I Successfully Baked...

I remember once when I went to a Pampered Chef party the sales lady went around the room and we had to describe our cooking ability in one work - my word was "wishful". I wish I was a good cook, I wish that cooking lasgna wasn't my version of gourmet cooking, I wish I was more motivated to cook, I wish, I wish, I wish... and I wish I could say that this bread was done all on my own, but my friend Rena and I took a crusty bread making class, and we made sourdough, ciabatta, and french bread. Of course I sampled it all and wow - so good, and wow - it seems so easy when you have someone telling you what to do!! In two weeks we do croissants and dinner rolls...

A Few of My Favorite Things

It seems that every day lately there's some bad news or big change in the works... and some days it's hard to find a happy thought. That's when I remember a few of my favorite things (with apologies to "The Sound of Music"!)I love eating cheesecake

I love books and reading

I love watching movies

I love playing volleyball!!

I love basketball - mostly watching (college!!) now - I get too many bruises in weird places to play anymore

(one of Sara's Maine pictures!)

I love the fall - crisp air, crunchy leaves (that I really need to rake), cool nights...

I love travelling to... anywhere. Next year maybe India or Greece or Columbia or NYC or Boston or... any other suggestions?

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these munchkins (including the one that's missing). Nothing makes me happier than hearing "Aunt" Rosann!!

Birthdays...

It was my birthday last week, and I'm NOT fishing for birthday wishes (like my boss does - he starts about a month before letting you know exactly how many days are left until his birthday - I'm still waiting for him to wish me a happy birthday - I'm guessing it won't happen!!), but it has brought on some "deep" thoughts. Lately I seem to dread my birthday, maybe because I'm reminded that another year has come and gone and well, life hasn't exactly turned out the way I'd planned. Or maybe because it reminds me of all the fun birthdays with my brothers and sisters and dear friends and how much I miss them. Anyways, I was dreading my birthday again this year, and it wasn't so bad. On Saturday I got to have lunch with my brother and his family, and Monday at work my friends/co-workers took me to lunch also, and on top of that brought my favorite cheesecake (the European Cheesecake from Red Butte Cafe - a slice of heaven I tell you!!), another friend took me to dinner (apparently food is the way to my heart!) and I got to talk to all of my brothers and sisters (which is always a highlight), not to mention all of the birthday emails and facebook birthday wishes. So why do I dread birthdays? Because they always turn out alright, thanks to my good family and friends - I am a blessed girl. Thanks for always remembering me!!

Not Deep Thoughts....

First an apology - I do NOT think that I am busier than the average person. My point was simply that everyone is busy despite marital status, jobs, etc. We should all be busy "creating" something - homes, family ties, friendships, skills, memories, and so forth. That's what a full life is all about.

Second - oh cooler weather!!! I love fall, and well, it's just been almost summer-like with daytime temps in the 80's (!) - I keep waiting for the leaves to change and the air to have that lovely crisp fall feeling...

Third - why do I keep starting new projects, especially without finishing old projects? I was in the craft store tonight and was looking at their selection of albums and found one that reminded me of Hawaii, and so I decided that my Hawaii pictures had to be in it, despite the fact they've happily been in a different, small album since I got back a year and half ago! (Other picture albums that are sitting in a closet not finished - Ukraine (about 6 years ago!), apparently Hawaii, Peru (last year), plus various family events, holidays, etc!)

Fourth - GO DODGERS! Way to sweep the Cubs! We grew up watching Dad get frustrated almost every year watching his team. In my dreams I would love for them to be in the World Series and that I would be able to take my Dad and brothers (and sisters too, so basically the whole clan) to a game in LA...