I have this thing for soap. I don't know why. I have been collecting ( yes, and using ) it for years. Every time we go on a trip I buy a bar or two. Every time I go to a little boutique or bath store, I buy soap. I even found a bar at the nursery where I buy my plants. I buy it at local art shows, at bazaars, at the mall, and even in little quaint stores along the road. My favorites are the ones that smell like citrus fruits, but I also like the oatmeal variety, the kind filled with seeds to be used as an exfoliant, the beautiful and mild scented French milled soaps, and the ones made with goat's milk. I buy them and give them to friends and my daughters for Christmas. I seem to remember that the ones I give my daughters end up as decorations in the bathroom instead of in the shower however. I should probably start making my own but in truth that might become work, and half the fun of soap for me is finding it. Thank you Crabtree and Evelyn, thank you E Barrett, thank you Archipelago (the pomegranate is divine) thank you Asouith and Somerset, thank you Pre' de Provence, thank you Pamplemousse,

thank you Olivia Care and thank you Dove. Now I don't know if this is connected, but I notice that when I am on walks tiny little bugs will fly in a circle over my head. I'm not sure what to make of that since I am clean. Oh, they think I am a flower. Yes that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Millie Turns Four

The two cutest Hawaiian girls on the planet

Colett gets a little smoochie from the The video hula instructions begin.

birthday girl.

Millie is happy as a hula dancer and Grandma's girl.
Aloha Oi

I went to a Luau yesterday. It was hosted by my daughter Colett and in honor of my little granddaughter Millie. She turned 4 yesterday. We played limbo, had hula instruction, ate cupcakes, had a puppet show and watched as she opened presents so fast that papers were everywhere and her gifts stacked in a matter of 5 minutes. She is a little shy so we didn't know how she would act at her party year but she had a great time and never exhibited her shyness all evening. She was in her glory and is now the proud owner of 2 kites, 2 balls, 2 outfits, jewelry, and art supplies. Her favorite part was just being the center of attention and that's what birthday parties are for. Happy Birthday to our Silly Millie!!!

Picture of my ankle hardware.

Well, I went to the doctor this morning. I needed a complete physical and blood work but had been putting it off. I had my colonosocopy when I was supposed to, I get my teeth cleaned twice a year, I have my mammograms, and I get my eyes checked every year. My blood pressure is good, my cholesterol is borderline but holding, my blood sugar is normal, my kidneys are functioning properly as is my liver. OK, all is well right? When I went in today, the Doc said it was time to do another MRI on a tumor that I have on my pituitary gland, a bone density test for Osteoporosis (since I am in that age category) and is fitting me for a device that checks my heart for palpitations.... which I have had too many lately. My joints have been aching from a fall that I had decorating for Christmas a few years ago. I had broken my knee badly and my ankle even worse. My foot was turned completely backwards at one point and now my leg is the proud owner of several rods and pins. My thyroid turned out to be sluggish and I have to decide if I want to go on medication for that for the rest of my life. He said between my pituitary and thyroid, it is almost impossible to lose weight. Don't I know it. After further tests, they found another tumor on my brain in a different spot but feel it is benign and will just keep doing MRI's yearly to make sure it doesn't change. I am too plump right now and hating every minute of it. It's hard to exercise on my leg that still really doesn't work correctly and I miss the real me. Then I look around me and see those with real sorrows and real health problems and I feel blessesd.


Life is good!! It really is!! Yes, it really, really is!!

Shon in 2007

On April 6th, 1970, Wayne and I welcomed our new baby son. Oh he was beautiful and perfect in every way. He had golden hair that the nurses found delight in, and each time they would bring him in, he would have a new hairdo. He was a very good baby and such a blessing to us. He had the biggest blue eyes. How did that happen? Wayne's eyes are brown and mine are green. Each time one of our children was born, we would pick out a song that was just for them and we would sing it to them throughout their life. Shon's was "Close to you" by the Carpenters. On the day that you were born the angels got together and decided to create a dream come true, so they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue... etc. He is 38 now and we still sing it to him. He is such a smart and talented young man, one of those guys that can fix anything or else figure out how to, and we are so proud of him. Happy Birthday Shon, we love you tons.

You may have several recipes for a spinach salad and dressing, and most of them are very good, but this is my favorite. It's easy and the dressing is much better if made the day before.

Dressing:
2 T mustard (I actually like honey mustard)
1 T poppy seeds
1/3 c. white sugar
3/4 canola oil
1/3 c. vinegar
3/4 t. salt
pinch of pepper
Put in a jar with a lid and shake, shake, shake

Salad:
1 bag BABYspinach
1 head bib lettuce (The combination of spinach and lettuce make it better than just spinach)
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
1/2 pound bacon fried crisp and chopped
3/4 pound grated swiss cheese
1 red onion chopped (or use less to taste)
2 cans Mandarin oranges or fresh cut strawberries
1 c. slivered almonds (put them in a fry pan with 1/3 cup sugar and carmelize them and cool)

Put dressing on salad just before serving.