"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Whole grains and fruit are making me smile today . . . yes, that's right: whole grains and fruit !!! For the past 2 weeks, I've been in Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet . . . that's the one where you eat only lean protein, low-fat dairy, and veggies for 2 whole weeks . . . NO CARBS OR SUGAR !!! So this is what I spent a bit of time doing during Phase 1:

Yes, I'm inhaling the wonderful scent of wheat bread . . . it never smelled so good !!! Now that I'm onto Phase 2, I can actually EAT a serving of it, as well as a serving of fruit ! Oh, sweet strawberries, I'm back !! Never did I think I'd be so excited by whole wheat and fruit !!!

I'm not a fad diet type of person at all . . . this is actually the first time I've tried such a plan. But I felt like I needed to do something, anything, to get me out of my stress-eating phase . . . lots of work stress + emotional feeding frenzies = tight clothes and more stress !! So I decided to give the South Beach plan a try . . . and I've been really happy with the results. I've lost about 6 pounds so far . . . nothing earth-shattering, but enough to have things fitting better and people noticing a difference. Most importantly, I FEEL a lot better . . . healthier, more energetic, and in control of my eating, instead of being a slave to my chocolate cravings ! So hopefully in the next few months, I can lose a bit more and get into a bit better shape . . . especially with the motivation of our upcoming cruise . . . happy in a bathing suit, that's my goal !!!

Here's to healthier habits . . . and whole wheat bread !!!

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

A sweet gift from the garden is making me smile today ! For the last few summers, a co-worker and I have been trying to successfully dry hydrangeas . . . we've tried hanging them upside down to dry, putting them in a vase with a bit of water and letting them dry from there, etc, all with no luck. Mind you, neither of us actually have hydrangeas in our yard . . . we sneak out after work, scissors in hand, and cut them from the neighboring medical office's border that faces our parking lot . . . so of course our pilfered flowers won't dry right !!! What I've come to realize is that these are problably of a variety that don't dry well. Lesson learned.




Lo and behold, I get a call last week from another co-worker (and learned gardener !) to let me know she'd cut some of her hydrangeas for me dry . . . . . and these are foolproof, thank God ! So now I have lovely hydrangeas on my porch (above), and in an ironstone pitcher in our living room. What a sweet and beautiful gift !!!!!

Another reason to smile today . . . 5 months from now, Jack and I will be on one of these !
We had decided around the holidays last year to treat ourselves to a cruise for our 10th anniversary this year. We were aiming to go this November, but our plans got put on hold when one of my other front office co-workers got pregnant, and is due in November. After a trying and often dismal-feeling spring and summer, with no nice vacation in sight, we were finally able to book our getaway for January !!! YAY !!!!!! Let the countdown to the Caribbean begin . . . !



Very thankful today for gifts both small and large !!!!

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

When asked by my wife to contribute to today's blog entry, I (the husband, Jack) wanted to continue with her weekly theme of chronicling those things that make us smile, bring joy to our lives, and otherwise make our days just a bit more tolerable. As I reflected upon the possibilities that such a blank slate provided, it dawned on me that inspiration can come from the most ubiquitous of items, namely, my car stereo (& mp3 player, for that matter). Because for the past week, the only music that has graced the ears of this rather discerning musician has been that of Rochester's own Teagan Ward.


I was introduced to Teagan's music several months ago by her father, Bob Ward, & began attending several of her shows around the Rochester area where, as a fellow musician, I was immediately impressed by her skills as both a songwriter and a performer. Having been blessed with an absolutely gorgeous voice, she delivers each lyric with a passion and conviction that is initially unexpected from someone only twenty years old. Yet she has quickly become one of my favorite vocalists as a result, and considering that the standard for female vocalists is set by Karin Bergquist of Over the Rhine fame, praise such as this is not thrown around lightly!

With the recent release of her first CD, Teagan has provided her fans with a dozen original songs that showcase her immense talent and musicianship. It is truly one of those rare CDs where I find myself absolutely captivated by each and every song, getting lost in the lyrics, haunting melodies, and that incredible voice (there’s no skipping around to just the “good ones” on this CD). A few samples of her work can be found on her myspace page, as well as on the accompanying page for her band, the Tweeds. I can’t recommend enough that everyone check out her music, and should anyone be interested in getting a copy of her CD, just let me know and I’ll be happy to obtain one from either Teagan or her dad. Enjoy!

Milestone

Today is our 10th anniversary !!!

I just can't believe how fast the time has gone, how young we were (and looked !) 10 years ago, and how we've grown. It is a true blessing to be married to your best friend . . . it is a haven, a gift from God.

One decade down, and many more ahead !!!

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Farm fresh fruits and veggies are making me smile today !

Maybe it's the urge to cook and bake and nest to calm my brain . . . or this book that I've been reading . . . or the beautiful colors of the produce . . . but I had to get some !!! Unfortunately, my veggie garden has produced nothing but lettuce (it's a start !), so I had to wander next door to our neighbor's little farmstand and do some shopping . . .
Beautiful tomatoes, green peppers, and cukes for gazpacho !!

And lovely blueberries for muffins, of course !!!!

Hopefully a happy, healthy start to the week !!!

Weary Wednesday

My job has been leaving me weary of late . . . actually, for quite some months now . . . and more busyness and craziness is just beginning !! I struggle these days with leaving it all behind me when I walk out the door at night to come home . . . all the worries of the day and the upcoming days are getting to me, and playing games with my stomach and my sleeping habits !! I keep trying to find some balance, the yin to my workday yang . . . and that can be a struggle, too. When all else fails, just traipsing barefoot around the yard for a bit is soothing . . . and seeing that one of my very favorite flowers is FINALLY starting to bloom !

LOVE the black-eyed susans . . . so much that I even have one tattooed on my hip (tried to take a picture of that for the blog . . . not so good !!) !!! I'm glad they've decided to finally come out . . . I needed the little boost of seeing them finally blooming ! Hoping that less stressful work days will also be making an appearance soon, too . . . . !!!!!!