A visit to a castle, crafts, cookies, crab soup, and other highlights (7 Quick Takes)

~1~

Some time ago, one of the mysterious social media algorithms fed me a promotion for a craft bazaar at the Cloisters in Baltimore. I thought immediately of my friend Jaime, whose artistic creations seemed perfect for that setting, and I sent her the post.

I forgot about it until Jaime posted a photo from the Cloisters and announced she was here this weekend. I wasn’t sure I could fit a craft show visit into our very busy April weekend, but I managed to get through enough of my work to sneak over to the castle. I did feel a little like Cinderella getting her cleaning done so she could go to the ball.

~2~

Jaime and I have known each other since we were kindergarteners at St. Pius X so many years ago.

But when we get together now, it’s to support each other in our creative endeavors—and catch up on life, of course. This time I also had the chance to see her husband and meet her twins. One day we will get out to lunch for sushi and chatting and imagining the next creative undertaking.

There is nothing like hanging out in a castle.

~3~

Our niece turns 20 today! I remember so well the day she was born because she was my very first niece or nephew. Being an aunt has brought me so much joy, and watching your nieces and nephews grow is such a gift.

What do you give a 20-year-old who is completing her sophomore year in college? I sent her rat socks, cotton candy-flavored popcorn, and a pair of Tyrannosaurus Rex earrings.

~4~

Speaking of gifts, my friend Katie stopped by this week with an extraordinary Confirmation gift for our older son.

She also brought a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies, which also had red M&Ms in them in honor of the liturgical color representing the Holy Spirit.

Less than 24 hours later, I sent her a photo of the plate with one cookie left. We do love Katie’s homemade cookies.

~5~

Two weeks into baseball season, I still haven’t made it to one of our son’s rec league baseball games because his wonderful father has been taking him. This weekend I did take him for his official baseball photos. I have many photos of our son, and we will have many more by the end of the season. Baseball photos are so much fun.

I saw one of my mom friends while we were waiting, and she asked me what I do with all the photos that are taken through school and baseball and such. I said I put them on my dresser where they collect dust and then eventually I tuck them away. But I know we will always be happy to have them. I am sure of this because my sister-in-law would love a picture of my brother in his Towson Rec Council baseball uniform, and we can’t seem to put our hands on one. So, I consider this an investment in the future.

~6~

That same brother happened to be in town for work meetings this week, and we had the chance to go out to dinner with him. It was so good to see him, and even better to get some baseball tips from him since he is a coach and an umpire himself.

We also got to introduce him to split-level soup, which is a combination of Maryland crab and cream of crab soup. It’s even better than it sounds. You’re probably heading to Google right now to find the place nearest to you that serves it. If you’re local, I strongly recommend the version at Michael’s.

The first time I had split-level soup, the waiter told me not to stir it up, but to scoop and eat it slowly, like a bowl of ice cream. I’m not sure you can eat it wrong, but I remind myself of those instructions whenever I enjoy it.

~7~

A friend sent me a note in the mail the other day. The notecard has a bird reading a book on it while sitting in a nest with eggs. I couldn’t believe how wonderful it was. Becoming a bird owner has opened up my world to all kinds of bird items I never would have owned otherwise.

Then it occurred to me that because we are only connected through an occasional note or text, this friend doesn’t even know that we have pet finches. That made it all even more marvelous.

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