.

(Or should I say, the source-process and surrounding elements which nourished it both as an entity and as an integral part of a wholism could not support its ultimate syntactical destination in order to provide it with the means to express itself unto its flourishing descriptivity.)

I mean, is there any other job for which you get as much respect by spouting nonsense and flagrantly making up words? Because I feel like that would be easy money, and I'm up for it.

Not exactly sure what to think about this.

2008-03-09T16:38:00.003-04:00

And the Band Played Badly

In a way, I think it's great. Music really shouldn't be just a professional's game. But does it sound too much like they're relishing how bad they are instead of trying to improve?

In any case, the column is funny.

These people are good at standing still

2008-03-04T12:11:00.002-05:00

What Mind Can Do

2008-03-04T09:18:00.002-05:00

Fr. Keefe says that this man shows what the unfallen mind could be like...

2008-02-17T15:12:00.003-05:00

Just a quick picture from a few weeks ago, when one of the student groups I direct (a barbershop "quartet") sang the National Anthem at a Washington Capitals game at the Verizon Center. We had fun (and they did a great job)!

Yes, I'd love to!!

2008-02-13T11:06:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I received something very interesting in the mail. I have never actually received anything just like it!

Huh?

I guess I'll open it...

Exciting! I'll be there! What should I bring?

Bridget turns eleven

2008-02-13T10:36:00.004-05:00

Since Bridget and her friend Brianna almost share a birthday (Brianna's is on the 9th of February and she turned 10 this year), they had their party together this year at our house.

Getting ready....

Musical chairs.

I contributed cupcakes and party favors of little notebooks and pens, and the girls made Valentines later on.

Anne made a lovely snack...

The girls try to figure out their party identities -- Bridget was Meg March, Brianna was Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Opening presents...

Anne wrote the girls' names on their notebooks and they stamped them.

Sunday was Bridget's actual birthday. Here she blows out the candles on her cake at the family party:

Christmas pictures

2008-01-25T15:12:00.000-05:00

Midnight Mass is lovely, but the next day, boy is it hard to get everyone dressed and up for a picture. Yet, don't we all want to remember Christmas Day when we're all together? Yes, of course.

It's also a little cold outside (!) -- but Deirdre is right, pictures are better outside....

Please, people, could we just get organized....

That's so nice! (Did I pick the right one?)

This one's nice too...

You guys are so funny!

Girls don't mind staying out for a sisters' picture...

My favorite part!!! (other than the sweet tea)

2008-01-17T00:09:00.000-05:00

I almost forgot my favorite part of Charleston--the swings! There was a long pier over the harbor (or bay, or something), with several big porch swings along it. Swings and oceans, two of my very favorite things!

We found them on Sunday, and tried to go back Friday evening, but an unexpected downpour stopped us.This is funny because I look like a midget.

Road signs

2008-01-17T00:01:00.001-05:00

This is a little random, but I passed these signs twice a day all week long and got a kick out of them every time. Look closely at the gas station sign.

South Carolina

2008-01-16T23:16:00.001-05:00

Here are some pictures from South Carolina. I have lots more, to be displayed on d emand.

On Sunday, the first day we were down there, we went to Mass at the Cathedral in Charleston and then walked around the c ity. Here's a picture that I took out the window of my van as we looked for parking.

You may think, hey, that's a neat building. And you'd be right. But that's not the point. Let's take a closer look:Daughters of what? That's right, Confederacy.

Here's one of the girls on the trip, Marissa, in front of one of my favorite houses.Here's what the house looked like when we got there:That's old carpet hanging on the bottom, and a collapsed concrete porch. We redid the roof, tore off the old carpet and hung vinyl skirting around the bottom, built new front and back porches, redid windows, fixed plumbing, and redid the floor and a wall of one room (there may have been other things that I can't remember). Mostly I worked on the room inside, of which I sadly don't have any pictures. Instead I'll list the power tools I used: nail gun, staple gun, circle saw, sawzall, chop saw, table saw, drill. I think that's it.

Sawzall in action, destroying the old back porch:

(I know, I know, I should be wearing glasses. Most of the time I did, I promise!)

Here's the house at the end of the week (this is the opposite side of the house):
Here's the whole group in front of the house. The owner is standing in the back, holding up the welcome mat we gave her.On Friday we finished up whatever little things we had left, and then the owner cooked us a Southern lunch--a bunch of different types of fish (all fried), fried chicken, and red rice. Then we had a little fun.
Yes, I went in the ocean in January.

Winding up the outtake roundup.

2007-12-16T13:57:00.001-05:00

The view from our porch of an early fall evening....

This post and the three that precede it contain random pictures from the past year and quotes that didn't make it into the yearbook we send with our Christmas cards. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoyed saying them!

We would love if you left a comment. Even a teensy one! And if you didn't get a yearbook (really, a piece of paper), I would be happy to send it to you if you let me know (well, I will mail them tomorrow, so you might wait a bit). I mean, if I know you.

Thanks for dropping by! Let us hear from you!

Will put in yeoman's work on the house after Joseph got it prepped.

We went camping in New Hampshire. Here is Bridget with Maggie by the ice cold stream.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mom: You know what the problem is? They make these cords too short.

Deirdre: Yeah, that's so annoying. Why do they make them so short?

Mom: It's for SAFETY. Whatever. Of course, it's not safe if I take this cord and strangle the person who made it...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deirdre: That's ok. Let bygones be bygones, what?
Sukie [in agreement]: What.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The garden in late summer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Phil [Regarding guests who hadn’t arrived yet]: Are these people gonna leave?!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Will: I think I just got a concussion. From snorting watermelon into my brain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jumping ahead to Thanksgiving, at which we neglected to take a picture of us all together:

Nick.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joseph: Ugh! This tastes like the devil and all his demons.
Deirdre: ...Have you tasted them?
[Long pause. Glare.]
Joseph: Who hasn't.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Entering, speaking overly brightly] Will: Good morning, all.
Papa [answering in the same vein]: And good morning to you!
Mom: Oh no, now there's two of you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rosie: Ooh, vacation! I'll cook fun things for people I love!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Relaxation, girl-style.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bridget [to Will]: It's nice when we're actually nice to each other. It makes a big...
Will: Shut up!
Bridget: ...difference.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rosie: I'd be like a traffic light. Except only the orange part.
[Pause.]
Deirdre: There is no orange part.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Deirdre: This has been very hard to eat. [Looks at Rosie's utensils] Fork and knife is so revolutionary.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rosie: [thoughtfully]: I bet that we could bounce on our toes much longer than your average person could.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just before Nick left after Thanksgiving, we took a walk up Dexter Drumlin.

More from this year.

2007-12-16T13:11:00.000-05:00

Bridget received a lovely gift from Aunt Fran earlier in the year -- a violin that was given to Fran by her Uncle Walter. Here Bridget plays with her when she visited us the day after Grandpa's funeral.

We got part of the house painted this year... thanks to the boys who worked very hard on it. Keep in mind that this surface area -- part of the back of the house -- is the surface area of many whole houses :(
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bridget: You know what the problem is with calling this a family feature? Boys just aren't gonna want to watch A Little Princess.

Deirdre: What if it's a family of all women?

Bridget: Well, they just can't take those chances.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Will: Time is overrated. You can quote me on that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sukie: Dude, I already want to drop out of school again [first week].

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Will: How do you spell throat? Never mind. No! How do you spell throat?!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We got a new kitten, Gypsy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sukie: Oh my goodness, I totally want this to be my quote.
Listen: "Brownies are great, because they're basically chocolate, with more surface area."
That's just. so. deep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mary Claire came to visit with her mom, Susan, and we spent an afternoon in Marblehead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Habou: I don't want these people telling me about high blood pressure. "Oh, your blood pressure is kinda high!" Get another job!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mom [regarding some flavored soda she doesn't approve of on account of the bad ingredients; it was left here, not bought by us]: The point is that you don't ingest it. I don't care how you don't obtain it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mary Claire helped find a kitty to keep Gypsy company. His name is Farouk. "Maybe we'll find a kitty at a yard sale," Habou said, and we did!

More internship pictures: Here Joseph is with his roommate, Mike:

If you click on this picture, you might recongnize some famous people, good friends of Joseph's:

Cuteness!:

In which we continue bonus features.

2007-12-16T12:38:00.000-05:00

Easter: here you see things in somewhat reverse order: the Easter table, an egg of Deirdre's, hot cross buns for Good Friday.

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Will: "Hey Jojo, can you give me a ride?

Joseph: Absolutely not.

Will: Jojo, you're watching a college basketball game from 1979. You have absolutely nothing to do. How long have you been watching this?

Joseph: …A while.

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We had a fun trip to D.C. in late May to deliver Joseph to his internship at the Heritage Foundation. It turns out that Bridget really loves fountains.

This is not the best picture, but it brings up a hysterical memory: We were getting ready to go out, and Rosie casually took a bunch of quite long strands of beads, gave them a twist, and put them on. As she was adjusting them, they arranged themselves in a chokehold around her neck. Ensuing panic! She really didn't want us to cut them, so Deirdre and I took turns trying to untangle them and also calm her down, which wasn't easy! Phil took a nap... for quite a while.

The lovely carousel at Glen Echo Park in Maryland, where the park has been made into a sort of landmark and arts center, with contra dancing!
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Deirdre: Arrgh! Will, just leave! Arrgh! Somebody get me a rope!

Will: What are you gonna do, lasso me?

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Will: That place [we can't remember what he was talking about] would be hugely successful if there were any rhyme or reason – not even rhyme AND reason, just at least either rhyme OR reason – to it.

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Deirdre: Crispy [her pet name for Bridget]! I'm gonna eat you for dinner!

Bridget: Well then, I don't have to worry about it until after lunch.

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Will: This pancake is so good! It's like a fine cigar.

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Rosie [to herself during Mass]: And whatever you do, don't plan menus!

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Bridget took this picture of Joseph's bonfire with his friends, and really got everyone to ham it up!

In which we recap the year in random pictures and quotes that didn't make the yearbook

2007-12-16T12:04:00.000-05:00

Every year during the Christmas break we laboriously and hilariously make a gingerbread fantasia of some kind. The kitchen gets coated in a thin layer of powdered sugar and everyone is heartily sick of candy and pretzels by the time we are done. This year we did a train station. Here you see it ready to be demolished at Bridget's birthday party (hence the upraised spoon -- all implements are drafted for the job).

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Will [About a delicate girl]: I feel like I could break her in half.

Deirdre: You think you could break everyone in half.

Will: No, just a few people. And they're mostly you.

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Phil [telling a heartwarming story about large families]: I hope you all are acutely aware of this: it’s better to have brothers and sisters than say, an ATV.

[general assent]

Deirdre: Oh, Papa, don’t you think we are acutely aware of the fact that we don’t have an ATV?

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Bridget got her ears pierced for her 10th birthday.

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Sukie [to Deirdre]: ...and you can borrow bikes for free from the tourist center and ride all over. Of course, I'm kinda scared of bikes. Especially of biking with you, as a matter of fact.

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Will: If you could have a child that was the best looking in the world or the smartest in the world, which would you want?

Mom: As our family shows, best looking and smartest go together…. That's why we're so ugly and stupid.

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And Sukie's buche de noel from New Year's Eve:

Thanksgiving

2007-12-09T20:45:00.000-05:00

Finally getting around to posting some of my Thanksgiving photos...

I don't have too many, but they can mostly be grouped into two categories. First, Feasting.

And second, Scowling at the Camera. (I love these)

However, there was a gem or two from that third category, Beautiful People.

Hilarious

2007-12-09T20:07:00.000-05:00

The mother of one of my students lent me a dvd the other day, and attached to it was this note:

The best part?
This is the film she wants my opinion on:

What is our guess? Biased towards Cromwell?

Bridget's quilt

2007-11-28T14:01:00.002-05:00

I've been making each child a quilt, a project that has taken me about 25 years. (And they are not big quilts.) (And now I realize that I didn't exactly know what I was doing at first, and should really start over.)
Here is Bridget's -- I'm done!

Brussels Sprouts harvest

2007-11-28T13:53:00.000-05:00

So I planted enough Brussels Sprouts (four plants) to harvest for Thanksgiving, I hoped. And that is just what happened! Even though the plants actually had frost on them when I brought them in, finally, just before Thanksgiving, they were excellent and made a generous dish for the feast.
I cooked them with chestnuts from the trees on the lane and onions from the garden (and butter, and cream:)

Papa's talk at Magnificat on education

2007-11-20T16:07:00.001-05:00

The whole time he was speaking, I was wishing that you could hear him... it was so good...
Magnificat is a little choir school started by Paul Jernberg. I like what he's doing!

Nineteen turkeys in our back yard...

2007-11-16T09:41:00.000-05:00

...apparently unaware of the calendar...(not all turkeys pictured here, O obnoxious counter of turkeys, I know you well)....

Bridget as St. Scholastica for All Saints Day

2007-11-12T22:45:00.000-05:00

Good Attitude

2007-11-07T17:52:00.000-05:00

I feel like this is a very Lawler reaction.

Halloween Heidi

2007-11-03T11:25:00.001-04:00

Can't you just see the Alps and hear the goats?

Isaac is Tintin!

Off to the Feis

2007-11-03T10:27:00.001-04:00

Here is Bridget in her Bremer jumper, ready to go to the feis.
She could be a little nervous....

Lessons Learned from the Zoo

2007-11-02T17:21:00.001-04:00

ps: I think this is the 100th post. That seems a little momentous. I shall mark the occasion by celebrating the People-Oak Relationship

Visiting the girls in DC

2007-10-23T12:38:00.000-04:00

This past weekend Phil, Bridget, and I visited the girls in DC. We had a great time! I didn't take too many pictures (maybe you girls can post yours), but I did get these outside the Newman Center at George Washington University, where Suzanne goes to school. The building is so pretty... those colors!

Not entirely in focus, but cute (I wish I would remember to put on my glasses before taking a picture so I can see what I'm doing):

Pictures from Grandpa's funeral

2007-09-29T10:13:00.001-04:00

Grandpa's wake and funeral are events that are still in our hearts. Having almost everyone there to mourn and rejoice was a true blessing (and you were there in spirit, Myles, and I bet Gerry can figure out how to photoshop you in!).

After the funeral and burying, a mercy meal was served in the church hall (I love the idea and the name of "mercy meal"!). So we had a chance for pictures...

of almost all the grandchildren:

...and three generations and spouses (somehow John Voorhees didn't hear the call to join -- more work for the touch-up artist amongst us):

Grandma with Mary Ellen and Sally:

When the meal and pictures were over, Grandma sat with her grandchildren, and began reminiscing....

and the storytelling continued...

Gerry's vase with flowers

2007-09-29T10:01:00.000-04:00

Gerry very kindly sent me a vase he made. It's just right for marigolds...

Freedom Trail Part II

2007-09-29T09:44:00.001-04:00

Phil just loves talking about James Michael Curley -- talking to him also:

And here's Will with Curley:

Pierre and Bridget at Copp's Hill Burying Ground:

And on to the U.S.S. Constitution, aka Old Ironsides, oldest commissioned warship in the world:

Pierre at the helm:

Talking to a sailor -- he really is a sailor; on this ship they wear the authentic 18th century uniform:

On the Freedom Trail with a French Person, Part I

2007-09-29T09:34:00.000-04:00

Namely, Pierre, who visited us this summer. We dragged him all through Boston and Charlestown, but didn't take him to every Middlesex village and farm; there just wasn't time.

At the Robert Gould Shaw Monument:

The State House:

Pierre at the Granary Burying Ground:

In front of Ben Franklin:

Rest and a bite of lunch by the Old South Meeting House:

And More...

2007-09-29T09:17:00.000-04:00

You know what, I've organized and photoshopped pictures until my head is spinning. I can't help it if I've lost a grip on the chronology.

Rehearsal dinner, in Greece, apparently....

More of the wedding

2007-09-29T08:53:00.001-04:00

Habou with the Scanlons

Goodbye to the couple!

Annie's Wedding

2007-09-29T08:39:00.001-04:00

One week before Annie's wedding, we had Ted and Ann over for supper, just because! to get their mind off things. See how successful we were at getting them to relax? Yes, they are each on a cell phone...

Suzanne was a bridesmaid. Deirdre did her hair:

And here she is just before leaving for the ceremony:

Even though I committed the nigh unforgivable offense of obscuring the bride's face, I like this photo of John:

Old fashioned Annie and John:

And I think I make up for it here:

Charlie had his moment too:

The barn was decorated with quilts and lovely girls:

It was truly enchanting...

Cherry Capri

2007-09-23T12:54:00.000-04:00

Okay, taking time out from summer pictures (I'm getting there, honest, but some people take a lot of pictures that then have to be gotten into bloggy shape) to play this game with you guys! It's just up our alley! It's called:

The Name Game

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car),
Nervous Honda (please don't ask me why my first cat (or the one I remember) was named Nervous. I think I was about seven, people.)

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie),
Chocolate Chip Sugar

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name),
L-Law (obviously we have the best name for this one!)

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal),
Aqua Kitty

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born),
Marie Flemington

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first),
Law-Le

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),
The Sage Green Iced Tea

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers),
Albert Mohammed (Hmm, don't know if NASCAR is ready to go Middle Eastern)

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy),
Chanel Cadbury (This is vulgar, please ignore)

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ),
Day Eldin

And a few more…

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter),
O'Neil Omaha

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower).
Summer Hydrangea

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Cherry Capri

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree),
Pancakes Sycamore

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”),
The Quilting Windy Tour

You can do it in your comment! Who cares how long it is!! And speaking of comments, it would be wonderful to hear from anyone who is reading the postings! Go ahead and comment! You can leave your favorite names (with the corresponding number for ID) if you don't feel like doing the whole thing.

Pre-wedding party at the Cheffers

2007-09-15T15:45:00.000-04:00

The Cheffers hosted a very nice bbq party before the wedding. Just relaxing and fun!

Two cuties:

Good eats:

And a batting cage! Here is Fr. Mark Withoos adjusting his batting helmet:

Fr. Mark and Will get ready to "pitch":

The bridal pair:
I just think this shot is so Virginia Beach sometime in the 60s!

They were meant for each other (same interests, apparently!):

Annie's shower

2007-09-15T15:30:00.000-04:00

This summer has been quite eventful. I'm going to try to be chronological so that I don't get mixed up with all the photos.

First we had Annie's bridal shower at our home, which was hosted by Suzanne and Amy. The day could not have been more brilliantly blue and breezy!

Sukie served Bellinis -- champagne and peach nectar!

You have to concentrate to do a good job on this kind of thing:

Or just stand around looking cute and newly-wed-to-be in your little retro apron made by moi:

More from Slovakia

2007-09-05T22:24:00.000-04:00

After the seminar, I spent another week or so touring around Slovakia with Lucia and Stefan as my native guides...

A1: Traditional Slovak dancers at the celebration for the feast of Cyril and Methodius
A2: The cellars at Cerveny Camen (another castle)
A3: The monastery at Katarinka, which is in the process of being restored by teams of volunteers
A4, B1, B2: Banska Stiavnitsa
B3: after a tour of the mine for which Banska Stiavnica is famous
B4: The tiny village of Vlkolinec (permanent population: 9)
C1, C2, C3: more from Banska Stiavnica
C4: the ceiling of the church in Banska Bystrica
D1: enjoying a traditional Slovak meal
D2: enjoying the traditional giant carved wooden... rooster... in Vlkolinec (there actually were all sorts of wooden totem pole-type carved things around)
D3, D4: On an amazingly beautiful hike in Janosikove diery.

Slovak Seminar

2007-09-05T22:20:00.000-04:00

Following Deirdre's lead, I thought I'd post some pictures from my trip to Slovakia this summer. First, some from the Slovak Seminar on the Free Society (ie, the excuse for the trip).

A1: My dear friends (and tourguides for much of my visit) Lucia and Stefan greet me at the airport.
A2, A3, A4: Bratislava
B1: Devin Castle, outside of Bratislava
B2: The seminar participants and professors at Devin Castle
B3: After an ultimate frisbee game in front of Bratislava castle
B4: Waiting outside of the seminary where we were staying in Bratislava
C1: The view from Trencin castle (yes, there are castles everywhere in Slovakia)
C2, C3, C4: In the town of Spiss and at Spiss Castle
D4: Some Slovaks enjoying our 4th of July BBQ at the foot of the castle (very traditional American celebration)
D2, D3: Climbing the High Tatras mountains
D4: A scene from the skit on "Slovak cultural night," the last night of the seminar. They're trying to arrange a marriage between their children.

Florence

2007-08-06T16:22:00.000-04:00

Row A -- Views from two of the bridges. The river is definitely one of the glories of the city.
B1 & B2 -- The famous Duomo of Florence, interior and exterior. The inside and outside of the building are from different time periods, and the contrasting styles definitely reflect that. It's an absolutely stunning structure, and very much the heart of the city.
C4 -- Disappointed after a fountain failed me; we were very thirsty.
D2 -- One of the many many cashmere vendors in the flea market by St. Lawrence Church. An overwhelming amount of color! Florence is the place to go if you need to buy scarves, beautiful paper goods, or leather (good smells...).
D1, 3, &4 -- More bridge views.

Milan

2007-08-06T14:45:00.000-04:00

Rather than try to post the hundreds of pictures from our jaunt in Europe, I decided to consolidate some of the best ones into collages. Here's the first, in order of our trip.

I'll establish a labeling system along the Column/Row lines -- so the columns are 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the rows are A, B, etc.

A1 & A2: Our hostel bedroom balcony and view.
A3: In front of La Scala!
A4: The famous Galleria which runs between La Scala and the Duomo
B1: Some of the dazzling windows at the rear of the Duomo
B2: The University (of Milan?)
B3: The first gelato of the trip
B4: A beautiful painting I cannot identify... sorry
C1: Inside the Duomo -- the amazing parquet floor! That church was one of my favorites of the whole trip
C2: Typical Milanese architecture
C3: On the grand canal in Milan; a big nightlife strip (not that you can tell from the photo)

Hello from Slovakia!

2007-06-27T18:19:00.001-04:00

Ok, so I don't have any pictures, but I wanted to say hi. I'll give you this: http://www.slovakiatourism.sk/ since that's the best I have right now. But I'm in Bratislava, and Slovakia is great. Apparently the seminary we're staying in, which does not have full-sized towels, does have wireless internet. Who knew?

Hail!

2007-06-22T23:26:00.000-04:00

The day started like this:

And there was some of this:

But then --

And then...

This one already melted a bit:

Had trouble opening the sliding door to the deck:

How's that garden now?

Yes, big ice pellets in June!! (Still out there at 11:30, by the way!)

Barefoot girl! It's ice!

Fun, Chicago style

2007-05-10T20:23:00.000-04:00

Scav Hunt is this weekend at U of C.

Some examples:

15. Show up at 15:30 on Friday afternoon at the Law School fountain, with one stone naturally formed
and shaped. You’ve got one chance, so make it (and us) count. [1 point per skip]

71. A Gingerbread House of Ill Repute. [16 points]

72. An Incorrect Trivial Pursuit Card [1 point]

74. Enter a lecture class in street clothes. Receive loud phone call. Shout “I NEED TO GO, THE CITY
NEEDS ME!” Remove street clothes to reveal superhero apparel. Run out for the good of the land.
[18 points]

106. Proof that you auditioned for American Idol. [5 points; 15 points for a “golden ticket”]

130. Monocles are evil. Jell-O is good. Jell-O Monocles have yet to be judged. [1 point]

162. Hyperbolic crocheting. [11 points]

206. Where’s Waldo? On Friday between 15:00 and 17:00, he’ll be somewhere in the Loop. Find him.
[25 points]

209. Have you ever seen $1,000,000? Well then, how do you know it exists? I want to see it. In cash.
[20 points; 180 bonus points if I see it at Judgment.]

230. “North Route”, etc., are so boring. How about your team’s name on one of those lit displays on the
new shuttle buses? [13 points]

235. A U of C diploma dated before the end of WWII. [19.45 points]

256. A. A. A Four. A Four. A Four Trampoline. A Four Trampoline. A Four Trampoline Based. A
Four Trampoline Based. A Four Trampoline Based Game. A Four Trampoline Based Game. A Four
Trampoline Based Game of. A Four Trampoline Based Game of. A Four Trampoline Based Game of
Simon. A Four Trampoline Based Game of BZZZZZZZ.† [200 points]

305. Don’t like how the Judges get the final say on awarding points? On judgment, bring an appellate judge
to overturn a ruling on one item of your choice from this page. Only actual appellate judges give you
actual points.

7. We whisper, you draw, you write, you draw, you write, we read. It’s four-person telephone PictionaryTM.

You can see the full list here. Warning, some of it is gross, some is rude.

Matryoshka Doll

2007-05-01T11:49:00.000-04:00

found this doll at a rummage sale for $1.50!

I love it! There are nine pieces, and the littlest one there is in Bridget's hand, so that tells you how little it is. I tried getting a clearer picture but I couldn't :(
Look how the little one in the blue kerchief is frowning!

It opens too -- but there's nothing inside now. There were two diamonds, but I sold them.

This last picture is of the biggest piece. Here she has the others inside her. Isn't she sweet?

I

Low Tree Limbs Ahead

2007-04-29T21:51:00.000-04:00

This is back from our trip to see the cherry blossoms. I kept trying to tell Deirdre to be careful, but she just insisted on running on ahead...

Bridget's haircut

2007-04-23T10:42:00.000-04:00

This gives you an idea of the new haircut!!

quince blossoms

2007-04-23T10:32:00.000-04:00

The branches Habou picked for us on Easter have bloomed. I didn't expect them to be white!

Fenway Pizza Debacle, courtesy of Nick -- Yay Nick!!

2007-04-18T19:23:00.001-04:00