Sometimes a Lump of Coal isn’t a Bad Thing…Particularly if There are Naughty Nurses

Time leading up to the Fall and Winter Holidays seems slow in getting here and then rushes by so quickly. The Adventures last ended with Thanksgiving (both the holiday and the heartfelt thanks) and now we're about to welcome in 2011; with multiple adventures in-between—St. Lucia party, Winter Ball, Football, and a joyous Christmas.

The first weekend in December we hosted our annual St. Lucia party. It is not so much a party about St. Lucia, but a reason to welcome in the mid-winter with some Swedish food and a gathering of friends. This year the party expanded to over fifty guests with people from work, church, the neighborhood and some that are mixes of all, and our house once again proved itself to be the right size and layout for a festive gathering.

In the week leading up to the party Cheri was baking and making several dishes; with a goal of having very little to do during the party other than heating things up and visiting. She was busy preparing potatoes stewed in cream, saffron bread braided and made into a wreath shape, onion pies, fruit soup, and glögg spices.

I did a bit by making the sill salad (a favorite of mine—herring, beets, apples and walnuts that gets spread on crackers), Janssen’s Temptation (sliced onions, potatoes, herring cooked in cream), snow pudding and a custard sauce, and a sliced cucumber salad. In addition we had some smoked salmon that required us making mustard and dill sauce, a spiral cut ham that needed glazing and spritz cookies.

By Saturday, December 4th, we had the house and much of the food ready. Guests also brought both edible items—Swedish meatball, Almond Cake, salads—and some further libations—red and white wines. It was a great celebration and a nice way to welcome the shortening days; as well as look forward to the days lengthening again after mid-winter.

A little aquavit frozen into a block of ice helped with the outlook as well.

We recovered through the week to get ourselves ready for the UMass Memorial Second Annual Winter Ball. This black-tie event is a  fundraiser and we enjoy the chance to dress up and go out. Besides a very good meal, there is a live (and lively) auction for some large items and several really nice silent auction items. I have won some sports tickets in the past in the silent auction, but this year was not as successful. But, we enjoyed watching other people spend their money—a very successful fundraiser—and Cheri and I were even out dancing for part of the evening—a success that Cheri values highly.

For the second year in a row the Winter Ball takes place on Friday evening, and the Army-Navy Football game is the next day. I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to attend once again, so I was up at 3:30 am to begin the trek to Philadelphia—site of the game. Along the way I stopped at Deb and Scott Whitney’s in NJ to drop off my bag and join up with them for the game.

Besides Deb and Scott, Tim and Laura joined us for the trip and the game. As usual, the game was filled with pageantry, jabs at each other’s schools, football, and outstanding sportsmanship both during and then following the game; when the teams stand respectfully for the singing of each other’s alma mater.



Following the game we made the relatively quick drive back to NJ. It was Scott’s birthday—which made it seem nice that they scheduled the football game to coincide—so we enjoyed a little bit of good beef and some nice wine to celebrate the day’s events.

Timing then gave us a week-and-a-half to finish preparing the house…and ourselves…for the celebration of Christmas.

On the 23^rd Nana and Papa showed up to spend the first half of the weekend with us. Since we had the time and the oysters—just two gallons worth this year—Papa got to work making the Fenton family traditional oyster stew. As we took the oysters out of the refrigerator Papa said he could hear the earth moving from Gram Fenton rolling over in her grave. He said her idea of making and stretching oyster stew was, “…tie two oysters on a thread and swirl them around in the broth.” Seeing two gallons of oysters going into a stew would be too much for her to bear.

We did have a little taste testing on the 23^rd, just to make sure we had the mixture done correctly. That saved a good portion for us to have on Christmas Eve. There were also pies to be made and decorated and other foods to be prepared for the next several days.

Deb, Scott, Tim and Laura showed up mid-afternoon on Christmas Eve and we made panini pressed sandwiches to go with the oyster stew for a late lunch / early dinner prior to having our first round of Christmas gifts. As is usual when we let Cheri and Deb sit next to each other it wasn’t too long before they were both laughing and egging each other on to more laughter. We had a great afternoon and then sent the Whitneys on their way to Maine to be with Scott’s family while we headed out to a Christmas Eve service.

The candlelight service of carols and readings was very nice. Cheri played several roles as a deacon and a bell-ringer. She was handing out candles as we came in, played handbells during the service, was a reader and then collected used candles at the end. The service was one of joy and sending people out very upbeat…different from the Christmas Eve services of the past which
 
were more solemn and reflective. Both types of services are important and good reminders of what Christmas is truly about.

Christmas morning meant sleeping in for some…some of us just continue to be early risers…and then we checked our stockings to see if we’d been naughty or nice. Either we had been just nice enough or hidden our naughtiness, because there was no coal to be found in any of the stockings.

  

Since everyone had been so nice, I went ahead and prepared the traditional eggs benedict we enjoy on Christmas morning at our house. Then we opened our presents from under the tree…great gifts to and from everyone.

We shared gifts with them and tried to convince them…by displaying the Christmas feast beef…to stay through the evening, but they needed to move on.

Papa and I managed to get a 3½ mile walk in during the morning…to help justify the amount of eating we had already done and in preparation of what was coming. Soon after getting back to the house Dan and Monica Whitney stopped by on their way from Monica’s family in NJ and heading to meet up with the rest of the Whitneys in Maine. Soon after they left Dave, Karen, Derek and Anna arrived to spend Christmas evening with us. Dad came along with them and we stationed him near the fireplace to keep warm.

The feast was great…although the beef ended up a little too rare for some because I didn’t follow my own directions in preparing the meat…and we enjoyed the company around the table. Later in the evening we played some Left-Right-Center. 

A few days earlier, while getting some libations for the weekend, I found a combination of items that just seemed right.  One of them was a Naughty Nurse…and I figured if you are getting one you might as well get two.  Of course that meant you might end up with a Lump of Coal in your stocking…but this kind didn’t look to bad. 



So Dave and I managed to try them during some of our games.  We then tucked everyone in for another nice winter’s nap.
    
Sunday morning Nana and Papa got themselves packed up and headed off to NH before the predicted winter storm blew in. The rest of us finished more cooking and preparing another batch of snow pudding while awaiting the arrival of some more members of the Swenson family—excepting those in Florida, Denver, Australia, and in MA but already becoming snow-bound.
  

As people arrived we snacked on more of the Swedish food prepared for the day, as well as cookies and appetizers. There was football on the TV, sitting by the fire, visiting, and then we got everyone involved in a couple of rounds of Left-Right-Center. The events took us into late afternoon followed by  a Yankee Swap of gifts. Then it was another smorgasbörd of entrees and desserts.

With the snow storm heading up the coast the travelers did not want to tarry too long before heading north and away from the larger snow falls. We ended up with only a few inches on most of the ground although the snow drifted much deeper in some areas. More significantly the wind gusts took down many trees and branches in the area, including one in our back yard that woke us up in the middle of the night. No damage to the house, but loud enough to make you wonder what had happened.

As the Year’s Adventures are winding down it seems that it has been a good year.  Good times with Family and Friends…traveling…good food, wine, and spirits. It also looks like more great Adventures ahead with more traveling—Florida and Australia—more time together with friends—Valentines Day, Cinco de Mayo—and along with that should be more good food, wine and spirits.  HAPPY NEW YEAR to all as we continue the Adventures into 2011.

Catching Up

My editor tells me that I should be writing and updating…regardless of whether I have photos to aid the blog…or not.  So, since i am sitting on a plane…with moderate audio/video offerings…I am plugged into some light classical music and writing.


A few weeks ago our gaming crowd veered away from a BUNCO night and tried our new favorite game…Left, Right, Center.  Once again, we chose a game that required only dice, a little bit of attention, and to make it interesting…some money.

One of the great things about Left-Right-Center is that you can play the game and visit at the same time.  The game also lends itself to eating and libations while playing so we planned a meal of heavy pupu’s—a phrase from our days living in Hawaii meaning heavy appetizers—and surrounding the kitchen island while we played.  It was a crowd with many of the usual suspects…which also meant many great pupus for the enjoyment of all of us.  Of course we did spend the first hour eating and enjoying something to drink before settling into the game.

Food around the outside…beverages on ice in the island sink…dice and money on the island in front of us.

Left, Right, Center is a game that Jessica told us about—she had played it with several friends in Phoenix and thought it would fit right in with our BUNCO crowd.  The playing dice (there are three die) each have two faces with an L (for Left), two with an R (for right), and…for those of you who think you have already figured this out…only one face with a C and one face with a black dot.


The game set comes with the dice and a stack of chips to hand out to the players.  We could have played with the chips, but taking a cue from Jessica’s experience…and not wanting to be whimpy about it…we asked everyone to bring three one dollar bills (actually we asked them to bring six…more on that later).  As the game starts the player with the dice has three bills so they can roll all three dice.  Whatever shows up on the dice is what the player does with the money…either pass bills to the left (one for each die with an L on it), the right (same thing), into the center for each C, or keeping a bill for each dot rolled…then passing the dice to their left for the next player’s turn.  You can only roll as many dice as you have bills in front of you (with a maximum of three dice).  Although you could lose all your bills on your first throw, you are never really out until all the bills are in the center and one player left with at least one bill…because the person you handed the dice to may roll something that gives you some bills back…or the player on your other side may also pass you some bills on their turn.



Play goes round-and-round and with thirteen people playing it can take some time…particularly with money changing hands.  We did play the first round with quarters…just ot get everyone familiar with the game.  Jim Nowak ended up weighed down with 39 quarters.  A few snacks and then we got out the real money—dollar bills.  Susanne Cimochowski won the next round and then Dennis McCarthy won a round.  Everyone should have been out of their six singles by this point, but there was enough interest that more bills were found (or exchanged) so we could play one more time. 

Just as he did with the quarters, Jim Nowak came through on the final round to win again.  He can be seen in the photo with his winnings tucked away into an inconspicuous place.

It was a great night and a game we will surely play again…possibly at a family gathering…bring your bills!

FOOTBALL…Navy Style

A couple of weeks later we headed to New Jersey to join forces for a Navy football game.  When Navy plays Notre  Dame  it is either at South Bend (Notre Dame’s home) or a neutral site (which becomes Navy’s home).  This year it was at the New Meadowland Stadium and Scott had gotten us tickets.

Nana and Papa had headed down earlier in the week and Cheri and I joined them at the Whitney’s on Friday evening…another great opportunity for steak and wonderful wine.  Dan and Monica were there for the evening as well so we were able to catch up with them a bit.  And if that wasn’t enough…it was also Nana’s birthday…a triple header for the weekend!

Saturday morning we guys headed out to the stadium with enough time to find our seats, get something to eat and then watch the Brigade march on.  We had great seats and the new stadium is beautiful.

The game started with Notre Dame getting the first kick-off.  They worked their way down the field and ended up on the one-half yard line and a fourth down…of course they went for it…Navy held their ground and kept Notre Dame out of the end zone.  Besides taking the ball away from them, Navy then marched down the field and scored the first touchdown of the game…it was just a sign of things to come.

Navy was ahead 17 – 3 at the half, but having experienced games against Notre Dame in the past this was not enough of a cushion.  Fortunately Navy got the kick-off to begin the second half and again marched down the field to score.

Notre Dame did come back a little late in the fourth quarter…after both teams had put in backup players…but it wasn’t enough.  The final score…Navy 35  Notre Dame 17…and it wasn’t even that close. You can see that many of the seats on the Notre Dame side were already empty…made getting out of the parking lot fairly easy. 


Three of the last four years Navy has beaten Notre Dame.  It may not continue, but we are enjoying it while we can.

Sort of a Guys’ Weekend

The next weekend I had the rare chance to accompany Cheri to one of her conferences.  It was being held in Portland, ME so we took advantage of the opportunity and stayed at the Morris’ for the weekend.

Saturday morning Cheri was off to her course being held at the Maine Medical Center, Stephanie had some shopping to do and that left James and I to engineer some Saturday morning chores.

We had a garage door to fix, which meant scoping out the job, developing a list of supplies, a trip to Lowe’s, and working on the door structure.  Surprisingly, we ended up with all the right parts, engineered a new supporting design, reinforced one of the other spring arrangements, and had the door working properly in less than two hours.  That meant we had time to take Angus (their black lab) out for a couple mile walk in the woods on a beautiful fall day.  I regretted not having my camera with me on the walk because the woods and the trail were quintessential New England.

After we got back we determined that we needed to continue our manly ways by going to a rib place for lunch.  Nearby is Buck Naked Ribs…so named because the owner’s name is Buck and he only uses a dry rub on the ribs…therefore naked of sauce while cooking.  There are sauces available on the side and we made the most of it.  Hot ribs and cold beer on tap…a manly lunch.

Since it was Saturday…and we had full bellies…it was time to watch a little college football and doze a little.  Cheri joined us later in the afternoon and we continued to enjoy the time with our friends, their famous homemade pizza—it really is outstanding—and some more sports on the TV.  We did take a little break from sports to watch the Rally to Restore Sanity which had been taped earlier and we are not sure but we think we saw Margaret Morris in the crowd.

Sunday morning I dropped Cheri off at her conference and then sang with James in their church choir.  James had a great solo part in a gospel piece we sang and I enjoyed my time with their choir.  Then it was quickly off to pick up Cheri and head back to Connecticut.  We wanted to get back in time for the memorial service for a church friend, Paul Wolf.

Another great series of adventures.  As I mentioned I am on a flight…Cheri and I are on our way to Denver to visit Jessica at her new place.  Jess and PJ are looking forward to our coming out and I will have more on this new adventure soon.

We Were Gypsies in the Palace

  
Our travels this week took us back to Annapolis to enjoy the celebration of our nephew Timothy Whitney graduating from USNA and being commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy.  The Whitney family arrived early in the week and Cheri and I joined them early on Wednesday morning…we left Connecticut late Tuesday afternoon and after experiencing several hours of evening construction work—it is obvious that quite a bit of the stimulus money is being used in New Jersey—spent the first evening at the Whitney Estate in NJ before continuing south early on Wednesday.

Arriving early at the home Deb and Scott (Class of 79, 10th Company) had leased allowed us to have lunch with the gathered celebrants—Deb &Scott, Steve (Scott’s brother) & Ja, Dan (Tim’s older brother) & Monica, Laura (Tim’s sister), Adeline (Scott’s mother), and Ricky (Tim’s friend from high school)—and then working our way towards the door.
 
Wednesday afternoon included the Blue Angels performance and with bridges being closed and limited access to The Yard we needed to exercise some quick maneuvers to position ourselves for the show.

We tried a couple of different feints—including using my still active and valid Commander’s ID—finally gaining access to the Naval Support Facility across the Severn from the Academy.  Once on the base we tried several different locations before finding a “grassy knoll” that got us somewhat over the building heights.

FAA regulations…and the Police on bicycles circling the waterfront…kept us from getting any closer so we needed to take advantage of the slight rise to see the performance.
As usual, the Blue Angels were outstanding.  Several times flying directly over us, close enough to make the ground shake.

Being across the river from The Yard gave us a bit of an advantage after the performance as well.  Although a little crowded with traffic leaving the Base, we were back at the Palace (as in, “…we’re gypsies in the Palace, he’s left us here alone, the leaders of the sleepless nights will now assume the throne” a Jimmy B. song) and settling in while Tim  was trapped in The Yard trying to get away.

Ultimately we were all together at the Palace and able to enjoy the setting as our base.

Tim had scouted out available homes early in the year and found a place that worked exceptionally for our meager needs.  It has a pool to swim in plus pool to play, large screen tv, several gathering areas—indoors and out—and all the appliances you need to entertain well…and Deb & Scott entertained us well!

Thursday morning, following a little confusion over departure times, we got the troops moving toward The Yard to view the Color Parade—Tim’s last Parade as a Midshipman.  Again using my ID and a Captain’s vehicle from a classmate (and their DoD decal) we were able to get vehicles into The Yard (not a small feat during Commissioning Week), drop people off near the Parade Field—Worden Field—and then find some parking places for the vehicles well before the Parade started.  Several members of our group took advantage of the shade under the trees along the east side of the field, Cheri and I went to some bleacher seats, while Scott wandered between seats and the shade to get the best view of Tim in the Parade.

The weather was beautiful…unless you are wearing a heavy dark navy blue wool tunic with lots of brass buttons, carrying a several pound piece (rifle for the non-military readers), locking your knees, and not taking deep breaths…in which case you could join the thirty-plus Midshipmen that passed out on the Parade Field.  Fortunately, there were plenty of support staff and EMT’s along the back of the field—this is not an unusual occurrence—to assist the fallen to some shade, water and recovery.

Tim was in 6th Company and our seating put him directly in front of us.  There was the march onto the Field (forming up at the designated place on the field), the parade of the Navy Band, ruffles and flourishes plus gun salute for the reviewing officers, recognition of the Color Company, and then the Pass in Review of the Brigade.

Above is 6th Company as they turned the corner to pass in front of us…and the other reviewing officers.

Following the Parade several of us took advantage of being on The Yard to do some sightseeing (and reminiscing as well).  Steve had only been on The Yard occasionally and it was the first time for Ja, so Cheri and I tried to give them a good tour and picture opportunities.  Here are a few photos from around The Yard…

 Side of the Chapel

Chapel Entrance

 Across The Yard

 Inside the Main Chapel

 The Chapel Dome

 From the Rotunda to T-Court

   Superintendant’s Quarters

  Tecumseh Dressed for Graduation Battle

After our tour and a brief foray into the Mid-Store we headed back to the Palace.  Tonight was a time for ‘pig and peat’ (ribs on the barbecue) and relaxation before the big graduation day.

Friday morning, Commissioning Day, everyone was up and moving on time to first check the weather—verifying that the event would be outdoors—and then coordinating getting to the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium early.  With Vice President Biden giving the address security and screening were expected to be at a high level. 

Commencement was to begin at 1000 and we were in our seats by 0900.  Dan, Monica, Laura, Steve, Ja, Adeline, Cheri and I were on the upper level and slightly back from the dais—these would be great seats for a

football game if you like to watch the whole play develop.  Deb and Scott had seats on the field and fairly close to where Tim would be seated.

As expected the procession started right at 1000 and the Midshipmen filed in from the northern end zone up to their seats—those being   We were treated to another Blue Angels fly-by in salute of the graduating class, and then the dignitaries receiving ruffles and flourishes and gun salutes.

commissioned as Ensigns in their Dress Whites and those becoming Second Lieutenants in the Marine Corp in their Dress Navy Blues.

Commencement went smoothly, as expected, and Vice President Biden gave a very nice address—with the obligatory comments about the Administration’s Strategic Plan in the middle—focusing primarily on the importance of the training received at USNA.  He stressed the history of men and women stepping forward in times of National need to become members of our fighting force and how the service academies prepare them to be intellectual warriors…a balance needed in today’s world.

The new officers were sworn in with the Oath of Office and then diplomas handed out.  Vice President Biden spoke to each of the graduates while shaking their hands and they then proceeded back to their seats…you can see Tim with his diploma held high overhead in the photo with VP Biden in the background.

As is customary at the end of the proceedings, the Second Class Brigade Commander led the remaining Midshipmen in “Three Cheers for Those Who Go Before Us!”.  This was then followed by the former First Class Brigade Commander leading the new officers in “Three Cheers for Those We Leave Behind!” and the no longer valid hats being tossed into the air.

It took some time to work our way down to find Tim in the pre-designated spot on the field—primarily because everyone else was also working their way down onto the field over a limited number of narrow steps.  Once we were all together it was time for the new Ensign shoulder boards to be put on…in this case Tim initially used one of Scott’s original shoulder boards for one side and a new one on the other, later changing both to new boards.  Deb gave Tim his new Officer’s cover (hat) and helped to get it set correctly. Then we took a few more minutes taking group photos.

Getting out of the Stadium was one of the easier evolutions of the week and we were soon back at the Palace to settle in for one last evening.  Steve, Ja and Adeline were heading back north that evening, but waited for Tim to arrive before heading out.  They missed a great meal including steaks and good wine but felt it was time to make the first drive to NJ that evening and then on to Maine the following day.

Later in the evening Scott gave Tim his sword and graciously asked me and Ricky to assist in presenting the gifts—the sword belt and the gold braid knot.  I will admit to being a little choked up as I gave Tim the braid and stated that this signifies his being a member of the Naval Officers Corp and how proud we are of him.

Early the next morning Cheri and I quietly—so as not to bother others—left the house and headed back to Connecticut.  Travel was quick…much better than the trip south…and we made it home by early afternoon.

As we celebrate Tim’s graduation and commissioning we also want to be mindful of it being Memorial Day weekend.  Tim joins not only the 76,000 others who have crossed the dais in Annapolis before him, but the hundreds of thousands more that have served and are serving in our Armed Forces.  Let’s remember to celebrate Memorial Day as something more than the start of summer.

Our Adventures continue…