Posted on by jsmith

It’s Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas…

Forget Sees Candies, forget Chukar Cherries, forget homemade fudge. For Christmas 2008, Derrick has already decided what each and every one of you is receiving from the Smith family:


That’s right: Garlic and Jalapeno Pickled Asparagus. How, you ask? How could a man as unassuming as my husband come up with such a sophisticated, impressive gift? Well, he actually received a jar of pickled asparagus from a co-worker for his 35th birthday. It was meant as a gag gift, but Derrick took one bite of the jalapeno and garlic concoction and was smitten. He ranted and raved for weeks about how delicious the asparagus was, how it would make a great Christmas gift, and please, please, please couldn’t I learn how to can something, just this once? (The nerve! My pantry is full of cans…of pop.)

You all know what a doting wife I am, so of course I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and got the job done. My good friend Cara (who will be partially responsible for any damaged relationships due to this gift) was kind enough to help me with–okay, do most of–the work. She is a true canning/cooking whiz and shared some of her talent with me (thank you, Cara!) Will any of the three people reading this blog think less of me if I tell you that this is the first thing I have ever canned? Ever. I’ve done freezer jam, but the art of canning has eluded me. Until now. The pickled asparagus has given me a shot of heartburn, I mean, confidence, that has me excited to try canning some peaches in August. But don’t worry. We won’t burden you at Christmastime with sweet, juicy peaches. We know your family is dying for a bite of Derrick’s Special Garlic and Jalapeno Asparagus. We’ll keep the peaches for ourselves. Happy Holidays!
Posted on by jsmith

Rappin’ Rodney

Do any of you remember this song by Rodney Dangerfield, circa 1983? We used to sing it to my dad at the dinner table and thought we were hysterical. Rod was always such a good sport–about everything. So this past week it was fun to honor him for Fathers Day and, more importantly, his 60th birthday! Please forgive the blurry photo–it is a result of my careless photography, not my father’s lack of handsomeness, which hasn’t diminished a bit over the years! When someone you love has a big b-day, its a nice time to reflect on that person’s qualities, and here is a non-inclusive list of my dad’s:

kind
funny
warm
compassionate
self-deprecating
intelligent
spiritual
organized
well-read

successful (in his career and otherwise)

faithful (to church and family)
a leader and example in every way
Some may think this list a bit optimistic, but if you know my dad, you know that it barely scratches the surface. Every girl thinks she has the best dad in the world, but I happen to know that mine really is. Happy Birthday, Rappin’ Rodney!
p.s. Here is our attempt to take a picture of ourselves. I know…very adolescent, but Rod was a good sport and played along

Posted on by jsmith

Happy Mothers Day Wustof!

With gifts like these, who needs weapons?
Ladies, keep your flowers, candy, and bathrobes – this mom wanted knives for Mother’s Day! For the last decade, I’ve used the same three steak knives to cut everything from bread to roast to packages received in the mail. I’ve hinted heavily to Derrick about a nice, quality set of knives for Christmas or Mother’s Day. My hints always went unacknowledged (as most wives’ hints do) and I thought they would be ignored again this year, but Derrick faked me out something good. Upon my Annual Hinting of the Knives, Derrick responded with a raised eyebrow and hinted back to me that my request was a bit expensive for a Mother’s Day gift. Now, my hubby’s not perfect, but he is usually very generous with gifts for me (which I so appreciate) so I was somewhat taken aback by his response. Very un-Derricklike. I resisted the urge to give him a lengthly lecture on husbandly duties and instead went for the wounded martyr role, which has (sort of) worked for me in the past. “Okay,” I meekly replied. “Well then, I could use some new slippers.”
Peeking around the kitchen door, however, I saw that Derrick had on his LIE FACE (a sort of smirk/scowl thing that makes him the world’s worst liar) and so I knew the game was on. On Mother’s Day I opened up not just any ‘ole knives, but several pieces of the Wusthof (“voosthoff”) collection – much nicer than the knives I’d asked for, and heavily researched, weighed, and measured by my adorable husband. Apparently, these are the only knives that Derrick’s Grandma Dollie will slice with. If you know Derrick’s Grandma Dollie, you know this is big (she orders her flour from Canada–need I say more?) Derrick delivers again with a perfect, (semi) romantic gift! I’m one lucky lady.