Author: robin

Carrot Ginger Soup Is Good For You

- robin

Last Sunday, Larry took me to afternoon tea. It was a wonderful day and we smiled a lot. My favorite photo of the meal, was of my soup.

Veggie soups like this are wonderful. I shall add my photo and the recipe below.

Photo: Carrot- ginger soup. Recipe below

Carrot Ginger Soup

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 3 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot
  • 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • Additional lemon zest, optional

Directions

  1. In a Dutch oven or stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in carrots, broth, zest, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until carrots are tender, 10-12 minutes. Pulse mixture in a blender or with an immersion blender to desired consistency; stir in lemon juice. If desired, garnish with additional lemon zest.
  2. Freeze option: Cool soup; freeze in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally; add broth or water if necessary.

Soup is good for you. Enjoy.

Larry and I are having soup for dinner tonight. Potato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches. (Carrot Ginger soup is still my favorite)

Happy first weekend of February!

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Dreaming In Color

- robin

Last night, I woke up in the night, then went back to sleep. In that time, when I went back to sleep I had a dream. It is weighing heavy on my heart this morning. I have not even shared it with Larry.

In the dream, I had boxed up all of Libby’s (Libby was my beloved dog) things and took them to storage. Libby died April 2017. I know that it is time to do this, is something wrong with me? Why am I having so much trouble with this?

Above Photo: Libby’s things in my work room. The green toy on top was with her when she crossed.
Above Photo: Libby’s portrait was painted by Suzi Reil

I still miss her very much and suppose I will keep her things here in my studio. When the time is right, I will know it…. right?

PS: I dream in color, do you?

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Dionne Warwick Day

- robin

Yesterday, was a beautiful day. The sun was out all day and it almost felt like spring. While waiting to go out, I had the chance to get a few old CD’s put onto my new little MP3 player. ( I just bought this and LOVE it)

Photo: My sweet little MP3 player

When we travel or have picnics, music always comes with us. I do not use the phone for music… but I have a little speaker and the very old NANO died a slow death a few months ago. It took me that long to find this player and it is exactly what I needed. I have filled 2/3 rds of the MP3 player so far with much more music to go. I hope that the player has enough room.

Yesterday was Dionne Warwick Day…..I Say A Little Prayer For you…..

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Dinner and A Movie

- robin

Larry took me to afternoon tea yesterday. We had not been in a couple of months and it was nice getting away and being together at the Dallas Arboretum. As always, the menu was perfection, the Champagne made us smile and the DeGolyer House was social distanced and masks were in supply. We had the best afternoon.

Photo: Afternoon tea with Larry

We talked about our Sunday movie while we drove home from Dallas. It was decided that we repeat movies a lot. Sooo, the deal was we will be picking out “trending” movies for Sunday dinners until we cannot stand it any longer.

Yesterday’s movie was, WINE COUNTRY. It is a light hearted chick flick that Larry agreed on while I read him the synopsis and driving home from the arboretum. Do you think I took advantage of the fact that he had Champagne with lunch? Wink.

Photo: Six women question their friendships and futures when they travel to Napa Valley, California, to celebrate a 50th birthday.

OK, ok. I have to admit. I do not have girlfriends like in this movie. At first I was put off by the language and rude behavior. (do you act like this when no one is looking?) We were committed to watching the entire movie and you must know that Larry laughed at times in spite of himself.

After WINE COUNTRY, I honestly don’t know how next weeks movie will go. It is Super Bowl Sunday and our afternoon is yet to be decided…..stay tuned! I think I will let Larry choose the movie.

Happy, Happy Monday and Happy Happy February!

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

A Forgotten Mask

- robin

Yesterday Larry and I went to Office Depot. Can you believe that I forgot my mask? Almost everything on our list was for me but I went back out to the car while Larry shopped. Darn. Now I know why that employee looked at me like he did. DARN. (Larry did a good job shopping though.)

I also had a sweet phone call from one of my favorite people. Matilda! She called to talk about Saturday’s ART in the Garden and what she and Lars were doing in school. (Home-school)

Photo: Matilda reading me the rough draft of this weeks essay.

This weeks essay is about what pet she would chose if she could get a new pet. Her essay is about a Corgi Dog and it is charming.

Photo: Matilda and me, just visiting.

Last week at ART in the garden, we sketched together and during the week, we painted our canvas. Mine is almost complete. It will go into the gallery soon……

Photo: Work In Progress- lower left cubism piece. Oil on canvas 8X10″

I will post a photo of the painting when it is complete. We are building up the gallery to auction everything with benefits going to St Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis. (do you know that Larry is from Memphis? Lauren and Jami were born there)

Yesterday, while Larry was on a conference call…I went back to the big bed to read and be quiet. I fell sound asleep reading… in the middle of the day. I almost never nap. My new medicine must be the reason. Getting old sucks. (Excuse my French)

Happy happy Friday. Please remember your mask….

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Forty Days ~ Forty Items Challenge

- robin

Forty Days~ Forty Items Challenge

Wednesday February 17th is the first day of Lent. I have a challenge for you. Each day of Lent, remove one item from your closet that you no longer wear or need and put it into a large trash bag. At the end of forty days, donate these items to a place that can share them with someone who can really use them.

Lent 2021~Wednesday February 17th ~ Saturday April 3rd

Many thanks to Nancy Flint for this wonderful idea. I have my bag ready….

Please think about joining me in this wonderful project.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Happy Birthday Kevin

- robin

Today is Kevin’s birthday. I met Kevin years ago on a photo website called FlickR. He viewed, commented on a photo of my Pug Dog Libby and our friendship started…..

Kevin was the nicest person. Honest, sincere, thoughtful and most of all, a good friend. Each year on our birthdays, we exchanged cards and small gifts. I wish that he were here today. I find myself thinking of him often and miss knowing that he was only a text away.

Photo: Kevin

Dear Kevin,

Larry and I were in the car, driving 3 hours home from Crater Of Diamonds State Park when we learned of your death.(September 2020) I cried as Larry and I remembered you. Your friendship meant the world to me. Oh how I wish that we had talked before your passing. Sharing our lives became a theme, perfect for people like you and me who are sensitive beyond compare. (is that a good thing? OR a bad thing? Are you there? Are you watching us all as you celebrate your birthday and adjust your wings?)

My dear friend, thank you for always listening, introducing me to Pink Martini, critiquing my ART, sharing your love of pug dogs and just being you. I miss you my friend.

In a galaxy far away, many of your friends are here, silently wishing you a special day…. May you be blessed with the wings of an archangel, a constant smile and the softest cloud in Heaven.

Happy Birthday Kevin.

Love you beyond the moon.

Robin

That Embarrassing Moment

- robin

Sometimes, when I have an idea to post on the blog, I write the subject on a tiny post it note and put it in my agenda. Today the tiny paper (neon green) shouted out to me. I’ve tried to resist because I just did not want to talk about it.

Larry and I have known this couple for over 10 years. They are very sweet and we have always acknowledged each other when we crossed paths. They always seem pleasant to us. (they even came to one of our dinner parties before Coronavirus)

Last week, I saw this couple. They were perhaps 10 feet away from me, made eye contact, smiled, raised my hand to wave , ready to visit and that’s when it hit me. They were going to ignore me. Flat out ignore me. I stood there for a moment.

I kept smiling and turned around and walked away. I felt like I was in high school again. You remember, That embarrassing moment.

I know that many people are having difficult times. ALL of our lives have changed and they will never be quite the same again.

The one thing that should be consistent is…kindness.

This morning, I wrote a real letter to a woman who is having a difficult time. I would have liked to hugged her instead of just sending a note….

Please have a happy day. Stay kind.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me