In Loving Memory, Grammy

January 1914 - Today. 

LHM. 

She died in peace 

and was loved by so many. 

It's Happening

She's going and there is nothing I can do, 

so I put her eyes in my head

to see what I could find. 

We breathed in the lake air and stepped on big rocks. 

We soaked in the vibrant sun while hiding under an umbrella. 

We ate a coffee ice-cream cone and pondered the train tracks. 

We laughed at my dancing child.

And then she was gone. 

Yet, I knew that she'd always be with me.

Cool Down Tiger

The tigers at the Minnesota Zoo live in an outdoor habitat with tall grasses and lots of trees, which makes it difficult for the humans to get a good glimpse. Today, this guy was soaking it up in plain view. Lately, our humidity has been around 72%, so water in all forms is required. Love those big paws. Swat.

Grammy Love

I wish my Gram was a princess in a castle with a spell cast over her instead of lying in a hospital bed sleeping. How can I tell her how much I love her when I literally cannot get to her? She is connected to this world by little right now. A shred of consciousness exists. Thankfully the internet gives me access to the latest information which is from my Aunt, her daughter and caregiver of the last three years. 

Gram, 94-years, is nearly blind and deaf nowadays. I wondered if I could make her a collage and get it to her some how. Could she feel the letters of "LOVE YOU" rising off the paper? When I spelled this out many ways yesterday, I had been thinking of her all morning and touching things that she had given me. I was with her. So, Gram, if you are out there - can you read my message in a bottle? Can you see the seashells that spell out your name across the beach? Can you see the clouds that are in a heart formation outside your window? Good night and Sweet Dreams (as she used to say to me). You are my Sleeping Beauty. Je t'aime toujours. ~Bun

Song for Gram (click here) 

Beautiful "Poppy"

... left us this week as a wonderful dog and friend to my Aunt (and others) for 17 years (94 dog years). She was simply worn out. I know my Aunt and her household full of friends will miss Miss Poppy dearly and I am sorry their hearts will ache. I do know there are a lot of memories that will bring many smiles and warmth to them all. 

My son and I have loved getting to know Poppy through photos, cards, and stories. And when I did get to actually be with her, sweetness shined. Because of Poppy, I have grown to love any whippet that walks by on our busy dog-walking street. None has been dressed as well as Poppyseed though. I only wish I too could have played with her on the beach. Poppy, please drop me a bone from heaven next time you see me at the beach. I promise to toss it back to you. Thanks for all the happiness you brought to this world.

Talkin' Basil

Here I go again, walking out my front door for some basil from one of three verdant beauties. Basil is good in almost anything! Here I've made a simple pesto whose recipe originated from my CSA newsletter. Another easy way to use basil is in cole slaw or as a marinade ingredient. Slice yellow squash and zucchini lengthwise into 1/4"-pieces. Place them in a large bowl and add heaps of chopped basil and enough olive oil to coat each piece of squash. Toss. Let it soak for a bit and then grill.

This summer I've also discovered two interesting local-Minneapolis basil products. Check out Mrs. Meyer's Basil Dish Soap. It's a very soft scent for dishwashing. As you know, I do all my dishes by hand. Another skin-loving product, is Basil Lavender soap from Golden Sage. Use in the bath or at the hand-sink. Both companies produce many splendid products with good ingredients.

Raspberry Ice-cream Buzz

This year's raspberries are in! Love them. Cannot wait to pick 'em from my back yard bushes during a quiet summer evening. More so, eating them. Is there any better way to nosh raspberries than by tumbling a handful into your mouth? And how about drinking them?

I adore these rubies in an ice-cream drink that I concocted last summer for my husband. He'd endured an all too hot day mowing the lawn. Also, this recipe at Smitten Kitchen looks entirely possible and delicious too -- with raspberries (not that the nectarines don't sound great).

Raspberry Buzz 

6 full scoops vanilla ice-cream 

(I like Breyer's All Natural Vanilla Bean)

1/4 cup 1/2 & 1/2

1 cup fresh organic raspberries

2 TBS Amaretto di Sarano 

1 1/2 teaspoon Kahlua

Blend ice-cream and raspberries with hand blender (I love my Cuisinart) or in the blender while slowly adding the 1/2 & 1/2 (milk is option too) ... do so until the ice--cream is close to the final consistency that you wish. Keep it thicker because the Amaretto Di Sarano & Kahlua will thin this mixture out. Quickly blend in Amaretto di Sarano and Kahula at end. Makes two 8 oz drinks ice-cream drinks.

Butterflies in My Stomach

After our long on-foot journey around the trails at the Minnesota Zoo we stopped at one last place -- the butterfly gardens. Few things have given me the inspiration to pull out my watercolors and paint again. But the butterflies did it! What's so perfect is that I have photos like these to look at! I haven't been excited about painting for so long. Did someone finally slip the magic "now you have a subject - no more excuses" potion into my protein drink? I do feel a bit floaty.

There I stood only last week at a small-town county history museum. I couldn't miss the group that was milling about the gift shop and among the exhibits. Most were decked out in safari outfits - fully rigged with binoculars, nets, compases and ye ole' butterfly field guide. My specific thought was, "Butterflyers are too geeky and wierd for me!" I'm pretty sure I must have been staring and crossing my arms at the same time. 

And so it goes, with equal marvel I'm ready to capture my first butterfly with brushstrokes.

Bunnies Busted

... eating weeds in my garden! I don't know why these two have been sticking to this weedy diet plan and not opting for the lettuce, but I like it. Talk about organic weed management!

Happy 7th Birthday Luke

Luke is a great young person and he celebrated his 7th birthday today! He loves sports like no kid I know. And he happens to be good at all of them. He can wear out any adult with baseball, biking or any physical endeavor you can imagine. He is my special Godchild and I have watched him grow up. I met him at the hospital soon after he was born. What a puff of blonde-white hair that stood up straight and long. He has conquered some challenges at a young age but I don't think he knows that. He is curious and clever, loving gum and climbing. He continues to surprise everyone with the good things he does and the funny things he says. He is kind and laid back. Luke has an ever-present smile and joy of life about him. He reminds us all that if we're not having fun - we should try it. Happy Birthday Lukey!