Happy birthday Baby!!

I recieved this photo from my mother-in-law by email this morning.

A large group of folks attended Vivian's 4th birthday party at Xtreme Bounce Zone yesterday!

It was a sweaty, red-faced event filled with theater friends, pre-school friends and family.

Vivian has been asking for a "jumping party" since her 3rd birthday, I think. Anyway, it was a long time coming - that's for sure.

More photos are on the way. I just haven't had a chance to download the camera yet. I'm especially excited to take a look at Vivian's live-action shots from inside one of the bounce houses. I'm sure it's a blurry mess.

Today is her official birthday. We'll be making our traditional trip to Red Robin for birthday dinner and an ice-cream sundae.

I can't belive my baby is four!

Happy birthday sweet Vivian!

Yummy mushroom creamy goodness

I made this for dinner tonight before I rushed off for a girls night out (actually a clothing party at Caitlin's). Curt loves mushrooms and we've both been trying to watch our diets lately so when I ran across this recipe, I just knew I had to try it! Added bonus: it makes a great Friday night dinner during Lent for me!

Portobello Mushroom Stroganoff

4 tsp garlic oil, divided
1 lb. Portobello mushroom caps, sliced (1/2 inch)
½ tsp salt, divided
½ tsp pepper, divided
2 cups chopped onions
2 (5-oz.) pkg baby spinach (10 cups)
1 cup fat free plain yogurt, preferably Greek
1/3 cup evaporated milk
2 tsp Dijon mustard

1. Heat 2 tsp of the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Cook mushrooms 6 to 8 minutes or until tender and liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally. Stir in ¼ tsp each of the salt and pepper, place in medium bowl.
2. Heat remaining 2 tsp oil in same skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Cook onions 6 to 8 minutes or until softened, stirring occasionally. Add spinach, cook 3 minutes or until spinach is wilted, tossing with tongs. Stir in mushrooms and any accumulated juices. Reduce heat to low.
3. Whisk yogurt, evaporated milk and mustard in small bowl. Gradually stir into mushroom mixture; heat until warmed through (do not simmer or yogurt could curdle). Stir in remaining ¼ tsp each salt and pepper.

Enjoy it spooned over hot noodles.

Makes 4 servings

Per serving: 180 calories, 6 g total fat, 11 g protein, 23 g carbohydrate, 5 mg cholesterol, 495 mg sodium, 5 g fiber.

It's still so tough

Thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.

I thought about you yesterday, and days before that too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and a picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake, with which I'll never part.

God has you in His keeping, I have you in my heart.

Having fairies is hard work

for me.

Not only does Audrey want proof of their existence (resulting in a treat for her) on a daily basis, she now wants the fairies to turn HER into a fairy. This is her second request.

But she's only trying to spare their feelings . . .

Vivian is thinking spring!

And since we all could use a little "spring" in our lives, I'm sharing these pictures that Vivian made at pre-school this week.

Enjoy this collection of bugs, birds and a rainbow!

Feeling Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday.

I'm in a Lenten sort of mood so I say bring it on with as much furor as I can muster. (Mostly because I had a wee bit too much fun last night at a Mardi Gras-style event I sang on. For more details click here.)

I guess I should commit to the fact that I've been thinking about giving up alcohol for Lent. (Good thing I got my fill last night.) That's what I gave up last year as well . . . but I got off to a slow start. Perhaps I needed that Fat Tuesday indulgence first.

There have been times in years past when I truly loved the Lenten season. Lent is a time for soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. That is exactly what I need right now. My heart has some healing to do.

Happy birthday Mom!

Yesterday was my mom's 79th birthday!

Usually a happy occasion, mom's birthday yesterday also served as a stark reminder of how much we all miss Dad. Even mom (who thinks every day is her birthday) has been crying a lot this week and talking about Jim.

There's a weight on me that I can't shake. My thoughts may linger away for a moment but they always snap back quickly to a feeling that I've lost something. Oh yeah, my Dad.

And it sucks.

But . . . we all move forward somehow. Justin and Sherri just had a baby (who I'm going to visit tonight!) and Jenny has another one on its way. I visited a friend in the hospital yesterday and held her newborn. That was a wonderful thing to do on Mom's birthday. The circle of life continues.

And I am lifted by the fact that I know Dad would not want me to be sad. Right now, he would be saying something sarcastic and shooting me a wry smile. Or he'd bring up Glenn Beck just to get me riled up. He'd rather have me argumentative than sad. We used to have some crazy debates. And so, that's what gets me through.

And mom continues to bring smiles. Her usual sunny disposition is a true blessing. And since many people afflicted with Alzheimer's can get mean or lash out, we feel especially lucky that none of that has happened to her. She is carefree and happy most of the time. And almost always keeps her clothes on -- outside of a few small incidences that also brought chuckles.

I'm sad to hear that she's been crying this week but I guess it's to be expected. And perhaps her weekend get-away will lift her spirits. She started staying in a lovely assisted living residence called The Gardens in Wapakoneta. It's a wonderful place. They even have a Facebook Fan page. She was SO excited to go last weekend and told a few people that she was going to Arizona.

It's warm in Arizona. Perhaps I should join her.

Love you, mom!