We’ve all been there. You sit down at a restaurant and see a family of four at a table nearby, all staring silently into their phones and not looking at each other. I have invented a new game to beat that habit. The goal is to celebrate the warmth, comfort, and companionship of sitting around a fire with family and friends — without staring into your phones. Gathering around a firepit is one of my favorite things to do. You can do it at home, the marshmallows and chocolate you need for s’mores don’t cost much, and you have the opportunity for quality conversations with family. It’s a great setting for relaxed conversations about shared memories, trips you’ve taken, and stories to remember. Beat the Phone- Zombie Syndrome Carmen Creates a New Game
Golden Summer Squash and Corn Soup Inspired by AllRecipes.com
INGREDIENTS • 1 tbsp extra- virgin olive oil • 1 medium
DIRECTIONS 1. In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add shallot and cook for 1 minute. 2. Add squash and 1 tsp herbs; cook 3–5 minutes until the squash softens; stir occasionally. 3. Add broth and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 5 more minutes until squash is soft. 4. In a blender, purée soup until smooth. Return the soup to the pan and stir in corn. 5. Simmer over medium heat and cook 3–5 minutes until corn is tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice. 6. Serve garnished with remaining 2 tsp herbs and feta.
shallot, chopped
• 2 medium
summer squash (about 1 lb), diced
• 3 tsp chopped fresh thyme or
oregano, divided
• 1 14-oz can
reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
Here’s a game I invented to get those stories rolling.
• 1/4 tsp salt • 1 cup corn kernels (from 1 large ear) • 1 tsp lemon juice • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Readers of this newsletter know I love tossing out spontaneous conversation-starters. One idea for firepit gatherings is to have someone call out a date: “Nov. 12, 2012,” or “July 20, 2021” — whatever. Everyone can chime in. Then, everybody dives into the photos on their phones and pulls up an image from that day. If they don’t have anything on that date, they can go forward or back. Each person tells everyone around the firepit what they were doing on that day. This is a game you can play with your kids and your grandkids. And I find that when you’re telling stories, the grandkids get really interested. They have questions about what happened; they want to know the stories. And the photo is worth 1,000 words. It’s a way of embracing technology to reconnect rather than driving you apart. And getting your grandkids into the conversation is sure to be a hoot.
A referral is the greatest gift we can receive from a client or fellow business! Last month we had ... • 30 referrals from friends, family, or previous clients • 12 returning clients for new matters • 7 referrals from other attorneys • 5 referrals from doctors and other professionals • We also send out referrals to our trusted referral partners! A Huge Thank-You to Our Referral Partners! What’s the Good News? “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”. ISAIAH 40:31
The last time our family gathered around our firepit, I said to
my little granddaughter, Konnor, “Konnor, we have a firepit, we are roasting marshmallows! What could be better than this?”
Konnor did not miss a beat. “Candy,” she said.
I did a double take. “Candy?”
“Everything is better with candy, Nonno,” she answered.
I had to give her that! “You know,” I said, “you’re right!”
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