Thursday, February 28, 2008

Happy Day

Today I am in a very good mood because:

5) Gin got a clean bill of health from the vet this morning. He said she's in exceptionally good shape for "a golden girl." His words, not mine.
4) Mike is on his way for a visit.
3) I am going to the French Laundry for lunch tomorrow. This is one of our country's finest restaurants.
2) I'm spending the weekend with friends at Dillon Beach.
1) The sun is shining!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The Commute


While it sucks that I have to drive across the Bay Bridge twice a day every day to go to work in Oakland, it does have some advantages. If I leave at the right time of day, I catch a magnificent sunset. This picture (Yes, I took it while driving. Very bad.) does yesterday's no justice. San Francisco's skyline looked like a magnificent movie set and the sky was purple and pink and red and orange. Spectacular!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Another storm is here this weekend. It's cold, rainy, windy and just plain nasty. Yesterday, I cleaned the kitchen and made a pot of soup. It was incredibly yummy, unusual and healthy.



Here's the recipe from the Moosewood Cookbook:

2 T butter
2 c chopped onion
2 lbs mushrooms, sliced
1 t salt
3 T dill (I used fresh)
1 T paprika
2 t lemon juice
3 T flour
2 c water
1 c milk (I used nonfat.)
black pepper
1/2 c sour cream (I used nonfat.)

1) Melt butter, add onion. Saute over medium heat for five minutes. Add mushrooms, salt, dill and paprika. Stir well and cover. Cook for 15 mins., stirring occasionally. Stir in lemon juice.
2) Gradually sprinkle in flour, stirring constantly. Cook and stir another five mins over medium-high heat. Add water, cover and cook about 10 mins, stirring often.
3) Stir in milk; add black pepper to taste. Whisk in sour cream and heat gently. Don't boil or cook after this point. Serve hot. Add salt, if necessary. Yield 4-5 servings.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Giselle

Last night was my first ballet of the season -- Giselle. I remembered why I was never a huge fan of this particular classic. The first act was boring, the second act was incredible! I've had season tickets for about six years now and I really love to go. The San Francisco Ballet company has a huge amount of talent and they also do a great variety of classics and modern. Go to www.sfballet.org and check them out.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Techno Toddler

Georgia and I sat across from these guys on the way home from D.C. Even toddlers are now techno-savvy. Amazing.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Presbyopia

Dr. Gooderman was kind enough to inform me that I'm beginning to show signs of this condition. Depressing.

Presbyopia (Greek word "presbys" (πρέσβυς), meaning "old person") describes the condition where the eye exhibits a progressively diminished ability to focus on near objects with age.

Similar to grey hair and wrinkles, presbyopia is a symptom caused by the natural course of aging. The first symptoms are usually first noticed between the ages of 40-50.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Mom and Dad


On Friday, Mom and Dad arrived in Baltimore for Jeff's wedding. Total coincidence. On Saturday, the three of us took a daylong tour. We saw the FDR and Iwo Jima memorials, which were new to me and quite impressive.




Kim and Georgia Do D.C.


Georgia had never been to our nation's capital, so she came along. We did a magnificent job of being tourists despite the frigid temperatures. We hit all the big sites.



The best part of the cold weather was that we encountered no lines for anything.



I didn't know you could go up to the top of the Washington Memorial. The guide said it was so clear we could see for 20 miles!

Tad

My friend and mentor, Tad, who lives on Maui, received the very prestigious lifetime achievement award from the Washington Press Club last week. Of course, I simply HAD to be there to provide a friendly face in the sea of about 500 people who attended the annual event. (Helen Thomas won last year!)


Tad and her old friend, Laura, who came from NY for the big event.


Jesse, my old friend from South Carolina, is now the president of the press club and helped organize the event. It was great to see him.


One of the big thrills of the night was meeting Miss America. I was very disappointed to learn her crown is studded with crystals, not diamonds. Among the other celebrities in attendance was Clarke Peters of "The Wire" and "Homicide" fame and Ted Danson.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Culinary Creation

Most of you know that when I was laid up last summer with a badly sprained ankle, I gained 10 pounds. Well, that dreadful 10 pounds has clung to my body like ... well, like fat. My doctor suggested I eliminate carbs to "jump start" the weight loss process. I am so sick of salads I could spit.

My latest creation involves chicken breasts simmered in fat-free enchilada sauce, green olives and Cuban-style black beans and topped with fat-free sour cream. Yum.



Oh, and no, I haven't lost a pound.

Gin and The Car

With the backseat protector firmly in place, Gin got her first ride in the new car yesterday. I think she likes the sun roof. It was exciting to finally get to ride with it open.


We had a beautiful weekend. Sunny, clear and 65 degrees. We went for a stroll at Fort Funston aka doggie paradise.


Thursday, February 7, 2008

Starlight

For several years now, I've belonged to a CD group. Each month, two people create a mix CD and make enough copies for the group. The graphic designers among us make beautiful covers and liner notes, then we get together at Tod and Linda's house, eat snacks, drink wine and listen to the CDs.

Here's my latest contribution (with label-making assistance from Hugh and no permission from Brian to use his painting):



1. Shut Your Eyes by Snow Patrol
2. Looking at the World From the Bottom of a Well by Mike Doughty
3. Sealegs by the Shins
4. 33 by Sinead O'Connor
5. Nausea by Beck
6. Starlight by Muse
7. Cure for Pain by Morphine
8. Robbers by Cold War Kids
9. Circle in the Sand by Rickie Lee Jones
10. Please Read the Letter by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
11. Fortune Teller by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
12. Bodysnatchers by Radiohead

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Arthur

I thought there weren't nearly enough photos of Arthur here. Plus he was looking particularly cute tonight.


The Car Part II

I caught a glimpse of a really cute car today and then I realized that's MY CAR!

I'm embarrassed by how much I like my car. I feel really silly and really American. My dad asked the other day if I've slept in it yet. No, I haven't gone that far, but I did dream about it last night. I dreamed a big white truck passed back too close and scraped the heck out of it.

This is ridiculous, I know. But I feel like a grown-up with this car. I also feel guilty when I stop at the corner with a panhandler. Before, I was like ... "Dude, look at this car. I don't have any money either." Now, I feel like the new car screams, "Look at me. I'm a new car. This chick has LOTS of money."

Who knew a new car could elicit such confusing emotions?