laughs

Constantina posted this on her blog and it cracked me up. I needed to be cracked up. Thanks TIna. HAve that baby. NOW.

Molly's Birthday Bash

Molly, Noah, Nicole, Kim and Jackson joined us for Molly's Birthday Picnic. There were ukeleles, guitars, a huge chop salad, BBQ chicken, grilled flank steak, strawberries, coconut cake, yummy beer and mojitos. There were dirty kids running around, giggles and general merry-making.

Coconut cake courtesy of Kelly by way of Paula Deen, but with Lemon curd and a dusting of coconut in lieu of seven minute frosting

Letha's Magnificent Chicken, Kim's amazing Mojitos

Three skinny and filthy pairs of Legs, THIS is Summer.

For a few years now we have had the pleasure of sharing this crazy life with some fabulous neighbors. Ours is a transient neighborhood but Nigel, Letha and their two little ones have stayed put in the E section, since we moved in. So we have been smelling their perfectly delectable barbecue chicken at least once weekly for nearly 4 years. That is right folks, I don't know if all Jamaicans take their chicken this seriously, but our neighbors do. Sometimes, they hand us a hot, foil package of the mouthwatering stuff. Sometimes we sit miserably in our tiny kitchen nibbling on our meager dinner of rice and beans and Kale. Boo Hoo. But Letha is a generous soul and has taken it upon herself to teach me how to make this barbecue and finally after much practice and for Molly's birthday dinner, I got it right. Henry congratulated me. Ezra ate it up. It suffered no ill comparison to Letha's. In fact, Letha's own son said it tasted just like hers and Letha agreed. I have graduated. The only problem is that there is no measuring. And one of the ingredients is hard to find (browning/burnt sugar anyone?If you spot it perhaps in a West Indies Grocer, get me a bottle, hint City Dweller-Amy). So bare with me. But here is a promise. If you want some of this chicken and I am in your neck of the woods this Summer, I will gladly make some for you. It is that good.

The Chicken. Not even sure if I should attempt to post a recipe. Maybe I will come back later and do that?

Jell-o Mold competition?

GSS Jell-O Mold Competition
Saturday, June 26 2010 from 6-10pm
166 7th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(Between 2nd and 3rd Avenues)

I will say no more.

at the farm today

Some of my poppies.

Henry soars.

Yi Yi Loves the farm tire swing.

Ez found some plantain and put it on his freshly skinned knee, no joke.

Curt, the boys and I went to our farm, Simple Gifts CSA, with Yi Yi (Julia), a young girl who will be joining us in the mornings this summer. I am helping her out with English before she starts Kindergarten in the Fall and I get paid a bit for it, but I would probably do it for free. I adore her. Mostly we will be playing but I am trying to incorporate some fun local activities, visits to the farm, the campus duck pond, the swimming hole, the rec. center, libraries etc.

Today was hot but we cooled down at the farm with homemade farm popsicles and a breezy swing.

Cairn Building, Picnic and Quiet Time at Peace Pagoda

The Peace Pagoda in Leverett is a special spot in Western Ma. I am embarrassed to say when I was last there. Matt has been 3 times just in the past week. It was his wish that we picnic there for Father's Day. It was quite perfect because I had purchased two books on the topic of Buddhism for his special day.

We had sandwiches, water, apples and cookies. We sort of had some quiet time. It was mostly peaceful, except for the boys running across the Japanese meditation garden (we neglected to explain that to them until it was too late) and Ezra upsetting an enormous ant home under a rhododendron bush.

We all built cairns for new cousin Zao Han (boys are pointing to them above). Henry and Ezra want to call them Carens.

famous poem

photo by Ezra

Yesterday we went to Marks Meadow for the End of the Year/End of Marks Meadow (sort of) Picnic. Food, friends, families, neighbors, yummy desserts, a dunking booth with a good natured principal inside, a parade, singing, a rocket launch. It was Wonderful. The kids all received beautiful yearbooks and tee shirts.

Henry's O.T added a poem under her photo in the yearbook that really resonated.

Famous Poem- Naomi Shihab Nye

The river is famous to the fish.

The loud voice is famous to the silence.

Which knew it would inherit the earth

before anybody said so.

The cat sleeping on the fence is famous to the birds

watching him from the birdhouse.

The tear is famous, briefly, to the cheek.

The idea you carry close to your bosom

is famous to your bosom.

The boot is famous to the earth.

More famous than the dress shoe.

Which is famous only to floors.

The bent photograph is famous to the one who carries

it.

And not at all famous to the one who is pictured.

I want to be famous to shuffling men

who smile while crossing streets.

Sticky children in grocery lines.

Famous as the one who smiled back.

I want to be famous in the way a pulley is famous.

Or a buttonhole, not because it did anything

spectacular,

But because it never forgot what it could do.

This poem reminds me of what you are drawing, Emily.

Good vibes are being sent to Tina and Mark and Arlo. I can't wait to meet the new babe.

And also to Rana and Jona. We love him already.

xo

h o m e

Summer thus far, has been a mix of reading fiction, visiting our CSA farm for veggies and for hanging with the pigs and riding the tire swing, visting with friends, soccer soccer soccer (EVERY DAY), grilling, and a little bit of school work for me. Yesterday we went to Puffers Pond for the second time this season. Sometimes I cannot believe that a place so perfect is a bike ride away. Beautiful crystal clear water surrounded by trees. A cozy pond.

The Pioneer valley has lots of spots like this, and mountains. AND so many trees. I love the geography of this place.

I love it here.

There are times when I am torn. I love the Finger Lakes too. AND there are lots of people there who are dear to me.

But really, this place has become our home.