First Day of School

Last night, while laying in bed, I felt like a child who knew 

the next morning they would walk out the door with their backpack 

on, lunch box in hand, and step up the stairs of that yellow bus to 

begin their first day of school.

 Today was my first official day of  college. 

I am so excited, I love learning, but I 

am nervous too, because this is something I've

 never done before.  I just need to remember 

that a peanut butter sandwich an apple slices 

makes school even better.

(photos courtesy of: weheartit.com and google image)

Morning Walk

This past week, I have been taking our dog for a walk in the mornings. 

*She loves her walks; it's her favorite thing. That's what she told me

and wanted me to write. 

I have been trying to notice new things each time I go.

 One morning I could really smell the freshness of the air, as if it had just rained. 

Another morning I saw the daffodil flowers had bloomed on a certain corner. 

I always notice the squirrels scampering about, because I have to pull Remy

away from chasing them into the next county. 

I noticed an older couple doing lawn work, another lady speed walking while 

talking on the phone. 

And this morning, I noticed how warm the air had gotten; it felt like spring

was making an early appearance. 

(all photos courtesy of: weheartit.com)

Story Time

Yesterday, I was reading a touch-and-feel book to my three week old niece titled: Feely Bugs. 

It reminded me of when my mother would read to us children while growing up. She had excellent taste in children's books and to this day when I see one of those books, I cannot help but smile and pick it up. 

Here is a short list, and description, of some of the books she read. 

Good Dog, Carl

Written and illustrated by Alexandra Day.

The series centers around a Rottweiler named Carl and a little girl named Madeleine, 

of whom he takes care. All of the books are mostly wordless, relying on the details 

of the illustrations to tell the stories.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter

The Tale of Peter Rabbit is a children's book that follows mischievous and disobedient young Peter Rabbit as he is chased about the garden of Mr. McGregor. He escapes and returns home to his mother who puts him to bed after dosing him with camomile tea. 

Strega Nona

Written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola

Strega Nona is an original children's book about an elderly lady who helps her fellow villagers out with their troubles, most notably by curing headaches, helping single women find husbands, and ridding people of warts.

(courtesy of:wikipedia and google image)

"Isn't she beautiful?"

On a recent visit, my sister shared this story with me. 

Her husband works for a man in his ninety's whom they all call "Gramps".
Gramps has experienced great loss and tragedy throughout his lifetime,
more than it seems one life could bear. One of those losses
was losing his wife to Alzheimer's 10 years ago. He would visit his
wife everyday, three times a day. As her condition deteriorated
she would not allow him to enter her room, yelling
"Stay out there Mr. Brown!" while pointing at the hallway.
His daughter recounted that through it all he never said anything
in retaliation or frustration. Instead, while she was sleeping he
would stand over her and simply say,
"Isn't she beautiful?"

To the ones you love and care about, may you hold them

 even closer to your heart today.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Love, 
Libby 


(Photos courtesy of: google image: holding hands)

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."

Idea #3 "I Love You" Booklet

I saw this little book and it reminded me of the poem

 How Do I Love Thee by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

You can write different reasons why you love and appreciate 

this person, or write down a certain time you shared together.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Thank you Paper Vine. 

For the full tutorial please visit Paper Vine's site at:

http://papervinenz.blogspot.com/2011/02/hi-everyone-this-is-last-of-my.html

The Act of Love

Each morning this father wakes up early to leave for work. Before he walks out the door though
he goes to the white board and writes a note to his family.
When his children wake up, they run to the board, so excited, to read what he wrote to them!

"Okay everybody...it's Monday. Time to start a new week. 

One of the best things I can think of is having a family

like you to wake up with. All 3 of you are so special

to me. I am so proud of you guys. 

Everyone have a great day & know that you are in my 

thoughts. I Love You Very Much. 

Do your best today & I will see you soon!!! 

Dad

For: The Lamm Family

Thank you, Curt for the way

you love your family

The Sound of Love

The Way You Look Tonight by Tony Bennett
Marry Me by Train 
She by Elvis Costello
Return to Me by Dean Martin

Can't Take My Eyes Off You by Frank Valli & Lauryn Hill

Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers

What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
You and Me by Lifehouse
Just A Kiss by Lady Antebellum

(Photos courtesy of: Tiffany & Co, Google)

A Little Taste of Love

Idea #2 Tasting Party 

Going out to eat on Valentine's Day would be very special, but if you are feeling in the mood to just

stay in this year, here is a simple way you can make it special. 

A tasting party of your favorite 

hors d'oeuvre and desserts. 

If you've had a busy day and are afraid you won't have the time to

prepare the treats yourself, stop by your favorite deli (soups, meats and cheeses are all available)

 or bakery (Panera Bread has fresh backed goods everyday)

  then simply arrange them on your tasting party dishes. 

Enjoy! 

Shrimp Cocktail 

1. 1/2 pd frozen (pre-cooked) shrimp

2. 1 jar cocktail sauce

Spinach Artichoke Dip & Pita Chips

1. 1 container of spinach artichoke dip (serve heated) 

2. 1 bag of Stacey's Naked Pita Chips 

Strawberries & Cream 

1. 1 container strawberries

2. 1 pint heavy cream 

3. confectioner sugar

Wash and slice the strawberries. Pour the cream

on top, then sprinkle a light dusting of confectioner 

sugar over the top. This makes a light dessert. 

(*Tasting Party Dishes are available at Pier 1 Imports 

Price: $10-$25)

Love, Right on Time.

Once there were two teachers who worked down the hall from each other. The woman was a English & History teacher, the man, a Math teacher. They became friends but eventually the math teacher left to begin a business with his family. Eight years went by and one day the woman received a telephone call, and on the other end she heard a voice saying, "Hi, Jeanne, this is your Dave. Do you remember me?"

*I love that he said "your Dave".  

Well, they began courting; they said they were too old to call it dating.

One night, the man turned and looked at the woman and said, "So, you think us old codgers could make it?" The woman didn't realize he was seriously asking her to marry him, so her first reaction? She was mad! She thought, he shouldn't joke about that. 

He was serious, and so was she. 

On a snowy October day, the woman walked down the aisle to marry

that man. He was 39, she was 40. 

I'm so glad, Dad and Mom you decided you could make it. 

I love you both. 

One Week Until Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is one week from today.

Saint Valentine's Day is a holiday observed on February 14 honoring one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards. 

For the next week, I will be posting stories, and ideas that I hope you will find 

fun, inspiring and make you look forward to sharing Valentine's Day with the ones you love.

Idea #1 

Heart, Photo Garland

Thank you Eighteen 25 and Scrapper Girl.

For a full tutorial, please visit Scrapper Girl at:

http://scrappergirl.typepad.com/scappergirl/2011/01/photo-heart-love.html#comments

(photos courtesy of: Eighteen 25

http://eighteen25.blogspot.com)

Happy Birthday, Mr Dickens

Today is Charles Dickens' birthday. Each year at Christmas time, I think of him when I watch A Christmas Carol. I love the story of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Charles Dickens was born on the 7th of February, 1812. He was an English novelist, considered to be the greatest of the Victorian period.

Chicken Soup, Please

Today was a chilly and gray Monday. So when you have the day off from work and are afraid that

curling up with a book would just be a segue to a nap, what do you do? 

You make soup! 

Thank you Manuela for the wonderful idea!

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup


Ingredients

1/2 Fryer Chicken

2 whole Carrots, Diced

2 stalks Celery, Diced

1/2 whole Medium Onion, Diced 

2 cloves garlic, Diced 

8 cups Chicken Stock (Low Sodium) 

1 teaspoon Salt

1/4 teaspoon Pepper (more To Taste)

1/4 teaspoon Ground Thyme

1 teaspoons Parsley Flakes

8 ounces, Homemade Wide Egg Noodles 

Instructions

1. Place the 1/2 fryer chicken in a skillet with olive oil on low-medium heat until the skin is a golden color. This is optional. I do this because it adds flavor (I use the same skillet to sauté my vegetables in later) 

2. Place the chicken in a large soup pot, cover with 8 cups of chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes.

3. Remove chicken from pot. Take off as much meat from the bones as you can, then set the meat to the side. 

4. Sauté the carrots, celery, onions and garlic cloves in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, until just tender. 

5. Add the carrots and celery, onions, and garlic to the pot, followed by the herbs and spices. 

6. Increase heat to medium, then add the egg noodles and chicken. Cook until the noodles are tender, 8-10 minutes. 

Adjust seasonings as needed.

Enjoy! You can even make smacking, or slurping sounds 

if you'd like (not recommended if you are in public). 

In Remy's World

This is Remy.

She is my brother and sister-in-law's German Shepherd, pet. I'd like to think she is now my pet too. 

 There are key words that make Remy very excited: "park", "ball", "walk", "cookie", and "ride". 

"Without a dog, squirrels won't have any reason to come into your yard to taunt." 

"Without a dog, no one will think you are the most amazing cook in the world just

because you can open a can." 

"Without a dog, I would have tassels on my throw pillows instead of little stubs of yarn 

that look like small worms." 

"A dog thinks everything you have to say is absolutely brilliant and fascinating, 

especially if you're holding a piece of food while you're talking." 

(Quotes courtesy of: W Bruce Cameron)

Grilled Vegetable Toastie

Servings: 2

Ingredients

1 tomato, cut into 8 slices

4 whole  mushrooms, sliced

6 slices fresh  mozzarella cheese

Olive oil

Balsamic Vinegar

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Mayonnaise 

4 slices french bread 

Directions

1. On stove top grill, lay the slices of tomato and mushrooms. Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and sprinkle salt and freshly ground pepper. Grill until the vegetables are tender, 5 minutes.

 Remove from grill, set aside. 

2. Lay 4 slices of bread on a cutting board and spread with mayonnaise. 

Top with the the grilled vegetables and fresh mozzarella cheese. 

3. Preheat a panini grill (if you don't have a panini grill, you can use a skillet, as if you were making grilled cheese). Grill sandwiches 5 minutes, or until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.