It's a Day to Celebrate...

...ME !!

And what a fun day, actually several days, I've had.  So many friends with so many sweet things to say - and kind birthday wishes.  Truthfully, I am a bit overwhelmed.  And, I would say "speechless", but anyone that truly knows me - would know that's not really possible!  ;-)

We had a lovely lunch at PF Changs.  My men sure do know how to spoil me!

Richard and I enjoyed some adult beverages - Asian Pear Mojito's.  They are always so refreshingly delicious.  We also had some very tasty appetizers - along with our usual Kung Pao Shrimp & Mongolian Beef. 

PF Chang's is one of my FAVORITE places to eat. It's probably a good thing that we don't have one super close to us. That would be bad for my pocketbook - as well as my waistline!

Back at home we are continuing with a quiet celebration.  To be honest, I could really use a nap.  I'm really full!  I don't think we'll be needing dinner tonight!

John got me the kittens for my birthday present.  Espresso is on the left - and on the right is her sister Cappuccino.  They are so sweet.  Both extremely loving - and come complete with motorboat sound effects.  (i.e., non stop purring)

John would rather that I don't take photo's of him - but he agreed to a few today... just because it's my birthday.  Glad he would allow me to take this photo of him with his presents to me.  They are such cute kitties!  Who could resist holding them for a photo op??

My Birthday - Sentimental Sunday No. 52

Cindy, Dad & Mom - Father's Day 1983

Tuesday will be my birthday.  I've stopped counting now.  I was 50 last year.  Now I'm going with "50'ish". 

If you've read my Sentimental Sunday's in the past - you know that I miss my parents tremendously.  But, on holidays - and especially on my birthday - the emptiness of where they once were is even more present.  They were amazing parents who loved me, cherished me, and made me always feel so special and important.  And birthday's were especially important.

Miss you Mom and Dad - today and everyday. I'll have an extra piece of birthday cake for each of you.  (Like I really need it!?) 

Newest Family Members

We have added two new family members to our menagerie.

~ Meet "Cappuccino" ~

~ and her sister "Espresso" ~

~Espresso is a "polydactl" cat.  She has an extra toe on each of her front paws ~

My birthday is coming up, and J.J. wanted to get me a kitten for my present.  We went to the Humane Society and found these adorable sisters.  We were only going to get one kitten, but how can you break up a sister act?

They are both so sweet and loving and really happy to be "home".  We're all really happy too!

Darby's Visit

Our granddaughter, Darby, came to visit tonight from San Diego.  We finally got to meet her boyfriend, Stephen.  Up until now we have joked that we didn't think Stephen was real; a figment of her imagination.  This was because we have been set to meet him on three different occasions and something always comes up to change our plans.  So, finally meeting him - confirming that Darby has NOT imagined him - was a real treat.

For those who are a little confused about the "family connection", Darby is Kristi's (Richard's daughter) stepdaughter - which makes her one of our Granddaughters.  (There is also her older sister Megan and our Grandson Cameron, her younger brother.)

We had a wonderful visit and hope that we will be seeing more of them.  Lots of fun - Lots of laughs - and a yummy dinner rounded out a perfect evening!

Wedding Day

Our niece, Holly, got married yesterday in a beautiful wedding.  It was a celebratory day, as weddings are.  Beautiful ceremony, fun reception, and great day visiting with family and friends. 

They say pictures speak a thousand words - so I'll let my candid photos do the talking.

~ It was a gorgeous day on the Oregon Coast for Holly and D.J.'s wedding ~

~ Jay walking his beautiful daughter down the aisle ~

~ The Maid of Honor on the right - our niece Erin ~

~ The happy couple during the ceremony ~

~The giving and receiving of rings ~

~ Sealed with a Kiss ~

~ Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Correa ~

~ Their first dance ~

~ It's always a battle trying to get a teenage boy to smile for photos ~

~ Kelly, Richard's sister, with Canon - Holly and D.J.'s son ~

Date Night

We had a fun impromptu date night when Richard picked me up from work tonight.  Started with a cocktail and some delicious Purple Peruvian Fries with Cumin Scented Ranch Dressing at Prudence Uncorked.  Both the drink and the food were delicious!

After our brief trip to see Prudence, we went to Salem Cinema to see the Italian film, "Mid-August Lunch".

What a delightful film!  We highly recommend it.  The original release date in Italy was 2008.  I believe it may be available on DVD.  It's a short (75 minutes) sweet and precious story about a man who takes care of his Mother - along with the Mother's of some of his friends.  Adorable!

Driving Miss Sylvia - Sentimental Sunday No. 51

My Dad always said that someday he was going to write a book called “I Married a Nut”. My Mom was one of the funniest people I’ve ever known…. And my Dad was pretty funny in his own right.

Mom hadn’t learned to drive by the time she and my Dad got married. So after they were married he tried to teach her, his Dad tried to teach her, but things didn’t go very smoothly. She had a little fender bender early on, and she swore off driving. Many years later, probably about ten, my Dad said to her one night, “if you ever get your driver’s license – I’ll eat it!” Well, that challenge was just the little push that she needed. So, with her Mom’s financial help she took driving lessons. I don’t know how long the lessons lasted, but she was finally ready to go to the DMV for her driver’s test.

Mom passed both the driving and written test and finally got her license. That afternoon she made a really great dinner. When Dad came home from work he commented that dinner smelled delicious. She told him to go wash up and it would be on the table in just a few minutes. She served a plate for herself and her Mom, and when my Dad came to the table his plate was waiting with a silver "plate cover" over it. As he sat down Mom removed the cover and said, “There you go! Enjoy your dinner!” All that was sitting on my Dad’s plate was my Mom’s new California Driver’s License. They all had a good laugh, and she probably ended up letting Dad have a little of the dinner too!

More Canning Adventures

I don't know what has gotten into me, but I've been canning just about every weekend.  Last weekend I even got one of my "besties" and fellow YaYa Sister, Kathy involved. (Unfortunately we didn't think to take any pictures - so here is one of her from last Christmas!)

We canned Kathy's homemade salsa and we made pickled green beans together.  I just have to say - 12 pounds of green beans is A LOT!  We both couldn't believe how many there were.  They made 19 jars!

In my recent adventures I've made jam, and pickles, and the aforementioned pickled green beans, and salsa.  I guess I'm inspired because so far, everything that I've tried has turned out great!  Well, not sure yet about the green beans because they have to sit for a month before I can try them.  To quote Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - The waiting... is the hardest part!

Afternoon at the Movies

We saw the movie "Ondine" this weekend, starring Colin Farrell.  It was quite good. 

Neil Jordan wrote and directed this enchanting Irish film about a fisherman who makes a discovery that may or may not be magical.  It was a sweet tale, and we really enjoyed Colin Farrell's quiet performance.  A change of pace from other movies we've seen him in. 

One Year Check-Up

Up bright and early this morning to take Richard for his one year check-up, after his surgery last summer.  Unfortunately, the one year check-up involved having another colonoscopy.  Boo!

We're happy to report though, that all is well!  The surgeon from last year did the procedure this morning.  He was rather proud of his work - and gave us photo's to prove it.  We didn't think you REALLY wanted to see pictures of the inside of Richard's colon... so we'll spare you.

Richard is a happy guy; he gets to wait 5 years before having to go through this all over again.  Yay!

Genealogy - Sentimental Sunday No. 50

My Mother's favorite Grandma was her paternal grandmother, Silvia Stone Heslet.  I just discovered these wonderful photo's of "Grandma Stone" taken in 1922 at  a California beach.  The baby is my Mom.

I love how fully clothed the women were at the beach.  Black clothing and hats.  It had to be warm in the sunshine and on the sand. 

This photo was taken in her later years.  My Uncle just sent it to me.  When I saw it I realized that I had a copy of this photo too.  But, I didn't know who it was.  I sure wish my Mom and Dad had been better about writing peoples names on the photo's. 

Unfortunately I don't really know anything about Grandma Stone.  Looking at the photo above - I think she has kind eyes.  I know how much my Mom loved her.  She had very happy memories of playing at her house.  And, she treasured a china luncheon set that had belonged to her.  The set belongs to me now, and I treasure it too.