I will love and remember you forever.

You can shed tears that she is gone

Or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her

Or you can be full of the love that you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she is gone

Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,

Or you can do what she would want, smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

My Vegetable Garden

Tucson

Miles' trip to California Academy of Science

We had quite an adventure in 2008 with plenty of ups and downs. I had a wonderful and challenging year at school. I taught a small English literature discussion group and had two of my poems selected for the school literary journal. Summer was a lot of fun as well. While I attended a writer's workshop, Miles and Aaron took a "boy's vacation" to the Bay Area and the beach in Santa Cruz. It was hard to be away from them for 2 weeks but I learned a lot. We are so lucky to be near our family and closest friends. Miles is growing up with a lot of great people around him. Hopefully in the near future he will get to see some of you! 2009 will be a year with a lot of new and exciting events: kindergarten for Miles, graduation for me and a new job for Aaron (hopefully soon!).
We're hoping that 2009 brings all of us joy, change for the better and new opportunities to grow. Here's a slideshow with highlights from our year. I'll be posting another with Christmas photos.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Our Christmas Tree Hunt

My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe

I make this recipe almost every Thanksgiving, in addition to trying new recipe. Cranberry sauce can be really boring, especially that "canned stuff". This one has a lot of flavor. I made it one year when I went home for Thanksgiving . The family was a little sceptical at first, having had only the "canned stuff". Louise(Effie) liked it so much I gave her the recipe. So if you are looking for a way to spice up your meal. Try it!!

SPICY CRANBERRY SAUCE

1 BAG FRESH OR FROZEN CRANBERRIES (12OZ)
2/3 CUP CIDER VINEGAR
1 TBS GRATED ORANGE PEELS
2 CUPS SUGAR
1/3 CUP ORANGE JUICE
1 TSP GROUND CINNAMOM
3/4 TSP GRD ALLSPICE
1/4 TSP GRD CLOVES

PICK. RINSE, AND DRAIN CRANBERRIES. IN A 4 QT PAN COMBINE CRANBERRIES, VINEGAR, ORANGE PEELS, ORANGE JUICE, SUGAR, CINNAMON, ALLSPICE, AND CLOVES. BRING TO A BOIL ON HIGH HEAT, REDUCE HEAT AND SIMMER GENTLY STIRRING OFTEN, UNTIL REDUCED TO ABOUT 3 1/2 CUPS. 30 - 45 MINUTES . AS SAUCE THICKENS REDUCE HEAT AND STIR MORE OFTEN TO PREVENT STICKING. LET COOL, THEN COVER AND CHILL FOR UP TO THREE WEEKS OR FREEZE FOR LONGER STORAGE.


This year I'm trying Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce.

Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce.
1 lb fresh cranberries(picked over & rinsed)
2 cups of sugar (2 seemed like a lot of sugar so I only used 1 1/2)
1/2 cup water
Finely grated zest of 1 orange
1/2 cup fresh orange (I used the juice of the orange above)
2 tablespoons finely minced fresh ginger

Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries pop open, about 10 minutes
Let cool
Refrigerate, covered, for up to 2 months.
Freezes well.

Please post comments if you try one of these recipes. Also post your favorite recipe.