I MISS Writing my Blog!

I miss my blog! I can't access it from my home since my lap top crashed! I am at Vin and Kesha's tonight with my darling Co and Isla.

xo

Cookies on my Mind

I woke up at 4:00 AM and could not go back to sleep. All I wanted to do was think about my baking business. I had a million thoughts and recipes tugging on me and begging for me to bring them to life...SO, I got up and made my coffee and with a cozy fire roaring in my fire place I am working on some new ideas and recipes.
My little Cohen is one of my biggest cookie fans. We spent a few hours together yesterday and made a batch of organic chocolate and white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies together. Co is a natural in the kitchen just like her G'ma and has a passion for creating.
With Co in mind, I want to develop a sugarless cookie that is healthy, but tastes just as good as a sugar cookie. A cookie stuffed with fruit and nuts that will be good for her as well.

God bless,
Have a great day!
xo

God and I

I woke up early this morning and decided I wanted to have coffee alone with God. Alone in my house with the gentle rain falling outside gave me a sense of comfort. With a cozy blanket and a good cup of steaming coffee, I enjoyed opening my heart to Him.
I shared my thoughts and concerns of the world I am in.
I shared my thoughts and prayers of my family, my children, my granddaughters, friends
and co workers.
I shared thoughts and prayers for the soldiers fighting for my freedom.
I prayed for the earth and thanked God for all her beauty.
I asked for wisdom and strength.

xo

ALESSANDRO'S, People, Art and More!

Alessandro's is the place to be on a Friday night. [Or any night!] Last night was Friday night at Al's. The place was hopping with fun, laughter, music, wonderful people, food SOOOOOO good it not only fills your tummy, but satisfies the soul. Wonderful wine and beverages to sip while enjoying all the beautiful art that embraces one's every glance. At Alessandro's a person's senses come alive as the comforting smell of Italian herbs and spices fill the room with the aroma of fine vanilla exploding from our melt in your mouth cre'me brulee.
At Alessandro's you will find the friendliest staff in town who will greet you with warm smiles and smother you with T.L.C.

See you there!

God bless,
xo

The High Street Strip In Salem

Down town has a new fun area...High Street! The new Jonathan's restaurant has been open for a couple of months now and it is fabulous!! My family celebrated Quinn's birthday there and although there were 8 adults, a high chair and a two and 1/2 year old, we all fit in one of their large booths. It was a Saturday night and the place was packed. We enjoyed the privacy of our booth but yet were not isolated to the point of unawareness of all the other happy diners. The food was really good and we enjoyed a couple of yummy deserts as well. [Large portions, enough to share.] For a middle of the week fun night out, you can dine at Jonathan's and then at 7:00 pm walk next door to the Elsinore. The Elsinore has featured movies on Wednesday nights for only $5.00. If you are not wanting to do dinner, I suggest appetizers at Jonathan's fun bar [which is separate from the dining area] and then a movie.

This time of year is what being out and about, is all about!!! It stays light out longer and it is fun to walk the capital grounds after the movie or before. Getting some fresh air and an evening stroll is good for the soul.

I want to treat Vin and Kesh to a Wed. night out on the High Street Strip. All watch the girls and they can enjoy some quiet time together.

God bless!
xo

HE IS RISEN!!!

He is Risen! Happy Easter!
xo

April Fools!

I fell for it! My Vin called at 8:00 this morning to tell me he had been in a terrible car accident. The pain and tremble in voice made my heart jump out of my chest. I said "where can I come get you?" He said "his leg was crushed and he didn't know where he was." I immediately thought he had slid off the road and hit a tree. There is frost on my lawn this morning and ice in my potted plants so I am thinking there is black ice on the roads. He then said "APRIL FOOLS!!!" I can't believe I fell for it! He had me hook line and sinker...We laughed about it at the end. I felt just like a fool...
On another note: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER JODY! This will be a year of new adventures and good change for her. She is retiring as of yesterday and will celebrate both her birthday and retirement tonight. The weather wants to be mild for her today which adds a special bonus.

Love you Jody,
God bless!
xoxoxoxoxoxo

A Special Saturday for Me

I have the whole house to myself today and it is a good thing! The sun is up and brightly shining getting ready to warm-up the town. Parks will have the sound of happy children playing and yards will buzz with the sound of happy lawn mowers. People will be out walking and down town will be a haven of side walk sippers as people fill the little bistro tables.

This morning I have a recipe in my head for coconut cake. I began thinking about it a week ago and it won't go away until I create it. It is going to be all natural/organic ingredients.
Fluffy and light with melt in your mouth moistness. Covered in whipped cream and coconut with fresh sliced strawberries on top. It will be wonderful to bring to my birthday celebration tomorrow and share it with my favorite people. It is time to heat the oven and make it...I will call it Coconut Cream Dream!

Have a beautiful weekend!
God bless,
xo

Loving Memories

I have been doing Spring cleaning. Going through things and putting Winter items away. Purses and clothing...In my extra closet stored were some jackets and purses. Fall and Winter clothes. In the very back of my closet hung the cutest soft leapard print purse that Kesha gave me in 2002. I remember she borrowed it; she used it for awhile and then I borrowed it back. I never used it the night I thought I would and it was put away packed with little things of Kesha's in it. This morning I turned it upside down and shook everything out. Out poured little loving memories of days gone by. Little remnants of my a 19 year old Kesh. A bank deposit slip dated Oct. 27, 2003. Three different tubes of lip gloss. A tube of "Happy" lotion by Clinique. A disposable camera. A tiny can of after coffee mints by Starbuck's. A gift card for $30.00 for Best Buy to Quinn from the Iliyn family. A pretty glass case with reading glasses in it. A Winter Fresh gum wrapper. A Subway club card with one stamp on it, [remember those!] A tiny necklace from a gum machine still in the plastic container that says "star." Everything smelled of "Love Spell and Vanilla Lace" from Victoria Secret. All these are special memories for me. My beautiful teenage Kesha girl. Girly and pretty is how God designed her. Today at 26 she still is as beautiful and girly as she was 7 years ago. All the tiny things from the purse will now be kept forever by me. I will share them with Cohen and Isla. These tiny treasures hold a story about their lovely Mommy of days when they and their Daddy were just a twinkle in their her eye.

God bless you today, and may your memories be special.
xo

Oh! Beautiful Weather! In My Home Town!

It is a true gift from God!
How precious to feel the sun on our faces and smell the fresh air of Spring!
Meeting my good friend for tea yesterday and taking time to share conversation and ideas.
Walking around town outside and enjoying all the unique little shops.
Running into Quinn at Starbuck's and loving seeing his handsome face and talking to him.

This morning, again another pretty day beginning. A light frost covers the grass and the buds on the plants are popping out as if to say: "We are getting ready to bloom to our fullest extent!"

Down town there are trees budding-out with pink blossoms! God is saying, "the Winter is ending here and it is now time to change to Spring!

God bless you today and may you walk with a Spring in your step!
xo

SNEAKER WAVES

I was so saddened by the news over the weekend about a man from Lake Oswego who drowned at the coast in Lincoln City. He was walking his dog when a sneaker wave rushed up and swept his dog away. The man went in the ocean to save his dog but was swept away by another wave. The dog made it out on his own but it was too late for the man.
The news warned of "Sneaker Waves" and how bad they are presently at the coast this year. The mild weather has brought a lot of people to the beach recently and most are unaware of the great and present danger. You could be walking along the shore and all of a sudden be swept out to sea by a sneaker wave. The waves do just that...They sneak up so fast you would not have a chance to get away. I had never known of this before and I am one to drive to the beach on a whim just to walk by the sea and smell the sea air. Now I will be more concerned about safety. It is unclear to me if the sneaker waves are always a threat this time of year or if this is a rarity and only happens under certain circumstance?

I love you...So if you go to the beach...Please be careful.

God bless, and my prayers and heart are for the Lake Oswego Man and his family. I pray they find comfort in God's mighty wings.
xo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DAUGHTER

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MY KESHA FERN MARJORIE

I love the spirit of You...The grace which You welcome each challenge. The child like wonder that still colors your days and the artist who lives inside You. I love your sweetness.
I love the originality of You...your willingness to stand out from the crowd and your unique perspective on what's happening in the world and in your life.
I love the wisdom of You. The way you trust your intuition...your unfailing commitment to doing the right thing and your over-flowing love for Christ. I love the heart of You...the genuine empathy,
and friendship You offer to everyone You know. I love the bright light that shines around You everywhere You go and how your beautiful smile warms my heart. I love "how PRETTY You are!"
I love the wonderful Mother and wife You have become.
I love being your Mommy and the friendship that we share.

On your birthday I am wishing You all the joy and blessings in life.

Happy birthday!
I love you! XO

Mommy

Birdies Singing Outside My Window

What a beautiful morning! I was awakened by a group of little birds singing outside my window!
My plants have tiny buds popping out and my Spring flowers are pushing-up through the ground.
Today I will enjoy the rain and not complain.

PHILIPPIANS 2
14-16
In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn. SHINE out among them like beacon lights, holding out to them the Word of Life.

"May god bless you on this rainy Wednesday and may you find joy in the rain and Shine Your Light for all to see."

Love, Kathy
xo

Morning of Inspiration

Saturday my son Ryder called me to talk about my baking business. It was a blessing from God. It was what I needed. Someone to make me feel that my passion in life [baking] is special and I have the talent to take it to a higher level. I had been feeling sad and at a place where my inspiration was slowly going away like I was stuck and not moving forward. Today, because of my conversation with my Ryder I'm full of hope and my spirit is renewed. His excitement and faith in me lit a fire and today is a morning of inspiration.

I love you Ryder. Thank you. God bless you.
xo

Cohen and Isla

Cohen.
She greets me at the front door with a smile that lights up the sky. Her enthusiasm to see me warms my heart as she shouts G'ma G'ma!!!!!!! She makes me feel like I'm the President of the United States/or someone just as special. To Cohen I am special.
As we travel the country road on our way to Bauman Farms we sing songs and talk about all the animals we will see once we get there. We remember the little goat from our last visit who stood out from all the others because he was the one that climbed a tall latter to see us outside.
We share a love for animals and plants and enjoy walking through the nursery looking at all the little pots of Spring flowers for sale. My adventures with Cohen are magical and fun. She brings out the child in me and all the joy in life. I am SO blessed to have a Cohen. I will never stop "Thanking God" for her.
xo

Isla.
Her smile takes my breath away. Her eyes light up when she sees me. Her trust and love for me is unmeasurable. She is the essence of "cuddle bunny" and "snuggle bear." Kisses and loves and hugs so soft and sweet. Innocent angel. I crave to hold her and talk to her and hear her laugh and talk. Isla. SO pretty and perfect. Please do not grow up! I don't want to lose my Cuddle Bunny. God has blessed me with the littlest angel who is one of the happiest "pinch myself" joys of my life. I can't believe how blessed I am. My Grand Daughters take all my cares away.

Thank you God for Cohen and Isla.
xo

Family

My family is the best. We gathered together last night at Geppetto's. [It is a little Italian restaurant that has be in Salem for over 30 years.]
Although not everyone was there because of the miles between us, Ryder and Paula, and Jody and Tom...they were in our hearts and we missed them. Quinn instigated the gathering. He missed being with us on Christmas and it was our belated get together.
We are not a giant family. Quite small really compared to others. We are giant, in love and support. I feel very special to have this special family who bonds together as we break bread and laugh and enjoy the quality of our lives. We talk about everything. We share our feelings and the sadness for others. The terrible tragedy in Haiti. It was good to talk as a family and let our feelings out. Our hearts break for Haiti. Not knowing it, Kesha and I were in our homes watching the Today show at the same time as they were in Haiti televising the earth quake. We were having our morning coffee and watching. I found out later she broke down like I did and cried and cried. The sadness did not leave my heart all day. I went to work that night carrying Haiti heavy in my heart. A place I had not given much thought to was now consuming my whole being. Kesha's blog expresses the feeling so much better then mine.
I'm SO very thankful for my beautiful family. For my beautiful children and my son in law Vin and daughter in law Katy. Sweet Paula who is our newest addition. My lovely sister and wonderful brother in law Tom. My very youthful Mom and Dad. And last but not least, my darling angels Cohen and Isla. I could never bare to have any of them in harms way. I am blessed to have my family.
"Thank you God."

May God bless you, and your family today and always.
xo








Love, Kathy
xo

Spring is Around the Corner

It seems we have not seen sunshine here in Salem Oregon for days on end. I did see a glimpse yesterday. The clouds opened up for a short time and I saw a bit of sunshine. I was awakened this morning by a group of loud talking birds. Actually they were yelling! I jumped out of bed and ran outside to see what was the matter. [Sounds like a verse from "The Night Before Christmas."] To my amazement the trees were cluttered with birdies arguing about Spring! One of them said "Spring is just around the corner." He was convincing a large group who had been yelling at him for talking them out of flying South for the winter. Soon a little squirrel ran up the tree to join his side and said to the angry crowd, "it is true. Spring is just around the corner. I feel it in the soft wind that visited this morning. I smell it in the trees and the grass under my feet." Then they all agreed and began to sing a song of Spring Time. They sang of first flowers, and the return of their friends who had flown South for the Winter. They sang of new born animals and brighter mornings.

God bless you today, and may you know that Spring is just around the corner.
xo

A New Year/A New Day

A New Year! Waking up to a brand new day. Life is a gift. Don't let moments pass you by. Make each one special wherever you are and whatever you are doing. Don't take for granted one second of life. Enjoy it. Know the simplest things are the best. Sitting in silence with God. Take two minutes to let Him know how thankful you are to be breathing and living and count your blessings for Him. Sitting across a table with a friend enjoying coffee and conversation. Having dinner together with family. Sharing time, and love. Giving smiles to strangers when you're out and about. Let the less fortunate know that you care. It could be a gesture of baking something for someone or calling them on the phone or sending a card for no reason at all. Take good care of yourself. Eat right and exercise so you can feel well and take care of others. Don't let this day go by without living each precious moment, whether you are at work or at play. Don't worry about tomorrow. Don't let fear enter your heart.
Take the day. It is a gift!

God bless you today!
xo

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2010!!!

A new year. It means to start new. Fresh beginnings. Leaving the old burdens behind. New ideas and thoughts and happy things to come. A time for resolutions and change. I love saying "Happy New Year!"

May God bless you this New Year!
xo