Doing Life, Part 1

Most of my Small Group women friends. One missing. 

Life takes us all on many journeys, often away from best friends and family. We keep touch, but we can really miss out on having deep relationships, convenient and supportive friendships.

By 1989, Our family (or at least CA and I) had moved 12 times. While we'd lived by then 14 years in Crystal Lake, because of those great moves we'd for the most part conditioned ourselves to superficial friends and work friendships. Our family was doing very well. Our two children busy with friends, school, and sports. Yet I especially was feeling the loss of close friendships. 

When my sister, who also lived in the Chicago area expressed an interest in finding a good church close by with excellent music, I immediately suggested we visit a mega church that I had been hearing about for a few years. The next Sunday we visited that church, and quite literally our jaws dropped. We'd found a Bublically-based, Christ honoring and serving home church. Our hearts were filled; our spirits expanding. 

Our two children loved Sunday mornings, or Saturday nights--we could choose!

We even attended service on Wednesday or Thursday evenings for New Community--a chance for deeper study of the Bible. We were encouraged to join a small group of other attendees in our local area for a deeper, more personal connection within the very large congregation (that was a 25-minute drive distant). We did. 

That first Small Group was akin to military school, as our leader was very structured. The 3 other couples were nice people, but everything stayed stiff and formal. Within a year circumstances led to that group disbanding. All good. We weren't anxious to find a new group as our expectations had not nearly been met. Yet, the desire for closer and more supportive friendships still existed in the midst of a very good and busy family life. 

Then, in 1994, an acquaintance met through our children's activities invited us to a Sunday brunch. An investigative social event--one to explore interest in forming a new Small Group. We were excited. We liked this couple. 

Of the 7 couples, 6 very soon began meeting as a kind-of-sort-of-large Small Group. We met every 1st and 3rd Sunday nights, rotating between homes. We'd found our local connection. Our chance for deeper friendships. My prayers were answered. We've been meeting and eating! (now on the 2nd and 4th Sundays) for almost 23 years. 

Tarting-up a Favorite Family Recipe

Molasses Cookies with Creamy-Lemon Frosting

My years at Safety-Kleen brought me together with some wonderful home cooks and bakers. We regularly brought treats and exchanged recipes. This is one such recipe. The best part--other than the spicy molasses flavor--is that these cookies bake-up almost perfectly round, and crackle.

Years ago I bought some Carrs sandwich cookies which reminded me of this recipe. They had a lemon frosting in the middle. That was a light bulb moment. "My Molasses Cookies are much better than theirs and I can adapt my recipe." I use fresh lemon juice and zest with a regular powdered-sugar frosting, and these are to-die-for. And, you know this girl loves her some lemons!


MOLASSES COOKIES
[Mary King, Safety-Kleen]

3/4 Cup Butter
1 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Molasses
1 Egg
2 Cups Flour
2 tsp. Baking soda
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Ground cloves
1/2 tsp. Ground ginger
1/2 tsp. Salt


1. Cream butter and sugar with mixer.
2. Add molasses and egg; beat well.
3. Whisk together flour, soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and salt in separate bowl.
4. Gradually add to butter mixture.
5. When well blended, cover with plastic wrap and chill in frig at least one hour.
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
7. Shape cookie dough into 1" balls; roll in sugar.
8. Bake on greased cookie sheets for 8 - 10 minutes, or until golden.
9. Cool 5 minutes; remove to wire racks; store in airtight container.

Light colored cookies--still wet on top--will be moist and chewy.
The darker the cookies, the crisper they become after cooling.
The flavor changes with the amount of baking time--always good!

Baking and Candy Making with Jill

FANTASTIC CARAMELS

1 cup Butter

2-1/4 cup Light brown sugar

Dash Salt

1 cup Light Karo corn syrup

14 oz. Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk

1. Butter sides and bottom of 8" or 9" square pan
2. Melt 1 cup butter in 3-qt. saucepan over medium to medium high heat
3. Stir in sugar and salt
4. Stir in corn syrup; gradually add Eagle Brand
5. Mixture will be at rolling boil
6. Continue to cook, stirring intermittently intil candy thermometer reaches 245º

My dear friend Jill of Jill Stone's Wild Ride really wanted to make Christmas cookies, so we set yesterday as the day. I assumed she'd want to make sugar cookie cut-outs, but this time she wanted me to choose. And since I've been gluten-free for over 4 months, I'm much more interested in making candies than cookies. I choose Fantastic Caramels (because they are), Mrs. Bates' Fudge, and Thumbprint cookies (because they are a favorite of CA, and I have not made them in 25 years. Truly. They are labor intensive--so many steps. And, mostly I don't like to make them because my fingers get all gunky.)

I am an administrator, by heart and by experience, so I suggested to Jill that we mix-up a double batch of the cookie dough and let it chill while we make the Caramels. One tip I remember from my Caramel-making days is that you can't over-stir the Caramel mixture as stirring cools the boil slightly, making it almost impossible to reach 245°. Jill is a hard-worker, both persistent and patient, so she takes on the Caramel stirring.

In the meanwhile I chop walnuts and whip up some frosting. While the cookies are technically Jam Thumbprints, CA's mom always filled the little wells with colored frosting. CA is a traditionalist, and since we're making these cookies for his dining pleasure he gets them just the way he likes them. 

(And after 6+ weeks of tending my abscess wound, he deserves anything he desires!)

When the Caramels reach 245°, we pour them into a very square 8"x8" well-buttered pan, and set that on a wire rack to cool.

(JAM) THUMBPRINTS

Better Homes and Gardens c.1969

2/3 cup Butter

1/3 cup Sugar

2 Egg yolks (reserve egg whites)

1tsp. Vanilla

1/2 tsp. Salt

1-1/2 cups Flour

3/4 cups walnuts, finely chopped

1. Cream together butter and sugar
2. Mix in egg yolks, vanilla, and salt
3. Gradually add flour, mixing well
4. Chill at least one hour
5. Shape dough into 3/4" balls
6. Dip cookie dough balls in slightly-whipped egg whites
7. Roll in finely-chopped walnuts
8. Place 1" apart on greased cookie sheet
9. Use finger to make indentation in center of each cookie
10. Bake at 350° for 15-17 minutes 
11. You may have to re-press the indentation
12. Cool completely
13. Place a dollop of colored frosting in center of each cookie
14. Enjoy!

Guess what? My fingers do not get gunky! Because, as I form the buttery dough into balls, Jill dips them into the slightly-beaten egg whites and rolls them in the walnuts. Beautiful!

Just as we finish baking the cookies the Caramels are ready to cut and wrap. I cut; Jill wraps. Actually, we wrap Jill's in 4"-square parchment papers and I put mine into tiny fluted candy papers.

In accordance with Jill's time-tested Wild Ride (see link above), she has other places to go; people to see. But, I'm determined that she have a batch of Mrs. Bates' Fudge, and she's interested in learning a simple and creamily-delicious recipe. 

I take the helm for this one, and Jill looks over my shoulder while continuing to clean-up our baking mess. Bless her. The only tricky part of this recipe is knowing when to pour the bubbling mixture into the buttered pan. The recipe intimates that one will intuit the precise moment--"when the sheen is just off" or something close to that. All I can really add is that experience is the best teacher. I know: Yadda, yadda... But, one does learn from failure. And, this stuff still tastes great no matter if it's hard or runny. Runny is best because then you just call it fudge sauce. 

A couple of additional tips: 1) you cannot double this recipe, 2) you must cut it before it's completely cool, then re-cut when cool, 3) I find my square 5"x5" pan is the perfect mold, but that size is almost impossible to find. Mine came from E. Dehillerin in Paris. 

A happy day for both Jill and I. 

We will need a batch of the Fudge for home consumption, and I want to try a batch of Peanut Butter Fudge. There's lots of frosting left for Molasses Sandwich Cookies (lemon frosting), and I've promised RvH Banana Bread and a few giant M+M cookies...

Dinner Last Night, Lunch Today...

-recipe-

CA calls this my Safety-Kleen week because I'm getting together two consecutive nights with a total of 4 former S-K co-workers. Tonight four couples met for dinner at BRS's home, and she made this recipe which she calls "Oprah's Potatoes" because the original recipe appeared in a Bob Greene cookbook. BG being Oprah's fitness guru.

This is just about a perfect side dish, or lunch, or anything. I might, from time-to-time, substitute Haricot Verts for the asparagus. Keeps the vivid coloration, but adds variety. I also put the tomatoes in at the same time as the asparagus, as I wanted them to caramelize a bit. Had some cooked almost to a jam consistency in Charleston last week and they were spectacular.

I contributed the Honeydew Melon Salad (I think this is a Williams Sonoma Taste recipe.) to the meal, and LL brought Mason Jar Keylime Pies. A lovely meal and evening.

I've used both mint and cilantro in this salad, at separate times. Not thinking of ever using dill, but would use basil in a pinch.

Whipping Cream Pound Cake

 

 

Seems I've been holding out on my readers... The VERY BEST pound cake ever conceived has never appeared on this blog. I've been making it forever--a recipe discovered (somewhere) by my good friend BB. I get very self-conscious when asked for the recipe, because this, my readers, is a heart attack on a plate.

 

Whipping Cream Pound Cake

12 oz. Butter, the real stuff

6 Eggs

3 cups Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla

3 cups Cake flour

Tiny pinch of salt (unless using salted butter)

1 cup Whipping cream, not beaten

 

1. Preheat oven to 350*F. Grease tube or Bundt pan with butter; dust with sugar.

2. With mixer, beat together butter and sugar until very smooth.

3. Add vanilla and eggs; beat until smooth.

4. Gradually (1/2 cup at a time) add flour, alternately with whipping cream. Beat until smooth and light--scraping sides.

5. Place on shelf just lower than middle of oven.

6. Bake for 1 hour, or until you smell the lusciousness, and a bamboo tester comes out clean. Do not over-bake.

 

We're having strawberry shortcake tonight, using locally-grown berries. And, I'm (finally) making the first jam of the summer.

 

The rhubarb goes into the freezer for a future (soon) strawberry-rhubarb pie.

 

I know this is the proper presentation for a Bundt-style cake...

 

But, I can never resist presenting this side, in all its rustic beauty.

 

 

I Needed a Big Smile

 

Habitually Chic posted this off-guard photo on a street in Paris. Reminded me of RvH and I--a (very) few years down the road.

 

RvH is the beautifully-put-together grande dame, while I shall remain quirky.

 

Love the adventures this implies.

 

Traveling

Embassy Suites, Downtown St. Paul

 

Six hours later, here we be.

 

Fun Kids arrived at 3:00pm yesterday as a stopover on their way to St. Paul for their Uncle Eric's wedding. Funness ensued...

 

So many sweet and fun moments in just a few hours plus a wake-up. Cars, skateboard, soccer, dog romping, exploring... This morning we made Monkey Bread and Orange Juliuses--family holiday traditions.

 

JE's family pulled out just after 8:00am, while CA and I hung around home until 1:30pm. Our evening is free, while the 5 of them have a command performance for the rehearsal and dinner. LE is one of two flower girls and MA is helping to officiate his brother's wedding.

 

The reception will be a Hootenanny, as the groom is a professional musician and many guests are also.

 

I believe "funness" will ensue.

 

I Love It When a Plan Comes Together!

 

 

So... It took me almost two weeks, but I finally got a gift together for a friend who's had a lot on her plate lately. First, I found the English teacup and saucer at a resale shop. Knew I wanted to fill it with flowers or a plant. 10 days ago I found the small pot of delicate Wandering Thyme at our local farmer's market.

 

After my jam making, biscotti baking session earlier this week I realized I had a theme.

 

After searching through my gift reserves, I found the perfect box to make it all come together. Then, ding-dong-ditch and the deed is done.

 

 

 

Fun project. Even if it did drag on a bit. The results were satisfying.

 

Brunch

Gorgeous day for brunch after church at Gibsons.

 

 

 

 

 

Services at Fourth Presbyterian.

www.pmainc.com

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chicagokatie/2791632854/

www.capturemychicago.com

 

 

Soup Today

Yep! It's soup. A week late (because CA and I got bad head colds last week), but 8 of us gathered today and made lots of soup:

Berta's Chicken Stock (1 batch)

Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup (3 batches)

Chile Verde (2 batches)

U.S. Senate Bean Soup (2 batches)

Chicken Pot Pies (3 batches)

And, for lunch we had the Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup and Creamy Carrot (4 batches) that I'd made yesterday. In the midst of all this, I put together some Southern Corn Bread (2 batches) with honey to enjoy with our soup lunch.

I'm exhausted, but happy. We had fun and everyone went home with several containers of soup and a pot pie or two, ready for the freezer or oven.

Oh, and I went crazy on Monday and spent way too much time shaping 3 cups of carrots into hearts for the Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup. Dang that Pinterest! I don't actually pin or follow, but a certain blogger linked to this nutso idea. Trust me, attaining the heart shape is much more difficult than advertised. Not so sure many of my guests noticed or appreciated my toils.

Is It Soup Yet?

On Tuesday the 22nd, six friends are coming over for 3 - 4 hours of soup making and lunch. I put together this list of possibilities taken straight from the recipes I gathered into a series of Excel worksheets a few years ago.

• U.S. Senate Bean Soup
• Vegetable Soup (w/ and w/out beef)
• Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup
• White Chicken Chili
• Creamy Carrot Soup
• Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
• Potage Sainte-Germain (the Magic Pan's pea soup--remember that crepe place!)
• Chile Verde (no beans, very meaty)
• Baked Potato Soup
• Black Bean Soup
• Toscana Soup (Macaroni Grill)

They are part of the recipe collection I printed on beautiful vellum and inserted into the above lovely recipe book, first for my daughter and daughter-in-law, and later for friends BB and RvH when they co-hosted a shower for JE's first baby.

 

I've decided that in the morning session, we'll make Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup, Chile Verde, and Chicken Pot Pie (an addition because the ingredients are almost identical to the CCPS). I'll teach the techniques of making homemade Chicken Stock (Silver Palate's Berta's), composing and properly browning a roué (Chile Verde), and peeling button mushrooms (both chicken recipes).

 

Since there are six attendees, 3 will sit at the counter while 3 assist in the prep. Don't worry--I plan to give the sitters a couple of tasks. We'll switch off for the afternoon session.

 

We'll break for a lunch of Creamy Carrot Soup (I'll pre-prepare), White Corn Bread, Sour Dough Rolls, and two cheeses with a side of Fig Preserves.

 

In the afternoon, we'll make U.S. Senate Bean Soup and Potage Sainte-Germain. The techniques I'll demonstrate will involve a quick trick to peel and crush fresh garlic, and the use of a mortar and pestle to make a paste of the garlic cloves and salt.

 

Each person will go home with a quart or two of three soups and a Chicken Pot Pie to serve 2 generously.

 

I've already got quarts and quarts of homemade chicken stock in my freezer. Now, I need to organize a grocery list, printout recipe copies (flash drives for the tech-savy), write a step-by-step pre-class itinerary, as well as a class-time itinerary. By Tuesday early morning, I'll have made the Creamy Carrot Soup and cornbread, browned the lean ground pork (Chile Verde), peeled and sliced a ton of carrots, and chopped a dozen sweet onions and a few celery bunches.

 

Don't worry... This is the kind of stuff where I excel. However, I will be wasted for at least three days after!

 

Peepsters

Today, RvH introduced us to Peepsters. Never knew she loves Peeps. I'm cool toward Peeps, although there are some good Easter memories involving Peeps.

 

The milk chocolate Christmas Peepsters were Yummy! I only ate 2...

 

Another Sunday in the City

RvH and I have decided to celebrate Christmas in Chicago today beginning with the 9:30am service at Fourth Presbyterian on North Michigan Avenue, brunch at Nordstrom's Cafe, window gazing and shopping at Nordstrom's, Nieman Marcus, Ralph Lauren, et al...

Someone may have purchased a turquoise beret at Nordstrom's... Cute!

We catch up on our lives and opinions, exchange Christmas gifts, and have a lovely day.

This evening is our Small Group's Christmas dinner, so I have to hustle around once I'm home to prepare a hot vegetable for our contribution--cauliflower, broccoli, carrots; sautéed onions,celery, cheese sauce (Velveeta and a bit of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup), buttered breadcrumbs... Voilà! (They lick up every bit--disappointing CA who was hoping for leftovers.)

I'm exhausted! Really exhausted, and I can't even sleep in tomorrow because LL wants an extra day at Health Bridge this week. Big idea... I make arrangements to meet a bit late--9:00am sounds good.

Sunday in the City

 

 

CA is visiting his mom in Central Illinois, so best friend RvH and I drive into Chicago for the early service at Fourth Presbyterian on North Michigan Avenue. Soul food. The best. Sets the mood for a fun and lovely day.

RvH needs some gift cards from American Girl and Victoria's Secret. I have a gift card at Nordstrom's and a secret. After a bit of subterfuge, we arrive at the pay-point in the lingerie department at Nordstrom's where I announce to RvH that a big part of her Christmas present this year from me is a bra-fitting appointment. Can't tell if she's tickled, scared, or game but she soon heads off with the fitter. After about 20 minutes RvH reappears--this time definitely tickled and convinced that every girl should have a proper fitting.

We follow our developing tradition and have brunch at the Cafe on the 3rd floor, stashing a chocolate-dipped macaroon (for me) and a big chocolate cookie (RvH) to enjoy later this evening.

It's after 4:00pm when I finally make it home--CA arrived home around 1:00pm. Long and lovely day with my friend followed by a leisurely evening with CA. No one needs dinner here tonight!

Austria

I was photographing my small antiques for Shop My Basement this morning, and when I opened this purse to check the markings I discovered it is Vienna Handwork.

Who knew all those years ago when I spotted this in an antiques mall (and my friend NF kindly surprised me with it) that we would have such a strong connection to Vienna.

Almost every trip to Europe we've made has included a landing in Vienna. That's just an hour from Bratislava--the long-time home of our son and his family.

When NF gave me this purse, she included a gift card with the sentiment:

When things are bad and getting worse,

keep cookie in your purse.

This lovely I'm keeping. For a long time. Thanks, NF.

New Nostalgia

Visit New Nostalgia, a brilliant blog by a beautiful young mom. Lots of wisdom, truth, and honest words.

I'm inspired by AB's story and encouraged by young moms like her who put such energy and creativity into their families lives.

The Way to a Man's Heart

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/dutch_baby/

Uncharacteristically, I am up before the sun and prepare a special breakfast for my Valentine: his own personal-sized Dutch Baby and brown sugar bacon; along with fresh orange juice and espresso.

By all measures CA should be extremely overweight. God bless his fantastic metabolism. Actually, he takes great care of himself and eats far less than ever in the years I've know him, but the man cannot resist good food. And, today is all about food.

Soon, my great friend LL and I head to Chicago for another of our food adventures. First stop is Jarosch in Elk Grove Village for butter cookies and brownies. We've plans to redistribute the wealth--sharing the edible goodies with friends and family. Jarosch Bakery's been a northwest Chicago suburban mainstay for over 50 years. Hope it never goes away.

Speaking of going away--in past years these edible adventures have typically included Ana, Ida and Me, Ricci's and Company, and Garrett Popcorn Shops, which have (sadly) gone out of business.

So today, we're mapping new destinations beginning with Jarosch, which LL has never visited.

After touring LL's sister DV's beautiful 4-story West Loop townhouse, we drive to the newish French Market for a long-awaited experience. FYI: The first hour of parking at the Metra Parking lot is complimentary when you spend $20 and present the required punch card.

This is an European market experience (extremely small Naschmarkt) and an immediate delight. I quickly find some rose-colored sea salt from Bolivia, our favorite tortillas, baguettes, Niçoise olives, and fresh ginger. LL opts for French-style macarons and croissants, while DV finds some gorgeous veal chops.

Miraculously, we pounce upon on-street parking just outside Club Lago for a fun Italian lunch. DV's delightful daughter works just across Superior and joins us. We laugh, tell stories, gossip, and relax into the experience. Lovely.

LL and DV conspire to shock me with a visit to Peoria Packing Butcher Shop--my first ever visit and I love it. The variety and freshness of the meat is unprecedented. I'll come back with CA someday with a cooler and ice.

A fine adventure--a day filled with wonderful food and fun friends.

(I decided not to share the photos I took as I realize they will be offensive to some. Although, I was dazzled by the details and overall experience. I'll just say that no single part of any critter raised for consumption was overlooked. Fantastic.)

ON THE ROAD, AGAIN

Are tu-tu can-cans tu-tu much?

Of course getting away is difficult. It's always hard to leave. I get organized, do a bit of laundry, feed the baby one more time, interact with the fun kids, mend a tear in the new baby sheet... Hard to leave. JL power packs and repacks her belongings in the cargo area. We've separated our stuff--mine's in the backseat. It just gets too confusing inter-mingled.

We check and re-check for left behind stuff, but I still manage to leave my rain jacket and scarf. JL leaves her camera flash drive and some foodstuffs...

I drive the whole trip to central Illinois. We stop along the way for lunch just west of Des Moines at The Cheesecake Factory. We're all about great food. I order Sheperd's Pie and JL orders the lunch portion of meatloaf. The bread is fantastic and we eat every crumb. We're hungry! So, so good! I've got leftovers for tonight, and JL orders a white chocolate-raspberry truffle cheesecake to take to the Nofsingers.

While our waiter sorts out some mis-communication regarding our cheesecake order, I succumb to the temptation for a slice of cheesecake to-go. Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cake Cheesecake. To-die-for. Worth ever calorie. Enough for 4. A layer of chocolate cake, a layer of caramel with peanuts, a layer of plain cheesecake--then repeat. Covered with chocolate butter creme; topped with rosettes of peanut butter butter creme;coated with chopped up milk chocolate pieces. Oh, and garnished with two huge s oops of whipped cream. Kill me now! I may never eat again.

We drive onward with little to distract us now, arriving just after 5:30pm in Washington, IL at GJ's. She invites me to dinner, and of course I accept. She's made meatloaf and planned cheesecake for dessert! We laugh. She hasn't made meatloaf in two years, and today we each had a version for lunch. Good news--we love meatloaf aand hers is delicious. I leave befor dessert. I mean, who can even consider dessert after what we ate this afternoon!

GiGi is patiently waiting for me when I arrive in Eureka. I'm frantically making phone calls to track down RvH. I haven't heard from her since Saturday morning and I've tried several times to reach her at various times of the day when she's usually home. I'm sure she's o.k., but just in case she's laying in a heap on her floor, I really need to find her.

Eventually she answers her phone before I've alarmed anyone with my search. Just a combination of appts. and activities have coincided to make her unavailable. I tell her we have to set up a system for her own safety. She lives alone and is easily susceptible to a fall or injury. Pondering a plan...

I fall into bed and a sound sleep just about 8:30pm.

LUNCH WITH FRIENDS

Bento Box Lunch--half eaten.

Caterpillar Roll

Today is less complicated than expected. LL had to cancel HB, so I have the morning to get ready for friends, RvH is coming at 10:30am, then we'll meet KT at The Golden Roll for lunch at noon. RvH has a doctor's appt. this afternoon and KT is working, so RvH will spend the morning with me at my house, and KT will spend the afternoon.

 RvH wants to see the redecorating updates. She approves and has a few suggestions, at this point she's living vicariously, but to tell the truth, her home is lovely.

Surprisingly, RvH loves TGR. She's a finicky eater--think Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally. No cold cheese in salads. Absolutely no onions. Coffee scalding hot (I agree with this one.). No grape or cocktail tomatoes--too much skin. It goes on and on, and I love her in spite of and because of her finickiness.

Never having had sushi before our last visit together, she loved the Bento box lunch and bragged about her adventure for weeks. Turns out KT is an initiate to sushi today, so we lead her along the pathway. She's better than me, as she likes raw salmon and tuna.

We're all dazzled and satiated. A fun, fun lunch. The conversation never lags. KT works online a lot, so we're able to visit and work--well, she works while I make lists and play Solitare. I love retirement! KT and I decide we need to get together more often. Somewhere in there, I pull put some of LL and RvH's hand-me-downs and KT scores a brown leather jacket and two sweaters. RvH has lost 30 lbs. And doesn't plan to go looking for them ever again, so she's passed along a ton of clothing--some with price tags attached.

 CA has a soccer game tonight, and I'm happy to be home with a good book and some junk t.v. Tomorrow starts a very busy travel-entertainment schedule and I'm happy for time to relax.

TAKING CARE OF MARIELLE

Today is my scheduled personal services day. No, I'm not referring to serving humanity, today I'm having a tune-up. Mani-pedi-haircut-touch-up, but my hair person's dad dies suddenly of a heart attack, so the hair stuff is postponed. Before the noon appt. I have a 9:45am doctor appt. and then a stop at Ambrosia for coffee. I hadn't been sure whether they were doing blood work this morning, so I fasted overnight. Ambrosia is the reward. Love their Ambrosia blend coffee, especially with the fresh whipped cream.

iPhone photos don't do it justice...

I'm a good girl this morning and manage to ignore all immediate temptation. I do buy two baguettes, muffins (zucchini, bran, blueberry, and cranberry) for the freezer at home. I realize time has gotten away from me but manage to get to Swanky Spa (can you believe the name?!) just on time. Having my hands and toes done is scrumptiously relaxing. By the time I'm finally home I'm starving and exhausted. Good thing there's time for a bit of relaxing reading and a little tiny nap before heading back to CL to meet BB at the new Three Oaks Park.

The walking paths don't link up in any circular pattern, but BB and I manage to get a workout. Lovely site. Three Oaks Recreation Area. This was a stone quarry and in exchange for allowing the access roads to be closed for several years, the owners turned over the site to the City for recreational purposes. I look forward to bringing grandchildren and friends here next summer.