Pumpkinhead

Fall is in the air. Just as summer never fully developed, September felt like October. The boys are bundled one day, and kicking back on the deck the next. Football has started, and Cubs gear has given way to the Bears garb that uncle Chris graciously donated. The gardens are still alive and producing nicely, with the help of the 4000 watts of electricity that protected it during the brief snow showers and near freezing temperatures. Some pumpkins are ready........ for whatever there is to do with pumpkins. We have our eyes on two that have a nice shape and color. The plan is to carve/decorate each one into the likeness of a lad, and call it good for fall decorating. Finley's pumpkin has a striking resemblance which makes things easier. Just hollow it out and throw on a ball cap- good to go. That may sound harsh, but they are nearly 6 months old and not even talking yet. What gives? They are making some progress I suppose. Finn has been celebrating the discovery of his own feet for the past week, and Eliot now opens his mouth while tracking the cereal as you try to eat breakfast. Baby steps, right?

Tomatoes and hot peppers were piling up in the kitchen a few weeks back, when Bethany sent word that the city her Rugby team plays in would be hosting a chili cook off! I like to think the boys enjoyed helping roast peppers, and they even showed it by rubbing their eyes for two days. The competition was not going well and my unmarked pan of chili sat 3/4 full for way too long. My guest, Beth, finally arrived and instantly had a giant portion of that neglected 5-alarm chili. I thought it was way too spicy, but she maintained her composure well as she cruised the room chattering (and persuasively) about the garden fresh stew.

We weren't surprised that the boys' aunt Bethany would have such an active role in their babyhood, but the constant support is reassuring for a transplanted family with roots 1000 miles away. She has never been the type to praise herself for her positive nature, but instead remains humble and insists that she is the one receiving a favor. I was either working on the road or odd hours for much of Kristin's pregnancy, and Beth living at the house was probably the only reason Kristin kept her sanity. I soon realized that sisters just help each other out, and any expression of special gratitude would be awkward and unnecessary.

The girls and their family are very passive in expressing feelings of both approval and disappointment. At some point in time, their northern European descendants decided to share their feelings by staring at each other and eating pickled herring. The contrast between families is important to understand you see. If my brother Dan wins at one of those scratch-off lotto tickets, my family will turn the closest living room into a public house, raise a glass, and commence congratulating each other for the next hour. Whoever is talking the loudest wins. And yes, it is a competition.

Bottom Line: Great job at being a sister, sister-in-law and Aunt Beth.