Reuben and My Mother

Since my Mother passed away 7 1/2 years ago, I have missed her so much. I think of her every day, and I never know what will trigger a thought of her next. Well, this last Saturday, I decided to make a Reuben Sandwich. I had been wanting to try out this recipe since Christmas (I got the Cookbook for Christmas). I took great care making it. Flipping until it was the perfect grilled toastiness...I don't think that's a word, but to those of you who loved a toasted sandwich, you know what I mean.

You are probably wondering what this all has to do with my Mother. Well, she loved a good Reuben, but I remember only ONCE in our whole lives, her eating one. We were in Chicago when I was probably in Jr.High School, and when we got lunch, my mom got a Reuben. I don't even remember if it was a good one. I remember she had me try it and I hated it.

Well, on Saturday afternoon while I sat and ate mine, I was wishing she was here. I would have had her over and we could talk about life over a fabulous Reuben. This may seem silly, but to me, it would have meant the world.

Friday Inspiration

I realized my blog is quickly becoming very silly. So many people, including my sisters, have such nice and profound things to write about. However, I decided that I don't enjoy trying to put my feelings on paper, especially for everyone to read at the same time.

So with all that said, I decided I am going to write and post about things that I think are fun and I enjoy...and maybe once in a while something profound will come out of it all.

So, here is my Friday post.

Hair.

Yes...hair.

I love hair-dos and finding ones that I wish I could pull off or do.

So, here is a picture I found of a hairdo I love! I found this with Will, and he asked if it was Aunt Tami, so Tam, if you are reading, Will thinks this picture is you.

That's my Friday Inspiration

Grand Gray

This last year has been a gray year...meaning the color. I love grey right now. Probably because, like brown a couple of years ago, it is done so well in so many ways. I love it in clothes, on houses, on furniture. Well, when I was pregnant, I went through a phase of nesting and painted quite a few rooms in my house. And a couple ended up being gray. I even wanted to name Oliver Grayson and call him Gray, but Jarod wasn't into that name as much.

So, here are a few shades of gray...

This is a blue-gray, and I love the mixture of it with the floor and the yellow shade. Plus the Christmas Card tree is too cute.

Such a great bathroom. The floor to ceiling mirror is so fun, but would hate cleaning it all the time!

Love all of this.

Mmmm...so pretty.

White and gray...always love it.

Can't decide if it's brown or gray, but such a warm color. An amazing door!

Love the gray floors.

Gray on the outside...so sharp.

Here is my own gray creations...our bathroom.

I painted our room. I painted this room while pregnant, then I made the bolster pillow, so that it wouldn't look too drab. I hated my headboard before I painted the room, but it warms up the room so much now.

My kitchen...now I just have to figure out something different for the big wall with the shelves on it.

The other part of the kitchen. I didn't like the hood gray, so I painted it a black/brown that I have learned to like.

Enjoy a fabulous gray day.

Brother and Sister after Dentist

Such a funny video. Long, but I laughed the whole way through. Something about the way the girl talked and the brother...too funny!

Three Months and the Holidays

Well, I meant to do these in two different posts. However, I decided that while I had a bit of time, I am just going to combine these.

Oliver is three months already...where does the time go? Well, I decided to take a couple pictures real quick. When I showed Jarod, he asked why his boys were naked in them...not so fond of naked baby pictures around here...I laughed and said, Oliver was ready for his bath, and Will's shirt happened to be dirty, so they both ended up half naked.

Here is my sweet Oliver.

I told Will to kiss him, and he is so sweet to Oliver. I just love this picture.

Then I think Oliver spit up a little, and Will wasn't so excited about that.

Matt and Bek went to Florida this year, and we had the privilege of sharing this little boy with Tami while they were gone. I was so busy, but he is sure a precious little boy. We called him Gus-Gus all week, from Cinderella, because when he jabbers, he sounds like Gus the mouse.

I didn't take any pictures of Christmas with my side of the family...but here are some from some of our Christmases this year.

Here will is ready at our little family Christmas to open his present...notice, only one present for Will, and Oliver didn't even get any from us. I figure they get so many from both sides that they didn't need a bunch from us...I know I'm a Scrooge.

Grandma Rink made up for it...even Oliver got gifts.

Jarod got a snowboard...which he was pretty pumped about since he broke his last one last year.

We went to my mom's side of the family in Indiana...which is always such a good time. I didn't get hardly any pictures.

I did get these two...which they look like a little Sharlin and Rebekah.

My cousin Morgan and his wife Kyra are expecting #1.

Kait and Tami...the caboose...as my dad always says.

The picture by the tree. Not a great one of Oliver.

Love this one of Will.

Can't believe 2010 is over already. We pray for the Lord's grace and blessings in 2011.

Maybe next year...

Matt and Bek get home today from Florida. We were so bummed not to be able to go this year with them. I realized it's been 2 years ago that we went last as a family.

Hopefully next year.

In memory of two years ago, I thought I would post a couple of us enjoying the lovely weather and pool...which is the best thing about Florida this time of year.

Happy New Year

This year for New Years, we are having my Dad and Tami, since the rest of our families are busy. I was trying to think of what we should do. Then I started thinking of when we were little and how we would celebrate in

We would go to a big parade...where they dressed up in very traditional Japanese clothes and played music and banged on big drums, which as a kid sort of frightened me a bit.

We always ate traditional Japanese soup, called Udon. Mmmm...so yummy.

Then we would watch TV, where we would watch an old history series that was on at that time of year. And of course, the temple priests banging the big bells in the temples...people would actually watch this. (I looked up, and they hit them 108 times)

So, in thinking of Japan and the olden days, we are going to have Udon and good old Japanese fare. (I'll bet your glad you're not coming to our house).

Hope you have a wonderful New Year celebration and a fabulous New Year in 2011!

So, grab your loved ones...

open a bottle of champagne...

Get your party gear...

And have a Happy New Year's Celebration!