Author: robin

Sweet Potatoes On Sunday

- robin

Happy Monday. The sun is out and I’m looking forward to a positive day, filled with clean laundry, a walk at the lake and ART. That sounds promising doesn’t it?

Yesterday, Larry and I went to church! Only so many people are allowed and reservations must be made. I loved being back in the sanctuary and meditating. I left church feeling centered and happy.

We came home from church and I got things ready for Sunday Dinner and a Movie.

Photo: Stuffed Pork Tenderloin and sweet potatoes

Menu: Stuffed Pork Tenderloin, Sweet Potatoes, and Apple Salad.

Photo: Apple Salads

Dessert was….Canadian Butter Tarts.

Photo: Dessert from above.

The wine served was Freak Show…

Photo: Wine and Glass Baby candles from the dear cousins.

Our movie was The Secret Garden(2020)…the new version with Colin Firth. It was excellent!

Sunday was a good day. Every moment was special and wonderful.

I wish you a wonderful day today…

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Handwritten Letters

- robin

Last year, when I was going through my second treatment for breast cancer, I stared receiving notes and cards in the mail. (My daughter Lauren posted a need to cheer me up. Thank you Lars) It was wonderful, kind, distracting in the best way possible and I have saved every note that came to The Cottage.

I love receiving handwritten letters and I love to write notes and letters.

Yesterday, a friend of mine asked me a favor. Her Mother is feeling down and would I write her note? I am sorry that her Mom is struggling and I am beyond glad to write her a note or two. I put my friend’s mothers address in the address book this morning….now what will I write? Shall I send her a fat quarter (she is a quilter) a muffin recipe or a stunning quote from my favorite poet?

That is one thing about BLOG….it is typed not hand written. I pretend that I am writing a letter here every day about one event in the past tense . It is posted here for the world to see with no return address.

When I write real letters, there is always a return address…in fact I have the BEST stickers …..

Oh. And don’t forget the BEST pen.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Just today

- robin

Have you ever celebrated your 1/2 birthday? Back in the day, my mother called it our “unbirthday”….but we only said happy unbirthday! There was not a celebration. Oh, how I wish there would have been!

Our granddaughter Matilda celebrated her 1/2 birthday this week. She had a smash cake, gifts and it is always so much fun without the expectations of a real birthday involved.

Larry and I order a lot of photos. While ordering I look at the gifts that photo places sell. I love those fun things! This year, for Matilda’s 1/2 birthday, we ordered her something from Shutterfly. Playing cards!

Photo: Matilda’s playing cards

One weekend, while Matilda was here for a sleepover, we were playing cards, I took her picture. That is the photo I used for her personal playing cards!

Larry and I gave her a book on card games to go with her deck of cards. I think that she liked the gifts.

***

Photo: The view from my studio into the dining room and kitchen

It is cool outside today. Rain is expected anytime and I have a 1:15 hair appointment. The best of Henry Mancini is playing on my playlist.

Larry and I do not have exotic adventures now. We stay at home a lot and wait for our vaccine. (NEWS: We are booked for the beach this summer and France in the fall….it helped Larry book trips. He is such an optimistic soul)

Last week, at my Drs appointment, my DR said, you are one of my compromised patients. I want you to get your vaccine right away. She had to be joking. Larry and I feel like voyeurs in our life. Watching the world swirl around us without any control of the future. I registered on our county’s health department’s web site 3 weeks ago. They left a message on our home phone the next day saying that I was on the list but they did not have any vaccines and did not know when they would have any. BUT I was on the list! That has to count for something, right?

What is the secret to negotiating life as we know it now?

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Close

- robin

It is a brand new day.

So many of my friends are struggling today. May God hold you close as you journey forward. You are in my prayers.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Double Reds

- robin

Yesterday, Larry gave blood. I must add, he gave more than blood. He gave double reds. It makes him weak and a little ill for a few days and cannot donate again for 4 months.

*Double Reds or Power Reds: A Power Red donation allows you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation. … This type of donation uses an automated process that separates your red blood cells from the other blood components, and then safely and comfortably returns your plasma and platelets to you.

Photo: Carter is a Dallas tradition.

The need for blood is great right now… and many people are afraid to donate. Larry said that it was very safe, masked, social distanced and hand sanitizer was everywhere.

A year ago, Jamison had 3 blood transfusions. Because of this, Larry donates double reds whenever he can, in Jamison’s name…

Please consider donating blood? It will make you feel wonderful.

I wish you a day filled with Happiness.

Love you beyond the moon.

Robin

Casserole Recipe On A Monday Morning

- robin

Happy Monday.

A week ago, Matilda asked for THE green bean casserole. I hardly remembered it but dug deep into my recipe files and found it, hiding in the pie section of my recipe box.

I made it yesterday in honor of her 9 1/2 birthday. (she celebrates each 1/2 year) Please enjoy this recipe, it is delicious. I wanted to share the recipe on this Monday.

GREEN BEAN CHICKEN CASSEROLE

this is a Taste of Home recipe

INGREDIENTS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1 Package (6oz) long grain and wild rice mix

4 cups cubed cooked chicken

1- 3/4 cups frozen French style green beans

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 can condensed cream of broccoli soup

2/3 cup chopped onion

2/3 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 envelope onion soup mix

3/4 cup Colby cheese

1 cup French Fried onions (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Prepare wild rice according to the package directions, let cool for 10-15 minutes. Stir in the chicken, soup mix, green beans, onions, green bell pepper and canned soups.

Spoon into large casserole dish or two small casserole dishes. Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes, sprinkle wit French fried onions, and bake 5 minutes longer.

This casserole freezes very well.

Photo: Lauren made the beautiful salad

The family loves this recipe. I make it in a favorite casserole dish given to us by a special California Cousin, Aggie.

Photp: One of my favorite casserole dishes

Good food and special moments. It was a wonderful weekend.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

The Crown and Dinner

- robin
Photo: Dinner In Bed

It was a very long week.

Last night, Larry brought home dinner from one of my favorite steak houses. We drank wine, enjoyed a wonderful dinner and watched the last two episodes of The Crown in bed. It was perfect.

I had another romantic evening with my favorite person.

Our days are what we make them.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Texas Brown

- robin
Photo: The brown creek

A Texas winter is brown. It is massive with positive energy but very brown. I think that it is beautiful. Is that because Texas is my home?

Friends from far away places, are sending me photos of their winters. Such beautiful winters, snow and evergreens. Stunning seasonal moments caught for an instant for me to enjoy. (Thank you!)

I hiked yesterday with Larry. It was during his lunch hour and we found a Texas meadow to hike in.

Photo: Yesterday’s hiking socks

The meadow was winter Brown, but I learned that in the summer, in this meadow, they practice yoga. It must be beautiful in the summer.

Photo: A Texas Meadow

Wherever you might be, please know that I am here. Trying very hard to keep moving forward, just like you are.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Maybe Write a Letter?

- robin

Yesterday, I made Valentine cards. What is it about home-made Valentine cards that make me feel warm inside? I love to receive them and love to make them.

Photo: Supplies to make Valentine cards

This next weekend, I will take supplies to the country for ART in the Garden Day with granddaughter Matilda. We will make Valentine cards to send out to friends and family. I made the prototypes yesterday and cannot wait to see how Matilda interprets the design. I promise to share pictures next week.

Last evening, Larry took me out to dinner. We sat in a closed off booth and ate Tex Mex. It was very nice and felt like we had a private dining area. The restaurant was rather empty and that was good too. I felt safe and comfortable.

It is early and I am dressed to walk. Music is playing out of the little speaker on my work table and I have to be honest. With so much going on in the country, I feel like I must stay busy with exercise and creating to keep focused on positive things. Maybe by writing a letter? (See below)

Last week, our Capitol building was left in ruins. Absolute ruins. Do you know that there is a staff that keeps the building in order and clean? The Superintendent is Mark Reed. He has an amazing staff and if you would like to write to them and thank them for everything that they do, the address is:

Mr. Mark Reed

US Capitol

First Street SE

Room HD42

Washington, DC 20004

I love to write letters, so I will be writing this week. Just to say thank you.

Have a good day. Please wear your mask…and stay safe.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Return To Me

- robin

I went to the DR yesterday and my blood pressure was so high, my DR is having me chart it for 2 weeks. (Yikes) I am also having a dozen tests done this week. My question is….when an office looks like this, who wouldn’t have high blood pressure?

Photos: Top: The outer waiting room. Middle: The Exam room. Bottom: the cartoon video instructing us how to meditate.

I walked around the lake a couple of times when I came home from the DR and it gave me time to think. After dealing with surgery and treatment from #2 breast cancer, I have not been eating well, days are NOT spent exercising like I should and anxiety is always nudging my brain…..it is just such an odd time.

It is an odd time for ALL OF US and we worry about the friends that we have not heard from. They are included in my daily prayers, hoping that they are just preoccupied and not ill.

There is a movie that I like. It is considered one of our Comfort Movies. It is “Return to Me”…..Have you seen it? The soundtrack is playing this morning and I feel very sentimental. Often, I wonder if everyone is feeling like me, having high blood pressure, prayerful and feeling sentimental?

Photo: Movie, Return to Me

Return to me is one of my favorite movies. It reminds me what is truly important in our lives. The music is one of my favorite soundtracks…. even Larry likes it. Please watch it if you feel inclined, or better yet, listen to the soundtrack. It will remind you what is important in your life. (LOVE)

I send love and calm to you today.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me