Mail Call

Snow and more snow!

We're getting another ten inches of snow tonight... I guess it's been a few days since the last storm, so it's about time we got some more!

I'm actually getting pretty tired of snow. And winter. Sometimes it's hard to believe that in a month or so it will actually look like spring here. But it will!

So here are a few ideas to help you get through those horrible last weeks of winter:

• Join Netflix. Thank goodness for Netflix! Always something new to watch, or an old favorite. In the past week I've seen Oliver! and The Music Man. Next up are two DVDs of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes!
  
  
• Start something new. A new diet, a new hobby, anything to get yourself thinking and talking about something besides the snow. Marty and I have enjoyed starting the South Beach Diet together. It's inspired me to try a bunch of new recipes, and Marty has started going to the gym. We've lost some weight, too!
  
  
• Plan a vacation. Although the weather probably won't be any better where we're going, Marty and I are happy to be planning a week next month in a place we both love. Can you guess where?
  
  
  
  
• Send a letter. I made a resolution this year to write and send more letters. I am sticking to it pretty well! The truth is, even with the convenience of e-mail, people still like getting mail. It's a special treat these days. I love the mail I get, and it makes me happy to send things to other people.

But don't just take it from me! Here are some interesting images from the mailbag of late:



Click to enlarge images.

1. Vespa postcard, from the Vespa King of Munich. (Also where the stamps above came from.)
2. A creative card from a creative friend, Julie.
3. Snow kitty card from my fourth-grade teacher. He looks like Curry!
4. Homemade valentine heart from Laura W. Petix. It's even more gorgeous in person.
5. A springtime postcard from Mary. I believe spring is coming!

The Princess gets some privacy

The Princess Gets Some Privacy

In a comment on my last post, Maria asked, "Could that be any more adorable?" I'm sure it was a rhetorical question, but I'm here to tell you that the answer... is YES.



It was so sunny today that all the snow we got yesterday started melting fast. And hey, there are little SNOWDROPS or something coming up out of the ground in front of our condo. Wow! Spring is still a month away!

For dinner tonight, I'm cooking chicken soup with black beans. Yum. I'd better hit the kitchen!

The princess and the pea

The Princess and the Pea



Ziggy is finding it difficult to sleep on only four blankets, not to mention the hardship caused by this camera in his face!

New Shoes!

My new sneakers are very sparkly. Don't be jealous!

We went shopping yesterday for some much-needed work clothes and some shoes. I needed sneakers and couldn't resist these. I think Marty knew they were coming home with us as soon as he saw me take them out of the box to try on.

I also lucked out on some raspberry rain boots that were on sale. My favorite part is the tag that was hanging on the back of one of them.


Click to enlarge.

Just in case potential buyers couldn't guess they were waterproof, from their appearance.

We've decided to postpone The Gates until next weekend. Marty is still getting over a bad cold, and we both have a lot to do around the house today. It is very sunny outside but COLD, so I hope next weekend will be a little warmer. Of course, if it's pouring rain, we'll be sorry we put it off. But we'll take the chance.

Poor Ziggy. I took these pictures before 6am today. How he suffers for his popularity! It's like papparazzi in his own home!

In the first picture, he's sitting on a bag from the Metropolitan Museum of Art gift shop. He sure does love paper bags. Even when they're too small to actually get inside, they make great places to sit.

In the second picture, he seems to be expressing his feelings about being photographed so early in the morning.

Speaking of the Met, I think Marty and I are going to New York this weekend to see The Gates. I can't wait!

Rooster Purse

By request:



I bought this bag in November when we went home for Thanksgiving. It was handmade in Georgia. Every time I carry it, other rooster fans approach me wanting to know where I found it!

Sorry ladies, he's all mine!

Chili and Cat Purses

So... how'd we do?


Cincinnati Chili, 5-Way

Thanks to my friend Jul, Marty and I got to try a regional delicacy tonight. Yes, that's right, Cincinnati chili. It's not just an English 15 paper topic, folks!

Jul sent me the Gold Star packet, and I followed the directions pretty closely, so this should be pretty authentic. Marty and I both thought it was good! Different from the chili we'd had before (plus, you know, served over spaghetti), but tasty. Next time either of us is in Cincinnati, we're going to try it from the source!

You can read Jul's description of it in this entry.

But the Cincinnati chili was our last hurrah -- we start on the South Beach Diet tomorrow. How romantic for Valentine's day!

(Although I think the chili itself would be fine on the SBD, it's the spaghetti that would be contraband in Phase 1... and you'd have to use low fat cheese.)

And now on a completely different subject, and because it's been too long since I posted any photos, here's a picture of my purse:



I can hardly go anywhere without getting comments on this purse. Often, multiple comments. So I thought I'd share it with everyone here, too. (It's closely followed in the comment department by my rooster purse. Maybe someday I'll post a picture of that one, too.)

Happy New Year!

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Happy New Year!

Today is the start of the year 4702 on the Chinese calendar. It's the year of the Rooster!

Last year for Chinese new year, I went out for dim sum with my friend Carol in Munich. That was a fun way to celebrate! This year I will be working. But hey, roosters are high on my list of favorite things, so I'm sure I'll be celebrating on the inside.

Learn more:

• Chinese New Year
  
• The Chinese Zodiac - according to this page, I was born in the year of the monkey! I only missed being born in the year of the rooster by about five weeks!
  
• Year of the Rooster t-shirts
  
• Chinese stamps celebrating monkey and rooster
  
• American stamps celebrating Chinese new year
  
• Canadian stamps celebrating Chinese new year

Singing Valentines

Chorus Notes

If you live in central Connecticut and you're looking for a special Valentine's day treat for your sweetheart, may I suggest a singing valentine from the Farmington Valley Chorus?

Who knows, you might even get a quartet with a bass who used to sing in a chorus in Munich!

It's been a long week here, and I was glad to see it end. But today was a lot of fun. My chorus had an all-day coaching session with a great coach, and we learned a lot! It's funny how energizing a full day of singing can be. Well, I mean, I'm tired, but it was great fun.

And I had such a nice surprise afterwards. Marty cooked a delicious dinner of salmon, green beans, and spinach. Wow! I have the best sweetie!

Tomorrow we are meeting Amanda and her hubby for breakfast, and we can't wait to see them. It's been too long! And then we have Superbowl plans with our next door neighbors.

Hope everyone's having a nice weekend!