South Beach Diet, Day 3

Okay, I'm not quite so starving.

I won't go so far as to say I'm feeling any thinner-- maybe I'm just getting used to smaller portions.

And I'm all about the South Beach Surprise Mashed "Potatoes"-- yummy!

Here is a pic from Valentine's Day-- when the Partner in Crime and I celebrated with a lovers' lunch.

South Beach Diet, Day 2

Okay, I'm still alive.

It's not so bad-- although hauling all this food to work is a bit of a pain. (Baby needs a bigger lunch pail.)

Today we had the eggplant and peppers medley-- quite yummy.

The Partner in Crime played with the chicken a little bit which added a bit of zest.

Tomorrow I get to try the Surprise Mashed Potatoes-- a bit of foodstuffs about which I've heard quite a bit-- so I'm looking forward to it.

I'll leave you with a picture of Fergie-- who's been a bit of a crank lately.

I don't know if it's that the rash on her ass is coming back or she's getting tangly, or if she's just getting old... but she's been waking us up before dawn lately.

Yuk.

The South Beach Diet, Day 1

Le sigh.

Since the onset of winter, and taking an office job, my waist-size has ballooned.

Not to say that I'm a porker right now -- I'm not -- but the pants are getting a little tight. And seeing as how I purchased them in the weeks leading up to starting the new job... well, I'll let you draw conclusion.

So, the Partner in Crime suggested we South Beach it. He's recommended this before, but we've never gotten around to it. 

I figure, Hey, he brought me some kick-ass roses for Valentine's Day and he does most of the cooking anyway, so, why not?

We started today-- portion control is all new to me.

And we did a catch-up shop this afternoon-- so there'll be more cooking this evening (before the Oscars).

But, I gotta say, I'm hungry.

More tomorrow.

First Guests of 2009

We started off the new year with household guests. And because they stayed overnight in our abode, they had to comply and have their picture taken at our favorite local photo opportunity: the Shell Station.

They were game-- which was good-- 'cause it's a rule. A rule begun only AFTER my mother's visit-- so her picture is missing from the group, but not for long.

These two are relatives of the Partner in Crime -- a cousin and his wife. They're from the great state of Texas-- where I've never been. They have a son in D.C. and stopped in to see us on the way back home.

As we do with most of our visitors (after they've been subjected to the Shell Station), we took them to Old Salem so they could get a taste of the history of our region-- the Moravians and all that stuff.

The cool thing is, I learn something new every time I go there and this time I applied the lesson from last time's visit-- and purchased some of this awesome sugar bread. Baked right on the premises, got it fresh from the oven... still warm in the bag. About a 9.975 on the yumminess scale. The PIC compares it to something called "Monkey Bread" which I've never had but he says we can make it sometime.

After that, we took them up to Mt. Airy so they could bask in the 

Americana that is the legend of Andy Griffith.

I don't get it, but that's okay.

The thing is, there's this sewing shop in town that our women guests seem to be all about... I guess maybe there's something to this sewing/quilting thing-- maybe it's time to get on board.

Naturally, because we're way down south, we had to end their stay with some ribs... cooked on the porch... because it was like 60-degrees!

I have to say, the Partner in Crime is getting this "ribs" thing down... they were yummy.

The Awesome Neighbors Strike Again

A Moravian Star

This is what they got us for Christmas -- not that we were expecting anything, they've been really good to us since we rolled into town.

And now we know The Rules of displaying the Star (you can't... shouldn't leave it up year-round no matter how cool it looks).

We were quite happy that our gift to them went over so well-- we got them a genuine Maine Balsam Wreath. Which is still hanging on their door-- as well it should... so is ours. 

Inside/Out

Hey, at least she's not sleeping on/falling off the computer tower any more.

Knee Deep in Familial Love and Affection

Merry Christmas from my niece.

Knee Deep in New Xmas (Part 2)

Here's the "new" in New Christmas... it was 60 (f***ing) degrees before noon!

That's just wrong! Not that I'm complaining, mind you -- I don't think I ever need to deal with snow again.

We are now down to 1 cat.

With the demise earlier this year of Miss Muffin, Miss Fergie is all alone for most of the day.

She let's us know how pleased she is by this (NOT) by meowing loudly when we come home in the evening and landing on us whenever we sit.

Hey, the old girl is 17. I'm willing to cut her some slack.

Here we are with our Christmas Crowns --

part of the package of gifts we brought home from Mother's house.

It's all good: new state, new jobs, new weather conditions.

I'm a happy camper.

Knee Deep in New Xmas (Part 1)

We started off the day with a lovely Christmas brunch (made by the Partner in Crime, of course)...

Then we rounded up the unopened gifts for the festivities.

Here's the PIC under the tree (due to the timing of our trip up north this year, we really didn't think it was the best idea to get a tree... definitely next year though.

I got my traditional Mom Gift: Stephen King's latest -- as well as some foodstuffs and a lovely paper crown! (I may have to wear it for the rest of the day.)

We then went out and hung our new Moravian Star! It's lovely! It's a gift from our Awesome Neighbors with whom we went to last Night's Lovefeast. (Click the link on that one. While lovely, the Lovefeast is far too complicated for me to explain here.)

Knee Deep in "Cool!"

You're Alice's Adventures in Wonderland!

by Lewis Carroll

After stumbling down the wrong turn in life, you've had your mind
opened to a number of strange and curious things. As life grows curiouser and curiouser,
you have to ask yourself what's real and what's the picture of illusion. Little is coming
to your aid in discerning fantasy from fact, but the line between them is so blurry that
it's starting not to matter. Be careful around rabbit holes and those who smile to much,
and just avoid hat shops altogether.


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