Over

The long anticipated sleepover is over. Before it began,I confess, I wondered how we would fill five days (four nights). That was certainly not an issue, of course.

I even finished reading a book, walked on the treadmill every night, and the house is fairly much together.

Buddy caught two lizards on his nature walk today and gave one to Roo. She loves it. But I had to curtail the lizard petting while the dog was on the loose. I didn't want to think of the consequences.

Both kids read to me, and I am proud.

Roo and I baked and baked.

They both ate well, slept well, and overall seemed perfectly happy.

They were wired this afternoon, though, in anticipation of their parents' return. I sent them outside to romp while I cooked dinner. Papa poured wine. Worked.

The house is too quiet, now.

Movie Night, Etc.

OK, so all is going well with the big sleepover. Tonight is pizza party/movie night.
We couldn't find a movie about ants, so Buddy is watching October Sky....again. Roo is watching a Scooby Do movie. One is upstairs and one down. The video store gave us free Goobers - probably not a good idea. Papa will make popcorn soon.

A few highlights of the last couple of days:



Roo is the photographer for a new club Buddy has formed. She snapped this of Buddy.



And Roo took this of me. Remember, I have had an interesting day.



As substitute photographer I took this one of Roo.

Buddy created a membership roster and is making big plans, but the mission and rules are still a bit vague. He just asked me if I like the first day of our club - mouth full of popcorn. Whatever this club is, it is off to a good start.

On a side note, yesterday I got these in the mail from my sister!!!!




I am amazed at all the effort she put into finding cotton sock yarn for me and that she knitted after she underwent hand surgery. I love them! They are soft and comfy.

Grosser

Buddy and Roo are staying with us until Sunday. We picked them up yesterday.

Since then we have been dividing our time mostly between ant farm making for Buddy and baking for Roo. Almost everything is going well except a failed ant hunting expedition this afternoon. One new ant farm is now complete. Banana bread and biscuits are delicious, and, in addition, Froggie the Froglet has a new habitat.

Buddy's new aircraft with parachute actually flew until the dog ate part of it. To no avail, Papa frantically attempted a rescue at the landing site. Sorry, no video. Would have been a treasure.

After dinner, at bath time, I weighed each kid; naked both weighed exactly 34.8. They loved being the same. After I said Buddy was taller,he thought a bit, then said Roo must be rounder and fatter. Roo said, "Yeah, I am fatter and grosser." and laughed a deliciously wicked laugh.

Now they are clean and sleeping. So sweet.

I am happy to report I weigh less than I have for about a year. That does not mean I have lost very much, but it sounds really good, eh?

Praise Be

If something really wonderful happened, especially if the result was great relief, my mother and my grandmother frequently said, "Praise be!" No other phrase can quite replace those words for me.

So today is a praise be sort of day. I have lost several pounds and I might actually walk on my treadmill early today. I am actually looking forward to my indoor walking. How did that happen? And I noticed last night that I can crank up the speed a little on the treadmill, now.

I know it makes more sense to walk outside in this beautiful place, but my foot is more stable on the treadmill. It works better.

Anyway....Praise be!

New Math

My big sister and I were chatting on the phone this afternoon. Early in the conversation, we talked a little about weight - a common topic. She said she had recently heard or read that if you reduced your calorie intake by 115 calories a day, you would lose a pound a month. If, in addition, you exercised every day enough to burn about that same number of calories, you would lose 2 pounds each month. Wow, that is 24 pounds in a year's time. How encouraging. Through the years I had read similar information many times, but our conversation today reminded me that every day matters and that I don't need to take giant steps, but that little ones make a big difference.

The other piece of insight I gained is that I think I need to stop blaming age and thyroid, etc. for my weight gain. I know I accepted the blame in a recent post, but now I accept more fully:)I suspect with more time at home I have been eating, without noticing, just a few more calories per day than in past years. And, with my bum foot, I am sure I have reduced my exercise by enough to make the difference, too. I certainly haven't gained 24 pounds in a year! But over the last seven years, I have crept up more than ten pounds. Why that could be accomplished by considerably less than a hundred extra calories a day!!! Just a tiny amount of food. Almost unnoticeable.

So the good news is that when I went to the art center for a reception this afternoon, I found it easier to avoid cake, cookies, and all manner of temptation. Why all I have to do is cut back just a tiny bit!!!!! Since the reception food was serving as my lunch today. I selected just a few savory tidbits and moved totally away from the food table to visit with association members and friends. I think I saved way more than a hundred just by avoiding the cake!

So the funny news is that toward the end of our conversation, my sister moved from her deck to the kitchen. When she did, she found that her daughter and granddaughter must have been there to deliver Girl Scout cookies. So when I told her that I was happy that no Scouts had come to my door this year, she checked one box for calorie count: 170 for three cookies. I proposed that if she ate just one, she would save 100 calories for today. So we laughed a long time at my math logic. Don't you like it?

Of Course Not

Of course I didn't take my camera with me to a cooking class with Edward Brown, author of The Complete Tassahara Cookbook, The Tassahara Bread Book, and others. We learned his way of chopping, listened to interesting tidbits about his life and cooking, and assisted a little in preparing a really wonderful meal:

Kale Salad
Green Chili Souffle with Red Sauce (tomato base with sesame and chipotle)
Roasted Vegetables with Buerre Rouge sauce
Apricots Stewed with Ginger and Lemon

We used lots of fresh parsley and cilantro.

I love robust flavor, and this menu certainly offered that. The meal was also beautiful. I am so sorry I don't have pictures.

Random Catching up Post

First, thanks to my official "followers" and to all my other friends and family who tell me they read what I have to say. You make me smile:)

Several days ago. Buddy, Papa, and I were walking from his school to our car. It had been raining for days, but on that day, it would rain hard, stop, then mist, then the sun would shine, and then start all that over again. As we walked to the car, a little bit of all of that happened. Buddy said, "Gaga, this is just the perfect day! Just perfect. There's a little of everything." I loved that. And I do love that boy.

Since then we have enjoyed almost perfect weather - upper sixties and even seventies. With sun. Sorry everyone who doesn't live here.




Buddy has a cold and stayed home with us on Tuesday. We've been making an ant farm from a kit: plaster of paris, a plastic mold, front cover, tubing, and other assorted parts. We impatiently let the plaster dry, he painted the face of it, then we had to let it dry/cure another few days. So we took advantage of the sick day to work on it some more. Finally the farm is ready for ants, and we can't find any that are big enough to enjoy watching. I may have to BUY ants. How silly is that? Several years ago, the pest control man gave me an award for having more ants that anyone he'd ever known.




In addition to the new ant farm, this little collection lives on my kitchen counter. The jar is another ant farm we made, the salad container is a tadpole habitat with a population of two...now almost froglets. The other cute thing is one of his many critter keepers, ready for the next victim/prize. Thank goodness, his parents are willing to lug home all the other creatures we collect and the projects we make. Well, I do have a stash of projects and art work. I am telling myself they make my house appear enjoyed.

Roo and I were making cookies the other day. When we were almost done she said, "I am just LOVING this day!" I love her to pieces, too. Both children are past the stages that require much physical effort. Now, I can mostly put out books, art, and craft supplies....and food. And POOF! The day is gone. Love it. Well, there is the cleaning up.

I feel very foolish for not having oodles of pictures from our valentine celebration, but I was having too much fun to stop and find the camera. Next time.

I am distressed that tonight I must decide between Olympics and Idol.Last night, too! Oh, no! I don't watch much TV, so it doesn't seem right that I must choose. I plan to study my online French lessons while I watch - so I won't feel lazy. I used to make an afghan during every winter Olympics. That worked for me for many years.

I just told Papa that I feel happy on days when I am productive. Today was one of those: weeding the garden and picking greens for dinner, stopping by the art center to take care of a few little tasks, and buying seeds and starter pots so that tomorrow the kids and I can plant tomato seeds indoors and spinach in the raised bed. I also made a run to the framer to pick up and leave paintings, cooked dinner, and now I'm getting ready to study. I'll tread before I go to bed.

And even better, the housekeepers came this afternoon. So my house is clean - except the studio. Even their magic is not enough in this room. A year ago I thought new storage for me and a desk for Papa would change the climate of the studio. Short lived. Yesterday I visited the office of a graphic designer. His office was arty and tidy all at the same time. Why not me?

Now the last random thought. A couple of months ago I was startled to realize that I have cleavage. Imagine that. I had waited 69 years. Unfortunately, the cleavage is not as good news as it seems; it's due to my recent weight gain. No, I am not fat, but compared to my "usual" weight, I am large. And I feel big. And I never thought this would happen. I have spent years trying to eat in the most healthy way possible and often helped students/clients with weight issues. My mantra - in addition to making healthy food choices - has always been to avoid mindless eating. I like positive statements rather than negative, so now I am surprised I said that to others or to myself. Yesterday, I read about a woman who eats mindfully. I love the positive tone. Encouraging.