Satisfaction

There is something so completely satisfying about wearing a garment made with your own two hands, a couple of sticks and some string. 

Domestic Bliss

Yesterday

I woke up, walked the dogs, showered and did a load of laundy

I spoke with my daughter and my sister, twice at least

I knit and listened to music

I had a bowl of wonderful chicken tortilla soup for lunch with crunchy fritos on top

I made 7 pans of cinnamon rolls, baked one, froze the rest and washed up the mess

I went to Body Pump class, came home got in the hot tub, had another bowl of healthy chicken tortilla soup, and an ice cold beer

My Handsome Prince came home, we watched a bad movie, I finished my knitting project, I read and lights out

ahhhh

On a Roll

Number 32 - Now I can be dry and cute

Smile

Number 4

Number 40

What I Did for Love

Yesterday I crossed the bridge for the third time in three weeks.  The first two inovolved moving furniture, getting Audrey settled, school schedules and banking.  Yesterday was for a funeral.

About 6 or 7 years ago, I met her through the Ensemble.  She was with Avon and the Director's mother.  I volunteered to be make up parent.  A couple years later, she was diagnosed with cancer.  After a choral party at her house, I notice two or three flats of flowers that were not planted and offered to help with that if she wanted it.  I never planted the flowers but we visited a few times, had lunch and talked on the phone.  One thing she told me was that she wanted Emma to sing "What I Did for Love" at her funeral.  It was a piece the Ensemble had done, Emma the soloist with the Ensemble.

A little over a week ago, Emma told me this woman was dying and the family was having a birthday party while she was still alive.  They asked the Ensemble to sing, Emma to sing her solo.  Emma was nervous, both about singing and about getting emotional.  She called after the event to say that she sang directly to Barbara, that they maintained eye contact, smiled at each other, and that it was lovely. 

I went to the funeral yesterday to say goodbye to a friend, because no matter how long she was in my life, it was significant.  I went to the funeral yesterday to support a woman who is a member of both my daughters' village, whose influence has been significant in their lives.  I went to the funeral yesterday to witness some amazing kids (okay adults now) sing from their hearts.  And I went to the funeral yesterday to hear Emma sing "What I Did for Love" and know that it is true for Barbara, for Trish, for Emma, for me, and everyone else there.

It's Time to Make a List

1. Plant sunflowers
2. Make a bottle tree
3. Hire a cook
4. Put my feet in the ocean every month
5. Make a friend
6. Inspire others
7. Knit on the porch at the Conference Center
8. Watch the sunrise on the beach
9. Buy a thermos to drink my coffee on the beach
10. Watch the sunset over the bay
11. Host a party
12. Frame photos of me and My Handsome Prince (idea from Li'l Sis and her hubby)
13. CPR recertification
14. Let go  - a reminder every year
15. Go Ice skating or roller skating
16. Take a creative class
17. Drink water
18. Take a vacation - didn't really happen for me in 2009
19. Still need those cowboy boots
20. Go for hikes
21. Ride my bike to work one day a week
22. Ride the ferries on the eastern shore
23. Make more lists
24. Have our family photo taken
25. Buy some houseplants and try not to kill them
26. Buy fresh flowers from the house on my way to work
27. Knit, knit, knit
28. Visit my girls and explore their area
29. Invite someone over for coffee
30. Leave a May basket somewhere
31. Make room for the unnexpected
32.  Buy decent rain boots
33. Organize recipes in a hanging file box
34. Have dinner at Blue Coast
35. Go for rides in My Handsome Prince's Model T Roadster Deluxe
36. Have a crafternoon
37. Chalk art with a group at the Conference Center
38. Sew myself some loungewear
39. Find a photobooth and have our picture taken
40. Bake more cookies
41. Wear more color
42. Go to the beach on a full moon night
43. Handwrite letters
44. Kiss My Handsome Prince everyday
45. See my friend Randee
46. Listen to local music
47. Use my crockpot

There I've said it, 47 intentions but pay close attention to number 31 because it may preclude one or more of the others.  I do like Andrea's number 24 and will contemplate that one.

In Reverse

Self centered knitting

The birthday gift

The snow, again

The birthday dinner place that was closed

Audrey's new digs

The cold

yarn by the pound  sale (this is only a fraction of what I purchased)

The Times They are a Changin'

Today was the official day I woke up alone.  My Handsome Prince gone to work, the dogs sleeping, nothing different except the knowledge.  And in a moment of self indulgent pity, I cried. 

2009/2010

In 2009 three of us made the permanent move to Dagsboro, one of us will leave.

In 2009 Audrey made the transition from junior in high school to senior in high school to freshman in college.

In 2009 Emma continued the journey to independence and adulthood by purchasing a new car. Yes the Green Machine, Snot Rocket, Skittle, whatever you want to call it is gone, sniff.

In 2009 Dana left one non-profit entity for another and became the Manager of the Christian Church Conference Center in Bethany Beach, a place in our family history and hearts.

In 2009 Patrick narrows his commute and eliminates rush hour.

In 2009 we reunited with friends for whom we played match maker, one of whom was part of our wedding, and who ironically live in Bethany Beach.

In 2009 we become card carrying members of the Dogfish Head Mug Club.

In 2009 we do not choose our community of people, it chooses us and it is good.

In 2009 we are multicultural spending time building houses in Mexico and our summer with The Czech Student Group.

In 2009 we sell our house on Deep Run Road after much uncertainty.

In 2009 Patrick acquires his Grand Daddy’s 1931 Model A Roadster Deluxe, a piece of history and a piece of his heritage.

In 2010 we look forward to change, to challenges, to joys, to visitors, to new traditions, and much, much more. We hope you are a part of it.

Patrick, Dana, Emma and Audrey

Knitting Frenzy

I spent the last two months knitting.  It was absolutely wonderful, painful, all consuming.  I made a bunch of these.

I made a boyfriend hat and a matching calorimetry.

I made two pair of these, one in green wool for my best sister as seen here and one pair for My Handsome Prince in orange alpaca wool blend, luxurious.

Now it's time for me, love this luscious blend from Dragonfly fibers.

Mmmmmm, Pork

We walked in and immediately the hostess asked if we were there for the Pork Dinner, to which we answered yes.  As we walked through the bar, Linda from behind the bar smiled and said "Hey guys, good to see you again!"  We walked upstairs and Olivia was at the top of the steps, another smile, another glad you are here.  We've become regulars, which feels good.  We were seated at a table for 4 so knew we would have dinner companions.  We had wondered how they would host this dinner.  Within a few minutes, James and Brian sat at our table.  The room was full, loud, animated, anticipatory.  Sam, the owner, brewmaster,  made his rounds, greeting everyone, spending a bit of time at every table.  Jason, the manager, made some announcements, some introductions, and the dinner began.

First Course, a charcuterie platter, three types of dried meats on baguette with a sampling of beer with each variety, my favorite being a chorizo served with none other than a 90 minute IPA

Second Course, a spinach salad, with toffeed pecans, chorizo,mango dressing paired with a full glass of 60 minute IPA

Third Course, warm dates stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped with proscuitto, fresh sprouts on top, and sweet balsamic vinegar trailing the plate, a small surprise sampling of Life and Limb, the collaboration of Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada, and a small glass of Indian Brown Ale

Fourth Course, garlic infused bacon wrapped around a pork tenderloin, served on a bed of bacon grits, crunchy fried onions on top, served with a glass of Raison D'Etre, oh and a shot of peanut butter, bacon vodka, a salute to Elvis

And lastly, chocolate bacon cheesecake served with a snifter of World Wide Stout

Is that enough pork for you?  I think My Handsome Prince ate every bit, with the exception of a small piece of chocolate dipped bacon which we brought home to Audrey.  Me, not so much, although I did some damage.

Our dinner companions were delightful, conversation easy and pleasant, talking of various things.  They gave us some great tips on local food.  We exchanged emails, facebook, cell, and blog information.  I hope to see them again.

The theme next month is Indian cuisine.  It's a possibility.  We left after chatting up the chef and the organizer, Olivia said she hoped she would see us before Christmas.  We told her we'd see her next week, we still have Dogfish Head theme shopping to do and growlers to pick up.

Pork is usually a favorite when camping.  I think chocolate dipped bacon will be on the menu next trip.  Who knew it could be so good?

I Give Thee Thanks

My Handsome Prince and another year of clean scans

Cute Puppies

Walks in the woods, on the beach, and in the neighborhood

Evidence of mixed families

Precious baby girls

Dogfish Head and being a local

Fun

And games

A clean slate and the ability to make decisions

For Inspiration in unexptected places

Smiling, serving, selfless soldiers

For unexpected delights

A cup o' joe

Puppy love

My incredible, inspiring, growing daughters

Friends, new and old

A community of people

Gracious family hosts and guests

The bond of Sisters

The worry of Mothers

The experiences of music

And for much more, I give Thee Thanks.

Every Girl Needs Her Mommy Sometimes

We talked on the way to the Doctor's office.  We talked in the waiting room.  We talked in the examining room, over a hot lunch, waiting for a prescription, getting blood work done and all the way back to her apartment.  We spoke of room mate drama, past and present, of protests, of holiday plans, of classes, of day to day minutiae.  We were still talking as I made the long trek back home and she was in her apartment.  I complained about the traffic.  She said "Thanks for coming to take care of me Mommy.  I am sorry you are stuck in traffic."  I responded, "I had a nice afternoon Emma Girl, I am sorry you are sick."  And then she cried, I suspect it was with relief that she could relinquish the responsibility of making decisions for a brief period of time and to be in the hands of her Mommy for just a bit.

Glimpse

Last night I caught a glimpse of my future.  My Handsome Prince and I in our separate favorite seating in the living room, watching a movie as my cell phone constantly went off with text messages from our daughters.  Me, knitting, him on the computer looking for a car, pursuing our separate hobbies together in our home, void of the physical presence of our daughters, yet always on our minds.

Quality vs Quantity

There is something truly to be said about quality time versus quantity time.  My sister loaded up four year old 'bino, the two dogs, met my Father somewhere along the beltway and drove the 3 hours to meet me.  We opted to meet at Cape Henlopen State Park, a favorite, and now only 30 minutes away for me.  This way the dogs could run and 'bino could play in the sand.  And that is what we did.

The Campground was quiet and empty.  Li'l Sis and I both remarked that we wished we were camping.

We went to the "doom" where Sambino jumped

and jumped and got sand in his pockets

No time together is complete without a self portrait

We went to Herring Point aka The Dog Beach

It was windy

We climbed rocks

The dogs posed

I climbed and posed

Quality Mother Daughter Time

My Dad - this one speaks for itself

And then we went into town

Where a stop at the toy store is a must for children and adults alike

And then it was time to go, time for them to go home, time for Audrey to go to school, time to get back to our regular lives.

The Storm

The rain and wind started Thursday.  I called Mom advising her to check the weather and road conditions before she started across the bridge.  She arrived late afternoon Thursday, flustered.  It was a bad drive.  Because I had barely left the house all day, I sent Audrey to school that evening and regretted it immediately after she left.  So much so that My Handsome Prince and I went to pick her up after class and drive her car home for her.  While we were gone, the volunteer fire alarm went off so of course Mom could not rest until all were safe at home.  By Friday, the rain had subsided and we ventured into Rehoboth to pick up the necessities, sock yarn, growlers of Dogfish Head beer, and the makings of molasses cookies.   I was advised not to try to get into work in Bethany as Rt 1 was closed from Rehoboth to Bethany and Rt. 26 had a lot of standing water. We had a lovely visit, knitting, baking, shopping, watching movies, web surfing, laughing, talking.  On Saturday, we ventured into town, this is what we encountered:

one entrance closed - Pennsylvania Avenue remained closed on until Sunday and even then....

submerged wooden walkway

floaters from the post office

These are just a few images from the Conference Center.  After checking the chapel and Campbell Hall, we ventured to the beach. 

Beach devestation

We thought we were prepared for the water with our cute boots from a well known store but little did we know that they were not water tight.  Audrey actually poured water out of her boot.   As Li'l Sis says, cute is overrated.