So, if you are a member of my family, you may be reading my cousin Laura's blog. First of all, I wish I could write like you Laura! I can't though, but you have inspired me and this post is for you!
I was blessed to grow up with cousins who were truly my best friends. I spent endless hours at my cousin's homes, and the games we played and fun we had was truly unique and has created treasured memories for me that I will never forget. Living away from my family is really starting to catch up with me, and I miss everyone so much. I have been reading Laura's posts about "foods of Durham past" and it has made me less homesick so thank you Laura.
So, I would like to try to contribute in a small way to the amazing Durham memories I have :) Every Memorial Day weekend, the Tom Durham family would trek up to our family cabin in Midway, and I was invited several years in a row. The trip consisted of adventures around the cabin woods, trips to the water tower, stopping at the local video store to rent at least 10 movies, swimming at this crazy indoor pool that smelled like the zoo a little bit, falling asleep to Uncle Tom watching "Tora! Tora! Tora!" or "The Fortune Cookie," eating Aunt Becky's homemade trail mix, and lots of other yummy treats, mostly made by Laura. One memory I have is of a delicious mushroom soup that Laura made one night that I still crave!
The stand out memory for me however was one that included my cousin Carter. We had just arrived at the cabin and I think Carter was upstairs in the "loft" getting his bed ready. We heard a strange shriek and ran up to see Carter in the corner of the room in a little ball rocking back and forth. Someone discovered what had caused his current condition...a dead squirrel frozen in mid-run. Oh man, it was hilarious! I hope Carter has recovered.
I loved those weekends...especially because it meant summer was around the corner, which meant hours of play with cousins!
Now for the Lowell Durham, Jr. family...it was all about St. George! Ah, Green Valley and the wonderful condo with the incredibly witty directions regarding the condo care written by Uncle Lowell. Don't touch the Pepsi people, don't touch the pepsi! Trips to the Yellow Dollar Store with Uncle Lowell, my first introduction to Walmart, swimming, finding little frogs at night, playing the Atari, passing the strange house with all the cactus characters, and of course, watching VH1! I loved those trips, and loved feeling like I was going to Paradise for the weekend with my cousins!
So Laura, thanks for taking me back. Last night, Lily and I had swedish pancakes for dinner and I was thinking of you the whole time! Keep writing, I can't wait to see what food is next...I know we both share a love for cooking, and aren't we blessed to have had such great mentors (even if we did get peaches, miracle whip, and cheese every now and then)!
It has happened. Our little one is a big girl! Two weeks ago, we moved Lily out of her crib and into a mattress on the floor. We wanted to make a gradual transition here. Last Friday night, Ryan and I stayed up to put together her new big girl bed. Lily fell asleep in our bed that night and we moved her into her new bed while she was fast asleep. The next morning, she woke up and called to me "Mommy, what's this thing?"