Yes, Dear

What is "When your husband asks if you'd like him to make you a margarita."

In need for a Spring Break - Part 1 of 4 or 5 {depends on my mood!}

We aren't the only ones who get anxious for Spring Break, Poliwhirl does too.

While Poliwhirl gets us to & fro from here & there in town - stop & go, slow down to the red, speed up before it's yellow, sliding door opens & closes as kids jump in & out - day in & day out - reliable, dependable & well-used.
It tires of it.
It longs for the open road.
It purrs when it has the chance to hit the road less traveled.

Tiger purrs, too...when we get back home - and when he gets fed, for that matter.

We desire that open road, too - so we comply.

One {or 4} must keep Poliwhirl happy :)

Carrizo Plain

Mustn't look back...

Day 2 - must move forward!

Where have you been?!

I've sort of been in hiding lately.

I've been meaning to make an appearance to share with you our happenings and to reflect on these moments that are passing us by - certainly far from being unnoticed, but passing us by as time does.

I'm aware of the changes around us - I can feel it, smell it, even taste it.

I'm experiencing and absorbing the moments not wanting to take it all for granted and not wanting it to slip away without fanfare, whether it be huge or minute.

But I've been distracted lately...

I, the main author & chronocolizer of this blog, has been thoroughly immersed in Facebook. I once felt strongly about not being a part of that "my space" internet socializing but became intrigued when friends separated by a great distance were keeping in touch with the same bantering & giggling that we did when we lived in the same town. My curiosity was also peaked when another friend was reconnecting with friends she hadn't seen in years. Finally I took the plunge and I haven't turned back yet. It's been such a fun way to keep in touch and to get in touch. I am forever grateful to those dear friends who "forced" me to sign up! Unfortunately, even though my digital photo albums have multiplied ten-fold, my postings have been non-existence. The bright side of it is I have reconnected with manymany people. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I do realize that I need to continue to visit this blog/journal of mine. My intentions of it being for family and curious friends still holds dear to my heart, so dear family & friends who dare to visit here, I have not forgotten you [now if you were my facebook friend you'd know that ;) winkwink]

Christmas Wigilia

Wigilia [reading the first few paragraphs that emphasis the Wigilia ceremony]



"Learn to turn to each person as the most sacred
person on Earth, to each moment as the most
sacred moment that has ever been given to us. This
moment may never happen again, because no two
moments are every alike. Are we perhaps awake a bit
more, perhaps breathing together with God?"

~ Reshad Felid


"Blessed are we who can laugh
at ourselves
for we shall never cease
to be amused"

- from "A Grateful Heart" edited by M.J. Ryan
given by Mia & Bill {Christmas 1998}



"Lord make me an instrument of Your peace.
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where this is doubt, faith;
where there is darkness, light;
and where this is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love,
For it is giving that we receive,
it is pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to
eternal life."

- St Francis of Assisi

Warming up with Soup

When there's chill in the air the troops ask for soup - warm-your-core-up-soup. And to me, the best way to enjoy soup is under the warm glow of lights - the warm-up-your-skin kind of lights.
The soup du jour, Brussels sprouts and sausage soup.1 lb. brussels sprouts
1/2 lb. andouille sausage - I used some kind of chicken sausage found at Trader Joe's.
1 tsp. olive oil
3 large red potatoes
2 bay leaves - Dan walked to a tree down the street :)
1 tsp. caraway seeds
4 cups chicken broth

1. Trim ends off brussels sprouts, remove any damaged external leaves, and cut in half lengthwise.
Set aside
2. Cut sausage into 1/4 in. thick slices. Put olive oil and sausage in a medium pot over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until sausage is well browned, about 7 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, peel potatoes and cut into roughly 1/2 in pieces.
4. When sausage is browned, add bay leaves and caraway seeds to the pot. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add potatoes, broth, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil. Add brussels sprouts. Partially cover pot and reduce heat to low or medium-low to maintain a steady simmer. Cook soup until potatoes and brussels sprouts are tender, about 15 minutes.
Remove bay leaves and serve soup hot.

With garlic bread and the 4 of us around the table - summing up our week and preparing for the week before us - we enjoyed our warm-your-soul-soup.