LAST FAIRY PARTY OF THE YEAR
Keith and I enjoyed an evening with family and friends in the Fairy Garden of my brother John and his wife Jen. She is a world-class hostess, a lovely hostess, and superb cook. John's blood flows with fantasy and fun. The place is impossible to describe in less than a book chapter. It transports you to another dimension where childhood tales come to life. A huge circle around a huge bonfire is the centerpiece of this communion of souls. Always a delight, but this was somehow even more special. What a memory!

TOMMY J'S PIG ROAST
Aside from the spectacle of Dan and Kirk roasting a pig on a spit, is the sight of Presley and Lilly battling their mother on a sandy volleyball court. Standing room only for the BBQ pork and fabulous sides, generous door prizes, and a lovely evening watching Mollie and her family entertain the residents of the Holy Land. Unforgettable!

THE WATERMARK
Our granddaughter has her own graphic design business. Since her work is sold online, she wanted a watermark she could use to deter theft. Although an accomplished artist in her own right, we suspect she might have just been looking for an excuse to do an art project with her grandfather. He worked today on a drawing to her specs. We'll see how she likes it. So fun!

LOVE BY CAMERA
Wow! This is the happiest newsletter I've printed since these monthy photo contests began back a couple years ago. I won the Abstract and Creative category with that photo of my boyfriend at the art museum, and Keith won the Animals category with his photo of a spider on page two. That merits a hot fudge sundae, I think.

CLOWN SCHOOL: GRATITUDE
Another week of Clown School launched today on the topic of gratitude. I just love the way this is turning out. Gratitude is the single most important path to happiness. People think you will be grateful when you are happy, but it’s the opposite. In my experience, gratitude is the cause of happiness. If you can pause and stir some appreciation in your heart, you change.

ICE CREAM SANDWICH DAY
To celebrate this auspicious holiday we made a pilgrimage to obtain the best ice cream sandwiches ever: the ultimate Gille Cookie - creamy vanilla custard sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies. Keith and I delivered one to each grandchild so they could celebrate in style!

ICE CREAM SANDWICH DAY
To celebrate this auspicious holiday we made a pilgrimage to obtain the best ice cream sandwiches ever: the ultimate Gille Cookie - creamy vanilla custard sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies. Keith and I delivered one to each grandchild so they could celebrate in style!

NEW SET OF LIFE LESSONS: RESILIENCE
I published the first of seven lessons on Resilience for August’s installment to my Life Lessons project. They are superb if I do say so myself. I hope they are of use to my beloveds - if not now, when they need them. I love being the Granny!

COOKING CLASS: STEAK
To celebrate our fabulous steak purchases at Wagner Market, we decided I needed a Master Class in how to cook this extraordinary indulgence. Dan Kaminsky, the Master Meat Mentor, shared his secrets with me and I should have taken notes. Amazing and delicious. For my part of the meal, I tried that chocolate tres leches recipe. Also a hit! Luckily Mollie had cocoa I could dust it with or I would have had to use a packet of Hot Cocoa powder. Great fun. Great Meal. Great family. (After dinner, I stopped by Maggie’s to offer them a chance to sample my effort. Yummy Day! I even ate a scallop!

COOKING CLASS: STEAK
To celebrate our fabulous steak purchases at Wagner Market, we decided I needed a Master Class in how to cook this extraordinary indulgence. Dan Kaminsky, the Master Meat Mentor, shared his secrets with me and I should have taken notes. Amazing and delicious. For my part of the meal, I tried that chocolate tres leches recipe. Also a hit! Luckily Mollie had cocoa I could dust it with or I would have had to use a packet of Hot Cocoa powder. Great fun. Great Meal. Great family. (After dinner, I stopped by Maggie’s to offer them a chance to sample my effort. Yummy Day! I even ate a scallop!

NEW SET OF LIFE LESSONS: RESILIENCE
I published the first of seven lessons on Resilience for August’s installment to my Life Lessons project. They are superb if I do say so myself. I hope they are of use to my beloveds - if not now, when they need them. I love being the Granny!

SPIDER-MAN DAY
It was an exciting moment when Roland opened his gift from Granny to thank him for his homemade banana bread. You see, August 1st is National Spider-Man Day, and hhe is Roland’s favorite Super-Hero. Inside the gift bag was an adult Spider-man costume. Nothing near as fancy as his childhood versions, but enough to make for some fun jammies or Halloween regalia. It prompted a discussion where we all tried to recall Jaspir’s favorite super-hero. I guessed Bat Man. Maggie thought Super Man. Roland said Cat Woman. We died laughing as we tried to envision Jaspir dressing up as Cat Woman. When Jaspir joined the group to see what was so funny, I explained we were trying to remember his favorite Super Hero. Without missing a beat, he said “Halle Berry.” Oh, man! These guys deserve their own TV show!

SPIDER-MAN DAY
It was an exciting moment when Roland opened his gift from Granny to thank him for his homemade banana bread. You see, August 1st is National Spider-Man Day, and hhe is Roland’s favorite Super-Hero. Inside the gift bag was an adult Spider-man costume. Nothing near as fancy as his childhood versions, but enough to make for some fun jammies or Halloween regalia. It prompted a discussion where we all tried to recall Jaspir’s favorite super-hero. I guessed Bat Man. Maggie thought Super Man. Roland said Cat Woman. We died laughing as we tried to envision Jaspir dressing up as Cat Woman. When Jaspir joined the group to see what was so funny, I explained we were trying to remember his favorite Super Hero. Without missing a beat, he said “Halle Berry.” Oh, man! These guys deserve their own TV show!