Have You Seen This Child?

Heart Strings...

A Letter To My Grandmother On The Occasion Of Her 90th Birthday...

Happy, happy birthday to my Grandmoma, my Granny Hot-Rod, my Grommie and my friend. Throughout my life you have been a constant source of support and an inspiration. I was your first Grandchild - and a girl for you to love after raising all those boys! Our heart strings were immediately tied to one another.

My life has been filled with fabulous Grandmoma times - trips to Seven Seas, Lion Country Safari and Six Flags. Waking up all snug and happy at your house on summer mornings to a special breakfast of fried eggs, sausage patties and your fabulous “homemade chocolate milk”. And oh how I loved sharing “eskimo kisses” with you! Those lazy summer days we spent in Granbury with Ma Maw and Pa Paw playing on the lake, swimming and fishing. Being a kid with you was fun!

Then I became a teen-ager and even though I was a silly young-girl you always listened to me and treated me as if whatever drama was going on in my life at the time was important.

I am so thankful for the time time we spent together in Haltom City after Jim’s accident. As difficult as that time was it gave us the opportunity to to share our hearts with one another in a way we never had before. I can remember sitting in the living room sharing stories of joy and heartbreak and getting to know you through the eyes of a adult rather those of a child. That experience brought us even closer and made even stronger ties in our heart strings.

And, of course, let’s not forget a few years later when you took, not only me, but my shaggy dog in to your home. You not only fed and cared for both of us but loved us when we were often very difficult to love. During that time I experienced a broken heart and you supported me, shared my tears and helped me heal.

The years since then have passed so quickly. As a family we have celebrated new lives and been forced to say goodbye as other lives have ended. We have experienced incredible joy and unthinkable sorrow along the way and through it all our heart strings remain firmly bound to one another. For this I say thank you. Thank you for loving me and for allowing me to share this special bond with you. The influence your love has had on my life lives firmly inside my heart - as does my love for you.

Merry Christmas To All...

To Satisfy A Craving...

Last week I got to craving Chicken and Rice soup - and not just any Chicken and Rice soup but THE VERY BEST Chicken and Rice soup I have ever eaten (do I sound like I'm auditioning for Food Network's "The Best Thing I've Ever Eaten" or what?!).

Well, unfortunately, THE VERY BEST Chicken and Rice soup I've ever eaten is prepared in a small restaurant south of the border and I won't have the culinary pleasure of crossing its threshold for a while.

So, what's a girl to do? Go recipe hunting of course! And folks, I've got to tell you, this stuff is pretty dang close to perfect. Absolute comfort food with zing!

Spicy Chicken Rice Soup

4 cups chicken broth
2 cups cubed, cooked chicken
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/3 cup uncooked long grain rice
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro or parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2/ teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until rice and vegetables are tender.

**If you really like spice I recommend you stir in a small amount of finely chopped Habanero pepper (this pepper is VERY hot so use sparingly) and top with shredded Jack cheese.

Pure Joy...

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