Three years ago today......

My brother, sister and I lost our mother, my son and my niece and nephew lost their grandmother to Ovarian cancer. Although she had been sick, her death was sudden and one of those situations where you get a middle of the night phone call. Not a memory I like to dwell on, but I am at a point where I can remember the good times before her illness.

I took the day off because I've not been able to the past couple of years and I want to go visit her at the cemetery. I'm meeting my aunt (her younger sister) whom I'm very close with, she's more like an older sister than an aunt and this time, we are also going to visit Grandpa Rick, Grandma Sylvia, Uncle John and Aunt Pat who are all there at the same cemetery. Afterward we're going to go out to lunch, something my mom loved to do!

After the boys left for work and school, I went up to the gym and did an hour of strength training and a bit of cardio.

On the iPod playlist today:
Rock the Nation - Montrose
Bless the Beast and the Children - The Carpenters
To Be A Lover - Billy Idol
A Call to Arms - Mike & The Mechanics
I am A Rock - Shaw/Blades
Click Click Boom - Saliva
Twos Side of Love - Sammy Hagar
Blurry - Puddle of Mudd
No Matter What - Badfinger
Eagles Fly - Sammy Hagar
Gotta Be Somebody - Nickelback
Home In My Hand - Foghat
My Last Breath - Evanescence

Once I got home, I wasn't sure what the weather was going to do, so I bit the bullet and planted the rhubarb that I've had for a couple of weeks. I LOVE rhubarb and in our old home, I had 4 plants behind our garage that were over 40 years old. I had rhubarb coming out my ears and would give a ton away as I'm the only one who likes it. Yesterday when I was at Hy-Vee, I purchased a Butterfly bush to plant next to the potting shed we have. I needed something to help hide the view of the big utility box at the back of the property, so since I was out there, I got it planted also.

I really need to rake out my "triangle garden", but that's NOT gonna happen today. Maybe next weekend.....

I wanted to share a recipe for some awesome appetizers that I made last week for my Silpada show (which BTW went very well....I was able to purchase a butt load of jewelry for FREE and my boys bought me a couple of things for Mother's Day)

Artichoke Crescents
1-14oz can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
2 Tbsp. chopped green onions
2 Tbsp. sour cream
2 tsp. grated parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. dried basil
1 garlic clove, minced
2-8oz. cans Crescent Dinner Rolls
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp. water
4 tsp. grated parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 375. Grease two cookie sheets.
In small bowl, combine artichoke hearts, green onions, sour cream, 2 tsp. parmesan cheese, basil and garlic. Set aside.

Separate crescent roll dough into 16 triangles. Cut each triangle in half lengthwise, to make 32 long triangles.

To make each appetizer, place about 1 teaspoon of the artichoke mixture on triangle. Fold shortest end of dough over filing; pinch edges together to seal completely enclosing filling. Roll to opposite point. Place point side down on cookie sheets. In small bowl, combine egg and water; brush on appetizers. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Bake at 375 for 8-12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

They are to die for....especially if you are fond of artichokes like I am.



Enjoy!