Catching Up

Boy, it really has been a long time since I have updated my blog. I really don't have a reason or an explanation, but I vow to be more diligent in posting.

So much has happened, and fortunately much of it has been good. We are planning a wedding in our family and it is an exciting time. On the day that my stepdaughter Jen graduated from college, her boyfriend Tom popped the question. We were there to share in the happiness of their special day and even captured it on video.

So, they have moved into a new home and Jen has started Optometry school in addition to planning the wedding. She has her hands full. I am trying to find that balance between being helpful and being obtrusive, and I have to admit that it is a difficult task. I hope it gets easier over time, but I am not so sure.

As for me, I have been participating in a Weight Watchers lifestyle, and to date I have lost 64 pounds. My husband has been participating along with me, and his weight loss is about the same as mine. His dietary changes have meant that his gall bladder distress has been eliminated and he has more energy. I have not been as fortunate. This has been a struggle for me physically as I have been experiencing severe unexplained joint and muscle pain. So, while I really should be feeling better, I am actually feeling worse. I am told that my body will eventually catch up with all the changes and that the distress will level out. I certainly hope so, and so, I endure.

Snow Day

The short and dreary days of winter are known for sending people into hibernation mode. We had a lovely break over the last two days-blue-ish skies and warm weather that made me delight in going outdoors.

And now it is lightly snowing, just to remind us that it really is winter. I actually enjoy the snow-watching it fall as I sit in the sun room , curled up in a blanket with a book and sipping cup of coffee. The snow blankets the barren wilderness and glistens in the trees. That is when I feel the most impact of my surroundings.

I am fully stocked with break, milk, hot cocoa and ice melt-the snow storm staples. We have a ton of firewood indoors to keep us warm. So, let it snow!

Yesterday was Groundhog Day, and although MY resident groundhogs did not make an appearance, I was visited by George and Gracie, my returning pair of geese. They were walking across the iced over pond looking for a place to swim. They were later joined by a family of deer and another pair of geese. I hope that I never lose the sense of wonder and enjoyment that I feel when I take in the complex simplicity of nature.

Happy Birthday Bobby

Last night I attended a tribute to the Scottish poet Robert Burns. The celebration included Scottish country dancers, Pipe & Drums and a tin whistle followed by the presentation of the HAGGIS and numerous toasts.

I was reluctant to attend, but I have to say that it was good fun. It was my first taste of haggis, and it is an acquired taste for sure. But there was also Shepherd's pie, bangers, meat pie turnips and carrots & peas and boiled potatoes. So there was plenty to eat.

It was really good fun. Something different for sure.

New Year

A little late, but Happy New Year to all. Life has been very busy-in a good way. I am happy to report that all is well.

Well, actually, it would have been better if the Eagles had won the game today. They would have gone on to the Superbowl. So today I will pack away my Eagles coffee mugs and other paraphernalia as well as my McNabb jersey and get ready for spring. That means painting the kitchen. We have put it on our agenda for next weekend. Unless something more exciting comes along.

Some changes that I am planning for 2009 that I will share. I never did get to go parasailing in '08, so it is on the To Do list as soon as the weather warms up. And I have increased my F bomb jar contribution to $5.00 per incident. Lucky for me, I haven't had to make any deposits yet this year. Tough luck for the Howell Food Pantry-the recipient of my donations. I am proud of myself.

I am also experimenting with the perfect paella. Last weekend's attempt was mediocre. I really have to keep working at it until I get it right. It is all about the rice-the protein stuff is easy. The rice takes patience-something that I am lacking. That is one of the reasons that I chose this exercise. So, I will keep you all updated on my progress.

For those of you who have trouble achieving your goals, Fran & I have posted the SMART goals on our blog. So check it out if you are interested or email me at coachcaprio@yahoo.com.

Finally

Well, I have written a few times about Robert's grave, and it has finally happened. Robert's grave has been moved to a more appropriate location. I got the call last Monday. I decided that I needed to check it out for myself before I dropped off a check, and sure enough, everything was done according to plan.

Tomorrow I am taking another brother over to show him where the grave is located. I also have to bring a grave blanket.

One more drama is behind me.

Cupcakes

About a month ago, I was watching FoodTV-a Bobby Flay throwdown. He challenged another baker to a cupcake throwdown, and he made a gingerbread cupcake with caramelized mango buttercream frosting. I thought that it sounded really yummy and different, and I planned to check to see if the recipe was posted on line.

Last week, the Sunday newspaper's magazine section had an article about Iron Chef recipes using ginger. Of course, that meant that I HAD to make the cupcakes, after all, the universe handed me the recipe! So, today I pulled out the measuring cup and the sifter and got to work. The finished cupcakes are sitting in the refrigerator as we speak.

I have learned that mangos will not puree and strain nicely unless they are very ripe. So, the frosting doesn't have quite enough of a mango essence. And that precisely following the recipe, using a 1/3 cup measuring cup to distribute the batter into the cupcake tin - per the instructions - only yielded 10 cupcakes, not the 12 that the recipe called for. ???? How does that happen?

I have to say that they really are tasty and worth the effort. Maybe I will even try them again one day...with more mango for sure.

Putting It Out There

My New Year's goal for 2008 was to improve my language skills by eliminating the "F" word - a word I used on a regular basis. I created an "F Bomb" jar and deposited $1.00 for every time I used the word. This also includes finger gestures, by the way. New Years Day was very challenging. I had invited friends and family for a game of Trivial Pursuit, and it was going very badly for my team. The dollar bills were flowing, until I just gave it up and deposited $20.00 to cover the day.

Almost a year has passed. Yesterday, I opened the jar to count the money, just to keep track of my progress. The jar contains $16.00 plus the original 20 for a total of $36.00. Not bad. However, the charity that will be getting the money will not benefit too greatly from my efforts. I guess I'll have to add a few bucks to the jar for all the times I have THOUGHT the word and just never vocalized it! I am really proud of myself and I believe that by this time next year, I should be "F Bomb" free.

I think the trick to this whole experiment was telling everyone about my goal. People are very quick to point out when I need to add a dollar to the jar. They actually take pleasure in it! And honestly, there are times when it is a deliberate use of the word, and I will even take out the dollar before the word leaves my lips. But sometimes it just slips out.

So, now, when I have a goal, I tell people what it is and have them hold me accountable. It really does help to keep me focused. So,....I wonder if I should have a "Chocolate Jar" where I deposit $1.00 for every piece of chocolate I eat. Nah....I'd go really broke really quickly, and life is too short to deprive yourself of chocolate!