After many years of raising two very energetic little boys my sister, Rose Carol, had a precious baby girl. She called her Alycia Marie. I’m not sure where the Alycia part came from but I know Marie came from our maternal grandmother, Dessa Marie Tracy.  Alycia grew up not in the shadows of her older brothers but very independent and capable of doing whatever she set her mind to. Along with this strong personality though she has this sweet gentle feminine side that matches her mother. Even with her living in California and us living way on the other side of the country we have managed to be together almost every year and when we do it’s for a week or two or three….so we’re very lucky to know each other well.  On my last trip west she had us come to her house where we shared a meal from one of her favorite chefs, Barefoot Contessa , called baked shrimp scampi. It was a perfect evening between the sounds of enjoying the meal and the laughter that is always present when our family finally gets together again and we catch each other up on all the happenings of our lives since we were together last.