...3 years...

It has been 3 years...3 years....It seems so strange to me that it has been that long since I have gotten to see my beautiful mom, talk to her, hear her laugh.  I miss her very much. 
The other day I was driving and saw an old truck and started to reach for my phone to call her and let her know. She loved old trucks and she would take pictures of them and paint them.  It was such a strange feeling to realize that I am still reaching for the phone to call her sometimes.  Oh how I wish I could.
I miss her laugh. I miss her wisdom and advice. 
Today we will spend the day together as a family, enjoying the sunshine, telling stories, laughing and probably crying.  
Today is a day to be together and honor the life that she lived, and the lives that she gave to each of us~ It is a day to be grateful for her and for each other!
She is loved and missed as much today as every other day.

Life is so busy and filled with so much that when you really take a few minutes to think and reflect it becomes heavier than one person can handle. There is such a huge weight and an extreme void in life without her here. Honestly, it just sucks! No profound words there, just truth.
Mom,
We love you and miss you so very much~
I am so grateful to be your daughter!
Love, Tiff

tomatillo?

A few months ago in my bountiful basket I got one of these.....

I wondered "What is this and what do I do with it?"  My friend Andy knew!  When I described it, he told me it was a tomatillo! Sure enough, that is exactly what it was!  So I looked up recipes on pinterest and made my first salsa verde....it was delish!!

...venice, italy...

Wow, I have been MIA from the blog lately~ How about a post from Venice, Italy.  It is my last post about my 2011 European adventure, and that makes me very sad.

I want to blow up and frame some of the travel photos for my house, any favorites?

Venice is an amazing place!

If you ever get the chance to go there, I highly recommend it!

No cars, not even bikes.  Only boats.  It is truly a place like no other. 

A lot of fresh produce.

                                   

San Marco Square is the place with all of the birds~ Very cool.

Notice the produce stand on the boat in the water below and the guy working has a cigarette in his mouth.

Interesting!

There was a funky art studio that had some strange exhibits, but very cool too...

I went on a gondola ride, ended up with an awesome couple from Colorado. 

(I took photos of them but it was with their camera). 

Very cool experience. And super nice people!