Yummy Christmassy Dinner Party

The table was beautiful, as were all the dishes before we dug into them, but oh my god I forgot to take pics so, here are the "morning after" (aka leftover) pics of the Tomato Goat Cheese Tart and the Salted Caramel Pie (with peanut and chocolate additions):

This Tomato Goat Cheese Tart is amazing.  The crust is fantastic, and I think I'll use it for other things.  Crunchy, flaky, perfectly cheesy and seasoned.  Next time, instead of Italian herbs, I'll use just rosemary to see.  Couldn't more highly recommend this recipe.  I couldn't find my mini-tartlet pans for the life of me so I made a large one.  It turned out great, but next time I will do the minis, because I think it will work better with the goat cheese filling.  Either way is great: http://www.takeamegabite.com/?p=3646


To start the meal I made this Mario Batali Pappa al Pomodoro -- Tomato & Bread Italian Soup.  It's more thick than most soups, so I gave everyone smaller portions so as not to fill them up too much: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/tomato-bread-soup-pappa-al-pomodoro-recipe/index.html.  I actually made the tomato base -- pre water and bread additions -- the night before so as to fully steep with flavors.

Then for dessert, this great Food & Wine recipe for Salted Caramel Pie.  I added peanuts (Salted Blistered from Trader Joe's) to crust and stirred in a big handful of semisweet chocolate chips into the caramel at the end also.  Then I added chopped nuts and chocolate to decorate.  I served with Salted Caramel and Chocolate Ice Cream.  Also, I hardly put any sugar in the topping because the pie is so sweet.  It offset the sweetness well.  Finally, I whipped 3 cups of cream instead of 2, as recipe states: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/salted-caramel-pie

So, the full menu:

• Cocktail -- Prosecco, Orange Liqueur, Juice of one Tangerine, and Pomegranate Juice Cocktail (slices of tangerine in glass) -- all to taste
• Italian Tomato Bread Soup
• Tomato Basil Goat Cheese Tart
• Salad with Parmiggiano and Toasted Almonds (balsamic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and juice of one tangerine)
• Green Beans sauteed with garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, yellow tomatoes, lemon juice
• Warm Sourdough Bread
• Salted Caramel Pie + Ice Creams

Buon Yummy Natale!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do You Know a Trader Joe's Virgin?

My lovely friend Peter lives in London and my constant postings about Trader Joe's have been driving him crazy for a long time.   But, he need suffer no more.  He is going to New York and wants some guidance on how to approach his first Trader Joe's visit.  So, this one's for Peter.... and Tara who is in Canada, too, who I think is equally frustrated with my darned Trader Joe's ingredient lists.

Peter took me for a lovely walking tour all over London a couple months ago.  When I think of embarking on the Trader Joe's tour, I find it almost as daunting as a city tour!  There are so many hidden gems, off the beaten path, and so many areas you might accidentally miss due to other bright and shiny things being right near by.   So, I'll break the store up into sections:

1.  Fresh Flowers -- Really inexpensive here. I suggest making your own flower arrangements.  For instance, they often have tulips and gerber daisies and some sort of lily.  Mixing these all up is lovely.  They also often have calalillies -- purple, white, pink and yellow...lovely.
2.  Fresh Veggies and Fruits -- Gams you might miss are Broccoli Slaw which is broccoli stems and carrots mixed together in the crunchiest, yummiest mix.   Just throw vinegar and olive oil on it, some salt and papper, and a few toasted nuts.  They also have a bijillion kinds of lettuce.  My current favorite combo (sold separately) is butter lettuce and arugula.  Also, they always have regular green beans, but you want to get the Haricot Verts in little plastic bags.  These, as well as several other veggies sold like this, have bags that can be snipped and thrown in the microwave for quick veggie treat.  Bottom line: take your time in this aisle.
3.  Cheese -- Trader Joe's Started with nuts, chees, and wine, so they know how to choose 'em.  Trust them.  Current faves are the Aged Gouda, and for the holidays, the goat cheese logs rolled in Cranberry or Blueberry -- both are amazing.  The Blueberry is a little sweeter. 

All the goat cheeses are incredible.  Another daily fave is the Whipped Goat Cheese (look for little blue and white tub).  You can't go wrong with anything that draws you...OMG like the Baked Brie they already
4.  Nuts/Dried Fruits --   My faves: dry toasted almonds (two cuts available), toasted salted Pepitas (OMG what an amazing snack or salad spicer upper), dried cranberries with orange flavoring (must try, great on salads in this season especially), and the very best peanuts on planet Earth:

Old Fashioned Blister Peanuts.   Just literally don't leave the store without them.

5.  Chips/Crackers -- Current favorite cracker is the Pita Crackers -- they are so thick and crunchy and exquisitely salted.   The Low Fat Cheese Crunchies (a cheeto rip off that is so much better than the original, much cheesier and yummier) are hard to put down.  Every chip I've ever tried was absolutely delish.  They have a bijillion potato chips and a bijillion tortilla chips to choose from.

6.  Frozen Foods -- The pastas in a bag are remarkable good.  Throw a handful of fresh spinach or other lightly sauteed veggies to just kick them up a little and they are spectacular.  New favorite the Bento Box -- gloriously spiced and balanced, a lovely light supper.  Something you will ALWAYS find in my freezer -- Jasmine Rice.  Each box has three bags.  Pop in the microwave and miraculously perfectly cooked rice is ready to bless any dish!  The frozen thin pizzas are my faves in that section. 

7.  Chocolate and Cookies -- Peter-- YOU WILL BE IN HEAVEN -- you will need a while to slowly linger down this aisle.  The chocolates and cookies, by the way are all above the frozen foods.  So, dress accordingly, as you will be here for a while.  My most favorite new thing at TJs are these unbelievably brilliant Chocolate Mint Wafers.  Imagine this: ice cream cone wafer about an inch in diameter, covered with divine dark chocolate and sprinkled with teeny tiny candy cane bits.  Two different kinds of crunch and lots of richness.  Also, I'm sorry but TJs food creators are GENIUSES:

The other aisles are Coffee/Tea, Dry Goods (pasta, canned foods, etc.), Liquor, and Dairy... all things delicious found in all of them, but I think I've hit all the "stars" of Trader Joe's that are must-visits, or must-buys if you can fit them in your suitcase!

Everyone else: free to pass this on to all the "Trader Joe's Virgins" you know.

Buon Joe Appetito!

Tangerine Dreams & Chocolate Orgasms

I will tell you right now that people's Facebook updates affect me.  The media genius, lovely, wonderfully talented Summers McKay, was posting about her recent trip to Mexico.  Therefore when I opened up my latest Food & Wine magazine I was SUSCEPTIBLE to the following three recipes that I simply HAD to make for friends:

Now, why do I only have a picture of the table the day after?  Well, because I had to taste the first inspiring recipe before my guests arrived and was pretty damn drunk after only 1/2 a TANGERINE MARGARITA!  I highly recommend adjusting this recipe by adding maybe twice as much fresh tangerine juice: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/tangerine-margaritas.   Oh my God were they delicious once I added more tangerine juice.   I should say -- if you are a lightweight like me, you may want to adjust the recipe.   But what is more delightful a task than juicing wondrously ripe and wonderful tangerines?  Nada!

Next, inspiring dish by the same chef:  Crunchy Cabbage Icebox Salad.  And, for those of you on Weight Watchers -- it's only 4 points a serving.  YUMMALICIOUS, crunchy, healthy: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/crunchy-cabbage-icebox-salad.

Then, in my inimitable Lazy Way, I just threw on the counter for the guests to make their own taco or quesadilla the following:  roasted chicken (from Ralphs, who one of my guests said makes the best roasted chicken -- being a vegetarian I was happy to hear I hit the mark!), grated cheese, olives, three kinds of salsa, chopped cilantro, chopped chives, beans, sliced avocado with lime juice to preserve them during cocktails, and two kinds of tortillas. 

For dessert, another Jenn Louis genius recipe from the same Food & Wine spread: Honey Roasted Pineapple: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/honey-roasted-pineapple.  So delicious and for maybe less than a point, especially since I halved the honey. 

To go with the light dessert, I found -- also at Ralphs (you never hear me mention anything but Trader Joe's but today they are the stars!) -- CHUAO CHOCOLATE!  I had no idea they were in stores now. I have been to their boutiques a few times always for multi-chocolate-orgasmic experiences.  To find them in stores is nothing short of a Christmas miracle -- and it turns out they are EVERYWHERE NOW -- http://www.chuaochocolatier.com/retailers.htmlhttp://www.chuaochocolatier.com/retailers.htmlhttp://www.chuaochocolatier.com/retailers.html.

To end the Mexico-inspired evening I chose my two very favorite blends that both have some good heat.  FIRECRACKER is a must, must, must, must, must -- did I say MUST?  I'm not kidding you must try Firecracker.  I make people close their eyes when they first try it because it's literally as if fireworks are going off in your head when you eat it!  OUTRAGEOUS!



So, thank you Summers McKay for an evening of deliciousness and dreams galore.

June Cleaver is a Lazy Woman!

I had a very un-lazy day on Wednesday, when my washing machine caused a huge flood, and ensuing six hour clean-up.  But, I had a very lazy Black Friday when I walked into a brand new electronics store, famous here in Southern California for having good deals.  Recommended by a friend, I went over there after searching for the best deals online, stopping at Sears.  I walked in and there was hardly anyone there because it's a brand new location for the chain.  I was helped immediately, and realized I could actually have my dream washer and dryer. 

I did my first load of laundry in it today and I may just sleep outside with it tonight, I love it so!  It's gorgeous and so efficient and my clothes haven't been this clean in year.  I think I should apologize to anyone I even brushed by in the last two years because I realized my clothes haven't really been clean for that long. 

I was so excited by my new appliances, I cleaned out the utility room where the washer/dryer are, then went to the garage, cleaned and organized even more, and brought in all the Christmas decorations.

And, then, what did June Cleaver still have energy to do?  Bake a birthday cake for my friend's 92 year old mom who is in the hospital recovering from a hip operation.  I googled "Best Chocolate Layer Cake Ever" and found this well-reviewed recipe.  It truly is fantastic.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/gale-gand/chocolate-layer-cake-recipe/index.html

The only change I made was to cut the sugar in the frosting by 1.5 cups -- so 4.5 cups instead of 6.  I also chopped up about 10 Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Crisps and put them on top of the frosting between the layers to add some very dark chocolate and for some extra texture. 

I got to taste it because I had enough batter to make extra cupcakes.  Yummalicious!

Buon Lazy Chocolate Appetito!

Seriously People...Best Carrot Cake Ever in History of Mankind -- with CHOCOLATE CHIPS!

I had a very big cooking challenge on my hands this week.   I was throwing a birthday dinner party for my friend who looooooooooooooooooves Carrot Cake.  He told me the best carrot cake he ever had was at a restaurant in Kansas City that no longer exists.  I tried tracking down the recipe to no avail.  I was even in Kansas City recently and hunted around a bit.  No go.  It turns out my friend paid the chef for the recipe many years ago and makes the cake, but I didn't want to cheat and ask for it.


So, I then did the next best thing: I googled "best carrot cake ever" and found this recipe from Southern Living 1997.  http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/best-carrot-cake-10000000257583.

My friend is from the south so I thought that might do the trick, and it called for something I had never seen before -- a buttermilk glaze that you put over all the cakes prior to the cream cheese frosting, thus locking in the moisture. Super creative, plus adding another level of flavor with the buttermilk. I then thought "hmmm.....what about chocolate chips mixed in?"  So, I put chocolate chips in just one of the three layers -- to test it out.  I know it was risky for an important Birthday Carrot Cake, but it turned out amaaaaazing.   I put chocolate chips in only the top layer, and then.....drum roll....I put crushed the Chocolate Crisps between only the bottom two layers.

The verdict?  This cake recipe is so divine, it definitely doesn't need chocolate, but it really adds a supercalifragilisticexpialidociousness to it.  You don't need a lot.  I'd say 1/2 to 3/4 cup for the whole thing so each layer is "dotted" with them. 

But, you could also just do the crushed Crisps in between all three layers -- I'd say crush up 10 to 12 crips for each in-between layer spot.

Also, I made two alerations to the recipes -- I cut the sugar in all three elements -- cake, glaze and frosting -- by 1/4.  AND, I added about 1/4 cup -- maybe 1/3 (needs to remain spreadable, so be careful) -- buttermilk to the frosting.  It made it particularly creamy, and gave it an extra kick to offset all the sweetness.

Buon Sweet Carrot Appetito to all!

P.S. Sorry I didn't take a photo fo the cake all purdy and decorated...it looked amazing I promise!

 

Winter Yum Soup

I am in the middle of a 3 1/2 day meditation retreat that I am participating in remotely, via phone and web.  It's fantastic, especially because I can do things like I just did!  We had a 15 minute bathroom break, an hour prior to the two hour lunch break.  Already hungry and craving a warm vegetable soup, I threw this soup together in just about 8 minutes.  All of this can be found at Trader Joe's, but all stores have all of these ingredients, except possibly the broccoli slaw, which could actually be replaced with normal ol' cabbage slaw.

Ingredients
2 - 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes
2 - 15 cans pinto beans (or whatever your favorite bean is -- this happens to be mine)
1 - 32 oz vegetable stock (or other stock if you prefer -- I'm a vegetarian)
1 - 28 oz can of water (i.e., when you empty it, fill it with water and throw that in!)
1 - 10 oz bag of sliced mushrooms (I chopped them up further)
1 - 13 oz bag of broccoli slaw
1/2 cup red lentils (I just threw them in for texture and color)
2 Tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
2 Teaspoons Red Pepper Flakes
2 Dashes Lemon Pepper
Salt to taste

After 1/2 hour it was actually ready to go, but I turned the heat very low and let it simmer for a full hour.  It just gets better and better over time.  And, super miraculously the broccoli stays crunchy!

Obviously you can add all kinds of yummy extras that meet your taste wishes and needs.

Buon Cozy Appetito!

When You Have Your Health....

All those adages about how lucky we are when we have your health, always knew they were true, but this last year was the absolute proof.  I have been sick for just over a year, with the last four months being nearly intolerable, and boy was it a difficult journey. 

Last week, though, I finally found a doctor who prescribed the right medicine!  I was trying homeopathy, naturopathy for 8 months and then it go so much worse I sought out Western medicine.  Four doctors later, and I am finally taking the right meds!  Hallelujah.   I feel like I am born again!  It's a whole new world having my health back. I'm not even at 100% yet, and I'm so blissed out.

I have always had deep compassion for people dealing with long-term pain or illness because I have had brief experiences in my life with both and I know how intolerable even a month or two month long flirtation with either can put a dent in your life force.  Fighting pain or illness takes it all out of you, leaving little bandwidth for things like creativity, love, giving, and expressing all that you want to express in your life.

I look back at the last year and I can report that my productivity and creativity have been gravely affected.  Projects that were born but never grew to fruition, dinner parties cancelled, parties missed, relationships waning as I couldn't give them proper attention, and even, in the last couple of months, lost hope of ever being well.

One day I was speaking to a doctor on the phone and he said "We will figure this out."  As he spoke those words I watched a hummingbird poise itself right outside my office window at the bottle brush only feet away from where I sat.  I dared to have hope when I saw that sign.  My heart lifted for a moment, and then my mind said "why hope?" and then my heart won and I held onto that hope, clinging to it like a vine Tarzan would grab to cross the jungle.  It was the next day that I met the doctor who would prescribe me the winning solution. 

I am blessed. I was blessed when I was sick and I am blessed now that I have my health again.  I feel prarticularly blessed to have the energy to express myself.  I will write more here, and give back a whole lot more than I have been, and live, live, live....with extreme gratitude.

Lazily Dealing with Loss

I didn't expect 9/11 to hit me so hard.  It feels like NPR and the news shows were running stories for weeks.  Trickling tears leading up to the floodgates. 

9/11 was also the six month mark since my break-up, a kind of marker that I had been looking forward to so that I could take my dating temperature.  Synchronistically I had one of my first dates the day before, almost like God said "See, you're doin' good!"  I am doing better than good, I think, fully healing mind, body and spirit after a tough relationship ending.  I feel more whole and ready for a whole and healthy man. 

Yet, this little anniversary marker of a loss, an ending was also poignant and touched my heart.  It's never so easy as just one loss.  One loss drips into your heart and touches off the river of another loss that runs even deeper, and so on, and so on. 

I have many people around me dealing with loss right now, and their losses are touching off my own.  I wrote about a couple of losses that are perhaps once removed from my life, but still touched many people deeply.  Here are the links to The Morton Report stories of two extraordinary men, one bravely battling brain cancer, the other recently taken shockingly without notice: 

http://www.themortonreport.com/home-away/life/looking-for-mr-morgan/

http://www.themortonreport.com/home-away/life/looking-for-mr-morgan/

These two men are bright shining stars...forever.  The thousands we lost on 9/11, more shining stars forever. 

A friend posted this on Facebook yesterday in honor of 9/11 and I think it is worth reposting here:

"There are stars whose light only reaches the earth long after they have fallen apart. There are people whose remembrance gives light in this world, long after they have passed away. This light shines in our darkest nights on the road we must follow." - The Talmud

Lazy Summer Ice Cream Recipe

Usually when I make ice cream I do it the old fashioned way, making a custard base on the stove, etc.  But, I found a most miraculous recipe that really tastes almost exactly like ice creams that you slave over with very little effort at all. 

And, guess, what, when I did my one stop shopping at Trader Joe's, I found that the strawberries were not up to snuff for making ice cream the same day (yesterday), so I mozied over to the frozen fruit section and got a bag of frozen strawberries because I knew those would be very ripe, and heck they were going to be frozen in the end again anyway, right? 

Here's the recipe:  http://www.food.com/recipe/strawberry-ice-cream-like-ben-and-jerrys-122151.  I made this very easy recipe even lazier -- use frozen strawberries.  I just used a pastry cutter to chop them all up in a bowl, instead of cleaning, hulling and chopping fresh ones! 

The other two variations I made were at the end of the freezing process I added probablhy 1/4 cup of Cointreau....and the piece de resistance....I took a normal grater, i.e., large holes, like if you were grating a big hunk of cheddar cheese, and grated a 3 oz. bar of deep dark chocolate.  I added the shavings of the entire bar into the ice cream for the last couple of minutes in the ice cream maker.

If you grew up in Southern California you may remember Thrifty's Ice Cream.  They actually still make it and you can buy it at most Rite Aid stores.  Rite Aid took over the Thrifty's chain, but the ice cream is made in same factories apparently with all the same recipes.  They make my favorite mint chip ice crea because the chocolate chips are more like thin shavings and they are very dark chocolate. 

I was inspired to mimic those shavings, so that every bite of the creamy strawberry ice cream had a dark chocolate edge to it.  My guests say I succeeded!

Where Has the Lazy Woman Been!!??

I was asked to write for The Morton Report in June, and because I moved in July I've been mostly spending my writing time over yonder, but I wanted to pass on the links to my most recent articles, just in case you want to know what the heck this Lazy Woman has been up to....


Looking for Mr. Morgan

http://www.themortonreport.com/home-away/life/looking-for-mr-morgan/
My Dogs Would Do That
http://www.themortonreport.com/home-away/life/my-dogs-would-do-that/

Laziest Dessert of All = Tiramisu
http://www.themortonreport.com/home-away/food/laziest-dessert-of-all-tiramisu/

Lazy Technology: ClamCase is Pearl in the Sea of iPad Cases
http://www.themortonreport.com/home-away/gadgets/lazy-technology-clamcase-is-pearl-in-the-sea-of-ipad-cases/


All My Children: Lifelong Fans Become Part of a TV Family
http://www.themortonreport.com/entertainment/television/all-my-children-lifelong-fans-become-part-of-tv-family/

You Have Exactly What You Need

I have received a great lesson in the last couple of days, as I have discovered repeatedly that I have exactly what I need. 

I am still getting settled in my house and put a bunch of pots around an area where I'm creating a "moment" -- a lovely little spot to view from afar that will just make me happy.  I thought I needed to get about 10 plants to fill up the arrangement of pots.  But, because I didn't have the energy to get to the Farmer's Market this weekend, and I decided at 8 p.m. last night that I wanted to get it done, I found that I had exactly what I needed in terms of plants for the pots.  I had plants that were too big for their pots.  I had plants sitting around here and there that were just waiting for my attention.  In 15 minutes of pillaging and re-purposing, I made a beautiful arrangement of potted plants. 

I finally decided to put art up on the walls yesterday also.  I was waiting to finish configuring my rooms, but decided I was putting way too much focus on what a few inappropriate nail holes would do to the house!  My God, Bridget, get your priorities straight!

Usually I like to have a second opinion when hanging art, but I just went for it, and while I imagine things will change over time, I am very happy with my results and because I was in the flow of things I was able to hit the mark on my first nail hammering.  All are hung in the perfect spot!  And, boy do I feel more settled with the art up. 

I thought what I had wouldn't be right for this space, but again, I have exactly what I need for this space.

I tend to think "I want this, I want that...more, more...I want more!"  I really am so much more content when I live with what I have.   Not that I haven't bought new things for the new space --  new lovely mid-century furniture to match the house from an estate sale that fits the space perfectly -- but overall I have exactly what I need.

Whole and complete as we are....just as we are.

Lazy Woman Cooks - Even Right after a Move!

I had the gall to have people over for dinner only one week after I moved, but I did the usual Lazy Woman trick -- an Italian spread.  Meats, cheeses, a big salad, and a super easy pasta.  The only cooking I did was cooking the mushroom and artichoke ravioli while I sauteed up some mushroom, artichoke hearts, asparagus and herbs.  And, for dessert, I threw together another Strawberry Tiramisu:  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/strawberry-tiramisu-for-two/detail.aspx.   I always put way more sliced strawberries in it than listed, and I also put it in a glass vase instead of on a serving plate as pictured.

Tonight, though, I'm taking a Tiramisu to a dinner party and offered several options to the host.  He chose Chocolate-y, Crunchy and Nutty Tiramisu.  So, I made up this recipe...it's DE-FRICKING-AMAZINGLICIOUS and so incredibly easy to make. 

http://www.themortonreport.com/home-away/food/laziest-dessert-of-all-tiramisu/

Buon Appe-Lazy-Tito!

Grandma's Message

Moving is annoying and cool for one reason: it makes you purge.  Because I only had a couple weeks to prepare for my move, I didn't get to go through everything I needed to get through.  I did a whole helluva lot, but now as I set up my new house, as I unpack, I am purging even more now.  I now have several more give-away boxes.

Along with trash and donations I am also finding little gems like the one I just found that prompted this post.  A nearly illegible note that I had scrawled on an envelope several years ago.  It was a note I had taken during a conversation with my grandmother at the end of her life, when she was in and out of clarity, and seemed to be spending a good deal of her awake time in a very happy, though not earthly plain. 

I remember grabbing the envelope and pen as if it happened only hours ago.  She had just made me laugh really hard.   I remember thanking her for always making me laugh.  She replied:

"I had to make you laugh.  It's not from me, you know.  It's from somebody you love.  I'm talking about God."

I very nearly threw this envelope away.  I'm glad I was really taking my time and going through this lot of stuff with a fine tooth comb.  Sometimes quiet and calm pays off big.  And, sometimes the pain of moving has many hidden gifts.

Figs: God's Gift to Planet Earth + Me

I am always shocked to hear that people don't like figs.  My friend, Christina, was in town last weekend with her sweet 11 year old daughter, Gina.  I had expected Gina would be a kindred foodie given her vegetarianism.  Yes, she has been a vegetarian since she was 9 years old!  Pretty cool if you ask me.

Anyway, I was showing them the bounty of foods I had bought in their honor and was about to pull out a big bowl of figs when I exclaimed, fully expecting a resounding cry of agreement, "Gina, do you like figs?!!!!!"  She was trying to hide her disappointment in having to disappoint me.  It was a 1/2 second round robin of guilt, as I put the figs on the counter. 

Then she saw them and said "Those are figs?"  These were fresh green figs.  She had only had the deep purple mission figs.  I suggested she might want to try the teensiest bit of the green fig.  I had just made her a piece of toast with goat cheese on it.  I asked if I could put the tiniest smidgen of green fig on her goat cheese lathered toast and she said, courageously and with a twinkle in her eye "YES!" 

Well, folks, she LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED it!  Who knew that the two figs would taste so differently to her young, acutely-tuned palate.  The next day we actually all three did a taste test.  Gina still hated the missions.  Christina and I took our time mulling over the delicate differences between the two.  Missions are definitely more woodsy to me.  I love them both, but I think if I had to be caught on a desert island with only one I would choose the green figs.  

After they left I was missing them a little so I made a little snack for myself with both kinds of figs.  I swear I can't not be happy when I'm eating figs. 

The memory of Gina really made me smile too.  I love kids who are open to tasting anything.   It's so brave, and their taste buds really are so very sensitive. I especially love kids who are open to having their minds.  What a delightful young lady we have on this planet.  And, now the sweet green figs of this planet are lucky to have her love.

I Love Me Some Free Stuff!

I love free stuff and in the case of Weight Watchers, all fruit and most veggies (potatoes, avocados and a few other things excepted) are ZERO POINTS which to me means FREE! FREE!  FREE!

This was my breakfast this morning, as it is most mornings -- a huge bowl of delicious fruits.  In California we are blessed with having watermelon and blueberries almost all year long.  The flavors of these fruits now are even more spectacular, of course, in the summer.   So, this bowl of deliciousness made with one stop shopping at Trader Joe's.  This isn't even all the different fruits I have in the fridge that I picked up yesterday, but these work so nicely together, and they make a purdy picture, eh?:

• Watermelon
• Blueberries
• Black Figs
• Green Figs
• Honeydew Melon
• White Nectarines

Yummalicious!  Yesterday I actually had a big fruit salad twice before I had a late lunch at 3:30 p.m.  I was so in love with the flavors and really craved it again!  Today, my hunger level is higher, so I needed some protein earlier, but especially in the Summer, I like to start my day with a big bowl of free stuff!

I'm Dating A House

My very smart friend, Kathy, has been a great guide for me through the rocky, slippery, muddy, dusty landscape of the hills and valleys of my recent break-up.  She yanked me out of cavernous dark and humid depths on the days that I found out about yet another betrayal and was saying "How could I not have seen that?"   She pulled me up to the tops of insurmountable mountaintops and would proclaim, as if planting a homesteader flag in my heart: "You deserve better!"  

Thanks God for good, honest, down to earth friends!

Currently, Kathy is leading me through the hills and valleys of yet another landscape: finding a house.  I found out a couple weeks ago that I need to move in the next couple of months because my landlords are going to renovate this rental house and move into it themselves.  So, I'm running around Planet Los Angeles trying to find a quick sale or a good rental house.   The best of houses on the market for sale are short sales, which are not appropriate becuase the time it takes to complete a purchase of a short sale is anything but short and cannot be done in time.  Rentals, unfortunately, are hideously overpriced (more than mortgages if they are decent). 

So, I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off searching for a decent house to rent or buy.  When I found out today I lost a house that I adored -- as most first time buyers do -- I was devestated. 

Kathy reminded me:  It's like finding the right guy, you got a date a lot o' losers until the right one comes.  And, sometimes you think he's the right one, and you find out that indeed there is a far better one, which is a much better fit, just around the corner.

So, for the moment, while my soul readies itself for men again, I am dating houses.

I hope these houses don't lie like my last boyfriend.  I hope the one I find truly is "what you see is what you get, no sneaky hidden termites, nothing swept under the foundation, just plain and simple: Honesty, Integrity, Light, Happy House.

I'll dress up nice and purdy to see if I can catch me one o' dem good houses.

WWgasm = Wearing Goal Dress!

I finally had an excuse to wear my "goal dress."  I bought this Size 4 Trina Turk dress at Nordstrom Rack in January.  It now fits perfectly, and even though I'm still losing weight, it will fit even when I get to my goal, so I'm very happy.

This was the premiere of my friend's movie, which I will actually be posting a link about later today.

In the photo I'm with friend Elisa B., who has the most amazing dress store in Pasadena -- Elisa B.!  Must go if you are ever looking for a hot dress, outfit, jeans, or jewelry in Los Angeles.  We are with our "line friends" Bob and Frank.  We met them in line and it turns out they know the director, my writing partner, as well.   Now they are our friends too!

Magic, magic, magic.

Lazy Blueberry Thursday - With Figs!

Are you kidding me?  Figs are ZERO POINTS on Weight Watchers!  I would have assumed that their deliciousness level, not unlike the scrumptious heights of avocados, would cost me some points!  But, no, this bowl of crunchy, juicy blueberries plus several sweet, ripe, soft figs cost me a big zippo in points.

And, it really filled me up too! 

I am down 22 pounds in 23 weeks.  Very exciting!   Five pounds to go to my real goal but this is my Weight Watchers Lifetime goal.  Yep, I did it, I made it to my Lifetime goal today!  Fruits like these are making it very easy for me to stay within my points.

I bow to nature for giving us such colorful, sweet goodness.

Woooooooooohoooooooooooooooooooo!

Lazy Blueberry Monday: It's a Berry WWgasm Day!

Seriously, it's like eating candy!  What is more fun than a bowl of cherries?  A bowl of BLUEBERRIES!

For those of us on Weight Watchers, it's like they're paying us to eat them when it's ZERO points! 

This is a major WWgasm!  But, man even if weight loss is not your deal, run out and grab a couple cartons of blueberries.  Their flavor, texutre and pop just went up several notches this week!  Wooohooo!

Berry Beautiful Day to All!

Lazy Blueberry Sunday!

Oatmeal + fresh yummy blueberries -- stewed together with a tiny bit of brown sugar.  Delightful breakfast that will stay with me through Bar Method class and up to late brunch with a friend.

I took a photo because it was such a bright purple against the green bowl, it looked shockingly like a deep purple hydrangea -- one of my favorite flowers.  It really does make such a difference when your food is beautiful.  We taste with our eyes too. 

So, don't forget to scoop up some beauty for the pleasure of your eyes at every meal.  It will raise the yum factor by 1000!