July 1, 2009

I've been AWOL again, but for good reason. My best friend of 25 years, Pam, lost her fight against breast cancer and passed from this world on May 20th, just shy of 8 o'clock in the evening. A small group of us (Rachel, Reb, Amanda & Matthew) maintained vigil in her hospital room. Other family members and her large group of friends were able to visit until she was no longer able to communicate. She had made her peace with this world and looked forward to the next. We celebrated her life on June 24th in a memorial service akin to a Quaker meeting, her faith by birth and by choice. Over 80 people attended the potluck dinner and tribute to Pam, told stories and made contributions to a cookbook we will develop in her honor. I've been trying to help Rachel with things since Pam passed away. Now, sadly, life goes on, but I guess that is as it should be. Rest in peace, my friend, and bon voyage.

My friend, Pam:

The Independence Day holiday has always been a favorite of mine and I love everything red, white and blue. There's a big BBQ on July 4th at my house each year; my brother and sister-in-law are coming from Maryland and will join in the festivities with family and friends. The patio work is complete and we have 10 extra feet of herringbone brick pavers to inaugurate! There will be burgers, bratwurst, calico baked beans and lots of other good stuff to eat. Water pistols and croquet are de riguer to battle the sun and heat, homemade ice cream (nectarine and strawberry) as dessert, root beer floats, and some of what made Milwaukee famous, ice cold, of course. There will be fireworks at dusk and plenty of mosquito repellent.

The work to refurbish the interior of my garage is almost complete. I chose a color palette of charcoal and camel, so it wasn't too girly but still classy. An epoxy finish was installed on the floor and it looks really cool! The walls and ceiling were painted, the clothes dryer revented, custom oak cabinetry designed, installed and stained. They even made me a pantry for the wall and added a screen door so I can keep the garage door open to the house to catch additional breezes. There are a few things left to do, such as make a cabinet for my Christmas tree (yeah, you read that right), install a hose reel and get a refrigerator/freezer. I figured investing in my condo was better than watching money market funds dwindle, over time. Good rationalization, right?

Work continues to be crazy-busy. I have a new assistant who starts on July 6th, so unfortunately my vacation has to be cut short and rescheduled. That's okay, as I continue to celebrate evenings and weekends on that new patio. I don't mind. Anticipation is half the fun of vacation, anyway.

Love to all and Happy Birthday, America!

Rose

This is the time of year I want to turn the oven on and make comfort food: casseroles, meat loaf and cookies! This is a recipe from my mother's kitchen and cookbook. Easy to make and delicious!

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup butter or shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 cups flour
½ tsp salt
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

Set oven to 400°. Mix granulated and brown sugars. Sift together flour, salt and baking soda, set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter. Add mixed sugars and cream well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well. Add vanilla and peanut butter, mix well. Add flour mixture gradually, mixing well after each addition. May have to knead cookie dough by hand to fully incorporate. Roll dough into small balls. Place about 2” apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Using a fork, press dough in criss-cross pattern. Bake at 400° approximately 8 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks. Makes about 15 dozen cookies.

I had the good fortune to adopt two cats in March 2008 from a Humane Society shelter.


Cinnamon is three years old, a marmalade tabby, shy, skittish, delicate, with baby-like fur, and the instigator of all things naughty. She loves anything stuffed with catnip and crunchy Friskies treats. She is deathly afraid of the vacuum cleaner and televisions. In nine months she's snuck into the garage 3 times and it takes forever to coax her back into the house.


Her younger sister is Kit-Kat, a calico tabby who has two speeds: Off and High. Kit-Kat is two years old, has thick, glossy fur, and can't pass up a toy if her life depended on it. She has already used up a number of her 9 lives, one of which was expended by flying off my second-floor loft without a parachute, and landing on a table lamp one story below.