Labor Day update

Oh, what a great long weekend we had!

We spent so much time with our cats this weekend, it was very soothing. Dolly and I actually took a nap together on Monday afternoon in the recliner. We didn't turn the TV on all day. What a joy.

I finished reading "Alice I Have Been." It's an historical fiction novel based in the real life of Alice in Wonderland. I really enjoyed it and it convinced me that I need to start writing my own story. Now I'm reading Michael Symon's new cookbook and Jim Butcher's latest Harry Dresden novel - "Changes."

We spent some quality time with my cousin, Lynette, who is at the beginning of a divorce. She is going to be ok and will eventually love again. We pray for her daily and ask God to hold her hand through this difficult process.

Our kitchen renovations are coming along and we're happy with the progress we're seeing. Tomorrow the new stone floor will be laid in the kitchen/dining room and it will be tricky in the living room and hallway for awhile until the tiles dry and set, then we can walk on them.

We gave our couch sectional to my Mom and had the love-seat that matches our 2 leather recliners delivered on Wed. It's beautiful and the cats love it too! ha .

Baby, our 17 year old cat, has grown so attached to me that he now meows at me in the morning to get up and pet him. I get up and he follows me in the bathroom, then in the living room, then downstairs to his food bowl. He is sitting next to me now as I right this snoring away. What a little lover he is.

Dolly, our 10 year old, waits until I'm done on the computer each night and then jumps in my lap, kneads my fingers and chest while I pet her, purs like a boat motor and then falls asleep on my lap. She's such a precious little princess kitty.

As you can tell we have really fallen for these cats. We wouldn't have chosen to have pets, but Dolores passing away 8 months ago sealed that commitment for us.

As far as my relationship with food goes, we have been in a torid love affair as of late. I've been cooking 4 simple meals during the week in the basement kitchen, which has turned out quite well. On Fridays we order food to be delivered, on Saturdays we go out to Johnny's Chop House and on Sundays I cook a more elaborate healthy meal and include my mom when she's up to it.

Today is my Mom's 64th birthday! Happiest of all birthdays to you! I hope you find at least 365 reasons to smile this year.

We will bring over to her some White Castle hamburgers tomorrow night and a bottle of some fine wine to share. Hey, when I turn 64, I just may want White Castle hamburgers too!

Tonight we went to Roti Mediterranean Grill for dinner and each had a steak wrap with baba ganoush, egg plant, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, red pepper sauce, kalamata olives and feta cheese. We also shared an individual chicken roti pizza with onions, olives, and parsley. It was fantastic! We must eat there more. How delicious and healthy!!

In my new kitchen there is now a pasta faucet installed. This is getting exciting! No turning back now, I must learn to be the best cook in Lindenhurst, IL.