Archive for April, 2009

Speaking of rhubarb

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

If we weren’t, we soon will be. It’s that time of year again.

Last night as I was going to bed I thought, it’s nearly time for our local farmers’ market to start up again. And immediately following that I thought, Rhubarb!

It turns out that farmers’ market opens officially next Saturday. But the very thought got me to write ‘rhubarb’ in soap on the bathroom mirror (how else did I ever remember things pre-Google calendar?) and get The Prof to check the freezer for last year’s rhubarb just in case.

And guess what!

He found a small bag of it, all nice and chopped and just looking like it needed to be in a cake. So today I got ready for this year’s rhubarb by closing out last year’s and making a cake.

Naturally I couldn’t find my recipe (again), so I called my daughter and asked her for it. She said, “It’s on your blog, Mom. That’s where I get it.”

Right. So it is.

I googled it and it came right up. What a good place to store my recipes. Now I’ll be able to find them.

2007 must have been a bumper year for rhubarb.

I see I’ve put up a couple of other recipes using rhubarb as well –including my dear friend Elda’s fabulous rhubarb delight. Every year recently that I made it, I took a piece to Elda who had moved to a nursing home.

This year I can’t because Elda passed away in January, just days after her 92 birthday. But I’ll make it again this year — and every year — in her memory and enjoy it while I remember the warmth of her friendship and the stories that came with it.

So we have cake tonight and I have a chapter of Demetrios tucked away in good shape, and another one coming along, and several more in the pipeline. The weather is good — April showers are making lovely flowers hereabouts.

It’s beginning to look a lot like spring.

ps: those little blue flowers are back, too — a bit later than usual this year.

Meet the Grandpuppy

Friday, April 17th, 2009


There is a new puppy in the family.

A two month old Golden Retriever, he has been long anticipated and will be greatly loved. He came home last night and today he got a name — Beau.

He will be my 8 year old granddaughter’s best buddy for years to come. Lots and lots of years, we hope. My daughter, a deeply devoted dog person, is thrilled — especially because she’s heard there are now under-the-tongue allergy meds. As someone who has endured allergies for the joy of having dogs in her life, this may indeed be a blessing.

Beau is, according to his father, a great puppy with a nice, easy-going personality. He tries to eat tennis balls but, so far, his mouth isn’t quite big enough to do more than barely get around them. No room for chewing.

Tomorrow he is apparently going to his first softball tournament because he and my son-in-law are on their own this weekend. He missed the golf tournament today, but I can see he’s going to have a full athletic calendar.

I’m looking forward to knowing Beau better. Hoping to get to meet him in person (in dog?) sometime in the fall.

Mitch and Micah are delighted to have a new nephew.

Watching Burn Notice?

Thursday, April 16th, 2009


Well, not at the moment because USA network’s biggest hit, Burn Notice, is on hiatus until June 4th.

But I’m counting the days. And I’ve been thinking about it more this week because Friday is my day to write about a “must-watch” film or program for the Pink Heart Society blog.

Guess what I’m writing about.

It is my prelude to Kate Walker‘s “Alpha Heroes” topic which she’s rounded up comments for to use on her blog. I sent her my comments earlier this week.

But as far as I’m concerned, you can start with Michael Westen (wonderfully played by Jeffrey Donovan) of Burn Notice. He may not be the stereotypical billionaire — or even close — but he’s the guy I’d want to be on my side in a fire fight, or anywhere else for that matter.

Alphas are the ones who take care of their own. They are the protectors, the go-to guys, the ones who get the job done.

That would be Mike.

Stop over and check out my blog on Burn Notice at the Pink Heart. Let me know what you think about the program and about Michael Westen if you watch Burn Notice.

And if you don’t, check out the DVD of season one. Season two will be coming in late June on DVD, and season three starts on USA network on June 4th.

Mark your calendar!