Return of The Pink Panther

And she's back.

A big thank you to my techno-fabulous hubby

for restoring my favorite Pink laptop!

Dum spiro... spero

It has been exactly a year since the dedication of Jocie's monument and our celebration at the top of Beaver Mountain. The family decided to return for a mini celebration. We enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch complete with red velvet cupcakes...only this time I made food for 7 instead of 400. We each took a moment to reflect and say something they missed about our girl. Chet remembered how he would hear Jocie's friends in the upstairs linen closet just outside his room. They would each take a shelf as if they were bunk beds and lay there texting each other. Great memory Chet. We also released some balloons aloft sending our thoughts and love to Jocie. The setting is still magnificent and the site is still so peaceful.

Here is my most amazing family...I love these peeps!

Siblings...

Here is what a little apple beer at high altitude in the

middle of the afternoon will do to you.

My niece Katie throwing down a cupcake.

Although it was exactly a year to the day, the Aspen leaves for this year had already peaked that stunning golden yellow and many had already found their way to the ground. The air was just a bit chillier. One of our balloons even popped as the wind carried it into a tree. What took place that day a year ago, was magical. It was as if all the elements aligned to create the perfect moment in time. I reflect back on that amazing day with such sweet and happy memories. I will never forget the many hands and support it took to make it happen and I am so grateful.

Watching as the balloons disappear into the heavens...

Together we are...

Cass holding her baby doodun!

It is tradition... the last family picture is always a goofy one.

And finally, a picture with all the dooduns!

I continue to be amazed with each member of this family. We all have a unique journey that our grief takes us through. Some days are more difficult than others. And some days I have to tell myself "Dum spiro... spero" from the Latin: As I breathe... I hope.

Uncle Kracker and a Quilt

Chocci is a dear friend of the family, practically one of my own. Whenever I hear the song Freaky Girl by Uncle Kracker I think of Chocci and Cass as teenage girls playing hours of Nertz and listening to the song over and over and over again. Did I mention over? There are seriously so many Chocci and Cassandra stories to tell... maybe another time. Recently, my heart was truely touched while attending a wedding shower for Chelsea (Chochi's other name). She has grown up into a fabulous young woman about to embark in her next journey as a wife with a wonderful guy who loves and adores her. I just love it when that happens. There are people in our lives that no matter what happens or where our journey takes us, their friendship is deeply embedded within. It might be years since we have talked, or even heard from each other...but that connection withstands the trials of time and life. And so it is with Cass and Chelsea. As 17 year old girls, these two started quilt blocks when they were bored one high school summer. They never finished, I think their social life got in the way. Cass and I decided to quickly turn the unfinished blocks into a quilt for a fun wedding shower surprise. It was perhaps...one of my sweetest "quilter" moments. We love you Chochi and we wish you many fabulous years with your man!

Here is the sweet quilt, the colors were still great even after

all those years in the closet.

Chochi and Cass back in their high school glory days.

True Love

This is what you get when your hubby really loves you...50 pounds of your favorite Red Popcorn that is only available this time of year...surprise! Thanks sweetie! I need to eat nearly 1 pound of popcorn per week to finish this off by next year. Maybe instead of Pie Night this year it will be Popcorn Night.

If you've never tasted red popcorn before let me

know, I'm sure I can share a kernel or two.

Mmmm...

Pork Chops and Applesauce

Do you remember on The Brady Bunch when Peter decided to get a new personality and began to imitate Humphrey Bogart? He told his family they were having "Porckschops and Appleshaush" for dinner. My good friend the Divine Debi who is mother to The Fabulous Miss M shared some lovely apples with us last weekend so we could make applesauce. Dean is always such a good sport to help with my projects. We canned 45 pints of fresh, delicious applesauce. It is sure to be a wonderful treat on an upcoming cold winter's evening. Thank you Divine Deb for your generosity of spirit and apples.

Start with some freshly picked yellow gold apples.

Put them in the "boilin' pot" until soft.

Ask your favorite hubby for a little help.

And like magic...the strainer separates the crud from the applesauce.

Bottle them up and process for 20 minutes.

I have really enjoyed doing some canning this summer.

Maybe I am a squirrel storing my nuts for winter

or

maybe I am just nuts!