Not much to say today.

Still saddened and heartbroken, still grieving for those who are suffering…

And yet, I was chosen to participate in an opportunity to enjoy soup at Panera Bread.

It doesn’t feel right, to write about randomness or to do restaurant reviews with all that is wrong today.

It’s not time to move on, not yet.

I can’t stop thinking, wondering, hurting for the lives that were lost on Friday.

At the same time, I am loving, cherishing, and clinging to each moment with my children like never before.

Dropping the kids off at school has been painful.  Picking them up a bit tearful.

The thoughts, the questions, they won’t stop coming.

But I do need to eat so…

After picking up my kindergartner today, we headed to Panera Bread for lunch.

I ordered the Creamy Tomato Soup, hoping for a little warmth and comfort, while my little ones drooled over the delectable cookie display.  Within a matter of minutes, my soup was ready and we headed home.

I made the kids their usual, their favorite, Peanut Butter and Jelly.  Then I set about preparing my lunch.  Cutting into the fresh baked Panera bread to make my bowl, pouring the still hot Creamy Tomato soup inside and then topping it off with the Asiago cheese crusted croutons.

As I placed my lunch on the table next to my children’s plates, I noticed the sandwich crumbs sprinkled on the table and the yogurt smears still left over from breakfast.  Without the slightest urge to clean or wipe away the mess, I made a mental note. I AM THANKFUL.  Then I sat down to eat.

The soup was creamy with just the right amount of texture, the flavors melded perfectly.  It was just what I needed.  Hot soup on a cold day, comfort food when my heart aches, a moment to enjoy and to reflect on all that is still good.

*As a part of the DailyBuzz Food Tastemaker program, I received a Panera Bread gift card and a stipend for my review.  Thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Summer is filled with the simplest of pleasures:  sunshine, swimming, popsicles, barefeet, barbecues, late nights.  The memories made during the summer months last far beyond the heat of August.  I try my best to be relaxed and yet intentional during this season, to allow for lazy days and yet at the same time create memory worthy moments for my kids.

Some of the best memories made are the times that we spend at Nana and Papa’s house.  All six cousins, spanning in age from three to eight, play hard nonstop all day long until nothing but sheer exhaustion surrenders them to sleep at night. 

This past weekend while at Nana and Papa’s house we created the Ultimate S’more Bar and let all the kids have at it!  They created and ate s’more after s’more until each of their hands were covered in sticky marshmallow goo and chocolate seeped from the corners of their mouths.  When their belly’s were full and their faces a mess, we gave them a quick “bath” in the pool and tucked them in bed.  Ahhhh… the joys of summer.

 The Creations

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I became a mom in 2005 and immediately joined a mother’s support group to cope and thrive in that first year of motherhood. I was nervous about going to a “support group” and wasn’t sure if it was going to be my thing.  I never dreamed it would be the very place where I would meet 5 amazing women and create lasting friendships that would carry me through the next five years.  I am so grateful for that support group.  I am so grateful for these incredible women in my life.  I can’t imagine the last five years of motherhood if I did not have each of them in my life.  We have raised our kids together, celebrated birthdays together, grieved the loss of pregnancies together, visited each other in the hospital as we welcomed siblings into the world, laughed together, cried together, and stood by each other though it all.

I wanted to do something special with these women, their kindergartners and their families to celebrate our triumphs and tears over the last five years and all the years to come.  What better way to celebrate kindergarten, motherhood and friendship than with an ice cream social?!?  It was a true honor to have Foodbuzz sponsor this event as a part of their 24×24. 

  

 

In addition to sponsoring this event, Foodbuzz will be donating $250 in my name and each of the other blogger’s names who were chosen to participate in their 24×24 to Ovarian Cancer Research for a total of $6,000.  Ovarian Cancer is the most fatal of all cancers involving a woman’s reproductive tract. It is difficult to detect early and therefore often diagnosed too late.  Most Ovarian Cancers are found after the child bearing years but in some cases it is found in younger women.  If detected early, Ovarian Cancer is treatable and it is even possible for survivors to later achieve a healthy pregnancy.  As a mother, as a woman, I wish to thank Foodbuzz for donating to such a worthy cause as Ovarian Cancer Research.

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