Circle of Women

 "The circle of women around us

weave invisible nets of love that

carry us when we're weak and

sing with us when we are strong."- Sark

Friendship

 "Friendship isn't a big thing

it's a million little things."

The Hardest Thing

 

"The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters." -Sue Monk Kidd 

She Is

 "She is a friend

of my mind.

...The pieces I

am, she gather

them and give them 

back to

me in all the

right order." Toni Morrison

Step Aside

 "STEP ASIDE 

COFFEE

THIS IS A JOB FOR 

ALCOHOL!."

I Am She

 "She's more happier

to put new bedding

on her bed, get in her PJ's

and watch TV

then she is to go out,

I am She!"

Slippery Shrimp Recipe

 

 

I tried a new recipe for “Slippery Shrimp” and tweaked it a bit by upping some ingredients and leaving out the green onions because I didnt have any. It was an easy dish to make. Also made a quick vegetable chow mein and steamed rice.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/160957/slippery-shrimp/

 

 

At Least Once In Your Life

 “I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives.” ...

My Mom

 

Among my mom Ruth’s favorite things were butterflies. I still have a ton of her butterfly pins. At her celebration of life we asked people to wear animal print clothing (another fave thing) and anything with butterflies. some years later when my dad passed away my sister and a couple of cousins were at the gravesite when two monarch butterflies flew right in front of us and landed on dad’s gravesite wreath. We all looked on in amazement and said “wow they are together!” Even my grand daughter Sofia will say “there’s grandma Ruth” when a monarch flies by. Sometimes when Mike and I are in the backyard or at the bay he will point at a butterfly flitting about in front of us and say “There’s your mom!” Or “Hi Ruth!”   Just as I started my walk one day last week, " look who came by to walk with me!” Thinking of my mom   with such warm memories.

 

 

Guess Who I'm Going To See Tomorrow?

 

Rocco Comes Home From Italy

 I was wondering how a not quite two year old processes all this traveling. I asked Aria what does Rocco think about being home. She said he ran in circles around his room waving and saying “hi! Hi!” To all his toys

Happy Birthday Randy

 

 

 Happy Birthday to my brother Randy. We were lucky to have a big family with lots of cousins. Family birthday parties at our house meant cake and balloons, a home made pin the tail on the donkey game that my dad made and lots of running around. The girls out numbered the boys but my brother didn't mind. He had a big collection of comic books and all the kids loved that he shared them. A kind hearted fun loving kid. Randy wishing you a wonderful birthday. May the year ahead be filled with happiness.

You're the best

brother I could have ever asked for.

 

 

 

Summer Nights

 

After dinner we like to sit in the front yard and enjoy the cool breezes. I wear these silly knee socks so the mosquitos with a sense of humor don’t bite me. Just started this book.

 

Le Amiche

On Wednesday August 3  we had  a wonderful reunion with my Italian language friends. As with all close knit groups we don’t skip a beat though we have not been together for over 2 years. Lots of great conversation and laughs. Thank you to Isa for hosting this day. Wonderful to be with Judy, Marion, Mitra and Isa. 

Salute tutti!

 

 

Zucchini Bread Recipe

 

 I made this zuccini bread and forgot to put the oil in.  I was in a rush. Lesson learned: always read the recipe carefully and set the ingredients on the counter. This is a good recipe even without the oil it was tasty. I'm sure it will be great the next time. 

 

Ingredients

• a scant 2 cups (227 g) flour (see notes above)
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, optional
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup light (213 g) brown sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2½ cups grated zucchini, (12–16 oz.)

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Grease a 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf pan or a 10 x 5-inch loaf pan if using as much as a pound of zucchini (see notes above). For easy removal, line the pan with a sheet of parchment paper that hangs over the edges. 
2. Whisk together first five ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk remaining ingredients except zucchini. Add zucchini to the flour mixture and toss to coat. Add dry to wet and stir till until combined. Pour into pan. Bake until toothpick comes out clean, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. If you have an instant read thermometer, it should register 205ºF or above. (Note: Every oven is different, and different pans conduct heat differently —  be patient with the cooking. It may take 20-30 minutes more. With the longer cooking time, the bread shouldn’t burn, but if you are noticing the bread getting too brown, cover it with foil.)
3. Let bread cool for 15 minutes in pan, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing. 

 

 

  https://alexandracooks.com/2007/07/19/zucchini-bread/

Told You

 
"TOLD YOU SO!"

Sincerely, Your Intuition

Salad Nicoise Recipe

 

An easy summer meal:

Dressing

Several small garlic cloves minced

1 scallion minced or half a small onion

1/4 cup lemon juice

thyme

2 Tablespoons of dijon mustard

Basil

1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper

Fresh basil leaves chopped

3/4 c. olive oil

1 tsp honey (opt. ) I didn't use this

Mix all in jar Pour some on cooked potatoes. 

 

Ingredients as you like:

Steamed green beans

boiled potato cubes

tuna

capers

tomatoes

olives

spring greens

artichoke hearts

hard boiled eggs halved 

Donuts, Donuts, Doughnuts

 

Some days ago there was a big mega millions jackpot lottery.  It prompted me to go out and buy donuts and a few tickets.  I go to the same donut store in our neighborhood since the kids were little.  I bought a jelly donut for myself, a pink cake one for myself thinking this was my daughter Athena's favorite (she told me yesterday that her favorite is orange or blueberry now, not pink!) and I bought a glazed one for my husband. (He also told me his favorite is not glazed but buttermilk).  

Bottomline the donuts were delicious and P.S. we did not win the lottery. Well maybe we are big winners but just not with our lottery tickets.

August Moon

 

 

"Moon moon moon, shining bright
Moon moon moon, my nightlight
Moon moon moon, I can see
Moon moon moon, you're taking care of me..."

from: 

Moon Moon Moon

Song by Laurie Berkner

One of Jude's favorite nighttime songs