Time for a Cooper-Doo update, don't you think? We had a visit this week from my busy nephew, on Wednesday, and he was on-the-move. He's an expert button-pusher and knob-twister. Anything that even sort of resembles a button or knob and out shoots his darling little hand, with his little carrot-shaped finger, and push, push, twist, twist, there he goes. He's spending lots of time at the park now that the weather is - finally! - warmer. And he's thisclose to walking around, which will quickly become running around, and THEN Stace and Bowen will have their hands full. Oh my. A little red-haired streak of lightening, zooooom!

Our friend Bartley was in town for business last night, from NYC, so we got to steal him for dinner. I made a simple frittata with potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and onion (recipe in comments, below) and a salad with lots of shaved Parm. We split the bottle of Silver Oak my friend Michelle gave to me in Palm Springs - thanks Mich, we toasted you. AND Happy Birthday, girlfriend, belatedly!

Today I had a lovely, lovely breakfast with my dear friend Mary, at the Edina Grill. It was so good to see her, made my whole week. I ordered their yummy buckwheat pancakes, the kill. Lots of (decaf) coffee, LOTS of chatting, and we had to be on our way. Boo! I could talk to Mary all day (and in fact I used to, when we shared an office at Park Nicollet...)

From there I met up with jeweler Todd Crabtree, maker of my beloved engagement ring. He's currently making a gift for my stepdaughter (shhh!) as well as a ring and a necklace for me, from scattered diamonds I own from various other pieces of jewelry. In fact, I got the necklace today, made from my Grandma Meyer's engagement-ring diamond and oh, I got tears in my eyes when I put it on. I love wearing her diamond, because I loved her so much. I'm thrilled to be able to wear it.

For now? I'm outta here, man, it's gorgeous outside! Time to move my Napa-Butt on a nice, long walk. Tomorrow, Nathan's Boy-Soup Birthday Swimming Party - this year, it's looking to be a nice day, yay! Stay tuned...

And oh, ps, I just read this on Suz's blog...if you need a day brightener - and really, who doesn't? - this'll do ya, most definitely.