Of Opera and Mac and Cheese

So, Babs and I flew up to D.C. last weekend to see the Diva perform in Tales of Hoffman at Wolf Trapp. Of course she was fabulous!

The next night Catherine picked out a very nice seafood restaurant for dinner. They had lobster mac and cheese on the menu. Of course we were all about that!

The waiter said he would give us a free dessert if we could guess the "secret cheese" in the macaroni which he said had several different cheeses. After one bite I said, "Velveeta". I was right! The waiter said he had made that offer 10 times and I was the first one to win.

Quoth Babs: "We're Texans. We know our queso!"

MOB Redux Update: Bridals and Operas

Babs and I got to see her bridal portraits at the photographer's studio yesterday. So beautiful!! There were some cute candid shots of Portia and Babs together because Portia went along on the shoot to lend a hand.

We're counting down to the last two weeks before W-Day and everything is falling into place quite nicely. The MOB does wake up at night thinking of little details that still need to be addressed, and her dentist remarked at this week's check-up that her inside lip was looking pretty chewed up, but all in all she's feeling pretty good and looking forward to the big day.

This weekend there will be a brief Wedding Planning Time Out for the opening night of Queen of Spades at Houston Grand Opera. Our precious Catherine has a small part so my sister, brother and sister-in-law are coming from San Antonio for the performance followed by a reception at El Jefe's law firm.

Catherine has been learning Russian with a private tutor all year to prepare for the role. Thank heaven HGO projects subtitles in English! It's a very lOOOOng opera--3 1/2 hours. I'm not sure we can keep El Jefe up past his bedtime that late. I look at it as payback for all the sports events I've had to sit through over the years. He'll still owe me.

Congratulations to Babs

Last night we celebrated with Babs and P-Dubya the news that she just received her unrestricted Licensed Professional Counselor designation from the State of Texas. That means she no longer has the "intern" label on her license and therefore does not have to be supervised by an LPC at work.

It takes 2000 hours of supervision on top of her master's degree to get the LPC. We're very proud!

Now we're just hoping she doesn't spend too much time practicing on us.

Driving As a Spiritual Practice

Reverendmother posted a wonderful essay on The Spirituality of Driving today. It's truly a must read.

Like reverendmother, I live in suburbia and spend a lot of time in the car commuting to my church in the Memorial area , to the presbytery office in Montrose, and to downtown Houston for concerts, plays, and other big events. My husband commutes 25 miles daily to his downtown law firm office.

I love RM's point about driving as liminal space--a transition between work or meetings and home. El Jefe finds this very important to him in his high-pressure job. I have learned to use my commuting time as prayer time and look forward to it. Often I turn off the radio and iPod so that it is just "quiet" (relatively) time for me.

As RM says, driving together with family and friends gives a wonderful opportunity to deepen relationships. Some of my best and most meaningful time with our girls came while driving them to and from school and activities--something I missed when they became old enough to drive. I still miss the two day drives to Sewanee, Tennessee with Babs when she was in college there. Good times!

Thanks, RM, for pointing out the spirituality in one of the mundane tasks of our culture--driving.

Do you find driving can be a spiritual practice?

Sister Blogging Act

Babs is now writing a weekly food feature on Portia's blog (Odi et Amo). "Cibus Corner"* appears on Fridays. Today's post features a couple of favorite desserts, complete with one of my favorite toddler pictures of Babs, family stories and recipes. If you're looking for some baking inspiration, check it out here.

*"Cibus" is the Latin word for food, following Portia's Latin theme for her blog. She was a Classical Civilization major in college, and both the girls took Latin in college.

In Search Of New Entrees

Someone once wrote that there are only five entrees that Americans really cook and eat, for all our fascination with the Food Network and celebrity chefs. Chez QG those dishes are: meatloaf, grilled steak, baked chicken breast, spaghetti with meat sauce or balls; and El Jefe's favorite Greek Shrimp.

This week in a fit of culinary boredom, I decided to try out two new recipes: Gnocchi with Chicken and Pineapple-Shrimp kebabs. El Jefe gracefully ate the gnocchi, which also had gorgonzola cheese and pinenuts. Truly, chicken/gorgonzola cheese/pinenuts is a wonderful combination on a nice green salad. On hot gnocchi, not so much.

Last night I tried out the kebabs. I didn't cut the pineapple and red bell pepper thin enough for the shrimp. Result: I had to take the shrimp off and cook them in a pan because they didn't touch the grill! The garlic-lime-cilantro sauce that was drizzled over it was a keeper, though.

Babs was with us last night too, and brought a recipe for a Garden Risotto that she wanted to try, so we added that to the menu. She tweaked it by adding mushrooms to the spinach, onions, green peas and asparagus that went in the dish. Delicioso! Clearly the student has surpassed the teacher here.

Will the risotto make our dinner rotation? Probably if Babs is here because it is quite "fiddly" and requires lots of standing and stirring. If she's not, there's always the risotto in a box.

What five dishes are in your dinnertime rotation? Add anything new lately?

My Mother's Day Present

I think El Jefe and the girls bought this as much for them as for me.

But I'm not complaining!

We tried it out and it works very well for a non-commercial size margarita machine. But we weren't happy with the mix we used and are looking for something better.

Anyone have a great margarita recipe?

Meanwhile...lookin' for that lost shaker of salt...

Height Problems

As I may have mentioned before, all of us Chez Grace are taller--much taller--than average. Every once in a while we run into people who just have to make stupid comments about it.

This weekend Portia and Babs attended a wedding shower for one of their friends. The shower was given by friends of her fiance's mother and apparently all of the rest of the group were very short. When Babs came over yesterday she said that she was amazed that many of them made remarks about how tall she and her sister are and asked them how that was for them. (Babs is "only" 5'10" while Portia is 6'1".)

"I wouldn't make remarks to someone who is short like that," she observed. We had a talk about other experiences like that we have all had. I reminded her that in our society height is really an advantage for women as well as men, as lots of studies have pointed out. Still, fielding remarks and questions about your personal appearance from strangers you have just met always makes us feel awkward.

When I was Babs and Portia's age, I was very self-conscious about my height, but now I tend to forget about it unless someone feels called upon to remind me of it, like I hadn't noticed. What? I'm tall??? You're kidding!! Gosh, thanks for pointing that out.

Remember Randy Newman's song "Short People"? I bet it was written by a tall gal who'd had one too many questions about whether she played basketball in high school.

Moving Anniversary

This week has been jammed with mostly unbloggable stuff so it's been difficult to find both the time and the inspiration for a post. This weekend however brings another important milestone Chez QG.

Tomorrow, Babs is moving out to her own apartment in Houston, not far from her job and Portia and DK. The downstairs is full of bags and boxes and we're just about ready for the movers to arrive tomorrow. Yes, her bags are packed and ready to go--standing there inside the door!

El Jefe pointed out that tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of the day we moved into this house. At that time Portia was 6 and Babs was 4. They grew up in this house and now El Jefe and I will become full-time empty-nesters. It's a sad day and it's a glad day, because, as one wise friend told me years ago, seeing our children become happy, successful, independent adults is the goal of parenting. Still, I'll probably have to weep a happy little weep after she's gone. And then I'll count all the many blessings we've been given with Portia and Babs and embrace the next stage of our lives.

Babs Reports from the Hustings

QG interrupts her regular blogging schedule to bring you this special news report by Babs, from the campaign trail with former President Bill Clinton in Houston:

Ok, so when I arrived at work today about 7:30 am, I realized that there is a Hillary rally at the Fiesta* (I kid you not) parking lot across the street. My co-workers and I trotted over and were then entertained by a mariachi band and free tacos from the taco stand. There were about 20 people at this rally, if this is any indication about how well Hills will do in Texas. I did get a free "Hillary 2008" sign and I was about ten feet away from Bill Clinton, who was the main attraction. He seemed very worked up and a wee ornery.

I did enjoy the taco.

More later, Babs

*Fiesta is a Houston area grocery chain that caters primarily to Hispanics, but also has foods from all over the world and so is popular with the large immigrant population of the area.


UPDATE: Babs filed these photos to go with her report, showing President Clinton, and Babs and her friend Sharlie at the rally. Maybe she has a future as a photo-journalist?

Babs Update 2

~trumpet fanfare~

Babs got a job! As a counselor! With a large private counseling service in Houston!

Do you think posting the Blues Song did the trick? Nah. More likely it was all the prayers. Thanks, friends!

*doing the happy dance*

Babs Update

As the saying goes: "It's always darkest just before the dawn."

No sooner had I posted Babs' Job Hunting Blues, then she got a call for an interview for a counseling job. Then yesterday she got another one, also in counseling. Then two aquaintances asked her to call them because they think they can help with her search.

Movement on the job front at last!

Blues update: sun peeking out through the clouds. Thanks, God.

Babs' Job-Huntin' Blues

~cue harmonica riff~

You know I'm feelin' so lowdown, draggy and frustrated,
Job huntin's going nowhere an' sittin' round is overrated.
With a master's on the wall and a license in my hand
Still I got no one to counsel, and no job in this here land.

Got them don't no one need a counselor, a work-up or advice,
Because no one around you knows how to play real nice
Job huntin' blues

You know not even a new pair of shoes
Can chase away them down and dirty job huntin' blues.

* cue steel guitar*

Well you know I check job postings on the web three times a day
For the last three weeks nothing is there, so all that I can say
Is it's really like I'm stuck in place and no one needs my skills
Do ya think its because everyone would rather just use pills?

Got them can't find a way to network, I'm out here all alone--
Why or why won't some one try to call me on the phone
Job huntin' blues.

You know not even a new pair of shoes
Can chase away them down and dirty job-huntin' blues

*Harmonica riff*

So I'm gonna look and see if Human Resources might be for me
You'd think a company could use someone with a master's in psychology.
It's not what I really wanted, but what are you gonna do
When there's no jobs to apply for and your schoolin' is all through?

You know the world could use more folks like me
Who want to help others and engage in therapy.

But I've got those low down and dirty, frustrating, nowhere to turn job huntin' blues.
Oh yes I do.
Job huntin' blues.

*guitar and harmonica riffs*

Something We're Pondering

Last week Portia decided that old Mom and Dad need a puppy--to replace Babs when she moves out on her own. Portia thinks Dad is ready for Gretel The Noble Dog's successor. Why don't Portia and DK get their own puppy? Because they have two cats and aren't home much, that's why.

Babs agrees and even has a name for the prospective pooch: Beatrice. This is a reference to Princess Beatrice, the youngest child of Queen Victoria who lived with her mother to keep her company, even after marrying. (The picture to the left reminds me of El Jefe's saying: "as cute as a speckled pup in a red wagon.")

Babs thinks a dog is a good replacement for her. Not true. Although a dog might watch "Big Medicine" and "What Not To Wear" with me, it wouldn't help cook dinner or have her witty sense of humor. She promises to train it while she is home. Hmmm. Now that she's an adult, I could hold her to that promise, couldn't I? We all know who will be primarily responsible for a puppy now, don't we?

Still...it's an appealing thought. El Jefe is all over it, but his one requirement is that the puppy must have different coloration than Gretel, who was a red dachshund.

Stay tuned....we're pondering the idea.

Moving Day

El Jefe and I are waiting at the house, after attending the early service and Sunday School, for the movers bringing Babs' stuff back from Austin. She and I made room in closets and spare bedrooms for the few pieces of furniture she is bringing back and for the boxes of paraphernalia from her apartment that she won't need until she moves out again.

El Jefe is delighted that both of his daughters are back in Houston and out of Austin. He never figured out how to drive in Austin and he often remarked that he couldn't wait to get both of them out of there. I think he just missed them and wanted them living closer to home.

So Babs will be living at home for a while as she looks for a counseling job in our area now that she has completed her masters in counseling and has her temporary Licensed Professional Counselor certification. We'll enjoy having her company, but know that the time will soon come when she moves out on her own.

Welcome home, Babs!

El Jefe, Meet Harry Potter

This Friday El Jefe will meet Harry Potter for the first time at the movies.

No, he hasn't read any of the books or seen any of the previous movies. El Jefe is not a fan of most fiction and definitely eschews fantasy, which he calls "whimsey", at all costs. He is not amused or edified by references to the Lord of the Rings trilogy in sermons at church ("not the hobbits again, he moans) and you can bet he'll feel the same way about Harry Potter, despite his otherwise pronounced Anglophile tendencies.

But here's the deal: one of his clients invited him to a late night showing of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix this coming Friday night. After the movie, he gets a copy of the new HP book as a "party favor." Knowing that his daughter Babs is a huge HP fan, El Jefe the Good Daddy agreed to take me, Babs and two of her college friends to the showing so Babs can get the book.

Now the movie is way past his normal bedtime, so he's trying to decide how to stay awake. He's thinking a late supper with all of us and coffee might do the trick. I told Babs that she needs to give him a little instruction in Harry Potter 101, since I've only read the first book and part of the second. She's thinking about it. Any advice, Potterites?

One Happy Mama

Babs has been home about a week, preparing to take the state licensing exam so she can get her temporary license as a counselor which she needs to have before she can apply for a job.

She was here to celebrate Portia's birthday last week. We've had fun taking Portia out to lunch. When I had to be in presbytery meetings, she took care of deliveries and repairs at home. They always are scheduled when it's least convenient, you know.

Now both my girls are here in the Houston area. They get together on their own to shop and socialize. I'm one happy Mama enjoying this quotidian grace.

Just sayin'.

All Grown Up--Since You Asked

For Gannet Girl and Presbyterian Gal.

Here's a recent photo of Portia and Babs that updates the First Day of School picture posted below.

~Proud Mama QG

Another Last Day of School

About this time last year, I posted this picture of Portia (brunette) and Babs (blonde) taken on Portia's first day of elementary school to mark her last day of formal education as she finished her third year at UT Law School.

Today I'm posting it again, this time in honor of Babs. Her last day of formal education is today as she completes her course work for the master's degree in counseling at UT's Graduate School of Education. She's looking for a job in the field of Human Resources after graduation.

Babs is a joy and delight to everyone. Funny and witty enough to be on Saturday Night Live, she is also an exceptional student, accomplished cook (like her aunt), actress, and insatiable reader (just like Mom). There's never been a dull moment with Babs--from nursery school through high school.

My favorite thing about her college years was the long road trips I made with her back and forth between Sewanee, Tennessee and Sugar Land, her car stuffed with all her gear, trying to find something other than fundy preaching on the radio as we drove through Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. I miss those trips and I miss both of my college girls.

Without Babs I wouldn't know about Project Runway, What Not to Wear (British and American versions), The Tudors (trashified), David and Amy Sedaris, Nigella Lawson (cookbook author), or the novels of Alexander McCall Smith--just to name a few things. I might even still be wearing Fiesta dresses and wooden painted earrings if she hadn't staged an intervention!

Now Babs will be making the transition from the world of the student to the world of work. It's an adjustment for anyone, but I'm sure she'll make it beautifully. Her whole family is so very proud of her.