Year: 2009

If Sophie could read and understand this list, she may not agree with all of it. But she wears her heart on her sleeve. I know when she’s experiencing joy—bliss, even—just as I know when she’s feeling quite the opposite.

Today, while celebrating Thanksgiving with my family, we each said what we’re thankful for. Sophie drank her milk, and listened, but if I had to guess, this is what I think she’d say.

I’m thankful for:

• milk.

• walks on acorn, rock and leaf-littered sidewalks.

• books, especially Big Red Barn, Counting Little Geckos, Corduroy and Pat the Bunny.

• Tucker, especially when he rolls and runs and jumps and eats the food I don’t like.

• the moon and stars, both in my bedroom and outside.

• airplanes, especially when I can hear and see them.

• music, a hardwood floor to dance on and my giraffe, puppy, Ming Ming and wand to dance with.

• anytime I’m allowed to walk on my own and am not confined to a stroller, cart or carseat.

• Nini, Pop Pop, Gramma, Paw Paw, Aunt Liz, Aunt Katy, Uncle Tom, Uncle Kyle and Aunt Christina (and the fact that I get to see them all this weekend).

• my great grandmas, who are always so excited to see me.

• my toothpaste and that I’m allowed to brush my teeth five times a day, even though Mom and Dad know I’m just sucking all the toothpaste off and not really brushing like I should.

• the park.

• the cozy coupe at the YMCA.

• trees.

• Monster’s Inc. (except the first scene—it’s too scary).

• being able to finally talk a language people understand, even though I sometimes mix things up and say things like “hold you” instead of “hold me,” “up” when I mean “down,” and “I love you too” even when I’m saying it first.

• wallets to go through, floss to pull out and lipstick to put on when no one is looking.

• AngelMartyZoeyDroopy (said just like that).

• bracelets.

• grown-up shoes.

• the Thanksgiving dress Great Aunt Susie made me.

• Mia, for not biting me.

• Dada and Mama, for loving me.

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” —Thornton Wilder

This year OSU Thanksgiving was close to home—Andy and John (as well as everyone else who helped) cooked up a fantastic dinner at Riverside Lodge at Lake Isabella Park. Sophie spent a lot of time playing with Danielle and Christi.

As always, peeling potatoes is a chore when dinner is for 30+ people!

Sophie wore her OSU jersey for the occasion (Jen and Mark, it still fits!) and showed off her Go Buckeyes board book to everyone.

Waving a blanket with Ashley is always fun.

Then, Sophie realized there was an entire park to explore outside. As such, I spent most of my time outside. We walked.

We admired bare trees.

We gave Dad a kiss when he took a quick break to come and find us.

We explored a cobweb-filled wildlife viewing structure.

We played with fallen leaves.

We watched the two-hand-touch football game.

We waved to ducks.

And then, thankful and exhausted, I held a very-heavy Sophie for a rather long nap.

Food!

Yum.

After dinner, Jason started a fire in the huge stone fireplace.

A sea of red.

Thanks for another great Thanksgiving, Andy and John!

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends. —Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sophie and I recently went to Autumn’s 8th birthday party. Sophie was intrigued by “Duck Duck Goose” but clutched my leg instead of participating in the age-old game I insisted was much fun.

While I watched Autumn excitedly open her presents …

Sophie took advantage of the unused dance floor and danced all alone. She loved it.

Great Aunt Tammy and Sophie spent a lot of time playing catch …

and Sophie loved watching the pinata fun (although she didn’t want to swing the bat, either).

Happy birthday, Autumn! Thanks for letting us celebrate with you!

“It takes a long time to grow young.” —Pablo Picasso

What? That’s not how you’re supposed to use a spoon?

“If you don’t like someone, the way he holds his spoon will make you furious; if you do like him, he can turn his plate over in your lap and you won’t mind.” —Irving Becker

Earlier this month we celebrated Pop Pop’s 55th birthday—I can’t even count that high! First, we had dinner at Mitchell’s Fish Market. I ate most of Mom’s mashed potatoes.

Once home, I got to carry all the presents from the living room to the family room.

Then I got to help Nini put the candles in the cake!

Everyone sang “Happy Birthday” (I’m still learning that song) and then Pop Pop blew out his candles. Oh, and mom said he made a wish! Or, at least he was supposed to make a wish. I have to remember that for my birthday, which Mom says is still very far away.

Cards were next. He read mine—which I made all by myself—first! (Well, Mom did help me with the writing on the inside.)

Then, presents!

Happy birthday, Pop Pop!

“There is still no cure for the common birthday.” —John Glenn

Angel and Marty recently hosted a seven-course dinner party themed the Seven Deadly Sins. Angel’s brother, Stephen, planned the menu and cooked some of the best food I’ve ever eaten.

First, greed: lobster corn dog with white truffle popcorn

Second, anger: scallop ceviche alla diavalo

Third, envy: artisan lettuce, walnuts, blueberry stilton and lemon vinaigrette

Fourth, gluttony: mung bean noodles with bacon, spinach and cream sauce

Then, sorbet: cranberry vanilla, saffron and apple cider

Apparently I forgot to continue taking pictures of the courses. But next on the menu was sloth: short ribs, pumpkin seed risotto and broccoli rabe, and then pride: parmigiano three ways: consume, soufflé and shortbread.

Lastly, lust: chocolate truffles: rose, lavender and cayenne

chef extraordinaire

our generous hostess and host

our super-fun fellow guests

Thanks, Angel, Marty and Stephen!

Yum.

“At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely.” —William Somerset Maugham

“It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life.” —P.D. James

On an unseasonably warm November Sunday Christine, Connor and I made the trip down to Louisville to meet Nolan—Maria and Bret’s new son, and Vincent’s new brother! He’s so handsome and Maria seemed so calm, well-rested and happy—she’s amazing. Congratulations, Witte family!

“It was the tiniest thing I ever decided to put my whole life into.” —Terri Guillemets

Sophie recently put these letters on the wall during bath time. We think Paw Paw is trying to turn her into a Red Sox fan on the sly.

“All literary men are Red Sox fans. To be a Yankee fan in literary society is to endanger your life.” —John Cheever

Sophie recently has become very interested in attire. I let her do as she pleases when it comes to what she wishes to wear. So some mornings, she walks around in her winter hat and sunglasses—indoors.

Some evenings she wears her pretty ribbon skirt—over her pajamas.

My drawer of scarves and wraps is a favorite play activity.

And every day she insists on wearing my bracelets—as many as she can fit on her arm, as many as she can find. On and off they go, all day long. I find them scattered about the house and when she discovers a small pile she forgot about, she squeals “bracelets!” in delight. And on they go, these colorful ornaments—though I’m insistent she need no beautification.

“Just around the corner in every woman’s mind—is a lovely dress, a wonderful suit or entire costume which will make an enchanting new creature of her.” —Wilhela Cushman