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)

 

Breakfast time!

OK, if you know me, you know that I am not really a morning person. Sleep is my friend. So that means breakfast is usually a very simple affair--sometimes as simple as coffee and toast.
But this morning, I decided to get a bi creative, and I made these.
These are very, very good. And they take, oh, five minutes. Not kidding.
So, here we are:

Huevos Hyacinth
From The Pioneer Woman's Cookbook

For one:
1 slice ham (thinly sliced)
1 tomato slice, or picante sauce
1 egg
cheese of your liking (I used mexican blend, to fit the theme, but Ree likes crumbly goat cheese)

Turn on the broiler and butter one ramekin.
Place the slice of ham in the ramekin and top with tomato slices or picante.
Gently crack one egg on top.
Sprinkle with cheese. (OK  I did more than sprinkle. I gave it a nice covering.)
Place the ramekin on a baking sheet and slide under broiler. Broil for 4-6 minutes, or until egg yolk is slightly set. If you want it more set (as in, you don't like runny egg), broil for another minute or two.
Eat. :)

Belated Birthday Party

I usually celebrate my birthday with my friends the week after my actual birthday, since sometimes my birthday is during Easter or Holy Week, and there's just no time. Normally we go out to eat and then come back to my place for cake and The Birthday Game (sort of like Cranium, but incorporates questions about the Birthday Person). 
This year, we're mixing it up. My friend Aaron  (the food guru who introduced me to Mezzo) suggested we have a pizza party, where we make our own pizzas.
I thought this was a very good idea. So that's what we're doing. Everyone's coming to my place and we shall make pizza.
I'm also making:

• the Ever Wonderful Guinness Cake,
• Barefoot Contessa's Herbal Iced Tea, which uses Celestial Seasonings tea bags and apple juice,
• Tennis Team Salsa (recipe to follow)
• and this pizza.

Currently the cake is in the oven and water is heating for the tea. The salsa I make right before I serve it, so that can wait. I am cleaning while things bake/cool/chill out.
Pictures and recipes to come...

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--March 29, 2010

Outside my window:

Wee bit cloudy. The daffodils are up in their glory and the tulips are appearing!

I am wearing: 

gray pants, Talbots' top

I am thankful for:

my siblings

I am reading: 

The King's Good Servant But God's First

From the kitchen:

Pasta from Jamie's Food Revolution tonight. The stew last night was great!!!

I am thinking:

That I hope my mom is doing OK. (see the prayers section...)

I am creating:

I'm moving ahead well on the novel.

On my iPod:

"Woman" and other voice stuff

Toward rhythm and beauty: 

Since it's Holy Week, that equals--big cleaning.

To Live the Liturgy: 

Daily Mass, hopefully some Holy Week adoration and Vespers. Then Holy Thursday Mass, Good Friday 7 last words and MOPS (Mass of the Pre-Sanctified--I LOVE that phrase), and then.....Easter!

I am hoping and praying:

for my grandfather. He's being moved into hospice today/tomorrow, and my mom is up in Pittsburgh with her siblings and her mom making this stuff happen. Dad and I are down here trying to get the troops ready for any sort of funeral things we have to do. 

My grandfather is a truly wonderful person. He has lived a wonderful, rich life. He has eight children, 25 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren! He has perfect pitch, does crossword puzzles and sudoku and used to carry tic tacs in his pocket. He hates dogs. He sings in the church choir and has his own music company! He is a great and holy man.

Around the House:

The vaccuming, dishes, dusting. Stuff like that.

One of my favorite things:

Spring; Holy Week

A few plans for the week:

T: Mass, Vespers

W: Voice

Th: Thyroid ultrasound and blood work; Holy Thursday Mass

Friday: Good Friday

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!

St. Patrick's Day Food: Chocolate Guinness Cake

OK, I am pretty sure that St. Patrick didn't eat this cake. But I'm also sure he'd approve.
It is, bar none, my favorite cake to make. It's easy (one pot!), and the icing is good, easy, and OPTIONAL.
(This is from Nigella Lawson's Feast: Food to Celebrate Life)

1 c. Guinness (I use extra stout, but you can use whatever kind you want)
1 stick plus 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa
2 c. sugar
3/4 c. sour cream (I use light, and the cake works fine)
2 eggs
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
2 c. flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking soda

For the topping (optional): 8 oz. Philadelphia cream cheese; 1 1/4 c. confectioners' sugar; 1/2 c. heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and butter and line a 9" springform pan with parchment paper (the bottom only).

Pour the Guineess into a large wide saucepan or pot, and add the butter in slices. Heat until the butter's melted (about medium heat). Then whisk in cocoa and sugar. Beat the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla and then pour into the pan. Finally, whisk in flour and baking soda.

Pour the cake batter into the greased and lined pan, and bake for 45 minutes to an hour. Leave to cool completely in pan on cooling rack, as it is a quite a damp cake. (REALLY damp!)

When's the cake's cold, sit on a flat platter or cake stand and frost.

Frosting/Topping: Whip the cream cheese lightly until smooth. Sift over the confectioners' sugar and then beat them both together. Add the cream and beat again until it makes a spreadable consistency. Ice the top of the cake so that it resembles the frothy top of the famous pint.

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!!!

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

 

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. 

Snow Day Pie

I have made my first pie--successfully!
The filing I wasn't too worried about. It was the crust. I used a pat-a-pan crust recipe, where you actually mix the dough in the pie plate, then pour in the appropriate filing. It can't be used for double-crust pies (like peach or apple), but I'm not there yet anyway.
The pie was fantastic. It's like a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie--so rich I only had one piece. With cold milk, it's divine.

So, here's the recipe, from The Amish Cook's Baking Book

Snow Day Pie
For the crust: 
Pat-A-Pan pie crust
makes one single 9-inch crust (no overhang)

• 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c. vegetable oil
• 3 tbsp. cold milk

Place the flour, sugar and salt in a 9" pie pan and mix with your fingertips until evenly blended. In a measuring cup, combine the oil and milk and beat until creamy. Pour all over the flour mixture. Mix with a fork until the flour mixture is completed moistened. Pat the dough with your fingers, first at the sides of the plate then across the bottom. Flute the edges.

The shell is now ready to be filled. (If you are preparing a shell to fill later, or your recipe requires a pre-baked crust, preheat over to 425 degrees. Prick the surface of the pastry with a fork and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Check often and prick more if needed.)

Chocolate Chip Pie

• Pat-a-pan pie crust (above)
• 1 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 c. melted butter
• 1 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

In a large bowl, combine the sugar and flour; stir in eggs and butter until the batter is well-blended and smooth. Add the chocolate chips and vanilla extract; mix until smooth and the chips are evenly distributed. Pour into the unbaked pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, 40-45 minutes. Cool on wire rack or windowsill until pie is firm, about 45 minutes. Store any leftovers in a sealed cake safe. The pie will keep for about five days. 

Enjoy with a glass of cold milk. 

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. 

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 24, 2010

Outside My Window::

Dark, raining, but snow is gone!

I am wearing ::

A J. Jill camisole, Life is Good shorts

I am Thankful For::

A nice weekend

I am Reading:

Traveling with Pomegranates

From the Kitchen::

Just made these muffins--very good. Other things this week: a chocolate pound cake, chicken  piccata, and a new pasta recipe.

I am Thinking:
That I am ready for this week

I am Creating::
My memoir. It's 100 pages now!

On my iPod::

Titanic soundtrack (broadway show)

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:
I vacuumed, unclogged the shower, and did a bunch of dishwasher loads. The place looks pretty good.

To Live the Liturgy:

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

I am Hoping and Praying:
For a good audition tomorrow.

Around the House:

Always--the kitchen table. 

One of My Favorite Things:

Books

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:

Monday: Audition
Tuesday: Governor's State of the State
Th: Voice
Saturday: Symphony Concert

   A Picture Thought  I'm Sharing:

For my cousin, Kelly, who has never seen this movie in its entirety. Shocking. 

Sunday baking: Giada's Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomato Corn Muffins

My brother got me Giada's Kitchen for Christmas. This is the first recipe I've made from the book. So in his honor, these are "Bryan's Sunday Muffins". 

 Bryan's Sunday Muffins
2 (8.5 oz.) package corn muffin mix, such as Jiffy
2/3 c. diced sun-dried tomatoes (from an 8-oz. jar)
2 c. frozen corn kernels, thawed
3 garlic cloves, minced
2/3 c. buttermilk (1 c. milk + 1 tbsp. white vinegar)
2/3 c. sour cream
2 large eggs, beaten

Preheat the oven to 375. Insert paper liners in 16 muffin cups, or grease tins.
In a large bowl, combine the corn, muffin mix, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir to combine. Mix in buttermilk, sour cream and eggs and stir until just combined.
Spoon the mixture into the muffin tins, filling the cups about halfway. Bake until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the middle of the muffin comes out clean, about 15 minutes.
Total time to make: About 25 minutes. 

*Notes: The original recipe says this makes 16 muffins; I found it makes 20, and I used a large cookie dough scoop to fill the muffin tins. So be prepared! 

I used 1% milk to make the buttermilk, and low fat sour cream. The muffins turned out beautifully moist. That may be because my sun dried tomatoes were in olive oil, and I didn't strain them. 

Clinic Update

Today I spent the morning of my day off with the kids at the Resort. It was a normal visit, nothing too special, and I had scheduled it for my day off so that if they wanted to do testing beyond the normal, they'd have time to do it.
First stop, as usual, was the infusion clinic, where, once again, the new port needle failed to work in my port. Thank God the rumor mill says the hospital will soon be switching back to the old huber needles that work. Mom has a stash at home for when we do port access, but at the hospital they do the new needles first. When the nurse asked me if it was OK to use the old ones, I gave an enthusiastic yes. My annual labs were drawn today, so that meant lots of blood for the lab to play with during the day.
After the blood letting, I went down to radiology where I had a CXR and a CT scan of my sinuses. We still keep tabs on those. Lately I've felt them draining so I figured this was excellent timing for some investigation.
Then up to clinic for full PFTs--which were stable--a visit from the new social worker, and then Julie and Dr. Kirkby. There were lots of bronchs going on today, so they were busy. I was unexciting. Dr. K said my sinus scan looked changed "but not terrible." So they are going to send it to Dr. Willet and see what he thinks. They will also set up an appointment for me to see him, since if I try to do it, I get stuck with a four month wait. It might be time for sinus draining surgery again, since I haven't had that done in 5+ years.
I left around 11:30, and headed to Katzinger's in German Village for lunch. I hadn't eaten yet today, and was hungry, so the huge Katzinger's sandwiches and French Onion soup were perfect. I had a book (Loot) that I"d bought at CMA yesterday, so I read that in the cozy deli and scoped out the artisan chocolate when I was done. It wasn't too crowded--civil servants (such as moi) had the day off, so I imagine that impacted the lunch crowd. But the roads were very clear, so that made me happy.
Dr. K said they would probably see me again in three months, which means post-birthday. I did see Dr. A and asked him if there were plans for a five year par-tay. He asked if I was paying. "Sure," I said. But I guess we'll work out the details of all the normal annual testing, etc., at my next appointment.

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! 

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!

1001 Things

(stole this from Jane...well, most of it. Some ideas are mine, and I've eliminated things that don't apply to me at all. Like med school :)) Red are things I've done

January 1, 2010 – September 28, 2012

 1. Run a 5K (I've walked one) 

2. Run a 10K

 3. Run a ½ marathon 

4. Run a full marathon 

5. Lose 30 pounds 

6. Once a week, jot a note about something that makes me happy

 7. Leave a postcard inside a PS book

 8. Find a church I love 

9. Attend church 100 times 

10. Be credit card debt free 

11. Read the bible cover to cover (in the process...)

12. Grow fresh vegetables in my yard

 13. Fall hopelessly in love 

14. Donate 100 hours to charity each year

 15. Use my passport at least once 

16. Refresh my French to conversational ability 

17. Take a self defense class 

 20. Organize iTunes 

21. Organize old photos and get everything digitized 

22. Visit 6 new states 

23. Cut down a Christmas tree 

24. Cook a complete meal once a month 

25. Snail mail one card a week to various people

27. Clean out and organize garage 

28. Maintain garden 

29. Tip a server 100% 

 31. Find a mentor and work with him/her

 32. Get all A’s  (1st semester,sophomore year of college)

33. Ride in a hot air balloon

 35. Make bread from scratch

 37. Try yoga 

39. Watch 26 movies that each start with a different letter, A-Z that I have never seen before (this is way cool)

 40. Take 6 weekend trips to places I have never been before

45. Take a dance class 

48. Donate blood (can't, as we know my veins are AWFUL)

49. Build a headboard 

50. Purchase furniture I like

 51. Hang paintings I like  

53. Find out if I’m a CF carrier  (yes, I am. :-D)

54. End 1001 days with every article of clothing in my closet and drawers actually fitting

 55. Sleep under the stars 

56. Find out my blood type 

58. Pay for a random table’s meal 3x 

60. Go to Oktoberfest 

61. Vote in all major elections  (it's part of my job!)

62. Volunteer for a political campaign (again, part of my job)

63. Spa day – mani, pedi, facial, massage, blowout 

64. Go on a picnic

 65. Build a snowman 

66. Kiss in the rain (well, OK, snow)

68. Eat raw food only for 2 weeks

 69. Try rockclimbing 

70. Kiss under mistletoe

72. Develop relationship with all professors 

 74. Visit San Francisco 

75. Visit Virginia Beach

 76. Kiss someone I care about at midnight on New Year’s Eve 

77. Maintain blog as history of my life 

78. Finish thinking of 101 things I want to do...

And here are my additions:

79. Read all of Edith Wharton

80. GET my passport

81. Go to Europe

82. Finish my MA