The Biscuit Lifestyle

These last 13 years I have said that the name of my autobiography would be, "I'll never get used to the biscuit lifestyle." This title was as much literal as figurative in that I never much cared for biscuits.

Mom would make them when we had beef stew, but that's about the only time I can ever remember eating them. I remember sharing this with Roy and he looked at me with utter confusion as he exclaimed, "What did you EAT!?"

Just as novel was the time my brother called to tell us about this amazing new breakfast food he just discovered called Biscuits and Gravy. Roy had a pretty good laugh over that one.

There's no denying it - I'm a northerner. I grew up on 'weird northern food' (again, compliments of my husband, which I gather to mean anything not fried, cooked in butter, with bacon, or covered in gravy or cheese), I like my winters cold, my heat dry, and I still own a very industrious pair of snow boots. I laugh when I watch an entire city freak out about a threat of winter weather and watch in awe as milk and bread disappear from the grocery stores.

But now everything is different.

Now, I like biscuits.

They're warm and soft, with a great crispy bottom. Delicious with salted butter and homemade strawberry jam or local honey. They're quick to whip up after work or in the morning for breakfast. I always have everything on hand and they take little planning. Not to mention that my family loves them.

So now I embrace the biscuit lifestyle. I still like my winters cold, but I am grateful that in Kentucky they're only a few months long. I still have my winter boots, but pull them out infrequently - and often just because I can. There's something to be said for a humid day, a dip in the pool, and a cold mint julep. And on Wednesday when Chris Bailey told us a winter storm was headed our way, I was relieved to find 3/4 gallon milk in the fridge... and wished I had more eggs - just in case.

And then there are these two, my favorite Kentucky Proud products ever.

Yup, the biscuit lifestyle is pretty darn sweet.

My Biscuits

1 3/4 c. all purpose flour
1 t salt (table, not kosher)
2 1/2 t baking powder
cut in 3 1/2 T cold, unsalted butter

Using your hands, mix in 3/4 c cold milk until JUST MIXED.

Dump onto lightly floured surface. Pat to about 1/2 inch. Fold in half. Pat. Fold. Pat. Fold. I do it 3-4 times. Finally pat to about 3/4 inch thick, then cut as many biscuits as possible. I use a 2" cutter because I get more first batch biscuits that way and I love the size.

Preheat oven to 450. When oven is hot, bake for 12-15 minutes.*

They do not keep well, so eat all of them. I'm serious.

*This may make no difference, but for some reason my biscuits turn out better when I let them rest for a little bit.

Year in Review - 2012

I blame 'mama brain' on not being able to remember the last 12 months. Oh sure, I remember them. The road trip to Schmeckfest, the milestones of lost teeth, pacifier weaning, removal of braces, etc., but it seems like so long ago... and yet didn't 2012 just start? Amazing.

We all grew this year in a variety of ways.

It's not really fair to Miller that I'm highlighting the pictures that make him look like such a, well, dandy.

He is just so darn cute! And he so doesn't care that he's playing with dolls or wearing pink or getting his toenails painted (at his request.)

Still, Miller is a total boy, obsessed with tractors, trains, and helicopters. His usual tone of voice is LOUD and he runs pretty much everywhere.

This is one sweet boy. Injuries are cured with on-demand kisses, Sophie is regularly greeted with knock-her-down hugs, and he is amazingly gentle for a 2 year old. Sure we have our tantrums and time outs, bedtime can be a really long and exhausting (for the adults) process, but getting to know this boy has probably been the highlight of my year. (and yes, this picture is blurry but just soooo adorable.)

Also this year Roy and I joined the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel, aka, the Church of the Holy Birkenstock. We started attending the more than a year ago, but this year we completed our Catechuminate classes and were accepted by the Bishop as members of the Episcopal Church. We have enjoyed the sense of community it has added to our lives and love being part of a church that (like God) loves everyone, no matter what. There was even room in the Christmas nativity for a duck and giraffe.

Sophie graduated from Kindgergarten in May and is well into her 1st grade year. I don't know about you, but to me these look like two different girls.

She's having a great year, and we're enjoying watching her grow. She's a great reader and loves her teacher. She has a strong group of friends and is really her own person. She's a big fan of science, has a beautiful singing voice, and totally understands the scientific method. In short, she's freaking awesome.

She is delightfully silly, kind, and sensitive. This one has an old soul and has a real love of dark, creepy things - which she inherited from her father. Her favorite book is Coraline by Neil Gaiman and she loves mummies and ghosts. She also, at 6 years old, knows more about comic books than I ever will. 

I think Sophie's such a great big sister because she has this guy as a role model.

This year, Riley GREW. Literally. He's taller than me and can no longer fit into my Crocs to mow the lawn.  

He's a great kid, albeit an often surly 14 year old who is IMPOSSIBLE to get out of bed. It kind of boggles my mind to think that in a little more than three years we'll be sending him off to college. He is smart and a genuinely good person. He's developed a deep love for Doctor Who, going through 7 seasons in a matter of a few months. We're quite proud.

Roy is an amazing husband and father who is, deep down, a day dreaming hippie. These past 5 years have not been easy on him. He quit a job he hated to run the Festival of the Bluegrass, of which he is immensely passionate. This, however, did not translate to a paycheck and he has been been trying to find his footing since. This past fall, Roy went to work for his dad at Cornett & Associates, an appraisal firm in Georgetown. This has been a wonderful growth opportunity for him, not only career wise, but he is learning a tremendous amount from his dad.

He continues to provide wisdom, perspective, and patience to our world - not to mention a fair dose of humor.

As for me... I couldn't ask for more. I continue to love my work at the Library and with the Festival. My kids are kind, healthy and full of love for each other. I get to do the things I enjoy - cook, read, knit, dig in the dirt and, occasionally, relax with some mindless TV (Project Runway and Top Chef respectively). I'm still trying to find the balance between encouraging creative play in my kids and tolerating the mess it creates. Please, let me know if you have found it because I'm not sure it exists.
I love Lexington and Kentucky just seriously kicks ass. I never expected to end up living this life, and yet it is everything I ever hoped for. Color me lucky.

While our family found grace in the every-day, this was not an easy year globally - Syria, Newtown, the Election, Egypt, Palestine, Aurora, strange and scary weather patterns - just to name a few. While I find myself grateful for my personal blessings, these events of war, violence, and intolerance (on both sides of the political spectrum) have brought me to my knees on most Sundays. I'm a glass half full kind of girl and continue to believe that we will find a way to work together in the coming year.

Blessings to you, my friends, and deep love.

Copycat

I needed a picture of Riley for our Christmas card, and I ended up with two very adorable copycats.

A Family Reunion

Moving to Kentucky 10 years ago moved me 1,000 miles away from my family. I was blessed beyond belief to be embraced by my in-laws, and can't imagine what life would be like without them so near to my heart - and in close proximity. I love them and they are truly my family.

But my upbringing, my stories, my childhood... they are different. And there are days when I feel every foot of the 1,000 miles - say thankya for Skype and Facetime. 

An unexpected blessing of living in Lexington is that my mom's hometown - and the town I where I would visit my grandparents when I was small - is only 3.5 hours away.  It took 8 years for that to sink in, but growing friendships with my cousins and a need for that family connection, prompted me to pack up the car and drive north.

Over the past 2 years I've made a couple of trips with Sophie and Miller. This past weekend, my mom flew in and the whole brood - Roy and Riley joining us this time - drove up for a small family reunion.

There are tons of pictures taken this weekend and I have very few. But the highlight was heading to the swinging bridge where I would visit with my grandpa

And walk the trails.

Riley did everything he could to annoy the crap out of my mom.

The experience of older cousins (3rd cousins, if you can believe that!) gave Sophie the confidence to take to the bathroom and put some work into pulling her first tooth. She took the 8 year old's advice of 'wiggle wiggle twist' and it seemed to benefit her.

Still, it took a big brother's patience and iron grip to actually do the deed.

Mom and I were reminiscing on a drive back from a campfire at my cousin's house and she said, "those days are over." While I share her sorrow at their loss, what wonderful memories we are creating now.

a birthday party

A month ago I asked Sophie who she wanted to have over for her birthday party. She named off 5 girls and it was so. We secured a location - Roy's uncle's property on the Elkhorn Creek - and sent out invitations. Everyone RSVP'd in the positive and lo! A 6th birthday party was born!

Overnight-and-into morning rain showers had me biting my nails, but almost on cue the skies cleared, the temps stayed in the low-mid 70s, and 6 girls and their families arrived.

There was much running.

and the water was perfect for some leisurely canoe rides.

and Sophie was thrilled to be able to place her own candles (though we were under strict instructions - NO Happy Birthday was to be sung. We certainly obliged.)

Still, she was the girl of honor.

and honored she was.

With a cookout on a 6-year old size fire and lots of hotdogs and marshmallows.

This guy also had a FABULOUS time.

Sophie has found 5 kind and beautiful girls to to surround her and these friendships will be nurtured for years to come. What good fortune for us all.

The start to year #7 is pretty darn sweet.

Small Town Girl

I grew up in a town of 1,200 mostly Mennonite farmers. Those who weren't Mennonite were probably Lutheran and those that weren't farmer's probably worked at a bank, convenience/grocery store, hospital/nursing home, or school. Our track was the school parking lot or county road. Sometimes our coach would drive us 3 miles into the country and make us run to town. Freeman's entire city limits was in 1 square mile.

To contrast, my kids are growing up in the 2nd largest city in Kentucky (a city twice the size of Sioux Falls, SD - the largest city in my beloved home state). It can take up to 45 minutes to get from one side of Lexington to the other and I am thankful my phone has GPS. I always pat myself on the back (and sometimes call to brag to an ever patient Roy) if I can find my way to a place in Lexington that I've never been without having to consult a map.

Crowds make my stop in my tracks.

Seeing the local news anchors in the grocery store slightly elevates my pulse.

I continue to hope and pray for a random Johnny Depp sighting. (It's NOT out of the realm of possibility.)

But there are somethings that I just won't (can't, don't want to) get used to.

Yesterday a young man jumped off a building directly next door to my place of work. Some of my coworkers were among the first on the scene. Horror doesn't begin to describe it.

Roy and I had a conversation about the middle school Sophie (and Miller) will go to, unless she tests into the Quest (gifted) program. Or gets into SCAPA (fine arts). Or we move. Or send her to private school. And of all the middle schools in Lexington, this is not the one we want to send our children to. So we must find her 'talent' and help lead her there. Or move. Or find a ridiculous sum of money to send her to private school. Moving would be cheaper.

Did I mention that the Middle School testing decision has to be made next fall? In 2nd grade?

Last week, Sophie's bike was stolen out of our front yard. Who steals a kid's bike?

I love living in Lexington. I love the old buildings and the narrow streets. I love the two new breweries and amazing Farmer's Market and the energy that's here right now. My gosh!

And I know these problems exist in small town America. Gratitude in that I don't have a personal connection to the victim. Gratitude in that I have a choice about the school to send my kids to. Gratitude in that my amazing friends replaced Sophie's bike within 24 hours.

But today, as I look at faces that have seen too much. As I ponder the future of my children's education. As I shake my head at the audacity of some people...

Any jobs in Freeman?

Good Stuff

Oh where to start? Do I begin with my 10 year wedding anniversary to this guy:

seen here ranting on the evils of baby pockets, fortified with bourbon and encouraged (discouraged?) by friends who have seen/heard this diatribe on many occasion. Alas, there are always a few baby pocket virgins in the crowd.

And oh, how we've come to this happy place.

Or do I begin with the every-five-year reunion my parents hold with their MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) unit (1970-1972) in Cincinnati, OH. We are fortunate to live only an hour south, so it's a quick jaunt up to socialize with this fine group of human beings.

And spend some unstructured time with each other

Perhaps I begin with this little girl who is rapidly becoming not so little.

Or this little guy who drips personality. (and is hard to capture on film.)

Or maybe I start at the beginning, with the picture that now graces the top of my blog, an impromptu hike in the woods of Natural Bridge State Park (less than an hour east of Lexington) which will clear your head and replenish your soul every time.

We may fail at times. We may not get it all in, or get it done right, or eat a balanced meal or quite reach our goals. Maybe we forget our vitamins or have a bad day or run short on patience and long on selfishness. But what a blessed life. A blessed life indeed.