Soup Lady, "Cooking from the Heart"

3's Company

Remember the old 3's Company TV Show? A blonde.  A brunette.  And a Man...

Well, that's what we have been this week.  Folly's mom has not been feeling well.  Her mom and dad live at Air Force Village West, which is a hop, skip and a jump from us....

So she has made our home...home base...

It is a place she can find some peace in her all-together crazy world.  She fits in with our rhythm...and complements our already functioning team.  Last night, she made us pork fried rice, which was beyond delish...

She brings with her a new avenue of enjoying dinner.  First, we started out with cocktails...

During cocktail hour we sat around and talked about our day.  Jamie and I usually eat with me standing up, him sitting on a stool...looking over the counter to the TV...then a quick clean up.  I really liked how we all sat and enjoyed conversation.  At one point, I said should we eat?  Jamie and Folly both agreed we should finish our cocktails first.  I really liked this.  So simple, yet meaningful way to add depth to a relationship.  Isn't that what is about?  How can we more fully enjoy the people who we choose to spend time with?  So, I sat back...and enjoyed 2 of my best friends converse about their day...

Dinner is served...

After cocktails and conversation, we made our way into the dining room.  Another thing we don't normally do...I really like this new way of unwinding...and enjoying the evening after a long day of work...I hope to incorporate in more into our daily living...

Poop Ass...

Dog Nose...

The Queen for a Day...I got to lay around while they cleaned up.  I like this a LOT!!!

The clean up crew...It is so nice to see her enjoy and relax....

Daddy Popcorn...

Kissing Miss Sarah

Fear and Truth

As Folly and I were sitting outside having our morning coffee Folly noticed the beautiful sky cascading across the horizon.  We tried to catch the physical beauty of it, but the photos do not do it justice.

As we were having our coffee Folly was explaining her "Fear and Truth" Concept about people and how they react with these concepts in their day to day life.  I listened contently...

Later, Folly asked me if I heard from Karen who I was trying to see the day before.  No, I said.  She was inpired to make some Orange Bread with fruit from her garden.  Hmmm....I thought...Orange Bread sounds good.  So I began to see if I had the ingredients.  Eureka!!!  Now, to find a recipe...here is my version of Orange Bread.  Very nice light citrus flavor...

Orange Bread...

I have decided to keep a joural with me while I am thinking...cooking...or creating...a way to capture concepts and ideas and illustrate them....

Folly really liked the idea and began building on her fear and truth idea...

It has been a busy week for my boy.  Here is is trying to fit in a catnap...

Attached...to the phone...

Self Portrait...

Purple is her color...

Harley's Play Date

 

Jamie's Bug

The Day After

The day after new years we had a full house!!!  Here is how the day progressed...in order...as captured by the camera...

My mom and Folly stayed the night.  The grandkids came over in the afternoon.  And Summer came for dinner.  What a fun day!!!

Prepping for the dinner.  On the menu:  Paparadelle Noodles with Alfredo, Sausage and Peppers, Fried Chicken, and BBQ Wings, Foccacia, Salad and Pie...yum, yum...

The Chicken. I learned this tecnique from Folly.  Salt, pepper and flour the chicken.  Add to milk and egg mixture for the day.  Roll in Panko.  Fry.  Enjoy...

Good morning grandma...

Starting the pie...

Sausage McMuffin for the Folly and Jamie...

Coffee with the girls...sharing stories...sharing lives...

Folly and my mom met years ago.  But reconnected in a new way...between these 2 they know everything about me.  I love them more than I can say or have words for.  They complete me...

In between visiting I started the sausage and peppers...

Folly was getting ready to leave to go to her moms.  She had just spent a few days in the desert over the New Year.  So, she had to pack a "few things".  This is traveling light?????

So much weight on these shoulders...

Nature Dog...

At rest...at peace...bare...and open...

Getting ready for the tea party...

Staging the tea party...

Paparadelle and Alfredo...

BBQ Wings...

Salad...

Foccacia Bread...

New Shirt...

Contemplation...

Mommy's Shadow...

It was time to transition from the "girls" to the "grandkids".  I got some of my old fans and perfume.  Sammie and Kailey then each sprayed their fans.  This way, while we were having our tea...the fans would provide a background and hint of sweetness in the air...

Yum...let's eat!!!

A spot of tea...

Tea and a sweet treat...

Folly and Megan got us this terrific book on Disneyland.  Papa Jamie read to us while we enjoyed our tea and sweets...

At the end of our party it was time to clean up...

After the tea party we all went to the garden to take photos.  Kailey and Papa Jamie did still shots.  Sammie, did the video...Here is the creative interpretation of our garden adventures...

 

Kailey's Hot Shots...

Papa's Shots...

A little snack before dinner...

Tea Test Taste...

Good God. Let's Eat!!!

New Years Day

What a way to start out the New Year.  Jamie and I made plans with my mom and Mary Ann to go to Bingo.  We would plan the day around eating at Two Guys from Italy - then off to the San Manuel Indian Bingo Casino, which is right around the corner.  This is a tradition we have shared with them several times.

I also began to invite others.  Some were not able to make it.  Some were.  At the end of the day it ended up being Folly, Mary Ann, Mom, Karen, Jamie and me.  I did not really think much of the collected group at the time...

The day began with mom coming a little early.  I was finishing up my Star Wars movie.  I asked if she wanted to watch it with me.  She said, no, I will watch Jamie play video games.  Ok...

Then, she padded into the back bedroom.  I got her and Harley comfortable on the bed...where Harley began to kiss her to death...literally...

The plan was for Karen, Mary Ann and mom to meet at our house.  Then, meet Folly at the restaurant...So we crammed the girls in the backseat...promptly naming them the sardines...

Me and my homies...

Jamie and the cougars...

Two Guys...

Friends, forever.  This is the first time Folly and Karen met...

Bingo, game on!!!

Our new friend who let us sit at her table...

Getting the rules down...

I already know the rules...let's play!!!

Last minute preparations...

Jamie acted as tour guide.  Using his tallness he would lift up his hand and wave so we could all see him.  Maybe this could be his retirement job???

Afterwards, we settled in for a movie and some home popped-corn...

As I tucked my mom into bed I leaned downed over her.  Smelled her perfumed body. Said, softly to her..."I wish you would live with me", her response "No Way"! Which is the response I expected.  She is the personification of independence.  This is the gift she handed down to me...

Then, I went down to the bedroom to tuck in Folly...hugged her.  As I was closing the door I told her she was safe...she will always be safe with me.  I feel very protective of my little friend.

Then, off to be for me. As I began replaying the evening in my mind...I realized this was no random group of people.  The people who were with me...celebrating this new year represent my entire life.  MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!

From my mom....

I went to Mary Ann...my sister-in-law, who is my sister in my heart...

I met Folly when I was was married to Tom.  She knew Mary Ann then...we reminisced about going to Catalina together on the Hawkeye plan.  Who also attended my mom's wedding.  When Folly told my mom, my mom's reply...which one???

To Karen who spent my swingin' single years with me.  FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

Then Jamie, who changed my life in so many ways...

All together...WOW...

In a seamless ebb and flow of my life...I have never been alone...I have rolled in like the tide to each of these significant relationships...one to the next...impacting my life in so many ways...

I felt something in my body...wash over me...like the tides...

Maybe like the Grinch felt when his heart grew from 2 sizes to small to 3 sizes to big...

Oh, this must be what love feels like??? Genuine, pure love...

I fell asleep...saying...

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, go God...

Thank you God for the blessings of the people you put in my life...

New Years Day...

The New Year has arrived.  Old traditions comforting me as I embark on a new year..

Quiet morning...me, coffee and God...welcoming the day.  Reflecting on the past year...and the excitement of the new one on its way...

Is some ways...I am glad the holidays are over.  Beginning with Halloween and ending with New Years...is my favorite time of the year...

Yet, sad...

I miss my sis...wish for something different...Wish I could make memories with my niece and nephew...wishing their pictures would be included in this blog...

Sad for my mom...she is 84. Her walls built around her to shield her from the pain of it all.  What does she really feel?  I am not sure she even knows. 

Journeying with my friends who are experiencing issues of their own...living them out with them...because I can understand...I can empathize...

Yet, when I look back on this blog...it helps me to keep in perspective what is important.  It is each of you who are represented in this blog.  We love you our family and friends and count you as the biggest blessings in our life.

I can't wait to journey with you this year.  Celebrating this life with you....

It brings me hope.  You are my reason to live.  To move on. To find new ways to progress...

A time for new resolutions...here are mine...

1. Lose weight
2. Take a holistic approach to my health care
3. Be part of the solution...and not the problem

What is yours? 

 

 

 

New Years Eve

We usually spend New Years Eve with T and T....

They are like your most comfortable sweats...they fit great and not matter how old and thread bare they get...you never give them away...

We decided to keep it simple...

Dinner at Chili's and then home for a game of Farkle...

Joining us for the evening...

Jaw Fish...

Buck Fish...

Squirrell Fish...

Grump Fish...

Here is T (boy) establishing the rules.  Him and Jamie went round and round the night before about how many roles you can get before you end the turn...

Roll 'em...

The score keeper...

Inch worm...inching our way to the end...

In the end...the boys won.  Jamie pulled off a 12,000 point roll.  What a Jackalope!!!

If you looked up happiness in the dictionary, it would look like this...

Pasta Extrusion...No Go, Houston!!!

Tried out the pasta machine...

No Go!!!

It would mix the dough...but not extrude the dough...

What's up with that?????

After this...we could not get the attachment off.  Jammed up and jelly tight.  We gave it to T (boy) to put in in the vice grip to get it off.

This is NOT over!!!

I will make my own pasta.  Some how.  Some day!!!!!