The Simple Woman's Daybook--May 3, 2010

Outside my window:

A very nice spring evening--low 70s, perfect. Might go sit outside and read after this.

I am wearing: 

my Boden dress in blueberry batik print. My last birthday present from my parents. It was a popular pattern so we have to wait for it to be re-ordered.

I am thankful for:

my friends

I am reading:

The King's Good Servant But God's First, The Eternal Woman 

The Diary of Anne Frank

From the kitchen:

Onion and Proscuitto pizza (made last night), Spinach Salad

I am thinking:

That it is so beautiful outside!!

I am creating:

A clean apartment: vacuuming, mopping, running the dishwasher. 

Toward rhythm and beauty: 

Daily prayer; spiritual reading (currently Gospel of Luke)

To Live the Liturgy: 

see above

I am hoping and praying:

for my grandfather; my family members in purgatory; a friend of mine who is about to try his vocation as a Dominican friar.

Around the House:

See above. :) But the bathroom is pretty clean! Woo!

 

One of my favorite things:

Time with my friends.

A few plans for the week:

T: Voting day

W: Choir

Th: Voice

Friday-Sun: Pittsburgh to see the family

A picture I'm sharing: 

 me and my siblings (Melanie, center, Bryan, right)

 

The Simple Woman's Daybook--April 12, 2010

 

 

Outside my window:

Bright and sunny--low 70s. Perfect. My office went out to lunch in honor of my birthday and we ate outside! I could get used to all this al fresco dining.

I am wearing: 

gray scoop neck top, a gray heather skirt, and I have kicked off my red flats. :) Oh, and my Tiffany key necklace.

I am thankful for:

my friends

I am reading:

The Last Lecture

From the kitchen:

Quesadillas (tonight), spaghetti (tomorrow), burgers (W). Not sure about the remainder of the week. 

I am thinking:

That it is so beautiful outside!!

I am creating:

A clean apartment.

On my iPod:

Oliver!

Toward rhythm and beauty: 

Cleaning the tub and bathroom mirror; sweeping/mopping kitchen floor. 

To Live the Liturgy: 

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!!!

I am hoping and praying:

for my grandfather. (still)

Around the House:

See above. :)

One of my favorite things:

Spring!!!!!!

A few plans for the week:

Th: Voice

Sat.: Birthday dinner w/ my friends!

A picture I'm sharing:

The communications office at lunch today.

The Simple Woman's Daybook--April 5, 2010

Outside my window:

Bright and sunny--upper 70s!

I am wearing: 

coral t-shirt dress, a string of peals, brown BR heels

I am thankful for:

my siblings

I am reading:

God and the World . But have also read: House Rules, Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, The Last Olympian, The Hour I First Believed. (Bookshelves coming later, I promise)

From the kitchen:

Not sure. Going to the parents' for dinner. I need to make out my menu tonight.

I am thinking:

That I do not want it to snow on my birthday! (Friday. And yes, it's a possibility.)

I am creating:

A clean apartment.

On my iPod:

Oliver!

Toward rhythm and beauty: 

Vaccuming. Possible window cleaning. 

To Live the Liturgy: 

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!!!

I am hoping and praying:

for my grandfather.

Around the House:

The vaccuming, dishes, dusting. Stuff like that.

One of my favorite things:

Spring; Holy Week

A few plans for the week:

Th: Voice

Friday: My birthday!!!!!

Sunday: LOTS of LOOP stuff. More on that later.

A picture I'm sharing: 

M

Mel and I at brunch yesterday.

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. XX

I. 

It snowed this morning. Snowed! And there was ice! Fortunately now it's about 50 degrees so both problems are taken care of. But I was not happy. 

II. 

Things that make me happy--St. Pat's fish fry! Tonight I'm going with one of my old college buddies. He has a hankering for fish fry, but he's not Catholic, so I am provided the Catholic creds. :) I, too, love a good fish fry, so I'm excited.

III.

And continuing in the theme of food--I am excited to watch this tonight. I have Jamie's Food Revolution: Rediscover How to Cook Simple, Delicious, Affordable Meals, and I'll write up my first experience with it later. It involved whisky and avocado. Good stories.

IV. 

Sorry it's been such a slow blogging week. I think I might have finally caught up with the DST clock. I promise more posting in the future.

V. 

How's your bracket? Mine is OK. Half of my final four still in, so I'll take it. 

VI. 

Books: The Law of Similars , The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo (this is such a good novel. If you've never read it, you should.) 

VII.

Had a fantastic voice lesson on Wednesday. I was happy, Robin was happy, the music was happy. Gotta love days like that. 

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen!

The Simple Woman's Daybook--March 15, 2010

Outside my window:
Snow is essentially GONE. YAY! A little rain, a little gray, but that's spring in Ohio. I'm seeing little flowers pop up their stems!

I am wearing: 

jeans, socks, an ocean blue top

I am thankful for:
My Lay Dominican chapter

I am reading: 

Master and Margarita (hope to finish this week)

From the kitchen:

Pasta tonight. Not sure what kind. 

The Guinness Cake is sitting on my counter, waiting to be devoured.

I am thinking:
That it was a good weekend and promises to be a good week!

I am creating:
Learning the music from Love Never Dies. Because I am a nerd like that. And working on voice lessons stuff. 

On my iPod:
Love Never Dies (I'm OBSESSED, I tell you!)

Toward rhythm and beauty: 

A menu, regular prayer times--like Fr. Blau told us yesterday, "we just have to be faithful. It doesn't have to be beautiful every time." 

To Live the Liturgy: 

Daily Mass (as often as possible), Magnificat, my Lent books. 

I am hoping and praying:
for my grandfather; for Meg; for Liz's mom. 

Around the House:
The vaccuming, the dishes. That's about it. 

One of my favorite things:

Spring!

A few plans for the week:

T: St. Patrick's Day Mass (at St. Pat's, appropriately!), and tea and food afterwards.

Th: Voice

 

A picture thought I am sharing: 

 

The Simple Woman's Daybook--March 8, 2010

 

Outside my window:
It is 55! Snow is melting! The windows are open! Spring is here!!!! (Yes, I am really excited)

I am wearing: 

a yellow 3/4 length sleeve spring sweater, jeans, gray socks

I am thankful for:
My New Book

I am reading: 

Midwives, Master and Margarita

From the kitchen:
Last night: sloppy joes (really good!)

Tonight: I think Margherita Pizza, or pasta in general. 

I've got Alaska burgers and carbonara on the menu this week as well. 

I am thinking:
How happy I am to see my friend, Spring.

I am creating:
Editing the short story. 

On my iPod:
Sarah McLachlin, Mirrorball

Toward rhythm and beauty: 

A menu, regular prayer times

To Live the Liturgy: 

Daily Mass (as often as possible), Magnificat, my Lent books. 

I am hoping and praying:
for a good week; for my grandfather

Around the House:
Did massive cleaning on Saturday--really vacuumed, mopped, etc. Now it's the little things--cleaning the bookshelves, dusting off the top of my dresser (which gets dirty in record time, thanks make-up)

One of my favorite things:

Spring!

A few plans for the week:

T: Senate Session

Th: Voice

F: Dinner and movie w/ my brother

Sat.: Hair cut

A picture thought I am sharing: 

 

pretty spring flowers!!!

Seven Quick Takes Friday--Vol. XVIII

 

I . 

It's March, and the snow is melting! It's supposed to be almost 50 this weekend. I am very excited about that. 

II. 

Today is my best friend Branden's birthday. We've known each other since we were in pre-school! Happy birthday, Sir!

 

Christmas 2009--I'm next to Branden. 

III.

OK, yes I have a lot of best friends. But Branden is my best male friend. And Andrea's birthday is tomorrow (she's in the gray and white sweater in the pic above). So two birthdays back to back. Then Tiff's fiance's birthday later this month, and then mine.

IV.

A thing with me is love of birthdays. I love them, everything about them--the cards, the cake, the presents. Birthdays rock my world. 

V.

What does not rock my world? My third cold this winter (and I've gotten every one from the same person, who shall remain nameless.). I might have nipped this one in the bud, since I don't feel too horrible today, just sleepy. But with immuno-compromised me, colds (anything, almost) should be Handled With Care.

VI.

I want to feel better by tonight, since tonight is opening night of BalletMet's Carmina Burana! I am really looking forward to this show. Tickets are still avaiable  at the Riffe Center box office prior to the show, or I bet you could get them for later in the run from the online box office (link above). This should be a great performance. 

VII.

And we'll wrap with some books of 2010: The Covenant, The Betrayal, The Sacrifice, The Prodigal, The Revelation, Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. I want to finish Master and Margarita today, too. 

Oh, and did you hear? I finished a story! A real story, with a beginning, middle, and end! I think I might revise it a bit today too. Once I've got it (pretty much) to my satisfaction, I'll post some. Maybe.;-) 

For more quick takes, go to Jen's!

The Simple Woman's Daybook--February 23, 2010

Outside My Window::

38 degrees, sort of sunny, the snow is melting! I can see my porch again!

I am wearing ::

jeans, a lavender t-shirt

I am Thankful For::

A fruitful Lent, thus far

I am Reading:

Just finished In This House of Brede (again), and am reading Master and Margarita (it's so good, so far!)

From the Kitchen::

Not sure. Made chicken curry last night, so might be a sandwich night around here.

I am Thinking:
how glad I am that the snow is going away!

I am Creating::
a short story. It's almost finished!

On my iPod::

My gym soundtrack

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:
Still keeping the gym log. The food log is a LOT harder!

To Live the Liturgy:

Lent at St. Pat's is beautiful and solemn. Today is the Feast of St. Polycarp. I went to Mass and heard Fr. Blau give a great sermon on the meaning of the Our Father and meaningful repetition vrs. just repetition. So great.

I am Hoping and Praying:
For some friends who are making big decisions. 

Around the House:

Always--the kitchen table. Vacuuming. (Are you surprised?) a little bathroom cleaning, too.

One of My Favorite Things:

Daily Mass

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:

Th: Voice lesson

 

Winter Cooking

Most days when I cook, it's in the middle of a rush--the TV is on, I've just gotten home, and I'm hungry. Baking is another story; that's more meditative. I do it when I have time (or a chocolate craving). But cooking has a sense of urgency to it in my kitchen. 
Today, with the snow falling, I took my time. I scrubbed the potatoes and cut them into dice. I peeled the onion, and sliced it carefully, thinly. I slid them into the oil-slick pan, and cooked them slowly, for 30 minutes, letting them caramelize. 
There is no TV. There is no music. There's just the quiet sizzling of the vegetables in the pan. 


Nigella's Onion and Potato Hash
from Feast

1 small onion
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 cups all purpose potatoes (one regular sized spud) cut into 1/2" dice with skin on
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (I didn't have any, so used red pepper flakes very generously)
1 egg

Peel and halve the onion and slice finely into half moons. Heat the oil in a rying pan, add the sliced onion and cook over medium heat with a sprinkle of salt to stop it catching. Scrub but do not peel the potato, cut into 1/2" dice and add to the onion in the pan, sprinkling over the cayenne pepper.
Turn the heat down to low and keeping moving the onions and potatoes about every now and then as you want them to caramelize rather than darken in color. Cook them slowly like this for about 30 minutes or until the potato is tender. Turn the heat up and push the potato and onion hash to one side of the pan. Crack in the egg in the other half, and when it is cooked spoon the onions and potatoes on to a plate and top with the fried egg.

Nature Kicks My Butt

So, I was going to Mass today. The snow didn't look that bad, and the plows had even cleared the main thruway of the apartment complex. So I was going out.
Um...not.
I should've known it would be hard when I could walk on the snow. My car's front was pretty buried, as was the back wheel on the right side. And this was hard, packed snow. It wasn't going anywhere without a shovel. Kicking so did not work.
I tried brushing/scraping off the car. For the windows I had to chip it off in large chunks. The end result is the sides of my car, and the hood, are somewhat visible. The windshield, back window, and top are not. The snow was like salt crust on a fish. It was not going anywhere.
And, about 5 minutes in, my herart was racing. So I came back in, checked my sats with my little monitor. My sats were fine--97--but my heart rate was 150. So, yeah. I'm not going anywhere today. My dad and brother will attempt to free my car (they have shovels, I do not--need to fix that) later today.
So Mass will be here, with my LOH, and Magnificat. Sigh.

Second Day of Great Snow

The tally:

• Music: Brahms for Book Lovers, Beethoven for your Beloved, Bach for Breakfast. (I'm just about done with the "B" section...)
• Books: Little Town on the Prairie, The Amish Cook's Baking Book, Sailing the Wine Dark Sea (FINALLY done!), began The Winter's Tale (which I think is very appropriate)
• Movies: Oliver Twist, the beginning of Sleeping Beauty
• Food: Cowgirl Cornbread, pasta, and PIE! I am so excited about the pie. I will post pics tomorrow. 

The First Day of the Great Snow

Brought:

• Books: By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Molto Mario, The Olive and the Caper, Jesus, Teach Us to Pray. 
• Music: Bach for Book Lovers, Beethoven for Book Lovers
• Exercise: Seated yoga poses (whoa did I need those)
• Movies: A wee bit of Oliver Twist
• Food: Made Pampered Chef Fiesta Party dip (yum!)

The snow is over thus far--more is coming. So staying in. 

SEven Quick Takes Friday Vol. XXII

I. 

OK, going to start w/ the complaints and then move on. PLEASE, in snow, with low visibility, put on your lights, and don't tailgate! Also use your turn signal! 

II. 

OK, done with that. Whew. The snow, thus far, is very big (one of my co-workers said the snowflakes were as 'big as potato chips'), and very fluffy and wet. So it isn't really packed down. I hear this will change as it gets colder. The weather guy, at this moment, is saying 5-8", which isn't as bad as a foot, or the THIRTY INCHES DC is predicted to get. Yowzers.

III.

So, from now until Sunday AM, I am not leaving my house. That means--books, food, and movies. Not necessarily in that order.

IV. 

I exercised THREE days this week so far! And the snow will not deter me--I have a pilates DVD and a Shape workout DVD (which is insanely hard, but...oh well). 

V. 

On the movie front, I have a ton to watch. (500) Days of Summer, Oliver Twist, Season 4 of House...I'm well prepared. I also have my biblical studies lectures to keep me busy. The next one is on the books of Chronicles. 

VI. 

Books of 2010: Into Thin Air and The Olive and the Caper, a Greek cookbook. It is a GREAT cookbook to curl up with and read, and provides lots of great recipes and menus. 

 I also started Jesus, Teach Us to Pray. Lent is upon us soon, so I think it's time to dive into some Lenten reading. I'll have more books on that when we get closer. 

VII. 

Still nothing on Titanic. But in voice I'm working on some Linda Eder pieces, including her arrangement of the classic "I'll Be Seeing You". It's a lot of fun. 

For more quick takes, head over to Jen's. 

Stay warm!

The Simple Woman's Daybook--February 1, 2010

I am so glad it's February! January seemed to last forever!

Outside My Window::

Very clear, not too cold--in the mid 30s. No ice, so I'm happy!

I am wearing ::
J. Crew chinos (gray), a Banana Republic cashmere argyle sweater

I am Thankful For::

My Parade experience

I am Reading:

Mediterranean Summer (I keep re-reading this. It’s such a good winter book.)

From the Kitchen::

A chocolate mascarpone cake from Giada’s Kitchen; pasta; chicken dishes that have yet to be decided on.

I am Thinking:
about how fortunate I am.

I am Creating::
ORDER. (see below)

On my iPod::

My gym soundtrack

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:
I have a gym log and a food log. I figure if I write everything down, that will be incredibly helpful. I used to keep a workout log, but I finished it, and I’m glad I finally have a new one. It’s a great way to track what I do in the gym. I’ve never used a food diary, so this will be a  new experience.

To Live the Liturgy:

Mass tomorrow for Candlemas (I love this feast, I love the name, love it all), LOH, Rosary, magnificat

I am Hoping and Praying:
For Leah Y., who is currently in labor with her first child—a boy! She was induced yesterday so I hope by now the babe has appeared.

Around the House:

Always--the kitchen table.  Taking out the trash, vacuuming.

One of My Favorite Things:

Symphony Concerts

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:

Tonight: Dinner with Karen and Paige

T and W: Session

Th: Voice

   A Picture Thought  I'm Sharing:

From the Parade archives: 

Last dress rehearsal, before the opening of Act I 

The Simple Woman's Daybook--January 18, 2010

Outside My Window:: 

Almost dark, but the snow is almost gone! Yay!

I am wearing ::

A Talbot's tee, jeans. 

I am Thankful For::

Days off; a good clinic report

I am Reading:

Loot: The Battle Over the Stolen Treasures of the Ancient World; The Kalahari Typing School for Men.

From the Kitchen::

A lot this week, starting with the Irish Soda bread I'm about to make.

I am Thinking:
That I have had an excellent long weekend. 

I am Creating::
Good food

On my iPod::

U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:
I've done a good job (so far) incorporating some of my New Year's goals, like keeping my apartment clearer, saying the Liturgy of the Hours, etc. Now I want to step it up a notch.

To Live the Liturgy:

Liturgy of the Hours, in the first Ordinary Time book. Back to green vestments.

I am Hoping and Praying:
For Barb, a friend of mine who died over the weekend (she was a truly wonderful woman who was kind to everyone she met).

Around the House:

After bread making, vaccuming and doing some more clearing off of the kitchen table. That, it seems, will always be piled with stuff.

One of My Favorite Things:

Long weekends

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:

Wednesday and Thursday: Voice lessons both days, to prep for an audition next Monday. 

   A Picture Thought  I'm Sharing:

From the Chihuly Exhibit I attended yesterday

 

 

Seven Quick Takes Friday Vol. XXI

I.

So we're going to start today with a cute story. I was at Barnes and Noble, purchasing guidebooks for our Family Vacation this summer. I got to the register, and, since I was paying with a check, I had to show my driver's license.

The cashier (who was aobut my age, and cute) looks at it, and says, "This is the happiest license picture I've ever seen."

"I didn't see a reason not to be happy," I said as I slipped it back into my wallet. (Really, I don't. Why do people look like convicts in those photos? Do you really want to be looking at that for years?) But this also sort of sums up my life philosophy--why not be happy, when you can? Even in your driver's license photo.

II.

The Great Thaw is upon us--the snow is melting, I can see my deck again, and it's mostly slush now. I can deal with slush. My car likes slush better than snow (although probably not cosmetically). It's supposed to be....(wait for it)....in the forties this weekend. Forties! Yes!

III.

Since it's going to be warm(er), I really need to do a good pantry stock-up. I get a Trader Joe's gift card every year from my parents at Christmas, and I use it to stock my pantry with essentials (and not so essentials...like the $4 Portuguese white wine....). So I will probably go tomorrow.

IV.

Since it is a long weekend *huzzah!* It is also baking weekend. I bought currants at the North Market last week to use in Irish Soda Bread. I haven't made it yet. That project is for tonight or tomorrow, depending on how the spirit moves me. One of the great things about winter is, as long as your pantry's stocked, you have all this time to cook and bake. Fantastic.

V.

I have an appt. with Dr. A on Monday. I'm going to ask if he's started planning my five year party yet. Really--five years? Wow.

VI.

Books of 2010 update: Laine's Real Adventures, Farmer Boy. I love Farmer Boy, but didn't have a copy at my place. If you want to feel hungry, read it. And if you want to feel warm, read it! The first chapter talks about it being forty below. Forty. Below. How did these folks get anything done? At -40, I think it's time to hibernate. But I suppose the cows won't wait for it to warm up for their milking...

Another: Elizabeth Berg's Never Change. I really enjoyed the character of Myra, but was sort of shocked by the ending.

And: The Good Husband of Zebra Drive, and Blue Shoes and Happiness. I'm sort of re-working my way through Alexander McCall Smith.

VII.

Bit on books and movies, to round up here. I started watching Bleak House last night--I got it for Christmas (The Gillian Anderson version), and my parents watched it first (because my dad loves Gillian Anderson. Old X-Files hold over.) So I just started it last night whilst I was painting my nails. It's really great so far. I haven't finished the book yet, so maybe watching the series will motivate me to finish it.

Another book I'm looking forward to reading: Melanie Benjamin's Alice I Have Been. I just picked it up and the beginning is fantastic.

And gosh, I owe you guys some real bookshelves. This weekend. I promise. I want to do one for La's Orchestra Saves the World, and for Alice, once it's done.

Be sure to visit Jen for more Quick Takes! 

Thaw, and Waiting Room Confidential

Today it was....
SUNNY.
And...
Above Freezing!
And....
This will continue! 
I'm hoping that by Monday the sun will have made a slight dent in my snowbound parking lot.

*     *     *
I had an appointment today at Children's. While I was walking to the office, I thought, I have spent years of my life here. I mean, YEARS. I have charts in almost every department. I know where every hallway, ever door, every elevator, leads. I even know the evolution of certain clinics; like Psych used to be in Timken Hall, as did the CF clinic.... 
Anyway, while I was waiting, I noticed something interesting.
The waiting room was packed. This is not unusual. What was unusual was the amount of audible conversation.
If you're waiting in, say, Radiology, or any clinic, and there's a few people in the room, people talk. They sort of murmur, but it's audible. When a clinic is crowded, there's little or no talking. People watch the TV, or they whisper to each other, or corral their kids.
Not in this clinic. People were talking, audibly, about personal things, across the room. It was so strange.  It's sort of like those cell conversations in public. Don't people realize others can hear you? (Even me, of the Bionic Ear.) Save it, folks.
I had never seen this happen in a crowded waiting room. I was sort of dumbfounded.
(I know, my day was thrilling. But this was extremely strange to me.)

Seven Quick Takes Friday Vol. XX

I.

OK, first, a good thing--today's North Market haul: 4 blood oranges, 5 Pink Lady apples, 4 oz. of currents (I always buy these when they have them, so I can make Irish Soda Bread), 3 shallots, 8 ox. of honeyrun farm honey (southwest of here--it's sooo good), 4 oz. of aged English cheddar from the cheese dudes (it is so good!), milk from a local dairy (also sooo good), and....Jeni's ice cream. Because I haven't had any in months!

II.

The reason I went shopping is that I had NO food in the house. Of course, I chose to do my semi-annual Fridge Purge this week. Amidst the White Death (at least that's what the forecasters should've called it)

Shopping had to happen. This was only a quick trip, so I might have to head out again tomorrow for more things, but at least I have basic provisions now and can bake/cook things in the kitchen.

III.

Speaking of White Death: The drive to work today, post-storm, was easy. The roads were just wet. Yesterday, it took me 70 minutes to go 12 miles. I was not amused.

IV.

I was also not amused by the woman in the Black CR-V who decided, at 7:15 this morning (read: still dark), to NOT have her lights on. At all. Good thinking.

V.

I managed to get through the piles of paper that were waiting for me, post-vacation, by today. Next week committees start up again, so that will add to the busy-ness, but no sessions until after MLK day. Then we have the governor's State of the State Address (the last one of this term) the week after. It's going to be a busy session until the summer, when everyone leaves to go campaign. We also have to pass a capital budget this year, which is "bricks and mortar" building stuff around the state.

VI.

Books of 2010 (cont.): A Year in Provence, and three American Girl "Girl of the Year" books (Yes, I read kid lit. Yes, I Like It): Laine, Mia, and Bravo, Mia! (Mia is an ice skater, so I like her books).  And some cookbooks, because I read them for fun: Relaxed Cooking with Curtis Stone, The Amish Cook at Home.

VII.

Planning on relaxing this weekend. There are a lot of good movies out, but it's so cold I don't really want to venture out. I have a Lay Dominicans meeting on Sunday at church, which I am looking forward to, especially since I have the Breviary now!

The Snow Grinch

(AKA---me)
Actually, that's not accurate. I like snow. I like it at Christmastime, and on Friday nights, when I know I don't have to drive for 48 hours.
I do not like it during the week. When I have to drive in it. To work.
Because I get snow days as often as we get a new Pope.
Maybe I should've stuck with my education major...

The Simple Woman's Daybook--January 3, 2010

Outside My Window::

The sun is glorious, the sky is clear and bleached white. This, combined with the snow, makes it dazzling outside, but probably very cold!

I am Listening to::

Silence (CI's not in!)

I am wearing ::

My garnet hill nightgown, so I feel like Elizabeth Bennet

I am Thankful For::

* A wonderful Christmas season spent with family and friends, especially a chance to see my grandparents and Di and Susie;

* My new parish family

I am Reading:

Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: While The Greeks Still Matter

From the Kitchen::

So many big plans--I got cookbooks for Christmas. I just need to go shopping! But definitely my favorite Texas Cornbread (if I make it, recipe will be up). I'd also like to try some muffins from my new cookbook.

I am Thinking:

That even though I had a wonderful vacation, I've sort of missed my job! (whether or not I will be able to convey this into a cheerful wakeup tomorrow remains to be seen)

I am Creating::

ORDER. My mom and I did a massive apartment purge during my week off, so now all that's left is to clean off my desk and dining table. Both of those are easier said than done, but I want to tackle them today so that I can start 2010 back at work with a clean home slate. 

On my iPod::

Loreena McKennit's An Ancient Muse.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:

Per my new year's goals, I want to incorporate some things into my life, like working out and daily writing. So today I will be creating a schedule to attempt to balance all the things I have going on right now.

To Live the Liturgy:

Today's Epiphany, one of my favorite feasts. I love the songs and the image of the Wise Men bearing gifts to the Baby Jesus. 

I am Hoping and Praying:

:: for health and fitness, strength and grace to do His will. (stole this from Elizabeth, but it's good!)

Around the House:

After last week's purge, I have to vacuum the floors. And, as I said above, the kitchen table needs HELP. 

One of My Favorite Things:

Babies, especially Susie and Justin, whom I got to see last week.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:

:"Back to life," as the song goes. That means:

--Work, in general, and daily Mass at St. Pat's

--Voice lessons on Thursdays (I've missed them!)

A Picture Thought  I'm Sharing:

Susie, tasting the Baby Einstein Animals. :)