Labor Day Highlights

Friends, the highlight of our holiday weekend was a visit from T.  My darling daughter-in-law, S,  graciously shared him with us.  For her generosity and so many other amazing qualities, she is an absolute dream.  Thank God for her.

This may have been the highlight of T's weekend. Why did I not invent this?  This is definitely the wave of the future.

 Every time I hit the links, I think of the summer I couldn't swing properly because of my port...Thank God it did its job and now is gone.

Sister 1, 4 and 5 always make for a fun party at the beach.  The Labor Day picnic is our family's traditional end to summer.  I love my sisters.

Sunny and 75, with a chance of pinot grigio certainly added to the festive atmosphere.  

Sister No 1 and I hosted a baby shower on Monday for a sweet new mom of twin boys!  Have I mentioned before that I am ready for grandchildren? 

 I am so grateful for my family and friends on the peninsula.  Summer may have officially ended this weekend, but, thanks to the empty nest, I am delighted to be extending the season for at least another month up North.  

Enjoy!

I am going a little stir crazy lying low after my ER visit, while my beloved Big T is in Scotland playing golf.

So when some friends invited me to go to Boathouse Vineyards for some wine and great music, I jumped at the chance.   

 I cannot figure out why this talented young woman is not famous.  And her name is Blake...how cute is that?

Friends, I am really suppose to watch the vino intake with my new plumbing...but just a few sips of each won't hurt a thing...

As I sipped my wine, listened to the music and chatted with my friends, I decided again that it is ok if I have some setbacks once in awhile, and it's ok that my life isn't perfect.  It's not how much I have, but how much I enjoy that matters....and I was really enjoying the evening. 

English Literature

 Friends, I have had some extra time to read as I recover from my recent hospital stay....and I am happy to report that  I have a new favorite English author:  JoJo Moyes.  Love her name and love her books.

 You all know what this one is about by now. I, of course, refuse to go to the movie, because they just never measure up.  This book definitely made me think about how far the medical community should go to preserve human life?

The sequel is even better. Very entertaining and just as thought provoking.  Our heroine, Louisa, once again, is wonderful.

 Favorite quote:

"You don't have to let that one thing be the thing that defines you."

and a close second:

"I swallowed.  'Mum, you're not going to get divorced, are you?'  Her eyes shot open.  'Divorced?  I'm a good Catholic girl, Louisa.  We don't divorce.  We just make our men suffer for all eternity.'  She waited just for a moment, and then she started to laugh."

I really did enjoy this book as well.  I had a hard time relating to certain aspects of Jess' life...but I sure did understand the lengths she was willing to go to help her children.

Favorite quote:  "  You know, you spend your whole life feeling like you don't quite fit in anywhere.  And then you walk into a room one day, whether it's at university or an office or some kind of club, and you just go, 'Ah.  There they are."  And suddenly you feel at home."

and....

"Because she knew that something happened to you when your mother didn't hold you close, or tell you all the time that you were the best thing ever, or even notice when you were home:  a little part of you sealed over."

I am a sucker for any book about a mother's love....

Good Medicine

I was all set to have lunch here with two of my oldest and dearest friends on Wednesday.

Instead I ended up in the hospital due to complications from my new post cancer plumbing. (I will spare you the details.)  Sometimes I get so tired of having to deal with my "new stupid normal".

I am much better today, and as I took a stroll down the hallway, I realized that I am much better off if I can look at this from a more positive angle.   I am better today than I was yesterday, thank God and good medicine.

And this drug really did the trick.

And sister No4 and No5 drove me to this beautiful Northern Michigan hospital and stayed with me until Big T could fly in.  And my friends and family were praying for my swift return to good health.

There really is so much to be grateful for, and in the calm after the storm, I am finally able to see it. And that makes me feel so much better. 

The Long Letting Go

This past week B began saying good bye to summer....and I began the long letting go.

...the last beach walk, the last swim, the last instagram shot...

...the last ice cream on the last walk around the marina....

I was keeping it together as the zen woman I am (ha!), living in the moment, grateful for the time with my baby girl.  I know it is always brutal saying good bye, even when they are driving me crazy and I want my house back...but I have done this many times before. I am confident and prepared.

We drove down to ND, moved her in and organized her room, still keeping it together because, after all, I am a seasoned veteran at this by now.  I have a well-earned perspective.

And then there was the unanticipated, epic break down. I thought it would be easier this year.  I have survived a year of empty nest-hood and am actually liking it.  I was not expecting this nuclear meltdown.  While I was cursing time through a deluge of tears,  I realized that this is a process....a long letting go...

Thanks, Big T, for propping me up and hanging on tight, while I am a hot mess trying to let go....

A Good Legacy

The guys poured the garage floor this week.  It was my only chance to put our mark in the concrete.  What to do?

This was my first idea.  Big T and I have dreamed about building this house for so long...and we are finally doing it...so this is perfect, right? Then I started to think...but what if I die?  How can Big T move wife number 2 into my lake house with that in the garage floor?

This is one of the legacies of cancer.  You never again assume that you will live a long life.  You never again take your health for granted.  Is that a bad thing?  

I opted for this and decided that it is a very good thing.

Thank You God.  Amen.

Simple Seasonal Salads

It's summertime, and I would rather be walking the beach with these two, than working in the kitchen....so I am always looking for fast recipes that I can actually eat.  Friends, adding new foods into my post-treatment body can be frustrating and discouraging....but I am delighted to report that my diet is expanding and small salads are back on the scene.

Last night, Sister No5 ordered this beautiful plate at the Franklin Restaurant in Traverse City.  Even I can make this starter....Boston/Butter/Bibb lettuce with Green Goddess Dressing, candied walnuts, blueberries and cherries.  Up here in Northern Michigan, local cherries and blueberries are amazing this time of year....perfect chance to make this simple, yet elegant, salad.

Last week Sister No4 served this salad.  With tomatoes and peaches in season, now is a great time to  try this quick recipe....absolutely delish, totally unique, and everyone loved it.

 Two seasonal salads-- one simple idea: they are fresh, they are scrumptious, and most importantly, they are fast, so you won't have to miss a thing.