Looking for Relief

2012-01-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

In September, Seymour and I took a lovely mini vacation to Vail. An old friend of Seymour's let us use her condo and we had a BLAST! We rode the gondola up to the top of the mountain where we rock climbed and rode horses. we took lots of walks through beautiful country. Took a long drive where The aspens were at their glorious best. We visited a living museum of an old west town in South Park ( yes THE South Park) and ate in some lovely restaurants. Perfect VaCa

Seymour said this looked just like Switzerland

2011-12-11T09:54:00.001-07:00

Last time I updatd I said I wasn't posting because nothing was relaly gong on. now I have so many upsates that I'm not posting because i don't know where to START! an embarresment of riches!

starts with a mini vaation we took to Vail at the end of september than on to the Halloween exxtravaganza--two parties at the dome!

then thanksgiving in Oergon with Seymour's family and then

My 60th birthday party with all the gang and agina a party at the DOME! whew! i am gathering up photos and will be posting from ALLthe above. I promise.

updates

2011-09-05T11:26:00.001-06:00

that last post was an error--I thought I was composing it on my recipe site and then realized--after posting it--thatit was here instead--I decided to leave it here ( and put it on the recipe site as well..)

I haven't posted for quite a while--nothing changes much from day to day it seems. I work and take care of the house and talk to the kids and visit with the grands. and its all good and lovely--but not really exciting to talk about!!!!

I do have three whole days off in a row due to the holiday--that's pretty exciting to me!!!!

stuff I have done this summer: fixed, painted and remodeled a bathroom--it had some water damage but now is all beautiful--new vanity and everything.

we put up a small above ground pool and I have been loving that-- swimming everyday. we got it up late and it is almost time to take it down for the season--but it will be easy to set up again in the spring so... I have been wanting to get one for years and we finally found one ( at Big Lots on sale) for a very good price. The grands have been over a bunch to swim and that's been fun too.

the garden is doing well--we have nice tomatoes and sweet corn. some cucumbers and of course zuchinni and the chard-my favorite--is still producing well. in fact i think I'll make a chard quiche today. so very yummy!

my newest hobby is making a doll house. Also something that I have wanted to do for years. (and years and years) I realized after starting it this spring that it really is a winter hobby--too much to do outside to want to spend time in the house. we tend to stay out till way after dark because the weather has been so very beautiful this last month.

but the little house waits' til the cold settles in and then I'll be working on that. I already have some fabulous things for it --(the CUTEST little push lawn mower,and a wringer wash tub and a clawfoot bathtub.....LOL) I don't know why I find miniatures so fascinating; I just do!

that is all for now. i'll try and be better about updates!

Chocolate chip cookies/coconut flour

2011-09-05T10:16:00.004-06:00

I have been experimenting of late with new recipes using coconut flour instead of almond flour--lower in carb with a better fatty acid/nutreint profile and gives a very nice result too.

these turned out GREAT. the first chocolate chip cookie that is worthy of the name I think; better than any other on this site!

preheat oven to 375 F

1/2 cup oat flour
1/4 cup coconut flour plus 1 tablespoon
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup poly d fiber
1/2 cup salted butter
1/4 cup xylitol ( or erythritol)
12-18 drops liquid splenda ( 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar equivalent)
scant 1/4 tsp molasses
1-2 teaspoons vanilla to taste
1 egg
approx 1 cup sugar free choc chunks--I used two chocoperfection dark choc bars cut into chunks

( all the "odd" ingredients are available at my local heath food store with the exception of poly D and the chcolate bars. I get these at netrition.com. The other ingredients are also available from that site if you cannot get them locally. Chocoperfection has its own site as well but the shipping is higher than from netrition.)

combine oat flour, coconut flour, baking powder and poly D fiber in a bowl. Melt butter with xylitol and molasses ( i use the microwae for this), whisk together well , add the splenda then beat in the egg. Add wetingredients to the dry ones and stir well to combine. stir in the chocolate chunks. the dough will be fairly runny at this point. let the dough rest for several minutes till thick--it takes a minute or two for the coconut flour to soak up the moisture and thicken.

bake at 375F for 10 to 12 minutes until nicely browned. The cookies will spead a LOT so leave room. I baked only 5 at a time on parchment paper. When hot the cookies are a bit fragile so let them cool a bit before transferring to a cooling rack. Once cool these were a bit crunchy on the edges and a bit chewy in the middle and tasted--well--like chocolate chip cookies!!!!!!

2011-03-13T11:41:00.011-06:00

This production of Harvey is turning out to be one of the premiere experiences of my life in the Theatre! It doesnt' happen often when the all the elements combine to make a practically perfect, lovely moment--but it is happening with this play (wonderful amazing collaborative cast, excellent director, great crew, lovely set, perfect costumes...) and last night specifially was one of those stellar occurances that I want to remember always. We had a Standing room only crowd ( 98 people in a 75 seat house!) of mostly fellow theatre professionals--and they were a brilliant audience--laughing,long and loud in all the right places and listening intently when it was important to listen--truly appreciative and knowing...and it was some of the most fun I've ever had on stage...ever! it is absolutely magical! and then about forty people went out to party with all of us and and the magic continued " as the evening wore on")

so i'm making yesterday's date--march 12 2011 in my books as one of the best nights of my life!

here are a few more pictures for your delectation

Spotlight Theatre Presents HARVEY

2011-02-25T14:32:00.001-07:00

I pretty proud of our theatre for producing such a great promo--I think it is awesome!

2011-02-03T13:42:00.006-07:00

I'm having the best time rehearsing for Harvey! here are some publicity pictures we took last night.
I LOVE my Hat!!!!

past time

2011-01-18T13:03:00.003-07:00

it is...Its way past time for an update.

It was a glorious holiday season this year and I'm ashamed of myself for not documenting it better--but I was Living it!!!!...right???

its almost ridiculous how much good stuff has been going on. Hannukah was wonderful--lots of good food and featuring zhu zhu pets for all the grands--what hilarity!

went off the Wash D.C. to spend Christmas with Ashley and her husband Scott. lovely time, good food ( toffee, fudge cookies)--great company.. fun silly gifts.

back home just in time to start rehearsals for Harvey--one of my dream roles. truly a super fun cast and its going to be a great show.

that brings us up to the present.

bad stuff--Ashley is in Afghanistan for 6 months and I'm too fat ( all that good food!) but thats about it for bad--so all in all its starting off a great year!

2010-11-28T17:48:00.007-07:00

the turkey is now a carcass dedicated for the soup pot. Kids, grandkids, laundry and luggage ( "kits, cats, sacks and wives") have departed. the house is sooo quiet!!!! Thanksgiving 2010 is tucked away. and what a holiday it was:

this is the " Norman Rockwell" pose before taking it back to the kitchen to carve it up!

three tables full ( is that anything like 3 bags full?) with the required kids table:

Attendees: Daughter Reni and husband Abe and their 5
Daughter Patience, husband Matt and their 4
son Caleb with son Max ( age 4)
Sons Zach and Seth
daughter Ashley and husband Scott
my sister Stacey
Seymour's son Marc
and Seymour and me!--that's 23.

notable food in addition to the usual players included a chipotle cream sweet potato casserole that was LOVED by all , and a corn pudding that will NOT be invited back; 7 desserts including a to-die-for chocolate cake made by Ashley. ( yes, of course we had pumpkin pie too--and pecan and two kinds of cheesecake and banana cream too!)

next post: all the other crazy activities of the week end including museums and skating and danceparties and lots of games of Nertz

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-19T08:53:00.000-07:00

I am oh so very excited for Thanksgiving this year. Ashley and Scott are coming from D.C,( arriving TOMORROW!!!!!) Reni and Zach from Utah and Caleb and Max from Cali.-- with Pace and Seth here that makes about 21 for Dinner-- 10 of 'em grand-blessings WHOO HOO!!!! hope to have lots of pictures to post after the dust settles!

results so far

2010-10-21T07:59:00.001-06:00

I've been doing well on the new program.--for example,
Friday bike ride,
Sat weights plus swimming,
Sunday 1 1/2 hour bike ride with Seymour-
took monday off,
Tuesday: weights work out plus some leisurely swimming in a bathwater warm pool-(heaven)
Wed: hours walk through the glorious Fall morning weather.
today: bike ride
and
Friday night contra Dancing!!!!! yeah baby!
I think I'm going to get some in line skates next to add another level of play to the activities list
the 2 guiding principles here are 1: this has to be for the rest of my days--and thus 2: it better be fun--or I won't be able to keep it up!
The REALLY good news is the scale is down a bit--maybe 2 pounds over a couple of weeks--but my MEASUREMENTS are down as well. 2 whole inches off my hips already! according to the body fat calculators that means I have lost 8 pounds of fat and gained 6 pounds of muscle. pretty cool.

I should probably also say that I have totally cut out grains and sugar--but I've done that before without seeing much happen--but the combination of that plus the exercise is making the difference I think. also got a new thyroid prescription and added some herbal adrenal support--so.. the gestalt of it is working well--and I feel fantastic! yippee!!!

so far

2010-10-15T08:52:00.000-06:00

I have been doing well --about a week and a half into new exercise program--I have taken Thursdays as my day off and have biked or walked or lifted ( or DANCED) every day, not up to time or speed yet but just trying to show up everyday I've promised myself to. found a great weight room at one of the rec centers that is close by--and they have an super indoor pool as well so--I did my lifting routine and then hung out in the pool for awhile as a treat. ( two pools actually --an one is a big family pool with a big twisting slide--what a hoot!)

I'm trying to make the routine as FUN as possible. if I have to do this for the rest of my life, it CANNOT feel like work! Luckily--I do love to lift--makes me feel like a bad-ass!

now off to ride my bike in the beautiful fall weather. and TOMORROW I'm going Dancing!

Exercise

2010-10-06T09:07:00.000-06:00

I bought a bike yesterday!!!!!

I just finished ready a wonderful ( though scary in a way) book called "younger next year, for women" about the need to exercise 6 days a week basically...to keep telling your cells that you are alive and want to stay that way!

SIX DAYS A WEEK!!!... 4 days of doing something for 45min to an hour ( thats minimum you can go longer if you can and want to) that makes you sweat ( Zumba would qualify wouldn't it Annie? I may look for a class here!!!), and 2 days lifting weights.

the four days should mix it up and be something you like--so some days a walk or a hike, some days an aerobics class, or an evening square dancing or....whatever. hence the bike!

I've always liked the IDEA of bike riding- zooming around in the beauty of nature etc etc but usually hated the real deal--because I was so uncomfortable the whole time. WELL.. found out yesterday I have never ridden a bike that FITS me!! ( plus--ridden what they call a "comfort" bike--with the handle bars much HIGHER than the seat so you just sit up straight and don't have to lean over and put pressure on your back and shoulders ( not to mention those oh-so-delicate lady parts) I am so not interested in acheiving aerodynamic posture of a racer to gain a half second on one's opponent!!!LOL I just wanna have fu-un!

I also joined the rec center...2 miles tops from my house ( so I can bike there!) with a nice weight room and an indoor pool.

of course--I was gonna take my first bike ride this morning and it's cold and threatening rain! so should I go swim or lift instead? hmmm

one perfect day

2010-09-26T18:28:00.000-06:00

to sightly misquote one of my favorite authors* this day had about it the "patina of a perfect thing" and I want to remember it always

to start the weather was as glorious as only a fall day in the Colorado Rockies can be. perfectly clear deep deep blue sky. temperature in the low 80-'s with a slight breeze.

We drove (top down in the z3 of course) up to eldorado springs and took a hike on one of the trails in the canyon. lovely trail, npt too strenuous, dappled sun and shade lots of lovely lichen covered boulders to rest on when the need arouse. aspen trees starting to color in the high country. gorgeous views. after hiking down we sat by the river and had a lunch--salami and cheese sandwiches, grapes and apples but with the added savor of appetite and the beauty of a rocky Mountain trout stream --aaahhhhh. then I took off my shoes to wade a bit ( and quickly put them back on--wet shoes being a smaller price to pay than bruised feet!!!--or slipping on the rocks and totally falling IN the water) Seymour waded across and then took a nap while I savored the river for a bit

I do so love everything about a rushing stream. I think it may be that some of my most cherished childhood memories were of a family cabin in the utah rockies--where a rocky rushing stream figured very large. but I felt so lovely and spiritual and even joyfully tearful sitting a on a big rock in the middle of a small waterfall with my feet in the water! something about the sound and the light--I don't know....but I love it.

after leaving Eldorado we took the scenic route home --and I do mean scenic--through golden gate canyon state park--up above 10,000 feet and the aspens up that high are in glorious full fall color. just breathtaking. then down through the little gambling towns of Black Hawk and Central City where we stopped for soda and Ice cream and the woman behind the counter came straight out of central casting for colorful characters--cigarette hanging from her lip, raspy voice and rode hard/put up wet quality to boot--too awesome!!!!

"oh what is so rare as a day in *September*, then, if ever, come perfect days!!!! " and it was.

(we took a camera but took very few pictures--I'll try and add a couple when I get them off Seymour's camera.)

*the quote is from " Hill Towns" by Anne River Siddons and the quote is actually"...that meal has still about is the patina of a perfect thing" and is referring to a dinner in Rome

"Showtune"

2010-09-13T08:02:00.001-06:00

Nice Review on my current show in the Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/theater/ci_16051854

september, ah september

2010-09-12T09:34:00.000-06:00

It isn't QUITE Fall here, but the mornings are getting chilly-and a few trees are looking like they are getting ready to turn-- and the kiddos are all back in school so Fall is in the air. Last night we had an impromptu cookout with Patience, Seth and the Grands--the weather was absolutely perfect--the last hurrah of the summer I guess. it was a little bit of heaven--the smell of the coals plus grilling burgers, and corn on the cob-- and the sun going down in a cloudless sky. lovely.

I'm too busy as usual but things are starting to slow down so I have time to breathe and start planning the Holiday festivities. I did sort things out better this year so I'm not going to be doing a show during the hols--much more better than last year!!!

the show I AM doing is going well--got over some vocal problems that I was having and am enjoying performing. Once one show closed and I was only having to deal with this one and not both--everything improved a bit!

Got lots of good stuff to look forward to--Ashley and her husband are coming here for Thanksgiving, and Seymour and I are going to her new house in Maryland for Christmas. and there's the Halloween party coming up soon too--already looking at creepy food recipes and stocking up on more decorations!

I do LOVE the Fall!

2010-08-18T08:24:00.004-06:00

My gorgeous granddaughters, Seth's girls Paola and Bianca, have been visiting for 2 weeks
its been so fabulous having them here! they left Tueday morning and now it's so quiet!!!

they hung out with all the cousins (all being Patiences' four--Calvin, Rigel, Lennon and Bailey Seymour's grandsons Leo and Noah. Gusti here from Utah with Kira and even Grampy was here for a few days!!)--They went to the zoo and the butterfly Pavilion, went swimming and played in the park-and had a final cookout with EVERYONE here at the Dome

left to right Lennon, Calvin in back, s Paola, Gusti's Kira, Bianca holding Bailey, Rigel in back, and Leo and Noah looking cool!

this picture was taken AFTER the S'mores ( hundreds and hundreds of s'mores) so it was hard to get everyone to hold still--and there is a lot of marshmallow goo still happening LOL)

I'll pst more pictures soon!

Summer fun

2010-07-26T08:26:00.000-06:00

It's been a really busy summer for me--too busy--not enough summer fun time! and not ONE THING planted in the garden or one weed pulled. it is astonishing how quickly the wilderness takes over!!!!!!!

Hobby Lobby remains what it is --full time hours are good--I like the bigger paychecks for sure.

the play "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" has been a joy. great audiences, 5 stars reviews, wonderful castmates--it's the highlight of the summer for me.

just got cast in a new show and am already in rehearsal for that--"Showtune" a musical review of Jerry Herman's musicals ( Mame, Hello Dolly, LaCage aux Folle) so...everyday but Sunday there is some theatre going on. I kinda collapse on sundays--good thing Hobby Lobby is closed too!!

not enough time with the grandkids. not enough time at home ( housework? what housework?)

I Have started watercolor painting--this I love! done a few that I'm pretty pleased with--when I find my camera I'll post some pictures or them.

I (honestly) never thought i could do this. tried a tree many years ago and it was a disaster, so I just didn't go there. but I always wanted to be able to create watercolors--cuase I LIKE them so much!

well-- maybe I learned something in the last 30 years without realizing it!

anyway--I pomise to post a few examples soon!

Hobby Lobby Joy

2010-05-28T09:15:00.000-06:00

I am very pleased to report that I received full time status at Hobby Lobby yesterday-this means a raise from $8 to $11 an hour PLUS benefits--like insurance options and paid vacation. I have a real job for the first time in...maybe..EVER! LOL.
this is awesome news because I have been working my tuchas off getting the frame shop in good working order and somebody noticed..How often does THAT happen???

The real benefit is that I love my job-- artsy, craftsy, plus power tools!!!!!

2010-05-10T09:02:00.000-06:00

had a FANTASTIC Mother's Day WEEKEND this year!!! on Saturday with Patience: High Tea, then shoe shopping, Then Mimosas and then the Tattered Cover !!!!!! on Sunday went to a matinee of the Play "The Rainmaker"--wonderful production of a favorite play (starring a friend of mine)--and then Dinner at Texas de Brasil--a Brazilian steakhouse--where servers dressed as gauchos bring around skewers of different kinds of yummy meat and you eat til you puke!!! fabulous!

hope all you mother's had good times as well!

Tubing!!!!

2010-04-01T09:46:00.000-06:00

Yeasterday Patience and I took her 3 boys snow tubing!!! we had the most bestest time!

sonw tubing has been our CHRISTMAS tradition for about 17 or 18 years and we have missed only about 3 years in that span--due to weather (or the fact that I was in Pennsyvania at grad school)

In the olden days we went on Christmas day--more recently we switched to Christmas eve or thereabouts as married kids have different obligations etc. etc--- THIS year we could not find a suitable day near the holidays at all so we kinda gave it up but Patience's boys did NOT!! they kept asking.....so we finally were able to go during their spring break.

We go up to the Winter Park area to the Frasier Tubing hill and it is just about the best time ever!!!!!! Spring Tubing was different than winter tubing--we went late in the day when the slightly melted snow has a chance to freeze over--by the end of our time the hill was very fast but the air temp was still comfortable and walking through the slushy puddles on the way to the lift were great fun for the youngest, Lennon--who kept falling down on purpose ( in his waterproof snowsuit!)

great times!

2010-03-25T11:19:00.000-06:00

since I have absolutely nothing to report, I've been playing with my blog background and colors--finally found one I think I will be able to stand for more than a day!!!!

we have snow!!

we are getting a new roof--sounds like giant squirrels up there!! the new roof is a light grey--much nicer and more nuetral than the former dark brown. I'm gonna like it. plus--all the leaks will be plugged and we can re-do the drywall in the living room BIG WHOOP OF OY since its been about 3 years since it fell off the wall soaking wet!---we could NOT get it to stop leaking, no matter what patching we did so we've been waiting--leaving the wall open bare studs--NICE LOOK!

last weekend for my show--gonna miss it--it's been fun BUT already booked my summer gig--"Picasso at the Lapin Agile" a play I love--playing Einstein's "date". I have another audition this week for a play in between now and "Picasso" .. good times.

And then There Were None Photos

2010-03-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

Here are just a couple of pics from the show. Having Lots of Fun with it!
As you can tell I play a repressed/angry/religious fanatic/spinster type person.
We do a "guess who is the murderer" contest every night and I generally get the most votes!!!!

2010-02-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

opening night tonight. here is the promo video--aren't I the purtiest?

2010-02-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

I had blueberry pancakes made with Almond Butter again this morning ( doncha love days off so you can cook breakfast!!!)

so..I finally got around to posting the recipe on my site here: Almond Butter Pancake
I also posted my crepes recipe. also yummy!

2010-02-09T17:59:00.000-07:00

weight loss: down 3 pounds!! that's the two I regained plus one more! in two days!

what did I change? I added 50 mgs of iodine ( in the pill form Iodoral) plus some adrenal support supplements.

keeping my fingers crossed!

2010-02-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

Update on the weight loss front. ( and this is really pissing me off second week on no dairy I gained back a pound. what is up with THAT?????

so, maybe that's not it after all. sigh. and SERIOUSLY: I cannot (really) live without cheese. missed it so bad I was dreaming about it. and cream in my morning tea. yummmmmmm!!!!

THIS week I went back to my " normal" low carb way-of-eating with plenty of dairy ( well actually with a few cheats--some french fries one day, and chilli rellenos-[ the batter has wheat in it] at this great mexican restaurant that I love) but no further gain. no clue what is going on. apparently my metabolism just LOVES this belly!!! LOL

technically it isn't belly fat--it isn't the internal fat around the organs that is so unhealthy-- it is a "fat apron"hanging around (and DOWN from) my lower abdomen--all those babies yanno!

I may have to resort to surgery!!!

actually been reading a lot about iodine deficiency and it's relationship to hypothyroidism and some symptoms of that--some of which I have. ( carpal tunnel--pretty bad--did you know that that is a symptom of poorly functioning thyroid!!!) I DO NOT eat enough fish and switched to sea salt ( which is fairly low in iodine compared to artificially iodized salt) so I'm startin gto supplement with Iordoral which is a fairly high potency supplement. I've had it laying around the house for a while but never seriously used it.

It may do nothing for the fat loss issue but if it helps adress the carpal tunnel it is well worth it!!!!

2010-01-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

weigh in after first week on no dairy: down 2.4 pounds!!!1 yippee!!

I feel a LITTLE foolish: has the solution really been THAT simple and I've been stuggling so many years ? ah well.

had another outstanding breakfast: almond butter blueberry pancakes with blue berry syrup.

basically just almond butter and eggs, a little bit of salt and some baking powder and bake 'em on a griddle like pancakes, slather with butter and blueberry cooked up with some splenda. delish!!!!!

I'll post the full recipe on my recipe site later today.

On other fronts: started rehearsals on earnest for " and then there were none. its gonna be really fun production--some wonderful talented castmates. here is the poster ( my design as well!)

2010-01-21T08:23:00.000-07:00

I finally got the motivation to kick over into weight loss mode--I saw the publicity shots for my play and boy-o-boy do I look big--even my calves looked puffy and fat--blechh. and the boobage ( 34 triple D)--turns out there such a thing as too much of a good thing

Ive had three weeks of clean--but " normal " low carbing-with lots of low carb goodies and LOTS of dairy and lost exactly one pound the first week and have been toatally stabel at that weight (130.8)

so i'm now--third day in--doing a nearly zero carb, all meat, no dairy, limited nuts.

Having my favorite breakfast today: 2 eggs fried in butter over easy served on sliced tomatoes with a healthy squeeze of lemon juice. and bacon lotsa bacon!!!!!!

the reasoning behind all this is that it isn't calorie and it isn't even carbs so much but that some kind of inflamation thingy is going on ( age/menopause/heredity) since inflamation is driven by the eicosonoid balance and THAT is driven by essential fatty acid balance-- i.e omega 6to omegas 3's. Omega 6 fatty acids drive inflamation up and omega's 3's drive it down --too much omega six relative to 3 is a very bad thing--(ideal ratio is 1:1--or as close as possible 3:1 or 4:1 being feasible)or at the and our standard indutrial diet has way too much omega 6--veg oils, grains and grain fed cattle and dairy cows all have an overabundance of omega 6 and unless we supplement we get little to no omega three ( some have suggested that the ratio in the standard american diet is closer to 20:1!!!!!!!)

to acheive that ratio you need to eliminate as many sources of omega 6 as possible and up the 3's so-- we eat grass fed meat,which is also organic hormone free ( and has a much much better fatty acid ratio than grain fed beef) use no veg oil except olive oil--all other fats are butter and ghee, lard or palm oil. and supplement with cod liver oil to up the omega.3's

but I still am having difficulty--retaining water, inability to get to a normal weight etc etc so..

the dairy goes--we don't have a source of affordable organic, raw dairy from pastured, grass fed cows dairy, so there is a lot that could be wrong with the cream and cheese I normally eat ( and goat is absolutly not a possibilty, blech again)

and the nuts will be limited because most nuts are pretty high in omega 6 which i just don't need more of right now and I'm upping my cod liver oil as well.

and I'm going way way down on the carbs--little to no fruit except berries and a few veg with my meat .

I'm down almonst a pound in two days--I'm might be on to something!

2010-01-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

Two quotes for the day--( both found in the lastest Oprah Mag)

It's Never too late, You're never too old, never too sick to start over again.

and also in that same vein--to help when you feel stuck...

If you stare at it long enough
the mountain becomes unclimbable
Tally it up. How much time have you spent
waiting for the soup to cool?
Icicles hang from January gutters
only as long as they can.
Fingers pause above piano keys for the chord
That will not form. Slam them down
I say. Make music of what you can.

--Charles Rafferty, from " Against Hesitation"

2010-01-11T08:26:00.000-07:00

Christmas/Channukah is finally down and tucked away for another year. (Always a little bittersweet for me--I do love the Holiday season so much. ) but whew!!!--- I don't know how my mom did it--that tree was GONE the day after New Year's every year!

Now I can get on with getting back to proper eating--This year the focus is more Paleo than ever before--instead of just low carb--so no Wheat or gluten grains at all, no sugar, very limited fruit and I'm trying to find better sources for cream and cheeses ( ie grassfed, non pasturized-- since I am never giving up dairy.!!!!!) In order to stay on track I like to read everyday from some of the really fine Paleo/primal blogs out there. It keeps me motivated. My current new favorite is PaNu by Kurt Harris M.D. He really get is right IMHO, writes extremely well and covers a wide varity of topics. its a great site! Others that I read frequently are listed in the blog roll over on the left. The FatHead site is particularly entertaining as well!

Luckily I did NOT gain any this year--even though I ate all the bad/good stuff from Thanksgiving to Christmas. I'm theorizing that my thyroid dosage is finally g correct AND I think my Vitamin D status has improved sith the supplementing I'm doing--Vitamin D is supposed to help with insulin resistance and sensitivity to carbs so maybe that why I didn't gain 20 pounds like I did last year.

I've been supplementing Vitamin D3 gel caps at about 5,000mgs a day since about April of last year.

Here is a really good link to one very cogent article on Vitamin D ( from the above mentioned PaNu site) and how it works. He has a BUNCH of further articles on D3 as well, if one is interested.

On the weight loss front--I still have about 10 pounds ( of the aforementioned twenty that i didn't lose last year ) 10 pounds a years seems to be my maximum so maybe I can get it off THIS year before the Holidays hit again--maybe if I am at my perfect weight I won't feel the command of the evil fudge and cookies so stongly and I won't have to re-dedicate myself to proper living NEXT Jan 1st 'cause I'll already be there!

I really really have be very strict to lose fat. I have the Triple whammy--small stature; HypoThyroid; and Post-Menopausal. The only thing that seems to work is The Drs Eades newest book " The 6 week cure for the middle aged middle" the second phase of their plan is a meat only diet ( nearly anyway; you can have SMALL servings of veg as well ) with no dairy

last year I lost about 5 pounds in 10 days. Then went off the plan and the Hols hit so......I'm easing into it. jsut getting off wheat and sugar while still having nuts and low carb goodies that I love--but I know I wont lose till I cut out the dairy and the nuts. not sure why those things prevent loss--whether it is just a calorie thing--so easy to overeat those things--or whethter there is some inflammation food sensitivity thing going on--but there it is and I (finally ) know what to do--just gearing up to DO it is hard!!!

2010-01-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year!

2009-12-26T08:15:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas!!!hope everyones season was Great!

had a very special season this year--not sure why but just felt the vibe all month.

We had our annual family ChrisChanukYule dinner gathering on the 20th with its usual chaos and joy--all the grandblessings fueled on christmas cookies and lattkes...

Good music, good food and great company with my family.

Yesterday, Patience and I made one PERFECT batch of fudge . The Season is complete!

Still looking forward to snow tubing sometime in the next week with all the gang. we started going tubing at Christmas when Ashley was 5 or 6 years old so this will be the 18th year!!!! ( really????) in all those years I think we only missed 3 times--either due to bad weather, or because we were living in Pennsylvania when I was in school!

one f my favorite things in the world!!1

Blessing everyone.

2009-12-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

I just discovered a new cookie--the best cookie I have EVER tasted. if you see these puppies anywhere BUY THEM. here is a link to the web site: Aunt Minnie Beasley's Almond Lace Gourmet Cookies. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

2009-11-20T06:27:00.000-07:00

We are in our last weekend of Love...Perfect...Change and it has been a completely sold out run!!!!

Every performance!!!!

color us proud!

2009-11-03T08:08:00.000-07:00

Not that any readers of my blog live close enough that it matters--but my show is opening this Friday. We had our first Tech last night and it went really well... for a first tech!!!

I'm doing "I Love You, You're perfect, Now Change" a silly little romp through the ins and outs of, as it says in the promo material, " dating mating and living happily ever after..."

I's been a blast and my fellow cast mates are wonderful, talented folks.

Presented at the Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder--26th and walnut Nov 6th through the 21st let me know if anyone needs a phone number for reservations!

2009-10-31T09:30:00.000-06:00

since I haven't got anything fun to post about i decided to just "fun" up my blog.

Happy Halloween everybody

2009-10-20T08:32:00.000-06:00

just a quick one--Big moment at Hobby Lobby.

I got to frame a signed one-of-a-kind PICASSO woodcut. worth upwards of 50,000 dollars.

I was hyperventilating!!!!!! My colleague took pictures on his phone--I'll post as soon as I can get them.

2009-08-06T08:10:00.000-06:00

Sooooo...I'm not getting the house after all. The day before I was to sign the lease and they wer taking the house off the market, sombody else put a contract on it--that looks good . the owner really did wnat to sell it; though she was being very nice to work with me--she really did NEED to sell it if she could.

I was pretty torn up at first but now I'm okay with it. Seems like it just wasn't meant to be.

So, I changed my job search area--since I wouldn't be living part time an hour away from the Dome--and found my Dream Job 3 minutes from my house. I'm working as a framer at Hobby Lobby. Two days in--I LOVE IT. I had always thought this job would be a good fit, aaannnd...I was right! I love it. I get to be artsy helping people pick out matts and frames, and then craftsy assembling it all and getting to use POWER TOOLS! It's a very busy shop so there is some stress but I kinda like that too. And I love talking to absolute atrangers so... like I said--it's pretty much my dream job!

On other fronts--My White Santa Artdoll won third place in a national contest. (there is a link to my doll site over on the left if you haven't seen them) I was a little disappointed in only getting thrid but the dolls this year were incredible. You can see all the winners here: PROSCULPT ART DOLL CONTEST WINNERS

and now--"Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off to work I go"

2009-07-28T21:44:00.000-06:00

Here are the pictures Yeah--( I love the MAC!)

Isn't it cute ( though very blue!)

Kitchen pic number 1

Kitchen pic number 2

looking from the "Den" into the living Room

this room is where My baby grand piano will go

sunroom --behind the wall where the sink and open cupboards are.

and the itty bitty bathroom--notice the tiny claw foot tub!

I think the whole bathroom is the size of my jacuzzi tub in the Dome! LOL

so not pictured are the bedroom and the living room.. the bedroom is a nice size with a big walk in closet.

The Attic is very large and could potentially be a place to add a room--or maybe even two up there, if you could find the space to put in some stairs.

this house is a Sears Kit house built in 1910 for the workers in the food packing factories in the town. 8 people would live here!!!!!! There is still a chicken coop standing in the back and the barn/shed which housed horses!

I am so in love!

2009-07-28T08:32:00.000-06:00

I'm buying a house!!!!

I've been looking/ thinking about buying an investment property for a number of years now and just happened to stumble on the perfect house. I am NOT in a position to buy anything actually: having no job and really lousy credit--but this little place really spoke to me so I was able to work out a deal with the owner ( we really liked each other--she is an artist as well) where I'm doing a rent to own deal while I get my finances in order and then will finalize the purchase in a year.

I wasn't able to figure out how to get the pictures off the listing web site to my computer to here (I hate my PC)--but here is a link to:

My Cute little Victorian house!

The house is in Longmont--about an hour north of Denver! I am working with a theatre company up there so it will make it easier to stay there when I have a late night.

Lots of work to be done on the yard and the house need painting deparately--Both becouse it's flaking and because of the color! ( bright blue is not my favorite house color!) But, the inside is darling!

What an adventure!

Food

2009-07-12T08:12:00.000-06:00

happy to report that the food garden is doing very well, than you very much ! I picked over a quart of raspberries this morning--and will have at least that many tomorrow or the next day. And tons more just coming along. Too bad we love to eat them fresh so much, that quart will be GONE by this evening--I would have to be the fruit nazi to save up enough to make Jam!

I had 5 meals of broccoli and more today as well. The zucchini has baby fruits--so another couple of days for fresh zucchini. The corn is over my head and the pumpkins are vine-ing. A few baby tomatoes are starting to show up--though the tomatoes got hammered by a serious hail storm a bit ago and that really set them back. the other plants didn't seem to be as damaged as the tomatoes were.

two new things that I tried-- rutabagas and eggplant. the rutabagas look good but the eggplant: not so much, and the peppers don't look great either. I wonder if it is Ph or if we jsut haven't had enough really hot days--it has been seriously cold a LOT this year. the rain has been great ( for the plants and our water bill!LOL) but I could do without the overcast cold days.

Other big news--I'm trying to buy a house--as an investment property. Its a cute, tiny victorian in a small town not far outside Denver. I've been wanting to get into real estate investing for a while and when I saw this property I knew it was the one I wanted to start with. Not the best time for me, for Seymour and for the economy I know, but I really felt the push on this one. ALOT has to happen to make it work but I'm trying to put it together

2009-06-16T10:02:00.000-06:00

I am delighted to be able to report that I have ( finally) gotten a show. YEAH!! I'll be doing " I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" with an " unpaid professional" company in Boulder.

This represents a pretty radical change in the focus of my Acting "career" from trying to earn my living as an "ACTOR" ( deep stentorian tones) and just acting for the love of it. Since I haven't worked AT ALL in over 2 years, this is actually progress.

I'm thrilled.

Skin Care

2009-06-04T08:42:00.000-06:00

I had the coolest thing happen recently. I'm getting some major skin care in exchange for giving acting lessons! how cool is that?

Here is how it happened: ( back story--one of my new years' "resolutions" was to get something done to improve my skin -- to do some research, get some of those free evaluations that you see advertised and actually find a way to really address some aging issues--I don't like the way my skin has been looking lately and there are things that can be done--short of surgery--to improve it soooo.....)

It all started when Ashley gave me a Spa finder's gift certificate for Mother's day and I decided to use it to get a facial.

so I found a nice looking spa near my home and was very drawn to the aesthetician's (sp?) bio and services so made an appointment.

I LOVED the gal--and we had a ton in common ( she's LDS, her daughter wants to be an actress , her mom is a lot like me...) which was really nice to start with so..
I , of course, (given the back story) asked her advice on what I could/should do and her recommendation was to get a series of facials, one a week for 6 weeks (with microdermabrasion, and LED light treatment and etc etc) at $150 a pop. WELL

There is no way I could afford that, so we were talking about different options and how to make it affordable, and, long story short ( or shorter anyway LOL) I am trading a series of 12 acting classes for her daughter for a series of facials. I'm so STOKED!

I've had two and my skin already looks better--some of the age spots are fading and there is a nice smoothness and brightness that was missing. I don't automatically go "Unnnph.. I look so OLD" when I accidentally see myself in a mirror!!!! Just think after SIX in a row how BEE-utiful I will be!!!

new recipes

2009-06-03T08:55:00.000-06:00

I put up a few more recipes on the Sinfully Sugarfree site. Cookies mostly, but they are pretty yummy!

I have several auditions coming up as well. Finally gave up my union status so these are for less exalted theatre companies, but at least I may get some creative satisfaction. Its been over two years since I did a show. That's too long.

wish me luck.

mishmosh of stuff

2009-05-29T10:18:00.000-06:00

okay okay I know it's time to update--but my life right now pretty much bores ME so I can't think anybody really is interested, but:

still struggling to solve the " why I can't lose weight problem" since the hormone thing I tried didn't' work ( I gained it all back on a very low carb diet) and I'm pretty sure it also messed with my metabolism since my body temp went down to 96.8 in the DAY TIME . Got that fixed with some T3 protocol and have started drifting slowly lower-hallelujah. Have given up all grains completely and cut out all sweeteners except splenda. Crossing my fingers. Have an appointment soon with my practitioner to learn results of latest thyroid tests so maybe some answers there.

Most of my time lately has been spent in the garden--or the jungle. Pretty much fence to fence waist high weeds everywhere--(the playground area is completely submerged, and I thought that was mulched and finished, but NOOOOO)-- except the area I tamed last year and even that isn't as maintenance free as I had hoped. . Its pretty frustrating. and Seymour isn't much help as he thinks the weeds look fine. I need an army to help me get it under control...Especially as I threw my back out planting some fruit trees--they need BI-IG holes--and have been out of commission for a few days.

The vegetables are in and looking pretty good-- I do have the watering on timers so I don't have to keep track of that--that helps a TON! I got the flower pots done up by the entrance--window boxes and etc but still need to get the upper pond going--this is the latest I think I have ever been getting that done--( the new pond and stream has been up and running for awhile --pun intended! )

ah well --in the eternal scheme of things it doesn't really matter much does it!

2009-04-18T09:24:00.000-06:00

I can't believe it's been nearly 3 weeks since I updated! bad me!!!

I HAVE been blogging, however--just not HERE!!

I finally created two sites that I have been threatening to put up for..well...years now! Once I realized that Blogger would work as an acceptable format, it made it much easier to actually accomplish--I'd been procrastinating cause creating a site seemed too daunting to me.

The first is Sinfully SugarFree which is a collection of the Low carb dessert recipes I've been creating over the past 10 years. This is DEFINITELY a work in progress, but I'm trying to add content everyday. I have over 150 recipes , but many of them still need tweaking. or formatting and there is also a lot of info/content that I want to add--but I try to work on it a bit everyday.

I thought maybe putting it out there would motivatie me to keep plugging away on it--since I know people might be looking at it!!!! LOL

Eventually I'm hoping to get sponsors on there of some of the products and sites I recommend-- and also to print a hard copy for sale. That's all in the future--for now I would love any feedback you all have--what you had questions about, content or articles you would like to see, and how you like it so far. There is a permanant link in the sidebar. (I'm not ready to actually have it OUT out there, it needs more content and recipes before I do that, so I haven't circulated it to some of the wider low carb sites that I frequent--this is just for you guys in my inner circle)

The second site is for my dolls here Relief Cheney Dolls I wanted to get it up before I sent in my contest application so I could put in a link.

So that's what I've been doing/ am doing/ will be doing.

2009-03-27T11:16:00.000-06:00

SO....Ashley and her husband Scott were here for a week. --They arrived last Friday and left early this morning. we had such a great visit. it was so much more relaxed than the last time they were here--when they were headed back to finish their Iraq tour. this time they are headed to Wash DC area-not to a combat zone!!!. we had a wonderful time.

They arrived in 70 degree weather--went to the zoo in shorts...and left this morning in parkas and boots with a foot of snow on the ground. AHHHH Colorado.

We had family dinners, went out for great food., did Mani's and Pedi's with just " the girls" did a little shopping and a lot of just hangin' out. they look so good and I'm so glad they are back safe.

they will spend a week in Cincinnati with Scott's family then head back to Hawaii till July when they move to DC.

Love you guys.

2009-03-22T11:08:00.000-06:00

Today is my last day on the hormone protocol for this round at least. 2 more days of Very low calorie eating to let the hormone get out of my system and then back to a low carb-no sugar no starches diet.

I'm please with the total though it isn't as earth shattering as I had hoped. I lost only 6 pounds on the scale--BUT I lost FOUR INCHES off my waist and FOUR INCHES off my hips. went from a size 12 to a six. even my 6 petites fit well. I was oping to get all the way down into my size fours but will keep plugging away. I'll take a 3 week break from the hormone at least, and then decide. If lifting and lowcarbing keep my weight coming off--even slowly, I'll probably just keep that up and try to avoid another round of HCG. it was hard work--and everyone got tired of me being on it and not eating ( and talking about it all the time!!LOL)

2009-03-16T10:44:00.000-06:00

So, I'm finally ready to explain what I have been doing to lose some fat. If you look at the little weight loss list in the left column you will see that I have lost nearly 5 pounds over the past 2 weeks. previously I lost about 5 pounds over 2 MONTHS, so this is an improvement! I have also, over those same 2 weeks, lost over 2 inches off my waist and 3 inches off my hips.--which is nearly 2 sizes--I can wear some of my size 6 pants ( not the fours yet --but it's coming!)

**Big Caveat**
The following procedure is very controversial. I absolutely am not recommending this for everyone. period. I think it is a last resort for people who, for whatever reason, have found that a good controlled carb diet plus exercise has not been effective--like menopausal ladies or hormonally challenged folks, like me!

okay, that said:

I am using what is called the HCG protocol pioneered by a Dr. Simeon in the 60's and 70's, and recently brought to light and prominence by Kevin Trudeau ( whom I do not like BTW) in his book "Cures they don't want you to know about"

Basically the protocol is:
daily--take minute amounts of the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin--(which is the pregnancy hormone; the one they test for in a pregnancy test) while following an extremely limited 500 calorie a day diet--no fat or carb just lean protein and low carb veggies plus 2 fruits.

The hormone gets into your fat stores and releases them, flooding your blood with fuel, so that you can stay at 500 calories without hunger.

people SAFELY lose up to 2 pounds a day. I have been averaging about a half pound a day.

you stay on this protocol for only 23 days then transition to a very low carb diet for several weeks then repeat the protocol if you have more weight to lose.

The hormone is administered by injection ( unless you have a Doctor's precscription it must be bought from overseas--which is expensive and illegal-- though a bunch of people are doing it)or by homeopathic drops, which is what I'm doing. THERE ARE NO REPORTED NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS FROM DOING THIS PROTOCOL!!! not even for men. and there are many incredible benefits. the theory is that it resets your hypothalamus and actually makes your body work BETTER after a course of treatment.

I am very, very happy with the results--though both Seymour and I were very skeptical to begin with--but I will say that it most emphatically has not been easy. at all.

I experienced a LOT of hunger the first few days, which was almost overwhelming. Once I finally figured out the right dosage, things have gotten easier. But, for the protocol to work, you absolutely cannot cheat. NOTHING out of the plan can pass your lips or a gain is very likely instead of a loss. Something to do with how the hormone effects your fat stores. again I would only recommend this to someone who has tried everything else to lose weight and can't seem to get it to budge. ( OPRAH?)

I any of this intrigues you I would recommend reading "Pounds and Inches , a new approach to obesity" by Dr Simeon, here --which basically explains it all. ( this link takes you to a site that sells the "stuff" . The manuscript link is at the top right corner of the homepage.--it's a download)

Please don't flood me with comments implying criticism--I researched this VERY thoroughly before I chose to do it, and it was the right choice for me. I am sharing this in case someone who reads this blog might find it useful.

Also, I'd be happy to answer any well meant questions, if you are genuinely interested in learning about this.

Colorado prairie Santa

2009-03-08T17:52:00.000-06:00

This one is called " Gettin' ready to ride"

I made this Santa in honor of my Colorado home. I actually saw a real live Cowboy Santa a number of years ago at a kids activity and it was the inspiration for this guy. I wanted a real cowboy being Santa, not Santa dressed up as a cowboy. Every thing was handmade by me! I made the saddle from raw leather. The hat is leather as are the boots. The shearling jacket is suede and real lambs fur. ( I shaved it down to make it the right depth for the scale. ) you can see in the picture that he has a hand tooled leather belt, studs on his jeans and pearled brass buttons on his shirt. He is about 14 1/2 inches tall.

One of the things I try to achieve in my figures is to capture a moment, and tell a little story. I want them to be beautiful but they have to be much more that a figure just standing there looking pretty. I think I really succeeded with this one!

2009-03-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a little clip from a comedian on Conan that Seymour and I really liked.

the Title is " Everything is Amazing; Nobody's Happy " about how spoiled and ungrateful we all have become in the face of all our technology. very funny--but thought provoking as well. Hope you like it.

It wouldn't let me embed it so you just have to follow the link sorry!

The White Santa

2009-02-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

Here are the pictures of my latest Santa. The title is "Checking it Twice"

I'm pretty proud of the dolly and the sled, all hand made of course. ( actually I'm pretty proud of the whole thing!) The only thing I didn't make myself is the sleigh. I bought that ( in a basic form) from Hobby Lobby; the embellishments, though, are mine.

Santa is about 13 1/2 inches tall, just for scale reference

A New Start

2009-02-28T07:21:00.001-07:00

today is the first day of my new diet protocol. I'm not going to reveal here to the world exactly what I'm doing as it is fairly controversial and I don't need any judgment!!!

But I do want to keep a good journal of how it is going.

If it works ( and I have about 95% confidence that it will) I will reveal all!

any way... start weight this morning is 134

measurements: ( telling all here!) Bust 37.5 waist 30.5 hips 41 about a size 10/12

I will return and report!

2009-02-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

I have to post this--it made me laugh so hard!

If you love words and language you will LOVE this post.

2009-02-22T09:19:00.001-07:00

SO... my scale died and I had to get a new one--and this one is showing my weight a full two pounds higher. I tested the new one with a 10 pound barbel and it was right on the money. sigh means that my old one was wrong. it doesn't negate the loss--but it does mean that I started out much higher even than I thought!!!!!! Well.

I am not happy at all with the rate I'm losing and I eating so low and resricted for so little benefit is very uncool.

I'm back to my "normal" Low carb eating plan so no gain, no loss

I have a new trick up my sleeve that I will be starting next week. I'm not going to reveal anything here until I have been on the new plan a while and it starts to work.

watch this space!

2009-02-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

Ashley is in Hawaii!!! AAAaannndd--She'll be here the 20th of March for a week!

dOin' thE HaPPy DanCe!!!!

Weight today 131.5. It sure is going down slowly! Seems to be going down about 1 pound a week.

on other fronts: I organized my snack cupboard--the one where we keep our nuts and crackers etc-- with nice seal-able plastic containers ( heavy ones from costso) We had developed a serious weevil problem. It looks very nice and should fix the bug issue as well.

I also am within a few days of finishing an Art doll ( the white Santa I posted photos of sometime back) the setting is just about done . I will post some pictures soon. another HaPpY DaNcE!

2009-02-15T11:44:00.000-07:00

I just finished a great weights workout and I feel so good. I love the way I feel after a session. It is so good to move your body and work hard.

I heard from Ashley yesterday. She called from Kuwait--which means she is out of Iraq and on her way home. ( and Scott too) They expect to be in Hawaii by the 19th . oh soo wonderful!!!

She and Scott will be here for a visit at the end of March. who is coming to see them?

Friday Friday

2009-02-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

I have been taking a bit of a break from blogging--'cause I've been playing HOURS of Scrabble online with Reni and Ginger. I LOVE scrabble. but have to stop and do something else. Like the dishes!

reporting in on my eat all you want weekend. Not a good idea. weight went up 3 pounds ( water only, I know) and stayed there 'til Thursday. I am down 1/2 pound this morning from my former low weight, but that set back is not good for morale!

The main culprit was the popcorn I ate at the movie on Saturday . I took Calvin out for his 9th Birthday-- a tradition that I do for all the kids here. I decided that from now on I'm going to take them to live theatre instead of a movie--they are finally old enough to enjoy that and there is the further benefit of no popcorn temptation!

Even though I seem to have to keep my calories very low to lose, I cannot sustain 800 cals a day. after 2 days I feel so deprived, I get a bit frantic looking for food, and then tend to over-do it. sooo....

I'm experimenting now with an intermittent cycle: one day of very low--800 or less with no added fat--and then a day with more diversity allowed--a low carb treat or cream in my tea etc. So far it seems better. On the very low days, if there is some food I think I really want, I tell myself I can have it tomorrow. And then I do! Even on the higher calorie days I've been able to stay under 1200 which is still pretty low. Now I feel less deprived so iIt will be more sustainable over the long haul. I'm really hoping to be back in my size 4 clothes by the end of April.

I always keep my carbs low. ( except for movie popcorn. LOL )I've been doing this so long that THAT part is easy.

2009-02-07T10:38:00.000-07:00

I just got an email form Ashley--she'll be back in Hawaii probably by the 20th of this month.

Hurray!!!!!!

2009-02-05T11:39:00.000-07:00

weight: 132.5 that's 7.5 pounds lost since Jan 1st. this is GOOD

I'm going to have a real "Eat a LOT of Fat " day on Sunday. I really miss cheese.

2009-02-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

No change in weight this morning--to be expected I think after the flurry over the past few days!

However I did indulge a bit yesterday--I had 3 squares of real chocolate--75% cocoa--only 3 carbs total and maybe 75 calories--but also added a tablespoon of cream to my tea ( we were on a date to a coffee shop where one of our favorite groups "Sharife" was playing; they do middle Eastern music--very nice, hence the treat) also had a couple of the tiny bread sticks that are allowed on my plan. Again minimal carbs and calories, but then it all starts to add up, doesn't it? So maybe that did it--or maybe my body just taking a little rest and regrouping today. Whatever it is, I'll be back to very strict again today anyway.

I seem to be extremely sensitive to both extra carbs and extra calories , though, ( not just from this experience, but cumulatively over the past several years) so I do need to be very strict to lose.

2009-01-31T08:05:00.000-07:00

weight today: 133.5!!!!

This is awesome! It took two months to gain the weight and it looks like maybe I can lose it in about the same amount of time. this is HUGE! last year I gained five pounds over the holidays and it took me 6 months to lose it.

food yesterday: 800 kcals 99 grams protein, 22 carbs.

B: hot tea ( no cream) protein shake

s: 4 frozen strawberries, slightly thawed and mashed with splenda and 1 Tablespoon milk

L 3 oz steak, green beans, coleslaw ( my coleslaw dressing is vinegar, horseradish and splenda--no mayo)

D: chicken breast, brussel sprouts, marinated cucumbers, 4 cherry tomatoes.

snack: apple microwaved with splenda and cinnamon. so YUMMY! Caffix beverage (Like postum)with 1/2 T cream

I did lower body weights yesterday AND my sculpting studio in FINALLY cleaned and organized from moving it this fall so I got to start working on my dolls again yesterday. I do love it so much!

Getting Real

2009-01-30T09:15:00.000-07:00

Info Alert:

there was a fabulous post this Morning on Marks Daily Apple ( one of my favorite health blogs)

You have any questions about my health/eating philosophy?--its all there!

Fabulous Friday

2009-01-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

weight: 134.5

I decided on Wednesday to try cutting calories severely and see what would happen. When I tried this before I got my thyroid checked and medicated it did nothing, so this was something of a test.

If low carb+low calorie didn't shift anything then I could be pretty sure there was a hormonal issue somewhere that would need attention.--but only 2 days of cutting back on the cheese and I'm down aapound to pound an a half! I was prepared to try for a week before giving it up but this is very heartening.

So the plan now is to stay with this for 2 weeks. then cycle up to a normal calorie load and then cycle back down if I still have weight to lose.

Eating plan:
Breakfast is a protein shake ( from Costco; yummy)30 gram protein, 2 carbs. 180 cals

Lunch and dinner are 3-4 oz of meat or fish and up two 2 cups veggies or salad. no added oil or butter--lemon juice or vinegar only.

3 snacks:- snack can be a portion of fruit--half a dozen berries or half an apple or orange--or five almonds or pecans. with some tea or water or coffee.

As much calorie free drink as you want water tea etc.--splenda is allowed.

this comes in at around 600 calories--maybe as high as 800. The idea is once you force your body to access the fat deposits, ( only possible if insulin is kept low with limited carbs)you don't feel hunger.

very restrictive , but there is a kind of freedom in not having to make too many decisions or choices. and two weeks shouldn't cause any major muscle loss or metabolic slowdown.

the biggest sacrifices for me are not having cream in my tea and having no cheese. I can do it for a while though.

I'm changing my weight training schedule as well. Once a week, while perfectly effective, isn't as much fun--I do love lifting. so I'm going to a Mon/Wed/ Fri schedule alternating upper and lower body. That gives about 5 days for recovery between body parts and lets me lift more often. HIIT on Tues/Thurs and weekends off.

2009-01-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

Caleb sorry about this taking me so long here is a link to the recipe on about.com: Lemon bars

this recipe is exactly the same as the one we always used. i've got some recipes for things to do with meyers lemons that I'll get to you later. Got to take Lennon to school right now.

Wacky Wednesday

2009-01-28T09:28:00.000-07:00

I'm not happy.

weight is up ( 136 for second day) not DOWN.

I swear I haven't been cheating at all. And I'm not overeating calorie wise either. sucks.

do not know what to do.

last time I just waited and kept on with eating plan, I was stalled for over 5 months. Then I found out about the thyroid and got on meds. but my meds are fine.

don't know whether to get hormones tested again and go back on Bioidenticals or try something else.

I was hoping the iodine supplement would help as there is a bunch of literature indicating that it can but, so far anyway, no real shift.

Monday monday

2009-01-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

weight today 135.5

over the weekend I moved the weight cage up to the top floor to its new home ( thanks Pace and Stacey! ) it was a
lot of work so I didn't do a weight routine yesterday as scheduled--I will do it today.

B: hot tea, Lo carb strawberry shortcake ( it was so GOOD!) 4 carbs

L: protein shake 1/2 oz almonds 3 carbs

snack: 8 cheese " crackers", Seymour's homemade Baba Ghanoush and a diet root beer.
( the crackers are american cheese split into quarters and microwaved for about a minute on parchment baking paper. crisp and good and about 1 carb for 8 of 'em!) 2 carbs

D:chicken w green chili sour cream and cheese sauce. stir fried cauli-rice ( no rice just finely chopped cauliflower it's yummy) green beans and cherry tomatoes. 10 carbs

strawberries and cream w splenda for dessert and maybe a bit of hot cocoa later. 5 carbs

I did my weights today--added weight in all exercises--yeay me!

2009-01-25T10:10:00.000-07:00

start weight Jan 1: 140

Today Jan. 25: 135.5 I actually reach this weight on the 15th but then---

On Seth's birthday we all went bowling and I confess to 3 very small pieces of pizza and a half glass of beer. I gained back up to 137 and stayed there for 4 days. Then on Friday I had Bailey and Lennon and fixed Kraft Mac and cheese for them.

I ate half of it.

silly me. again went up to 137 but was back to 135 this morning. so.
NO MORE CHEATS. I just cannot do it!

I have added several supplements to my plan. I take an iodine supplement now--started that on the 11th. I take my thyroid , of course, and also an adrenal support supplement ( has a bunch of herbs in it) plus Potassium, magnesium, 1,000mgs vitamin C, Chromium, 7,000mgs of Vitamin D3, DHEA and Cod liver oil too.

food today:
Breakfast: hot tea and two lemon " scones" 4 carbs.
lunch: chocolate protein shake and a frankfurter w/ sugar free Ketchup--45 gram protein, 4 carbs
snack: 1 oz almonds, 1 piece sugar free coconut candy --3 carbs
snack 2: tea, cinnamon scone 2 carbs
dinner: chicken thigh, tossed salad w/ walnut oil dressing strawberry shortcake. ( lo-carb scone, homemade strawberry freezer jam. whipped cream)

total 25 gram carb, 80 grams protein

It's a whole New Year

2009-01-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post--I managed to gain 15 pounds from Nov 1 to Jan 1. while I was away from home all those weeks--in Utah and Oregon--I did not follow my low carb eating plan and it had serious consequences!!! And as a post menopausal, hypothyroid woman--losing it is going to be daunting.

So here is the plan:

I am eating a VERY basic induction style low carb plan. 30 or less carbs ( subtracting fiber) per day.

For fitness I subscribe to the primal blueprint rules set out by Mark Sisson ( see his blog link in the list to the left--Mark's Daily Apple) i.e. Move around a lot slowly. Lift some heavy things. run really fast occasionally.

Hence I have committed to a weight lifting program:
Once a week on Sundays an intense session ala the book "Slow Burn" ( by Fred Hahn and the Eades's--check the links on the left)
this is a great plan as it takes about 30 min, one set only of each exercise and3-4 reps at super slow speed--ie 10 seconds up and 10 seconds down--to muscle failure. it kicks your a$$!!!!

I am doing a program of sprints twice a week. go as fast as you can for as long as you can go up to 30 seconds. then rest till you can breath again. then repeat for up to 8 sets. currently I stair climb ( its right handy there in the house!) when I started I could only go up and down 3 times before I had to stop. yesterday I did seven ! I can only do about 4 sets before I'm exhausted.

the ultimate plan is to work up to doing these as Tabata Sprints: 20 seconds on as fast as you can, then 10 seconds rest and repeat 8 times. Takes four minutes total. but what a workout!

you can do these sprints with anything--running, biking, stationary bike, jump rope --even pull ups or jumping jacks.

Then everyday that I don't weight lift or sprint I go for a walk or use the rowing machine or our stationary bike in a leisurely manner for a half hour or so.

I'll be reporting my stats and success ( or failure) here as a bit of accountability.

4,3,2,1

2009-01-18T08:06:00.000-07:00

Okay I'm bored with this--it's taken me too long to get through it and the pictures are all still hiding on Seymour's computer.

4 is all the nice Christmas music--I love the more classical stuff-- King's Singer's, Ancient old English carols. the only contemporary album/artist that i like is the Carpenter's Christmas Portrait. and MAYBE Bing Crosby. Sometimes. There is a fabulous classical Christmas music station on XM digital radio that we get with our satellite system. Love it.

3 movie premiers On Christmas day Seymour and I, Seth and my sister Stacey went out to Breakfast to the Jewish Deli Restaurant, Zaidy's (One of the few that was open) and had a great time. then we all went to THREE movies. we saw Benjamin Button--which we all loved, The Day the Earth Stood Still in IMAX, which was fun--but it's a pretty lousy movie. and Slumdog Millionaire--which everybody but ME loved. (I acknowledge that it is a well made movie--it just didn't do it for me--too much torture of children in it.) It was a fun way to spend the day since our big family celebration was still to come.

2: number of days I spent sick as a dog. some kind of stomach bug. kind of took some of the fun out of the holiday for me!!!!

1 TA DA--The family party. on the 28th--which happened to be the last day of Hanukkah--we
had all the kids and grandkids over for Roast beef and Latkes, Candle lighting and gift exchange.
6 grandkids opening presents is always pretty crazy--they are so cute. Then the adults do a round robin type exchange-which is always too polite for my taste--nobody steals much, which is what leads to the most laughter--which IMO is the point!!

We did all have fun.

somehow the holidays this year seemed to go on and on and --for the first tiime in my life--I was glad to have them done. I still haven't' com;completely recovered!!! LOL

5 people Tubing

2009-01-10T07:37:00.001-07:00

For the past 16 years ( Ashley was 6 years old the first time we went) One of our most cherished traditions has been going tubing at the Christmas season..
At first-- up until just a few seasons ago, it was our Christmas Day activity. after opening presents, we would drive up to Winter Park--about a 2 hour drive from Denver, through spectacular scenery--to the
Frasier Tubing Hill. You rent a tube for an hour ( which is all the fun you can stand!) and there is a lift that drags you back up the hill. Over the years we have only missed about 3 years--once or twice because of snow storms and once we just were not in the area when I was in
Grad School. but we try very hard to go every year.

In recent years we have had to move the day we go around to better accommodate everyone--this year we went on Dec 24th--Christmas Eve day. Patience, Calvin, Rigel, Seymour and I went this year. Next year Bailey and Lennon will be able to go. ( Kids can ride with someone at age 3 and have their own tube at age 7) And we are working very hard on Seymour's kids to get them to start coming with us.
It is an absolute BLAST!!!

I'm pretty sure this is Calvin on the slope.

and this is Rigel ready to go

and this is Seymour

I tried to get some pictures of the Scenery on our ride home and this was the best of the lot. though it doesn't really do it justice. It was like driving through a Christmas Card.

This is my FAVORITE holiday tradition

6 Hanukkah menorahs

2009-01-10T07:13:00.000-07:00

We do indeed light six menorahs--at least for our big Hanukkah family celebration-- one for each of the grand kids that lives here to light.
(alas I have no Pictures as yet. they are all on Seymour's camera in Raw form--which won't work on this computer so he's got to process them before I can post them--but I wanted to get on with this!!!!)
I love the Hanukkah celebration and have been enchanted to add it to my holiday. The ritual of lighting th candles-with the Hebrew prayer is very moving--adn then you have all the candles. Very beautiful.

I will talk more in a later post and hopefully have a picture to add to this one soon.

7 :christmas movies

2009-01-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

the movies I watched this year:
It's a Wonderful life--3 times
White Christmas--3 times
Miracle on 34th street the new one--twice
Miracle on 34th street the old one--twice
A Christmas Story -just once!
Love Actually
Little Women
A Christmas Carol--the one with Alistair Sims
The Muppets Christmas Carol
Scrooged
AAAAND....
my number one favorite:
Scrooge--the musical with Albert Finney
so I guess i should have put this at the 11 spot!

8:Perfect Fudge

2009-01-06T09:46:00.000-07:00

You've all gotten a lot of fudge pictures this year. And here is another!!! I started scooping a tiny bit early but the later pieces are perfect. and so was the taste and texture. This will probably be my last year making it--I made it for Ashley--next year she can make her own

I just eat it. And I gained 15 pounds over the hols this year. Gotta stop

for those of you who wanted it here is our recipe. It is basically just the recipe from Hershey's cocoa, with slight variations at the end.

Rich Cocoa Fudge

Ingredients:

3 cups sugar
2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa or HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa
1/8 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Line 8-or 9-inch square pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan. Butter foil.

2. Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in heavy 4-quart saucepan; stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to full rolling boil. Boil, without stirring, until mixture reaches 234°F --(IMPORTANT--we do it to 232 only!) on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water, forms a VERY soft ball which flattens when removed from water. (Bulb of candy thermometer should not rest on bottom of saucepan.)

3. Remove from heat. pour onto a large platter on which the butter butter and vanilla has been previously place. DO NOT STIR. Cool at room temperature to 110°F (lukewarm). Beat with a wooden spoon until fudge thickens and just begins to lose some of its gloss. Quickly scoop with a teaspoon onto waxed paper. It helps if you have two people to do this. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature. About 36 pieces or 1-3/4 pounds.

NOTE: For best results, do not double this recipe.

9 :christmas cookies

2009-01-06T09:37:00.001-07:00

making and decorating Christmas cookies Started for me when I was a small child and continued through my children --and now to theirs. As you can imagine--there was fierce competition among my artistic children ( and me) to make the most beautiful, clever or silly cookies. Caleb usually won. he made the CRAZIEST cookies !

Ashley demanded I send a large package to her. These are not them. (I didn't take any pictures of mine this year, though they were very beautiful if I do say so myself LOL) This picture is courtesy of Dr. Mary Dan Eades ( co-author of my favorite low carb books)--posted last year on her blog. close enough to mine to make no never mind and be decorative on the blog!!!

10: English Toffee

2009-01-04T08:36:00.001-07:00

My Mom always made English Toffee at Christmas. she would make one batch and hide it in a high cupboard and each day for about a week or so we would each get to pick ONE piece! It was soooo good!

Way to create an overwhelming desire for something Mom! lol.

She never had one recipe but was always looking for the perfect one.
The one I used this year was very very good. and I sent it ALL to Ashley and Scott.( well, mostly all!!)

English Toffee

2 cups sugar
1/3 cup water

combine this in a large heavy sauce pan. bring to a boil stirring till sugar is melted and then boil till syrup reaches about 260 degrees.

add 2 cups of butter (4 sticks, cut into one inch pieces) a few pieces at a time stirring till melted and incorporated.

cook at a nice rolling boil till syrup is a rich brown--about the color of a brown paper bag--and the cold water test yields very crunchy, tender strings of candy. I can't give you an accurate temp, but it is over 300. the look and texture in water is a better test of done-ness. IMO

pour the candy out onto a buttered cookie sheet and let cool. Melt milk chocolate and spread over surface then cover with chopped nuts of choice. I like pecans the best.

I usually only do one side of the candy with chocolate and nuts. it doesn't need both sides, but you can if you want. crack the finished candy into pieces by hitting it with something heavy-ish like an Ice cream scoop or knife handle and you are done.

11 New Decorations

2009-01-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

AT LEAST Eleven!!! I got tired of my tree theme. It"s been the same for over 20 years. gold and white with touches of mauve and purple: very elegant, very Victorian and covered with a TON of babies breath. I really liked it but it seemed time for a change, And I had a bunch of cute whimsical tree decorations that I had accumulated but never used ( cause they weren't gold or white or mauve or Victorian! LOL)

So enter the new tree theme. Santas ( mostly) with a touch of contemporary whimsy. bright lime green and red balls. It's really fun!

I collected Santas from every Place we went in Oregon!

It became the theme of the tirp and I had to buy an extra bag to get all my new treasures home.

I have animal Santas and ship's captain Santas and naked Santas

this little guy is holding a banner that reads, "When you stop Believing in Santa--you get underwear for Christmas!"

there is still lots of room for more on the tree so I expect I'll be adding them for a few years.

12 Low carb Thanksgiving dishes

2008-12-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

well maybe not 12 but I did manage to keep ALL of my Thanks giving low carb. It was imperative since I gained a lot of poundage while at Reni's ( i wasn't a very good girl at all when it came to sticking with my eating plan)

we had a small dinner this year as all the other family had other plans already in place. Just Seymour and I, Seth and Peter, a friend of ours. It was very very nice.

Menu: with recipes to follow
Turkey and gravy
sage and onion stuffing
Cauli Mash
broccoli and cheese casserole
tossed salad with pomogranite seeds
sugar free pumpkin pie
lower carb pecan pie

I know that I had some appetizers, but I for the life of me can't remember what!

The dressing--which is a family tradition from my great grandmother-- is generally made with fresh breadcrumbs. It's just breadcrumbs, onion, sage and butter. This year I subbed low carb bread, flax meal and almond meal for the bread. it was delicious.

Cauli mash is steamed cauliflower processed in the food processor with about 4 ounces of cream cheese to one head of Cauliflower. add a little salt and and garlic powder and it's done. This is one of our favorite dishes and we have it a couple of times a week. Its wonderful with gravy. Or without!

The broccoli casserole was a variation of the traditional green been casserole, just for a change. I added some grated cheese to the recipe--the one with the French's onions on top. This is our new tradition, we liked it so much.

the tossed salad was romaine lettuce with cucumber , jicama, Pomegranate seeds and pecan halfs roughly chopped. the dressing is 1/4 cup of walnut oil, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 3 packets splenda, a dash of tabasco and about 1/2 teaspoon salt. this is my FAVORITE salad dressing. soooooo good!

for the pumpkin pie I use the Libby's recipe ( on the can)with the following subs-- half heavy cream and half water in place of the canned milk( saves 20 carbs) 1/4 cup xylitol and18 packets of splenda for the sugar ( saves 150 carbs) and I increase the spices by half again.--(thats just my preference.) bake as per the recipe.

for the crust I use:
1 1/4 cup almond or pecan flour
2 T oat flour
1 T xylitol
1 T poly dextrose ( optional)
4 T melted butter

mix it all together and then just press it into a 9 in pie pan like you do with a graham cracker crust

bake at 350 for about 10 min ( I put foil over the edge to keep it from burning) take out and brush the crust with egg white and bake for an additional 5 min to set it. pour in the pie filling and bake as usual--this is why the foil over the edge becomes important as you are baking the crust twice. but it doesn't work if you don't! this saves about 200 carbs. each piece of pie is under 5 grams carb--a normal piece is about 50!!!!!!!

The pecan pie was very complicated, used a lot of specialty products and wasn't as low carb as I wan'ted it to be. It was for Seymour and he loved it--he doesn't care as much about lower carb as i do as he doesn't have the same metabolic issues I have! if i get it tweaked to my satisfaction I'll post the recipe.

12 Delights of the ThanChristmanikah Newyear Season

2008-12-30T09:04:00.000-07:00

ever since I left for Reni's my life has been a WHIRL and I"ve fallen really behind on blogging.

So much has been going on! So I'll attempt to catch up a bit with the next 12 posts!

2008-12-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

2008-12-12T09:41:00.000-07:00

I'm finally back home and back to my computer. which I really missed. I'm so excited to finish decorating for the Hols and to just be HOME. I did have a fabulous time visiting and vacationing in Oregon. Pictures to follow. Busy day tody as we got back last night and we are expecting about 100 people for a party Saturday night. I'm not in charge of the food, thank God, just having the place festive looking and clean. can do, but will have to turn and burn today.

about that nose dent

2008-11-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

okay gusti just for you
My nose:

you will note that there is a flat space across the tip and in that space there is a faint shadow-- that is the dent. you can kinda see it in my profile pic as well.

aA rather longish nose with that kinda flat tip--with or without the dent --is the English nose I'm talking about.

I saw variations all over the place in London when I was there. Witness:

King Charles the 1st of England

his son King Charles the 2nd

Anna Chancellor, modern British Actress (Duck Face in "Four Weddings and a Funeral") here seen in A&E's "Pride and Prejudice".

See!!! an English nose

Seven weird or Funny things

2008-11-24T12:36:00.000-07:00

Okay I'll play

1. To continue Reni's tooth theme--all my teeth--100%--are capped or are bridges, due to a combination of getting hit in the mouth with a fast soft ball at age 12, and a genetic predisposition to decay and gum disease.

2.My nose has a dent in it at the bottom--a very English nose. Seymour thinks it's weird--but HIS nose is a very Jewish nose--total opposites!

3. I am a Christmas FANATIC. I put up my main tree the day after Thanksgiving ( it's artificial), play xmas music 24/ 7 for the whole month. have at least 2 other trees --real, for the smell--and have decorations ( a Christmas village , a miniature carousel, santas etc etc ) pretty much everywhere you look. I watch all the Christmas movies, multiple times. I make special homemade christmastime only food--particularly homemade candy...and it goes on. And now I have Channukah decorations as well. I loooooove the holidays.

4.my favorite thing to do is to eat out--preferably at fabulous, one of a kind, creative restaurants. favorite cuisine-rustic fusion.

5.you cannot share a meal with me and NOT have the conversation eventually come around to low carb eating and the evils of grain and sugar.

6.I don't like to cook. Everybody thinks I do Because I do it well, but the only thing I really enjoy cooking is desserts and candy. I just really like EATING good food soooo... ( and hence number 4 above)

7. I talk to my cats. A lot. Outloud.

so there.

I tag Ashley, Kylee and Pam Kimball ( I know Pam you don't have a blog yet --so START ONE already!!!)

2008-11-20T20:46:00.000-07:00

one of the little projects we have been working on while I've been here has been potty training Asher. He's doing fabulous, thanks to a little idea Reni got froma suggestion Patience made. he had been resisting even sitting on the potty at all always saying " I don't want to". with great emphasis--and tears if we tried to force the issue

Soooo we started a little game with everyone. After enlisting everyone to hlep, we would set a timer and when it went off we would ask " who needs to go to the potty?" First Reni and I went, then a couple of the kids would go and we would get Asher to come and watch. after a bit we convinced him that it was his turn and he willingly went and we got peeps in the potty!!!! He got a sticker and i did a silly little potty dance. sfter that everytime he would get peepee in the potty he would ask for a "Silly Fanny Dance"

below is an example. so Anyway--threee accidents the first day, only one the THIRD day and today--the fifth day--he even managed to keep a diaper dry on a whole day out at the mall and etc!!!

witness the Fanny Potty dance

Asher story

2008-11-09T12:45:00.001-07:00

on Friday we spent most of the day shopping a driving around in the car. it was a long day for everyone so at some point I started playing twenty questions with the kids--which they loved ( and never want to STOP!!!!) we played for alot of the afternoon--Mostly Kensi and Sa,em of course.

along towar evening I was driving with just the boys in the car-- (Reni and Kensi were t a bridal shower and I was fetching Abe from work so....) Salem and I started a game--the other boys werea lseep--or so we thought.

after a bit Asher pipes up from his seat " I want to do one"
okay I said " do you have an animal in your head?
yes he siad " I have an aminal"

salem asked how may legs does it have
" four" Asher replied ( he'd obvioulsy been listening very carefully all aftrnoon!)
" does it have fur?"
Yes , it has fur" ( pronounced foo)
does it have a trunk?
"no, my aminal doesn't have a frunk"
is it a lion?
"no it is not a yiyon"
I give up, what is it?
"um....a balloon!!!" and then gales of giggles

It deteriorated quickly after that--the next animal had four legs and shoes and socks and ears and a Butt!! oh, and a frunk and a chair-thingy on its bottom. (an elepahnt with shoes and socks sitting in a chair, perhaps?

much laughter and amazement from all. he really is quite the two year old!

adventures in Fannyland

2008-11-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

So I;/m here in Utah at the little red cabin with Reni ans the kids.

you've seen pictures of the baby so I don't need to tell you how pretty he is and , as newborns go, he's a pretty easy one.

we've gotten lots of projects done( Reni painted the bathroom yesterday) but we've also had some mishaps--I mangled the tip of my middle finger on my left hand with a power saw the second day here--so that hurts! gonna be a nice hunk of scar tissue!!! and yesterday I had some kinda stomach bug ( the egg burps YUCH) and Abe has it today. but we've also had some fun

Asher the two year old is as charming as a two year old can be. He talks very well but uses some interesting intitial consonants--mostly f--for a variety of sounds, hence Thaddeus is Faddeus and Grampy is Frampy. So I am Fanny. Makes me laugh.

Halloween party

2008-10-31T09:03:00.001-06:00

Great fun was had by all, but I think I had the most fun--all week-- getting ready for it was just a blast!!!!! The idea started with the fact that I grew enough pumpkins for each of the grand children that live in the area to have one. I have always loved Halloween but since Ashley grew up and we get no trick'r treaters I had no excuse to decorate. A party was the best idea I've had in a long time.

visitors were first met by scarecrow

and then proceeded through the graveyard

to be met by black cats and skeletons

then... on to the pumpkin patch

I'm not sure whose funeral this is--but Mike ( Seymour's son) seems to be giving the eulogy and Stacey is doing the burying. LOL

witchy poo in the pumpkin patch

our masterpieces
for some reason we got no pictures of all of us carving--too sad

then it was time to eat!

Calvin and Leo playing in the witches brew

witch fingers ( soft pretzels..pretty yummy)

the eyeball deviled eggs were pretty good, but no one touched the boogers on a stick!!

for Dessert--Devils Food Graveyard cake and I Scream

I really was such fun--were hoping to make it an annual tradition.

new window

2008-10-31T08:30:00.001-06:00

We finally got this project done!

before

and after

another angle

so you can see that it is still not finished. But the window is in-- Joy joy joy glee glee glee!!!!

it's been unfinished, open to the studs wall ,since I move in 7 years ago. The wall will eventually be a faux finish like the bottom half of the hall. this wont happen till mid December --Then the tiling needs to be finished--which won't happen till spring or summer when we aren't using the stove. we actually need to replace the stove and the floor tile so hopefully that will happen in the summer as well.

Sarah Palin

2008-10-24T09:07:00.000-06:00

So here is a little something that made me laugh really hard. (note: I'm NOT a Sarah Palin fan. If you are you'll prol'ly wanna skip this post)

Here is a link to the original guy who created it--bigger so you can read it better! --AND...you can even buy T-shirts and MUGS!!!! whoo-ooo

Sarah Palin Debate Flow Chart

2008-10-23T12:10:00.000-06:00

okay--one other blogworthy incident ( I guess..) I burned the crap out of my forearm taking a pan out of the oven a couple of days ago. about 2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide deep 2nd degree and it hurts like &*^% he**--well ALOT. so stupid!!!

2008-10-23T07:54:00.000-06:00

o-KAY Reni--just for you! I promise its pretty boring!

we have pretty leaves!

then there is the saga of the " Ugly Pilgrim" seen here to your left.

Last year I bought this guy at Hobby Lobby for about a dollar--he was on clearance for 90% off or something and he is was the only one left--no matching lady or Indian. Everybody thought he was hilarious and he was dubbed the "Ugly Pilgrim". (Well, he IS kinda ugly, LOL.) And I determined that he is now an essential part of Thanksgiving--Kinda like the "Ugly Turkey Plate" (which Patience now has BTW)

I've been on the lookout since the season started this year, hoping I would find a matching Pilgrim-ess, but until yesterday no luck. I was afraid he would have to remain a bachelor forever.

So...... yesterday I FOUND her--and on sale too!

She isn't nearly as Ugly as he..he is so gray looking compared to her. Kate remarked that at least the Ugly Pilgrim had a hot wife! So I guess I can't call them the "Ugly Pilgrims". They will remain "The Ugly Pilgrim and his Wife" ( or maybe she's his daughter--or as Seymour just commented: Perhaps she's his mistress?--Hester Prynn maybe?)

It really doesn't seem possible that it has been two weeks since I updated, but I've been really busy--with the house of course--I told you already that's pretty much all I do! I haven't blogged about the projects yet cause nothing is finished . LOL we did get Kate's new room painted but it is still a mess. so photos as soon as she gets it all cleaned up.

Other incidental projects are also pending--got the top of the balcony railing finished and trimmed. Those of you who know the house know that is has been open drywall and unfinished wood. It is now topped and trimmed in white.

Seymour said he had planned to finish it in oak--but I figure he had his chance--20 years!!!! Now its my turn! I'll get some pictures up soon I promise.

Also ( Ashley if you are reading this, sit down. ) The WINDOW by the wood burning stove is getting put in and FINISHED!!!!! OMG.!!!!!!!!!

so anyway I've been waiting to post till I got everything done, but, well... you got some silliness too. Thank Reni!

2008-10-07T14:16:00.000-06:00

I find it hard to update--compared to all you young people--with all your kids and their "doings" and cuteness--my life seems very pedestrian. Everyday is pretty much same-ol' same-ol' and all I have exciting to show is pics of my house! (I'll be posting soon about my cats and I will never hear the end of it from Emily who is convinced I'm already sliding into my dotage and "crazy cat-ladyhood!" LOL)
Anyhoo... her are some pics of my HOUSE!

I got very ambitious after the Bedroom got done and fixed a couple of small areas that have been needing attention ( ie were bugging me!)

I did the hall way to the basement first--so here are the before and after pics of that. I don't know how well you can tell from the photo, but the update colors are both faux finishes.
they turned out very nicely and I LOVE that wall now. Before it was just blah and it bugged me!
It also had no finish trim--baseboard or around the door so that got done as well. I'm getting to be a pretty good trim carpenter if I do say so myself!

I also got the curtains on the wall near the couches finished--they were just strips of cloth hooked up and had been that way for several months. Sewed, rehung at the right height and I also changed the color of the wall-- Less aggressive and more elegant. Much better! I had too much " purple and orange; orange and purple" going on. More interesting , better design now.

The next project is moving rooms around.--with some painting going on I'm sure. My craft room is moving down to the basement, Kate is moving into my craft room--she has been such a good sport about living in a tiny space but with this change she'll have a normal size room. the grandkids toy room goes back into the fan room ( where Kate has been) and the workout weight-cage and related equipment moves up to the landing ( out of the space where my craft room is going) where it will be accessible to all for excellent workouts this winter! whew. Did you get all that?
We hope to get that all done before I leave for Utah--where I can apply my excellent skills and well developed muscles to Reni's "little" project. LOL

2008-10-02T21:55:00.000-06:00

I finished the bedroom and here are the after pics. this first one basically from the same spot as the before pic Then the photos kinda travel around the room counter clockwise. New curtains, new artwork new lamps and bedside table and new closet door. wheee! I really love it.

2008-10-02T17:15:00.000-06:00

Since I published a pic of some of my sculptures in progress, I thought maybe I should show you something a bit more finished. this Santa was the head on the left in the previous photo. he has no hands yet and he will eventually have elves and a sleigh.

Here is a full body shot and one with my hand so you can see the scale. I have such a good time doing these dolls, I almost feel guilty doing it!

For those who may not have seen my work before--the faces and hands , and anything that is "skin" is sculpted from translucent polymer clay. The body is a soft body over a pose-able wire armature.

I design and sew the costume and make the boots--real leather--and any additional details and accessories--whatever is needed to complete the vignette.

BLOG GAMES

2008-10-02T08:34:00.000-06:00

Okay, Gusti. I'll play (even though I wasn't really invited and I'm not a photographer lol I'm getting even pushier in my old age!) .
let's see...fourth picture in the fourth file....

This was taken in about march of this year. these are two Santa Claus heads I was working on. I took a bunch of pictures to document that my work was original and one of a kind in case it ever comes up! Now I'll need to go and take pictures of the still-in-progress Dolls. All I did this summer was landscaping! I tag Reni and Quinn and Ashley

2008-09-28T07:29:00.000-06:00

I had the most extraordinary experience yesterday--I hardly know how to begin to share it.

The day began with an audition (always a bit of an ordeal emotionally) for "Wit", a play I would really really love to do. audition went fine. I felt that I read well ( made them laugh a couple of times) but got no clues from the director --as per usual--so.... just waiting to hear on that.

THEN, I didn't want to go home yet, as I was still petty wired from the audition, so went looking for a coffee shop or something near by. I invited Seymour to join me, but he had an appointment so would try to meet me, but later rather than sooner, so I was on my own.

I ended up at the Denver art museum complex, only a couple of blocks away from the theatre, and chose to treat myself to lunch in the rather upscale, very pretty restaurant in the museum.

As I was ordering, the hostess seated another solitary woman nearby.

I have always wanted to be the sort of person who would invite a stranger to share my table, but I've never had the guts to do it, (always second guessing and concerned about looking foolish or WHATEVER!) but this time--maybe the audition made me brave--I just did it.

The woman, rather delightedly I thought, accepted my invitation--actually, she asked me to join HER as her table had a more picturesque position--and we were off.

I met the most fabulous woman! I don't think I've ever met someone with whom I had more in common. She is from Sante Fe, and was only in town for the weekend. She teaches art for the Waldorf schools, recently got into sculpting, has 5 children ( would have had more but started late) has a very metaphysical philosophy of life--and a delightful personality. we are , of course, planning to keep in touch!

Like Reni mentioned in her blog--it is so wonderful to find a new friend! and what a dramatic way to find one!

Seymour showed up at the end and met her , her name is Chris, and of all things, had his camera along so we have PICTURES! what a riot!

This one was taken just outside the museum

This one was just after we realized we had nearly identical sunglasses--and hairdos!!

So, a day I was rather dreading--I'm not having much fun with auditions lately--turned into one of the best days ever.

Pretty cool.

Grands

2008-09-26T09:08:00.000-06:00

I've got Bailey and Lennon this morning-- Patience has a business meeting. Here are a couple of pics of the cuties in Granny's playroom. I love that I have to buy toys for the Grand's . I get to buy all the stuff I coveted as a kid! heeheehee.

notice that Bailey has a doll baby and Lennon has an incredible Hulk hand on. All girl and all boy. LOL

THIS AND THAT

2008-09-24T13:21:00.000-06:00

Well, the bedroom is finished--except for the new drapes I ordered on-line ( found the PERFECT thing at TARGET!!!! ) As soon as they arrive I'll post the after picture. oh it looks so good!

I've got my plans for travel this fall all made and booked. NOv 1-23 with Reni for the new baby. then home for thanksgiving. THEN the day AFTER Thanksgiving, Seymour and I are flying to Eugene OR to spend several days with Seymour's sister Marilyn and family. We always have a great time with them ( hi Marilyn!) and I'm looking forward to that a bunch.

Still trying to decide if and/or when to go out to California--I've spent several Christmases with Caleb and Julie and Max and Emily and that is always pretty much a blast so I may do that. Seymour and I do our holiday family thing at Channukah, so he doesn't care if I'm away for Christmas. Actually, I just about talked myself into it! gotta go check flights.

2008-09-22T08:50:00.000-06:00

I had to take a break from working on the bedroom for a minute this morning (painting is done--trim next) to make a batch of raspberry jam. I bought a flat of berries at Costco so they needed to get done before they spoiled. Our own berries produced plenty this year and I could've easily gotten enough for a batch of jam in three days--but we just kept EATING THEM! They were soooo good.

I was amazed, however, at how quickly the jam went together. Start to finish it took less than an hour. And the clean-up was done while the jars were processing. (It helps a lot that I already have all the jars and lids and paraphernalia.)
It is really so easy to do--and I didn't use my canner even--just a medium soup pot.
I've made lots of jam before but don't remember it going so fast. Practice makes perfect I guess!

I make my own because, of course, I don't use sugar. This batch was sweetened with a combination of xylitol and splenda. (FYI anybody who's interested--xylitol works with pectin very much like sugar does so you get a nice gel, unlike the non nutritive sweeteners alone i.e. splenda, aspartame, saccharine.) I used about 3/4 cup xylitol and 30 drops of the liquid sucralose mentioned before--equivalent to about 2 cups of sugar--for 6 cups of jam.

I feel very accomplished.