Mangos Mother

We have so many mangos falling from the trees.  I spent all last Saturday making jam.  This weekend I will make more.  And I have to say that it is one of the tastiest treats I've had in a long time.  It goes on ANYTHING and EVERYTHING.  Delicious.

Tomatoes Tomahtoes

I feel as if they're my 'babies'.  Except I guess I wouldn't eat my own.  But they are oh so delicious.  And we can't grow 'em fast enough.  Love these tomatoes.

Garden of earthly delights

Jordi has a new 'mistress', hi garden, and is he happy. It's a beautiful event eating lunch and having fresh tomatoes as a featured dish. He also grows mint and makes mint tea. And the first bright red strawberry is ready for plucking. Can't wait for the next group of tomatoes to be plucked.

Daniel cooks lunch!

What a treat!  Daniel cooked us all a lunch that was restaurant quality (and I'm not talking Appleby's).  It was spaghetti with garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese and plenty of olive oil.  All ingredients were super fresh (he went out and picked 'em himself).  How nice it was to:  1. not have to cook 2.  know that Daniel is really interested in good food.  Unlike his two sisters; Elisabet and Sophie, he really has always enjoyed helping me in the kitchen.  Fun being the beneficiaries of today's meal.  Hope he does it more often.

Stubernic

Last night Daniel performed, along with two others, a piece called Stubernic.  Although a very difficult piece they did a wonderful job.  It's on the Marimba (which I don't think I really ever had heard).  They had put in many hours of practice.

My Book Group

This is not necessarily a daily delight, more like a monthly delight, my book group.  I really do enjoy all of the women in my BG.  They are smart, thoughtful, kind and Democrats!  More and more I've come to realize that if my political views don't align with those with whom I am in contact not worth bickering over.  And it's best we aren't friends.  But for the most part I like ALL of my BG mates.  They pick intelligent books, read them, and we really do stick to discussing the book, most of the time.  Lucky me!

Fine Art of Healthcare program

Our program, at the University of Miami, which includes the incorporation of looking at art, with medical, nursing and physical therapy students, is taking off. On January 19th, we had a meeting, and we now have a student advisory committee ( one student from each graduate school). So included in the mix are deans, professors, museum educators and students. The consensus is that the program's strength is the inter- disciplinary component and the smal, group work. Students really like getting out of their stressful, clinical environment, coming into the museum, and participating in looking at and discussing art works.

Pedicures

The Torrent's girls: Sophie, Elisabet and Hope went for pedicures today. Fun. Then we stopped for a frozen yogurt. What a glorious day! I'm sad Elisabet goes back to school tomorrow. I will miss her. She's a delight, daily, to have around; thoughtful and funny, up for fun and curious about the world. What a joy and I feel so lucky to have three wonderful children. They are growing into adults I am looking forward to having as friends.

Cleo

Ah what could be better than a 65 degree, sunny, Florida morning and a walk with Cleo?!  Now that things have calmed a bit I am back to my routine of walking in the early am, with my faithful Golden Retriever.  She is truly man/woman's best friend.

Now I am ready to face the world.

Family

As crazy as our lives were,around the holiday, with lots and lots of family members flying into Miami and Jordi in the hospital twice, I can't say I would do it any other way. I don't know what I'd do without all of them! They have helped in times of trouble most of all by bringing laughter into our house. Laughter really is an unbelievable healer. And I am so fortunate to be surrounded by funny and smart people. 2012 is here and even tho the new year started with problems knowing I can count on the love and support has given me the boost needed to get through.