Easter in Connecticut Part 2

Back in the day, Easter was a very big deal. Everyone always got new clothes; crinoline, gloves, patent leather, maryjanes, bow ties and suits. Boys became young men and girls became ladies. Church was first and then off we'd go to our grandfather's house, Poppa Henry (yes that is who Uncle Henry was named after and now we call him Pop, or King Henry). Poppa Henry lived in Springfield Gardens, Queens. Once there we'd play in the basement and harass his growling dog Rusty. Finally, it would be time for the Easter egg hunt and out we'd all go (about 12 or more of us) to scamper around his small backyard looking for eggs.

We'd run up and down his narrow, one car driveway and around the house until we were just chasing each other and laughing. Eventually, Poppa Henry would bring Rusty from the basement and tie him in back of the yard, where we'd taunt him and he'd continue to growl and bark at us. We always worked him into such frenzy that we'd go running back into the house for fear that he would break his chain. It was nice having so much family to play with. Easter in Conneticut reminds me that it still is.

-Robne

Easter in Connecticut Part 1

This past weekend family and friends gathered at Uncle Spencer & Aunt Barbara's house for the annual Easter Day celebration. Good food and fun activities were the order of the day, with Tre and CJ leading the way (hey, that rhymed, lol)! Check back tomorrow for more pics and an interestng Easter story from Godmother.

King of Comedy

Chappelle may have moved on from Comedy Central, but my days have just begun. It's not as fun as drinking Alize in the middle of the day like the good ole days of Def Jam, but I do get to watch endless streams of South Park. Between my latest gig, Karmels new business (see side of page), and Ky's upcoming art show this family is looking to make major moves this year!!!

Welcome to Whiteville, North Carolina

This past weekend everybody and they mama rolled down to North Carolina to celebrate the 90th birthday of Aunt Genny. Besides eating some of that good ole fashioned southern cooking, relatives from across the U.S gathered to share stories and pay respect to one of our beloved aunts. And from the looks of things, I hope I look just as good when I hit the big 9.0 :)

The Youngins are taking over!

It seems as though the "powers that be" are almost ready to pass the torch and I must say I'm a little bit nervous. Am I really ready to wake up at 5:30 in the morning to clean benches and organize tables for the family picnic? Who's going to spearhead the egg toss? Can the four of us (me, Ken, Ky and Marlana) live up to the standards of the Senior Associates (hey, if we're junior, ya'll have got to be senior right:) I guess we'll soon find out.

Cool, Calm, Chris

Happy birthday brother!!! Your silky curls may have gotten longer but your coolness hasn't changed a bit. I remember buggin mom for a little brother and although you arrived 10 years after the fact, I wouldn't have it any other way. We've shared many special memories (from the sneeze fits to the magic traffic lights, lol) and I'm proud to be your big bro.

-Ant

Baby love

Over the weekend, family and friends gathered at the swanky Garden City hotel to celebrate the pending arrival of my niece, Noelle. As the bubbly flowed (mostly from my mothers glass, lol) I could tell that my sister felt the love and support of her family, and that meant a lot to me. So, I just wanted to say thank you for all those who came out, and check the blog for a few pics of the momentous occasion.

The Life of my Art

Living the real life of my art I continue to interpret what I feel and see through arylic, water colors, and spray paint... I will continue to articulate life on whatever I can find to hold that medium on until I seperate from Earth.

I will be having an Art Exhibit coming this Summer/Fall 2008

-Ky

Let's make sure we support this brother and his talents when his art exhibit debuts later this year! And stay logged on to see more of Ky's work.

Five Generations

In celebration of the birth of yet another method of communication within this progressive and savvy family, I would like to honor the Matraich and "root" of my particular branch and acknowledge that we are FIVE generations deep!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And while some could dwell on the negative aspect of just how I could be the grandma that still has her grandma, I would like to focus on the blessing of having my grandma, my daddy (mom & stepmom), my daughter (& son), and my grandson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHOE

new word of the day AHOE pronounced ahhhoe (native american) meaning we all understand, we are all in agreement.
AHOE

-Marlana

Show me the Money

The "Jr. Associates" (are we really calling ourselves that???, lol) are planning a trip to Atlantic City to get our gamble on. Kendra is spearheading this event and she's currently working out all the details. If you wanna try your luck in the city that never sleeps stay logged on to this blog, and I'll post all the info once it's becomes final.

Rocafella ya'll!

She may not be Jay-Z but she sure can throw down in the kitchen. Check out Melody's recipe for ALMOND ROCA CANDY (ROCA-FELLAS).

Allow me to share a delicious simple chocolate recipe that even the kids can make and enjoy. Mmmm, they literally melt in your mouth!

ALMOND ROCA CANDY (ROCA-FELLAS)
1 c. almonds, chopped

1 c. butter

1 c. sugar

1/3 c. brown sugar

2 tbsp. water

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 c. chocolate chips

Butter a 9x13 inch pan; sprinkle with 1/2 cup nuts. Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Add sugar, brown sugar, and water; mix well. Stir constantly until boiling. Cook to hard crack stage, 290 degrees. Stir constantly to prevent burning.

Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. Pour over almonds in pan. Cool 5 minutes. Sprinkle chocolate chips over toffee. Spread with spatula as chips soften. Sprinkle remaining nuts over top and chill. Break into pieces when cool.

Enjoy!

-Melody

Back down Memory Lane

As family members gear up for a road trip to North Carolina (it's Aunt Genny's 90th birthday party), Godmother takes us down memory lane with this St. Stephen's throwback.

One hot summer day in 1968 St. Stephen's, South Carolina my brother Melvin and I were spending time roaming around Grand Daddy's cotton and corn fields when we happened upon a baby turkey.  We ran it down and tied it up as though it were a dog, pulling it around. Suddenly out of nowhere came a herd of turkey's.  They started chasing us because we had tied up one of the babies.  We dropped the tied turkey and ran like hell for the barn, which was raised and where they couldn't get to us.   After awhile they did go away, leaving us laying in a hay bed and waiting for rescue from the barn. 
 
We had lots of similar fun that summer before high school would begin.
 
-Robne

Look out for more insight and a few pics when Godmother & Co return from North Cakalaky.

Ahh, the good life

Being a Peterson is a lot like being the President. Your inner circle is rife with pundits and know-it-alls, arguing over power and  shady finance deals (be it Rezko or Monopoly). The Peterson tree has many branches and reaches across many states but they all share one thing. Personality. Boat loads of loud, intoxicating personality coupled with impeccable comedic timing. With our family growing faster than google stock, the youngin's (and their dreaded rap music!) are ushering in a new regime. They're in college attending rallies. They're in the board room letting important calls go straight to voice mail. But even they realize the importance of "the Associates" (also known as The Alberta 9, long story) and the importance of wisdom that comes with age. So, what does all this mean? Who knows, but just know that what ever happens, you'll be able to hear and see it all on this blog. As your narrator I will introduce you to many family members, who will chime in from time to time as a guest blogger. We'll give you a behind the scenes look at our daily doings, and when it's all said and done you might just learn something.

Speaking of brain function, let's begin with a simple word of the week. This weeks word is:

pari passu \PAIR-ee-PASS-oo; PAIR-ih-PASS-oo\, adverb:
At an equal pace or rate.

Expand the state and its destructive capacity necessarily expands too, pari passu.