You put the lime in the coconut.

I didn't expect to pop back in, but popping back in I am. Three days until NYC! Weee!!!

Fun discovery for fellow Picasa users - it has absorbed several of the fun functions of Picnik, which it bought then shut down. That's sad, of course, but I must confess I'm quite pleased with the now-easily accessible 1960s function (I'm experimenting below).

Anyway, I had a very silly dinner, so I thought I would share. My appetite is still all wonky, so the ONLY thing that sounded good for dinner was (grocery store) sushi. Brad didn't want it so I got him some chicken from the deli counter. And a little something for me that I just couldn't resist.

Nothing hits the spot quite like sushi... and instant mashed potatoes!

But for dessert.... Swoon.... Key lime cupcakes from Hillary, who is the QUEEN OF CAKE. (Our family Sunday dinners deserve their own post down the road, but for the last one she made a coconut cake that I'm still dreaming about.)

To make these, Hillary hand squeezed her own key lime juice (who knew, but apparently, Meijer actually carries true key limes?!) and I know she always makes everything from scratch.  And, lucky for me, she often makes too much and is so kind as to share with her neighbors! These didn't fail to amaze, and I actually swooned out loud with each bite I took. Sweet, tangy, and (sorry, have to do it) moist. Yum yum. My belly is happy now.

I'm not dead yet.

I totally jinxed myself. Two weeks ago, I said the words "I haven't been sick in forever!" to a friend, and then I wrote here about how I've managed to keep up with my at-least-three-days-a-week running schedule since November... Well, I'm still sick, and I haven't run or even walked once this week. Sigh. On the bright side, I may have dropped some weight regardless since I have * gasp * lost my appetite. Here's what my week has looked like:

• Three boxes of Kleenex
• Two boxes of Chloraseptic throat drops
• 1 bottle of Nyquil; 1 bottle of Dayquil
• 1 box of Sudafed
• 1 bottle of Mucinex
• 1 bottle of antibiotics (went to the doc to discover a sinus infection, grr!)
• 1 bottle Affrin nose spray (but only for 3 days, lest my nose become addicted!)
• 3 nights in a row of buttered noodles with parmesan cheese (Brad's new specialty) 
• Countless hours of CSI
• Endless looks of "ew" from Bradford

Exciting stuff, right? I can only hope that at the very least I have my appetite back in full force by next Friday because Birgy Birg and I are off to the Big Apple, where will we also meet up with now-NYC resident Lisa Z. Here's what we have in store for our palettes:

• Oysters!
• Brunch with an Iron Chef!
• A vegan/raw food adventure! 

Cheese made from nuts? I'm game!

Because I missed so much work this week, I begrudgingly agreed to work four days next week instead of my normal three, so between being bitter about that and getting ready for my trip, I may not be back until the following week. See you soon with lots of tales from the big city!

Bring out yer dead.

Guess where I am!?

Quarantined in bed for the rest of the day! :(

Remember my allergies? Yeah, pretty sure I'm actually sick. And seeing as how I went to see Hunger Games (yeah!) with Hillary this morning, I may have infected half of St. Joe (queue visions of Contagion....). I've progressively felt worse and worse every day, but since I was sure it was allergies, I've tried to go about my regular business. Exercising, going out, blah blah. I guess I maybe made it worse.

And it's funny. I can do nothing like nobody's business. But if I'm actually sick and really need to just sit my butt down and take a nap? So hard! But at least I'm in bed, right...?

So last night, you know, when I should have been staying in, Brad and I went to one of our favorite places for dinner, Ideal Place in Benton Harbor. I've written about it a few times in the past, and, chances are, if you've visited, we've taken you there. It is consistently delicious, which makes it... ideal! ;)

Because I am bored, but also because I am sleepy, a quickie review! For the past while, they've offered fresh made (hot right from the oven) pretzel rolls to start - yum! Always a great way to start a meal. From there on, it just went up. I was smart and just got hot tea (orange, yum!) rather than a martini - I'm not all silly! Then a small salad (get-well nutrients!). It's funny because I'm not a big salad person. They never taste very exciting at home, but I am a sucker for a fancy side salad with fancy greens and fancily sliced veggies - weird, right? Dinner for me was actually an appetizer, but it was the perfect meal size for sick me. Shrimp and crab mac and cheese. It was perfect. Cheesy, shrimpy and crabby, and nice and crunchy on top (I've had several seafood-themed macs and have never been a big fan so this was a very pleasant surprise). Brad got a pork chop, which came with red beans and rice, asparagus, and a side of "grandma's homemade applesauce." He said this was probably the best thing he's ever gotten there, and, based on my taste of the applesauce alone (apples + juniper berries, I asked), I believe him! I kind of wish I had a big bowl of it right now! And a big bowl of that mac and cheese, too...

Sigh. Not even the plague can curb my appetite!

And the fish were jumpin jumpin.

I'm pretty sure I have the plague or TB (insert Moulin Rouge soundtrack here). If by chance it is not TB, these beautiful beauties are likely to blame -

Because as everyone reading this likely knows, we are experiencing some sort of freak Indian Winter - I believe it was at least mid-'80s today - and there is no shortage of pollen floating around. I don't typically have allergy issues, but I am coughing and wheezing like an 80-year-old man. That being said, there was no way I was staying inside today. So off I trekked, into town to drop a book off at the library, through town, and over to Biggby for my first iced latte of the year. Then I walked down the hill to the riverwalk, along the train tracks, and over to Silver Beach. At this point, my throat hurt, I was fuzzy headed, and I just wanted to go home. But I made myself turn right instead of left and I headed over to the pier.

Side note: Dumbasses abound in St. Joseph

The water was crazy calm today. Not a ripple. Totally silent. So incredibly rare on our crazy lake - I've never seen anything like it. There was also somewhat of a haze so you could hardly tell where the water ended and the sky started.

Note the Caribbean blue water.

As I'm walking along the pier, I hear a splash. Ok, a fish. Big deal. But then I hear another splash. And another. I look around, and there are enormous fish hopping everywhere! At one point, it sounded like fish were falling from the sky (I wouldn't have been entirely surprised - this freaky weather is surely an indication of some sort of apocalyptic event, right?). I love sealife (from afar) so I couldn't stop giggling (yes, other pier goers called me out. "You worried they're gonna come getchoo?") - it felt like a Gordy and the deer Stand By Me moment. And my TB was feeling totally under control! So glad I detoured.

Of course, they weren't cooperating for photos, but these two left a pretty good splash.

Working on my March sunburn at pier's end.

Yes, I was texting.

No, I did not fall in.

Post-pier, I hopped down and walked along the beach toward home. And I wasn't alone. The beach parking lot was packed, there were a handful of families picnicking, and there were more than a few sunbathers - and a couple of kids in the water! I wasn't quite that brave, but I did splash around a little.

The walk was breathtaking. I kept stopping to take pics. And text my mom and taunt her. It's funny how every spring feels like the first spring you've ever experienced. Winter sure does a number on your memory.

No jumping fish on this side of the beach, but I did discover where all the minnows live:

I was fascinated and lingered here for a while. Then back to the walk - past the beach and up to the trail home. Here I spied more exciting nature -

A teeny woodpecker woodpeckering! I don't know that I've ever seen one in person. I giggled to myself here, too.

Unfortunately at this point, away from the beach and back to the trees, the TB kicked back into high gear. Luckily, at this point I'm almost home. I hauled ass across the bridge, past Rooster's, pausing momentarily to take the above pics of the evil trees, then finally spilling back into the house to pass out on the couch with Heidi.

Nothing heals quite like a Heidi snuggle.

As Brad reminded me when he got home, THIS is why I let a grumpy old man bitch at me (and tolerate a moldy bathroom and mice in our desks and ammonia fumes and soul-crushing boredom and demeaning, mind-numbing projects). Summer (spring and fall, and winter, too, really, but it's harder to appreciate up close) here is amazing. And right now we have the best of both worlds - full-on summer weather, and a beach all to ourselves.

Even if (when) it gets cold(er) again, these two weeks should keep me going until spring comes for real.

Couch potato.

Today a co-worker and I had to drive to her house to use the bathroom. Over the weekend, my boss had planted a mature, dying tree in the front yard that he dug out of some property he owns somewhere. (Right in front of my window, of course.) To "save" it, he's been running the hose into ground for three days. This caused the water to back up. And then the water shut off.

And then I got bitched out because my boss can't figure out how to access someone else's files when they're not in. There are so many levels of nonsense to this that I can't even bring myself to go into detail about, it would make your head spin.

I'm slowly losing it. My brain, that is. I've toyed with writing about the day-in-day-out ridiculousness ("Why don't you go out to the vending machine [that someone else owns and we don't have access to] and just make up some new prices [!!!] for stuff?"), but when I come home, I don't want to think about it. I have a four-day weekend every week and that is admittedly pretty sweet, so rather than stew, I do my best to disconnect.

BUT... Brain. Going. Mushy.* I feel uncreative and uninspired. And the one constant in my life has always been writing. Even if it's just mostly pictures. Or mostly text. Or just randomness. (Or, apparently, lots of incomplete sentences!) I think I'll try this again for me. And thanks to those of you that have reminded me that this space exists.

AND, of course, I still REALLY like talking about food.

A lot's certainly changed in the past year, most importantly our attempts to focus on living healthier lifestyles. The first step in that was picking up running.

I've NEVER been a runner. In  high school gym class, my girlfriends and I would do a slow jog around the parts of the track where the teacher could see us. When we were out of sight? Walk. Eventually the fast kids would lap us and we could cheat and finish a lap or so short. I've pretty consistently used my treadmill since college ended but always for walking. I'm pretty sure the most I'd ever run was a mile, and that was MAYBE two or three times - ever. But seeing my dear friend Hillary run past my house every day - and then a pregnant Hillary still running past my house - finally shamed me into gave me the motivation to make a true effort to get my feet moving.

Based on a recommendation from Lisa (another kick ass runner), I started the Couch to 5K program and it seriously changed my life. The program was perfect for me, and, as of January 8, I can officially run three miles. In a ROW!

I still don't LOVE it. And I still don't run outside. And I don't run three miles very often. BUT I run every week. Since starting the program in November, and even after finishing in January, I've run at least three times every week (usually two miles) - and the past few months I've added other workouts in with the running (elliptical, bike). Still lots of work to do, but this has made it so much easier to work on our diets and general health. Why do all that hard work if you're going to ruin it, right (I'm not running enough for it to not matter)?

Stay tuned for more... I hate to do things half-assedly, so my intent is to be back often. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

*I rolled my own hand up in the car window tonight.

Summertime and the livin is easy.

Next week mark's our one-year houseaversary. Unbelievable. It feels like just yesterday we were falling in love with our new little house, but life here is such a perfect fit that it feels like we've been here forever. I can hardly remember our house like this: one year ago.

And while we still likely have a handful of good beach days left, Labor Day is upon us, marking the official end of the summer season. I know I've been singing its praises for months now, but I can't tell you how much we've enjoyed our first summer here. Swimming, sanding, sunning, walking, biking, antiquing, drinks-with-friendsing, and, even, country clubbing. Until next year, summer, you'll never be far from my memory.

For nostalgia's sake, a few of my favorite summer scenes...

Beautiful aunties on the beach.

 

Beautiful toes with Melissa.

Lisa and Birgit visit for my bday. Birgit can't find a snowsuit, so towels suffice. ;)

Mr. Cool.

Birthday dingleberries with my princess.

Ferris wheel beach view.

My favorite onepointfive-year-old and my favorite five-year-old.

Baby's first beach.

World's cutest pooches.

 Havin' the most fun.

Beachin' with my sweetie.

Saturday Brad and I head even farther west for a road trip on the Pacific Northwest. Stay tuned for tales of the road (assuming we don't get eaten by a bear!).

There will be weiners.

So far, 33 feels much like 32. So that's good. And I have lots of fond birthday memories to reflect upon, so that's good, too.

I spent my actual birthday much like I spent my 32nd birthday. Last year, though, I was just here visiting Brad, who was already living here. He had to work, so I walked around town, window shopped, and had lunch at Tosi's. This year, we live here (yeah!) and I rode my birthday gift into town...

World's sweetest Schwinn cruiser.

After a quick polish change and an iced coffee, I sat on the bluff for a bit while I waited for Brad to join me.

Party girl purple.

Just like last year, I decided on Tosi's for lunch. I went with a different sandwich, though - pesto and mozzarella, and a Dang! soda instead of a Coke.

After lunch, I had some work-from-home work to do, then Brad and I headed south to have my second annual birthday dinner at Brewster's in New Buffalo.

I went with the same cocktail, an Old Fashioned (like me, hehe), but chose the pasta dish (last year I chose the seafood dish) - homemade tortellini and roasted tomatoes in oil. MMM. Unfortunately, it was way too heavy on the garlic so I tried not to eat too much (still got a stomachache - boo!), but it was super tasty (and the leftovers still tasted delicious, cold even). Brad got spaghetti and meatballs. I was secretly jealous.

Slurp.

On the way home, I convinced Brad to pull in to Warren Dunes State Park so we could peek at the setting sun and the dunes. And then a vicious attack bee flew at me and stung me right on the knuckle! Ass bee.

Side note: I have only ever been stung by a bee twice in my life. BOTH times were on my birthday. Luckily, this time it wasn't on my butt.

The weekend eventually rolled in, and in with it, some lovely ladies from the east! Birgit and Lisa S. both came to visit, and to celebrate, we ordered La Perla take out. Another side note: I know I've been away most of the summer, and La Perla is a recent discovery. It's a Mexican grocery store in Benton Harbor, and they have a little food counter that makes the most amazing Mexican. It is GOOD stuff.

After some eating and walking to town and ice creaming and sunset viewing, we hit the hay, waking up bright and early Saturday for some donuts and birthday beach time. Emily and her beau, Paul, eventually joined us, and a good time was had by all.

THEN, it was time for weiners. Veggie and Vienna dogs for everyone! And inappropriate music, most likely played too loud when one has such young little neighbors.... "Chopsticks, only!"

So we could stop annoying the neighbors, we made a short trip over to the Boat House, another recent discovery. It's a dirty little bar in town, but it's in the marina so it's right on the water, which I love. So we had a seat outside, drank a few drinks, and got harassed by Party Marty, who nearly plowed his boat right through the dock.

Thanks to everyone who sent so much love my way. xo

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes.

Since I turned 32...

I left home for the first time.

I powered through world's worst summer (selling a house, buying a house, living apart from Brad).

I started eating peas.

I started drinking beer (a limited menu, but beer nonetheless).

I moved to the beach.

I bought a house I'm madly in love with.

I've remained in remission and have had little trouble with my guts.

I learned to live without Zingerman's.

I was reminded of how many super duper awesome friends I have.

I met a handful of super duper awesome new friends.

I said hello to a bundle of new babies.

I got to use my master's degree.

I celebrated my fifth year of marriage.

I ate at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant.

I (sort of) reentered the work force. I'm not entirely bitter about it.

I saw Scissor Sisters in concert and it was pretty dang sweet.

I got to introduce my family to my beach town and run around in the sand with my ever-growing nephew.

I bought my first automatic car, and welcomed power locks for the first time.

I celebrated my second year as a vegetarian.

I started riding my bike.

I went swimming with Heidi for the first time.

Not too shabby.

Here's looking at you, 33. You better be nice.

Garden of eden.

I've grown basil for the past few years, but this year I decided it was finally time to try my hand at actual food. Earlier this spring, Hillary, Ceile, and I hit the Sawyer Garden Center, and we all loaded up on lots of goodies. I've been very patiently waiting, and things are finally starting to sprout. So far, I haven't killed anything. I may have veggies just yet!

Big Boy tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, red peppers; on the railing, banana peppers, basil, and mint.

How cute are these guys?

Hillary and I went back to Sawyer two weeks ago, a way to escape the heat, and I picked up these banana peppers for $0.39! That may be the score of the year. And they are the cutest ever.

I also had a little (well, huge) interloper on the deck last week, trying to get at my goodies...

Female stag beetle. Huge female stag beetle.

And one last quick image before I head off to watch Hoarders... World's prettiest fruit.

Pink currants! They look like little glass balls. And they were sweet and tasty, too.

Fun in the sun.

It took a screwed-up Firefox and me thinking my blog got deleted for me to log in for the first time in almost two months. Normally I tend to slip away from blogging when times are tough, but this time I swear that's not the case.

I just really love my town. And we're really trying to make the very most of our first summer here. At the beach. In town. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

So what have I been doing, you might be wondering... ?? (Or maybe not! Ha!)

Going to Chicago.

Having awesome visitors.

Aunt Sandy from WV and cousin Alex and Aunt Karen from CA.

Birgy turns 30. I find this amusing.

Going to the beach.

Watching amazing sunsets and fireworks on the beach.

4th of July on the Bluff w/ Chris & Ceile.

Riding my bike. (Yes, you heard that right.) Walking (or biking) to town. Attending art fairs and watching fireworks. Going to the farmers market and getting iced lattes. Having romantic sushi picnics on the bluff.

Hanging out with my lovely St. Joe ladies.

Golfing with Bradford at the 'club. I even have golf clubs (purple!) and golf shoes (with rhinestones).

Oh yeah, and my in-laws moved in across the street.