03Jul 2013 by CJ

Remembering what grandma used to cook

Love & Relationships
A coworker recently told me of a dessert she was making over the weekend. As she began describing her recipe I recognized it immediately – Pistachio Cake. [caption id="attachment_1794" align="alignright" width="300"] Thanks for the picture Lindsay![/caption] Cool whip, cake mix and pistachio pudding all conspire together to make a truly delectable dessert – as you can tell by the picture. I hadn’t heard of many people making this cake before, though my grandmother used to make it religiously growing up.Seeing this “green” dessert again brought back memories of grams and her many culinary fares I often enjoyed and indulged in. Famed chef Mario Batali once said, “The tradition of Italian cooking is that of the matriarch. This is the cooking of grandma. She didn’t waste time thinking too much about…
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27Jun 2013 by CJ

Same-sex marriage – a victory worth celebrating

Love & Relationships
On Wednesday, a divided Supreme Court voted 5-4 in each of two decisions – throwing out part of the law that denied hundreds of federal benefits to same-sex couples, and once again clearing the way for gays and lesbians to marry in the state of California. While issues still remain, it seems Americans are finally understanding that everyone has the right to fall in love with whomever they choose and have that love ultimately recognized legally through marriage. Congratulations to all those who fight the battle for equality and are finally making strides – I hope your journey will soon come to a fair conclusion.   Read my previous post - The Ban on Gay Marriage - What are we so afraid of?
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19Jun 2013 by CJ

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love

Love & Relationships, Youth
On June 18, 2013 my beloved grandmother, Madeline Ruvere, peacefully passed away at the age of 92. [caption id="attachment_75" align="alignright" width="296"] A beautiful picture of grams with my great-grandfather.[/caption] Though her health was in continual decline over the last few months, it might sound strange but her passing was still a surprise. I realize it was probably expected given her age, but when you lose someone who once occupied a huge part of your living, laughing and loving, I assure you the loss is still profound regardless of how old you are. Over the last few days my memories of her have been very strong. Beyond the love and support she always provided me, I think the greatest gift she left me was a treasure chest of memories I can…
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16Jun 2013 by CJ

Sharing life with someone special makes the journey easier

Love & Relationships
“Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're at the beginning of something else.” Fred Rogers Life is nothing more than a journey – a series of highways and byways filled with unexpected turns and roadblocks, which can oftentimes seem insurmountable. The pathways between our personal and professional lives; the joys and the sorrows often intersect in ways we never imagined possible and repeatedly complicate our ability to navigate and stay the course to utter happiness. But our journey through this chaotic and many times complicated existence becomes considerably more tolerable when not taken alone. To have someone to lean on for support and guidance when the terrain seems impassable is truly a blessing - especially when those individuals provide us with unconditional affection and appreciation and…
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28May 2013 by CJ

With you I am home

Love & Relationships
I've posted parts of this blog previously, but felt it needed a little repeating - not only for those around me, but for myself as well.   The term “walkman” refers to a portable audio cassette player, which was immensely popular in the 1980’s. Though now considered a relic and inferior by modern day standards, at its peak it allowed music lovers to enjoy their favorite tunes just about anywhere you traveled – as long as your AA batteries were fully charged. An avid music lover myself, I prolonged purchasing the latest portable audio technology for several years, while I tried to justify the cost versus the need. But eventually I succumbed to desire - aided greatly by a gift card I received for Christmas, which thankfully covered much of…
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