Live, Love, Laugh

To every thing there is a season ... I am in the season of youth theatre. 52 children ages 9-18, 52 egos, 52 expectations, 52 students counting lines. 40 students who think their line count is deficient. Stage whispers, parent meetings, phone calls, casting woes, Victorian phrases, fish and chips, Dickens and my foodie life has moved over to accommodate them.
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I am setting a schedule; I surreptitiously visit you when I can and am called away before commenting can happen. I'm making a list and checking it twice and will hover and knock on your door and sing back to you when the needs of the young calm down.
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In the midst of theatrical mayhem, my wonderful, terrific, loving family from North Carolina came to visit. Meals for fourteen! Mayhem! Laughter and healing.

My father is battling an illness. He is a private man so I do not wish to expose his challenges on the World Wide Web - but you need to know to have his brother & Company up for a week was better than medicine.

A lot of laughing went on and a lot of cooking, too.

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No sooner did the North Carolina contingent pack their bags and head south, than we here in Minnesota started packing Matthew's bags - to move him to his grad school apartment in North Dakota. Bittersweet, poignant, full of promise, filled with excitement and three flights up. The apartment quickly reminded me of home. Oh! That's because he has our furniture!

And I christened the new apartment with zucchini and mushrooms braised with wine and mixed in with fettuccine... and a bit of garlic (that's a given) and some thyme.

And through theatrical chaos, welcoming visitors and moving my first born, I made sure there was sweetness all around.

Mixed berry gelato...

And black forest mousse...

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May all of your life's challenges also be tinged with sweetness.