Out of China

I am sitting at my desk trying to work, but my mind keeps going back to this weekend and the very special experience the Murphey Family was a part of. Saturday night, our family attended the long-awaited "Out of China" reception at the Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences, along with dozens of family, friends and other community members.

This exhibition of fine porcelain, given in memory of my beautiful Momma, Judith Meier Murphey, thanks in part to the record-breaking memorial funds they received in the wake of her death last year, was in a word: Perfect. The spirit of the evening was utterly light and positive, such a joy to celebrate and remember Mom with her most beloved friends. And the pieces on display were like precious pieces of Momma herself: delicate, strong, beautiful, priceless.

I must go back some time in the next couple of months and truly admire the exhibit, in less of a frenzy of hugs, smiles, speeches and hurried expressions of gratitude. From what I was able to absorb, I know that Mom would have loved the exhibit itself, if not the fact that she was the center of attention. She certainly would have told me more about the pieces than the information cards and shown me hints of how to really appreciate the fine craftmanship.

Her Garden Club heard the call as well and purchased a piece to remain in the Museum's permanent collection. A lovely tribute for a woman who truly loved the MMAS and believed in its importance to the community. It was Mom's wish that donations be made here in hopes that a small rush of funds could ease their heavy financial burdens. They ended up receiving more money from her memorial than any single one in history. A fact I am sure she would not have believed and would have died of embarrassment over. Her sincerity and humility as much a part of her as her understated strength, infectious laugh or hatred of herself in pictures.

When Daddy first told me about this evening, I found myself circling around the word "fine" a lot in my mind. As in fine porcelain. The finer things in life. She was a fine lady. Mom loved fine things and she liked to surround herself with them, and not just the things in her house but the people in her life. She took only the most special people into her inner circle. And fine didn't mean expensive, or rich, but quality, priceless and rare. She knew it when she saw it in a fabric, food, an object, a new friend or a moment. It reminded me how on the day we realized and told Mom she was dying, I lay beside her on her hospital bed watching Barefoot Contessa. Sort of an odd thing to do, since given the nature of her illness we'd all realized she would never eat again. But there we were watching Ina make some lovely concoction with "good mayonaise," "fresh basil," "fresh cracked pepper." I turned to Mom in a sudden understanding and said, "You taught me how to live a good life." I will always remember the smile on her face, the moment between us when we both realized we'd done good, her as a mother and me as her child.

After the reception, a few of us Murpheys and out-of-town friends gathered and had a lovely dinner at Marco's and caught up on the past year, exchanged stories and raised a glass to the finest woman we'd ever known: our Judy.

Little Terror

Matty terrorizing Emmitt. I wish I found this less funny.

Silliness

Just some silliness and dizziness.

The Gift

"There is something joyful about storms that interrupt routine. Snow or freezing rain suddenly releases you from expectations, performance demands, and the tyranny of appointments and schedules...one can almost hear a unified sigh rise...where Nature has intervened to give respite to the weary humans slogging it out within her purview." - William P Young, The Shack

Last week's record snowfall left the city of Atlanta completely paralyzed. A few days before the storm hit, a mother of one of Matty's DCA friends seemed so concerned about her business trip coming up and not being able to get out of town. As usual, I completely ignored the notion that we would get a break from our daily duties, feeling in my heart at best we would get a three-day weekend. I never could have imagined the gift that would befall! An entire week home with Matty, was a gift beyond all gifts. I worked, as the rest of Sparks Grove did, to the best of my abilities from my kitchen and not my office. But doing so in a headband and socks did a lot of good for this hard-working Mama.

While on Facebook and emails most everyone seemed to be grumbling about snowplows and preparedness, I relished in the simple gift of time at home, without having sacrificed vacation days! I posted on the blog 4 times, enjoyed countless hours of downtime, playing and watching movies with Matty, I cooked actual food including cupcakes, our own sweet little snowballs! Completely ignored messes and ideal times for showers.

To ensure I could actually make it out of the driveway for a few hours on Friday, I spent Matty's Thursday nap shoveling the inch thick layer of ice from our driveway. It was hard work, and I felt man-ish, but I gotta say, I did sort of like it!

At this point yes, I admit Matty and I are both hungry to get back to our normal routine and we're looking forward to school and work and the feeling of being productive. But it was a wonderful blessing. I know Matty will never remember but his Mom will, that much I know.

"Even if it's hardly more than a day or two, somehow each person feels like the master of his or her own world, simply because those little droplets of water freeze as they hit the ground."

Gigglebox

And this one is just for fun. My gigglebox and dinner the other night.

Snowpalooza!

I've gotten so used to ignoring weathermen who promise record snow storms in the south that this weekend has really caught me by surprise! But last night as I looked out my window, snow began pouring down like I have never seen in Georgia and within the hour I couldn't see a blade of grass in our yard. It was simply gorgeous waking up this morning to crystalline lawns and trees and almost 6 inches of snow on the ground.

Matty and I had a good time for a while out in the yard this morning, going on an adventure under the holly bushes and around the perimeter of the backyard. But mostly I think he is still a little too young to really appreciate a rare snow day like this.

He will get another chance tomorrow though, weather expected to still be too severe to venture out, all schools and businesses are closed another day. And we've already made play-plans with the Whittemore's next door so hopefully Matty will have more fun tomorrow.

I am now just hoping we make it through the night without a power outage, as throughout the day ice has left about an inch-thick coating on already weighted down trees and limbs. But being the diligent wife of a former Eagle scout, I'm prepared. Heat cranked up and flashlights, candles, firestarters all laid out in case Matty and I have to hunker down in the den by the gas fireplace.

Pray for us!

Happy New Year!

After everything we've been through in the last 12 months, to say our family was ready to ring out the old and ring in the new is a huge understatement. We'd been waiting and dreaming of bidding good riddance to 2010 and starting fresh in 2011. Jennifer and Daddy had the idea to ring it in much as we did last year. Last Christmas, you may remember, our family spent a treasured few days together in Highlands - enjoying a snowy white Christmas, sledding and sharing some precious times together, as deep down we dreaded it would be the last we would have with Momma.

So we headed back a few days after Christmas to find nearly a foot of snow on the ground! It was a frozen winter wonderland and we relived all the old joys: sledding, playing, napping by the fire, eating, drinking and soaking up cherished family time. The only difference this time was even more family: Kevin's Mom, Shirley (Gigi) and her two granddaughters, Radar and Denny.

Daddy and Matty before their first run. Matty picked right up where we left off. It was like we had never left. Except he is a year older and braver and really wanted to go down by himself. We let him go down a small hill by himself a few dozen times, but what he really wanted was avery long, very steep hill (the neighbor's driveway).

These tears below were while crying, "I wanna go myself, I wanna go myself!" while pointing down the big hill! Next year, there will be no stopping him...I fear!

The next time we ventured out Matty, I guess deciding it wasn't worth the argument, wanted nothing to do with sledding with the big kids, but rather spent his time wandering around the neighbor's yard, climbing walls and making his own snowman.

His other favorite pasttime was hanging with Radar, Hudson and Denny. Radar and Hudson really wanted very little to do with the little kids as their both teetering on the edge of their teen years, but when they had no other option, they were super sweet with them and Matty took charge of every opportunity to tell them what to do!

Many blessing, friends and family, and best wishes for 2011!

May Your Days Be Merry and Bright...and White!

Christmas 2010 was highly anticipated and it did not disappoint. As every year since Matty came along Christmas season was kicked off by the Annual Christmas Program at DCA. And it was so cute again this year. Every class does a different song and routine about Jesus' birthday.

Matty is a child who can certainly entertain whenever he wants to. Let me be clear: "whenever HE wants to." He wanted nothing to do with most of Explorer IIs part of the program, until the music kicked up and he started to tear off his robe. I was so nervous, until I realized all the kids were doing the same and began bouncing around the stage with their jingle bells!

Daddy was with our little family for Christmas and we had such a nice time. He brought us some Schwartz-nog to start off our festivities. This is a high-octane eggnog famous in Macon with secret ingredients that are kept under the upmost security. I had always wondered what the hype was all about. Then I experienced it for myself and, let me tell you, one sip will kill any germ in your body, so keep that in mind for the next cold and flu season. My eyes are watering just thinking about it.

Christmas Eve, I had to work for about half the day unfortunately and the afternoon required some toddler structure so we spent a while putting together a gingerbread house I bought on a whim on the way home. Matty had a great time as most of the candies ended up in his mouth, not on the house, but it turned out precious anyway. But he was so amped on sugar that night at bath that he ran full-speed, head-long into the corner of the bathroom door. This child is a mess.

Then the next morning to no one's surprise, Santa had found his way to our little house and dumped likely half of his sleigh-load in our den! A basketball goal, books, a trike, oh my! And the fun was just beginning. Matty is really starting to understand what Christmas is all about and he was mesmorized that Santa had been in his house and had eaten the goodies we left out just for him. He was very patient and slowly went through his toys. Perhaps he will be like his mother and Mimi, always wanting to savor the day, in no rush to tear open the last gift. We took our time that morning, playing with Santa's treats and eating a hardy breakfast, getting all cleaned up for the day before tearing into what was waiting under the tree.

And again once the present opening began, Matty was almost unusually reserved and appreciative. He would open a gift and sit quietly playing for a while until we forced another one on him. Probably his very favorite toy of the day was the Matchbox cars and garage his Daddy gave him. He played with it all day and every single day since. If there was any doubt my baby has gone and given way to a little boy, this toy clinched it!

Total mayhem in the living room.

One of my favorite presents, was when I decided the white Christmas coming down outside our window must have been a gift from Mom. I had never seen snow in Georgia on Christmas before in my life. And it just seemed fitting that from Winston-Salem to Macon, a white Christmas touched everyone Momma loved. A very nice gift indeed!

Just before bed after a very full day of playing, eating and being together.

Ok, I had to share this. As some of you knew, I was rather nervous about cooking Christmas dinner by myself. It was the first time for me to do all alone with no Momma or Mama O to keep me in check and was desperately afraid I would ruin something (like the hundred dollar cut of beef cooking way slow in the oven). Most everything came out quite well, if not entirely timed properly, but there was a sufficient holiday meal on the table around the time I had promised. What did not turn out according to plan was the yorkshire pudding I had been so looking forward to. I followed the directions to the letter, and Daddy can verify as he carefully watched everything I did! Turns out that an electric oven can't be turned to 450 then be asked to be turned back to 350 in a matter of a few minutes. (Yes, per the recipe).

I don't remember Mom's doing this? But I have a new saying that makes me feel better. "I am a far better cook than my 33 year old oven let's me be!"

The next morning Matty was still a bit gift-hungover, but he quickly rebounded when it was time to venture out into the snow. I love these pics of my sweet snow angel.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Sing! Sing a Song!

More video fun with Matty at the dinner table. He is turning into one good singer and entertainer, at least to his Mommy. Yesterday during nap I was climbing the stairs to hear him singing "Sunny Days" to himself. Then last night a song was most certainly in his heart while he ate his dinner. Enjoy!