Christmas Letter 2010

Guest Writer: Zeek the Wonder Dog

What we have here are glimpses of the future. The past year has been filled with snapshots of what is to come in the household of the Old Guy, the Princess, and myself, Zeek the dog. They were also known by some other names in several states, such as Map Beaters, that strange guy with the dog, the lady with funny hair. (The Princess had way too much fun with Crazy Hair day at work.) It's been an interesting year.

Nick the youngest graduated from high school this year, the last of the boys to do so. Always the one his parents felt might cause the least trouble, Nick moved through that time without fanfare. After a summer of making pizzas, he landed the job of his dreams. Nick is now working as an “IT” guy. Information Technology for the corporate headquarters of a regional business; he goes to work smiling and is still smiling when he returns. We don't see much of him in the evenings as his social calendar is very full. His job has included a few interesting side-lines, such as being in some holiday commercials for the store. A plaid flannel shirt tucked into Wranglers isn't his normal attire, but he looked good, especially with the girls dancing around him and the Santa hat on his head! He gave his mother a DVD of the commercials, and she would love to show them to you if you stop by!

Eric continues to thrill audiences with music and anti-comedy. I don't really understand anti- humor very well but Eric says it is something he enjoys. He hasn't given up his day job just yet, working as a gasoline dispenser for a local gas station. Remember Oregon has specialists that fill your tanks for you. Not because Oregonians are unable to pump their own gas, but it keeps anti-humor comedians and musicians from starving to death. (My attempt at anti-humor.) Eric recently became the proud owner of a labra-doodle puppy named Kawzmaux. No, it's not mis-spelled. I asked. I thought it was Cosmos. Eric brings him over to play with me sometimes.

Craig the oldest is now a full time student of the Culinary Arts at our community college. He is also a musician and his band keeps busy playing locally. Glimpses of the future I tell you. Someday you will be able to eat something prepared by a young man who has beaten a drum over and around your meal. I am thinking this might be either a very exciting experience or something that might happen as a religious experience. His parents love it when he cooks dinner. His mom keeps trying to assist him, but there seems to be some conflict between the French method and the Mennonite method of cooking. I think I saw the Old Guy and the Princess dancing in the street earlier this evening, singing something about Craig moving out. Seems kind of crass to me. I liked the kid, he was always telling me stuff that I didn't understand. Most dogs only hear one or two words, not complete sentences. And of course, dogs that can type are very unusual.

The Princess continues to make the lives of everyone around her better, both at school where she is the office manager, at church where she sings on the worship team, women's retreat where she often is called on to be master of ceremony and at home where she is responsible for so much. Very talented she is, humble too, but often much more fun to watch than anyone in the entertainment field. She is known to have done some very interesting things this past year, and there is photographic evidence to support these claims if anyone should try to dispute them. She has been seen in the back yard in her bathrobe photographing flowers in the snow, sitting in a ditch next to the road in a national park photographing flowers, standing on the edge of a cliff photographing flowers, and at the edge of a fast moving stream that could easily carry her over a waterfall, photographing flowers. The Old Guy was also able to take some pictures of the Princess taking pictures of flowers. Really, you should see some of those pictures.

Not nearly so entertaining, the Old Guy in this house continues to be unemployed and not looking for work. He was able to do a little landscaping around the house this year, built a few walls around the patio, camped for over 100 days, and walked the wonder dog most every morning, rain or shine. He is most excited about a new purchase that might keep him a little closer to home this next year. After bending to the Princess's urging, he bought a Jet Sled to run the rivers and fish. He told me it was her idea after he mentioned to her he would be home more often if he had a boat. Do you think he was working an angle? I know he is no angel, but she is very shrewd. Surely she wasn't taken in by such a lame excuse.

Zeek the wonder dog, I could go on and on but it is so hard to type without thumbs.

Glimpses of the future you ask, where are those. Well this year has seen a lot of evenings that found LeAnn and Will at home without boys. They traveled far and alone just the two of them (well, I was sleeping in the back seat) for three weeks in July. While pulling the 5th wheel up I-70 in Colorado they were able to avoid a retread in the road, followed by a hay bale, then drive over 500 miles late into the evening because the Old Guy was too cheap to pay $70 for a camp site and the Princess couldn't take another day of 110 degree weather. They were able to enjoy the company of friends and relatives and plan the next big trip to Canada in the summer of 2011. Most of all, they get along so well and seem to genuinely like each other. I think there will be some pretty cool things in store for them if they will just continue to feed me on time and stop stepping on me when they go out the back door in a hurry.

All of us hope this next year will be kind to you. We know the last year has sure been kind to us. Some times when I am laying in the sun watching the Old Guy, I know he must be thinking just how lucky he is to have so many blessings. I know when they pray they talk about it to Jesus and I am convinced they are living examples of the grace of God. Of course it helps to have such a great dog.

So here's hoping your holidays and the year ahead are filled with days that are merry and bright!

Love, Will, LeAnn and family

Family Treasures

Yesterday my siblings/spouses gathered at my parents' house in Brownsville to divide some of the treasures from our dearly departed father and mother. It was a good day of reminiscing and laughing. Little brother Doug scored big with a derby hat of Dad's. Nice hat but I'm not so sure about the attitude! 

 There was a box of dishes from our mother that had been boxed up for many years. I think she got these after her mother died, and it seems like I recall her saying something about at least one of them coming from a great aunt. If any of my Oswald relatives know, I'd love to hear it. I am now the proud owner of one of these beauties.

 Some interesting items included an original Bill of Sale for an auction my dad held in 1963, when he had a $3000 loan from the bank and the crops failed. He had to sell all his farm equipment to pay the loan. There were also some war ration booklets. I got one issued May 6, 1942 to Stanley John Troyer, my dad. It lists that he was 14 years old, 5 ft. 3 in, 117 lbs., blue eyes, light hair. It was signed for by his father, John R. Troyer. Pretty cool!

We also looked at the scrapbook of cards received after my mom's passing in 1973, when I was in 8th grade at Tennessee Elementary School. There was a card signed by everyone in my class and my teacher. It even had a Bible verse! There were also cards from Hope and Doug's classes there, signed by all their classmates. (No Bible verses though!)  Looking them over made me vow to be sure and write personal comments about the deceased person on cards I send. A neighbor had written, "You mother was a true Christian and she made a difference in my life." Others mentioned how inspirational her faith and courage were.

We also had fun looking at the yearbooks for the Christian school (Elliott Prairie) we attended when we first moved to Oregon. One year it actually listed the height and weight of all the 8th graders, male and female! A 5'2", 95 pound 8th grade girl's ambition was "to gain weight"! Fortunately, I wasn't in 8th grade that year!  A school calendar for October 13, 1972 said, "The Troyers left us." That's when we moved from Woodburn to Lebanon.

Lots of memories, but the best ones continue on with the unconditional love and acceptance we share with each other. We are truly blessed.

Christmas Bike

Yesterday morning, a tiny middle school boy signed in a few minutes late to school. Again. He walks to school every day, and he said, "If only I had a bike,  I know I could get here on time." The attendance secretary (Cindy) talked to him a little, asking if there was any chance he might get one for Christmas. He was sure his mom couldn't afford it.

Knowing the family was very needy, Cindy asked if I thought it would be ok if she would put out an email to our staff letting them know we had a student who would love to have a bike. I thought it was a great idea. After she cleared it with our principal, she put out a short email. Less than 10 minutes later, a teacher was down at the office saying she and her husband would buy him a bike. Cindy called the mom to make sure it was ok and found out he already has a helmet. Other staff volunteered also, but only one bike was needed!

This morning, the wonderful teacher wheeled a brand new shiny bike up to the office, and included a good bike lock. When the boy came in this morning, it was so much fun to watch as Cindy took him to the bike and told him it was his! Our principal was also there to share in this event.  I wish the teacher could have presented it to him, but she wants to be anonymous. This boy was SO excited! I took a picture which I will email to our staff with tomorrow's announcements.

His mother dropped off his helmet, and when he came to get the bike and ride it home after school, it was a joy to watch!

I appreciate our staff so much. They are consistently generous in helping students and each other, both with physical needs and with nurturing and caring. I feel so fortunate to be part of this group, and they inspire me to give more of myself and my blessings all year around.

Birthday Treats

I turned 52 yesterday. I got to sleep in on a Sunday morning, because I went to the children's musical at church Saturday night. I did some leisurely shopping.

 Craig cooked a fantastic dinner - Lasagna Florentine, Lobster Tail with garlic butter, french bread, salad. Nick frosted an angel food cake, my favorite.

The boys helped me decorate the tree, and we laughed at their handmade ornaments from their childhood and remembered Grandma Jean and Grandma McAnulty who gave them ornaments when they were little. Will got me a beautiful necklace and earrings in my birthstone (blue topaz).

This one was slightly painful. I'm all for hugs, but I asked for another one, just standing there.

It still surprises me sometimes that my "baby" ended up being the tallest.

Eventually all the family festivities were over and it was just Will and I relaxing in front of the TV, watching Animal Planet. Suddenly Will said, "Hey, that's Nick!" And sure enough, a commercial for Coastal Farm was on. There was Nick, sitting on a saddle (not a horse, just a saddle!), wearing a plaid flannel shirt and smiling like he was having a great time, surrounded by friends who put a Santa hat on his curly head. It only lasted about 10 seconds. Lucky for us, DVR allows you to record something you already watched. So we rewound it a few times to check it out. It was an outstanding birthday treat for me! Possibly more fun for us than for Nick!

A few weeks ago he was asked to go to Eugene for a day of filming commercials with some other employees. (He works in the corporate office doing IT stuff.) I'm told they needed a big guy to wear some Carhartt clothing. He brought us a dvd with all the commercials today. They are short, moving right along, and he's in the beginning of most of them. They are only on this week, on KATU, KPTV, Comcast Cable, KEZI, KVAL, CNN, ESPN, TNT, GHTV, Animal Planet, Weather Channel, and CMT.  Ads should play on Good Day Oregon, KEZI and KVAL evening news, and Monday Night Football.

So if you're watching TV and you hear the Coastal Farm jingle and you see a smiling face that looks just like Nick, believe it. It really is him!

(Sorry Nick. But you really shouldn't be embarrassed. You look good! I almost want to go buy some Carhartt. And I'm really glad you didn't dance around shaking your booty like the girls did! In fact, I'm glad you didn't have to dance around at all!)

I don't mind birthdays and getting older at all. People are more likely to do what I want, just for the day!  And every year I get to live is a blessing and a bonus. And the amount of wisdom I am attaining is just astounding. Hopefully I will start to accrue some modesty one of these years as well!

Saturday Spill

This morning I was relegated to the back seat when Nick took the wheel of my Camry to drive us up to Hillsboro to watch Santiam Christian play for the state championship. (My nephew Duane is on the team.) I hadn't realized how small the cupholders are in the back seat. I thought my full cup of coffee was stabilized as I got myself and my belongings settled in the back seat, but as we went around the first corner, the cup slid sideways and coffee went everywhere, including my lap. Somewhat grudgingly the men in the front seat agreed to turn around and came back home so I could run in and grab some rags to clean it up.

I got the spill mopped up as best I could (while holding the coffee cup between my knees). I was determined to have my coffee and finally reached the point where I could take a nice big sip. Just then Nick said something that cracked me up.  I momentarily lost control of my face, and coffee spewed out of my mouth everywhere! Nick's right shoulder and Will's left shoulder were generously splattered. The stereo on the dashboard and the mirror even got hit! And of course, my own clothing received some as well. Another mess to clean up! Good thing I had plenty of rags to clean up with!

I think I heard Nick say something about never going anywhere with me again. After we got done laughing, he refused to speak again until making sure my coffee cup was empty so I couldn't repeat the performance. I get no respect.

Later I asked Nick if he had ever done an inadvertent liquid laugh spew. He said no, but he has caused other people to do it numerous times! So see, it really wasn't my fault!!

We were very sad that SC lost, but it is always exciting to hear the announcer say that Duane Troyer made a tackle! Duane and his teammates worked very hard and had a fantastic season. And even better, Duane has grown up to be an all around wonderful person and role model who we all love and are very proud of!

Way to go, Duane! Looking forward to watching him perform in SC's play in March! This boy is talented in so many ways!

The Food Critic: Fresh Steelhead

It was my lucky day. After school, a teacher asked me if I had dinner plans. I did not. She asked if I would like some fresh steelhead fillets. Her husband, a fishing guide, had brought some in. His clients did not want the steelhead they had caught! I immediately texted Craig the good news. He was not working tonight, and I think he was excited about cooking them. He texted me back, "I'm gonna do something awesome with it.  I could cry tears of joy right now!" Yep, pretty sure he was excited.

When I brought the fish home, he had a plan. He would prepare Steelhead en Papillote (in Parchment). He started by cutting a piece of parchment in a heart shape. He placed finely diced shallots on one side and poured a bit of white wine over them.

 Next came the fish fillet. I believe he seasoned it with salt, garlic powder and a little fresh rosemary, then topped it with a little splash of white wine.

 Then he folded the other half over and pinch-pleated it neatly together,  anchoring it closed with a couple of toothpicks.

 The packets were placed in the oven to bake until they reached the appropriate temperature, which was determined by a digital thermometer. While they baked, he prepared a Beurre Blanc Sauce (translated White Wine Butter Sauce). This is a mixture of shallots, vinegar, white wine and butter. It was beautiful to behold...but the fish took a little longer than expected to bake, so the sauce broke and lost it's beautiful white appearance. It remained quite delicious, however. Here are the packets out of the oven.

The finished dinner: a little Buerre Blanc Sauce drizzled over the steelhead, rice cooked with a bit of fresh rosemary, sauteed green beans with garlic. The steelhead was moist and seasoned beautifully. It was the kind of meal you want to make last as long as possible. (Also one where you really don't want to even try to calculate the Weight Watcher points!) This was my plate. The men's plates contained larger portions of everything!

When the fish came out of the oven smelling fantastic, in his usual modest quiet way Craig said, "I believe this is going to be a poetic experience for us!"  I'll be glad to experience that kind of poetry any day!

I had never heard of Fish en Papillote or Buerre Blanc Sauce before, but I look forward to experiencing it again....especially if Will ever gets that boat he keeps talking about!