Well said.

All pics via Pinterest

xo

In loving memory of a sweet dear friend

Returned home in the early hours of the morning from Atlanta.

The funeral mass for a dear friend.

A beautiful southern lady inside and out.

Cindy was one of those people that could light up a room just by walking in.

Her smile was perfect.

We met in 1998, and became close immediately,

like we had known each other our entire life.

I received a text from her in early September

She had received the news,

Lung Cancer

Stage 4.

She had the best attitude and would text me her favorite verses

and always end with

God's got this.

I tried to plan a trip to see her

but she kept telling me to wait until she felt better....

so we could shop and get mani/pedis

We had plans to attend the Southern Living Fair in Atlanta in October 

It came and went and instead of feeling better,

she grew weaker

I don't live with "regrets" or "what ifs"

but I sure would love to have hugged her one last time

One of her last text to me was telling me of her plan...

Mark 11:23-24 the scripture that she was standing on.

She had so much faith and dignity

Walking into her beautiful, perfectly decorated home,

my heart completely broke in two.

Her sweet touches everywhere

Her monograms

Pictures of her and her husband

Her kids and 7 grand kids

Was almost more than I could handle

I met her sweet friend Lisa who served her communion the last 3 weeks of her life,

every.single.day

Lisa would go to mass, get the host, and then visit and serve Cindy

She gave me so many details of her last days on earth

because she had grown too weak to text

and I had so many questions of her end.

It is amazing how God brings people together and Lisa truly was

an angel here on earth for Cindy

I will forever be grateful for her and knowing that Cindy 

was at total peace when she passed to heaven.

The visitation Friday night brought several hundred people

to show their last respects

The funeral mass yesterday was perfect

It ended with her 13 year old granddaughter singing 

Amazing Grace...... just for her Nona

accompanied by her big brother playing the guitar

My heart is so heavy this morning but I know she is now out of the pain, rejoicing in heaven.

She was truly an angel on earth and I will miss her dearly.

I love you Cindy!

xo 

Soup to Warm you up!

Pasta Soup 

After a few months away from this little blog, I'm back with a great soup recipe.

Found this recipe in Cooking Light Magazine and it is perfect for cool weather.  I served it with Rosemary bread (found and Costco) and it was a hit.

• 3/4 cup uncooked small shell pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 1 (4-ounce) link hot turkey Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 cup diced onion 
• 1 cup diced carrot 
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 5 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 (15-ounce) can unsalted chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
• 4 cups unsalted chicken stock (such as Swanson)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. 1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain.
2. 2. While pasta cooks, heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add sausage; cook 3 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring to crumble. Add onion and next 6 ingredients (through garlic); cook 10 minutes. Add chickpeas, tomatoes, and stock; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in pasta, salt, and black pepper; cook 1 minute.



Hope you enjoy it !
xo