Our House is a Very, Very Very Fine House

Mel's last post struck a chord. School is out. One of my college age children is staying in Norman this summer but does not get her house until June 1st, so........everything comes home to be moved again in 3 weeks. The youngest will be here for the three months and as Mel advised, is taking a class or two at Connors and hopefully, working.

That empty nest thing was hard. I was really sad. Still am somedays. I miss them.

But the washer only goes one time a day when it's just my husband and me. A weekly trip to the grocery does it and we just make do with what's left by Thursday. Popcorn. A bowl of Cheerios. We're easy. The two of us can lock up and go to bed. I walk by rooms that beds are made, floors are clear and bathrooms are spic and span. Our house is orderly and organized. Our house is ship-shape. Our house is quiet. Our house is going to have a rude awakening come Friday.

Doors slamming with kids in and out. Piles of dirty clothes and dirty dishes. Big Gulps left sweating on the coffee table and cars leaking oil in the driveway. "There's nothing to eat here." or "Oh, I didn't know you were making dinner. I was going to meet the guys at My Place." Shows on the TV you did not even know or want to know were available on your satellite and music blaring through the sound system that rattles the rafters and vibrates the walls.

College Children= College Friends

I am convinced they all rotate through the summer vacation, time sharing each other's cabins, condo's and lake cottages. Our open invitation is on the Illinois River. Prior to arrival there are requests for "your Mom's Cheese dip", Buttermilk Brownie Sheetcake and Mexican Tabouli. Late nights conclude with limited sleeping arrangements. Bodies are draped on every available bed, couch and floor and those of us not on a nocturnal, college schedule must step gingerly and quietly the next morning.

A float trip on the Illinois is a usual activity at our cabin. This requires a scramble for enough inner-tubes and transporation to put everyone "in." The floaters return, sunburned and squishy, ready for showers and dinner. Blow dryers hum, wet towels pile up and endless sacks of Doritos and Chex Mix make their way to the deck with laughter and conversation. There is endless talk about the next plan and activities change with each new arrival.

Crazy? Yes. Complicated? Yes. Tiring? Definitely. How do I feel as they make their way north on I 40? Absolutely elated.

They are coming home for the summer. My children, home. I can hardly wait!

This Cheese Dip was long time Muskogee Grande Dame-Nancy Howard's. Before food processors she would make it in an upright mixer and beat it to the proper consistency for 45 minutes! A Food Processor makes it a snap. You can freeze it in small containers and let defrost overnight as needed. My kids, in a hurry, have even microwaved it but I don't recommend it. The Wagner household usually doesn't get any frozen as it is eaten within the weekend.

Nancy Howard's Cheese Dip

In a food processor fitted with the steel blade-chop one large yellow onion

add 6 cloves peeled garlic (or more)

juice of two lemons

1/3 cup pickled jalapenos (or more) do not use fresh!!

1 Tbsp Worchestire Sauce

1 Tbsp salt

Whir around until a mushy consistency

Now, alternately add 1 large box Velvetta, cut in cubes

with

2 cups of Hellman's Mayonnaise

and blend until smooth.

Serve with Fritos (This is important. I don't know why but Doritos

just don't taste as good)

I have used light Velvetta and light Hellman's but it's kind of like, why bother?

Enjoy!!!