Metaphor
by Sylvia Plath
I'm a riddle in nine syllables,
An elephant, a ponderous house,
A melon strolling on two tendrils.
O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!
This loaf's big with its yeasty rising.
Money's new-minted in this fat purse.
I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf.
I've eaten a bag of green apples,
Boarded the train there's no getting off.
Monday, December 28, 2009
An Announcement
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Christmastime is Here
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Minutes from my Life
Last week, Emmy's ballet class was canceled so I took the two girls to the Palo Alto Children's Library. I really love that library. They have an outdoor courtyard with beautiful trees and benches that are little kid-sized. We checked out some books and went outside to read. Maybe it was the crisp air, the idyllic surroundings, the greying air, the sweet eagerness of my children - but I felt so content there, reading aloud. We read "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse" and "Lilly's Big Day," by Kevin Henkes. He is an author I have discovered recently that I really really like! For you children's book lovers out there - check out "Chrysanthemum" and "Jessica." Anyway, I got so into those books - and as silly as this sounds, I was brought to tears as I read them! Although these were little children's books about a spunky mouse, the feelings communicated were so real - so true that they captivated me. I love children's books.
And there it is, 6 minutes have passed. But I'll leave you with one sad thought. The other day while I was driving, Emmy asked me, out of the blue, "Mommy, do you ever laugh?" I asked her, "Do you think I do?" And she said, "No." Isn't that the most depressing conversation you've ever heard? Now, I know for certain that I do laugh, and that I laugh with her. But apparently, not often enough.
The goal? Laugh more.
(And perhaps after I laugh, I need to tell Emmy to make a note of it, so she doesn't forget.)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Baby dolls, a witch, and a kitty - what a weekend
We've been prepping Sophie for her birthday for the past few weeks. We've been reading her stories about birthdays, singing the birthday song, and talking about eating birthday cake and ice cream. We should have prepared her for the candle-lighting and for the expectation that would be on her to blow out the candles. The moment that Matt began lighting her candles, she started crying, "No! Fire, burn me!" As we sang, "Happy Birthday," she could not decide whether to laugh or cry, and when we told her to blow out the candles, she decided to overcome her fear of fire by touching the flame. This, of course, resulted in a confirmation of her fears and very loud screaming. Luckily, the party guests were oblivious to this drama, and when I glanced over at them, they were already happily eating their cupcakes. Gotta love two-year-olds.
Despite this incident, Sophie's birthday party was a success. She loves baby-dolls right now, so we invited three friends over for a baby party. We sang to the babies, read stories, took the babies for a walk in their strollers, danced with the babies, fed the babies, and put the babies to sleep. Jojo (Sophie's grandma) made baby-face cupcakes with binkies sticking out of their mouths. Sophie was probably the most thrilled with these adorable cupcakes, and she took her time relishing it.
For Halloween, Emmy was a witch and Sophie was a black cat. Or, in her words, a "kitty . . . meow." They were pretty cute, and on cloud nine since I let them eat as much candy as they wanted all night.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
A Nice Mommy Moment Involving an Egg
I was glad that I let her try.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
When did you first become a grown-up?
This question was Real Simple's prompt for their latest essay writing competition. I didn't end up having time to write and submit something, but I did like the question and decided to write a little something just for the heck of it:
“You’re just a baby having a baby,” an older gentleman remarked to me while we were standing in line at the grocery store. He was a kind, crusty old man who insisted on carrying my groceries for me and helping me into my car. To him, I probably looked about sixteen, though in actuality, I was twenty-five. Twenty-five and 9 months pregnant, joyfully expecting my first child. I certainly didn’t feel like a baby having a baby.
I felt ready. I’d figured out how to have the “happiest baby on the block” (I practiced my swaddling techniques using a teddy bear); I’d taken the baby’s car seat to the local police station so that they could make sure it was properly installed; I’d bought everything on the list. I was as ready as I’d ever be and I felt quite grown up.
In fact, I’d tried to be as grown-up as possible about the entire pregnancy. I was a high school teacher and I did my best to be professional about the whole thing. I hid my morning-sickness, almost vomiting on passing students as I walked/ran down the hallway to the restroom. After episodes like these, I’d smile my brightest smile, trying not to let on how awful I was feeling. I’d smile until the final bell rang and then collapse on my desk, often falling asleep in a hunched position at my computer. I’d wake up to find myself with my head down on a stack of papers to grade. I’d get up, eat a snack, often throw it up, and then get back to work. During lunch breaks, I’d set my cell-phone alarm and secretly take naps in my car. Somehow, I managed to get through that first trimester and I was proud that I’d managed it without telling anyone.
The rest of my pregnancy was thrilling. I eagerly read weekly emails informing me of my baby’s progress. I celebrated as the baby within me reached the size of a walnut, a lemon, and a pomegranate. I imagined my darling in utero sleeping, hiccoughing, and wiggling around. My students knew that to distract me from discussing symbolism in The Great Gatsby, all they had to do was ask about the baby and I’d soon be sitting on my desk, discussing baby names. (I figured the discussion was half-literary since the names Daisy and
And so as the due date came and went, I didn’t fuss over waiting a little while longer for her arrival. I felt comfort knowing that she was happy in her warm, nutrient-filled world. We enjoyed our “bonus days” with movies, mini-golf, and time with friends. And when the time finally came – 5 days overdue – for her to be delivered, we were ready and excited.
Nothing can really prepare you for the moment when you meet your child for the first time. I knew I would love my girl. But I didn’t know how overwhelming and how all-encompassing and how absolutely sudden this love would hit me. As I held my warm and slippery baby, I cried more than she did. It was all I could do.
As transformative as this joyous birth was, when I look back on it now, I see that I really was just a baby having a baby. My child’s entry into the world did not mark me as a “grown-up.” I learned to take care of Emmy and everyone else took care of me – particularly my mom. She flew in from
We could have continued this idyllic existence for a long time, but too soon, the day came that she would have to leave us to take care of ourselves. We hugged goodbye. I tried to be strong. I stood by the window, holding Emmy close, and watched Matt wheel my mom’s suitcase to the car. I watched her climb into the car, could see she was fighting back tears. I waved and watched as they drove away. When they turned the corner and were out of sight, I gave in to my sadness and let myself cry. Soon, though, Emmy started crying too. We cried together, and as I did my best to calm her, I found that I became calm. A part of me wanted to indulge myself – to curl up in my bed and cling to my sadness – but I chose her instead. I had a baby. A baby that needed me to take care of her – a baby that needed me to be a grown-up for her.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Treasure the doing
“The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one most of us make . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.”
Anna Quindlen
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Patience=Chocolate?
I pondered on this.
And then I thought that this philosophy might work well for me as a technique for developing patience. Real patience that is. Whenever I find that my patience is being tried, I can say to myself, "I need patience." And then I can calmly walk to the privacy of my bedroom and eat a square of chocolate. I've decided that this would be a lot more fun and would probably work much better than the whole count to 10 theory. So from now on, whenever I need patience, what I really need, is chocolate. I think I'm on the road to becoming much more patient. I may also be on the road to gaining weight, but if that happens, I'll just think of a new word to substitute for patience. Like carrots, maybe, or exercise.
P.S. When writing this post, I could not for the life of me remember the word 'eavesdropping.' I first wrote 'nosedropping' but thought it sounded a little slimy. Then I thought it might be 'eardropping,' but it still didn't sound right. I finally arrived at 'eavesdropping' - phew!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Three Wishes on a Wednesday . . .
Emmy: If a genie gave me a wish, I would wish that everything I touched would turn into candy. Because I love candy.
Me: What about me and Daddy? Would you want us to turn into candy?
Emmy: No, I would just ask the genie if everything could turn into candy except you, and Daddy, and Sophie.
Me: Oh, good.
Emmy: I would also wish that everything I asked for, you and Daddy would always say "yes."
Me: Don't remember what I said, (I had just woken up) but something to the effect of, "dream on!"
Emmy: If the genie gave me another wish, I would wish that everything everywhere would be pink. Except our faces.
Me: That would be a lot of pink.
Emmy: I love pink. Do you think that one of my friends' daddies might be a genie?
Me: Maybe, we'll have to see . . .
Emmy: Maybe Brandon is a genie. Or Dave.
Me: That would be fun!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Meow. Hit. You.
On one particular afternoon, Sophie and I were alone in the house. She had just woken up from her nap with the request and demand, "Meow." Which, interpreted, means "let's find the cats." So we began our search and were soon pestering poor Twinkie who was enjoying one of her many naps in the afternoon sunlight. I must also add that of the two kitties, Twinkie is highly suspicious of children; she becomes skittish and agitated very quickly. Whenever possible, we would steer Sophie towards Oreo - ever the more tolerant and wise one. And so, I kept a close eye on Sophie and Twinkie - but apparently not close enough. In the moment that I turned my back (why must I always turn my back, will I never learn?) something happened which caused Sophie to startle Twinkie, who, in trademark feline fashion, hissed violently and batted at Sophie. My poor sweet, sensitive Sophie was even more startled and though she didn't cry, she whimpered as if she had been betrayed by her best friend. Her big blue eyes were pools of confusion, her brow was wrinkled in bewilderment, her voice wavered, and she said with great sadness and conviction, "Meow. Hit. You." (She hasn't quite mastered her pronouns yet. "You" in this case meant "me.") She repeated again, "Meow. Hit. You," and then added, "Nigh-night."
Sophie is not typically a screamer. When she is out of sorts, she asks to go to bed and she pouts. So I took her to the comforts of her bed, sat on a chair beside her per her instructions, "Mommy - SIT," and listened as she recounted her tale of woe over and over again. "Meow. Hit. You. Meow. Hit. You. Meow. Hit. You." It became her mantra - although instead of enterering into a peaceful, meditative state, she become more and more disturbed as she relived how the cat had lashed out at her.
Finally, I lured her out of her bed, with the promise that we would tell Nannie what that cat did. And so her story was repeated to Nannie. Again and again. If only you could hear the tremor of her voice and see her sad eyes.
A few weeks later, I was telling Matt the whole story, and Sophie chimed right in, "Meow. Hit. You," with the passionate addition of, "Don't. Do-dat, Meow. Don't. Do-dat, Meow."
How we love our girl, and how we love seeing how she makes sense of her world.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Favorite Pics of the Week
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Graeter's: The Best Ice Cream
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Best of Summer, 2009
As I was pondering the foods of summer this afternoon while I was preparing our Sunday dinner, I realized that every year, I find a new recipe that sort of defines the essence of summer for me. This past week, my mom and I were flipping through a Williams-Sonoma catalog and we came across the following recipe. We tried it out and loved it. And so, "Baked Penne with Corn, Zucchini, and Basil" has become a new favorite - one that I will be sure to look forward to next year around harvest time. I'll include the recipe at the end of this blog.
But before I sign-off, I realize you may be wondering what foods made the grade in past years. Here's the list, as well as I can remember it:
Summer 2001 - Strawberry Ice (a childhood favorite come back to life)
Summer 2002 - Rusty's Lemon Ice Cream; Caramel popcorn (okay - not necessarily a summer food - but I discovered it this year and Matt and I ate it ALL of the time, ALL summer long. This stuff is highly addicting).
Summer 2003 - Bruschetta; Grilled Marinated Flank Steak (Both from Mom)
Summer 2004 - Ina's Flag Cake - we also planted basil and tomatoes in pots on our balcony and ate tons and tons of bruschetta that year - Bowties with Zucchini, Yellow Squash, and Cherry Tomatoes
Summer 2005 - Suzi's Bread Salad - she made this for me when Emmy was born and it was the perfect summer meal
Summer 2006 - Ina's Pasta Salad with Sun-dried tomatoes and Lemon Chiffon Pie
Summer 2007 - Catherine's Summer Fruit Crisp
Summer 2008 - Strawberry Shortcake (America's Test Kitchen); Frozen Lemonade Pie (Real Simple); Panko-fried Zucchini (Mom); Ina's Old-Fashioned Raspberry Ice Cream Sodas
Summer 2009 - Baked Penne with Corn, Zucchini and Basil and Martha Stewart's Red, White and Blue Sundaes
So there it is - almost a decade of summer memories. But before I go, I must also give an honorable mention to root beer floats - a summertime treat that I have loved my entire life. Some of my earliest food memories are of sitting at the table at night with Adam, "stirring and stirring our brew." Another year, my family stayed at a beach house in Kiawah, South Carolina. I was 10, Chris wasn't even 1 yet. Every evening, we'd sit at the screened porch, play games, and sip rootbeer floats. The chairs, I remember especially, were made out of old barrels and they swiveled around. What can be any better than rootbeer floats, the sound of crickets chirping, the roar of the ocean distantly behind you, the people you love the most surrounding you, and the contentedness of being a child - happy and in the moment - too immersed in the present to even realize how precious it is. I think root beer floats will always mean summer to me.
The recipe:
Baked Penne with Corn, Zucchini and Basil
Enriched with two kinds of cheeses, this baked pasta showcases favorite summer vegetables at their seasonal best, including sweet corn, zucchini and fresh tomatoes.
Ingredients:
Kosher salt, to taste
1/2 lb. penne
6 Tbs. olive oil, plus more as needed
Kernels cut from 2 ears of corn
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
8 zucchini, about 2 lb. total, cut into half-moons
1/2 yellow onion, diced
4 tomatoes, cored, seeded and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 Tbs. sliced garlic
1 tsp. chopped fresh oregano
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 Tbs. tomato paste
1/4 cup white wine
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
6 oz. mozzarella cheese, grated
2 oz. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 400ºF.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Generously salt the water, add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold running water. Set aside.
In a 12-inch nonstick fry pan over medium-high heat, warm 3 Tbs. of the olive oil. Add the corn, season with salt and black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn is lightly golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Set aside.
Return the pan to medium-high heat and warm the remaining 3 Tbs. olive oil. Working in batches, add the zucchini, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender and golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add to the bowl with the corn. Repeat with the remaining zucchini, adding more oil to the pan as needed.
Set the pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion, 1 tsp. salt and black pepper, to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and begin to form a sauce, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the wine and cook until the wine has reduced and the sauce is fairly thick, about 3 minutes more.
Add the pasta, tomato sauce, basil, mozzarella and half of the Parmigiano-Reggiano to the bowl with the vegetables and stir to combine. Transfer to the fry pan and sprinkle the remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano on top. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake until golden brown on top, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm. Serves 8.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Last Night - Clash of the Titans
So here we are: Stephen has 225 points. I have 200 points. The word of the game is "kiva" (mine) at 64 points. Stephen's "shingles" earned him 62 points, since he used all 7 letters. I'll keep you updated if anything really exciting happens.
We have been Scrabble rivals for probably 15 years now. Doesn't that make me seem old? I used to consider my dad as my biggest rival, but I didn't realize that Stephen was behind the scenes, taking everything in, the fires of competition blazing within him. He was a tough competitor from the start. Even when I was 15 and he was 10. Over the years, he has continued to push himself to be the reigning champion. He took up online Scrabble. He memorized all of the two letter words in the dictionary. He devised a scheme that guarantees that he draws the "x" every single time and subsequently manages to score at least 50 points when he uses that "x."
Our games are always close, competitive, and very drawn-out. Our most legendary face-off occurred almost three years ago. We played until almost two in the morning. A challenge was issued and won on a technicality. One of us drove all around town searching for a store that would be open and also selling a Scrabble Player's Dictionary. I will not name names here. All I will say, is that 2:30AM search for the dictionary was a success and provided that needed evidence to prove a point.
Alas! A true blog about scrabble would be fruitless if the ever so resiliant competitor didn't add a few words. Yes, it is I, Stephen. There is no coincidence that both my name and scrabble begin with S, and so does the word success, which is what this game will be for me.
So he says, and so he may be right . . . for now. After all, things are looking bright for him at this point. I've been holding on to the "Q" the entire game - not because I haven't had words, but because I have been unable to place the "Q" on a double or triple letter or word score. What is the joy of the "Q" without the added pointage?
Anyway, its after midnight, the game is still going strong (after almost 2 hours!) and the outlook is grim.
12:37 am and despite all odds, I did find a triple letter score for my "Q" - I did manage to pick the "X" (an unprecedented move)- and I did find a way use a triple word score and score 24 points on my final turn. These last three moves placed me in the lead - but now I am in the tiresome position of waiting for Stephen as he exhausts every single possibility on the board. He needs 20 points to win and the boy does not give up easily.
1:00 am VERDICT IN: The first tie in de Jong Scrabble Player's History - 315 points on both sides - what an earth-shattering, red-eye inducing, and somehow satisfying game.
A clasic clash of the titans, a battle of the ages with both opponents brutal to the last 'mo.' The highly anticipated showdown proved to be all this rivalry is cracked up to be. An epic struggle ended in an inconcievable tie, leaving Stephen with an 'arrow' in his heart and Katie sorely 'vex'(d). Leave nothing wanted. Hold nothing back. In the end these summertime brawls signify much more than pieces on a board. We are not playing against each other, but against time and aging. When the game comes out both past and present collide into one jumble. It's as if we've always been playing, sometimes one winning, sometimes another, yet the games string into one long game against time itself, and tonight, for the first time, we did not lose, we tied, and now it is late, and we must retire to our 'kiva'(s). Goodnight.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
My Baby Sister is Married
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Smoothie Time
Emmy and Sophie LOVE smoothies. This past Sunday, we ran out of straws. Emmy was very proud of herself that she managed to stay clean. I think Sophie was just as proud that she managed to get so messy.