FREE Latte's.

Sometimes I really have a hard time coming up with a "Happy is" moment. This was that day. I will say that the day started out great. As I ordered Katy's 1st communion cake, the gal helping me asked my name.  I told her my name was  "Gillaspey". When I told her and tried to spell it, she looked at me weird and I said, "oh, I guess you don't need my last name spelled"....  She is related to the Gillaspey's. She grew up in Chariton, IA where Andy's Dad and family lived. She may or may NOT be related, but it was much too coincidental that there would be separate Gillaspey families living in a small town in Iowa.  My moment ended with Starbuck's handing me a FREE Latte. Ok, so I earned it with my Perks card. But it still feels great when you walk away with a FREE Latte.

Dinner tonight was interesting. Andy ate last weeks chicken dish from Turkey (I hope it was still good). Elie had another Turkey and Cheese Focaccia and Katy tried to eat the meal I made but ended with Sunday leftovers and a wedge of Focaccia bread. So it was down to Hannah and I. We ate the meal I made. And neither of us complained. It was a Sicilian Garlic Sauce that was essentially pesto with diced tomatoes. It was the tomato tang that made Katy unhappy. All and all, the meal was more about conversation with my girls as they walked into the kitchen from studying or playing soccer or watching Make it or Break it secretly under her bed on Netflix... I was quick to let Katy know that I wasn't happy. She later told me that she needed to go to reconciliation for lying and watching the show that she's not supposed to watch. God love her.

Hannah and I went to Carson's funeral today. It was a very nice memorial service though Very sad.  The Tiger Lillies were honorary pallbearers. The Elephant was very much in the room. So many great things to say about this fine young man who lived life to its fullest. It left us empty with heavy hearts. No resolution, no real closure. Just a broken heart that a child could make such a hasty decision. His family is strong. The strength will get them through this. I hope.

Sicilian Garlic Sauce
1/2 cup raw almonds or pine nuts
7 cloves garlic
5 fresh basil leaves
2 tsp minced fresh parsley (oops, forgot this)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 14.5 oz. canned diced tomatoes

Finely grind the nuts, using a food processor. Add garlic cloves, basil, parsley, salt and pepper; process until the garlic and basil have been minced. Pour in olive oil and diced tomatoes, and process again until the sauce has been mixed and the tomatoes are in small pieces.

Serve over noodles. You can heat the sauce before serving or serve with hot noodles.