Virginia

Swimming in the hotel pool was a popular past-time.
American Civil War Museum


Mountains!

We were blessed with a little unexpected trip to Richmond, Va. We were able to travel with Tim on a work project. It is a beautiful and historic place. Funny, we lived about an hour and a half away from Richmond for a year or so and only visited once. And it was for a conference, so I personally didn't tour through it besides the convention center.Oooh it was hot, though. That put a bit of a damper on touristy plans ( ie: I really wanted to visit Jamestown but I am glad I didn't) This estate was called "Maymont" and we had to walk about a half a block to get to the house. Since the thermometer read 102 that short walk was tortuous.
But, a beautiful place. Even the littles were impressed!

G taking a breather! :)


Manny in front of the turtle aquarium at the Maymont Nature Center.
Jackson in front of a statue of his namesake; Stonewall!
St John's Episcopal Church where Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give me Liberty" speech! This neighborhood was particularly charming. Almost like you were stepping back in time.

Father's Day

I have been blessed with a great Father. A great husband and father to my 10 treasures, a wonderful father in law ( who, I am sure, imparted his good fatherly skills to his son) and two terrific grandfathers ( God rest their souls, all three).  We celebrated their day last week.

Aunt NancyDyl, Anne, Zak, the man of the hour- Papa, Al, Meemaw and NanDyl made smoked ribs. Dee-lish!Gwen spent the weekend with us and although she wouldn't pose for the camera....I must document she was there. :) 

 Our new bluebird house thanks to Uncle Bob and Papa.

Zak had to bring his homework. :) Summer accelerated classes are no joke!

7 Quick Takes--Summer Days

1. Today, June 25th, 2010 is our 27th wedding anniversary. In September we'll have known each other for 30 years. Yikes. I don't usually feel this way about aging ( ie: I would LOVE to be called grandma!) but 27 years seems like you have to be pretty old to be married that long. I sort of cringe to say it, although I am thankful for so many years with a good man. Every year I seem to appreciate something about him in a new and different light. We have our differences, of course ;) but I can say with all honesty I couldn't imagine a life that didn't include him.

2. JED MADE BREAD.  I sometimes wonder if we didn't name Jed-Jed just because his name rhymes with so many things and we just LOVE to come up with silly nicknames at the Vrazo house. ( rolls eyes in a very teen age way!) He really did most of the simple recipe by himself, with just a bit of help from mom and it actually did turn out pretty yummy!

3. Well, we've been enjoying our little country paradise. I say, this place has more beautiful parks, paths and general areas of repose than anywhere I can think that we've lived before. A few shots of a walk on the "Paint Creek Trail" which you can actually take to the library. Win-win for the Vrazo's! :) Is there anything more glorious than wading in a little creek. I have such fond memories of it from my childhood. Not exactly sure where it was (somewhere after a "smelting" trip with my father :).....but I can recall being SO enthralled by the experience being a HUGE fan of the "Little House" books and of course,  "On the Banks of Plum Creek"    in particular. I love re-living it with my own.

4. Mosquitos anyone? These pictures were actually from our first camping trip but sort of underline the experience we've been having with bugs this summer. :) Poor Gabriella at times looks like she has the chicken pox from all her bites ( I tell her it's because she is so sweet....while I get NONE. Very telling. ;) Not to worry! We found bats roosting in our garage. This little fella obviously fell from his nest, but we got him on a stick, climbed a ladder and he crawled right back in. Munch away our batty friends!

5. Is it just me or does anyone else get on food "kicks" and then can't stand the same cuisine for weeks afterward. I try not to eat eggs everyday ( why? I don't know when I don't put restrictions on any other kind of food that is bad for me :) but I have really been into "huerve ranchero"  for breakfast every morning. In fact, Mexican is definitely the top food I can eat for three meals a day for a week and then not want to look at for months afterward. Don't really know how to pace myself there.  Other munchy goodness:....a grilled vegetable painini....which was simply some sauteed vegetables, Havarti cheese slices on a baguette split in half. Not entirely original, but I love it when I can come up with something tasty from what I find in the refrigerator ( ie: this wasn't a planned lunch :)
Gabriella and I picked these black raspberries? from some bushes around the property. I can't believe the birds haven't eaten them. They probably have plenty of bugs :) I hope to harvest enough to make some jam!

6. I often have this strange co-incidence when reading. I will read one book and then another right after that have some connection.  (unbeknown to me beforehand)The latest version of this was reading a book about the English poet Rupert Moore called "The Great Lover" ( which is the name of one of his poems) by Jill Dawson. Just before that I listened to a book on cd called "The Moon and the Sixpence" by W. Somerset Maughm.  It was a biographical novel loosely based on the painter  Gauguin's life. The connection is that Rupert Moore ended up in Tahiti ( which is where I always tell the kids I am going when I am ready to fly the coop ;) and loved life there and guess what? So did Gauguin ( he died there, actually). I really enjoyed both pieces even though I am not a poetry lover and really don't know why I find Rupert Moore all that fascinating,. It was a good story and of course, set mostly in the pre WWI English ocountryside, what's not to love for me? ;) Gauguin's life story was really very strange, and he seems to be yet another example of a genius-jerk,  but he did do some interesting paintings. His use of  bold color is enchanting...if not all his subjects are.

7. Finally, my little garden. I am really quite amazed ANYTHING is growing in it. Probably because the last place we lived in had so little sun in the backyard, our very minuscule attempt at gardening wasn't successful at all ( not to mention I didn't have the tricked out fence like this one to keep the animals and children under 10 out!) I actually used some parsley we planted today!  I have high hopes, but I think even if it doesn't yield much produce, it was a step in the right direction. Now to get a compost pile going!

May/June

Birdhouse painting!

Outside my window: It was incredibly hot and humid yesterday.  Somehow, the lack of sun this morning has put a cooler spin on the day. Let's hope it stays that way! As much as we are enjoying summer weather humidity and I just don't get along. :)

I am thinking --  Trying to figure out the world and it's inhabitants, as usual. ;)

From the schoolroom:  Done, but had a whirl-wind week trying to get G/J in an online charter school for next year. Lot's of paperwork  just to get them in the lottery makes me wonder if it will be worth it. But, obviously it's a popular idea from the number of applicants.

From the kitchen: Camping food this past week! Finally, our camping- packets turned out swimmingly :) Brought chili in the crockpot for the first night which was also a winner of an idea. Muffins, corn bread and 7 layer bars rounded out the menu.

I am reading,watching and listening: (Highlights)

Read: The Stoning of Soyara M  ( which I think I read in one day....it was a small book, but still a record:)

It still boggles the mind that this story could be true. And not an isolated event.

Introvert Power: Why your inner life is your hidden strength. Laurie Helgoe

Well, I've known for some time that I am introvert. I have no misgivings about it, other than I do get frustrated by our seemingly extroverted world at times. (*Disclaimer*, I think extroverts on the whole, are fine. The world, I believe, needs both types of people to make it run smoothly :) I do think that the our society ( especially American society) runs on extrovert *ideals* though, and that can be annoying).  I thought this might be an interesting book to read to help shed light on how to relate to my extrovert children, who I often wonder if I am not stifling by my extreme home-body-ness. :) While it didn't give a whole lot of pointers there, it was nice to read about someone who feels the same way you do about a lot of things. And I really liked her thesis that *speaking* is not the only way to connect with others and that introverts connect by writing, reading, pondering, art...etc. etc. 

Watched:

Frank Lloyd Wright ( by Ken Burns)

Frank Lloyd Wright was always someone who I had peripheral knowledge of. I have really been captivated by his genius in learning more about him.   Well, his genius as an architect, some of his personal convictions were less than admirable. This was an excellent documentary.  It interviewed several people throughout; his son, ( who was 100!) grandson's and even had an interview with him done by Wallace ( smoking a cigarette throughout the on -air interview! LOL! How times have changed!)

Listened to:

The Piano Teacher:  Set in Hong Kong in pre/post WW2. I really liked this one. 

The Great Gatsby:
I know this is considered a great classic. While it was an interesting story, I can't say it was one of the best I've ever read.

Around the house: Noah- our amazing "Mr Fixit" got the dryer back in order. It went from taking nearly all day to dry a load back to an hour. Huzzah!

What we will do this week:    Recover from camping ( which = lots of laundry :) unpacking, and organizing things along with cleaning up a house that has been sadly neglected for a week. Festival meeting and a bbq with papa, meemaw and nan.

Week of May 9th, 2010

Revisiting my florist days by making prom corsages :)G with a "leftover" bouquet. What handsome fellas!G in one of her fashion ensembles :)I bet not everyone has a jug of milk, a boogy board and an old game controller in their sandbox!

Noah and VictoriaAnne and Dyl

Outside my window: Sunny but cool. What happened to our warm weather?! (Ditto!)

I am thinking --  it was a nice couple weeks with Tim working at home....he's off again!

From the schoolroom: Just trying to slog through our last few lessons. George gives me a *how many days of school left* update everyday :)

From the kitchen: I made some scones for the first time in a long time. I made them for some appreciation gifts, but the kids LOVED the leftovers. I guess we should add them as a regular feature on the V menu!
I am reading and watching:
I actually finished "Ruby's Spoon" by Anna Lawerence Petroni. Another first time author, the lady has skills :) It was a very clever tale and so well written. Probably one of my top 10 reads for the year. I always appreciate a unique story because there are so many that follow a well-used theme. 

Watched: 

The Stoning of Soyara M

Well, I don't know exactly what compelled me to watch this except there was quite a *buzz* about it. I am a HUGE wimp when it comes to films with any sort of violence or cruelty in it.  Not that the violence was gratuitous in this, it was 100% there to make a point. All in all I think it is one of those films you have to watch from time to time.   We think we have such huge, despairing problems in our American culture.....forgetting the horrors in many others. I am motivated to read the book.

Around the house: I think perhaps I may have got a handle on our laundry situation. It gets so backed up because of the slowness of the dryer. Gah! I might really push for the extra dryer in our garage to be hooked up somehow. Two would make a huge difference!

What we will do this week:    Soccer, soccer and rugby tournament. George and Noah were goal scorers this week! Hopefully a visit to the zoo and our R.O kin :) 

Mother's Day, 2010

Al turned 23!

Me with my progeny :)Silly, silly.....

4 generations on Mother's Day. Nan, Mee maw, me,  Naomi and G

Nan with her Vrazo "Greats"Jed gathering rhubarb for......strawberry-rhubarb jam!

Farmer Tim!Lilacs are one of my favorite flowers! Too bad they are here to enjoy for such a short time!

Outside my window: Sunny but cool. What happened to our warm weather?!

I am thinking --  about how to arrange the week. Haven't come up with much of a plan as yet.

From the schoolroom: Onward and upward.....catechism is over, last day of co-op classes this week, finals for the college kids.  The year is really winding down! 

From the kitchen: Strawberry-rhubarb jam. Yum! The boys made smoked ribs and brisket for mother's day. The first time we have ever smoked meat ( fish, yes) and it was a brilliant success!
I am reading and watching:
Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne 

It seems like I have to read a new parenting book every so often to keep the memento going. This one has many golden nuggets in it. I was very intrigued by his theory that all children ( and people) have "quirks" but "quirks" turn into disorders when there is too much stress in a child's life. He has observed that many children in our American society show "disorders" that children who have lived through traumatic wars, displacement, etc in other, less prosperous and stable (?) countries have.  All in all an interesting book so far.

Listened to:  "Loving Frank"  by Nancy Horan

The premise/subject of this book isn't all that savory, I will admit. Still it was interesting to learn more about Frank Lloyd Wright. Tim and I have a standing joke anytime we see a garishly modern, 60's type house that it is a " Frank Lloyd Wright". But I see now that despite those pseudo imitations, he did have some compelling ideas about architecture. Mostly this particular story hit me as a cautionary tale about the lies people will believe/adopt in order to absolve themselves from guilt. 

Watched: 

Vanity Fair (william Makepeace Thackery)

I have never read the book and it was a bit difficult getting into, but in the end it was worth it. I believe the book was a satire of English society at the time it was written. I'm not sure the film carried that out but it was entertaining. Natasha Little as Becky Sharp was outstanding.

Around the house: Working on the outside. Raking, weeding, and hopefully.....lawn cutting and weed whacking will be happening this week.  DITTO. We did finally find a riding lawn mower....

the weeds that need to be whacked are still neglected and growing like....well....weeds!


What we will do this week:    I've got a meeting to go to. I somehow signed on to be chairperson for a children's tent at our parish festival. I haven't a clue what I am doing, but I thought it would be a good way to serve the parish that serves us so well. And the family can be involved (look out, family!. :) PROM for Noah and Dyl.....so some corsage making will be on the docket. Noah's last rugby game.