Cheaper by the Dozen

.. When our daughter-in-law called last October to tell us the new grandchild score board would read Boys 9, Girls 3 ( previously 8 to 3) she added that she thought maybe we’d be excited to remember that things are cheaper by the dozen. Ya know, I never did quite understand how that applies to anything besides donuts.. BUT I also always figured it doesn’t matter when it comes to grandchildren… because they are simply priceless.

We are so tickled and thrilled… and all those other happy, over-joyed words, ....with the addition of each one. And the wonder of it all is that the excitement never changes.. from #1 to where ever the tally takes us…. This is even true when they are adopted into the clan, as three of ours were.. all in one fell swoop!

And so, today, #12 grandchild, aka #9 grandson, officially joined the family. He weighed in , in the tradition of his father … (just 2 ounces shy of dad’s birth weight), at 8 lbs 11 ounces…. 20 ¾ inches long.. We figure he could give his dad a run for his money on height in about 16 years too!

Ex-man has always kidded our youngest daughter-in-law about her size, never forgetting to suggest she shop for her wardrobe in the children’s department if we are all out shopping together. .. She is a little gal for sure!.. so it was no small task she set for herself in making sure #12 arrived safe and healthy…. How do you say thank-you for all that?

I love it that Ex-man always takes time to reflect on such things whenever one of our ‘girls’ adds a new little person to the clan… He was in another City this morning when the news arrived.. and stepped outside his meeting to take my phone call. I loved the excitement I heard in his voice. It’s part of the joy in being a grandparent, to share that news with your spouse. We didn’t really get to sit and talk about the new little man and his parents until this evening when Ex-man got back into town.. There’s such a unique , “easy, peaceful” joy in that sharing as well.. and part of it for me is that Ex-man ALWAYS talks about how it is no small thing to carry a child and then give birth.. He sees it as genuine bravery and no small miracle… I hope all four of our girls know how much he appreciates the whole process each and every time.

And I love the comment Auntie Elena made when she realized today’s date.. She said that the birth of her new nephew insured that from now on Friday the 13th would always be a good luck day for our family!

Auntie OG expressed her happiness with all the news by wishing he wasn’t going to be almost another month older before she could cuddle him…. She recognized the occasion on her blog.. which I thought was perfect.

Uncle Hootis was planning a Harley visit until he remembered this is Father’s Day week-end. (He has five off-spring honoring that status at his house.. not something one should skip out on!)

I’ve had the fun of communicating with Uncles Riotimus and ITGuy, and Auntie Hootis (still no code name for either daughter in law) as well… that’s always a treat for me.. We may live miles and miles apart, but on days like today, I count it as one of my best to have not only be blessed with the birth of a healthy grandson, and to hear his mom is doing well, but to have heard from all our other children as well… ( I can't even write about talking to the new dad without my eyes getting a bit moist.. Sentiment just gets sloppoer the older one gets I suppose.)

Cheaper By The Dozen??? I don’t know about that… but then how do you put a price tag on a perfect day? ..... I guess you just tag on the thought that in December it'll be a bakers dozen and smile a little bigger!

For My Dad

This blog is certainly suffering from neglect. I have a list of excuses that would make your head swim but why take up your time and mine with a list none of us are going to believe.. and even if we believe it, who really cares? I’d try to care if only I had the time.. But time is marching to a quicker beat every day.. and I’m out of shape, so…….

I’m just going to jump right back in here with a tribute to my Father since Father’s Day is about to smile on us. I wrote this as the intro to a little grocery deals newsletter I send out to gals in my church every Wednesday. ( I won’t explain the reason behind that here but if you want to know more, email me)

Obviously the deals wont’ apply to everyone so I will leave them out.. but the rest of the newsletter pays tribute to the man who made sure I’m even around to write anything at all… the man who found me under that rock and agreed to take me home, eventually, (see In The Beginning, my first post, and believe whom you will)… the man who is still my first and always hero… My Dad. Here goes:

Father’s Day approaches, and in honor to my own “Dear Ol’ Dad”, as he likes to be called… (he signs all his cards and letters ”D.O.D.”) I have chosen certain of the following grocery specials to share with you this week.

First of all I need to point out that, according to my father, Jimmy Dean Sausage is the best there is for making that Southern breakfast treat, Sausage Gravy. Therefore, I point out to you that JD’s sausage is on sale this week , 2 for $5 at King Soopers in case you feel your gravy needs improving!

Next, I would like to direct your attention to the Van Camp Pork ‘n Beans and Farmland Bacon , both on sale at Albertsons. As the first born child of a struggling young couple I recall vividly my dad’s idea of a tasty meal on a particular afternoon when I was left at home alone with him. Dad had the flu or a bad cold.. some ailment that had him resting peaceful in his rocker while his 3 year old daughter ran amuck in the house. In an effort to corral me, he suggested we play hide and seek. I was the hider, he the seeker.. but he was going to stay seated in his chair and just call out the places to where he thought I had stolen myself away.

Clever child, I scooted behind his rocker and sequestered myself for what I was sure would be a lengthy repose. Surely my father would never spot me as I sat quietly between the back of his chair and the wall.

“Are you under the bed?”
“No, sir!” (keep in mind this was in the 50’s, in the South, and children always responded with sir and mam)
“Are you behind the door?”
“No, sir!”
“Are you behind my chair?”
Giggle, giggle. “No, sir!”
A lengthy pause. Are you SURE you’re not behind my chair?”
More giggling. “No, sir!”
“Ya know, that ol’ devil comes and gets little girls that lie to their daddy’s don’tcha?”
Silence
“He comes and takes them away and he might never bring ‘em back!”

Well, as I recall we both got more than we bargained for.. My dishonesty sent me into a horrific crying ‘spell’ and Dad was left to think of something to comfort his distraught child. This is where the beans and bacon come in. Dad’s delicacy for lunch ( which would take my mind of my impending doom) was something he called “pigs in a blanket” I don’t think I’ve ever seen them made this way anywhere else…. And I’m not so sure they are the healthiest treat to offer a distressed child. But I’ll put the recipe at the end of the newsletter just in case you need to it calm anyone.

My Dad is the best there is. He is known for his compassion, patience and spiritual strengths,…and his uncanny sense of humor. I love him very much. That’s why, as tempting as it is, I’m not going to share my parents' phone number with you ..But I would if I could just so you could get your chuckles for the day listening to his answering machine. He is often down at the Senior Center playing dominoes so your chances would be good. But sense I am already listed after my two siblings and the dog in The Will, (I should have fessed up to being behind that chair) I’m just going to put the message in writing: ( as beset as I can recall it)

“Howdy! You’ve reached ***-****. You haven’t won any money by callin’ this number, and we’re not home. But if you need to tell me somethin’ you think I’m dyin’ to hear, go ahead ‘n strap it on me. I’ll call ya back if I think it’s worth discussin’ “

I do love ya , Dad!.. and Happy Father’s day to all the great ones like you out there.

And now - -

The Infamous Pigs in a Blanket Recipe:
(best appreciated during times of poverty in one’s life; or perhaps after having your wits scared out of you)

4 slices of white bread (the cheaper the better)
1 can of pork and beans
4 slices bacon
4 toothpicks

Lay the slices of bread out on a cookie sheet. Divide the can of beans evenly onto the slices of bread. Wrap the bread around the beans. Next, secure the rolled up bread by wrapping a slice of bacon around it. The bacon slice is held in place by a toothpick.
Space the ‘pig stuffed blankets’ approximately 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet and broil them on low in the oven until the bread is toasted. Serve to who ever is hungry enough to eat them. (Surprisingly, enough they don’t taste bad at all!)