Day 181, 6/30/2013 - Eat, breakfast of English muffin and iced latte. My lunch was my left over shrimp fettuccine combined with the grilled vegetables, delicious. For dinner I prepared the acorn squash and cherry tomatoes that I received. It is so good to search for and try new recipes. It was a wonderful dinner. Pray, I pray that I am productive as I get ready for my vacation in a couple of days. Joy, my joy was in preparing and enjoying two new recipes with my gifts from the community garden. Another joy is I have now completed 1/2 year of my blogging commitment with 181 days, wow!

Day 180, 6/29/2013 - Eat, started the day with Starbucks coffee that I took to our handbell recording session. We had coldcut wraps, vegies, and other treats provided for lunch. Dinner was a birthday celebration with family for my youngest, James. His choice, Red Lobster. Since it was his 21st birthday I treated him to a drink, he chose a Berry Mango Daiquiri, which he of course liked. We both chose shrimp as part of our meals. I got the shrimp trio, what a feast, I took over half home for another day. Pray, I pray for James as he begins a new year. I am so proud of him and everything that he has accomplished thus far in life. A fine young man! Joy, my joy is in family. It was great to be able to celebrate James' 21st birthday with him, my sister and brother-in-law. Such an important milestone and I am honored to be his Mom and celebrate with him. Nothing but love!

 

Day 179, 6/28/2013 - Eat, gave into temptation again for breakfast and stopped for Kolaches. Had another fresh tomato with a jalapeño/cheese Kolache for lunch. TGIF, celebrated with happy hour and dinner with friends, Kari and Alys. We dined at Thai's Thumbz, a neighborhood Thai Urban Kitchen. We selected and shared, Shrimp Cake, Drunken Noodle, Thai's Thumbz Noodles with Sweet Sticky Rice and coconut ice cream for dessert. Each dish we had was better than the last ending with the Sticky Rice & coconut ice cream for dessert. Pray, I pray that I can "keep my zen" as long as possible after having a wonderful 90 minute massage last night. Joy, my joy is simple, glad that it is Friday.

 

Day 178, 6/27/2013 - Eat, gave into temptation and drove through Whataburger for breakfast. Had a lite lunch since I knew I would meet my friend for dinner. Met my friend, Rosemary, at Whiskey Cake for drinks and a quick dinner. I had a drink called Tracey's Garden, new Amsterdam gin, cucumber, local basil and lime. My friend had a Texas Bluebonnet to drink. We had Dips & Spreads, 3 kinds of hummus,  traditional, edamame,  & red pepper for our appetizer. We shared Three Little Pigs for dinner, three pork sliders served on a brick. Great restaurant that concentrates on good service and presentation of all of their dishes. We were too full for their famous dessert, warm Whiskey Cake with freshly whipped cream. Joy, my joy was in my massage this evening. I found a new, awesome, masseuse to add to my list of preferred massage therapists.

 

Day 177, 6/26/2013 - Eat, started the day with office coffee. Those who know me, know that I frequent Starbucks. But my office, a church, actually purchases and uses "fair trade" coffee from a local coffee roaster. Starbucks also purchases Fairtrade certified coffee. For those who do not know Fair Trade products and markets, they only sell products where all workers are treated and paid fairly from planting to export of their products from developing countries to developed countries. So, shop and support Fair Trade. For lunch enjoyed another home grown tomato with my sandwich. Quite tasty! Met my friend, Lynn at the Blue Goose for our Wednesday night happy hour and dinner. We enjoyed good cold beer, nachos and quesadillas. Pray, I pray for our friend, Maddie today. We have missed our regular Wednesday trip to Chili's for a couple of weeks and I pray that things are going well for her. Joy, my joy is in it being the middle of the work week. Only 2 more days until the weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 176, 6/25/2013 - Eat, started the day off well with a FREE Starbuck's smoothie. I not only needed the protein but required the two shots of espresso since I stayed up way too late last night. When I arrived to the office there was another gift from the community garden, Acorn Squash. I've never cooked it but am told that you can just bake it with a little butter (everything's better with butter!). For dinner we met at Chili's before rehearsal where I tried their new Margarita Flatbread with my usual Chicken Crispers. I bought everyone a drink in a nod to a difficult anniversary date. Pray, I pray that it will get easier as the years go by to get through June 25. I'm sure I will always remember the date as I celebrated it for 23 years. My prayer is that it not be a sad day, that I will remember the good times rather than the bad. On to new and different dates and days of celebration! Joy, my joy is in realizing how many friends and family I have who love and support me through the good times and the bad. I should definitely acknowledge these special people more often than I do. What would I do without them?

Day 175, 6/24/2013 - Eat, tried to make healthy choices today. Had some fresh tomato slices with lunch. For dinner had a sandwich, chips and one of my cake balls. Vanilla/vanilla...yum! Pray, I pray that I recover from the depression of trying on swim suits today. Does anyone like to go swim suit shopping? Is anyone actually completely happy with their body shape and size? I absolutely hated trying on suits but needed a new one for my upcoming Florida vacation. Two hours and many bad options later I was able to find one. Joy, my joy was in the simpleness of getting ready for work this morning. Prep time is much shorter AND cooler when I let my hair dry to its natural curly self.

 

Day 174, 6/23/2013 - Eat, today was my "be a hermit" day. I made brunch of scrambled eggs with more fresh onion and an English muffin. I slept late and took a nap, perfect. I have now tried all 4 flavors of my cake balls, carrot cake, red velvet, Italian cream cake and vanilla/vanilla. All are awesome. Prepared greasy cheesy nachos for dinner. Pray, I pray again that I will get some will power and be able to resist the rich dishes and choose the healthier options. I have been on a "creamy pasta" kick for far too long. Joy, my joy was in the beautiful, although hot, summer day.

Day 173, 6/22/2013 - Eat, I received fresh tomatoes and onions from the community garden again. I have sworn to myself that I will not let these items ever go to waste. Funny how I can buy fresh items at a grocery store and let them spoil but vow to use the free produce before it spoils. One of the key factors is the taste and freshness of the items given to me. I made scrambled eggs with the fresh onion and sliced up the fresh tomatoes. Delicious. For dinner my friend Marilyn and I shared Pasta Carbonara at Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant. Theirs is some of the best I've had with chicken breast,  prosciutto,  peas and garlic Alfredo sauce. Pray, I pray that I will be able to lose a few pounds before time for my beach vacation. This is so hard to do since there is so much good food out there...lol. Guess I am praying for some will power.

 

Joy, my joy was in being invited to Cirque du Soleil Musica with the Dallas Pops. I am so grateful to be treated to this fabulous evening of entertainment. You never outgrow getting excited about going to the circus. Put music of the Dallas Pops with it and "What a show!" From the trapeze to the "dome of death" with 3 motorcyclists to balancing acts to inspiring dance and strength to the music of the Dallas Pops, it was a great evening! We topped off the evening with our cake balls and a custom made Grasshopper drink.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 172, 6/21/2013 - Eat, after 2 days of lite meals, I felt better and hungry for one of my favorite places, Ye Shire Tavern. Friends, Michelle, Cindy and I had some of our favorites. We had pineapple martinis, Cosmos and bartender,  Bruces' specialty drink/shot. I am learning that every bartender creates their own drinks. This tavern has great food as well. We had fried shrimp and their gianormous cheese stick for appetizers.  I shared the tilapia with cheesy potatoes and asparagus for dinner. Pray, I prayed that I be productive at work after missing yesterday. Prayers answered. I got what needed to be done before leaving for the weekend. Joy, my joy was in spending the evening with friends.

Day 171, 6/20/2013 - Eat, had very light things today as I was having stomach issues. So, soup, potatoes, toast and crackers were my menu for the day. Pray, I pray that I feel better tomorrow. It amazes me how the body takes care of itself. I slept for an additional 5 hours today. Hopefully this will be the cure. Joy, my joy was in deciding on my vacation destination. I will visit my friend, Anne in a couple of weeks in Florida. We have known each other for over 30 years. Every visit is as if we are still living down the way from each other and no time has passed at all. Friendship like this, priceless!

Day 170, 6/19/2013 - Eat, bagel for breakfast and left over Phad Thai for lunch. Had a late dinner with a friend at The Cheesecake Factory. The picture is my half of the Pasta Carbonara that we shared. It was more than enough and delicious as usual for their entrees. Pray, I continue to pray the mother's prayer for wisdom and discernment. Certain things are weighing heavy on my heart this week. Joy, my joy was in hearing my friend,  Richard perform his own music tonight at eSpiritu Fine Wine, Ale & Spirits. I was honored to be included and enjoyed visiting with old friends while we were entertained by and supported our friend.

 

Day 169, 6/18/2013 - Eat, my attempt to be more healthy in my breakfast selection was oatmeal with nuts and fruit. Not bad for "fast food." Dinner before our Tuesday rehearsal was at Empress of China. We helped Stephani celebrate her birthday by treating her to dinner. One of my favorites from my days living in New York City is Cold Sesame Noodles. Very few places have it on their menu in Texas and Empress of China has a quite tasty version of it, Shanghai Peanut Noodles, home style Chinese noodles, spicy peanut sauce, cucumber, sesame seeds, carrots, bean sprouts & cilantro. Of course I selected this as my appetizer. I decided to try their Phad Thai Noodles with shrimp for dinner. First time to have a Japanese beer in a chilled Coca-Cola mug...lol. Great food, friends and birthday celebration. Pray, I pray for wisdom and discernment. It is so hard to be a mother to your adult children. Sometimes you just want to cuddle them on your lap and give them hugs and kisses to make it all better like when they were small enough to fit on your lap. I pray for the wisdom to know what to say and the discernment of how to say it. Yes, this is somewhat vague but a good mother's prayer none the less. Joy, my joy was in surprising our director, Stephanie by ringing & singing Happy Birthday to her on her first downbeat. A director to the end, she then conducted the rest of our tribute. I love birthday surprises, they fill my heart with joy!

 

 

Day 168, 6/17/2013 - Eat, had lite meals all day so that I could splurge for dinner. Went to Chiloso Mexican Bistro with my son. I had Monday's special, Boom Boom Enchiladas. Funny name with great taste. Chicken enchiladas made fresh when you order them. They use a fresh spicy cream sauce unlike any I've ever had. The sauce with fresh cilantro over the fresh chicken enchiladas, exquisite! The good news is, only 6 more punches on my card before I get a free entrée. Pray, I pray that I get rest tonight that will help relieve my neck tension. My muscles are so stressed and painful recently. I will try to get quality rest each night until time for my next scheduled massage. Joy, my joy was in having dinner with my youngest son, James.

 

Day 167, 6/16/2013 - Eat, had delicious english muffin again for breakfast. Snacked during the day on peanut butter and crackers. Prepared baked tilapia with scalloped potatoes for dinner. Pray, my prayers today are ones of thanksgiving for the great dads, my dad included. He was taken too early at the young age of 38. I am thankful on this Father's Day for the little time I had with him. Joy, my joy is in my family of origin, mom, dad and sister. My childhood wasn't perfect but days like, Father's Day fill me with nostalgic memories. I am reminded that memories are a good thing and I will hold on to them.

Day 166, 6/15/2013 - Eat, ahh, the weekend, love it. And a weekend with no committments. Had yummy English muffin with butter & honey for breakfast. Enjoyed left over salmon taco for lunch with happy hour munchies and drinks for a lite dinner. Pray, I pray that I use my weekend wisely and get some much needed mental and physical rest. Joy, my joy is simple, I love being able to sleep in on Saturday.

 

Day 165, 6/14/2013 - Eat, started with breakfast from Whataburger, delish! Lunch was a BLT chicken salad sandwich from Starbucks. Dinner was late at Snuffer's after the steel drum show at a lakeside hotel. I had the jalapeño cheese burger with loaded cheese fries shared between us. Pray, I pray for inner peace. This is a tall order. It is easily said and prayed. It is so hard to move on after 23 years of marriage. It does not happen overnight. This will definitely be a continuing prayer. Joy, my joy was in being at the Bella Harbor Hilton for the evening entertained by Charles Duhon on his Steel Drums. Check out his website www.steeldrummusicdfw.com. He could play for your next event. It was a beautiful evening by the lake with friends, Lynn and Charles. I fully intend to have a "staycation" at this destination later in the summer.