Zucchini

             Our lives have become a blur as we race between school, work, real estate, volunteer work at too many places to mention, Cody's track, here comes the little one's swim lessons...and on and on.  But who isn't busy these days?  I guess that I was so insulated from this feeling due to the partnership Kim and I had - it didn't quite feel this wacky - we always shared the duties/activities, so neither of us felt the strain.

            Today, things 'slowed down' for about an hour as Cody hit the skatepark with his buddy Alex leaving Autumn and Tonio to help me...in the kitchen.

             It's in the kitchen that we find comfort.  Recreating Kim's wonderful recipes.  You can fool your subconscious for awhile and find peace.  I also find it is a great time to teach the bambini 'life lessons' as we talk about cooking technique (heat up your olive oil before you put in the minced garlic), friendship (do not dwell on those who have let you down, rather rejoice in those who continue to hold you up), school, gardening, etc.  Cody's pretty proficient around the kitchen and the little ones are eager to learn, soaking it up like the sponge we use to clean the counters when we are done cooking!

           We were blessed to have Andrea's zucchini to work with today.  I had Autumn break out the 'nice pot' and get the rice started while Tonio and I sliced zucchini.  We diced some of the banana peppers and Roma tomatoes Andrea had brought us.  Autumn placed a little olive oil in our 'big pan' and minced the garlic into it once it was hot.  We added the sliced banana peppers to the oil and then the diced tomatoes, stirring to coat them all.
           Once the tomatoes began to break down, we added the zucchini and a little water.  I put some sea salt and ground pepper over them and stirred.  Let them simmer on a low heat for about 15 minutes or until zuc begins to soften.  Right before it was done, I chopped up two fresh basil leaves and stirred them in.

THEN, we began to make Kimmy's famous zucchini bread!

Ingredients:

 3 1/4 cups of flour

 1 1/2 tsp of salt

   1 teaspoon of nutmeg

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

3 cups of sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs, beaten

1/3 cup of water

2 cups of grated zucchini (about 2 medium sized ones)

1 tsp of lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350.  In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, nutmeg, baking soda, cinnamon and sugar.  In a separate bowl, combine oil, eggs, water zucchini and lemon juice.  Mix wet ingredients into dry.  Bake in 2 standard loaf pans, sprayed with nonstick spray, for 1 hour or until a tester comes out clean.

The bambini and Andrea's girls loved it!  We've had a lot of fun with all of the produce she has brought us over the last few weeks!! 

I think that's about it right now - the bambini are good - we've come through the 'haze' and have seemingly settled into what is our new journey...surely making some mistakes along the way and bumps and bruises withstanding, it's all working out (a favorite phrase my Dad used to tell me over the years 'it'll all work out').

'Kimmy's Kitchen' is kicking butt, thank you all so much!  We've sold 300 copies so far!  They are still available at Unique Identity Salon (Janene's place!), Viro's Italian Bakery, Cottonwood Elementary School, Desert Willow Elementary School and Desert Sky Middle School.  Last week, St. Joseph's Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital added them to their gift shops and soon they will be available on Barnes & Noble's website.  The money raised (all $15.00 of the purchase price!) goes towards helping build the new chapel at St Joseph's Hospital.  Ground breaking will be on March 21st.

"Klimb 4 Kimmy 2" has more than doubled since last year!!  Again, thank you so much!  We are looking forward to walking this coming Saturday - it's been 80 the last two days - hopefully we have another spectacular day to walk like last year.  Jack's t-shirt design is amazing (we sold 52 shirts!) and he has graciously donated his time, considerable talent and the materials so that all $15 can go directly to the foundation (deadline was 2/24 to order)!!!

Thank you all again!

                             Rafa Marquez, of the NY Red Bulls and Mexico's captain...can't believe it's been a year already since we last saw MLS in Tucson...but it's back!

Fresh Produce

Calabacitas!

Lately, I have not had to make any produce runs to Fry's. Or Sunflower Market. For two weeks. Andrea has brought us an invariable cornucopia of veggies.  Eggplant (I made eggplant parm -Lexy really liked it! and Caponata - pg 7 of 'Kimmy's Kitchen'!), tomatoes (Beefsteak, Roma, cherry and yellow!), peppers (sweet, jalapeno, red and green bell), cucumbers (English and American) and copious quantities of squash!!  Before dinner each night, Autumn will say a prayer for us.  Sunday, Autumn added this to her prayer: "And thank you God for all of this produce that Andrea brought us!". 

Cooking is comforting.  I have had so much fun making things with all of this stuff.  Antonio loves to help and is getting very good in the kitchen. With all of this produce, I have barely left the kitchen. Kimmy's kitchen  And Sunday, after I worked (Andrea took the bambini to church for me and to Viro's!), I baked squash and eggplant.  Monday, I made fresh salsa and decided to try the Calabacitas that Angie makes so well.  So I initiated the cooking conference call and had her walk me through it:

4-5 good size squash or zucchini, cut into cubes

1 tbsp of olive oil

2 tbsp diced yellow onion (or to taste)

4 diced up Roma tomatoes

1 cup grated Longhorn cheese (or to taste)

1 can of yellow whole corn

1/2 tsp salt

pepper to taste

Steam the diced squash until tender and drain.  In a pan, saute the onions and tomatoes in the oil for about 15 minutes and stir into the squash, mixing it well.  Add the salt and pepper to taste and continue to heat.  Add corn and stir in.  Add grated cheese and allow to melt.  Serve when cheese is fully melted.

Came out fantastic!! Angie is always a big help!

I used a lot of the peppers in salsa and made peppers and eggs one morning.  But, it has been many, many years since I've tried to make jalapeno poppers.  Kim and I once grew jalapenos on the balcony of our apartment back in Pennsylvania.  We had a small, planked balcony, overlooking 5th Ave.  We liked to sit out there in the summer.  At night, sharing a drink.  We had the classic hibachi that we used year round.  I'd shovel off our balcony after a snowfall, digging out the hibachi to grill out.  The jalapenos grew well and we decided to make poppers, our favorite bar food.  As we prepped them, a seed popped up and lodge itself in my eye, underneath my contact.  The pain was immediate and searing.  Kim guided me into the shower and forced my eye open to try to sooth it and get the seed out.  I was quite red eyed, but Kim's poppers turned out great, no surprise.

Eh.  They did not turn out as good as Kimmy's and the oil splashed all over the stove and floor.  Dammit.  Cody and I ate quite a few anyway.

For dinner, I made shrimp scampi (pg 27 of Kimmy's Kitchen), arborrio rice and Italian green beans. One of Kim's treat for us on many Valentine's Day.

The bambini ate well.

Happy Valentine's Day Kimmy!

I know it's a day late, but, on Valentine's Day, we enjoyed our regular Tuesday 'therapy' day at the Barrios' home.  In Lupe's Kitchen, a feast was brewing for this holiday.  She made us taquitos (rolled beef tacos - one of Kim's favorite, drive through meals at Filibertos or Nico's), Mexican rice, guacamole.  Antonio begged for seconds! 

And for dessert...these beautiful cupcakes!

It was sweet of Lupe and Manny to include us in their Valentine plans...and continue to help us heal - they've seen me stumble and fall...and helped us transition with their family and sharing meals.  We sometimes try to figure out just what the hell happened...and talk about challenges and rising above obstacles.  The family looks forwards to Tuesdays!

Just two and a half more weeks until we walk up A mountain for Kimmy!  It is sometimes hard to believe that a year has passed already.  We've learned so much...and I know we have a lot more to learn...

Klimb 4 Kimmy 2 T-shirts!

 Jack asked me to set a cut off date for the Klimb 4 Kimmy 2 tshirts - February 24th.  Three more weeks to order a Klimb tee and one month until the walk!!  $15.00 - goes to Kim's Foundation - ordering into a couple of posts ago - but please be sure to email me or text me your size.  Cuz I lost my mind reading abilities when I lost Kimmy.

Thank you!!

 Dave

Rice!

                Cooking.  We sometimes used to look at it as a hassle.  A drag.  'Dave, what should I make tonight?'  'Kimmy, anything you choose to make will be wonderful.'  'Yeh, but...I'm out of ideas, help me!'.  Did I take it for granted?  Yes, in some ways.  I always, always appreciated and enjoyed every meal that Kim lovingly created for our family.
                And so.  I do not complain about cooking.  And the lack of time to cook.  And worrying about running out of ideas.  Being in Kimmy's kitchen is a one of the highlights of my day.  Especially when the bambini or their friends say how good it is...or even better...'It's just like Mama's!'  It is comforting cooking and re-creating all of her favorite recipes.  The little ones always like to help.  Especially Tonio.
               I've been expanding my repertiore over the last year, expanding into Mexican food.  Albondigas (I don't have any mint leaves, though, Angie), enchiladas, Janene's Rotel shredded chicken burritos, beans, sopa de fideo (Andrea's recipe) and, of course, Kimmy's tortilla soup.  I'm getting a pretty good handle on it and since I could eat Italian and Mexican every day, this is probably as broad as my cooking horizon will get.
             Until yesterday.  Rice.  I've never tried to make Spanish rice and had heard how tricky a process it is.  Rice is a challenge as it is.  Sometimes it comes out sticky, chewy or crunchy.  Spanish rice begins with browning the rice.  Not singeing it, browning.  Then you get to the boiling process.  I knew Mario had this art form down, and Andrea shared his secrets with me:

                  1 tablespoon of butter (I added a dollop of olive oil - it prevents the butter from burning!)
                  2 cups of rice
                  3 1/2 cups of water
                  1 chicken bouillon cube
                  1 tablespoon of Caldo de Pollo (powdered chicken bouillon)
                  1/2 cup of tomato sauce

                  Melt butter, with dollop of olive oil, in nice pot

             Brown the 2 cups of rice in the butter/olive oil, stirring occasionally.
             Once it is golden brown, add in the 3 1/2 cups of water, bouillon cube, Caldo de Pollo and the tomato sauce and bring to a rapid boil.  Allow it to get really boiling and then reduce heat to low, cover and allow to cook for 20 minutes.  Remove from heat and let stand covered for 10 minutes before stirring/fluffing.

Andrea, Lexy and Breanna all told me it was great! (I'm sure not anywhere near as good as Mario's though!)  I served it with beans and Rotel chicken (recipes somewhere back in blog history) and the kids ate it up!  Bella tried to have some too, but ended up with Iam's.  Sorry Bella.

I was so excited to add this recipe to 'things I can cook' and I really like rice, so wanted to share it with you!

Enjoy!

Dave

           
              

Klimb 4 Kimmy 2 T's

Jack LeDuke...Angie's cousin-in-law...coming through with some powerful t-shirt designs. Jack captures Kim's essence completely in these artworks.  Blows me away.  Look at last post if you would like to get involved in this event! Please try to support this event if you have time/means.  I can't tell you how much it means to me to keep Kim's spirit alive...

I had a meeting at St. Joseph's Hospital yesterday for the new, all faiths, chapel that is being built.  Kimmy's foundation was able to contribute $10K towards it, thanks to your support and involvement!  They still need to raise nearly $210K, so if you know anyone, or work for a company that is in need of a great cause to contribute to...please let me know!

Klimb 4 Kimmy 2!

        In just 40 days...we will once again walk the 6 miles from Pima County Community College West campus to the top of 'A' Mountain and back again...

        Set your alarms!  March 3rd.  Saturday.  Walk begins at 8:00 a.m.

        I actually created a form this year, to figure out who was going and to provide donation information...but, I am not technically proficient enough to attach it to this blog!  So, same as last year, I am asking that you simply donate $25.00 to the Kimberly Conca Memorial Foundation (yes, Kim's foundation became OFFICIAL this year!!  If you've donated before, you know that you sent a check to Carondelet in care of Kimberly Conca.  Well, the response has been so steady that they created the first ever foundation in a person's name that they administer!!  Thank you, thank you!!).

         Here is the way:

If friends and family would like to donate with a credit card we have two options:

1. They can call the Foundation 873-5000 and give their information over the telephone

2. They can go to our website: www.carondelet.org

If they would like to send their donation by check (Payable to "Kimberly Conca Memorial Foundation"), the address is:

Carondelet Foundation

120 N. Tucson Blvd.

Tucson, AZ 85716

Or, you can simply give your check or cash to me, as I make regular trips there to bring money from 'Kimmy's Kitchen' cookbooks , which are on sale at Unique Identity Salon across from the Park Mall on Broadway (thanks Janene!) and at Viro's Italian Bakery at 22nd and Sarnoff (thank you Rosa and Vito!), Cottonwood Elementary, Desert Sky Middle School and Desert Willow Elementary, and other misc. donations.

    This year, Angie's cousin Sandy & her husband Jack, will be making Klimb 4 Kimmy tshirts.  We are asking for a $15 donation (checks to "Kimberly Conca Memorial Foundation").  Jack is donating his considerable air brushing talents at no cost to raise money for Kimmy's foundation!  If you are interested, please shoot me an email at conca5@cox.net indicating size/qty and form of payment (phone, mailed check or gave to me).

    Remember, we are doing this for Kim and for her foundation.  100% of every dollar goes to help people in Tucson.  We are not working with the American Cancer Society on this event, if anyone asks.

      Last year was an incredible day for the walk and it was so fun to make it to the top with so many of you!!  Hoping for a good turn out again this year and praying for the beautiful weather that we had last year!!  You don't have to do the whole six miles, either.  You can choose to do the three miles from Pima to the top of 'A' Mountain and take the bus back from the top to Pima.  We have always done the whole 6 miles.  Our routine was to stop at a little floral shop on St. Mary's (in a little yellow house on the north side of the street), buy a little religious item for our home (they have an incredible assortment from all over the world!) and then find some good Mexican food on that side of town to finish off our morning!!

      Please look me up if you have any questions/suggestions/etc!!

                                          Thank you!!

                                                God Bless,

                                                          Dave

Merry Christmas!

               Merry Christmas to you and all of your family!  I'm not very good at Christmas cards.  I'm sorry.  We did get to make biscotti.  Pizzelles.  And raviolis...but did not leave time for cards.  I don't know how Kim did it! PS - Ravioli recipe has a typo!!  Should be 1 tablespoon of olive oil instead of 1 teaspoon.  That will make a difference!

 

We drove out to the San Xavier Mission...taking the scenic route after a stop by Viro's...straight out 22nd street.  I am blown away by the 'foot prints' Kim and I left and told the bambini story after story about how; a) We picniced at that park b) ate there often c) watched a white horse that lived there, across the street from a hotel we stayed at a hundred years ago d) watched the fireworks on 'A' Mountain from that empty lot (that now has a neighborhood on it) e) used to visit that Circle K  (Drexel and Mission) after Mass at San Xavier...and the one they liked best?  Joe Begay.  The old time Native American at the little placita just across from the San Xavier Mission.  It was our one year anniversary and we had just gone to Mass.  Joe made me a ring to give to Kim, etched with the Mission, a saguaro, a roadrunner and a sunset.  He regaled us with tales of the old west and had a huge photo album with pictures of him in various movies shot here in Arizona.

We went to the same shop where we got the St. Francis statue for the nitcho and picked out a flower for Kim.  And yes, we did hang Kim's stocking...from the couch, with care..

                                    The raviolis came out good.  Autumn ate the most!!

I let them all open one gift.

 

Much, much later...Reindeer tracks!

Cody helped me get ready this year.  He continued Kim's tradition of leaving reindeer tracks behind while I placed the presents beneath the tree...

Here's my gift;

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Typos

Thank you for the Kimmy's Kitchen cookbook orders!  I finally figured out how to attach a Paypal button, so you can buy online. 

As I baked, the last few days, I've come across some typos.

Pg 51 - Biscotti - forgot to include '1 stick of butter at room temp' and 1 tsp of vanilla, in ingredients!
Pg 52 - After your biscotti cools for 30 minutes, cut it in 1/2" to 1" slices.

Pg 54-Pizzelles - The baking powder should be 4 tsp not 4 tblsp.  I think that might make a huge difference, but, I've never been a baker!  In directions, I say to stir in baking soda, I meant powder.  And, it helps to place the pizzelles onto a cooling rack first, to allow them to cool, then transfer them to a container. Make sure that they are completely cool, and then put some powdered sugar on them.

So, Let me know if you find any other typos and we'll put them out there! 

And let me tell you...for me, just having this little blue book, sitting on my counter, brings me great comfort. Just as the Maria Bermudez' Mexican  cookbook did - you can often catch a glimpse of it in the background of the photo's in Kimmy's Kitchen.  Maria beaming at the camera...like Kim...inviting us to make something awesome!

I like to thumb through and just re-read the things she used to like to say.  True story.  I received Kimmy's Kitchen on 12/13, the anniversary of Kimmy's passing.  It was raining.  The first person I handed her cookbook to, flipped it open and right to the page that says "I love the rain.  The smell.  How different it is from our sunny days...".  Kim will surprise you like that.  I can hear her giggling...
I can hear her reminding me to use plastic utensils on the 'Nice Pot', too...so it will last longer...
 
I work in a bookstore.  I know that a book cannot change your life.  That's up to you.  But some books, can set us on the right path...
Try it out, let me know what you think.  Tell me what delicious recipe you tried and don't be afraid to innovate.  That's what Kim loved about cooking...'kicking it up a notch!'.  Above all, please enjoy these recipes with your family...we do!

Thanks,
          Dave

Lucky 13

          Sometimes, you need to go back to the beginning to get to the end...
         
         
          This morning...dark, cold, rainy.  I asked the bambini, specifically, what they would like for breakfast.  I wanted to start their day special.  We turned south on Houghton, the rain pelting the windshield, the gray/dark clouds swarming the area...I glanced east.  Towards the slowly sloping Rincon mountains and caught fire - there was the rising sun, framed by clouds and earth.  I shouted out "Mama's saying good morning!" Over top of Eminiem's "You're Never Over", Cody's new favorite and to be able to make myself heard to Aut and Tonio, arguing in the back seat.   They whipped their heads in unison.  Just the music playing and all of us staring...

             ...How do you begin to commemorate a friendship that lasted 33 years?

                    Well, after last night's delivery from Andrea of the poinsettia and angel night light, I received a text this morning from Ami and Mary that said "Look outside"...on the doorstep was a basket filled with candy, movie tickets, a starbucks card and a bag of rice krispy treats!

What a great way to begin the day.

Angie came by after I dropped bambini at school...

Angie told me this angel reminding her of Kim..I had never, in all of the years I have come here, noticed this angle!!!  I lit a candle below her for Kimmy.

  This little, Indian made manager, was at the front of the church.

                                We went to 8:30 Mass at San Xavier.  Angie got to meet Toni and Ivan, who take care of the Mission and keep Kimmy's picture clean.  We lit candles in the church and Mary's chapel, too.  A stray reservation dog wandered into the church, reminding me of our wedding day...
                                 Then, we had breakfast at Bruegger's and ran some errands. 
                                  I was contacted by Phoenix Publishing - Kimmy's Kitchen Cookbook has arrived! 

I hustled to deliver as many copies as possible before making a 3:00 appointment I had with Dave Williams of Tattoo Artistry.
                                  Dave and I worked together for at least 5 years at Toys R Us.  He had a desire to be an artist.  On his breaks, he would be sketching and drawing, instead of eating.  Finally, he saw his chance, to become a tattoo artist!

                             Coneniently, Autumn's birthstone is the emerald (5/10), Cody's is the diamond (4/23) and Tonio's is the ruby (7/11).  Coincidence?  Perhaps...Nonetheless, here's my tribute on this special day.
                            Lupe and Manny had picked up the bambini for me from school.  When I was done, I met them for dinner. Lupe made a wonderful tostado and green enchilada's!!  It was an incredible feast and a nice dinner on Kim's night.
                           A busy day, with great support!!

                          It's been a ride.  I guess I had to go to that place, to get to this one.
                          Now some of you, might still be in that place.
                          If you're trying to get out,
                          Just follow me.  I'll get your there...

                   That day, a year ago, went so quickly...I remember Kim going under, for the lung procedure...I remember sitting in St. Joseph's garden and Janene bringing me iced tea...and Wendy, hospital chaplain, staying close.
                   I remember saying our goodbyes, not thinking it could be true...losing touch with reality...I remember having to tell the bambini and Tonio immediately vomiting...in grief.  And poor Brian, our neighbor...it was his birthday - but now, looking back, what a great day to celebrate!  Kim was phenominal.
                  We had so much support that day, as we did this day!  Thanks Ami and Mary, Angie and Andrea, Lupe and Manny!!  And all of you who texted me throughout the day!
                 As she left, it occured to me that Kim was my miracle.  I had been praying for a miracle to save her, but didn't realize that she actually was my miracle!
                 I'll never forget her.  And how special she was.  How she made us all feel amazing.  I remember her telling me, as I gave her her Lovenox injections, that I was her knight in shining armor!  Only, I did not save the day.  I do not get to ride off into the sunset.  And, I do not get the girl...


                          

The 7 Days of Kimmy

    Instead of the 12 days of Christmas, the bambini and I are celebrating 7 Days of Kimmy.  We started yesterday with her famous biscotti.  Today, being the 6th Day of Kimmy, Antonio was a big help in the kitchen as we re-created Kim's best dinner dish - chicken piccatta.  Tonio cut Italian parsley, squeezed lemons, set the table, seasoned the chicken breasts, got everyone something to drink and helped clean up!  He is amazing.

                     It is so hard to believe that a year has gone by already...Sometimes, it seems like a blink of an eye...others, like an eternity. 
                     I know I've told you about most of the memories...95% of them wonderful.  Our travels, time together, things we shared, accomplishments...

                          I couldn't have been blessed with a better life...I'd literally out run my punt coverage when I hooked up with Kim...

                          The other 5%...I've told you a little about...mostly about the size of the hole  left in my heart.  What do I miss most?  Her smile.  Her laugh.  The way she held me and the look in her eyes.  Having someone, somewhere, waiting for me.  The way she smelled.  Her jokes.  The way she accepted me exactly the way that I am...and yet, made me strive to be a better person.
                          The memories that I have of of later tonight, last year...I thought I'd be able to share...but I never got the chance to, and now, I don't think I can.  The horror, the dark terror.  Sometimes, when I'm driving down Old Spanish Trail, that fear comes back at me, tightening my windpipe - I can feel fear's hand, pulling up through my stomach, as it wraps its icy talons around my heart and squeezes...and the images all come flowing back, in slow motion...

                         And, as far as the person Kim worked to make me become...sometimes, that darkness beckons...sometimes, I do want to completely break down and just let go...but her memory is there...and there have been a couple of you that have also worked hard to make sure that I don't go scittering back down that icy road and hurtling over the edge into oblivion...For her and you, I've kept it together...and, of course, for the bambini, who have told me how much that they need me, love me and admire what I've done...

                        Last year, this day, Kim did break down.  Twice.  No, three times.  I only shared one of the times, previously.  For it was today, last year, that Kim and I were sorting through our lives in pictures to help Autumn create her 'Star Student' poster.  We were laughing and remembering as we went, when, suddenly Kim dropped her stack of photos, covered her face and began sobbing...I held her and asked her what was wrong...she looked up at me, those bright blue eyes shining with tears that had spilled down over her cheeks, cascading off her beautiful face..."What a wonderful life we had."  Actually, going back to look at our post from a year ago, I was mistaken, I did tell you that she cried in the morning when she discovered, despite her best efforts, that she still could not walk...
                      But, I can tell you, that she had a beautiful day...we got her out front, so she could sit and visit with our neighbors, Betsey, Amy, Brian and Tom.  Andrea had come and taken Autumn to a party with her and Christmas shopping, while the rest of the kids played out front.  It seemed, almost, normal...Betsey made Kim tortellini soup for dinner.  Later, Andrea and her girls watched Elf with Kim and I and the bambini.  We loved that movie.

                   Today, once again, it is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe...Mother of miracles.  I remember thinking, with the kind of great day that Kim had just had, that this was it!  Her day for a miracle!!  I prayed.  We all prayed.  Looking for an Advent miracle.  And again, I know my prayers were answered...only, it was a 'no', this time.  I know there was a good reason for that 'no'...I may never know why, but I'll always believe.

http://www.catholic.org/newsletters/content/sofd.php

As I was writing, tonight, I got a text; "Quick!  Look outside!"...our family's angels had made a delivery...

             

Kim and I both loved poinsettias and I would get her one every year...I hadn't thought to by one this year.  This one is incredible - the photo does not do it justice.

I had plugged the Angel night light into the outlet just outside our bedroom door, where for years Kim and I had a nightlight.  Antonio saw it and gasped "how beautiful! It looks like the one we saw on the mountains today!  Can we put it in the bedroom?" Tonio asked?

Well, I forgot to mention that.  I was running late to get the bambini from school and ended up not making it out to Cienega to get Cody until 4:00 (he gets out at 3:20). He was waiting outside, in the drizzle and chill, with no coat.  As we were driving home, I looked to him to ask if he was warming up and if he was ok and caught a glimpse of the Rincon mountains.  The Rincons were blanketed in low hanging clouds, that were delivering rain and snow.  The mountains were completely covered except for one spot, where the sun impossibly was shining through...and it looked like an angel. "I'm going to crash the car trying to look at this." I told the awed bambini. 

Now, it's in our bedroom, lighting our path...

Beautiful Sunday

     It was a beautiful Sunday, just like it had been a year ago...Kim had a great day, helping us prep to make breakfast and lunch.  We rolled her in her wheelchair to the table's edge and she cut all of the vegetables that we needed...and truly enjoyed it.  Then, she directed the cooking from afar 'I don't want to blow up!'  she'd tell us...
     I know everyone misses Kimmy.  A lot of people, over the last few days, have stopped me to share their stories and memories of Kim.  Their favorite thing about her, like her laugh.  And the things that she used to like to do or say.  It is fun remembering how fun Kim was.

     Today, we celebrated our friend Kim's birthday (Angie's youngest daughter)!  No less than 30 of us converged on Fuddrucker's, taking up most of their back room.  I love when the kids get together, the things they find to amuse themselves, the 'prizes' they win from playing the games there.  The burgers are so big, that I don't even have to order one for myself.  Everyone asked me tonight "Aren't you eating?  What did you order?"  I told them that all I had to do was wait a little...sure enough, I was rewarded with half of Autumn's burger...followed by 1/4 of Cody's...and then half of Tonio's burger...
      Kim and Rashon's little girl, Maleah, is growing so fast.  She is such a pretty little girl and was well loved tonight!  She's two months old already and very alert.
      Angie had brought a Carvel cake - my Kim's Dad had worked there many moons ago, back when they had their own ice cream shops.  It was a good cake.  We all sang raucously.  The bambini had a great time...and it helped end our day on a high note.  Thanks for having us help you celebrate your birthday Kim! 
      Kim's husband, Rashon, invited me to join his fantasy NBA league...today was the draft.  I don't know much about basketball and will need some help.  My team name is 'Durden'.  A tribute to Tyler Durden of Fight Club.  Team highlight?  Kobe Bryant. 
       Today, we did start our celebration of Kim's life.  Well, I guess we do that everyday anyway, but officially kicked off this week by making a batch of biscotti.  We tried a recipe Friday and another one Saturday.  Armed with the experience and knowledge, we were able to make Kimmy's biscotti today and the bambini proclaimed it to be the best!  We'll do something each day this week to celebrate her.

        Thanks for being there,
                                     Dave
   We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why.  Not until the future eats the present, anyway. We know when it's too late.

My Story

       Today, has been an invariable roller coaster...I kept the bambini as busy as possible - they have been bringing up the anniversary of Kimmy's passing more frequently - they have lots of questions and concerns...
       Julie Shivonanda, 6th grade teacher at Cottonwood, who worked last year at Rincon Vista with Kim, posted this YouTube video to FB.  I can tell you, that 2010 was without question the worst year of my life, but, viewing this young man's story, puts things into perspective. How courageous he is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dgadTcVu60&feature=player_detailpage

We made more biscotti...the bambini are getting good at it...

Then, we ran steps...yes, we were back at St. Joseph's to visit Aimee Snyder.  Aimee was a teacher at Rincon - Kim loved her.  She has been very inspirational to our family and has been very involved in helping to plan and promote Kim's Foundation fund raising events.  Aimee found that her leg was getting larger...and larger...and thought of Kim's blood clots.  She also remembered how much we have raved about the team at St Joseph's, so that is where she went when she decided it was time to get checked out.  Turns out she had blood clots up and down her leg and in her lungs!!  We went to visit her today and she proudly told us she had a vent put in, just like Kimmy's, to prevent any remaining clots from reaching her heart.  She has had a great experience at St Joe's and, like Kim, has left a legacy as a positive, upbeat patient.  She's on the 4th floor - Kim had spent a little time there - now, but had been in ICU.  Autumn wanted to run down to ICU to say hi to the doctors and nurses who helped Kim, specifically Vivian and Deborah.  We got to see Vivian, but, unfortunately, Deborah was off today.  When I told Vivian that we had come to visit Aimee, she lit up "Oh, she is wonderful...and funny!".  Inspirational!  We ran up the remaining stairs to the 5th floor, where Angie's daughter Kim is an RN, and got to say hi to several of Kim's nurses.  Autumn won all stair races today. 

Vito had live entertainment tonight, invited us down and the house was cold, shadows growing longer, so we thought it would be good to get out...taking Janene's son, Brendon with us, the bambini had fun and almost had Tonio talked into asking the singer to do some Dr. Dre.  He had a lady singer with him and they wanted her to sing some Rihanna.  The duo did sing some Louis Armstrong and Nora Jones, however.  And the Croce family helped us chase some of those shadows away.

          And I am grateful for the blessings that I have.  I think often on those five wonderful final days I got to spend with Kimmy.  And I am thankful for the family and friends who have continued to stand by us, even as we struggle and adapt, and who keep us smiling....

Guitar Hero

                   Last year, this day, Kim was having her third 'good' day in a row!  We were ecstatic, with renewed hope.  The one thing that really bothered us, was, that Kim still could not walk on her own...a foreshadowing, of sorts.
                  We did some more shopping together.  Ross was one of our stops.  Kim was so cute.  She picked out an outfit or coat for everyone and had seen a black Puma shirt that she liked for me.  I told her that we were not shopping for gift for me and that I really did not need a shirt.  She nodded, agreeably, and, I swear, she hung that shirt back up on the rack.
                   I hadn't given it another thought, until, the cashier had scanned each item that I placed upon the counter.  Suddenly, Kim reached into the fold of her wheelchair and produced the black Puma shirt!  "And this."  she implored the cashier.  She had clandestinely hidden the shirt until that last possible moment..all the while looking at me with those big, blue, laughing eyes...
                      Her and Cody ended this nice day by playing Guitar Hero together...
               

                                                       Degrazia Gallery in the Sun Chapel

Our neighbor, Amy, had cleared the way for Kim to collect supplemental sick time off pay!

"Here we go! I bet you get a huge response."
                                                          Amy

        Jenna Edwards, wife of Brent, assistant principal of Rincon Vista, is an RN and volunteered to come over and help me with Kimmy:

> "Hey Conca Family : )
>
> I would love to come over and visit with you! My schedule is pretty
> flexible... Let me know if it would be better to come over during the
> day, while kids are in school, or in the evening.
>
> It would be great to see you, talk and be of any service I can-
>
> Just let me know what works for you guys.
>
> Jenna"

        We made plans for Jenna to come over and help...but Kimmy did not quite make it that long...

         And my Dad sent me news that the Baltimore Orioles had acquired J.J. Hardy, shortstop, from Minnesota. 

          It was a good day...

                                    Love,                                                
                                                Dave

                                                                    Holiday biscotti...part 1