summer

here is a list of what I love about summer.

the ripe peaches that perfume my kitchen.  there is no better smell on earth.

hanging baskets of flowers on the porch.

the smell of fresh cut grass.

the sun as he stays up late.  and gets up early.

evening walks with the husband and canine.

not freezing all the time.

my peonies.

farmers markets.

a different wardrobe.

the way the grill smells.

throwing all the windows and doors open and welcoming the breeze through the house.

the adrenaline rush of a good quality severe storm.  we've been fighting with one since about 5 pm and she'll be going strong until 2 am.  it was exciting enough to bring lady and some pillows [?? justin's idea] into the basement.  

98% vegan

I say that because, occasionally, I cheat.  Like the cookies that my brother brought me from Germany, I'll be damned if I don't eat those puppies!  But for the most part, we've been vegan for 2 weeks and 1 day.  And it's not too bad.  I'll admit, I did have to text my friend whose husband is vegetarian last night and beg for her veggie burger recipe.  But other than that, it's going well.  So well that when I see chicken it grosses me out.  No worries, hamburgers still look amazing.  Hopefully our veggie burgers tomorrow will kick that craving.

Another benefit to going vegan is I've stopped eating candy.  I went cold turkey off of it.  And I don't miss it.  That has never happened to me before.  Usually when I give up candy I get really grumpy and think about it constantly.  That has not been the case this time.  I made black bean brownies for J's birthday last week that weren't stupendous, but we'll get there.  

The worst thing I've made while being a vegan was probably my vegan chili.  Horrible.  The best thing was the vegan waffles.  They.  Were.  Amazing.  Crispy and delicious.  Even if we went off being vegan, I'd never use my old recipe again.  I could eat waffles every day.

I'm even eating spinach.  It's happening people.  I didn't put one piece of spinach in the discard pile tonight. [Background: the discard pile is where I place all of the unsavory bits of food that aren't fit for consumption.  Be it an item that touched the table -the horror- an iffy looking leaf of lettuce, or a particularly menacing spinach stem.  Justin also makes discard piles, but he usually forgets they're discards and eats them...]  This week of vegan meals is looking to be the best one yet.  Pizza, veggie burgers, and one pot pasta are on the list.  

Happy Monday!

michigan

This weekend we took a quick trip up to Michigan for my Gram's memorial.  Everyone was there, so it was a full house.  Justin and I managed to eat mostly vegan [thank goodness it's not biggie to cheat a little on this diet...] My biggest accomplishment was not getting into a fight with anyone.

Lady's biggest accomplishment was getting everyone to love her.  Success.  Everyone's preconceived notions about pitbulls went up in smoke.  She was in rare form.  It must have been the lake air.  I was surprised that my very finicky little Lady loves Loves LOVES the beach.  I've never seen her more joyful.  Running through the sand is what she was made for, apparently.  We're going back for the 4th of July, and luckily it's just us.  I tried to explain this to Lady as we drove away, though I don't think she understood.  She looked out the window and cried until she couldn't see the lake anymore.  Then she slept.  She's still sleeping.

We found some old clothes...

Packing up.

Lady socializing with my brother.  In the sun.  She couldn't be happier.

Loving it.

Looking down the beach.

on why I want a cat

1. Cats are beautiful.

2. Cats think they're better than everyone.

3. Cats remind me that self-esteem is everything.

4.  Cats purr.

5.  They also meow.  And that is cute.

Plus they sleep in funny positions.

I just really would love a cat.  That is all.

Happy Birthday Husband

You are superb.