Burgeis Twins....

After lots of pushing then ultimately a C-section, my cousin, Megan Harvey Burgeis, has beautiful twins! Mallory finally debuted at 6:10ish at 6 lb., 5 oz. and Brody at 6lb., 1oz on August 26.

I gathered with almost all my family on my Mom's side to witness the miracle yesterday. We were all wearing ribbon that said "It's a boy - It's a girl." I took a photo of cousin Kc's little Isabella's foot wearing the pink and blue ribbons.

There were well over 50 people in and out all day, and over 40 when in the waiting room when she delivered. When the nurse said we could all come in - she didn't realize just how many of us there were, but it was really special, and Meg and Charlie were so sweet - not overwhelmed in the least. They welcomed us in, and my Uncle Ray (Meg's dad) said a prayer over the twins. Praying for their lives, and ultimately that they would come to know Christ as their Savior. Not a dry eye in the room. I will never forget that moment!

Brody and Mallory are technically my cousins, but they are are really my new niece and nephew.....and I can't stay away from them! I'm already so attached!

Remembering Teddy......

I'll never forget my friend Heidi Sickler saying to me when I first arrived on Capitol Hill, "You should work for either the king or queen of the democrats," To which I replied, "Who would that be?" With a stunned look she said, "Teddy or Hillary of course."

It was indeed the king, "Uncle Teddy" (as Heidi and I called him) who's office offered me the unforgettable opportunity to become an intern.

Capitol Hill is a perfect place to people watch. I started to learn a lot about people in those hallowed halls. I saw some of what you'd expect, but I also saw kindness.

It's a funny thing trying to define kindness, but as my dear friend Roy Buckalew once told me, "You'll know it when you see it." I saw kindness in Ted Kennedy.

One thing that stood out to me most was at a staffer's going away party his last day working for Senator Kennedy. There was a beautiful painting of a sail boat, elegantly framed on an easel in the middle of the room, and just below the painting on the matting was a note that said something to the effect of, "Marc, thanks for everything you do, all your hard work, but most of all your friendship."

I saw many photos, books, and letters signed by Senators, but a painting - painted by, framed by, and signed by a senator, not to mention the most senior senator, that's one of those things I knew I'd see only once. Kindness........and I knew it when I saw it.

Sometimes it's the little things, the un-broadcasted things, the things done in secret, that say the most about us. My friend, Marc, put on his facebook, "EMK, once told me, the measure of a man is that he used his time well, he was the real-life embodiment of that."

A champion of causes - a champion of the people. He fought for every piece of major legislation to do with human rights and health. He helped our nation more than we can ever even realize. All because he had a conviction for doing what is right by his fellow man and a faith that lead him to believe this was his calling and that he must never give up till the day God takes him home.

He lived life to the fullest, fighting for everyone to have the right to dream the impossible dream. He was most powerful, yet he lead humbly. He believed those words, "To whom much is given much is required." I loved him for all he did, all he stood for, and who I saw him to be. I morn his loss. He will never be replaced or forgotten. What he fought for will endure. May his dream of universal health care - treating all those in need - taking care of the poor - come to fruition. And may his legacy for what he stood for never die. It's time for others to take up the torch and follow his example as he never stopped encouraging us to do. Rest in peace Uncle Teddy.

New York Times Article
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/us/politics/27kennedy.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

CNN Article
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/26/ted.kennedy.legacy/index.html

Basic Coarse Grain Mustard Green Beans

Coat Green Beans with olive oil
Mix with your hands till they are good and coated

(always great to use your hands in the cooking process)
Cook on medium to low heat for 10 mins
Add 1 tbs of coarse grain mustard and cook for 2 more minutes

Mary and Glenn's Garden & Yard Summer 09

The Shroomz!

Legend of the Shroomzs!

Mary and Glenn's 2008 Garden

Got a picture of the "Little Dog" Hannah

Aw, Glenn and Ruby.

Livin' the dog's life.

Architectural Garden

Bell Peppers

Some produce

Our First Garden, March - August 2009

March

The process begins...

Starts with the dirt

"The Stuff "


First row down


Our little rows


"And there you have it"


Having Fun

Our Dogwood



Bo finding shade



Love this photo

"Mr. Bo "

Smelling the Jasmine

Time for a rest

onto the flowers

JUNEWith all the rain we got it was growing

at a slower pace than we hoped.

By July we had our first produce.....

Little Roma

A fun little game we like to play is "taste test."

We taste tested ours with a store bought one and we both guessed right!

"Holy Peppers"
By August we had an abundance of peppers! My great grandmother, Grandmama, told me how she loved growing peppers in her garden, but 6 plants may have been over doing it - next year it's 1 cayenne pepper plant. I've shared them with my office, and they've reciprocated with things like purple hull peas. I'm going to have my grandmother, Nonnie, to make them for the family sometime soon - we are going to mix them with the peppers. I love Nonnie's Southern Home Cooking. Nothing like your grandma's cooking, right!

We've had 1 bell pepper, but sadly no photo - and it was a good lookin' little pepper too. Maybe better than a photo is that we enjoyed it! We put half in our thai basil recipe and the other half in our caesar salad. It's a neat feeling eating what you've grown, and being able to share it with others. I have farming in my blood, but I wouldn't say I see me as a farmer. I'm blessed to have Jim, Mr. Renaissance man.

Summer Fun In Connecticut

Our precious niece Alexa

Our handsome nephew Drew

Cupcakes, yum yum!

Being a grandmother - does it get any better?!

Just have to get in one more time

Ok, Mom, now we can go home

The Beach

Love you "Uncle Ming"


"Miss Marvelous"