Monday, July 18, 2011

Back Next Week...

After a busy weekend, and a busy week already in progress - I plan to devote some time next week to a few new blog posts. Mailbox Monday and Finnish Friday will return next week...

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Mailbox Monday: Week 3

My letter went in the mailbox on Monday; this post comes a couple days 'late'.  :-)

"G" has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. She is not family by blood, but in the hearts of myself, my siblings, my parents, and several others, she is family.


Me, "G", and my daughter. Florida - January 2009

I could tell a million stories, camping, vacationing, The Forty, her fabulous cooking/pickle/salsa/wine/etc making, etc, etc, etc, but this post would go on f.o.r.e.v.e.r.

The most important thing I will share about "G" is friendship. "G" was my grandma's best friend. Ever since my grandpa 'passed away' in 1983 (and probably before?), "G" had been by my grandma's side. She became family. My grandma had a 'cabin' of sorts in Wisconsin that she moved to after she retired in 1986/7. They both lived in Wisconsin until 2005 - the first great-grandbaby came in 2004 and my grandma wanted to move back to 'the cities' to be closer to all of us. When she got sick in 2006, "G" was here quite often to help out with doctor appointments and such. She was here A LOT in 2007 as my grandma's cancer became worse...and was here until her last breaths on October 31, 2007.

We all tried to spend as much time as we could with grandma, between work, kids, etc, but "G" was always there for her. My grandma was so lucky to have such a loving, caring, kindhearted friend. I hope someday when I am breathing my last breaths that I have a friend just like "G" by my side.

I am hoping to drive out to WI soon for a visit - it has been way too long! Maybe we can get in a few games of Hollywood Rummy; "S" and I play, but I am ready for some new competition! ;-)

Thank you "G" for being a part of our family, and mostly for being such a great friend to Grandma... <3

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Mailbox Monday: Week 2

(Monday was a holiday, with no mail service, so I'm posting a day 'late'.)

Today I placed an envelope in the mail for R&V. I met R&V 8 years ago. They have been family ever since. I have many stories I could write about, but I'll keep it to the most recent, for now. :-)

BBQ. Grilling. Yum. R&V make a fantastic team when it comes to the grill. I believe V most often preps/seasons/marinates the meat and veggies, and R does the grilling.


Yesterday we got together with my hubby's side of the family to celebrate Independence Day. It was a fun day; visiting with family, water fun with the kids, and, of course, yummy food. R&V grilled up some delicious items and we also enjoyed layered salad, corn on the cob, apple crisp, various treats, etc.  The main course was beef, chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, onions and peppers.

Here's the amazing part (dad, you will be proud!). I have tried shrimp many times, mainly at restaurants (cooked many different ways...and off from someone else's plate) and at the holidays when there is a cold shrimp platter around. I have never liked shrimp. For some reason I've kept trying it in hopes that I would eventually like it.

I tried it again yesterday. And. I. Liked. It!

I'm quite certain it is the way it was seasoned and grilled. It didn't have that shrimpy/fishy taste like it normally does (or like it seems to have to my taste buds). I even took some leftovers home to eat later that night. The beef, chicken, and mushrooms were also delicious, but I still can't believe I liked the shrimp!

My dad LOVES shrimp. He orders it when ever/where ever he goes out to eat, I think him and my mom have it every so often, and it is a staple at the holidays. I wish he could have been at R&V's to see me enjoying it as well...oh - and to enjoy some shrimp himself!

I wish I would've taken a picture of my plate to share here, but I thought about it too late...so there was no evidence remaining.

I promise my letter to them doesn't just compliment the shrimp they served!

Thank you R&V for being such a big part of our lives!

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It is past my bedtime now, so I will wrap this up.

Watch out for a new Finnish Friday posting this week!

G'Night.