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Sunday, Dinner and Movie

- robin

Yesterday Larry and I had a lovely day. The skies were gray and life was at status quo level.

We went to church, did a few errands and we had…Sunday Dinner and Movie. I prepared a new recipe and we enjoyed a spectacular Spanish wine.

I made crab stuffed portobello mushrooms, salad and country french bread.

Photo: Stuffed Portobello Mushroom with crab filling, salad and Spanish wine

Our Movie was Fanny’s Journey. I watched this movie last November, on the day before we left for Paris. If you watch Fanny’s Journey, please give it time. It is subtitled and starts out a bit slow, but the “set-up” is very important. After the movie, I asked Larry what he thought. He said: Everyone should see this movie.

Photo: Sunday Movie January 13, 2019

The wine we had with dinner was a Christmas gift. Kathy, thank you so much. It was the perfect wine with our dinner and we toasted you and your family. Larry and I love that you are part of “our” family.

Photo: Sunday dinner and movie.
Photo:Just a photo of Sunday dinner. Somethings are indescribably wonderful.

Yesterday was filled with pleasant love. You know the kind…..

Love you.

me

To Be The Smile

- robin

Yesterday was all over the place. I was happy, worried, anxious and content. What is it about January that hits us in the gut every year? Or is it only me?

I did not want to cook dinner so Larry and I ate McAlisters sandwiches. My lazy ways are continuing. What can I do? Do I need inspiration or a kick in the jeans?

This morning has started out OK. Larry is in Duncanville, TX for a meeting. I am dressed and ready for my Friday-Tai Chi class. It is OUR class, except when Larry has an early Friday meeting or conference call. Then I go alone.

I love getting up early and going to a class. It is the perfect start to a day. Tai Chi is very interesting and I have a lot to learn. The class {the students} I am in, have been together for a long time. They do a warm up, choreographed routine, a sword exercise and a fan routine. I love the fan routine but will be happy if I can learn the choreographed routine.

I want to master positive energy. To be the smile in a sea of frowns.

The Academy Of Arts And Sciences have not called me about the gig yet. They need to know, I am cheap at twice the price. Go on, smile. Happy Friday!

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

I’d Rather

- robin

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;

I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. 
~Edgar A. Guest~ 

My mother often spoke of how her father liked Edgar Guest. Perhaps that is why I enjoy reading his poetry so much.

Mother died in 1995. I grieved for her for a very long time. She was never close, because I could not feel her near.

Until lately.

Memories have flooded back and sometimes she is as near as that quiet space in front of me. Larry said, she is near now because…..She is proud of me? I need her now? So many wonderful things are happening? I guess the answer is all of the above.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Beyond The Horizon

- robin

Yesterday was difficult. My “funk” lasted all day long and in the late afternoon, I put on a long flannel lounge nightie and read till I made dinner.

The book I am reading is not a happy book, but it let me escape to another place and time.

Now, lets talk about the dinner I cooked…

I have never liked Pasta. I put up with it to be polite. At dinner parties, etc…I eat it as not to be insulting. The rubbery consistency made me want to gag.

In France this year, I had the most wounderous mac and cheese. It inspired me to try a recipe or two to see if I could remake the amazing goodness here at The Cottage. I have been hanging over recipes for a few weeks…and found one that looked good.

Last night I tried the recipe. I am so thrilled with it that I am ready to start re-inventing it to make it my own.

Photo: THE mac & cheese

Larry and I ate half of this helping. Is Mac & cheese good leftover? Is it good cold? I know almost zip about pasta {except how to make my mothers spaghetti and meatballs}

It is a new year and I am expending my horizons. In about 25 min, I am leaving to expand my horizons even further! Stay tuned……

Love you beyond the horizon.

Me

Rest Well Paula

- robin

On December 23rd, my book group received bad news. Sweet, dear, Paula passed away. She joined The Friends Book Club before I did and that is where she and I met.

Paula, had high energy and loved to read. The last book that the group read together was Paula’s choice. She missed our last meeting because she was ill.

This kind lady will no longer be at Book Group. It is difficult to imagine our group without her. I will miss her very much.

Today, Larry and I will attend her funeral service. Her sons will be there and I am anxious to tell them how much I loved their Mom….

Photo: Paula

Rest well Paula. You are going to be missed.

Love you.

Me

Shoot, Its Another New Years Day

- robin

Yesterday was lazy and nice. We slept in after an evening in Dallas, celebrating the new year. After I baked a pie, we went to the country where my granddaughter, Matilda gave me my first archery instruction/lesson. I absolutely loved it.

Photo: My first archery lesson.

I loved the experience. My form was very bad, because I was nervous. At least I have my first dozen shots behind me. Now I can concentrate on my form.

Photo: After archery practice, Matilda and I played a game.
A gross game named Pimple Pete.

It is January 2, 2019. Wednesday morning. I am sitting at my work table in a flannel nightie while rain (or is it snow and ice?) is keeping me from exercising at the lake. I think that I will bundle up and go to the Mall where I walk. (It is across town in West Plano, but I must confess, window shopping while walking 5 miles appeals to the ARTist side of me) I have a rule that if I am there walking, I am not allowed to buy anything. I am there to be healthy/get healthy. So far, so good!

Happy, happy, new year to whomever stopped by to Toujours today. I wish you love, laughter and long life as 2019 becomes a reality to us.

Love you,

Me

Sunday~Dinner and Loving Vincent

- robin

It rained all day on Sunday. Dinner and a movie consisted of onion soup, a cheese plate and goat cheese dumplings.

Photo: Onion soup and goat cheese dumplings

Our movie was, “Loving Vincent”….Larry chose this weeks movie.

Photo: Loving Vincent

We were mesmerized by the movie. While we ate our soup and drank our wine, Vincent became a reality to us as we learned of his life. It was lovely.

Today is New Years Eve. Larry is working, I will leave here in a moment to walk my miles. The rain has stopped and the sun is out. I want to be outside too.

Have a wonderful new years eve. May the promise of this new year bring you joy and encouragement.

Love you,

Me

Dinner In Austin

- robin

On Thursday, My Larry and I got up very early and drove to San Antonio. He had meetings and I had my knitting. After his meetings, Instead of staying in San Antonio, we drove back to Austin where we checked into our favorite little hotel.

Sweet, wonderful, Larry. He said that if I kept him company on the trip, he would take me to dinner at my favorite restaurant in Austin for dinner

That is exactly what we did. Our hotel is a few blocks from the restaurant. It is a nice walk in downtown Austin, Texas to and from dinner.

Photo:Dinner in Austin

Are you ready for a brand new year? I think that I am,

Have a happy, wonderful day….it is Sunday dinner and movie day!

Love you,

Me.

The Day After

- robin

Yesterday, My Larry was back at work. His phone started ringing around 7:30 am. He loves the people who he works with and he heard from all of his favorites yesterday!

Me? I did almost nothing. I walked 5 miles….talked to both daughters. Texted for a long time with Debbie next door. Ordered an out of date shirt pattern from Ebay for mere pennies. Made dinner out of Christmas Day left overs. It rained buckets yesterday. It thundered like crazy and the lightening was a Boxing Day light show.

Now it is a sunny, happy Thursday. I have the entire day in front of me. How amazing is that?

Photo: I was asked to post a full shot of my Bouche de Noel.

Love you.

Me

A Tolbert Christmas~2018

- robin
Photo: The Pier at White Rock Lake. We hiked 5 miles

Larry and I hiked on Christmas day. It was the most wonderful morning. We talked, laughed…and cried. Isn’t that what Christmas is about? We came home and watched To Catch a Thief, made dinner and exchanged gifts.

Photo: Christmas, Dinner and Movie

We were tired when we came home and hungry, so we started dinner early, around three o’clock. Dinner consisted of prime rib, mashed potatoes & gravy, lima beans and sauteed mushrooms. Champagne and water.

We watched White Christmas during dinner and dessert….Oh! I had so much fun making dessert! I made a Buche du Noel.

Larry and I exchanged gifts during dessert. We had eaten so much dinner and felt very content. During our meal, we toasted our families, our blessed life and forever love……

My Larry and I hope that you had a wonderful day filled with Love and Laughter.

Love you,

Me