Month: January 2019

Ree! I Bit The Bullet

- robin

I have become a pizza snob and blame it on Europe. London and France serve the best pizzas in the world. The crust is thin, almost non existent compared to the healthy{ish} toppings. Since my diet has changed, my pizza ideals have changed. {I try not to eat white flour or white sugar}

Lets be honest, pizzas in Texas are thick crust with so many toppings that the crust has to be an inch thick to hold them all. I could eat regular pizzas once, a long time ago…but now, I promised Larry that we can have our favorite pizzas here at The Cottage.

Today I bit the bullet. The Pioneer Woman has a “Foolproof” pizza dough that she has on her web site and uses on her show often. I just made the dough. I have tired pizza dough before but it was never this easy. Did I do something wrong?

Photo: Pizza dough ready for the fridge

The dough was made in the mixer, put in the bowl, covered tightly and put in the fridge. Recipe said, it is best made 24 hours in advance, but 3 or 4 days is even better! I had to laugh! BUT I made the dough today and will assemble the pizzas on Sunday for Super Bowl. {3 days away}

The dough makes two pizzas. I will make one meat and one veggie. Please look for a Pizza Post next week!

The Pioneer Woman is always consistent and most often cooks clean… if you or anyone you know has made this pizza dough, I will love to hear from experienced pizza crust makers!

I love the idea of having a healthy pizza here at home…

Love you.

Me

Team Believe/Thinking Pink

- robin

http://www.info-komen.org/site/TR?fr_id=7500&pg=personal&px=18846402

Yesterday, I registered My Larry and myself for the 2019 Komen North Texas Race. It will be held at “The Star” in Frisco, Texas on May 18, 2019. This is my annual renewal of dedication & promise and to encourage “Early Detection”…plus a 5K. Please find the link to my Komen page above.

I honestly don’t know if I will auction/raffle anything off this year. My thinking cap has been on strike some time now. All suggestions are welcome. {Please}

Photo: Vintage Team Believe shirt

Excuse the wrinkles, but I dug an old Team Believe shirt out of the closet this morning. The new Team believe shirts will be much like this one, but a little different. They will be available to order {from the T-shirt Company} in a few weeks. I will let you know the details after the prototypes are complete.

The Photo below is of the back of the vintage Tee. This is my original design and I entered it into a contest years ago. I did not win, but the people who sponsored the contest decided to use the design and profit from my work. I know that entering a contest relinquishes my copyright but…crap. I just hate when that happens.

Photo: Back of vintage tee

Please support finding a cure for breast cancer by a donation, prayers , walking the 5K with Team Believe {or any team} and by having your annual mammogram.

If perhaps you are going through this difficult disease, I am always here to help.. Email me at: robin@robintolbert.com

A forever thank you goes to my friends who have been such an amazing support during treatment and even now. I love and adore you all.

Love you beyond the pink.

Me

Vanilla

- robin

Yesterday was vanilla. A day like plain vanilla. I did the laundry, tried to walk at the lake but the wind became to fierce and cold that it was impossible. I went with Larry into Dallas while he had a quick drop-off for a client. We went out to dinner and came home where I had another nose bleed.

Ten years ago, I was having a bleed almost every day. I found a great DR. who burned the boo-boo ….for six months he tried that. {i forget what that is called} One appointment, he said: one more nose bleed and I operate. I had one and he operated. That was in July 2009. I have not had a bleed till we arrived in France this year. {I blew it off as dry air in the plane} Then I had one this past Sunday {a big one} and one yesterday, { a little one} . I am so sad that after ten years…

Photo: Tuesday painting

I usually paint with oils. But….today I am trying something new, and using acrylics. Larry bought me a new set and merde, I am ready for something new. I only use acrylics when I paint with my g-daughter. It is exciting trying something new.

So, as I forge ahead, trying new and exciting mediums….the day is sunny and bright. Perfect for painting.

What are you trying new? A recipe? A new exercise? No matter what it is, stay happy.

Love you.

Me

Share Your Heart

- robin

What a weekend.

On Saturday we went to the Ft Worth Stock show. It is my favorite rodeo of all time. I had a corn dog. It was wonderful.

Photo: Stock Show-Getting ready for the show

Sunday I walked a much needed 4 miles, went to see one of the Oscar nominated movies, {Favourite}, made Sunday, Dinner and Movie, had a reflexology appointment and a nose bleed. {yes, in that order}

Sunday dinner consisted of chicken soup, cheese on toast with tomato and hot cheese puffs. The Turner Classic that was on was The Mating Game, with Debbie Reynolds and Tony Randall. We had never seen it so we watched as we enjoyed the meal.

Photo: Sunday Dinner and Movie

Now, here we are. A brand new week.

One of our greatest {couple} friends, who live in Memphis, lost their Father/Father-in-law late last week. Larry and I wish them strength, love and happy memories as they share Mr Aven’s legacy.

Our Mr Garcia is being interned today at the Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. Prayers are being whispered for the family.

Have a great day. Share your heart today, we never know what tomorrow might bring.

Love you.

Me

He Is Home

- robin

After a few long days, Larry has returned home. The quiet cottage is once again fulled with Larry’s voice, breath, laughter, footsteps and smile.

He was home in the early evening, in time to eat dinner. I made him baked ziti, a salad and garlic bread. For dessert we had white chocolate pudding.

After dinner and after he finished catching up on work, we decided to watch a movie since nothing good was on TV.

A year ago, while at my work table, I found a movie on my laptop. It was a great movie and I often thought maybe on a quiet night Larry and I would watch it. Tonight was the perfect night.

We watched “Dare To Be Wild”….

Dare to be wild is a true story about Mary Reynolds, the plant whisperer. It was one of my favorite movies last year. Larry and I settled in, both of us so glad that he was home and watched the movie. Larry liked it for different reasons other than mine but we both loved it.

It is a very cold Friday morning. A new washer is to be delivered this morning and Larry is home…

Love you.

Me

So Much More

- robin

Yesterday was utterly miserable without Larry, while he was out of town on business. I missed hearing him in his office and when he would take a break to go to the kitchen and get junk food for energy. The house was creepy, quiet all day.

Larry and I have been married 41 years. Can you imagine being with someone that long? I cannot imagine my life without him all this time. How lucky have I been?

Photo: Larry & Robin breakfast at the apartment, Paris 2018

He takes me on adventures, supports me one hundred percent, loves me unconditionally inspires my ART…..and so much, much more.

Who can ask more than that?

Hurry home my love.

Love you.

Me

Book Of The Day

- robin

Larry has been out of town and even though I have a dozen things to do, all I want to do is read.

I bought the novel, Small Great Things for my Kindle and all I want to do is read.

It is well written, it does a chapter back and forth thing I don’t like and the story line….well….it is appalling. My senses are abused with inappropriate language that is essential for building proper characters.

Maybe that is why I cannot put this book down?

Have you read Small Great Things? What did you think?

Have a wonderful day.

Love you BEYOND the moon.

Me

Tuesday At The Cottage

- robin
Photo: Matilda gave me this sweet tree It make me feel wintry.

It is cold outside and I am so late posting Blog today. It is because I watched the Academy Awards Nominations in bed. Each year {you might already know this} Larry and I see each nominated movie and on Oscar night, we have dinner and the red carpet/ awards. The process is fun and we see movies that ordinarily we might not go to see.

*****

Photo: One of my Christmas gifts is a Pug Dog quilt pattern

For Christmas, I received a quilt pattern and fabric. It is for a quilting technique known as paper-piecing. I was given loads of fabric to make a quilt. Yesterday I took the pattern to Office Depot and had it enlarged. Excitement is building! I cannot wait to start this new project. Stay tuned?

*****

Photo: Left over blueberry bars

Last year I became very sick. It was then I took myself off all meds and started feeling better. I am still exercising, I am organic, except for the random Excedrin Migraine for the random headache I get. But in all of this “getting healthy,” there is a casualty. I love to cook, but when I do, there are always left overs and then throw-aways. Larry goes out of town and leaves me with things like this. The neighbors are getting sick of me bringing food over, so I throw it away. It really upsets me to waste things, especially when people are hungry.

Larry is in San Antonio. Attending a convention for one of his clients. I was invited but chose to stick around the house and throw food away.

What are YOU doing today? Go on, smile…..

Love you.

Me

Sunday, Dinner and Movie

- robin
Photo: Sunday, dinner and movie.

Yesterday, Sunday Dinner and Movie was uneventful. We had spaghetti, salad and garlic bread.

Larry chose an interesting Italian wine and we watched the movie Roma.

Photo: Sunday movie.

It was a creative movie, I compare it to watching an abstract painting come to life.

Photo: The spaghetti

Dinner was good. The movie was ok….and the company perfection.

Today, is Martin Luther Kind Day. Many people are off from work….if you are, have a beautiful day.

Love you,

Me

Remembering “OUR” Mr Garcia.

- robin

When my family moved to Memphis Tennessee in 1974, the new neighbors were amazing. Friendly, kind and like a huge family. I worked at the local Florist, babysat for the most wonderful families and met My Larry.

One family, The Garcia’s, were like my Aunt, Uncle and they had the sweetest children.

We have stayed in touch for these 40+ years. Mrs Garcia taught me how to quilt and Mr Garcia gave Baby Lauren her fist jalapenos at a baseball game.

My adult life has always included the Garcia’s. The wonderful family that touched our lives in the most positive of ways.

Photo: Our Mr Garcia

On this past Tuesday, January 15th Our Mr Garcia passed away. Angela, his daughter let us know and he and Mrs Garcia have been on my mind every moment since. I am in a bonafide funk.

Mr and Mrs Garcia were a huge support when my father disinherited me. They have always been the best of family.

Mr Garcia could burp a baby like no one else I ever knew. he was honest and fair. He loved life and he loved Mrs Garcia.

I am crying as I write this…life is trying sometimes, but I know that Mr Garcia is looking down on his lovely family…

Larry and I found a few classic pictures in his files…enjoy.

Photo: Larry with Mr and Mrs Garcia. I LOVE this photo!
Photo: me with The Garcia’s
Photo: Angela and Chris Garcia with Baby Lauren (brother David is MIA!)

Today is a day for reflecting on this lovely family and Our Mr Garcia. May the family be guided by God’s hands and may Our Mr Garcia rest peacefully , knowing that all is well.

Love you.

Me