And the Winner is.....

So, today there is a little sad news I need to write about first, so I hope that you will allow me this moment. 
My oldest daughter's husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer over a year ago.  Unfortunately, it quickly went to his bones.  He was 63 at the time of diagnosis.  Nearly two weeks ago, he was moved to my daughter and son-in-law's home where they cared for him with hospice assistance since he could no longer be alone. 

This morning at 7:15 a.m., I received a phone call from my daughter telling me that he had passed away....with his son lying at his side, since my son-in-law slept with him last night, not wanting his father to be alone.

What a loving and giving thing the two of them did for this wonderful and quiet man....so on this first full day of Spring.....let your hearts be full of love and light....let you feel the blessings of all that you have, and may you honor each other with beautiful thoughts and gratitude. 

                             And....now for our winner:  Congratulations Gert!!!

I will be contacting you to get your wonderful calendar to you....Thank you to everyone who left a comment AND signed up to follow me.....I really appreciate it!

                                    Blessings and Love to each of YOU!!!
                                                                        xoxo

Are you following??

Just a quick announcement that you have to be a FOLLOWER to be in the drawing.  A random drawing will choose the winner from the people who posted AND are signed up as followers.  I will announce the winner on Wednesday.....thank you all!!

Susan Branch calendar

I have a little surprise for YOU!!!!

I have found a Susan Branch 12X12 wall calendar....yes, it's 2012, so if YOU have not gotten one, here's your chance to get one for FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's what you have to do:

1.  Subscribe to my blog

2.  Leave me a comment

3.  I will announce the winner next week and then I'll mail it out to you!!!! 

IS THAT EXCITING or what?    YES IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so come join me....it will be FUN! 

We'll get REAL together!

xo

Joann

so, here's a little enticement for you....go visit Susan's website at
SUSAN BRANCH

and see if you don't agree how CUTE everything is.....
and then come back and sign up for a
FREE CALENDAR

Please note:  I purchased this calendar myself.  I am not affiliated with susanbranch.com.
I just know how many people didn't get one and I found one...

so it's from ME to YOU!!!

OK....subscribe and leave me a comment so I can send the lucky winner the calendar!

Desserts and Celebrations

Every Friday, I bake something sweet for my youngest daughter's 'Food Friday.'  I've been on a decadent, delightful discovery of new recipes.....it allows me to create things I can't eat myself....then they get lovingly packaged up and delivered to my daughter's door on Thursday evenings and she takes them into the vet hospital on Friday and they get devoured....and I get feedback....and I LOVE IT!

 

a French layer cake with pastry cream, fresh berries, whipped cream and fruit compote

dusted with lavender sugar and confectioner's sugar

just a bit indulgent

 But, as her graduation in May draws nearer, there are 'smaller' celebrations and this past Friday, she was notified of her acceptance to UC Davis, along with an offer letter of money to help with tuition.  As a veterinarian, she wants to continue her education and get her PhD.  She wants to teach veterinarian students in the years ahead.....and her long range goal is finding solutions to diseases which impact animals as well as humans.... 

So, I invited her, her husband, my middle daughter and her boyfriend to dinner on Saturday evening to celebrate.

The table getting set last evening prior to everyone's arrival....

I made broiled salmon, an Indian dish of chicken, potatoes, cilantro and a masala sauce with onions and lots of spice....I also made a french pea dish that was awesome....I will share the recipe for it at the end.  I recently took a french cooking class and it was taught there.....I made several desserts as well.

 The 3 berry tart with apricot glaze and an almond flour crust

 The raspberry charlotte.....

the banana on the table is a bit of a 'joke' as my middle daughter's boyfriend HATES bananas...

 We stayed up until 2 am.....talking, laughing, eating leftovers....such fun!!!  I love my family so much....I am so blessed!!

coffee, tea, and dessert after dinner....all smiles

 And, I had ordered a UC Davis vet hospital t-shirt and put it on a large bear we have at the house.....after dinner, I surprised Amanda with it....I think she loved it!!!

and the surprise BEAR wearing a UC Davis Vet Hospital t-shirt

bittersweet to see her move far away........oh my.......but also so unbelievably proud! xoxo