Iggy is at the Rainbow Bridge!

Today was a really hard day. It was “time.” It was Igor’s time to go to the Rainbow Bridge. He left quite a few paw prints on my heart. He chose me to be his “person” and I am proud to be his fur-baby mommy for almost 20 years! I had taken him to the vet in September with concerns about his frailness, but it wasn’t time……………………..yet. Dr. Staggs said I would know when the time was right, and she was correct. I miss him so much, but I know it was the right thing to do as I was entrusted with his care. It was peaceful and comforting to see that he isn’t in pain with stiff old joints and itchy-dry skin and oozing cysts and blind and about deaf.

He is chasing butterflies at the Rainbow Bridge……………………………….waiting!

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Daylight Savings Time = Spring!

As much as I hate getting up early and yes my body does know it’s an hour earlier, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Daylight savings time! I do realize there are still the exact same number of daylight hours in the day, but I equate this event with spring!

It happens in ONE week!

Ben’s 30th Birthday Bash!

My son-in-law turned 30 on March 6th and my daughter Jenni arranged a nice little party at Tyler’s Taproom in Apex for about 20 people. It was very nice, with 4 or 5 different appetizers and drinks on a bar tab. Ben is a HUGE Duke fan so we watched the Duke-Carolina game, which Duke won quite handily 82-50!

Here are a few pics! Okay, maybe more than a few, but you know how I am with cameras!

Ben being Ben!

Balloons!

Ben kissing his bride!

My boys!

Ben with his parents!

What is Zack pointing to?

Liquid presents!

Me and my two dates!

Has Spring Finally Sprung?

Usually by this time of the year, we have had some “shorts and T-shirt days. Not this year, until today! I headed off to Target for a few odds and ends and groceries and stuff at about 11 am. It was 50 degrees and I was in a long sleeved t-shirt and a sweatshirt (Duke of course!) and was still a little chilly. The cold was lingering in the garage and my car and  ran the heat full blast all the way to Apex.

By the time I shopped and paid and came out, it was a bright sunny day and my car thermometer registered 63! The interior had warmed up so at first I popped the sunroof open in the back. Well that just didn’t do it, so I opened it all the way and drove all the way home with the radio blaring XM Radio channel 25, The Blend!

Let me mention I ran in a short sleeved shirt and capris! Oh and I saw buds ready to burst! I got the FEVER!

Fauxtatoes!

Jim and I are doing a low-carb diet! Physician approved, I may add! We got some recipes from the program and tried one the other night and it was yummy! Potatoes are starchy and very high in carbs so we made mashed cauliflower.

 

Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower, cut or broken into  chunks
1/3 cup cream
4 oz cream cheese
1 tablespoon butter
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Simmer cauliflower in water with 1/3 cup of cream add (to retain the white color) until very soft. Drain very well and place in food processor or mash by hand (can you say exercise!) Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth.

Other ideas are stew beef with fauxtatoes, shrimp and cheese “grits” made with fauxtatoes, creamed chick over fauxtatoes.

Better than MASHED starch!