What Happened for Me Today

A number of things:

First, my husband Ernie and I went for a walk at gorgeous Pueblo Park. It was a sparkling morning of 50-something outside. It’s filled with trees, grass, chipmunks and mountains in the distance. What a great way to start the weekend. We talked, laughed and he gave me that look that made me fall in love 13 years ago.

Lemon Cream Cheese Tart

I was scrounging around in my produce drawer yesterday and found not one, but two bags of lemons.  What was I thinking?  One bag looked like if I don’t use it soon they just might go south.  I hate throwing food away because I forgot I bought it.  Ernie’s not happy about that either.

After all, groceries are one of the highest monthly expenses in a household.  When you figure how much you spend in an entire month on groceries it kills me to think I’m throwing something out because I forgot it was there and got too busy.

I also bought lower fat cream cheese to make my Pumpkin Bourbon Cheesecake soon.  When I got home I realized I had one too many bricks of cream cheese in the grocery bag.

Hmmmm… lemons and cream cheese.  What to do?

Red Cabbage and Apples

Winter arrived in Las Vegas this week. It was the end of summer less than a week ago – temps in the balmy eighties. Suddenly it was gusty, chilly, better pull-a-jacket-on-with-a sweater weather.  That’s how it happens around here.

After nine years in Las Vegas I’ve learned the drill.  It takes a long time to make the agonizingly slow descent from the scorching, oppressive, make-you-want-to-cry 110 degree heat in August, to the cooler but still summery October.

Yesterday I wanted hot cocoa. I wanted my coziest, ugliest chenille sweater and a good, engrossing book.  Instead I had meetings with two mentoring clients and a prospective client.

Plus, our carpet was cleaned. So, at 7:00 am, Ernie and I had to move furniture. Almost everything had to be up off the floor. My leather office chairs were in the bathroom. The dining table was in the kitchen. The side tables were on top of our bed. The carpet looks great, though.  We’re ready for the holidays. The Christmas tree will go up next weekend.

Today, I intend to tuck into a good book underneath a cuddly afghan.

This time of year we want hearty, rib-sticking foods that make us feel nurtured. Even here in Vegas But we don’t want to pack on pounds. Because after the holidays we’ll set New Years Resolutions to lose those same pounds. As a result my favorite mashed potato recipes (I’ve got some good ones) will have to wait.