C'est bon

I woke up dreaming about bechamel sauce. Mark told me he had dreams about cooking. 

We went and saw "The Hundred-Foot Journey" last night. France and gastronomy, two of my absolute favorite things. I was absolutely captivated and smitten the entire time. If you haven't seen it and are looking for a happy-go-lucky, fun, makes-you-feel-good cinematic charmer, this is it. Helen Mirren is brilliant. You'll love her character. And I currently have a woman-crush on Charlotte Le Bon and aspire to dress just like her character. Really, I just wish I were French, and I told Mark my dream of all dreams would be to live in a stone cottage in France. He replied, "I know." *sigh* I can't wait to watch this movie again. I even had an omelette that I tried to jazz up for breakfast (you'll get it when you see the movie).

My mom left on Monday and I came home and went back to painting. Thank goodness for my mom. Her visit came at theee perfect time. She came in, saw the house, and told me what to do. I had and have tons of ideas zipping around in my brain (can we say overwhelming?) but I needed someone with experience (it also helps that our taste is similar) to help me organize, critique, tweak, and make my ideas happen. I think I almost cried when my mom said, "let's paint your room!" So we did. And now, I am in love with our bedroom. It's cheery, dreamy, cozy, pretty. Oh I just love it! The second floor isn't very big; it only has the master bedroom, the master bathroom, and attic space. But, it's so neat. I feel like the second floor is its only little apartment, just missing a kitchenette. We still have to hang a few things so it's not perfect but here is one before and after picture. 

Before: 

Though this dark red color works because the room gets a lot of light, I don't like having an almost dried blood-colored room you know? And there's already a bedroom downstairs that is this color. Come on man, there are way too much colors in this world to have 2 bedrooms the same. Non.

 After

Much better, don't you think? 

I am so in love with it. We also ended up painting the ceiling, the trim, the baseboards, the doors, and the windows (because they didn't look so good). It looks so much better. Crisp, clean, and ooooh so cozy. 

More pictures to come and now I have a nice long list of painting to do. Mostly touch ups and I think it'll make me love this house so much more. 

Switching topics. Can we talk about friends? 

I don't know if I've turned into an introvert or what but I think that making friends as an adult is a tad more difficult than back in school days. Long gone are the days of bonding over Nancy Drew books, N'SYNC, same classes, sports, dreaded teachers, nail polish obsessions, etc. Plus, I find Mark and I are kind of in an awkward stage of life because we're married with no kids so that kind of wedges us out of some circles. Not that we feel shunned or excluded because we don't. Plus, I'm currently partially employed but not working quite yet so I am not really meeting anyone tons of people except at church. Although, Mark and I scoped out the young couples with no kids and the young couples with one or two kids and thank the stars there are some here!!! Now how to approach without appearing overzealous? It's a struggle I tell ya! A struggle! And a ridiculous one at that.  

Well, as luck would have it, I made a friend. AND we live on the same street. AND she's so cool!! I pretty much tried not to act like a gleeful third grader but after we exchanged numbers I couldn't help but act like one when I told (or exclaimed, cried out excitedly, beamed) Mark, "I MADE A FRIEND!" We went running this morning and it was glorious. Not so much the running because, well, running up hills when you've been running at or near sea level for the past 3 years, AND trying to talk (animatedly), AND being slightly out of shape, makes for a nice challenge but it. was. GREAT! Yay for friends! 

Then, after finally receiving a piece of official mail to prove I now live in Washington, I rode my bike to the library and got myself a library card!!! Our neighborhood is amazing. Tree-lined, quiet streets and the weather is crisp and very fall-like today. GLORIOUS. These library workers are either going to love me or hate me because I requested a lot of books today. Also I borrowed "The Hundred-Foot Journey" because I heard it was better than the movie and since I am so infatuated with the movie, I think I'm going to love it! Plus I got a few more books...and they may or may not be related to France/cuisine/cooking and the like. 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have books to read (and probably a few more to request...heeheehee)! 

Lent, books, and babies

I'm not Catholic so I don't observe Lent but last year my friend Amy and I took it as a challenge to eat healthier and we nixed sweets from our diets. I was surprised how well we did...until a week before Lent ended and then we both said forget it and had cookies. Well. Lent is upon us and I decided to take the challenge again and I roped encouraged Mark to join me so we could support it each other. He is giving up precious Dr. Pepper and I am giving up cookies, brownies, and my beloved ice cream (and making Mark too since it would cruel and down right rude for him to eat that stuff in front of me!) *moment of mournful silence* Except we're allowed small cheats on Sundays because the dietitian in me realizes that I HAVE to have some cheat days or I'll go mad. MAD. So far it's been good. I haven't been tempted or craving anything, though every time I open the freezer and see Bluebells' "I Love Chocolate," I have a split second cringe moment. 

Anyway, I also have been trying to cook about 3 times a week. This week we had grilled salmon, grilled asparagus, and rice. Mark got to bust out his grilling skills and did most of the heavy work. It was yummy! But seriously, I should have gotten salmon completely skinned or whatever the correct term is because there was skin on the underside that I ripped off before we grilled it and I nearly threw up from the smell. I don't mind fish but that smell was a little too fishy for me. Yuck. 

And I realize this picture is not very appetizing, if at all, but we've also decided (aka I have decided and Mark is being a good sport and going along with it) to try to have a vegetarian meal once a week. I could tell Mark was really skeptical but I was determined to prove to him that I could find some tasty entrees. So, tonight I made black bean and quinoa enchilada bake. It was SO good (despite this bad picture)!! I topped mine with sliced tomatoes, avocados, and green onions. DEE-LISH. Even Mark was impressed. Wahoo! You know it's a successful dish when the red meat lover likes a vegetarian dish (I think it helped that it was a Mexican dish). 

And what do you know just in time for Lent I got this cookbook in the mail (which I had ordered months ago and have been waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiting for it to finally be released!). April is not that far away. I can do this. I can.

Since we're on the topic of one of my favorite things--books--I have to tell you about a new author that I LOVE: Juliet Marillier. Holy cow. I'm addicted to her books. One of my new friends here recommended one of her books and I can't get enough. So, let me back up. The first book I read was, "Wildwood Dancing." It's based on the fairy tale "Twelve Dancing Princesses," but she also intertwines that story with some of the folklore of Transylvania (NO not vampires but alludes to that). It is SUPERB. Also I should tell you that I am not a science fiction fan but I do have a very soft spot for fairy tales, and well written ones. FABULOUS read. It was one of those books that I thought about all day long and longed for some time to read. Well. There's a second book, but about one of the other main characters, and the library didn't have it so I did what was necessary...bought it off Amazon (and Wildwood Dancing!). If I am willing to purchase a book, it's a big deal; it's got to be good. I've read a lot of good books, but few that I buy to read again and again. While I was waiting for my parcel of books, I did some research on the author and discovered she had several other books. Well, like I said, I love a good fairy tale but get too science fiction on me and I'll lose interest. But desperate for something to hold me over, I picked up a series she wrote called "Shadowfall." It started off slow and I almost stopped reading but WOW, once it took off I was hooked. I finished the first book in a few days and then HAD to have the second one. It's so good. Riveting. Very creative. She's good. I am enjoying it so much I read while I bike in the mornings and yesterday I was truly angry that I had to go to work because I just wanted to read and find out what happens! I thought of the book the entire day. Ok, I admit, I do, at times, get emotionally attached to books I read. But, I think that's a sign of a good book. So, I was looking to borrow the third one from the library only to find that the third book ISN'T EVEN OUT YET!!! I have to wait until SEPTEMBER?!?!?!? CURSES!!!!!! THAT IS SO CRUEL!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to die from curiosity. DIE. Oh my gosh it's going to be torture. I almost considered not finishing the second one (that lasted for about 0.00003 seconds). I'll have to check out some of her other series. You're lucky I am using up some reading time to blog. But I had to share.

I never really understood why my mom referred to her flowers as her children but now I understand why. I am growing grape hyacinths from bulbs, which I have never done before and I'm scared that I will fail. And friends I BABY these flowers. I check the weather, bring the pot outside and bring it in if it's going to be too cold. It's kind of silly but I am determined. So, yesterday I walked outside to head to work and I looked down and saw this:

THEY ARE PEEKING THROUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I kid you not I dropped everything, knelt by the pot and just stared incredulously. They are growing! WHAT!!!??!!?? Oh happy day!!!!! I was so proud I Instagrammed them and kept talking about it with Mark when we got home. 

Now, this is what they look like today. 

I am SUCH a proud "mom"!!!

I ate a lobster claw

I don't know if you do this, but sometimes I compose blog posts, or potential blog posts, or snippets of blog posts (you get the idea right?)  in my head throughout my day. Today was such a day. It was a swell day. 

I slept in. Kind of. Actually I woke up at 7:30 and every hour until 9:30. I was having bad dreams I think because I woke up feeling angry and exhausted, and that's not how I went to bed! Also it was rainy, gloomy, and chilly for most of the day so that may have affected my mood too. After getting ready for the day, I vacuumed my apartment, which took about an hour because my vacuum is horrible so I had to use the hose a lot. Jeepers. Last night I used a freebie code to get a Redbox movie. I chose Rise of the Guardians. Yes a kid's movie. Have you seen it??? SO GOOD! Great animation and a really cute and good story line. I started it last night but was so tired that i went to bed so I finished this afternoon. Great flick. I'd recommend it. 

Then I decided to go spend some time in Market Common just walking around the shops. I really just wanted to browse Barnes and Noble. Maybe hunker down and start reading a book. I started a book this morning that I got from the library, while lying in bed deciding if I should get up or go back to sleep, and after 10 pages I could tell it wasn't worth my time. Drats. That's happened a lot recently.

Icky weather called for bright colors and patterns

I decided to "pop in" to Banana Republic since they had a sale sign and I also had a coupon so maybe I'd find a good deal. Can I just tell you that lately I have been a fan of their dresses? I have! I got a cute one about 6 months ago that I am in love with. Good material, great cut and length. I tried on a yellow one and liked it but didn't love it. Tried on a few shirts that I liked, but didn't love. And then. I sauntered to the sale section and low and behold my eyes lit up as I saw some aaaaadorable striped t-shirts. 

Fun fact about Gabe. I do not like summer clothes. 

Yes you read that correctly. Really, all I want to wear in the summer are running shorts and tank tops because it's so blimey hot. I realize that is not terribly attractive and cute so I give in and try to look presentable, as much as a sweaty girl can. Anyway. Yay for 2 new shirts to add to my pathetic summer wardrobe! 

Finally I made it to Barnes and Noble and wandered around. I liked to cruise through the stationary aisles and I stumbled upon these!

I was SO tempted to buy them but then I had the mental argument with myself about needing them vs. wanting them and decided that I didn't need them. So I walked away. Sadly. 

I made my rounds through the cookbook section, thumbed through a few knitting books, peeked into the movie/music section...and then ended up here.

My favorite section: kids books.

I was tempted to pull out an I Spy and play read, but there were a lot of kids around and I didn't want to take anyone's seat, especially being that I am 25, not 6. As I was reminiscing as I scanned through some of my childhood favs, I stumbled upon this:

I loved this book in the second grade. My teacher, Mrs. Ports (I had 2 teachers in 2nd grade actually, Mrs. Ports and Mrs. Erickson, who always gave out yummy Jollyranchers. Back then I recall they had a strawberry-flavored one and that was my favorite! Also I walked by her house everyday on the way home from school. I thought I was so cool). I was captivated by this tale. I don't think I've actually read the whole thing since, but I was tempted to today. Although, sometimes when I do that, the book/movie/whatever isn't as magical and wonderful as I remember it to be, so I prefer to just bask in the glory of it as my memory has it. 

I also passed by a rack of "The Giving Tree" books. I have a confession. I do not like that book or "Where the Sidewalk Ends." Deep breaths. I know. I know that was incredulous. I realize I am probably 1 of 3 people in the universe to say that, but it's true. I thought "The Giving Tree" was depressing and "Where the Sidewalk Ends" weird. Not a fan. 

Next. I decided to pay a visit to a bakery/deli I have passed multiple times. I ran into an old friend from college last weekend who was randomly visiting Myrtle Beach with her husband and she recommended it to me. I was in the area...why not? Well. I was pleased. It's totally run by an Italian family. I mean the name says it all: Toffino's Italian Bakery & Deli. It's a cute place. I was pleased with their pastry/dessert selection, and could see they are popular because a lot their sweet treats were all gone. Always a good sign. After some debate, I settled on....

...a cannoli and a lobster claw. I had to compare to my beloved Mike's Pastry in Boston. While I was waiting for my treats to be packaged up, the gentleman in front of me, who I swear was a northerner, probably from Jersey or NY, and also Italian (he had a gold pinky ring on...come on now. Dead give away!). He had an accent and the build of an Italian. I was eavesdropping on his conversation and the nice young man ringing him up is named Georgie or George-O, I couldn't quite hear. AWESOME. And they were discussing the Italian Wedding Soup, which is made by George's grandmother, Mama Rosa. I am not making this up. It deeeelighted me to hear this. Got my treats and then headed to my car and decided I couldn't wait until I got home to try out the goods. 

Report: both tasty. The cannoli shell was interesting and part of it tasted a little bit graham cracker-y. Good though. The filling was yummy but Mike's is better. I mean you cannot beat a hazelnut cannoli. I'm sorry. But Toffino's was good. I'd go back. Correction: I will be going back. The lobster claw was INCREDIBLE. Both fillings, I can tell, are homemade, as I would expect. Really, really good. I was happy. 

Self-restraint. Though, I did decide to take another bite of the lobster claw as I was climbing the stairs to my apartment. MMMMM MMMMM!!!!

Good day!

And. On Wednesday my studly younger brother leaves for Provo, UT to enter the Missionary Training Center to prepare to serve his 2-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  in Australia. I'm so proud of this kid. I'm going to miss him LIKE.CRAZY. I love that I am best friends with both of my younger brothers. I'm terribly excited for him. 

Such a stud. 

Farmer's Market and A Baby Green Thumb

I went to a Farmer's Market today! 

I went to one last weekend when I was with my Aunt Leslie in Wilmington, NC and it was really neat. It had a ton of plants and not much produce but it was still really cool. I like farmer's markets. So, I went to one this morning in Georgetown, SC with my co-worker Anna and her friend Kelly. It was small, being that it's the beginning of the season, but awesome. I've heard it gets a lot bigger. I can't wait! There was a lot of produce and a few plants and flowers. 

I was hoping to get a basil plant. I really, really, really wanted one.

We got there and walked around, checking the prices and the produce and finally, after scoping everything out, I decided I have to get some tomatoes (3 for $1!) and some strawberries ($5 for 1/2 gallon). 

Then. 

I saw it! A basil plant! 

And I bought it!  

And I rubbed its leaves and inhaled its delicious smell.

Bliss I tell you. BLISS. 

On my way home, I bought some potting soil and a pretty pot and potted my very first plant. My baby green thumb's first potted plant!

 Then I became ridiculously productive. 

I cleaned the rust off of my beach cruiser. Well, some of it. I dumped a bunch of baking soda paste on some spots and I'll let it work its magic and clean it off later. I don't know if that will work but it seemed to be working. I did some laundry, vacuumed, took out the trash, cleaned my kitchen, and did some dishes. Then I had some honey Greek yogurt with fresh strawberries and almonds. Yum!

 Next, I added some potting soil to the plant in my living room and watered it. It was looking a little sad because the top part it so heavy that it had started to grow straight out horizontally. Poor thing. I couldn't have that. So I went out, got some sticks and created a make-shift "splint" for the poor dear. 

Looks much better.

 And yes that's the basil plant next to it. I read that when you transplant basil you should leave it indoors for a couple of days to let it recuperate from the trauma. I kind of laughed when I read that but I want it to survive through the summer so I'm not taking any chances.

Then I cleaned my aluminum bakeware and they look like new!!!! I was pretty excited about that because the cleaning solution (lemon juice and boiling water) didn't appear to be working but add in a little elbow grease and voila! It works! And now I am preparing to make some homemade whole wheat French bread (in 80 degree weather...I know, I'm borderline crazy but I like it better than store bought stuff) for grilled tomato, basil, mozzarella sandwiches. Yum! I can't wait! 

Oh! Oh! OH! AND!!!

Remember how I said I was reading "The Shoemaker's Wife"? Well. I got so caught up in zipping through and finishing "Sarah's Key" and doing a bajillion other things that I was happily taking my sweet time getting through "The Shoemaker's Wife." Sadly, I discovered last Sunday that I had to return the book Monday and I was only, maybe, a third of the way through. What's a girl to do?!? I could zip through it and pay the late fee but I didn't want to do that. That's like chowing down a gourmet meal; you wouldn't even get to enjoy it. So...I bought it. Yup. I did. I found a used (how used could it really be?? The book was just released!) copy on Amazon and bought it. So every day, sometimes 2-3 time per day, I would sign on to Amazon to see if the book had been shipped. It hadn't. So yesterday I e-mailed the sender and what do you know, within an hour of sending my e-mail I got a confirmation e-mail that it had been shipped!!! I don't know if it's because of my e-mail or coincidence but who the heck cares?!? MY BOOK IS COMING!!! And now I can read it as fast or as slowly as I want and then read it again. And again. And anytime I want. 

I can't wait.

Addendum: Whole wheat french bread right out of the oven + fresh basil from the new plant + fresh tomatoes from the farmer's market + fresh mozzarella + olive oil + cracked pepper = 

YUM.

Snack Time, er, Staffing Time

I decided to bring some of those homemade choc chip cookie dough PB cups (that name is really long...) to staffing today. So I set them out on the table and Dr. W dove right in and had one. He liked them. But for the love of chocolate the rest of the staff would wistfully eye the treats and, amused (and might I say I felt a little devilish, a tempter) I watched their self-control break down minute by minute. 


First they would walk in and exclaim, "Ooooh! What are these?" Dr W. would tell them. Now, if it were me, I'd snatch one up and pop it right in my mouth. Much to my delight a few did. Most declined. At first. Then they would eye them and watch a few other people eat them and lick the melted chocolate and peanut butter off their fingers. And then, slowly but surely they would shyly grab one. A few people declined completely. Their loss!!! They were a hit. Maybe I'll make a name for myself here in Myrtle Beach via my baking and treats! I should bake for the 3W nurses. Butter them up a little (ha! No pun intended...). I don't think they like me. Sad day. They scare me. 


I did not make homemade gnocchi this evening but I plan to this week. Instead, I have an activity, staffing on Thursday, and a birthday to bake for so I will be baking up a storm this week. Tonight: the oatmeal chocolate chip/butterscotch chip banana cookies (and yes, for these I do some substitutions to make them a little "healthier"). Yum! My apartment smells divine.


Now, if you'll excuse me...I am off to finish "Sarah's Key." I got lost in the book yesterday and nearly finished it but around midnight (!!!!! I couldn't believe it...). I had to put it down and force myself to get to bed. It's a must-read. Add it to your list. 


Oh. And. And I'm currently lovin' Sara Bareilles, Rob Thomas, (if you didn't notice from my playlist) and the new Maroon 5 ft. Wiz Khalifa song. Love music. Love yoga. Love baking. Love reading. Love my new waxed, cleaned, and vacuumed car (after a very unfortunate Saturday night where a drunk person vomited on the side of my car. NOT COOL.) Life is lookin' up. Feeling much better than I have in a bit. This is good. Very good. 

J'adore du fromage

Non, vraiment. (No, really).

 I love cheese.

I went grocery shopping today because I have next to nothing in my apartment to eat except cereal and the brownies my mom sent me that arrived today. I mean, that stuff is delicious but not sustaining. Well I got a little of this, a little of that, and as I headed to the check out line I started to laugh because I realized I had a ton of cheese in my cart.

Cottage cheese (one of my all-time favorite snacks, and yes it's the 4% milk fat; the low/no-cal ones taste disgusting to me), cream cheese (for cucumber sandwiches; absolutely delightful in hot weather and dedicated to my darling friend Jess who introduced me to this delicious sandwich our freshman year at BYU); mozzarella (my favorite, and not the sliced stuff!), Swiss (a staple in my diet), sharp cheddar (for grilled cheese sandwiches; which I could easily live off of), and the newest member of my favorite cheeses: goat cheese (for spinach, strawberry, vinaigrette salads inspired by my trip to Rathbun's in Atlanta). All that's missing is sharp Havarti. *sigh* It was no where to be found. Not that I really shopped around for it but I do know for a fact it's difficult to find, and difficult to find reasonably priced. 

Oh well, I'm confident this "stash" of fromage will satisfy. 

Today was my day off. I had great plans of getting up at a reasonable time, like 7:30am, as I'm trying to go to bed and get up at the same time every day. It's not really working but I'm getting better. Baby steps. I woke up at 8am, rolled over and fell asleep until....10:30. Ok, ok, holdonasec! In my defense, the night before I had gotten a whoppin' 4 hours of sleep and no Sunday nap so I needed the extra shut-eye. It felt divine. 


Then I went to the library because the book I have been eagerly waiting for finally arrived: "The Shoemaker's Wife" by Adriana Trigiani!!!!!!!! I've talked about her before but she is my absolutely favorite author right now (and has held that spot for years). Her books are brilliantly written, vivid, real, indulgent, and mesmerizing. I get lost in her books and feel a little empty when I finish them. And they take place in Italy, which of course I'm smitten with. I've been to Tuscany, Roma, and all over NYC both in the present time, and the 19th and 20th centuries with her delightful characters. I love her books. I'm delighted that this one takes me to a few Italian villages near the Swiss Alps and then to NYC. I immediately started reading this book but I have to pace myself. I don't want to gorge myself on it because then...it will be over. 

I was surprised when the librarian brought me two books because I had forgotten I requested "Sarah's Key," which I also started today to see if it was worth the read. Obviously the summary got me and I'm intrigued and excited about this book too. It takes place in Paris (*enamored sigh*) both in the 1940s during the WW2 era and in the present day. Of note here, I am fascinated with the WW2/Holocaust era. This book is about the Velodrome d'Hiver (literally, Operation Spring Breeze), abbreviated as Vel' d'Hiv', which I've never heard of before, but apparently it's not something the French like to speak of. I can understand why. The Vel d'Hiv' was a collaboration of the French with the Nazis where the Gestapo asked the French police to deliver a certain number (roughly estimated to be about 80,000) of Jews between 16-50 years of age. From my understanding, a brunt of those delivered were 2-12 year old children sent to death camps, and only a couple thousand survived, few of them children. Anyway, the book tells the story of Sarah, a 10-year old girl during the Vel' d'Hiv' in 1942 and then Julia, a journalist in Paris in 2002 who is assigned to cover the anniversary. I've made it page 59 and I don't want to put it down!! I have in my possession 2 books I can't put down??? This is excellent!!!! 

I was going to make homemade gnocchi tonight but I woke up with a horrid headache that will not go away, so I'm not up to it. I forwent yoga and running today because I feel so lousy. Bummer. So I suspect I'll make it tomorrow, or most definitely this week so stay tuned!!!! 

Pic from here

Books, Baking, and a Doctor Story

I don't know if you do this but during my day when something happens I might think, Yup, this is some good blog material, and then instead of really focusing on my work, I compose the blog post in my head. Except then I get home and try to blog and the perfectly and cleverly composed post disappears from my mind. I hate that. It happened to me today.


Some girlfriends and I got together this evening and met up at Barnes and Noble. I wasn't sure what we were going to do but Ashley suggested we head over the children's section, pick out a few of our favorite childhood books and share them. Genius. It was SO much fun. We sat (rather, tried to squeeze) around a kid's table and read to each other. It was so much fun! A few of my choices were, "Chrysanthemum," "Froggy Gets Dressed," and one of the "I Spy" books. I LOVE "I Spy" books. In fact, when I was in college I would sometimes study on the 4th floor of the library (where the children's books were) and when my brain was exhausted, I would grab an "I Spy" book. 

When I was in elementary school, the author came to our school and read this book to us. I remember giggling until my stomach hurt.

Now. I did some baking this evening. For my Young Women youth group at church, I promised I would make them some treats on Sunday. I felt like I should test out the recipe first. I mean I'm partially buttering them up to really like me and think I'm super cool because I bring in awesome treats and I can't disappoint!!! How embarrassing would that be??? The horror! So, a few arm twists later (sarcasm), some friends at work agreed to be my guinea pigs. Behold: 

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Peanut Butter Cups

Read to assemble! 

 

 Done! And now to cool them...

OH. MY. LANTUS. 

These are sooooooooooooooooooo good. I could not get over how yummy the peanut butter dough was. Incredible. Not to mention they are wicked easy to make. Recipe here.

Yummy! I loved 'em and I'm sure the ladies on Sunday will too!

Now, my doctor story. This is not about Dr. W, although he was in fine form today during staffing. His humor is so very much appreciated and I secretly really look forward to staffing just because I know I will be laughing a lot. 

But, there's another doctor who I have seen several times this week bopping between the floors that I cover. In my rounds and staffing, the nurses have dropped his name several times often followed by a fanning motion, and then I'm tempted to hand them a napkin to dab their drool. 

Now, being the rookie to this place, my manager is constantly encouraging me to get to know the staff, introduce myself to everyone I interact with and to get to know everyone. But you know, doctors can be very intimidating. They are busy, sometimes snappy, sometimes irritable, and unless I have something important to talk to them about, I'm usually pretty hesitant to just introduce myself. Such is the case here, not to mention every female in a 40 foot radius of this doctor manages to find some reason to say something to him. It's very comical. I wonder if he notices. I just couldn't bring myself to just go up and introduce myself. I felt so stupid and didn't want to be just another female making conversation with this doctor. I refuse. And I find attractive men very intimidating. So I have been avoiding every opportunity to introduce myself. Until today. I thought about it for at least a minute today when he was charting on one of my patients. He was just sitting there writing some notes and there were only a few people around so it was a pretty ideal moment. 

I almost did it. And then I chickened out. 

I left the floor, went into my office, typed up a note, and then as I walked out he was sitting in the charting area and I looked up and he looked up and we locked eyes and without thinking (except I remember thinking, Just do it. Perfect timing and then as I was walking towards him my mind was screaming, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?!?"), I approached him and introduced myself. His handshake was a tad wimpy but he was very nice and we had a nice conversation. I was proud of myself. I tried to stop myself from grinning like an idiot as I walked down the hall but I couldn't help it. I did it! And that's my pathetic story of the day. Stay tuned for more to come!

And tomorrow I'm making homemade wheat thins. YESSSSSSSS.

Make Way For Ducklings

I was on my way to yoga tonight, I stopped at a red light and looked over across the intersection and saw two ducks looking to make sure no traffic was coming before they waddled across the street.

It was the cutest thing. 

As the light turned green I looked in my side mirror and kept thinking, Come on little ones! Hurry up!!! Good news, they made it safely and after that all I could think of was the book "Make Way for Ducklings." 

Yoga kicked my butt tonight...and my thighs...and everything else...and I loved it.

And now, another Dr. W story for your reading pleasure:

I have a patient with diabetes (I KNOW, shocker. I hope you were sitting when you read that). As I was doing my assessment I was asking her if she checks her blood sugars at home, what her numbers are, if she's had a hemoglobin A1c checked, etc. Well her numbers weren't good and she told me she had her A1c checked and it was high. Never good. So I wanted to check one because...I wanted to see because...it's helpful with education, which she said she'd like more of. Wonderful. So, at staffing in between patients I turned to the delightful Dr. W:

"Dr. W, may I ask you a question?"

"You just did."

"May I ask you another one."

"You just did." 

"May I ask you a few questions???"

"Yes, go ahead." (At this point he's smirking at his wit and sass and I'm smirking because I'm throwing it right back at him and I'm prepared...you'll see. Read on).

"Well the patient in room [whatever] has diabetes and I know it's not her primary diagnosis but she told me her blood sugars are high and her A1c the last time it was checked was high and I'd like to check it here because I believe it will be a helpful education tool to use when I give her more education, which SHE requested." (Please note, in true Gabe fashion, this was spoken as fast yet as clearly as possible (which means probably nearly incomprehensible) without any breaths in between. Thank you New England for teaching me to walk, talk, and be fast. Thank you Mom for cursing/blessing me with the ability to speak fast (which means I speak even faster than your average New Englander). 

I paused and let him process this...for about 4 seconds and continued:

"I mean, you don't have to but I think it would help."

"'I don't have to?' Oh thank you for telling me what I can and cannot do." Dr. W smirked (getting his pen out) and was getting a little sassy. And I started to giggle.

"NO! That's not what I meant! I just meant that, you know, if you don't think it's really beneficial and would be a waste, especially since it's not her primary diagnosis, I am prepared to accept your decline. BUT. I'm just saying that it would be helpful. Unless you want her back in here for renal failure secondary to uncontrolled diabetes which may have been prevented had I struck home after getting that A1c number and using that as I educated her."

He cocked his head, listening to my not-so-subtle-plea but well thought out and urgently delivered argument. 

"Fine."

Score 1 for the dietitian!!! *victory dance*

 I am always prepared to bring my A game for my patients.

Random thought.

I am, at any given moment, quite seriously tempted to throw responsibility and caution to the wind, quit my job and move to Europe. I am SO SICK of watching other people get to live my dreams. I'm sick of it. I'll just move to Italy, find some random job working as the hired help in some quaint little shop or restaurant, be adopted and taken in by the elderly and adorable shop owner and his wife. They'll teach me to cook, I'll be blissfully happy, and then her handsome, gentlemanly Italian son will come for a visit, we'll fall madly in love and I will have an Italian mother-in-law whom I will love, adore, and cherish, live in a foreign country, and be an awesome cook. And travel throughout all of Europe with the love of my life.

Don't. Dash. My. Dream.

*sigh*

Since I will not throw caution to the wind tonight (but don't tempt me, I'm nearing my breaking point people),  I will make a french baguette tomorrow (since I have yet to find a place to buy a decent blasted baguette in this bread-forsaken place) while dreaming of buying an authentic baguette at une boulangerie et du fromage and munching on them while sitting on the grass in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Picture from here

Just Shout It Out

I love this stuff.

And here is why: Remember the horrid Toms catastrophe of 2012...aka yesterday? Well, I "Shouted" the dye outta my Toms shoes and there is only the faintest hue of pink of the toe of my left shoe (and you can't even tell in the picture!). IT WORKED!!!!!!! And I thought all was lost and my Tom's were ruined. Thank you Shout!!!

I also made those yummy banana oatmeal cookies again but this time I added chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. WINNER. LOVE the butterscotch. When you make them--and you have got to; they are SO good--add some butterscotch chips and you will not be disappointed. Unless you don't like butterscotch...then just stick with chocolate. I also used whole wheat flour and again substituted the butter with Greek yogurt. Delish.  

And I served them on my new platter (you might not be able to tell but it's a light green--beautiful!). The girls really liked the cookies too! Yay!

So I made the cookies for my Young Women's class at church as part of my unveiling of the Personal Progress tracking chart I spent yesterday making. I was up until the ridiculous wee hours of the morning perfecting this sucker so hopefully it works out well. The girls seemed impressed so let's hope it helps motivated them to get crackin'!

And now I am going to finish "The Silent Gril" by Tess Gerritsen (she is the author of the Rizzoli and Isles series, which is now a show on TV. The books are WAAAAAAAY better. I think the series is uber-cheesy and reminds me of something that would be on the Lifetime channel...eh...). I might need to squeeze in a nap.

Happy Daylight Saving Day!

Retail Therapy, Warm Rain, and Wishes

I cannot do it.

Photo from here

No really, I cannot indulge in retail therapy. I tried today. Really. I did. I went to the tempting stores: Barnes and Noble, Anthropologie, Bi-juju (jewelry) thinking maybe I could find a little treasure to adorn my nook or wardrobe or life with. People, I TRIED. I think the problem stems from the fact that I don't really need any sort of therapy right now (yay!). My current nemesis is boredom and well, buying clothes when I don't have a need for them or a reason or event to wear them to just doesn't appeal. Even the cute bowls from Anthropologie didn't do it and they are cheap so I wouldn't have felt back buying them! But no, nothing. Even books didn't appeal. I honestly picked out a book, put it back. Picked out another. Wandered around...and put it back. It was so annoying. I'm sure the security people watching the film got a kick out of me doing this about 5 times. Then I just sat down in a plush chair and pulled out the book I had in my purse from the library ("Mortal Syntax" by June Casagrande. Yes, it's a book about correct grammar. It's sassy, it's enlightening, and I am learning that I am guilty of a few incorrect uses. Now I can prevent any further embarrassing grammatical mistakes (aka my mom correcting me in the middle of a story, which totally throws up my story-telling groove) and catch others on their mistakes...muahahahahahah!Gabe the Grammar Cop is on patrol!) Even internet shopping doesn't appeal. I say that because I found a few books I would have purchased but I have strong feelings that Barnes and Noble tends to overcharge and I can definitely get a better deal on Amazon.com. 


It's been a bit of a weird 4-day weekend because the weather has been bi-polar. Today it was humid and warm but rainy so that severely limited my outdoor activities (aka all the plans I had for the day). But the rain lightened up this evening and as I was wandering around Market Commons in and out of shops I wished with all my heart I could have been wandering around a city (BOSTON) because the weather was perfect and it was the perfect day to do so: a week day! Most people are at work so you avoid those, at times, annoying weekend crowds and can roam and stroll at your leisure. Myrtle Beach severely lacks areas to just walk around. I guess I could try the boardwalk but that's just a glorified Hampton Beach. No thanks. Bust. My aching for Boston was heightened by a book I found at Barnes and Noble: "Make Way for Ducklings." It's a children's book (shocker for me, I know) that is set in Boston and the city actually has a statue dedicated to this book.  

Photo from here

You see, I have a list of about 100 books that I am determined to read and/or own that are either set in New England, written by a New England author, or are somehow tightly connected to New England. This book is on the list and it was one of the books I picked up, carried around, and then put back. Anyway, I ached for Boston a little today. I miss Boston. Gosh I love that place. You don't even know. 

Then I got home and made dinner plans with some new friends on Friday. I cannot wait for Friday. And I made homemade popcorn, kettle corn this time. Pretty tasty but not kettle-corny enough. Also I spoke to one of my best guy friends yesterday--Britton--and I love this guy. Love him. And I talked to Clary today. THANK GOODNESS FOR FREAKIN' AWESOME FRIENDS!!!!! I love my friends. All of them. Big hugs to you all. I love ya. 

And the music choice of my weekend has been the soundtrack from Something's Gotta Give with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. The movie is eh, ok, but the scenery is FANTASTIC and the music is INCREDIBLE. French, jazz, deliciousness for my ears and soul. Oooooooooh gosh on top of yearning for Boston, I was half-tempted to throw caution to the wind and buy a ticket to France. I even browsed the French language section at Barnes and Noble to brush up on my French. Go listen to the soundtrack, especially when you are driving or baking. It's great! 

Hello Old Friend

I was sitting outside on my balcony watching and listening to the lightning and thunder storm a few minutes ago. Apparently we have weather warnings for high wind speeds and possible tornadoes. Nifty. The wind was rocking my windows earlier. I loooooove thunder. I cherish the nights where I fall asleep to rain and wake up in the middle of the night to booming, cracking thunder and lightning storms. The best-ever thunder storm I have ever experienced was in August 1998 a day or two after I moved to NH. I have yet to experience thunder of that magnitude. It was awesome. 

I went running this morning....OUTSIDE. It was in the 70s, hazy, humid, and overcast. Perfect for running, at least for me. And I'm pretty sure I got some new freckles. Hooray!!! It was a rough run being that I've felt a little blah this week but I did a little over 3.5 miles in 30 minutes. Not too shabby. Then I sped walked through the residentials near my condo complex. Lots of copy-cat houses but still, it was fun to meander through neighborhoods. Except, there was one peculiar neighborhood where the houses reminded me of stepford houses, not pretty and elegant or anything, but bizarre. The only way to enter the house is through the garage. So instead of having the front of your house face the street, the garage faces the street and then behind that is the house, all of which are surrounded by an ugly fence. I didn't realize we lived in the an uber-private area. It looks so weird, like a street of storage garages but no, they are houses. UUUUUUG-ly. No thank you. Nope. 

Events of the day:

Got gas.  I felt pretty spiffy finding a cheaper gas station. And by cheaper I mean a whopping $3.44/gallon. Ouch. Then I put air in my tires because that stupid light came on again. But now it's off and my OCD/panic is once again at ease. I was going to get my car washed but the first car wash I went to was asking $25-$150???? Uh no. $5 and I'll do it myself thanks. Oh the luxuries of living in a home: a hose, a street, and the ability to wash your own car. I like washing my car. I miss being able to do that. I decided to wash my car tomorrow or Monday. Good thinking because it's raining right now and I got a sweet coupon in the mail today, for a car washing place in the mail. Score! 

Next--the library. Returned some books and got some new ones! I couldn't find any fiction books that caught my eye or attention so I settled for some educational books. EXCEPT. Hold the phone people. One of my ALL-TIME favorite authors FINALLY has a new book coming out in March or April. I can't remember the date exactly and it doesn't matter but for the love I cannot wait. Ladies and Gents, I bring you "The Shoemaker's Wife" by the one, the only, Adriana Trigiani. I love this woman. I love her books. I love her life. I love her family history. I want to be her friend. I love Italy and she fuels my passion, love, desire, and admiration for all things Italian. I am STOKED for this book. Yes I already reserved it.

                                     

Anyway, having no luck with the fiction section, I stumbled up a book called, "10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America." It's pretty interesting so far and doesn't discuss the days you would think like the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Abraham Lincoln's assassination, the Gettysburg Address, etc. Rather, the less-known, but equally important events like Shay's Rebellion and the assassination of President McKinley. 

The book was written in conjunction with the series for The History Channel but the author did not work with the filmmakers so he offers some additional facts and insight (I didn't watch the series but that's what the introduction said!). I also got a book called, "Salt: A World History." Yes, it's a book about salt. Table salt. NaCl (fun fact, salt is actually only 40% sodium. If you go on jeopardy and get this question and win because you read it, I only ask for 10% of your winnings. Deal? Ok, great!). The stuff I tell people with hypertension, strokes, massive heart attacks, etc. to stay away from. When I was doing my internship in Tucson, we worked closely with the AWESOME sous chef at the hospital, Jonathan. He has got to be one of the coolest, most talented, level-headed, fun people I have ever met. He recommended the book almost a year ago and it popped into my head today and now it's mine to read. I suspect it will be very interesting. Additionally, I found three films for me to watch over the weekend and I'm tickled! An Audrey classic, a delightful romance, and a French foreign film. Yes please!(Second only to my obsession and love for Italy is France: the language, the food, the people, the history. Actually, it's not second, it's a rival). 

Finally, I went for a stroll on the beach. OH. MY. LANTUS. It was wonderful. I went to the Garden City Pier but the pier is apparently off limits until tourist season, (uh, ok. LAME.) so I took a leisurely stroll along the Atlantic and for a wee bit of my day, I was back at home: the mesmerizing, soothing, crash of the Atlantic to my left, sand under my toes, and beach houses to my right. Bose headphones have nothing on the Atlantic and the wind roaring in your ears. I was basically in heaven. The only thing missing were ginormous rocks for me to climb, seaglass for me to spot and add to my ever-expanding collection, and the Isles of Shoal in the distance. But it was really cool to see a long line of my footprints in the sand behind me. And it was super fun to watch seagulls chillin' on one leg in the seafoam (why do they do that? One leg?) and flocks (Groups? I have no idea of the correct term here) of pelicans flying in formation overhead. It was absolutely soothing. I didn't find any seaglass, but I did find some treasures! I collect seashells, seaglass, smoothed over pretty stones, and any other nifty things I find at the beach. Herein begins my new collection from SC! I may go for another stroll tomorrow. And Sunday. And Monday. And as often as I can before the tourists take over. 

Delightful to be with you again my dear old friend

Photo from here (I forgot to bring my camera! Again!)