Milestones...

Yesterday I had the honor of attending my son's 5th grade graduation. It was great, very casual and informal, but still a milestone all the same. I was so proud of his accomplishments!

There were times I didn't think we'd arrive here...today. For years I have beat myself up for not doing the trendy thing and holding him back in kindergarten. His first grade experience was a nightmare and set the tone of how he viewed school for the next few years. It took 4 more years to break him of this viewpoint and to see that school is also a place of fun. He learned that you get out of school what you put into it. He has made the honor roll for the last 2 marking periods and has worked hard to achieve this.

So, to Paul I wish good luck at The Epiphany School, where I know you will sore to new heights physically, academically and spiritually.

I love you.

Bitter Sweet...

Today is the last day that I will have a child under the age of 2...onward and upward.

A Bit Much...

My youngest daughter is OBSESSED with the movie Annie. She absolutely loves the song "Little Girls" from the Miss Hannigan character. She especially loves when she clinks the gin and the glass 3 times! View for yourself...appropriate? Hey...it's whatever gets us through the day!

Three More Days of School!

Still a busy week, we have an elementary school graduation...Yes! We made it, 7th grade exams, a birthday for a certain babe turning 2, the final 2 baseball games of the season, swim practices, and I'm scheduled to work at the end of the week.

Bring it on!

Adios Amigo...

Fair winds and following seas to our good friend Dr. Patrick! He has left for the Sandbox to practice anesthesia...call us when you return, the whiskey sours and margaritas will be waiting!

Another Recipe...

Now that summer is about here, and the basil is growing like crazy, here's a recipe that uses a lot of it...PESTO! There's nothing better than a fresh ingredients recipe that you don't have to cook. Every summer, my grandmother would make giant batches and freeze it for the winter. Enjoy.

Pesto alla Genovese

2 cups fresh basil, coarsely chopped and tightly packed
1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tsp finely chopped fresh garlic
2 TBS pine nuts or walnuts
1-1 1/2 cups Classico olive oil (start with 1 cup and see if you need more)
1/2 cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese

Mix all ingredients except cheese in either blender or food processor. (If using blender, add olive oil first). (If using food processor, use feed tube to gradually add olive oil while processing other ingredients.) Sauce should be thin enough to run off of spatula. Transfer sauce to a large pasta bowl. Stir in cheese. Add 1 lb of cooked hot, drained pasta, toss well to coat and enjoy.

If you are planning on freezing it, do not add the cheese until you are ready to serve it.

Pandora's Box...

Last week when my parents came to visit, my dad told me of this new computer thing he discovered while "painting the house"...a personal radio station on the Internet.

Simply type in www.pandora.com, then type in a favorite musical artist or song and the "station" will play the song you chose and other songs from the "music genome project". I typed in "Van Morrison" and a song of his started to play and also songs from The Band, Counting Crows, CCR, etc. You can then save your "radio station" or create a new one.

I think I like this.