Summer 2002, L.A., Calif.
Abu Mohammed and Ali
Uncategorized
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Laughter and Friends fill each day with joy.
The following is a letter from my mother dated Nov. 6th, 2004 explaining why she was sending me a plum pudding.
Dear Linda,
When I saw the plum pudding in a catalog it reminded me of my Grandmother Vaughan's plum pudding. The day before Thanksgiving, Grandma Vaughan made the pudding. She used a large tin can for the mold. The can she had saved for months just for this pudding. The can was filled with batter was placed in a pan of water; then all placed in the oven of her big black wrought iron range. Grandma Vaughan kept constant watch over the pudding and the stove - keeping the temperature just right. She made the brandy sauce from the plum or peach brandy which Uncle Gorge brought her every summer from California. He knew the man that made it in a small one man business. Uncle George would always buy two gallon jugs for Grandma Vaughan to use for her fruitcakes and plum puddings. When the pudding was steamed Grandma Vaughan would bring it to the table and was greeted with exclamations of delight. The pudding was served into round slices and the sauce ( also cut into rounds) on top.
I remember the family around the table and two solders from the nearby base. People would always invite the solders for the holidays. They were young boys away from home for the first time and soon would be going overseas fighting either in the Pacific or in Europe.
I was about eight or nine years old when my mother and I stayed with Grandma Vaughan while my mother recuperated from an operation.
when I saw the pudding I thought I would share the memories with the family and explain why you are getting a plum pudding. Of course it wont be as good as the one my grandmother made. I don't have her recipe and don't know if anyone does. I doubt it.
Love, Mama
The Plum Pudding arrived, the Guys and I tried it one night. I think it was a bit to rich for them as they had never had steamed plum pudding before and this pudding was very heavy. The recipe of my Great Grandmother Vaughan is lost more likely than not. The only one to have it would be My Great Aunt Lill's daughter. Never mind it's only a recipe for plum pudding. Futhermore, why should I be bothered? I no longer celebrate Christmas at least not in the manner which christians do.. That's not the point now is it?
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Yusef with AJ and Michael
It's only taken forever to get these pictures of Michael from Yusef. I'm like all grandparents I guess or maybe not. The last time we saw Yusef and Michael was in July of 2002 when we packed up the van and drove to Calif. as part a month long road trip accross the U.S. The nieghbors thought we were insane, four teenagers in a van driving to Calif. Those who know me will tell you straight off I'm a Madhatter and that's their way of being nice about it. The trip to Calif. is an other story which will some day move from memory to an entry here.
The Guys laugh at me as there's a box which keeps growing in size as items are constantly added to it. The problem is I need to find another box to mail off all the stuffed animals, books & clothes for I keep finding and think this would good for Michael. Never mind you say, it's the holidays and everyone buys gifts now. What you don't understand is it's not because of the holidays, it's because I believe giving/charity is something top be done daily and I would except I am in Ohio and my eldest son and grandson are in Calif. I also don't do well without the family near by. I don't mean near by in the same world or country - Oy! I've already done that one! No, I mean near by in the same .. (please don't jump ahead putting words in for me) that same was not living in the same state nor county I meant nearby as in same town, better yet same nieghborhood ie street. Yes, now you understand....or do you??
Listen, I didn't go through nine months of being kicked, the labors of birth and more for how many years for any one of my sons to live somewhere unheard of. Family is family it will always be so. The tie of blood runs forever if you're not stone hearted with ears filled with wax. The Mother, will always be a mother. Your fifty and she's older forget it she's still your mother to be listened to and pleased. A friend once told my sons I'm a mother hen. I can think of worse ways to be.
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I've no idea at this point how this mosaic will look on Xanga.
Get the freeware 'Mosaic Creator' at http://aolej.com/mosaic/ and upon completion of your photo mosaic you'll have to upload it to http://www.photobucket.com or another site like it.
Then post it to your Xanga as you would for your other photos.
I've learned alot today and still don't know about life at all.
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Today is another one of those days which I explore the realms of Xanga and even work on my own place. Ah, working on her own Garden of Thoughts -yes please I'd love to, but I'm new at all of this and have no clue to HTML. Do forgive me for pinching bits & pieces from your Xangas. You know who you are. Thank you for helping me along with the Xanga Garden.
One of the Bahraini Guys helped me out with getting the collection of music you hear at the Garden of Thoughts. More pieces will be added as I find sites to which I can link to. All the songs played here have a memory attached to them and there isn't a single song which I can say is me, just as I know this garden's changes are a constant reflection of me.
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This morning Ali and Zaid went out the door calling back to me, "We're off to catch the bus! Masalama!" I sat that there for a moment envisioning them chasing a big yellow bus all the way down the 204, grabbing hold of the bus and dragging their feet (melting their shoes and leaving puddles of melted rubber behind) until the bus comes to a grinding halt at the next bus stop. Suddenly they are propelled into the back of the bus, shattering the bus window and landing in their seats with book bags on their laps. Both of them with sheepish looks on their faces as if they'd been on the bus the whole time; neither able to explain the window or their melted shoes. Telling every one, "It wasn't me!" or " I didn't do it!" because they were reading off the front of each others T-shirts.
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Today was eventful considering it was my day off. Once the Bahraini Guys were off to school instead of doing many mundane tasks I surfed Xanga. I enjoying the self expression of others on Xanga. An expression more likely than not ever shown to others as if the printed word on the internet gives them anonymity.
About noon I went with Mohammed to Dr. Houser's office to check the progress of his healing jaw. Sat there two hours before the Dr. returned from the an emergancy at St. Ann's. Mohammed gets to keep the four screws which wired his mouth shut. Dr. noted that the removing of the wire was an experiance which turned even the strongest into white sheets ready to hit the floor in agony. Mohammed can wait untill he is completely healed to remove the screws or just leave them be for the next time he needs them. ( God forbid )
Late lunch at Jeddo Kabab (first time to go there in almost a year.) Why is it if a woman wears hijab of her own choice do Iranians have to comment on how the Mullahs are in Iran? They have such a problem - a complex regarding their own religion. I am in the West not in a country which the media protrays as oppressive towards women. I am not forced to cover, plus I never have to worry about a 'Bad Hair Day'. (enough said)
Back to Pickerington to be the driver for the guys and run more errands. Ali just didn't want to shrink in all the rain by walking home. On a positive note: BP prices are now $1.68/1.69 per gallon down from $2.00+ on Election Day.
It's 10pm ...... tisbah allah khair
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Went visiting different Xangas today and found a few posts which were interesting insights.
Enjoy
Quick Meal Idea of the Day...
If your in the mood for sea food, and you're too lazy to eat out..here's a quick Bachelor's seafood meal...
Tuna de fork A la carte
Instructions:
1) Use a can opener to open your tin of chunky tuna fish.
2) Drain all the oil out of the tin.
3) Squeeze some fresh lemon Juice on the tuna (The acid in the lemon juice will cook the tuna).
4) While the tuna fish is cooking, prepare the dinner table by placing a fork on the table.
5) Once the dining table is ready place the Tuna de fork A la carte on the table.
6) Pick up your fork and Dig in.
This dish is perfect for busy bachelors who are always on the run..you don't even have to wash up any dishes after you are done eating (except your fork)..Just throw your empty can of tuna in the trash.
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