Author: robin

A Masterpiece?

- robin

I make the paper that I watercolor {paint} on.

It is an arduous process but for some reason I love doing it.

Yesterday I made two sheets and one this morning.

I saw this paper in France a few years ago

and came home ready to buy or make it.

No one here had ever seen it before…

so the technique I use, was invented by me.

I love imagining what I will paint as I make each sheet.

Or not.

{yesterday was a disaster}

Life is like ART.

Some days are masterpieces

and some days are junk.

I have the feeling that today is going to be a masterpiece.

Love you.

Me

French Doors For Naught

- robin

By April, we usually have our

Thankful Cards for the year designed and made.

I hand make all 75 of them.

My Larry and I alternate years  designing them

and this is my year to design the card.

While on holiday last fall,

planning this years card I had a great idea.

I would pick out a charming French door

and take Larry to it, kiss him good. Real good,

then take a photo of the door.

All of the doors  would be what this years card

would be designed around.

I took a dozen photos,

gave My Larry two dozen kisses

but the design just did not translate.

Frustration.

But, yesterday, I had an idea.

I studied card designs while I knit…and before I knew it…progress.

So I scrapped the kissing-doorway idea….

I ordered all of my materials and photos.

Relief has set in.

2017’s card is going to be great.

Now to tell Larry that we  kissed

in front of all those doorways in Paris for nothing.

Yes, I am smiling….the rest of this post will remain personal.

Love you.

Me

On Top Of The Mountain

- robin

Two days ago, on Sunday morning,

Jami came over for a visit.

I was glad for the visit, that morning, when I woke up

all I could think about

was my Uncle Bruce….distraction! I needed distraction!

Jamison brought her dogs and we sat out on the garden,

enjoying the morning and having tea.

At one point, Cooper, her Golden Retriever acted a bit strange.

{she kept looking to the sky}

It is like she saw something…Jami got a great picture of the moment.

We had such a good visit, and after Jami went home

My Larry and I had errands to do.

You know, the dreaded Wall Mart on Sunday errands.

It is then we found it.

Bruce’s Flag.

This is our favorite flag….it is good fabric, embroidered stars and each stripe is sewn. Sometimes it is difficult to find this brand.

***

Each year, at the beach, Larry and I take a special hike.

we call it :The Uncle’s Hike.

At the top of the mountain, an hour into the hike,

is a lean-to.

We have a picnic,

and

then tack a flag to the side of the shed, with a note.

The note and the flag are left for a veteran,

in honor of my Beloved Uncle Bruce.

Bruce was a Veteran also.

So each year, we leave a flag at the top of the mountain

in memory of one of the greatest men I have ever known.

I must mention, on the note, I include my email address.

Who ever takes the flag, is welcome to write to me.

All 5 years, I have heard back from the recipient of the flag.

{how awesome is that?}

Here is Larry with last years flag…and the note…

before we headed down the mountain.

***

I wish you special moments of closeness.

Just like having tea in the garden or thinking about my Uncle Bruce.

Love you and special moments.

Me

Sunday Dinner And…….

- robin

The past week had been a bit difficult,

and to be honest,

staying home this weekend, gave me a sweet calm.

I cooked dinner and dessert.

The process made me feel amazingly centered.

Menu:

Garlic Parmesan Chicken

No Name Potatoes {my own recipe with herbs from the garden}

Steamed Green Beans

Dessert: Larry”s Favorite Fudge Pie

***

Here is the food line in our kitchen.

Yes, well, we make do. Wink.

Larry opened my favorite wine with dinner.

Dinner was comfort food. Perfection.

We watched, not a movie but, Z.

Z is a series by Amazon, free on Prime,

and

is the story is Zelda Sayer, F Scott’s true love.

Last year, while on holiday, I took a walk and

 and

found myself out-side of Gertrude Stein’s Paris apartment.

 Feeling inspired, happy and a little bit crazy.

It is true. I love the story,

I love the characters and the ART inspires me.

AND…it was amazing. Simply amazing.

Sunday dinner and Z. I had that inspired feeling again!

Ahhhhh.

Happy Monday.

Love you.

Me

I Spent Her Money

- robin

Last year, my most amazing dog  and best friend, {Libby}

made some money.

A bank in Southern CA

used 3 seconds of a video I made of her, for their commercial.

When the check came in I cashed it and carried the entire

amount in my wallet.

That was  one year ago.

I have carried that money for one year,

hoping to find something meaningful as a remembrance.

Libby will be 16 in a few weeks and has been ill.

Today I found what I had been looking for.

I cried when I saw it.

This statue is in honor of Libby.

Made by Lladro, a retired  piece titled

“Dogs Best Friend”

***

I felt, as long as I had Libby’s money in my wallet,

nothing could happen to her.

She has had a difficult few weeks

 and today I spent her money.

All deals are off Sweet Libby Luna.

Do what you need to do.

I love you so much.

Me.

Aloe Vera & Stone Soup

- robin

Today , Sweet Matilda is performing in the production of

STONE SOUP.

I am ready to go,

I made a new dress…{the short one}

out of this fabric:you cannot see, but they are small flowers.

***

Over Easter, I was telling Matilda about a plant called Aloe Vera.

It can sooth bites, burns, etc…..

Last night we bought an aloe vera plant

and planted it in this cute planter.

It will be Matilda’s  Prima Dona gift.

{her gift for being in a play}

Ok, granted, she is five years old,

but, look out world!

Isn’t it a great day when you know that the world is your oyster?

Happy weekend.

Love you.

Me

Grilled Pork Wraps~Chef Valentine

- robin

Since my health issues, I have been having trouble with my weight.

Weight Watchers has been my life-saver.

I have gained a few pounds, but the program is helping me

stay in a safe zone, while I take meds that are saving my life.

Last Sunday, I made

GRILLED PORK WRAPS

It is a wonderful recipe from my new

Weight Watchers Cookbook.

Larry picked out the recipe and it was superb.

6 Smart points per serving

and

261 calories per serving.

The flavor is amazing, we cannot wait to make it again.

GRILLED PORK WRAPS

Ingredients

3 Tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin

3/4 teaspoon salt

 3/4 pound pork tenderloin trimmed and cut into 1/2 thick slices

2 cups packaged cole slaw

1/2 cup diced pineapple

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1 green onion sliced

4 large wheat tortillas

***

Combine 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon oil, oregano, garlic powder, cumin and 1/2 teaspoon salt in zip loc bag.

Stir to mix well. Add pork and close bag, turn about 5 times to coat well.

Put into fridge.

Let marinate, over-night or 2 hours.

Combine coleslaw mix, pineapple, cilantro, scallion, remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice and remaining 1 tablespoon oil

and salt in bowl. Mix well, set aside.

Spray pan with Pan and place on medium heat.

Place pork in pan and brush with remaining marinade.

Cook pork about 5 min each side depending on size.

Let rest for 3 min.

Divide pork evenly between tortillas

top with 1/2 cup slaw.

TIP

I put my slaw on first…

I cannot tell you how wonderful this taste profile is.

 261 calories per wrap!

and 6 Smart points!

Pork Wraps is on next weeks menu, with a green salad.

***

I am missing weigh-in today….have an appointment,

but this afternoon,  I hope to get a 3 mile walk in.

Healthy, healthy, healthy.

Till next time.

Valentine

Ready

- robin

It feels like rain outside.

I sat on the patio for about an hour this morning,

listening to the birds and daydreaming about my day.

I have always loved sitting on the patio of The Cottage.

This time of year especially.

{Spring! Glorious spring!}

I remember Lauren and Jami joining me when they were little

and

sometimes my Mother would come over to visit.

She would sit at the table, cigarette in hand, ash-tray nearby.

We have lived in The Cottage for a long time….

and have such lovely memories.

Now, spring 2017.

I am ready to create, celebrate, travel and love.

What about you? Are you ready?

Love you.

Me

Unsocial Media

- robin

I honestly cannot decide if it is a matter of

age or manners.

What is UP with people who nag-nag-nag you for friendship

on Social Media?

{yes, you know who they are and they are not part of your life}

Ok, so after deleting their request 4 times and  then ignoring  it ,

you accept their invitation for friendship.

AND

They do not say hi! How are you? Kiss my foot?

No.

There are a few people who I consciously moved away from in my life.

Why on earth would I allow them

to see all of my postings and personal messages?

One person who I have known from High School,

is all over Larry and myself because she wants to travel to Europe with us.

{this woman is quite inappropriate with my married husband}

Nope darlin’, that is not happening.

What about the family member who treated you like shit {excuse my French}

because my family was angry at me?

Righttttttttt.

Social media has made things very easy

for wonderful people to re-connect.

It has also made it easy for the leaches in the family

and flirty old friends to worm their into your life

so they can once again take advantage.

I am sorry. I am not that old Robin any more.

{Therapy was awesome}

You want to have more family to worship you?

Fine.

You want a good looking man to flirt with and touch

because you are alone?

Okay.

I am guessing that you will have to find someone else

who you have not talked to in 15 years.

Good luck with that.

Sign me, Unsocial .

Love you.

Me

Lavender and Tickseed

- robin

The build up for Easter was intense this year

and

then, it was over so quickly.

I feel a little sad about that.

The good thing is, that if I want it to…..

Easter can live in my heart all year long.

***

My Larry works very hard.

When he works from the house,

{no outside meetings}

He will work straight from 7 am to 7 pm.

The good news is that he is drinking more water.

The bad news is,

I have to nag him  {like an old fish-wife}

to step away from his desk for a break.

Yesterday, he took me to the local gardens at his lunch hour.

His idea! YEY!

We came home and he planted what we bought.

It was wonderful.

When I came home from the hospital last month,

Larry used the fine ART of Zen Rock Balancing

stacking a few treasured rocks next to the gazebo.

It is a sweet calm place now…and it was a priceless gift for me.

Yesterday he planted

Coreopsis grandiflora {Tickseed} Isn’t that a yucky name?

and

Lavender plants, near the Zen rocks.

On his lunch hour!

I sat in the gazebo and watched.

As he planed the last plant…it started raining.

It was time for him to get back to work anyway,

but what a lovely lunch with my Larry.

The good thing is,

it will live in my heart forever.

Love you beyond the Tickweed plants.

Me