The orange glow of the sun ball slipped behind the ocean, streaming gold and apricot rays across the Western horizon. We curved across Pacific Coast Highway into the restaurant parking lot just in time to see the sun draw a magnificent close to this special day. The timing was impeccable as we watched the magic of velvet hues in lavender and sherbet pink layer upon gold and flaming orange. The horizon a reflection of the Master’s palette. He … Continue reading →
Hidden off the main route was a pristine lake ringed by pine-forested hills. Majestic bald eagles swooped overhead as we stood mouths agape with wonder. Their giant wing span, strong grasping talons, and tenacity on display before us. Watching them pierced my heart with an ache reminding me of mother eagles pushing their young out of the nest. It had only been a few months since I experienced my youngest fledgling jumping out of the nest. This mother … Continue reading →
With Hubby’s recovery from knee replacement surgery, I’ve discovered an abundance of blessings that I have taken for granted. For example, our dog’s continual exit and entrance of the house was mostly taken care of by Hubby. The table was cleared after dinner by my man. An extra item for dinner was picked up at the grocery store on Hubby’s way home from work. These mundane, small favors all add up a basket brimming with blessings at day’s weary … Continue reading →
It’s amazing how beautiful life seems when you are seeing it with new eyes. Eyes that have only seen the inside of one’s house for the last two weeks. The sky seems bluer, the trees bloom greener. Every white cloud paints a picture. The desert heat feels refreshing against your skin. Hope fills your vision like a rainbow. Today was Hubby’s first outing after knee replacement surgery two weeks ago. He drank in the beauty surrounding him. Grateful to … Continue reading →
Oldest has learned the fine art of grilling mouthwatering, face-smudging, finger-licking good baby back pork ribs. He is the official Rib-Master at our home. Watching all those cooking shows between classes has paid off, some. Well, it seems mighty simple but it takes a watchful eye. He first gives the ribs a rub down with some garlic powder and a Weber steak rub from the market. Then he sets the ribs on a low heat over an indirect … Continue reading →
The Rose Bush Donated and Planted in Our Garden in Honor of Mom Tubes hung from my mother’s limp body while monitors beeped and clicked the hidden conditions of her heart, lungs, respirations, blood pressure, and other bodily functions. I stared blankly out the window of her Intensive Care room and then looked lovingly back at her. It was not supposed to go this way. Although the surgery was complex, especially for an 84-year-old woman, the surgeon had … Continue reading →
Where our worries piled up The evening had a peaceful demeanor as the family huddled around the computers crammed into our box-sized loft. No plans. No deadlines. No must-dos. Just unwind and fall into dreamland. My cell phone chimed that a text message was coming through. Only the youngest was out of the house, so it was probably a note as to when he’d be home. I flipped open my pink phone nonchalantly, pressed the center … Continue reading →
Sundays have traditionally meant something from the grill for our evening meal. Typically, the relaxed, kick- back day or just the opposite, one where everything scheduled for the weekend had to be wrapped up, a steak on the barbecue has been the easy answer. As the family grew, however, New York Loin steak was not easy on the budget. We had barbecued Flank Steak in California with great results and decided to try it again here in Arizona. It … Continue reading →
At least these cookies come as close to being like my aunt’s as I can remember. She baked like most of the cooks then–with no recipe or with her own adjustments. Aunt Angie’s chocolate chip cookies were always thick. I made mine thinner and a little crisper. But after my sweet aunt passed away, everyone in the family wanted to be able to make her cookies but none of us knew how. After experimenting with several batches which everyone … Continue reading →
We celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week last Friday with a Breakfast Brunch courtesy of the classified staff (that included me). I was all set to bring muffins or some sweet treat, figuring I could squeeze that into my tired schedule. When I arrived in the office to sign up, these pleading eyes kindly asked me to please bring something with eggs. I saw all the blank lines next to egg dishes, counted up the number of people on staff, and … Continue reading →
