Beheading

Yesterday I went to the Grand Asian supermarket. The name says it all. The freshest selection of all things Asian --- every kind of "exotic" veggie and fruit and some not so exotic all at terrific prices.

In addition to produce, I needed a whole chicken and did not want to make a second stop to Kroger's. Bad idea.

This morning when I pulled my chicken out to prepare it to marinade for a chicken Marbella recipe there was more chicken then I had anticipated. The feet were still there and so was the head. Eyes and sad beak and all! I had no choice but to muster up the strength and whacked off the feet and the neck. SO GROSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Oh, I also whacked off the butt.

Back

Well, its been a nice ease back into "reality" after returning from vacation on Sunday. We loved being away, but let's face it, there's no place like home with your own bed (and toilet). I am so spoiled as my first full day of reality consisted of me going to painting class as opposed to say like, a job. Thank you Danny for providing me with the desires of my heart (OH and HOW!).

We both gained some poundage and are back into seriously eating well and drinking water and exercising. In addition to getting back into a healthy routine, I'm also getting back into spending time with God's Word (and Him). I had started a study in Colossians a while back and I'm back in it and hate to be so stupid as to say, "Wow, I love how wonderful scripture is!"

While on vacation I finished my second Amy Tan book The Bonesetter's Daughter -- which even though I had a bit of a difficult time at first getting into, devoured it and loved it. Again, so much of the mother character reminded me of my mom in such an uncanny way. The mother in this book has Alzheimer's (as did Amy Tan's mom in real life) and the symptoms and behaviors were almost identical to how my mom behaved in the last 7 or so years of her life. I am quite convinced its possible my mother had the beginning stages of Alzheimer's and we all just thought it was somehow cancer related. If you haven't read Amy Tan, you should. Especially you mothers and daughters out there.

Speaking of mother, I finished a painting inspired by a picture of my mom as a teenager. Its a rather small painting -- 9" x 12". I'm the girl that likes the 4 ft. x 5 ft. kinda size! Its a very meaningful painting that I am so very pleased with as it captures the many things in my heart about what I'm remembering and grieving of my mother.

title: Where Are You Yellow Swallow?
oil on canvas, 9" x 12"
2009

06.15.09: The First Day of the Last Year of the 30's

Yesterday was my birthday. My 39th birthday. How did that happen? Thanks to all of you for your emails and birthday wishes. Thanks Zoe for your gift; Danny got the mint :)

We are in south Nags Head enjoying/celebrating our anniversary, my birthday and Father's Day all into one! We left a couple of hours after Lauren got on the train for VA.

The house is a 3 minute walk to the beach and we have a great ocean view! Our first day was terrific with weather in the 70's. BamBam LOVES the beach and it has been a blast having him along. All three of us are lounging, snacking, sun bathing, lounging, SNACKING and snacking.

Vacations are so worth it. So are expensive wedding cakes. We followed the tradition of freezing part of our wedding cake and brought it with us. It was also my birthday cake yesterday, and I'm here to tell you that cake is STILL delicious after a year. The icing is not so great but that raspberry filling is YUM!

We also watched our wedding video and yes there were tears again when the vows were said. I'm not telling who's tears, but if you were there, I think you can make a good guess!!!

It was wonderful to see all the faces of family and friends again to remind us of how special that day was. And WOW, did I look amazing or what? SO SKINNY! 38 was a great year. 39 is starting off pretty well too ...