Knitting and Losing

BBQ Pork Buns

2010-06-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

In the 1980's I worked with a family who were Chinese. This company celebrated a lot of things and we had many pot lucks and lunches. Some that I organized. When we had a pot luck type function, our Chinese coworkers would bring in these steamed pork buns. We called them Bao. I know that they would stop in downtown LA, China Town, and pick them up. I wish I knew what restaurant they use to get them at. I hadn't thought of these pork buns for years, but while watching the Cooking Channel they showed some being made and it made me melancholy. Those years and that job was a good time for me, and now I'm on a quest for BBQ Pork Buns, or Bao or Cha Su Bao, whatever the name. I've been trying to find a place on yelp.com but it's confusing because they seem to also call them by other names, one being pork dumplings. And I don't want a dumpling. I'm thinking that can't be it. Also, there are steamed buns and baked buns that they put honey on the top after baking. I'd like either kind, but I want to find the kind with the sweet pork filling. I found a place that I think carries the ones I'm looking for I'm going to try tomorrow.

What a day!

2010-06-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

It was a busy day for me. I took Mamacita to the airport this morning, she's back in MN visiting family. Sounds like it will be rainy for the most part and I'm hoping they don't have tornadoes while she's there. The traffic getting to the airport was not bad. Then on the way home I stopped to see about renting a truck and/or trailer to go pick up the electric hospital bed I found for my brother to have here at the house. He's always had a regular bed but this bed is really kind of low and it's getting harder to dress him. Plus he will be more comfortable being able to adjust himself. We will probably wonder why we didn't get this type of bed a long time ago. So I arranged to pick up the truck trailer at 1 pm, then I was out to the Valley to meet the guy to look at the bed. I just hoped that it was a good bed and deal. And it was. It's a top of the line bed, I've seen them online for over $5K, we paid a fraction of that. It also came with a special mattress for it, so I was thrilled.

And I was lucky because the guy I bought it from was really a decent man. He so helped me by picking the right bed, moving it into the trailer for me, and we're talking a 500 lb. bed that he was able to manage himself because I really wasn't much help. He helped me tie it all down. I was very lucky. Then I had a drive back and then I had to figure out how to get it to the house. Well it seemed easy enough. I should be able to drive up my hilly street and then back up and back into our driveway. Um....no. I'm sure someone was laughing at me. So my neighbor saw me and came to help. He didn't manage to back the trailer in the driveway either, but he got it straight on the street and somehow he got it down the ramp and then I don't know how but he and I just went with it and got it up my driveway. But then it was too wide to get thru the doorway! So we had to get it on it's side using a dolly. Then my really fantastic other neighbor named Junior came home, saw what we were doing, and came to help. I saw him, and I was so happy, and I told him I was hoping he'd come home soon. So between the two of them we were able to get on the dolly, down the hallway, around the corner, and then another corner where we almost really got stuck, and then I had an idea how to move it, and it worked! We got it in his bedroom and then they got it back on it's wheels. Whew!! So today I'll set it up for him and get his other bed out of his room.

Then I needed a nap.

Roxy

2010-06-06T09:46:00.001-07:00

I heard really awful news from my Ayurveda practitioner Eleni. She is my yogi. I had called her last week when I was having a gall bladder attack to see if she had any ideas of things to do to help. She never called me back which was odd but I didn't think too much of it. She called me yesterday and apologized for not calling me back and then she told me that Roxy, her Miniature Pinscher dog was bit by a snake while they were hiking and that she passed away. Oh, I was so shocked and so upset for her and it made me cry. It makes me feel like crying writing this now. It made me think back to how hard it was for me to lose my beloved Simba in January of 2007. I know how attached she was to Roxy, and like my Simba, she was like her child so this loss is very painful. When I go see Eleni I go to her home and Roxy was always there to greet me with a series of barks to let me know who the boss was and she would warily check me out. She'd often sit on the couch near me, but not next to me, constantly having an eye on me until she fell asleep. She would sniff my hand, sometimes let me pet her but her true love was Eleni. I will miss her barking at the mail man and anyone who dared to come to their house. She was a sweet dog and I know she is missed. I hope Eleni and her husband's pain from her loss will ease sometime soon.

We went to a local Farmer's Market yesterday morning. It's a little farther drive than the one on Friday at a closer nearby town, but this market is so worth the drive. It's really nice to see what is available and we are fortunate in Southern CA that we have this bounty available so early in the season. We got some more sweet Texas onions and more baby fingerling potatoes. This week's mix of potatoes had really tiny purple tomatoes in it. So cute! We also got apricots, heirloom orange tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cat grass, no salt seasoning, sourdough bread, kale and oyster mushrooms.

Last night I made a really good saute of caramelized onion, baby potatoes and mushroom. This food is of such good quality that I don't season very much because I want the sweet goodness of the caramelized onion to come thru, also the tender wholesomeness of the potatoes and the mushroomy goodness. I did put a little salt and pepper, but that is it.

I am not doing well giving up coffee in the morning. I just don't want to and the headache from not having caffeine is just awful. I'll still try to limit the amount of coffee but not sure I want to give up.

Carmelized Onion and Mushroom Pizza

2010-06-05T06:30:00.000-07:00

Last weekend at the Farmer's Market we got some Texas Sweet Onions. I think there were 3 to a bunch and so tonight I made the best carmelized onion and mushroom pizza. It was really a good combination, Mamacita and I really enjoyed it so here's my recipe.

Carmelized Onion and Mushroom Pizza

1 tube Pillsbury Thin Crust Pizza Dough
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 sweet onions, sliced thin
salt & pepper
1 pkg. or 1 lb. baby bella mushrooms, sliced
2 cups Italian mix cheese, or a mixture of mozzarella, pecorino, asiago, parmesan and fontina

In large saute pan, heat over medium low and add olive oil. Add sliced onions and toss to coat. Saute about 10 minutes and then add sliced mushrooms. Add salt and pepper. Saute until onions are carmelized, turning occassionally, probably about 30-40 minutes.

Preheat oven to 425. Grease large baking sheet and stretch crust out to edges. Prebake alone for 5 minutes. Then add small amount of olive oil on crust, add cheese, sprinkled evenly, then add saute of onion and mushroom. Bake another 10 minutes. Slice and enjoy!

What day is today?

2010-06-04T11:38:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning not knowing what day it is. Is it Thursday or Friday? Not sure where the week went, how can it already be Friday? Well it is, and for many, thankfully it is Friday and almost the weekend. Some say today is Hug Your Cat Day. The date to celebrate is disputed, but for us cat lovers we know that every day is hug your cat day. I'm trying to find something special I can do for my kitties. Maybe I'll give them a can of tuna to share, they love that.

I'm looking forward to this weekend because my Brother is finally "home". He was transferred from the hell hole Rehabilitation Center he was sent to to his home facility where he lives during the week. It was really a mess yesterday trying to get him out of there, but it did happen finally and he was transferred late afternoon. He seemed so relieved. Poor guy has really been thru it. He's lost about 20 lbs. too. But that is OK, because he needs to lose like my whole family.

I'm on my way to go see him in a bit and hopefully I'll find his remote for his TV. Tomorrow he is coming home (our house) for the weekend and he is so funny because the one thing he wants to do or have us do is make this fried chicken recipe he saw on Martha Stewart. He saw it while in the hospital and I saw it too and he's been talking about this chicken. So I found the recipe and I'd like to try it too. You dredge the chicken in egg whites and then in matzo meal and then you make a special spice that you sprinkle after it's fried. I'll have a small bit of it, to try it, but I'm really trying to eat differently to be nice to my gall bladder and ward off another attack. So far so good with my new way of eating. It's kind of odd but since the attack last Sunday I've not had much of an appetite. Yesterday and the day before I was not hungry all day. I had coffee in the morning but never was hungry for breakfast or lunch. I made myself eat something small in the evening. Same for last night, no food all day and then after getting Gary home Mamacita and I went out and had a Cobb salad. I've also been drinking a flax seed tea and I wonder if somehow that is curbing my hunger. Whatever it is, I'm thankful because I'd much rather not be consumed by hunger or feelings of hunger.

I'd also like to take him to the Farmer's Market tomorrow if it isn't too much for him. He loves the dried apple chips and he might enjoy seeing all the bounty of food and flowers.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Now

2010-06-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

The theme for NaBloPoMo is NOW. So I started writing about what is going on NOW with me.

NOW today after trying to pay attention, learn, and make changes to have a happier gall bladder things are changing. I tried not to have coffee yesterday, coffee is on the naughty list and instead I had tea but I woke up ended up with a headache last night. I had a fitful night of sleep and woke up with the headache. So I had coffee this morning. And it didn't bother me. I'll have to work on the weaning off of coffee. But slowly. I also made some flax seed tea. It's suppose to be good for your gall bladder. I got whole flax seed and in 2.5 cups water i boiled 1 Tbsp. flax seed for 5 minutes. Then you let it steep for 10 minutes and then drink. I added a little agave for sweetness and was happy that it did not have a strong taste. Hey, whatever works.

I had to wait for the maintenance guy between 8-12 today so I got in the shower early and was ready. Usually when they give you a 4 hr. window you don't see them until the last hour or later. To my surprise, he was here at 8:05. But of course the rack we wanted replaced b/c there are rusty parts on it, is not covered. It's always like that. I honestly wonder if having the yearly contract is worth the money. And when Mom called to schedule she asked to have the dishwasher looked at too, she made sure they could be done at the same time, and of course they assured her they could. But the first guy didn't have an order for it, so he wouldn't do it. So then I had to wait still.

People do not know what customer service means anymore. It's so irritating. And this particular company is going down the drain in my opinion. I don't think I'd buy a major purchase from them anymore.

I ended up taking a nap this afternoon to try to get rid of the headache and it helped. But now it's late and I'm not tired. I'm going to bed anyway and going to read and try to get some sleep. I feel much better when I get normal rest.

Gall Bladder Attack

2010-06-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

Sunday I had what I am almost sure was a gall bladder attack. I went to see my brother that afternoon but before going it was almost 2 pm and I hadn't eaten anything so I stopped for a quick burger. It seems that automatically after eating that I started feeling like I had bad indigestion. By the time I got to Gary's it felt like my bra was too tight, I was having chest pain, burping and feeling like I needed to burp. It was not fun. I was sitting and trying to visit, but I was so uncomfortable I had to leave. I drove home trying to burp and find some relief. I ripped my bra off once I got home and I tried a omeprazole, which is like Prilosec. I tried some tums and later some Maalox but nothing seemed to help. Then I started plurking and well meaning plurk pals started mentioning that it could be heart problems or gall bladder problems. I was feeling so awful that this scared the bejeebus out of me. I don't have health insurance and I'm unemployed. So no...I can not be really sick. I have to have indigestion and it'll soon pass. Right?

It did not pass and friends were telling me that if it didn't get better within 2 hours that I should go to the ER. I was getting really scared and thinking I was having a heart attack, but then i started reading about the gall bladder and what an attack is like here. And once I read some of the symptoms, I'm about 95% sure it was a gall bladder attack. And a mild one at that although while suffering w/the indigestion and pain it didn't seem so mild. Some others said they went thru it and that it was a doubling over crying pain, and my pain was not that severe.

I finally took 1 tsp. of baking soda in about a cup of water and that made me really feel better. Enough better to consider going to bed that evening and not thinking that I was going to have to go to the ER. I didn't sleep well that night. I was uncomfortable and was dreaming a lot, but when I woke up, I felt much better. I started juicing yesterday. I made a juice of celery, beet and carrot. Not bad and beets are suppose to help flush your liver and hopefully if I have any bile ducts blocked it can help. I juiced again the next morning too and I'm looking into a gall bladder friendly diet which means no coffee, no pork, low fat and certain kinds of fat, no beans, no dairy.

I got some flax seeds and I'm going to make a tea out of it. I hope it doesn't taste like dog piss.

So I'm thinking this is the universe telling me that I HAVE to change my diet to something more healthy. I'm terrified of eating something too fatty and having another attack. I guess whatever works. I like to eat healthy, but get so lazy and was getting back to old habits and eating too much fast food but that has now stopped suddenly and maybe that's the best way.

I better lose the weight now too if I make these changes!

NaBloPoMo

2010-06-01T06:01:00.000-07:00

I'm giving myself a challenge. I'm going to blog everyday for the month of June. I've seen mention of this on other blogs but never looked into it before. I decided to finally look into it and I needed to give myself a challenge. I don't know how it all works, I'm figuring it out as I go but I want to give it a try. If you'd like to see what it's all about go check it out. There is a theme for the month and the theme is "Now". Huh, introspective.

Now. It's the end of the long Memorial Day weekend. I went to my friend Anne's Sons 21st Birthday party on Saturday. It was a nice party, she had it in the backyard and she had a taco bar which was really good. I don't know where she found this guy, but he had this large grill type thing that he cooked Al Pastor meat, Carne Asada and Chicken for soft tacos. Cilantro, onion, green and red salsa were also available for the tacos. My cousin talked me into having a shot of Jaeger. I had a 1/2 shot and I really didn't care for it. It was like really bad NyQuil. I like NyQuil better. I did a blueberry jello shot, I think it had vodka in it. And I had a glass of jungle juice which was tiki punch with i don't know what kind of alcohol. There were a bunch of 21 year olds there, they were expecting about a 100 people. They also had 2 bands, one was a Ska band. It was very loud but I actually enjoyed the music. When the kids started moshing, my cousin and I were a bit scared. I asked my 17 year old niece if this was normal dancing behaviour, she told me it was. Made me feel old. I mean these kids were not dancing, they were jumping up and down and sideways and the purpose was to slam into the other people. Guy, girl, no matter. This one girl who was one of the first to be out there was getting slammed by a guy, and she didn't care, she slammed right back into him. I couldn't believe it. It made me remember back to one time that I went to Hollywood to some club, I think it was The Whiskey to see Oingo Boingo and I remember there being a mosh pit but it didn't seem so violent. Maybe it was, but I was never into that kind of dancing.

At one point my cousin and I were having a nice conversation and then when the bands started playing it was so loud we couldn't hear each other, so I thought it was quite comical but we started texting each other to talk! We just continued our conversation by texting. We were sitting like a foot apart but texting. It was hilarious.

Overall, we had fun, but we both at one point decided it was time to go. And I heard later that "all hell broke loose" after we left. I guess when you have that many young people, 2 kegs already gone after 4 hours, bottles of Jaeger, jello shots, and other bottles, something is bound to go wrong. And so it did. It involved 2 guys talking smack over the same girl, one was dating her now I guess and words were exchanged and someone broke my friend's plate glass window. People were kicked out, people snuck back in, the Police were called. I heard the cops were very helpful and understanding. Glad for that, but I felt bad for my friend because her son was upset too, he felt those guys ruined his birthday and he promised his Mom that nothing would happen. Guess you can't promise that. Not at that age.

Being Bodacious: Chapter 3

2010-02-16T20:20:00.000-08:00

In our quest of Being Bodacious, the new meme by Citizen Janey, she asks us to expound on an interesting question. What is in a name? There are many interesting stories, stories that I enjoy, when talking about why you were named as you were. My answers are in pink.

So, my darling Bodacious Ones, let’s play the Name Game this week.

•Why were you given your name? I was named after my Father. If I was a boy I would have had the name Peter Koichi, Peter being my Mother's Father, and Koichi was my Father's good friend in the Service. Those were the days when they didn't know if they were having a boy or girl, you got what you got. So they got me, their first born and so I'm not sure they had considered girl names. They were pretty sure their first born would be a boy. So my name is the reverse and feminine of my Father's name. He was Denis Michael and I am Michele Denise.

•What does it mean? Well, it means a lot to me to be named after my Father but as some of you know I go by my nickname Mitchypoo. There is story there too. My paternal Grandmother ended up not liking my name. She was not happy that I did not have a traditional Saints name, like Mary, or Esther, or Theresa. Michele is a derivative of Michael, but that wasn't good enough for her. So she told my Mother that I looked like a Mitch Miller to her. She meant it to hurt my Mom I guess but my Mom was ornery and said, ya, she does look like a Mitch. So from the beginning I was called Mitch which turned to Mitchy or Mitchypoo.

•Has your name influenced you as a person / your personality? I like my name, I grew up having the old Beatles song Michelle sung to me, which never bothered me. Everyone knew me as Michele but still today my family and close friends call me Mitch or Mitchypoo.

•What does your name mean to you? For Valentine's Day my Mamacita gave me a pen that has my name on it, you know those gifts that you find with all the different names on it from a-z. Well, what is so interesting is she found one where they spelled my name correctly. With one L. I've never seen this before, anywhere and neither had Mamacita so she got it for me. Under my name on this pen it says that Michele means "An honest person who knows her own mind". I read that to Mamacita, she laughed and said, "They got that right!".

Being Bodacious: Chapter 2

2010-02-09T09:17:00.000-08:00

This is the second week for the new Meme by Janey. It's surprising again how focusing on yourself sometimes is uncomfortable to do. For me it seems to bring up some not so good memories. Especially this week. And even though it's brought up unpleasant memories it has reminded me how I was able to move on and that is a positive. Here is our topic this week. Oh, please come and join us. Go to Janey's blog for all the details on Being Bodacious and please leave me a comment if you read this. I will visit you too.

So, my bodacious sistahs – this week, we all want to know what your personal theme song is… and why you chose it. Why it speaks to you and for you. How it makes you feel.

A Broken Wing
by Martina Mc Bride

She loved like he was the last man on earth.
Gave him everything she ever had.
He'd break her spirit down,then come lovin' up on her.
Give a little, then take it back.
She'd tell him about her dreams- he'd just shoot'em down.
Lord, he loved to make her cry.
You're crazy for believing you'll ever leave the ground.
He said only angels know how to fly

And with a broken wing,she still sings.
She keeps an eye on the sky.
With a broken wing, she carries her dreams.
Man,you ought to see her fly.

One Sunday morning, she didn't go to church.
He wondered why she didn't leave.
He went up to her bedroom, found a note by the window, with the curtains blowing in the breeze.

And with a broken wing,she still sings.
She keeps an eye on the sky.
With a broken wing, she carries her dreams.
Man,you ought to see her fly.

I chose this song because I remember a time when I was in the car and this song was playing. It maybe wasn't the first time that I heard the song, but it was the first time I HEARD it. I mean I really heard the lyrics and it became personal.

The song is sad is a lot of ways. My story isn't so tragic. Well actually, that is me minimizing my own truth. Truth is, some is very tragic. I've had some hard times. The point is that I was able to go on. That's the positive and uplifting part. I had a broken wing, I still sing, i keep an eye on the sky and I can fly.

This is many women's truth. Isn't it? Sometimes we don't know we have it in us to go on, but even then, somehow we find the strength and we do go on. Women rock! I love Being Bodacious!

Thursday 13

2010-02-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

Because this is a meme whose purpose is to get to know "me" a little better, this weeks topic is 13 random things about me.

I was named after my Father. My first and middle name is his name reversed and feminine. There was no particular reason my name was spelled with one L, but I like it spelled that way. Michele with one L.
My nickname when I was very young was Rubberband because I was very tall and skinny and limber. Those were the days.
I met Barry Manilow years ago while vacationing in Palm Springs. He was not a nice man and I've not liked him ever since. He's really creepy looking in person too.
I did high jump in grade school and I was pretty good at it. I remember once competing at a meet and suddenly people were milling around and making a lot of noise. Dwight Stones was there and I'm not sure I even knew who he was at the time but I met him. I remember he was tall and had longer hair. He is in the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame. Besides this time in my life, i'm really not very athletic.
I love Bobbi Brown cosmetics. I have just started using her products in the last year or so. Every product I use, I absolutely love.
I cut off my middle finger tip when I was 12 years old. I sat down on a canvas cross chair and it snapped. I had to have surgery because the tip could be sewed back, but I broke the tip of the bone. I had to wear a cast to my elbow for about 8 weeks. Surprisingly, the finger took, It looks normal and the nail grows. The only sign is a small scar across the tip and the finger tip dips in because the bone is gone.
The only food item that does not agree with me at all is Dijon mustard. It's so odd, but if I eat dijon mustard or a sauce has it in it, it 9 times out of ten does not agree with me. I taste it for days. No kidding. It's a shame too because I really like Dijon.
I used to raise chickens, laying hens when I lived in Oregon. I miss my chickens. I loved them so.
I chose the Saint name Valentine when I was Confirmed. I've always been into the romance.
My favorite place that I've visited was St.Thomas in the Caribbean. I went on a cruise years ago with some female coworkers and we had a lot of fun. St.Thomas was so gorgeous. The turquoise water, the white sand. It had a different feel.
My favorite food is cheese. Which I am not suppose to be eating right now. I'm doing OK staying away from it, but I miss it, always.
My new favorite TV show is Modern Family, with The Middle right behind it. Soooo funny!
My favorite band in high school was Rush. Totally in love with them and I have gone to eight of their concerts. Once, while kind of between boyfriends, I dated a guy because he asked me to a Rush concert. I was not so much into him but I wanted to go to the concert. The boyfriend found out about it too and was not happy.

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Being Bodacious: Chapter 1

2010-02-01T19:22:00.000-08:00

Janey at Confessions of a Middle Aged Suburban Diva has started a Meme for women. A meme which means it's all about ME. But it's also for women to support each other. I think it's a fabulous idea. So here goes. You can go to her blog to read all the details but to begin we are to blog about this topic: Finish the phrase: “One thing I love about my body is…”

Deep breath here. OOhhh, maybe this will be harder than I thought? But the more I think of it, the more I realize that it seems like a tough subject because I've been conditioned to think something is wrong with me. If you asked me in my 20's I would have had no qualms about what to write. I could have written about being so thin that I had to be careful laying on my back in a bikini because you could see straight down my bikini bottoms. That's how thin I was and my hip bones jutted out. Or that I was tall and lanky and I had great legs. My boobs were proportional but on the large side and I had a rack. I still have a rack, but it's bigger, like a gun rack.

So, the one thing I love about my body is my toes. I have smallish, cute toes. I do not have a longer second toe or large toe knuckles. I have small, slightly squarish nails. I do not have any corns or bumpies on my toes. Men seem to love my toes too. But hey, don't touch! I do not like people to touch my feet. Feet are intimate and if you aren't giving me a pedicure, or we aren't intimate, don't touch! It is not the only part of my body that I love, but it's one that I wanted to share with you.

If you are participating and read this, a comment would be most appreciated and I will return the favor.

Thursday Thirteen

2010-01-28T12:03:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and so I wanted to list 13 things that I think is sweet.

The book Illusions by Richard Bach. A quick read, but very thought provoking. Have you found your blue feather?
Lindt truffles. I love that you can find this quality of chocolate at Target or an everyday store. If you haven't tried Lindt chocolate I'd say to try it. Good quality and not a huge price.
Cupcakes. It seems to have become a fad but I love cupcakes because they are cute and sweet. My personal favorite cupcake blog, complete with recipes.
Plurk friends. Sometimes it can really change your day by just reading a kind word.
Cats sleeping. There is something so sweet and cuddly about how my babies sleep, how they can be comfortable in the wierdest positions.
Crepes w/Lingonberries.
Someone saying you are precious to them.My special someone told me that yesterday and it meant the world to me.
People giving of themselves for people suffering in Haiti, even when they don't have much to begin with.It's time like this that you realize how fortunate you are.

Boyd's Bears. I have a collection of their collectible figurines and i also have some plush toys. They are just so sweet and cute and have funny names.
Sweethearts Candy. They are still around after all these years. The messages have been updated, that's for sure, with messages like Text Me or Tweet Me, and the candy seems to taste better, but they are still the same in many ways. They just signal that Valentine's is near when I see them in the store.
A single rose. It doesn't have to be red. It doesn't have to be long stem. It doesn't even have to be a rose. A flower given with love, so that the recipient enjoys is a sweet thing.
Valentine's Cards. I still really love picking out a special card for my special someone. Here's a different kind of sweet card for Valentines!
A smile. You know that smile that makes their eyes twinkle, where you see what they are saying just by how they look at you. That is sweet!

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Thursday Thirteen

2010-01-21T14:15:00.000-08:00

My list of 13 items that make life worth living, small things that can be truly enjoyed.

A 12 year old Glen Fidditch. It's a sipping drink for me. I love to feel the burn at first, it warms you all the way to your toes. Lovely after a special meal.
A perfectly grilled cheese sandwich. It can't be too dark but it should have butter on the outside to toast it nicely and give flavor and the cheese, american, melted just perfectly where it still oozes a little when cut.
A Lindt truffle. My favorite is white chocolate, but the peanut butter ones are damn good.
A new romance novel. It's perfect for rainy days like today. I love digging into a new book and getting a feel for the writing and get the characters and scene set in my mind.
A nice hot shower. Soothing.
Perfumed oils. Preferably they are perfumed with real essential oils. You can feel the difference in the quality of oil and the scent is pure and lasts longer.
Comfy slippers. I got a new pair for Christmas and I can wear them to the store or around the house. They have real wool inside and keep my tootsies warm.
A kind word from a special someone. Just that can make your day.
A perfectly brewed cup of ginger tea. It's warming and comforting. I have to go make some now.
Good quality sheets and duvets. I love my bed right now, it's so comfy, cool when I first get in and then my 400 count sheets and duvet wrap me up and warm me.
Tiger Balm~I've had some joint aches but this helped take the pain away.
Knitting/Crocheting, it's always soothing and comforting for me to have my hands busy creating something.
Cashmere. I love the feel of my cashmere sweaters, they are so comforting and they last well.

Please leave me a comment so I can come visit you!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen

2010-01-14T12:44:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted to Thursday 13 for quite a while. There is no excuse, just haven't. I was inspired to try again by another participant because I was so impressed with her posting. She took so much time and effort in her post and so I decided to try and not be such a slug. I'm posting random thoughts today. A comment would be most appreciated.

Thank you Tink for inspiring me. I just read The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown and symbology is really interesting and I loved what you had to say today.
I'm feeling a tad better today with this head/chest cold. Still not feeling great, but I feel like I'm hopefully over the worst of it.
It's amazing how distracted I get sometimes. I think maybe I have adult ADD, would that be AADD, Adult Attention Deficit Disorder? Just during this post I've been distracted by looking up a link, which led me to an email to facebook to add a friend, to accept a gift in farmville, oh, i have some crops to harvest, to plurk to look at responded threads...omfg!
I need to get to the library to pick up a book i reserved. It's suppose to be similar in genre to the Diana Gabaldon Outlander Series. I can't wait. Again AADD. I'm reading about 5 different books right now, no kidding.
I finished a pair of socks the other day and haven't started another project yet. That's not saying I don't have things I should complete already on the needles, but starting a new project is more fun. Huh? Black Mohair Lace Cowl or socks? Decisions.
I can not wait until Sunday's MN Vikings game! We have friends coming to meet us at the place we go to watch the game. Pizza, wings and beer for breakfast! Yeah!
I really feel for the people of Haiti. It's just devastating and makes me realize how fortunate I am. I made a small donation yesterday to this group and I really love what they do and stand for.
I really want to go to knit night tonight but think I'll still have to keep my butt home so I don't pass on this cold. Maybe next week I can join the ladies.
I don't like the mean girl. She knows who she is and she's a mean and nasty person. You know, there is a reason why some people do not let you see their eyes and I know why. But this mean girl seems to be getting her karmic due. Sad but I don't feel bad for her.
I feel almost embarrassed by our weather when the rest of the states seem to be having such a rough winter. Oh, do I remember!
Why is the TV so loud and why are the commercials even louder? My bitch for the day. Seems I'm always turning down the tv.
I bought a sock club membership last night. Oh I'm so weak. But socks are my knitting passion.
My favorite new online find is Violette Market. Products are cool, interesting. Great customer service. I got my order the other day but unfortunately couldn't smell them. I can smell today and I can confirm that the scents are of the highest quality and just lovely.

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I'm in love!

2010-01-03T16:25:00.001-08:00

My Mamacita and I took a good friend for Afternoon Tea yesterday at The Langham. Our friend had never been to tea and it's been a long time for me so I was looking forward to the afternoon. I am also a big fan of Michael Voltaggio, this year's Top Chef winner and I knew that he was the Chef de Cuisine at this hotel's restaurant so during tea we were talking about how exciting it would be if we saw him. One of the server's said that he should be coming in around 4 pm. Then we were talking to our other server at the end of tea and she brought up Michael and when she realized what big fans we were she asked us to hold on for a moment. She went to the restaurant to see if he was in because she said he usually is early to get everything organized. When she came back, alone, I thought he wasn't in and was disappointed but she surprised me by saying, "If you'd like to follow me ladies, I'd be happy to introduce you!" She said he was in a meeting, but could take some time to meet us. So we were brought into the dining room and there he was! He was meeting with 2 other chefs and a manager and Michael made a comment about us helping him to end the meeting. He shook our hand and welcomed us, he was so nice and gracious. He asked if we were taken care of in the lounge having our tea. We asked if we could take a picture and he said, oh sure. He was really nice to us and he said he hoped we would come for dinner sometime. He said, "We make some really good food here!" I hope I didn't make too big a spectacle of myself, but I am still on a natural high from meeting him!

Happy 2010!

2010-01-01T13:02:00.000-08:00

"End of the year, new day - Let the past, slip away - Open your heart and
you just may - Transcend troubles and find your way - Happy New Year everyone!
May we all find our way to greater joy, peace and love!" ~California College of Ayurveda

I saw this quote on my Facebook page and I really like it. My first day of the New Year is kind of slow. I was up early or at my normal time around 6 am. I went to bed before midnight last night because I just couldn't stay up. We had a quiet night, my brother wasn't home. He's not feeling well and wanted to stay at his care facility, so I made a homemade shrimp fettucine dinner for Mamacita. I used some Sauvignon Blanc in the dish so I had a glass while cooking too. It was from Robert Mondavi and it was really nice wine. Crisp and clean. I made shrimp stock with the shrimp shells and used that in the dish. It was exceptionally good, if I do say so myself. Some Italians I'm sure would think the dish was not right because I use cheese in the sauce and usually they do not use cheese with any fish/seafood dishes. Well, I do. Sorry. Here is my recipe.

Shrimp Fettucine
1 lb. fettucine, cook as directed
1 lb. large to extra large raw shrimp, cleaned and deveined
2 shallots, small dice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pkg. sliced button or baby bella mushrooms
zest of 1 lemon, about 1 tbsp. of zest
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 cup white wine, like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio
1/2 cup (1 cube) butter
1 cup half and half or cream
3/4 c. grated pecorino romano or parmesan cheese
5-7 fresh leaves of basil, stacked and rolled and cut (chiffonade)
Peel and devein shrimp, putting shells in a saucepan and add about 3 cups
water and boil for about 20 minutes. Add about 1 Tbsp. olive oil to shrimp, add
minced garlic and salt and pepper and coat shrimp. In large saute pan, add
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil and 1 Tbsp. butter over medium high heat. Add 1/2
the shallots and saute for 1 minute. Add shrimp and saute on each side just
until pink. Add zest and lemon juice. Turn over and by the time you turn all of them they are ready to be removed from the pan. Put in a pan and set aside (they are not fully cooked).

Then add mushrooms and saute, when liquid is almost gone, add about 1-2 shrimp
stock and reduce until liquid is almost gone.
In separate saucepan add butter and cream and heat but do not boil. Add
about 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. white pepper. When butter is melted add 1/2 cup
cheese. Keep warm.
In saute pan, when shrimp stock is reduced, add wine and again reduce by
half over high heat to remove alcohol. Then add cream/butter mixture,
add shrimp back to pan. Mix and cook a couple minutes. Add cooked fettucine,
fresh basil and fresh grape tomatoes if you like. Toss together. Remove from
heat. Serve in a bowl with some basil and cheese sprinkled on top. Enjoy!

We also had peach pie and Vanilla Bean ice cream. Yum!

We watched the Rose Parade this morning. I am such a sap! The stories really get to me and I get the chills and even sometimes well up. Like the School for the Blind group and they had them marching. It was really cool. They had ice surfing bull dogs too. Way cool. It was 72 degrees during parade time they said. Sorry, don't hate us because we have nice weather almost all year long.

I finished another spiral hat. I really like it but not sure I'll keep it. I may put it in my Etsy shop. I'll try to post pics when I do. Now I need another project to do. I may start another mohair cowl. I really like and use my cowl in white so I got some black lace mohair.

Good Riddance 2009!

2009-12-31T16:15:00.000-08:00

All in all, i'm happy to see this year done and over with. I'm optimistic that 2010 will be a better year. And in trying to be positive I'll list some good things that happened in 2009 instead of focusing on the negative.

We got a new President.
My cousin's first born was reunited with her and the family. I was so happy to see him again.
This boy/man and his lovely wife had a baby boy, their first born in July!
I made some new friends, both real and virtual.
I finally opened my etsy shop. (Although I haven't sold anything.)
I finally was able to resolve my stomach issues thanks to Ayurveda and Eleni.
I had lots of knitting time.
I fell in love again with the library.
I made efforts to be healthier. (Although I have to start up again).

This list should be longer shouldn't it? It probably is but I can't think of all the good things that happened this year.

I don't like being out during New Years Eve. I'm afraid of drunks and people on the road after being in a car accident on New Years Eve years ago. I'm perfectly happy enjoying a nice evening at home. We have a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc chilling. I'll use some of it in my preparation of shrimp fettucine. I got some fresh basil to use in it tonight. It's pretty easy to make and I was hungry for it. We also have a bottle of Korbel waiting for us. And for dessert I got a peach pie that is baking now and we'll have Vanilla ice cream with that.

No resolutions. But I do have things I want to work on. Small goals. The two I keep thinking about is that I want to keep trying to live healthier, with my diet, with what medicine I put in my body, with exercise. I want to be more active, I want to really take care of myself and my body. The other one is odd but I want to wear skirts more this year. Truth is, not sure I've worn a skirt even once in 2009. That is partially because I'm not working, but even for everyday wear I want to wear skirts.

2010 is going to be a good year. I feel it in my bones! Happy New Year to you!

2009-10-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

Screamin Norwegian and Fans
So we made it into the paper! The MN local paper even! Sunday we met at our normal place to watch the Vikings/Ram game and we had a special guest, the Screamin Norwegian! It was a really cool car, I think it was a Chevy Camaro, but I obviously don't know much about cars. But I do know one thing, it's LOUD!! It scared the begezus out of me.

We were celebrating Gary, my brother's birthday last Sunday so it was really fun for him. We had balloons that he was giving away to the kids and we had birthday cake for all. The kids would come up to Gary and say "Go Vikes!" which was their way of saying, I want a balloon. And Gary was very lucky that day b/c he won the halftime pool and then he invested some in raffle tickets and he won that too! He won a Viking coin, a hat, a t-shirt, a penant, a poster, a signed page and other cool stuff. He was really happy and it was a good day.

Mamacita wasn't able to celebrate on Sunday with us b/c of her infection but she is back to work now and doing very well.

Daisy crossed the Rainbow Bridge

2009-10-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

I went to feed Daisy this a.m. and she was really sick, in fact, i thought she was gone but when I touched her she moved. So Daisy had to be put down this morning and my heart is breaking, although it was worse to see her so sick.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Kittens, Mamacita and Birthday.

2009-10-09T11:03:00.000-07:00

It's been a while....a long while. No excuses, just haven't felt it lately.

Oh, and there is that I spilled a martini on our laptop and fried it. So I'm posting from the library and although I'm so grateful that we have it available I'm so totally getting grossed out with people. If I don't get the swine flu or something else really gross I'll be amazed.

Mamacita has had a rough couple weeks. She fell in the parking lot going to Quizno's and landed on her knees and hands but somehow thankfully did not break a bone or hit her head, just really bruised. Then last week she had what looked like a spider bite but felt weird so she went to urgent care Sat. And after about 6 hours she came home with an IV still in her arm. They took a culture of her finger and started her on iv antibiotics and it turns out she has a staff infection. I'm not clear if that is considered MRSA, but whatever, it was bad enough to keep her out of work and she has to have at least 10 days of treatment. Once they knew what kind of staph she was able to take oral antibiotics and so now i'm cleaning her wound and wicking it. It's looking better and she's feeling better.

My bro has a birthday this Sunday and we are celebrating while watching the Vikings game with our club. It's a surprise, he doesn't know. He's upset that he can't come home right now and Mamacita is upset she can't be at his party, but these things can't be helped.

Oh, and we have a sick kitten too. Daisy, Mamacita's little tabby who was born this Easter has either a liver problem or FIP, both of which are fatal. She's taking an antibiotic and a chemo med and we'll see how she does. She's eating and not really acting sick, but she's skinny and just not thriving. It looks like we'll have to put her down in the near future.

So I've been taking care of everyone lately which is ok too. You do what you have to do.

How many of the 50 have you visited?

2009-08-15T14:52:00.000-07:00

visited 20 states (40%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or another interesting project

Thursday 13

2009-07-23T10:09:00.001-07:00

Mamacita took the day off work yesterday and we went to the County Fair. This list is 13 things I liked or enjoyed about the fair. If you'd like to participate in Thursday 13, please go here first.

There was a nice breeze down there and it was not so ungodly hot. It was actually feeling warmer in some of the buildings.
Pink's Hot Dogs! I couldn't believe it but they were down there. So I didn't have to go to the west side of town or wait in line for a long time. Had my Martha Stewart dog without onion or relish thank you!
Loved the textile show, enjoyed seeing what others are doing. There was not a lot of knit items, and the ones I saw were not so great. I'm so entering next year and see how I fair.
There were 2 pigs who had babies! One had 10 just this last Saturday and they were so cute! Another had 11 almost 2 weeks ago and they were double the size.
I loved seeing the plumeria plants and they had an unusual dark pink color. Hard not to buy, but it was $30 for a starting.
Loved smelling the barbecue. There was some huge companies there and the smell was intoxicating.
Love to see the entries of vegetables. There were huge squash and interesting heirloom veggies. I wondered how many of the items wander off? Not that I'd do that, but I couldn't help but wonder.
They had a wine bar! We were able to try a couple tastings of award winning wines which were very good. And then we enjoyed a full glass on the patio and took a break. It was nice.
Rootbeer Freezes....yum!
Love to see the odd things you can find by the vendors. There were weird mops and car washers, a doohicky you put on a aluminum can to make it like a screw top, a candle that does not use open flame, but a lightbulb, etc.
Watkins. I'm sure there is a way to order online or whatever, but I like finding them at the fair and buying my vanilla, cinnamon and black pepper. Instant gratification.
I bought a carry all. It's kind of goofy, but the thing is so cool too. It's like a wire frame with a large bag on it. It's light, it moves well, it doesn't topple over, it fits all kinds of stuff and I thought it'd be a lot more, so when she told me how much, which was at least half of what I was thinking, I bought it. Mamacita can use it for work because she has a little walk from her parking lot.
Not sure how I made it out of the fair without ingesting something fried, but I did. I do so still love fried things. A new item I saw was individually fried potato chips. They looked good. I wanted a funnel cake too.

The only thing I was a little disappointed by was that I wanted some grilled corn but I think since living in MN at one time I've been spoiled. This corn they served looked like field corn. It was almost gray in color, not a nice vibrant yellow and just did not look appetizing at all. It was long and weird looking. It was a nice day all around.

Thursday 13

2009-07-09T08:36:00.000-07:00

I'm going to do a random thoughts Thursday 13 today because I am doing a healthy 3 day cleanse and today is my first day. I usually talk or write about food, but that is not the case today. So here is some randomness from me.

1. I love the beach so much. The air, the smell, the sand, the water, the sound of the waves crashing.
2. Is it because I'm a pisces that I love the ocean so much?
3. I'm going to AZ next week for a couple days and hopefully can see a high school girlfriend while there.
4. I'm going to knit a hat today. It'll keep my mind off other things.
5. I love my cats so much. They quietly woke me up this morning.
6. I wish my boyfriend lived closer. Long distance really sucks.
7. I love buying my toiletries from drugstore.com
8. I hope my cousin Cindy does well today, she's having knee surgery.
9. This picture makes me laugh. This is tomato p0rn! I found this tomato at the ranch market last week.

10. It doesn't take much to make me smile. It's the small things in life that often are so sweet and so funny.

11. I need to wash the tile floors.

12.I'm conflicted about the MJ circus. I feel very badly for the children and their loss, but there is so much to be upset about otherwise. And the family should be paying the bills. Since when do you look to someone else to pay for your family's final plans?

13. I hope I don't get headachey or grumpy in the next 3 days. I'm going to really try to be not let it affect me.

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Thursday 13

2009-06-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

My cats are an important part of my life and so today I share a slideshow with you of our cats who include Tom Thumb, who's about 11 years old, King Henry VIII who is also at least 11 years old, Sophie who adopted us in January of this year and surprise....she had 5 kittens Easter Sunday!

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Thursday 13

2009-05-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

THIRTEEN POSITIVES ABOUT
MITCHYPOO

The idea for this post came from The Gal Herself, who listed things she was good at. Since so many of us concentrate on our faults and flaws and weaknesses and peccadilloes, it was a refreshing read. And so I am stealing it. I encourage everyone else to steal it. Looking at yourself objectively and liking what you see is a natural high.

I love animals. I've always had a soft spot for them and it doesn't matter what kind of animal although I'm partial to cats and dogs and hippos. You know that kid who always brought home a stray animal~ that was me.
I'm crafty. I've always loved to learn new things and I love craft. My favorite craft now is knitting of course, but I love to paint and bead, and, you name it crafty and i love it.
I'm a great cook. My Mamacita says that she is a recipe cook, but I can cook anything and without a recipe. It's true. I can take any ingredients and make a meal.
I can bake homemade bread. From scratch, not a machine although the machines are cool too. I also make homemade pasta. I also used to make bagels, crackers, hotdog buns.
I have nice handwriting. People comment on it.
I quit smoking. If you are a smoker, you know that this is difficult. To quit. But I did, and cold turkey. It's all or nothing for me a lot of times.
I work well under pressure. I've had jobs where sometimes there is a lot of pressure or deadlines to work under. I've always been able to get through these times, it kind of motivates me.
I'm loyal. I pride myself on it.
I still love to learn. I should be a perpetual student because I love to learn about things. I want to know more. If I don't know how to do something, I want to learn how to do it.
I am empathetic. When I was active in church they discussed that everyone has a gift and I believe that this is my gift, although truthfully, it causes me some pain sometimes. I try to see the good in it.
I love old people. When I was young, in grade school I liked to go to the nursing home or convalescent center to visit the old people. I would ask my Mamacita to take me down there. I always saw really cool things in older people.
I'm smart. I have an Associates degree, I'd like to someday continue my education formally, but I truly believe that some of the smartest people do not have a paper degree. They have a life learned education. I'm not an Einstein, but I maybe could have joined Mensa.
I'm creative. I think it's a talent and positive thing to be creative and I'm glad that I can see something and see how to create that thing or how to improve something. You need imagination to be creative. That's why I love knitting because I determine what I create and how it looks.

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Celebrate!

2009-05-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

Diva Knitting is having a Blogiversary! And she is so cool that she is giving away a
Namaste Bag and some other goodies! Check her out, you still have time to sign up!

Belly Garnish

2009-05-20T12:05:00.000-07:00

Have you heard? There is a new food blog called Belly Garnish. I'm a contributor and I hope you'll come see us. Thanks Flawfulfibers for starting it.

Thursday 13

2009-05-14T08:40:00.001-07:00

I have an Ayurveda appointment today. Ayurveda is the ancient form of health care from India. It has been practised for over 5000 years but is just now getting a little more well known in the United States. I have been seeing my practitioner, Eleni, for almost a year and I love her and everything I learn about Ayurveda. She is not Indian by the way. She is very interesting actually. She is from Australia, with Greek nationality and married to an American. She has been a Godsend to me. My list this week is 13 things about Ayurveda and why I love it.

It's natural, based on nature and how our bodies work naturally.
Everyone is an individual and has a body type that relates to nature. There is your basic "prakriti" or constitution. They call it your Dosha and there are 3 basic doshas, Pitta, Vata, and Kapha.
Each body type has qualities that relate to nature. The basic doshas relate to Earth, Air and Fire.
Ayurveda believes there are things we can do daily to improve our health such as, oiling your body. They suggest you use an oil for your dosha and before showering you should oil your body from head to toe, doing self massage. I've done it, it's very relaxing and does make you feel wonderful.
Other daily habits they suggest are exercising, meditation, using a neti pot, scraping your tongue, eating a large leisurely lunch, resting after meals, resting on your left side after eating and the oiling.
Ayurveda says you should eat with the seasons and eat as natural as possible.
Ayurveda treats the whole body. Not just the physical, but the emotional. It all relates. Emotions can affect your health.
They use herbs and natural remedies for common ailments. For instance, I've suffered with migraines for years. So I was instructed to take a quart a day of feverfew tea for 30 days straight. Feverfew is an herb, a dried green leaf, it looks like oregano and I did do this and I am happy to report that my migraines/headaches are reduced very dramatically! I still get them every now and then, maybe once a month, compared to getting them 3-4 times a week, and sometimes daily. It's totally remarkable and it was so easy.
They use certain spices for your health and because of taste. Certain tastes help your health. A big one for me is turmeric, I use it everywhere I can in cooking and I take a capsule of turmeric daily. I made the capsules myself and I take it because turmeric helps digestion and also improves the health of your skin.
Kitcheri. It's a type of indian style dish that has whole grains in it and is easily digestible. I love it because it's comfort food for me now and because it's versatile and because I actually like the taste of it.
Yoga is a part of Ayurveda, they are connected, but you can do one without the other. I do some yoga, but it's not a definite part of my practice yet.
I had some pretty significant stomach problems for over 6 months before seeing Eleni. We worked on my digestion with some herbal supplements and my diet, and taking a yogurt drink. I mixed plain yogurt with fresh ground ginger, pumpkin pie spice and honey or agave and I drank that twice a day. My stomach issues also went away after a while of this treatment.
I've lost weight. Since seeing Eleni I've lost about 30 lbs. The weight is a symptom of my body imbalance and I'm working on that. When you get in balance, the body loses the weight because the body knows what is a natural weight for you. It's also empowering to be able to lose the weight.

I hope you are intrigued. Could it help you? Is it a better way to live? For me it is. I'm healthier and I only have to take one medication now only because there is no other alternative for my hypothyroid.

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Thursday Thirteen

2009-05-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I've participated but I thought I'd try to join all of you again. I met some cool people and saw lovely blogs while doing this before. My list today, based on this TT picture, is about Italian food and why I love it!

Italian food is very fresh! They use almost no packaged, processed foods in their preparation.
I love PASTA! Nothing like it. I've tried the whole wheat pasta, which is OK, actually it's pretty good, but I love traditional semolina/flour pasta.
It's very versatile. If you have pasta you can do all kinds of dishes by just varying the sauce. It can be as simple as some butter and parmesan cheese. Or with a tomato sauce or marinara. Or you could do a clam sauce, or even a cream/butter/parmesan sauce.
Fresh herbs. They use a lot of fresh herbs in preparation or even at the end for color and taste. Herbs like oregano, basil, italian parsley.
Lasagna. Who doesn't like layers of ooey gooey cheese, between layers of pasta ribbons, with a tasty meat sauce and tomatoes, and then...more cheese.
Gelato~It's the italian version of ice cream and it's usually lighter and less fattening. I also like that it's soft and I like soft, melty ice cream.
Charcuterie~I love their meats, bologna, salumi, italian sausage, cappacola
Prosecco~The italian champagne. It's lovely, light, and not so sweet.
Family style~Many times a dish is served family style, meaning instead of making individual plates, you just serve it on a large warmed platter and everyone passes the dish around and takes what they like.
Cheese~who doesn't like fontina, and romano and then the parmesan. Regianno Parmesano in particular has a huge history and it continues to be the best parmesan available.
Olive Oil~how could I have a list like this and not have olive oil on the list. They use olive oil, mainly the extra virgin olive oil for flavor, not just as a way to cook. A really good olive oil is full of flavor and dipping bread in it with some balsamic vinegar for flavor....oh, yum!
Balsamic Vinegar~Again, they are very serious about their balsamic vinegar, there are vintages of balsamic. Some is aged and is quite decadent. It can be like a bottle of wine, it gets better with age and depending on the year and the circumstances can be quite expensive.
Attitude~ A lot of the italian dishes came to be because of their attitude about food. Food is to be enjoyed, it's to entertain family and friends. It's comfort and it uses the best food at the best time and to the best advantage. It's survival. They do not like to waste food. The panzanela salad has used bread in it. It's still usable and it's enjoyed in this preparation. I love that it's about family and enjoying yourself.

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Booga Bag

2009-05-05T07:44:00.001-07:00

It starts like this. A lovely all wool yarn.

And then you knit furiously for one evening and early the next day you end up with us. I used a 10 1/2 needle on the bag base and then a size 13 for the bag and for knitting the i-cord.

Then you put it in the washing machine with some detergent on the hot wash and cold rinse. And after a couple washes, actually four washes, and finally I wizened up and put in about 3 pair of jeans with it, you get this lovely felted creation.

I dried it overnight, upside down over a tupperware cereal container. It just happened to have the right size to attempt to have the base dry flat and square.

I've known about felted bags and wanted to make one for years. I have felted other items, such as the knit chinese fortune cookies I made one year for Valentine's Day, but a bag seemed like such a big project. It turned out to be so simple. A really quick knit, I mean it literally was knit up in less than 24 hours including me sleeping overnight.

I think I will actually use this bag. I'm happy.

2009-05-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

This is what I've been up to.

Yes, up to my eyeballs with 5 kittens and a very good and protective Momma Sophie. She had kittens Easter morning. It's all kind of new to me, I'm having to learn as I go, but nature is a wonderful thing and has blessed me with a really good momma cat, so I haven't had to do too much or worry too much. So they are 3 weeks old now and really cute. There is four black kittens, maybe tabby striped, can't tell yet. I think they may have medium or long hair, must have come from daddy, and there is one mini Sophie. She has the white markings on her face, the cutest spotted tummy and a pink nose. She seems to be the smallest but the most alert. We are going to keep one of the kittens...and it was Mamacita's decision to keep one. Knock me over with a feather. But I'm happy she wants to. It'll be hard to pick one, I'd like to keep them all, but we have to do what is best for the kittens.

I've also been knitting. I got kind of bored with sock knitting, not sure why, but I had to make this lovely lace scarf and finished it yesterday.

This is Malabrigo Lace yarn in Water Green colorway. I got it at The Loopy Ewe. This is luscious lovely single skein lace weight yarn and hey, it's CHEAP! Can you believe it cost me $9.00 in yarn to make this lovely scarf! I still need to block it so it lays nice. This pattern was made for 1 skein of this yarn and I think I'll definitely make another one, i love it that much. The pattern is called Leaf Lace Scarf and here's a link to the designers blog with a link to a free pattern.

I also knit another scarf but I haven't taken pics or blocked yet. I'll post that later. And I've started another baby blanket, this time in primary colors for baby Logan. I already made him a blanket but it's in pastel baby colors and that just will not do. His nursery is all in primary colors, with trucks and stuff, so now I'm knitting a Modern Baby Blanket by Mason-Dixon Knitting. I had to mail order the yarn because I was looking for a machine washable, good quality, soft but strong DK yarn, and my plurk pals suggested a few, and I decided I wanted Plymouth Dreambaby and it's lovely, lovely yarn. But the company had a back order of 2 colors of the 4 I'm using, so I've knit what I can and waiting for the other 2 yarns to be delivered. I know they shipped yesterday, so I'll be able to get started again.

Still going to Acupuncture, even though my Dr. moved up north to Santa Clara....boo hoo. I'm seeing a new Dr. and it's OK. And I'm still doing Ayurveda, I see my practitioner only about once a month. I finally got my wii fit so I've been doing that and I'm enjoying it.

We're going to see Dad today at the cemetery. Gary hasn't seen his grave marker yet. It was suppose to rain today, but in Southern California fashion, the weather man was wrong and it's simply glorious here today. Have a good weekend!

2009-04-02T18:16:00.001-07:00

I got new glasses!
I was in sore need of glasses. My old pair had a prescription from over 15 years ago and they were just dog ugly. I would only wear them at home. I found a great deal at Lenscrafter's, they still are having a sale on 1/2 off the lenses and I need progressive lenses so all of that was 50% off. They have a 90 day no interest payment too so that helped me. I'm just thrilled. I thought it might take some adjusting to wearing progressive lenses but it's really been no big deal. They are comfortable and I can see!

So today I went and got my hair done! I needed a cut and color really badly. And I'm going on a trip to see my Honey on Monday so I needed to look and feel my best.

Headaches and migraines have been A LOT better. I made it through a whole menstrual cycle without a migraine. That is a big improvement for me. I feel it's because of the acupuncture and ayurveda but I'm sure the glasses may help too although I've only had them for 2 days.

On the knitting front, I've been crocheting these really cool Origami Hot Pads. It's hard to explain, but you start with a chain and then you knit around and end up with a sort of envelope and then you fold it, crochet the circle holder and then sew it down the center and that's it. I love it because it's a 2 sided cloth and so simple, a satisfying quick project.

I'll try to post when I get back home and show you some pics from South Carolina!

I Want Wednesdays

2009-04-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

What wild animal do you want to see close up? (assuming its not going to eat you)
My mom has a boss who just returned from a trip to Africa. They went on Safari's and said it was unbelievable and the pictures are stunning. I think I would love to see the Elephants and the Hippo's. I think Elephants are just majestic and hippos make me laugh and I think they are cute. But I also know that hippos are very dangerous and should not be underestimated. Someday I'd love to go on Safari.

What else do you want this week? Feel free to share it all.
Well, I'm taking a quick trip to see my honey next week, so I want peace and calmness. I'm finding myself nervous and anxious about my trip, maybe the flying part is bothering me. I like to fly, but it does make me a tad nervous.

I'm going for acupuncture today, my last appointment with this doctor because she is moving up north. I will miss her.

** If you are reading this, would you please leave me a comment? I'd love to hear from you and see who is reading**

2009-03-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

The deadline for filing your income tax is nearing, and many people already have, and will have some cash headed their way.

This weeks question is:

What do you want to do with a little extra cash?
If there is actually some extra cash I, of course, would spend it on yarn, sock yarn probably. Maybe on lace yarn because I've been wanting to knit some lace scarves.

What else do you want this week? Feel free to share it all.
I want to get some more things planted or seeded in the garden. I really feel that I want to be out in the sun, maybe get a little sunburn, not burned but enough to feel I was out in the sun. And they say the best way to get your daily dose of Vitamin D is from the sun. We all know that too much sun is not good for you, but I still feel that a little is beneficial. I also want to get in the garden because getting my hands in the dirt does something for me, it's therapeutic in a way. Not so good for the french manicure I just received but oh well.

Hello...miss me?

2009-02-27T17:41:00.000-08:00

I have no real good reason why I haven't blogged lately. Just not feeling it. I'm working on it.

It's Friday night and Mamacita and I are enjoying a dirty martini. See...Doesn't it look good? I was given these cool martini glasses for Christmas and they are our new favorite glasses. Easy to drink out of , stylish and pretty. We like our martinis with a nice vodka, a little dry vermouth and a little olive juice and a olive garnish. Only 2 olives, 3 is a meal!

Still unemployed, the market is awful. Just listen to the news and it's all doom and gloom, it's heart wrenching. I'm fortunate and thankful. I have a house and a family and do not have a lot of debt so I'm ok and able to make it. The recession is cutting into my yarn purchases though and that just sucks!

Here's a pair of socks I just finished. I call them Dad Socks because I cast them on February 17 which would have been Dad's birthday. They are for a toe up KAL on Ravelry. The pattern is Diamonds in His Shoes with a few mods. I used a size 0 needle and did the foot in 60 stitches and the leg and cuff in 66 stitches and the cuff in a k3,p3. The yarn is Berroco Sox and it has a little glitter in it but it's very subtle. I really like this yarn.
Here is another pair that I'm still working on, i'm at the cuff on the 2nd sock and I'm kind of stuck. I'll have to give it a go again.
This is a baby blanket. It's a Debbie Bliss pattern but not made with the Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn b/c frankly, I could not afford it. It would have cost almost $100 for the yarn. I hadn't made this pattern before, so I decided to make it with a more traditional baby yarn and see if I like the pattern. I did like the pattern, I like the finished project, but the whole body and border is done in a seed stitch, which means k1, p1, the whole way, back and forth, k1,p1,k1,p1....it was really boring. Sometimes I'd get in a rhythmn but it was still hard to finish. But I love the look of seed stitch so I kept at it.

My brother Gary and I are working on a wood doll house kit that he received for Christmas. He enjoys sanding the wood piece edges and I'm really putting it together. It makes me miss Dad, he'd be really good at this. Gary wants it painted inside and out, so Lord, give me patience!

We are going to see a Dr.Phil taping on Monday! We being Mamacita, Julie and her Mom. We have no idea what the show is about. I hope it's something fun.

I Want.... Wednesdays

2009-01-21T08:58:00.000-08:00

What do you want to teach your (Current, future, or fictional) children.

If I had kids I'd hope to teach them to be confident in themselves. To know that we live in a wonderful country and have endless possibilities because of how wonderful this country is.

I was first going to say that I'd teach my kids love, but kids are nothing but love and do not need to be taught. It is only what they learn that teaches them not to love.

Look who found us!

2009-01-19T11:00:00.001-08:00

Meditation

2009-01-15T12:24:00.000-08:00

Make the crooked straight,
Make the straight to flow.
Gather water, fire, and light.
Bring the world to a single point.

My knit year of 2008

2009-01-11T12:42:00.000-08:00

2008-12-26T22:28:00.000-08:00

Christmas was quiet but very nice. Santa was very nice, and he brought cashmere! I received 2 really lovely cashmere sweaters. One I am wearing today and thank goodness because this may be southern CA, but BRRRR! It's suppose to get below freezing tonight, I do not remember it ever being this cold here. Anyway, this pic is of a ring Mamacita gave me. I just love it, it's silver and amber. Santa also brought Michael Kors Bermuda perfume, a yoga mat, yoga dvd, Duffy and John Legend CD, lip gloss, makeup kit, chinese cooking book, Martha Stewart's Cooking School book, martini glasses and a raincheck for a wii fit b/c it was sold out! My brother got a wii console with the sports game package and dang if i can figure out how to set it up. I'll keep trying.

Tom enjoyed us opening presents Christmas morning too.

Here is our tree pre-opening.

This is the only knitted gift I gave this holiday season. It's the wavy lace pattern and it's blocking here. It really was lovely after blocking. It felt really nice and the best part was the recipient absolutely loved it and it looked lovely on her. I knew this was for her after I met her.

We were suppose to go to a family celebration today but Mamacita wasn't feeling well. I'm bummed we missed it. And I just found out that my cousin found out tonight that she is going to be a Grandma! How exciting! I was also suppose to meet a special someone, a new family member at the gathering today. I hope to meet them soon.

And oh, the food! We made lasagna for Christmas eve, Rib Eye roast for Christmas day, tamales Christmas morning. Oh, my poor tummy. I'm not used to eating like this anymore, although I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I have acupuncture tomorrow morning. And then Sunday and Monday are the services for my best friend's Father. I'm going to help with the food and set-up on Monday. What a horrible end to the year with his passing. I'm already feeling the new year jitters and all I can say is I'm hoping 2009 has much better things in store for me. For all of us. Seems everyone has been touched by job loss, the sagging economy, just worried about the future. It has to be better, right?

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T19:34:00.000-08:00

We just had a lovely dinner. Homemade Mama's lasagna, garlic bread and salad. Mamacita made us a dirty martini before dinner too and boy were we ready for a nice cocktail.

We spent the day trying to put together an Ikea bed for my brother whose bed broke last week. I woke up last weekend to a loud thump and turns out my brothers bed frame which is over 40 years old finally gave way and it didn't seem fixable to Mamacita and me so we bought another one. Easy peasy right, Ikea is great. Ya, great! I think I hate Ikea. I may like the items they have, and the prices, but I do not like the maze they make you go thru to find what you want. Oh, but there are shortcuts, they say. Ya, but if you don't know where you are going, those aren't shortcuts. So we walked thru the whole friggin store to finally find bed frames. And then, you have to go downstairs and find your own crap and then another maze to find the checkout.

Then we tackled putting the stupid thing together this morning and I ended up sweaty, irritated, bloody, and my back went out. I think we only have 3 more screws to tackle and put the base boards in and then make the bed.

My best friend's Father passed away yesterday and my heart just breaks for her and the family. From the time he knew he had cancer, it was 6 weeks and he was gone. Very aggressive. The timing really stinks, but when would be a good time? It was the day after his wife's birthday, I think he tried to wait until after that. He was a really nice man and I have good memories of him. He was handsome and had a full head of hair still and did not go gray. He always wore Van's tennis shoes and he loved to tell stories. He liked to dance with his daughter at parties and he also played the saxophone.

So it's a great time and it's also a sad time.

Enjoy your loved ones, tell them you love them, even if it feels odd for you, put yourself out there and tell people what they mean to you.

I hope you have a blessed holiday season!

2008-12-11T10:10:00.000-08:00

A man knocked on our door the other day. We don't get many people going door to door anymore so I wasn't sure what to think or who it was. We do get the occasional Jehovah's Witnesses coming around spreading the word. It used to really annoy me when they came to the door but now I just tell them politely as possible that I don't feel comfortable discussing my beliefs with them. They usually are polite too in their reply and offer to leave some reading material which I ask them to just leave for me and then I promptly throw it away. I appreciate that in America we have freedom and are entitled to our beliefs and have the freedom to tell others about it. But I am not comfortable discussing my faith with someone who knocks on my door.

So the gentleman at my door told me he was from ( insert any church name here). He said they wanted to let me know about the church, that it's decorated beautifully for Christmas, and did I know about the church? It happened to be the church I was baptized in, made my first communion in, went to confession, CCD, got married in, and my Father's funeral service was performed from this church. So I blurted the first thing I thought and said, yes, that's my church. But the problem.... it is NOT my church.

When I thought about it later, and it bothered me almost automatically, I felt like a fake, like a liar, like a weak person who was not able to profess my view. And just like I appreciate that you have the right to believe what you want, I have the right to have my beliefs and opinions.

What I said to him in my mind, after he left, was, "That was the church I grew up in, but I do not believe or want to be a part of that church." I have my faith, the church can't take that from me, but I cannot and do not want to be involved with a church that protects pedophiles. That is just wrong.

Maybe next time I will have the strength to say the truth. My truth.

"Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this divinity" - Swami Vivekananda

2008-12-10T10:28:00.000-08:00

I hope you are enjoying this holiday season. Here's our tree. We went with red and gold this year and I really love it, I love the red poinsettias and the gold garland. We have some lovely glass gold and red balls hanging on the tree. It looks rich and lush to me and it makes me happy!

Tom seems to like it too!

I've had a hard time getting my blogging mojo back. Seems I'd have no problem with having so much time available now. I was thinking why it's been hard to keep up and I could go thru a whole slew of excuses, but really it's not important why. I had an email from a dear friend who said she looked forward to reading my blog. Surprised me, pleasantly and I'd like to post more. It's a creative outlet for me and so I should really try to do it more often.

I am hosting a holiday postcard swap and there are 22 people involved in it. I am making my postcards and I'm heading for a deadline, so I hope to get them done today.

Yesterday I made a batch of peanut brittle, so that means that it is truly Christmas time for our family. It came out well, it's one of those recipes that once you know what you are doing, it's fail proof.

I have been feeling so so. I've been drinking tea of feverfew every day to try to combat my headaches and migraines and I do think it is helping. I've had some sinus headaches, but I haven't had a migraine lately. I'm still going to acupuncture and that is continuing to help my overall health. I've also lost 30 lbs. now and I'm really happy about that.

I still haven't finished my alpaca February Lady Sweater. I need to finish knitting the arms and then weave ends in and do the buttons. I started a pair of socks but ran into a problem and had to frog and there it sits.

Just do it...please.

2008-11-22T22:28:00.000-08:00

Please click the eggs for me, I'm trying to figure out this stupid game... Just click, you don't have to do anything else, don't have to sign up, none of that. Thank you!

I have been going to a Chinese Doctor and acupuncturist for almost a month now and I am really amazed at how much my health has improved. Today I went and it's kind of interesting how she does it. She takes your pulse and looks at your tongue. My tongue shows that I have a cold. I asked if she meant cold like temperature or sick cold, she said, no like kid sick. My pulse is weak and deep and I have a pale tongue and purple on the bottom. Then she put the acupuncture needles on my ankles, toes, legs, belly, hands and arms. Then I get to relax in almost darkness. It's hard to not fall asleep. She comes in after 15 minutes and adjusts the needles. Oh, she also puts a heat lamp over me which feels nice. Then I turn over and she put needles on my ankles, legs, low back and up my spine. It was kind of funny, because one of the back needles sent like a surge of energy, and a little pain and i kicked my leg up. That never happened before. Then after a half hour she removed those needles and gave me a small massage and I was good to go.

I have more energy. I feel rested in the morning. I can ride in the car without the deep back/butt pain. I can get up off a chair without help. My tummy issues have all but disappeared. And...I'm losing weight. I've lost about 3-4 lbs. since I've started seeing her. I'm so happy.

Between seeing my Ayurveda practitioner and the Chinese Dr. I'm good.

I have gotten lots of stash and also some spinning fiber, but I'm too lazy to take pics right now. I'll do it soon. Oh, and I have some highlighting to do of a jewelry maker that I just love.

Off to bed for me. Good night.

I'm an Audrey!

2008-11-06T13:31:00.000-08:00

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Audrey!

You are an Audrey -- "I am at peace"

Audreys are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

* If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure

* I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this

* Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit

* Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally

* Ask me questions to help me get clear

* Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery

* Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings

* I like a good discussion but not a confrontation

* Let me know you like what I've done or said

* Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life

What I Like About Being an Audrey

* being nonjudgmental and accepting

* caring for and being concerned about others

* being able to relax and have a good time

* knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around

* my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator

* my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now

* being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being an Audrey

* being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive

* being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline

* being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally

* being confused about what I really want

* caring too much about what others will think of me

* not being listened to or taken seriously

Audreys as Children Often

* feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant

* tune out a lot, especially when others argue

* are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Audreys as Parents

* are supportive, kind, and warm

* are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

This made me happy because Audrey is one of my heroes. My favorite movie, or top 3 anyway, is Breakfast at Tiffany's. I'm proud to be like her.

"The love of our neighbor in all its fullness simply means being able to say to him, 'What are you going through?'" -- Simone Weil

2008-11-05T20:50:00.000-08:00

I went to see an acupuncturist yesterday. My best friend was referred to her awhile ago because of her back issues. She went reluctantly, never having tried anything remotely "alternative". She went because her insurance company referred her, but not thinking it would help her. From the first time she went I've been hearing how amazed she is that acupuncture actually works. She's had remarkable improvement in her back and pain issues. So after hearing me complain about headaches, and I did have a headache for 4-5 days a couple weeks ago, she suggested I try going to her. So we went together yesterday and I love this woman! It was a nice, soothing, peaceful office, she sat and talked to me for a bit for some medical background and then she had me lay down on the table on my back. She put needles on my feet, ankles, leg, all around my belly button and my hands and wrists. Then I relaxed for half an hour with the lights off, she came in half way through to adjust the needles and get my chi moving. It was not painful. Then she had me turn over and she did "cupping massage". I'd never had that done before but would give it a try because my lower back has been bothering me this last week. It's a glass cup, like a bowl and she's able to suck the air out of it and then she moved it back and forth on my lower back and up and down my spine. It actually was a little painful but not unbearable but I had the feeling that I could suffer through it and I somehow knew it would help. It felt like she did it for a long time, because it was painful, but the most wonderful thing happened. When I came out of the office, I instantly felt better! And I sat on a chair to write my check, and I told Julie, look, and was able to get up from the chair, without hanging on to the table, I just sat up with no pain! Sounds odd, but it's the truth. And this morning, I woke up and although I have a lot of soreness from the cupping, I think I slept better, because I woke up early and was rested! I'm going again next week and I can't wait!

I went to Weight Watchers tonight and I lost another 3 lbs! I'm thinking I may stop going to meetings for awhile. I really love WW, but I'm having car issues and I've made meetings about 1x a month, so I may stop and put the money toward the acupuncture.

So I finally took a pic of my February Lady Sweater! I wore it Saturday to a birthday party. It's really warm being 100% wool, but I really loved wearing it. I'm working on another February Lady Sweater in an alpaca blend, can't wait to finish it.

This is our beautiful Christmas Cactus. Already blooming. But there's a little story behind it. I got this plant in Minnesota about 7 years ago and it was in a little pot and it sit in my kitchen in MN and never grew, never bloomed. When Mamacita came to MN to help me move, I was going to throw out the sad, pathetic thing, but Mom said, no, don't throw that away. So whatever, I packed it away. Then it sat in the kitchen window in CA until this March when my Aunt Angie came to visit from MN and she suggested it be repotted into this pot and put outside. And look at it now! I just can't believe it's so huge and blooming! It's glorious.

And this is how I spent some of my Saturday. A birthday party for Julie's twin girls. They had a fabulous time!

"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." -- Rumi

2008-10-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

I'm working on another February Lady Sweater, this one in a merino/alpaca blend in a color called Cyclamen. It's a burgundy color and pretty. But it wasn't the original color I ordered. A certain unnamed yarn store kind of upset me by allowing me to order it, but then telling me it was backordered when they sent the rest of the order and did not give me a time for when the backorder was expected, so I called to cancel and I let the girl talk me into getting another color. So although the color is pretty, it isn't what I wanted.

I haven't been feeling well this week. I had a migraine one day and then a headache for about 4 days. Not sure what the problem is but now Mamacita and Gary are blowing and getting stuffy. Not a great time.

And we had very bad news regarding my best friend's Father who has cancer. It has spread and prognosis is not good. It's a lot to deal with and I feel for the family. She's been my friend for over 30 years now and she's family, we're family, so I'm upset about Mr.K being sick. The family believes in prayer, so any prayers, good thoughts, healing intentions are welcomed.

Maybe tomorrow I'll have some pics of the sweater.

"If you want to change your body, change your awareness first. Everything that happens to you is the result of how you see yourself." -- Deepak Chopra

2008-10-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

I didn't make my goal and post for 7 days straight....just too busy over the weekend and it's hard to get in the habit again. But we had a fun weekend.

Saturday was my baby brother's birthday! I think he enjoyed his presents and Mamacita made him waffles for breakfast and then we went to dinner at a really good place, his choice. Here he is when they sang Happy Birthday to him. They actually scared him, coming from behind, and then bellowing his song. He enjoyed his orange sherbet. Then we went home and had chocolate and banana cake!

Then Sunday we went to the Viking Club site and watched the game. Gary became a member, a present from Mamacita. He seemed to really enjoy it down there. It was a great game, exciting to watch and Vikings won!! And then they have raffles and I won the signed football and gave it to Gary. He was beside himself. It's signed by #7 Tarvaris Jackson and Gary held that ball all the way home and kept talking about how much fun he had. It was fun and I'm glad he had a good birthday!

Prayers needed, healing thoughts, etc for Mr.K/Dave who is having a biopsy as we speak.

"When all your desires are distilled You will cast just two votes: To love more, And be happy." -- Hafiz

2008-10-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

I had kind of a crappy day, but I'm feeling better. I sat at the DMV for over an hour, to find out that they couldn't help me until I get some other paperwork. And you know, the chairs suck at the DMV. Although I have to say I like how they do the number thing calling your number to a window, it's so much easier.

So I'm looking at blogs tonight and I have a new favorite blog, Confessions of a Pioneer Woman. Today's posting is just the cutest thing introducing you to Charlie. I've had 2 basset hounds in the past and they are such wonderful dogs. She is right, their lips are just so sweet, they are like velvet. You will end up feeling their lips and the dog will look at you like you are weird. And how can you resist those eyes? Oh, I miss my bassets. I had a male named Zachary and a female named Daphne. Someday, maybe I'll be ready to have a dog again. I'm not sure I want to let my heart get so attached as I did to Simba. I can't go there now. Not yet. Anyways, you may want to go have a look see at her site, and even her comments are ridiculous. And there are LOTS of them! Listen to the audios of her and her retarded brother. Don't get all PC on me, that's what she calls him. The calls are really cute and funny and ultimately heartwarming.

I did go have my Vietnamese sandwich today and it was really good. And cheap. And they asked if I wanted chili and i was thinking sambal and I said yes, and so they added sliced longways jalapenos, of which i couldn't really handle and took out, no biggee. It was a good, cheap lunch.

"Every decision I make is a choice between a grievance and a miracle." -- Deepak Chopra

2008-10-09T20:32:00.000-07:00

Ha, you thought I'd blown it and not made my goal to blog every day this week, but it's only 8:30 pm and here I go! I've been sick, think I have the flu and I slept most of the afternoon so I did kind of forget about blogging today but after getting up and having some dinner, here I sit on the computer, looking at my new favorite food blog, Eating LA. If you live in So. CA or will be visiting, there are some great ideas of where to eat on this site. I'm looking currently at the places in the San Gabriel Valley, close to me, and I'm thinking if I feel better tomorrow I'm going to get a pork sandwich. I love them. A french baguette, roasted pork or chicken or beef, cucumber, carrot and cilantro. I also like to put some sambal or chili paste on it. It's hearty, but fresh and I like the juxtaposition of the bread and Vietnamese flavors.

I haven't knit in about 3 days, so you know I've been feeling bad. I think I'll start the 2nd Viking sock tomorrow. The match to this sock.

I love this yarn, it's Gloss by Knit Picks in cocoa and I think I may have to order some more of this yarn for socks. It has some silk in it and the hand is very nice.

"Real happiness is when you are happy for no reason at all~you are simply being." -- Deepak Chopra

2008-10-08T09:52:00.001-07:00

The strangest thing happened last night. I have had a headache for a couple days now and it was just a dull ache, I thought it might be allergies or sinus, but after getting home last night I very quickly started feeling flu like. I was hot and sweaty, I started sneezing, my head got all stuffy, body aches...what the hell?? So someone on plurk told me about trying Emergen-C which I like the sound of because it's natural and it can help lessen the effects of a cold/flu. So I went down to the drug store and found some and also some cold tea. This morning I feel like a truck hit me. I have no appetite and want to go back to bed.

And then I heard some really bad news. My BFF's Dad has an inoperable tumor in a very bad place and they are doing a biopsy on Monday to see if it's cancerous. Any prayers for Dave would be appreciated. It's never a good time for news like this. I guess it's the unknown that bothers me. And I see how stressful it is for my BFF and her Mother. Healing prayers please...

It's suppose to be really hot here today in Southern Cali so it's a little difficult to know that it's Autumn. I asked people on plurk what is their favorite thing about Autumn and the responses were cool. People mentioned cooler temps, leaves changing, the smell of the air, pumpkin lattes, wearing socks, wearing sweaters. There is so much to love about this time of year. My body does feel the changes even though we don't get a lot of the signs, like the leaves changing. My neighbor across the street has a couple big trees that do change and for that I'm grateful because it makes me remember.

"My intent is to reach a critical mass of people with the message of personal and social transformation." - Deepak Chopra

2008-10-07T18:23:00.000-07:00

One of my new favorite sites is The Chopra Center. There is so much great information available. My dream is to someday go to one of his retreats. I'm reading his book right now, Perfect Health, and it's very interesting. It's got so much great information and is a great introduction to Ayurveda. I love it because the more I find out about Ayurveda, the more I like it. It's a natural way of life and it makes so much sense to go back to nature.

Today we went to the funeral of my cousin's MIL. Her husband's Mom and she was a nice lady and I really like her son, my cousin's husband. She was laid to rest in the beautiful rocky hills of Apple Valley, it was a nice service. I've never seen this before but part of the service was the letting go of white doves while they had the song Wings Beneath Your Wings playing. The grandchildren all had doves and let them go. It was really beautiful and symbolic. And my Mamacita, she had to ask after the services if the doves would be OK or what? She was thanked for asking because they are homing pigeons or doves and would return to their home and she appreciated that someone cared about that. She also said that her husband told her that if no one asked that question, that she had to buy him a steak dinner, and now she did not need to do that!

It was nice to see family I haven't seen in a while, but too bad it had to be for a sad occasion.

"No one can criticize me without my permission." -- Eleanor Roosevelt

2008-10-06T09:40:00.000-07:00

I've totally lost my blogging mojo but have made a personal goal to blog every day this week, starting today.

Things here at home have been so so. My brother has been really acting up and it puts a lot of pressure on us. He got a good talking to this weekend by Mamacita so we'll see if it improves.

Loved that we had clouds and thunder and rain and drizzle most of Saturday. It was suddenly feeling like Autumn although today we're getting hotter temps again and for most of the week it'll be hot, even in the 90's. Oh well. The cooler temps will be here soon enough.

We went to an adult bday party at the bowling alley on Saturday evening and it was a lot of fun! I bowled 2 games and my first ball was a strike! Surprised. I did OK the first game, bowling a 133 but I got really tired the second game and totally sucked and bowled a 75! It was a lot of fun though.
Tonight I'm going to watch the Viking game against the Saints. Go Vikings!!
I've finished the February Lady Sweater in a pretty Cascade 220 green heather yarn called Irelande, which I just love. Finally, a sweater that I will actually wear! I had almost a whole skein left over, so I made my own design for a February Lady hat. Whatcha think?

I may even get some wear out of the hat!

I started dating someone, we only saw each other twice, he seemed so into me, but he's stopped calling. Not sure why, but whatever. I'm not really upset about it, so I guess I wasn't that into him.

My health seems to be improving, my stomach troubles are not such an issue, thank goodness. I've been taking ayurvedic supplements and they really seem to have helped. Maybe I can go without them now and see if the changes are lasting.

And as things are improving, the headaches are better too, but I got a horrible one yesterday and ended up in bed. I think it was the beer at the bowling party. Beer is suppose to be healthier for me right now, but I don't think it agreed with me at all.

I'm going to a funeral tomorrow, my cousin's MIL passed away. She had a battle with diabetes and just recently had a stroke. The family unfortunately is already arguing about "stuff" which I feel bad about. So I'm off to make an orzo salad and a shrimp mold for the reception tomorrow. Have a great day!

"You can't help that. We're all mad here." - The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland

2008-09-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

This is what I've been up to lately. These are the Seaweed Socks in Lang Jawoll yarn. It's a self-striping yarn and the pattern doesn't come thru very well, but I like it anyway. I love the hand of the yarn. I have them on now, because it's warm and comfy.
I made homemade pizza last night. The recipes came from Martha Stewart's site. I used the pizza dough recipe which I will definitely use again, the dough is really good, made 2 pizza's. The dough is just yum. And then the sauce, well we were given some homegrown tomatoes and so decided to make a homemade sauce which took time but was so simple to make. You dip the tomatoes in boiling water for maybe 30 seconds, peel, core and deseed, cut up into 1/4 inch dice. Then I heated some olive oil, put in about 4 or 5 whole garlic cloves and roasted them for about 10 minutes in the oil. Then you add the tomatoes, increase the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, I actually simmered for about 30 minutes to reduce the juice and get to a sauce consistency. I added salt and pepper and about a 1/2 tsp. ground oregano. Then on the pizza dough i added a little olive oil on top to keep the sauce from making the dough soggy. Then add the sauce, sliced mozzarella and fresh basil. We topped with a sprinkling of herbs d'provence on one and salt on the other. They only cook for 12 minutes in a hot 500 degree oven and we put in a pizza stone too. I touched the rack by accident and got a nice burn on my hand. I put ice water on it, ice and aloe, but it has a nice blister on it this morning. But no pain.
These are homemade Crescent Rolls. I got the recipe from Cook's Country magazine. These are another keeper. The dough was really nice and it's isn't hard to make, it just takes time.
Here's another pair of socks I completed. It's the year of the sock for me. I think I've made 10 pairs so far.

Mamacita is making us waffles for breakfast! A nice treat. Have a great Sunday.

Man, unlike the animals, has never learned that the sole purpose of life is to enjoy it.— Samuel Butler

2008-09-10T22:03:00.000-07:00

Huh~ I did something well.

Your result for The Commonly Confused Words Test...

English Genius

You scored 86% Beginner, 86% Intermediate, 93% Advanced, and 87% Expert!

You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!

Thank you so much for taking my test. I hope you enjoyed it!

For the complete Answer Key, visit my blog: http://shortredhead78.blogspot.com/.

Take The Commonly Confused Words Test at HelloQuizzy

Happy Sunday!

2008-09-07T14:22:00.000-07:00

Well, The Blog Cafe has shut down and they say they sent me an email to let me know to backup all the images but I didn't get it, I think they sent it to my work email which is why I never got it. And they deleted the photo images, which seems really rude, but whatever, so I got down to trying to create my own blog design and this is what I've come up with so far. I think I like it. But I still have a lot to do so bear with me.

We went to the chili cook off yesterday and it was a lot of fun. I went to work in the kitchen, helping to get stuff together and clean, etc. I knew it'd be a lot of work, but I also had a great time. My feet were killing me by the end of the night, and my back aching, but it was worth it. There were 11 chilis entered for judging and Mamacita was 3rd place winner! There was a 60/40 Mystery theme this year, so people dressed from the 40's or the 60's. There was a lot of tie dye and vests and bandanas and peace signs. It was groovy man! There were a few dressed in the 40's. It was fun.Some of the chilis that were entered.
The 3rd place winner~Mamacita! She won a really nice engraved medal and a pepper printed bag holder and other pepper related items. My BFF's hubby and daughter were the 1st place winners! I wish I could show you a pic, but I took a bunch of blurry, yuck pictures. I haven't figured out the trick to outside pics in the dark yet. They were adorable though and I'm happy they won.
Here are the Host and Hostess Janet & Mike, they are my BFF's aunt and uncle, and they kind of adopted me after being around the family for 25 years. The afro woman is a neighbor, she was really dressed up for the 60's and it was fun to see her but my goodness, she must have been so hot wearing that afro all evening.Here's my BFF and me having fun.

Ok, I had to take a pain pill for my back, so i'm sleepy time. Bye for now.

Hey! &**(((( WTF? What happened to my blog?

2008-09-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

Um, sorry about how my blog looks. I've got a dilemma I guess. The place I had make my blog has shut down or moved and I guess that affects my blog design which really sucks. So bear with me for now, not sure how to fix it yet.

I saw this on my friends blog and decided to try the quiz and it was very accurate. I am from the West but I must still be hanging on to some of my Midwest roots and accent after having lived in MN for 5 years. I do not sound like the people in the movie Fargo! No way.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: North Central "North Central" is what professional linguists call the Minnesota accent. If you saw "Fargo" you probably didn't think the characters sounded very out of the ordinary. Outsiders probably mistake you for a Canadian a lot.
The West
The Midland
Boston
The Inland North
The South
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Going to a Chili Cookoff today and I'm goin to work in the kitchen, helping to get the food together and cleaning up, etc. Mamacita is entering a new chili which is going to be a winner, I just feel it!!

Have a great weekend!

Wine Cake

2008-08-22T20:31:00.000-07:00

Someone wanted to know what a wine cake is, because I mentioned that Mamacita was baking one and the smell of it was killing me. Killing me because it made me hungry and because she was taking it in to work today for her coworkers. Well, there was a little left over and so I got a small slice of it today. This smells like butter when it's baking and there is no butter in it. It is so simple to make and people enjoy it. Give it a try, and if you do, please let me know how you and others enjoyed it.

Wine Cake
1 yellow cake mix
1 small vanilla instant pudding mix
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup dry Sherry
4 eggs
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg

Mix all of the above in a mixer or with a portable mixer for 5 minutes and pour into a tube/bundt/angel food cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Cool for about 15 minutes in pan, use a knife on the inside and outside edges to loosen and flip onto a plate or serving platter. Sprinkle with powdered sugar when completely cool.

Have you?

2008-08-22T20:17:00.000-07:00

I saw this meme here and thought this is one that would be interesting to me. The rules are to bold what you have eaten and to strike thru things you would not try. *but I don't know how to edit to strike-thru so I will italicize the things I would not try. Or in my case, I'd have to have quite a few dirty martini's before I'd consider trying! So lets see how adventurous I've been so far...

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras (I don't do innards, but I'd like to try this.)
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis (I'm on the fence, but I don't think I want to try)
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill (all kinds of gross!)
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky (or something similar).
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare (rabbit)
87. Goulash
88. Flowers (nasturtiums are peppery)
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

Wordless Wednesday, etc.

2008-08-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you like to be that comfortable? I would, I'd love to find that perfect spot to lie down on, and lose myself to restful sleep and not have a care in the world. I've always said I'd like to be reincarnated into a pampered cat. Pampered meaning that I wouldn't have to deal with the elements, wouldn't have to hunt for food, would have a soft comfy bed in the morning sunlight and have my food bowl constantly filled, eat whenever I wanted to.

So I obviously haven't gotten back to my old blogging self, but perhaps I've improved a little in the last couple weeks. Still, I blame plurk.com, it sucks time away from me, but is fun, it's very interactive and I like communicating that way. I'm mitchypoo on plurk if you'd like to friend me.

I've got a new pen pal thru the Plurkette Hencircle and have a received a lovely, long letter from her. She's from the UK, on the coast and is quite interesting. I'm enjoying getting to know her. Hi Peri, if you are reading!

My tummy issues have continued and I'm doing what I can to try to heal myself. Well, I'm working with Eleni, my ayurveda practitioner, I'm not doing it all on my own. My diet is really good and I'm really enjoying it too. I'm limiting my wheat to see if that helps. I'm listening to my body as far as hunger goes and that is working for me.

And amazing things are happening, such as because I'm eating so well, my headaches are improving, and I'm not so lethargic. I'm enjoying the changes and trying to just keep it up, it's a change and I want it to become a habit, a daily routine. I'm also taking some herbs before and after meals and we'll see how that goes. The one herb mixture is not in capsules and I'm suppose to put it in some warm water and drink and I'm sorry but it's just NASTY! It has fennel in it, and I don't like the anise flavor, and it's gritty, oh, i may have to go buy some capsules. It's new too, so I'll continue and work it out somehow.

I've lost 25 lbs. total and tonight is weigh in and I'm hoping I've lost more, we'll see. We don't have a scale at home that works, so weigh in is it, so I have to judge by how I feel and right now, I feel like it could go either way. Be optimistic. Right? I think I've lost, and I want to see a loss, but truly even if I have gained, I feel better and that's more important.

Thursday Thirteen #48

2008-08-07T07:05:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been awhile since I've posted for Thursday Thirteen but Citizen Jane inspired me and I'm stealing her theme too! It's about guilty pleasures and I have many. So here we go..
Thirteen Guilty Pleasures of Mitchypoo

magazines...I'm addicted. It's not a good mail day unless i get a magazine. It can be a knitting mag, fashion, gossip, doesn't matter.
Tom Jones. Can't help it, I love him after my Mamacita dragged me to one of his concerts a long time ago.
Krispy Kreme donuts. I'm glad they closed, the one near me, I don't know where one is available and that is a good thing.
Sorbetto's from Starbucks. It's only a guilty thing because it's full of sugar.
In-n-Out burgers. Well, actually a Cheeseburger! With grilled onions....and fries! And a chocolate shake!
Watching bowling...I actually use to do this all the time with my Father. We also watched bull fighting. The bull fighting seems so repulsive now.
Yarn. It's a guilty pleasure because I love it so much and love to buy it and smell it and touch it and feel guilty now if I do because of finances.
Perfume. I have quite the collection of perfume, who needs that much scent...me I guess.
Makeup. Again, nobody needs that much makeup but I love it, the new shades, the new formulas, etc.
Amy Winehouse. I love her music, she is SOOOO talented, but my GOD, what a trainwreck.
Chocolate. I like white, milk or dark, but Lindt is my favorite. I don't eat much of it, but once in a while I have to have chocolate.
Candy~so bad for me, but sometimes Mamacita gets me a box of sweet tarts or something tart.
Narine~my lovely stylist. She's the best and worth every dollar.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

I've been tagged!

2008-08-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

Jenn at I Knit Alone tagged me, which was a pleasant surprise, I haven't been tagged in a long time. You should go visit her blog and check out her Cleopatra socks, they are very cool! And she got me to post again, wow, two days in a row. Maybe there is hope for me. Anyway....

The Rules: Rules are posted at the beginning. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 people and posts their names. Then the player goes to each of the “named” people’s blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. If you’ve been tagged, you do the same, letting the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer. They, in turn, answer the following questions. Here we go!

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Who said that? Did I quote it correctly?.... I was madly in love with a hunka hunka man, after a horrible divorce. Well actually the divorce wasn't terrible, the marriage was. It was so wonderful in so many ways to have found someone who at the time loved me so completely and I haven't found a love like it since. But I was also recovering from a major surgery and had a very sudden change in my love happiness. I know i'm evasive, but it's something that I'm over with and choose not to talk about.

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today? Clean the cat box (not the daily clean, the big clean, ewww), clean and organize yarn area, laundry, paint my nails (going out tonight), go buy more acidophilus drink for my tummy.

3. Snacks I enjoy: salty potato chips and ranch or onion dip, cheese and crackers, Weight Watcher Cheese Twists, fruit, cashews.

4. Places I’ve lived: California, Oregon, Minnestota.

5. Things I would do if I were a billionaire: Mamacita would retire if she wants to, (but I suspect she wouldn't). We would buy a house on the beach. Or buy a lot and build a custom home with full wheelchair access for Gary and I would hire people to help with his care and he wouldn't live in his care facility. I would donate money to small charities that I believe in that help women and animals live a better life. I would get an advanced degree in Art History. And then I would start the business that my best friend and I have been talking about for years. It would have to do with knitting and yarn!

Now I’m supposed to tag 5 more people. Please don't hate me! So, here I go: Angela, Opal, Beverly, Citizen Janey, and Manda. All of these lovely ladies are worth a look at their blog.

Everything is possible if you wish hard enough. -- Peter Pan

2008-07-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

I'm a bad blogger, I know. I just haven't been feeling it. Also, I've been sucked into the plurk world and find it engaging. I'm mitchypoo on plurk and would love it if you'd friend me. It seems to have turned into a great knitting forum for me. Knitters rule. Wendyknits has the highest karma on the site. Not surprised. She's so popular.

So I've been doing a lot of knitting. Socks! This is La Digitessa in the Wollmeise colorway called Bob, I'm working on the 2nd sock right now. I love this pattern and the yarn is truly a dream. The colors are vibrant and exciting and the pattern, although very difficult and challenging, is fun to knit.

This is Nanners by Wendyknits.com. It's a fun knit and this yarn was purchased on Ravelry, it's Seacoast Handpainted Panda and Mamacita fell in love with the yarn and color, so this pair was made for her.
This is another pair of La Digitessa in the Digitessa colorway which is so gorgeous. I've heard that the yarn ranges from a cherry red to a burgundy red and I was fortunate because I loved my yarn received. This was the first pair of Digitessa's that I made. And this is a pic of me in my interview outfit. I felt good and the interview went well but I have not heard yet if I got it or not. I'm expecting to hear by tomorrow. I heard thru the grapevine that someone else who was in the running for the job was contacted that he did not get it. So I'm hoping that since I have not heard anything yet, that is a good sign. We'll see.

Oh, I've lost 24 lbs. now! I'm happy about it and feeling good about the journey. I've had some stomach issues and headache/migraine issues so that hasn't been fun. I think it's all related to stress.

Salsa Recipe

2008-07-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

I just made this homemade Salsa and someone asked me for the recipe. I've made this several times, adapted from a recipe from my ex-SIL who was mexican and now I have my own version of it. It's changed from her boiling all the tomatoes and peppers to me broiling most of them. So here you go...

Mitchypoo's Salsa

2 pasilla peppers
1-2 jalapenos
1-2 serrano peppers
1-2 yellow peppers
1 anaheim pepper
6-8 tomatillos
2 cloves garlic
1/2 bunch cilantro
2 tsp. salt
3-4 tomatoes

Wash all the peppers and tomatoes, de-skin the garlic gloves. Roast the pasilla peppers over an open flame until they char and blacken. Roast on a dry skillet the other peppers, tomatillos and whole cloves of garlic or broil all of them for about 10 minutes, checking often.

Cool peppers. De-seed and de-vein the pasilla, jalapeno and serrano peppers. I do not remove the char from the pasilla peppers, it gives it a smoky taste. Cut all peppers and tomatillos and tomatoes into large chunks and put in blender or food processor. Add salt, chopped cilantro and pulse or mix until slightly chunky. Will seem a little watery at first.

Makes about a quart. Serve with chips, eggs or with your favorite items. Enjoy!

2008-07-04T06:44:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!!!

The Declaration of Independence was read on NPR this a.m. I'm not sure I've ever taken the time to read it, but if you would like to, here's a link to it.

We're going to a family BBQ and it's also my cousins birthday.

Enjoy your day!!

Bad Blogger...but look what I've been up to.

2008-07-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

So, we went to Las Vegas last Monday. Four of us girls got on the road around 5 pm and had a welcome uneventful drive to Sin City. I had to fight some car sickness so I was in the back looking outside a lot. This is Caesar's Palace, we walked thru that evening to be sure we knew where to go the following morning to get in line for a taping of The View. Caesar's is really pretty, I'd love to stay there someday.
The lovely Elizabeth Hasselbeck, she really is pretty and friendly, she came up and we touched hands, she was very personable.
I thought Whoopi really looked great. She's so funny. I think she's my favorite.
A group shot and I have to tell you that Sherrie came by us and we got to see her legs because she's wearing shorts. I wonder if she has a dance background, she has strong, muscular and nice legs.

This is some silly woman after having a shot of Tequila at the restaurant Margaritaville. We had a nice dinner there.
The night before while in Caesars we heard he was just there, near the casino, we went to scope it out and I found him! I ran after him and called him and asked if we could take a pic with him. He was so nice! He's just adorable. It was a highlight for me!
And here is David getting ready to perform for us Tuesday. He did a great job and I'm now a true fan. I can't wait for his CD to come out. We hoped to get on TV because we waited in line from 4 am and had #11,12,13,14 and had a good chance of being close but as luck would have it we were sat right behind the main camera. But my cousin and me were on TV for just a little bit when someone was introducing the next guess. I got it on DVR, vut not sure how to get a screen shot to show you!

So, I've been doing some knitting too, a lot of knitting actually. This pair is called Waving Lace Socks from the Favorite Socks book again and I loved this pattern. I used Lorna's Laces yarn and they are really comfy.And this is my version of going green! This is a knit market bag that I made out of recycled plastic bags from Walmart, Vons, Stater Bros. I saw a tutorial on how to cut them to get one long strip and then you end up with plastic strip yarn. I made up this pattern and like it. I filled it with fruit and it works like I wanted it to. So next time I go to the farmers market, I'll bring my recycled market bag! Cool, huh?

I've been busy plurking too! Come join the party. You can go to my plurk page on my left hand side bar, come and add me as a friend! My user name is mitchypoo. Plurk is slightly addictive, but it's fun.

We're going to my cousins on Friday for a BBQ and to celebrate her birthday! Looking forward to it!

Holy Blazes!

2008-06-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

I got my hair cut and colored today. When I picked up my Mamacita at the airport last week, she mentioned that my "hair looks awful"...thanks Mom. I missed you too. But I was in bad need of a cut and color and I'm very happy with it. These are the Embossed Leaves Socks that I finished, they are for Mamacita. Perhaps she'll let me wear them some time. I really enjoyed this pattern. It took me 4 days to finish, not knitting non-stop, so it was a pretty quick knit.
I immediately started another pair of socks called Waving Lace Socks from the Favorite Socks book. It's the cover socks and this is a fun pair to knit too. I think it was so worth getting this book, there are many sock patterns I'm interested in knitting and so far, the two pairs I have made are a success.

We are roasting here people. It was 100 degrees in the shade of our patio at about 3 pm. Last night while watching the 11 pm news, they were saying that it was still in the 90's in some cities at that time! I slept with the windows open and the ceiling fan blaring. There is not a lot of relief during the day. I think our neighbor who is in her 80's was going to go stay at her daughter's house today, because they have AC. I'm glad, because I was worried about her. I went to her house the other day to help her with something and was in her house for 5 minutes and left dripping wet. She had a stationary fan near her chair but it wasn't on. I told Mom I worried about her.

I'm going to Las Vegas on Monday! It's a quick trip. Four of us girls are going for the night and Tuesday a.m. we'll see The View! Then we're headed home, so a quick trip but it'll be nice to get away.

Embossed Leaves

2008-06-16T11:07:00.001-07:00

Here's my Embossed Leaves sock I'm working on...

I think this is my first time knitting with Shibuiknits yarn and I really love it. It has a really tight twist and it doesn't split. It has a really soft and lovely feel being that it's 100% Merino but it's superwash and so it can be washed and dried flat.

Dad's Day

2008-06-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to you and all the Dad's you are celebrating today. I picked up Gary this morning after getting some flowers and some fluorescent paint. We went over to the cemetery and after asking for help finding my Dad's grave, we did find it and I marked it. Now I'll have to go often to keep it marked until we get his headstone. Long story, why it's not there yet, but it will be soon. We felt better finding the grave. There were a lot of people at the cemetery.
Then after the cemetery we went to the bird sanctuary near our house and what a find, we had a nice little walk on a paved walkway, saw wildflowers in bloom, heard the birds chirping, saw lots of fat little lizards, and squirrels. It was nice. This is Miss Queenie! My friend Susan's cat and I fell in love with her. She is just an adorable sweetie Manx, with a cute little stubby tail. And she has a milk mustache, it's the cutest marking I've seen. Anyway, I wanted to take her home with me, but I'm sure they'd miss her too much and she's helping Susan recuperate from a broken leg.

I'm finished one of the Bayerische socks but I'm having really back one sock syndrome. The pattern is enjoyable but quite detailed and I just couldn't cast on the 2nd sock. I needed a diversion, so I started another pair of socks! It's Embossed Leaves Socks from Favorite Socks by Interweave book. I'm enjoying the knitting and and it's going quick. I think I'll finish this pair and then the 2nd Bayerische.

Friday's Feast, etc.

2008-06-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Appetizer
Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?
Optimist. But I do have my moments, like today, I'm feeling a little down and pessimistic.

Soup
What is your favorite color of ink to write with?
Black. Fine point.

Salad
How often do you get a manicure or pedicure? Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them?

I don't like manicures because they file my nails weird and the polish chips off in 3 days. I do my own fingernails. Pedicures~I don't go often enough, but I love to go get my feet done and the polish does last.

Main Course
Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it?

Online, no. I wouldn't sign up probably because I'm not so trusting that you can actually win something without it being a scam.

Dessert
In which room in your house do you keep your home computer?

The Garden Room. It's our TV/lounge room. The laptop is on the side of the couch.

Here is Henry, enjoying some catnip and lounging.And here is my Tommy boy and look, I got a picture of him with his eyes open!
Here is the sock I'm working on. It's called Bayerische and it's been very satisfying to knit. Very detailed, but after awhile, you get in a rhythm. It's not really difficult, but I'd say challenging and having a challenge in knitting is sometimes very satisfying. And here are my new clear Skechers Cali Surfer Girl shoes. I love them! They are a sock knitters dream and surprisingly, they are comfortable too.

Look what my Saucy Pal sent me!

2008-06-07T13:53:00.000-07:00

I'm a lucky gal, I received my Saucy Spring Swap package just a bit ago. I had just written about wondering when I'd get my package, and there it was. My Mamacita teased me because the mailman brought her a couple packages and she teased that it must be for me b/c she thinks I spend too much on getting packages. Ya, well, I may, but I don't go to Marshall's every day and spend money and it's kind of the same thing. So anyway...I got the package and knew it was from my Pal and could tell her, that this was a GIFT, a swap, and I didn't order anything. So there.

My package came from Lisa in Washington and I cannot find a link to a blog, so sorry about that. Look what she sent me.

The socks are just lovely and they fit perfectly. She also sent a Mary Engelbreit writing pad and some french vanilla soap. The knitting is lovely and I love the colors. Thank you Lisa!

I have a FO...

2008-06-07T10:35:00.000-07:00

I finished these Firestarter socks last night and after having to try and knit them on 3 different sets of needles, I found the right gauge and they are now done. It only took me 6 months, with the other projects interrupting.

Whatcha think?

The details:

Pattern: Firestarter by Yarnissima

Yarn: Mountain Irises Sock and Shawl yarn by Francis Patrick Yarn Sales

Needles: Size US0 16" circulars

I love them! So happy with them. This is my 5th pair started and completed this year. I think my next pair of socks is going to be the Bayerische. Aren't they beautiful? I can't wait to get into the cables but not using the cable needle which the Firestarter introduced me to.

I got my Saucy Spring swap socks in the mail, actually 3 days early before the deadline. So there! Mitchypoo did something early! I did not procrastinate and give myself anxiety. Yeah me! So I should have a package coming with my pair of socks...I can't wait to see them. I've never had a pair of socks made for me before.

Have you heard the news? Knit picks has something very intriguing available. I already placed my order and it's started to be talked about all over the blogosphere and Ravelry. I think it just became available within this last week to order. It's called Sock Blanks and it's a knit piece of fabric, double knit, and white/plain and then you can purchase dyes or use your own or use kool aid to dye the yarn and create your own sock yarn in your very own custom colors and patterns. I purchased green and pink dye to create a Knitting and Losing colorway, similar to my blog colors. I love pink and green together. I cannot wait to dye. And then you knit socks 2 at a time from the fabric. It's similar to the recent offering of Flat Feet which is already dyed, but frankly it's more affordable and I love that I can dye my own, and create the colors I want. So much for my moratorium on not spending money on yarn... I've improved, but I haven't totally reformed I guess.

I had a talk with my boss yesterday and it made me very nervous but it was something that had to be done. And I did well expressing my views and we'll see what happens. I went to work knowing that if I had this talk he'd either listen to me or get mad and fire me, not that it'd be justified, but you never know. So I still have a job.

Friday's Feast, etc.

2008-06-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

Appetizer
When you drink soda/pop/coke, do you prefer to drink it from the bottle, a can, or after pouring it into a cup?

I like it straight from the bottle or can. My mother drinks it with a straw which grosses me out b/c you get all that air when you drink.

Soup
What television show are you willing to stay up late to watch?

Hell's Kitchen, Gray's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives.

Salad
Name one person, place, or thing you think of as brilliant.

Just one? I think of some artists as brilliant, one that comes to mind is Monet. He was brilliant and before his time.

Main Course
Would you be willing to work 4 10-hour days instead of 5 8-hour days in order to save gas?

Absolutely and to save my sanity, I'd love to have a 4 day work week.

Dessert
If you were a superhero, what would you call yourself?

I do call myself this, Queen of Quite A Lot!

2008-06-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted, over a week which is a long time for me. I just haven't been feeling it lately. Not sure why. It's almost my 3 year blogiversary and I'm now questioning the time I devote to this. It does take some time to program certain things, and to download and upload pics, to write a post and edit. And maybe what I'm questioning is the value I place on posting. I've found myself dissapointed when it feels like no one is reading. And then I say that I'm not doing this for readers (although I love you, my online friends) I'm doing this for me.

So anyway... this is what we did Memorial Day weekend.

I have to give you the recipe because these ribs were so great and simple to make! And the credit for the recipe goes to Mrs. Koretoff, my best bud's Mamacita. This is a keeper.

BBQ Ribs

Par boil the ribs in a large pot of boiling water. When they come back to a boil, boil for 10-15 minutes. Take out and drain.

In a bowl, mix 1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce and 1/2 bottle of teriyaki Baste and Glaze, not teriyaki sauce.

Preheat oven to 375. Line a cookie sheet with tin foil, put a little oil on the foil. Then baste ribs with the teriyaki/bbq sauce mix. Cook covered for 1 hour. The last 15 minutes, baste again and take off tin foil cover.

Very simple and fall off the bone tender.

We also made great new potatoes...here's the recipe that we got from Giada Di Laurentiis and Everyday Italian. Click here for the recipe.

Are these not beautiful roses?! They are from Mamacita's garden, she very much loves her roses and when my Aunt Angie was out she helped her prune and feed all the roses and they are now just exploding with roses. It's so fun to come home and see what is blooming, what has changed.

And now for some knitting...

This is a clapotis shawl I made using Francis Patrick Worsted in the Red Rocks color way. I love the color variations. I still have to weave the ends in and now it's too warm to wear, but I have put it on at night while veging, it's like a soft comfy blanket that comforts you.This is a pair of socks I did for the Spring Saucy Swap and will be getting in the mail today to my partner. I hope she likes them and I hope they fit, she seems to have a small foot.

And this is another clapotis, but in a smaller version. It's between a scarf and a shawl. I used Malabrigo Worsted in the Cuarzo colorway. I had been given 2 skeins in a swap about 2 years ago and wanted to find the perfect project for it, and this was it but then I really needed another skein so I found it online and these great people found a skein that matched really really well. I wish I could remember where I got it because they were great.

And I'm also working on socks again, a pair of Firestarters using Francis Patrick sock yarn and I love this yarn so much but had trouble finding the gauge, so this 3rd attempt is really working out.

Friday's Feast

2008-05-23T06:45:00.000-07:00

Appetizer: Wii, Playstation or XBox?
I do not own any of those. Look how much time I don't waste.

Soup: Would you ever go skydiving?
I cannot imagine ever getting to the point where I purposefully decide to jump out of a perfectly good plane to plummet to my possible death.

Salad: Name a sequel that you think is better than the original movie.
Bad question for me, I cannot remember entertainment names, cannot think of a sequel I liked better.

Main Course: Share your most wonderful birthday celebration.
It was my 21st birthday and my boyfriend took me and my best friend and her bf to see Cats. Then that weekend he ordered me and all my girlfriends a limo and we went to Chippendale's when they were still in LA, and then we had a party at a hotel. It was a lot of fun and I felt celebrated.

Dessert: If you dare, post a picture of yourself making a silly face.
I don't have a pic like that, I have a hard enough time find a pic i like to post at all without finding a silly face.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-05-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

Yellow roses are meant to mean, "Yellow Roses indicate joy, gladness, friendship and "I Care"" according to this website. We got these beautiful roses at the local farmers market. And what a deal! Long stemmed, everyone of the dozen was good quality and only $7. They lasted almost a week.

I easily flow with change. I am always going in the best direction.

2008-05-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

I made this salad yesterday because I've read about how great quinoa is as a whole grain. It's pronounced 'Keen Wa' in case you are wondering and I have to say that my first attempt with this recipe was a resounding success! I love it, it's nutty and flavorful. I can't wait to have some for lunch. Along with my tabbouleh that I made yesterday and some feta cheese. I think I must be Greek and nobody told my family. I like the Mediterranean diet and I'm finding that I do not need a lot of meat in my diet to be satisfied. I found some lovely orange and yellow tomatoes yesterday and they are in the tabbouleh, plus a couple diced Persian cucumbers. Yum! I can't wait for lunch!

I'm feeling better and so my appetite seems to be back which is great I guess except I'd really like to keep off the weight I lost while being sick. I think I am, as long as I keep it healthy and balanced. So here is the recipe for the quinoa salad and please try it even if you aren't watching your weight. It's really good and I think you'll like it.

Quinoa Salad with Corn and Peppers
POINTS: 3 per serving (Weight Watchers)

INSTRUCTIONS
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 piece corn on the cob, steamed, cooled and kernels removed (I used 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed)
1/2 medium sweet red pepper(s), diced
1/2 medium yellow pepper(s), diced
1 1/2 Tbsp orange zest
1/3 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
1 tsp canola oil
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
2 Tbsp chopped almonds, toasted

Boil 2 cups of water over medium-high heat. Add quinoa and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes; cool to room temperature.

Stir lemon juice, corn, peppers, orange zest and juice, oil, salt and pepper into quinoa. Transfer to a serving bowl; sprinkle with almonds and serve. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

I went shopping yesterday and got a pair of shorts, bought them a size smaller than usual but I hate to try stuff on at the store, so I came home and tried them on and they not only fit, they were almost....almost too big!! So happy!

I didn't do that much this weekend, I really wanted to get out, was going to take my friend and her girls to a movie, but decided I needed to stay home and recuperate and I really do feel better today. The CT scan was normal, nothing major showed but the Dr. was going to send me to a pulmonologist. But now that the congestion and cough are going away I won't go.

I got a lot of knitting done on my clapotis, it'll be done tonight and then I'll take pics. I love the colors but it's definitely for cooler weather so it'll be a while before I can actually use it. It's wool and mohair and it's warm!

Friday's Feast

2008-05-16T00:21:00.000-07:00

Appetizer
What is the nearest big city to your home?
Los Angeles

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how well do you keep secrets?
10, I know how to keep a secret and I'll do it with honor.

Salad
Describe your hair (color, texture, length).
My hair is becoming more natural grey, platinum and highlighted with blond and it's darker brown in the back. I have pretty thick hair, above the shoulders. I drastically changed my hair about a year ago and I like it.

Main Course
What kind of driver are you? Courteous? Aggressive? Slow?
Even living in LA, I find drivers more courteous than in other parts of the country and I think I'm courteous, aggressive when I need to be and I am usually not a speeder. I kind of am more laid back now and don't think it's worth getting upset and being in such a hurry, it gives me anxiety.

Dessert
When was the last time you had a really bad week?
Oh this week has been pretty bad, because I don't feel well, but I've only had one truly bad week and that was when something traumatic happened to me. My body kind of shut down for over 2 days, I slept nonstop that whole time, except going potty a couple times, and I didn't eat, I lost over 9 lbs. in 2 days. That was a bad week.

I splurged.

2008-05-12T14:49:00.000-07:00

I splurged and bought mysel a Homedics Spa Fusion alarm clock with nature sounds and an ipod docking station. I'm pretty particular about alarm clocks because they have to have 2 alarms because I have a hard time waking up. And it can not have that really annoying alarm sound, you know the one. It gives me anxiety, I don't know why it does, but that noise does and so this alarm has 2 alarms and you can wake up to a beep, that isn't annoying, the radio, nature sound or my ipod. It's so cool. It charges my ipod too. So I can go to sleep listening to the ocean, or rain, or a waterfall, or sunrise, it's really soothing. And I ordered my free face plate today in blue to match my ipod. It came with black and green, pink, but I guess blue is a newer color, but they are sending it to me. I'm really happy with my spa fusion.

I'm home again from work today. I went to the dr. last thursday and they did a chest xray, i was suppose to hear something on Friday. I did not. Friday I got worse and worse. I left work early because I was coughing so much, totally exhausted, and I was so sick all weekend. Today I called the dr. and told them I'm even worse. I don't know what to do. They haven't called me back yet and it's 3 pm.

I've started another clapotis. It's good knitting for me now because after getting the beginning set up rows done, it's kind of mindless knitting. And that's what I need right now. So I sleep, get up and knit...

Friday's Feast

2008-05-08T20:28:00.000-07:00

Appetizer
When someone smiles at you, do you smile back?
Always...

Soup
Describe the flooring in your home. Do you have carpet, hardwood, vinyl, a mix?
We have a mix of tile, 1x1 white tile in the kitchen, laundry room, halfway and both bathrooms, hardwood floor in the dining room, living room and carpet in the bedrooms.

Salad
Write a sentence with only 5 words, but all of the words have to start with the first letter of your first name.
My mother may make martinis!

Main Course
Do you know anyone whose life has been touched by adoption?
Yes, someone close gave up a child for adoption.

Dessert
Name 2 blue things.
Aquamarine, my birth stone and my ipod is called blue but it's more like aquamarine.

It is okay to make noise. I express myself freely and joyously.

2008-05-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

Mamacita, Julie and I went to an Ayurvedic Workshop last night at a yoga studio. We weren't sure what to expect. None of us are into yoga right now but I would like to be someday. I know that I have to make exercise or movement of some type part of my day because of my general health but also because it would enhance my weight loss. So I've been contemplating taking some private yoga classes and I discussed this yesterday with the yoga instructor. She and another person who turned out to be her teacher suggested that that would be a great way to start. It's really embarrassing and awful to feel so limited sometimes. I just could not face going to a yoga class with others who are skinny and nimble and adept at yoga and trying to fit in. I knew I'd feel like a huge albatross fish out of water! So Mamacita and I may take a few classes together.

I've drug my poor Mamacita to a yoga class before. Several years ago and we can only laugh about it now, but at the time it wasn't so funny I guess. Let's just say that the beginning class was not exactly for beginners! But we tried! So the fact that I can get her to try again, well I give her credit for doing it.

So this studio is quite small and there were no chairs for us to sit and I just knew that I could not sit on the floor for 1.5 hours nor could Julie and Mamacita, so we got their early and planted our tushies on the only bench in the room with just enough room for our arses. It was not exactly comfortable but we did OK.

The Ayurvedic teacher was delightful. I loved her. She's from Australia but married to an American now and I was riveted by the basics of Ayurveda. And came to find out that I do some ayurveda things already without knowing it but haven't done them in awhile. Tongue scraping is one thing that helps get rid of toxins and helps your mouth health, I've done it in the past, but have to start again. Another is using a neti pot. And when she mentioned it, it hit me and I felt like an idiot. Here I am using a cortisone inhaler, nose spray, Zyrtec and another inhaler for allergies, etc. and I never thought of using my neti pot. I mean, duh! I'm the one who tells everyone else who suffers with any ailment above the shoulders that they should try a neti pot, but when I suffer, I didn't even think of it. Well I'll start that again too. We also learned about doshas, and how ayurveda treats the body, not disease. We learned about oil massage which I'm definitely going to start, once I find a good massage oil. You oil your body using massage to put it on your whole body, and then you let it sit and soak in, massage in again and then you shower and rinse it off. The teacher said she hasn't used soap on her skin for years. She talked about how good food and certain foods can help balance whatever ails you.

So now I'm trying to find out more information on Ayurveda. What I'd really like to do is start being treated by this teacher but it's initially some big money (for me), totally worth it I am sure, I mean if we should splurge on anything it should be ourselves and our health, so I'll see if I can save up for it. In the meantime I'll try to do other small changes.

I am created to succeed, and I give thanks for my success.

2008-05-06T07:40:00.000-07:00

Favor to ask of you to help out a new blogger. She happens to be my best friend and I've been yakking about my blog to her for awhile so I wanted her to get in on the fun. I helped her create a blog. Would you go say hi and give her a link to your blog so she can figure out the wonderful bloginess available out there. Go check her out at The Jean Pool. And thank you in advance...

I'm wearing a new top and pants today. I'm kinda cute! :) It's actually Mamacita's clothes, she got some new stuff for her birthday and told me I could wear it. I have on some Chanel No. 5 perfume today too, of which I love. It's a classic scent, it just gives me a glamourous feeling to wear it. I also like it because you can tell the quality of it because it doesn't fade right away. Not that it's overpowering, but it stays on. You turn a certain way and you get a nice whiff of it.

We did end up going to the Farmer's Market on Saturday and it was nice. We got oranges, pea shoots, baby flowering bok choy, snap peas, and beets. I also got a beautiful dozen long stemmed yellow roses for $7 bucks! Such a deal! And after 3 days, they are still beautiful. Mamacita found a lovely handmade set of earrings and a necklace and another pair of earrings for a good price and we also got some good greek humus with avocado and cilantro, tasty.

I read the following on a WW board yesterday. I'm pretty sure I've seen it before, but it's worth another read. Can you relate?

Autobiography in 5 Short Chapters by Portia Nelson

Chapter 1

I walk down the street. There's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost.....I am helpless......it isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in the same place; but it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in....it's a habit. My eyes are open.....I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Chapter 4

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Chapter 5

I walk down a different street.

I wasn't feeling well this weekend and didn't make it to work Monday. I'm better in my tummy, but now I'm getting a cough again and my throat and voice sounds funny. I kind of think it's still from having the flu a month ago. But dang, I'd like to get over this soon.

Saturday Sky #7

2008-05-03T09:34:00.000-07:00

Saturday Sky~Southern California 5/3/08

It's a beautiful morning here. The skies are blue with just a few wispy clouds here and there. The heat will be mild today, maybe in the 70's.

We have lots to do around the house today, I have some laundry to do. I need to soak and block a scarf and pair of socks and block them. I'm getting ready to finish my clapotis and then I'll need to block that too. And I'm also working on a crochet skirt that I was asked to make. I haven't crocheted in awhile, so it's kind of interesting. I'm enjoying this project so far. It's crocheted squares that I will piece together. Should be cute.

We plan to take my brother to the Farmers Market today and we also may go to the movies. Busy, busy!

Friday's Feast

2008-05-02T11:02:00.000-07:00

Appetizer
What was your favorite cartoon when you were a child?
I think it had to be Bugs Bunny. Those were the days...

Soup
Pretend you are about to get a new pet. Which animal would you pick, and what would you name it?
I'd get a Champagne or Sable Burmese cat. I want one really badly ever since we went to a cat show last year and I fell in love with them. They are compact and cute and very personable. I cannot resist that round face and those golden eyes. I must have one. *Edited to add the name, I forgot. I'd have to see the cats personality, but it's be something regal like Rhys or Benton or Felicia for a girl. I'm not sure.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy getting all dressed up for a special occasion?
7~ I like it, it's fun to primp and prepare, but it's also a lot of work.

Main Course
What kind of music do you listen to while you drive?
I usually listen to talk radio, but when I listen to music it's sock rock or country.

Dessert
When was the last time you bought a clock? And in which room did you put it?
I'm not sure I've ever bought a clock. Watches yes, but not a clock.

Life mirrors my every thought. As I keep my thoughts positive, life brings only good experiences to me.

2008-05-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

May Day! Boy we're missing out in America, they have all kinds of fun celebrations around the world and unfortunately in So. CA it marks the anniversary of last years May Day protest where a whole lot of Angelenos chose to protest and cause trouble and it became a negative thing. Several high schooler's chose to leave school and protest which I think should be illegal, they need to keep their butt in school. Protest AFTER school, and do it peacefully. It also has to do with immigrant rights and without getting on a soap box I'll just say that if you are an immigrant and do it legally ~welcome to the USA! If you do it illegally... you cost me more money because of the services here that you take advantage of and I don't like footing your bill. And if you do come to America, the language here is English and do not expect me to accomodate you. When I move to Mexico or Spain or Guatemala or China, I'll learn to speak your native language.

I cannot believe we're already into May, the time just flies.

I found a new meeting and it's in my home town. How sad that i've missed out on this meeting because the Leader is super cool and I liked her a lot. She was welcoming and interactive and I just felt so good when I left that meeting last night. I've already purchased my monthly pass so I will continue this meeting for at least May. My attitude today is more positive and more confident. That is what meetings do for me. I had mentioned that on a WW board and that I realized I cannot do this thing without meetings, I need it. Someone told me that she's at goal and still needs meetings and has just accepted that this is part of her life. So I'm thinking on that today. It would be a great gift to myself to continue, get healthy, and take care of myself with love and understanding.

Cats on Tuesday

2008-04-29T00:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic of Tom Tom. He's on his 7 layer cat tree and taking a rest after getting a bundle of energy, running across the room and up to the top and then he sharpens his claws on the rope covered pillars. Sometimes I put cat nip on the layers and he'll roll on it. Then he'll just sit there and overlook the goings on in the TV garden room.

Don't you just love his cute pink nose. I just think it's adorable. His eyes are half way open which is remarkable because I have such trouble getting him to take apic without his eyes closed. He's so cute and has these lovely golden eyes, I'd love for you to see. I'll keep trying.

I finished my swap socks tonight and I think they came out well. I'll now get my partners package together and in the mail. I got a lot of the 2nd sock done today because I didn't go to work. I've been not feeling good and I needed a day off. I got my resume done today and will now be getting it out and see what happens.

I was going to post some other stuff but I'm really scattered right now. I can't concentrate and I really should be in bed. So goodnight for now. I'll try again tomorrow.

I open my home and welcome others with music and love. My guests are like a loving family to me.

2008-04-25T14:01:00.000-07:00

It has officially been a bad week and I have decisions to make. Relating to my job. I've realized some things and I'm having to make some things happen. That's all I will say now.

We have plans to have dinner tonight, I'm looking forward to relaxing and talking to my Mamacita and brother at dinner. And I plan to go to a WW meeting either Saturday or Sunday morning. I'm also going to check out a morning Farmers Market and hoping that they have some good, fresh, and local produce.

Only other thing on the agenda is to get some reading and knitting done. I'm into a good book, The Friday Night Knitter's Club by Kate Jacobs. And I finished the Lace Ribbon Scarf so I need to block that and then I'll show you pics. Now I want to make one in alpaca or cashmere.

Friday's Feast

2008-04-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Appetizer
Name something you would categorize as weird.
Priscilla Presley's stone face. She was so beautiful before, why can't ladies grow old, that is beautiful too, or can be. More beautiful than not having any expression.

Soup
What color was the last piece of food you ate?
Brown~ an onion ring.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy being alone?
9. I'm not sure how to answer because although I like to have my alone time, I don't really like to be alone as in single. If I was part of a couple, I'd still need some alone time.

Main Course
Fill in the blank: I will _________ vote for ___________ in _______.
(I don't like this question and I'm not doing it...sorry.)

Dessert
Describe your sleeping habits.
I'm usually up too late, then I have to read a book or magazine or play sudoku before I turn off the light. I sleep in the middle of my king bed and usually on my side. I usually sleep really soundly and straight thru the night. Sometimes I don't think I move at all, I seem to wake up in the same position. It takes me about 20-30 minutes to actually get out of bed.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-04-23T00:35:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

This picture is romantic to me. I was with someone special on the coast, it was dusk and the moon was starting to set and this lovely bird just made the picture. My special guy and I walked the pier, hand in hand, he had never seen the west coast and he really loved it. It takes me to a happy place!

Click here if you'd like a free sample of Kashi cereal!

Cats on Tuesday

2008-04-22T00:28:00.000-07:00

**Edited: I'm sorry if the slideshow above is not loading for you. Here is a direct link if you like. **

I put together a little kitty montage for you this week. Tom seems to be OK. I was concerned that maybe he was feeling sick because he's been really cooped up. He seems like all he does lately is sleep. And he doesn't seem to come see me every day when I get home like usual. But I've been watching him this week and he's fine, he's eating and drinking normally. He's full of spunk once in awhile, usually for a little bit at night while playing with Henry. Tonight he even went after my ball of yarn that fell on the floor...he's fine!

He's quite the charmer too. We had friends over and Henry went and hid under the bed for a couple hours, but Tom....no...he had to come out and say hello, be adored, let them pet him. He was really cute. We were in the living room socializing and there plops Tom, in the middle of all of it and promptly falls asleep.

2008-04-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

Last night's dinner party was a lot of fun. I think a good time was had by all. Susan who is my Mamacita's coworker and my new friend and her husband Alex were here. Also, my best friend Julie and her husband Don joined us.

We started the evening with martinis made by Mamacita and she did a wonderful job. We had green olives stuffed with bleu cheese dressing and that totally made the martini for me.

Mamacita made a fantastic bleu cheese dip and we also had salsa and chips for a starter.

Then we had a Caprese Salad with fresh mozzarella slices, fresh sliced tomatoes and basil leaves with drizzled olive oil, sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper.

I had it in mind to take pics of the food but this is all the pics of food I took. This is the individual Beef Wellingtons. And they were really good. I made a mushroom mixture with oyster mushrooms, garlic and shallots, sauteed in a little unsalted butter. Then you roll out puff pastry, put some good quality gorgonzola cheese crumbles in the middle, about 1 Tbsp. of the cheese and then 1 Tbsp. of the mushroom mixture and then you put the previously roasted filet mignons on top and then you seal with egg wash and wrap the puff pastry around the filet. Then I made some decorative flowers on top.

Then you cool them and put an egg on wash on them before baking for 20 minutes. They really came out nice. I'd definitely make this again, especially for a crowd. They take some prep but are not difficult and they are pretty fail safe, each filet was cooked to perfection. Everyone loved them. I loved the gorgonzola and mushroom topping, it added just a little something special.

We also had roasted asparagus with parmesan cheese, homemade yeast rolls, and mashed potatoes that Julie helped prepare and they were velvety and soft and yummy!

Oh, the sauce! I was kind of complaining because the Wellington recipe called for beef or veal demi glace of which I've never used and could not find. But Williams Sonoma had a demi glace but it was quite expensive. How could it possibly be that much? But I bought it because I wanted a nice sauce. So the sauce, I took some good beef broth in a sauce pan, added 2 Tbsp. of the demi glace, about 1 Tbsp cornstarch sifted in and about 2 Tbsp. of a really nice red wine from South Africa that Susan and Alex brought. The sauce slowly boiled and thickened and was perfection. Oh, the flavor! It was so worth getting the demi glace, I'm so glad we did.

We had red and white wine with dinner because I believe you should drink what you like. And we had someone who likes red, but it doesn't agree with her so she had white.

Then for dessert we had Caribou Blend coffee and Mamacita's wonderful Coconut Cheesecake! A perfect finish for a meal.

Julie brought me a gift, a copy of The Friday Night Knitting Club and I couldn't resist, I started reading it last night and it's a page turner! I'm enjoying it, I may have to make some reading time today. I hear that they are making a movie out of this book and I think I read that Julia Roberts is the star. I cannot wait!

Saturday Sky #6

2008-04-19T08:51:00.000-07:00

The skies are grey and cloudy today. I still think it's beautiful. We may get some rain today. We're having a dinner party so that is OK, we can stay inside and visit, that isn't a problem. Have a lot of preparation we need to do, but this time I'll try to take pictures of the food. Our last dinner party I just didn't think of taking pics of the food. Here's our dinner menu.

Martini Bar
Bleu Cheese Dip and Crudites
Caprese Salad
Beef Wellingtons with Demiglace
Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
Homemade Yeast Dinner Rolls
Coconut Cheesecake

My cousin was in surgery just over 7 hours but the good news is, no cancer!! Woohoo!! I'm going to go see her tomorrow.

Have a great weekend!

Friday's Feast

2008-04-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Appetizer
Name a color you find soothing.

Pink is a soothing color to me. So is a lot of green shades. Guess that's why I love the colors of my blog.

Soup
Using 20 or less words, describe your first driving experience.

While with my father and backing out of a parking spot I hit a car. My Dad took the blame.

Salad
What material is your favorite item of clothing made out of?

Wool. My handknit socks.

Main Course
Who is a great singer or musician who, if they were to come to your town for a concert, you would spend the night outside waiting for tickets to see?

Elton John. I've never seen him but oh, I'd love to someday.

Dessert
What is the most frequent letter of the alphabet in your whole name (first, middle, maiden, last, etc.)

I was surprised to find out it is the letter E.

I laugh at myself and at life, and nothing can touch me.

2008-04-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

Have you Clicked it today? Did you happen to notice the Click Button on the left hand side of my blog?
<---------------It's over there. Please click it each time you come visit. Each click helps women in need receive a mammogram, so even if you cannot afford to pay, you may receive one. There's no excuse nowadays not to get your mammogram when needed. So please go click it. Or even better, you can download a link and put it on your own site to let others know of this benefit. You can even sign up to receive a daily reminder to go click it. It's something so simple that makes a difference is women's lives.

It's on my mind also because I have a cousin who's having major surgery today and they are not sure but she may be facing some cancer treatment herself. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

I had my weigh in yesterday and I'm down exactly 19 lbs!! I lost another 1.2 lbs for the week. I didn't make my 20# goal but I'm still happy with my loss. My work meetings may not continue next week but I'll find another meeting if that is so, I need the meetings, it helps me. And I'm so determined right now. I will not let this fork in the road deter me.

I had an interesting conversation yesterday that made me think. It's one of the WW girls I go to the meetings with and she commented that I'm looking great and that she can really see the difference. I was pleased. And then she said..."You are too pretty to be overweight". It just stopped me in mid-thought. I was silent for a second. Then I thanked her, because I know she meant it as a compliment, but it really made me think. I told her that I'm feeling determined and positive and that I know I can do this. It made me think of the offhand comment I've heard a lot of people say about others. The comment, She has such a pretty face.

So does that mean that you are pretty but only really pretty if you don't have the extra weight? That the weight takes away from your prettiness? And you are only pretty in the face, but not overall? Oh, I could just go on and on about this. I hate being perceived as not pretty enough, or kind of pretty, but if I'd lose the weight I'd be really pretty. I guess when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter what others think, what's important is how you think of yourself. But I also know that the weight does play mind games and make you question your own worth.

I always have wanted to find someone who sees through my shell, my outer appearance and sees the real me and loves me for me. Truth is, I'm basically the same person inside who deserves to be loved, at my thin weight or my not so thin weight, and I want someone to care for me, all of me, because of me. And my guy, he does do that. He's always made me feel like the most gorgeous girl, all of me. Inside and out.

I guess my point is that I don't want to have that attitude in my head, that I'd be prettier if I were thinner. I want to be accepting of me and the truth is, accepting of others, based on who they are and not what size pants they wear.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-04-16T00:59:00.000-07:00

This is a plant in our front garden. It was originally in a planter and at work. I don't know what you call the plant, but I like the pink bloom. It seems to like being outside and getting the morning sun.

Cats on Tuesday

2008-04-15T00:44:00.000-07:00

This is Henry's new favorite spot to sit at night. It's on the top of the red leather couch. He makes himself quite comfortable, and far enough away so I can't easily get to him. He is not a "have to sit on top of you or near you" cat. He's a more "I'm just fine here as long as I can see what's going on and see you" cat. He also seems to like it here because Tom does not venture up here at all. In fact, Tom has been a bit reclusive lately, sleeping almost 24/7 on my bed. He didn't even come see me today when I got home from work. I'll have to go make sure he's feeling ok.

I express my emotions in joyous, positive ways.

2008-04-14T07:03:00.000-07:00

Manic Mondayby the Bangles

Six o'clock already
I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin' Valentino
By a crystal blue Italian stream

But I can't be late
'Cause then I guess I just won't get paid
These are the days
When you wish your bed was already made

*It's just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
'Cause that's my funday
An I-don't-have-to-run day
It's just another manic Monday

Have to catch an early train
Got to be to work by nine
And if I had an aeroplane
I still couldn't make it on time

'Cause it takes me so long
Just to figure out what I'm gonna wear
Blame it on the train
When the bus is already there

CHORUS

All of the nights
Why did my lover have to pick last night
To get down
Doesn't it matter
That I have to feed the both of us
Employment's down
He tells me in his bedroom voice
C'mon honey, let's go make some noise
Time it goes so fast
When you're having fun

Did you know that Prince wrote that song? I heard that today on the radio. I like Prince, he's an odd little guy, but I like his music and he's a musical genius in my never to be humble opinion. Anyway, Monday's usually are great days for me, it just feels good, like a new beginning, to start anew. Rarely do I have a manic monday, or a bad monday. I hope your day is going well.

I am a little tired today though and I don't know why. I shouldn't be, I got to sleep in Saturday, and Sunday I was up earlier, but it was just time to get up, no reason for getting up earlier. I did plan on leaving early Sunday to go visit my Cousin Cindy who lives about 1.5 hours away. And I did get out there a little after noon. It was a nice drive, sunny and not too too hot. I visited with her and the family, their 5 dogs and their friends who have a 3 year old and a new baby boy, 11 weeks. OOOHH! He was beautiful, I got to hold him for a bit and just marvel at how truly beautiful babies are. They are so perfect with their little rosebud mouth and perfect skin, just so darling. Got my mommy juices going. How I'd still love to have a child someday.

The Lace Ribbon Scarf is coming along nicely. I want to finish it and get it blocked. It'll take a little more time. I brought it to work on at lunch. It's a good pattern because i've memorized it now and so I can pick up and leave off whenever. I also need to finished the Clapotis and then I must start a pair of socks for a swap. I have the yarn picked out and we are all knitting the same pattern for the Saucy Spring Sock Swap so that should go pretty fast. But I have a deadline and you know how that goes. I'm determined to not be dealing with a deadline, I want to be finished early...ya, we'll see.

Saturday Sky #5, etc.

2008-04-12T10:12:00.001-07:00

Isn't it beautiful today in Southern California! Clear blue skies. And it's going to be a hot one too. We may hit 90 degrees today.

Mamacita asked me to cut this beautiful bloom. It's long stemmed and she calls the rose Brandy. It is glorious and now it will be admired in our kitchen window.
And here is the pic of the Peace rose previously posted in bud, by the next day it had opened up to this. I love the colors.

Friday's Feast

2008-04-11T07:16:00.000-07:00

The chef at Friday's Feast has taken the week off, we all need a vacation, so Stone Girl has presented her own questions and I'm going to use her questions this week.

Appetizer
What is your favorite vacation spot in the United States?
Hawaii~ I went in the late 80's with my cousin. We went to Waikiki, Maui and spent a whole day on Kauai. It was phenomenal. The only thing that would make it better is to go with a romantic interest. It's so beautiful and romantic...

Soup
If someone else (friend, co-worker, family) brings up a religious or political topic, how likely are you to join the conversation, on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = not likely, 10=very likely).
I work with only 2 other people and they are not religious although it has come up. On their end. And I do feel differently than him, but I don't feel it's necessary to discuss it with him.

Salad
What song do you listen to when you feel very sad?
Probably something from Bread...yes, I'm that old. Actually they were before my time, but I've always liked them, but their music makes me think, makes me melancholy. Another one is James Taylor.

Main Course
Someone you really admire is coming over for a home-cooked dinner. What do you serve him/her?
My signature dish is filet mignon with a red wine shallot sauce.

Dessert
If the only form of transportation left in the world is by animal (horse, mule, camel, etc), where would you live?
Somewhere I wouldn't have to commute too far...my boobs couldn't take it!