New Pool

The mini got a new pool over the weekend just because it's summer. How fun is that?

Date Night

DH and I went out last night on a date. We saw "Iron Man" at the local theatre. It was.....interesting. Definitely entertaining. And I have to say, it was great to sit through a movie without a 10-minute gratuitous sex scene in it. Not that there wasn't a 30-second one, but you didn't see any T&A, just a couple rolling around in a bed. Otherwise, the movie was filled with explosions and chase scenes and lots of cool gadgets. Definitely a guy movie. But it was fun to go out without the mini, nonetheless. Now that I've proved I'm willing to go to a movie of his choice, what are the odds he'll go with me to see "Sex and the City?"

Where in the World(Picture) Am I?

We went to my 10th college reunion over the weekend. It was great seeing so many of my classmates and catching up on everyone's news. I went to an all-women's college, which is why there are no men in the picture. There are so many differences in all of the women I went to school with, from diverse careers, to the places we all live, to our families. There are some truly amazing women out there, folks! There are doctors, lawyers, teachers, soldiers, moms, tri-athletes, real estate agents, authors, political activists...you name it, we've got it. It's also interesting to know that none of us can hold our liquor like we used to. (Insert a great big sigh here) We were so young then.....where has the time gone?

Spinach, Blueberry and Walnut Salad

For those who requested this salad recipe: (it's super easy)

1 bag baby spinach leaves
12 oz. fresh clamshell blueberries, rinsed
1 pkg. (8-10 oz?) fat-free crumbled feta cheese
8 oz. chopped walnuts, candied (directions below)
5-6 tbsp. Virginia Brand Vidalia Onion Vinegarette salad dressing

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and serve immediately. This should serve 10-12 people easily as a side salad.

Candied walnuts:
Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Preheat oven to 300. spread walnuts in an even layer over baking sheet. Using your fingers, sprinkle entire layer with water (3-4 tbsp). Sprinkle with light brown sugar (I use about 1/4 cup of sugar) then place in oven to toast lightly. Check walnuts every 5-10 minutes, flipping them around with a spatula to ensure even coating of the sugar and to prevent burning. After 20 minutes or so, pull out the baking pan and place it on a wire rack to cool. Make sure to stir the walnuts again with the spatula to make sure they don't stick to the foil. Serve immediately. (These are great as a party snack, too.)

Happy Mother's Day to Me!

Mother's Day was great this year. After our normal get-up-and-go-to-church routine, DH, the mini and I went out for brunch at a blues cafe. The food was decent, though nothing spectacular. The best part was the live jazz band. The mini couldn't sit still - much to the entertainment of both the band members and the other restaurant patrons, she just had to get up and dance! I had so many people comment on how proud I must be that I had a continuous blush and silly grin for almost the whole meal. After lunch, we came home and we all took a long nap - bliss! Then, DH made dinner for us. It was a really relaxing day for me. On top of that, at school last week, the mini made a Mother's Day card for me (she made another one at home that was totally cool) that included her handprints and a poem. Perhaps not your traditional M-Day with flowers and candy, etc, but totally satisfying in it's own right. Hope yours was just as great!


The pictures are not great, but hey, it was the best we could do!












The mini is sitting 4th from the right in the picture.









The poem on the card says this:

I use my hands to work,
I use my hands to play.
I use my hands to wave
And I use my hands to pray.

Today my hands were busy,
Making something just for you.
These flowers mean "I love you"
And "Happy Mother's Day" too.

Delusions of Writing

So I've been thinking about writing something longer than a poem for the past several years, but never got serious about it because I could never get my thoughts organized into a decent plot. Until a couple of days ago, anyway. It turns out that my aunt has been thinking about a story line for a few years and finally decided to write out a bare bones outline. I've been drafted to actually fill out the story and turn it into a full-length novel, and between the two of us, we think we have the makings of a decent book. Maybe having it be a team effort instead of a solo enterprise was just the sort of kick-in-the-pants we both needed to get something down on paper (or in digital, as the case may be). Surprisingly, I've written six pages so far, and I think I might be able to give this a shot. We figure it'll take at least a year, but for some reason, that kind of project commitment isn't giving me the heebie-jeebies that you might expect. Wish us luck (we'll need it)! Hopefully you'll be seeing it all in print in the not-too-distant future!

I Got Next to Nothin'

Haven't had much of an urge to blog recently. The pollen count is up and kicking my butt in terms of allergies. Also, the weather has been so nice for the past several days (previously mentioned pollen count not withstanding) that we've been spending a lot of time outside, so I haven't actually been at the computer a lot lately. Add that to the mountains of laundry that seem to mysteriously keep piling up around here, not to mention all of the "spring cleaning" going on (and by that, I mean mostly DH and I discussing how best to reorganize our lives and our house - hey, we actually DID reorganize our attic!) then you'll understand why I haven't blogged lately. Just don't have much to say. I'm sure that comes as a bit of a surprise to many of you, considering the normal speed of my motor-mouth, but hey, everyone has an off day once in a while, right?

P.S. I am happy to say that I have now lost 17.4 pounds. I'm slowly inching toward that 20 lb. mark that previously I just didn't dare even think about. Maybe I'll get there by the end of the month. After that, who knows? Maybe another 10 pounds to be my goal? Hope I can keep it up! And for anyone else out there trying to shed the weight, keep working on it - but take it one day at a time. Try not to stress about the total weight that you want to lose, just make small, realistic goals - like one or two pounds a week at the most. And remember, if you need someone to talk to, I'm here for you. Shoot me a note and know that I'm pulling for you, too!