Bleeding Espresso

Yes my niece and nephew were born just a week (and three years) apart, so that meant combined birthday parties in their younger days. I’ve been in the reminiscing mood lately, thinking about those fun family times, and I remembered that I actually had some photos stored on the computer.

I thought it was about time to get them up on Flickr, and since I know my niece takes after her Aunt Shell in loving to look at family photos, I’ll share them here too for her birthday today.

This is the three of us at their 2002 birthday party:

And here is Mia with my mom, her Nana, around the same time:

Definitely one of my favorite photos of all time.

And these are all from the last time I was home between February and June 2004, during which we played around with the webcam quite a bit:

Happy Birthday Mia!

I hope to be there for more eskimo kisses and fishy faces very soon.

Happy Love Thursday everyone!

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My nephew turns 12 years old today, and I have no idea how that happened. I mean, I remember the day he was born like it was yesterday–in fact, you can read about it here–but where has the time gone? And how the heck did he get to be taller than me (not that it takes much since I’m a whopping 5′2″)?

So once again I am missing a birthday, and I’m feeling sad about that, but, cheesy as it is, whenever I feel particularly far away from my loved ones, I go outside, look up and really am comforted knowing “we’re sleeping underneath the same big sky.”

Thank you Fievel, and happy, happy birthday Michael!

I miss you more than you could ever know.

Happy Love Thursday everyone!

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My grandfather was reportedly always a gruff, crotchety man; I think that’s because he was saving that soft spot in his heart for my arrival. He had other grandchildren, but anyone in my family will tell you that there was just something different about him when I was around.

I don’t know what I did to deserve such a special love from my Pap Pap, but since he passed away 10 years ago this summer, I’ve thought about him every single day, doing my best to keep his voice alive in my head, to remember his smell, to envision that scowl.

And I always, always wake up with a smile and a tear after he has visited me in my dreams.

I snapped this photo the other day as I was waiting for the bus after having enjoyed my gelato:

There are few things in the world that give me warm fuzzies like seeing a little girl with her grandfather.

Happy Love Thursday everyone!

Do you have special memories with your grandfather?

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You all know that I love espresso (duh), but the way I love it most is actually in cappuccino.

I haven’t been enjoying *too* many of these lately because of the hot weather, but for me, anytime is a great time for a capp’, so here’s how I make mine at home–without a fancy machine. And here’s another way if you’re into those new fangled blenders and whatnot: At-Home Cappuccino.

So, I brew a pot of espresso, and in the meantime add sugar to the cup:

I put a small pot of milk on the stove to heat, and when it’s steaming hot, I whisk the milk to make foam.

Then I pour some espresso into the cup (as much as I need/can handle!), stir well to mix in the sugar and then pour in the foam:

Then I give it another stir for good measure, remove the spoon and marvel at just how much I love cappuccino.

Happy Love Thursday everyone!

What food or drink says LOVE to you?

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You don’t have to take me on a trip around the world to make me happy; an afternoon in the garden with my P and my pooches will do just fine thankyouverymuch.

You’ve seen the girls playing in the greenery, and well they weren’t the only ones to enjoy the day. P was, for the most part, working, but I was busy snapping photos.

Some of my sexy worker bee, here with some sort of ghost hovering:

Admiring his work:

Taking a rest:

Giving Luna petties:

And then he begged me to stop:

But not before I got one of the two of us (minus some of his head–oops!):

Happy Love Thursday everyone!

I wish you many carefree afternoons with your loved ones.

P.S. I suppose the secret is out by now that I really don’t wear makeup all that often. Hope you’re not offended. Although it’s a bit catty and not at all in the Love Thursday spirit to point you to photos of celebrities without makeup, I’m doing it anyway: Caught without makeup. Enjoy!

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