Azoresgal~Life on an Island

                                                                                           “A mother is a person who seeing there are only 4 pieces of pie for 5 people… announces she never did care for pie” -Tenneva Jordan.

"When a child gives you a gift, even if it is a rock they just picked up, exude gratitude. It might be the only thing they have to give, and they have chosen to give it to you."  -- Dean Jackson

Please be gentle with me, the next few days are always so very cold and grey, and  hard to get through. Please be kind with your words, they have the power to open all my wounds once again. Please don´t be angry with me, if I don't answer the phone, I just need to be alone right now. Please don't ask me not to cry, I need to cry, every tear helps to soothe my pain. Please let me rest, I am tired, it has been such a long journey, and I still have miles to go. Please don't rush me, there is no time frame for grief, I must heal at my own pace.  Please understand, I miss Emma, it's her birthday, and she isn't here with us. Please don't be upset if I go quiet, you see, in my head there is so much noise. Please forgive me if I seem distant, I am lost in my thoughts. Please don´t be frustrated with my sadness, it comes in waves. Like I have been dragged to sea and I just have to keep swimming, and when I can no longer swim, I just have to float, and let the sadness was...

Ohhhhhhhhh... it  has been so hot and muggy on our little island ! We have been keeping cool, the best ways we know, staying in the pool and sipping on these slushies ! 1 cup water ( or 7up or sprite ) 1/3 to 1/2 cup sweetened "powder" drink mix ( tang, kool-aid..etc ) 4 cups ice Place 1 cup water, 1/2cup  ( more or less)  of your favorite flavored  powder drink mix, and 1 cup ice cubes in a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth. Add additional 3 cups ice cubes; cover. Blend using pulsing action, until smooth. Serve immediately. Store leftover slush in the freezer.

"theres no tragedy in life like the death of a child.Things never get back to the way they were." D. Eisenhower I could not sleep last night, I had a song stuck in my head, that kept playing over and over. As a mother my heart is heavy, our little island yesterday, woke up to some very sad news. A young boy had died, at the tender age of 13, suicide. Sweet child, what would lead you to such a decision. I know this child's mother, our pathes have crossed over the years. My husband worked with her for sometime years ago. I have hugged this mother once before, to comfort her, as she cried over the loss of a baby, somthing I knew all to well.  For months all we did was cry everytime we saw each other while we hugged. This time, I ache for her, as if somehow, I know that all the hugs in the world, will never mend her together, ever again. I pray , with time, she will, mend.  As I helped my children into their beds last night, with our usually hugs and kisses, I...

That was my 12 year old son, a couple of days ago. He asked me if he could cook something, to which I said "yes". I asked if he knew what he wanted to make, he said he already had a recipe picked out !! So from one of my books, we put a shopping list together. We went to the market, and bought what he needed, the only thing we did not get was parmsean cheese. "Mom, I really wanted the real kind".  I told him next time, I am sure the market would have some. So home we went, and the cooking began. He chose a pasta dish, with bacon, peas, and cheese. I have to say, he did a wonderful job, and his dish was delicious! I am a proud mumma :) he even set up this shot get your pasta cooking first chopping onions "finely" ;) into the pot sauté onions and bacon, in a bit of olive oil drain the pasta, add to the bacon and onions add the sweet peas add in a knob of butter add in the parmesan cheese chopping parsley add in ...

Every year the same question, from all three of my children. And every year I respond, "well what kind of a cake do you want"?. They then preceed to pick and choose over various themes they fancy until deciding upon, the cake for their party. Simon, our now six year old, decided months ago, that his cake this year, just had to be Batman ! Now I must confess every year, after, I finish baking their cakes in very, hot, humid weather, I always swear,  I will  buy a cake next year !. That of course never happens, because, they look at me with their big brown eyes, and say " mom, your the best, I love my cake, thank.you "! If I am honest, baking their cakes, is a labor of love, and to see their excitement when they see the finished product, makes it all worth while. xo,Diana

Where has the time gone, my littlest Simon. Today you turn six, seems like only yesterday, exactly on a Saturday, you were born. I am oh so very proud to be your mumma, you are a joy to be around. I wish you all the best today, and always. Love you forever, till the moon and stars ! xo,Diana