Ava

We're grandparents!

Ava arrived on gossamer wings on the Isle of Manhattan last night at 10:30 PM. She weighed in at 7lbs. 14.6oz. Mother and baby are both doing well, but Dad is over the moon and won't be back for some time. He is completely captivated by Ava. Our love and best wishes go out to the new family. We are grateful and happy.

Double Take!

A few photos taken of Jacob after his bath on Thursday night follow. He's sitting on the vanity in the bathroom, in front of the mirror. It may be fun to entertain the idea of two Jacobs, but there's only one original. All carbon copies pale in comparison.

Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning

Two Jacobs 

Two Boys 

Who does that shadow belong to?

Which boy has a shadow?

Twins 

"I can't kiss you now, I just washed my hair."

Love me...Love me...Love me.

It's a beautiful morning, ah huh......

Dappled shade is back.

I walked this morning, and as usual for this time of year, it was incredibly beautiful. As the sun rose it brought with it the long awaited dappled shade which promptly spread itself over grassy lawns still heavily laden with dew. The birds were singing, the flowers were blooming, and the enduring rain of the weekend was a distant memory. It was wonderful to be out and about on such a day.

Screeeech!

I only encountered one itty, bitty, little problem on my walk, well maybe two........OK, three, but they were very tiny......well, one was maybe a little bit bigger than tiny, or it could have been.

First of all, I grabbed the first pair of shoes out of the closet that I saw. They were extremely white, white......screaming out that they were brand new shoes. Most of you know I'm blind as a bat, and there is no way I could see the name on the shoe, but even I could tell they were brand spankin' new, and had to be my super, dooper *love your feet like my grandmother* shoes that Bek picked out for me a few months ago, and have only been worn in the gym on an elliptical on which you never even pick up your feet. (sounds like I'm selling a used car here) So I put the shoes on and headed out the door to one very fine morning.

About a quarter of a mile into the walk my smallest right toe started hurting, and shortly after that my left one started. By the time I was a mile into the walk I could feel the blisters on each toe rubbing, rubbing, rubbing with each step I took. Obviously, I had picked up the wrong shoes. I couldn't believe it. When I got home I realized that I had grabbed a pair of shoes I had bought a couple years ago, but had only worn a couple of times because......well, I don't really have to explain why, do I? I had bought them at an outlet store and got a great buy. I didn't have to take out a home equity loan to buy them like the pair Bek picked out for me. Of course, when I wear the pair she chose for me, if you listen closely you can hear my feet whispering, "Thank you, thank you, thank you." Trust me when I say that my feet were not whispering this morning. They were screaming at me, and they were not saying thank you.

In spite of this it was still impossible not to enjoy such a wonderful morning.

I continued my walk, and when I was about half way through it, a huge truck came flying 'round the corner and almost hit me. You have never seen a chubby old woman jump as fast as I did. I didn't know I could do that. He was in the wrong lane and never saw me until, thank god, the last second. He never paused, slowed down or even looked back, but his teenaged son did. When I turned to look at the truck that had almost mowed me down, the poor kid was looking back at me with the same look of horror on his face as I had on mine. Unbelievable! I hope they got where they were going in one piece.

Now, the third little event of my walk. There is a man that lives in our neighborhood that walks on a regular basis. You can hear him coming from blocks away. Our neighborhood is so quite and the slightest sound travels. This poor guy sounds like he's hocking his lungs up all the way through his walk. The first time I heard him I thought he was seriously ill. Surely, he had to be sick, but that would be a, 'NO'. After seeing him and hearing him for the past four years, I can say that he simply coughs every few seconds, kind of a *haaag, huuu, cgggg, cuggg* from the back of his throat like he's going to hock up something 'big and bad', and then he gets some action going through he nose too, but I simply can't describe it. I think it's just a habit, but it's the most disgusting sound you've ever heard. Every time you walk you know there's a chance that the 'cougher' will come out of a side road and take up the pace behind you, and then you're doomed to walk the rest of the way listening to that sound. No more birds chirping, no more little kids laughing in their back yards, no more lonesome train whistle off in the distance.........just the repetitive sound of........... 'the cougher'......... and you know that it's just you and............. 'the cougher'........ the rest of the way............. haaag, huuu, cgggg, cuggg.

Farewell!

The big news around here is that Herm decided to take the big plunge, and go bald and beautiful, not 'Q-ball Bald', but more like 'Robert Duvall Bald'. When Jacob first saw it he grabbed Herman's hat and gave it to him, and said, "Put this on."

Practically every Thursday night, Jacob and Herm watch one of Jacob's movies after Jacob finishes with his bath. They sprawl out and enjoy. I suspect that sometimes Herm falls asleep. Herman told me today that Jacob is always deeply absorbed in the movie, but intermittently he will unexpectedly turn around, and pounce on Herman, hugging him tightly, and/or wrestling with him. After a few seconds of this he then goes immediately back to watching the movie.

Herman told me that the other night when Jacob turned around, instead of pouncing on him, he hugged him, and then reached up, and rubbed his bald head, and asked in a woeful voice, "Will it ever come back, Herman?" In an equally woeful voice, Herman said, "No, Jacob, it's gone for good."

Oh, my! So it would seem that Jacob has learned the sad, sad lesson of umbrellas in the wind, the innocence of youth, and male patterned baldness..........Once lost, farewell!

Ahhhhhhhh!

Ahhhhhhhh!

It's not safe to go in the water!

"Jaws" Doo, doo, doo, doo....Doo, doo, doo, doo!

Can you find Jacob in there?

Jacob's Bath. There are so many toys; there's
hardly room for Jacob.

Afterbath

This is what the tub looks like after Jacob is finished with his bath.

Steak, Survivor, CSI, And A Bath

Yesterday was Thursday and that means that Patsy, Bec and Jacob come over for dinner and Survivor and CSI, and, of course, Jacob comes for a bath in our colossal tub. It was a very warm night for April. Jacob played his usual round or semi-round of golf in the back yard.

I couldn't believe how much pollen was on the deck chairs. I had to wash them before we could sit on them or we would have been pea green/yellow when we got up. That's what you get along with all the beauty in April in Virginia.

Patsy grilled the steak while Herman and Jacob played. It was, Orange Pepper Steak, a sirloin she had marinated in a secret sauce, recipe to follow. Bec made it for us a few months ago, using a London broil instead of the sirloin. Both were very good. Patsy also made twice baked potatoes, fresh green beans and, our favorite dessert lately, Strawberry Heaven Cake.

After dinner, Jacob took his usual bath and all was right with the world. Lots of fun was had at my house on Thursday night. You should have been there.

Orange Pepper Steak

This is the recipe for the Orange Pepper Steak that Patsy made for us last night. When Bec made this a few months ago, Patsy said that she couldn't find a low fat Catalina dressing so she substituted with Ken's Steak House, Fat Free, Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette because after reading the label she realized the ingredients were very similar. The recipe only calls for marinating the meat at least one hour but the longer it's marinated the more flavorful. Patsy put it in the marinade at least six hours before cook time.

She got the recipe from Kraft Food & Family Magazine. It has lots of terrific recipes and it's completely free. You can subscribe at Kraft Food & Family Magazine
Kraft Food & Family Magazine
Orange Pepper Steak
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 21 Minutes
Makes : 8 servings

1/2 cup KRAFT CATALINA Dressing
Grated peel and juice from 1 medium orange
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1 boneless beef sirloin steak (2 lb.)

MIX dressing, orange peel, orange juice, onions, pepper and garlic salt in large shallow dish until well blended. Remove 1/4 cup of the dressing mixture; set aside for later use.
ADD steak to remaining dressing mixture; turn to evenly coat both sides. Refrigerate at least 1 hour to marinate.
PREHEAT broiler. Drain steak; discard marinade. Place steak on rack of broiler pan. Broil, 2 to 3 inches from heat source, 8 min. on each side for medium doneness (160?F). Cut steak into 8 pieces. Serve with reserved 1/4 cup dressing mixture.

KRAFT KITCHENS TIPS

Variation - Orange-Ginger Steak Prepare as directed, substituting 2 Tbsp. grated fresh gingeroot for the 1/2 tsp. garlic salt.

No Easter Photos (sigh)

Notice: I haven't posted any Easter photos of Jacob; that's because I don't have any, however, I'm sure his mom will be sending some soon, and I will post them immediately. (hint, hint)

A Tip Of The Hat To A Grand Old Man

I'm going to post a few more fall photos. These were taken at the farm when Doug ,Maria, Nona and Arty gave their annual fall party. They always have a few bands; people pull up their chairs and enjoy the music and the evening. There's always a hay ride, and a bonfire down by the pond if weather permits; food and drink are plentiful.

Maria had a horse named Nugget; he died a few weeks ago. She got him when she was a young girl, and I believe he was 34 years old. That's a grand old age for a grand old man. Jacob loved him very much, and always looked forward to seeing him every time he went to the farm. I wonder if Jacob will remember him when he grows up. Sometimes it's surprising what kids remember from such a young age. Somehow, I don't think he'll forget him. A boy doesn't find a friend like Nugget everyday.

Coming Home

Fall party at the farm. Oct. 2005 David brings them home. A hay ride as sunset approaches is one of the sweetest experiences in life.

Old Nugget's Biscuits

Nugget

Herm, Jacob, Maria and Nugget.
Jacob's mom said, "He was very sad to find out that Nugget was not at the farm anymore. The little man cried on the way to the farm Sunday. I felt so sorry for him. "

Jacob and JJ on Halloween 2005

A cowboy and Spiderman.

Autumn 2005........On Graves Mountain

Herman and Jacob at Graves Mountain. (Note that Herman is wearing his 'Big Guy' hat that Jacob gave him.) This was the most beautiful autumn day imaginable. There were bales of hay stacked up for the kids to play on, under skies of blue with big, fluffy, white clouds. The air was fresh, and filled with the anticipation of fun. Those bales of hay were swarming with kids all day; they loved it.

All of the festivities took place on a backdrop of beautiful Blue Ridge mountains, and lush green trees as the fall color was just beginning to creep into the landscape. We walked around and looked at the crafts and art, and ate hotdogs outside at picnic tables. Jacob and Herman walked down by the stream. Herman really did try hard to keep him dry, but Jacob had other ideas. He was faster than lightening, and he got away from Herman; poor Herman had to pluck him from the drink.

As the day came to a close, Patsy and I bought apples to take home to bake up in pies and cobblers, bringing to an end one of the most fun days ever. I sense another fall tradition in the making.

The World Is His Stage!

Jacob in the hay at Graves Mountain.

Pumpkin' Pickin' Time

Pumpkin' Pickin' Time

Ahhh Shucks!

Ahhh shucks!

Jacob and JJ....... Halloween 2005 

Jacob and Herman on Halloween

Jacob and Herman. 10-31-2005 Wouldn't you think that one of us would have thought to turn the rooster around? Hmmm.....Must I think of everything?

The Man Relaxing

The Man Relaxing

It's A Serious Job!

You can see that Jacob took the job quite seriously.

The Helper

The Helper