Soup Lady, "Cooking from the Heart"

The Angelina Jolie of Animals

 

Yesterday, Jamie and I went to Winco.  We saw 2 dogs at the door looking like they were waiting for someone.  For someone who was not looking for them.  Abandoned, tick ridden, sweet gentle babies.  I wanted to take them home.  Jamie, voice of reason - you have a jealous boy at home.  Then he said, "you are the Angelina Jolie for animals".  Yes, I guess I am.  These 2 babies weighed on my mind.  Here is my prayer for them...

My heart goes out

Without a doubt

To animals abandoned and abused

Misplaced, confused

What did I do

I only meant to love you...

My wish today is someone will say...

Come home with me and play....

Dedicated to all the abused, lost and lonely dogs...I love you!!!!

The Omega Point - Where Humanity, the Universe and God Unite

 

Albert Einstein

   

Albert Einstein is arguably the most renowned scientist the world has known.  I was watching the Science Channel's "Through the Wormhole" in which Morgan Freemen referenced a quote from the great scientist...

"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind".

I could not agree more.

Set Free

A pact...

A contract...

To be effective...

The contract needs to be honored by each party...

One party reneges...

The other is set free...

 

 

Good Chi

I took Folly to my Tai Chi group to experience the good Chi...

 

Every time I come to this group I see and learn something new.  Here is Gigi doing Fan Style.  The grace and power is remarkable in this style...

 
 
 
 
 

This is Trey.  He has been adopted by the Tai Chi group.  A handsome and well rounded boy.  He showed Folly his report card he was so proud of the grades. 

 

Slumber Party

Our day started with coffee.  We like to go sit out in the front yard with our coffe and doggie and watch the birds play in the garden.  Folly told me a story earlier in the day about someone in her family referring her to as the grandma.  Well, it just evolved and we have now determined she will be called grandma Folly to Harley.  Here is Harley and Grandma Folly smooching in the garden...

Folly's Take:  You know it will be a great day when it begins with a little bit of lovin'

Lots of love back at you Harley

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Grandma Folly

 
What a handsome boy...

 

Then, Barre class on excercise TV.

Packing our lunch...

Home made (sort of) bread:

Folly's Take...

Mmmmmmm... nothing like the smell of fresh baked bread...

 
 

Then, off to UCR Botanic Gardens for a picnic and photoshoot:

 

 

Home is where the heart and soul are...

 
 

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!!!!

 

 

Treats from the picnic basket...

 

 

The Arbor...

 

 
 

Turtle Pond...

 
 

 

 

Texture...

 

Sun Bathing...

 

 

Folly's Fotos and Takes...

A little water goes a long way...

 

Peek-A-Boo, I See YOU! And, I even smell your poo poo.....

 
I spy a - - - - - - - - - lady in the garden...

LFBATUIEU (unscramble and fill in the dots)...

 

"Let your light shine" ~ Jessie Collin Young...

 

"REFLECTION"

Deb's Take:  I love how she captured this when I was not looking.  This changed the way I shot the garden.  I took some candid shots of Folly going up the Arbor stairs.  These are my favorite photos of the session....

 
 

 "REFLECTIVE"

 

 Shades of green...

 

What a tangled web we weave...

 

"Life's a Bench".... sit and relax my friend...

 
 

Two beauties amongst the pricks...

Deb's take:  We laughed so hard when Folly came up with the title for this shot....

 
 

 We will survive....

 

Cactus Flower...

 

 A Graceful Dance in the Woods...

 

Horsing Around...

 

 

PERSPECTIVE...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you "C" me?

 

 If you believe there really is a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow - this one happens to be Lily...

 

 

Gettin' Ready for Dinner...

 

 

 

 

 

Home Made Popcorn in Folly's Popcorn Contraption...

 

 

Working on the blog post together...

 

Mom - Alias "Angie LaCrott"

Yesterday, as I was on the phone with my mom during our ritual morning conversation she, in an "oh by the way" manner said - I went to the Dr. and she told me that my blood pressure is dangerously high.  Over 200 for the top number.  They were ordering medicine and it should be coming by mail.

Immediately, I began to worry.  Ok, mom I will call you twice daily just to make sure you are ok.  Be sure to tell your friends so they know to check in on you...

Then, I called Folly, my other morning ritual call.  She proceded to tell me how when she was in labor her blood pressure shot to over 200.  She was given magnesium to keep her from a coma. Then, we went into overdrive with a plan.  Ok, call 911 and get her into the hospital.  I call my mom.  I know that she won't call 911, but I do tell her she needs to go to the hospital.  She says, ok.

I call Folly back.Folly said, give me her number and I will call her.  She called me back.  Your mom just hung up on me.  What???  Yeah, she said I am driving honey and I can't talk now.  Click.  This brings up Mrs. LaCrott a cranky old lady that Folly drives around to medical appointments who hangs up on Folly if she doesn't do what she wants when she wants it.  She re-named my mom - Angie LaCrott.  We get a huge laugh out of that.

Since we figure my mom is driving to the hospital I give it a few minutes to call back so I can find out which hospital she is at.  Ring...Ring..Ring...

Me: Hello, mom? Which hospital are you at? 

Mom:  I guess if I go it would be Inland Valley.

Me: Where are you???

Mom:  I am at the Center (the Senior Citizens group).

Me: What???  I thought you were going to the hospital.

Mom:  What do you think?  I can just go to the hospital?  I need to follow the rules.  I will call my Dr. later.  I have her card in my hand.  Gotta go...love you!!!

My mom.  I love her so much.  She teaches me so many lessons.  She is a determined and independent woman who in spite of it all...has a wonderful view on life.

I love you mommy.  I hope you live to 100!!!!

 

 

Sunflowers

My friend Karen and her husband Robert have had a garden for years.  It is always cultivated with great love and attention.  I used to love going to their house, Robert showing me the fruits of his labor and picking off wonderful delights for me to take home.  They inspire me.  Here are some shots of their Sunflower Garden...

 
 

While the Cat's Away

Yesterday, I met Tauna at one of the most amazing nail places.  Quieter and cleaner than most.  Hosted by an awesome couple.  The wife (Cindy) and I hit is off discussing our food traditions from each of our cultures.  Hers Vietnam.  Mine Italian.  The next time I visit I am gonna get me some of her egg rolls.  I promised to share some of my Italian food with her as well.  Who knows, maybe some day we will have a cooking class together.

Last night Folly came over.  We do what we normally do.  Fill the place with food.  Have a cocktail.  And just talk and talk and talk....

The first course: beets, shrimp cocktail, cukes and cocktails...

 
 
Cheers...

 
 
Just grazing...

 
After the cocktails began settling in our system Folly began telling a story of the shrinking, shrink.  I laughed so hard, well you know...

 
A little eye therapy...Bags be Gone!!!!

 
 

This is one of our signature snacks, Smoked Oysters.   We have been eating these for years!!!

 

Calming, relaxing, flowering tea.  Oooooooommmmmmmmmmmmm......

 
In my jewely making days I made these necklaces with coptic crosses based on an example I saw at a high end couture clothing store.  The necklace was a bold statement piece and supposed to be attached.  However, I could not get them to lay correctly together so I ended up with two pieces.  Now I know why...One for me and one for my BFF...

 
 
 
Off we go to pick up Megan from Folly's parents who live at Air Force Village West.  A military retirement community that has lovely trails, a community pool and eating area, homes, apartments, assisted living and a hospital facility all on the campus.  I can totally see me and Jamie retiring here in our later days...

 
Folly's Family...

 
 

A Story of Hope

My BFF is coming to spend the night with me on Sunday while Jamie is gone to Nicaragua - when the cat's away the mice will play.  Yahoo!!!

This is an interesting time in her life full of change and unknowns.  I decided to make her a special gift from photos we have taken.  Little did I realize how impactful this small action would be...

These are the flowers Folly gave me for my birthday.  I am giving them back to her in my story.  Re-gifting, very eco-friendly...

 
I found this awesome book on inspirational words of wisdom from the Bible.  Which, then inspired me.  I know now when the Bible says God works through people how it is to be inspired by the words in the Bible.  I knew I wanted her to know God loves her. 

 
I love the color of her toes...

 

The same color as the color of the beads of hope I gave her a while back...