Vegetables

So several family members, friends and myself are doing a Biggest Loser Challenge. Not only to lose weight but to have better eating habits. This includes drinking more water, getting more rest and eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables.

So on the topic of vegetables Patty and I had a hilarious discussion about her childhood and veggies on the way home from shopping. I'm paraphrasing here so Patty if you want to send me edits I'm make the changes.

"So mom, about the only vegetables your served us were canned green beans, mixed frozen vegetables, corn and when you wanted to get really fancy you'd nuke some carrots and then put brown sugar and butter on them. Once I started out on my own I found out I liked lots of different vegetables like brussel sprouts and my kids really like them too!"

Yes - I had a lot of trouble incorporating vegetables in an interesting and inviting way. It always seems easier to just open up the can or bag. I think I served a lot of brocoli too.

So how to handle the Biggest Loser challenge? V-8 low sodium juice. Only 2 1/2 cups and I've hit my 5 servings!

What are the vegetables I'll eat: corn, peas, brocoli, sugar snap peas, asparagus, artichokes (probably don't really count), carrots, red and yellow bell peppers (much better than green), spinach (prefer raw), cabbage (again raw preferred), potatoes, beets, tomatoes, endive, lettuce (probably doesn't count either), jimaca, parsnips, edemama .... mmmm can't think of any other veggies.

Hopefully the next generation - my granchildren - will have better veggie role models. Sounds like Patty is already seting a new standard.

What is your favorite vegetable?

Late Night at the Museum

When I moved to Dallas I decided I would take advantage of local activities and really try to get to know the city. I joined both the Dallas Museum of Art and the Arboretum. With the number of times I've gone I have already more then paid for the memberships.

Last night was "Late Nights" at the DMA. "The Art doesn't go home why should you?". The place was packed and we had to park at an office building across the street. Luckily it was the office of the person I was with. More on that later.

Food, activities, dance and music was going on all over the museum. We listened to Grammy winners Brave Combo a nuclear polka band. So much fun! It was also the museums 25th birthday. The DMA is part of an overall plan to create an Arts district in downtown Dallas - 44 acres of museums, parks, sculpture, opera, symphony etc. The city is currently working on a park that will be above the freeway in front of the museum. That should be really nice.

Side note: TX freeways are either at ground level or below rather then up above like in California.

So - part of my getting to know Dallas is trying to put myself out there and meet new people. At a movie I went to prior to the holidays I met a woman who works at a company that does a United Way Campaign. We exchanged cards saying maybe we should get together. Well, I sent her an e-mail and she went with me. It was nice to get to know her a bit more, but we probably won't become best friends. Not really enough common ground. I will say it was super sweet of her to come along.

It has been harder to make friends in a new city then I thought it would be. It can sometimes feel a bit lonely. But when that happens I just think about all the blessings I have like 4 wonderful children, 3 son-in-laws and 5 grandchildren. I also have some wonderful friends in the other cities I've lived in and I so appreciate their love and support!

Well, have a great day. I'm off to Curves! xo

Sisters

Yes, it has been 21 days since Christmas but I have a few pictures I haven't put up yet related to my trip over the holidays so you'll have to bear with me.

I was able to spend quite a bit of time with my sister over the holiday. She is 7 years younger then I am, has one son who is 7 years old, is a manager at a boutique bakery/market, loves tatoos and I love her a lot. My mom loved dressing us alike, especially for Easter and Christmas. I think when I turned 9 or 10 I told my mom no more dressing like my little sister. I think I spoiled a lot of fun for my mom - sorry mom.

While visiting her we went on 2 hikes (one short, one longer) had some great meals, saw Sherlock Holmes (great movie), did some cleaning at her house and just hung out.

This is a picture of us in the lobby of the wonderful Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, CA. One of the few remaining theaters complete with giant Wurlizter Organs that comes up through an opening in the stage. It has an Egyptian revival style - very gorgeous theater.

Love you lots sister! xox

Birthday near Baltimore

Malan Goodsen turned 4 years old on January 9, 2010! She selected her theme: Fancy Nancy and designed her cake. Yes - it is totally true. Malan selected the colors of the cake, hearts, stars and the pearls around the edges. She rolled out the fondant, cut out the pieces, painted the backs and carefully placed each piece. Her aunt Becky made her name and Malan insisted it stand up around the edges. I brought all the stuff for the cake in my suitcase from Dallas, borrowed from Aunt Becky. The special letters I carried carefully in my purse - making it safely through TSA security. I made each little girl a pink or purple tutu skirt. Each young lady designed a special necklace - played pin the dot on the lady bug - had mini sandwiches - read Fancy Nancy stories - danced to music and ate mini-cupcakes. It was a blast! Enjoy some fun pictures.

OKC New Year

So I wrote about now becoming an A-lister. My trip to Oklahoma City was really the one that put me over. We had a nice relaxing time hanging out. Friday we went out shopping and went to lunch at Souper Salad.

In this picture you can see how interested Alyssa is in her mommy's sundae. A few minutes later she had her entire fist in the bowl and had us all cracking up! We think she will not be as picky an eater as her older brother (cross your fingers!)

On the other hand I'm not sure exactly what Eli wanted to eat. Finally at the end we discovered the plain cone was just what he was wanting. Go figure.


















On Saturday we went to a really cool indoor playspace. Adults were free and kids had the option on playing on a huge play structure that was shaped like a giant fort. There was also a big pirate ship. Allyssa looks right at home on the little car and have you ever seen a cuter pirate! Love the boots!

Being a grandma is the best!!!!!

A-Lister!

So - tonight I became an A-Lister ... Southwest Airlines preferred flyer. I will now be one of the first 15 on the plane - be able to go to the "fly-by lane" for security.

How did I become an A-lister? By making 16 round trip flights in 12 months. SWA never lost my luggage - yes I ALWAYS check my bags (they are free) - except one time I was running a little late and my bag didn't make the flight. However, SWA gave me $50 flight credit for the inconvience.

Where did I go? Albuquerque (4), Baltimore (3), Dallas (2), Las Vegas, Oakland, Oklahoma City (2), Orange County (2), Raleigh and Reno.

Best Food options: Baltimore

Best Security: Albuquerque
Best Restrooms: Baltimore
Best Baggage: Albuquerque
Worst Baggage: Dallas/Oakland

See you in the air!

More Christmas Stuff

When I was a little girl every Christmas we would travel from Tucson to the Bay area for christmas at Nana Hart's. Nana was my mom's mother and she had the most wonderful house for having christmas activities. All would gather for Christmas Eve dinner. The tradition has carried forth and now the families in the Bay area rotate as hosts. This year it was my Aunt Ginny who lives in Piedmont.

We had a wonderful dinner: Marinated tri-tip roast, salmon with caper sauce, roasted vegetables, raspberry mixed green salad, rolls and too many desserts. My Aunt Barbara and Uncle Joe from SLC were also there as well as my cousin Kevin and his sweet family, cousin Steven and Karen, my brother Michael, mom and my sister Rebecca and her son Tiberius and husband David (aka Cornman). It was a lovely night.