garlic

Mr. Right and I have this obsession with garlic. We just can't seem to get enough.

I opened a brand new garlic press as one of my Christmas gifts. It feels good just to hold it. It fits. It is heavy duty and sleek and just begging for a clove to be pressed through. Pressed so intensely that the juice of the clove drips out as well as the "meat".

One of my favoritest (yes, that is a word) people in the whole world gave it to me. That would be my dear sister in law. On the way to church Christmas eve, Mr. Right and I were listing the names of people in our lives that were really nice & sweet & kind people. Her name was in the top three category. She is the real deal. She is full of a kind gracious spirit. One of those people you wish you could hang out with all the time. Her humor is a delight and she is really sincerely a nice person. One time years ago, we wrote a cook book together. The title was "Chance made us sisters, Hearts made us friends". I am not a super tear up person, however even typing that makes me smile and get a little blurry eyed. Oh yeah, I was writing about garlic.

Back to garlic, we purchase 4-6 heads a month. We purchase a 1/2 pound container of peeled garlic a month. I use it in everything from a clove daily in our freshly made juice to the broth we give our dog daily. We roast it and smear it on bread. We make soup and use it in sauces and of course Risotto. I caramelize it with mushrooms and onions. I use it generously on our bbq "chicken" garlic pizza, with garlic white sauce, oh yum. I use it in almost all of our appetizer recipes. Okay, what would hummus be without lots and lots of garlic...just plain, just bland, just blah...... Oh my, we
use garlic powder and even garlic salt. We have purchased dehydrated garlic and used that. We (as in the ones who almost never buy gift certificates as gifts) bought a certificate and gave to son number two and sweetie to have dinner in LA at a place called "The Stinking Rose". Everything garlic! From the alcoholic drinks to the end of the meal in the ice cream.

I guess you could really sum up by saying we are indeed a garlic family. Heck, you know for sure we are having some form or another for our dinner tonight. That pizza is sounding mighty good.

So next year when you are scratching your head as to what to buy someone, just think about my marvelous new Pampered Chef heavy duty garlic press. Think just how much joy you will be spreading?

You gotta know that every time I use that press, I will of course think just how lucky I am to have it and to have the best sister in law in the whole wide world.

I feel bathed in grace because of how fortunate I am to have her in my life.
I am indeed a lucky girl.

$1,794.67

That is the sum total of the amount of coupons that I clipped, printed and redeemed in the year 2010. I do not count the amount that the store says I saved at the bottom of my receipt.

Plain and simple, $1,794.67

To me, I think it is totally worth my approximately 20 minutes a week effort.

YIPPY! I crushed my 2009 record!

I've come to realize

I've come to realize that (hold on to something) that I don't care for whipped creme in
my coffee beverages. It sort of makes me gag a little.

However, I love buying and tasting the little 4 ounce shaker containers that you
sprinkle on top of said whipped creme. (The actual wording on the little jar reads,
"shakable topping". I don't care for the "word" shakeable.) I buy mine at Cash n Carry
for about $3.00.

light bulb moment: This morning while preparing my daily morning oatmeal,
I grabbed the Toasted Coconut "shakeable" topping and sprinkled away.

Oh yeah! Love this idea.

I am a happy girl this morning.

ps. When I hit spell check the "word" shakeable came up
underlined in bright red. Another thing that made me smile!

I resolve

I have a few days to decide........

I just love New Year's Resolutions. I love making them, keeping them, thinking about them.

I love the self imposed "clean slate".

I am swirling around ideas for 2011

re-do the entire master bedroom (paint to furniture to linens to frames etc)

Practice and continue the practice in making the best ever home made English muffins. This one is a for sure.

For sure I am going to make my new celebration a big sucess...."Socktober". We are giving all kinds of socks to our kids, grandgirlie, college care packages, military care packages. We are going to donate lots and lots of socks to the poor. I love the idea of setting sock goals and surpassing them.!!!!

My mind is whirling with ideas galore. :)

wishes apparently come true

Just now, Christmas eve day at 12:40 pm......

Amongst the baking and roasting and cleaning and wrapping....

Mr. Right and I just stopped and took a break.

Apparently in our neighborhood, wishes do come true. Just now,
a HUGE fire truck drove onto our street. Then the lights started, then
three firemen jumped out.

One little boy in the neighborhood was brought out of his home and started
jumping for joy. Oh my, never saw so many grandparents magically produce
and start using cameras! :)

He got to sit in the drivers seat. All smiles, for everyone I mean, neighbors,
grandparents, parents, firemen and yes the lucky boy.

God Bless the Pierce County Fire Department. May all your stops be this
simple and happy this holiday season.

Well done, boys, well done.

Merry Christmas to all of us.

Merriment

Not all of our children will be home for this Christmas.


All of our "children" are healthy and doing well.

We have much to be thankful for.

I am wrapping the last of my gifts and making some
cookie dough to use later.

We have a very blessed and good life.

I have on a crazy fluffy lime green scarf.
It makes me happy.

I am glad that I have Mr. Right to help get through
this time of year. This year is particularly tough.

It is raining here in Washington. I love the rain.

We drove to see lights last night. With hot cocoa and
a warm latte. Life is good right now.

I am thankful.

Church tomorrow night will be calm.

not a huge Christmas fan

Who knew? Who knew that by sticking my nose in and jumping in with both feet, not only could I/we help someone......we could start to heal ourselves?

Not being a huge fan of the Christmas season, this caught me off guard.

Oh sure, there are things I love, love, love about the season....

I love that moment of rustle and energy and sound put forth when I along with
a concert hall full of people move to stand for Handel's Hallelujah chorus.

I love that first smell of evergreens in a spotlessly clean church once the
hanging of the greens is completed.

I love the look of a dark evergreen fresh tree hung only with white Chrismons.

I love the silly requests to Santa, " I want pants." funny, just funny

I love to catch a glimpse of a car load of family headed home with a fresh cut
Christmas tree tied on backwards on top of their car.

I will admit to LOVING rug lug Jewish cookies this time of year.

I love using woven loom red, white and green pot holders, handmade just for me this season. It makes me feel special and thought of.

After this weekend of giving............it sort of caught us off guard.
Things looked prettier, more sparkly, if you will. This season seemed a bit brighter.

Hey Virginia, the Christmas spirit is alive and well. I just needed to be beaned on the head with a club to remember.

I must say if feels pretty nice.

the Christmas photo

So this year, we planned on having our photograph done by the beach.
With beach grass softly blowing in the gentle wind, maybe a weathered staircase
to lean against and the gentle lapping of the waves with just a touch of
white bubbling towards to the shoreline. Outfits chosen, vacation planned,
good attitudes, good hair that chosen day...............

Mother nature decided for us.

Wild tumultuous wind mixed with pelting rain and
huge powerful waves crashing actually pounding the shore
with amazing amounts of sound greeted us each and every day.

Now, you know we love the storms. Hey, we chase them just
to watch.

So, after arriving home, we unpacked the car, walked through
our water soaked yard and posed for said Christmas picture.

The dog, just wouldn't let it go. She had to be in the picture.
We did so many takes, we both got the giggles.

So, we gave up. We chose the picture that we were both
smiling. Yup, the dog is in the picture. We quit trying for
the "perfect" shot.

We sent them to be printed last night at 8 pm. Picked them up,
taped them in the cards and mailed them this morning.

It is what it is...............life indeed moves on.

Last meal

Great news..... huge relief

Being only 48, I have discovered what I wish for my last meal on earth. Okay, don't get weird, I could die at 49 or 94...just a big relief off of my shoulders. The decision has been made.

Newport, Oregon

Local Ocean Seafood

Roasted Garlic with Fresh Dungeness Crab Soup

(did I mention the butter and cheese and cream?)

I loved the bowl and the plate. I loved the waitress. I loved the restaurant. I loved watching the chefs. I loved the smells. I loved watching the French speaking family with three messy little boys next to us. I loved my garnish of lacy fennel. I loved the garage door wall (for the summer). I loved that Mr. Right LOVED his meal. We voted the food the best non-vegetarian restaurant we have ever experienced. I loved the big tip Mr. Right left. Heck, I even love typing about the place.

By listening to our children's suggestion, just by dining there, we were bathed in Grace.

v a c a t i o n

While going over the map and locating several places we are headed out to find, a funny thought popped into my noggin. I have been saying over and over, gosh Mr. Right needs/could use a vacation. It has been long over due. He is working way too much and way too much stress has crept into his professional life. Then it struck me.............I could use/need a vacation too! I usually don't feel like I need a break. I have a pretty good life. I can create days where I don't work as much as other days....then I thought maybe it is just what I could use.

So for today, I will bake some delicious Scottish shortbread. I will wrap it in a special tin and then wrap it up as a birthday gift for Mr. Right. Seems to be a yearly tradition as far as birthday gifts go. I will bake some blueberry oatmeal bars to take on our trip.

I will pack my suitcase. I will have a manicure and pedicure. I will lay out some great outfits and colorful warm scarves to take along.

Time to buy some new Christmas music for the car trip. Maybe Trans Siberian Orchestra is just the ticket?!

We found a Dutch Brothers coffee shop and four quilt shops around our hotel. The beach is outside our patio door.

So today, I will fuss and tidy and do all the regular Friday chores. I will bake and pack/plan an over the top, delicious, decadent cooler full of treats and goodness.

Sweet Liberty will get a buff and puff and we will pack her biffy. Somehow sleeping 19 hours a day is exhausting and she needs the fresh air of the ocean and the soothing sounds of the water to relax her.

Our family is headed out to explore new territory (read that as quilt shops and coffee joints). We will expand our minds by taking a brewery tour one day. However, I am thinking that the evening will be filled with the fireplace crackling, the wine glasses will be put into use and we will be prunes every single evening for spending too much time in the spa and pool.

Sometimes giving yourself the grace to enjoy the quiet, down times...the vacation times is just what the soul needs.

See you on the other side of birthday celebration...winter vacation...2010.

ps. I am buying five bleached star fish to hang from my dinning room light fixture.
Yes, I hope to find them at a tacky beach souvenir shop with an uneven wooden floor
selling fudge and salt water taffy that I never buy.

the negative rant for the season

Honestly, I have 34 minutes to rant. That is all that I am giving myself...that and the fact that is how many minutes left on the hair dying timer! ha

A little dye, a few highlights and I will be right as rain. Also ready for upcoming vacation. Want to look my best for Mr. Rights's birthday.

Okay, yesterday, I did lots of errands and quick stops. 16 stores and 2 post offices. I held the door for anyone I encountered. I let merging cars into my lane. I don't use the car too often for all day errands especially this time of year. I had on a jaunty lime green scarf with a perky attitude to match. I was determined to make it a holiday spirit filled day. Even around lunch time, I came home had lunch, something to drink, regrouped, reorganized, unloaded packages, wrapped, tagged and hid said packages and chatted with the dog.
I felt rejuvenated not grouchy. Back I went out into the crowds.

Here is my issue (for today) ...all the stores and shops and yes even our United States post offices are decorated for "the" season. Christmas trees, windows painted, lights twinkling,music and more music, even a couple of manger scenes....you get the idea. Shop keepers and cashiers are wearing light up earrings and necklaces (yikes) and red scarves and pins and colorful plastic bracelets, yes, even the amazing Christmas tie was spotted yesterday. I saw a couple of Santa hats, one had a curly Que coming out of the top. All very jolly and festive. A popular coffee establishment was decorated and offering up seasonal drinks and the display case was bulging with holiday treats.

Seems as though every shop and every one was in the holiday mood. After each transaction, I said Merry Christmas! Then again and again and again.....before I continue, let me say one Safeway courtesy clerk (I just learned that is their official title), a nice gal who bagged up my groceries, whispered back to me Merry Christmas. Also, one fellow shopper around ten in the morning whom I held the door for, replied Merry Christmas to my greeting. As for the rest well....................

I got a few "same to ya". I heard yes, thank you. I heard thank you. I heard you are welcome? I heard "unhuh". NOT one of the clerks responded with Merry Christmas.

When did the kind and friendly holiday greeting to another human being become off limits?

A couple of days ago someone said Happy Hanukkah to me and I responded by saying Happy Hanukkah! When we lived in Germany, and someone would say guter Tag, I would respond in kind. Same when we have traveled to Quebec or France. When they spoke a hello, bonjour, we responded bonjour.

To wrap my brain around this....shops and stores and business all WANT our holiday dollars, however, they are afraid to answer a simple Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah in return.

Here is the grace part of my rant/lesson. I am going to continue to be who I am. I am still going to say Merry Christmas. Honestly, I do wish them a Merry Christmas. I will be the same friendly and gracious customer I aim to be. How they react is their choice. I will say, that I did call the manager at Safeway and told him thank you. I appreciated the Merry Christmas greeting from the courtesy clerk. I told him I would be back and shop there again. He knows how I feel and will understand when he counts his money each time I frequent his store.

As for the others, I wish them a sincere Merry Christmas and will leave it at that.

Sometimes, Grace has a quiet touch.

ps. still in search of the single green highlighter for a stocking stuffer. No thanks, I don't want the entire package. I will find it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

first the positive Christmas posting...

Sure feels like I cheated on my homework................

Mr. Right wrote our annual Christmas letter last night.
I was offered the proof reader's job. (It was a snap, lucky for me.)

Love that he just sat down and typed it. When I asked what he was
doing, he said "helping".

nice. Gifts come in all sizes and shapes.

That was one nice gift to hear about while I was
working on two other Christmas presents at the time.

...it is indeed a magical time of year...

BIG cardboard check

Mr. Right and I loved seeing the "big" cardboard check stuffed into
son number one's car. It was funny and fun. He seemed tickled to show us.

His car club ordered the check so that they could write in the $1,000.00
amount they are giving to Toys for Tots. Not to mention the $4,000.00+
worth of toys so far. They are having the big donation tomorrow.

So during our dinner last night,
we raised our goblets in a salute to raising men that give back,
and have a well developed funny bone.

Well done, well done. (and love the humor of the "big" check).

peppermint soap

Just now washed my hands with some wonderful
Peppermint soap.

I am ready to start addressing and writing in
our Christmas cards.

It is the perfect scent to jump start the process.

See you on the other end of approximately
100 cards. :) We are lucky to have so
many friends and family to share with.

Gracing tables one loaf at a time.

What can you get for $1.09?


That would be 14 pounds of bananas! On Saturday,
the Commissary had big bags of bananas for sale.

I had to do it, I just had to.

So the next person begging on the corner will get a fresh loaf of
banana bread today. Our mail lady Diane will get a fresh loaf today.
The next person who walks through our door (I am guessing
in about 30 minutes the mother of the sweetest grandgirlie in
the world) will get a fresh loaf.

I printed labels and have the clear bags and sweet ribbon to tie them
all up. I am guessing that some will have to be wrapped and frozen for
the next week or so.

I started singing Raffie's song....I love to eat, eat, eat, apples and banaynays...I love to eat, eat........

So far this morning, I have four loaves of Banana Bread
goodness on the rack cooling. I have four more in the oven baking.

I have 6 batches on the counter mixed up and waiting to go into loaf pans.

I have a recipe printed off for muffins with crumble topping to make 24
to send into Mr. Right's work tomorrow.

I will freeze a couple for some dog treats (Monkey Business).

After having used 21 bananas this morning, it looks like
I still have about 15 to go.

I had to leave out the walnuts. Who knows who can have
them or not. I wanted this to be fun and happy. Not a
bad reaction for someone.

A couple of pounds of pure butter and some dark brown sugar
and this house smells heavenly!

Good Karma comes in all shapes. Today it comes in loaf size pans.

Gracing tables one loaf at a time...

date night

After a day of Christmas shopping....... Date night!

Sushi then out to Starbucks for a coffee. GREAT news, the Caramel Brulee Latte is back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it. Okay, I did notice the Cranberry Bliss bars, too. (I am waiting to buy one while on our trip to Oregon in a couple of weeks.)

Why didn't I purchase Christmas cards last year on the 26th? I hate the ones I am seeing this year. Yes, we used a photo last year. I didn't want to this year. dang. I do have 28 cards ready for Mr. Right's office. Now, to come up with 85 more for us to send out. urgh. I really did not want to make them this year.

a tiny bit of panic

a tiny bit of panic is starting to creep in.

gifts.........I have a package that needs to be
completed and filled to be shipped to the other
side of the country. I want it to be in the mail
on Monday. Yikes.

think, think, I need/want to do some thing
extra nice for an extra nice sister in law.

before, during and after

In the middle of setting the formal table for Thanksgiving...


I discovered that I have way too many linens and dishes that I
don't nor will never use. Time to purge. Now, before the
next dinner party.

We are calm and trained. Two bathrooms flooded and
we didn't even break stride. All taken care of before the
guests arrived.



Thanksgiving meal...


For a 90% vegetarian family, it was by far

the best Turkey I had ever roasted.

I had my hopes pinned on a new side dish.

Baked Artichokes....sad disappointment. Two

thumbs down. dang it.

Best of the table: this years' cranberry sauce

Worst of the year: my rolls (never has happened before)

Someone said the stuffing was the best ever.

Made me smile.

Loved the place cards this year.



after the meal..


Played a fun card game.

Mr. Right does the dishes, always makes me smile.

After the clean up, Mr. Right gave me a star fish ornament
for the tree this year. I was delighted. Such a sweet
surprise. I love the artistry of Margaret Furlong.


Morning after...


time to purge, clean, throw away, donate and
get this ship into shape!

grateful for memories

Today would have been my father's 73rd birthday.

I guess each family has one person that sort of connects
everyone. With goodness or stress.

I do remember a couple of good times when I was a kid.
I don't remember but have been told, that when I was an
infant, my parents used to put me in the back of my
father's police car and he would do his rounds and
drive around until I fell asleep. No, no car seat,
just me wrapped in a blanket.
Apparently, I was fussy? I wonder what would have
happened if he had to arrest someone and "take them
in"?

He was a little disappointed he had three girls and no
boys. So I was more of an annoyance I think.

Once I hit junior high and on,
he was gone most of the time making a living
and providing "things" for our family.

Yes, he was very well educated and held jobs of
importance. He also started out as a commercial
fisherman and a MP in the US Army.

It is ridiculous to think that if he was living,
he would be the hero and make my family act nice
and be kind to each other. He would step in like
a knight in shinning armour and make everyone
accept me and me little family.

So for today, I will remember a couple of happy
times and live in a fantasy world where he would
make everyone be nice. Thanks Dad.

Poppies

I started the day reading and rereading the poem “In Flanders Fields”.

There were poppies drawn (and coloured- spelled that way on purpose red) on my note this morning.

As a child, Mr. Right, just like every other Canadian child (and two American home schooled boys) every year on November 11th at 11:11 am they would stop and pause and were silent. This silence is part of what formed them into the men they are.

We have a breathtaking painting hung above the piano. It is done by a Texas
Artist and it is the most glorious riot of outdoor poppies one could imagine.

The red poppy is the great equalizer. From royalty to grocery store box boys to the business man, to the housewife, to little boys “secretly” poking each other with the pin, today all will wear their poppy.

Mr. Right left the house this morning with a poppy pinned to his suit jacket. I saw it laying out last night by his cell phone and keys and coffee travel mug, so it wouldn’t be
forgotten and not worn.

We have our American flag flying. We also have a Canadian
flag flying. A week ago, we sent out our Veterans Day cards.

Tonight we will enjoy a formal dinner with the “good” china. We will remember.

No, Mr. Right and I will not be buying a mattress today during some Veterans Day sale.
No, Mr. Right and I will not be getting a “free” appetizer at a local eatery.
No, Mr. Right and I will not be getting a 10% off coupon by showing a military I.D. card.

Mr. Right served and retired after 22 years in the US Army.
Mr. Right’s brother served and retired after 27 years in the US Army.

My father, father in law, grandfathers and on and on the list goes, all served America and Canada.

Today, as every day, I will remember.

“In Flanders Fields the poppies blow…”

oven

I am so grateful for my oven. I used it daily. I use it for my business.

Today, I am baking Gobble, Gobble (turkey dog treats), Wish Bones (beef bones) and the house is smelling wonderful.

Also, I am going to bake people cookies to fill that cookie jar.

I love my oven. It is not fancy nor expensive nor hip and happening.
Just a work horse.

Sometimes that is the best.

Gratitude, day 10

I am very grateful for:

1. My curly hair. The products I use to keep it under control.
My freedom to wear it however I want, not covered with a scarf
or head covering.

2. Hot shower each morning. Having lived through two teenagers,
I am grateful for a very hot steamy shower. yes, I remember
taking cold showers (lack of hot water) on graduation days,
retirement days, parties, beginning of trips......

3. Clean water. I have it whenever I want. Others, too many
do not.

4. A husband who likes to eat my cooking and baking.
Because I like to bake and cook.

5. creativity. It feeds my soul every single day.

6. Clothes dryer. Yes, I know how to hang out clothes.
No, I don't want to.

7. Digital camera. I love taking 27 shots to get "the"
perfect one.

8. oatmeal. I eat it 5 days a week. I like it and am
very grateful that we can afford to do so.

9. full spectrum light. I use it daily to help me
and my eyes with my handiwork.

10.all my current and past quilting and sewing friends.
They help me see forward and help me with accountability
to finish things.

pie

Tart, I mean really tart Lemon Meringue Pie makes my skirt fly up!

I love the flaky homemade crust. I love the tart lemon taste of the filling.
I love the fluffy meringue. I even love to lick the spatula.

Now, what to make for dinner?

grateful

Mr. Right does not hear well. Yes, he has hearing aids. No, he does not like them nor does he wear them.

Because I can hear very well, I am the one who knows when the car lights are left on. I can hear the beeping.

I know when the microwave timer goes off. Mr. Right uses it as a timer for his grilling.

I know when the stove timer goes off and the phone rings and I can hear when his Blackberry is vibrating (even with no sound).

When he is driving and I am a passenger, I can hear the sound of sirens coming and from what direction.

I am the one who can tell him some gossip at a party or a funny line in a movie that he may have missed.

Sure, this isn't going to work forever. For now, I am grateful that I can hear for both of us. Yes, I forget to turn my head to him to speak sometimes. Yes, I forget a little pad of paper in my purse for church sometimes.

For today, I am grateful for good hearing.

Don't be so busy surviving that you forget to live.


Still pondering this one.

Day four and five of gratefulness

I am grateful for soap. Somehow over the years I had forgotten just how many times one washes ones hands while caring for a baby for one day. I am grateful for and LOVE my Coconut French Milled soap. Today, my hands are dried out. It is a cheap price to pay for hanging out with a sweet grand girlie.

Today, day five I am grateful for my kitchen aid. I love that machine. I love it so much I want to marry it! I use it 6 out of 7 days a week. Today, I will be creating scones. A couple different kinds. Savory (my favorite) and sweet. I also am going to make some home made cheese crackers. I have a couple pieces of smoked salmon left over and want to "Gussie" up the appetizer offerings for this evening. Mr. Right loves a nice appetizer platter. Who am I kidding? I love a good appetizer plate!!!!!!!!!!!

Random grateful thoughts: I am grateful for really good morning coffee, my extremely fluffy white robe, watching the birds at the feeder (outside), having a very clean interior of our car, books, the library, the best vacuum in the world, photographs,
different shaped keys, the sound of our Napoleon clock chiming, piano music, a basket full of fruit and veggies just waiting to be juiced tonight.

If you want to be happy, be.
~Leo Tolstoy

days of gratitude

I have a friend who wrote this morning "day 3 of gratitude".
I fell head over heels in love with this idea.

I am "stealing" it. I want to showcase, if you will, gratitude every single day for the month of November.

No thoughts of scale or one being better than another.

Yesterday, I wrote to her and explained that I was super grateful for
my Mr. Right, D, G, G, M, Sweet Z and of course my Sweet dog. However,
I was really grateful for my health and the political ads coming to an end.

Today, I am grateful for my loyal dog. She is my companion and buddy
everywhere and whatever I do. She is who I bounce ideas off of. As I
type she is laying with her head in a pile of soft dog toys, holding a
sock all while watching the birds at her bird feeder on the deck. She
reminds me to be grateful for rest time.

I am grateful for freshly made juice. We juice almost everyday.
Makes me feel happy and satisfied and yes, grateful.

Lately, Mr. Right has been hiding a plastic mini pig daily.
Today "paulie" fell out of my nut grinder. I grind flax seeds
for my daily oatmeal. I don't know why a plastic pig makes me
laugh. One day I found "paulie" in my empty coffee cup, awaiting
fresh joe to be poured in. ha I am grateful for a daily laugh.

I am grateful that my cold is 98% gone.

I am grateful that I have a piano to play whenever I want.
I remember years ago taking lessons. That first six weeks, I drove
to a Masonic Hall and used their piano to practice everyday. Some days
before volunteering at a nursing home, I would arrive early and
practice in the basement. Once we purchased a piano,
we lived in a duplex at the time, so when the neighbors left
for work or shopping, I would practice the piano. Yup, I am lucky
and grateful to have my own piano and practice and play whenever.

I have a sign in my kitchen that reads "GIVE THANKS". It is always there
reminding me daily what to say before I start baking or cooking or creating.
I am grateful that I have the "timber" in my cupboards to bake and cook with.

For today, November 3rd, I am grateful.

wages

I won't mention names, as to protect the innocent or frustrated.

Here is the scenario: A person is interviewing another person for a job opening. before the interview begins, the applicant says, "I am making $17.50 an hour unemployment, so if you can't start me out at that level, I won't waste your time."

Does anyone out there think the system might be broken? Here in Washington state our minimum wage was just increased to $8.55. I have a suggestion, no matter how long you have worked or how much you made, maybe unemployment should be more in line with minimum wage? Or maybe you should only be able to take out of unemployment what you have already paid in? It was put into place to just "tied you over" until you found another job. Not support you while you choose what system pays you more.

I don't know how to fix this broken system. Maybe it is time to brainstorm and throw around some ideas?

Your children are growing up when...

I was thinking in the shower this morning, gee I should write on my blog today. What to write about??? Then life presented me with a topic.

Mr. Right received a text message at 4 am this morning. He did not see it until around 5:30 am when he got up, showered and made coffee and started reading messages.

It was a message from our oldest son. He was texting from the hospital. He has two kidney stones. Yes, he has insurance. He was just keeping us in the loop so we didn't have a fit and fall in it when we read it on face book later. Yes, daughter in law drove him to the hospital. Yes, Sweet grandaughter was with them. (good thing she was already up and "chatting" when all this took place) :)

Just seems different/weird, (in a good way) to find out stupid, crazy, painful news. Now, we just go into checking in mode. I will bake some fresh rolls today. That will give my hands something to do, try out a new recipe I have been wanting to try and son number one will appreciate the thought.

Son number two is already texting and e-mailing kind words and gentle suggestions. Sadly, he is well versed in the Kidney stone genre.

Dang, both boys now. Good bye dark liquids, sodas, beer, coffee ... and here is a question, are the energy drink boys in bed with the kidney stone doctors? yuck.

...and here I was trying to come up with something to write about today!

I feel the chill in the air

Autumn must really be here.

Plans to sneak away to the ocean to watch a storm come ashore.

Freshly applied Amber Ablaze toe nail polish.

Homemade Apple turnovers.

Shopping for yarn or new fabric to make a scarf.

Plans to visit a pumpkin patch this weekend. I want the
perfect one!

I chose a hot latte today instead of an iced beverage.

Brainstorming ideas to use charity money as a food bank donation
for the colder months. Maybe gloves? Mittens? Still thinking.

After I put new sheets on the bed today, I am adding an extra quilt!

still thinking on this one

I am in no way a television guru. I just wanted to waste about 10 minutes before Mr. Right and I hit the hay. I was "channel surfing" as they (?) call it. I happened upon a local "over the top, vivacious, entertaining, puzzling etc." minister ranting or rather preaching is a better word, across the television screen.

I have seen his flowing red hair on a couple of past occasions as I clicked by the channel.

Always, Bible in hand, pointing and yelling and pointing some more.

This time, it was different. He wasn't holding a Bible. Nope.

He was holding an ipad.

Be still my Methodist heart, this could take some getting used to.

...about the author

When completing a really great FBI thriller book (Whiplash by Catherine Coulter) nestled all cozy in your flannel sheets with five or six pillows, you wish the book would go on and on. You look at the cover and flip it over, then you take a look at the dust jacket on the inside.... oh, about the author.....rats.........."the author lives in Northern California". Yes, I know they want you to get up and go to the computer or get your lap top and look up her site. Yes, you can read more about her there.

I don't know, I just like to know a little tid bit here or there. I want to read that "the author Kayaked under the Narrows Bridge on her Birthday". Or "the author took her first flying lesson and flew over the Narrows Bridge on her Birthday". Maybe something like "the author likes to wear high heels to church and hates rolling up the garden hose". I want to read where "the author did not speak a sound for 14 minutes in a row, when her and three girlfriends were stopped at the Poland
border and the guards took their passports away, and they silently waited and watched the clock in the mini van". It would be interesting to know that on the author's 40th birthday she threw away her hair dryer and curling iron and vowed to never use them again! How interesting it would be to hear that for one birthday she ate Brunch in the Chartwell Room at The Four Season's in Vancouver, with (shock of all shocks) no stockings on and flip flops....the author had broken a bone in her foot at the pool and no other shoes/sandals would fit. (as you may have guessed this action made the author's mother furious) however, the food was heavenly and said author enjoyed every bite. No they did not throw her out for not wearing stockings, ...(however Mr. Right did go and explain everything to the manager prior to us dining there.) I want to read that on one birthday the author took a lush huge bouquet of glorious red flowers to the owner of her favorite vegetarian resaturant in Seattle, "The Bamboo Garden".

I like the description of the author to surprise me. Yes, I know they want to be secretive and mystical and "behind the scenes". I guess I am just a bit too nosey.
I like the information about the author to be as intersting as the written words in the book. Sort of anticlimatic to read such a delightful book and then wow, find out she lives in Northern California. amazing.

I love the written word. I love Libraries. For heaven's sake, get a library card if you don't have one. Help a neighbor kid or grandson sign up for one. Books and stories are just lovely things to fall into.

$2.00 marriage secret

Hi out there in ciber land, yup I am talking to
Wonder Girl and G.I Joe.............marriage tip for the day....

Buy TWO tubes of toothpaste. Seriously, I mean it. From now on, for ever more,
until you do part, and on and on and on.

One of you will use the tube nicely. You know what I mean, Press neatly, flatten as you go, clean the top daily, place neatly in the drawer or basket when finished.

One of you will, pinch, mash, squeeze, deform, force, mutilate, twist and twist and then sort of get the top on with toothpaste oozing out the top and throw it in the basket when done.

You will each for now and ever more have your own tubes and you will NEVER once argue over which way is the "right" way.

I will let you guess as to which one I am! ha

dang it, I am sick.

I have been sick with the flu since
Tuesday. This is Saturday. I am just
starting to come around.
dang it.
I don't enjoy 99% of being sick.

However, Mr. Right brought home
"Jamba Coconut Pineapple Passion
Smashin Yogurt & Sorbet" Popsicles.

So 1% of being sick has been good.
Those treats are so good. Might even
be worth trying out when you are not sick.

Here's to good health!

It's official

It didn't happen the way I had envisioned.
I thought I would know in an instant when I officially
became "mature" or "old".

I honestly thought the feeling would come when
getting up from gardening my knees creek and I
rub the small of my back. Nope, just felt good
to accomplish the weeding.

Then I thought well for sure when we have a
grandbaby or our friends started having
grandbabies of their own. Nope, it just
feels good and happy and joyful.

I really thought the "old" feeling would come
when friends started having things replaced.
You know, hips, knees, teeth and on and on
that list goes. Nope, just happy for them that
they have a new fresh pain free outlook on
life.

The "mature" gene would surely hit when
once again I can't seem to figure out
my ipod or something to do with the
computer. Is it frustrating, you bet! I just
love to figure it out and then I feel so
"hip". Makes me feel like a smarty pants
when I figure out technology, not old.

Paying bills early, sending out birthday cards
early, remembering to pick up dry cleaning on time,
knowing the answer to etiquette questions,
making a dinner turn out all at the same time for
2-25 people, baking a great loaf of bread dying my
hair to hide the gray and on and
on the list goes.....I really thought it would hit
me that I am aging.

Then it happened...sort of like watching it in slow
motion.....Last night, I was sitting on the sofa, Mr. Right in
his chair and then it happened! The dog got up
and wagged her gigantic plume tail and knocked a huge
glass of iced sweet tea on the carpet. Neither of
us said anything. We just got a couple of towels and
wiped it up & started the washer. No drama, no hurrying,
no yelling, no excitement, nothing really. In a very uneventful,
very calm fashion we cleaned it up and went back to
watching the television.

Wow, in an instant, we realized, dang, we are
old and mature. In the olden days that would have
had us jumping and yelling and moving like
we were on fire.

"Slow your journey to include time for happiness".

yoga rant

Here is my rant for this morning:

Southern Baptist Seminary President Albert Mohler from Kentucky is of the opinion that
people that practice Yoga are not Christians.

Since I am not about to drive to Kentucky (or goodness sakes move on purpose
to his city) to "follow" him, I will continue to practice Yoga every single day of my life.
Then in another part of my day I will continue to read my Bible and try
my best to treat others as I would want to be treated.

Here is a news flash for Mr. Mohler, IF I did not practice Yoga, I for one would not
be able to sit still through his sermons, nor would I be able to go to sleep at night
calmly, nor would I be able to sit and calmly watch a tv show for 30 minutes (still
a hard one with out some type of hand work), if I didn't already go through my
apparently "sinful" 27 minutes of stretches this morning, I would be scrubbing the
driveway and pruning bushes and dancing a jig instead of calmly and quietly
having my morning coffee and typing an insane e-mail about how goofy his thinking is.

Apparently, there are two kinds of people in this world, the kind with open minds and
hearts and ...well you know the rest.

For today...

I love that my childhood school chum became a grandfather today.

I love that three little girls and their Aunt had a bouquet of
autumnal flowers and a photograph delivered to me as a thank you.

I love the homemade corn chowder that I had for lunch today.

I love that I have plans to meet an old friend for coffee next week.

I love that Mr. Right brought me a perfect Godiva coconut macaroon last night.

I love my dog. Espcially when she lays in the deep green grass and looks so
content.

I love that Mr. Right has a latte set up for me each day, ready to push the "start" button.

I love the turning leaves of the Maple tree on the deck.

I love the house vacuumed daily.

I love that the laundry is done.

I love e-mail.

I love sewing felt food. Strawberries today.

I love watching three little birds take a bath in my
butterfly bath.

I love having curly hair.

Cross stitch this..... BE NICE!

Saturday morning found Mr. Right and I at the commissary for some grocery shopping. I forgot it was a hectic and intense pay day weekend. Boy, in the olden days, I knew to the penny what day was pay day and Mother Hubbard certainly had to fill up the cupboards with two hungry boys/teenagers to keep fed and growing. Yikes, I remember back in the day if the bill was not around $300.00 I was a bit concerned. I knew I must have forgotten something! I could pack two carts completely full and have things hanging off the sides, use coupons AND have three lists. One list for me, one for each boy. Each boy had a calculator with his mission clearly mapped out. I knew how to keep them involved and busy/helpful. I was one organized military wife/mom.

I am much more calm now. I can fill a portion of one cart. I use a list now only for things out of the ordinary. 28+ years later, I am pretty good at knowing what we need to get through a couple of weeks.

My mind can wander a bit. I was listening actually eavesdropping on several conversations. I was thinking of Wonder Girl and G.I.Joe starting a life and how fun grocery shopping was in the beginning for all of us young marrieds. Was I ever shocked to over hear how some folks talk to their spouses! They were down right rude. I could even go so far as to say mean and nasty. One gal was having a mean discussion on her cell phone for an isle or two. I went back to a different isle to "loose" my place and pick up with someone else to follow. Raised voices and bickering were not uncommon as we cruised the grocery isles. My eyes got a little teary eyed as I listened to the way some parents spoke so harshly and mean to their children. It was a sad, sad thing for me to listen to.

BE NICE. Because nice matters!!!! Treat your loved one the way you want to be treated.....hey I got a million of these, I can keep going. In this day and age, there is no reason on earth to "have to be married". There is no longer a social sigma attached to a single 35 year old women. So, being adults of sound minds, and you choose to marry or be together..... BE NICE.

In a small black frame hangs a sign in our kitchen, "There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage."

I read a book tonight "Call me Joe" by Jack Greene. The author is a man of integrity. I learned hope and love and compassion something I did not see coming when I began the book. Mr. Greene writes,"when we love, we are loved, we are in the presence of God." In another chapter he states "When we were growing up we never heard our mother or father say a negative word to each other" He and his siblings learned to love by watching and listening.

We all need to practice being nice to our spouses. The way we speak should be soothing and with kindness. You can tell every single person you meet how much to love, adore, respect, like ...your spouse, but if you don't talk with love and kindness to each other than you are just fibbing about loving them.

"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live."
(j. windspear)

Picasso, white vinegar and for heavens' sake save water

As much as we would all love to just have wonderful memories happen, let's be
honest, it takes some planning to have everything fall into place.

Mr. Right and I have been anxiously waiting (over a year now) for the Picasso exhibit to open at the Seattle Art Museum. October is here and so is the opening of the exhibit. Yes, it is expensive to attend. No, you cannot use coupons, however a military discount does help somewhat. My guess is that this exhibit will be worth every single penny we spend. So, here we are on the first of the month. Yes, we have an envelope we put into each month for entertainment. Yeah! We are going to be entertained. We are putting together a super groovy date night. First and foremost the Picasso exhibit. Then we take money out of the restaurant envelope and treat ourselves to a little French Bistro that we have been wanting to try. We want to have their crepes. It is a small little place with heavenly smells wafting out with great mood lighting and atmosphere inside. Our clothing will be decided upon before hand. We will do research about each piece that will be shown, ahead of time. We have been anticipating this for quite some time.
Here comes the "relationship advice, not asked for"....plan outings together a few times a year. Save for them, plan for them, make it an event, enjoy every single moment experiencing the time together. Sure you can do a scrap book or take pictures or buy postcards, however, here is the best part, you two secretly get to feel proud and happy and joyful that you planned something together and then you get to talk about it over and over. That is how great relationships are built. One experience on top of another, shared together. You will not regret the time and effort you both put into it. Yes, even if it turns out stupid like say, planning on line a head of time,to dine at a wonderful restaurant in San Francisco on your 20th anniversary, only to have the cab driver drop you off at a boarded up restaurant that has been closed for quite some time. Turns out, we switched gears and have the best story to tell about that evening. You are both SO WORTH the effort of planning great times together. It is totally up to you, if you choose to jump in.

Advice number two for the day... Take $5.00 out of your wallet right now. I'm waiting......okay. Quick like a bunny, hop in your car and drive to a dollar store. Buy a plastic squirt bottle and a package of sponges or cloths. Then stop at a grocery store and buy a gallon (yes, I said gallon) of white vinegar. That's it. You will have some change. (you will put that in the change jar I will talk about another time.) Okay you are done. Oh, oh, what are you suppose to do now you ask? Fill up the bottle silly with the white vinegar. That is now pretty much 99% of your cleaning supplies for your home. Yes, you heard me right. You will clean (and naturally disinfect) your counter tops, your bathrooms, your phone, your remote, your door handles, your refrigerator, your keyboard that you are typing on now, your garbage cans, the top of your refrigerator, all your fresh fruit and vegetables (YES, that is how you clean those, spray with white vinegar, scrub, rinse with water) no you don't have to buy "special" food cleaner, back to the list of things to use the vinegar for....wipe your fan blades, add some to the wash load to help the laundry, rinse your hair once every two weeks (gets out all the build up products), wipe down the patio furniture, and on and on and on............no chemicals, cheap, works, don't have to waste money or time shopping for cleaners!
Because Wonder Girl and G.I.Joe want to be healthy for each other, they will want to make sure germs are at a minimum.

#3, save water, bathe together once in a while. Hey, use some of that vinegar to clean your tub or shower. Let's talk spa here. Make that place spotless. (keep a basket hidden that you can use to store all the candles and glasses and potions and replace with the curling iron, razors, clock etc). Turn your utility bathroom into a spa a couple times a month. Then add some fresh towels and candles and flowers. Look for and buy some great textured sponges and mitts. Together find some great scents of bath wash that you are both head over heels in love with. Save up and buy two GREAT, fat, plush white bathrobes. Put up a couple of sturdy hooks to hang them on. Find a small table light and use a 25 watt bulb. Everyone looks and feels better with soft lighting. Keep your eyes peeled for a couple of plastic wine glasses. Weather you enjoy ice cold water with lemon and cucumber slices or an adult beverage of your choice, have the plastic, great quality, great looking glasses ready. Only use them in the "spa". It will be a safe choice. We want you both to enjoy your time together. Together, treating each other well....not together getting treated at the hospital for a cut foot from a piece of broken glass! Plug in your ipod to a docking station or plug in a CD player (on the counter) nothing like a little music to unwind with. Bubbles, bubbles, and more bubbles........yes, even G.I.Joe loves bubbles. Oh those tough Army types try and tell their buddies that they like to shower in 5 minutes with a bar of Lava soap and use it for "shampoo" too. But Wonder Girl you know better. You are both so worth putting time and effort into making a lovely experience happen.

Maybe just maybe, you two will find a great ironwork candleabbra that uses five candles and you too will hang it over the tub on a pully system to bring down and use during those "spa" times. It throws the most becoming shadows on the tiles.

May Wonder Girl and G.I.Joe be bathed in Grace.

$1,394.94

That is the amount we saved in coupons last year. This year, with three months to go, we have saved $1,407.62, woohoo!

Advice to married couple to be: use coupons.

I spend about 15 minutes a week getting coupons. Yes, we keep track (on the calendar), yes we only count the ones we actually have to hand over. Not the "savings" from the store. Yes, it makes our life a little nicer.

Rich or poor, young or old, newly married or passed the silver heading for gold,
use coupons. It is a smart way to handle your hard earned money.

Advice number two for the day: never pour yourself a glass of water, or juice or lemonade or coffee or get a soda without asking G.I. Joe if he would like something too. He will do the same for you. It is not waiting on him hand and foot. It is called having good graces, it is called being civil as well as one more outward sign that you are nurturing your relationship.

Advice number three for the day: Do the dishes together. Yup, you heard me right. It could be just tossing the pizza box and wiping down the counter or it could go on until 3 in the morning until after the Thanksgiving dishes are done. Hang out together after the meal. Set up the coffee for tomorrow. Make some lunches. Dry or wash or fill the dish washer. It is the best time to talk. You betcha! Talk, like people who like each other. Talk and get something done twice as fast together. No, the kitchen is not just for Wonder Girl to use her powers to clean up the kitchen.

Girlfriend to girlfriend, let it be known that yes, a little hanky panky has gone on after said dishes were done. There is nothing like looking at a nice pair of well fitting Levi's on a handsome dishwasher to put a twinkle in your eye.

more bride to be advice

As you know, Mr. Right is from Quebec. He adores, loves, dreams of Maple cookies. He has tried many. I have bought many. I have been trying to come up with the perfect (to him) maple sugar cookie with icing. I have given it the "old college try". I have tried many a recipe. Yesterday, I hit pay dirt!!!!! Yup, it's true. Mr. Right doesn't have much of a sweet tooth. So when he had one when he came home. Two cookies for dessert and two prior to bedtime. I knew I had a winner. He even took two today with his lunch.

It made him really, really happy. I felt giddy in my stomach that he was so happy. I have already started planning when I will make them again. I want to find the perfect tin to give and store them in. I will make a batch for him the next time he gets a raise or he has a great golf score. I always bake fresh Scottish Shortbread for his birthday. Yes, I wrap it as a present and tie it with a ribbon.

So here is the relationship advice........write his mom a note. Yes, I said write. Not e-mail or text, actually take a pen to paper and write a simple note. Tell her you want to know G.I. Joe's favorite childhood cookie. Ask her politely for the recipe. Here's a secret, she will LOVE that you asked. Okay, if there is not a recipe, ask what brand of store bought cookies he loves. Make it happen! Keep the recipe or the name brand. Write it down. (oh, yes, send a thank you note to the mom telling her how happy G.I. Joe was with his surprise treat.) Make or buy the cookies. Package them in a great tin or a take out box or a sweet bag. Use a ribbon, make it an event. Make him feel special. Yes, he is one tough Army guy. Yes, even the toughest of the tough like to secretly feel special. Trust me on this one girlfriend................what goes around will come around. You are really doing a favor to yourself. No man can just accept a sweet, thoughtful, loving, kind gift without doing something sweet for you. This is another one of those win/win things in life!

Advice number two for today........buy or make one or two little tiny drawstring bags/pouches. We have a black one with a skull and crossbones on it. It is for the car/s. Put $10.00 cash and $2.00 worth of change in it. Put one in each car. Do this together. Tell G.I. Joe it will make you a very happy girlfriend. You care about him way too much for him to ever be stuck somewhere with out a little gas money to get home. You want him safe. The change, oh that will come in handy when you need to park somewhere and need change for the meter. If you EVER use the $10.00 replace it that next day. Make sure you ask/check to make sure the bags are up to date. Once he gets the idea that you adore/love/care/head over heels in like with him, he will totally love that you care enough to make sure he is safe. Yes, again, he is a strong Army guy. Yes, you are a strong and capable Army woman. Make sure you are both safe and can get home to each other safely. I can almost guarantee that you will feel special when you find him checking to make sure your emergency gas money is in your car. Make the effort to take care of each other. You will not regret it for one single day.

Here is some girlfriend to girlfriend advice, buy great underwear and keep it looking great. Oh sure you can have super sexy little nothings. I can tell you heart to heart, ALL G.I. Joes love that. I am talking about everyday sweet undies. Cute colors and sweet ribbons, make the effort. Budget in the upkeep of said underthings. Every single person on this earth who has a special someone loves to get a glimpse now and then of somethings sweet, lovely or sexy on the other person. Sure we all have comfortable and serviceable underthings that work well under work clothes or wearing to the gym, keep those for those times. Make the effort. Oh and by the way, nothings says on your way out the door you can't share just the tiniest of peeks of what you have on under your outer garments. Nothing wrong with a little teasing now and then.

toe nail polish

Many moons ago, when Mr. Right and I were newly married, we would of course fill each other's Christmas stocking. For about three or four years in a row, I would get toe nail polish. I would be so happy. I just loved the intense wild colors. Finally, he asked me how you know it is toe nail polish and not fingernail polish? Does it say that somewhere on the label? I answered happily, toe nail polish is the color that you would wear under your socks, inside your shoes or under the bed covers! He laughed. Those were not colors I would ever wear on my fingers, not to mention, never would I wear those out in public or to church. I love that story. Remembering it makes me smile.

Here is my advice to the bride to be....... plan a pedicure or better yet two, every single month! Or do it yourself. Learn to pamper your tootsies! Take care of your feet. Save up and budget for a professional pedicure. Take your own polish or go wild and use something that catches your eye at the shop. Ask for a pedicure gift certificate if your mom asks what you want for a birthday gift. Get to know your shop ladies or men. Tip them well. They will take care of you for many sessions to come. Or like a gal I know, mark off the last day of the month as a "beauty day". She dyes her hair and does a facial and "polishes the apple" so to speak. That includes nails.
She has been married over 45 years! Make the effort it is SO worth it!!!!

Every single man I know LOVES a nice pedicure. Let me ask you, who on earth doesn't want to slip in between clean sheets and play footsie with someone's sweet pampered toes?

This is a two way street. It is a win for both of you. You feel good and pampered and proud of yourself for taking the time and making the effort to keep your pedicure up to date. He loves it that you make sure and do that. He loves to look at your sparkles or glitter or green shamrocks for March. You will most certainly get a nice foot massage out of the deal. If nothing else you two will share a secret because you both will know what is under those socks and Army boots!

Godmother to Wonder Girl........make the effort to take care of your tootsies. Your love life will benefit because of it.

I have a fresh pedicure as I type this. I chose OPI color Peru-B-Ruby. It is a deep raspberry color that I love. I added a top coat of gold sparkles. Yes, it caught the attention of Mr. Right.

Oh by the way, I still, 28 years later get a bottle of toe nail polish from Santa every single year. It is a sweet tradition that we both love.

more advice for my favorite bride to be

Buy a jigsaw puzzle. Or ask me to send you one. Mr. Right and I can do a 500 piece puzzle in about three hours. Have a quick dinner. Make/buy some snacks and pour a couple glasses of lemonade. Unplug the phone, turn off your phones, blackberries, ipods, the television and on and on. Turn on some great background music. Write down the time. (After each puzzle we sign our first names, the date and how long it took us. Then we trade, pass on the puzzle with other couples.)

You will soon learn which companies you like doing. Don't spend too much. Remember that old adage to get an hour of entertainment out of each dollar you spend. Well, now days I can't find many puzzles for $3.00 so try and keep it under $10.00.
Mr. Right and I usually do about four a year. So pretty much every once in a while.
Dump the puzzle on the table. You both have to turn over every piece. Then go to it.
Now, here is the "marriage advice" portion.......talk, talk, talk. Talk about your families, your issues, topics of the day, work, friends, problems and on and on. You and G.I. Joe will have to be looking down at the puzzle. Not looking at each other. Just working on something together. An amazing thing will happen. Three hours of talking will fly by. You will accomplish something together. You will learn something new about the other every single time. You will have spent three hours of quality "talking" time. Engaged in conversation and making an effort on your relationship without even noticing. You are so worth the effort.

Get an address book, today. Do it. I will wait........ Okay, fill it in. This is now your responsibility as a couple. Get all of his and your families and friends addresses/birthdays/anniversaries NOW. Within the month. Let me tell you, three years down the road is not the time to ask for an address that you never had or misplaced. Keep one address book. Keep his sister's name, address, birthday, anniversary, kids names, favorite foods, allergies, phone numbers, e-mail addresses etc. in her section. You will be AMAZED at how impressed everyone is that you sent a birthday card or a sympathy card at the appropriate time. YOU WILL BE ENDEARING YOURSELF TO HIS FAMILY. HE WILL ENDEAR HIMSELF TO YOURS. Everyone appreciates the effort. Here's the secret, you only have to do this once and then updates now and then. So that first thanksgiving you spend with his family. Both of you can sign and send a thank you card the day you arrive home. I know it sounds like work. It is not. It is the effort you are putting forth to build a solid relationship. Hey, look this is Wonder Girl and G.I Joe being a couple and making an effort. You will not regret the power of the address book, not once.

Next......Have a picture of you and G.I. Joe taken and framed and keep it in your home. NO, not just a quick cell phone picture. Buy your friend a coke and have him or her snap a couple of pictures. Or actually save up and have one done professionally. PRINT it and frame it. Update the picture now and then. Find a cool frame on a trip you take together. It is a wonderful reminder of you two. The happiness will build on itself. This is important. Did I just say this IS important? Yes, I did. You two are worthy and valuable individuals. Make the effort. Oh sure you can tape it to your refrigerator or tuck it into a mirror, but this one time, well actually once or twice a year, put it in a frame. Set it in your bedroom. Put it on a table, move it around. Tie a great ribbon on it. Paint some hearts on it. Write your initials in the sand and frame that picture. Glue some seashells on the frame. You can spend way too much on a frame (been there, done that) or you can buy a $1.00 frame from the dollar store and paint and glue and mod podge to your hearts content. Here's the ps to this piece of advice. Have a framed picture on your desk at work. Make two. I am not talking about dozens and dozens that clutter the area. I am speaking of one really excellent photograph. Give him one. If he doesn't have a desk, get a smaller version printed for his wallet. Material things come and go. You will be blessed to have so many great pictures of you as a couple. If you are really proud of this relationship, then you should take the time and effort and energy and make that feeling evident to you both and the people around you.

I adore, love, respect, admire, like, can't get enough of Mr. Right. I want you to have that same feeling. We are standing in your corner, silently, lifting you up. We are supporting the both of you. We want you to have what we have.

advice, not asked for, but given anyway

As the usual, my mind is whirling and going in all different directions.
I can't type fast enough to keep up. I have a pen and paper that I scribbled notes. Yes, a long, long list of notes and ideas and thoughts all messy and different directions. I write at 3 in the morning. I write while waiting for coffee. I add to a list near my sewing machine. I have a pad of paper in the car. (I am the passenger when I write, or at least wait for a red light.)

Our sweet Goddaughter, to protect her identity, I think I will call her "Wonder Girl" is engaged to be married. Her betrothed name starts with a J, so I think I will call him G.I. Joe.

We have been thinking of gift ideas for an engagement gift as well as a wedding gift. Both important, yes, however, I want to give them advice. I want to give them the tricks of the trade that make "it" work. I want to fill their young, pliable, sponge like brains with great ideas and thoughts and lift them up.

I have a funny feeling this is going to be way more than one blog! ha. Wonder Girl and Joe will LOVE that.

Buckle up kids, it is going to be a thrilling ride with lots of ups and downs and curves along the way. It is SO WORTH the price of admission. This is going to be the ride of your life!

Okay, everyone knows the number one thing people gripe about in marriage counseling is money. Buy Dave Ramsey's book/s. Period. Buy them. Read them. Read them together or separately. It is the blueprint how to run a financially stable life. Get that in place BEFORE you marry. You will NEVER regret it. His books are reasonable, intelligent, well written, easy to follow. Quite possibly the best thing you can do for your financal peace of mind.

Okay that said..............I am going to share bits of our life that make it smoother, happier, better, lighter, easier, nicer and on and on.

Mr. Right says, every kitchen should have four or five, save up for, "the best you can afford" kitchen knives. We own Henckle. We LOVE them. We want to marry them. We saved up and bought one a month for a few months. You buy them once, you will NEVER have to buy knives again in your lifetime. You will always have them. It will be worth it. Mr. Right also says, every kitchen should have of course a cutting board, however a small cutting board just for little things gets used almost every single day of our lives.

So far that is two pieces of valuable information.

Here is the third bit of enlightenment for today (then I will stop for today): Your bedroom. Make it a sanctuary. Make it a lovely place to go. NO TELEVISION. NO pictures of dogs, brothers, kids, nieces, parents, grandparents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO piles of laundry. DO NOT PAY BILLS in your bedroom. DO NOT have a disagreement in that room. Even if you have the smallest apartment on earth. Keep that room sacred and special. If and when you have kids put a lock on the inside of the door. (yes, keep a spare key somewhere, duh). Purchase the highest quality linens (you only need one or two sets) you can afford. Save up for them. Buy some really great battery operated candles. Think through the lighting. A couple of nice bedside lamps. Save, save, save for a really lovely bed. Buy a good mattress. Replace said mattress every 10-15 years. Budget for it. YOU ARE BOTH WORTH the time you put into it. Budget some money for special things. Buy a great basket or bin with a lid. Spend the money and buy some great massage lotion, potions, sensual books, and on and on) Purchase lovely (and sassy) lingerie. Buy some great under garments for G.I. Joe. Make the effort from day one. Have a great music system in your bedroom. Sure everyone needs an alarm clock. However, figure out a way (please hide the cords) to have a docking station for your ipod, or a CD player or whatever. Make a concerted effort for each other. This is not a room to show off to friends. This is yours. This is private and sensual and intense and lovely and just for you two. Yes, buy a bed cover, bed spread, comforter, duvet whatever your preference. Make it something the two of you BOTH love. However, also buy some fabric with texture. Buy a faux animal fur throw. Buy a lovely, feather pillow. Make an effort. When G.I.Joe gives you flowers (and he will). First thank him, go overboard, make him feel like it was one of the best decisions in his life. DO NOT complain about the money he spent. Smell them, enjoy the moment. Put them in a vase. Make an effort. Take the flowers every single night into your bedroom. He will love that you do that. You will love that you do that. He will grace you with love and attention if you will give him the chance to do so. If you will swallow your "girl power" for a moment and wait graciously, he will have the time to open the door for you. If you give up some control and share the decorating and decisions about your bedroom, it will be both of yours. Not just a ruffle filled, perfume filled place he can slip into once in a while. Hopefully, you will allow him to be a gentleman. However, you need to give it right back to him. Make sure when you buy him some little treat you wrap it in paper with a bow. Hide it under his pillow. Buy a small little candy jar. Fill it with his favor sweet treat or sour or savory. Keep it on his side of the bed. Keep it filled, surprise him. Leave him love notes. Tape them to the bathroom window. Put one in his car. Put one on his coffee cup. Mr. Right and I have been married for over 28 years. I wake up to a letter every single day. Yes, he writes me a 5 X 7 " letter. He includes stick figure drawings. I feel LOVED everyday of my life. Make each other feel loved. That is your mission. When G.I. Joe goes TDY, put a card or letter in his suitcase/duffle bag. Set the tone these first few months.

You are both worthy of a wonderful lovely relationship. Make the effort now. You will enjoy the fruits of your labor for years and years to come. Oh sure, I will offer up more and more not asked for advice. For now, set your relationship apart and on a higher level. Make time for friends and pizza and movies and hikes and bike riding and camping etc. First and formost make your relationship the most important thing above all the other "stuff".

Your mission if you choose to accept it...............from this day forward, make the other person feel lucky to have you in their life every single day.

When you love someone, all your saved-up wishes start coming out. ~e.bowen

better baker than nurse

Mr. Right has not been feeling well this week.

I am the world's worst nurse. I can't seem to be quiet and not talk up a storm. I
fuss and clean and tidy. Some sick puppies just want to be left alone. (Speaking of puppies, our sweet dog is a good "sick dog". She comes to where you are laying down and lays down on the floor next to you. Waiting with you until you are all better, so sweet.)

So instead of a white uniform and nurse's hat, I put on an April Cornell, yellow and green riot of color apron and get to work. The business of cooking for the patient.

This week, I have made; chocolate pudding, and English Muffin Bread (makes the best toast in the world), Sheppards' Pie with homemade mashed potatoes on top and lots of healing vegetables inside, homemade juice, and more juice. I have emptied that darn fruit and veggie basket twice this week and it is only Thursday! Today, I am making apple sauce with healing cinnamon. Oh sure I have the "thingie" that you put the apples in, once cooked and turn and turn and then have to clean......I will cook the apples, add some magic and then use the immersion blender to do the job in about 30 seconds.

Now, I ask, would you rather have a nurse that is stuffy and strict and mean wearing white support hose OR would you rather have a chatty curly girl bringing you homemade bread toasted to perfection with fresh applesauce?

Unfortunately, or fortunately for Mr. Right, he doesn't have a choice!

I am trying to do quiet projects like hand sewing and embrodiery as to not make too much noise.

...the circle of wellness is supported by both movement and stillness.

Maybe between the lazy (I mean stillness) of our dog and my crazy need to be
moving and doing.........Mr. Right will get better soon.

a needle pulling thread

Today, my sewing skills were
trusted enough to be asked to help do the finishing work
on three flower girl dresses with big, fat, luscious sashes.
My friend is having surgery today. She had another friend sew
part of the dresses and I am sewing the other part. My friend
had promised the bride to be that she would indeed complete the
gowns. With a little help from some sewing fairies, she will
deliver on her promise. I feel happy and honored that she
has placed her faith in me to do a good job.

Once, I sewed a bridesmaid dress that was not of the highest
quality fabric, nor was it a becoming pattern or color for that
matter. The person I sewed it for hated it. I could even go so
far as to say, she despised that dress. She even changed after
the wedding and dropped it off in a Goodwill box on her way home.
She went on and on about said "ugly" bridesmaid dress. Strangely, in a weird
way, it hurt my feelings. Oh don't get me wrong, I too equally hated that
dress. However, as a seamstress, I still had to cut out the pattern correctly.
I still had to sew in the sleeves on the correct sides. I still had to put in
a zipper so that it looked store bought and not a jumbled mess of stitches.
As the seamstress, I had to do my very best work. I did. The dress did
not fall apart during the wedding. Thanks to the three fittings, it fit the
bridesmaid perfectly. I still had to sew the hem the correct length for the
person, and so forth.

I have sewn three wedding dresses, over 45 long gowns, pants galore,
pajamas, curtains and more curtains, quilts and blankets and shorts,
and headbands, and purses and totes and short dresses and the list of
alterations would boggle (love that word) your brain!

Sadly, we attended a funeral this past week. As you sit and quietly wait,
your brain, well at least my brain wonders in all directions. I was thinking
about the black dress I had on. I remember sewing it. I remember putting the
hem in by machine. Every single time I where that dress, I think, why on
earth didn't I spend 20 minutes on myself and put that darn hem in by hand?

Over the weekend, we received a photograph of the completed inside
of two little girls' playhouse. Oh my. Pink, pink, and more pink are all
over this 1950's style kitchen and play area. It is just screaming for me
to make reversible half ruffle aprons for two little girls that will be "working"
in the kitchen.

I have several stacks on my long sewing table. Each stack is an exciting new
sewing project that I am gathering supplies so I can begin. Two different quilts,
two Christmas wall hangings, a pair of jeans for me, a little girl's jacket for a
gift, lots of felt to make felt sushi for play, material for some fabric wallets I
am filling for four college care packages and a couple of dish towels to embroider
for gifts.

I love the challenge and the diversity of my sewing hobby. It feeds my soul.
It makes me happy and oh so frustrated at times. I can control most of
what happens in my sewing room. I like the feeling of stating and finishing
each project. I love having gifts completed and boxed ready to give as gifts.

A special girl I know announced her engagement last week. I wonder what
sewing projects will pass through my fingers within the next year?

Today, one of the Christmas wall
hangings will get my full attention. Tomorrow three little flower girl dresses.
By next week, two little "housekeepers" will be sporting fancy new girlie aprons.

In my sewing room, under my full spectrum light, with my needle and thread, almost magically,

Grace Happens.

Eat your Vegetables

Eat your vegetables........... you hear that a lot.

Just the other night, our sweet daughter in law, mentioned
again, how she dislikes the commercials that "teach" the public
that a glass of processed juice is a fruit,
oh and a serving of vegetable thrown in for good measure.
She gets flustered and is not a happy camper. That my friend, makes
me a (secret) happy girl. That means that Zoe will be eating her
veggies and fruits when the time comes.

I love to bake and cook. I bake and give away quite a bit of food.
It really feels more like a craft sometimes. Pretty and decorated,
and packaged and full of sugar and white flour. Fun, and silly to
make and bake.

Sometimes, it is not hip & glamorous to tell everyone what you are having
for dinner. We usually have a cup of soup and we juice almost daily,
before we even start our dinner. I try and have an appetizer ready to
go, that way when the time comes, we can calmly head to the dinner
table. Yes, I said that right. The dinner table is set and has a center
piece and we use cloth napkins and in the fall and winter we
almost always have candles lit.

It is pure pleasure to make nutritious, delicious and lovely meals
for my family. Usually now days, that is Mr. Right and me.

Our cup of soup will be a homemade, tomato orange soup. Our fresh juice
will be made up of 2 apples, 2 pears, 1 orange, 1/2 a lime, 1/2 pineapple,
2 ribs of celery, 2 carrots, 1 clove of garlic, big handful of spinach,
3/4 cup cranberries, one huge, cucumber, and a fat sprig of parsley. That
will make enough for two gorgeous glasses of juice for our dinner and
enough left over for two small glasses of juice for our breakfast tomorrow.

Tonights' main meal will be Lentil and Brown Rice Casserole served over a bed
of spinach. With plenty left over for a few lunches to come this week or a
side dish for another meal. I love soup so by adding more liquid to a bowl of
this casserole it turns into a heavenly soup for lunch.

Here is the recipe:

Bragg Lentil & Brown Rice Casserole

14 oz. pkg. lentils, uncooked
4 carrots, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
2 onions, chopped
3 quarts distilled water
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup brown rice, uncooked
1 teaspoon Liquid Aminos Braggs
4 teaspoons (fresh picked today) oregano, basil, parsley, etc
2 teaspoons cold-pressed olive oil

Wash and drain lentils and rice. Place grains in a large stainless steel pot. Add
water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. Add vegetables and seasonings and cook on low heat until done. Just before serving, you may add fresh or canned tomatoes. For a delicious garnish add parsley and nutritional yeast large flakes.
Add more water in cooking the grains for a delicious soup or stew. Serves 4-6.

I want a couple of spears of grilled pineapple to go with our casserole.
I think some fresh broccoli grilled will be a great side dish.
I am sure a cup of green tea will find it's way into my hands sometime this evening.
Just as I am pretty sure, there will be a bowl of freshly popped pop corn for a
snack tonight.

Making really good meals full of fruits and vegetables makes me a happy girl.
I feel like I have spent my time well.

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
~A. Dumbledore

Taco Night at Nana's

I had my first taco when I was 17. The High School cafeteria is where said taco was devoured. It came wrapped in paper and it was like opening a present. I loved it. Oh, this was the start of a beautiful relationship. I have indulged in the fish taco, the vegetarian taco, the chicken taco and on and on.
We usually enjoy the vegetarian "meat" taco at our home. Tonight we invited Sweet Zoe for her first Taco night at Nana's. The smells of garlic and black bean hummus and onions, lots of onions. Taco's done just right.

As I enjoyed dinner, we passed pink polka dot girl around. She was not super happy with the spicy smells. She liked the sound of the pond outside. She liked the smell of sweet strawberry, blueberry parfaits. She fell asleep during dessert.

I was secretly smiling. I had finished, yes you heard me correctly, I finished her Christening gown about 15 minutes before they arrived. aah..........that is the sound of me relieved and happy. Hours and hours of stitching finally came to an end for this project. It is done, complete, over, yippy!

Oh don't worry, I have three more projects waiting in line for Sweet Zoe. I have a sweet pink jacket for winter, a funny Japanese bear and felt desserts and sushi to sew for make believe sushi parties!

As I type, Mr. Right has done all the dishes from Taco night (one of the reasons he is Mr. Right). The washer is going with the linens, we have plans for nacho night tomorrow for all the left overs. The dog can rest, because that little baby is not in her space any more. All is right with the world.

Glad I ate that taco 31 years ago. It was indeed the start of something really, really good in my life. Casual Sunday dinners with laughter (& some crying now) and spicy tacos and orange cream soda to wash it all down. A feeling of accomplishment hidden behind a secret smile.

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.

Cookies make the world go round

Today I am trying out a new recipe. Hot Chocolate Triple Chip Cookies are baking. I am having a really large cup of coffee (and admittedly, ½ can of cashews). No, I am not having a cookie. No car today, so I have to be careful about what I eat. Between the three kinds of chocolate chips and the hot chocolate powder, I would be running for the hospital. No amount of Benadryl would help that combination.

Sadly, Mr. Right does not have a super sweet tooth. So I have to find creative outlets for my baking obsession. (Thus the dog cookie business was born, ha.)

The cookies are for a few different folks. 1. At work, Mr. Right welcomed a new assistant, she started work yesterday. I thought a nice container of cookies would be a perfect way to wish her luck. 2. A single young guy at Bruce's work that I always bake for. 3. Our friend's son is over on this side of the mountain today for another WSP test and he might stop by to say hello or to see if I have fresh cookies. 4. I will wrap up two for Mr. Right’s lunch tomorrow. 5. My favorite reason of all. Ever since last December when we found out we were going to be grandparents, I have been baking a batch or two a month of homemade cookies. I decorate the container really nicely. Always a tag and I always put a little extra effort into it. They go to a friend. He is single and from Turkey, works with Mr. Right and just happens to be a professional photographer. Each month he gets his cookies, he is always so happy. He asked what he could do for me. So back in the beginning, I said I wanted to barter. He asked how so? So I came up with a plan. I bake and bake and bake and give him homemade treats once or twice a month. He in turn will do a photograph session with Sweet Zoe in about a month or two. I get the picture I want, the new mom and dad get the pictures they want and our photographer is a super happy man. He thinks he is getting the better end of the deal. I think I am getting the better end of the deal. We both WIN!!!!!! Amazing, how baking cookies, at least in our little corner of the world, the culinary and economic worlds go round smoothly.

My mother was wrong.

Here's news you can use, my mother was wrong! gasp, shock of all shocks,
yes indeed, she was 100% wrong.

My mother always (that means several hundred times) said, a lady doesn't
speak of her misfortune or her good fortune. It is not proper.

So here I am 48 years later and finally figuring out the little nuances of life.

When Sweet Zoe was born, Mr. Right & I sent out little "It's a Granddaughter"
announcement cards to our friends. We shared chocolate roses and cigars with
co-workers. We are just so darn happy we wanted to
shout it to the world. Just sharing that giddy, happy, silly,
butterfly in the stomach feeling with everyone who would listen.

We told the waitress at the pub we were about to be grandparents. She was
really happy for us. We told the candy shop lady we were buying candy for
the mother of our new granddaughter. She was really happy for us. We have told a couple dozen grocery clerks our news. They have been elated for us. I have told
every single sales gal at every craft, quilt & fabric store about our new granddaughter. Heck, we even told strangers in the elevator. They have all been super happy for us. We told the people at the Sushi restaurant where we frequent that we were new grandparents. They were very happy for us. The mail lady, the UPS man, our librarian and on and on the list goes. Every single person has been happy for us.... no strings, no obligation, nothing more, just plain old happy for someone else.

When they told us on December 11th, 2009 that we were going to be grandparents,
it has been fun and happy and uplifting. On Good Friday when we learned it was
a girl and her name was Sweet Zoe, we shared and told everyone her name. It has been amazing and to borrow a word of our daughter in law, "impressive". Everyone has patiently listened to me go on and on. Everyone has looked at pictures and smiled.

We have a very "impressive" display of heartfelt cards here at our home. Friends and family have sent Mr. Right and I cards and little gifts. All to congratulate us and to share in our happiness. Immediately it has doubled our joy. Sharing all the sweetness and happenings of a new grandbaby has been, well quiet frankly fun. Fun. Period. Nothing earth shattering, just pure happy fun.

I happened to stop at a friends house this week. Her deck was a riot of pink geraniums. Just lush and full and cheerful and happy. She said oh, I planted those in honor of Sweet Zoe. Wow, impressive and lovely all wrapped into one.

Something else happened too. People who are our friends, co-workers and neighbors, who do not know our kids personally have given us gifts for the new parents and baby. Just because they want to and they are genuinely happy.

So here is the lesson folks........yes we all have bad times in our lives and we need support during those times. The big lesson is............we also have great, impressive over the top wonderful times in our lives as well. Share. Simply share. It takes time and stops it just for the briefest of moments and you can feel pure joy and happiness between people.

All the goodness and happiness people have bathed us in replaces and
heals the not so good memories of the past.

Grace happens right before your very eyes.
Our family has been bathed in grace.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday dear sweet
Zoe Carina.

You are already loved more than you
can imagine.

You have Graced us with pure JOY.

Hallelujah!

Love, Nana

How I feel today

MY SOUL IS FED WITH NEEDLE & THREAD

stitching alone

Any chance I could be the only 48 year old person living today
that feels like they were born in the wrong time frame?

I love to quilt, sew by hand and machine, counted cross stitch on linen,
embroider, bake, cook, set a nice table, make cards and do crafts of many kinds.

I am smack dab in the middle of a counted cross stitch birth sampler.
I am doing the celtic embroidery in gold thread on a Christening gown.
I am awaiting a pattern for a quilt I am planning for a Christmas gift.
I have a couple stacks of fabric waiting for some inspiration.
I have four blank dish towels waiting for some embellishment.

Sometimes, just sharing my progress with Mr. Right is just sort of blah. Oh,
he always is complimentary and says all the right things.

I just miss having girlfriends to discuss handiwork with. I miss sharing and
show and tell. Today, is one of those days, I can't wrap my brain around why I
enjoy doing handiwork and I feel so alone.

Finding joy in the "doing" has to be enough sometimes.

color

Three is the number of college gals we are supporting this year. I have asked all what their dorm room colors are going to be so I can start the creativity. I am going to start the first of the season college care packages.

One is going to a Bible College in Oregon, has chosen Black and Lime Green.

Another to Stanford in California, has chosen Black and Brown. Maybe with a tiny accent of blue or pink.

The third is going to WSU in Washington, has chosen Brown.

Is it just me, or do these seem sad and down and well quite frankly "old lady".

Now, I am all for a charming little black dress. I myself have a couple. I have some rather sweet sparkly dress up black pumps as well. Okay, I have five pairs of black pumps, ....oh yes, and some sweet shiny black slip on loafers I forgot about wearing. I am getting those out today! (getting older is fun, you constantly surprise yourself with things you forgot you had!)

What happened to being silly and sweet in college? What happened to bright tangerine or sherbet green or shocking scarlet?

A bride planning a wedding has chosen Black for her wedding with a tiny bit of red.

My friend is helping to set up her son's bachelor pad. He has chosen Black Fiesta ware.

Yikes, where have all the colors gone?

Oh that's right, I am looking at a riot of hot pink on my deck! I have on a pink and green fun peace sign necklace today. I am sharing the computer desk with a bouquet of deep purple and white with purple tips dahlias that Mr. Right brought home last night. Our sweet dog is laying on a green blanket with a silly lime green pillow case with dogs marching across it wearing cowboy boots, galoshes and pink ballet slippers.

I am headed to the sewing room to sew my brand new turquoise and gold pajama pants!

"Life is a great big canvas. Throw all the colorful paint you can on it!"

ps. yes, I have black swirls on this blog page right now, I AM an old lady, it is befitting me! ha

half a cup of lemonade

Yesterday, it was hot here. Oh not as hot as most places, however, 87* for the Pacific Northwest is hot.

After work, Mr. Right was dropping off a gift. Easy enough.

He called a bit later to say, it cost him $3.00.

I asked how that was. Well you see, there was a lemonade stand and three kids. They were selling popcicles for 25 cents and cups of lemonade for 75 cents. So he thought the least likely to melt in the car would be the lemonade. He told the small business person to not fill the cup too full, so it would not spill in the car.

So to sum up...... Mr. Right paid $3.00 (three one dollar bills) for a half a paper cup of lukewarm lemonade.

...that my friends is why he is my Mr. Right.

friends first

Yesterday, a dear friend stopped by to visit. She brought me flowers and her sweet smile. No reason, really, I think she just knew I had made it through a rough and bumpy week. She didn't judge that I was not looking my best. I was not all gussied up for company. I guess she really isn't company. She is part of our family.

She brought kitchen towels made from towel yardage which she had sewn different fabrics bands upon. She wrote out lots of her favorite recipes and tucked in a sweet crocheted flower hot pad. All of those items were for our box
to be sent to the gal we are sending a surprise to. She is the gal for whom the tornado changed her and her family's life forever. My friend (ever and always thoughtful) also tucked in some moola to help with the postage.

She came over in a pair of sweet jeweled black flip flops (she got on sale, woohoo). She always looks put together and fresh. Her nails are always done and she always looks like she has taken care of herself.

We visited for a bit, we laughed and talked seriously too. We chatted about the "younger generation" of using text messages and phones during special events. We talked about three cell phone ringtones going off during a funeral I had attended on Monday. Then something of perfect timing happened, our home phone rang, loudly.

When she or other friends have been visiting, the phone has rung before and I have done the exact same thing each time.

I didn't even flinch. She was in our home. She was the most important thing in my life at that moment in time. The phone rang four times prior to going to voice mail. (yes, it could have been Publishers Clearing house, yes it could have been Mr. Right or yes the kids) She didn't look at the phone. We just kept on talking. We talked about flowers and a beading class she is taking. We talked about the new granddaughter. We talked about the Christening gown. Oh, we have known each other for over 32 years, we can talk!

Off she went to have dinner with a couple of friends. I went back into our home to make dinner for Mr. Right. Both of us smiling and waving. A brief moment in the day brought joy to each of us.

After a day of baking, I was not thrilled that I did not look my best. I was not in top form as a gracious hostess after the week I have had. I was not happy that I did not present myself as perky and happy as usual. However, I am proud of myself for having the grace to put my friend first before the interruption of the telephone. She knew. She knew in an instant, just how important she is to me. No amount of Hallmark cards could convey that message.

I like living my life (most of the time) guided by Grace. I wish for the "younger generation" to learn how good it feels to put your real life friends and experiences first. Save the texting and phone calls for another time. It will still be there.

I want my friends to feel honored to be with me, not second fiddle.

son number two

25 years old today, yup, our "baby". Amazing really. He is a great guy.
He is intelligent and funny and adventurous and athletic and curious.
He loves animals. He genuinely believes people are good. He puts others first.
He is extremely artistic and creative. He loves corn on the cob.
He makes you smile. His conversations are interesting and sometimes silly.
He makes GREAT roasted sweet potatoes and his BBQ orange salmon melts in
your mouth. He is honest and trustworthy. You just feel darn lucky to hang out
with him. When he was little he wanted us to call him Joseph?

He won a coloring contest when he was young. He won a HUGE bright orange stuffed
pumpkin, he named Harold.

He is someone you want to share lunch with.

On my 25th Birthday, Mr. Right gave me my first multi strand of fresh water pearls.
I am wearing it today. Gee, I sure hope his sweetie gives him something different than fresh water pearls! ha

We done good. He is a good & honorable man.

Oh Happy Day! Happy Birthday, son. Love, Mom

jumping for joy

A couple of afternoons ago, I was sitting on the deck stitching.

I was embroidering a kitchen towel to use as "wrapping" paper
for a birthday gift for a sweet daughter in law. Quietly, I was
stitching and our dog was laying in the cool grass. I was listening
to the neighbor kids. Obviously, they were jumping non stop on
their trampoline. Man, those would have been so GREAT back when
I was a kid. Get all that energy out so people would stop saying
"young ladies don't fidget". The neighbor kids use theirs all the time, I mean
all the time! One girl we call (secretly) "the little red haired girl" is
always smiling and bouncing and busy. Any way, I was listening to them
tell each other the ways of the world. Then they started singing "Ring Around the
Rosie" and then "A Tisket a Tasket and green and yellow basket"....
a few other melodies were shouted or sung. All while trying to catch their
breath. Laughing and giggling and gasping for air. It was a good sound.

Then I heard them shouting the "Pledge of Allegiance" while bouncing
up and down and up and down. Then they all just stopped and I am
guessing layed on their trampoline for a couple minutes of quiet time
and to think of more things to do on that summer day.

Kids sure know how to enjoy backyard playtime. Kids know how to
embrace life and all it's goodness. They love to play hard.
I want to capture that feeling and remember to play hard.

...just a gentle reminder that life is indeed good.