The Turn Over of the O'Brien Wall of Fame

Before we remodeled our kitchen 5 years ago, we updated it probably 20 years ago.  That's when the O'Brien Wall of Fame was born.

On one wall, which still exists, we mounted a combination white board/bulletin board.  Currently the white board is covered with magnets from places we have traveled.  The grandchildren love them and I usually find them scattered all over the house after a visit.  There are a few pieces of grandchild artwork, a couple notices, some coupons we've purchased from local schoolkids that we will never use.  Previously the white board sported phone numbers, messages from family members to each other, important dates or events to remember.  I kinda miss those days, although with the way Dan and my memories are operating, we may need to revert to that usage soon.

For as long as I can remember, the bulletin board has been full of photos.  Some are from recent events, but that's diminished since we so seldom print out any photos.  Everything is archived on our computers and phones and IPads.  Now, as in the past, the predominance of photos come with the Christmas cards we receive.

The rule is pretty simple: if you send us a photo Christmas card--or a photo in your card--you will end up on the O'Brien Wall of Fame.

I believe one of Molly's friends christened it the O'Brien Wall of Fame.  The name has stuck.

Today, I want to share with you the process comprising the yearly Turn Over of the O'Brien Wall of Fame.  (It's still a gazillion degrees below zero with a gazillion degree below wind chill and it's been this way for over 3 weeks so this seemed like a good topic to write about from the comfort of my home today.)

It actually begins with the receipt of the card.  Said card goes into a Christmas theme decorated basket, where it stays for the season.  When the kids come over, I see them going through the basket and reading the cards :)

After all the decorations have been stashed until next November, I spend some quiet moments with the cards and Christmas letters, making notes of any new email or home addresses, phone numbers, etc.  This part of the process used to be a lot easier before the expansion of photo cards, in particular photo cards with multiple photos.  If someone sent a basic 4x6 photo, that went on the Wall of Fame.  Now I trim the photo from the rest of the card.  If there are multiple photos, I focus on the family photo in order to get everyone up on the wall.

Next step: the take down.

These pictures have a permanent place on the Wall for a couple different reasons.  The upper left is my cousin and her husband in Germany with their niece and nephew and their baby.  My cousin's husband has REALLY been enjoying Oktoberfest and I just love the expression on his face.  Also, there's a baby with a stein of beer in front of him.  Who doesn't love babies and beer?  Below that photo is the image of my aunt in an exquisite dress that mirrored that Barbie doll black sequined dress.  She was a beautiful woman, inside and out.  Then there are photos of my husband, his sister and brother-in law; one of my mother-in-law and husband; one of the O'Smithsky adults giving the camera the finger; my maternal great aunts with my Babcia (grandmother); my mother-in-law in her chair at her home along with her beloved poodle, Charles.  In the corner is a picture of my mom at her final Thanksgiving celebration.  Returning to the left, there's the best dog in the world, Emmitt Franklin James O'Brien, next to my friend of over 50 years, Janet Miller who you may occasionally see on Chicago PD, Chicago Fire or Empire.  Then the woman who made my life living away from family possible, our child care provider and her husband; Jeanie and Bill Smith--while they both look great, I think Bill is particularly dapper in his tuxedo.  Next the Boys of Key West sitting at the best table in the best bar; underneath the final family photo of the Smiths.  

All the other photos are taken down.  Some go back up because I still like them.  Most, unfortunately, go into the recycle.  The board then looks like this:

Oops, forgot to mention.  There's a photo of the cousins at Disney World, lined up in age order.  The grandkids love looking at this one, too.

Next, I pull out the saved photos from the 2017 cards and organize them by shape, to wit:

It takes a little bit to thumbtack them all up, and once done it looks like this:

Et voila!  I pass the Wall of Fame multiple times a day and I honestly can say looking at it always makes me feel as if I am surrounded by those who I care about and who care about me.

Cooking:

This is a NY Times recipe that I'm cooking for dinner tonight.

Salmon Roasted in Butter (because everything's better with butter)

1/2 stick butter

4 T minced chervil, parsley or dill

1 salmon fillet, 1/12 - 2 lbs.

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Place the butter and half the herb in a roasting pan just large enough to fit the salmon and place it in the oven. Heat about 5 minutes, until the butter melts and the herb begins to sizzle.

2. Add the salmon to the pan, skin side up. Roast 4 minutes. Remove from the oven, then peel the skin off. (If the skin does not lift right off, cook 2 minutes longer.) Sprinkle with salt and pepper and turn the fillet over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper again.

3. Roast 3 to 5 minutes more, depending on the thickness of the fillet and the degree of doneness you prefer. Cut into serving portions, spoon a little of the butter over each and garnish with the remaining herb. Serve with lemon wedges.