Random Thoughts...Hugs

As a child, did your elders ever seem so big and tall to you. Like they could pick you up and just squeeze the life out of you when they would give you a hug? I loved those hugs. I miss those hugs. And then there is a point in your adult life that you go to hug one of your elders and they seem so fragile and delicate that you squeeze them gently to let them know you love them, but softly enough in order to avoid breaking them.
I have always wondered: When is it that you and your parents meet in the middle, that delicate balance when your hugs are equal? Equal strengths. Equal length. Equal height. What happens when you have your own children, and when do you "meet in the middle"? What about spouses? They are usually the same age and physical fitness level as you. So what's the perfect hug?
I figure, a hug us the shortest distance between two friends...and,
"A hug is a perfect gift. It's one-size fits all and no one minds if you exchange it."
Like I said...random thoughts. Go give someone a hug today. (Not at work, that's "objectionable behavior" if it's unwanted, lol.)

Look Who Popped Open Last Night..

"Good Morning Lilly!"
Click on picture to make bigger.
Aren't God's creations amazing?!

Spinach-Pasta Toss

Prep Time: 5 min; Total Time: 25 min

Ingredients:
1 can (14.5 oz.) Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained

2 cups multi-grain penne pasta, uncooked

1 cup water

1 pkg. (9 oz.) baby spinach leaves

1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Italian* Three Cheese Blend

BRING tomatoes, pasta and water to boil in large saucepan; stir. Cover; simmer on medium-low heat 10 min. or just until pasta is tender.
ADD 1/2 of spinach; simmer, covered, 2 min. or until wilted. Stir. Repeat with remaining spinach.
SERVE topped with cheese.

(I used Emery's asparagus and mozzarella cheese. We used it as a side dish with Italian-seasoned chicken breasts, but you can also cut the meat up and throw in with the pasta. Mmm-mmm good & fast!)

Words of Wisdom (or just experience)?

"The key to being a good manager is keeping the people who hate me away from those who are still undecided." - Casey Stengel

I love Saturdays.

I love Saturdays. I sleep in until 6:30, make a pot of extra-strength coffee, catch up on blogging & emails, and stay in my pjs until 9. We only have 6 television channels, so the Saturday morning shows stink. On the other hand, I get my do-to list prepared for the rest of the day/wkend/week and spend time in the quiet, listening to the birdies instead of telephones and knocks on my door. I just thought I'd share my not-so-deep thought with you. Have a happy weekend. : )

"Honey, Whatcha Doing?"

Do you ever wonder what your husband does outdoors when you're not watching? If he's anything like mine, he's probably building, cleaning, cutting, or moving something. Last year we had sand delivered, and since we didn't use it all, David built an 8' x 8' sand box. You can see how big it is. He did an excellent job @ reinforcing the frame & I think the hardest part was shoveling the 20 truck loads of sand and moving it from point A to point B (see pics L-R). He did it over the weekend of June 6th, but now it's not sitting in the yard anymore. Good job, Hon!

Ahhh! How sweet!

I'm playing catch-up journaling:
During the last week in May, I come to work & unlock my office door. The first thing I notice, even before turning on the light, is this wonderful fragrance in my office. I look over at my desk and there are these beautiful hydrangeas there with a card. I read the card, once, twice, three times and it finally sinks in that they are from my oldest brother Derik (he did sign the card, but it took me by such surprise). In the card, he was congratulating me on my new job I took back in April, saying how proud he was of me. My heart just melted. What an awesome way to start your day. Thank you Derik for being so thoughtful. The ladies at work were there when he dropped them off the night before and were telling me, "...what a nice brother you have", "and handsome too."

Grow Baby Grow

Planted our garden 06/14/2009. Radishes and kohlrabi already poking through. Still have to get the peas & beans in yet (they're soaking in the house for early sprouts). From memory: We have pumpkins, zucchini squash, broccoli, cukes, radishes, yellow onions, green onions, peppers, lettuce, spinach, beans, peas, rutgers tomatoes, carrots, cherry tomatoes, & kohlrabi planted. We stick with what we like and always try something new.

Fun Pics of J&J's Wedding