(in memory of Sam’s daddy Dino–Happy Fathers’ Day from far away)
Much to our delight, my nephew Sam came to visit Sara and me this weekend. His mother, my younger sister Lynn, is in Cuba for 10 days, so Sam has a series of family, friends, and camp to keep him company.
And his stop Friday and Saturday just happened to be our home. Goodness–what a gift to us!
The boy is precious–kind, smart, creative, with not only a soul of gold, but also a spirit bright and brilliant.
Sam is eleven. He plays football, basketball, and a bit of soccer. He golfs.
But his primary passion is in the kitchen. He loves to cook, to bake, to create. I don’t imagine there are many eleven-year-old boys in Kentucky whipping up quiche in the kitchen. But Friday morning that’s just what Sam did.
So today–a journey in photographs–a quiche-cooking boy–a foodie’s young life:
Aunt Kathy holds her new-born nephew–Sammy’s first day of life:
for the love of nephew!
He’s grown a bit and is visiting Aunt Kathy again:
rock-a-bye-baby
Sam and Daddy–(Sam’s daddy died when Sam was only six.):
Sam adored his daddy!
Sam and big brother Johnny visit Santa:
seasons greetings from the nephews
Sam graduates from pre-school:
entering the land of "Big Boy"
Sam tends to under-arms:
Sammy does deodorant.
When Sammy was six, we rode together in our town’s 4th of July parade:
I pedaled and pulled. Sammy sat.
Sam’s school picture:
Our boy is growing up.
This weekend Sam and I ate dinner at the Atomic Cafe, a block from our house in downtown Lexington:
We each ate shrimp linguine.
When Sam visits, he and I almost always collaborate on an art project:
Sam adds a logo to his painted bottle of wine.
Saturday morning we visited our local farmers’ market:
Sara and Sam
Smoothie goes green at Farmers’ Market:
pedaling toward smoothie
Yet another bike invloved in Sam’s Saturday:
Riding home fom Farmers' Market
So Sam is off to camp this week, but with Daddy gone, our boy has big pants to fill, as Fathers’ Day approaches:
Sam pulls himself up, britches better than boot straps
Happy Fathers’ Day, Dino! We love you and know if you were here, you’d assure your son, that real boys do cook quiche.
But then Sam knows that already!
Kathryn M. McCullough 
Love a guy that can cook! Do you have a young chef in training there?
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I believe we do have a chef in training. He does want to go to culinary school. He’s so sweet! Thanks for reading, Lisa!
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What a cool kid! You tell Sam that if he’s ever passing through Tennessee, there’s a cooky lady who could use his help in the kitchen!
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Ah, thanks, Tori–glad you think he’s cool. I will let him know about the Tennessee gig!
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Looks like a wonderful weekend for you, Kathy, I’m happy for you. As father day approaches I thought about all the children who have lost their daddy’s and wondered how they must feel. My son was 15 when he lost his dad and although we were divorced at the time, the tragedy hit me like a ton of bricks. When father’s day came around I never asked him how he felt because I knew I would breakdown and I didn’t want to do that, so, words were left unspoken. It’s been 13 years since, maybe this year I’ll have the courage to ask.
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My sister and Sam’s dad were newly divorced when Sam’s dad died. I too wish you the courage to ask your son this year. Don’t forget it might even comfort your son to see you break down, as they will give him permission to do the same.
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Such a tragedy, Kathy. I hope I’ll have an opportunity to do it this year.
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What…are you telling me that all men don’t cook…someone has not been telling me something. 😉 Thanks for sharing these moments with your nephew.
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Ah, but the most real men DO indeed cook! Too funny, Charles!
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You are truly blessed with him. 🙂
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Ah, I think I am blessed, as well! He’s a sweet boy! Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to comment! And thanks also for subscribing! It’s been great having you today!
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Here’s hoping Sam is the next Gordon Ramsay! Only, umm…more quite. And less prone to using 4-letter words. 🙂
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(Okay, Mark, I had to ask Sara who Gordon Ramsay was.) Let’s hope Sam succeeds as a chelf, with only a little less hell in the kitchen.
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Haha– I love that deodorant photo! Sam is lucky to have such wonderful aunts.
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I know. Such a funny boy! I think that’s my favorite, as well! Thanks, my friend!
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It sounds like you and Sam have a wonderful relationship! It’s great that he likes to cook too! Glad you had fun!
Hugs,
Wendy
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Yes, I do think we have a good relationship. He is such a sweet boy, I can’t even tell you! And he cooks well too! I’m amazed, and maybe a little biased. Thanks, Wendy!
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