(#46/365) Offerings

"The true essence of humankind is kindness. There are other qualities which come from education and knowledge, but it is essential, if one wishes to be a genuine human being and impart satisfying meaning to one's existence, to have a good heart." - The 14th Dalai Lama


Title: Light Through Stained Glass
Flickr User LaurenceOP

serious quiet

this morning - I was up insane wrong early. I lay in bed fully awake with Miss Kate snuggling and snoring for about an hour - before finally giving up on getting back to sleep --- I came in my study and meditated. then got dressed - and on cue, Miss Kate wandered in and we went for a long long walk. The fog was very thick this morning - you couldn't see down blocks --- and she and I enjoyed a long sniff filled exploration of the neighborhood (with a Peet's coffee mysteriously on route) --- we stopped at the store and picked up a pork loin for tonight's dinner and fruit for breakfast - and continued our walk. (learning to take a backpack on kateywalks is a good lesson) We met all sorts of new dogs - and Kate discovered a new grass she likes.

It's 10:15 now - and we're waiting for Dave to get up - he came to bed around 3am. Must have found some theory or idea that needed solving before bed. :) so he's still making with the zzzzzz's. I love quiet mornings like this - just me and Miss Kate now since around 6am. the sounds of the recycling truck is rumbling aroudn the neighborhood and the fog is burning off. It's supposed to be in the low 60s here and sunshiny today - and i'm taking the ten speed out for a nice ride.

We finally solved the gigahelmet problem at Mike's Bike's yesterday - THANKS LANCE for the tip from your brother! Bike helmets are certainly hitech gear these days - nobs and dials and comfort strips. LOL! but - yes - a nice bike ride this afternoon (Palo Alto is full of bike trails and routes). then a relaxing day with Dave before he heads off to his dance group for the evening. and I dig into my writing.

We've had a spectacularly social, relaxing weekend - and also made plenty of time to soak in the palmolive. The next two weeks are going to be very busy - we're hosting the Sun Microsystems gang for dinner next Saturday, FFFF dinner group on Sunday - then my Mom arrives on Friday the 26th. OH! and I order the new transmission for the Cooper in the AM. YAY! and start saving for the labor to get it installed.

fifteen or so miles

Me bringing the sexy back
Dave takes a photo of me on my way out on a bike ride


I didn't leave wearing the windbreaker - once I realized how TRULY warm and beautiful it was outside. Today is just CAPITAL G for GORGEOUS!!! - blue skies and 70 degrees.

OMG! I had to get out in it!

I took the bike on a great nearly two hour ride out and about - along the bay through the wetlands. I just love being out on the bike - and I'm glad I took David up on getting his bike back out on the road. I can see myself doing this A LOT as the weather improves. (as if you could improve on the day we had today). Two things I need to invest in - sunglasses and some strap on water bottles for the bike. Spring has sprung baby! Mweowr!

Here was my route today:


click this picture to biggerize it

(week 1/26) The Sarcastic Hmmmm Workout Challenge

Gym five days in a row? (check!)
Portion Control mechanisms in place? (check!)
Substantial Cardio workout on the weekend? (check!)
Weigh in - and lost four pounds - 194lbs! (check!)

I won't measure my waist until we get a few more weeks in - but one of the goals is to take one if not two more inches off my waist. (currently 34" - would love to be a 32") and to get back to my Weight Watchers target weight of 185 and sustain it - or at least convert a lot more fat off - and add strength. Just like the original path to 185 - I expect there will ups and downs - but - this week - I reminded myself how much getting to the gym helps all the way around. I'm mentally alert, in a far better mood and I'm sleeping soundly.

Now just 25 weeks to go on the challenge......

O.M.G. - Helveti-Cookies!

MUST! HAVE!



more info here

serious pork tenderloin

I marinated a 1lb pork tenderloin in tomatoes, champagne vinegar and salt and pepper all day - then pan seared it for ten minutes at medium high heat with olive oil and a sprinkling of cayenne. I set the pork in a roasting pan on a bed of fire roasted tomatoes and then took some white wine - made a pan sauce in the hot pan - scraping up all the flavor from searing up the pork; poured that over the pork - and put it in the oven - uncovered for 35 minutes at 400 degrees. It came out perfect! I served it with a once-in-a-while treat of shells and cheese - and perfectly steamed asparagus. and on the side - a romaine salad with carrots, celery and a teensy grating of fresh gruyere cheese. :) With a glass of white wine - it was one of the best meals I've made in a while. :) Dave is off to square dancing - and Miss Kate and I are spending the evening putting up some new framed art and photos; and then concentrating on some writing. A fantastic end to a five-star awesome holiday weekend.