Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Tonight's picture was taken in July of 2007. Mattie was five years old! How he loved this kiddie pool! When I tell you it took up half of our deck space, I am not kidding! But because Mattie loved it, enjoyed water play, and outdoor time, we got used to maneuvering around it! To me it was worth it, just to see that smile! When I look at this kiddie pool and look at my current pool, I think.... Mattie would have loved meeting Sunny, Indie, and living in our house. I am left to use my imagination on all of this and of course would prefer if Mattie were alive. As we enter July, it is impossible not to reflect on both my marriage (30th anniversary July 15) and Mattie's diagnosis day (July 23). 

Quote of the day: Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying ‘I will try again tomorrow’. ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

Last night, right after a rain storm, I went outside in the backyard to cut some basil for one of my dinner dishes. When I walked down our deck steps.... look who was right there!

A beautiful box turtle! I saw this fellow on the other side of the property a few days ago. So slowly but surely, he gets around! 

Today my freshman college roommate, Leslie, came to visit me and my mom. Before my parents moved in with me, I used to meet up with Leslie several times a year for lunch. I am so glad we were able to catch up today. Leslie is a loyal blog reader and has been following what has been happening in my life these past two years. There is something special reconnecting with someone who has known me WAY before Mattie existed, before he was diagnosed with cancer and died, and before my husband left me.

Freshman year in college is a big transition, or at least it was for me, to leave home and live in a dorm. Since Leslie and I have many similarities in style, character, and values, we were a solid match. So much so, that many years later, we are still connected. 

I made lunch for us today and in honor of Leslie's visit, I took out these butterfly quilted placemats and napkins. They were gifted to me by a friend of my mother-in-law, who sent them to me after learning about my divorce. Nancy is a professional quilter! These are beautiful pieces and I wanted to use them on a nice occasion, like today! 

I made a homemade chicken salad for lunch. It is supposed to be chicken with tarragon, but since I do not have tarragon in the garden, I used thyme! It is a GREAT recipe. The last time I made this recipe was August 2023, when my in-laws were visiting from Boston. I showed my mother-in-law a photo of these sandwiches today, and she said.... she remembered them well! The marbleized bread is also key!

I made a tomato, strawberry, watermelon, basil and goat cheese salad. The first time I was introduced to tomatoes paired with watermelon, was at a museum in Washington, DC. I couldn't get over how well these things pair with each other! It makes for a lovely summer salad, served with a light lemon and balsamic vinaigrette. 

Nothing like fruit! I truly enjoyed sitting eating and talking! The most special gift to me, is the opportunity to be truly heard and to feel understood!

Leslie brought me some amazing cookies and this violet! I happen to LOVE violets! I used to grow them in Washington, DC! I have wanted to get a few to start growing them in my kitchen. So Leslie somehow read my mind! My first violet in this house!