They're Back....

Riri and Joe are back on the right coast.
The world is back in balance.

The Tagues were lucky enough to be part of
this reunion in New Jersey.



We love watching Joseph in action!



He obviously loves to imitate Mama.



He does a good job on his breakfast.



He loves to hang with Pepere...



And learn cards with Meme.



And all of us in the garden....



Our great thanks to Ed and Rosita for sharing the comfort of their castle. Their generosity is most appreciated.

We send our good thoughts to Ed on the mend. He has had a couple of frustrating setbacks since his surgery but he is looking good and it was a pleasure to visit with him and Rosita.

I hope we are welcome there again.
New Jersey is the perfect meeting place for
the Charbs and the Tagues.

Matriculating from Middle School

Mitchell has finished his middle school years with great panache. We want to brag on our boy for being a great student and an all round good kid!

Let Them Eat Cake....

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
(This is also called Dangerous Cake because it is so easy to make!)

4 tablespoons flour 
4 tablespoons sugar 
2 tablespoons cocoa 
1 egg 
3 tablespoons milk 
3 tablespoons oil 
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) 
a small splash of vanilla extract 
1 large coffee mug  

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix  thoroughly.  Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the vanilla extract and chocolate chips (if  using), and mix again.  Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts  (high).  The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!   Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. 
EAT!
(This can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous or you want to add whipped cream.)

Merry Marionette

The Charbonneaus gave this guy to Mitchell for Christmas many moons ago. I believe Nikki picked him out. He is part of our Christmas decor to this day...

Time with Friends

Every January I spend a week with my mother. At the end of that week I pop in overnight with Robert and Bill. Big surprise, it is mostly about good food with good friends....

Ball Boy

Mitchell has gone to WFU Demon Deacon basketball games since he was six months old. Since he was five or so he wanted to be a ball boy. This past year his dream came true. They supply the uniform and the shoes. It is a two year stint and he could not be happier.

One of the strictest rules is that he cannot cheer for his team while sitting on the sidelines. Mitch says this is the hardest thing he has had to accomplish but well worth it. He has one of the best seats in the house.

Follow the bouncing ball boy in the tie dye shirt....

Back in Time

I am cleaning up my computer and my flip camera. I hope you enjoy these long overdue posts.

Starting the week before Thanksgiving it is all about trees for the Tagues...

Every year I decorate a tree for a fundraiser to benefit Brenner Children's Hospital here in Winston-Salem. It is the hospital where our son Kenney lived his brief life.



The weekend after Thanksgiving we head to the mountains of North Carolina to get our Christmas tree.



And then Brian puts up his forest of trees which graces our backyard for the Christmas season.