a few friday things.

Warning:
I'm in a weird mood.
So here's some weird randomness for you

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I got a spray tan today.
Amazingly, I'm instantly skinnier and in better shape!
So awesome.
Tan fat > pale fat.
Every day.

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Does anyone know if a cat can develop a tumor overnight?
Because ours either has a tumor on her head
or a huge goose egg from falling off the kitchen chair two nights ago.
Yes...we apparently got the one ungraceful cat on the planet.
We just spent a bazillion dollars on Lucy last week,
for what I'm pretty sure was salmonella.
If I have to spend one more dime on an animal right now
I'm going to have to sell a kidney.

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Tomorrow is the kids' school auction,
known 'round these parts as the Mom Prom.
{see item one above.}
Think dinner, dancing, and people spending money
on things they definitely don't need.
I wonder what the chances are that the DJ will play "Thrift Shop"?

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Colin told me he delivered his book report last week using a British accent.
I love that kid.

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Our town's farmer's market started last night.
I had to break my sugar fast.



Really, did I have a choice?

checking things off the list.

Back in January, on my 37th birthday,
I made a list of 37 things I wanted to do this year.

I would say that so far I'm doing...okay.
Go to the Alameda Flea Market?  Easy!   Check.
Paint Colin's room?  Done.  Check.
Take a yoga class?  I'm rocking that one.
Go to bed by 11?  Um, no.
Mop twice a week?  Ha!
I'm failing miserably at that.
How did I even think that was a possibility?

Number 13 on that list was run a 5k.
When I wrote it I half-way thought it wouldn't happen.
I know for probably a lot of you running a 5k is no biggie.
But for me, it was a major biggie.
Running is a challenge for me.
I have weird ankle issues, stupid shin problems, and dumb heart stuff.



But a couple of Sundays ago these two cuties and I ran our first 5k.
I did it in 35 minutes.
That's not anything to write home about, for sure,
but I was super happy with it.
The hills didn't get the best of me, and my body didn't fail me.
Checking that number 13 off my list felt gooooooood.

Somewhat related: I sure would like number 21 on that list to happen soon.
Mommy needs a massage.

Also: number 16 - listen to live music - is happening May 30th.
{mumford with my favorite guy in berkeley.  can.not.wait.}

pizza: hold the grains and dairy.

So.  Let's talk food for a bit.

Recently I've had a bit of a diet change.
For the past couple of months I've been trying to
avoid dairy...all grains...and sugar.
I decided to make this chance in hopes it would help my migraines.
They're not gone completely, but I do think it's helping.
Which is huge for me.
Migraines are awful and I'll do just about anything to get rid of them.
Gary's avoiding wheat & other grains along with me,
because he feels better without them, too.

It's awesome to feel better.
But it's not easy.
I miss bread.
And cookies.
Oh, and flour tortillas.  Sigh.

And pizza.

The other night I planned to make pizza for the kids
{they're still eating whole-wheat like usual}
and "grain-free" pizza for Gary and me.
I've seen a few recipes floating around and decided that they looked
like they wouldn't be half bad.

I tweaked some I found just a bit and, I must say, it was good.
Gary loved it.
I didn't miss the wheat...or the cheese.

And it's easy to make.  Want to try it?

Grain-Free (and Dairy-Free) Pizza

2 eggs
2 cups almond flour
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

Mix all of the ingredients together.



Next I plopped the dough onto the counter and began to roll it out.



It rolled out nicely,
but it was STICKY.
I couldn't get it off the counter.
Even with the spatula, it just kept sticking.



So I switched tactics.



Enter the Silpat.
The Silpat never fails.
I put it on a jelly roll pan and rolled it out there.



Perfect.



Now bake it in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes,
or until it's brown.

Then, chop your toppings and prepare your pizza sauce.
{that pizza sauce is so good.  and easy.  forget the stuff from a can or pouch.}



That day I used what I had: bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, and basil.
And one chopped up leftover piece of bacon from breakfast.

And, as much as it pains me to say it, hold the cheese.





Then I heat it in the oven for about 10 minutes until everything was hot.



Yummy.
It's a great substitute for the traditional pizza,
minus some of the guilt.

Now I just need to find a good substitute for chocolate chip cookies.

ten on ten: april 2013.

This little April tenth was a nice one.
I knew it would be before I even opened my eyes.
We slept with the windows open and the yellow finches outside were going crazy.
They might as well be roosters.

Here are ten little bits of this beautiful, normal day:

1. This sneaky bed creeper.  Will she still be doing this when she's 16?
Sometimes I wonder.



2.  It was a 'sip coffee outside once the kids are gone' type of morning.



3.  Off to yoga for some downward dog and warrior one.



4.  Speaking of a downward dog...this one is usually downward.  So la-zy.



5.  Lunch: I'll take one sausage plus some roasted veggies from last night, please.



6.  Chives gone wild on the windowsill.



7.  A little research + an izze.



8.  Snack time.  I ate three.  {three kiwis, not three pieces.  oink oink.}



9.  Time to pick up the kids and still no shower.  It's a glamorous life over here.



10.  Books at bedtime.  Lately she's been asking to go to bed at 7:30.
You got it, sister.



That's ten.

spring break 2013.

There are a few more hours of spring break left here
but in my mind I'm already thinking about packing lunches
and getting the coffee ready for the morning.

This break was one of my favorites.
It has been a really good ten days.

We didn't do a lot: no tropical vacays or anything grand,
but what we did do was fun.
And unscheduled.
And we were together.

A get together with friends and all ten of our kids...
spending time with other friends that I've had 25+ years
and talking about our 20th reunion coming up this summer {yikes}...
painting a room...
then repainting that room the next day because I hated the color...
and some beach days.



I hope these kids know how lucky they are to live here.
I love our little town and its bay.



But some days the bay doesn't cut it.
I need to see the span of the ocean
and hear the white noise of the waves
and feel the heat from the sun radiating off the sand.
The kids need it too.
Santa Cruz hits the spot.



Sand.  Everywhere.



The season's first dose of Vitamin D always feels the best.





Such a good day.

The kids spent the next two days with both sets of grandparents.
Let that sink in for a minute.
We had TWO KIDLESS NIGHTS.
Hello, heaven.
I slept like a rock both nights.

And I had Friday all to myself.
Oh the possibilities.
I took Lucy for a run...our first in awhile.
It felt good, even though I was pretty convinced I was going to throw up at one point.
Seriously.  It's been awhile and the hills by our house are a killer.
But the morning was gorgeous.



After my run I headed out to run errands and do just a smidge of shopping.
It's funny how much of a treat it is to casually wander though stores
without an agenda and without a deadline.

Especially when one of those stores is Anthropologie.
It's just a happy, happy place.
{even though the employees all seem just the teensiest bit snotty.  or is it just me?}



After shopping I got to do a little fun sewing while I was waiting for Gary to get home from work.
My little etsy shop is a bit neglected.



Once my cute date got home we headed out for dinner.
Hello, Friday sunset.  You made me smile.



And, in one last moment of greatness,
I broke my wheat fast on Saturday for this:



Zachary's stuffed chicken special.
Holy deliciousness, Batman.
If you live in the bay you likely know Zachary's.
If I'm ever on death row it will be my last meal request.
Totally worth the gluten overload, I might add.

And the leftovers are just as amazing.
Especially on a lazy Saturday night home watching movies,
with the people I love most all in one room.



Best spring break ever.

spring break tuesday.

I forever associate the smell of vinegar with dyeing eggs.

I love Easter.
And dyeing eggs is one of my favorite traditions.



We don't do anything fancy.
Just regular Paas dye.  Chalk full of artifical colors.







No one else in my family likes hard-boiled eggs except me.
So guess what I've been eating for breakfast every day since this....







They were really itching to peel an egg.
They gagged and "ewww"ed the whole time.



Easter morning was gorgeous.
Before church Gary and I sat outside under the pergola with our coffee
listening to the rain and looking at a rainbow off in the distance.
Perfect.



And this year the Easter bunny brought her hair chalk.
She goes by the philosophy that 'more is better'.
{allllll the colors!}



And let's talk Easter candy.
I've avoided all the Easter candy this year.
Which is NOT LIKE ME.  At all.
Even the Cadbury eggs...sigh.
I did have two Bordeaux chocolates from See's, though.
Seriously...who can resist the Bordeaux?!
But other than that my sugar boycott remains in effect.

The kids are on spring break this week.
Today we had a little mini beach party here in our town.



Tomorrow Gary took the day off and we're going to go
looking for more adventures.
Why can't every day be a vacation day?