Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Walking in Washington, D.C.

“Holding hands is a promise to one another that, 
for just a moment, 
the two of you don’t have to face the world alone.”




I spent the day alone, for the most part, in Washington, D.C. today. 



How can one be alone in a big city?



It was perfect to find so many people, keeping hold of one another. 






We need more of that in this world of ours.







 May you never need walk alone.



Friday, July 24, 2015

Pizzelles and Almond Crescents

Soon I will leave for a trip where I get to visit Derrick! How exciting! The last time I saw him was at Christmas when he was able to make it home for the holiday.

One of the last times we spoke on the phone, I asked him if there was any treat from home he’d like me to bring. Of course, the first thing he said he wanted was for me to bring the kitties!

It didn’t take him long to request two of his favorite treats. (After he knew it was hopeless for him to beg for the kitties.) This is what he picked: almond crescents and pizzelles.

I wasn’t surprised about the almond crescents. He always asks for those! As do my nieces and nephews. If there is a family gathering, I’m expected to make them. No question about it. 


But the pizzelles? He had to dredge that up from some old memory. I haven’t made them very many times. In fact, the last time I really remember making them was when he was in 3rd or 4th grade. Of course, there were plenty of times that my mom made them when the family would gather. Often, when we went to visit her, there would be a container sent home, especially for Derrick because she knew how much he liked them. 


Pizzelles were a mainstay in my life growing up, an Italian anise flavored cookie backed in a iron. They were made by Mom’s best friend, an Italian. So they would show up for their family festivities. Often we were included, so we were able to share in all the Italian food delights. It didn’t take long for Margaret to recruit Mom into helping make the pizzelles, along with other things. The recipe they used called for a dozen eggs! I only used three in the batch I made today.


I’m happy to continue in the tradition of making pizzelles. In fact, Mom and Lori, my sister, made the large amount for a wedding rehersal dinner Lori is hosting tomorrow night. 


These cookies will be shared from here in Indiana to North Carolina and also in Scottsdale. That is quite the cookie! y!



I hope they make Derrick happy!



Tuesday, July 21, 2015

A birthday present for a special little girl. 



Just a little something. Really, nothing much. But what a joy to make and give it to her! Her smile when she saw it is precious and pure.




I realized that her birthday was close when I saw her on Sunday. Little girls are good about reminding others. (When we become big girls we prefer to forget birthdays altogether!) In my little town there isn’t much in the opportunity of shopping. 

So what to do? I remember a pattern, look in the fabric stash, dig out a yarn to coordinate. Done! A small bag. 




As soon as she sees it she slips it over her shoulder and starts to think about what she could slip inside. Isn’t that what a bag is for? Little treasures that bring a smile? 


Winter Birch

Winter Birch

Books Recently Read

  • Grace (Eventually) Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
  • Think Like a Freak by Steven Levitt
  • Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
  • The Red Tent by Anita Diamond
  • The Dinner by Herman Koch
  • The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant
  • A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
  • The Lake House by Karen Morton
  • Memories of Heaven by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
  • The Whip by Karen Kondazian
  • Purity by Jonathan Franzen
  • The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker
  • The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain
  • The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
  • The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker
  • The Rosie Effect by Graeme Samson
  • The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
  • My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor
  • Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall
  • Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
  • I Can See Clearly Now by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
  • The Best Part of the Day by Sara Ban Breathnach
  • Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
  • The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
  • Chanel Bonfire by Wendy Lawless
  • The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
  • Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
  • Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris
  • Peaches for Father Francis by Joanne Harris
  • Five Quarters of the the Orange by Joanne Harris
  • Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris
  • The Girl With No Shadow by Joanne Harris
  • Chocolat by Joanne Harris
  • The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - A Novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
  • There Are No Accidents by Robert Hopcke
  • You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay
  • We Thought You Would Be Prettier by Laurie Notaro
  • The Vein of Gold by Julia Cameron
  • Room by Emma Donoghue
  • House at Riverton by Kate Morton
  • Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
  • The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
  • Peace and Plenty by Sarah Ban Breathnach
  • The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
  • On a Day Like This by Peter Stamm
  • Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay
  • Brida by Paulo Coelho
  • A Stopover in Venice by Kathryn Walker
  • Warrior of the Light by Paulo Coelho

Cats don't belong to people. They belong to places. - Wright Morris
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