not this year’s class, but quite similar.

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“I’ve always loved the first day of school better than the last day of school.

firsts are best because they are beginnings.”

-jenny han

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image credit: neatorama.com

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Fragile forms waver

Spirit rooted deep in earth

Future in our hands

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Being a pampered kid from her childhood, Emma’s family never wanted her to live alone. Emma who is an ambitious girl, always dreamed of doing something unique. she wanted to explore new places and wanted to see her bestself.

Her parents who didn’t agree in the beginning to send her far, supported her in the end believing that she would achieve something great and gave her the freedom she always wished for.

She somehow managed to get her parents acceptance but its time for her to make a move and little did she know that Emma is gonna travel alone for the first time to a new place that she’s completely unaware of, numerous thoughts overflowed in her brain with anxiety, fear, and excitement. When she realized that she can’t do it even if she wanted to, because of the lack of courage she wept in tears while on the…

Though Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia are still in danger, Hurricane Dorian is officially crossing the state line and no longer menacing us here in central Florida! Hallelujah! I was beginning to think being stalked by a Deadly Turtle was the new normal. And I confess, I’m exhausted from all the preparations and the stress of not knowing for five long days whether we would take a hit or not. 

We did have some tropical storm force winds here during the night and throughout the morning, but let’s assess the damage, in comparison to what Irma did two years ago.

Here’s what Hurricane Irma left us on September 10, 2017:

Yes, our house is under there.

Another view, showing the size of the massive trunk of this tree.

The roof is lifted off the garage and the lintel is broken.

Top of the garage, with rafters poking up through the …

The kids went back to school a couple of weeks ago, Labor Day is in the rearview mirror,  and most of the country is starting to experience cooler temperatures, at least at night (although not yet in Houston, it is still hot as you know what, in case you were wondering).

All of the above are indications that summer is over.

As you start bringing in the patio furniture, pack up your white patent leather shoes, and gather up the Jarts scattered all over the lawn, it’s time to realize that you should not be in any hurry to drink the remaining rosé wines in your arsenal.

As I have said time and again, rosé has no season. In fact, along with sparkling wine, rosé wines in general are the most versitile of styles and can be paired with a variety of food. We often have at least a bottle…

Thank you, for your Attitude of Gratitude:

What may appear to be an inconvenience, might just be a wonderful opportunity for joy!

Affirmation:  I love it when a plan comes together!

 I love you, Annette Rochelle Aben

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Be Our Guest: Liptauer Cheese Spread! I love appetizers. Mostly because they give you permission to graze through a meal. Some say by eating smaller meals more frequently, it can lead to a longer, healthier life. So, around dinner time you could find me uncorking a bottle of nice red wine and nibbling on fruit, cheese, and crudités. This mellow cheese spread offers a blend of anchovy-stuffed green olives, sweet onions, salty capers, and spicy French Dijon mustard. Permission granted, my friends.

LIPTAUER CHEESE SPREAD

Ingredients:

8-ounce block of Neufchâtel cheese

1/2 cup unsalted butter

2 tablespoons Vidalia onion, finely chopped

12 anchovy-stuffed green olives, finely chopped

1 teaspoon French Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon imported capers, chopped

1 teaspoon caraway seed

1 teaspoon paprika

Instructions:

Combine softened Neufchâtel cheese and butter. Mix until smooth. Add Vidalia onion, anchovy-stuffed green olives, French Dijon mustard, imported capers…