Monday Dog Blog: Snuggle Time With Mom

We Love Our Mom

While we sat around enjoying our evening with Jeannine on Saturday evening, both puppies decided that they wanted to snuggle with Mom. 

(Once one puppy is getting attention the other one is jealous.)

Kisses from Miss Peace and Love

Gershwin would snuggle on a lap ALL DAY LONG if he could. He spent much of Sunday afternoon looking soulfully at me, waiting for me to sit down in the recliner with him. 

Mr. Free Hugs is in Heaven!

I love watching Mom take joy in the little ones. As you can see in this photo, Gershwin is experiencing pure pleasure--he's being scratched in just the right spot. :)

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Celebration: Happy Birthday Jeannine!

Being Goofy

We celebrated Jeannine's birthday tonight. What a joyful evening we had together with my 'sister' and my mom's 'second daughter'.

Jeannine and Momma S.

Gift for Superhero Jeannine

We wanted Jeannine to feel like a million bucks and like the Diva in Charge (her nickname) that she is. :) 

Seafood Kabobs

Mom's seafood extravaganza dinner was amazing.

Yum!

As was the fresh asparagus from the market.

Spinach Salad

And the fresh spinach from the market.

Eight Candles Since That is Our Fave Number

We topped off dinner with a flourless chocolate cake that I was able to help Mom bake this afternoon. I have so much to learn about baking and cooking, but I'm so excited to even feel well enough to begin learning some things. Today, Mom got a laugh out of me trying to separate the eggs.

In the past, I would not have been able to help Mom at all, and I would have rested all day until dinner.

This Cake Was A Hit!

Even though separating eggs is not my forte yet, the cake tasted amazing.

Someone Liked Her Gift

In addition, I felt well enough to wrap up Jeannine's gift and make her card. I'm savoring every single moment, every single victory, every single joy--most especially the joy of the three of us being able to enjoy such a wonderful evening together laughing, talking, eating, and not worrying about me being too sick to enjoy it.

Birthday Rainbow

We even had a double rainbow today just as Jeannine walked over to our house for dinner. 

BFFs

Our Memorial Day weekend is off to a good start.

Make a Wish!

We wish Jeannine all the blessings a year can hold. We love you, J.

Happy Birthday!

Blessings,

Emily

Recipe Fridays: Oatmeal Bake

While Marla was here visiting this weekend, Mom made a recipe she's been perfecting for several years now. Most baked oatmeal is very high in fat and sugar, so she developed a healthier version. We've eaten many a pan of baked oatmeal in our home, and it's certainly a favorite. It's also great in the summer when a bowl of hot oatmeal might not sound appealing. For Sunday brunch Mom served the fresh-out-of-the-oven oatmeal bake with eggs and fruit salad. It hit the spot.

This recipe is GF, dairy-free and soy-free.

Renee's Perfect Oatmeal Bake

3 c. GF rolled oats
1 c. vanilla almond milk (or plain almond milk + 1 t. vanilla)
2 eggs very well beaten
1/4 c. oil
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 t. salt
1 t. baking powder
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. vanilla
1 mashed banana (fresh or frozen) OR 1/2 c. natural no-sugar applesauce
1 c. blueberries
1/2 c. sliced almonds or chopped walnuts
1 - 2 T. ground flaxseed
2 T. GF flour mix
Cinnamon and Sugar

Heat milk and pour over oats. Cover and let soak. Whisk or beat eggs very well in large bowl. Add oil and brown sugar. Whisk well to thoroughly combine. Whisk in salt, baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla and banana or applesauce. Stir in soaked oats to combine. Dust blueberries and nuts with flour. Add to oat mixture and stir to combine.

Pour oatmeal into an 8" x 10" buttered baking pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar if desired.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Let cool in the oven. (I like to bake this in the toaster oven and then just leave it in there until it has cooled or we are ready to eat it.)

Cover and refrigerate leftovers to keep fresh.

Serve warmed with milk and fruit or cold with yogurt and fruit or just grab and eat on the go for a quick breakfast, brunch or snack.


Enjoy!

Blessings,

Emily

Birthday Lunch With Rebekah

Rebekah's Belated Birthday Lunch 

Ah, I remember the days when Rebekah and I tried to see each other once a month. *sigh* Now, it's difficult for us to coordinate twice a year for birthday lunches (six months apart)! 

Thankfully, we can easily pick up where we last left off while stuffing our faces with good food.

The best part? The last two times we've gotten together, we've been able to go OUT to eat. Today, it was for some Thai food.

I've really been enjoying the ability to GO OUT for lunch and other outings. It's a little expensive and a little bit not-so-great for the waistline--but it's oh so worth it.

Blessings,

Emily

Marvelous Marla Visits

All Prettied Up for Sushi Lunch OUT!

My dear sweet friend Marla flew here for a visit from Friday to Sunday this past weekend. We both felt such gratitude and joy over the amount of energy I had for us to be together. As always, Mom spoiled us with good food and a listening ear for Marla while I was sleeping.

Since graduation 16 years ago, Marla has visited three times--and each of the previous times I was very sick. Two years ago we agreed that we would dress in PJs and no make-up. Marla admits now that each time she left after a visit she felt very worried about it. It's hard to know how being sick has affected my friends--and I'm so grateful to those who have not let fear and sadness keep them from journeying with me.

Not a Dog Person? We Will MAKE You Love Us!

Well, what a difference two years can make. Marla and I were able to spend all of Friday afternoon and evening together.

After I woke up on Saturday we both did our hair and make-up and went out for a sushi lunch. Next stop? Making sure Marla ate some locally made ice cream. And next? A StRoll! And next? We started a movie!

That evening we finished the movie About Time (which we both highly recommend as a excellent rom-com) and chatted some more.

By Sunday, I was struggling quite a bit, but we were still able to have lunch together, go to Dad and Abbie's for her to meet them, and then I rode along with Mom to drop Marla off at the airport. It was really exciting to actually be able to go along to the airport to say goodbye and hug her one last time.

So Happy to Celebrate Victories Together and Be Together

Marla is a friend who rejoices in every small and big victory in my life. She is also a friend who grieves the losses deeply. She feels anger about my illness. Those are true gifts of a real and true friend. 

We cherish our girl time together just the two of us. Really, no topic is off-limits for the two of us! Oh right, except politics! :)

Thank you for making such an effort to travel here, making time in your crazy busy schedule, and being such a loyal, faithful and loving friend, Marla. I love you.

Blessings,

Emily

Doodles!

Making a Play Dough Rainbow

Last weekend, I got to spend Saturday afternoon with Lana. What a treat! 

Play Dough!

Sarah, Bob, Lana and Buffy were here for almost three hours. What continues to bring me so much joy and amazement is that as I continue to increase this new medication I am taking (mestinon), I continue to see improved functioning. 

Lana and I made a rainbow out of play dough, we played a little hide and seek from the puppies (which meant hiding in the shower and hoping the puppies would come looking for us), and got caught up on all things important to an almost four year old. 

I Love This Girl!

She loves to say "cheese" for the camera. She's full of life and joy and imagination. And oh how she has grown since her last visit in October.

I love that I can engage with her in play and conversation.

Sarah Snuggles with Tovah Rose

While I played with Lana, Tovah Rose made sure to find someone to pay her some attention. She kinked out in Sarah's lap!

G Ignores Poor Buffy

Buffy joined us too, but despite her valiant efforts to get Tovah Rose and Gershwin to play with her, they mostly ignored her!

Coexisitng

I've missed seeing Bob, Sarah, Lana and Buffy--and it was wonderful to catch up with all of them!

Love you all! 

Blessings,

Auntie Em

Monday Dog Blog: Free Hugs + Peace/Love

Chilling: A Rare Moment of Peace

I'm not so great about keeping up with brushing the little ones, so they got SHAVED when they went to the groomer. Yikes! Their faces and tails also got trimmed way more than I prefer--and I have to keep reminding myself to keep some perspective that it is JUST hair and it will grow back. :)

New "Outfits"

I decided to remedy the situation with some cute t-shirts.

Free Hugs!

Choosing for Gershwin proved easy. Mr. Hugs is snuggled right here in the recliner with me as I type this.

Mr. Hugs Was Happy to Pose for the Camera Today

Every time I see him lumber along in his little shirt with Free Hugs written on the back, I can't help but smile.

Twinkle Toes? Not So Much!

Choosing a shirt for Tovah Rose was a little more difficult. Barking Diva? Princess? Troublemaker? She would have ended up with the Troublemaker shirt, but it wasn't available in her size. 

Miss Peace and Love

Maybe the Peace/Love shirt will make her a little more Zen?

Goat Milk Ice Cube Treat Time

The weather quickly turned from Spring to Summer-like, and we've discovered a new special treat for these warm days. We buy fresh local raw goat's milk and freeze it in ice cubes. The puppies LOVE it!

Now, if only we could find a kibble they will eat. We've never known two such picky eaters!

My Sweet Boy

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Mom: 100% Awesome

Ms. Be Inspiring Makes a Wish

Just a little shout out to say Happy Birthday and Happy Mother's Day to my 100% Awesome Mom!

(She will be so mad when she sees that I posted this photo of her, but it will be too late to take it back by that time! :))

Per Mom's request we have kept her birthday and Mother's Day low-key. This is very difficult for me to do--as I want to spoil her as much as I can in return for all the spoiling that I get. But Mom prefers that we keep things simple (and less stressful) so we got massages on her birthday and had a simple meal of burgers with local farm-raised beef. 

After dinner we enjoyed a nice StRoll.

For dessert? ICE CREAM! And, I'm literally screaming about the ice cream because as much as my new diet limits me, I'm now allowed to have some dairy. For the first time in fifteen years I ate ice cream. We found Lactaid chocolate ice cream.  

So, we had ice cream cones with a candle on top and a birthday song serenade by me. 

It was a good day. We'll do things up big next year for the big 7-0. :)

Blessings of health, peace, joy, love and all good things to you, Mom, this birthday and Mother's Day! You're 100% Awesome.

Blessings,

Emily

Finding Love

Our Redbud Tree

Dear Friends, Family and Universe: I really, really, really want to meet my life partner. You know, fall in love and all of that good stuff. I've always thought my illness meant I could never get married, but I'm trying to change that world view. I'm trying to hope that someone can see me for more than my illness and see me for the love that I have to give. They say the best way to meet someone is through someone you know--so I'm just, you know, putting this out there. I am also doing this so that I have finally said my dream out loud. Love, Emily

Spring is Here!

Last July, I posted these words on Facebook where I found myself overwhelmed by the encouragement of friends and family. It's taken me many, many years to begin to even think about opening my heart to love. I have a long ways to go in fully believing that someone will love me with this illness, but I'm taking baby steps every day to open my heart to love again. It's time now that these words are said out loud on my blog.

Blessings,

Emily

Monday Dog Blog: Tovah Rose Turns Two!

Wearing Her Birthday Crown
(Thank You, Marge!)

Happy 2nd Birthday to our Tovah Rose Twinkle Toes!

We can't believe how much she's grown since we first got her--both in her actual physical size and in the size of her personality. Our little princess still loves our feet and shoes, still claims the yellow duck as her favorite toy, loves to ring the bell incessantly to go outside, loves riding on my lap in the Rolls, spends lots of time by the fence 'looking for a new home' and is, in general, always full of piss and vinegar. She's our high energy, spirited little girl who is often on the look-out for trouble.

We love this little princess of ours and can hardly imagine a day when she wasn't a part of our world. May she have many more healthy years filled with all of her favorite things.

She Still Loves to be Swaddled After a Bath or Romp in the Rain

Blessings,

Emily