Martha Stewart was in my kitchen

Ever have one of those moments when 6 o'clock rolls around and you realize you forgot to prepare for dinner and you have 12 hungry eyeballs staring you down?

Yeah..that was me.

Refrigerator soup to the rescue! You know...the empty the fridge and don't' tell anyone you did it kinda soup.

Wanna know what I did? It comes out GREAT every.time.

If you have left over veggies, meat and spagetti sauce...then it's Martha Stewart like nobody's business.

I had some small containers of:

~wild rice
~corn
~potatoes
~3 hamburgers
~spagetti
~cubed chicken

I tossed them all into the pot. Added some water. 2T garlic and herb seasonings. 1 T salt. 1/2 bulb crushed garlic. 1 can of diced tomatoes. And viola! We had soup!

It was amazing!

A little garlic bread, salad and our refrigerator soup and I became Martha Stewart!

Now...shhhh...the family thinks this is some pre-planned, well thought out soup that just seems to appear once a month.

It's our secret...don't disappoint me and tell!

What kind of creations do you come up with?

It was unpopular, but she did it anyway

I sit here reflecting on the upcoming Mother's Day and I am overwhelmed by gratitude.

I am a product of the 60's...nuf said.

When it was unpopular and uncomfortable to be different, and many girls were aborting their unwanted pregnancies, a young lady, at age 17, decided to take responsibility for her actions and carry the child in her womb. Frightened, facing an unknown future....she chose to nurture the one in her womb. That child was me. I am ever so thankful that she chose to "keep" me in a day and age when freedom of choice was prevalent.

Barely outside of childhood herself she nurtured, she wept, she laughed, she prayed that this child would be healthy, vibrant and destined for greatness.

Mom~this is for you.

You have been a force in my life that has had ripple effects into many future generations.

Thank you for life.

Thank you for your nurturing spirit.

Thank you for the years of sacrifice as I drained your bank account with my gymnastics.

Thank you for TV dinners and Hormel Chili.

Thank you for always believing that I could be ANYTHING I put my heart and soul to.

Thank you for challenging me to always become more and never settle for the status quo.

Thank you for always displaying what a lady should inspire to.

Thank you for teaching me to be resilient in the face of struggle.

Thank you for teaching me that sometimes you have to give up to go up.

I am so glad God decided to give you to me. I couldn't have EVER asked for a better mother, friend, and confidant.

I am who I am today because of who you have always been.

May this year bring you peace and serenity that sings like a sweet and soft jazz song.

Love you mom and Happy Mother's Days~San