1,2,3...

1. Roll out the brand spanking new grill and deposit "match-starter" charcoal in the bottom. Add a match and VOILA! I am now a FIRESTARTER EXTRAORDINAIRE!
2. Add marinated chicken and proceed to grill it, catch it on fire, douse it with water, smoke it and yourself. Spend lots of time frantically moving pieces around the grill, hoping for the "right" spot. Sit lazily in lawn chair for at least 3 minutes at a time, then hop back up to put out another fire. ahhh, the joys of cooking on the grill! My technique needs a bit of fine-tuning but hey, it was my first time. I haven't grilled over charcoal since my single days; when I would throw a steak, or a few bacon wrapped quail, on a small hibachi and attempt to impress the date. I've graduated to the big grill now. Watch out Bobby Flay!
3. Plate it up! mmm mmm good!

After The Rain...

Flying Lessons

This little mockingbird sat calmly in our front yard, posing sweetly for several pictures. The little one seemed oblivious to the fat cat that was watching from the driveway next door AND mother mockingbird's frantic chattering of "Fly Away, Fly Away"!

Nicole, Ana and I are meeting weekly to discuss "Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway". We are going to cover 2 chapters per week and are very excited about our little "Book Club". We spent 1 1/2 hours this afternoon, pondering what we have read so far. We all agree that the insights from this book will be life-changing!

That's Entertainment!

If you like film noir AND George Clooney, then you will probably enjoy "The Good German". The movie has received mixed reviews. I found it a little slooooow but worth the watch. There were some philosophical type questions mixed in with the black and white, slooooow movement and speech. George Clooney was born to play film noir.

My parents bought me an old fashioned charcoal grill because 1)our gas grill isn't working properly 2)my Dad is a charcoal griller extraordinaire and 3)they are sweet parents! Can you see me in the grill?

Happy Half-Birthday To Me!

Chef Tom Cat

Daddy grilled some tastey T-bones for us! Yummy.

Hippy Van!

Flamboyant, patriotic, christian hippy van...to be precise.

Pick Me!

OK...in a few more weeks!

Time for a trim...

the mailman will thank me!

Guess what I had for dinner?

This fountain greets me as I make my way to Tai Chi class. The gentle sound of water splashing sets the tone for what is to come.

I had lunch with my sister today. We met at Cricket's Grill, which is located inside a restored warehouse. Good food, good atmosphere, good conversation.

Growing Up

Christy(12) and Sarah(13)
Mark(16) and Paul(14)
Nathan(15)
Good friends for a decade. That's pretty much their whole lives. Here's to another decade of friendship!

Neighbors

This morning I discovered that a family of toadstools has moved in with the geraniums.

New Growth!

Our Tulip Tree, which lost a large limb from the weight of the Easter snow, has new growth around the broken place. Hallelujiah! The black scar will always be there, but with gentle nurturing and time, a strong limb will grow from these sproutings. This new limb will help balance the tree, bring green into a place that was empty and will gently cover the black scar. New growth....good for trees and people!

Feeling Light-Headed

and quick handed. 7 inches of hair has departed from Nathan's head. What a cutie!

Memorial Day!

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me...

8pm and no photo for today! I headed out the backdoor and as the sun was setting, I clicked away on my little camera. It's been very rainy the past few days and rather dreary too. The colors from this little corner of the yard made me smile.