My House was FULL of Birkenstocks

My Aunt and Uncle came through today with their daughter. We happen to be a good half-way point between their home and the college she will attend. Sigh... their baby going away to college. They are true hippies from the 60s, and their youngest is following suit. They came into the house and took off their shoes, as did I. I looked over and saw a pile of Birkenstocks and couldn't have been happier. C is dying for a "real" pair, but I won't relent until her feet stop growing. Until then, she'll have to make due with her "faux" Birks.

KT is an accomplished potter. She's been apprenticing for years at Wheaton Village, and is now going to one of the best schools in the country to hone her craft. Not only is she attending the best "pottery" school - she's going on a big scholarship, which they awarded on the basis of her portfolio. I have a few pots, and she brought me the wonderful gift of 2 new mugs. I bought one for dear hubby last year, and it's HUGE... it holds at least 16 oz.! Makes a hell of a latte!! Now I will have one, too.

The kicker was the menu. I offered to feed them, since they'll be on the road for days (my aunt admits to being a turtle on the road... and it did take her at least an hour more to go from her house to mine than it takes me to make the trip) and won't have home-cooked food 'til the end of the week. I mentioned to C what I was planning to make, and my dear 8 yr old flipped out. She reminded me rather forcefully that KT is a vegetarian. Let me just say that substituting Boca ground "beef" for regular ground beef in lasagne works very well. I couldn't tell the difference, and all were very happy.