For Wyatt’s 9th Birthday party, I created a bunch of clues and hid them in envelopes around the house – each one leads to the next. This of course has about 10 boys running all over the house looking for clues that lead to more clues, that eventually make a map to the “stolen” goodie-bags!

We all love Mission Impossible here (the original TV series), so we made Wyatt’s birthday party a mix of “Halo” and Mission Impossible themes… Below is “should you choose to accept it” intro like that which was seen all the time on the series. Ryan did the Voice Over… and the kids all had a blast!

Every year we do an entire DVD of the previous year. I also make a compilation – and that is why I wrote the song, to accompany it. Here is the Smith Family DVD compilation for 2009 accompanied by the song “Perfect Day” written by myself. The clips and photos are a preview of the DVD to come!

The first time the boys went fishing! – enjoy…

Jan and I took the boys to East Rock in New Haven today. For March in Connecticut, the weather was a balmy 55 degrees or warmer. The boys really got into the who “adventure” as we took many of the foot trails along the way back down from the top. It was amazing how far we could see. Most of all, we were all together and immensely enjoyed the afternoon!

Not just any kind of frying pan.  Certainly not some temporarily smooth-coated frying pan of some unknown alloy.  No, this is a cast-iron skillet.  I’m talking 13 pounds of Lodge pre-seasoned cast-iron skillet cooking power! 

Wow, I never imagined I’d wax poetic about cookware.  But here it is.  I love cooking with these black behemoths of Kitchen-world!  Maybe it’s just me, but everything seems to cook better in them.  Sautéed baby spinach, stir-fried vegetables, eggs, any kind of meat, and even grilled cheese sandwiches on the cast-iron griddle are a favorite with the boys. 

A frying pan? Oh no - much more!

It all started last summer at the home of my in-laws, where Jan’s Mom recommended I use their cast-iron wok to cook up some chicken.  Now prior to that experience, I had only known a string of disappointments with some featherweight tin wok we had picked up at a yard sale for fifty cents.  I might as well have been cooking with ping pong paddle.  But this – this astounded me!  The chicken was done in what seemed like seconds.  Well, seeing that my In-laws are very generous people, a week or so after our  visit was a brand-new Lodge cast-iron wok on my porch via UPS.  I was sincerely touched by thought. 

I wasted no time with the gift that keeps on giving, and started to stir-fry everything I could think of.  It didn’t take long before I decided it was time to expand.  And fortunately for me, these are not items which break the bank.  For the price of an average designer pan, I was able to get a griddle, the 15” skillet seen here, an 8” skillet for smaller sautés or for eggs, and a grill press – oh and of course we went for the old-west cast iron Chuck wagon triangle dinner bell!  (…which is better than the sound of me yelling for the boys that dinner is ready!)

I just love the fact that these items are the real deal.  Just plain cast-iron.  They’ll get better with age (and proper care) and there’s no worries about what might be getting in the food.  When you use Teflon-coated pans, and after time see bits of it flaked away – you ever wonder where that’s gone?

And for one who hates cleaning, I am surprised at how easy these actually are to clean.  But to me it becomes even more than that – it becomes ritual.  I’m preparing the skillet, or griddle, or wok, for the next great tasting meal that’s going to spring forth and leave its own legacy on that great dark forge of culinary wonders.    Oops there I go again.

Some of my (Ryan’s) latest artwork…

Dino Battle

this seting is in a jungle and the drawing is about the ALLOSAURUS (on the right) fighting a TRICERATOPS.

Theropod Invasion

The main idea of this drawing is the meat-eaters going into the jungle.

Terror Strikes

Do I really need to ask  why because the title tells you about the drawing.

Carnivore Leader

The SPINOSAURUS is the leader because he’s the largest and fiercest dinosaur on the world!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you.

If it seems like just yesterday, it must be because we still see into each others souls like we did on our wedding day. We still smile and laugh with each other just as we did then. We still cherish the moments and find fun everywhere we can. We are still in love – even more so! Happy Anniversary Jan!

Dad:

Anyone who knows me, knows I love coffee.  Not only for that nice pick-me-up, but also for the flavor of a fine, fresh coffee.  Even moreso, it offers a chance for a true luxury in life: the chance to slow down, if even for a moment.  In the spring and summer, I love to take a coffee out onto my back deck and enjoy it among the trees and all nature has to offer. 

I wanted by boys to understand this for themselves, so I have often included them in the process of making the coffee, which to me, is just as enjoyable as drinking it afterwards.  Wyatt has been my coffee partner since he was two – and I have video to prove it!  After a while the boys would want a sip.  At this point, I think they like the sweet hazlenut creamer more than the coffee itself, but that is okay with me.  Of course I limit it to a couple of thimblefuls on the weekend mornings only, but what a joy it is to share something I love so much with my boys!  Ryan has his own Lego cup, and I got Wyatt a cup with a picture of us sharing our special moments.

Ryan:

 I like coffee because it’s realaxing and the coffee is yummy.

Wyatt:

I love coffe just as much as my Dad.  ..And I love the nice sweet ralaxing feeling.

Preview for the 2009 Reunion DVD

Enjoy!