Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. being done with the majority of the promotional materials for the business
2. pancakes for dinner
3. a really interesting day at the Meeker Sheep Dog Trails
4. a friend that was patient with me tonight as I was tired and not keeping up our conversation very well
5. ibuprofen as I have been having some back pain and that is the only thing that seems to give me a little relief

Working on Promotional Materials

Our business has taken a different direction then when we first were starting it so it was time for an overhaul. I designed a new logo and then this week my life is all about promotional materials for our business. I am designing 2 postcards, 1 brochure, 1 rack card (which we are inserting into a packet), a business card and letterhead. So far I think things are coming together fairly well. It just is a lot of reworking the copy (the writing on all the materials). Because of this promotional packet we are doing has created a different look for us, I am going to have to re-design the website. So that will be the next thing on my list. I am keeping busy.

Book Review: Her Fearful Symmetry

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When I read The Time Traveler’s Wife last year, I really enjoyed it. So when I got the chance to read an advance reader copy of Audrey Niffenegger’s new book: Her Fear Symmetry, I was literally jumping up and down with excitement. (Thank you Regal Literary Agency!) I am very happy to report that I was not disappointed. It also dispelled any thought that The Time Traveler's Wife was just beginners luck. Ms. Niffenegger definitely knows how to write and how to capture her audience.

Her Fearful Symmetry is a gothic ghost story set in modern times. It’s the story of Elspeth Noblin who dies of cancer and ends up bequeathing her London apartment to her twin nieces, Julia and Valentina. The girls never had a chance to meet their Aunt Elspeth who is their mother's twin. They are curious why their Mom never kept in contact with her twin when they themselves are inseparable. The girls move to Elspeth's apartment where the come to know the buildings other residents. The twins also get to learn more about the historical Highgate Cemetery that borders the building. Even more startling the girls discover that their aunt can't seem to leave her old apartment and life behind.

There was something about this book...it was entrancing, sudden, tragic, compelling and hard to pull myself away from it. I want to put it on the shelf and never read it again because I don't want the feeling I feel with the book to change. Just like how you watch a really good movie, but the second time you watch it you start to become more critical and start to see its flaws. But at the same time I want to start the book again because the story was so well written. I wanted to flip the book to the first page right after reading the last sentence.

So the good things for me...
* Her Fearful Symmetry lived up to the anticipation. The Time Traveler's Wife was such a hit that so often the expectations are just too high for a second book. But this book was incredibly creative. The plot kept me at the edge of my seat and I have never read anything close to it before. Ms. Niffenegger could’ve played it safe for her second novel, but she took the same risk as she did with her first book and the end result was amazing.

* I am making this it's own point because I think it just needs to be stated over and over again: Audrey Niffenegger knows how to write. Her words and prose enhances her plot and thought process. From the first few pages of I was sucked in as I was with The Time Traveler’s Wife and didn't want to put it down. I spent two sleepless nights captured with the plight of Julia and Valentina. It’s one of those books you simply don’t want to put down.

* One of the things I loved about The Time Traveler's Wife was how well Niffenegger wrote her characters. That talent carries over in Her Fearful Symmetry too. One of my complaints of The Time Traveler's Wife was that I didn't feel that the secondary characters were complete. They didn't feel like they were fully realized. In Her Fearful Symmetry, that all changed - you could feel that the secondary characters were much more invested in the story. Their part could have almost been their own story as I found that they were just as interesting in themselves.

* Which brings me to Martin....I really enjoyed him as a character. Martin is severely OCD and Niffenegger’s realistic portrayal enhanced the story. The distress of his illness is shown clearly.

* Niffenegger creates an incredible journey throughout London especially Highgate Cemetery. For me, it was also a character in itself in the book. It was beautifully captivating. I have no doubt that many that read this book will be putting it on their list of must see places in London as it is a real place.

* The story has several unexpected moments that I could’ve never anticipated or predicted. Of course there were some moments that I could anticipate what was going to happen, but those unexpected loops kept me from always figuring out what was going to happen next. It made for a very intriguing story.

* One topic of the book (that is even talked about on the book jacket) is the theme of identity and I really enjoyed how it played throughout the book.

* This book is a ghost story. I normally don’t read ghost stories and I liked this one because it wasn't spooky. It was compelling and quiet, not jump out of your shorts – I can’t get to sleep spooky. The whole book has a quietness to it. The Time Traveler's Wife was really emotionally engaging. Every page I turned, I was heavily invested in Henry and Clare. This book as I said captivated me but in a much quieter tone. Perhaps it was like there was this invisible aspect drawing me inside the pages - a ghost?


Okay there weren’t any really bad things about Her Fearful Symmetry, but there were some things I didn't like. These things didn't ruin the book for me, but attempting to do this without spoilers is very hard. I might do some spoilers on Goodreads.com because they allow for spoilers to be put behind a link.

* Although the characters to me were fully realized in Her Fearful Symmetry - I must admit that I didn't like them. None of them made me want to know them personally – if they happened to be real. In contrast, in The Time Traveler’s Wife I loved Henry and Clare. I mean I really LOVED them! I was so sad to see them go when I finished the book as I wanted the story to last just a little bit longer. They were the type of characters I wanted know and meet in real life. But in Her Fearful Symmetry while they were all interesting characters they simply weren’t the heart tugging-type characters I was spoiled with in The Time Traveler’s Wife. In fact, they actually even annoyed me at times. Maybe it was meant to be that way. I admit that if they had tugged at my heart then it would have most likely ruined the tone of the book.

* One of the things I didn't enjoy with The Time Traveler's Wife was how it ended. The ending felt rushed to me and unfortunately the same thing happened with Her Fearful Symmetry. I am not going to expand on that because I know it would spoil it for those that haven’t read the book yet.

* There were moments in the book where I felt the characters were rushed or that a part of their story got pushed out of the way so that Niffenegger could get on with other aspects of the book.

Even with these couple of points, the book was completely captivating and none of the negatives ruined my overall enjoyment of the book. I thoroughly enjoy Audrey Niffenegger’s books so far. I love her writing. There are authors who can write well and there are authors that simply have the gift of writing. Audrey Niffenegger falls in the latter category and look forward to reading her future works.

View all my reviews >>

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. the library having DVD's to check out. We have been watching some old movies - Dial M for Murder, Vertigo and Anatomy of a Murder have been the first few.
2. Coke rewards because I built up quite a few points so now we are getting some gift certificates for Chili's and Subway.
3. Orange juice - been having it almost daily for the last few week and it has been nice
4. Sweet Olathe Corn - we have had corn on the cob a few times. It is so very good! We will be having it for Labor Day also with steak on the grill (marinade: balsamic vinaigrette, Dijon mustard, onion powder, black pepper and minced garlic) and Pioneer Woman's Potato Bundles and a green salad.
5. it being September which means fall will be here soon...or at least soonish. I love autumn.

This is SO GOOD!

Winner of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Rights Award at the sixth annual "Media that Matters" film festival.

Book Review: What to Drink with What You Eat

What to Drink with What You Eat: The Definitive Guide to Pairing Food with Wine, Beer, Spirits, Coffee, Tea - Even Water - Based on Expert Advice from America's Best Sommeliers by Andrew Dornenburg

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Publishers Description (I am abbreviating it as it was a little long)

"The most comprehensive guide to matching food and drink ever compiled, by the James Beard Award winning author team of Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg, with practical advice from more than seventy of America’s leading pairing experts...

Exceptional in its depth and scope - with over fifteen hundred entries - What to Drink with What You Eat is based on the collective wisdom of experts at dozens of America’s best restaurants, including Alinea, Babbo, Bern’s, Blue Hill, Chanterelle, Daniel, Emeril’s, French Laundry, Frontera Grill, Inn at Little Washington, Jean Georges, Masa’s, The Modern, Per Se, Rubicon, Tru, and Valentino.

You’ll find authoritative recommendations for stocking your cellar and kitchen with must-have beverages, from wines to waters. You’ll also learn what to drink with everything from French toast to Chinese food, and what to eat with everything from Pinot Noir to green tea, to create mouthwatering matches. Follow the authors three simple Rules to Remember when making a match - or just dive into the wide-ranging listings in chapters 5 and 6. "

I really really want to have this book on my bookshelf. It is amazing. It made me feel so much more at ease about pairing food with not only wine but tea, beer and other beverages. It mostly talks about wine though. It is put together in a way that makes it easy to follow - very user friendly. It is an essential reference for serving wine with a meal.

It not only goes in how to pair food and wine but a little bit of history, geography of wine such as what areas produce what types of wine, it gives how to actually taste wine and other expert techniques.

They had 3 simple rules to follow to when starting out...
1 - Think Regionally: If it grows together, it goes together.
2 - Come to your senses: Let your five sense guide your choices
3 - Balance Flavors: Tickle your tongue in more ways then one.

Of course they explain those rules indepth in the book. And make the process as easy as possible for those of us new to pairing beverages with food or foods with beverages. And it does go both ways in this book to make it very easy. Lets say someone gave you a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and you want to make something to go with it. You would look up Cabernet Sauvignon in the book and it has a list of food that go well with it. It has a list of herbs, meats, cheese, veggies, legumes, fruits and just everything you can think of but not only that it also tells you how to cook. Such as it said that Cabernet Sauvignon is good with grilled meats such as hamburgers and beef - braised, grilled, roasted or stewed. It also works the other way if you are serving chicken in cream sauce then it tells you what wine or beverage goes good with it it (Chardonnay - especially a full bodied California). It lists things in general too so if you aren't sure what you are going to do with the chicken yet. I just really loved how easy it was to follow.

As I said above I think this is an essential book for those of us serving wine with a meal.

View all my reviews >>

BBQ Chicken Pizza

1 (12 inch) pizza dough crust
1/3 cup BBQ sauce
1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
4 slices thick cut bacon - cooked and chopped
1/4 cup chopped scallions
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Seasoning to taste such as red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded colby-jack cheese

Preheat oven (and pizza stone if that is what you cook homemade pizza on) to 425 degrees.

Spread 1/3 cup barbecue sauce around the pizza dough. Top with shredded chicken, bacon, scallions and parmesan. Sprinkle with seasonings. Top with shredded cheese.

Bake pizza until the crust is browned and the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 15 to 18 minutes. Slice and serve.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. contact from an old friend via Facebook. I have missed her. She just got married. I am so very happy for her.
2. a great day out and about with Michael my love. I haven't been sleeping so having a great day out was just what I needed. He alwas knows what I need.
3. Michael knowing what I need. I am very grateful for Michael always knowing what I need.
4. a poetry book given to me by good friends. They have poems and photographs in it and I am grateful to enjoy their beautiful work.
5. a nice bottle of wine we shared this evening - that we bought when we had a friend visit not to long ago. We took her on the winery tour and picked up a few bottles.

100 Things | Socks

19. I love socks.

My feet are almost always cold. Walking around the house, I don't like shoes but I do wear socks during the fall and winter. And sometimes into the spring. And so with the fall coming on, I can't wait to wear socks.
























These are fun and cute socks that were given to me by my good friend Mandy. She found them at a place called the Sock Market.





One of my favorite places to get socks is TJMaxx because I can get good quality socks at a very low price. I got 3 pairs of ragwool socks - black and white, navy and white, khaki and white - for $2 a piece in 1991. And they still are in great condition.




This red pair of wool socks is again a pair I got at TJMaxx and bought them when I was in college. So a LONG LONG time ago. And they are just staring to wear through the bottom and I know I will cry big crocodile tears when I lose them. As they are my FAVORITE pair of socks. They are so warm and comfy!








Stripy Socks who doesn't like stripey socks! They are warm and fuzzy too.








One of my favorite places to get socks is SockDreams.com One thing I really like about them is that I wear skirts and dresses mostly and during winter I wear lots of tights. But when I discovered Sock Dreams I found they have warm over the knee or socks that come up on thighs. I have several pairs. This pair in the picture is like wearing leg warmers but connected to socks. I have a sweater that has that purple color in it and wear them with a jean skirt. It is very comfy and warm.





The packaging on these said "cloud socks." Very soft and warm. I participated in a sock exchange between friends a couple years ago and got these from my friend Angie. There were 3 pairs in the package - pink, light blue and lavender. And I wear them a lot during the winter and especially to bed as my feet usually are their coldest right before bed.






These are hand-knitted slippers made for me by my friend Kaylee. They are beautiful. She hand-dyed the yarn, felted and made to fit me. They are the thickest and the warmest slipper socks. I am very thankful to my friend for giving me such a beautiful gift.

Doing Not Thinking Challenge

So my goals for this Doing Not Thinking Challenge goals are:
1. Work on art once a month (great if more but I want to at least try for once a month)
2. Create Soul Collage cards (like at least 3 done by the end of challenge)
3. Organizing and decluttering - which I have been working on already but want to continue with these areas
* storage
* Michael’s office
* bedroom closet
* front closet
4. Sew one thing. I haven't sewn in years and picked up a basic sewing book at the library and want to make it a goal just to sew one thing so that I don't keep putting it off.

Progress: I actually kind of forgot about the challenge because I have been out of town 3 weeks out of the last 5. So I am going to try to get back on track but as I have said this challenge I am just not accomplishing my goals like I did last challenge. I am trying not to beat myself up about it but of course I am a little bit.

Goals Completed: bedroom closet, Michael's office and front closet

Birthday Wishes....

Wishing my beautiful sister a VERY Happy Birthday! Michael and I hope your day is filled with celebration of YOU! You are an amazing woman and I truly blessed to call you my sister! I love YOU!

Banana Layer Cake

The fudge chocolate frosting recipe made enough to frost 2 whole cakes. Next time I will use another chocolate frosting recipe. Maybe a milk chocolate one.

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 sticks of butter, unsalted - room temperature
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
3 medium - very ripe peeled bananas
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk (I use powdered buttermilk*)
3/4 cup toasted chopped walnuts - OPTIONAL

1. Position an oven rack on the middle rung. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

2. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda until blended with a whisk.

3. In a large bowl, beat butter with a mixer on medium-high until smooth. Add the sugar and beat until well combined. Add the bananas and vanilla and beat until well blended and only small bits of banana remain. Add eggs 2 at a time, beating well after each. The mixture will look lumpy but it will come together. Add half the flour mixture on low until just blended. Add the buttermilk until just blended. Then add remaining flour and mix until just blended. Stir in walnuts, if using.

4. Evenly divide into the 2 pans. Bake until tops are brown and a toothpick or cake tester come out clean about 30 minutes. Transfer pans to racks and let cool 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to loosen the cake from the pan. Invert the layers onto racks and remove pans. Let cool completely.

5. Brush the loose crumbs from the cooled cake. Place the bottom cake upside down. Frost first layer of cake. Add second cake and frost top and sides. Cake can be served at room temperature but also in my opinion good cold.


* I use powdered buttermilk. I don't always use up a carton of buttermilk. And the powdered buttermilk lasts much longer. So I have found it is much easier to have that around.

Here is the powdered buttermlik that I use....

Where did Michael Go?

Very good question.

My last entry was back in March and ... well ... I haven't been very good at blogging, have I.....

Well - I don't think I have a lot of excuses to offer. I don't email people as often as I once did. Things have been busy and well, things haven't exactly gone very well. In fact, Darby noticed a change in me since January and the only thing I can say is that there's been a cloud, a heavy cloud for quite some time.

Physically - I can actually feel it hanging above my eyes ... it's a pressure that feels like a heavy blanket weighing down on my head, my mind, my eyes....

It has been a depression that just hasn't really let go. It's been building and building -- without much of a reprieve or opportunity to adjust the slope and climb out of the ruts I've found myself in. The latest rut has been very difficult that has been settling in this summer.

I've been pretty good at managing depressions for a long time - but there are times when it just starts to rise faster than I'm doggy paddling. That's how it has felt all year - and admitting that much has helped me realize that it's okay to go through it. The influx of work has helped - as it has been one of the major stressors with the downturn of the economy. Having stable jobs has been difficult to maintain - as everyone is hurting.

So that's where I've been.

I'm feeling better than I have been - but I'm still feeling the cloud hanging around. I fully recognize that depressions generally don't evaporate like a fog - as it takes a lot of work to eventually have them dissipate. I'm coming out of my shell a bit more and that's a good thing. Shells are good for self-repair, but hardly ideal for any significant living quarters.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. Really good deals on groceries this week - pantry and freezer are stocked quite a well again.
2. Being given an advance reader copy of Her Fearful Symmetry
3. something that I didn't give gratitude for earlier - that I should have - a wonderful package from a dear friend. She really put a lot of thoughts, care and love into it. Thank you for your friendship Kaylee!
4. being home. I have enjoyed all my time out of town but it is nice to be home too.
5. great dinner of steak, baked potatoes and salad - yums!

Dirty Vase

Michael was waiting for me at the airport with roses when I came back from Minnesota. Beautiful roses that I had problems finding a vase that would fit them nice. I have 2 vases that are my favorite. And both very nice crystal vases. One is a Lennox and over the years the crystal has become cloudy. I have tried cleaning it with vinegar and baking soda and a tooth brush but it just doesn't do anything to improve it. So I told myself this time after these roses die, I would find a way to clean that vase. I rememered reading that people have used denture tablets on discolored vases so I decided to try it. I picked up a box of denture tablets at the dollar store. And let me tell you - it WORKED! Really well!

Time Traveler's Wife - Her Fearful Symmetry

I came back from Minnesota with an email waiting in my inbox from the publishers of The Time Traveler's Wife. They read my review online and knowing that people online were really the ones to make The Time Traveler's Wife gain interest and success - they were wanting to send advance reader copies out to people to do a blog review and generate that interest again. And I was one of those people. So of course I wrote them back. And when we got back from our Denver trip, Audrey Niffenegger's new book Her Fearful Symmetry was waiting for me. I read about 50 pages and already know I am going to love it, just beautiful writing. I need to finish 2 books I checked out at the library and then I will finish reading Her Fear Symmetry. And of course I will be doing a review of it too.

I have to say it is pretty exciting to be contacted like that and just be one of the people wanted to have do a review of it. The Time Traveler's Wife is in my top ten books. I reread it again recently and didn't want the book to end.

Doing Not Thinking Challenge

So my goals for this Doing Not Thinking Challenge goals are:
1. Work on art once a month (great if more but I want to at least try for once a month)
2. Create Soul Collage cards (like at least 3 done by the end of challenge)
3. Organizing and decluttering - which I have been working on already but want to continue with these areas
* storage
* Michael’s office
* bedroom closet
* front closet
4. Sew one thing. I haven't sewn in years and picked up a basic sewing book at the library and want to make it a goal just to sew one thing so that I don't keep putting it off.

Progress: I actually kind of forgot about the challenge because I have been out of town 3 weeks out of the last 5. So I am going to try to get back on track but as I have said this challenge I am just not accomplishing my goals like I did last challenge. I am trying not to beat myself up about it but of course I am a little bit.

Goals Completed: bedroom closet, Michael's office and front closet

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. Noodles and Company - we don't have one in Grand Junction so try to get a chance to eat Noodles when we come over to Denver. And we did tonight. It was really good.
2. coloring with Michael's Mom tonight
3. work set up and take down and just the filming in general going well
4. quality time with Michael's parents. We have had lots of fun on Wednesday and are going to spend the day with them tomorrow too.
5. the men and women that defend this country. I heard some stories the last 2 days that broke my heart in how we treat those that serve in the military. I have always had a profound respect for those that serve in the military but that just deepened even more after hearing their stories.

To Denver

We are leaving to go to Denver today. Before I left for vacation, we got some hard news about Michael's Dad. And while I was gone we got even more bad news. So while we are going over for work we are also just spending time with his parents. It will be nice to see them and spend some quality time with them.

Time Travelers Unite on Facebook

So last night when we went to bed, I picked up my book to read a bit. And Michael asked me what book I was reading. I told him that it was a series I read before but there is a new one coming out in the fall so I wanted to reread them all again. Now I talk to Michael about almost all the books I read. He has heard about Eat Pray Love so much I think he can quote lines and he didn't even read it. (BTW lala - I think you should read that book.) He has heard about Lovely Bones where the little girl is watching everything and everyone from "heaven." He has heard about artist wife that goes back home to help her Mom and has an affair (The Mermaid Chair.) And he has heard about Henry from The Time Traveler's Wife and Claire from the Outlander series who also time travels. It is the series I am rereading. I am on book 2 The Dragonfly in the Amber.

So anyway...I told him I was rereading the Outlander series. I told him that it was the one about the woman that time travels to Scotland 1745. And he asked if that was The Time Traveler's Wife. I said no different time traveling book. He replied that the time travelers should make a facebook page. And they could swap time traveling tips. They could also send each other drinks and yankee candles*.

And of course being tired - that set me off into a fit of giggles where the cats were looking at me like I lost my mind. I just had this image of Henry from The Time Traveler's Wife and Claire from Outlander sending each other yankee candles.

* if you don't have facebook - they have applications on there like meme, quizzes and then some that you can give virtual gifts. And drinks and yankee candles are just a couple things you can give.

My Summer Vacation

I don't' remember having to do the reports on my summer vacation when I was young girl in school but I am sure I did one or two. This time as an adult I want to remember my summer vacation as my trip was great. Seeing my family was incredible - just having so much time with them. Usually when I see them it is just a few rushed days. But this time it was just really good quality time with them. Michael said that when I came out to meet him at the curb to be picked up - I glowed. I told him I was sure that it was because I was excited to see him. But he says that he felt my trip relaxed me. And it did. He was waiting with roses for me at the airport. He is so great!

We did lots of shopping, eating, hanging out talking and laughing together. My sisters and I went to was Town Talk Diner which was one of the places featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. We had adult malts and frickles. Adult malts are just malts with alcohol. I had a German Chocolate Cake Malt and it had coconut rum and another liqueur that I can't remember at this moment. And then frickles are slices of dill pickles coated in batter and deep fried. And then dill mustard mayo to dip them in. I had never had a fried pickles before and they were SO GOOD! The malt was amazing too - and should have been for the price. We sat at the counter as the main dining area was closed when we came in. A couple came in that in talking to them sounded like they decided to just take a trip to Minneapolis to try out some of the places that have been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. My sisters and I thought it sounded like a nice reason to go on a trip to just pick up and go on a trip to eat!

After the Farmer's Market and Sculpture Garden, my sisters and I went to have homemade ice cream at Sebastian Joe's where I had chocolate praline that was delicious. I had a sample of the raspberry chip - which was great and then also tasted of my sister's ice cream which one was called Pavarotti that was banana with caramel and chocolate chips. And then coconut cream pie. Next to Sebastian Joe's was a cute little store called Patina's . Another cute store we went to was Good Things. I picked up a few gifts for friends and Michael at each place. Another place we went that I wanted to go while there because I knew my Mom and sisters would like it and that is Penzeys Spices. A very good friend of mine sent me a gift basket of several of their spices. And Michael knows when I use a Penzeys as it just tastes so much better. He will often say to me - "did you use a Penzeys?" And always my reply is yes because you can tell the difference when cooking with them. My sister and my Mom bought me several spices. I can't wait to use them.

My sister had bought her house since I had been there last. So it was nice to finally see it. It is a cute house and she has decorated it really nice. I love the colors she is using. It is obvious the work she is putting into it. I spent the night there one night. But we had other times of just all us girls hanging out. It was good quality sister time. I miss them a lot and it was good to just hang out talk and laugh and really get to know them as adults better. I have lived so far away their whole adult lives basically. I mean I know them but I also see the beautiful women they have grown into and their interests and dreams now as adults.

I had a great time with my parents too. And often I wished I could see them all much more then I do now. As I see my parents about once a year. And I see my sisters about once every other year. It would be nice to see them more often but I live far away so not easily done.

My main purpose for going to see my family was that we were throwing my Grandma a surprise birthday party. She is turning 85. So we all traveled one of my cousin's in Fargo, North Dakota for that party. And my Grandma was very surprised! And she LOVED the video Michael made for her. She was so surprised how many people came. I hadn't seen some of my cousins in over 10 years so it was great to see everyone. A cousin of my Dad's who babysat me when I was little was there as well as my godparents. And I can't even tell you when the last time I saw them - it might be about 20 years. And silly me didn't think about getting a photo of them. I took a lot of pictures but there were time I just didn't think about it was I was busy visiting and just doing stuff.

The next day we had another surprise birthday party for one of my cousins who is turning 40. It was at my Aunt and Uncle's lake house. And the lake house was fun! My cousins, their spouses and kids - just were a joy to be around. I had so much fun. My Aunt and Uncle had all their kids and grandkids there so they got a group shot - 18 grandkids. 3 infants and the oldest grandchild is 12. My one cousin's baby was so cute (all the babies were cute) because he just was smiling all the time. He had a little tuff of hair sticking straight up down the center of his head just like a mohawk.

One day it was really breezy out and of course I didn't get sunscreen on fast enough so ended up with a burn on my arms, neck and chest.

My cousin Rhonda and I are very close. We are close in age. I was the first grandchild and she was the next. So we just were together a lot. She and I had a good time catching up. We always had such a fun time as young girls talking and giggling. I miss her a lot so it was nice to see her.

It was just a lot of fun and again I wished often that I saw everyone more. But I am so thankful for the time with them. I know Michael had to work hard without me here so I am thankful he made it possible for me to go and spend time with my family. I can't even begin to express what it meant to me to see everyone and have such an incredible time. I know that this vacation will be one that I cherish and remember for a very long time.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. my amazing trip
2. quality time with my family
3. fabulous parents and sisters
4. the roses Michael gave me - he had with him waiting at the airport for me
5. Michael - I missed him while gone

Just a Few More Days....

Only a couple more days here with my family. I have so enjoyed the time with them. And am going to miss them when I leave. I miss Michael though so am excited to get home and see him.

Here are a few more pictures of the sculpture garden...

Weekend Party

I had a fabulous weekend in North Dakota. We had a surprise party for my Grandma's 85th birthday. And then more parties to follow at my Aunt and Uncles's lake house.

Grandma was very surprised. And loved the video Michael made for her. I am thankful for everyone chipping in and giving me pictures for it. Otherwise he wouldn't have been able to create it.

I haven't seen many members of my family in more then 10 years. So it was GREAT to see everyone. All my cousin's have kids and all of them are ardorable! I enjoyed being around all the kids as they were a lot of fun.

And I hope that it isn't so long before I see everyone again.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. a great week with my family!
2. seeing some of my extended family - Aunt and cousins
3. the party we are having tomorrow for my Grandma and that I was able to be here for it.
4. my daily phone calls with Michael as I miss him so much and wouldn't be able to get through the day without hearing his voice
5. my family - I am grateful to have the family I do. They are amazing people who I love so much!

Everything comes back

"It's always better to give too much, pay too much, and love too much, than not enough.

But then, Darby, since everything comes back to you anyway, can there ever be too much?

I love you too much anyway,
The Universe"

I enjoy the notes from the universe. I think they are just good solid affirmations. This one is several days old, but I am just catching up on some email tonight. And it made me think of the seafood adventure. Our waitress got chewed out by the table next to us. And chewed out for things that were unfair and just so uncaring or unobservant.

She was called away to the front. She asked someone to cover her. While she was gone, the table next to us started complaining about her. And when the person that was covering came over, they asked her for a manager. They complained about things that just didn't really sound reasonable - at least to me.

When our waitress came back, they really were rude in complaining. And they said something about a plate of food that had been on the table and she said, "well I thought you guys were eating off it still as their was food on it." The man said, "oh yeah that is an excuse you knew it was just sitting there." They never said to her please take this plate we are done with it. They just expected her to mind-read. And know they were done with it even though it had food on it.

On top of all their complaining - just being a waiter/waitress is a very hard job. And that place was packed and the people in and out was crazy. I think she was doing exceptional for keeping up with everyone's drinks and clearing plates and just being helpful. I guess I give a little slack in those type of situations where it is crazy busy. I mean we had a 3 hour wait. I think having to deal with people all night - that all had 3 hours waits - the tension gets a little high. You have to tread carefully. And I felt she did that well.

The waitress was full-figured and it was the last rude comment right after she left their table that did me in - the man at the table with a huge beer belly said, "No wonder she is fat she sits around on her lazy ass." The woman was running all over that place and obviously more in shape then the guy and he said that. It drove me nuts.

They left shortly after and our waitress came back to our table to clear dishes away and refill water. It was very obvious she had been crying. My Mom stopped her and told her how uncalled for that table was and that she was doing a good job. We all told her were very happy with our service. She really smiled and you could tell appreciated all our comments. I hoped we had made up for the table next to us and gave her more then they took.

The note from the universe made me think that those people gave to everyone around them - not just the waitress. And what you give out - you get back so maybe that is why they were like that. They get back so much rudeness they just turn around and give it out and it comes back tenfold. Maybe one day they will see that opening their eyes to the people around them, being compassionate and appreciative will give you a lot more back. Make you feel so much better. At least I can hope for a world that everyone does that.

Seafood Adventure

Last night we had what I am calling a seafood adventure. My family loves seafood. All of us just enjoy it so much. Anyway, there was this seafood buffet at a casino near here that was doing a special during the summer. And Oh my the people! And the wait. We left the house at 3:30pm and got home at 11:45pm. But we did indeed get to eat seafood - not only just seafood good seafood and LOTS of seafood. We came home STUFFED!

They told us it would be a 3 hour wait and well - it was! Signing up for a club member card we got 10 dollars free for gambling so we went to play slots for a while. And then went to the bar and they had a rock-n-roll band that was pretty good so we listened to them for a while before we were able to go eat.

In the end - the food was REALLY good. Every seafood imaginable was available and it tasted so good! My favorite was the coconut shrimp - I think. Crab legs of course were the biggest hit in the place. I think every table had big plates full and buckets piled high with the shells.

Would we wait 3 hours again for it....I don't know but it was still a memory created and time with my family and that I will always enjoy!

Fruit, Flowers and Art

Just a few pictures from the Sculpture Garden and then Farmer's Market....

Bliss

I am hoping I will have some pictures to share tomorrow. I took almost 200 pictures just need to pull them from my camera.

We went to the Farmer's Market that had of course fruit and vegetable stands but also good eats (brats, gigantic caramel pecan roll), flowers and plants, handmade goods (soaps, candles and quilts), flea market type finds (sunglasses, purses and beanie babies). My Mom bought a gorgeous bouquet that I haven't got a picture of but want to take it where she has it in her house as it look so pretty. And then my sister April got 2 bouquets towards the close of the Farmer's Market for $5 for 2 bouquets - a dozen roses and also a bunch of gerbera daisies. So so pretty. My sister Michelle bought me some homemade soap - coconut pear. So yummy smelling it makes me hungry just inhaling around it!

After the Farmer's Market, my sisters and I headed to the sculpture garden. I had never been there. I took a ton of photos there - between the sculpture and the flowers - just so many pretty shots. If you have never been to Minneapolis, you might still know where I have been by the just me mentioning the spoon with the cherry. It is a big spoon with a cherry sculpture that it is famous for.

From there we went to have ice cream and then go to a store called Patina. It is a store I could lose many hours in and did lose quite a bit of time. There are so many little wonderful treasures. It also had art by Papaya Art which I always enjoy. And had the image I used with this post. One of my favorite images.

We then headed back to my sister's house for a bit before she delivered me back to my parents. I spent quality time with Mom looking at cookbooks and visiting. You know that is where I get my love of cooking and also just browsing cookbooks - from my Mom. I think tomorrow we are going to to Penzeys Spices. I know she will love their spices just as much as I do.

I am missing Michael of course but talking to him a couple times a day so that is good.

Very tired from the busy day. But very happy to have had such a beautiful day with my family! I miss them so much living so far away so it is just fabulous to be able to spend this time with them.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. arriving in Minnesota safe and sound. After a very bumpy take off, I am very thankful for be safely on the ground!
2. the cool weather here
3. laughing and having good conversation with my parents and sisters
4. Mom's cooking - homemade chocolate pie is the best (homemade chocolate filling in the pie as well as homemade pie crust)
5. being able to see my family!

Leaving on a Jet Plane....

I am going to miss Michael so much while out of town! At the same time I am looking forward to having so much quality time with my family. I am going to be in Minnesota for 2 weeks. Usually visits are rushed in 3 to 4 day spans so it will be nice to just have so much time with my parents and sisters as well as extended family.

I am busy packing packing packing! The cats of course are trying to help by lying in the suitcase because you know that speeds the process up so much!

So not sure how much I will get a chance to post while out of town. But will hopefully get a few moments to post some pictures and update about all the fun things I am doing!

Not a great day

Yesterday wasn't a very good day. I had a follow up mammogram that they are going to keep a watch on and the next visit if it looks worse I will have to get a biopsy. On top of that news we got some sad news on Michael's side of the family too. So lots of prayers and thoughts going out.

After the day we had, I asked Michael if he wanted me to postpone my trip to see my family. But he said - as I felt - that now it seems even more important to have these chances with family that we can have....because of our news it just is making us cherish all moments we have with those we love.

Doing Not thinking Challenge

So my goals for this Doing Not Thinking Challenge goals are:
1. Work on art once a month (great if more but I want to at least try for once a month)
2. Create Soul Collage cards (like at least 3 done by the end of challenge)
3. Organizing and decluttering - which I have been working on already but want to continue with these areas
* storage
* Michael’s office
* bedroom closet
* front closet
4. Sew one thing. I haven't sewn in years and picked up a basic sewing book at the library and want to make it a goal just to sew one thing so that I don't keep putting it off.

Progress: nothing been busy working on a video with Michael and getting ready to go out of town. I won't be doing the challenge obviously while out of town.

Goals Completed: bedroom closet, Michael's office and front closet

Always on the Back Burner

It feels like since mid-June I just have had lots on my plate but not many things get done totally. I start working on something and either Michael has to finish it or it just gets put on the back burner for something else that needs done. I hope by the end of the summer I will have been able to enjoy some me time. Do art, sew, get some plans on the way for some redecorating and so on.

Colorado National Monument

Just a few picture Michael took when we went up to the Colorado National Monument on Thursday...

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. having one of Michael's friends visit and getting to know her better
2. the wineries we visited today - samples we tasted and bottles we brought home to enjoy.
3. the beautiful state we live in - we visited the Colorado National Monument yesterday
4. good food, good wine, good friends
5. my love

Doing Not Thinking Challenge

So my goals for this Doing Not Thinking Challenge goals are:
1. Work on art once a month (great if more but I want to at least try for once a month)
2. Create Soul Collage cards (like at least 3 done by the end of challenge)
3. Organizing and decluttering - which I have been working on already but want to continue with these areas
* storage
* Michael’s office
* bedroom closet
* front closet
4. Sew one thing. I haven't sewn in years and picked up a basic sewing book at the library and want to make it a goal just to sew one thing so that I don't keep putting it off.

Progress: nothing unfortunately

Goals Completed: bedroom closet, Michael's office and front closet

2009 Reading List....So Far

This is my reading list so far for 2009. It isn't in order really - it is just how it came out when I copied from Goodreads.com

1. Eclipse (Twilight, #3) Meyer, Stephenie
2. Twilight (Twilight, #1) Meyer, Stephenie
3. New Moon (Twilight, #2) Meyer, Stephenie
4. Collage Discovery Workshop (Paperback) Hellmuth, Claudine
5. Collage Discovery Workshop: Beyond The Unexpected (Paperback) Hellmuth, Claudine
6. Artists' Journals and Sketchbooks: Exploring and Creating Personal Pages (Paperback) Perrella, Lynne
7. The Forgetting Room (Paperback) Bantock, Nick
8. Outlander (Outlander, #1) Gabaldon, Diana
9. The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3) Pullman, Philip
10. Breaking Dawn (Twilight, #4) Meyer, Stephenie
11. The Time Traveler's Wife (Hardcover) Niffenegger, Audrey
12. Creating Keepsakes' Encyclopedia Of Scrapbooking (Paperback) White, Tracy
13. How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking (Paperback) Lawson, Nigella
14. The Weekend Baker: Irresistible Recipes, Simple Techniques, and Stress Free Strategies for Busy People (Hardcover) Dodge, Abigail Johnson
15. Alphabetica: An A-Z Creativity Guide for Collage and Book Artists (Quarry Book) Perrella, Lynne
16. The Best Quick Breads: 150 Recipes for Muffins, Scones, Shortcakes, Gingerbreads, Cornbreads, Coffeecakes, and More (Paperback) Hensperger, Beth
17. Journal Revolution: Rise Up & Create! Art Journals, Personal Manifestos and Other Artistic Insurrections (Paperback) Woods, Linda
18. Art Escapes: Daily Exercises and Inspirations for Discovering Greater Creativity and Artistic Confidence (Spiral-bound) Kanter, Dory
19. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Paperback) Tolle, Eckhart
20. Before The Storm (Paperback) Chamberlain, Diane
21. Visual Chronicles: The No-Fear Guide to Creating Art Journals, Creative Manifestos and Altered Books (Paperback) Woods, Linda
22. The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life (Paperback) Ferrucci, Piero
23. The Gourmet Slow Cooker: Volume II, Regional Comfort-Food Classics (Paperback) Alley, Lynn
24. Parrotfish (Hardcover) Wittlinger, Ellen
25. Collage, Assemblage, and Altered Art: Creating Unique Images and Objects (Paperback) Maurer-Mathison, Diane
26. The Best Make-Ahead Recipe (The Best Recipe) Ackere, Daniel J. Van
27. The Best Soups & Stews: A Best Recipe Classic (Best Recipe Series) Tremblay, Carl
28. The Domino Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Making You Happy (Hardcover) Needleman, Deborah
29. Salvage Style in Your Home (Hardcover) Hankinson, Moira
30. Untamed (House of Night, #4) Cast, P.C.
31. 1,000 Artist Trading Cards: Innovative and Inspired Mixed Media ATCs (1000 Series) Bolton, Patricia
32. Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings (Paperback) Roberts, Kelly Rae
33. Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #3) Ward, J.R.
34. Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1) Harris, Charlaine
35. Living Dead in Dallas (Sookie Stackhouse, #2) Harris, Charlaine
36. Club Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #3) Harris, Charlaine
37. Dead to the World (Sookie Stackhouse, #4) Harris, Charlaine
38. Dead as a Doornail (Sookie Stackhouse, #5) Harris, Charlaine
39. Definitely Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #6) Harris, Charlaine
40. All Together Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #7) Harris, Charlaine
41. From Dead to Worse (Sookie Stackhouse, #8) Harris, Charlaine
42. 500 Handmade Books: A Celebration of Contemporary Book Forms (Paperback) Books, Lark
43. The Gentle Art of Domesticity: Stitching, Baking, Nature, Art & the Comforts of Home (Hardcover) Brocket, Jane
44. Creating Handmade Books (Paperback) Golden, Alisa
45. One for the Money (Stephanie Plum, #1) Evanovich, Janet
46. Quick Fix Meals: 200 Simple, Delicious Recipes to Make Mealtime Easy (Paperback) Miller, Robin
47. Scrapbook Journaling Made Simple: Tips for Telling the Stories Behind Your Photos (Memory Makers) Makers, Memory
48. Designing With Words (Paperback) Arts, Leisure
49. Best of the Best Vol. 9: The Best Recipes from the 25 Best Cookbooks of the Year (Best of the est: Best Recipes from the 25 Best Cookbooks of the Year) Magazine, Food & Wine
50. Ken Hom's Quick Wok (Paperback) Hom, Ken
51. Clean, Naturally: Recipes for Body, Home, and Spirit (Paperback) Maine, Sandy
52. Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of (Lansky, Vicki) Lansky, Vicki
53. Two for the Dough (Stephanie Plum, #2) Evanovich, Janet
54. Three To Get Deadly (Stephanie Plum, #3) Evanovich, Janet
55. Four to Score (Stephanie Plum, #4) Evanovich, Janet
56. Baking: From My Home to Yours (Hardcover) Greenspan, Dorie
57. Home Hints and Tips (Paperback) Richardson, Rosamund
58. The Big-Ass Book of Crafts (Paperback) Montano, Mark
59. 500 Ideas for Small Spaces: Easy Solutions for Living in 1000 Square Feet or Less (Paperback) Seldon, Kimberley
60. High Five (Stephanie Plum, #5) Evanovich, Janet
61. Seven Up (Stephanie Plum, #7) Evanovich, Janet
62. Hot Six (Stephanie Plum, #6) Evanovich, Janet
63. Hard Eight (Stephanie Plum, #8) Evanovich, Janet
64. Ten Big Ones (Stephanie Plum, #10) Evanovich, Janet
65. Temptation (Mass Market Paperback) Deveraux, Jude
66. Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew (Paperback) Karol, Amy
67. What to Drink with What You Eat: The Definitive Guide to Pairing Food with Wine, Beer, Spirits, Coffee, Tea - Even Water - Based on Expert Advice from America's Best Sommeliers (Hardcover) Dornenburg, Andrew
68. Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects (Spiral-bound) Butler, Amy
69. Meal planning and table service in the American home (Hardcover) Bailey, N. Beth
70. The Good Housekeeping Hostess: An Old-Fashioned Guide to Gracious Living (Hardcover) Housekeeping, From the Editors of Good
71. To the Nines (Stephanie Plum, #9) Evanovich, Janet
72. A Guide to Elegance: For Every Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed on All Occasions (Hardcover) Dariaux, Genevieve Antoine
73. The Black Lyon (Mass Market Paperback) Deveraux, Jude
74. The Maiden (Mass Market Paperback) Deveraux, Jude
75. Eleven on Top (Stephanie Plum, #11) Evanovich, Janet
76. Learn to Sew (Paperback) Reid, Alison
77. The Velvet Promise (Mass Market Paperback) Deveraux, Jude
78. Twelve Sharp (Stephanie Plum, #12) Evanovich, Janet
79. Lean Mean Thirteen (Stephanie Plum, #13) Evanovich, Janet
80. The American Woman's Home Beecher, Catharine Esther
81. The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs Page, Karen
82. Fearless Fourteen (Stephanie Plum, #14) Evanovich, Janet
83. Highland Velvet (Mass Market Paperback) Deveraux, Jude
84. Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand (Kitty Norville, Book 5) Vaughn, Carrie
85. A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table (Hardcover) Wizenberg, Molly
86. Visions of Sugar Plums (A Stephanie Plum Between the Numbers/Holiday Novel, #1) Evanovich, Janet
87. Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse, #9) Harris, Charlaine

31....I wish....

So I had a doctors appointment the other day. One of those appointments us women always love to have....anyway...my nurse kept writing 31 instead of 41 because she couldn't believe I was 41. And then the doctor was asking me questions (new doctor) and asked me my age because he said after that wasn't believeing what was on the chart as he thought I was in my early 30's. I told them thank you and that I would have to thank both of my Grandmothers as it was part of my genes. As they both always have looked much younger.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. the shredding being done!
2. brownies on the counter ready for brownie sundae's for 4th of July
3. Caesar (one of our cats) taking his pills so well - he takes allergy pills. And he really has gotten so good at taking them
4. not having a migraine everyday this week
5. getting through my doctor appointment

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

9 Bags

I spent the last 3 evenings doing shredding. I really want it done so I can focus on other things. I just had such a big box of it sitting in the living room I felt I needed to get it done before I can continue on with the things. I ended up with 9 bags full of shredding. Michael had hung onto some old work stuff and decided that since he had only got into it once in 3 years and what he was looking for wasn't there - that he probably didn't need most of it. So he whittled it down to a little box of things to keep. And I shredded the rest. 9 bags worth (Some of that was our just regular pile of shredding too that I hadn't been keeping up with.)

Rushed

It has been pretty busy. I have had several work projects. Michael has had a ton of them. And then he leaves for a conference on Sunday. And he will be gone a few days and on his return (the 8th) he will be picking up a friend to bring back for a visit. She will be staying until the 11th. Then he will be very very busy with work up until I leave on the 17th. I will be in Minnesota until the 31st. I hope that I am able to get everything done before I leave because at the moment it doesn't feel like it.