Busy As a Bee....Some Angels For You!

I'm doing swimmingly well..

My knee surgery went extremely well! So while I'm on leave recovering, I wanted to have a day to work on card orders, sit and organize, wrap, organize more....not easy when you're not easy when you're supposed to Take It Easy! But as I rested it took not of angels on line and wanted to share some of the beauty and various styles with you.

 I hope you enjoyed my selection....enjoy the weekend. Jenn

HE will give his angels charge of you

to guard you in all your ways.

On their hands they will bear you up,

lest you dash your foot against a stone.

BIBLE,  Psalms 91: 11-12

Thankful for Gatherings and Much More!

Feathers make me think of friends I've lost, little blessings

and make me smile. They have this ethereal nature that seems to connect me to many ideas. Because of this, I've decided to use them as my Thanksgiving theme for this year.

So here I'll begin my thoughts

on gratefulness journal...

• the joy of moms and grand moms going to movies with their little ones
• praying anywhere I choose
• Hospice and their caregivers
• prayers for our troops and their families

• new babies
• caring for our elderly
• helping the homeless
• church

• making a new friend
• loving an old one
• holding hands
• loving my job

• my sons
• my family
• the ability to laugh and cry, then laugh again
• to stop, listen and care

It might sound very simple to you when I list what I view as my blessings.

This last year has been a rough road in many ways. I've learned a lot,

adjusted a lot, moved twice, had health issues, began a new job, made friends,

become closer to God, read many a book, seen new places... learned who truly cares, who always has,

have become a better friend and Mom, realized I make mistakes and always will, have learned meditation and prayer, listening is very powerful and I am a novice at it. My sons are wise and I have a great deal to learn from them. God is always holding me in HIS hands. I have dear friends that ride their roller coasters and mine. I have a huge sense of humor. It's OK to cry. Everyone has a story to tell, a gift of themselves to share. I am so very thankful for this Life. Jenn

Happy Thanksgiving...

there is no one else like YOU!

I'll Stand By You - Continued Prayers for Japan

If one prayer was a red balloon... sending hope towards Japan...

imagine what more than one could do?

two prayers, two thoughts,

kind words...

their world is in turmoil

donations are still needed

so be it red color - blue color,

yellow color, green...

whatever your wishes .... just send them off with love

wouldn't you want someone to pray for you today?

you can make a difference

we can make a huge difference!

Not Just Any Day At The Beach ... Recipes, Family and Summer NJ Style!

    hot news, hot grill and ME going on and on..

I'm always looking for new recipes for the grill. Something light. Don't get me wrong...coming from an Italian family - we're big on sausage, peppers and onions, lots of garlic, LOTS of garlic. Pasta, bread. Fresh crunchy crust bread. In fact the best bagels I've ever had are in New Jersey . They have a French Toast bagel that is....well it's yummo and not listed in the calorie counter book. I'm sure it's several days of Weight Watcher points. Holy Canoli! So, moving right along....

I've seen several recipes for Shrimp Skewers that sounded delish. Lemon wedges in between those garlic marinated plump babies along with red onions. Lime marinated sea creatures ready to be inhaled after you have roasted them with avocado wrapped pancetta. Ohhh Mama Leone! Slices of bread ready to sop up the juices. Yes... bellas SOP!
                
You Will Need

1/2 fresh pineapple, trimmed and cut into 1-inch chunks
3 medium nectarines, cut into 1-inch chunks

3 medium pears, cut into 1-inch chunks

3 medium fresh peaches, cut into 1-inch chunks

3 to 4 medium plums, cut into 1-inch chunks

10 apricots, halved

3 tablespoons honey or light corn syrup, warmed

What to Do
1. Thread fruit alternately onto metal or soaked bamboo skewers.

2. Grill, uncovered, over medium-hot heat until fruit is heated through, about 6 minutes, turning often. Brush with honey or corn syrup during the last minute of grilling time.

Serves 6

From Taste of Home Backyard Grilling

or...

How to make Grilled Fruit Skewers
1. Soak the skewers in cold water for 30 minutes.
2. Prepare a charcoal grill to medium heat.
3. Start threading the fruit onto the skewers,
beginning with strawberries, then pineapple,
then papaya, and mango. Continue alternating among the four.
 4. Grill the fruit, turning as necessary, for about 6-8 minutes.
 Grill time will vary depending on ripeness of fruit.
5. Remove the skewers from the grill and serve over scoops of Butter Pecan Ice Cream.
Ingredients
skewers
1 container large strawberries, cleaned
2 mangos, peeled and seeded
1/2 large papaya, peeled and seeded
1/2 pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into even pieces
1 carton Butter Pecan Ice Cream

I'm an only child. When I was little I used to pretend I had 9 brothers and sisters. In fact, I used to tell people I had 9 brothers and sisters when I would first meet them. I think of was about 7. Then my mom would call and say "Can you please send Jennifer home, she's an

only child and I am a little protective of her." Awww Mooommm! But when I was with my cousins ... that Big loving family with the open door policy - heaven.

Two Grandmas lived there always.

Friends could stay over, friends could move in.

When I would ask if there was enough dinner for me to stay, my cousin Linda 

 would say "if we can feed 8, why can't we feed 1 more?".  So when I drive up from Maryland to be with the Mondelli's ... it's not about

romance

it's about.... family        
9:32 am doctor called blood work fine - ct scan clear - 1 year cancer free
thank you with all my heart for your prayers  Jennifer