339 :: When Life Gives You Lemons, Pull Out the Cookbook

A funny thing happened last week. I made Gigi's Lemon Love Notes for Shabbat dessert... in which our guests called in sick, and just as well, since I burned the lemon bars whilst leaning up against the stove as I pulled lamb off the bone for the soup... but that is another tale.

Not to be deprived of his mom's famous lemon bars, DH ate them anyway. "A little charcoal is good for what ails you", I suppose.

So, to redeem myself, I decided to make an un-burned batch. And who better to help me than Anthony Bourdain?
Alas, he couldn't make it. Nevermind. I have the next best thing (if not better!)

Our Own Rosie-Toes was not only happy to pick the lemons herself from Grandma's tree, she virtually made the lemon bars herself (with a little help from Nana - reading GiGi's writing.)

I think GiGi would have been very proud.

278 :: A Walk in the Park - Redux

A little time with the Little.

A few lessons in rock-skipping. Bread for the ducks.

And much time spent remarking (read: lamenting) about Our Drought, and the sad state of Horseshoe "Puddle". 

It's a sorry state of affairs if we don't get some rain soon.

274 :: And, for this year's birthday bash...

I was left in the dust, all for the sake of an antelope hunt.

Never mind... I look at it this way: all winter long, every time I pull antelope out of the freezer for dinner, it's Happy Birthday to Me, all over again!

271 :: Chico's Own Con

Maybe I am a closet nerd? Or maybe I just have nerdy grands... I don't know the answer to that. But I do know that I think it rocks that we finally had our own homegrown version of Comic-Con hit town today.

Local talent - and I DO mean "TALENT" - a packed out Vet's Center (seriously? you did not think thousands of people were going to show up?) - Chico's own Tedra as Wonder Woman - Jedi - Hobbits - various and sundry super villians and heros galore.

Well, honestly - who could ask for a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?

And to put icing on the cake, this Little Miss was turned into a veritable flower garden for the paltry sum of $5. (And standing in line for 45 minutes... but, whatever.)

Good times! (I'm pooped!)

131 :: Mother's Day - without Mom

I've said it many times, and I really can't say enough what a great family we have. On both sides.

This year, however, it just seemed off to have Mother's Day without Mom in tow. 

Sure, there were plenty of Moms on hand. 

I, for one. 

And as much as we laughed (and ate... and talked... and laughed and ate some more - the usual routine,) I couldn't help feeling that Mom would have been having such fun if she had been there.

She was always about the family gatherings. Maybe because her own first family was always so far away. She was like the mama hen trying to make sure her chicks were always sticking together.

I know what it is. It feels like we've lost our glue.

 Miss you, Edith Mae.

116 :: Highland Games

One of the highlights of my year - every year - is our annual trek to Woodland for the Highland Games and Gatherings. I think we have only missed one in the last 13 years.

There is something for everyone, and trust me - you do not have to be Scottish to have a good time.

Music? They've got it...
Dancing? Everywhere you turn...
Athletic competition? Where do I start?

Then there's the food. The meat pies, the "haggis" (Ok, well really it's fudge)... OK, well really it's Fair Food with a little fish and chips thrown in for flavor!

We've pretty much got it down to a science by now; the ice chest, the folding chairs, the shade umbrellas. We can even make it from the car in one trip!
Parked between the athletic field and the historical reenactor's village...

...and just a stone's throw from the pipes...

The young-uns have been coming since the oldest was 3. It just gets cooler every year.

109 :: Still Life with Friends

Last night, we experienced the most beautiful evening with friends who are dear to us. We shared a very special dinner.

Am I tired? You betcha. (Will I do it again? Ask me next year!)

BUT... What a blessing to have such sweet friends to do life with. It really was a joy.