Today is, in Anne's words, the "horrible anniversary". I talked to Margaret tonight and she told me that Sarah's friend Neil had a party last night and invited them and many of Sarah's old friends. I was so happy to hear that -- what a fitting way to mark this "horrible anniversary" -- by getting together with friends and family for food and conversation and togetherness. I just felt relieved to know that Margaret and Jonathan and Katie and Mark had been part of this gathering. I miss her like everyone else, but am just reflected on how many lives she touched -- how many people are thinking about her today, and every day, because of the special person she was. How lucky we are to have had her in our world for the years we did. Sara G is right -- there never has been and never will be anyone like her.

calico beans and rice krispie treats

I thought I should mention that we had a little taste of home this weekend when Mike made Grandma B's calico beans (bacon included) for a bbq. They turned out so wonderfully and were the hit of the party. What was really amazing was when I came home from the gym on Saturday and the beans were in the oven, it was like walking into Grandma's house. The smell just took me back to Palmyra. And then it occurred to me that I most likely haven't actually smelled calico beans cooking in close to 15 years! Has that much time passed? It certainly doesn't feel like it. Anyway, it was just to heart-warming to have that memory tied to a casserole dish full of beans and meat.

To keep the family food theme going, I decided to make Mary Kay's rice krispie recipe. I have been trying to replicate that recipe for years and didn't even realize that I have the recipe already! Anyway, if the calico beans were the hit of the party, then the rice krispie treats were a close second. I think the melted butterscotch & milk chocolate chips on top really make people go "hmmm". So delish!

Anyway, just wanted to update ya'll on the weekend. I hope everyone's was safe and fun.

Love, Annie

Thank gawd for the blawg

This weekend is, as you all know, 4th of July weekend. Mike and I are going to a bbq, so we are trying to come up with stuff to make. And whaddya know, I thought: "calico beans!" Mike wanted to make some sort of bean dish, baked beans, or something. I suggested calico beans and he said "Do you have a recipe?", to which I replied "It's on the blog!" Finally, months later, I have found a real practical use of this blog, which has apparently been sitting here quietly waiting for someone to tack up an update. Soooooo....here goes:

I am finishing up with school. I am so excited to be dine--no more papers! No more research projects! No more getting graded! Yeah, not really. The trouble with going into librarianship is that I am doomed for a life of continuous reading, research, and writing. I am also doomed for a really competitive job market right now. My internship library has been given permission to hire on one .5-time librarian (no benefits/20hrs a week) and I am afraid to tell anyone about it because new MLS graduates will be coming out of the woodwork to apply for this job. So keep it on the DL, Beechams. I will know more about it later on--but lets just say: cross your fingers for me.

Kirsten and her beau, Daniel, are coming out to Portland to visit me next month. I am really excited to have Nebraska visitors again. We are living in a place that is so much more home-y than our last apartment. Well, we've been in this apartment for 2.5 years, but you know...Anyway, they are coming out for my graduation ceremony, so now I guess I have an excuse to go. And it'll be august, which is the absolute most perfect time of year to visit Portland. The rain is gone, the sun comes out, and people get happy.

Mom (and other Beechams), I have a foodie question for you now. I am planning on making a big pan of rice krispie treats for the barbecue on Saturday. Mom, there is a recipe for the treats in your cookie cookbook that calls for corn syrup. My whole life, I have made them with melted marshmallows, butter, and rice krispies. My question is this: which recipe did you all use for family gatherings because that's the one I want to use: with peanut butter and melted chocolate chips on top. Is this the corn syrup recipe? Let me know! I will post the recipe on here for all to use. I will also report on the success of the calico beans.

One more note: We are drawing ever closer to the Horrible Anniversary. I want to say right now that Sarah is constantly in my thoughts. I was bequeathed her beautiful vintage green Fire King dishes last year and I use it all the time. Every time I go to a party, I make sure that I take Sarah's green bowl (now called Sarah's Bowl). I feel like whenever I take Sarah's Bowl with me, I am taking Sarah's fun-loving spirit along for the ride. I love that I have this reminder of her with me here in Oregon. I miss her so much, and I can't believe that it's almost been a year. So Margaret, thank you so much for giving me her dishes. They are a beautiful and appropriate reminder of Sarah's personality. They not only capture her love of thrift-shopping, but her love of food, parties, and family.

Happy Birthday Amy!!

A work in progress

http://beechamfarm.com/

Waiting for more data from Bob to post here.

Happy Birthday, Mary Kay! Have a great one.

Love from Jeanie

Band Practice

Here is Sam and his "band"s version of "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by the Clash. They are working on tightening up their performance for the school Talent Show. I think they are changing the band name too, they went through about 15 different choices yesterday.

Enjoy!

P.S. I'm also going to put a link to this up on Facebook, but since I don't spend too much time there (I haven't gotten around to friending all of you yet - hanging my head in shame), I thought I would share here too. Sorry for doubling up...