What are you reading?

I am in the middle of "One Season of Sunshine" by Julia London. From the back cover "Adopted as an infant, Jane Aaron longs to know the identity of her birth mother and why she gave her up. Her only clue is is the name of the small Texas town where she was born, so she's come to Cedar Springs for answers."

Of course there is a handsome, rich guy who has 2 troubled kids. So far Jane hasn't figured out how to fix anything but I am hopeful that she gets going soon... I am enjoying the story but it is a little too formulaic .. young girl trying to find herself, handsome widower whose dead wife was bi-polar, troubled kids who need some good loving and an understanding woman to fix them.. It seems like there are an awful lot of these kinds of stories out there lately. This is not my usual read, I love a good mystery, detective, kick-ass chick book but was looking for something light and this fits the bill.

So, what are you reading?

Miscellany

The first tomato of the summer and boy was it yummy! They must be so good because we wait so long for them. The rest of my garden is going well except for those darn pole beans. The plants have gone crazy but nary a bean in sight! I am hoping they just mature later then the rest of the garden. Fingers crossed.

The Birthday girl and her big brother! They are leaving for their big move to Seattle tomorrow and it is breaking my heart. I am sure they will enjoy a very busy and active life on the north-west coast but that doesn't mean I feel any better about them going. She is a sassy and funny little thing and her brother is a very sweet, smart and curious child. Who is going to snarl at me in his best T-Rex growl?

Up North! We had a lot of fun in Lewiston. The lake was very shallow and warm, the kids were fun and it was SUNNY! We hunted for the perfect rock and roasted the perfect marshmellows. I posted more pictures on my Facebook page...just in case you haven't already been there. Michigan in the summer is a great place to be.

Up North

We are heading up north for the weekend. 3 hour drive to the Lewiston area to stay at Krista and Gary and Dan and Wayne's cottage. I am looking forward to a little getaway and happy they asked. Gary and Dan are the boys with the toys. Jet skis, 4 wheelers the works and the Bobster is taking his boat. He built a hydroplane model and this will be the first launch! I have visions of disaster.. really...

I don't want the thing to sink, he spent too much money and way too much time building and perfecting his baby so I hope he has fun with it... I will definitely post more when we get back.

Bob's health tale

As most of you know, Bob's liver is failing due to hepatitis C. He had been on the liver transplant list for the past 1 1/2 years here in Detroit at Henry Ford. In the spring Bob was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and had tons of testing done at that time. Long story short (ha) they found out that 2 of the 4 bypasses that were done on his heart 3 years ago are now blocked again. His heart is in pretty crappy shape and Henry Ford felt he was too high of a risk for the liver transplant.

So, they sent us to the Cleveland Clinic. From what everyone has told us, the CCF does the high risk transplants that other facilities won't do. We spent 4 days at the end of May in lovely downtown Cleveland ...you can see that post here on my blog...and have been waiting for news ever since. Well, we got the news last week.

Why so long? The cardiologist at the CCF needed to see the entire video of Bob's heart cath that was done here in Detroit and it took weeks for St. John to get it's shit together and send it! But that's another story...

The liver transplant committee meets every Friday and reviews the cases that are presented for that week. Bob's case was finally presented July 2. After what I understand was a lengthy review and discussion, it was decided that Bob's heart is just not in good enough shape for a liver transplant. The anesthesiologist feels that he may not survive the surgery. They actually considered a heart/liver transplant but decided against it.

This was our last option and we won't be pursuing any others. I know everyone wants to know what happens now but we aren't sure. He has great doctors who take very good care of him and will continue to do so.

We are very thankful for everyone's continued thoughts, prayers and love.

July Garden

I love this time of year. I grow pretty little flowers...

Wild green beans....

Oh come to mama....

I think we will be having salad for dinner!

Dirty Dave's Fruit Salsa

I made this for my brother David last weekend. I had a little bbq and bonfire going away party (waaaaaaa). He should be in Seattle today to start the new chapter of his already interesting life.



Dirty Dave's Fruit Salsa



1 cup strawberries - chopped

3 kiwi, peeled and chopped

1 navel orange, peeled and chopped

1 small can crushed pineapple, drained

1 tbl lemon juice

1 tsp sugar



Mix together in a bowl and chill. Serve with Cinnamon Sugar tortilla chips (recipe below)



1 pack small flour tortillas

1/3 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tbl melted butter



Preheat oven 350

Brush tortillas with melted butter and cut into 8 triangles. I use a pizza cutter. Do not over lap on cookie sheet.

Baked for 15 minutes