The Math Major

Wow, this summer is zooming along!  A vacation, a wedding, and the new school year are right around the corner . . .

We haven't seen much of David lately.  He was home for just a week in mid-May and then drove back to school for an eight week internship/research project/I never get it right.  He's receiving free room and board on campus plus a generous stipend.

Saint Mary's offers a limited number of summer grants to students so they can perform research.  David worked up a plan, submitted the application, and was selected!  It's a math thing, something about finding a formula or equation that creates a particular shape.  Here is a link to the sort of work he's doing, although David's project involves weighted curvature instead of curvature.

I'm glad he's found such a satisfying way to spend his days, but it will be great to have him back at last.  I think I've spent more time with his girlfriend, Colette, than with my boy these past few months (which has been great fun, though)!

In the Kitchen

I subscribe to an email newsletter called "Notes from the Test Kitchen."  A full online subscription to Cook's Illustrated (I have) or Cook's Country (I don't) costs money, but the complimentary newsletter links to a few freebies, which is where I found these new recipes to try.

Icebox Strawberry Pie 

I have a great recipe for summer blueberry pie, but the glaze doesn't do a good job of keeping sliced strawberries together.  I think cutting the berries releases something that breaks down the cornstarch mixture. 

The Cook's Country recipe uses frozen strawberries cooked down, sweetened, and held together with plain gelatin.  Fascinating!

The pie starts with 2# of frozen berries in the skillet--nothing else--which get cooked down to a mere 2 cups:

This dessert was tasty, BUT . . . there was too much glaze with not enough fresh, sliced berries.  Next time (yes, it was good enough for a next time) I will try making a 2/3 batch of glaze (1 1/3# strawberries, 2 tsp gelatin, etc.--not sure about the sugar) while increasing the fresh berries.  The 1# made about 3 cups sliced, so I think I'll try using 4 cups.  These notes probably only make sense if you have click on the linked recipe.

I didn't make the cream cheese whipped topping, but it does sound scrumptious!

Just last week the newsletter linked to a recipe for Summer Succotash Salad, and I amazingly had all the ingredients in the house.  Fresh corn and green beans--I'd just been to the store.  Red onion--
only in stock because I'd recently enjoyed it in salad at my aunt and uncle's house.  Fresh basil--this year's crop is starting to prosper.

Len likes lima beans, so I keep some in the freezer, although that doesn't often translate into actually cooking them.  ;-)  I made the salad, and it was tasty BUT . . . I would not add the honey (more tartness needed), and would increase the basil.

I followed the recipe except for the order of cooking the vegetables.  I'm sorry, but frozen lima beans take more than 5 minutes to get tender!  I cooked the limas for 4 minutes, added the green beans and boiled 1 minute, then added the corn and cooked an additional 3 minutes.  The textures were just right.

I don't usually add salt to cooking water, but it really did seem to improve the starting flavor of the veggies.  I like a salad with a bit more zing, so I would definitely omit the honey, and maybe increase the lemon or throw in some vinegar.

And I'll probably only make it for a potluck or grown up meal, since most of my children won't eat lima beans at all.  Maybe with repeated exposure they'll come around . . .

And, finally, a picture of David's birthday cake.  It's nothing new (the hazelnut again), but it's what was cooking this past week.  The decorations are made with the same chocolate ganache used in the filling.  It's too soft to hold ridges for shells, but a round tip made attractive beads on the borders.  The sabre on top (David enjoys fencing) became a flaming sword when surrounded with birthday candles.

Dave requested a larger than usual batch (10" diameter and 6" or more tall) so that leftovers (from the family celebration) would be available to serve at his teenager-bonfire-get together on Monday.  We had just enough left to serve the 16 or so kids who came (many drove 2 hours and slept here overnight) to enjoy summertime and friendships.  I enjoyed being around such a nice group of teens, too.

Amphibians and Reptile

First, "Days With Tadpoles" by Rebecca:

Yesterday Marianna and my mom were taking a walk with Dusty, and they came to a place where a big tire had made a puddle.

 They saw a bunch of tadpoles, which are baby frogs or toads.

So they came back and told me about it.  Then I woke up Joe and he wasn’t very excited, but we got on our bikes and went to the place where they were. 

 We brought a bag and a cup.  Then we got some tadpoles in the cup and poured them into the bag.

Then we went home.  We poured them into a habitat in my kitchen area.  We put pebbles in it and creek water. 

First they all started down at the pebbles, but after a while they came up and were all swimming around.  My mom bought fish food, but they didn’t eat it until this morning.  It’s Marianna’s job to feed them breakfast and my job to feed them dinner.  They ate a lot of algae from the water. 

We’ve only had them for a day; they’re really cute and tiny.  Lucca watched them for a minute or two, but she wasn’t very interested.  The tadpoles have a tail and it’s kind of see-through. 

They swim around all day.  They still hang out at the pebbles, and a few were hanging on a stick and being very still.

"Tadpoles," by Marianna:

Yesterday morning, while I was on the walk with my mom and Dusty and Mrs. Laing, we found in a giant tire rut hundreds of tadpoles.  When we got home, we told Becca, who got very excited.  Then we woke up Joe, who was not very excited about it at all. 

We got out the tadpole habitat and dumped a bunch of creek water into it.  We also put in a bunch of pebbles at the bottom.  Then we rode on bikes and put a bunch of tadpoles and some rainwater in a quart size zipper bag.  When we got home, we dumped them into the habitat. 

When we first put them in, they just went down to the bottom and wiggled in between the pebbles.  They didn’t move for a while, and I thought they were dead.  Then they touched each other and started swimming around.  They still spend time in between the pebbles.

Right now they are very tiny.  They are black with a little tail.  They are swimming around a lot, all over the place.  They’ve been eating the algae in the water and ignoring the fish food we gave them (until this morning).  We saw some hanging from a tiny stick that was floating in the water.  They looked funny. 

 And David's northern ring neck snake (or so I've been told), named Linnaeus (after the father of taxonomy):

Supposedly it eats worms.  There was one in the dirt David put into the aquarium, but we can't tell whether or not it's been consumed.   David is also trying scrambled egg, cooked chicken, and live tadpole (in the water dish).  Hopefully time will tell.

Foodies

Our family does enjoy food . . .
For instance:

1. Accustomed to our homemade brew, my chocolate snobs little darlings won't even drink that powdered stuff.

2. Rebecca spends ages in her little kitchen organizing and cooking, and even bakes outside.  She recently prepared a delicious mulch cake:

(A portion has been served.)



 And since I wasn't around when David prepared an especially tasty snack, he took a picture of it for me to appreciate!

(Dave missed our Seder, but we saved him some rare lamb and charoseth.  He seared the meat then built an amazing sandwich on a baguette.)

Road Trippers

SMCM offered two "reading days" over Columbus Day, creating a four day weekend.  David and three friends visited all their families; we enjoyed their company over parts of Monday and Tuesday. 

They really are a great bunch--intelligent but not pretentious, tolerant of the attention of little girls ;-), and willing to hang out (instead of going out).  I was happy to catch a glimpse of David within his chosen crowd, although some more focused time with just our family would have been welcome, too.  I guess that's what Christmas break is for!

So this past weekend the group traveled to Winchenster to attend a friend's play.  Since we are on the way back to school, David et al stopped by for lunch on Sunday.  He alerted me to that possibility the night before, so I was able to prepare a bit, just in case.  We were all glad to host the group, and David enjoyed surprising his siblings.

Hey you guys, come back any time!

Feast of the Guardian Angels

When I get to Heaven (let's hope!), one thing I'm looking forward to (besides Beauty) is knowledge and understanding. I'm hoping God will show me why some events happened in my life and in the world. I also want to see the unknown part others played--human, angelic, and God himself.

What does this have to do with our guardian angels? We're told they are looking out for our physical and spiritual well-being, helping to protect and influence us. This reminds me of a passage in C. S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, when a demon's "patient" has died and begins to truly see. Here is how the devil Screwtape describes it to his nephew, Wormwood:

     How well I know what happened at the instant when they snatched him from you! There was a sudden clearing of his eyes (was there not?) as he saw you for the first time, and recognised the part you had had in him and knew that you had it no longer . . .


     As he saw you, he also saw Them. I know how it was. You reeled back dizzy and blinded, more hurt by them than he had ever been by bombs. The degradation of it!--that this thing of earth and slime could stand upright and converse with spirits before whom you, a spirit, could only cower. Perhaps you had hoped that the awe and strangeness of it would dash his joy. But that is the cursed thing; the [angels] are strange to mortal eyes, and yet they are not strange. He had no faintest conception till that very hour of how they would look, and even doubted their existence. But when he saw them he knew that he had always known them and realised what part each one of them had played at many an hour in his life when he had supposed himself alone, so that now he could say to them, one by one, not, "Who are you?" but, "So it was you all the time."

Wow! What an image!

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As far as physical protection goes, now and then I read a miraculous story--you know the type--someone feels an invisible push as disaster whizzes by. It's not that I don't believe, but I'll bet our angels are involved more subtly and frequently than we can guess.

For example, when David was a young non-swimmer, our family hiked with my cousin and her husband to a remote creek and waterhole in Tennessee. As toddler Daniel and baby Joseph occupied my attention on shore, David slipped off a sloping rock and into water over his head.

I didn't actually see it happen; I looked up to see David's hands above the water! He was about 10 feet from the edge, 20-30 feet from me. I laid the baby on the pebbles, hustled into the swimming hole, and hauled/pushed David back onto the rock and the beach. He choked up some water, ate some Cheese Nips, and appeared no worse for the wear.

What got me (once the adrenalin wore off) was just how close a call we'd had. A few minutes before, there had been four or five adults around the hole. When I looked up, they were gone. Only my cousin and Lauren were left, sitting in a (noisy) little waterfall, with their backs to me. No one could hear me. No one (including me) had seen David slip. If I hadn't looked up when I did, I might not have known he was in the water at all.

I'm convinced a guardian angel (David's or mine) tapped me on the shoulder and got me to look up from the diaper I was changing. I don't KNOW it, but I can't wait to find out some day and have the chance to offer another grateful, "Thank you!"

Gone But Not Forgotten

David and his bike mechanic shoes have been leaving their marks this summer. Somewhere between packing and leaving, they managed to blaze a trail from the basement.

We'll be sure to remember our darling frequently. ;-)I'm not the best photographer. Believe me, these footprints are much more impressive in real life.

Launched

My second baby is off to college . . .

The waterfront at Saint Mary's College of Maryland.

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Loading the car wasn't tough. David has a room (not a suite), and shares a hall bathroom, so he needed fewer furnishings than Lauren started school with.Shopping with David is a pleasure. He has strong opinions about electronics, instruments, bikes, and tea, but is relatively easy to please about everything else. And QUICK!

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We look at shower caddies: "Sure, that's fine. Does it come in black?" I call from the store, listing prices and qualities of fans: "I'll take the small one. The black one." We peruse the desk lamps: "That looks okay. Does it come in black?" Etc.

We're off!

The dorm is no-frills cinderblock.

The room is small, basic, and cinderblock,

with a view of the courtyard.Unpacking continues . . .Some essentials:Cookies from Grammy

Tea kettle from Mimi and Granddad (no microwaves allowed!)

Technology (mostly black)

Eclectic book selection (Descartes, Plato, Dante, Sherlock Holmes, Calculus, Ophelia Joined the Group "Maidens Who Don't Float": Classic Lit Signs on to Facebook)

I'd say I handled the day and departure well.

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Today is when I'm feeling it--choking up when I gave Lauren's birthdate to the dentist's office, wistfully considering stopping the woman with the tiny baby in the Costco parking lot to tell her, "It goes by so fast," (I DIDN'T!), feeling emotionally drained and wishing for a nap (Oh, wait--that happens every day!).

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Launching our children, first to college, then into the wider world (not yet . . .) is both beautiful and terrifying.

Sursies

My mom instituted our family's tradition of "sursies." I think the name is based on "surprise", but that's not the full definition. A sursie is a little, "just because" sort of treat given to someone who needs a lift or that you're thinking of or who would appreciate this little something you've just found. A cherry pitter, holy card, sticker book, or bit of chocolate could be a sursie.

Inspired by a friend, I collected treats for Lauren when she went away to school. I wrapped and labelled them so she could open something from me every other day for a month.

Tomrrow we're driving David to SMCM, so I just finished wrapping his sursies.When he saw the dates he wondered what would stop him from opening them all at once. Yes, I'm relying on the self control of an 18 year old away from my supervision...

And that's why I won't yet tell you what exciting gifts are in those appealingly wrapped parcels. David reads this blog, and I can't spoil his surprise now, can I?

Good Sports

Since David's been driving to school (since March 15th--thanks for asking), I've been reveling in my freedom from rush hour. Unfortunately, now that I'm not needed for transportation, I've attended only two lacrosse games this season. Bad mom.

Their team made it into the state tournament, so tomorrow they'll be riding a bus to the game. Four HOURS away. Yikes!

Last week, Len, the younger siblings, and I watched our boys play and their team win on a beautiful, sunny day.These aren't exciting shots except that I can recognize my son. Mostly it's hard to tell who's who under all the gear.And some action: How can you go wrong with a ball and sticks and a game that encourages hitting players with said sticks? I'm pretty sure that's David's favorite part. ;-)Daniel does spend most of his time ready to play. He's the backup goalie, but will likely be a starter next year (our current goalie is graduating). He did play one entire game (strep throat sidelined the other guy) and performed well (11 saves out of 14 shots).

Decision Time

After prayerful consideration [at least by his parents ;-)], David has made his choice: this fall he will be attending St. Mary's College of Maryland. It's a public, honors college with about 2,000 students.

David is planning to major in chemistry. Or math. Or physics. Or computer science. Okay, it's a little early to be certain, but there's a definite theme to all his choices!

David has visited SMCM twice already, and enjoyed "hanging out" (I really can't think of a better way to describe his time being shown the competing student lounges...) with faculty and students. The campus has its own charms as well:(I apologize that these larger pictures are cut off; I can't figure out how to reduce them.)Yep, right on the water. The waterfront is barely a walk down the driveway. Many boats are available for students, and the sailing team is one of the best in the country.Oh, yes, the buildings are attractive, too.

Congratulations, David! We're so proud of you!

This Just In

Via email: David has been accepted to Christopher Newport University!

The snail mail has yet to arrive, and we don't yet know whether David will be offered scholarships or entrance into the honors program or the President's Leadership Program, but still--hooray!

Our family traveled to Jamestown, Yorktown, and CNU just before Halloween. I'm hoping to post about that trip someday...

Milestones

These children just keep on growing!

• David turned 17 this summer.
• He's been taller than me for a long while and has the deepest voice in the house.
• He recently received a letter of commendation for oustanding performance on the PSAT--not the very highest rank, but still in the top 3%.
• On Wednesday his paperwork made him an official VA driver. We still must go to court to obtain the plastic copy, but it is already legal for him to drive solo. So far he's managed to wangle the keys in order to buy me some hard-to-find pasta and to get himself a haircut. He seems to be on the "errand a day" plan. ;-)
• With his participation in choirs, band, Sea Scouts, and work, and preparation of college applications, one might be amazed he has so much time left for online friends and videos...

Too soon I'll be missing two.

Okay, This is Getting Weird Now

David just asked me (he SAYS randomly) when the next soup night is! Four in 24!

Yes, I know I'm up too late. I finally did the dishes after watching some distinctly non-chick-flick tv with David. Len and the other boys are off on a rafting trip, so of course I must stay up too late.

Gone Paintin'

My sister's husband is in an Irish (rock?) band, and its last performance for a long while is tomorrow. As I heard it, the whistle player is going to grad school, which apparently is incompatible with rehearsals and late night pub playing. Or maybe he's going away to school; I don't know.

ANYWAY, since they know my David is interested in Irish music (among many other genres) and has never watched this particular band perform, K & D invited him to NY to do just that. Aren't they great?

David took the metro to the train to the shuttle to another train, and was picked up just a mile or two from my sister's new house. New for her, anyway--it's actually a rambling old place (with land) in need of MUCH work. My son will be earning his keep by stripping wallpaper, painting, and doing whatever else needs doing. He's big and strong, with computer and bike mechanic skills; I don't think they'll run out of work for him!

While we miss David, there was also some glee (especially from back seat riders) that his trip north is happening right now, because it means the NY portion of the family will be taking him to Saranac Lake. On Sunday we're driving to upstate NY (in the Adirondacks) to join my parents, siblings, and assorted cousins (33 people total!) for a week in a giant house. Without David we have just (just!) 13 people spread between two minivans (15 seats)...

Green Eggs and Ham

David's birthday breakfast request: Yes, my boy is 17, but he does enjoy a bit of whimsy! Without David, life would be much less ... er ... interesting.

If you ever feel like eating Suessically, I have a few tips for you.

I starting painting the ham with food coloring, but it was too dark. Then I painted it with dye mixed with water, but that was too slow. Then I dipped each slice in dye and water, and it was just right! (If you have them, wear gloves or you may have green fingers for a long time. In fact, I got dirtiest while opening the bottle of green.)To get just the right shade, I colored the eggs with some blue dye before adding more green drops. Have fun!

Sign of the Times

Yes, we've got another 16 year-old in the house! When those white-knuckle sessions began, I ordered "student driver" magnets to keep in each car. Our area isn't known for excessively courteous drivers, (grin) so I'm hoping that marking the vehicle will provide warning for them and patience for (with) us.

David's coming along well in his technical skills and he does seem to be thinking about what he's doing--we can discuss the merits of lane changes, appropriate speeds, etc. In fact, as we neared Occoquan in the drizzly dusk yesterday, I dozed on and off. That may have just been exhaustion, but my son has decided to accept it as a compliment!