Scenes from Fancy Dinner

We've decided to start a new tradition in this house.  Every Sunday, we're attempting to get out the china and crystal, sit at the dining room table (that is usually covered with books and markers and maps and counting cubes) and have what has been officially dubbed, "Fancy Dinner".  

Our first Fancy Dinner was a HUGE success!  Never one to miss a chance to look her best, Addie was my number one supporter.  When she entered the dining room, she asked me where I got all these dishes and glasses.  I pointed to the china cabinet and she let out an audible gasp.  Aidan and Matt were on board, too; and, Annalise even refrained from her usually meatball throwing.

We made a big pot of homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs for the evening.  We had planned to make homemade pasta, too; but, I was starting to fizzle out.  The thoughts of hand-washing china AND cleaning up a flour-covered kitchen were just too much!

After dinner, because I watch far too many period dramas on PBS, we retired to our "drawing room" where  everyone took turns entertaining with their talents.  Aidan recited a poem he composed about Addie called, "Mister, Mister, Where's Your Sister?".  Addie regaled us with some of her ballet moves and  Matt gave us a dramatic interpretation of his beloved, "In the middle of the night, two dead boys got up to fight..."; which, if you have ever met him, you have already heard.

What will next week's fancy dinner hold?  Only time will tell.  We're looking forward to sharing this time with friends, too.  So dress for dinner, load up your harpsichord and head on over!

Bringing the Garage Indoors: Youngstown Style

Aidan started his life in a little fish-themed nursery that I loved.  When he was not quite two, he was all about balls: "ace balls", "aah -mmm balls" and "ah -er balls".  So, when he moved into his big-boy room before Adelaide was born, we went with a sports theme.

But now, and for all time I imagine, he is my "machine guy".  So, when we moved to a new home this year, it gave us the opportunity to make a bedroom that was right up his alley. (The alley behind an auto parts store or construction site, to be exact.)

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The total cost of this room redo was twenty-one bucks.  The only actual items I purchased were these two signs at the Canfield Fair and an old broken level at Habitat Re-Store.

Every single other item already belonged to Aidan or was rummaged from the basement or garage of my parent's house, which was also my grandparent's house for many years.  Grandma and Papa were more than happy to have us clear out some "treasures" from their house! We've decided to call this look, "Old School Youngstown Garage". 

 

I'm really happy that he's surrounded by things that belonged to people who love him, even if those people were gone long before he was born.  He has my Grandpa's helmet from East Ohio Gas and many of his old tools.  Some antique books and bottles that belonged to my dad and his parents and  grandparents are there as well.  My mom's fishing pole when she was a little girl is in the mix with some fishing gear that belonged to her grandfather.  I still have a box in the garage with a few more items to display.  What I love most about this "look" is that we can always keep adding as we find new treasures!