Sunday, November 20, 2011

Full House on Sunday

That is my husband, faithful paternal spirit to our brood, up before the rest of the house stirs, cleaning up last night's chaos and repairing the hinge of the cupboard door that came loose and planning ahead for the day. These full grown children seem content to wrap themselves in blankets and gaze at screens, phone, computer and TV screens, with a couple books thrown in there for good measure. Everyone breaks out into storytelling from time to time, laughing at the memories, leaving me laughing too, but struck by how differently we all remember the same events. My daughter is the only one who felt a little stir crazy today, so she captured a couple of the others and went on a supermarket excursion. She has to bake for cooking club tomorrow at her school. She is the club president this year, and she's increased the membership from five souls last year to 15 dedicated cooks this year. Monday cooking club meetings are serious business. You can tell by the Sunday night mixing and stirring that happens without fail. While she cooks, my niece and her sweetheart are keeping her company, everyone chatting happily at the kitchen counter, with the two of them pausing every so often to gaze into each others eyes and playfully nuzzle and tease each other and giggle in their delight. My son and his girlfriend are pretzeled on the couch, doing much the same thing. My husband and I look over their heads at each other and smile. We were them, once. It's nice to remember.

13 comments:

  1. Yes. Young love makes us remember our own young love. It's beautiful.
    But can I just say that sometimes when kids come home and expect to be waited on hand and foot the way they were as, uh, babies, it becomes a little frustrating?
    Or is that just me?
    Not that MY kids do that! (Well, maybe they used to and maybe I encouraged them.)

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  2. I love this post. I rested in it. xo

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  3. Ms. Moon, i didn't mean to give the impression the kids don't help themselves. they do. one of the benefits of having a mother who does not cook is that they all cook wonderfully and know not to wait for anyone to do it for them. they cook for me more than i cook for them! but i am the clean-up general, so my husband was really doing me a sweetness by organizing the morning. plus we have these kitchen cabinet doors that are always coming loose, so he got to that, too...

    Maggie May, i'm so glad. always nice to see you here, too.

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  4. I love your photographs and the "snapshots" of your life that you share with your beautiful words. Food for the eyes and the soul.

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  5. I love reading these bits and snippets of your domestic life. I can't wait to see what your daughter cooks this week -- and I hope she'll post about it on her own blog!

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  6. Angella, I'm not sure what I love most, the little look into your evening or that photo. Both are excellent!
    Your Friend, m.

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  7. Omgrrrl, i love that you "get" these moments. they are everything to me, the most real. thank you.

    Elizabeth, ditto dear friend. My girl cooked mini pumpkin cheesecakes with graham cracker crusts, each one cupcake sized. Oh, delicious! a raspberry and whipped cream on top or just plain. i hope she posts a picture. if she doesn't, I definitely will.

    Mark, thank you, brother of my mind. With all these (big) kids underfoot, I thought of your house, where it's like that all the time. Fun!

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  8. Have an amazing time with every one home. What a wonderful feeling - that fullness.
    xo

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  9. Oh so sweet, this peek into your corner of the world! Mine will not be home until late on Wednesday. My men have been in South Africa for a month working at an aids clinic. Can't wait to hear their stories. Tori asked today if she can bring a young man home from school. He is an injured football player and may not be able to get home to his own family and he will not be traveling with the team. Can't wait.
    Glad to have a minute or two to catch up with you and yours! Wishing you a wonder-filled Thanksgiving! (and lots of good food!)

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  10. Would it be weird if I requested that you make a coffeetable book of all of your family photographs, so that I can gaze on them when I'm feeling blue? You catch some quietly dazzling moments.

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  11. Rachel, thank you, dear one. it is a wonderful feeling, I hope you have a happy thanksgiving!

    Kathleen, have a wonderful reunion with family! it doesnt surprise me your daughter is bringing home this young man. she knows he will be welcomed!

    silverfin, thank you for that. they dazzle me, these people i call family. i'm touched you see what i see.

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  12. How wonderful for you to have a house full of love. I hope you and your family have a very happy Thanksgiving celebration, Angella. You have much to be thankful for!

    Also, I agree with silverfin; add me to the waitlist for that coffeetable book, please. "Quietly dazzling" is the perfect phrase to describe your lovely family moments, and I find them very comforting.

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  13. ellen! hello, friend. happy thanksgiving to you, too!

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