For You.

I wish you peace this weekend.

Find time to rest.

To pray.

To meditate.

To read.

To listen to good music.

Or, maybe just lay in bed.

Shelley, I dedicate this song to you.  To your dad during his last days on this Earth.

I wish I could take some of this hurt from you.

I love you sister. 

Hang tough.  Like you do. He's in good hands. With you. And where he's going.

Into The Mystic

God Speed. 

Can't wait to hug you.

xo

Lisa

Side note: Shelley's Dad (Bill) was sent home on hospice today.  

Have You.

Does it cross your mind during the holidays of those around you in the midst of grievances?

Lately, I've heard and seen it more than ever.

Loss. 

Suffering the loss of a loved one recently, now walking through the memories of years passed.

The little sentimental traditions you did as a family.  The Thanksgiving dinner that came and went. 

The tree to put up.  And yet that person isn't here this year to do his trimming.  That extra hand in the garage to keep things in place. The phone calls.

The text messages.

The holiday parties.

Gathering at places you didn't really want to, but you did.

Because you were together.

Gone. 

Change. 

Traditions changed.

Lost. 

Grieving.

One of my best friends is walking into the palliative care stage with her dad. Something she feared would evolve through the holidays.  A reason she booked their entire family up there for Thanksgiving weekend to say the hello's, and also the pages of this chapter she sadly, knows too well.

Shell-Bell, you can do this.  Your papa has been a strong man, for so so long.  

Christmas music.

Does it effect you?

I've had a hard time during this season for many years. Not sure where it stems from, but it jabs me in the gut. 

My heart aches for those aching.  

They say to count your blessings and love the ones you're with. 

And for that, I say, gather and love. 

Your choice to be distant. Your choice in your decisions. 

I'm sorry for you grieving friends. 

May you find some peace in the little parts of your day that feel special.  Even if it's a smile from a stranger.  

Or a good meal sitting in front of you.  

I hope you find and feel something. 

Holidays. 

Hustle.

Work.

Driving home from work in the dark. bleh. 

Middle of the night praying sessions.

Heartbreak.

Family.

Love.

Together.

Best Friends.

Life.

I hope you can get through this season.

Reach out to those who need you the most.

They don't need gifts. 

They need time.

This Mama Lisa

The Most To Be Grateful For.

Be gentle on yourselves.

"With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be careful.  Strive to be happy."

Happy Thanksgiving Week friends...

"Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans"

All the love,

Lisa

Treats.

What are you plans for the weekend?

We'll work, but I am sure I'll bake some, and rest up some too...

These are made with browned butter...delish!

Recipe: Salted Brown Butter Crispy Treats
Makes 16 treats

You’ll need:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
1 10 oz. bag marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal 
Heaping 1⁄4 teaspoon coarse sea salt

Generously butter an 8 by 8 by 2-inch cake pan. (If you want to make it extra easy to pop out the treats, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on two opposite sides for easier lifting when the bars are done.) Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-low heat, stirring frequently with a silicone spatula, until it browns. The butter will melt, then foam, then turn clear golden with brown bits and start to smell nutty. Be patient and don’t wander away — the bits will go from brown to black quickly, and you don’t want black.

Turn off the heat as soon as the bits in the butter are a deep nut brown color. Immediately add the marshmallows and stir until smooth. The residual heat from the pot should be enough to fully melt the marshmallows, but if not, return the heat to low and cook until the marshmallows are completely smooth. Remove the pot from the heat and pour in the cereal and salt. Stir well to make a big sticky mass, then quickly scrape the mixture into the prepared pan. Flatten the gooey mix evenly with a spatula or buttered waxed or parchment paper, pressing into the edges and corners.

Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes, and cut into squares to serve. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

One of my favorite go-to's for a delicious smelling home...

Thankful for my love of cooking. My strength. My relationship with my birdies.  My best friends.  My tiny nose. HAHAHHAA.  My love of decorating.  My health. 

Good wine.

Good people. 

My favorite black bra I finally had to throw away.  You were a good feller. 

Sucker had my back, I mean boobies for a verrrrry long time. HA!

RIP black bra.  I will miss you.  Dearly.

Not sure I'll fall in love with another very soon, but I'm trying. 

Bra's suck. lol

And I can't say it enough.....

Good friends.  

Wishes for a peaceful weekend, good recipes, good pumpkin bread, and maybe, just maybe rice crispy treats!  

Dive in.

To Kindness.

It all begins with you. 

Love,

This Mama Lisa

Forever. Until The End Of Our Time.

It's you I like,

It's not the things you wear,

It's not the way you do your hair

But it's you I like

The way you are right now,

The way down deep inside you

Not the things that hide you,

Not your toys

They're just beside you.

But it's you I like

Every part of you.

Your skin, your eyes, your feelings

Whether old or new.

I hope that you'll remember

Even when you're feeling blue

That it's you I like,

It's you yourself

It's you.

It's you I like.

Quote from:

Mr. Rogers. 

All My Love,

Mama

Birth-Days.

Can't believe we're half way through November!

Happy Birthday to these beautiful humans...

Vicki--  Born November 6th.

I hope your days stay bright, peaceful and full of love.Can you believe you blinked and this little nugget grew up?! You always make me laugh when you impersonate Giada HAHA!!!!! You make the best pot luck dishes, and can rock white shorts better than any fiftyfuckingsomethingyearold.  

Your business ethnic and hard work shows!

Happy Birthday to you! 

Savannah-- Happy Birthday you doll face!  I love watching you evolve into a beautiful, smart and sharp woman!  When I think of the word nurse, and you in that title, I can only imagine how lucky each patient is to have you.  You've always carried yourself way beyond your age. I can remember watching you inside those goal posts' with clear calculation of how that ball would NOT get past you.  Your dedication to your team is exactly what you've become today.  Blocking the BS, helping the sick and clearing the opponent in this life.  Keep doing you. YOU are amazing.  Happy Birthday little one.  Sorry auntie Lisa forgot to text you on your day.  I've been slippin' more than ever. 

Can't wait to pinch your butt and kiss your cheeks!

Born November 12th

--------------------

Born November 16!

To my Uncle Wade.  

Happy Birthday!

  You send me the sweetest messages, and it's really kinda interesting how they come in just when I need them.  Our family is small.  The Trabue unit dwindling down more than ever, and yet when I sit across from you it takes me right back to a 7 year old little girl eating cereal (Cocoa Pebbles) at Grandma and Grandpa Trabues in those plastic bowls. The vintage blue and green metal cups. Your long hair pulled back.  

I feel lucky to have you in my life.  

Hope everyone is peddlin' through. Remember we've gotta bust our butts for the ones that don't! LOLZ

 I've been buried this week.  Missin' my homegirls for sure. 

Jugglin' phones, emails, paperwork and life...you know the drill---

To our Firefighting friends...THANK YOU!  

To our Police Officer Friends...THANK YOU!

The air quality is NOT good this week friends...stay in if you can...and for those runners out there...get inside and run your heart out.  

And because we all could use a good laugh right about now....HAHAHA!

This makes me laugh because it's one of my top lists of reasons why public bathrooms make me so freaked out!  This noise alone! HAHAHAHAHA Omg...

You're welcome!

Happy 34 months Kris!  Feels good to type Thirty Four!  

You're a beautiful miracle...and I am so proud to see you blossom and stand up taller than ever now!

One of your old customers stopped in today for new El Co Chrome trim and he proceeded to ask about you...so I explained your journey.  The reason I remembered this sweet man, whom stood shorter than me, (little Irish man, wearing Birkenstock sandals with socks...swoon, he's adorable)

was because the two of you discussed the drought about 5 years ago. He had told you to prepare your yard with succulents, and cacti.  

Explaining your knowledge of these cacti, the first thing out of his mouth- "You know folks that collect and gather succulents and cacti have extremely high IQ's."

You were tested as a child to have a very high IQ.

Intellectual thinker you are....

So sweet!

Word!

Love, 

This Mama Lisa

Humanity.

Pure LOVE-

Such a good man...

Negrita

Happy Saturday! 

Lisa

SEASONS.

The wind blew all night.

My thoughts race about my parents.  Most especially my dad.  His biggest fear of fire.

The wind.

The dry air.

The mountain community high up in the Sierra's.  

Growing older in a place they love so much, yet fear even more.

Fires in Chico, fires in Malibu, fires in Thousand Oaks, fires everywhere....

It's the season.

My thoughts linger on all those affected.

If not shootings one day, then fires the next.

Wishing you peace.  Wishing you solitude.  Wishing you safe travels to and from.

Biggest flow of gratitude to all the firefighters, safety personnel, police officers, and good humans out helping.  Oh my goodness, do we thank you. 

Seasons.

For those watching fires up north....and south...

This is the link I check on my parents-  http://www.fire.ca.gov/general/firemaps

Link to help animals in our local fires
Animal Hope And Wellness-Evacuation Volunteers NEEDED for Animals!

I love you Dad.

Stay safe friends.  Count your blessings.

Shot by Kris 2018- Off Catalina Islands

This Mama Lisa

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Oak Tree.

I read a quote about motherhood the other night and it took me back to this quote.

The Oak Tree.

Hope your week is rollin' smoothly....

May you all step into the weekend with peace for what you did for YOU this week.

Ever have those nights you sleep so well (like 6 hours straight) and only wake once? 

That was me last night.  

Incredible. ABSOLUTELY incredible.  

To you Oak Trees out there...keep on keepin' on. 

Remember to be the reason someone smiles today.  Leave a note.  Smile while being served.

KINDNESS:  What a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in this world.  

In a smile.  

 Went down a rabbit hole of pictures again.....

Thank goodness we have snaps of memories to look back on -----

My baby.....

  Okay, what was I wearing on my head?  LOLZ

 She still loved me....

 Last Prom of High School for our girlie birdies...  (Send em off, and have a drink!) 

My best friend.  My soul mate.  My forever, everything.  I love you Bill.  And, don't my boobs look super big here?  And my nose small?  HAHAHAHAHAHAH!    BIGBRASANDICANNOTLIE! 

Move along kids, move along....

First week with all the kids off to college!  Funnest day!

 Herculesssssssss!!!

Ok, I'm done.  Happy Thursday!  Cheers to a good nights sleep!  Cheers to good friends, and lifetime love with em too! 

Buncha Oak Trees..haha