Shenandoah National Park

 We just returned from a short vacation to Massanutten, Va!
Time flew by and I had such a wonderful time being with my kids. 
It's memories of time spent together that mean so much to me.

Have Yourself A Merry Everything! Part two.... There for each other

 

It's been a busy time for me...but then isn't that the way this season is?

And it's over in what seems like a minute! All the preparation, wrapping, shopping,

cards, visits, lists, shipping, baking, cooking - POOF!

Big trash bags of garbage ready to go out filled with balled up wrapping paper and loads of tissue paper. Stacks of washed dishes for meals that were made with love and memory filled. Coffee ready, pies laid out on the table, kids playing with their new toys.

My family holiday is a little different but different can be totally cool too!

My son Matt and his girlfriend Connie are on vacation in Thailand . They've taught kindergarten in a private school in Korea for two years and are finally coming home in Feb.. My older son Todd and his wife Ravy live in Annapolis. Her parents, from Cambodia, just moved here too. My parents are in Florida. Cousins at the Jersey shore.

Here is a photo list of our little family holiday...

the National Christmas tree in Washing D.C.

 

Annapolis Holiday Lights on the Bay

downtown Annapolis stores decked out

home-made stromboli for Christmas eve

smoked salmon and trout 

caught and wood smoke by a friend  

Spinach and cheese stuffed pork loin 

my son Todd made potato pancakes 

Ravy's fav Black Forest Chocolate Torte

So we have a small, scattered family, 

but boy can we cook!

****

Oh, Come All Ye Faithful!

Happy Holidays!

12/27/11

update....ready to drive home from my son's in Annapolis

have eaten Cambodian food, snacks, cookies, pistachios, a roast,

cakes, cereal, treats, slept, napped, watched videos and shows,

visited and called friends and family

a chill and overindulgent holiday

best kind

get a call from my son that his mother in law's been in a car accident

I'm home with her father in law who doesn't speak English...

we meet everyone in the ER -

minor injuries thank God -

lots of translating, green cards, passports...

I'm staying over again....

a must have for post stress relief....

Yummo = stress relievers

Todd and Ravy

see...it worked...we're distressed

Pondering The Essence Of Friendship

Today was a day off from both my jobs. A much needed

day of rest. It was a day of wearing a flannel nightgown.

I emailed friends that I hadn't spoken to. Sent out a few "thinking of you cards". Watched "Law and Order". Talked on the phone. 

Looked at old and new photos.

I thought a lot about the relationship of girlfriends ...

a very serious subject and I smiled.

My friend Beth and I grew up in the same home town before kindergarten

and have stayed in touch through the years - we each have 2 kids.

 Many moons ago she moved to Florida. Miles don't matter.

      I see friendships that amaze me. They bring me such joy.

I have younger cousins that are so close they have been like sisters

since birth. They skype, they sleep over, they text...

it is a sight to see. My cousin Linda has always been my sister - we simply mesh, crack each other up

and are as different as night and day in many ways.

 We're first cousins.

She has clued me in to what a strong woman

I am and that the Mondelli woman are survivors.

By listening, laughing, sharing and

most of all being a living example.

Woman have the talent of picking up where they left off.

Be it a move, a busy family life, life crisis, health concerns,

career pulls, divorce  - we're just there for each other aren't we?

There for each other.

And if you're especially blessed, as I have been -

you have a best friend like I do. Pauline and I have been friends since

1st Grade.

YUP.

We grew up together in NJ. Went through homework sharing, bikinis,

swimming, boys, the Rolling Stones, concerts,

Cat Stevens, the Hippie era, high school, first cars, first jobs,

first kids, long hair, short hair, car pools, Tupperware,

Pampered Chef, craft business, summer cookouts, back yard sun bathing,

Jersey shore, teenagers, my first husband, parents aging, surgeries,

wine tasting, our children's weddings, my cancer, her move, my move....

You Get It!

So today I was thinking

about girlfriends....

how we can talk to each

other when our day has been bleak

or when we want to share a joyful moment.

I had a terrifc day off because I thought of all the special

times I've shared and witnessed with the

very special women in my world.

hugs and kisses, jenn

Lifetime Achievement = A Healthy Heart!

As you know, I work in the Nurse's Office of a High School... we have a Child Development Class and their lead teacher asked if the little ones could come and visit us, look around and hear a little bit about how their hearts work becasue it's Heart Awareness Month...

They walked in following each other in a line, cautious and quiet. We looked at a posters of the human heart, talked about it and everyone got to listen to their own heart beat with a stethoscope... ba bump ba bump.

early education!

I also asked my teens what subject they wanted my next bullentin board design to be and they said "Smoking" so it is titled

"Trash The Ash!"

this is my poster girl

                                                                    my statements
Here are a few ideas for everyone:

Having trouble getting started? Try positive statements such as these:

"I can get help if I need it."
"We can work it out."
"I won't let this problem get me down."
"Things could be worse."
"I'm human, and we all make mistakes."
"Some day I'll laugh about this."
"I can deal with this situation when I feel better."
Remember: Positive self-talk helps you relieve stress and deal with the situations that cause you stress.
                                                               Low Calorie Lady-finger Tiramisu
If you're a fan of the classic Italian dessert Tiramisu, try this quick, lower-calorie variation the next time you need a dessert in a hurry. Both types of ladyfingers—spongy and crunchy—works well.

6 servings
Active Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup nonfat ricotta cheese, (4 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 12 ladyfingers, (about 1 3/4 ounces)
• 4 tablespoons brewed espresso, or strong coffee, divided
• 2 tablespoons bittersweet chocolate chips, melted (see Tip)

Preparation:
• Combine ricotta, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon in a medium bowl until creamy.
• Place 6 ladyfingers in a 9-by-5-inch (or similar size) loaf pan. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons espresso (or coffee). Spread the ricotta mixture over the ladyfingers. Place another layer of ladyfingers over the ricotta and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons espresso (or coffee). Drizzle with melted chocolate. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.

Total Time: 45 minutes

• Tip: To melt chocolate: Microwave on Medium for 1 minute. Stir, then continue microwaving on Medium in 20-second intervals until melted, stirring after each interval. Or place in the top of a double boiler over hot, but not boiling, water. Stir until melted.

XXXOOOXXXOOO

Love, Jennifer       

Cheers To A New Year.... My Wishes For You

 Cheers To A New Year, Another Chance 

To Get It Right

                                                                        Oprah Winfrey

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR WISHES TO

MY SON MATT 

HIS SPECIAL LADY CONNIE

 BLESSINGS TO TODD AND RAVY

 A YEAR OF MARRIAGE

A  WEDDING IN CALIFORNIA

A BEAUTIFUL BRIDE 

FAMILY LOVING FAMILY

HAPPINESS

BIRTHDAYS - POOL PARTIES - PICNICS

THE SUMMER - THE OCEAN - GATHERINGS

CHANGE - BLESSINGS - STRENGTH

HAPPY NEW YEAR BABY!

MY WISHES FOR YOU ARE THAT YOU TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF, 

YOU HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO THINK OF OTHERS, 

YOU SPEND TIME  WITH THE ONES YOU CHERISH AND MOST OF ALL...

YOU FEEL GOD'S PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE AND TREASURE IT.

rest up...from all the celebrating