Hosting Prom Night Dinner

My husband is the president of the Young Men's organization at our church.  For prom, he made an offer to the boys.  If any of them got up the gumption to ask a girl to the dance, he'd make dinner.

As of a few days ago, we'd had no takers.  We weren't sure if that was because none of them were going or because they had other dinner plans.  Either way, it was fine.  Then on Wednesday, one of our seniors asked Lyle if the offer was still available.  Lyle said it absolutely was.  The young man wondered if a group of 14 would be too much.

Gulp.

But Lyle was undeterred.  He planned his menu and went shopping the next day.  Mercifully the group of 14 shrunk down to 6, which was perfect.

While Lyle handled the menu, I decorated.  I thought a vintage prom theme would be fun and easy.  I already had frames up in the room, I'd just swap out the ancestor pictures for prom pictures that I found on the internet.

 I quickly zeroed in on the 1950's photos as my favorites. 

They were the most glamorous,

the most elegant,

 the most romantic.

Although I'll be the first to admit that the 1960's made me smile.

This old window frame usually holds more ancestor photos but I traded those out for more prom pictures.  

Then I had a thought.

What if perhaps, I called some of the parents of the kids I knew would be at my house?

And what if they were to send me some of their own prom pictures?

And what if their kids had no idea?

My favorite part of the night was seeing our prom-goers look at the pictures when they first got here and they'd be pointing out cute dresses or hairstyles (the girls) or saying not much of anything (the boys) and then they each had a moment when their mouths fell open and they shrieked, "Is that my DAD?"  or "Is that my MOM?"  

For one young man, his parents were high school sweethearts and went to prom together.   

One girl said, "That's my Dad, but who's THAT?"

We spent many hours on the prep work, 

but in the end it was lovely.

We curtained off the kitchen and the three youngest were once again our valiant wait staff.

We were lucky that our sweet Lucy was part of the group eating at our house,

looking so beautiful on her first prom.

I felt for her date, who not only had to deal with the embarrassment of parents snapping pictures while he's trying to tie on that dang corsage,

 he also had to hear suggestions from the 5-7 year-old crowd.  

"Maybe tie it on the top," XiXi suggested.

"Just do a knot," said Cholita.

I promised to not be a presence during the dinner, but did want to get at least one group photo.

Don't they look so great?

And I might have snuck in once or twice to get photos of the little kids in action.  They decided that Cholita would take the girl's orders and XiXi would do the boys.   All of our dinner guests got the apple pecan salad with raspberry vinaigrette, and they all got the same side dishes of gingered carrots, sesame asparagus, and rosemary potatoes, but there were two different entree options.  If they picked the parmesan chicken, easy peasy.  But the filet mignon took some advanced waitressing.  Did they want it well-done, medium, or rare?  Did they want the mushroom caper sauce?  On the top or on the side?

But they'd practiced and they were ready.

Then one of the girls asked Cholita what she would recommend.

This threw her for a bit of a loop.

She blushed and said "The filet mignon is........very.......ummmm.......flavorful."

It made her sister giggle.

Not surprisingly, her recommendation was taken.

Make that one more order of filet mignon.

The group spent about two hours at our house.

I heard lots of laughter and conversation.

Now they're off at the dance, hopefully enjoying every minute of the exciting, awkward, unique rite of passage that is prom. 

Now I've got some cleaning to do.

Kid's Bathroom? DONE!!

As much as I love this adorable face, I will not miss seeing it in my bathroom.

The kid's bathroom has always been tricky.  Here's a horrible photo, one of only a couple of "before" photos that I could locate.  It's a very tiny room, but one that needs to serve 5 kids.  It was so tiny in fact that the switch for the lights was located outside the bathroom door in the hallway because the cabinet went nearly all the way to the door frame, leaving no space.  It also stuck out far enough that things got lost in the back of the cabinet.  And I disliked the fact that there was so much on the counter--especially when we had more than one child using a plug-in toothbrush.

Since we had pretty specific needs, Lyle built the cabinetry himself.  Now with the shallower cabinet, it's so much more efficient.  Things don't get lost in the back and there's even room for the light switch inside the room instead of out in the hall.

AND, nothing but soap on the counter!  One of my very favorite things about the whole room is the outlet inside the cabinet with space for electric toothbrushes and also a holder Lyle came up with for the blow dryer and straightener.  I'm telling you, that holder was genius. 

Since space was so tight, Lyle built the toilet paper holder right into the side of the cabinet and left space for storing hand towels or extra toilet paper........or reading material!  Who doesn't want to read The Far Side while on the toilet?

As we were looking at pre-made cabinets, we were frustrated that the quality wasn't great and we knew Lyle could do a better job and do it cheaper.  Yes, we had to wait for it, but I think it was a great trade-off.

I love the feet on the cabinets.  I don't know if Lyle likes the word "cute" applied to his creations, but I think the feet are cute.

Before the remodel, linoleum had been peeling up at the corners and the MDF baseboards were swelling from moisture from the tub.   Obviously we also had privacy issues out the window, but I didn't want it totally covered because we have a great view of the mountains.

We tiled the floor and walls and added a cafe curtain which keeps us modest, but lets in the light and the view.

We were lucky enough to find a granite scrap for the windowsill that was an exact match to the countertop. 

This guy evidently likes it.

The paint we used was Sherwin Williams "Tradewind" and it's a great blue/green that changes throughout the day.  Even looking at these pictures, taken at different times and on different days, sometimes it's green, sometimes it's blue.

We debated over towel choices and ultimately went with a few white towels, a couple of black towels, and some blue/green towels.  How's that for being decisive?  Actually, I think my favorite is the blue/green.

We put painted wood planks on the ceiling, which match with what we'd done in the hallway.

But the real test for the bathroom was how clean the kids are able to keep it. 

It's been about a month now that they've been using it and I'm happy to say, so far, so good.

Lyle's a keeper.

Success in the Goat Pasture!

Rose came into the kitchen, running up from the barn, looking a bit flushed:

"Ummm," she said.  "I think someone should come outside. "  She flushed a bit more.  "I think something is happening with Buck and Gwen."

I went out to investigate and yes, indeed!  A whole lot of something was happening.

Tonight I noticed that Rose stuck a purple post-it note on the cabinet above the desk:
February 27, 2013--Gwennie and Buck's "engagement"

From what I saw, they've skipped the engagement entirely and are well into the honeymoon.

So, according to a handy-dandy on-line Nigerian dwarf goat gestation calculator (don't you love the internet?), we have a due date of July 22nd.

No turning back now.  We're committed.

Only a Brave Man Could Wear These Pants

And Cholita clearly feels her dad is the bravest of the brave.

Lyle says he's not so concerned about his trousers.  If they didn't suit the occasion, he could always change clothing.  He's more concerned about the fact that he has no crotch and something is happening with his wrists.

I love Cholita's drawings.

Along with Love.....

Spring is in the air!

 (And actually we have no evidence that love is in the air.....at least in the goat pasture.)

But Spring?  Well, there's all sorts of evidence!  The roses are leafing out to beat the band.

So much so that today Lyle helped me prune the beast-- the climbing Autumn Sunset. 

And speaking of beasts, I don't think you've seen the puppy recently.

Despite his size, he's still very much a puppy.

Helping with the spring pruning.

I don't even know where he gets these things.

But I can tell he was feeling it today too.....

....Spring is in the air!

Love is in the Air--Hopefully

So we've never been much for animal husbandry.   Our dogs have always met with the knife at the first sign that they might want to have descendants.  Poor Franklin still doesn't even lift his leg to relieve himself.  He's a squatting gentleman, thank you very much.

But we've been thinking that we could use a couple more goats to keep down our brush and bramble.  Our trio have seriously been the easiest animals we've ever owned.  They're just cute, entertaining lawnmowers.  And better yet, they were free--gifted to us by one of Lyle's patients.  On the day they arrived nearly two years ago, here were our wethers--

Costello

and Hermes,

and our solitary female--Gwen.

Some friends of ours also have Nigerian dwarf goats and offered us the services of one of their fellas if we ever had the desire for goat babies.  I thought we'd probably leave that offer on the table.

But we do have a big family reunion coming up this summer (and the gestation time would work out about right) and visiting kids (the human variety) do seem to enjoy our petting zoo and the pictures of baby Nigerian dwarf goats are pretty adorable and we do have more bramble than the current crowd can handle......

So I made a call yesterday and left one of the strangest phone messages I've ever produced.  Thankfully it was the correct number and within the hour, this little man arrived on the premises:

Uncle Buck.

And when I say little, I do mean little.  I feel badly saying that about our viril male, but he's just the tiniest, cutest little guy.  Apparently he's a newbie at these types of rendezvous, but he seemed eager.  

Our goats took one look at him and ran for their lives.  Even the chickens scattered in a flurry of wings and squawks.

After a few minutes, Gwen shyly came over for an introduction, but our wethers body-blocked her and led her away.  They might not be up to the task themselves, but that doesn't mean it's open season.  No siree.

                

Uncle Buck just kind of stood there like, "Hey, if you'd just get to know me!"

Then our males escorted Gwen to the barn where they directed her to the top step and Hermes effectively pinned her there.   XiXi said, "Mom, I don't think Gwennie likes her new husband."

Gwen finally wriggled away from Hermes and made it into the goat house, where she was continuously shooed away from the entrance by Costello, while Hermes kept watch from the steps.  

                   

Poor Uncle Buck.  Why do the women never go for the little guys?

He's on loan for a month. 

 Cholita's got big wedding plans.

Baby names are being picked.

Maybe a candlelight dinner?

Time will tell.

A Weekend Jaunt

A Conversation with Lucy:

"Mom, guess what?!  I got into that choir!"

"Huh?  You got into what choir?"

"You know, the All-State Honor Choir!  The one I told you about!"

(Look of intense concentration)

"Mom, don't you remember?"

"Umm, vaguely."

"So anyway, I'm the only one from my school who got in, so you'll need to drive me to Portland on Valentine's Day and it will be for 3 days and......."

Lesson learned:  I need to listen more closely.

But since Lucy would need to be transported to Portland anyway, we decided to make a family trip of it.

I'd heard Portland was for foodies and we weren't disappointed.

First, I give you.....

The Waffle Window

It's literally a hole-in-the-wall place--a window cut into the side of a building, where they serve every type of waffle your heart may desire.  

The 2 general categories were sweet or savory.  Clearly the kids went for the sweet.  I had "The 3 B's Waffle" with bacon, basil and brie.   What a way to start the day.

Then it was off to the Portland Zoo,

where the main attraction was Lily, the new baby elephant.....possibly the cutest thing ever.

After lunch at the Tabor Food Cart, home of the original Schnitzelwich, I'm surprised Lyle was able to move at Rose Garden park.  He later said that the first bite of this Czech specialty was his favorite food of the trip.  The last bite was his least favorite.  We didn't even eat dinner--still stuffed.

The next day we enjoyed our trip to OMSI, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, where Rose had a hair-raising experience with static electricity.   For dinner that night, we went to The Lemongrass Thai Restaurant, where I learned that I can't categorically state that I dislike tofu.   So delicious.

On Sunday morning, we looked up a local church and when we saw it,  wondered if GPS had led us astray.

When you see an LDS church, you generally know it's an LDS church.  This gorgeous building was constructed in the 1920's and inside it featured amazing woodwork, antique light fixtures, and leaded glass windows.  

Apparently it also once had an elevated podium, accessed by stairs, raised high above the congregation, throne-like seats for the bishopric, and a military mural depicting various ward members fighting in World War I.  In the chapel.

For all its quirkiness though, it still had the exact same blue-flowered couch, letting us know that we were indeed in the right place.

We rounded out the trip with a tour through the Pittock Mansion, and a visit to a park with a playground built on top of a dormant volcano, causing the kids a bit of concern.  They walked lightly and kept on the edge of their swings, just in case circumstances might necessitate a quick exit.

We met back up with Lucy at her concert on Sunday afternoon.  It was amazing.

All in all, I'm glad I was only half listening when she told me about this opportunity.  I might have encouraged her to let that pass by, missing out on a fantastic vacation.  

Sometimes it's better to not over-think things.

P.S. The towel dilemma has been solved and we're just waiting on the delivery of specialty hinges for the cabinet doors and then the kid's bathroom will be DONE! 

And One More....

Admittedly, with the natural light, anything will look better, but here's yet another option.....

White? 

Too much white?  Too stark?

A Sneak Peek at the Bathroom--And one Final Decision

The bathroom is done, or very nearly.  

I plan to do a lovely "after"photo shoot, but in the meantime,

I'll give you a teeny tiny glimpse because,

well,

we're having marital discord over the selection of bath towels.

Can you give us help?

Offer suggestions?

I have my favorite.  Lyle has his.  

The kids have opinions as well, but they get only about  half a vote.

So, here are our candidates,

towels with the tags still attached, 

towels that cannot be used until this decision is made.

My kids will be dripping wet and cold without your help.

Towel A is a lovely blue/green color and matches beautifully with the shower curtain and the picture.  Does it match too perfectly?

Towel B is a cheery mosaic print, which brings in a green not found in either the shower curtain or the picture.  Maybe that's good, maybe that's bad.  Thoughts?

Towel C explores our dark side and picks up the black detail in the wall tile and floor tiles (which you'll see later).

Towel D is also a cheery little number with checks that match wall, picture, and shower curtain quite beautifully, but is it too much geometric print?

So what do you think?  A, B, C, or D, or None of the Above?

Note: If you select the None of the Above option, you will need to find an alternative towel because I've looked at every towel in Kitsap County.