It didn't shrink in the wash (and it isn't the dry cleaner's fault)

Yesterday, as my boys (sons, husband, dog) set up their man cave for an afternoon of football (not even football but Redzone which is pretty much ADD football), I saw my opening and left the apartment. I could've left without any of them noticing but I said goodbye. "Where are you going" my husband asked in the way you ask a question when you don't really care if there's an answer. I said "I'm not sure".  While the possibilities were endless, I opted for a manicure and pedicure with a friend. Can I really critique my guys when I pretty much did the female version of Sunday football? Sure I can.

Anyway, we picked our colors "don't pretzel my buttons" and "partner in crime" in case you're like me and select colors based on names. Truth be told, I am only at the nail salon for the massage (15 additional minutes on both feet and hands). My friend and I started catching up. My anonymous friend mentioned an equally anonymous family member who upon trying on her jeans remarked "these shrunk in the wash." As she recounted this, anony friend rolls her eyes and we both cracked up. "It's never really the wash" said friend "or the dry cleaner" I added. Yes, yes clothing shrinks and if your dry fit tee looks like it can fit a first grader- dryer culpa. But the five minutes most of us have our jeans on "dewrinkle" doesn't make them tight.  OK?

Post pedi I realized the first football game wasn't even over. I can't even dawdle when I try. So anony (and fun) friend said, "they're watching football, let's get a beer". I agreed to a gluten free (Estrella) beer and we sat outside a cafe. This was such a nice break from kitchen cleaning, week planning and all the other sucky Sunday stuff I typically do. I could've been on vacation and yet I was 2 blocks from home. Friend, so you know she isn't just honest to her family members, says "as I sit here with you I can feel my jeans pushing into my fat." My advice to her "you have to keep wearing those jeans, not as a torture device, but the second you give up on the fat-pushing pants it's pretty much game over." Another laugh and because I had zero confidence my three guys would remember that even though they had no need to go out, the dog (Bronco- like the Denver Broncos) did, I went home.
P.S. Nothing makes me feel more full and gross than beer.
Have you blamed the wash or the cleaners? Think you should wear clothing even if it's borderline? What would you have done with a free afternoon?

I say Hello

Image via Verrle Duoh

I suffer from a constant state of “what’s next?”  This even extends to the seasons. I love leaving the office while it’s still light, a good margarita and travel (Croatia-wow); however, you will not find me uttering “last beach day of the season”. Nope, I’m craving a cup of tea, football and cozy sweaters.  I understand you may be sad to see summer go but I’m ok with it. As the Beatles said “You say goodbye and I say hello”.

Maybe I can get you excited for all that fall offers.

Goodbye to weekends away, houseguests and loosey goosey

Hello (Virgo, hand raised) to routine, schedules and some structure which isn’t a bad thing.

Goodbye to watermelon and peaches (not that we can't get anything, any season but enough already)

Hello to apples, so satisfying and versatile. Ever try to nut butter a peach?

Goodbye "its too hot out" and other excuses

Hello to  crisp morning runs, maybe training for a race

Goodbye to gazpachos and trendy chilled soups.

Hello to chili, lentil soup and other “soups that eat like a meal”

Goodbye to summer squash

Hello winter squash and pumpkin (this one is no contest)

Goodbye to adulterated seafood- lobster rolls and fried clams and other foods that prove summer isn’t really all that healthy

Hello to whole foods: salmon and Brussels sprouts and Whole Foods too if you’ve been out of town.

In our family, goodbye to the dart frog Pirate but

Hello to a puppy hmn…

Goodbye to summer reading (I loved The Interestings, didn't love Middlesteins) hello to cookbook reading (Wellfed, 50 Shades of Kale others)

Goodbye to the BBQ (those grill marks are carcinogenic, can I sat that now that it's Sept?) and please let’s say goodbye to the hot dog for a while

Hello to the slow cooker and roasting.

Goodbye to packing your bags

Hello to unpacking the pounds 

Goodbye to skin cancer (I’m knocking wood)

Hello to the Little Book of Thin  now available in preorder, you can say "hello" to this more than once.

Goodbye to "I'll do it after Labor Day,"

Hello to starting now

And hello to all of you, it's been a nice blogging break but looking forward to writing, connecting and hearing about your fall plans.

Which “fall” items above are you most excited about? Do you prefer summer or fall? Do you think focusing on “what’s next” is a good thing or a bad thing? Have you ordered your copy of LBT?

Truffle Popcorn, Football and the Ghastly Golden Globes

When we woke up yesterday it was 1 degree out here in Vermont. I did what any reasonable parent would do and sent my kids out to ski anyway. They had lots of layers and hand warmers. As selfish as I am, the guilt got the better of me and after I logged six miles on the “dreadmill” (not my term but so good) with no TV to distract me, turns out it was too cold for the satellite to work, they came home. We also had houseguests up and we prepared for a day with lots of cooking, fire tending, football and the Golden Globes.

For football snacks, I made a big bowl of popcorn with truffle salt (recipe below) that dwindled quickly. I also tweaked Ina Garten’s Baked Fontina and served it with endive and celery to “lighten” it. We held our breath as the Giants played the Packers and eased our nerves with a bottle of organic Syrah and Peak Organic pale ale. We all cheered as the Giants took the lead and continued to extend it. It was such a good reminder that reputation doesn’t always matter and that if you come ready to play, anyone can win. The Giants did convincingly.

Before baking, image it melted and browned....ahhhh

While awards were handed out at the Golden Globes, there weren’t a lot of winning looks as far as our jury of nine, kids and adults, concluded. There is so much that’s said about weight and dieting but at the end of the day it isn’t size that matters. I don’t know if it’s a trend but the bed head hair made many stars look unkempt. There was also this prostitute-like makeup look with very dark eyeliner and bright lips that in high definition looked a little scary (the previously primped Clare Danes comes to mind). Then there’s the issue of age appropriate. I am no longer 20 and should not dress or ask my dermatologist to make me look as though I am. We age and with that there has to be acceptance and some wardrobe considerations. My friend’s husband woke up this morning saying he had nightmares about Jessica Lange’s backless dress.  Maybe she didn’t expect to win and have to stand up but she did, not good.  There were highlights, Octavia Spencer from the Help looked lovely in lilac, Natalie Portman elegant as always and Sophia Vergara showed you can tone it down when necessary. She was pretty and polished.

Flattering, appropriate and that color? Amazing

This says star, also says stunning

So while we all spend tons of energy getting in shape, at the end of the day a hairbrush and a good tailor may be just as important. Oh and I am sending Angelina my cast iron pan with baked fontina.

Truffle Popcorn

Heat 1.5 Tbs coconut oil (or other oil) and ¼ cup organic popcorn covered over medium to medium high heat for 3 ½ minutes. Give the pot a shake a few times to avoid burning or sticking. Transfer to a bowl large enough to toss. Add 1 tsp. additional coconut oil or butter and ¼ tsp truffle salt or more to taste. Makes 8 to 10 cups. 

How was your Sunday? What are some of your favorite cold weather munchies? Did you watch the Globes? Any catty comments? What do you think about people with unlimited "help" looking scary?