Tiny dancer, the graduate, and more books

This Saturday seems like the longest day ever. In a good way, though. Below is my hubby's niece performing at her first recital. Their number was called "A is for Adorable". And adorable it was. I think it even softened my otherwise apathetic hubby's heart. He usually abhors things that are "cute" and "sweet."And here is our beloved tiny dancer.
Afterwards, we attended my friend Y's graduation party. She has got her MBA! Sweet, funny, and awesome Russian girl. I totally love her! Below is a very unflattering picture of me (but Y looks good).
I also managed to visit Borders twice throughout the day. Once with my hubby, the second time with my sister. Got 40% both my purchases. (First time around I had a coupon, second time the guy ringing out my purchase just happened to be a nice guy).

I've been waiting for this book for months. Knitted amigurumi. So I don't have to learn to crochet. The patterns look amazing.
The second book was influenced by my sister (Twin #1). She has had amazing culinary skills even as a young child. She got this same copy, as well. We'll be trying out some of the recipes here soon.
What I like about the book is that the meals are not complicated, the ingredients are accessible, and it shows you serving and nutrition data for each recipe. Oh, and it doesn't involve tofu very much (I am one tofu-hating vegetarian).

Friday evening, Saturday morning

After wrapping up at work on Friday, I met my hubby at a little Mexican restaurant for some Margaritas and Mexican food. I think he liked his burrito. I didn't like my ranchero shrimp (and look at the frikkin' portions! Huge!)One thing about Mexican food is that it makes you so sleepy. Hubby and I went home and just lounged around all evening. I did feel guilty for that so I went for a jog around the lake around 8pm. It was lovely, even with all the bugs that found their way into my mouth.

Saturday morning I patiently waited for my husband to wake up so we could go to the farmer's market. I LOVE it! I must go there every Saturday morning. Here is the shot from the top of the parking ramp.
I scored some plants for my "garden". An Italian heirloom tomato, a purple Cherokee tomato, banana pepper, a jalapeño pepper, an oriental and a "regular" eggplant, and some basil.
Here is me and my helper puppy planting the tomato plant.
And I just got to brag about my Bosnian lettuce. It's gorgeous and delicious!
And a final shot of my garden in progress.

Unmentionables and fake-bake

The weather has been incredible lately. I am just loving this part of the year. So yesterday I came home to find my two most favorite, tuckered, dirty boys. (Hubby was doing yard work in his hobo clothes; Wally is just dirty by nature.)
B, my tall, pretty coworker and I went to Victoria Secret during lunch. They had the 10 panties for $25 deal that I just couldn't pass up. Below is my selection (nothing is sacred enough for the internet - I am such an exhibitionist.)

B and I also made a quick stop at Clarins for some sunless tanning products. I must say, Clarins has the best fake-bake stuff. I would know - I am as pale as the cast of the Twilight movie. Most stuff looks orange on me. But not this.

And in case you wondered, here is me with my new red hair and my "tan". It's actually drastic change from where I started. I am still trying to get used to my "darker" self.

Ick!

Titles are silly, and in my case, useless

Today I beat my time by running a mile in 10 minutes and 42 seconds. Woohooo! I am getting better at all this.

In terms of What I Ate, I've done pretty good today.
Breakfast - Kashi honey sunshine cereal, fat-free milk, walnuts, tea with stevia sweetener
Snack - Cherries, Mini Babybel light cheese (22 oz. water during workout)
Lunch - Mushroom patty on Arnold's Sandwich Thin with 2% cheese and tomato, onion, pickle, lettuce, jalapeno, ketchup; 100 calorie multi-grain pita chips; 1 cup sugar-free apple sauce (16 oz. water)
Snack - Fiber One bar
Dinner - 4 oz Mahi mahi, ¼ cup bulgur, half a medium zucchini;

3 oz lettuce, tomato, onion, hearts of palm, and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Treat - ¼ cup frozen yogurt blend with cherriesEvening snack - 100 calorie low fat popcorn

Overall, it was 1,544 calories, 34g fat, 258g carbs, 50g fiber, 81g protein. Not bad.

And then I dyed my hair. It's really bright. I am a bit afraid of what it will look like in natural light. But then again, I've had it this bright before. I bought the hair dye on sale for $3 at Target. I guess you get what you pay for.
Ima red-head!

Taking a day off

The weather today was just gorgeous. I decided to take some personal time off work given that Spomi spent the night. Most of the day I just vacuumed and mopped all the floors in my house. It took forever. But I got a lot of ground covered. I've been going through this clean freak phase lately, much to the dismay of my hubby.

Then in the evening I got to see my cousins. Jasko is leaving for Bosnia tomorrow. Lucky bug. That there is my dad's hand trying to get into the shot.
And here is my sister, covering up her face because she was chewing food and laughing. Smart move.
And here is my world-traveling cousin Budo. We almost share a birthday. We talked about traveling, mainly going to Canada this summer, and going to a music festival in August - but then we even explored further, thinking how we should go to Peru to see Machu Picchu. That would be seriously sweet. This incredible weather gets me daydreamin' and itchin' for the road ala Jack Kerouac.

She's baaack...

My longest-time best friend moved back to town, and I love having her back. She spent the night over, so it was almost like our slumber parties of yore (good old high school days).

We took puppy out for a walk, and it was a gorgeous day, so we had to record it for eternity.That's my friend, anxious to be holding the leash of my raging killer-dog (he is ready to attack).

We loved the geese, but not so much the cookie-cutter homes in the background.S's shot of the "creek" or "stream" or whatever.The trail leading to the lake. S's unfocused, "artsy" shot. This is also where puppy pooped.

What I ate 05-18-09

Inspired by MsAmanda's "What I wore" segment, I decided to start a "What I ate" series. Things I wear should not be celebrated or noticed in any way - but boy, do I know how to eat...

So yesterday I pretty much kept up with my Monday meal plan, with some modifications (in green text).

Breakfast - Kashi honey sunshine cereal, fat-free milk, walnuts, hard-boiled egg, tea with honey
Snack - Cherries, Mini Babybel light cheese (32 oz. water during workout)
Lunch - Grilled veggie patty on Arnold's Sandwich Thins with 2% cheese and tomato, onion, pickle, lettuce, jalapeno, ketchup; 1 cup sugar-free apple sauce (16 oz. water)
Snack - Fiber One bar, 100-calorie popcorn
Dinner - 5 oz salmon, ¼ cup couscous, asparagus; 3 oz lettuce, tomato, onion, hearts of palm, and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (16 oz. water)Treat - Smoki snacks that Spomi brought over

Overall, it totaled to about 1700 calories. Not bad, but I can do better.

Sister sunday

Today, my youngest sister showed up with her fabulous new haircut. She modeled (and snatched) my knitted hats.
Then I gave her a refresher course on knitting. It was quite entertaining. I realized that I inherited a genetic trait from my father and paternal grandfather: once I have a skill or know a fact, I MUST share it with others. And I do it with a lot of patience and nauseating detail. Like both my dad and grandad, I really should have been a teacher.

Also, inspired by my super-awesome personal trainer Terri, I created a meal plan for the whole upcoming week using stuff I already have in my fridge and pantry. I did have to do some grocery shopping, but I only ended up spending $60 on additional groceries. Woohoo!
Below is a summary of what I shall be eating:

Monday
Breakfast - Kashi honey sunshine cereal, fat-free milk, walnuts, hard-boiled egg, tea with stevia sweetener (24 oz. water)
Snack - Cherries, Mini Babybel light cheese (32 oz. water during workout)
Lunch - Grilled veggie patty on Arnold's Sandwich Thin with 2% cheese and tomato, onion, pickle, lettuce, jalapeno, light ketchup; 100 calorie whole grain pita chips; 1 cup sugar-free apple sauce (16 oz. water)
Snack - Fiber One bar, 100-calorie popcorn; (16 oz. water)
Dinner - 3 oz. salmon, ¼ cup couscous, asparagus; 2 C lettuce, tomato, onion, hearts of palm, and 2 T. balsamic vinegar (16 oz. water)
Treat - 2 peanut butter Girl Scout cookies

Tuesday
Breakfast - Kashi honey sunshine cereal, fat-free milk, walnuts, hard-boiled egg, tea with stevia sweetener (24 oz. water)
Snack - Blackberries, Mini Babybel light cheese (32 oz. water during workout)
Lunch - 4.5 oz lemon-pepper tuna with 100 calorie whole grain pita chips; sugar-free rice pudding (16 oz. water)
Snack - Fiber One bar, 100-calorie popcorn (16 oz. water)
Dinner - 2 oz. whole spaghetti w/ 1/4 C sauce and mushrooms; 2 C lettuce, tomato, onion, hearts of palm, and 2 T. balsamic vinegar (16 oz. water)
Treat - Apex whey protein blended with ice and banana

Wednesday
Breakfast - Kashi honey sunshine cereal, fat-free milk, walnuts, hard-boiled egg, tea with stevia sweetener (24 oz. water)
Snack - Cherries, Mini Babybel light cheese (32 oz. water during workout)
Lunch - Mushroom patty on Arnold's Sandwich Thin with 2% cheese and tomato, onion, pickle, lettuce, jalapeno, light ketchup; 100 calorie whole grain pita chips; 1 cup sugar-free apple sauce (16 oz. water)
Snack - Fiber One bar, 100-calorie popcorn; (16 oz. water)
Dinner - Mahi mahi, ¼ cup bulgur, zucchini; 2 C lettuce, tomato, onion, hearts of palm, and 2 T. balsamic vinegar (16 oz. water)
Treat - ¼ cup frozen yogurt blend

Thursday
Breakfast - Kashi honey sunshine cereal, fat-free milk, walnuts, hard-boiled egg, tea with stevia sweetener (24 oz. water)
Snack - Carrots, Light Laughing Cow cheese wedge (32 oz. water during workout)
Lunch - Light Italian vegetable soup; 100 calorie whole grain pita chips, sugar-free rice pudding (16 oz. water)
Snack - Pineapple chunks, 100-calorie popcorn (16 oz. water)
Dinner - Kidney beans, ¼ cup quinoa, mushrooms; 2 C lettuce, tomato, onion, and 2 T. balsamic vinegar (16 oz. water)
Treat - Whey protein mix with 2% milk & ice

Friday
Breakfast - Kashi honey sunshine cereal, fat-free milk, walnuts, hard-boiled egg, tea with stevia sweetener (24 oz. water)
Snack - Starbucks tall light mocha frappuccino, no whipped cream (32 oz. water during workout)
Lunch - Black bean “burger” on Arnold's Sandwich Thin with 2% cheese and tomato, onion, pickle, lettuce, jalapeno, light ketchup; 100 calorie whole grain pita chips; 1 cup sugar-free apple sauce (16 oz. water)
Snack - Pineapple chunks, 100-calorie popcorn (16 oz. water)
Dinner - ½ cup whole wheat spaghetti, ¼ cup sauce, ¼ cup 2% shredded mozzarella cheese; 2 C lettuce, tomato, onion, and 2 T. balsamic vinegar (16 oz. water)
Treat - 1 glass of Caba Moch red wine

Saturday
Breakfast - Traditional oatmeal, dried raspberries, 2% milk, hard-boiled egg, tea with stevia sweetener (24 oz. water)
Snack - Arnold's Sandwich Thin with almond butter and sugar-free preserve (16 oz. water)
Lunch - Garlic polenta with sour cream; plum (16 oz. water)
Snack - 100 calorie whole grain pita chips; peach
Dinner - 3 oz. salmon, ¼ cup couscous, asparagus; 2 C lettuce, tomato, onion, hearts of palm, and 2 T. balsamic vinegar (16 oz. water)
Treat - 1 glass of Caba Moch red wine

Sunday
Breakfast - Reduced fat pancakes with maple syrup & berries, hard-boiled egg, tea with stevia sweetener (24 oz. water)
Snack - Arnold's Sandwich Thin with almond butter and sugar-free preserve (16 oz. water)
Lunch - “Taco” salad – lettuce, tomato, jalapeno, corn, salsa, black beans in taco seasoning, corn chips; plum (16 oz. water)
Snack - 100 calorie whole grain pita chips; peach
Dinner - Mahi mahi, ¼ cup bulgur, zucchini; 2 C lettuce, tomato, onion, hearts of palm, and 2 T. balsamic vinegar (16 oz. water)
Treat - 2 peanut butter Girl Scout cookies

Let's see how I do.