Speedy Summer

Why do the months of summer vacation go so much faster than all the other months of the year? Before I know it summer will be over and Stef will be back in Nashville while Nick will be starting his senior year of high school. Life just moves way too quickly for me sometimes!

Cold Weather, Good Company, and Good Food

Last night I made a lovely stew in an even lovlier Polish pottery roaster. Joining us for dinner were my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Rob and Cec, and my good friend for practically forever, Neta. We enjoyed stew and biscuits and wine and lots of laughter. We talked of childhood memories of soups made by mothers eaten with crackers spread with butter and meatloaf and tuna casserole. Memories of so many wonderful meals made with love. It was a wonderful evening.

I love to feed people. It is one of the great joys of my life. I have thought often about ways to incorporate my love of cooking into a job. Prior to the economy going south, I thought about offering personal meal service for busy professionals and moms (or dads) who just need a break from the everyday demands of preparing dinner for themselves and/or their families. Unfortunately, before I could work out all the logistical issues associated with this, the economy took a nose dive, and I knew that my service would be one that people would not utilize in these tough times. I have long dreamed of owning and operating a bed and breakfast. This is still a possibility at some point in the future when the economy picks back up.

Guess it is a good thing I love dishes since I also love to feed people!

Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity. ~~ Voltaire

What makes me . . .

What makes me love dishes so very, very much? I have no earthly idea unless it is genetic as my mom too loves beautiful dishes. I truly love everything that goes into a home but most especially anything I can use in the kitchen and dining room. My friends and family tease me about my dish habit, but I just cannot seem to get enough! From Polish pottery shopped for and sent by my dear friend, Ginger, to simple items in basic white from Pottery Barn - I love them all. Every year I find something from a potter at Art in the Park; a bowl, a mug (or 2), a baking dish, etc. My latte bowls in a stunning aqua from anthropologie make my heart SING! I get such joy from setting the table with my many lovely dishes. In the summer I love to have friends over and use my seashell plates with clamshell salad plates and beautiful aqua hurricane glasses from Pottery Barn for dinner. I can almost feel the sand between my toes and taste the salty ocean air when we sit down for dinner. My friend, Neta, says it is like going on a tropical vacation when she joins us for these seaside themed meals.

I am addicted to cookbooks as well. I received 3 new cookbooks this Christmas! I love to look at them for hours (when I should be cleaning), and I love trying new recipes out of them. I have shelf upon shelf of cookbooks; each one a treasured friend.

Life Happens

My nephew and niece-in-law brought a new life into this world on December 8th. She is darling and looks much the same as her big sister did upon arrival. There simply is nothing as wonderful as a new little person. Being able to see and touch a miracle is miraculous!

I remember when my children were babies. They were so lovely. The best smell ever to me is the smell of a baby fresh from the bath, so clean and soft. I used to do all sorts of crazy things just so I could hear them giggle. Baby giggles are the best!

Our daughter arrives home from college on Wednesday, and we cannot wait. Her cat is counting the days with a bit of help from us. I wrote 3 More Days! on a Post-it note and then took a picture of S'More holding the note with the cell phone camera and sent it to Stefanie. She says she now expects a count down from S'More so we will be repeating this process a few more times. The poor kitty may need counseling before all is said and done!

Still have a few more gifts to get, but we have completed all the shopping for our charitable giving and turned in all the goodies. It is the best part of the Christmas season for me.

Cats and Kids

Our daughter went off to college in the fall, and her cat simply cannot figure out where we are hiding her. When we put Stef on the speaker phone S'More purrs like crazy and rubs against the phone. She hears Stef so why can't she see her??? Poor kitty! Soon Stef will be home for Christmas break. Hopefully S'More will be happy to see her and not punish her for her absence by having "cattatude."

I have no idea how Thanksgiving can be just around the corner all ready. Seems like just yesterday it was New Years. Life speeds by, doesn't it?

The Summer Kitchen by Lisa Wingate

I am reading this book right now, and it is wonderful. Basically the words of the author exemplify the teachings of Mother Teresa when she said, "In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." This is one of my favorite quotes and it applies to what this book/author is trying to say to the reader. I have read many of Lisa Wingate's books, but I think this one may very well be my favorite. Do yourself a favor and read this book!

Can you tell that I admire Mother Teresa and all she stood for? If, in my life, I am able to show even a small percentage of the kindness shown by this incredible servant of the Lord I will have been a success. Live your life in such a way that you are a drop in the ocean of service to others.


"Works of love are works of peace" Mother Teresa

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." Mother Teresa

Music City Moments

Stef had fall break last week so my mom and I flew to Nashville to have fun with her. We went to the All for the Hall concert (it was fabulous), the Country Music Hall of Fame (so much history), and for my 45th birthday we attended the Grand Ole Opry performance with Vince Gill closing out the show (I absolutely love his music; what a talented man). We shopped, ate, and enjoyed the wonderful Nashville hospitality - such friendly people.

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." ~ Berthold Auerbach