Birthday Treat

My DH chose this yummy 'stack' appetizer of fried green tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and prosciutto topped with an orange olive tapenade and saffron honey.

My lemon infused hummus with fresh pita triangles was divine!

For my birthday last Wednesday, I was treated to dinner at a favorite restaurant - Lulu. Since we were there early, we took advantage of the fixed price special four course meal. We chose from five selections for each of the four courses - appetizer, salad, entree' and dessert. I chose the house salad, roast chicken with spectacular flavor, and espresso creme brulee. My dh had the lettuce wedge with bacon, bleu cheese and croutons, steak - cooked to perfection - and creme brulee. Our wine selections (merlot for my dh, a Riesling for me) were also lovely. The coffee was great with the heavenly desserts.

It was a lovely day, with lots of calls and cards. It was also a day of great reflection, as I know how fortunate I am to be here following my cardiac events of last summer. Each day is a gift - for every single one of us.

I Dreamed a Dream

If you're not one of the 12 million plus who've seen it, watch this amazing video of Susan Boyle singing "I Dreamed a Dream." Truly awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

April 18: A video of Susan Boyle singing "Cry Me a River" has surfaced on youtube. Again, a triumph!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI2DxkrgpgQ

Major Blue Ribbon Day!

Dr. Joshua William Powell

We are ecstatic. My nephew Joshua was awarded his PhD in mechanical engineering this morning from the University of Illinois!!! Yes!!! You know I'll be watching proudly at the graduation and hooding in May.

Congratulations, Josh!!! Have a brewski on Uncle Bill and me.

Oh Yeah!!!!

Three years ago bluebirds nested in this house on our desk, leaving the babies vulnerable.

We have bluebirds in the regulation bluebird house my DH installed three years ago! Our first hatchlings had met a tragic end as the parents had chosen a funky decorative house on our deck. I'd seen four open-mouthed chirping babies inside, but was heartbroken the next morning to find the house ravaged. We've educated ourselves since that sad day, becoming members of the Bluebird Society. We're very optimistic about this year's offspring.

During the night a predator knocked our new birdhouse to the ground, smashing it. I'm really upset. Its blue color matched our doors perfectly. Besides, I'd never seen a house like it. I'm just thankful it wasn't full of baby birds.

Note: You can see the regulation bluebird box at the back fence. Look just under the blue sphere. The photo is clickable.

Thank You

Thanks to everyone who left a comment yesterday about the wedding quilt. They warmed my heart. I appreciate them all! xoxoxox

Finally!

At long last, our son Matthew and his bride Suzie have their wedding quilt, delivered to them in Greensboro Saturday.

I included fabrics depicting things which were special to the kids. Not to be found was kayak fabric. I'd looked everywhere and nearly given up when my sister made an amazing find. The kayak is red - just like Matthew's! How cool is that? Wanting to use it in one of the corner blocks, I tucked it away...so far away that I couldn't find it until long after the quilt had been completed.

But I just had to use the fabric! So I stitched an envelope to hold a very personal letter I had written - along with care instructions. It was perfect.

The very special kayak fabric my sister Patty found in California.

Below are a few pix my DH snapped of the unveiling.

Matthew's expression when he looks at Suzie is wonderful.

On the coffee table are their Easter basket goodies for this year: a favorite wine (Black Mountain Pinot Noir) and green bean snacks from Trader Joe's.
I bought the last tulips available in Suzie's favorite color - orange.

The kids examine the kayak fabric closely.

Out of the bag at last!

Intently reading the label

First look.

And another.
Matthew's drawings can be partially seen on the back wall.

The kids' expressions and that smile on Suzie's face made this all worthwhile!

Matthew examines a block.

Here I am with Matthew and Suzie. We girls didn't coordinate our wardrobes, really we didn't.

Photo credit: Bill Guerrant

Note to those wondering about the pattern: The basic NY Beauty block is a variation of one by Karen Kay Buckley from a class long ago. I drafted the border blocks - inspired by a photo I'd seen somewhere - I think in a French or Australian magazine. The blue and orange had to be added as those are the kids' two favorite colors.

Blessings to All

Wishing you, my dear readers, a Happy Easter
and a blessed Passover.

Peace and Shalom with love.

Gardening Delayed

This delicate Columbine is one of my favorites.
I especially like that it self seeds.

We want to add Johnson's blue to the pink cranesbill geranium
in our garden. So far, it's not to be found in Charlotte.

We'd planned to spend the morning in our garden planting blue larkspur, grey artemesia and coral poppies. That was going to be the easy part. We were then going to dig and divide several hosta, filling in along our path. Some favorite plants have not come up and may have succumed to drought. I'll miss the Baptisia (false indigo) the most.

Forecasters predict severe weather with wind and hail late today. Our new plants will remain on the back porch for now.

In Loving Memory

My Mother
Helen vonOhlen
March 4, 1915 - April 9, 1989

Sleep, Wonderful Sleep

My lovely room, complete with a very comfy bed, lamps, art, comfy recliner, flat screen TV and a bathroom twice as large as the one at home.

After a long period of procrastination and denial, I finally completed part two of my sleep study. It took months for me to psych myself into believing I could wear a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) mask for my severe sleep apnea without totally freaking out. Never one to sleep well, I was in no rush to repeat the torture of study #1, a long nightmare in which I'd slept just two and one half hours.

First, my allergist prescribed powerful steroids, which enabled me to breathe once more. Many friends and the RNs at cardiac rehab encouraged me, saying a good night's sleep would help in so many ways. "Sleeping eight hours is to your body what defragging is to your computer," said Thomas. Alisen ensured me that I would lose weight faster (it has taken nearly seven months to lose 25 pounds!) if I were sleeping well. And most importantly, they all told me how stressful sleep apnea is on the heart, not to mention its huge role in diabetes and obesity.

I was relieved to find I'd go to a wonderful new facility for the test and would not be returning to the old hospital. This time I arrived with everything I'd need in order to be comfortable: my own pillows and blanket, snacks, proper medication and a good book. Tanisha was nonplussed seeing my suitcase and large tote.

Once settled in my beautiful room, I relaxed until being wired with 28 different electrodes. I tried three different masks and then read until lights out. Within minutes I realized I was itching terribly wherever the mask touched my skin. Tanisha seemed worried when she saw the red marks it had caused and switched me to a very small CPAP resembling an oxygen cannula.

That's the last thing I remember. Not only did I sleep all night, I fell asleep in less than five minutes! I was barely aware of the CPAP and had to be prompted to remove it! In addition to the comfortable accommodations, a lovely continental breakfast was offered.

I absolutely positively NEVER thought I would say or write this, but I cannot wait to get my CPAP. Joy, oh joy - sweet slumber awaits.

In addition to being a great sleep tech, Tanisha was also a sweetheart, making sure I was well taken care of from start to finish. Thanks, Tanisha!

It Is Well

Matthew and Suzie

Results are in. Matthew's recent echocardiogram showed his heart function is as good, if not better, than a year ago. Hallelujah! We remain blessed.

The chorus lyrics of a hymn by Horatio Gates Spafford perfectly express my feelings:

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well,
With my soul.

Back in Business

Mr. Bellsouth checked my DSL Friday and found the modem had totally fried. I came home to find that we now have wireless internet! I guess the repairman felt really bad when he saw the original modem the phone company had sent us. It was a "reconditioned" model which hasn't been available for years. Who knew?