Back From Vacation

I'm back in town after a few nights in the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area. I absolutely love that place. It's flashy, tacky, overpriced and in my eyes, a little slice of heaven. We vacationed there when I was a kid, Hubby and I got married there, and because of these wonderful memories, it's sort of my "happy place".

I did a lot of outlet mail shopping (Eddie Bauer jeans for $9.99!), ate a lot of ice cream from Ben and Jerry's Scoop Shop and just relaxed. I picked up some salsas and dip mixes from Harry and David and a new Lodge Cast cast iron sautee pan. I guess even when I'm not eating, food is on my mind!

We took some snacks with us so I cashed in my free coupons from Kraft First Taste for the Oscar Mayer ham and the Ritz Crackerfuls. I'd had the ham before but the Ritz product was a new one for me. It was very good, very full of cheese and my picky Hubby really liked them. In fact, he asked me to pick up another box this week. They are individually wrapped so they are very handy to pack along as a snack or lunch box treat.

Now that vacation is over, it's time to get back to the grind of work. Ugh!

How the Garden Grows

I need to take some pictures so that I can share my humble little herb garden with you.

This is, I think, the third summer that I’ve had a small herb garden. A few years ago, we remodeled our deck somewhat and ended up some scrap pieces of treated lumber. I fashioned them into a little raised bed and voila! The herb garden was born.

Chives come back each year with no coaxing or effort on my part. Lavender moved in last year and is back this year threatening to take over the bed. Mint is sprouting everywhere. It was also an addition from last year that decided to come back. I also added in some thyme that is transplanted from my mother’s garden, some parsley in a pot and a pot of basil. Last year I tried cilantro in a pot with limited success. This year I planted the cilantro directly in the ground.

In addition to the herbs, I also have a watermelon plant that was my hubby’s idea. I’m really not sure it will have room to spread out and possibly produce a watermelon but I figure we can give it a try. We also planted three hot pepper plants (again the hubby’s idea). I’ve never actually seen this man eat a hot pepper but he insists that he likes them.

During Memorial Day weekend, my niece wanted to plant some seeds. She is almost six and has been helping me garden ever since she was big enough to follow me around. Her grandmother told her it was too late to plant flower seeds but I thought maybe we could get some pumpkin seeds up and going in time for a fall harvest. I was shocked at how quick the seeds sprouted and now I have three healthy looking pumpkin plants. No clue yet on where I’m going to plant them. My mother keeps reminding me that due to last year’s pumpkin shortage, it is very hard to find canned pumpkin so I really hope these plants can produce.

Weekend Update

I love weekends and long weekends are even more to love. I started mine a bit early by taking the afternoon off from work. I hit the Memorial Day sale at Kohl’s armed with an extra 15% off coupon. I picked up several things then went home to pamper myself for my girls night out to the movies.

I am a Sex and the City junkie so I was very excited for the opening of the second movie. It didn’t disappoint. I realize it won’t win any Oscars but it was fun and it was good to “catch up with the girls”. Neither of the movies are as good as the show but hey, it was still good fun. And I wore my high heels.

Saturday night, my almost 6 year old niece spent the night. We planted flowers and watched Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. On Sunday, we went back to Kohl’s and I taught her to look for yellow clearance tags. She was pretty proud to find an outfit on the clearance rack in her size that she liked. Since I was the one paying, I was excited too! Then, we went to TJ Maxx where I found KATE SPADE flip flops for $20!!!!!!!!!!!! My summer is set now.

Monday, I visited my folks while my hubby golfed. We grilled burgers and dogs and I took them some of the sugar cream pie that I’d made Saturday-recipe to come.
All in all, a good weekend. But as I sit here on my lunch break, I’m already counting down to the next one.

A Simple Path

This past weekend, I took a little weekend trip with my mom and aunt to Shaker Village. You can find out more about it here. Shaker Village is one of those places that are very close by yet I’d never been there. (It’s strange how we’ll drive three or four states away for a vacation when there are so many interesting places in the back door, isn’t it?)

The Shakers lived a simple life. They worked hard, and were very enterprising in the ways they made money. For example, they charged a toll to anyone traveling their road and they ran a ferry operation across the Kentucky River. They sold seeds, brooms, and other handmade items. Since they were so self-sustaining, most of their money went to their church and to help new settlements grow. They were also ahead of their time in that they had one of the first waterworks systems in the state and actually had “tap” water in the 1800s.

One of the points that each guide seemed to bring up was that they were not wasteful people. They used everything in every possible way. They wore their clothes until they wore out. I probably would too if I had to not only sew my clothes but also spin the fabric and thread from wool from the farm sheep!

It made me think about my own life and efforts to live simpler. I used to be very materialistic. I would buy clothes that I didn’t need just because I felt like shopping. Sometimes things would hang in my closet for years without the tags being taken off. If I couldn’t decide between colors, I’d say “Oh heck, I’ll get both of them!” I wasn’t overly extravagant. I’ve always had a frugal streak in me. But when it came to personal items like clothes or makeup or hair products, I thought nothing of dropping down the cash.

I’m not that way anymore. Maybe it was the recession. Maybe it was getting married and realizing that “it’s not all about me” as Dr. Phil would say. Maybe I grew up and realized that happiness is not going to be found in my closet. Now, I shop the sales and try not to buy things “just because”. I try to give more to others. I don’t treat shopping as a social activity.

On our trip, my mom made a comment about how she wished we wore the same size shoe because, in her opinion, I go through a lot of running shoes. I corrected her. “This is my third pair in almost four years! And two of those were bought with a gift card from our wellness program at work! And I gave the old ones to the women’s shelter, so there!”

She was teasing but I really felt like I needed to clear up my good name. I don’t want to be thought of as materialistic or excessive because I don’t want to be that way. My simpler life is suiting me just fine.

Book-a-holic

I have a fairly healthy stack of unread books on my bookshelf.

I have downloaded books on my Kindle (free ones).

So what did I do today?

I went to the public library and left with two books.

Trying Something New: Indian Food

I had a totally new experience on Good Friday. I tried Indian food for the first time.

Ethnic food was a rare thing when I was growing up. It still boggles my mind that my hometown now has both a Chinese and a Mexican eatery. Where was that when I was kid? The town where I live now is slightly more diverse. We have several Chinese places, a couple of Mexican places (my favorite!), Thai, Japanese (I’ve grown to love sushi), Greek, and now a new Indian restaurant.

Going in, I knew little to nothing about Indian food. Thankfully, they serve a lunch buffet so I could pick out what looked good. The smell was wonderful when we walked in, spicy, but wonderful. Most of the dishes were chicken based, although I did try ground lamb with peas, and a vegetarian dish. The food was excellent. It had a great deal of comfort food appeal as it was warm and rich but not heavy. I would definitely go back.

I’m still a little hazy on how to pronounce some of the things I ate. I probably couldn’t order off the menu very successfully. But I love trying new food and am glad we are getting some diverse offerings in our town.

Do you like trying new types of food? What’s your favorite ethnic food?

Spring Fever

The past two weekends have been gorgeous here in Kentucky!

Last weekend (Easter weekend), my hubby and I visited his family in eastern Kentucky. My parents came too and it was wonderful to have everyone together. We rode ATVs up in the mountains, grilled burgers and hot dogs, ate too much candy and just enjoyed being together. I came to work on Monday refreshed and relaxed after a good dose of mountain air and front porch sittin'.

The high didn't last long as a hectic work week found me working late several nights. I was also heartbroken by the West Virginia mine tragedy.

This weekend has been another wonderful one with sunshine and good times. Saturday morning, I did a 5K walk. Later that evening, my husband's family came over and we grilled out again. We were celebrating my father in law's birthday early so we kicked it up a notch and had steak and ribs. It was a tasty meal and the weather was perfect. My niece even got to fly her new Spongebob kite that I bought her at Dollar Tree. Talk about cheap entertainment!

I'm hoping this week will be calmer. April the 15th hits us this week which means a) I have to send a rather large check to the IRS and b) I'll reveal how well I did (or didn't do) with my resolution to lose 15lbs by April 15th. Stay tuned!

This and That

I really can't think of any particular reason that I haven't blogged lately. Except maybe that I am lazy. Let me catch you up on what's been going on with me...

I'm still committed to my healthy lifestyle and have now lost 11 pounds.

I made my first trip to a Whole Foods store. LOVED it! I so wish my town had one.

Discovered a wonderful cupcake shop that makes heavenly little cupcakes. Thankfully, it is NOT in my town or it could be dangerous for the healthy lifestyle.

Have maintained the clean kitchen.

Realized that Wachai Ferry boxed dinners are pretty tasty and probably better for you than takeout Chinese.

Cannot wait until socks and shoes weather is over and I can break out the sandals.

So, that's what's on my mind. Will do better in the future.

The Void

Are there people in your life who are never happy with anything?

I have someone in my life like that, a friend whom I’ll call Tess. Tess is never happy with her life although I could go on for hours about her many blessings. She doesn’t see them though; she only sees the things that she doesn’t have. It makes me sad.

People like Tess who find their happiness in materialistic things will never be happy. How can they be? Someone else’s house will always be bigger, someone else’s closet will always have more clothes, etc. It’s like trying to fill a bottomless pit.

Sometimes spending time with Tess aggravates me because her insistent need for more money, more possessions, more attention drives me up the wall. It overshadows her good qualities which are priceless. Also, when someone is constantly harping on how lacking their life is, it makes you question your own. You can’t help but think, “Wow, if she thinks her house is too small, what must she think of mine?”

It would be a lie for me to say that I don’t enjoy material things. I do. But I love the non-material things in my life much more. I wasn’t aggravated this week when I had dinner with Tess. In fact, it made me appreciate my life even more. I love my husband. I have a wonderful, supportive family. I have good friends who make me laugh and a pudgy pink nosed cat who sits in my lap each night. I’m healthy. I have a good job. I could go on and on.

And I’m thankful that I don’t have a void that causes me to be constantly unhappy like my friend. I wish she could fill that void as well.

Down 8.8 and Feeling Great!

Wow, what a cheesey post title. Mmmmm.....cheese...

I mentioned in an earlier post that I recommitted myself to a healthier lifestyle on January 1. As we near the end of February, I’m pleased to report that I have stuck with my commitment and have an 8.8 pound weight loss to show for it!

I’m very happy with my progression. I didn’t really set a timeline for myself but after a week or two I started thinking….hmmmm, how about 15 pounds by April 15? April 15 is really not a very special day-unless you consider sending Uncle Sam a check “special”-but it is a day that doesn’t escape without notice. So, I guess I am now publicly committing to trying to lose 15 pounds or more by April 15.

I know this do not seem like terribly ambitious goals. I’m sure I could stand to lose 25 pounds. But this isn’t my first weight loss effort either so I know that baby steps help you get to the finish line just as much as giant leaps do.
I’ll keep you posted…

Excuse Me, Is This Scrubs?

My mother has been telling me for years that medical care has gotten very impersonal. I’m a believer.

Yesterday, it was time for an annual exam (ladies, you know where I’m going here). The automated voice who called to remind me of my appointment asked that I arrive 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork. And wouldn’t you know, it was the same paperwork that I’ve filled out at this office for the past 7 years? I must have written my address six times on the series of forms. Wouldn’t it be more efficient for them to print out my vital information and have a checkbox that says “Has anything changed?” But no, we start from scratch each and every time.

My doctor walks in carrying a laptop. Very high tech. Now let me tell you, I love my doctor. I truly do. But it was obvious that she hadn’t bothered to scroll through my information on her laptop. Our conversation was something like this

Doc: So…are you seeing anyone special?
Me: Just my husband.
Doc: You’re married? When did THAT happen?
Me: Oh, almost four years ago. (If anyone read the paperwork, they could see that I mark “married” and that I use my husband’s insurance. They could also see his social security number which I have to call and ask him for each year. Because each year we do fresh paperwork, you know.)
Doc: You know, I suppose I could let you skip this exam every other year since you’ve never had any problems.
Me: We had this same talk last year and then it turned out I had a problem. I had a biopsy, remember?
Doc: You did? How did that turn out?
Me: Well, it wasn’t fatal.

Grrr…..Why exactly do they carry those laptops around again? At the end of the visit, I asked if she could order a cholesterol screening for me.

Doc: I can but you know you’re still young and in good health. It’s totally up to you. You’re low risk.
Me: Um, my dad had a heart attack and quintuple bypass surgery? (Again, something I’ve been writing on the paperwork for almost four years now under Family History)
Doc: Really? You should get it checked.

So this is medical care in America these days? I know doctors are busy but how long could it possibly take to at least read through the crap you’re making me fill out? Or how about just scanning my history? I laughed it off because if I seriously sat down and thought about it, I’d probably be sad and disgusted.

One Month Fast Food Free!

I started off the new year with a renewed commitment to eat healthier. Last year, I experimented with becoming a vegetarian and while that didn't work out in the end, it did make me evaluate some of my food choices. I began 2010 with a mindset that I would reduce the amount of processed food in our diets (yes, my poor Hubby is feeling the residual effects here) and limit fast food. Today, makes one full month of the new year. And I'm pleased to report that neither of us has eaten anything from a drive thru.

We have eaten out some and honestly, I've dined out more than him. We had a New Year's dinner at Olive Garden, local Mexican place for my birthday, and I had Panera Bread (soup and half sandwich) twice. I also had a veggie sandwich from a mom and pop deli and a veggie sandwich from Jimmy John's. We have also had pizza a couple of times. So we haven't been completely eating at home every meal. But no drive-thrus, no french fries, no greasy burgers and no eating in the car. With the exception of the Mexican place and the deli, all of the other places make their nutritional information public so we've been able to see how many calories, how much fat, etc. that we are eating too.

I don't expect to keep this streak going for the year. I'll give in eventually. But I'm proud of us so far. Besides saving money, I know we are eating better and making healthier choices and you can't put a dollar value on that.

Does Anybody Cook Anymore?

Growing up, we didn’t dine out very much. We lived in a rural area and going out to eat was 20 or 25 minute trip. On the weekends, we might eat out but even then it wasn’t a regular thing. My mom prepared something every night when she got home from work. When I was a teenager, I would help out and get dinner started for her. It was just the way it was.

When I moved to a more populated area, I was amazed at how often people dined out. I admit when I first moved out of our small town it was a treat to go through a drive-thru on the way home or order takeout. But it soon grew tiresome. I like to prepare my own meals and I know I’m healthier when I do that.

I’m amazed though at how many people NEVER cook. I just don’t get it. I hear people say, “Well it’s cheaper to eat out when there’s only two of us.” Well, there’s only two humans in our house too and I sure don’t think it’s cheaper for us to dine out every night. I also know a lot of people who don’t even fix their own coffee opting to stop at McDonald’s or Starbucks on their way to work. I guess it’s my small town roots again but a fancy coffee is a treat not an everyday thing. And honestly, I prefer a nice cup of Folgers brewed at home on my pot.

I guess it’s different strokes for different folks and all of that but I’d sure miss home cooking if I gave it up.

Homemade Gifts From the Heart

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! This was a great one for me. I was able to spend time with loved ones, ate tons of delicious food (still nibbling on leftover sweets, I confess), and am still enjoying an extended break from work. What more could a woman ask for?

For the first time this year, I gave homemade gifts to two friends. Every year I read or hear people saying "Homemade gifts mean so much more!" and I always think to myself, "Well I have no talent so who would want anything I could make?" This year though the idea struck me to make small scrapbooks for two of my best friends. These ladies and I used to travel quite a bit together and I had tons of pictures of us over the years. I made each of them an 8x8 scrapbook with pictures of us with some funny stories/inside jokes scribbled inside. They LOVED them! Their reaction was truly priceless and made all of the work worthwhile.

I also was blessed to receive a wonderful homemade gift. My mother-in-law made me a beautiful quilt with my alma mater's colors. She has had a lot going on in her life the past year, including trying to take care of sick family members, so it was very moving to me that she would find the time to make me a quilt.

So, I'm a believer now, homemade gifts do rock!

Christmas Spirit Has Hit Me Like a Semi Truck

The Christmas spirit has hit me big time this year. I’m not sure what caused it. I’m totally not myself this year. Oh, I always like putting up a Christmas tree and maybe baking some cookies-I’m not a total Scrooge-but this year I’ve been on Christmas overdrive. Normally, I just try to hunker down and survive the holidays but this year I’ve embraced the season.

I’ve decorated my office. I made a Christmas mixed cd. I listen to 94.5 Mix Mas in the car.

I used to curse the annoying ringing of the Salvation Army bell rings. Now, I stick money in their pots, smile and say “Merry Christmas!”

I watched Charlie Brown for the first time in years. I watched my favorite Frasier Christmas episode “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz” and laughed like it was the first time I’d ever seen it.

I’m giddy with anticipation of getting together with family and friends in the upcoming days.

Am I getting old? Has there been a Grinch on my shoulder the last few seasons? I don’t get but I’m loving it.

Vegging Up is Hard to Do

I briefly alluded in an earlier post that I am exploring vegetarianism.

It’s hard. In the last few years, my meat consumption has gone way down in part because my husband doesn’t eat a lot of meat. It’s not much fun to fry up a pork chop and eat it alone. I’ve never been a big beef eater either aside from the occasional hamburger and a steak here and there. Because of this, I thought I could transition over to a diet that was about 80% meat free.

I began my journey on October 1. I did really well for two weeks. (I did eat cheese, eggs, and seafood. ) But then it sort of unraveled. Everyone wanted chili for the homecoming tailgate party. I didn’t eat much and I did use antibiotic/hormone free beef. The next week my boss wanted to buy me a Chik Fil A sandwich. And then we started a home improvement project and ate terribly during the duration.

So, now with the project over and no excuses, I’m trying to get back on path. I know that I can probably never be a true vegetarian. I’m now getting back on goal of being about 80% meat free.

At least grilling season is over.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like.....Christmas??!

Fall is my favorite season. I love the colorful leaves, the mild temperatures, football and hot chocolate on a cool evening. This past Friday was possibly the perfect fall day. The sun was shining brightly, temperature was in the low 70s and a persistent wind was blowing leaves everywhere. Wonderful!

So it seemed sad to me to hear from a co-worker that her neighbor used this perfect weather to put up Christmas decorations. Now, I understand their thinking. It is surely easier to put up lights and bows when the weather is 70 instead of 30. But it also seems to me that every year we rush the season more and more. Three weeks ago when I went to Hobby Lobby in search of Halloween crafts for my niece, I found that most of the Halloween items had been shoved into a half aisle space and Christmas had taken over.

Yesterday’s Sunday sales papers were full of Christmas candy and other holiday items and Toys r Us had their “big” toy book in this week’s paper.

Maybe I’m a scrooge. Maybe it’s because I LOVE Thanksgiving. Maybe I’m crazy to think that it is fun to bundle up in ten layers and still have your fingers go numb as you put up decorations in the freezing cold. I don’t know. But I think there is a time and place for Christmas and this ain’t it.

In Memory....

Patrick Swayze was my first and biggest celebrity crush. My walls were covered with posters of him when I was a teenager. I watched Dirty Dancing obsessively and it will forever be my favorite movie.

I have always said that I will never think any other creature could be as gorgeous as him.

Thanks for the memories, Patrick. May you rest in peace.

Movie Review: Julie and Julia

I’m not exactly the world’s biggest movie fan. My rating system starts with whether or not I remained awake for the duration of the film. And since my husband and I very rarely want to see the same movie, I’m not exactly a regular at the box office. But sometimes I do see a trailer that I really want to go see and I’ll drag along a girlfriend or my mom. I usually always stay awake at the cinema because there’s popcorn involved.

And so it was with Julie and Julia. How could I not want to see a movie about food? The movie intertwines the story of Julie Powell, a young New Yorker who works in a cubicle day in and day out, with the story of Julia Child and her humble beginnings as an aspiring cook. Julie decides to start a blog in which she will cook her way through Julia’s famous Mastering the Art of French Cooking book in a year.

The film is best when it focuses on Julia Child mainly because of the wonderful performance by Meryl Streep. Streep is a joy and I found myself grinning at lines that weren’t even funny. At one point when the movie switched back to Julie I found that I’d actually forgotten her story was still around. The two ladies had a lot in common: both found their true calling through unexpected routes, both had supportive husbands, both were fierce liberals. The parallels are very interesting.

The movie was enjoyable and I recommend it to anyone with a passing interest in cooking or blogging. You get the best of both worlds with these two Jules.

Good Memories of a "Bad" Food or How to Make Your Own Hamburger Helper

Flavor of Kentucky has a blog post today about the increased popularity of Hamburger Helper during these tough economic times.

I confess I used to love Hamburger Helper. It was one of the first "meals" I ever made growing up. When I was a teenager, I would make a box of this, heat up some rolls and maybe nuke some frozen peas and have dinner ready for my mom when she got home from work. (Dad always worked second shift and missed out on dinner.) I also made Hamburger Helper and its Chicken and Tuna siblings when I lived on my own. One skillet could stretch into a few meals for me.

Now, I can't remember the last time I made it. My husband doesn't like it and I just haven't been inclined to make any. Plus, it's full of sodium and not exactly the healthiest food going. But to be honest, now that it's on my mind, nothing sounds better than a big skillet of Cheeseburger Macaroni.

If you'd like to try your own Helper mix, check out the Flavor of Kentucky post here.