My Grandma's Homemade Devil Dogs!!!

At work a couple of weeks ago, we decided to have a pot luck for the 1st day of Spring!! I signed up for making Devil Dogs. I had a couple of people come up to me and ask what a Devil Dog is? One person even thought it was some sort of hot dog....

So, on Friday I brought in a whole tray (double recipe). I didn't even make it through the front door before people were eating them. They were a big hit!! It was only the second time I made the recipe, so I am happy that they came out good and that everyone liked them. Thanks Gram for a great tradition!!

I can't even title this post....

To say that she was the world's best Grandma doesn't describe it....

I knew when I was blogging about my Grandpa that I was going to be doing another post very shortly for my Grandma, I hoped that it wouldn't happen that way, but I knew in my heart it would. The day my Grandpa passed away, I was at work when I got the call, my co-workers asked me what was wrong and I shared the news with them. I immediately said, "If my Grandmother lasts a week, I'll be shocked." Well, 9 days later, she went to join her husband and I am happy for her and sad for me all at the same time. Every moment of those 9 days, I wanted to call her up and beg her not to go, to tell her that I still have so much more to learn from her, but I knew it would not be fair, I knew she would teach me my final lesson very shortly. When you believe you should be with someone, than always be with them, no matter where they lead you nor how painful or hard it may be at times....

My grandmother was an amazing woman and I have so many cherished memories of her. Even though she is gone, she will always be with me because I feel that I am very similar to her in many ways.

Growing up, I have such fond memories of spending the week at "Camp Grandma". My cousins and I would all spend a week at the cottage and make too much noise for Grandpa, but just the right amount for Grandma! One year when I was 6 or 7, I showed up later in the evening when all my cousins were already in their PJ's and watching a movie with some popcorn. Grandma urged me to quickly get my PJ's on, so I could sit with my cousins and eat the popcorn before it was all gone.

I remember my Grandma taking me swimming at the little beach after dark, when the water was still "bath water" warm and the fish lit up the water. She was always the tannest grandma around! One time me and a couple of cousins (Kathryn, I think) went down to Florida for a school break - Grandma took us all to Vero Beach for the day and we all got "sun-burned", well, we thought it was sunburn until my grandma discovered that her skin was red also....it was immediately decided that we did not have sunburn, we all had "Wind-burn" because our grandma did NOT GET sunburn.

At Latimer point, I was always in such awe of my grandmother when it was time to sell tickets for the Annual Latimer Point picnic, she was the one who sold the tickets and collected all the cash, growing up I though it was the best job in the world!! She was so important and everyone wanted to talk to her and ask her advice on things. She would always introduce me to however she was talking to, I always thought that was neat - especially when I was a little kid. One year, she got us the 1st tickets, #1! It was pretty cool!

When I was old enough to drive, I would spend as much time as possible at Latimer Point, even though I worked all summer, I was determined to spend time with my grandparents. On nights when I could get off by 9pm, I would drive over and spend the night with them, sometimes I would do this for weeks on end. Grandma would always wait up for me, just to make sure that I made it home safe. She would always take such good care of us at the beach, there was always a huge basket of sunscreen, a fridge full of snacks and a host of bikes to ride. I would remember about 5pm in the evening she would start the appetizers, it was typically cheese, crackers and all sorts of good snacking food!!

While in college, I would try and take the train down a couple times a summer, just to spend the weekend or the day with the them. She was always so happy to see me!

After college, I decided to move to San Diego, everyone else thought I would be back soon, but I knew that I would not. Saying goodbye to my grandma was the hardest thing. I remember the day like it was yesterday, I said goodbye to my family and my grandma was the last person for me to say goodbye to, I turned to her and just completely broke down crying. She took my into her arms and whispered some grandmotherly words of encouragement. I almost decided not to move, just because I didn't want to leave her.

The first time I brought Ryan back to Latimer Point, I told him on the plane ride - "just wait until you get to my grandma's house, she always has some excellent baked goods". After a long flight we arrived and much to my horror there were not any baked goods. Ryan and I were hungry so we started nosing around looking for something to eat and that is when Grandma made us corn muffins- nothing special, just the corn muffins out of the Jiffy Box. Ryan turned to me and said "these are the best corn muffins I have ever had!" And you know what? They were!

My Grandmother was a kindergarten teacher for many years. I remember one time, I was about 4 or 5 and I spent the day in Mrs. Meehan's class. She was so happy to be there with her class and I was so happy and proud to tell everyone that Mrs. Meehan is my grandmother.

Even with such a large family, she never missed a birthday, anniversary, Valentine's day, St. Patricks day or Easter card. More often that not, the cards were filled with confetti!! She always bought us Victoria's Secret PJ's for Christmas. Instead of stockings she would fill up these giant gift bags with candy, pens, post it notes (I still have a couple of them left) and all sorts of other trinkets that we could not live without. She would always sent me my annual Latimer Point paraphernalia consisting of hats and T-Shirts.

Before my grandparents retired to Florida there was always a HUGE celebration at Occum Lane for Thanksgivings with all the traditional fixings. That day was always one of the happiest all year for me, perhaps that is why I have ALWAYS cooked a huge, traditional Thanksgiving dinner every since I was 21.

I am going to miss the matching outfits that she would purchase for all the great grand kids, her excitement when I would visit her and she would get to show off something new that she found or purchased, her words of wisdom that she would give me when I was having a rough time, the nice chats that we would have on the phone when she would fill me in on all the family gossip and the love and strong sense of family that she instilled in me. Gram - I hope that I can be at least 1/4 of the woman that you are. I love you and miss you so much already!

Paris Hilton Move Over!

Just messing around with camera

Quad City

Two Jokers Hamming it up on the Quad Montage!

More Family (Canady) photos from around the holidays

Some more family photos of the Canady's from the holidays, just wanted to share

Tyler and Liam in the requisite "same sweater that we got for Christmas" photo (mom trying to corral them for the photo)


Hmm, trying to remember exactly what was going on here, but just looks like typical brother stuff, Tyler beating up his younger brother.


Ahh, these kids look sooooo HAPPPYYYY!

4 generations on my mothers side! L-R : Liam, Julie, Ryan, Barbara (Great Grandma), Jim (Papa), and Linda (Nana)

New Camping Trailer

Late last year we sold our small pop up trailer and bought something a little bigger and a little bit nicer. Anyhow since my dear mother-in- law requested pictures here they are. There should soon be some pics from our inaugural trip to Seal Rock up pretty soon.

Here is the trailer:

This is the back where the two bunkbeds and bathroom are at. There is a shower/tub, sink and toilet.

Galley area with Fridge, freezer, and pantries. Microwave and Oven. The back door is to the bathroom

The dinette and sofa, both of which convert to twin beds. The dinette is on a slideout.

Front bedroom which has a queen bed and a couple of small closets.

In Honor Jim Meehan

"Fair winds and following sea's"

Ryan

The World's Best Grandpa

The world lost a great man on Monday and I am very sad, but at the same time I am very happy for what a great life he lead and the legacy that he left behind. Here are a few highlights!

Jim Meehan (not James!)

Husband to Mary Meehan for over 65 years.
Father to 7 children
Grandfather to 15
Great grandfather to 18
and trusted friend to many more!

My grandfather served on Submarines in World War II. He was stationed in Pearl Harbor before the US entered the war and luckily he was moved to sub duty before Pearl Harbor was bombed. His sub the Guardfish made it back to Pearl Harbor some months after the attack. After a short stop, they then unleashed fury in the Pacific! Even having a write up in Time magazine with some amazing photos (that I am still trying to get my hands on!) If you were able to get my Grandfather talking about the war, he would sometimes tell stories of when the sub was under attack and they thought they were never coming home.

Few people know that my Grandfather was also a civilian on the maiden voyage of the USS Nautilus, the first Nuclear powered submarine. My grandfather made a living building submarines and supported a large and loving family with that career.

He was also an avid golfer! One year on opening day of a Connecticut golf course, he put his ball on the Tee, swung and nailed a hole in one! It doesn't get much better than that.

Grandpa showed us how to crab and clam at the Latimer Point. He would take us out fishing on the Kelly Girl and skiing and kneeboarding in the Brown Betty.

During the winter, when he and Grandma were down in Florida, we would always get huge boxes filled with Oranges and Grapefruit. Grandpa would always tease and say that he went out and picked them himself!

Grandpa always had his secret stash of snickers and Breyers ice cream in the freezer. Everyone knew just where to look for his "secret stash"

He even was a Christmas Tree cutter - one year he let Mike and I cut a Christmas Tree down from the Uncasville home and he put it in the back of his Mazda truck and didn't tie it down, so it ended up in the middle of 395!! Somehow he got the tree back in the truck and safely installed in the tree stand at our house!

The best part of having such a wonderful Grandfather is his well placed birthday! Every year in August, my family celebrated "National Lobster Day" where my Grandmother would buy a literal ton of Lobsters and we would feast the entire day. I am so happy that Ryan and I were able to bring the kids to experience Lobster Day last year. Of course it was Grandpa's 85th Birthday and it was the best one!

I have so many wonderful memories of my Grandfather and he has had a huge influence on who I am today. I just wanted to share a little piece of him with all of you.


Grandpa at Lobster Day! Happy 85th Birthday!

Grandma and Grandpa on their wedding day!

50th Anniversary Photo
50th Anniversary photo with their children.

60th Anniversary Photo (notice what they are wearing!)

Grandma and Grandpa created the greatest place on earth - yes, even better than Disneyland! They created Latimer Point and it was the place that always made everyone the happiest!

Multnomah Falls

The day after Christmas, we decided to go for a drive! The city and the highway's were pretty much shut down during the snow storm and this was one of the first days that all the roads were open and passable. So we took the drive out I-84 towards the Gorge and after 15 miles of clean, dry pavemant we were suddenly in 4 inches of hard slush. It made for a white-knuckle 5 mile drive. It was pretty crazy to be going 65 miles an hour on the highway and then looking off to the side and wondering why everyone is pulled over. Then you suddenly realize, the highway has not been plowed! I have NEVER seen anything like it before. But the trip was well worth it, the falls were beautiful, it is very rare that they freeze over like this.

Christmas 2008!!

Santa was very good to the boys this year, there were all sorts of presents. The big presents were the Lego's this year. Liam and Tyler really like the dinosaur legos!!



Here is Tyler's big present from Santa - Santa was very lucky to be able to find this for him!!!