looking back

Oh what an eventful five weeks it has been for us.

Our memories of all the excitement are 

comforting us now as we reminisce about it all.

On June 3rd the Talstras arrived from Cambodia and promptly 

went to Virginia leaving us with Cedar for 10 fun days . . . 

When the Tastras returned we had 2 weeks of fun and frolic

along with visits from Blaine, Lindsay, Seth, and Tracy . . . 

Next we borrowed a van from Jim's brother and headed 

to Atlanta for a wonderful wedding weekend . . .  

In Atlanta Benjamin James married Lindsay Marie 

and we now have a new family member . . . 

{cheesy I know - just couldn't resist}

Next - on to the Leisure House in rainy Florida for six days . . .

Now - everyone has returned to their homes in
Brockport, Phnom Penh (via British Columbia), Philadelphia, Burlington, and Rochester.

We thank god for the blessing of family.

Post Script . . . 

A thought from one of my friends . . . 

"The let down after they go back to their homes and jobs is tremendous but then you realize that you could never keep up that pace day in and day out.  The quiet that you hear in the house is both sad but also restful.  You know that it would be nice if they lived closer but when you see their happy faces, you know they are where they should be at this time in their lives." CB

high fiber

The oatmeal I always buy is Wegmans "high fiber" maple and brown sugar.

This week my son-in-law noticed that there are trivia questions on each package.

Two more samples:

Who was President Eisenhower’s Vice president?

Who directed the 1938 film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town?

Do you think there is a target age group here?!

sneak preview

Oh what a day . . .

Cedar, Daniel, Ezra, Amanda, Jim, Mary, Lindsay, Benjamin, Seth, Lindsay, Blaine

Now we have two Lindsay Marie Hastings in our family {room for one more?}

wedding day

Today is the day that my son, Benjamin, marries Lindsay Marie.
I look forward to sharing photos with you very soon.

wedding webpage

pomme

Overheard during lunch . . . 

"Grandma Mary, how do you say farted in Kuh-mai?"

I guess the answer is "pomme". 

{Two years old and traveling between two languages}

A comment from one of my friends . . . 

"There is a lot of beautiful mischief in those eyes!" (RD)

Also overheard . . .

@ 5:30am - Phnom Penh 99 / Brockport 56

While letting the cat in a sweet little two year old voice says:

“Ooooo Grandma Mary, America is so cold”

Cedar: “Can I try on your ring Grandma Mary?”

GM “It’s stuck I can’t get it off”

C: “Just suck it like this 

{putting his knuckle in his mouth}. 

That’s what Papa does.”

Cedar: {Looking at a pizza in the oven} “Grandma Mary what is that?”

GM: “What does it look like?”

Cedar” “It looks good”

Cedar {talking to Blaine's dog}: 
"Cooper do you want to race?
. . . . He says no"

groom and mother dance

My son asked my opinion on a song for our mother son dance at his wedding.

Here are some of my thoughts.

How about your thoughts?

Forever Young - Bob Dylan

My Wish for You – Rascle Flatts

She Loves Me Like A Rock - Paul Simon

In My Life – Beatles

I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack

Find Your Wings - Mark Harris

Ordinary Miracle - Sarah McLachlan

A Mother's Song - T Carter

A Song for My Son - Mikki Viereck

The Man You're Become - Molly Pasutti

She’s Got a Way – Billy Joel

sloppy moussaka

Sloppy Moussaka

Browned lamb beef seasoned with Greek herbs and spices in a

tomato sauce makes for a new way to serve Sloppy Joes.

Adapted from a Rachael Ray Recipe

Serves 4

{photo from www.rachaelrayshow.com}

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

salt and pepper

1 small onion, finely chopped
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 teaspoon dried marjoram

2 teaspoons tomato paste

14 ounces beef stock

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon flour

1 cup milk

freshly grated nutmeg

small handful of grated Parmigianino cheese

4 ciabatta or other rolls, split and toasted

Preparation

In a large skillet add the beef and cook, crumbling the meat, until well browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan and drain. Add the onion and garlic to the same pan and sauté until soft. Return beef to the pan. Season with salt, pepper, cinnamon, red pepper and marjoram. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste for a minute. Stir in the stock and simmer over low heat until thickened slightly, about 15 minutes.

Sauce
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minutes. Whisk in the milk and cook until thickened slightly; season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Remove the sauce from the heat and whisk in the cheese.

To serve, spoon the meat mixture onto the rolls. Top with the sauce.

new smile

I shy away from having my picture taken for many reasons

but the biggest reason is that I have had a crooked tooth.

If I have control of the photo I immediately Photoshop that 

awful tooth so that it doesn't look quite so bad.

After a discussion with my dentist and 

some cosmetic bonding

I can now smile for the camera . . . 

Just in time for Benjamin and Lindsay's wedding!

fast-food toys

While my grandson is visiting he will get to 

play with a few toys that were his mother's.

Perhaps they may look familiar to some of you . . .

hip hip hooray

Today this little family arrives from Cambodia for a month long visit.

 I can't begin to tell you how excited we are.

  Phnom Penh International Airport.

Incheon International Airport (Seoul Korea)

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