Book Club and Treats

Last month I attended my first book club meeting.  Who wouldn't enjoy a night out talking about books and eating treats.  When they asked for volunteers for the next meeting place, no one raised their hand.  Then there was me, venturing out into new territory, trying to make friends and engage in community...I timidly answered, "I'll do it..." So this week I held the book club at my house...

The book of the month was Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg.

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I'm not much for writing reviews.  I'm afraid I'll reveal too much.  However, it is truly a lovely story, and a quick easy read.  You won't be sorry for having read it.  I was able to finish it on my car trip to Salt Lake.  It was written by the same author who wrote Fried Green Tomatoes.  I never read that book, but I saw the movie.

Christmas treats and books = a fun evening.

Have you read any fun Christmas books this Season?

 

Faith, Food and Shopping

With the afternoon sun overhead, we piled in the Honda, four of us on a journey of faith, food and shopping.  Faith, food and shopping.  A dichotomy, yes?  Yet, in the same weekend all were fulfilled.  We were fed both spiritually and temporally.  You see we were going to Salt Lake City, a Mecca of sorts for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Twice a year, leaders from our faith speak of Christ, his life and how we can embrace Him more fully in what is called General Conference.  We were lucky enough to be in possession of four tickets, otherwise, we would just sit at home and watch it on BYU-TV, which is totally okay with me, too.

Our first stop in reaching the outskirts of Salt Lake was

Because you just can't get them in Idaho.

The next day found us shopping and visiting a different kind of Mecca

Yeah, it was my birthday weekend.  Let me just say that I have never been to IKEA.  I was overwhelmed and in awe as I wandered around that maze of a store.  I could have gone through a second time once I took it all in, but I had two males in tow, and a good woman should know their limits.  

Sunday found us here

and here

How overwhelming it was to be amongst so many fellow Latter Day Saints all filled with the excitement and anticipation to hear the good words about Jesus Christ from these amazing and inspirational men.

Yes, our hearts were full, our belly's were sated 

and my checkbook a little bit lighter.  

Hunger brought to you by the letter C

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Today I am hungry.  I want to eat everything in sight.  I am shaky and maybe a little crabby.  I have been on a reduced sugar and carb diet, eating whole foods when I can.  My body is fighting me and so is my brain.  But I am stubborn.  This eating healthy thing is sometimes not for the faint of heart.  But, I will win.  It's the Swede in me.  I've lost three pounds so far this week, so I know it is working.

But would someone please just pass me a freaking cheeseburger and chocolate bar and a Cherry Coke.  Interesting how all the things I crave start with the letter "C".  Now that is something worth studying.

Does healthy eating send your system into an uproar?

Post edit:  I blew it!  I got caught up in all the lovely treats of Valentine's Day and completely blew it.  I was handed a beautiful sugar cookie decorated with gooey icing and red sprinkled sugar, and I could not resist.  Who turns down heart shaped cookies on Valentines?  No, not me.  That would be like turning down...LOVE.  Good thing tomorrow is always a new day.  

It is Enough

As I sit in the warmth and comfort of my home, I am so grateful, today and everyday, because it is enough.  I am truly blessed.  Watching videos like the one below reminds me of the greed that is so prevalent in our society these days.  I'm not saying that shopping is bad, but look how these people treat each other to save $10, $15, $20 bucks.  No thank you, today is a "White Friday" for me, the opposite of "Black Friday".  Today I will be at home with my family enjoying each other's company and Thanksgiving leftovers.  May you be safe in your Black Friday endeavors.

Dieting Breakthrough

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I have an idea for an amazing new diet.  I really think it is going to catch on.  I have been sick for a week and have had no sense of smell or taste.  You want to know what else?  I don't want to eat.  I don't care to because there is no enjoyment.  Chocolate?  Pass, can't taste it...why bother.  Cherry Coke?  Pass on that, too.  The only drawback is that I really could care less about cooking in part due to feeling sick, but who gives a flying flip about cooking if you can't enjoy it.  Bring on the cardboard!

So the idea is some sort of miracle diet supplement that safely represses your sense of taste and smell.  Then voila, everyone loses weight because eating offers no enjoyment.  I know I can be sarcastic, but I am 101% totally on board for this scam, I mean cure.  I mean life is going to be a bit boring, but whatever...

 

Muffin & Cinnamon

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This is not a post about food...Did you know that introverts like myself are often labeled as snobbish and stuck up instead of the quiet, shy person that they are?  It's true!  I've experienced that type of dubbing quite personally. It's funny how experiences in our childhood can leave a lasting impression on into adulthood.

When I was in sixth grade, my parents moved me from California to Colorado.  For a brief time we rented a home in Denver, and I went to an elementary school where the students were predominately black.  I was a little blonde haired, blue eyed girl from Cali.  I am not prejudice, nor was I as a child, but I was shy, I didn't talk much.  Unfortunately, my shyness was mistaken for snobbery.  It was a very sad and scary time for me.  Children can be so mean.  I had tacks taped to my chair at school, gum squished down into the roots of my hair.  Now, I like peanut butter, but peanut butter in my hair was kind of yucky.  (My mama's technique for gum removal).  I was pushed around and afraid to go into the bathrooms.  And, I was told by the boys that I was ugly and had hair like a dog.  I would also have terrible awful notes with scathing language telling me how awful I was shoved into my backpack when I wasn't looking.  I had great anxiety about going to school.  I would spend my mornings in tears and return home with such relief to be in the safety and sanctity of my home. It was where mom was...it was my sanctuary.  

There were two rays of sunshine in my life back then, and their names were Muffin and Cinnamon, and no they were not food.  They were the sweetest little sixth grade girls EVER.  Their acceptance and love of me is what helped me to get through my time at that school.  They were funny and just as unique as their names.  We only lived in that rental for about 6 months, and then we moved on.  But looking back, I know that Heavenly Father put them in my life to help me get through a tough time.

I don't know whatever happened to those sweet girls, but I have to admit that I love Muffin's and Cinnamon to this day, and I don't think that is a coincidence.

I need me some FOOD!!

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Today I am "fasting" for a minor medical procedure because I'm not supposed to eat anything before hand. Fasting, that word just makes me hungry. In my Church, we try to fast and pray at least monthly for various things....personal or others. It's in the scriptures. It's also a good practice of mind and spirit over body, it's effective for some. It's not effective for me, I guess I'm just not humble like that...instead of focusing on what I should be fasting for I end of thinking of food and getting migraines and just being all out miserable. I can't seem to get the whole mind over body thing. My body makes the rules. I am admittedly weak.

Today I really have no choice, and I am just plain hungry. I curse you gluten! It is all your fault! On the plus side, I can have clear liquids which includes cola go figure...God bless this day! At least I don't have to go without my beloved diet cherry coke...