Post Surgery Rescue Team

The 3 grands cooking

Complete with dogs and grandgirls and son and daughter-in-law, our house became a home again after nearly two years of no visitors due to the Covid-19 virus restrictions. I still think of the three grands as children but here they were, all gainfully employed and taking time from their busy schedules to meet up again and comfort this Grammy with the new hip.

The youngest grand-girl arrived with some beautiful flowers that promptly set off an allergic reaction. The middle grand put them out on the deck so we could see them through the glass doors but not get close to the pollen.

There were also Dove chocolate bites – no allergic reaction there. And a bandana for Elsa!

Then they cooked and made it a double celebration. Not only were we reunited after such a long time, but they also wanted to celebrate Bill’s upcoming birthday making a ham and noodles dish he loves. After telling them the story of his Mom making apple streudle, they looked that up and made that too.

While I was in surgery and Bill was biting his nails waiting, our son and daughter-in-law were taking care of Elsa and the house. I came home to Emmy’s famous chicken noodle soup and other fabulous dishes that kept her in the kitchen. and waiting on me “hand and foot.”

Son, Corky kept the house together, fixing things and comforting Elsa, who now loves him back and is pining for him. Though she kept up a steady stream of barking, she seems to be missing all the chaos.

Our middle grandgirl brought her GoldenDoodle 8 month old puppy (named Indie) who we decided to keep separated from Elsa. Elsa is a rescue and we were not really sure how she would interact. Fortunately Indie and the family fell in love with the pool, the weather was good and everybody was happy. I am not allowed in a pool of course so I watched from the kitchen window.

Daughter-in-Law, Emmy

Son, Corky

I always envied folks their family reunions but never suspected there would be one of my own. We are a relatively small unit but how lovely to know how committed we all are to each other and how much love we share.

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Hearts, Flowers and Chocolate!

It’s Valentine’s Day!

Again.

Bill told me when we married he did not believe in Valentine’s Day.

Still, after so many years, I wake up hoping.

And on this day, once again, there is no card, no candy and no flowers.

Bill claims it is  a “Hallmark Holiday”, and also a Catholic holiday (Saint Valentine you know).

And he is not Catholic.

Please – no pity – I find other diversions when my friends tell me about their tokens of love on this special day.

I am very good at convincing myself that when Bill builds a warm cozy fire in our wood stove, it is a testament to his love and commitment.

Or when he puts all the dishes away before I can get to them, it is  better than flowers.

Or when he keeps asking how my BigFoot is doing and gently touches to see if it is still swollen, that is sweeter than candy.

And when he invites me out to dinner to a special place – even on this Catholic holiday – it is a finer tribute than a Hallmark card.

We are dining tonight with friends at Virginia’s  Natural Bridge Hotel Dining Room  where there is – guess what –

A Valentine’s Day Special!

I can’t wait to dress up tonight and wear my heart on my sleeve for my non-Catholic boy who doesn’t believe in Valentines Day.  A diamond would be nice though. Hmmmm!  I wonder if he thought of that.

Natural Bridge Hotel Dining Room. Image from tripadvisor.com

A Storied Place. The Natural Bridge Park Historic Hotel

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The Magic of Three

Three Thoughts

My Three Grandgirls When They were Little

My Three Grandgirls Now

A special thank you to my blogging friend, Cindy, at Mama’s Empty Nest,  who tagged me to play along with this meme.

Please share three thoughts for each question

Three names I answer to:

1. Dor
2. Dorf
3. Dork

Three places I’ve called home:

1. Oxon Hill, MD
2. Phoenix, AZ
3. Hayfork, CA

Three places I’ve worked:

1. National Printing Association
2. Real Estate Appraisers
3. A Travel Agency

Three things I love to watch:

1. Dogs
2. The changing sky
3. Ice skating

Three things I love to eat:

1. Chocolate
2.  Chocolate
3. Anything Chocolate

Three things I’m looking forward to:

1. Seeing family and friends for Christmas and the New Year
2. Getting rid of the big boot on my left foot and walking normally
3. Reading the next great book

Three fond Christmas memories:

1. When our grandgirls were little for Xmas candle light caroling downtown. Passing each store,  the holiday lights came on and the girls were entranced. The group ended at a little park in midtown Lexington where Santa lit a big Christmas tree.  I will never forget all those glowing happy faces.
2. When I was a little girl and Santa left a real portable phonograph machine that played records!
3. The Christmases past when we had dogs and there were wrapped chew bones and squeaky toys under the tree just for them.  How we loved Peaches and Carrie – (the Golden Girls) and Rudy – (our inherited tough guy pitbull who never harmed a soul) and then Rozie – sweet Rozie, the rescue girl who rescued us all with her  love.

Three bloggers who might play along too:

1. Cindy at Photos from the Loony Bin
2. Eunice at Nuts for Treasure
3. Lisa at Life with the Top Down

But, like the other Cindy at Mama’s Empty Nest, I’m opening up this meme for anyone else who wants to participate. If you want to join the fun, copy & paste, replacing my answers with yours.

Or just choose one prompt from the list and share your answers in the comments.  I would really love to hear about your three fond Christmas memories!

“When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things give off the greatest glow of happiness.” ~ Bob Hope

 

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“Prost” My Friends!

Farewell to Germany!

“Prost” my friends!

Here’s to Germany and

all its sights, sounds, and tastes,

to the beer and pretzels,

and Octoberfest toasts

 to drifting along soft rivers,

past castle and church,

 to storybook streets and violins,

sliding past towers of ancient dreams,

and holding sweet memories of breathtaking scenes.

Farewell to Germany!

I’m going home.

I’m going home.

From: http://www.reuters.com
Visitors toast each other on a sunny day during Oktoberfest in Munich REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

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Food for the Soul

There is a lot to see in Germany, many places to visit, much history and charm, but there is something utterly irresistible about German beer, bread, chocolate, cheese, and pastries!

Here, a bakery window holds self-indulgent memories.

 

 

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Food for Survival

Daily Prompt – Five a Day

You’ve being exiled to a private island, and your captors will only supply you with five foods. What do you pick?

1. Chocolate
2. Chocolate
3. Chocolate
4. Chocolate
5. Chocolate!

FiveBenefits from Eating Chocolate (from fitbuff.com)

1. Studies have shown dark chocolate to lower blood pressure.
2. Studies have also shown dark chocolate to lower bad cholesterol (LDL).
3. It turns women on more than a passionate kissing session!
4. Contains serotinin, a natural mood-boosting anti-depressant.
5. Stimulates pleasure-inducing endorphin production.

HAPPY EASTER!

Related articles

• chocolate – can you afford not to eat it? (elainemcnulty.wordpress.com)
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• The Bitter Sweet Truth About Chocolate (360fitnessblog.wordpress.com)
• Happy Easter of the Chocolate Kind (nourishment3.com)

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