Sweet Designs Chocolate Ha ha ha

 2 years since I've written!! What compels such action? Sea parted? Writer's block, cleared? An omg feeling that I need the accountability of dates otherwise I lose them? So baby I'm back.

With a tres moi reason. I'd like to rant about Sweet Designs being closed Jan 1 -10 which is just absurd. Where am I to go. What am I to do? There is no answer. 

So I went to Heinens. Handy and I needed whipped cream (remind me about my apple crisp:old school recipe) .After walking around their "bakery", deciding that a yummy coffee cake sounded like it would do but of course finding nothing!! and feeling like a weirdo cause I ended up looking at everything and I'm sure the look on my face was nice. But I did find, tucked in the brownie case, a very tasty brownie/caramel/cookie dough layered bar. And I ate it with tea, quite hit the spot.

BUT back to the dearth of good chocolate and the need for everyone to stock up! Now there is a thing called damp January and if you're doing any of those alcohol things you can probably do it but you'll need tea and good sweets. Everyday I think of driving over the bridge to Lakewood and it's a few days yet till Sweet Designs (a most european thing in my neighborhood) reopens. Try the nut patty. Either cashew, pecan or almond, dark or milk chocolate, caramel. It's all you need really because right there all you math majors can tell me how many variations you can indulge in. Six, I think. Ok the toffee and brittle are smashing as well. 

 her new motto was "might as well". she used to live by "why not".  I doubt she ever questioned either as hers was a life pretty well unexamined. random in so many ways like a trip to Nordstrom Rack that could result in bags of clothes meant for some life other than the one they were entering. 

February 7, 2022

 After a very sluggish hibernation last month I'm taking a look at the year to come. I'm at my winter weight. Did not exercise/walk/stretch/yoga for at least 2 weeks. Didn't even wash my face for a couple of days here and there (no makeup to remove, no sunscreen either as I'm just inside, just slathered moisturizer when I felt tight). So pretty basic.

 I did some self care tho: had my teeth whitened at the dentist and I'm very happy with the results. Continued with my bi weekly series of chemical peels and now, after 90 days, am switching to monthly facials.  After 3 months of chemical peels (very well controlled, minimal to no peeling or redness) I can see results, happily. The plan is to do one facial per month and what type depends on how my skin is behaving. Microneedling, chemical or firming being among the choices.  I've decided to purchase products as I run out of them and will upgrade according to my esthetician's  recommendation. So far I'm using a Vit C  hydrating repair and  a glycolic/retinol - both from Image. Additionally I had my microbladed brows touched up and they look pretty good!  

So I did do some self care in January and I'm very happy with the results. The esthetician recommends doing sheet masks or at home facial masks DAILY! - which is probably not happening- but we have started doing them - solo and en famille - much more often. Of course daily sunscreen is imperative, per absolutely everybody, so I've tried a few new ones and I'm happy to report that there are some really nice options. They contain primer now and act as a nice one step sunscreen and light coverage. I've tried and liked Tizo and Goop Glow Screen.   As for the teeth - I've been sipping coffee via a stainless steel straw and switched up my red wine for sauvignon blanc in order to keep the glow. Ok I feel a bit better about my very lazy January now that I've tallied it up. Also, Aldi has some really delicious Sauvignon Blanc at a great price point.

Playing my keyboards fairly regularly and I've been learning/researching some 80s music for Ke Ka and La. This new project will shape up over the next 6 months or so. The  PopTarts have only one gig this month. 

Now I've got to get energized with some body movement. I.ve been really enjoying outdoor walks - ramped up during the pandemic - but I can't do them in the extreme cold as it aggravates my bronchitis. Walking with one of my daughters or husband is great tho in the proper season. I could use the indoor pool at the rec center but......brrrr.....the getting into and out of the pool just doesn't inspire me right now. I may have to bite that bullet tho as swimming is such a terrific choice for me - exercise and meditation in one practice. 

One big change is upcoming, I'm electing to take my social security payment starting in October. I've talked this over with my husband and our financial advisor and it's a go! At this point I'm planning to take Sept - December totally off from appraising. I'll keep my license in effect and renew it every year until I'm certain that I won't want or need some extra income. We plan to go to Portugal in September so what a kick off to "retirement".  That's a trip with our good friends so I'm thrilled to be planning it.

Later this month we're going for the first time to Las Vegas! Actually we'll spend 2 or 3 nights at the Paris (of course) in Vegas and then spend the rest of the week with Sedona as our base. This is the first time either of us have been in the SW and we're looking forward to it. We'll go to California at the end of March and have to get going on that planning that trip as well. Maybe in 2023 we'll go for longer to Arizona or California depending on this experience.

xo

La

Rooftops of Paris

The rooftops of Paris are beautiful and emblematic - of the soaring reach the city makes, in all things. I dream of sleeping on a Parisian rooftop, nestled in a cozy bed amid a potted garden. Maybe you'll enjoy this video!

 

More of the same, with a few tweaks

 Yesterday: good. However this am I have a slightly itchy neck and eyes and some dry skin in both areas - an allergy. Going thru what I ate/drank/wore now, what a pain. Wait. What if cleaning got me all stirred up?? Good grief.  I was home all day, didn't try anything new. I did milk (foamed, in my coffee as a cleaning day treat), I cleaned. Very routine day.  However today some allergic inflammation. 

First Friday of Lent (not that I'm in it for anything but the food) so tonight's dinner is crunchy fish sandwiches on brioche, crinkle cut fries, broccoli and corn. I should do slaw, so scratch the broc and corn.  I am going to make an asian slaw with cabbage, yellow bell, green onion, carrot tossed in sesame oil, rice vinegar and some ginger (perhaps?).    I love a good fish fry but carryout is not a good look on that dish.

xo

Planning on how to think about my day

 Today I plan to clean. My house, some produce. It's cold and snowy, I have no errands and so....perfect.

Then I see on instagram - a huge house inventory sale at RBX. Dreamy. The photos a teaser. My kind of shopping.

But today I clean, curate and contain the treasures I already own and decline to accumulate more, respectfully. 

That's cool, right?

Among those items are a dozen roses that have been so gorgeous in the living room. I believe they are going to either the bedroom or the office today. A couple of pairs of leggings are biting the dust. There will be more change by day's end. 

Music, candles and movement and a cleaning plan. 

HMMM COOKBOOKS - just sayin'

 What is it that makes you want to read a cookbook? Even those without prose per se can be read, literally and  figuratively. But the ones wherein are shards of a life....become the story and the recipes, to me, just lists, amounts, foods not yet matched and married into something a bit different, maybe something so much more delicious than the parts

Cookbooks are by their nature different from most books when they are used. A roughed up old cookbook? Could be interesting.

hmmm 

I like a cookbook with some talking. The best cookbook names seem to be already taken. The I Hate to Cook Book comes to mind. I love that book. 

Clementine in the Kitchen - a good one. It may have slipped by you if your daughter  isn't a Clementine.  Historical fiction is a genre. Is historical cookbook also? If so, that's what this one is.

What do I have to offer? I am funny (shut up), some of my recipes are old and so am I....but I don't think my book is historical/humor in species.

It's family, home kitchen, basic yet not traditional, food we like to eat. With recipes that are precise enough to get you there. So what're my talking points for this cookbook based on that exciting synopsis?

We'll see..

Paris in Lakewood on a Tuesday

Pandemic wise I've been in a pretty good head space. But it's wintery cold, slightly damp today and this follows and proceeds more of the same weather so I'm consciously choosing my thoughts and deeds in an effort to stay calm and carry on. It's a decision. 

We have some shopping and a birthday to look forward to: we're hitting up Saucisson (saucissoncleveland.com) later this week for items for Jake's birthday dinner and the making of his famous Pink Meat Soup. Yesssss, this fabulous recipe will be included in my upcoming cookbook. We need chicken livers (pink meat) and they also carry an assortment of charcuterie that we're going to delve into. They are open 3 days a week and update their website weekly. One of the only excursions we're taking these days is grocery shopping so this is a necessity and a minor road trip as Slavic Village is an 11 mile drive. This female owned butcher shop looks very interesting - check out their website photo!

As far as today, it's already bone chilling, the damp making it so at 34 degrees. I plan to mostly stay in and do some work. My work requires me to go out a few times a week, otherwise I work from home. I will go to Lakewood and get my car washed and grab a nice loaf or a hot drink from Blackbird Bakery as a treat/break midday. 

I'm reading The Custom of the Country - impatiently getting to her life in Paris.

xo

La

Pandemic Self Care

I started a list of all the things I do for myself. This list is stuff I actually do at home, by myself. I love a full body massage with Sheena -she's a wonder, but in the time of coronavirus I have given that up. Grooming is part of self care in my opinion and neither grooming nor self care are optional. There is A LOT of stuff.....and I'm beginning to think that I should examine what I do, why I do it, if it is doing anything noticeable for me and if I should continue, ramp it up or stop it. Note that I don't do all of these things regularly - which is why I want to make some decisions and an action plan that works for me timewise and results-wise. 1)facial massage/lymphatic drainage massage 2)ear massage (part of above) 3)dry brushing 4)pedicure 5)nail care (for a natural nail look) 6)yoga toes 7)drinking warm water: with apple cider vinegar in the am and occasionally thru out the day. 8)amna - tool that releases fascia in the head and face 9)foam roller 10)facial exercises 11)nuface: current and light attachments 12)foot roller/foot massage 13)dermaroller 14)standing at my computer, not sitting also: just not being "on" the computer at all!!! 15)self reflexology 16)really warm, soaking bath 17)dermaplane/shave my face 18)posture awareness 19)refined eating (both food and the polite ingestion of it) 20)yoga and stretching 21)weights and walking workouts This is actually a wonderful list. I'm going to print it to a large index card so I can refer throughout the day. I like to make a card for am and pm routines. xo La

My 2020 Voting Story "The Mind makes a Promise that the Body can Fill"

 My 2020 Voting Story "The Mind makes a Promise that the Body can Fill"

This is the Year of the Vote I guess. The biggest year of Voting I've lived thru and I've turned a few corners and the act of voting is front and center this year and do I have to also say it: what a year? I guess I do want to say that b/c this year has been revealing, reflective and I daresay processed differently by different people. So "what a year" I'll say and you stamp it with your experience for a personalized result!

I'm driving on a chilly, damp 50 degree, very misty-just- short -of- rainy day. Work, 2 short appointments. Now to the drop off location for my family's absentee ballots. I've got precious 3 in my possession. Paperwork is sparse saying: drop box will be located behind the Bd of Elections Bldg, giving said address. From what I've seen online/TV, all around the election facilities - drop off, and early in person and Covid etc - the process is rather more crowded and taking up more space than in past years. So I know I may have to pivot if I don't want to spend an inordinate amount of time attempting to vote. Altho I am prepared to. 

Waze takes me in her efficient, occasionally annoying, way. Highway, moving well. Carnegie, not bad. Heading North to Euclid the slower pace syncs with my wipers pace as the mist becomes drizzle and I'm checking out a wet, Impressionistic view, my windshield and the rain softening the streets of the CLE and my hynie heater warming my posterior fuzzing the view from my interior. Sitting at a light now, a tableau sets up on the sidewalk to my right: an old man, leaning against the stone of a church. His t shirt, what I can see under his coat, is anti Trump (Pence too?).  With purpose he sets off but first he has to make some involuntary steps to get going. This is a ballet move, his right foot moving ahead on the pavement and then back in 3 or 4 times before he can propel forward bringing his cane into the process.  I see his wife/woman/IDK a few steps behind. She's being careful to give this man his room, some dignity. But she's right behind him. He gets going but not for long and I soon see this is the sequence: involuntary tendu, some forward progress, rest, repeat. She stepped in once. This is what making an effort to vote looks like. Thick misty rain, body that doesn't want to cooperate. Voter Man moving forward from doing his duty.

 I move slowly away as they continue slowly South and I directly North now noticing the large yellow and white flashing traffic sign: Stay Right to Drop Off Ballot. This is looking promising. Signage. Organization. Yay!  Yes, it's a bit slow with the rain and uncertain drivers, all understandable. I am chill, my car is moving, I'm in the right lane and my seat heat is on. Is the radio? I can't remember.

Good work by the Board, this drop off is all right lane, thru the makeshift drop off area in a handy parking lot and then right turn only out. As I pass to the white plastic overhead tent shielding our votes in boxes I lower my window "Hey" I smile to the man in a reflective vest "Can I trust you?"

"Well" he says "only if you don't wanna get wet!"

"No, for sure. Thanks so much, this was not bad at all"  The handoff. We share a smile and I wave, slowly cruise and smile at the next guy too for good measure, thanking him. 

All right, duty done, I voted! Right turn only out the lot and I'm heading for home. Would have normally taken a left out of that lot but no complaints.  Right down Prospect to 90. On the right just ahead I glimpse Voter Man making the end of an effort to get into the back seat of a car. I can't see much else and 10 seconds later, I wouldn't have seen a thing. Right turns, I've been making only right turns. Thank You Voter Man. Didn't think I'd be thanking anything right this year. lol. And that was my loop around downtown in  year like no other when I made a scenic drive and so many of us made the effort, visible, whatever that means, to participate. 

Creative and satisfied

 Today was a very satisfying day. By coincidence or not it's Sunday, traditionally a day of rest. And I feel very rested and full, complete. What did I do? What did I not do? Oh the suspense. 

Just now I finished about 20 minutes playing piano, which I've done perhaps 3 or 4 other times today. I created a mock playlist with stuff I should be able to sing and play - a la meme fois - by now. And I was pretty pleased with the progress there. 

Working backwards, Cali dropped by and we had champagne and made ramen with egg for dinner. We had some discussion about expanding our family real estate game now. It's a probable win win and that's obviously positive!

Jake and I took a walk, showed him the paths around the Normandy and Mom's new place. He was impressed and they do have a great raised garden bed, ponds and water features, good landscaping and some very woodsy areas - plus mini golf so I can see the fam gathering there for a cocktail hour sometime.

Rearranged some furniture, slightly. Hit the Jungle Room with some love and covered the chaise with a soft washed, large whaled, muted green corduroy fabric (old curtain) and it looks great and feels greater. So comfy. Real fur tails (inherited, vintage) and faux fur pillow. Brought in some plants that summer out of doors on the deck and winter in the Florida Room of old, now the Jungle Room. Angled/turned the butcher block a bit and it's better in the kitchen/stove nook it creates, much better. 

Played and sang. Did some harvesting in Tomato Land and threw some sauce - San Marzanos, peppers, onion and italian spice - in the oven to roast. Ultimately burned some. But good effort. Saved some.

I wrote an entry for my cookbook. Tips. So much to say there. But that project is in a good place now too. Lots of progress. We need to do a few recipes again and make some final decisions re costs/photos/etc. But basically it's written, I think. 

Xo

The One Third Life Method

 Well I am sussing out this idea that recently came to me. I'm old. Oldish, I guess. That's not the idea 👈 My Mom's 90, Gramma lived to 100 and, while I don't want to get ahead of myself here, reflection is what I'm doing and maybe I have another 30 decent years of life as I know it. At 64, if I dissect things roughly I've spent 30 years becoming the adult "me", the next 30 being "us" and, perhaps, the next 30 be???-ing That's interesting to me as 30 years seems like a lot but rationally I know the years speed up with age and this 30 will fly by......

So what is the third third? I am on the cusp, the precipice of that. Health, enjoyment, relaxation, passion. Perhaps more or less.

 3+3+3 = 9  or 3-6-9 -all really good numbers with vibrations that matter so maybe this One Third Life Method is something. A map, a reflection tool, a reassurance?