i do enjoy cooking, though i'm not particularly adventurous in the kitchen. i'm a cook that needs recipes, and only after i'm comfortable with that recipe, dare i deviate. so, this is my second batch of jackie's stir-fry. the first batch i made last week as written, and the second time i made it with chicken instead. i know, not much of a deviation, but it's just as yummy, and i had about 5 portions leftover which i've been having for lunches and dinners since cooking it thursday. oh, and it's totally phase 1 "safe".


but, i am now on phase 2 which means i can have red wine! i can also have oatmeal and some fruits, and other things i haven't even bothered with yet. the wine is limited to 1 glass a day. that's why i got a box. no way am i opening a bottle to let it deteriorate over the course of several days. a box will stay fresh for many weeks, as oxygen can't get to it.

last thursday ...

... it actually snowed ! it wasn't much, but it was enough to excite me. last year, i saw two incidents of flurries. rumor has it we could see some sleet and freezing rain today too.

such a pretty day !

i went for a short bike ride the other day ... a day so perfect for being outside, ... warm, clear, sunny, dry, floral ....

... and tomorrow? rumor has it that we're suppose to see a wintery mix in the morning. hmmm ....

i had some tulips, but they just don't last very long. i was at the grocery store last night, and they had gerber daisys ... which, is the first flower i envisioned in my froggy vase, and they look fantastic together!

it is a dismal day here. yesterday was hot, sunny, with deep carolina blue skies. today, gray. dark gray, lt. gray, med. gray. it's icky. thus, i feel zero motivation to do anything. i even made myself a list last night to have a productive today, but i may only accomplish 1/2 the things on my list.

happy new year

kinda hard to see ... but that's a dalamation molly. i got two new fish for the new year ... the other one is a black molly.


i never before had so much trouble opening a bottle of champagne. i finally had to bring out the adjustable pliers to wrench it free. geeez!