Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The Small Screen

I live alone. The television is my white noise. It is my company. It keeps me from talking to myself. It entertains me. I control the channel changer.
I've found a few new shows I like. White Collar on USA. Castle on ABC. Glee. V.
I used to read a lot, but menopause fried my concentration. How about you? What do you watch? How do you entertain yourself?
Saturday, November 21, 2009
“There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all.”

"The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions - the little, soon-forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look, a heart-felt compliment, and the countless infinitesimals of pleasurable and genial feeling." - Samuel Colridge
Do your part to promote world happiness today. Give some smiles away.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Random Thoughts While Listening to the Phone Ring
-wondering why so many people think they can drive their car for free...I'm really tired of calling the same people day after day.
-wondering why I always feel so bad...really I would like to get to the bottom of it so I can fix it.
-wondering what to cook for Thanksgiving. We are all going to my sister's this year and she said cook whatever you want to cook. Too many decisions....need to decide so I can go to the grocery store this weekend.
-wondering why I never remember to bring some snacks to work...I'm hungry...or bored...or both.
-thinking about this weekend....love thinking about the weekend.
-thinking about the finale of Project Runway last night...thinking about what it takes to visualize a whole cohesive line of clothing....thinking about the hats that Irina made...how do you know how to do that?
-thinking that I'm cold in this office.
-thinking that I didn't get the football gene...everyone else in the office loves discussing the games...we have a lot of Alabama fans in here....if I do any routing it's for Auburn.
-thinking I need to start my Christmas shopping.
-wishing my favorite scrapbook store didn't close. I miss wandering around looking at the pretty designs. I need some new inspiration.
-wishing I had a big piece of chocolate cake and a glass of milk.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
10 things I wish I knew how to do
2. Sing (I'm not pathetic, but I'm not good)
3. Play the flute (I admit it, I have a Pied Piper fixation)
4. Calligraphy (this is on my list of things I plan on actually making an effort to learn)
5. Write a book (I think about doing this every now and again, but have no idea how to do it...you know plot, tension, action, dialog...etc)
6. Knit (I can crochet, but I think knitting is elegant whereas crocheting is everyday)
7. Swim (I was too afraid to let go and learn when I was young. Over the years I developed a weird dog paddle/frog kick kind of stroke)
8. Math (Okay, I can do math, but I forget so easily. I wish it stuck in my head)
9. Home repair work (because I have a ton of home improvement projects that need doing)
10. Computer technical stuff (wish I was a wiz because I'd like a IT job...they make pretty good money and everyone needs one, also I could wear one of those cool t-shirts like my sons do)
Monday, November 16, 2009
Hand and Eye Coordination
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Groomed and Fed
Rachel spent Thursday night and the day Friday with me while her hubby was away on business. I got lots of sweet baby time and I got to finally see him sign his first word....more. More food, more fun, more milk. Priceless.
On Friday we clipped coupons and went to the grocery store together. By combining coupons with buy one, get one free offers I saved $46 and some change on my total bill....thanks to my saving guru Rachel.
One of my goals for the weekend was to do some cooking. I wanted to get some meals put up in the freezer and some REAL food cooked for myself. I'm sick of eating fast food and frozen meals. At the end of the day, I had 10 meals in the freezer and 6 in the fridge. I also sent 4 bowls of food home with Rachel.
One of the recipes was something new, Summer Squash Soup. I altered it a little to suit my taste. Altogether, it took about 35 or 40 minutes for prep and cooking.

1 tbs olive oil
1 pound yellow squash, sliced 1/2 inch thick (I used 4 large squash)
2 ears corn, corn removed from cob. Cut cobs in half and set aside. (I used 4 ears because that is what came in the package I bought)
3 large shallots, chopped ( I substituted large green onions)
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 fresh jalapeno chile, chopped (if you don't like the heat, try a banana pepper instead, the fresh jalapeno I used didn't add any heat, I removed the seeds...for more kick I'd use 2 fresh instead of just one)
1/4 tsp ground cumin (since I love cumin I used about 2 tsp or more...suit your own taste)
2-1/2 cups water or broth (I used 1 cup low sodium chicken broth and 1 1/2 cups of water)
Italian parsley sprigs for garnish (I used cilantro instead)
In a 5-quart heavy kettle, heat oil over moderate heat and saute all ingredients (including cobs) except water or broth for five minutes. Stir in water or broth and simmer until squash is very tender, about 20 minutes. Discard cobs. In a blender, puree mixture in batches until smooth. Note that a food processor doesn't make the mixture smooth enough! Season with salt and pepper to taste. (I added a dab of reduced fat sour cream and some grated cheddar cheese) Without the sour cream and cheese the soup was a bit too sweet for my taste...with it the soup was delicious.
If desired, garnish with sour cream and fresh Italian parsley sprigs. (I used cilantro) It made 4 servings.
Now, I'm off to clean out my closets. Then it's back to work tomorrow...... : (











