Those Cookies We Like!

Remember those cookies we liked so much, little sweetheart? We used to get a package of them at Safeway, over by the Marina, and then drive over to a lookout point, maybe near Ocean Beach and watch the surf and eat the cookies in the front seat of your car. 

They're almost like little pieces of white layer cake-  soft and chewy, and the frosting is always decorative for whatever holiday is near. Sometimes we'd get them in pink and red for Valentines Day or in green with shamrocks for St Paddy's. 

Well, I've got some and am having one (or two) for lunch dessert with my coffee right now and thinking of you! D'agostino's is a little NYC grocery chain and they do a few things like Safeway, incredibly. They have that charming little "thunderstorm" effect in the produce section that periodically waters the vegetables adding a little SFX of a thunderclap (in SF, Safeway also had a little flashing white light approximating lightning, too). And they have these cookies on some holidays. These ones are for Halloween, of course and have orange frosting with yellow and white sprinkles. Saving one for you! 

With all my love...

Halloween Eve

I've been working all night, little sweetheart, but just settling in to watch one of our favorite movies - "Let The Right One In", just now. It's a vampire movie and so kinda a Halloween one - your second favorite holiday after Christmas, I think - and I know few people agree with me but I also think of it as being a love story. Partly because you and I saw it for the first time together on your bed and also because it underlines my own journey - being found and saved by you. I'll be thinking of you tonight as I am always. I love you so and forever.

700 pages

Little sweetheart, I know it's taking forever and that I've terribly remiss in keeping up this page but the book is still coming along. I'm far from done but I'm about to hit page 700 and I think I'm going to print what I have (and still continue, of course) because it seems like an important milestone. It 's coming, baby. And you are always in my every thought and prayers, my heart and soul. Love you forever.

More Dreams of You

We had such a lovely time, my little sweetheart, in a dream I had of you just before I woke this morning. It was one of the blessed ones where nothing had ever gone wrong and we were just together going about our day, driving your Prius over to the market, listening to our music on your iPod (!), picking up everything on your shopping list and a few treats - cheese you wanted to try and gingersnaps for me. I know you are closer than I can imagine and I love you forever!

Our Trip to Ireland, pt 8

On our last day in Ireland, little sweetheart, after we left dear Kilcrohane, beginning our drive back down the coast to Cork City, we made a couple of notable stops. 

Perhaps the most special was dropping in at the shrine in Gougane Barra. It's a beautiful scenic valley and heritage site (like a National Park) in the Shehy Mountains. It's at the source of the River Lee and there's an amazing forest and lake surrounding it. It's a very sacred site, too, with meditation caves the monks used to inhabit in prayer, a beautiful chapel (which is an not infrequent wedding destination!) an ancient graveyard and a beautiful charming inn. You were enraptured by the place and wanted desperately for us to return in the spring and stay there for a night or two. 

After walking all around the island for more than an hour, you made a beeline for the inn and we chatted with the lady at the desk, who gave us some brochures and all the info to make reservations. We had it all planned for next June. Sigh... 

Here you are in the chapel itself where we lit a candle together. How I love you! I'm so glad we got to have this trip together, little sweetheart! 

 

 

Our Trip to Ireland, pt 7

There's a little picnic spot at the mouth of the trail that leads down to the end of the Sheep's Head. We found ourselves down there just as the sun was beginning to set one day and I took this snap of you looking gorgeous, as always, against the amazing Irish sky! 

Our Trip to Ireland, pt 6

If we walked straight out across the field from the little cottage we were renting, little sweetheart, there were rolling hills and a wonderful little hiking path. One warm afternoon we ventured out that way and a little Jack Russell terrier suddenly appeared, befriending us and jogging along in front, turning around periodically to make sure we were following him. We had a private tour guide and a friend for life! He led us to this spot where we took a quick picture!

Our Trip to Ireland, pt 5

The biggest town around is a place called Bantry, little sweetheart. In the height of tourist season it's quite bustling but it's also really lovely when it's rather quiet. 

The best place to eat in town is a charming old pub called The Snug. Kris & I had been there many times and could only ever get a seat at the bar because it was so popular, every last table always taken. This night we drove out there and had the place almost completely to ourselves. You loved the food (as this picture will attest!). 

And after a long, leisurely dinner, when we strolled back into the night, Bantry Bay was filled with swans! It's was a magical evening! 

Our Trip to Ireland, pt 4

At the very end of the Sheep's Head, there's a lighthouse. We made it all the there one afternoon on foot. It's a bit treacherous and rocky and there's a guardrail with a sign saying "Do Not Cross". But never one for the rules and seeing a nice little perch to look out over the horizon, you, of course, little sweetheart climbed right over and sat down on the steps, beckoning me to join you - which, I did! 

Our Trip to Ireland, pt 3

We went for one of our epic walks all the way out to edge of peninsula. Here we are - that's the Atlantic Ocean behind us!

 

 

Our Trip to Ireland, pt 2

We had a wonderful time traveling with our London friends, Kris & Joy, and it was lovely to reconnect with a few of the locals in Kilcrohane who were dear friends of ours, too. Here we are with Kris & Joy and Johnny, who had invited us over to his house - we all went for a drink at Eileen's pub later, here in the village square.

Our Trip to Ireland, pt 1

This week is the anniversary of our lovely trip together to Ireland, little sweetheart! I'll post a few photos over the next few days to remember, okay? This first one I took of you down in Doneen Pier where we discovered a little stone stairway - a secret landing place for small boats! You're posing like a red headed mermaid just emerging from the watery depths! Love you forever.