Back from Butternut Center
“…What are you looking for?”
“Presents. Five of them.” She explained, talking very fast, that no Ray ever came home from a visit without bringing presents. “It’s an old family custom,” she said.
“Hallelujah!” he exclaimed, shutting the book. “That’ll be fun, picking out five presents. I hope you have a brother. There’s a corking jack-knife here.”
—from Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace
Our “Betsy” came home from her trip yesterday with presents for everyone, in the grand Ray tradition. We tried to keep up our end of the tradition with a massive housecleaning, but I’m afraid I did not go so far as to scour the metaphorical coal scuttle. Jane’s equivalent of Willard’s Emporium was L.A.’s Little Tokyo: sky-blue chopsticks for Rose, stuffed Mario Kart mushrooms for Bean and the boys, and a pink piggy bank for Rilla. For her daddy, a Totoro keychain and a pack of Black Jack gum. And a bag of dark chocolates for me! That’s my girl.
Plus homemade cookies all around. Customized chocolate-chip cookies—extra dark chocolate in mine. I may have to send all my kids up to Kristen for cookery lessons. I hear Jane got a tutorial in baked tomato sauce. I look forward to sampling her homework.
And yes, I am giggling over equating L.A. with sleepy, one-horse Butternut Center. Then again, San Diego ain’t Deep Valley!
(Just ask Larry Humphreys.)
Lisa says:
Haven’t thought of Black Jack gum in years…..
On February 22, 2010 at 10:19 am
Teri says:
Chocolates are a much better choice than a butter dish. Or cheese, for that matter.
On February 22, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Carlie says:
Score one for Jane! Sounds like her foray was a resounding success!
On February 22, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Alice Gunther says:
Welcome home, beautiful!
On February 22, 2010 at 8:30 pm
sarah says:
Your darling girl is home AND there is chocolate involved. What a perfect day for you!
On February 22, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Melissa Wiley says:
“Chocolates are a much better choice than a butter dish.”
True, though it occurs to me I could really use a new butter dish. I broke the lid of the old one. Back to Butternut Center, Betsy!
(I am really glad she went for the chocolate.)
(I also forgot to mention my way cool Hello Kitty reusable grocery bag. I shall be sporting it at Henry’s tomorrow.)
On February 23, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Sheila says:
A Totoro keychain? I swoon with envy.
On February 23, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Heather Leiws says:
Amazingly cute! I love it when the fam cracks me up. Isn’t that why we have children?
On February 27, 2010 at 6:10 am
Abbie Hunt says:
I like the Mario Kart game because it is more challenging as you get to the next level..,`
On May 12, 2010 at 9:17 am