Hi Guys! Well, I finally have time to post a little! Raeanne- Glad to be back in the swing of things. I have been using my SAD light a little when I'm at work at night...helps the mood...a lot. NYSuzanne: My DD (11 yrs old) started raising quail, chicken, and pheasant for a science fair. Well, as soon as the fair was over, the racoons invaded and had a bird hunt. Soooooooo sad for everyone and every bird involved. The racoons, foxes, and deer on this island are a HUGE problem for humans- but that's nature for ya! They have no predators, so there are millions of them. I finally gave up planting anything that I could eat since the deer ate it ALL before me! I bought a 40 pound bag of clover seed and grew a front yard of clover for the deer - now I have people pulling over in front of my house to take pictures of the deer in my yard munching clover! If ya can't beat 'em, join 'em! Maddie - My dad gave me Kentucky Monthly magazine so I can read all about what's happening in your neck of the woods...and think of YOU, sister. Muh-wah! Ivamae - CONGRATS on your weight loss - what an inspiration you are! Tikanas - SAVE SOME TIME FOR YOURSELF, girlfriend!!! And when are we gonna meet up? Next time you're in Portland, Seattle, or whatever, let me know. I'll drive to you!!! :-) DeeMarie: I just got a cruise brochure and instantly thought of you! It's been so long since I've cruised... WAH! Isn't it strange how something (by happenstance) will make us think of each other? That being said, whenever I wash bras, I think of Besh - haha - she's the one who gave the sage advice of "Never put your bra in the dryer." Remember when we had the "Advice Week" thread? Ah, well...Let me see - other reminders: Whenever I think of cruises, I think of: DeeMarie Anything Salem-related or the bra thing (lol): Besh Horses or Sweet Pea Wine (We have that here): NHSuzanne! ANY wine or Chippino (We had that when we were with you): Raeanne (HAHA!) Hawaii and Futuristic Painting: Amy Kindergarten! & Successful SS: Marci ALF, Cats, and Cooking: John Harold's weigh-in thread and success!: Ivamae Austin Powers & "Who Cares About The FREAKIN Scale?": NJKaren "YUMMERS!": Happyto I have more, but I gotta get some work done... ...what are YOURS?

Hi Cinful...I know exactly what you mean...when the doctors told her 3-6 months left, I thought I would never stop crying, and I didn't want our last moments together to be miserable. I know we said everything we wanted and needed to say to each other, but in the end, I still worry that there may have been something else left unsaid, something I forgot to ask her, or something from the past that we just wanted to remember. We only got about 2 months together at the end, and even when it finally happened it seemed like it just couldn't be happening already. I am sorry that you are alone, I do have children and a husband, but we all lived together, and they really do not understand what I am going through. I feel like I am alone, except that I can't just break down all the time, I have to be strong...it feels like it is killing me to do that though. I really just want to crawl into bed and stay there. The one thing that keeps me going is that my mom asked me to. She told me to be strong for HER, and to be happy for HER. I am not happy, but I am being as strong as I can be. That means not thinking of her too often, or all I would do is cry. But I know she knows that. She bought me a journal at the end, and I didn't think it would help, but it has. I write to her as much as I can, everyday in the beginning, and I tell her the things I would have told her if she were here. It does help. My mom was my everything too...even though I have other family, and children, she was it. Every moment of the day we were together...have been for 42 years. She has sent me signs since she's been gone, I know a lot of people don't believe in that, and think it is wishful thinking, but it's not. Keep an open mind after everything is over, don't shut yourself down. Stay with your mom till the end, try not to feel guilty...I know that even though my mom and I talked about everything, I still felt guilty when she passed, like maybe there was more I could have done. I am trying to get past that. I feel so bad for you, and your dad...maybe try to be strong for him, as I have to for my baby...it helps to be there for someone else, when all you want to do is go with your mom. I know at least for me that is true. When she first got sick, I thought I would go with her in the end, but I cannot go right now. My family needs me, my baby needs me. I think that is why he happened so late in my life...he was my lifeline from God...Take care, please let me know how you are doing, and I will do the same.

Cruising had this and it was awesome. GS had to have a bite and didn't give plate back, cause he finished it :o) Goat Cheese Souffle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 large egg yolks 3/4 cup whole milk 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons all purpose flour 2 3-ounce logs soft fresh goat cheese, crumbled 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1/3 cup chopped fresh chives 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 5 large egg whites Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter four 1-1/4 cup souffle dishes. Whisk yolks and milk in large bowl. Melt butter in heavy, medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and stir 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk mixture. Continue whisking until thick, about 2 minutes. Return mixture to bowl. Cool souffle base slightly. Set aside 1/4 cup of goat cheese. Whisk remaining goat cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, chives, salt, and pepper into souffle base. Beat whites in another bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold whites in another bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold whites into lukewarm souffle base in 3 additions. Divide mixture among prepared dishes. Top with 1/4 cup goat cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan, dividing equally. Bake until puffed and golden, 25 minutes. Set souffle dishes on plates and serve.

I made this last nite and it was a hit. Served it with orzo and asparagus. Lemon Chicken with Dill and Capers 2 tsp butter 4 boneless chicken breasts 2 tsp capers 1 lemon 1/2 cup chicken broth 1/4 tsp dried dillweed, or 1 tsp fresh Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown, 2-3 minutes per side. Chop capers, grate zest and juice half the lemon. Slice the other half. Once chicken has browned, add capers, zest and juice and chicken broth to pan. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, turning halfway through, until chicken feels springy when touched. (12-15 minutes) Remove chicken to platter. Stir dill into pan juices, add lemon slices. If sauce is too thin, increase heat to medium-high and stir often until to the consistency you like.