Homemade Chili in July

Roger discovered how to use the pressure cooker! The result was this wonderful homemade chili! This again, was a Chef Jaque Pepin recipe.

Dinner Anyone??

CAUGHT by Danny

CLEANED by Roger


(INSPECTED by Clifford)

COOKED by Judi

Summer Meals - a Family Affair

Nashville 195.365

What kind of visit would it be to Nashville without going to the Grand Ole Opry? Here we are in front of the Opry prior to taking the tour.

The tour was fun. We saw various dressing rooms, the green room, and the backstage. The highlight, of course, was getting to go on stage. We even got to stand on the same spot where all the country great stand when they perform!!

Memphis Part II 194.365

We stopped at the National Civil Rights Museum. It was pretty interesting. The tour takes you through the Lorraine Motel. You see the rooms that Martin Luther King, Jr. and his group occupied the days before his assassination. Then the tour takes you to the boarding home where James Earl Ray lived and the bathroom where he was when he fired the shot that killed MLK. It was interesting and eerie at the same time.

Memphis 193.365

Welcome to Graceland!!! We took the tour of the mansion as well as other exhibits. Going through the mansion was like going back in time - back to the 70's! It was interesting to go through the rooms and learn more about Elvis. He accomplished so much in his short life.

We also went to Beale St. - home of the blues and rock and roll. These are some of the interesting signs on the street.

Kentucky Lake Part II 192.365

One of the best things we did at Kentucky Lake was to go boating on Uncle Larry's pontoon and then swim in the lake. That was so much fun and so very relaxing!!

Kentucky Lake 191.365

After spending a few days in Gatlinburg, TN, we drove about six hours west to Paris Landing, on Kentucky Lake. We visited my Tita Pat and Uncle Larry. These were the best two days of our trip. Uncle Larry fried up lots of catfish that he caught - yummy!! Then he cooked up some BBQ ribs - best ribs anywhere!!! Mom and Tita Pat spent every moment catching up with each other. We also lit lot of firecrackers. The kids enjoyed doing this - but not as much as the adults did!!

Great Smoky Mountains Day 190.365

This little guy was just "hangin'" around just outside our condo. He was about 40 or 45 feet up in the tree. I was on the 5th floor when I took this photo. (We are in Gatlinburg, TN.)

We went hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. These mountains are so lush and green. We hiked through the forest, enjoying the greenery and the rushing streams. We even walked over a few log bridges and up into a cave. We had so much fun.

Days 187 - 189 Start of Tennessee Trip

Day 187.365

First day of family trip. Just a traveling day. We went on vacation with my brother's family, my mom and sister. There was a total of 10 of us traveling about the state of Tennessee. Here we are at the airport - neices Samantha and Selena, nephew Andrew, mom (Grandma Cat) and Danny. Grandma gave them 4th of July hats.

Day 188.365

We watched the fireworks from the main drag in Gatlinburg. It was an outstanding show with a phenomenal finale!!

Day 189.365

We were driving from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg with a thunderstorm hit. I was so glad that Roger was driving!! The rain was so hard and heavy, the windshield wipers couldn't keep up and we could hardly see. I was like someone shooting a water cannon at our car!!!

Father's Day 175.365

Happy Father's Day to Roger, the wonderful father to our son Danny. To Roger, Sr. the wonderful father to Roger, Jr. and me. To my father, Rafael, who though is not with us anymore, made me the person that I am today. I LOVE ALL OF YOU!!

First Communion 139.365

Today was my niece's First Communion. Selena did a great job!! Doesn't she looks so pretty in her white dress and veil? Actually, she couldn't wait to take it off so she could change into her bathing suit!!

Marian Award 131.365

Each May, our school has a May Crowning Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a beatutiful Mass, where the 8th graders, who are almost graduating, get all dressed up, have a lovely processional, and two of the 8th graders crown Mary with flowers.

As part of the Mass, Marian Awards are given to usually two 7th graders. The award winners do not know that they are the recipients until thier name is called. This year it was given to three of them. This is what the award says: You have displayed the qualities of our Blessed Mother. Mary showed us how to be humble, kind, honest, forgiving, friendly, and most importantly, she always said "yes" to God.

My sweet Danny was one of the recipients. He was surprised!!!

The other award recipients were Melissa and Kristen. All three students do display the qualities of our Blessed Mother. They are a blessing to their class and to our school.

Roger suprised Danny by being at the Mass!! We are so proud of him. He has been, and continues to be a blessing in our life.

Days 120 - 126

I know that I haven't posted in a week!!! As with all of you, life gets a bit crazy. Please forgive me for this longer post. I hope you have the energy and interest to continue reading to the end. I hope you enjoy the photos.

This past week, we were preparing to go to Northern California for the State Junior High Academic Decathlon in Redwood City. (For a funny rendition of our trip, please vistit Roger's Blog.)Danny and his team have worked diligently for the past eight months, studying for this competition, in addition to their regular school work. They were one of nine schools competing. Unfortunately, they did not place in any categories. But what they did take away from the competition was the experience to compete in such a high level, the friendships they have developed, and the knowledge that they did their best. As his mom, I am so very proud of Dan - his determination and commitment.

Instead of a photo of the day, here are some photos of the city by the bay...

The weather... It rained on us the entire day we were in San Fransisco. That's okay... It gave us the gift of the beautiful flowers.

A view of the bay from one of the marinas.

Flowers enjoying a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Fisherman's Wharf... no really, this was a section of Fisherman's Wharf.

We were able to catch up with a high school friend (Tom G.) and his fiance. We haven't seen Tom since high school!! Here we are at Stanford University, where Tom is an alum. He gave us a tour around this beautiful campus. Thanks Tom!!!

This was a highlight for Dan's trip: our motel was right next door to a Ferrari / Maserati dealership!!! On Sunday morning, a Ferrari / Maserati club assembled, so we were able to take a gander at 20+ cars.

The Golden Gate Bridge. Even in the rain, she is breathtaking.

Bridal Shower 118.365

Last year I turned 40 - when did I become my mother's age??? Then, on my way to Kelly's bridal shower, I realized something. I am now really my mom's age. I am attending a bridal shower of a daughter of a friend of mine!!! I haven't been to a bridal or baby shower of any of my friends in, well, forever!!!

Here is Kelly admiring the scrapbook her sister, Kasey, made for her.

Me, Maria, Helen, Tammy, and Hailey enjoying the nice weather, fun decor, and each other's company.

Instead of cake, we had cupcakes. Aren't these just soooo fun????!!!!

Easter Greetings!! 105.365

Oh! Danny is going to kill me when he sees this is the picture I decided to post!! I took this picture using the timer on my camera. Right before it took the shot, I tickled him. And now you see him giggling. I love to hear and see him giggle. It warms my heart.

I pray that all of you have a blessed Easter Season. During the 50 days of Easter, may your eyes and hearts be open to the beauty and blessings that our Lord gives to each of us. Happy Easter!

Days 91 - 98

I haven't posted all week! Life has been busy - just like everyone!! So here we go:

Birthday Girl!! 91.365
We are celebrating Connie's birthday. This wonderful woman is my mother-in-law. She is the BEST m-i-l in the entire world. She is there for us always and loves me as her own.

Trees w/ yellow blooms 92.365

I was driving home today when I spied this amazing tree. I immediately pulled over and took many pictures of the tree. Another person saw me taking pictures and started up a conversation about the trees. We both had never seen such a tree and could not tell what it was. It is truly remarkable what there is out in the world! Doing this Project 365, I have noticed so much more, especially since I carry my camera everywhere!!

Labyrinth 93.365

This is the Labyrinth at the university. It is a beautiful, peaceful place. From lessons4living.com: A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The Labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world. Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools. A labyrinth has only one path. It is unicursal. The way in is the way out. There are no blind alleys. The path leads you on a circuitous path to the center and out again.

I have walked several labyrinths in the past few years. As my mind is always busy, walking the labyrinth is an extremely challenging exercise for me - to focus myself to one thought, prayer, meditation. But in the end, I am so much more at peace. If you ever get a chance, give it a try.

Spoiled Dog 94.365Clifford is such a spoiled dog!! Danny is scratching his belly with a backscratcher! He is enjoying every scratch!!!

Spring at sunset 95.365Just playing around with my camera. Catching shadows and light in the Liquid Amber trees in the backyard.

Fountain 96.365

This is a fountain at a local shopping center. I love to sit here, drink my Chai Tea Latte, and watch the children "play" in the water. What is so cute, is during the summer, some kids really do play in the fountain!

Figs 97.365

This is a fig tree in our backyard. My father-in-law (The best in the world!!) gave us a sappling that started growing in his front yard. It has grown nicely. HOWEVER, the figs are inedible! Each year we cut them open, to find a spongey texture, that is almost poweder-like. The dog and the neighborhood skunks like them though...

Palm Sunday 98.365
Today is Palm Sunday. The gospel reading is the Passion of Christ. This environmental decor reminds us that Peter denied Christ three time before the cock crowed. And he wept. Sitting in church, looking at the rooster, I contemplated the times I denied Christ. How many times have we each been unfaithful to God? How many times have we denied God to worship something else - money, power, possessions? I love Peter. He gives me hope. In one breath, he tells Jesus that he would die for Him. In the next breath, he doesn't know Him. Yet, there he is, holding the keys to the kingdom, the foundation for His Church. God loves each one of us in spite of ourselves. I pray that each one of you have a reflective Holy Week.

Violin 84.365

Danny was practicing his sax and asked me if I could show him how to play my violin. I started playing when I was in 5th grade (I thought it would be easier then the piano!!) and continued to play through high school. When I was in Jr. High, my dad bought this for me from the concertmaster from the local symphony. It is French, made in 1893. I put the orange yarn on the case when I first got the violin. I don't play anymore, but like to take it out a couple times a year.

Fireplace Mask 81.365

My parents purchased this mask on our vacation to the Philippines way back in 1976. It has hung over our fireplace. Then, in 1991, my mom put it out for a garage sale. Oh no!! Thank goodness I was able to rescue him before someone else got him! Since I got him, he has hung over my own fireplace. I can't imagine anything else in that spot.

Fore!!! 77.365

Today was Danny's first time to play a full round of golf. And he did it at our school's golf tournament, no less! He played in a foursome with Roger, his uncle Jay (in the photo), and Jay's friend Brett. He said he had a good time, but had lots of fun driving the golf cart! (Will that count towards his hours of practice to get his driver's license??)

Game time 73.365

I LOVE to play games. Danny and I enjoy playing board games together. Right now, we are into Rummikub. I also love Apples to Apples. My sister-in-law, Rosemary, and I keep saying that we need to set a monthly family game night. Unfortunately, it still hasn't happened...