Boston Strong

Hubby is in love with his new t-shirt.

As his mother and I were in a seaside town, dragging him in and out of all the shops (hey, someone has to carry the bags!)

He saw this shirt and HAD to have it.

Who am I to deny my main man such an indulgence!

Coal Run: Tawni O'Dell

I had read another book by Tawni O'Dell, Back Roads, and so when I saw this one I decided to take a chance.

All in all it was a pretty good book. 

Would I recommend to others? Not intentionally, but I wouldn't discourage them from reading it either.

I loved the fact that it was an easy, mindless read. Sometimes one needs those in order to just enjoy and really relax.

What I did not like about the book was how predictable it was. There was no surprises, no wonder, no "gee, what twist/turn will this take?". 

All the characters are basic.

You know the drunk will continue to be.

The easy girl will continue.

The "good ole' boys" will take care of business.

Description from GoodReads: 

With her eagerly awaited second novel, Tawni O'Dell takes readers back to the coal-mining country of western Pennsylvania. Set in a town ravaged and haunted by a mine explosion that took the lives of 96 men, Coal Run explores the life of local deputy and erstwhile football legend, "The Great Ivan Z.," as he prepares for a former teammate's imminent release from prison. As the week unfolds and Ivan struggles to confront his demons, he reveals himself to be a man whose conscience is burdened by a long-held and shocking secret

Itching to get in the kitchen

It's been a crazy month!

Between taking care of my Nana while she was sick, the funeral, my parents being here for the funeral, Memorial Day weekend, and everything else in between...I don't think I have COOKED a meal since April!

I did heat up hot dogs and beans the other night, does that count?
Our "gourmet" dinner looked something like this...

Picture from www.gfhomecooking.com

Not exactly the most fantastic meal I have ever put in front of my family. They weren't even homemade baked beans..they were canned! 

Whatever.

Bottom line is, I am itching to get back into my kitchen!

(Need to do some serious grocery shopping before that though, we have NOTHING)

I think food does more than nourish, it feeds the soul. 

Not only the person eating it, but for the person making it.

Nothing makes me happier than when I get a request "You know what I have been craving? Will you make XYZ for me?"

That tells me I did my job. 

My secret wish is to be Marie Barone (yes, feel free to giggle here)

I want people to want to eat what I make...even if they have already eaten. Even if they are going home to eat. Even if they don't even like that item, but they know it might taste better because it was made a different way.

One gets addicted to that happiness. 

I L-O-V-E that look of contentment when someone has a full belly. Not because just something was placed on the table and it's something to take the hunger away; but because there is love in every bite. 

I am a food dork and proud of it.

A belated Mother's Day brunch

With my Nana being sick, I spent a lot of time being with her and helping care for her.
That also meant that my family at home was being "neglected". Hubby and the girl were so amazing about it. They knew I needed to do this, not just for Nana, but for me, and were super supportive.

This also meant I was neglecting other people in my life.
(who are also totally supportive and understanding)

Mother's Day came and went in a blur. My mother had left to fly home the day before, so we spent that day just trying to regain a little "normal" in our lives.
We did give my Mother in Law a call, but, that is about it.

So, here I am, a week later making a brunch.
We are having my MIL, Hubby's Aunt S, Sis in law and her hubby D, and D's mom over today.
I am so, so, so excited!

When I broached the idea, they all argued with me about it. A whole lot of "You just went through so much, wait some more time" or "No, let's go out instead, you don't need the work!"
Thankfully they all eventually realized this is something I needed to do.

It's like my apology to them.
I love my family, and my in laws are FAMILY, there is no distinction between the two.
They are always there for me when I need them, and I try to always be there for them.
They were always OK with me breaking plans, or not attending functions due to my other needs.

I am always grateful for the amazing family I was born into and the just as amazing family I married into.
Wish all were so lucky.

Borrowed from here

Borrowed from here

I miss my Nana

My grandmother passed away on 5/3/13 after a heroic battle with lung cancer.
She held on longer than she would have liked, and as pleased as I am that her struggle is over....I miss her something terrible.

She was more than my Nana. She was my BFF. She was my birthday buddy. She was my confidant.

We used to have amazing phone ESP. I would pick up the phone to call her (or vice versa) and find dead air. Not really dead...just an already connected phone line. This happened more than 50% of the time.
We even had our little silly thing (she was very hard of hearing)
Nana: How's my girl
Me: Peachy Keen
Nana: Peachy Creme? That's great!
E-V-E-R-Y call started like that!

We are both September babies, just 12 days apart.
Every year we had a "girls day" instead of presents. A day out and about and some lunch.

Oh how she loved her food. I wish I had a little video of how she would smile, with the tip of her tongue sticking out of her mouth, and wiggle in her seat when she knew something she loved was going to be served to her.
The woman could eat pasta at every meal, I kid you not!
Hard to believe she is Lithuanian. The only Italian in the family married in!

My Nana was the happiest person, no matter what she was doing. Seriously, even chores were a good time with her!

There are so many more stories than I have time for.
Maybe my brain just isn't ready to remember them right this second.

High School Graduation

Loving her Santa

My Happy BFF

Starting another blog...

Good morning!

I am already relatively busy with my other blog, so why I decided to start this one...I am not sure.
I do know that I have random thoughts all the freaking time.
If I have these random thoughts, others must too.

Right?
Not just me?

This blog is searchable, but I don't know that I plan on advertising it.
Will be curious to see what ever comes of it!