"Fat" update

I gave up the sugar and the flour and the potatoes and the fruit.  I have lost 18 pounds, gone down one and a half sizes and feel so much better!  I do a Zumba workout twice a week and try to get on the elliptical in my basement as often as I can. (My son is coming this weekend and his last project before he walks out the door will be dragging the "beast" up to the guest room on the second floor so no more excuses.)

I am a long way from my goal but I know that it is attainable and I am determined.  That big birthday is just a little over 7 months away and I am going to ROCK 60!

Apples

My sister and her husband  have an orchard on their farm in Potter County.  Their apples are totally organic.  They don't spray or treat the trees in any way.  There is a bumper crop this year.  They have only harvested three trees so far (out of about 50) and I received a large basket.  My sister is not really sure what kind of apples they have.  We suspect that one is Rome and another is Empire.  The little green apples are still a mystery.  All are delicious and very crisp.  I love apples in the fall and do not eat them any other time of the year.

In our family, applesauce is called "Nannysauce" because it is my mother's specialty as far as the grandchildren are concerned.  This is the first time I have ever attempted applesauce.  I hope my grandchildren will call it "Grammysauce"!

"Treasure" from Goodwill

I was just in one of our local Goodwill stores and found an entire set of Luminarc crystal stemware.

Please excuse the horrific photo but my living room has very little natural light in the morning!

Each stem had the original Luminarc sticker so it was obvious they were never used.  I picked up service for 12 for $24.  I don't entertain now as I did in the past but when I do, I will be ready!

I also found a new piece for my soup tureen collection.  (I do collect the strangest stuff!)

I cannot find a mark on it so I have no idea how old it is or where it was made.  The floral decoration are applied transfer and the painted trim is obviously hand painted.  I will tuck this one away until spring and then I will display it on the hutch.

What did you find?

Time to pay the piper

When I lived in Seattle and was fortunate enough to be able to work from home, I did a really good job of maintaining my weight.  I wasn't exactly svelte but I was happy with the way I looked.  I have been packing on the pounds since not too long after I moved to Pennsylvania.  This has not been a happy move for me and I am an emotional eater.  My workplace is a hot bed of snacking and sweets.  It seems like someone from our office is always bringing in some kind of tempting food.  One day it will be vanilla twists from "market", another day it will be sticky buns, another day is someones birthday and that always means a cake.  Sweets in particular call my name in a big way.  Added on top of all this was menopause which was not my friend!

Well, today is the day that turns around.    I started the South Beach Diet this morning.  I figure I will be crabby for about 4 or 5 days until my body gets used to being without sugar.  I have a goal and I have a plan.  Someone gave me a challenge and I have always been a goal oriented person.  Additionally, I have only 9 months before I turn 60 and I want to look GOOD at my birthday extravaganza.  (Sisters, if you are reading this I said EXTRAVAGANZA!!)

This will be my breakfast for the rest of the week

It is a crust less quiche with just the foods I can have in phase one of South Beach.  I gotta tell you, it is pretty darned good.  Thank goodness low carb doesn't mean low flavor!

I heart Macro

Seems like I never post to this blog unless I am linking to I heart Macro!  This weekend I am in Virginia to celebrate my oldest son's 40th birthday.  Frankly, I am having trouble trying to figure out how he could be so old while I am still so young!

Yesterday when we were beginning the set up for the big party, I saw this beautiful butterfly on the rosemary bush.  I thought "perfect!" for a macro shot.  Here it is

Click on the link to see lots of really beautiful photos!

The Cookie Tin

My grandmother kept cookies in an old English toffee tin.  One of my fondest memories is going to Nanny's house and running back to the kitchen to see what was in the tin.  Most often there were leb cookies (a large, soft sugar cookie - not to be confused with lebkuchen!) perfect for dunking in a big glass of cold milk.  My sister was fortunate to have received the original tin from my grandmother's home. I will admit to being a tad jealous!  I found this one at an estate sale about 30 years ago.  It wasn't Nanny's but seeing it always reminds me of her.

Linking up to "i heart macro".  Follow the button to see what other's found to photograph!

 

I heart Macro

Worn wicker