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Chicago cold in areas not yet felt before
Published December 31, 2008 | 
This is what I call an …”ICE BOX”
Meet Scarlett’s Pup’s
Published December 30, 2008 | 
Scarlett and her babies
On December 24Th I introduced you all to Scarlett the Mama of our “hopefully” new addition. I say hopefully because it was thought there were 10 puppies in the litter and she actually had 8. She went into labor Christmas eve and they were born just after Midnight via “C” section. There was some trouble during the delivery as she was pushing so hard that one of the pups got stuck. Thankfully all are fine but the traumato Scarlett was so severe that she ruptured her uterus and this will be her final litter. The puppies are temporarily named after all of Santa’s Reindeer – very fitting given when they were born 
So at this time we wait to see where we are on the list and we are very hopeful that one of these incredible Rhodesian Ridgeback cuties will be ours.
Scrabble and other such ponderings…
Published December 29, 2008 | Hello everybody~
I am BACK!!! I am so happy that 2008 is nearly done…it sure has been full o’ excitement!
Spent a good bit of time in Corpus with the fam for Christmas…it was nice…there was a point where we didn’t leave the house for 2 days! I can’t tell you the last time that I did that! We ate ourselves silly and then some.
We played trivia, did crosswords, played Scrabble…It is always a pleasure to play cerebral type games with my family – they keep you on your toes. Even learned a new word.
Xeric – Relating or adapted to an extremely dry habitat. Succulents such as cacti, aloes, and agaves are xeric plants. Try using that in a sentence next time you’re discussing Cactus plants or tequila (lindaloohoo)…seriously, it would be most impressive. Plus if you use it in Scrabble on a Triple Word Score, you could easily pen 42 points. Not too shabby.
We actually went bowling this weekend as well…and can I just say, Yeah…it’s time for me to start working out again. I was SORE on Sunday. What is that all about?
Looking forward to a shortened work week!
Mr. G and I have decided to ring in the New Year in typical foodie fashion by dining at one of Houston’s new hot tickets in town, Chef Scott Tycer’s Textile Restaurant. Mr. G. actually said to me that he was looking forward to it (SURPRISE from the man who said he eats to live, not lives to eat like me). We are doing the late seating for a 7 course tasting menu and champagne toast at midnight. Prolly be in bed by 12:45.
January 1st 2009 – I begin my annual cleanse, usually lasting anywhere from 14-20 days…ugh. It is a toss up this year, but I may do the Master Cleanse (don’t know if I have the willpower for a cleanse this hardcore this year or not) or I may juice like I have done for the last 3 years…time to clean the ol’ system out!
How do you plan on spending your NYE? Also, what are your goals/resolutions for 2009?
The DAMN Question … where do I get good yoga pants?
Published December 29, 2008 | So a month or so ago we received a GREAT question from Mindy who’s one of our loyal readers. Her question was where to get a GREAT pair of yoga pants.
We had a few suggestions for her such as Victoria Secret … but I started researching to find a GREAT pair that was truly a find. I stumbled upon a company called Be Present. After cruising the site, I fell in love with a ton of it. I mean lotus flowers on the back of the pant … OMG … I love lotus flowers … and yoga pants so yeah … love I tell ya. Look at these …
I emailed Be Present to get more information and asked some questions. I decided to try a pair of their mobility yoga pants so that I could report to our loyal readers on my findings. I chose this pair in the graphite color:
When they first arrived, I looked at them and thought, “oh man those certainly aren’t going to fit my ASS until I’m doing a lot of yoga in a VERY hot room”. I looked at them for a couple days and then when I was sure that nobody was in the house to hear me cry when they didn’t fit, I stripped down and actually tried them on. Guess what … they fit perfectly! They are made with a material they call breath weave and they are awesome.
Here’s an excerpt from their site on the breath weave fabric:
Breathe Weave TM: the next generation in wicking fiber. No matter how much you sweat, Breathe Weave TM keeps you dry. Worn by yoga instructors and yoga enthusiasts in the hottest studios, Breathe Weave TM has proven to be a fabric that can handle hot yoga and the harshest stretch. Made of a high performance Cotton/Nylon/Spandex blend, Breathe Weave TM wicks sweat away from the body, dries quickly and has give to allow for movement during practice. It has a two way stretch capabilities and maintains its shape when wet and after being washed. Wear Breath Weave TM to stretch, to practice, to sweat and to relax.
Seriously … I LOVE these new yoga pants. Now that Christmas is over, I need to get back on track with my fitness. That means it’s the perfect time to share my “FIND” with you. I have a list of things that I can’t wait to buy from their site. They even have a “special” section with lots of discount too … do yourself a favor and check them out … you can thank me later.
A Pancake Like No Other
Published December 28, 2008 | Chicago food fest part 2… I do not know about you all but I am a big pancake fan. Now I do not partake too often as the calorie and carb count is off the charts. HOWEVER, there are 1 or 2 times a year that I let the wall down and pick up the fork and last weekend in Chicago was one of those times. We went to an amazing breakfast place called, The “Original Pancake House” and well it did not disappoint. No wonder this place was highly rated by Zagat and recognized by Chicago Magazine as having the best breakfast.
When it came to order I was totally torn as there were so many great choices. After much deliberation I opted for one of their specialties called the “Dutch Baby” and it was incredible – needless to say I confess that I ate every last bite and savored each and every mouthful. Here is what that little gem looked like when it landed on our table. I was going to take an after photo… But well there was nothing left to show you 
The Original Pancake house has been around since 1953 and has locations scattered around the USA. If you are lucky enough to have one near you this is one place not to miss.
Killer Chicago Pizza – Gino’s East
Published December 27, 2008 | Hubby and I were in Chicago last weekend for his company Holiday Party. Brrrrrr is an understatement but we thought one way to warm us up was to dig into, Yes you got it a big fat, high calorie, cheesy yummy deep dish Chicago style pizza. We found it at Geno’s East Pizzeria this place is a staple in this town and after just one bit it is no wonder. The restaurant had great atmosphere and not only a local favorite but a travelers delight!! I do not know how they get their deep dish pizza to taste that good but it was off the charts. Everything about it was incredible down to the crust and the very last bite!!
Needless to say the next time we are in Chicago this is one place we will visit again!!
Gino’s East Pizzeria 162 E Superior Street, Chicago
Today is the Happiest day of the year
Published December 26, 2008 | Today is my day – The one day a year that if I like it I buy it!! Yes you got it the day after Christmas Sale Day. This day has been a long standing tradition in my world with one specific girlfriend… The other “Christy” in my life. She and I have been up on this very special day at 4:30 AM and out the door by 5:30 am for almost 15 years running. I confess I love this day!! This is the only day that I actually wake up at this insane hour without an alarm clock. I am like a kid on Christmas morning 
We have developed a very special route and always start at the department stores, Macy’s and those favorites that have gone away, Broadway and Robinson’s and time it so we hit Crate and Barrel by 8:00 AM. After Crate and Barrel we just go store to store in the mall. The funny thing about Crate and Barrelis that we see the same families year after year. One specific family we have watched their kids grow up and they schedule vacation plans around the very special day!! Well got to run it is 5:25 am and Christy will be here any minute!!
Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.
Posted in No clue where this fits | 
Broadway, Crate and Barrell, Macy's, Robinsons, shopping | 
4 CommentsMom, thank you.
Published December 25, 2008 | I have been thinking alot about how my mother has impacted my life in the last 37 years and I think finally, I have come to terms that I happen to like this lady I call Mom, a whole heck of a lot. I guess perhaps I should have penned this at Thanksgiving.
I just wanted to take the time this Christmas to thank you for:
- Raising and taking care of us – simple enough but you, Joe Reader, did not live in MY house…:)
- Making sure we were clothed, dry & warm every single day, no matter what the circumstances and no matter whether we lived in the tropical Keys or the blizzardy mountains, we always had new clothes.
- Making it OK, every.single.time. we moved in one of the 15 times that we moved. The stress that must’ve been on you with 2 daughters and Dad. Everytime we got to the new location, you ALWAYS had the house unpacked and in tiptop shape, as if we’d never left the last house – even if we had moved cross country. And still had time to walk me to the busstop or take me to school like you’d been there before. Making it “home”.
- Thanks for all of the wonderful meals that you made for me…everything from tuna salad sandwiches & Reubens (when Dad wasn’t around) to Crepes Suzette & Sunday Roasts…you were the key to my food door. You opened my eyes to all things food from a very young age – watching all the great classics on PBS. I remember coming home from school and finding you tucked up in your chair watching Julia or Justin. Our house always had the best smells. Awesome.
- On that same note, thank you for all the restaurants and cuisines you exposed me to at an early age, so that I never said no to anything (food wise) and instilled in me, to live a life of adventure!!!
- Thanks for shuttling me around EVERYWHERE with all my bratty, whiny friends especially when we got into horses. I can’t imagine having 3 kids IN MY car, that are covered in horse muck, swooning over boys. I think that would be a nightmare. I may not have thought you were to coolest mom at the time, but you were the ONLY mom that showed up when she said she would. Same thing for the mall and the movie theaters.
- Thanks for being my only friend sometimes, staying up late on Saturday nights to watch Dobie Gillis or M*A*S*H reruns with me.
- Thanks for putting up with me through my teen years…looking back, I woulda wanted to KILL me (especially when we travelled overseas) How did you stay so level headed? ( If I were you, I woulda left ME at the Cliffs of Dover the first time…Or on the Place de la Sorbonne) Perhaps you didn’t always stay calm and wanted to beat me with a wooden spoon, but you always seemed calm to me. I respect you for how you raised me more than you’ll ever know. And I hope that I can be that mom, with quiet grace and skill to instill fear and wonderment into my child the way you did to me.
- Thank you for all the money you sunk into every whim I ever had, without making me feel bad if I wasn’t “good at it” or didn’t succeed. You always told me in a gentle way that some people are just not cut out for ballet, or softball, or basketball, or swimming, or piano, or chemistry…and so on until I found horses. Which of course I know was grueling…the shows, the training, the $$$, the time. But you were the BEST SHOW MOM EVER.
- Being Daddy’s Little Girl, I know that I monopolized Dad’s time a lot. With such a tight alliance, that it must have been hard for you sometimes… Being the tough one. Being the one who actually had to discipline. Being the one who had to pick up the pieces when he promised and didn’t deliver. I think back that perhaps you may have felt left out, but maybe not…I don’t know, you were always doing something…but if you did feel that way, I’m sorry – ‘cos now I know you did all the work and Dad got all the glory.
- Thanks for showing me that no matter what, life goes on, even after Dad passed away – knowing how hard that is to keep a cool exterior. I admire your strength.
- Thanks for talking me down, in my hysterical moments – through my rough patches and always being there, no matter what. Your patience and ability to see the bright side is so very appreciated.
- Thank you for teaching me the work ethic that I have today – I wouldn’t be nearly as successful as I am today without all your nuggets of wisdom.
- Thank you for the strong sense of family you’ve instilled in me as well…I always said that I was the milkman’s child (well, how come Robin tans and I don’t, huh???) or that I didn’t come from this family, that you guys were just too weird, but fact of the matter is….not matter what, we have ALWAYS stayed together as a family and now, I know, in my heart of hearts…it was because of you.
I love you Mom – Merry Christmas. Thank you for all that you are and all that you’ve helped me to become.
XXX
Jody
Meet the Mama of our Christmas Gift
Published December 24, 2008 | Meet Mama Scarlett
This is Scarlett and someplace in that big big belly is our upcoming new addition!! Our new little bundle of joy should be born on Christmas (maybe). We are so excited and I must say that I am finally ready for another 4-legged friend.
It has been 2 1/2 years since we had to put down my sweet girl, a Rhodesian Ridge-back – Tess. She was my Angel as I got her within days of having a mis-carriage and she became my baby. She brought me so much joy and companionship and was with me in good times and the many many bad ones. She along with a killer bottle of wine was therapy for me. Needless to say, my heart was shattered and broken when she passed away. I was not expecting her to have such an impact on my life and my world – After all she was just a dog.. right? Not for me. She was more than that and I am grateful to have had her in my world and I am excited for the new puppy to bless us as well!!
One thing for sure this puppy will be one great Christmas gift
Introductions to come in a few weeks !!
WMD Wine Review – Orin Swift – The Prisoner 2006 – Zinfandel blend
Published December 23, 2008 | 
2005 The Prisoner – Zin/Cab blend**
A few weeks ago, Mr. G, Anna & I hit up Max’s Wine Dive to have some late night nibbles and some vino. The place was hopping, as per usual, so we grabbed a couple of seats at the bar – watching the scenery. We’ve been here a few times before and have never really taken the opportunity to order the small plates…always eating full meals, so we decided on the Buffalo Sliders with homemade pickles and grilled onions along with a 1/2 order of the Max & Cheese – delicious cavatappi pasta with 3 cheeses & shaved black truffles and truffled cream sauce. Yum.
Our server recommended a beautiful blend by Orin Swift named The Prisoner – telling us that this wine had been chosen as a Wine Spectator Top 100 pick. How could we say no?
The first sips were a little strong – showing that this jammy little number needed to breathe for a few minutes. The Zinfandel definitely shines through initially with deep, berry flavors and smokiness. The Cab side will remain solid as you drink it in. Giving you a lot of complexity that will stand up to anything you pair it with, as well as the ability not to overpower something smaller, lighter. This would be perfect from Tapas, to red meats, to cheese plates.
Some of the other notes that will stand out are vanilla, toffee and tea which truly balance out the fruitiness of this bold red.
Wonderful to drink NOW.
Would be EXCELLENT with your holiday roast or brisket
Retail was about $32.00
http://www.orinswift.com/wines/06the_prisoner.php
**51% Zinfandel – 23% Cabernet Sauvignon – 12% Syrah – 6% Petite Syrah – 6% Charbono – 2% Grenache
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