Letter to SOL Friends

SOL Day 31


Dear SOL Friends,

Today ends our month long celebration, of writing and sharing bits of our lives, our hopes, our dreams and our families.  I am still amazed at the slices that made me laugh, pulled at my heartstrings and the slices that taught me more than a few things.  I only wish I could have read more, but with over 300 people, we all know it would just not be possible.  I loved the different formats that so many of you used, so creative, so fun to read!  It was wonderful being connected again with friends even though many miles separate us as well as making new connections.  I also wanted to thank all of you who took the time to read and comment on the various stories I wanted to share.  As someone said to me, it keeps me going, it keeps me writing.  Now that the month is over, we can all become a little less obsessed, (and I mean this in the most positive way) with writing and reading each day.  But let's not forget to stay tuned to the beauty that surrounds us and the little things in our daily lives that make us smile, or not.  We all still have many stories that need to be told.  Hope to see you soon on the SOL on Tuesdays!

Hugs From New Mexico,
Lynn

Memories Flood My Heart Today

SOL Day 30

Yesterday started out like any other day.  First, I went to my weight training class, (UGH) came home, and while eating breakfast thought about what my day would look like.  The fruit bowl on the counter gave me an idea!  There were quite a few bananas that were far too ripe for me to eat, so what do I do?  Of course, I'll make gluten free banana bread for my niece Lyndsey! Since I'll be going back to California in a few weeks to help her move it will work out perfectly!  So I scanned the internet looking for the perfect gluten free recipe. As I  was mixing and measuring the ingredients, all I kept thinking about was my niece. . .

I thought about . . . how I have always been a part of all the important and not so important events in her life

I thought about . . . how proud I was of her when she was accepted to NYU

I thought about . . . what a beautiful human being she is, so kind and caring, passionate about what she does and how she can light up a room.

I thought about . . . her beautiful smile and how at 29 years old she still loves when I hug and kiss her to death.

I thought about . . . how when I had lost all my hair because of chemo treatments, she looked at me, cupped my face ever so gently and said how beautiful I was

I thought about . . . whenever I tell her I have a new wrinkle she laughs and says "oh aunti, you are still beautiful

I thought about . . . how happy I am that she moved from New York and now lives in California, because it is so much closer to New Mexico

I thought about . . . how much she loves her sweets, and how much she will appreciate my efforts

I thought about . . . how I would send her a picture of the banana breads right after they came out of the oven

I thought about . . . what her response would be . . . and I was exactly right . . .

Oh Thank you! Looks so yummy! along with a dozen emoji hearts and kisses!

Funny, how a simple task today took over my heart with so many memories!

Some pans had chocolate chips.

Big Fat Greek Wedding

SOL Day 29


This past weekend I went to see "The Big Fat Greek Wedding #2" along with some members of my Greek family!  Although the movie portrays how us crazy Greeks can behave, I'm sure other groups can identify with the movie just as we did.  There were 5 of us and we all really enjoyed the movie.  Was it an academy award winning film, probably not, but we laughed, got a little teary eyed and walked out of the theatre with smiles on our faces.  We talked about how sometimes, movies can be exactly that, just plain fun without violence and suspense!  I can guarantee if you saw and enjoyed the first, "Big Fat Greek Wedding" you will  enjoy this one as well. After all, what's not to like about family support, family love and the few goofs that make up families!

4 More Days

SOL Day 28

4 More Days . . .

and the March Challenge of writing each day will end until next year

4 More Days . . .
and I won't be reading about others' lives each day

4 More Days . . .
and I wonder if I'll get complacent in what I see and hear 

4 More Days . . .

and I'll go back to only writing on Tuesdays 

4 More Days . . .

and we will start preparing for a friend's visit

4 More Days . . .

and the veggie garden will be open for planting 

4 More Days . . .

and I'll be making my first batch of humming bird food in anticipation of their return

4 More Days . . .

and I'll start planting some flower pots

4 More Days . . .

and I'm sure other things will pop up needing my attention

Chicago Pizza

SOL Day Day 27

If you've read my blog you know I lived in the Chicago area my whole life up until 2 years ago.  If you know anything about Chicago, one of the things it's famous for besides a beautiful lake front, wonderful museums, theatre as good as Broadway is of course PIZZA!  Living in New Mexico has proven there is no other place in the world for pizza once you've had Chicago pizza.  In the almost 2 years living here, and trying every pizza place there is, we have just given up on the idea of having pizza.  So imagine my delight when my cousin Joanne, (she lives next door) told us she found a Chicago pizza recipe and is going to give it a try Saturday night.  We walked in just as she was taking the pizzas out of the oven . . . they smelled and looked amazing!  After one taste we were all "oohing and ahhhing" barely coming up for air. The pizza was D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S!   Of course we all ate too much, and the healthy eating plan flew out the window, but it was well worth it.

The pizzas right out of the oven.  Crust and sauce made from scratch!

Well, like I said, pizza was amazing!