you gotta try this

Pumpkin Smoothie*:

1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tbsp light agave syrup
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
6 oz (3/4 cup) almond milk or pumpkin spice flavored soy milk
6 ice cubes

ADDED: Try adding a few drops of vanilla.

Update: Upped the pumpkin slightly & reduced the yogurt just a bit and added a scoop of french vanilla whey protein. Ooh la la. Ready now to hit the bike trail!

* recipe from Chris Freytag

~♥~

heading back east

We've been to some amazing cities in the world, but never to Boston or New York City. So, guess how I'm going to celebrate my 5oth birthday? If you guessed a trip to Boston & NYC, you're correct!

Since we've never been to these places, some tips on things to do & places to see would be very appreciated. Also, suggestions for what to pack for this time of year (end of Oct. - beginning of Nov.) would be helpful.

BTW - ever notice how people say "back east" & "out west?"

~♥~

Las Diez Cosas

Hanlie, from one of everyone's favorite blogs Fertile Healthy, has surprised me (in a good way) with the Honest Scrap Award. Thank you, Hanlie. Very kind of you!

Now, with this award comes the responsibility of sharing ten things that may not be known about the recipient. This is a bit of a challenge for a mysterious Scorpio. But, it also happens that I like a challenge.

So here goes:

1. Went to the same high school as Frank Zappa. Not at the same time since he was much older. (If you don't know who Frank Zappa is, you might recall his hit song "Valley Girl.")

2. Opened a book store on Main Street without any experience whatsoever in retail. It was a lot of work to get it off the ground. Did all right and managed to sell my business during the recession. Found out that I personally dislike retail but now have a great deal of respect for the contributions Main Street businesses make to the community and an understanding of the difficulties small retailers are facing in this economy.

3. Had my own radio show while an undergrad at UC Santa Barbara. It was crazy fun (what isn't compared to writing papers for sociology classes) especially when my friends were with me & I'd realize I'd left the mike on.

4. My first marriage was to my cat, Socky (a black & white tuxedo cat) when I was six years old. My second marriage to the smartest, cutest & kindest guy in town will reach the 30 year mark this April.

5. I like finding things in library books. Just found a coupon for 10% off a Fat Burger in the book I'm currently reading (The Women by T. C. Boyle). Not that I find a "Fat Burger" appealing regardless of the discount, I just like to see the weird things people leave behind in books. I wish using twenty dollar bills as bookmarks would become popular. Of course, not too many of those kinds of bookmarks would go unnoticed by librarians & volunteers.

6. Growing up, I loved to climb trees (maybe this is why I feel so betrayed & outraged by homicidal trees). My next door neighbor, Mrs. Bones (really, that was her name & she was mean) didn't like me sitting in the tree next to her front yard and used to lure me down with chocolate bars. This didn't last because I'd climb down to get the candy & go back up in the tree to enjoy eating it.

7. One of my goals is to visit every national park.

8. I hate cell phones.

9. Won a contest to see Rickie Lee Jones in concert & to meet her back stage. She was amazing. Love her.

10. My life was impacted by cancer at a young age. When I was 18, my younger sister (my Irish twin, as we were only 13 months apart in age) was diagnosed with leukemia. She died about 11 months after diagnosis. It is my greatest hope that a cure for all types of cancer is in our future.

I'm passing this award to POD at Thufferin Thuccotash. Dare you to find someone more honest (& funny) in their blogging.

~♥~

Caution: Shark-jumping in progress

Watched The Biggest Loser last night. Holy crap! It is me or has this show turned truly bizarre? Last week, Jillian and Bob dropped f-bombs so liberally, I wondered if Jillian just read a study linking screaming "f*ck" at people to increasing their metabolisms. And, what's with decking J & B out with shiny bad ass leather jackets? This idea probably came from the person who invited Tom DeLay to dance on TV. As if his hair wasn't scary enough, now I'd have to beware of video clips of him shaking his money-maker. DeLay should be dancing the jail house rock -- and not on TV.

Last night there was so much blubbering, I was praying for a product placement spot or for J & B to get back to their screaming hissy fits. Another reason why I don't think I can watch this show anymore are all the reaction shots from contestant Danny. And thus ends my brief fling with reality TV.

~♥~

school of life

For various reasons, I've not been able to ride my bike for a while. But, here's the good thing that has come out of this: I've learned that maintaining my weight (130 again this week) is not dependent on my previous level of cycling, at least in the short term. I have a tendency to get pretty obsessive about things so this is a helpful revelation. I could easily become rigid about having to do a certain number of rides each week -- other aspects of life be damned! It's healthy to be flexible...in more ways than one.

Had such a great time with my daughter. We had lunch at the Zuni Cafe, checked out a new bookstore nearby and walked a few blocks to get some ice cream from Bi-Rite Creamery (salted caramel again!). It was a gorgeous day in San Francisco. We also got in some wine tasting at local wineries. After she left to go back to her home in Austin, I was left with those feelings I used to get when she'd head back to college after coming home for a visit.

What is it about the end of summer that makes everything seem more poignant?

~♥~