I am still learning - Michelangelo

This quote is attributed to Michelangelo, who said is to have uttered it at the age of 87:

Ancora Imparo. "I am still learning."

As it happens my dad is in his 87th year. We have spent a lot of time with him this fall for one reason and another, and when I read this quote from one of the greatest artists the world has known, I knew it applied also to Sam Endicott.

Though his vision is impaired, my dad is most definitely learning new things every single day. He can discuss so many topics in great detail that his breadth of knowledge is astounding. By using books on tape, his mind over the last several years has acquired a wealth of information on many different topics. There is never a lack for something interesting to talk about. Dad inspires me and his grandkids, and we hope we can be just like him when we grow up.

Small things

We picked up Emily at the airport last night - non-stop from Raleigh-Durham to STL. That AA flight will soon be canceled, and we won't be able to go non-stop from here to there for her May graduation from Duke. But in the meantime, it was a quick flight for her, and we were so happy to see her smiling face coming down the concourse.

Awaiting us at home was a big pot of leftover beef bourguignon, and Steve made some creamy parmesan polenta to go with it! Soon Max arrived, too, and our little family of four sat around the dining table as in days gone by. Smiling and laughing, planning our holiday doings, it could not have been more pleasant.

After dinner, we shared in watching the Top Chef Reunion show. Even though Max and Em had not followed that show, it was fun to watch the clips and make our observations about the chefs and their triumphs and travails.

It is little things like last evening that make me appreciate my loving family.

Little Bro Moving on Up

Well he's movin on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe row house in Soulard.
Movin on up,
To the east side.
He finally got a very nice reward.


Fish don't fry in the kitchen;
Beans don't burn on the grill.
Took a whole lotta tryin',
Just to get up that hill.
Now he's up in the big leagues,
Gettin' his turn at bat.
As long as he lives, it's him and big Nate,
There ain't nothin wrong with that.


Well he's movin on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe row house in Soulard.
Movin on up,
To the east side.
He finally got his just reward.

Steve doesn't like this post; I don't know why. For one thing, RJE is just moving to the east side of town, not really the "east side." Plus I don't think Steve likes the little jingle this is lifted from. At any rate, I am very excited about the new digs, and just had to put something up about it.

RJE - if you agree with Steve that this is no good, let me know.

Holiday baking

I always laugh when someone asks me if I have started my "holiday baking." I do like to cook, but don't usually send out goodies far and wide at the holiday season. I have (admittedly fond) memories of mixing up a big batch of sugar cookie dough, the kind you roll out, cut into shapes with the cookie cutters, bake, and then ice, with Max and Emily. Usually it was all fun until they had each cut out, then decorated about 3 or 4 cookies apiece. This meant I was cutting and decorating the remaining 50+ cookies. One year I even doubled the batch, and was so exhausted by the time the cookies were finished that I wrote in big letters with red ink on my recipe: DO NOT DOUBLE.



This morning I had the luxury of being at home. One cookie that I do usually make at Christmas time is my Little Mimi's gumdrop cookies. Nothing easier! They may not be everybody's idea of a fantastic cookie, but I love their chewiness and not so sweetness. There are only 4 ingredients: spice gumdrops, flour, sugar and eggs. You mix them all up together, spread into a 13x9 pan and bake for 20 minutes. Then you can either sprinkle powdered sugar on the top, or what I like to do is make a thin glaze of powdered sugar and lemon juice and spread very thinly on the top.

OK, my advent calendar is up , my tree is decorated and my gumdrop cookies are made. Let the festivities begin!

In case you would like to try Little Mimi's Gumdrop Cookies, here's the recipe:

4 eggs
2 1/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups flour
20 spice gumdrops, each cut in half

Beat eggs thoroughly. Add sugar and continue beating. Add flour and stir until mixture is smooth, then fold in gumdrops. Spread evenly in a 13x9" greased and floured pan. Bake at 350˚ for 25 minutes, or until done. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or ice thinly.