Gratitude Friday - Sweet Memories

I'm very thankful for the sweet memories of people who were in my life in the past. I was thinking about my grandparents this morning. They were the best. They lived out in the country. Their house was on fifteen acres surrounded by small farms. There was a creek that ran through their property. One thing I remembered this morning was taking walks with my grandma and seeing lovely wild pink roses growing.

WIP - Mountains

This is what I'm working on. I'm playing with some colors.

Rockin' Out in My Truck

I had to drive across town on Friday. During the trip, I listened to a classic rock station. What fun it is to rock out while driving! First, I got into it with Aretha - R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Then there was a little bit of Beatles' music, "Something". Then I heard a song I hadn't heard in years. It was "No Matter What You Are" by Badfinger. I love that song. It was so good to be listening and singing along. I didn't know anything about Badfinger, but remembered a lot of their songs, so I did some Internet research when I got home. I had been thinking, "Oooh, maybe Jim and I can see them in one of the Rock 'N Roll revival tours. Well, they have a tragic story. Before I read about them, I checked for live performances on YouTube. An earnest young man with a look about him that took me back to my high school days was singing his heart out. He and his buddy wrote almost all of the Badfinger hits. They also wrote a song that was a big hit for Harry Nilsson, "Without You" (a song I'd assumed Nilsson had written that I absolutely love). The Badfinger version is awesome!

In a way, I wish I'd just left it alone. I could've ordered an album or two online and continued thinking of Badfinger living happily ever after. They're not. It makes me very sad.

Gratitude Friday, A Day Late

Hooray! I'm very, very grateful that I can begin to wean off of this acrylic device that I've had to wear in my mouth for the last 6 months (TMJ treatment). Bring on the crispy fresh fruits and vegetables! Hello, cashews, walnuts and peanuts! Woo-hoo! Note to Kablooey: My secure word for making comments will no longer be "medrueli".

My mom's visit went well. She'll come back to see us for her birthday in December.

Does anyone have a good recipe for spinach lasagna? Are there any Italians out there who can tell me if the word is lasagna or lasagne?

Gratitude Friday - Thank you, Jim.

Thank you for 11 wonderful years. I love you.

Today is our anniversary. We went to The Broiler tonight to celebrate. Jim had steak. I had lobster. Jim had an extra glass of merlot for dessert. I had creme brulee. We had so much to talk about - memories, plans for the future. It was a perfect evening.

A Visit to the Bellagio

Yesterday we went to the Bellagio Hotel Casino to see the conservatory and botanical gardens. Gorgeous! For spring, they have snails made of roses (Check out that beautiful snail!) ,bumble bees made of carnations (Carnations I tell you!), giant ant sculptures, mushrooms, frogs made of moss (Yes, beautiful, soft green moss!), tulips, sculpted olive trees and water splashing through the air. If you come to Las Vegas, be sure to see it. They change it for each season. The rest of the hotel is beautiful, too. One area has a handblown Italian glass ceiling. Another celebration of spring has beautiful unbrellas hanging from the ceiling. There is no charge for admission and the garden is open 24 hours a day.