This is why I don't watch pageants

The answer should have been: It says society still isn't fair to women. But, maybe that's what she was trying to say, poor thing.

I'd love, love, love to dance with my father again

My dad had a signature move. That's it in the picture.  It's subtle, but a move nonetheless. It started as the frug in the late 60s, but morphed into his own, unique thing. He was a hit at father-daughter banquets.  My friends would stand in line to dance with him, but I always had first dibs.  I miss him today, and every day.

I may have created a monster

I offered to make the old man breakfast for Father's Day, but he insisted on making smoothies for the two of us. At my urging, he's been on a health kick since New Year's - personal trainer, the whole bit - and has finally jumped on my low-carb, no wheat bandwagon. What irks me is: He's been more successful at it than I have, mainly because he works out three times as hard. Plus, he's a guy, and it's easier for them. It just is, dammit. (And, no, he hasn't given up beer - the only wheat he consumes.)

Lean, mean smoothie maker (who still insists on wearing his old, bigger clothes.)

I'm happy about his progress, but he's become somewhat fanatical. His current project: To reduce the carb count of the daily smoothie by half. This is the smoothie nutritional information he posted to the inside of the cabinet:

He spent a half hour yesterday figuring it all out and writing it down.  This morning, when I explained to him that you get to subtract the fiber grams from the carb grams for your "net carb" count, he almost wept with joy. Happy Father's Day, big guy.

Australian Army chief kills it

With a nod to ABC News, this is my Person of the Week:

Worth the wait

The wild roses usually peak around Memorial Day and fade away by mid-June. After the long, cold winter (remember that?), they're blooming like crazy two weeks late. I couldn't be happier.

Serenity Sunday

Why can't every day start like this?

Betty Crocker got nothin' on me

Today, I did something I haven't done in years: I baked cookies. They were for the opening of the new community theatre; a promise I made months ago in a late night haze when called in bed by a theatre volunteer. Four dozen cookies. How hard could it be? Except that I haven't had any flour or sugar in the house for several months and I wasn't keen on reintroducing those ingredients non grata to my pantry. So, I bought a high dollar gluten- and wheat-free mix from the health food store. Two of them, no less.

I woke up and savored my coffee and iPad on the porch, not at all concerned that I had an hour-and-a-half to bake and transport said cookies to the theatre. How long could it take?  I preheated the oven and read the directions, realizing only then that each batch required a stick of butter - softened.  Grabbing two sticks from the fridge, I willed them to get soft. Ten minutes passed. Fifteen... twenty. It wasn't happening. I'd tried the microwave shortcut before resulting in total meltdown. I couldn't risk that happening again. Time was fleeing. Finally, I found a solution...

I sliced the sticks into slices and hit them with my trusty blow dryer. (Not too close.)  Working with a focused intensity not seen since 2003, I cranked out four dozen chocolate cookies, sprinkling them with cinnamon to give them that made-from-scratch look ....

and delivered them to the theatre in the nick of time. Naturally, I rewarded myself with a sample. Later, I would learn that one little cookie contained 100 calories. Shoulda had a V-8.

Remember the name: Michelle Chamuel

There's a lot of great talent on The Voice (infinitely better than American Idol, imho, for so many reasons.) Here's a look at my favorite underdog who is killing it week after week....

A feast of Fiafini

The arrival of these Fiafini review products couldn't have been more timely.  My daughter graduated last week from esthetics school, ending my access to cheap facials and microdermabrasion treatments. Until she secures employment, I am left to my own skincare devices. Enter Fiafina, a new all-vegan line containing the latest miracle ingredient: Marula oil from the South African fruit of the same name.

I have three requests from skin care products: 1) A serum that doesn't leave sticky residue on my face;  2) A rich and creamy moisturizer that glides on smoothly then magically absorbs one minute later; and 3) That the whole regimen doesn't cost an arm, a leg and a forehead. Fiafini scores on all three counts, although I realize #3 is relative. Even with a "family and friends" discount on my daughter's professional line, I was still paying more than I would for Fiafini. Yet, Neutrogena - my next favorite brand - is considerably less expensive.  What impressed me most about Fiafini was the Divine Hydration Moisturizer that made my skin feel supple and moist, even after a night's sleep under the fan. Must be that miraculous marula oil.  My only complaint is that it does not contain sunscreen, requiring me to add yet another layer to my face every day. Still recommended.

High points for Hyatt Place

An afternoon wedding and evening social event took us to KC yesterday so we did another Priceline blind bid and scored this super spacious suite at the Hyatt Place. $61 (normally $99 on weekends; $140 weekdays) bought us a blemish-free room (note enormous TV that swivels between sleeping and living areas) with complimentary wifi and a full hot breakfast. It was a little too cold to go swimming this morning so we hung out on the comfy bed and read the Sunday paper/iPad, in no hurry to check out.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Prancercize

I don't know why this didn't catch on in '89 (well, yes I do), but it is remarkably close to what I do in my fitness routine, albeit on the treadmill in the privacy of my own home without the galloping or cheesy music (see Rolling Stones playlist post below).  Shoulder pads notwithstanding, this Jane Fonda wannabe has a smokin' body. Don't knock it 'till you've tried it, I guess. 

Jalapeno infused tequila

In my ongoing pursuit of skinny cocktails that offer as much flavor as the "real" things, I've discovered the joy of infusing tequila. The trick for instant gratification lovers like me: Small batches and big peppers.  First, get a good 100% agave tequila. I like Camarena because it's moderately priced and it goes on sale a lot, making it almost bottom shelf cheap.  Next, slice a jalapeno in half, remove seeds and ribs. (Wash your hands, the knife and cutting board immediately!) Place jalapeno in pint jar, fill with tequila and give it a good shake.  A few hours later, you've got tequila with a kick. Hint: Keep tasting as the hours go by to get it to the perfect level of hotness, then pitch the pepper.  (You can do this with a habanero in even less time.) I am currently mixing mine with diet tonic and lots of lime juice or Fresca.  Muy bueno!