New England Fall

There is something wonderful about autumn in New England--the crisp air, the changing foliage, and the wonderful traditions that come with the season, like apple-picking and wandering pumpkin patches. Last week, Collin spent a wonderful day with his friends in Honey Pot Hill Orchards, picking and eating apples, fighting over ladders, and playing with pumpkins, tractors and scare crows. Not to mention the wonderful cider donuts and apple pies!

Sometimes--especially in the dead of winter, especially when so many of our friends are heading that way--I think that perhaps we should move to California and enjoy the wonderful weather year round. But then, I think about the seasons, the different rhythms of life and traditions that come with full-blown winter, spring, summer and fall...and I find myself quite happy in our New England home, and fully content to be enjoying the Northeast this autumn.

Getting (Re)acquainted

A few weeks ago, my parents brought over my guitar, which has been sitting untouched in Michigan for the last two years. It was a happy reunion. And I'm very happy to introduce Collin to the wonderful world of musical chords...and the wonderful world of beautiful hymns! Usually, when I start playing, Collin will stop whatever he's doing and stare at the guitar...and then he will rush over and want to touch the strings and pegs and pick (and thereby stop whatever music is being made). After awhile, he'll get used to the music and start doing something else. But when it stops, he will again look up and wonder what in the world happened. It's been especially fun watching him dance to the songs. :)

I had forgotten how much I love Isaac Watts and his hymns. I don't think there has been one hymn written by him that I hasn't spoken to me in some deep way. I hope Collin will grow to love him as well.

A Pepper's Journey

The bell peppers have been harvested. Since the weather was getting chilly, and we were having guests over last night, I decided it was time to use the peppers. And so they began their final journey: picked, washed, cut up, and cooked in a steamy pot of spaghetti sauce (with some home-grown basil to boot). It easily fed our party of eight, and I even got to freeze a couple containers for future meals. There are still some peppers and herbs to harvest, but all in all, a happy ending to my first gardening season!

On another note, I realized (again) last night that there is something extremely gratifying to me about feeding a group of people, and creating space for friendships and community to grow. For some reason, the combination of a hearty meal and good conversation gives me warm fuzzies every time.

This Weekend

I baked.

I bought.

I made.

We celebrated.

A good few days.

Raising Multicultural Children: Traditions

This past week, our family went to Toronto to celebrate Collin's birthday the traditional Korean way. The Korean celebration for the first birthday is called a "dohl," and it includes a table full of rice cakes ("duk"), a little kid dressed in the traditional Korean hanbok, and a chance for the child to pick an object that is suppose to tell what he will become in the future.

We had a great time! Each thing on the table symbolizes something specific, and it was good to learn the particular meaning behind each "duk." Collin did well in his little hanbok...and what did he pick? The rainbow colored xylophone! Apparently, we have a little musician on our hands. :)

This trip reminded me that we have to be intentional if we want to raise Collin to be aware of his multicultural background. It is true that he will mostly identify with being American, as he should. We did, after all, have the whole birthday-hat and cupcakes celebration a couple weeks ago. But I think we are also somewhat hopeful that Collin will be aware of the different cultures in the family, and to be cognizant that there are different "ways" of doing things out there in the world.

Culture aside, there is something wonderful about traditions. They create memories and give space for celebrations. They also highlight and perpetuate family and cultural life. I hope that as Collin grows, we can teach him and bring him into different traditions from our families, church community, and friends.

Lettuce Harvest

Yesterday, Jason and I decided that it was time to harvest and eat the lettuce from the garden. So we got some pork slices, and made a Korean meal out of it. We were both surprised by how crispy and flavorful the lettuce was, though it was significantly thinner and more delicate than the ones we get at the grocery store. I am quite pleased that the garden produced something edible this year! (The bell peppers should be ready in a few weeks too.)

As for the rest of the meal, besides the pre-made pan-chan, all the veggies were from our CSA: miso leek soup, jalapeno peppers, stir-fried bok choy. All in all, a good meal. :)

Good Morning September!