Spring has Sprung

The weather has been picture perfect on this Spring break. The gardens are coming along and blooms are popping everywhere. This is my favorite time of year, so many colors and making plans for the summer ahead. While spending time in my garden is the most rewarding adventure, I have to admit I am not as young as I once was and after a full day yesterday my body is aching. On to prepping for Easter Dinner on Sunday. Today was a day spent at the Farmers Market and Trader Joes. All the goodies are bought now let the cooking begin. Gotta get my Easter bread going later today. Off to pick up my Ali from college this afternoon. We will indeed have a full house this Easter.

Off to Market to prep for Easter

Photos from the Farmers Market this morning.....too many goodies and I have to admit I could not resist the goat cheese with cranberries

As I have been away for quite some time it is not that my blog has been far from my mind. I have been dealing with plenty of life changing events. My daughter, her daughter and husband have moved home and are now staying with us. My oldest daughter has moved to her own apartment and my youngest has moved on to college. Finding time to blog in addition to life has been impossible. I have had plenty of health issues to add to the mix.
When my girls were growning up I remember thinking, once they were out of diapers all would be well. As they get older the worries and concerns change. Now 28, 24 and 20 they are still my one focus in life. They are all still finding their way and I trying to be an anchor in an ever changing and evolving world.
I hope to find more time to blog, cook and add my two cents here.
Thank you for your patients and I have missed all of you and look forward to future posts.

Last Performance

Life has so many twist and turns. Change has never been something I am very good with, yet it is the only thing in life that is consistent. My talented daughter performed for the last time as a Shooting Star this weekend. The night was perfect with cool breezes washing over the capacity crowd. I knew her turn was coming and wanted to hold onto each moment of her performance. Before I knew it she had finished and was remarkable. Now we are on to the next chapter where she is pursuing her degree in Musical Theater at Temple University. There will be new adventures and shows to watch, but this one by far has been my favorite. Please enjoy!!!

My Summer Reading List

With one more week left of school, my pile of books is calling my name. I must admit I have already started a few from my stack. Olive Kitteridge was wonderful. A look into the personality of a retired school teacher. What a character! Today I finished, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. What a journey that book was. I loved every minute of it and was sad when it was over. Now I am waiting for the end of this week to jump into more from my pile. My Summer reading list, The Paris Wife, The Greater Journey, Americans in Paris, Team of Rivals and No Ordinary Time. I would love to hear what you are reading.

The Winds of Change

The Spring rains here on the East Coast can't stop one from thinking about the Summer ahead. It is almost here. In anticipation of Summer my daughter went to the beach on a beautiful Spring day to soak up the freedom of Summer. I have named this picture, "Summer Dance". You can't help but feel the freedom, with arms open welcoming it's arrival.

What do you do to celebrate the arrival of Summer?

She is growing

My amazing granddaughter has started to express herself. I have to say the journey as a grandmother is far far different from being a mother. I enjoy each and every second I spent with her...in a different way. I don't have the stress of the daily routine with her. I am able to walk in when my daughter feels overwhelmed and settle their world. Just for a bit but every bit helps when you are a new mom. Even though they are on the West Coast and we are on the East Coast we speak daily via Skype. (I would loose my mind without it) And the time that I spend out there on the West Coast is limited it is a glorious thing to allow my daughter and husband to have date nights and have an extra pair of hand to help them out. I an very excited to be able to spend the summer with them and help them when needed and sit and read when they have everything under control. Being a grandmother has changed my life in such an amazing way....

Traditions at Easter

For years I have been trying to make Easter Bread. After several years of failed attempts, I just didn't think it was in the cards for me. It has always bothered me that I had never accomplished this goal, again, this year I gave it a try and finally...after years...success. They turned out picture perfect. A few more lessons along the journey of figuring out Easter Bread but I have now started the tradition this year of creating the perfect Easter Bread. Travel on over to Italian Food Forever for their outstanding recipe