I tried really hard yesterday to write you a New Year's Resolution Post, in which, you know, I tell you to know what's for dinner instead of trying to lose weight, becoming more angelic overall, and organizing the jars by size.
I was even going to go a step further, based on some crazy news reports I've been reading about how Western Civilization will shortly consist of a few crumbling old monuments surrounded by Jersey barriers, with roving bands of guys in Nike hoodies trying to figure out what to do with their free time.
I was going to suggest that if we make any resolutions, they center on just being a little braver about what is clearly our task, namely, to hold down our little corner of peace as best we can, perhaps mustering enough energy to furnish it with discarded books that, while we might not get to reading them, will provide a future generation with something to go on as they survey the rubble.
But I couldn't get it written because I was So. Tired. The kind of tired that makes you write the above-type sentences, full of rubble and roving bands. Actually, today I'm only a little tired — yesterday I could only vaguely wave the hands of my mind — not my actual hands, which would have taken too much energy — in the general direction of rubble, not even capable of mustering any nouns to describe it.
Never mind all that.
Instead, let's just look at random pictures.
The Chief and I sort of plowed ahead with some projects that we had left until our vacation, even though we were entertaining Important Guests — to wit, the girls' fiancés. They seemed to be up for building a maple-syrup evaporator/outdoor fireplace/”refinery” (no photos of that, sorry — I'm so lacking in commitment to take photos all the time), and for helping to bottle the beer.
If they weren't up for all that and would have rather gone sight-seeing or roller-skating they certainly weren't about to tell us.
It's a marvelous thing, this aiming to please by the prospective family members. It's a wave you just can't help wanting to ride. One's own sons do not seem equally motivated in all departments. Oh, they do some heavy lifting as well, don't get me wrong. They don't actively obstruct, being essentially good guys, and I am sure that they will, someday, appear miraculously handy in other households. But they have a more jaded view of the crazy ideas perpetrated by their parental units, choosing to appear at strategic moments only.
So we have a lot of thank-yous to John and John. And a few for Joseph and Will — we do love you boys as well 😉 And Nick — we missed you!
As for me, I left them to it, returning at suppertime.
The evidence of work was there when I got back, in the form of some water on the floor and a few pieces of broken glass in the sink — the remnants of some sort of strife involving the bottle capper. Everything else had been whisked away. This was the night we had pork barbecue sandwiches, oven fries, and “crunchy salad” (you know, that salad that's glorified cole slaw with ramen noodles and nuts mixed in — leave out the MSG-laden “flavor packet,” adding dried garlic and mustard powder to your dressing instead. Guaranteed to please any cole-slaw-despiser).
Naturally, this is the only photo of that meal, taken by someone else. People, I was feeding the hordes, not taking pictures. Maybe my resolution will be to do better with food posting!
So, those are my great thoughts so far for 2012. How about you?
Rabbit says
Haha, the chief is now also a cook and a bottle washer! Happy New Year!
Betsy M says
So I have been reading those older posts about laundry and such for the past few days because yes – those are my resolutions AGAIN this year. I am determined to get a grip on this. As soon as I cure my kids from tomuchstuffitis (brought on by over generous relatives) I will be ready to take on the rest of the house.
My husband and I are debating on purchasing some acres outside of town to develop – moving out in maybe 4-5 years or so. Do you have any posts on when you moved out to the country? Overall I love our house and neighborhood but we have a small house that only just fits us – let alone what about more babies – none in the plans but who knows. I just feel torn. What to do. Love the country life but will hate the extra drive in the winter. Augh.
Have a wonderful New Year Leila!
justamouse says
How, how, how can you so precisely describe the state of exhaustion I feel after putting on a holiday for one and all-and I have no children in law yet! that's just the basics-all seven of them, but basic to us!? And the beer making, is so awesome, I cannot muster enough hallelujah glory I feel at seeing it done. (Coming from a long line of beer makers, myself (I have an excellent India Pale Ale recipe I could share with Chief)).
I've been having some serious, “Look at what you've built,” moments with myself and my MIL (who is visiting us for the week), and that's what I think of when I see your picts-look at what you-holding onto your piece of your world-have built. It gives me hope that day by day, we CAN save civilization.
emily b says
This made me laugh out loud (as your posts often do). And then my children (7, 5, 3 and 2) always run over, asking, “What?! What?!” And it's just so difficult to explain–the urge to “ride the wave” of the wanting-to-please prospective sons-in-law. And your encouraging us to hold down our little home of peace in the midst of the deterioration of civilization. Ah, just so much humor all rolled into this post! Thank you for some good humor this cold January morning. And it looks like everyone had a wonderful time! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Emily B.
priest's wife says
Have a very blessed new year- I WILL get dinner and the laundry under control in 2012!
I love that the new sons-in-law are extra helpful 😉 Use them as much as possible
Lori says
Prospective son-in-law willingness to please is a commodity not to be taken lightly — glad to see you value it appropriately!
womanofthehouse says
Boy, oh, boy! Is that a familiar sight! The gigantic buckets, the rows and rows of bottles, the clear plastic thingy sticking out of one of the buckets . . . I knew right away from the photos what the Chief and the fiances were up to! That scene has been replayed many a time in our household, resulting in some very excellent brew. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the rubble and the roving bands of guys if you muster the energy to write that post. In the meantime, happy new year!
Sara says
I probably shouldn't rank my blogging up there with yours, but I had a hard time getting any kind of thoughtful New Year's wrap-up or resolution post, too. I've been frivolously enjoying my family and vacation time, too much for deep thinking!
So nice to see most of your family home and new family members joining in the fun!
Hollace says
Love it! I am waving vaguely, too, in the direction of things to be done, starting with taking the tree out before it sets the house on fire, which wouldn't be all bad.
Emily says
You crack me up. Thank you for giving me such a good laugh this morning. 🙂 I especially enjoyed the bit about “riding the wave” of the prospective family members' willingness to do projects. Brings to mind the time that my Dad “included” my then-fiance in laying linoleum in the bathroom!
_Leila says
Ah, Emily — I feel slightly less guilty now!
MamabearJD says
We have 2 Ale Pails in the closet because my husband decided he couldn't summon the energy to learn to brew with little curious hands around, and I wasn't too excited about the clean up required! Maybe we will take that up when civilization crumbles. I've been doing the whole house clean out and move things around dance. I am tired of sorting small things but feel so good knowing there isn't any junk lurking in dark corners!
CarlynB says
We call that slaw “church slaw” in my neck of the woods. It gets brought to many church pot-lucks. Our recipe is just a tad different, though. I'm glad to have some idea of how to season it without that yucky “flavor” packet.
Jamie says
Yay for lots of family time. My husband would really appreciate the ramen noodles in the salad! :o) I'm a new follower and fellow Catholic Mother Online. Please feel free to come by my blog any time!
Jamie
For Love of Cupcakes
Sharon says
I just love reading this blog. My resolution for 2012 is to cook something new sometimes and not get stuck in the same old rut of menus.
I really like the bee posts, could we have an update when you feel like it?
Happy New Year
Phil says
Sharon,
Can we make that when the bees feel like it? Right now things are very quiet in the hives. We're just hoping that they're warm enough, and have enough honey stores, to get through a cold New England winter.
In the spring, things should get interesting quickly. If the colonies are robust we have plans to split them, add a top-bar hive (now under construction, as a winter project), maybe re-queen one colony, populate the observation hive–lots of activity to report. But that's all IF they come through winter in good shape.
Patty says
I enjoyed all the shots of kitchen activity in this post. I can feel the warmth, good times with lots of family. Love it! We had our own hoards. Somehow, in our deciding not to travel during blizzard season (and we always seemed to hit one on one end of the trip or the other), the grandparents all have decided to come to us! (Score!) We had both sets plus my brother and sister and sister's (now!) fiance. And I'm always putting people to work. They don't have to be trying to join our family (ie., my brother who is putting in better pantry shelving, although I put my sister's fiance to work too—I got a dimmer switch in my dining room!)—they just have to know something I don't! And have more time than my husband who is working a job and a half. 🙂
Patty says
Oh, and my whole reason for commenting is that I totally was where you were in feeding hoards! My goodness there was so much food stuffed into my fridge. It was great. 🙂
pippajo says
I have some questions for The Chief from The Viking. He's more than a little intrigued.
He wanted to know if The Chief has any idea how much it costs him per bottle of beer as compared to buying beer in the store. I scoffed and said, “I am SURE he knows EXACTLY how much!”
Also, what is the total cost, from start to finish, of making one's own beer?
And, how long does the process take?
I think he's up to something, don't you?
Phil says
Once you've invested in the basic equipment–which isn't expensive, and can be shared and (cough) makes a good Christmas/birthday present–you can brew your own beer for about the regular (non-sale) cost of Budweiser. With a little practice, and tinkering with recipes, for that cost you can get the taste of your own favorite beer, which is probably a good deal more expensive, if you can even find it for sale anywhere.
Go for it.
ayearinskirts says
The picture of your son in that goofy cartoon shirt drinking his beer totally cracked me up! And you know that I, of course, noticed Suki in her adorable skirt! 😀 She and John look super happy together.
_Leila says
Skirt, of course — And what about the COWBOY BOOTS??!!
Monica says
Noticed those darling boots right away!
Many blessings to you and your lovely family in 2012.
ayearinskirts says
Yes, the whole ensemble!
Shelley says
Perfect photos – just the right number! Feeding the masses is sufficient responsibility. Handsome young men – lucky you to have them joining the family. Great way to feel part of, taking part in projects like this. My only resolution – and I'm not sure how resolved I actually am – is to DO more. I'm a reader and a thinker, and that's not likely to change, but I get more satisfaction from what I DO. Best wishes for 2012!!
Nancy says
Always enjoy your posts!
Melanie says
Love all the fun that comes through in the photos! I finally got around to posting my 2012 thoughts last night. I tried to comment on your post today about the gift but couldn't for some reason. I wanted to tell you that I share the difficulty of keeping a secret when a good gift is involved and your bag was adorable!