2009 Greatest Hits

Books
In Defense of Food
by Michael Pollan

There were a lot of food-related books and movies that came out this year and In Defense of Food definitely changed the way I think, shop, and eat. Other books were interesting but this one really brought it home for me.

The Help
by Kathryn Stockett
Hands-down, the best novel I've read in ages. I listened to it on CD from the library, and hearing this book (the accents, the voices) added to my enjoyment.



L'Amour
More of my girlfriends got engaged this year (including my BFF) and I hear wedding bells for 2010.

Oh, Baby!
My Heart's Desire's best friend's wife had twins in the fall - one boy, one girl. I had never met anyone on their birth day before, and I got to hold them and adore them mere hours after they came into the world.

Healthy Days
One of my healthy and fit girlfriends and I committed to being each other's virtual weight loss pals. We connect with each other regularly and provide support. It's made a huge difference for me and helped me lose weight.

Family Traditions
Creating traditions with My Heart's Desire. This summer we held our 3rd annual July 4th BBQ with plenty of food and fun for all. It's such a fun holiday!

Guilty Pleasure
Reading trashy magazines. Maybe I even subscribe to one.

Used Bookstore
Albuquerque Public Library Book Sale. This used book sale has bargains aplenty and books I actually want to read. I picked up several review copies of books for $2 and $3.

Local Getaway/Family Visit
Trip to New York, stayed with My Heart's Desire's cousin and her boyfriend at their lovely place in Brooklyn. I took the train up for a bridal shower in New Jersey, walked around NYC, hit Strand Books, ate yummy Thai food and hung out with family.

Show
In Las Vegas with my family, we saw the Cirque du Soliel show Love. It was amazing - so many things happening on stage at the same time I didn't know where to look.

Bed & Breakfast
The Fleur-de-Lys Mansion in St. Louis, Missouri. The baked eggs were so good! And I've made the proprietor's pumpkin bread (the orange cream cheese makes it special) and it disappears fast.

Today I am grateful for holiday cheer that is being spread far and wide, heating pads and packs (two hours of snow shoveling = very sore back), remembering that being nice takes practice (see commandment #2), holiday shopping is totally done, and spending this holiday with family.

I'm ready for holiday fun!

Snowy Day Part 2

I'm still wearing flannel pants and fleece-lined sweatshirt from LL Bean. I had some hot cocoa by the fire (it's been going strong all day).


We have made many trips downstairs for firewood. My Heart's Desire and I watched movies on demand. We also made popcorn on the stove.


And look at all that snow! We've gotten a good 14" since last night and it's still coming down pretty hard. The cars parked on the street just look like white blobs with side mirrors.

This snowy day has been very enjoyable because we don't have to go anywhere or do anything. My Sunday School class has been cancelled for tomorrow. I very well may not go anywhere until Monday, when it's likely the roads will be clear. I'm not a great driver in all this snow so staying put sounds good to me.

And now, perhaps a little Scrabble?

Snowy Day

We're expecting anywhere from 10"-20" of snow today. I'm so glad My Heart's Desire and I don't have to leave the house today!

Here's how the snow looked at 11am:


I already had breakfast and read magazines. Now that My Heart's Desire is up and at them, it's fire time!

Will post more photos today.

Today I worked, met a friend for lunch, finally threw away a bunch of old files, decided to hit the gym since I probably won't leave the house tomorrow, went to Trader Joe's for meals and bread (the pickings were slim), picked up a nummy stocking stuffer, came home and watched Me, Myself and Irene on demand (gas in that movie is $1.13), hung out with My Heart's Desire, and prepared for a snowy day tomorrow!

Today I am grateful for new running shoes (my feet are smiling), buying a plant to cheer up my desk, cheap and yummy supermarket sushi, listening to my ’09 holiday mix (finally finished), having dinner tonight with My Heart's Desire (vegetarian tacos) and being 80% done with holiday gifting.

Today I woke up when the Pepco guy called at 7:40am to say he was on his way, 20 minutes later My Heart's Desire and I learned the 19-year-old furnace is too old to get a programmable thermostat (and subsequent Pepco discount), got back in bed and read book for an hour, went to the gym and walk/jog/walked 3+ miles, bought apples and fresh bread at the farmer's market, picked up books on hold at the library, came home, took a quick shower and put on my velour lounge outfit, made brunch (fruit salad and pancakes) for a friend, chatted her up in front of the fire My Heart's Desire made, worked for a little bit, hung out in front of the fire (I'm loving it!) listened to holiday music, had a nice, long chat with a healthy friend, watched last week's CSI, thawed some homemade marinara (Bronx recipe), and am going to a holiday party for My Heart's Desire's friend.

Today I am grateful for: really warm gloves, holiday music, being almost all done with shopping, my electric blanket (oh, so warm!), having a flexible plan, and a close relationship with my mentor.

My Favorite Holiday Movies

Christmas Vacation
Classic. One funny part after another. Especially like the Sassy magazine poster in Audrey's room. I usually watch this at my Dad's house since he has it on DVD.

Love Actually
Sweet, sad, and funny this is a perfect holiday movie! I saw this movie twice in the theater. If you don't cry (or at least get verklempt) you are a robot.

Last year this film inspired me to make Christmas lobster cookies.
I also love the soundtrack!

'Tis the season...

My holiday blues came a little early this year.

I took my honorary, Jewish Grandmother to the movies today. She gives terrific advice. My favorite is simple, straightforward, and reminds me to let go sometimes.

You don't have to go to the mattresses for everything.

Today I went to Sunday School, hit the gym for a quick workout (too cold and icy to be outside, which I prefer), came home and put on my holiday sweater (OF COURSE I have a holiday sweater), went to My Heart's Desire's friend's holiday open house, got a chance to see some people I haven't seen in a while and snuggle with some really cute babies, went out and met a mentee, came home and had dinner (leftover Pad Thai, just as good the second day), did laundry, packed a bag for tomorrow, and decided to read for a bit.

Today I went for a 3 mile walk/jog/walk, worked, went to my favorite Indian restaurant for lunch with a colleague, made plans to take my honorary, Jewish Grandma to see Precious, met my mentor across town, had dinner and talked about her spiritual retreat, came home, hung out with My Heart's Desire, watched some TV, and will read for a bit.

November Writing Report

In November I set the goal of writing for 15 minutes every day. It was a good challenge for me to focus on daily writing. I also like that it got me in the habit of putting pencil to paper regularly. I was able to write for at least 15 minutes at least 18 times in the month - short of my goal but a whole lot more than in October.

Today I am grateful for: getting plenty of sleep, online holiday bargains, my new super-cozy fleece-lined sweatshirt, The Help by Kathryn Stockett (listening to it), having a car, watching The Wrestler with My Heart’s Desire, the quality of my problems, yummy pumpkin bread recipe (with orange cream cheese frosting), spell check, Real Simple magazine, being prepared,and long walks outside.

Old-Fashioned Popcorn

Last night My Heart’s Desire and I made popcorn the old-fashioned way. With corn and oil on the stove. I have never made popcorn this way before – just air popped and microwave.

Someone gave him this popcorn pot (has a lid and an arm that sweeps the kernels around so they don’t burn) when he was a bachelor. It’s been in our kitchen for years and it just seemed like too much trouble.

Well, last night we were out of microwave popcorn. So we broke out the pot, oil and corn!

It was 1/3 cup kernels and 1 tbsp of oil over medium heat and it didn’t take long before the kernels were popping away. It was more trouble than microwave popcorn but it only took about 5 minutes. We added a little butter and some salt and enjoyed.

The main difference? The taste. Wow! It was good! I actually said to My Heart’s Desire, “I didn’t know this was how popcorn was supposed to taste.”

Even the cheap microwave popcorn (which you know this thrifty girl buys) is nowhere near as inexpensive as this. We’ll be popping on the stove a lot more often.

Pile on the Miles

This November I participated in a Pile on the Miles Challenge – a pre-Thanksgiving fitness challenge to pile on the miles instead of the pounds in November.

I kept track of how many miles I ran and walked for fitness from November 1 – Thanksgiving. I walked and ran 20.57 miles in those 26 days! I even got in 5 out of town miles.

I found out about the Pile on the Miles Challenge at Healthy Tipping Point.

And, in addition to the 20.57 miles, I was also the randomly selected winner of the General Entry prize! Yay!

I will definitely be participating in the Pile on the Miles Holiday Edition – feet, don’t fail me now!