A Weekend in Pictures

While we wait for a half foot of snow to begin falling this morning, my family is still smiling and chattering about our weekend together.  Some moments were quite eventful (everyone boarded a train to DC yesterday to learn about and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr) and other moments of it were perfectly normal, quiet, and reflective.  I consciously captured as much as I could in photographs so we could remember that both the ordinary and the extraordinary make up the whole picture.

 There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself. 

-Ruth Stout

 

The ache of home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.

-Maya Angelou 

I have decided to stick with love.  

Hate is too great a burden to bear. 

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

An Honor

  

It has been almost five years since we called ourselves a "military family".  That life had many challenges but also rewarded us with wonderful friends, a journey to the gorgeous Pacific Northwest (which we loved), and a new definition of "home".  I am grateful for the experience and the pride I have in our armed services because we know so many people who sacrifice daily.  But a trip to Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday amplified my gratitude for the freedom we enjoy.  This quiet respite just across the Potomac River from our nation's capital was so peaceful and beautiful after a recent snowfall.  It was amazing to see that each and every grave was marked with a live Christmas wreath, a tribute to those who lost their lives in combat since WWI, and a reminder that each one is still being honored today.

The most impressive sight was the Tomb of the Unknowns (aka Tomb of the Unknown Soldier).  To have only experienced the sight on television as a president lays a wreath on Memorial Day is to believe that it is just another marble slab among many in D.C..  In truth, The Tomb is on the most scenic hill and it is absolutely silent except for the occasional bird overhead and the click of a soldier's shoes. 

According to the Arlington National Cemetery website, "The Tomb Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. After the turn, the sentinel executes a sharp "shoulder-arms" movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the sentinel stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed -- the 21-gun salute."

This soldier, a member of the Old Guard from the 3rd Infantry Regiment,  changes out on the hour in the wintertime.  Though we didn't get to witness the changing of the guard while we were at The Tomb (the 3 year olds could only be quiet for so long), this impressive display occurs during and after park hours, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  

So, today when you are snuggled up in your warm homes warring off the cold, a soldier will be on guard.  And tonight, when temps in D.C. are expected to only be near sub-zero temperatures, the guard will still change on the hour.  Nothing could be more honorable.

Hoppin' in to 2014

New Year's Day is a pretty important holiday in our house as it not only signifies a fresh start, but is also our wedding anniversary.  Graham and I are celebrating nine years!

After getting all gussied up last night for a fantastic New Year's Eve, one might conclude that today was a bit of a bore, but I'd say it was pretty nearly perfect.  Graham started a roaring fire this morning around 8 and we read books and relaxed there until near noon while the kids played amazingly well with each other downstairs.

 Henry and Maddox were the official "cookie nabbers" of the morning as they disguised themselves in various forms so that the real oatmeal cookie thieves would remain a mystery.  (Um, mystery solved).
Meanwhile, Harper changed into countless princess costumes and sang songs from the Frozen soundtrack, a movie she has yet to see but believes in her heart she is Anna, the Norwegian princess.  We stayed in our jammies until 3 o'clock and then finally ventured out for a walk in the woods at nearby Wilderness Battlefield where we stayed until dark.

Then it was home to make a New Year's Day dinner, the traditional southern Hoppin' John.  The main staple of the dish is black eyed peas, said to bring good luck and prosperity if eaten on New Year's Day.  The history of this interesting tradition dates back to the Civil War and can be found here.  Though the peas are somewhat of an aquired taste, I tweaked the Hoppin' John recipe based on what I had in the pantry and fridge, and the kids didn't even seem to mind.  In fact, they searched for peas in the dish after they determined that they indeed brought good luck.  

Hoppin' John (Crouch style)

1 box dirty rice

1 cup pancetta, diced

3 tbsp butter

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup chopped onion

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups black-eyed peas (I did from dried beans, but you could just buy a can too)

1.  Cook rice according to directions on box.  Heat pancetta in separate pan.

2.  Melt butter in large skillet on medium heat.  Add celery, pepper, onion, and garlic and saute until vegetables are tender (5-7 min).  Stir in rice, peas, and pancetta and saute a minute more.  Add hot sauce!  Enjoy!

So, if New Year's Day determines the direction of the year ahead, I'd say we are looking forward to a (slightly) more calm, relaxed, and favorable year.  And that's okay by me.  Happy 2014!