Soft Star

Every year we buy Aden a new pair of "indoor shoes" for school. These are customly made for his feet and are either suede or smooth leather and he can pick the colors/design that he would like. This year was no exception, below is a picture of Aden in his 2008/2009 Soft Stars.

Then I wrote and told them about sweet Arianna and they custom made a pair for her and gave them as a gift! She wore them soon after she was able to be up and walk around the hospital floors. Thank you Soft star Elves! See picture below.

The weekend!

I was given a suite to the Ring Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus this weekend. We had a great group with us and Aden and his buddies had a fabulous time! There was all you can eat popcorn and hotdogs! By far, this was the best circus I have ever seen and the children were mesmorized!

Another family to keep in your thoughts and prayers

The support group that I help run has been in existence for 1 year now and thriving with active members and group of moms that would do anything for anybody. Our first meeting consisted of 6 women, one of them a pregnant mom, Kira, who is a 25-year-old woman with CHD. She was born with Coarctation of the Aorta and had a couple surgeries when she was younger. She then married and became pregnant with Baby Ross who has HLHS and has had his first two surgeries. During all of this Kira found out she had a aortic aneurysm that needed to be removed and last Friday had it done at Stanford by Dr. Hanley. That night she had a massive stroke and has alot of hard work in front of her.

Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.

Food again...this time out with girlfriends!

Can I make you hungry again?

This is what we had: Family Style:

Ahi Tuna Poke (one word...YUM!)
Mediterranean Chicken Salad
Pasta dish with chicken, sun dried tomatoes and goat cheese

Pomegranete Martini's and Ice Tea and two wonderful friends, Andrea and Bahar at the 33rd st Bistro!

PS: When Bahar's daughter gets out of the hospital it is time to start looking for houses in Sac!

Michael Phelps at an early age

Cute!

Let's get back to food.......

First, If you are looking for the bracelet auction, go here.

Blogless Jill, AKA, my neighbor brought us the most delicious tomatoes grown from their own back yard. I really didn't belive that tomatoes, such as these, could be grown in Sacramento. Only I would get excited about a tomato but they were so delicious that I wouldn't dream of cooking them so into a salad they went as the main ingredient! Jill, I would take your home grown veggies anytime!

I also learned a secret to caramelizing onions, starting on a high heat with a little kosher salt and then turning down the heat and adding little bits of water for about 1/2 hour makes the most delicious onions ever known.

Sunday was our Labor Day as Carl worked yesterday. We marinated 2 tri-tips for 48 hours teryaki/red wine marinade and smoked them on a charcoal grill with almond and apricot. Mouth watering delic!

Every Fall I have a treat that I make for my family and friends. It is hugely popular and I always seem to be "re-filling" containers. The treat is candied walnuts but I have a secret ingredient that makes this snack highly addicitive, if you can guess what it is, you will get the first jar of them!

Alexia has been back at school for about 1 week now and Aden starts second grade tomorrow at the most wonderful school! The days are a little longer for him and we also have another girl in our class which will be nice.