I'm HOME!!!!

I'm home I'm home I'm home!

Ahhhh Home. 

Sleep in my own bed (not that the 20+ year old hide-a-bed wasn't comfortable with it's 2 layers of egg crates), snuggle with my hubby, snuggle with my dog.... ahhhh home.

Updates:

1.  Scale this morning said 214!!!! That's down 19 pounds!  Goal #1 was 10% and I'm just 4 pounds away.  I was diligent in all my food choices.  That's not to say I wasn't tempted.  Oh hell ya I was tempted.

Driving to and from was 9 hours down, 10 hours back home. (Extra hour: driving thru Los Angeles during rush hour.)  It was very very tempting to fall into old habits of getting snacks each time I bought gas.  Easy pull off the hwy to stop for fast food.

Rather than stop at fast food places for bathroom breaks I stopped at rest stops so I could mix my drinks and eat the food that wasn't finger food.  

Driving down I listened to a David Sadaris  book "Dress Your Family in Corduroy Pants".  I finished it as I pulled into LA and then switched over to my favorite NPR station KPCC.  

Driving home I listened to "Lovely Bones" and still have 5 disks to listen to.  Really good good book.  

I normally get 5 or 6 books on cd for my drives from the library.  I judge the books by their covers and by what's written on the jacket.  (Tell me something book publishers.  Why oh why do I have to know what other's think about the book?  Why did you switch from synopsis of the books to quotes from people about the book?)  My other rule is to only get unabridged readings.  I feel like I'm being cheated and so is the author by abridging/censoring their words.

2. Cooking.

Outside of 2 meals I made everything while at my Mom's.  Not a problem.  She enjoyed the food and I enjoyed all the cooking.

Turns out Mom's neighbor's son is a chef for Bobby Flay!  The son works in Vegas at Bobby Flays Mesa Grill (I think that's the name.).  

Mom had decided that I'm "gourmet" because I brought my own chef's knife & cutting board. Plus I use more than just salt & pepper when cooking.  

Oh and I went to a farmer's market!  Here in Reno our farmer's markets are only during the summer to early fall.  To go to one in February was a treat.  Freshly picked organic produce!  I am jealous of everyone who can take advantage of fresh locally grown produce in the winter. 

3.  Mom's health.

Mom is doing fantastic.  (Thanks for asking.)  

I had originally planned on staying until she got her stitches out but came home in between storms.  Outside of driving she's pretty independent and has made arrangements for someone to take her to get her stitches out.  She'll be back to driving soon after.

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Photos:  Not 12:12

Double rainbow over my Sister's garage

Tulips in bloom on my Mom's table.

Driving down to OC via the Grapevine.

Driving over Donner Pass (Yes.  That Donner Pass)

12:12 on the drive down.

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No recipes today.  Give me a few days to catch up with my life.