Lettuce Be Thankful

     A stormy night, predicted by the meteorologists to be full of strong winds, thunder, lightning, hail and possible tornadoes,  passed with some sleep deprivation but no material damage. The hours of scary darkness were followed by a brilliant sunrise, so welcome in its serene glory. Lettuce seedlings in the back yard seemed unscathed and were, in fact, standing tall and almost glowing with jewel-like color in the slanted sunlight of early morning. 

Easter - The Son Rises and The Sun Shines

     Was Easter joyful this year? Well, we celebrated the Resurrection at Mass with beautiful psalms and uplifting hymns. Thankfully we still have Mom for yet another holiday, and visited her at the nursing home. Afterward, we spent the balmy, sunny afternoon outside - dividing some perennials, filling the hummer feeders, and later enjoying the Cardinal game and a few drinks with sis and her hubby. All this and the fact that I have always loved holidays should have made the day joyful but I slept little that night, fighting tears that came unbidden.
     When my mother was a child, she visited at her grandparents' on the holidays - when I was young, my family did the same. My son and his cousins always made an appearance at their grandma's. I always looked forward to the day when I would be the grandma and the kids would gather at my house. Yesterday, in the neighborhood all around us, were families visiting their parents and/or grandparents, and the house behind us was quiet because that young family was off to do the same. I am a grandmother, yet our house was quiet. The gifts and candy for the grandchildren remain on the dining room table. My son and his wife want 'new' traditions - I respect their right but I feel a great loss at the absence of the people I love most in this world.
 

Cardinal Cookie for Home Opener Barbecue Bash

     Pop invited the boys for his annual home opener barbecue, where they enjoy watching their beloved baseball Cardinals, the NCAA basketball final game, and then finish with some (nonsensical) Wrestlemania. It is amusing to see the side dishes the fellows bring to accompany Pop's bacon-wrapped filet mignons - they are quite proud of their kitchen creations, ranging from green bean casserole to Rotelle dip to deviled eggs. My contribution was this chocolate-nut pan cookie decorated with Cardinal accents and red jelly beans affixed with white icing.

     The boys (a term used loosely because even though the youngest guest is seventeen-year-old Vince, most of the others are now silver-haired grandpas) have a blast - betting, cheering, arguing, ribbing, and giggling - and thoroughly relishing their mostly-male created buffet.

Beet Salad

     Dad grew beets in the garden for a couple of years. Mom cooked those tiny beets and their greens. Nobody else ate them - except for me. I was the only child of seven who loved beets (and liver and a few other things too!)  A half century later, I still eat the nutritious red vegetables once or twice a month but usually from a can and usually heated for lunch, much to the horror of my coworkers. However, a friend recently recommended a salad recipe that included julienned beets, green onions, sour cream, and balsamic vinegar. It was so appetizing that now I plan to have cold beets for many a summer lunch! 

"New" Kitchen Accessory - Tres Bon!

    It is the beginning of estate sale season and I really should stay home on Saturdays so I don't get diverted by signs on street corners. Yesterday, this sweet enamelware canister caught my eye and I didn't think twice - paid a dollar for it, scrubbed it clean and was quite thrilled with my purchase. I love almost anything with a French Country look, especially vintage accessories. I will admit that at first I thought it could possibly be antique but some research proved that these L'Hotel Des Royales canisters are still being produced, though hard to come by. In any case, I am pumped for more treasure hunting!

Finding Miss Molly

     Upon returning from a biweekly shopping trip to the grocery store, there are more than half a dozen bags to carry in from the car. When all of them are lined up on the table to unpack, I shut the door, hang up my coat and begin the tedious task of putting everything away. Today I was startled, however, by an inquisitive little face that seemed to be peeking out of a bag. Little Miss Molly strikes again with her penchant for investigating any new or rearranged household goods!

March Horses

     It was late March, the landscape was subdued into shades of gray by a long hard winter and the sky was completely overcast. Into this muted scene, two young friends walked through a pasture gate, calling for the small herd. They were rewarded with a hearty greeting as three horses galloped up the hill for a friendly pat and maybe a treat. At that moment the clouds thinned a bit and the congenial group acquired a slight illumination from a weak ray of sun. In retrospect it was a perfect photo opportunity and perhaps, my favorite of the day!

Below, the equine trio has tired of socializing and begins the short trek to the barn for a bite of carrot, following close behind their benefactors.

A Pink Party for Year #13

     For Rissy's 13th birthday, the original plan was lunch at Crescent Stable with her grandma, great-aunt and the horses. The plan morphed a bit when we decided to invite more aunts, cousins and friends to make it a girl's day at the farm. However, Rissy was not privy to the change, and we were able to surprise her when everyone jumped out of the tack room with armfuls of pink balloons. Even most of her gifts coordinated with the color theme!

Scoutie sported some lovely mane extensions and even li'l George

 showed that real men can wear pink with panache.

Friends Forever

     Despite a slight age difference, these two have been friends since they were toddlers. Hopefully they will go hand-in-hand through the rest of their lives as well.