October 30, 2010

Jack, Anthony, Jacob and Benjamin

October is almost over.  Tomorrow is Halloween.  We don't really do anything for Halloween.  In fact, we usually go downstairs to watch baseball and leave the upstairs dark so we don't have to answer the door.  On average we only get 3 or 4 Trick-or-Treaters anyway!!

The one thing we do indulge in every year is a jack-'o-lantern.  Harry still likes to carve pumpkins!  It's something we did every year with the girls right through high school.  It always makes me smile that Harry still wants to carve a pumpkin.  This morning off we went in search of a pumpkin.  It was warm and sunny so Harry could carve outside.

Gutting Jack
Carving Jack
Meet Jack !

I got to spend a lot of time with the boys this week.  Linda was in town 2 full days for appointments and meetings and errands and such.  Benjamin will be 7 months old in 2 days.  He's a big, happy baby -- quick to smile and fascinated by his brothers and all their activity.




Anthony and Jacob were battling headcolds but still had energy for yukking it up with mom.


October 19, 2010

Warm Fuzzies

I listened to a radio talk show today on CBC Radio.  The host and guests were talking about how music from our childhood or past can have the same effect on you as comfort food  -- they even called theses songs "Comfort Food Songs".  In other words, there are songs or pieces of music that conger up a warm, fuzzy feeling that is nostalgic, sentimental, and brings a smile to your face.

Naturally, while listening to the show, I couldn't help but think about songs from my childhood that fit into this category.  I realized that for me, it was the circumstances surrounding the songs as much as the songs themselves that make them "comfort food songs".

I realize a lot of you probably won't know these songs, but my mother and siblings will.  And I'll bet they will be smiling, too!  My Comfort Food songs include:

1. Tell Me Why -- only sung in the car on Sunday afternoons as we drove to Grandma's house.  It's how I learned to sing harmony.


2.  From the Halls of Montazuma (aka:  The Marine's Hymn) -- it allowed for playful joking with Dad and we'll all remember when he put us out of the car at the edge of Aplington and told us to walk the rest of the way!!  (Granted that was a whole 10 blocks, but we took our "punishment" and trudged the whole way!)

3.  Mares Eat Oats -- this one is a silly song from the 40's (I think) but I was well into college before I realized the songs not a jumble of made-up words, but rather actual lyrics strung together quickly!  Was my face red!  This video gives you an idea of what I thought the words were!!


What are your "Comfort Food Songs?