Mam & Sam Driving Our Miss. Gram

11:49 a.m. 

"ring, ring"...

11:57 a.m.

"ring ring"...

I look over at my phone during my follow-up visit to Sam's pediatrician and see that Gram has called twice. 

Strange for Gram, a double hitter phone call. 

I get to the car, not overly concerned, but for sure curious and a tad bit nervous. 

"Gram, what's wrong? What happened?!"

Tears, A Strange Spider Story, And Requests for Help Followed. 

Sam & Mam are on their way...And off to her we drove.

Sorry Gram, I couldn't Resist...

We arrived to find Miss. Daisy Gram ready to GO (to the Urgent Care at the Hospital that is), 

loaded Sam up with snacks and made our way back south. 

Elevated knee, possible broken bones, and the full story of trying to kill a spider and falling ensued. 

"Oh Gram" muttered Mam.

"Uh-Oh" muttered Sam. 

Parked in the red lines.

Rushed Gram in for x-rays.

First available appointment for Gram, Toddler friendly Empty Room for Mam, and Toys Galore for Sam.

Only a few minutes of waiting later, x-rays completed on Gram's knee and leg, and sweet doctor that stayed late, diagnosis for Gram-

Nothing Broken (Yah!), Knee-Brace and Toes and Leg Elevated for Gram

and strict orders (yes, Gram, you read this correctly-no funny business!)

to rest, elevate, ice, and take it slow. 

Follow-up Appointment next week, and some serious rest ahead prescribed for Gram. 

Styling Crutches.
Gram... Think Pink Possibilities!

Long Story Short, 

 Mam & Sam get to take care of their Girl Gram!

Dr. Orders that is. 

And, Mam & Sam take those seriously!

Even Though We Don't Think Gram is "happy" about this, 

In the Words of Sam 

(there very limited you know) 

Were "happy"- Sam (& "honored"- Mam) about this chance to help Gram with her "uh-oh"...

xoxo

Mam & Sam

**Mam & Sam Apologize for the Lack of Photos.
For the Sake of All Involved Parties, We Wanted to Live Yesterday to See Today.
IN Honor & Kindness Towards Gram, We Her Paparazzi Resisted.
Don't Think That Will Be Possible Today Though.
Pictures of Mam & Sam Taking Care of Gram To Come!

I left my heart at home...but I'm in San Francisco

A artist's heart in Union Square

I left my heart at home…but I’m in San Francisco

It’s Thursday night…I’m out of town

No Family Dinner!

A trolley car outside my hotel

The Westin St. Francis hotel

What does Gram do when Mam and Sam aren’t along?

Gram goes cooking….

Williams-Sonomas' Flagship store

Feeling punky…and fighting a head-cold of monumental proportions…Gram went looking for an adventure and wouldn’t you know it? There’s a Williams-Sonoma smack dab across the street from her hotel.  And not just any Williams-Sonoma…the granddaddy of them all…the flagship store in Union Square.

Four floors of kitchen bliss!

YIPPPEEEEEEE!

Ahhhhhhhhh!

Ooooooh! 

Well….as chance would have it…I happened into a techniques class on “Cooking with Citrus”

Hmmmm…just the thing for a head-cold

Lots of vitamin C!!


The demo kitchen was to die for!

 I want this kitchen!

Learned how to make:

“Fresh Citrus Spritzers”

“Apple-Citrus Salad with roasted pistachios”

“Citrus-Herb Turkey Cutlets with Baby Broccoli”

“Lemon Bundt cake”

Yummmmmmm!

So good….can’t wait to try it with you, two~

Missed you on my adventure, Mam and Sam!!!

Until next week….

Hugs and Kisses, Gram

Gram's little helper...

A teething toddler and orchestrating a dinner for twelve....

What was Gram thinking??

Well....that's the problem...I wasn't!

I live in my head way too much and things never seem to work out the way that I've planned.

Yesterday was no exception.

As we've mentioned...Thursday's are our family dinners and any loved ones are invited...

open door...open hearts...open kitchen

(Thanks for the sign, Janet!)

I like to get creative and sometimes in my quest I do not consider the costs.

Yesterday afternoon started with a teething, tantruming, toddler.

She was not a happy camper...more like a clinging camper.

The Clinging Camper

Mam had a facial appointment and typically our lil' Samantha will take a nice nap while Mam is away.  That gives Gram ample time to prep.

Because I was trying two new recipes, the prepping was more time consuming than anticipated.

(Chicken Marsala & Coto Risotto...or "rice surprise" according to Uncle Jon)

Little Sam decided that napping was not on her agenda

She wanted to watch cartoons (educational ones, Mam!) and cuddle with Gram.

Gram would normally LOVE this except all she could see was the dinner that would not be on the table at 6 if she didn't get chopping!  

Somewhere in the midst of all Gram's worry she decided that she needed to REMEMBER her priorities...

And sweet (a bit sour) Sam won out!

We could always order pizza!

After our cuddle time...Mam came home...Sam played (destroyed) the house and the chopping got done.

Gram's lil' helper

Papa came home and he and Sam had a few adventures of their own
(Which Gram and Mam were both very grateful for)

Dinner at 6 for twelve minus one was executed

Laughter was heard...

Stories were told...

children played...

And Gram had a tummy full of joy!

But pizza would have been fine!  Note to self:  Uncomplicate the menu and concentrate on the relationships.  For someone whose love language is quality time...you'd think that I would know this by now....

Gram, Mam, & Sam "Heart" Papa

Papa And Sam.
Sam Leading the Way.
Driving of Course. 

Oh my goodness gracious.
Mam Fail. 

One of the first things Gram & Mam discussed when venturing into the world was blogging was discussing our goals and dreams together. 

Since "Mam" discussing her dreams (and anything and everything else for that matter) with "Gram" is nothing new (its been happening for years people) we chatted thoughts, plans, and dreams for this writing space of Gram, Mam & Sam.

I really stressed the importance of writing at least once a week so that we (and hopefully others) feel connected to this place.
Umm, once again, mam fail.

They say behind a great man is always a fabulous woman.
Is that how the saying goes?
Something like that.
:)

I would have to now say, that in the case of Gram, Mam, & Sam,
in front of three fabulous generations of woman is one
incredibly stellar, full of fun, generous, kind, and more than overwhelmingly-loving
Papa.

He goes by hubby to Gram, daddy to Mam, and Papa to Sam.

The three of us gals can't get enough of him.
He rarely gets enough kudos and credit for being the main man of our hearts.
We love him.

These days, Papa has taken center stage to Sam.
He falls far in front of her affections when were around.
The two of them as Gram so sweetly put it this weekend,
"get each other".
Oh, brother, they so do. 


My dad was playing this weekend with Sam and I remarked to Gram,
"geez...dad is better at this toddler thing than I am". 
He is so patient, so creative, so playful.
We are so blessed.

And as another Thursday rolls around, I am already looking forward to family dinner night, I can't help but help feeling so grateful.
Our family isn't perfect, our lives are sometimes messy (okay more than sometimes :) but were family, and I love us SO much, and I wouldn't trade this family with anyone else in the world.

Sharing a Protein Shake.
Papa let Samantha have her own cup.
Clearly.

"Cheers!"

To Papa,
Thanks for Standing on the Front Line.
We love you.
Gram, Mam, & Sam
xo