Pray for sunshine on Sunday

Oh Dear Lord,

Please have Sunday be very nice outside.

Twenty-six for brunch in a condo, what was I thinking?

And.... if the scones could be flaky, and the quiche creamy, and the cookies yummy, and the salad crispy....

One more thing... may the condo people be okay with all of us outside!

Oh goodness that's a lot to ask for....

Book #11

So happy to announce

my latest eBook.

Click the book to go to

my author page on Amazon.

Chef Club Pepper Tart

Pepper Tart Video

Friends

My friend, Fran sent me these pictures of Chihuly art. She was at a casino. When I told her to win big she said, "Not happening."

Thinking about it later..... if the casino has Chihuly art..... lots of people had to lose to buy those beauties.

Everyone over for dinner

I should have seen this before everyone left. I will have to ask Ayva who this is!

Joanna, John, Dustin

Caroline, Jesse, Javier, Ayva, Romeo & Tino

All came for Fettuccine, Garlic Toast, Tomatoes, cucumbers and 

Peanut Butter Pie.

The kids had fun running after each other outside.  Joanna and Caroline did dishes.

What a nice night.

Stomach stopped flip flopping

Just now Jane sent me a text to say the book just arrived.

Thank you St. Anthony - it just was returned to Jane in Tulsa

This afternoon I wrote:

Waiting for my sister to start over on editing my book. The original she was almost done editing was lost in the mail.

She asked me to email a new copy to her. I cut it into three documents and emailed it to her.  I know she is super busy with her consulting so it may be a while.

I have a very difficult time working on corrections made to a word document so I am worried about it.

Please say some prayers.

A Hologram for the King

Tom Hanks what the hell were you thinking? Don't waste your money.

Pizza Night

On Tuesday we made a run to Lansing to buy pizza crusts at Roma's. They are prepared round crusts that are light and crisp.

I also made a blueberry Pie in my iron skillet. That turned out delicious. I may use that all the time.

We had Bill and Amy and Jim and Jan over for dinner.  

Pizza 1 - this was OK- much better version at 2nd Street in Freeland.

Olive oil, salt, pepper, Mrs. Dash, garlic, garlic powder, oregano - brush on crust

Top with tomatoes

Brush oil mixture on

Sprinkle sausage

Top with cheese

When done sprinkle with fresh basil 

Pizza 2 - this is the "Fat Girl Pizza" named by my friend Heather that the now closed Tommy V's used to make. Actually I think mine was better!

Buitoni's fresh pasta - no need to boil

Mix it in warmed up Buitoni's Alfredo sauce and add cooked chicken pieces.
Add 1 cup 5 Italian cheese

Salt, pepper, Mrs. Dash, oregano

Top crust with mixture

Top with cheese

Pizza 3 - this is Pat's favorite.

Saute onion, peppers and chicken and sausage 

Mix tomatoes with sauce

Spread sauce

Mixture

Pepperoni 

Cheese

Oregano

Final Jeopardy

Tournament of Champions last night. All three missed it. I yelled out, "Gambia and Zambia?"

When the correct question was read Pat exclaims, "You pulled that one out of your butt!"

Mmmmmm...... that wasn't very nice...... I think I'll call him a Poophead on my blog.

"POOPHEAD!"

There I feel much better.

American Red Cross

When this picture was posted on Facebook this morning memories came flooding into my heart.

My best friend Janet and I spent so many hours working on Red Cross projects. Mrs. Fordney could get us to do anything.

She asked us to go to leadership camp one year. Janet said yes, but did not suffer silently! Her family was camping in Grand Marais, in the beautiful Upper Peninsula in Michigan. She was stuck with me at Camp Pretty Lake hating all the activities meant to make us bond with each other.

We also went to the bus station at 5:00 in the morning, once a week, to see draftees off for basic training. This was a difficult job. Many didn't want to go and we're terrified they would be sent to Vietnam. We were playing patriotic music on a portable record player handing out small flags.

The Red Cross had swimming classes for kids with physical and mental challenges. They needed help one on one with the kids. The beautiful YWCA was built just across the street from our homes and the classes were there. We went there once a week.

We were office volunteers. Answering phones, collating minutes for the board, sending out newsletters. We went to the office which was in the beautiful mansion above once a week.

Once a month we had the high school Red Cross meetings. Students from each high school coordinated fund raising in our schools.

I learned so much. This was way before volunteer hours were needed to graduate. I am still so thankful for my mentor, Mrs. Fordney and my friend, Janet Lepeak.

Picture Perfect

I just saw the perfect moment. Driving too fast down the road. We couldn't go back and anyway it couldn't have been posed.

A woman standing on the steps of the Standish Township Hall embodied this warm August day to perfection.

Several cars were parked in front of the old white builing. In the quick moment it took to drive past her I had a sense she was flirting with someone I didn't see.

She wore a tea length, sleeveless coral dress with white designs and a v-neck. Her long blonde hair braided with the end hanging over her right shoulder.

She leaned against the railing tilting her chin down as she closed her eyes and smiled.

Time stood still - it was picture perfect - it was like one of those award winning photos from Life Magazine. I don't think I will ever forget it.

Visitors

Margot and I had such fun cooking. She poured and stirred and tasted everything. She loved the carrots, kale and cabbage - her mother was shocked.

 Here is Liz with her little bundle of joy, Sylvie.

This is Jane, aka Nana, with Margot.

Jim and Cindy came over for dinner. We had such a nice evening.

Liliana Update

This is the sweetest picture ever. Ksenija and Liliana out for a stroll in the hospital cafe. It's still going to be a few weeks before they can bring her home, but those smiles tell it all. Things are looking brighter.

Prayers continue.