June Re-Cap

I have been fortunate to be very busy making rosaries.  As school came to a close I was able to make quite a few teacher gifts. I also made this wedding rosary set.  The rosary at the top is for the groom and made with blue tiger eye.  The brides rosary is made with pearl and Czech crystals.  The other rosaries were requests for teachers gifts.  They all turned out nice.  I was happy I was able to make them. 

Hope and a sandwich!

These days have been difficult as my parents transition to their new living arrangements.  I have been overcome with sadness and guilt as I try do what is best for them.  They are adjusting and I have noticed that they are enjoying some of the activities.  Best of all they are getting the care they so desperately needed.  Three good meals, medicines being managed and help with all the daily living activities.  I feel more at ease knowing that they are safe and being well cared for.  I have prayed and prayed as I have been on this journey with them.  So today I feel hopeful for the first time in quite awhile. 

I promised you a sandwich and here it is.  I made this a while back and have been meaning to post about it.  It is a grilled chicken and red pepper jam panini.  Boy was it delish!  I used my handy dandy grill pan and grilled a flatten chicken breast that I seasoned with salt and pepper and oregano.  Then I placed the chicken breast on foccacia bread that I brushed with oil and added a slice of fontina cheese on top of the chicken.  I then topped if off with some Earth and Vine roasted red  bell pepper and ancho chili jam.    I grilled the sandwich in my panini press and voila a fantastic sandwich! 

Tasty Blog

I haven't been able to do much lately or even check out my usual favorite blogs, but I did come across this new blog called the Noble Pig.  Her stuff looks tasty.  I found her on Under a Blue Moons blog.  Give it a look see!

Life

Life is complicated!  I know it's an understatement.  This past week I had a very hard decision to make.  My father fell three times in the past week and ended up going to emergency Friday night.  He did not break anything thankfully but, he has since been hospitalized due to his advanced Parkinson's. Yesterday I signed papers that will move both my parents into assisted living.  It was one of the hardest decisions I've  had to make, but I think it is the only right decision I could have made.  I have written about my mom's battle with cancer, my dad has his own battle with Parkinson's disease.  What a nasty disease.  It essential robs you of everything.  My dad was such a lively soul.  He loved racing motorbikes, woodworking and making incredible stained glass windows.  He also loved fly fishing and tied some of the best flies.  As a young girl all my friends where playing with Barbies and I was learning to tie flies with my dad.  It is a good memory.  He can't fish anymore, or woodwork, or work with stained glass.  His facial expression is usually blank, but on occasion you can make him laugh.  I am mourning the man his used to be and trying to help the man he is today. It is such a tough place to be.  I pray a lot!