Through the Eyes of a Child

Thursday evening we went to see Viewmont High School's production of the Scarlet Pimpernel.  It is one of my favorite musicals.  I will be humming "Into the Fire" for days to come!  This is the third time I have seen this play - the other two times were at Hale Center Theatre.  I was curious to see how this would compare.  I was not disappointed.  The three people who played the main characters were so talented.  Percy's role, that of an English fop, was played to perfection.  His timing was so good.  Chauvelin and Marguerite's roles showcased the talents of these young people.  It was hard to believe that they all were just high school students and not professionals.  The whole experience was a little bittersweet, though, because the director, Ms. McGuire, is retiring in June after being at Viewmont for 35 years.  There are some big shoes that will need to be filled.  I hope they find someone who will carry on this great tradition that she has established.

We took Ross with us.  He loves musicals.  He was very excited when I told him there would be some sword fighting in it.  He told me he had a favorite song, but couldn't remember what it was.  We had great seats - three rows back from the pit in the center section.  He was wide-eyed the entire time as he sat on the edge of his seat.  He whispered a couple of times, "Grandma, when will they sword fight?"  When they sang his favorite song (Into the Fire)  he told me that was the one!  In one scene Percy was standing right in front of us singing.  I viewed the production a little differently that evening - seeing it as Ross might be - the amazing, colorful costumes, stunning scenery, and lots of action.  I felt like I was viewing it again for the first time - through the eyes of a child - for just one evening.

Where Did the Years Go?



Barb, Diane and mother, Alice



So reads the title of the editorial in the Church News yesterday.  For the past week I've been planning a family gathering to celebrate Megan and Katie's birthdays.  I remember our party celebrations when our kids were young.  We didn't do anything too elaborate.  For example, here was a party celebration for my mother in 1985.  Her birthday is December 23, so I thought it would be fun to have reindeer hats.  I don't remember too many details, but if you look at these pictures, you will notice that some of us seem to be enjoying the party more than others.



So, it is 2011 and we've all moved up a generation.  I am now a grandmother, and Ross is about the same age as Justin was in this picture.  My parents are still alive and would have been at the party celebration had they not been in St. George enjoying sunshine and warmer temperatures.   The years have passed, but we still gather as family to celebrate important occasions - birthdays, holidays, baptisms, baby blessings, missions and weddings.  We just enjoy being together, and we love those who have joined our family through marriages.



I want the grandchildren to remember family gatherings.  I decided to do a birthday party, with balloons and party hats.  One-stop-shopping at Dollar Tree!

Just like in  1985, some of us seemed to enjoy the party more than others.  Abigail did not like the noise and commotion going on.  She didn't enjoy the party hat (sorry, Abigail - I didn't mean to cause you so much distress!)  With three older siblings, Benson is more accustomed to the noise and chaos.  The rest of us had a good time.  We played a game where you put a balloon between two people and try to pop it.  It was pretty funny. 



Katie and Crystal


Lizzy has never liked loud noises like the fireworks at the 4th of July.  She didn't want to participate in the balloon popping.  Perhaps Abigail will find a kindred spirit there!


Lincoln loves his Uncle Justin.  And the feelings are mutual!





Photo of Joe courtesy of Lincoln.

 

Katie had been using a very old quilt that I had made years ago when the girls were small and all shared one room.  She wanted a new one for her birthday and here is what I made for her.

We had a panini bar for dinner.  I love my panini press and we use it often.  I like to try new things and this time I made some basil garlic mayonnaise, which was a big hit.  Here is the recipe and the link to the website where I found it.   http://www.paninihappy.com/

1 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
1 garlic clove, smashed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 cup mayonnaise

Thanks, everyone, for a happy, memorable day.

It Doesn't Get Much Better

I was able to spend the day doing what I love the best.  Time with children and grandchildren.  I enjoy laughing with them, reading with them and just hanging out together.  I love to hear them sing Primary songs.  Lincoln is a typical almost three-year old.  I never know what mood he'll be in.  Today the mood ranged from, "Don't boss me, Grandma", to a hug and kiss.  I sat by him as I ate lunch and he slyly slid bits of his granola bar over to share with me.  I've always been grateful that I was able to be a stay-at-home Mom and now be a stay-at-home Grandma.  Thank you Popes for a wonderful day!

If I Only Had a Brain

One of my favorite movies is the Wizard of Oz.  When I was growing up it was on television once a year in the early spring.  How it is that I can remember that, I do not know.  I knew a lot of the dialogue and all of the songs and can do a pretty mean Wicked Witch of the West cackle.   I love the song where each of Dorothy's companions lament, "If I only had a . . ."

I often find myself relating to the scarecrow's wish, "if I only had a brain."  I can usually laugh about it because my husband seems to be dealing with the same challenge these days.  What is this leading to?  It seems my eyes are also showing the consequences of aging.  I can read very small print if my contacts are out, but if they are in and the light is inadequate, I am using those little glasses that perch on the end of the nose (the ones that I was sure I would never need). The other day I was filling out a bunch of papers prior to starting physical therapy.  It was daytime and there was plenty of light. I was wearing my contact lenses.  One of the pages had items to check off if they applied to you - such as pacemaker, etc.  I was surprised when I noticed one of the items - mental implants!  Just as I was wondering where I could possibly get one of those, I noticed that there was no "n" in that first word.  No metal implants for me, but I sure could use a mental implant.  If any of you ever hear of such a thing, let me know - I'll be the first to sign up!

Three Cheers for Rotisserie Chicken!

For many years I cooked for our family of seven people.  Since becoming empty nesters a few years ago, I've had to change the way I cook or we could be eating leftovers for a LONG time.   I also like easy, quick meals.   I love Costco's rotisserie chicken - juicy, tender, and I don't have to handle or clean a whole chicken (ick!).  We can eat a whole week on a Costco chicken, which, at $5.00 a pop, is great on the budget.  I use the meat in panini sandwiches, on pizzas with vegetables, in salads, etc.  In the winter chicken noodle soup is a favorite.  My newest recipe is one for turkey or chicken enchiladas.  It is quick and easy and most of the ingredients are in my food storage.

Turkey or Chicken Enchiladas

2 1/2 cups shredded, cooked turkey or chicken
1 quart stewed tomatoes, drained and  cut (or a 14 1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes)
1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed
Cheddar/jack or Colby/jack cheese - however much or little you want
1/2 cup chopped onion, sauteed in small amount of oil until tender
1/2 cup no fat sour cream

Mix these together for filling.

Sauce:

1 pint of salsa mixed with small can of mild enchilada sauce.

Put small amount of sauce on bottom of a 9x13 pan.

Cook 8 tortillas (Tortilla Land from Costco).  Fill with chicken mixture.  Put in pan seam side down.  Top with remainder of sauce.  Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.  Remove cover and add cheese.  Bake 5 to 10 minutes more until cheese is melted.  Serves 8.

Barbara Ellen Asire

Barbara Ellen Asire, my great-grandmother, was born February 24, 1858 in Millcreek Township, Coshocton County, Ohio.  She had a twin sister, Amanda, who lived only six weeks.  They were the youngest of eight children born to Henry M. and Elizabeth Conrad Asire.

Both the Asire and Conrad families came to Ohio from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.  Elizabeth Conrad arrived in 1826 with her family in a covered wagon.  The Asire family came a few years after that.  Henry and Elizabeth were married in 1836 in Holmes County, Ohio.  Six years later on March 26, 1842, 95 acres were deeded to them by Elizabeth's parents, Jacob and and Mary Conrad, for the sum of $500 (tribute to Barbara Ellen Asire Bechtol, written by daughter Nellie Bechtol Patterson).  That land was in Millcreek Township.  They built four different homes on the land and were living in the last when when Barbara was born.  Ironically, she died in that same room nearly 53 years later.  Photo of the Asire home taken c. 1902 - Barbara with several of her children.

Barbara attended  church and Sunday School at the Reformed Church in New Bedford.  She went to Hardridge, which was a one-room school house located just over the hill from where they lived.   Her brother Leonard taught at the school for one term while she was there.  Later, her children would attend the same school. 

In 1879, at the age of 21, she married Frederick Bechtol, son of Nathan and Nancy Griffith Bechtol.  He, too, was also born and raised in Millcreek Township.  The Bechtols were farmers who had come to Coshocton County from Pennsylvania.

Frederick and Barbara lived with her widowed mother for several years (I assume until Elizabeth's death in 1892).  During the 1880's they purchased 110 acres from Elizabeth (including the house).  Barbara and Frederick had 12 children.  One son died in 1889, at the tender age of three months.  No one has a record of what the baby's name was.

As a farmer's wife and mother of 11 living children, Barbara led a physically hard and demanding life.  She had been ill for several months before she died on November 24, 1910 - only 52 years old.   It was said that she bore this with patience and endurance.  Her death certificate lists the cause of death as organic heart disease complicated by nephritis (kidney disease) and enlarged liver.  In her obituary a neighbor said this of her:  "The most beautiful feature of her life was that she was always more thoughtful for the happiness and welfare of others than for herself.  Her name will ever be a blessing to her estimable family and all who came in contact with her."

Today her descendants number in the hundreds and are scattered across the country.  Not long ago I asked my mother if she named me after Barbara Ellen.  Although I wasn't, I am still proud to carry her name.  She left a great legacy to look to.  Aunt Nellie wrote in her tribute, "I think we can truthfully say, as in Proverbs, that 'She looketh well to the ways of her household and she eateth not the bread of idleness and her children rise up to call her blessed'."   These photos are of her New Testament, published in 1859, just a year after she was born.  The book measures 3" x 4 1/2".  The cover is peeling and there is some water damage.



Do You Remember?

We were just finishing dinner this evening - reminding each other not to forget to call and wish Megan a "Happy Birthday" tomorrow.  The phone rings. Not the 5:00 p.m. phone call.  6:00 p.m. instead.   I guessed right - Megan.  "Do you remember . . ."  It took a minute to dig down into the deep recesses of my half-century old brain to come up with the recipe for a salad/dessert I used to make.  It was one that my kids liked and is very easy:

1 can fruit cocktail
1 lg. can pineapple chunks
1 small can mandarin oranges
2 bananas sliced
1 box (4-serving size) instant lemon pudding

Drain most of the juice off of the canned fruit.  Add bananas and stir together.  Sprinkle dry pudding over all of the fruit and stir, making sure all of the pudding is dissolved.

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Megan!  You're the best Valentine gift I've ever received.