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Something Tangible

- robin
Photo: Paris around 1998~by Robin. The face on this bird was not photo-shopped on. It was real. I have loved this shot for years…and have never seen another bird like him.

I have been needing something.

Something tangible to make me smile.

Voices conversing in a beautiful language.

Friends who wait for us all year.

Street musicians playing jazz at Notre Dame.

Lying in bed in the early morning, while listening to the streets of Paris awaken.

Sandwiches from my favorite bakery.

Sunday night concerts at church.

Jumping on the train to spend the day in London.

Champagne picnics and key chains with Eiffel Towers on them.

Feelings are invisible and life without happy moments is wasted.

Even if I have to dig deep to find the smile or memory that makes my life a reality, it is worth it. It makes me stronger and feeds my soul with the energy to continue.

Love you.

Me

To Love

- robin

Valentines Day is one of my favorite holidays. I know that so many cynics poo-poo the day and that is ok. We must share and exhibit as we feel best in our lives.

Each Monday this month, we are mailing our granddaughter a valentine card. It has been fun buying the cards and getting them ready for the mailman. {confession: I think that we started mailing them in January this year!}

I really don’t care if anyone likes Valentines Day or not…there cannot be anything wrong with letting someone know that you love them.

To LOVE and be LOVED is the greatest gift of all.

Photo: This weeks “Matilda” card

Today~ tell someone that you love them.

Love you beyond Matilda’s Valentine card.

Me

Dinosaurs, Flat Tires and New Timers

- robin
Photo: At the fridge, My New Timer!

Yesterday was good. Very good. Larry and I started our day at Church. Rev. Angie had an interesting sermon as usual and a giant hug for me…as usual.

After church, we had to go pick up the tire from my car. We had a flat tire on Saturday. A screw was in it, but it was an easy repair. We picked up the tire after church.

We took the tire home and grabbed a snack and left for the Heard Museum in McKinney Texas. Dinosaurs are part of the nature exhibit now and it was wonderful. I did not have much energy yesterday. I take things one day at a time….who knows what today will bring? {always something good…I can promise you that!}

On Saturday before the flat tire, I bought a new timer for the kitchen. It is really MY TIMER, in other words, hands off to everyone else. I will use it for baking and especially making bread!

The sun is shining into my workroom. Laundry is swirling and I have plans for this morning….I wish you the same wonderful moments.

Love you BEYOND the moon.

Me

Make It Real

- robin
Photo: Flowers from our next door neighbors

Yesterday was a “Blue Thursday”. I have noticed that on any “Blue” day, blessings come from nowhere to support and remind me of what is important.

Yesterday I tried to keep busy. I walked two miles. {that is all I can manage right now} I worked on a baby gift for a dear friend in Germany, am planning a new quilt project and cooked a fun, late dinner. Oh and we went to Costco and bought a bunch of STUFF.

Photo:Beef and cheese Frittata

Photo: Frittata, salad and toast

Larry worked all day and I took advantage of stealing him away on his lunch hour. I did get a lot done yesterday but it does not feel like it at all.

My new project is still in the works. I have so many ideas about it, that it gets confusing.

Photo: New Project

Happy Friday. Happy February tomorrow, happy weekend and don’t forget to make it real.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Dun, Dun, Dunnnnnn

- robin

Last year, Larry and I “happened” to be at our Granddaughters school during ART Show. I took the photo below while Matilda was having fun with friends. I have been going through old photos and old memories…

Photo: My favorite girl

The image makes me happy. You can see Matilda’s fingers at the side of the painting…and it reminds me of the silly, spooky kids TV shows from years ago, where someone would hide behind a masterpiece painting and their eyes would follow you around the room. The music would be dun, dun, dunnnnn.

Have a wonderful day.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me.

Just Dinner Together

- robin

Yesterday was another gloomy day. I tried to create a new rice pudding recipe for the Crock pot. FAIL! Because of the milk/rice/starch ratio. I tried to work on the oil painting. FAIL! Because of the bad lighting in my work room.

I rested all afternoon. {and knitted while I watched TV}

Last evening, around sunset, we went to dinner with the executive chef for one of Larry’s clients. It is always fun to go to dinner with Chefs. They have so much knowledge. It is VERY unlike visiting with someone who thinks that they are a chef/foodie, just because they like to eat.

Photo: Sunset in Plano

We picked Chef Raul up at his hotel and drove the short distance to our favorite Italian restaurant. Traffic was crazy, the streets were wet and dinner? Dinner was delicious.

Raul is in town to perfect a new menu for the restaurant. I loved hearing about process, and ingredients. It was like talking to an ARTist about a new creation.

Photo: Larry and Chef Raul

It was not a late evening. Everyone was tired. Dinner was perfect and the conversation was lively. How does a medium ARTist be inspired by a Food ARTist like Chef Raul? Just have dinner together.

What inspires you?

Love you beyond the moon.

Me.

Quilts and Things

- robin

Someone once said……A bed without a quilt is like a sky without stars. I believe it. Each bed in The Cottage has a quilt.

Pboto: Prairie Crocus Quilt. Hand pieced and hand quilted by robin

Last week, I bought a small bit of fabric to make a quilt to either auction or to raffle off for the KOMEN More Than Pink 5K.

To be honest, I am not sure if there is much interest in my money makers for the annual Komen Race. {Paintings, Quilts, Gift cards, etc}

Perhaps it is just me? Maybe I should try a different something? My mind is blank. The inspiration I have enjoyed is taking a break these days.

On to a brighter note…..so far my life is status quo. The days are filled with mediocrity and putting one foot in front of the other. I appreciate the friends who have circled me with love and care. I am afraid that I understand why some of my friends have moved away from Larry and me. It is completely ok.

When something so overwhelmingly negative takes over your life, you are not very fun to be around….I understand. I just go cuddle under a quilt and read. Books cannot hurt your feelings.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

A Late Birthday Gift

- robin

I usually buy Larry’s birthday while we are away for thanksgiving each year. This year, since the trip was postponed, I never gave him a proper gift.

Until yesterday. Our Sunday dinner was planned, dessert was made and in the freezer but I was feeling restless and suggested that we go to one of my favorite Antique Malls in Dallas to just stroll through. Larry thought that it was a good idea. We bundled up and off we went.

I found Larry’s late birthday gift there. It is a painting, by a French ARTist, dated 1975 and it is a painting of Paris. Montmarte to be exact. It is old, charming and Larry loved it.

Photo: Larry propped his birthday painting on the chess board.

The ARTist signed the canvas back and dated it. Charming.

I am not sure where he is going to hang it. {in his office?} But he loves it and finally he has a birthday gift.

Birthdays are always so special, but getting a late gift keeps the celebration going. When is your favorite persons birthday?

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

A Rodeo Hangover

- robin

Yesterday, was our annual, family Ft Worth Stock Show Day. I look forward to the day each year. The Stock Show is amazing.

Jami and Jared could not make it this year and I was not 100% yet due to health issues. Lauren, Josh and Matilda made it and in fact, they made a week end out of it!

The day was beautiful, busy and wonderful. Next year will be even better.

I am so tired today. I feel like I have a hangover but I don’t. {I am not drinking right now. Maybe I should start?}

I am dressed and at my work table. We are going to church today but not Sunday School. I must also go to the market, because I promised Larry that I will make Sunday dinner .

Photo: My daily Devotionals

I have done my devotionals and now must run to the market. I am making Larry’s favorite Ice cream Pie for dessert today.

I never knew how many people read the blog. Thank you for the emails and notes, but please don’t send me gifts. I do not deserve anything…..{Thank you for being in my life}

I must run. The ingredients for Ice Cream Pie await.

Love you beyond the local Kroger.

Me

Hey Rosemary…

- robin

Have I ever told you that Larry’s favorite ice cream pie is the one the cookbook that you gave me last year? {we have other favorites too, but I am making the pie today and wanted to share.}

Photo: Vintage cookbook from Rosemary, because it is one of her favorite cookbooks and now it is one of mine too.
Photo: Making dessert for tomorrow

Life is so wonderful. You gave me a copy of one of your favorite cookbooks and when I use it, it is almost like we are visiting.

Your friendship means so much to me and I am thrilled that we get to visit in person soon. {making reservations, etc made my day yesterday}

Have a perfect day!

Love you beyond the moon.

Me