memories, cooking and other bits

it seems as though it's been forever since friday night. time has been doing funny things lately - it's blending together. i will attempt a quick wrap-up. saturday i spent with a sick niece (the baby) and then sharing cotton candy with the older niece after she got home from the fair. i've caught up on my diego watching and know more about penguins, porcupines and red-eyed tree frogs. after babysitting we all gathered for football (roll tide) and steaks on the grill. poor little emme was so upset not to be able to go outside but the air was not good for her croup. (it so broke my heart when she ran into my arms crying, 'please, please') sunday was church - though the niece's singing was canceled for another day and lunch.

i went exploring sunday and reliving very very very old memories. is it weird that i don't remember a lot about first grade? i remember the teacher's name and the smell of that paste we used to have at school. i remember the play yard as the house we lived in was on a hill overlooking the school yard. i used to have a picture of my brother and i playing on the yard.



i also remember this house. the first halloween that i remember, i remember being scared to go to this house as it was rumored that a witch lived there. we were never allowed in the yard. as you can see now, it's been damaged by fire and is unsafe to explore. it's a beautiful house, i wish i could remember it in its full glory - i bet it was gorgeous. i also remember going trick-or-treating at the governor's mansion about five blocks away. the governor himself gave out the candy.

time changes everything - it expands and contracts in proportion to many things in our lives.

last night i cooked meatloaf and homemade mac and cheese. neither one was a great hit. i'm not a meatloaf person so this was my first attempt, maybe i will try again. the mac and cheese was adequate, though my brother didn't like it. i did redeem myself tonight though with barbeque pork, chips and baked beans - the guys loved it. i also made christina's crostata again and i'm happy to report both nephews had two slices - major score.

i will admit, i'm sick of apple, acorn and leaf pictures but i'm feeling completely uninspired. typically my advice is always shoot through it so, i'm trying...more shots to come soon. until then my friends, sleep well, sweet dreams and happy thoughts.

ps - i'm finally reading 'my life in france' by julia child and i adore her voice. now that i've seen the movie, i can read it and hear meryl streep as julia in my head. perfection.