Fun With Francesca

I got a surprise visit from Francesca this weekend.  Jess had a bridal shower to go to in Lake Tahoe, so Brian came in for the day.
 

I went over to Brian's mom's house, and she always greets me with a hug and a cup of coffee.  She got a new French Press Coffee Maker, and it makes the best coffee.  She is a gracious hostess, and always has treats to serve - we had coffee and Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies.

Remember the Pink rocks I got from Target?  She loved them and kept trying to put them in the holes of a toy.

And do you know what else she loves - their dog!  She can say a few words now, and dog is one of them.

 

I read her some of her favorite books.  She even flips through the pages by herself now.

She is walking all over now and likes exploring outside, so we went in the back yard so she could roam.  It's a big back yard, and there's always something to see.


 

It was cold out, so Brian made her wear her hat, which she kept trying to take off every chance she got haha.  A free spirit like me, she doesn't like to be weighed down with coats, scarves, hats.  As she was mischievously running, I picked her up and plowed a big kiss on her lips.  

  

It was a fun day with Francesca. 

~Sheri

To Become A Real Boy

So, you know how close I am to the girls, but there is one that I am just as close with, and that's my son.  I don't get to talk about him that much on here, so thought I would share a little about him.

 

He walks and walks and walks...

and walks some more.

I really admire that he's so active.

 

 

I just met him for breakfast a week ago.  We catch up on the happenings in our lives, and we went to Mimi's Café, one of our favorites around here.

 

 

 

He is the most non-materialistic person,

and it is a refreshing change

from all the wants and desires that

we hear in our world today.

 

He stands tall, 6 feet,

but is humble in many ways.
I think that is my favorite trait of his.

 

 

He sure loves those sisters of his too.

 

 

When he was little, I gave him this plaque, and I still have it to this day hidden away in a box of treasures.

 

 

We've had so much rain lately, and even hail!  When it hailed the other day, I was reminded of something that my son wrote when he was only nine.  He talked about the rain and the snow and the lightning.  I will keep his story always.   

 

I saw these flowers at the market, and they had the most unusual and beautiful color.  My friend, Kathy, let me take a picture of them, and in return am giving them to him for all the joy he brings to my life.

 

 

When I was a child,
I spoke like a child,
I thought like a child,
I reasoned like a child.
When I became a man,
I gave up childish ways.
1 Corinthians 13

You have turned into a wonderful man.

Thank you, son of mine.

 

 

~Sheri

Frolicking Into February

The town I live in has rolling hills, and it's quite beautiful when I look up at them as I'm driving by.  We had a very foggy morning this month, and I think February may be just as cold here as January.  The new Valentine cookies are out at Starbuck's, and they're so good.  Driving to church one morning, near my mother's old house, I noticed a tree which someone made a face on.  It has a mustache, and is delightful to look at.  I had lunch with my two good friends from high school.  They were my favorites back in the day, and we are still close and get together occasionally.  We did a little shopping after, and my friend bought me a tea cup, which I love.  I'm really picky about tea cups (not too heavy, not too big), and this one is just right.  The clouds were exceptionally pretty after all the rain we've been having.  Although the trees are still bare, I sometimes see a flower or two shivering in the cold.  I love my new baking dish for brownies.   My old one was getting rusty and tarnished and not baking evenly.   I made some tacos, and my family thinks they are the best tacos ever.   I make them with chicken, ground beef, or pork, whatever I have that day.  And the trick is to deep fry the tortillas and add a sprinkle of grated cheese.  Does anyone love the Target dollar bins as much as I do?  I found some Pink rocks!  Every time I browse through there, I find something interesting.  You know how much I love dolls, especially cloth ones.  Francesca got a Jesus doll for her Baptism, a special gift from her aunt.  He's so soft, and the first thing I said was "I want one!"  Jess surprised me with the doll, a gift from Francesca, which is very dear to me.  Sometimes Jess will send me pictures of her holding and loving the doll, and it is a precious sight.  I want to get Mia one now, so both of the cousins will have one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

 

love, ~Sheri



Pasta Carbonara

Lately, I've been craving pasta carbonara, but with the baby I'm a little limited on fine-dining options these days...

So, I decided to make my own!

I combined a few recipes I found online and came up with a delish dish! If you try "Mama Nelli's" pasta carbonara, let me know how it turns out. 

~Nel

Recipe: 

1. Cook pack of thick cut bacon in oven on foil at 415 for 25 minutes or until crispy. Chop into small pieces and set aside.
2. Chop 2-3 cloves of garlic, saute in 2-3 tbsp. of butter until brown, and then place in mixing bowl (let cool). 
3. Grate 1 block of Parmesan cheese and 1 block of Romano cheese and toss with garlic in mixing bowl (cheese should be at room temperature before grating).
4. Heat 1 tbsp. of bacon grease in medium pot and pour in garlic/cheese mix. Mix 2 tbsp. of butter, 1 cup of milk, 2 tbsp. of fresh chopped parsley, and pepper to taste. Whisk until creamy and then mix in chopped bacon. Stir on low for 3-5 minutes then take off heat and set aside.
5. Boil 1 pack of linguine in water with a little bit of olive oil and salt.
6. Whisk 3 eggs together.
7. Drain pasta and stir in sauce mix over low heat. When pasta and sauce are combined, add in eggs and stir for 3 minutes.
8. Garnish with parsley and serve.