L.A.!!

Duane and I were able to get on a flight to Los Angeles for spring break a few weeks ago, and spent a really LONG (for us!) FOUR days soaking up the sun, and doing fun "touristy" things in California!!!

We flew out early Monday morning, and made it to L.A. by 10:00.  OF COURSE we went right to our hotel (which we love...and have stayed at four times!) after picking up our rental car, then headed to Pann's for breakfast.

We met the most DELIGHTFUL server, Brenda, and had a great time planning our adventures over pancakes (Duane) and a Pann's Dreemburger (me).

After Pann's we hit an Albertson's for supplies, then headed to Manhattan Beach to enjoy the ocean...

We shopped a few strip malls in the area, and went to Carl's Jr. for Santa Fe Chicken sandwiches (me), because that's what we (me) do.

After Carl's Jr., we headed back to the hotel and spent the remainder of the evening sitting on the deck, looking out over the AMAZING pool area at the Marriott!!

On our first full day in California, we hit the ground running (as we usually do!).  We started with ANOTHER breakfast at Pann's, then drove to Antelope Valley to see the poppies...

I "bumped into" a friend from my high school in Iowa...from 34 years ago.  Small world!

...then we visited a presidential museum in Simi Valley (I won't say who...because I'm not a fan, and, in fact, only took THIS photo while there...)...

After the presidential museum (which was, actually, pretty cool...except for the docent who pestered us at the ticket counter to buy a ticket AND give a donation to a school...which was tax deductible (which she said about FIVE TIMES)...but almost DOUBLED the price of the entry ticket...). 

We then headed back to the hotel, and again sat on the balcony...

The SECOND full day in L.A., we headed to the farmer's market and the Grove.  We LOVE the farmer's market, and we got there early enough to get good parking AND enjoy a not very crowded market...

My FAVORITE shop at the farmer's market!!!!

After coffee (me), and doughnuts (Duane), and a bit of time exploring the market, we headed to the Grove for some "hoity toity" shopping.  We actually spent most of our time at the Barnes & Noble, and exploring the lovely park in the center of the shopping complex...

After a DELIGHTFUL lunch at Maggiano's (and sooooo nostalgic...we miss the one in the twin cities!!!)...

...we headed to Griffith Observatory (the only official stop on our unofficial "La La Land" (the movie) tour!!)... 

After walking around the observatory, and taking in the lovely views, we headed to West Hollywood for some pie!!! I had a slice of chocolate chiffon at the restaurant, and got a "to go" slice of pineapple pie for later,,,yum!!

We then went back to the hotel, and OF COURSE spent time on the balcony!!!

On our THIRD full day in L.A., we went to Pann's for breakfast (duh!), then headed to Universal Studios!  I LOVE Universal Studios!  When my sister and brother-in-law lived in L.A. I would visit every summer, and we would ALWAYS go to Universal...such a cool place!

An added bonus this time was the "Wizarding World Of Harry Potter"!!!  My inner book nerd was in HEAVEN!!!!!!  We started by touring Hogsmeade, and it was AMAZING!!!!!

 Butterbeer!!!!

Since the wait for the "Forbidden Journey" was over two hours long, we opted to explore other parts of the park...including the back lot tour (one of my all time favorites!)...and the minion ride...

 The "flood" site from Lady Gaga's most recent video...

 The airplane "crash site" from War of the Worlds, starring Tom Cruise...

...then went BACK to Hogsmeade...and...with the wait at only an hour and ten minutes, got in line for the "Forbidden Journey" ride...TOTALLY worth the wait!!!

The "tram" in which you take the "forbidden journey"!!

After the ride (which we SERIOUSLY considered doing again...although another 70 minute wait wasn't desirable), we headed to Santa Monica for Mexican food at El Cholo!  It was DELICIOUS...but EXPENSIVE (when factoring in the $64.00 parking ticket for parking in a "preferential parking zone"...whatever the HELL that means...)...

We then went back to the hotel and collapsed exhausted (but happily) into bed!

On our FINAL day in L.A., we checked out of the hotel, went to Pann's for one last breakfast (at which, sadly, Brenda had the day off), and then went back to Manhattan Beach for one last walk on the beach (and pier)...

As always...an amazing trip, and we can't wait to go back again!  

Here's hoping YOU were able to "revisit" a beloved place recently too!!!!

New Year's Resolutions UPDATE!!

So...one of my New Year's resolutions was to lose weight.  Another was to drink less wine.  Combining BOTH, I've been participating in the "Rejoin Weight Watchers/Dry January/Butt and Gut Challenge"...challenge (which I TOTALLY made up by mushing together three different programs).

So far, I'm sticking with it...I'm staying within my daily WW points total (32).  I haven't had a glass of wine, or any other type of alcohol since New Year's Eve.  I'm on DAY 8 of the "Butt and Gut Challenge" (incremental planks, squats, crunches, and squats).  Apparently, it's working...I've lost SEVEN pounds since January 1st!!!

Although the "not drinking wine" thing is difficult, my biggest challenge has been food.  Charting points is TEDIOUS, and getting bored with what I eat is a constant ANNOYANCE.

Luckily, the internet (and Pinterest) are FULL of interesting recipes and suggestions!  I'm posting links to TWO recipes I found online (or on Pinterest...I can't remember which...my brain isn't getting enough potato chips and cookies to work properly).  They are DELICIOUS, and MIGHT just keep me from quitting this whole ordeal!

The first recipe is Curried Chicken Salad.  You can find the recipe here.  I wrapped mine in a lettuce leaf, instead of using bread, and the entire meal totaled 4 points (her recipe says 3, but when I put it through the recipe builder on the Weight Watchers website, it said 4).  It was DELICIOUS!

The second recipe is Beef Chili Mac with Jalapenos.  You can find the original recipe here.  You will see that the recipe is actually called "Turkey Chili Mac with Jalapenos", but I altered the recipe and used lighter versions of ingredients than the original recipe to adjust the points.  Here's my version:

Beef Chili Mac with Jalapenos

Ingredients

1	T. garlic chives
1	tsp. onion powder
1	tsp. ground coriander
1	tsp. cumin
2	tsp. chili powder
¼	tsp. salt
1	lb. 93% lean ground beef
1½	c. beef broth
1	(14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
2	cups dry whole wheat elbow pasta
⅓	c. fresh jalapeno, seeded, membranes removed, diced
½	c. skim milk
4	oz. light cream cheese
1	c. reduced-fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Directions

Cook macaroni in boiling water until al dente.

In a small bowl, combine onion powder, ground coriander, cumin, chili powder and salt.

Brown ground beef in Dutch oven. When almost done, add minced jalapenos and garlic chives. Cook until tender but not mushy.

Stir in beef broth, diced tomatoes, and pasta. Cook for about 5-8 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed by pasta.

Pour milk into a small pan and heat up slowly over low heat. After the milk is warm and steaming add the cream cheese and stir until it is melted.

Add the shredded cheese to the milk and cream cheese. Stir until it is melted.

Pour the cheese sauce into the pasta mixture and stir until the pasta is evenly coated.

Serve hot.

9 WW points/serving.
Serving size: 1 cup.

Here's hoping YOU are sticking to YOUR New Year's resolutions too!!!

Happy New Year, 2017!!

Well...it appears that I haven't blogged about my New Year's resolutions since 2009, but I always seem to have the same ones, so I should really just copy and paste (as I am now) with the heading "New Year, Old Goals"...

So...here they are...again...but check out the "addendum" at the bottom.  Something new that I've never felt the need to "resolve to do" before... 

1).  Lower my cholesterol. Still high.  Still needs improvement.  I'm taking high doses of prescription niacin, which thins out my blood, but is helping somewhat.  Except for the occasional "flushing" (which, I'm told, is like a hot flash...skin turns red, I sweat, I feel really hot for awhile), it seems to be helping...but resolutions 2 and 3 would help the medication be even more effective).

2).  Lose weight. Man...this one seems to be on my resolutions list EVERY YEAR. You'd think I'd have done it by now, but, I'm a little TOO FOND of fatty, salty, junky food. I've TRIED to lose weight, and have accomplished the goal, but then put it all back on when I get busy, or stressed, or bored. I'm starting the Weight Watchers "Points Chart" today. So far, I've only had a cup of coffee, and am planning to have bbq cheddar jalapeno chicken meatballs (www.slenderkitchen.com/bbq-cheddar-jalapeno-chicken-meatballs/) for lunch, but evenings and the time just before going to bed are when I crave junk food the most, so we'll see if I have the will power to NOT eat everything in the refrigerator!  I also find that my will power is not as strong as it was when I was younger, so...wish me luck!

3).  Get more exercise. I became a member of the community center gym this past January, and was pretty consistent with going there when it was cold and snowy (and even attended a number of Zumba classes with my friend Lynn).  When it got nice out, I also was fairly consistent with walking outside, but, as school got started again, and mornings got earlier and earlier, got lazy again. I've tried to get back to the fitness center a couple of times a week over the last month or two, but need to get back to three times a week.  It's always challenging to FIND an open treadmill at the fitness center until about mid-February (when all of the other "new year's resolution" people finally give up), so may have to attempt walking outdoors until then...brrrr...

4.  Drink less wine. Okay...I admit that I'm a little too fond of wine. Not slobbery, staggery, drunk fond of it, but DEFINITELY "it helps me relax" fond of it. I'm HOPING that the whole "lose weight/get more exercise" thing will assist with this resolution. Wine is HIGH in calories, and will TOTALLY defeat losing weight, which I think I REALLY AM now committed to doing.  At this point, I'm making a "tenuous" commitment to a DRY JANUARY.  That lack of will power thing is going to REALLY be put to the test!

5.  Work on my debt load. I like to spend money.  I like having a credit card.  They do not necessarily go well together.  I'm nowhere NEAR where I was when I went into the "debt management" program five or six years ago, but I definitely need to "reign it in", and pay off the debt that I have now accrued.  My car will be paid off in August, and the money going toward that debt will be redirected to my credit card balance.  Now if I could just figure out a way to refinance or switch my student loan to something that would actually show a decrease in the balance occasionally...

6).  Swear less. Okay...I admit it (although if you know me AT ALL, you already know this)...I get EXTREMELY "potty mouthed" when I drive around the cities. It doesn't HELP that 98% of the drivers up here are COMPLETE and UTTER morons, but, in an effort to "detoxify" my commute, I am stating here, for the world (or at least the three people who read my blog) that I am vowing to curtail the "blue stream of trucker talk" that seem to pop so freely from my mouth. Enough said.

7).  Spend MORE time with family and friends. I don't really need to elaborate on this one. I get too busy, and too wrapped up in things, and my personal relationships end up taking the brunt of it. No more (I hope). Family and friends are what it's all about, right? Why cut time from that for all of the "crap" that fills our days??  I MIGHT even try to work on my phobia of talking on the phone (I know it's not rational...that's why it's a phobia!).

ADDENDUM:

8). Find a way to move forward with hope this year (and the three years after that).  I have not been happy since the election.  Everything leading up to November 8th was contentious, and mean, and full of hatred and bigotry...none of which I care to be a part of.  I pride myself on finding the good in things, and in being a, generally, upbeat and positive person.  I'm not at the moment.  

As the inauguration gets closer, I find myself feeling more trepidation, and less hope that things will be okay.  With each odious pick for "head of this" and "chairMAN" (because "person" is apparently not BUTCH enough) of that, my hopes for our country get dimmer and dimmer.  SO...I am still going to TRY to find the good in the future...whatever it may hold...but THIS could be the toughest resolution of all to stick with.
 
Wish me luck, and I hope that YOU are successful with your New Year's goals too!!!

MEA Weekend, 2016

So it's now MEA weekend (Minnesota Education Association)...a weekend in which teacher's have the option of spending two day in state association sponsored professional development workshops, or...take a four day weekend.  There are many dedicated souls who choose to go to the workshops, and then there are the rest of us dedicated souls, who just NEED four days to recuperate, recover, and brace for the Halloween to Christmas chaos to come...

Duane and I don't typically travel on MEA weekend, because it's BASICALLY IMPOSSIBLE to fly anywhere because ALMOST EVERYONE IS FLYING SOMEWHERE FOR MEA.  We looked at all of our desired destinations (and laughed a little bit that we even thought we'd get on a flight to one of them).  We looked at all of our "can't get anywhere else, so let's fly here" destinations (and laughed a little bit that we even though we'd get on a flight to one of them).

We ended up taking a "Daycation" (Duane had to work today), and drove to Northfield, Minnesota instead.  Duane found a state park that looked like a cool play to spend a "warmish" fall day, and so we went there, then had lunch and did a little shopping in Northfield.

We started at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park...complete with winding woodland paths, beautiful fall foliage, and a waterfall!

 "Snake Grass"...which we used to find on my grandparents farm!!

After a DELIGHTFUL morning at the park, we headed into Northfield to find a place for lunch.  Before that, however, we needed to check out a place called Cakewalk.  We've REALLY missed Sweet Bebe Cakes since they closed a few years ago, and were happy to find that, although not exactly like the cupcakes we adored, these were quite nice!

OF COURSE, as happens all too frequently, as we walked in the door, a kid sitting on one of the sofas near the counter shouted out "Mr. S!"  Yep...one of the kindergartners from my school in Hopkins was staying with his grandparents in Northfield, and HAPPENED to be buying cupcakes at the same time as we were...what are the odds??!  He was really excited that he knew someone in Northfield, and, as they were leaving, I heard him say to his grandma "That's so cool!"!!!!

I got to meet his grandma, and we had a nice chat about the area, AND she gave us a great recommendation for a place to go for lunch...the Tavern of Northfield.

The place was packed!  In it's early days the tavern was connected to the stables in which visitors to Northfield stabled their horses....very historic!  I had a delicious baked macaroni and cheese with bacon, and Duane had a chicken parmesan sandwich.  Both were really tasty!

After lunch, we walked along the river for a bit, then checked out an antique store on Main Street, popped into Econofoods to pick up a few things, and headed back to the cities!

Here's hoping YOU were able to take a relaxing, "soul revitalizing" daycation recently too!!!

Emilie's Trip Home and Mom and Dad's Visit!

Emilie was home for the first time since leaving for her Sophomore year of college in August.  Although it was a quick visit, and I only got to see her twice, it was GREAT to have her home.

Mom and dad drove up on Sunday to see her (and us!), and they all came over for dinner on Sunday night.  I made Italian Beef Stew with Ravioli, and we had a GREAT time hanging out, and catching up!!!

Here's hoping YOU were able to reconnect with loved ones recently too!!!