Every boy needs a (neighbor's) dog

For the past several weeks, Andrew has had a job walking our neighbor's dog, Tucker. Nathan went with him the first time to show him the ropes. Since then, he's been on walks with the dog three times a week. Many times he is accompanied by a sister--one at a time.

Today it was my turn to go. We got Tucker, his ball, leash, and trash bag and walked to the park down the street. Andrew played fetch with him for a few minutes and then we went on a walk through the neighborhood. It was impressive to see how comfortable Andrew was with him. Tucker is a good dog, and didn't bark at a single dog or passerby. On our walk we saw the neighborhood fox--but he was running the other direction. I've loved this chance for Andrew to grow and help our neighbor, and to experience pet ownership without the responsibility of owning a dog ourselves.

While we were out, Andrew asked me if I wanted to hold the leash.
I declined, explaining that I was on the walk to see what it was like.
"Don't you want to hold it once? That's all the girls do when they come with me, is ask me for their turn to hold the leash," he said.
I smiled about how different it must seem to have me along instead.

Surprise

The first weekend of November was my brother's 40th birthday. His wife invited my parents, sisters, and me to fly out for a surprise birthday party. He didn't know we were coming, which was quite an amazing feat--prayers were answered and the stars aligned.  It was great fun--the best party of 2011.

Danny plays bass guitar in an Italian polka band.
One accordion, one percussionist, a buttonbox--ie small accordion, guitar, and bass guitar.
They are all family members who have practically adopted him into the family.
They were in on the surprise . . . they told him there was a gig playing for an anniversary party. He walked in, thinking he was going to set up, and he found a large group of friends and family waiting to wish him a Happy Birthday.

Although I've heard a lot about the band, I'd never seen them play, so it was great fun.
My favorite was: O Sole Mio, which you can hear by the Three Tenors if you click HERE.
And HERE if you prefer instrumental

Sarah, Danny's wife, is also a caterer. Along with the 100 cupcakes, also made a very funny fondant cake with Danny sitting in a wheelchair. He jokes that he wants to have one pot and a spoon--everything else is unnecessary fluff . . . hence the pot under him and the spoon in his hand.

My dad rewrote the lyrics to some well-known tunes to tease Danny about being 40. We had fun singing them with the guests. Here's a sample:

To the tune of "On Top of Old Smoky."
On top of old Danny,
once covered with hair,
The dome is now shiny,
the dome is now bare.

The party was on Friday night. We spent most of Saturday hanging out and went for a walk in the Ohio woods. Dinner was lasagna, a Daniel Parks tradition.

Sarah, Emily, Danny, Sam

It was suggested that our family (my siblings and parents) get together on each of our 40th birthdays . . .
time will tell.

Thank you Danny & Sarah for the great party!
And Nathan for being home so I could attend solita!

p.s. When my dad turned 40, my mom coordinated a surprise party for him. We borrowed a wheelchair for him to sit in and a good friend read his eulogy. At the time, Danny was 14 and teased my Dad for being old. I was 9 years old and helped make the invitation. I used the computer program 'The Print Shop" and spelled "Suprise" on all the invites.

Nancy's Homemade Noodles

Every month I ask for help deciding what's for dinner.
It's a win-win.
They win because they get to give input and we get to eat what they want for one dinner.
I win because I don't have to plan EVERYTHING.

This month, Nate picked chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles, which we ate tonight for dinner.
Some ate none, some ate all, someone went to great lengths to remove all the parsley.

to parsley or not to parsley, that is the question

Nancy's Noodle Recipe:
(yields 1/2 lb dry, 4 C cooked)

2/3 C flour
1 egg
1 TBSP. water
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oil

Make a well in flour  and add other ingredients. Work with hands folding until it can be cleaned from hand. Cover, let sit for an hour.
Roll and fold 10 times, adding flour each time so it doesn't stick. Roll out to 1/4 or less, cut. Let sit 1/2 hour to dry. Add to boiling water or broth. Boil 5 minutes.

Notes: I use a mixer instead of kneading by hand, and I double because they are good. I think this recipe came from the Joy of Cooking, but is not the same as the version there now.

Nathan copied this years ago over the phone from his mom, on the back of a first year podiatry school schedule. He doesn't really have a favorite meal, but this comes close. He eats it served over mashed potatoes.

Nancy last made it for us when she and Steve came to visit in TX post-Edwin.

I love it because it's simple, good food. Hope you like it, too.