Vacation Month of July: Blog 4- Letters from Mom & Mimi

Our Dearest Ellie Bean,

So you, your Mimi and I are together again but this time we are in Pennsylvania.  So we will write you this letter together and tell you all about your travels here as a conversation (your Mimi will be in italics and I will be in regular font).  And of course as we are creating this for you, we are enjoying a delicious cup of tea (you are in bed sleeping). 

And I am in heaven Ellie.  Having you here is better than a fudgenie!  And you know how much I love them!

Really Ellie, there is nothing better than going home.  Even though I am not a fan of the Wizard of Oz (although Wicked might be one of the best plays ever), Dorothy was right when she clicked her heels together and said, “There’s no place like home.”  And I hope you think of both Philadelphia and State College as your home because our family has that special knack of making you feel like you’ve never left.  When I walked into Mimi and Poppy’s house, it looked like Mimi had another baby.  Your Poppy had set up the pack-n-play, the highchair, a wading pool outside, and about a million toys that were spread from one end of the living room to the other end!  He got the best car seat and stroller too- I think he wants you to come back Ellie Girl!

Last night, when I came outside after unpacking I found you and him in the wading pool Ellie… yes, your Poppy was sitting fully clothed in the tiny pink wading pool spitting water at you.  You were giggling so hard and waiting for him to do it again and again.  

You love your new playmate… age doesn’t matter!  But let’s start at the beginning of your trip when I picked you up from the Philadelphia airport.

Oh Ellie, you were an absolute angel on the three and half hour flight.  As soon as the plane touched ground I quickly called your Mimi to come and pick us up.  It didn’t take her long Ellie and as soon as she pulled up, you just about jumped out of my arms to get to hers.  And you haven’t left her side since.  Oh how your Mimi adores you!

That I do Ellie-bean!  It was such a joy to watch you meet all of your Philly family.  And there are lots of them… aunts, uncles, cousins and friends!  Seeing you go from watching them to interacting with them was quite entertaining!

Aunt Phyllis is always the gracious hostess!  She opens up her house to us and spoils us with all of our favorite things- soft pretzels, jersey tomatoes, hoagies, kosher pickles, a game of UpWords and of course endless cups of tea!  Because of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she has what seemed to be an infinite supply of toys of which you were quite enthralled with Ellie!  

We spent the second day of our stay with your Great-Great Aunt Midge.  She had a wonderful day planned out for us that included a yummy lunch, delicious dinner, a huge backyard that hosted a swing set and swimming pool!  You also met more of your Philly cousins here.  

And you know what?  Some of your Green Bay family drove in to be here for this very special week too.  Your Great Gram Bubbles, Aunt Sheri, and Stephanie drove to Philadelphia to see us and also attend your Aunt Sammy’s bridal shower.  And then, they got back on the road to State College for all the weekly events, especially Kyle’s Walk.  You had a grand time in Philly Ellie-bean, you fit right in!

I had to laugh Kimberly when you said Ellie fit right in!  I couldn’t agree with you more.  Gram Russell would have said that Ellie would have made a great “Wheeler Street Kid” as she not only loves to be on the go, but also to be in the center of whatever is going on!  Just thinking about Wheeler Street brings back so many fond memories.  It was a street like no other.  All the neighbors were like family… each watched out for the other.  It was a unique street Ellie, with a fascinating story to tell, but I will save it for a later blog.

The reason we flew into Philadelphia was because your Mimi and I had a bridal shower for your soon-to-be Aunt Samantha (although she already is part of the family) there.  Look at how much fun it was:

It was a kitchen themed party- guests brought their favorite recipes with an ingredient and signed an apron with words of advice (some were pretty hilarious)!  

You and your cousin Colin got a chance to know each other since you are going to walk down the aisle side-by-side (that’s right, you and him are going to be the flower girl and ring bearer!).  The two of you were having lots of fun with Poppy while the ladies had lunch and watched Aunt Sammy open up her gifts.  

I think Poppy was teaching you both how to chase each other… not sure how the ceremony is going to go with you two but it should bring many laughs (I just hope you don’t steal too much attention away from the gorgeous bride)!  Aside from that, you absolutely LOVED the cake that Marie brought as well as the homemade white chocolate favors from Aunt Midge…

Ellie, your Aunt Sammy looked like a picture of happiness!  You could tell how genuinely appreciative she was of the shower itself, the family whom attended and the wonderful gifts that she opened.  She is now officially part of our Philly/Jersey family.  You can see from the pictures that Jackie took (Jackie always documents all events so beautifully with her camera) that Aunt Sammy is a perfect fit!

It really was a weekend of celebrating, as Sunday was your Great-Great Aunt Phyllis’ 70^th birthday.  She sure is loved as she had about thirty people come over for delicious strawberry shortcake that your cousin Jessica brought.  And yes Ellie, you yummed that cake up too!

Ellie, your Great-Aunt Phyllis is one very amazing woman.  She is confident, head strong, kind and caring almost to a fault, intelligent and can tell captivating stories!  

It is quite easy to be drawn instantly to her as she has a positive energy that surrounds her, even though the last few years have been difficult ones.  Just this weekend she humbly stated that the reason she had so many birthday cards was because she was old but that’s not true… she has so many birthday cards because she is loved by so many.  You see your Great-Aunt Phyllis has touched many lives throughout the years, one being mine.  And no matter what life throws at her, she never forgets to sit down to have a cup of tea especially with her guests and enjoy the moment that will hopefully turn into a forever memory!

And then it was back to State College and you had some quiet time…

Maybe not quite Ellie as we went here, there, and everywhere and here are some pictures to prove it!  I thought you were hysterical in the Lion’s Pride Store.  While we were trying to find you an outfit for a Nittany Lion Mascot Portrait, you were running from one end of the store to the other as though you owned the place!  Poppy even said you talked more in that time frame than you had done all day… and you did it in a very authoritive voice!  (Heaven help the people you may be in charge of some day!)  Oh, and stopping for ice-cream at the Penn State Creamery was an experience in itself too!  You seem to love your ice-cream almost as much as you love to be independent!  I couldn’t stop giggling when you pulled your spoon out of the ice-cream cup and half of it flung across the table just missing your Poppy and Mommy!

Now we are getting ready for your brother’s big day tomorrow- the 5k in his memory.  The Green Bay gang got here on Tuesday, your Daddy just flew in yesterday, Aunt Ally, Joanne’s crew, the Philly family, and the Jersey bunch are all arriving today.  Kyle sure was loved and so are we because we are incredibly supported.  Your Uncle Ryan, Aunt Samantha, Poppy and Mimi worked really hard to make this more professional this year- we have a runners’ clock, bibs, and cool gifts.  I can’t wait to tell you all about how it goes in next week’s letter.

Oh Ellie, was organizing Kyle’s walk hard work?  Yes.  Was the week somewhat exhausting?  Yes.  But I wouldn’t trade this time with you and your mommy, nor Kyle’s Cause for anything in the world for we are not only preserving Kyle’s memory but we are teaching you too the importance of making a difference in another’s life.  I guess the lesson to be learned here Ellie is to LOVE.  Love yourself, love your family, love your neighbor and above all, Love God.  Good things come from Love.  You definitely did!

Till next time Ellie-bean,

Mom & Mimi

Vacation Month of July- Week 3: Letters from Mom & Mimi

Alright Miss Ellie,

We should be in Philadelphia for Aunt Samantha’s shower as I post this blog!  Next week, your Mimi and I will fill you in on all the details you may not remember but I already can tell you it will be a fabulous time.  As for this week, your Mimi and I have a recipe and piece of writing from somewhere in the world that we like and want to share.

Brie with Almonds and Honey

1 wedge of brie (about 12 ounces)

¼ cup of honey

¼ cup toasted sliced almonds

1 large French baguette

I found this recipe for a book club two years ago when I had chosen a book set in France (Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay and it was a fabulous but very sad book).  The recipe reminded me of my time in France that I already wrote to you about last week.  There really is nothing like French baguettes and French cheese!  In fact, when your Mimi came to visit two weeks ago, while you played in the wading pool over lunch, her and I would eat French bread with cheese! 

When I was packing for that first time I went to France in 1994, I was worried that I might not like the food, so my Mom gave me a jar of peanut butter to put in my suitcase just in case.  I must have been crazy because not only was the food there delicious… I brought home Nutella, which is way better than peanut butter!  Although peanut butter on those French baguettes was almost as good as soft cheese!  So between that and these pictures that my friend Kim and I took while walking along the Champs Elysees (and yes, one is of a dog in a grocery store), I wrote a short story for my AP English class in 1998 (so mind you it was 4 years after the trip so I’m sure pieces of it are fiction). Here are the inspirational photos and the story:

Peanut Butter in Paris

            Stepping out of the grocery store into the bustling Champs-Elysees in Paris, I took in a deep breath.  The cool, brisk mid-March air carried with it a scent of freshly baked bread from a nearby pastry shop.  I let out a satisfactory sigh as we, my best friend Kim and I, stepped in line with the oncoming crowd.  Coming upon a busy street corner, we spotted a bench.  I still couldn’t believe we were in France!

            “Perfect,” I said as we sat down with our grocery bag.  I pulled out our lunch- a liter of Coke and a long baguette.  Then, I reached into my backpack and grabbed my jar of Peter Pan peanut butter (which I packed in my suitcase from home just in case I didn’t like the food here… ok who wouldn’t like the food here but I had just turned fifteen, was inexperienced, and very picky).  It seemed like the best American meal that we’ve had during the entire French exchange.

            We were halfway through our trip and the peanut butter wasn’t used yet (a sign that I was becoming more worldly by trying new things) so I peeled back the seal and realized that we didn’t have a knife.  So like any pair of best friends, we dipped the baguette into the peanut butter not caring about double dipping or germs.  After my third bite, I looked up and in the distance my eye caught a glimpse of the Arc de Triomphe plastered on the background of a cloudless blue sky.  Was I dreaming, or maybe looking at a postcard?  Nope, this was real life.  Ohmygod!  A week and a half after arriving here, I still had to pinch myself.

            “Oh!  Look at the dog,” Kim giggled between sips of Coke.  I searched around until my eyes fell on a small dog on a leash.  It wore a bright wool sweater that matched its owner.  I smiled at the humorous sight.  I nibbled on the baguette as I rested my back on the bench  The atmosphere was less than quiet but the city still seemed to have a peaceful essence, to me anyway.

            We both seemed to forget the foreign exchange debacle that was news yesterday, which in the end made us laugh.  Because Kim and I share the same first name, there was a mix-up between our French families.  Kim didn’t speak French and I had un peu experience by taking French classes in school.  It turned out that Kim’s family spoke no English and mine did but it wasn’t until Kim’s family surprised her with a birthday celebration (a surprise indeed because it was actually my birthday, hers is in July) that we realized the mistake.  We decided to stay where we were and to not mix anything up since we had bonded with our new extended families. 

            I concentrated my gaze from my food to the people bustling by.  A motherly woman walked past shaking her finger as she scolded her young son.  Behind them strolled an elderly couple with their arms embraced.  “I hope I’ll be that much in love when I’m that old,” I said as my gaze followed them down the street.

            Across from us, in front of a small boutique, a man was trying to make a living by selling bracelets.  He stopped tourists in broken English and bargained with them for sales.  Just as a woman pulled out her money for a purchase, a cluster of people clamored up the metro stairs beside her.  Amid the crowd was an elderly woman who shifted her weight onto her cane for balance as a group of men in suits shuffled past her.    

            To our backs, cars raced past.  No SUV’s or big sedans here, just small cars that could weave in and out of the matrix of traffic.  Drivers anxiously used their horns in frustration to get to their destinations.  As the light turned red at the corner next us, a new mob walked steadily past.  The mass of people walked briskly, focusing, staring at some unknown point ahead.  “It’s a shame they don’t take the time to smell the pastries,” I said aloud.  Kim shook her head in agreement.

            I swallowed the last bit of my half of the baguette, put the lid back on my peanut butter before I stuffed it back into my backpack again (who knows, I might need it one more time before we head home) and stretched my arms above my head.  Kim sighed as we stood up.  Yes, we felt a sense of serenity, or perhaps it was the impending adulthood that we wished for so desperately.  We threw our trash into a nearby bin, and worked our way into the crowd.  Where to now?  Anywhere, I realized.  We have the city at our fingertips (at least for the rest of the afternoon because we have to be back at our exchange homes for dinner).  I don’t think I have ever been happier.  The Louvre?  The Eiffel Tower?  We didn’t care if we were clichéd tourists, we were here.  Despite the crowds that had a very mundane attitude regarding their beautiful city, I couldn’t be more grateful.  I had to pinch myself one more time.

Love you Ellie Girl and I hope you catch the travel bug like I did… there is nothing like seeing the world!

Mom

Now from your Mimi…

Hi Ellie,

Since this is a very busy week, I need to write this blog early as I am traveling to Philadelphia towards the end of the week for your Aunt Samantha’s Bridal Shower and yes, to see you and your mommy too!  It is another early (very early) Sunday morning and I am sitting under the patio umbrella again with a lovely cup of tea and my computer!  

Oh Ellie… do you think it is possible that our spiritual senses are heightened after saying morning prayers and giving thanks to God?  In the far off distance the sun has just peeked over the trees giving this morning a very peaceful and serene feeling.  I wish I could freeze this moment for its memory.  I was wondering if I am seeing the beauty of the landscape at a much deeper level because of prayer?  Just another of my thoughts and whatever the reason… I like it!

Anyway, we said that this is the week for our recipe and poem, so here is mine.  I chose to stay with a Scottish theme since that was my favorite vacation spot.  For my recipe, I am going to share your Great-Great Grandmom Mundy’s Shortbread for it is absolutely delicious!  And what ever you do… don’t go seeking out its calorie count… think of it as a special treat that should be eaten on special occasions followed by adding a few extra calisthenics before you go to bed… Trust me on this one!

Gram Mundy’s Shortbread

1 lb butter

1 and an eighth cup of Sugar

2 lb flour

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

Cream the butter and sugar together.  Add the egg and vanilla and mix well.  Add in the flour a little at a time with a wooden spoon...when no longer able to use the spoon, knead with your hands until all flour is absorbed.  Press dough into floured shortbread mold.  Prick with fork, remove from mold and place on an ungreased baking sheet.   Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes and then reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake for an additional 30 minutes and then reduce heat again to 200 degrees and bake until pale golden brown. Cut into 3” x 1” strips or (bite size pieces) while still warm. 

Enjoy this wonderful dessert with a lovely cup of tea! 

Now for a poem.

Ellie, I did not have to think long and hard about what poem to write.  Well… actually I did a little bit. You see my first thought was to enter a poem written by one of your great Scottish ancestors, Sir Walter Scott.  However, looking over his work it occurred to me that his poems aren’t quite PG material.  If I were to rate his work, I think it should be under M for mature audiences only!  I know I (your Mimi) got a quick face-lift when my eyebrows and also my eyes sprung high into my scalp while reading the contents of many of his poems!  So I decided to take a much calmer route and also a more personal route and share one of your Great-great Grandmom Mundy’s poems instead.  You see Ellie, she was a writer too… and a wonderful one at that!  

This is one of my favorite pictures of Gram Mundy!

Through the coming years, I hope to share much of her work with you!  Today though I shall start with her poem called The Garden, for she had the most beautiful rose garden in front of her house that she tended to and took great pride in.  It only seems befitting.  So here it is: 

The Garden by Peg Mundy

The garden flowers all were blooming in the yard across the way,

The color and the order never happened in one day.

It took a lot of digging and a lot of planning too,

To make that garden come to life – a lot of work to do.

As each rose was being planted, a lot of love was spread,

To bring alive a garden that everyone thought dead.

I saw the lad feed it, and water it each night,

I watched her as she pulled the weeds and dug with all her might.

You could see that she loved beauty, as she moved the plants around,

Some grew tall and stately, as others hugged the ground.

But every last one blossomed as if in answer to a prayer,

But I know that God in Heaven repaid her loving care!

Ok Ellie… I guess a lessoned to be learned here is to delve into your family ancestry and try something new.  Maybe that would be trying a new recipe, reading about your heritage, exploring your family tree, or maybe taking a trip into your past!  Whatever it is… enjoy the experience!

Hey Kimberly and Ellie, how about next week we talk about Aunt Sammy’s Shower and how much fun we all had watching you, Ellie, meet and mingle with more relatives!  And Kim, we can also talk about how we are getting ready for Kyle’s Walk that will be taking place on July 23^rd!  Imagine Ellie, you are not even 2 years old yet and this will be the second time walking it!  Way to go little road-runner!

Till next time little travel bug!

Love Mimi

Vacation Month of July- Week 2: Letters from Mom & Mimi

Your Mimi and the girls leaving for Scotland in 1988...

Dear Ellie Girl,

It’s been a sad week for you and I- your Mimi went home this past Sunday and you are lost without her.  When we skyped on Monday, you couldn’t figure out why she was back in that little box and you cried and stuck out your hands wanting her to hold you.  You broke my heart (and Mimi’s too!).  Although the silver lining is that you have such a connection with your Mimi, a bond that can never be broken. 

Onto happy thoughts… this week we are going to tell you about our favorite vacations (and vacations should always bring smiles and relaxation).

I am going to lump 2 trips into one- the foreign exchange programs I went on in high school thanks to your very generous Aunt Joanne.  When I was 14, I went to France and when I was 16, I went to England (and the exchange partners came to live with us here in America for a short time as well).  The best part is that my best friend Kim participated in the programs too (so she came with me on both trips sans parents)!  As a teenager, can you imagine anything more fun than a trip abroad with your favorite pal?  Now don’t get any ideas Ellie, I’m not sure if I could send you away for 3 weeks without worrying to death!  This is a letter from Mimi that she put in my bag to see when I got to France- she always knows the right things to say and when to say them:

 

In France, I lived with Cyril and his family right outside of Paris.  They were so nice and generous.  For my 15^th birthday, that I celebrated there, they threw me a party and gave me the best smelling perfume.  Cyril’s Mom always had out the best croissants in the morning for breakfast, they had a chocolate filling!  The family made sure I saw all the famous sites:

And between them and our group leader, we saw a lot in a short time.  My favorite was the Louvre and Versailles.  I also loved Normandy, Mont-St.-Michael, Euro-Disney, and the Eiffel Tower.  

I could have spent days at the Louvre!

Kim and I met up (she lived above a bakery that her foreign family owned) and rode the Metro to see one another often.  We figured that public transportation system out fast and thought we were so grown up!  The funny part of the whole trip was that Kim didn’t speak French- she was in Spanish classes prior to going to France.  But it didn’t matter, we learned as we went.    

 The only picture I have of Kim and I together is in the airport before we left the United States (otherwise, we were taking photographs of one in another)!

I think it’s interesting the details we remember.  Right before we were to meet the rest of the students and teacher chaperone to drive to DC (where our flight to Paris left from), my dad took me to the mall and bought me The Beatles Box Set (my favorite group) for my CD player so that I would have something to do while on the red-eye to Europe.  I think he was nostalgic that day, sad that I was growing up but excited for that opportunity.  

My Dad and I leaving the house... I was getting dropped off for the big trip!

While in France, my family would send me mail every day.  Joanne’s cards were always the best; they included Polaroid photos of what they were doing so that I wouldn’t get homesick.  I saved them and they are in my France album! 

         

On both trips, we did spend a few days in the schools with our exchange partners.  Kim and I would write letters to one another that I have saved (I guess passing notes in class crosses cultures too).  They are so silly, considering we saw each all the time.  I guess that‘s what true friends can do, there is always something to say!

And of course, all of the exchange students went to that spot in Paris that claims if you touch it, you will come back to visit!

We are sooo going there someday soon Ellie!

Catherine, my British exchange student, has the kindest and sweetest personality ever (and the best accent of course).  We have traveled similar paths with loss and I have a deep connection with her.  And we never would have met if we didn’t participate in the exchange program.  Catherine’s mom lived in a gorgeous, huge home outside of Portsmouth.  I loved having tea in that house!  On one of the first nights I was there, Catherine and her mom took me to a park with Fishbourne Roman Palace where a theater company was putting on Shakespeare’ Macbeth there.  Catherine’s mom packed a delicious picnic dinner while we watched the show.  I was in heaven- truly immersed in history of all kinds!!!  We traveled all around England- Bath, Brighton, Portsmouth, London, Stonehenge, Wimbledon, Chichester, and Cambridge.  And I loved it so much, I could have stayed much longer to see more.  

Catherine and I with Cat's gorgeous family in 1996!

Catherine and I didn’t see each other for close to14 years before she came to Denver and spent a few days with me right after you were born (since the exchange, we kept in touch as pen pals with handwritten letters first and then switched to email and now Facebook and Skype).   

This is you Ellie with Catherine and I on top of Pike's Peak last summer!

That’s when you know you have a true friend- distance doesn’t matter.  Catherine has since had a son, a handsome bloke named Henry and you have met him over skype.  One of these days, you and I need to get to Europe.  And Cyril and I are friends on Facebook.  So Miss Ellie, I think the lesson to be learned here is that friends come from all over and distance does not have to make those friendships disappear.  And I promise you, I will get you to France and England to experience those wonderful things I did and meet the wonderful people who opened up their homes to me.  I think your Mimi has a wonderful vacation to share with you too (and I know you will love it since it’s a girls’ trip)!

Love you Ellie Spaghetti!

Mom

And now from your Mimi…

Hi Ellie!

I’ve had a couple of days to ground my feet back here in State College since visiting with you, and your mom and dad.  And yes, the whole skyping thing on Monday broke my heart too.  Here your mom and I thought it was a good idea since you were sad when I left.  (Of course so was I and so was your mom!)   But who would have ever thought that you would become more upset when you couldn’t reach inside and pull me out of the “computer box?!”  So yes, you cried, your mommy cried and I cried…but you know what?  We three girls are very strong.  We have a solid, a loving and a forever connection!  And Ellie that means we will have many years of fun adventures and memories to collect for I love you both with all my heart!

OK… today I am writing our blog from Poppy’s car.  We are attending a funeral for your Great Pop’s sister, Aunt Joan, down in Philadelphia.  So my tea is traveling with me in one of those styrofoam “to-go” mugs!  I guess I will have to drink it quicker than I usually do as Poppy’s car might have all the latest and cool gadgets in it, but it does not have a compact microwave for reheating!  (Hmmmmm…. we will have to work on that!)

So this week your mommy and I are to share with you our favorite vacation.  Oh Ellie, I could write about so many.  Your Poppy and I have had some terrific and very memorable vacations at Disney World in Orlando Florida, but I will save those for a later date.  Also, your Aunt Joanne and Uncle Doug have graciously taken us on some amazing family trips to different parts of the world.  And even though there are some great stories to tell here, I would have to say my absolutely favorite vacation was one I had taken to Scotland back in August of 1988.  You see Ellie, that trip is dear to my heart for two very special reasons.  1.) It was strictly a girls’ trip including your Aunt Sheri, Aunt Phyllis, Great Grandmom Jones, myself and your Great-great Grandmom Mundy…. 5 women whom are bonded together by love and blood.  2.) More importantly this trip was for each of us to get a glimpse into the past of your Great-great grandmom Mundy and her homeland of which she had left at the age of 13 and returned for the first time with us 62 years later!  Aunt Phyllis did a fantastic job of putting the trip together, which started with a wonderful send off from Philadelphia to JFK airport in New York via limousine!   

When we arrived in Prestwick, Scotland she rented a car where we all piled in as she took the driver seat, which in British cars is located on the passenger side of American cars.  Well, it didn’t take long for her nerves to become frazzled because in Scotland they also drive on the opposite side of the road.  So she happily relinquished her driving duties to Aunt Sheri while the rest of us had many giggles over the nearly missed accidents!  Once that was settled we found a lovely Bed and Breakfast Inn to stay at on the outer skirts of Ayers our first night, so to refresh ourselves for the exciting week we had planned.   

And we drank lots and lots of tea in Scotland!

Once in Scotland, our trip started off with a visit to one of your Great-Great Grandmom Mundy’s cousins, Margaret. 

   

She was a kind woman, definitely British and also a bit spinster-y, but very hospitable.  Now I have to tell you about a near disaster here that involved your Aunt Sheri and I.  Simply put, the two of us were maybe a teeny bit rude but in our defense I think it was because we were still exhausted and not adjusted to the time change.  Here is what happened.  When we entered her house and the introductions were made, she surprised us by having a lunch and high tea ready.  Thinking that the luncheon would be an authentic Scottish meal Ellie, we were quite surprised to see that it consisted of; well I am not sure if it was Spam or Hash but either or, it was served cold and on a platter with canned peas and carrots, which were also served cold.  I took one look at it as did your Aunt Sheri and as sisters go we knew what each other were thinking.  “Yuck!”  Now the funniest part was when Cousin Margaret was serving your Aunt Sheri, Aunt Sheri tried very hard not to put any peas on her plate.  I think that was because my mother traumatized her as a little girl!  Great Gram Jones was of the generation that you didn’t waste food.  So back in Green Bay when our family sat down for a dinnertime meal my mother always put a spoonful of the chosen dinner vegetable on each of our plates.  Well, Aunt Sheri hated peas more than she hated boys at that age and she would gag every time she ate them.  Now here is my thought.  Why would my mother, who didn’t like to see food wasted, put peas of all things on my sisters plate, whom she knew hated them!  And if you didn’t eat what was on your plate, you went to your room hungry!  I remember one particular dinnertime meal when … yup… the vegetable of the evening was… you guessed it… a bowl of ugly army green peas!  And from that bowl a spoonful (probably about 10 peas but in your Aunt Sheri’s mind it probably looked like a hundred) were placed on her plate.  Well, for each pea that she placed in her mouth, she would then gag for 5 minutes only to repeat this grotesque process over and over.  So if you multiply 10 peas by the 5-minute gagging time per pea, it took Aunt Sheri almost an hour to eat them!  I felt so sorry for her and always wondered if this was a way my mother got back at us for a punishment that had gone astray!  Anyway back to the story at hand…. because peas are small, round and slippery, a few did find their way on Aunt Sheri’s plate and when I saw where they landed a took a fit of the giggles because I couldn’t imagine how she was going to eat them…. heated was bad enough, but cold was unimaginable!  And then once she looked at me, she too took a fit of the giggles and then the 2 of us couldn’t stop laughing.  Thinking about it now I guess we should have sent Cousin Margaret a note of apology.  Now that I am retelling this story, I think I will say a prayer instead and hope she hears it in heaven.  OK… as for the rest of our trip, it was the best!  We rode double-decker buses.  We saw many castles and lots of ruins and of course the beautiful Edinburgh Castle.   

We saw Scottish men in kilts and yes I was nervy enough to ask one of them if they wore anything underneath!   

We also went to a dinner theater where Aunt Phyllis was chosen to participate in the restaurants renaissance production.  She was definitely the social “ham” of our group!  We went to a Pub to dine on Fish-N-Chips and drank warm ale.  We also toured Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford Estate, which was incredibly beautiful, particularly the gardens!   

 And by the way, did you know Sir Walter Scott is a very distant relative of yours from Gram Mundy’s ancestry.  We took a trip to see and actually put our feet in the North Sea just so we could say, “We did.” 

We took a bus tour around the city of Edinburgh with another of your Great-great grams cousin’s, Jessie.  We also took a picture of Gram Mundy by one of the houses she grew up in!  And the very best part of our trip to Scotland was taking your Great-Great Grandmom Mundy back to Dunfirmland to see where she lived before her family made a new home in the United States and also the school she attended until the age of 13. 

And it was here in Dunfirmland that we stayed one night in another Bed and Breakfast Inn, which was definitely a highlight of our trip because this particular B&B was also the house that Gram Mundy’s parents were married and lived in!  How cool is that Ellie?!  That would have been your Great-Great-Great Grandparents Laurie! Watching Gram Mundy take all this in, there was what I believed to have been happy as well as sad tears of nostalgia in your Great-Great Gram's eyes.  And I also believe that because of this trip, she was able to share with us some forgotten childhood memories too.  Gram Mundy was a phenomenal woman Ellie, strong, kind and caring of all people.  I think you have some of her best characteristics within you!  Well, as our trip was coming to an end and there was still much to see, Gram Mundy fell ill.  She had been having some difficulty breathing and her chest was hurting more than usual, so the morning after we almost killed her by making her walk to an eatery a few blocks away from our hotel (she huffed and puffed and practically crawled to the establishment), Gram Mundy decided to stay back at the hotel and wait for a doctor to check her while we looked everywhere for a decent Diner to have breakfast.  We should have just stayed back with Gram Mundy because when we returned all she did was chat on and on about the loveliest fried eggs that she ever saw and the best part was that they were served to her via room service!  The doctor’s diagnosis of Gram Mundy’s ailment (cracked ribs) seemed mildly worthy of being secondary news as Gram’s “breakfast eggs” definitely took front headline!  Ellie, this trip to Scotland gave each of us a better understanding of my grandmother’s life and a greater appreciation of her/our heritage.  It was a vacation that deserves to be put into a special category for it holds memories that have family ties and heart and soul connections.  Some day when you are older I would like to take a similar trip with you and your mommy and give you a look at some connections to your past!

So I guess the lesson to be learned here Ellie is to not only enjoy all vacations and sights that you will see, but to appreciate, learn and keep dear to your heart what is important!  I hope through the years I am able to give you an understanding of who I am Ellie and why yours and my connection is so strong.

Since next week is a travel week for you and your mommy Ellie, I think we should move up our recipe/poem blog that we would normally do on the 4^th week to then.  What do you think Kim?  Then the following week since we will be together again for Aunt Samantha’s Bridal Shower and Kyle’s Walk, we can blog together over teatime!   Oh how I love you both!

Till then my little sunshine girl!

Love Mimi

Vacation Month of July- Week 1: Letters from Mom & Mimi

Dear Ellie,

All right, it is the beginning of July and our topic this month is Vacations.  So here is its definition.  Vacations:   A period of rest and freedom from work, study, etc.; time of recreation, usually a specific interval in a year. 

These past two and a half weeks have been the best (although I say that every time Mimi visits- we always find fun, new things to try).  And as our July blog topics will be about vacations, how fitting is that we start on recapping Mimi’s visit to see us?!  This week, your Mimi and I are going to write our blog jointly (as it is our last week together here in Denver before Mimi has to go home on Sunday).  Your Mimi’s part of the conversation will be in italics and mine will be regular so you can tell who is speaking.  And of course, we are doing this over multiple tea times!  Yes Ellie, you are even joining us while we write as you are our newest tea member thanks to Mimi introducing you to tea!  Gram Mundy sure would be proud.  

I think Ellie takes after me Kim with how she takes her tea… milk and sugar… lots of sugar!  And I can’t wait to have a true tea party with her; table and chairs, a complete tea set, dress up clothes with hats and lots of stuffed animals around!

So to start, let me ask Mimi what how her visit here has been (and I already know she is going to say spending time with you Ellie is the best part).

Since we already talked about my first week here, how about we start with the plane ride to Green Bay… 

the first leg of our journey was easy because Ellie zonked but the second leg got to be rather interesting as we had to entertain her with multiple songs.  You know Ellie’s favorite is the 3 Little Ducks song and she loves the part where I throw my whole body into the “Wiggle Waggle”… meaning shake from head to toe.  And being seat-belted in a plane seat made it difficult.

Ha-ha Mimi, your stories always remind me of funny memories that I laugh out loud over.  This one reminded me of the plane ride home when Ellie ate a whole container of cheese puffs and we let her so to keep her happy.  But now I got too far, let’s talk about the Green trip itself.

I love how Ellie took to my Mom right away because Ellie doesn’t go to many people.  Ellie and my Mom must have that same strong independent (and stubborn streak).

That was pretty cool and Gram Bubbles sure was good with Ellie, especially when they played with the Tupperware as fancy hats! 

Seriously Kim, Ellie can get away with it because she is only one but my Mom looked like she was ready for the loony bin!  Don’t you think?  It sure did make me giggle!

I thought it was neat how Ellie liked playing with all of her cousins, aunts, and uncles. 

The kids all wanted to be her mother hen.  My sister, Sheri, is amazing with children.  She knew Ellie would enjoy chocolate cake 

and took her to the Farmers’ Market for a relaxing afternoon… perfect for a baby who loves to be on the go.  And my brother, Steve, got out the Tonka trucks and he and Ellie had a blast filling them with balls all the while she was saying, “Vroom Vroom.”  

And Ellie even got to see Pop Bud- sort of.

Even though I know my Dad’s soul is in heaven, I was glad that Ellie got to the cemetery.  And Kim, I think she definitely has a 6^th sense… knocking on his grave...

And waving in the distance (when there wasn’t a blessed “soul” there, so to speak) gave me goose bumps in a comforting way.

Ellie sure did put on a lot of miles in Green Bay.  Can you believe it was her 8^th roundtrip plane ride- too bad she doesn’t qualify for frequent flier miles!  Ellie is an on-the-go baby!

She sure is a go-getter.  How about our morning walks?  Besides waving to anything and everything that moved, do you remember the lady that was a block away from us?  Ellie kept trying to get the woman’s attention by quietly saying Hi and raising her hand to gently wave those tiny fingers of hers.  And when she didn’t get it (obviously the woman was so far away, she didn’t notice us), Ellie bellowed out a deep, huge, screaming “Hi” that sounded like it came from the bottom of her toes.  I still can’t believe that lady didn’t hear her… why the people living in the next state over had to hear her! 

Ellie’s friendliness sure went beyond strangers.  She met new friends too!  I think Ellie and Ayden acted like an old married couple!   

Your friend Julie has the nicest kids and grandchildren.  And it was so nice too Mom that we got to meet Marianne and Kathy (and Kathy’s daughter), your dear friends from when you were younger.  I think you are teaching Ellie what relationships, especially friendships mean.

I do have wonderful people in my life.  And you have great friends too Kim.  I’m glad to see how you and Justin have made a warm and welcoming home here in Denver.  It was so nice to meet your friends at your baseball barbeque and tea party, having Jaclyn and her baby over for a play date, and spending time with Shiloh (she really is the queen of Upwords).  We are both blessed with amazing friendships.

I have to say too Mom that I hope Ellie and I have the relationship that you and I have.  I’m glad that you and I still make time to do fun things like the tea party and watching the Kennedy miniseries.  Horseback riding in Breckenridge was gorgeous!  And I love that you will dress up with me and play all the parts of the roles we have… we made great cowgirls!   

Ellie, don’t you worry… as soon as you are old enough, you will be on these adventures with us before you know it!

You know me Kim; I love having a nice lunch with a good glass of wine with you!  The Blue River Bistro in Breckenridge was the perfect choice after horseback riding!   

Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you that you looked very “J Crew Cowgirl” in your blue and white checkered shirt along with your cool and very with-it cowgirl hat!  I know, I know…. our sneakers gave us away on being the “not so in-the-know” horseback riders.  I guess we will have to splurge on cowgirl boots next!  (Let’s make sure they have some hot new color to them!)  And I love that we are able to sandwich shopping and pedicures in between our crazy ideas is the best too!  You know I love that red you chose for your toes this time!  When do you think we can paint Ellie’s nails?  She sure is a diva!  How about her shopping for Aunt Sammy’s shower and finding that blue boa (and knowing how to wear it)?!  I’ve been calling her Zsa Zsa ever since!

I wonder who she takes after?!  I have to say that the multiple zoo trips with Ellie were fun too- I’m glad you got to see Ellie eating (and saying) ice cream in person!

Kim, I’ve never seen a baby get as excited as Ellie (and wow she sure does love animals)… instead of yelling in excitement like most children, Ellie inhales all the air around her and she makes an O shape with her mouth, points, and says “Oish” at all the animals that move!   

Whatever do you think that means?

Oh Mom, I so wish you didn’t have to leave.  Justin and I sure do appreciate the babysitting you did and all the date nights we had.  Ellie thinks of you as her 2^nd Mom (as it is obvious when she sometimes calls you Ma instead of Mimi, which she says both so well!).  Maybe she should call you Mom-Mom!   

I can’t tell you how much it melts me heart that she loves you so much.  I think you are kindred spirits.  Ellie really is connected to your hip and she will be in withdrawal when you leave.

It is going to break my heart to leave because I love Ellie so much and you too Kim.  We do have fun together.  But really, it’s only 3 weeks until we see you in Philadelphia for Samantha’s bridal shower. So how about we write about our favorite vacation of all time next week?  It will give us happy memories to think about when we will be a little sad leaving each other.  And the lesson to be learned here is sharing.  On this trip, we shared time with each other and I hope Ellie you realize how important that is.

That sounds perfect Mom; you always know the right things to say.  Ellie and I both love you very much!  And I think not only is sharing time important but what you do in that time and making the most of it is pretty significant too.

The feeling is mutual Kim…. The feeling is mutual!

So Miss Ellie, we hope you enjoyed our tea conversation.  Until next week’s blog on favorite vacations…

Love,

Mom & Mimi