First Anniversary

The year flew by! (Really, since it was one and year one month minus one day ago).

And it was lovely. Really, really wonderful. If this is what marriage is like for everyone, I highly recommend it! We had a long-standing plan of traveling to Las Vegas to renew our vows with Elvis. Of course, my surgery got in the way. When our anniversary rolled around I was still too sore to be doing a lot of walking and standing. We were bummed, but we tried to make the best of it. We spent a beautiful weekend in the mountains and returned to a surprise anniversary party at my parents' house, complete with Elvis and a set of Elvis-y vows since we couldn't make it to his "turf."

So now we are well on our way into our second year. Wiser perhaps, and excited for the road ahead. I wish everyone could have this.

Wishing on Eyelashes

Am I the only person who does this? Is it silly for me to admit that I wished on fallen eyelashes for years with the same wish until it came true?

But it did, so that must count for something.

I won't tell my imaginary readers what I'm wishing for now, because we all know it won't come true if I do! :)

But here is something I wish in general: to one day have the career I choose, in photography. I'm actually working on that one, unlike the things I wish on eyelashes for!

NieNie

I just finished watching Stephanie Nielsen on Oprah. She is a true inspiration.

My comments, though, have to do with this Andrea who spent a day with Stephanie. I thought she was insulting. Anyhow, I always knew Oprah would love Stephanie.

I think she did.

Under the knife

Did not think it would be this hard...

Little Victories

I have always loved the Orange County Fair. For an area so chic, or suburban, or urban, but not rural, to have a good ol' country fair always felt so...comforting. I loved to walk past the rows and rows of growing vegetables in their demonstration garden, delighted to know how brussels sprouts grow (not in plastic bags in the supermarket, in case you were wondering). I loved to see the piglets, just born, the peacocks and llamas and cows and fried foods and crazy people and carnival rides and... oh.

People in this crazy county DO quilt, raise farm animals, and bake beautiful display cakes. Oh, and people, even in the OC where the real estate market never really dropped and the lots are small and getting smaller, DO dedicate some of their time to growing fruits and vegetables. I joined their ranks this year. I grew two beautiful pumpkins and carried them to the fair on Tuesday morning. And I won! (They did spell my name wrong, but who's counting?)

Green Goddess

No, it's not me (but thanks for thinking that for a second).

Image from this site, which also has a version of the recipe.

Last night I made Green Goddess salad dressing, original recipe from Barefoot Contessa, altered by me based on what I like, my desire to reduce the calorie and fat content, and what I had in my fridge....



3/4 c. light mayo

1/4 & 1/4 c. plain yogurt

1 c. basil leaves (preferably from your yard!)

1 bunch chopped scallions (white and green parts)

1/4 c. lemon juice

2 tsp. crushed garlic (mmm)

1 tsp. coarse-ground sea salt

1 tsp. freshly ground pepper

3 tbl. olive oil



Add the mayo, 1/4 c. yogurt, basil, scallions, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper to your blender. Blend well. Add additional 1/4 c. yogurt and olive oil and continue blending. Chill or serve immediately on salad (I did romaine with cherry tomatoes and crispy onion pieces for crunch) or as a dip with crudite'.



Delicious.

Trouble in Paradise

Well here I am, on vacation. Much earned and until about an hour ago, much enjoyed. My head is heavy with concern now. I wish that addiction didn't exist. I wish I had a picture-perfect family, and that I didn't need to worry on this trip about anything more than where I should go today, what I should do. 

But I am.