Signs of Spring

I arrived back in San Diego on Monday and since then I've been too busy to think; we started demo on our third bathroom today, and Friday I'm teaching at Great News.....I finally waded through all the mail--1,234 catalogs and a few bills....does anyone write handwritten notes anymore??

While I was on the East Coast I realized that spring is coming to the DC and Pennsylvania area, and the transformation by Easter will be amazing.  These photos were taken near Rock Creek Park in DC.

The misty green is just starting to come through on the trees...it's been a long and hard winter.

I left DC for Carlisle, PA after seeing my Aunt Ele, who is 94 years old and going strong...I'm so fortunate to have the opportunity to visit with her when I'm on the road.

During the few days that I was in Pennsylvania, I was fascinated by this heron that was wading in the creek behind The Kitchen Shoppe.

Scared him off, but he was back the next day.

My yard is a riot of color compared to these photos, but it needs a bit of TLC before I start snapping photos!  Speaking of riots of color, here's the cover for my next book, due out this fall...I can't wait to get back on the road and teach students the joys of pressure cooking!

If It's Friday..........

Washington, DC and a government shutdown that is looming over everyone in this country; if it weren't for the fact I'm going to have lunch with my 95+ year old aunt and a cousin, I probably would forego  the visit---the diatribe around this shutdown has made me physically ill.
I grew up around here, and when I deplane, many times it feels like home..my Dad was in the Navy and we moved every two years...tough on kids, and parents to make new friends every few years, but we spent happy times here with my parents together (Dad worked at a desk instead of commanding a ship) and family living close by.

Aunt Ele with Ethel her nurse (we LOVE Ethel!)

Aunt Ele lives in an assisted living facility for military officers and their widows-( and no, it's not government funded, otherwise, there will be no free lunch!)  I've decided that I am not getting old because the food in this facility is pretty bad-I'm not a food snob--I know that cooking for large groups is difficult, but it can be made better--I've seen it happen, but in the 15+ years she has been at this place,I know my sodium intake will be in the stratosphere when I leave!  That said, she's got stories to tell and opinions on every subject, and I am so glad to know I still have her in my life.  If you haven't asked your mom or dad, uncles or aunts their story, trust me, your life will be richer because of it.

If it's Friday it means I'm teaching at The Kitchen Shoppe in Carlisle, PA, tonight---I'll be there all weekend, ending on Sunday night with a benefit class for the Harrisburg Symphony.  I'll try and post some more over the weekend but hope you enjoy your weekend, I know I will.