Richard and I spent several days at Carmel Highlands. Our room number 436 was great, had a terrific view and felt very peaceful, secluded and cozy. This is a photo of the sunset last night. We arrived on Thursday evening and woke to a gray, rainy and windy morning on Friday. Took a driving tour of Pacific Grove, Monterey and Carmel by the Sea. Saturday was a beautiful clear and sunny day. We drove to Big Sur and went to Andrew Morela State Park and visited the Ranch House Museum. It had a list of the 1900 census and all the people that lived in the area at that time. The docent was fantastic, she was so interesting and knew the history. Today, we will attend Mass at Carmel Mission and have lunch at Alison and Richard's favorite place to eat in Monterey-Rosine's http://www.rosinesmonterey.com/ While Alison
on is on Spring Break with her boyfriend Tim and his Mom staying at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, South Carolina http://www.kiawahresort.com/accommodations/the-sanctuary, she asked that Richard and I split her favorite German Chocolate cake for dessert. We will.

Today is February 1

It is a gorgeous morning, clear skies and sunny. Today, I plan to volunteer at Ride to Walk, horseback riding therapy for people with special needs. Each day brings new opportunities to get out and live life fully. I talked to Aly this morning, she is in between classes. She has studying, laundry and cleaning to do today. This evening, she and Tim are going out for Sushi in old downtown Opelika. I know they will have a good time. I miss Aly being at home, this semester finishes in May.
Billy Kitty just jumped up on my chair to say hi.
Last Sunday, Richard and I went to St. John's church in Roseville. The sermon was great, very interactive. The intent was to bring out our inner kindergarten selves. We all got colored paper, pencil and scissors. We were asked to trace our hands and write our strengths and talents on each finger, then cut out the hand and place it on a large paper at the back of the church. We were reminded to periodically look at all of the talents that are part of the congregation, a very humbling experience, indeed.
Tomorrow, off to the Bay Area, we will stop by Will's Garden Close and St. Bede's before going to my Mom's for her birthday.

Grieving References

Grieving References

Grief's Courageous Journey: A Workbook, by Sandi Caplan and Gordon Lang
Life after Loss: A Practical Guide, by Bob Deits
Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul, by Jack Canfield and Mark Hanson
Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life, by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Unattended Sorrow: Recovering from Loss and Reviving the Heart, by Stephen Levine
Surviving Grief and Learning to Live Again, by Catherine M. Saunders
The Mourning Handbook, by Helen Fitzgerald
Healing Your Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas, by Alan D. Wolfelt
Life Lessons, by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler
How to Go On Living When Someone You Love Dies, by Therese A. Rando
Letting Go With Love: The Grieving Process, by Nancy O'Connor
A Time to Grieve: Meditations for Healing, by Carol Staudacher
Grieving Mindfully: A Compassionate and Spiritual Guide to Coping with Loss, by Sameet M. Kumar
Five Good Minutes: 100 Morning Practices to Help You Stay Calm and Focused All Day Long, by Jeffrey Brantley and Wendy Millstine
Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working through Grief, by Martha W. Hickman
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, by Eckhart Tolle
A Journey Through Grief: Gentle, Specific Help, by Alla Renee Bozarth
Walking through the Garden of Souls, by George Anderson and Andrew Barone
Many Lives, Many Masters, by Robert Weiss
Messages from the Masters, by Robert Weiss
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Healing Grief: Reclaiming life after any loss by James Van Praagh
Helping Teens Cope with Death by the Dougy Center
Grieving the Unexpected by Dr. Gary LaBlanc

World's Best Fondue

World's Best Cheese Fondue

Ingredients
1/2 pound imported Swiss cheese, shredded
1/2 pound Gruyere cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons of cornstarch
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon cherry brandy, such as kirsch
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Pinch nutmeg
Assorted dippers

Directions
In a small bowl, coat thee cheeses with cornstarch. Rub the inside of the of the fondue pot with the garlic, then discard

Over medium heat, add the wine and lemon juice and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually, stir the cheese into the simmering liquid. Melting the cheese gradually encourages a smooth fondue. Once smooth, stir in cherry brandy, mustard and nutmeg

Arrange an assortment of bite-sized dipping foods on a lazy Susan around fondue pot. Serve with chunks of sourdough breads, apples, broccoli, cauliflower and asparagus. Spear with fondu forks or wooden skewers, dip and enjoy

A fun and romantic treat to eat with your honey or serve at a small gathering of friends.

Travel and Omelets

We are back from our trip to Texas; Houston, Galveston, San Antonio and Austin. We had a great trip being with family, visiting old friends and seeing the sights. The weather was the coldest that it has been since we've being going to Texas for New Year's for the last 6 or 7 years.
On another subject, I got an omelet pan for Christmas. It is the best! I am now the omelet queen of the family. Whether plain cheese or otherwise, they turn out great every time. I start with 3 eggs, add milk and pepper, stir. Pour half into each side of the omelet pan which is already sprayed with cooking oil. I always add shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Sometimes I will spice it up with onions, mushrooms, olive and pico de gallo (to give that Latin spicy taste). After cooking, close the open pan and let set for a several seconds before turning off the gas. Flip the pan once, open and slide the omelet onto a plate. Richard and I split the omelet. Perfect every time.
Missing Will at the beginning of 2013. I am so grateful that he was with us for his first 17 years of life, he was a joy to our family and friends. We hung his Christmas stocking at home and the Dixon's. Planning 2013 giving in Will's memory.
Norah our cat...

Dickens' Thanksgiving Reunion - Naples Florida

Rob, Finley, Kyle & Aly

Janet & Aly

Janet, Rob, Aly & Finley

Excellent, quick and easy Holiday Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

This pie was Will's favorite, I am so sad and hurt that he is not here these past 3+ years to enjoy it. The Dickens' family enjoyed it during our Thanksgiving holiday in Naples, Florida.

Ingredients:

1 6 ounce package of vanilla pudding
1 cup of milk
1 (15 ounce) can of pumpkin
16 ounces of cool whip
1 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice
1 graham cracker pie shell

Combine instant pudding, milk, pinch of pumpkin pie spice, can of pumpkin and cool whip. Save some cool whip to cover the top of the pie. Pour mixture into pre-baked pie shell. Cover pie with remaining cool whip. Sprinkle top with pumpkin pie spice.