Finding Colin Firth

     Let me begin by stating that the only thing better than finding Colin Firth standing on your doorstep is finding "Finding Colin Firth" in your mailbox!  A while back, I contacted Mia March who wrote the newly published "Finding Colin Firth" to inquire about pre-ordering a signed copy of the book and her generous response was, "I'll happily send you a signed copy, from one Colin Firth fan to another."  I was overjoyed and anxiously checked my mailbox over the next couple of weeks for it's pending arrival.  Since I was leaving for the cottage on July 10th (the day after the book was released) I was really hoping to bring it along to read on the dock.  Mia messaged me to say that the book was on its way.  Sadly it didn't arrive on time to take to the cottage, however, I didn't manage to get much reading time in anyways.  You can imagine that my excitement for the arrival of the book was intensifying as if it were Colin himself arriving!  Embarrassed as I am to admit it, when it did arrive the next week...I actually went upstairs and put makeup on and primped a bit before coming back downstairs and delving into the package!   My daughter likely thought I was bordering on insanity over such antics but humored me just the same!

 

     It's been awhile now since I last posted an entry, and for several reasons.  This summer has been both relaxing and busy.  I thoroughly enjoyed the time at the cottage with my kids and Rocket, so much so that John and I are considering purchasing a cottage of our own!  Since I made the decision to pass on Scrap Cancer, it has freed up considerable time for me to appreciate my surroundings and those I love.  Now, when I take my blood pressure I can conjure the image and feeling of peace and serenity I had as I took the paddle board (and Rocket) around the two islands on the lake, remember seeing the little family of loons (mom, dad and two babies!). 

     Another reason I haven't posted sooner was that I had regained a couple pounds and was deliberately putting off my weigh-in at Curves.  I seem to have plateaued now and I'm having difficulty meeting my next target.  When I finally had my monthly measurements done on August 1st, my weight was 135.75 lbs.  I even tried going wheat-free and alcohol-free until I lost the weight which I managed to do for 8 1/2 days but without the desired results since it clearly wasn't making a difference.  It was more about staying true to my convictions and following through than anything else, and with several social engagements I surprisingly stuck to it!  On a positive note however, my % of body fat has decreased by .5% (from 31.7 to 31.5).  I maintain therefore, that as it appears I have plateaued for now, that the 1/2% of body fat has transformed into muscle, and I've been told that muscle weighs more than fat!  That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

     I've also taken the time to 'smell the roses' so to speak.  A couple of weeks ago, I joined Carla and her daughters at the Royal Botanical Gardens to feed the birds (afterwards we came back to my house and watched Mamma Mia together!).  I was amazed to have a red-winged blackbird land on my outstretched hand and eat the seeds I was holding!  This was something I really wanted to share with my kids so a couple of weeks ago, we went to Lowville park to try to catch crayfish in the creek (the only thing we managed to catch were some dragonflies!) and afterwards we went to RBG.  For a trio of kids who weren't so keen on going in the first place - they changed their tune quickly as we entered the park to find chipmunks and birds galore!  Jake was so thrilled to have a cute little chipmunk eat out of his hand.  Matthew too.  Kristen busied herself as the photographer.  Jake was the only kid brave enough to let the birds eat from his hand and at one point he had about 8 different birds swoop in for a nibble in less than a minute!  We can't wait to go back and do it again!

     So, we've been rather busy this summer between baseball games, soccer, hanging out with friends and family, and all the cake orders I've had.  In addition to all that, my dad's health hasn't been stellar lately, and we've mourned the loss of a family dog - Carla & Steve's dog Reese, who felt just as much a part of our family as theirs :(

     One of the things that sets this summer apart from others past is my garden.  I love having a garden!  Why didn't I have one before?  Who would have thought that one could get such a thrill from going out back to pick fresh herbs to season a meal?  My only regret will be that winter will come and what will I do then?  On Saturday John bought some sausage at the market that he barbecued for lunch and I went to the garden and picked a handful of golden grape tomatoes from the vine to go with it!  A year ago I would have never eaten a tomato on its own like that!  Tomatoes were meant only to be sliced and added to hamburgers or BLT's back then! 

     This summer I've made Shrimp Scampi from the Dash Diet Cookbook with fresh parsley from my garden.  The shrimp was topped onto some linguini noodles to which I added some fresh lemon balm from my garden.  I forgot to plan a vegetable to go with it so I sliced up a cucumber (from my garden) and splashed some balsamic vinegar and added some fresh cut mint from my garden - Delicioso!!

     I have the best market basket!  I actually bought it as a wedding gift for someone once and decided to keep it for myself!  All of my market treasures fit perfectly in my basket and my kids enjoy going with me.  My favourite thing to purchase at the market, and there is a very small 2 week window in July when they are available, are black raspberries (what I like to refer to as fruit caviar!).  They taste great with oatmeal or Shreddies for breakfast.   Kristen pleased me by suggesting we make a fruit salad together with the berries and other fruits - yummy! 

 

 

     In mid September I have another follow-up appointment with the Diabetic Nurse, and although my blood pressure seems to have sorted itself out, I'm concerned about my cholesterol.  I've read that avocado helps decrease cholesterol levels so I'm going to make a concerted effort to consume more avocado from now on - hopefully I can convince them to give me more time to further reduce these numbers!  And since John bought me a new running shirt for our 17th anniversary this weekend with the implication he wanted me to run 17 laps of the track (perhaps not the most romantic gift -and one step up from the 3-hole punch I once got for Valentine's day from an ex-boyfriend, but it was with good intentions!) - I'm hoping to work towards that and finally earn my next movie!!!

     If you haven't read Mia's book and you love Colin Firth as much as I do - what are you waiting for?  Finding Colin Firth is a delight and a great beach or poolside read!

Happy Anniversary John - my own Mr. Darcy!!! xoxo