Weekend in Wilmington

Last weekend, we went on a short getaway trip to Wilmington along the coast of NC.  I missed the ocean, and seafood, and I even missed my husband who spent the past month married to a grant deadline and not me.

Of course it rained most of the time we were there and we ended up watching far too many Retro Real World episodes.  Luckily, the place we rented was a cozy and comfortable place to hole up while it stormed.  Maya tested the bedding first to be sure it met standards.

During a random clearing of sunshine, we zipped over to Wrightsville Beach and took a stroll along the water, took deep gulps of salty air, and snapped pictures of surfer bums.  Well, I did that part on my own while Tommie looked on disapprovingly.

The rest of trip was filled with seafood delights of lobster, tuna, salmon, and calamari from Catch and Circa 1922. We also tried a Thai/Vietnamese restaurant Indochine, which we highly recommend.

Sometimes getting away is the only way to really leave work and home behind.  We have to do it more often.

Crazy in North Cackalacky

If I had blogged this past month, each post would have been titled "Why I Hate Doctors."  After seeing numerous doctors and specialists for chronic abdominal pain, having complications with a small procedure, and ending up in the ER, I realized that I was right all these years not to trust doctors.  I'm going with my gut, literally, and switching to an integrative health practice, and I feel better about it already.

Ironically, I have lived in three major medical/research areas in the country (San Diego, Boston, and now Raleigh/Durham)--surrounded by my medical mortal enemies (only a slight exaggeration).  Taking a more holistic/creative approach sometimes makes me feel like I'm the odd girl out...especially in the south.  I'm not sure where my quirky views and lifestyle fit here in north cackalacky, and I definitely find myself holding back for fear of saying/doing something too off-color.

I'm not used to being the craziest person around.  I've always been weird, no doubt, but (aside from my opinion that childbirth is actually the most unnatural thing in the world) I don't think I'd win the prize for crazy...until now.  People here don't talk about going to hippy doctors; they don't believe in astrology more than God; they don't use adjectives like "shitty"; and in reference to The Bachelor, they claim they would never kiss someone on national television.  Pa-lease.  They'd be lucky if I stopped there (again, only a slight exaggeration).

Maybe I need to meet weirder friends; maybe I need to accept that until more northerners keep moving down here, I'll be one of the pioneer weirdos in the south.  Onward!

Health and Balance

I've been going through some weird health issues lately and the whole thing has thrown me off.  For a libra who seeks a balanced life and who is afraid of doctors, it's a bad combination.  I can't control everything (though I try my hardest) so I'm taking the steps I can to try to get back on track.  I've resolved to eat better, get back to the gym regularly, and work on my attitude.  That last piece is the hardest for a professional complainer such as myself. 

Trying out healthy recipes has been one of the fun parts. Once again, I have turned to Pinterest for inspiration, making a real effort to bring some of those pretty pictures to life.  I started making smoothies in the morning which is super easy and a great way to get in multiple servings of fruit.  This one is mango, peach, and pineapple with yogurt, milk, and oats.  

I also have a new favorite vegetarian sandwich recipe found here.  It's a spinach and artichoke grilled cheese.  I don't even like grilled cheese, but this one is gourmet-style.

I'm hoping that with the right food, routine, and attitude, things will balance out again.

Puppy Business

I kind of started a puppy sitting business by accident.

I was looking for a side job to help supplement my writing gig and watching a puppy while writing seemed like a fantastic way to double-dip.

So, I started walking and sitting for one little guy and then the owner recommended me to her friend who wanted me to take her new puppy too.  The first day of watching both was pandaemonium.  To top it off, a woman walked by me on the street and asked if she could have my e-mail address in case she needed someone to walk her two dogs!  Mind you, I do still have my other job.  This thing was spinning out of control.

Anyway, I think I have it worked out now so that I watch only the one dog on most days, and the two of them one day a week.  I'm still able to get work done during nap times and at home.  

The pups and I are getting used to each other.  I think that puppies are like babies (only puppies are cuter)--they are often crazy for no apparent reason, they loose bodily function often, they slobber on you, and they try to eat everything.  Older dogs and older children don't get enough credit in this world.

The First Flurries

This is what was left in the morning of the first "winter storm" to hit Durham.  

It was the talk of the town.  Every school was delayed at least two hours; some organizations canceled all together. 

Maya took one look outside, dropped her head, and walked away from the door.  She was thinking, "I thought we got away from this crap."

Tommie's boss asked if we wanted to take a walk in the snow last night.  We said, "We're in our PJs watching TV.   We saw snow last year."  And the year before that, we saw enough snow to last us a lifetime.  If this is all we get down here, we're cool with that.

Culinary Experiments on Guests

It was above 70 degrees in Durham this past weekend--gotta love those southern warm spurts in January. We had a friend and her boyfriend over for her belated birthday lunch/dessert and ate outside on our deck.

Tommie made Cap'n Crunch seared tuna--a recipe from Sam The Cooking Guy who has a local San Diego cooking show Tommie used to watch and misses dearly.  

People say not to try out new dishes on guests the first time you make them, but we always do.  What can I say?  We aren't afraid to ruin a friendship or two with food poisoning apparently.  Luckily, it hasn't come down to that...yet.

I'm not sure if I was more excited about the tuna or the Cap'n Crunch--my favorite sugary cereal as a kid, though I rarely got it (Mom.)  

While Tommie took care of lunch, I handled dessert.  I attempted to make one of these beauties, which I originally saw in a Martha Stewart bridal magazine.

Found here.

For the mold I used a bundt pan that I found at the dump where my parents live in Maine.  While some people get out the fine china for their guests, I get out things I found in a trash pile.  Nothing but the best for my friends!  (I do promise it was washed throughly.)

The finished product looked a little more like flan since the edges melted when I ran it under water to loosen it, but luckily sorbet still tastes like sorbet no matter what form it's in.  Maybe next time I can get it to look more like Martha's.