Homemade or Jar Sauce?

Life’s regrets. Who doesn’t have them? We all do in one form or another. I have many. Some are small. Some are large. Some are insignificant, while others are significant. I have a small one, although, there are some days when it seems large. I regret having not learned how to make my dad’s spaghetti sauce.

Over the years I have tried to reproduce it, and yet I never can. So consequently I am a ‘jar user’ and no one seems to mind. I was recently at my mom’s house and while there I could smell her homemade spaghetti sauce cooking, or simmering in the kitchen. While hers is awesomely delicious, it’s just not my dad’s sauce.

I’ll keep trying. Maybe one day I’ll hit the spaghetti sauce jackpot and my sauce will really be a good reproduction. I can hope. In the meantime, my jar sauce is prepared with love.

Outdoor Kitchen Update!!

The outdoor kitchen has been completed! After one year, tons of sweat, and handful of pocket change (ok, more like buckets of dollar bills), the outdoor kitchen has been completed. We couldn't be happier with the results and now look forward to many years of outdoor barbeque and cooking adventures. What makes it special is the team effort that went in to it, from the neighbors help, and help from the kids. Not one brick went up without hard work, devotion to the cause, and lots of love. Ok, a few bad words were thrown out there as well! =)
I can't wait for the first meal that comes from this outdoor kitchen!

Sunday Morning Coffee and Softball

This past weekend I had the incredible opportunity to watch my niece Jilly play fast pitch softball. First of all, she’s awesome, so anything to do with her places her on the A-list by me. I absolutely love spending time with her, so being able to have the time to watch her play ball was a treat!

Jilly loves the game and it shows. Her team spirit and her determination to help the team win shine through brightly. She pitches, although she is not crazy about it, and does a pretty decent job. She also plays shirt stop and right field. She never misses the pop fly to right field and throws an awesome pitch, although she feels her arm is not that strong. I wouldn’t know, to be honest, but from where I sit, her arm looks good to me. Best of all I love to see her smile. She grins from ear to ear with each positive contribution she makes to the game. Of course, when Aunt Wendy yells out, “Jillybean, you rock!” I get an even bigger smile.

Her teammates are all sweet and despite their team averages (not the best) they all go to the field or plate with as much enthusiasm as they can muster up. I enjoy watching them all. Softball has taken on a whole new set of rules since I played at that age, but what continues is the love of the game, and for a group of 12 13 year-old girls, the game is always fun. And that’s what makes watching them fun for me. Thanks Jillybean! I love you.

Amy

Every now and again someone comes into our lives and touches us in ways we remember forever. Amy was one of those people. I met Amy 4 years ago in the labor and delivery room. Amy and her husband were there to have their first baby. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion, as most first babies are, but not this time. After a long labor, Amy delivered a stillborn at term. A very beautiful little girl.

Together, Amy and I gave her her first bath, and dressed her in a pretty pink dress and wrapped in a soft pink blankie. Amy held her and rocked her. A touching moment as it should be for a first time mom.

Today our paths met again. This time Amy delivered her second baby; a healthy boy. Sweet, pink, and soft. Amy cuddled and rocked him, and told him all about his sister.

I’m blessed to have shared two very different births with Amy. I’ll never forget her, or her two beautiful babies.

Hummingbirds Galore!

One of the things that I used to be envious of that Gidget had, and I did not, were hummingbirds. We can sit on her deck and watch them flit about all day long. In fact, we can even relax in her hot tub as they buzz around our heads on their way to the sweet nectar. She has had them in her yard for many years, so they have no fear of the humans or the very busy beagle that patrols her deck.

I am no longer jealous because thanks to my incredible trumpet vine, that has bloomed so well this year, I now have my very own little birds. After I saw them come and go for about a week, I added several feeders, and I too, can watch as they whirl in and out of my yard. To many, this may not seem like an exciting thing, but I love these little birds and find them so fascinating to watch! I get a kick out of nature, what can I say?

They also add a little humor when they zip in fast and dive bomb the dogs, who have no idea what they are, and why they have invaded their space. The dogs have learned they are now a part of their world and lay watching them at the feeders. I just hope they stay for the summer and return next year.

Caitlin and the Alpacas

Caitlin is off on a summer vacation, but it’s more than that. She’s out in Ohio working side by side with one of our country’s leading Vets (Pam) in Alpaca Medicine on Alpaca Jack’s Suri Farm. (See the link below) She was able to connect with Pam thanks to her dad and Pam’s dad. (Old friends) So off to Ohio she went for the next three weeks. (And I miss her already) But thanks to Verizon, we are able to share text messages, phone calls, and even pictures of Alpacas.

She’s been helping with research studies there, feeding baby Alpacas bottles, and doing exams on pregnant moms. When she has down time, which doesn’t seem to be a lot of, she’s relaxing back at Pam’s dodging the heat. This is an incredible experience. Hands on time with the animals, research experience, and hopefully one day a great reference for Vet school! I’m so proud of my girl.

http://www.alpacajack.com/