Thankful Thursday

This week, I'm thankful for:

• The upcoming time change. It's so hard to get up for work when the sun's not even up yet. I also have a way-too-early flight next week, so I have to be out of here at o-dark-thirty. At least it will seem not quite so unbelievably early thanks to the time change.
  


• A working keyboard. I sorta knocked mine off my desk last week & broke it. It's very hard to check email, surf the web, or even do work-stuff when you don't have a functional keyboard.
  


• Running water. Another one of those things we take for granted. While I get to go to San Antonio (ish) for work next week, a co-worker is being sent to a *really* remote area where he may not have access to running water for part of the day. I'd say I got the better deal on this one!!
  


• French fries. I know they aren't good for me, but they're soooo good!! I think someone should come up with a study showing that French fries are actually good for you, the way they've shown that about chocolate, coffee, red wine, etc. Just sayin'.
  


• Kind & caring neighbors. We had some really fierce winds the other day. I didn't realize it, but they blew the gate open in my yard. One of my dogs discovered it & unbeknownst to me, he decided to go off exploring on a little walkabout. I found out this had occured when I got a call from someone a couple of blocks away telling me they had my dog. They'd gotten my number off the tag on his collar. How wonderful of them to make the effort/take the time!!

So, how bout you? What are you thankful for this week?

Tag, I'm It

Saw this on Mindi's blog & since she tagged anyone who was reading and wanted to play along, I decided to give it a go.

Seven Random Facts about Me:

1. I collect polar bears. One of my guest rooms is designated as "The Polar Bear Room".
   


2. I'm only 5' 1" tall. (And at that, I'm the tallest female in my immediate family. Scary, huh?)


3. I love chocolate and orange together. Preferably dark chocolate.


4. I've been dog sledding. With my own dogs.


5. Even tho I'm a native Washingtonian, I've never been in the US Capitol or the White House. I'd graduated from high school before I ever made it up the Washington Monument.


6. I've been underneath the Lincoln Memorial.


7. I love ethnic food. If I'm the one picking a restaurant, I'll choose a Thai, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Afghan, Ethiopian, Greek, etc. place over a steak house every time!

I'm supposed to tag 7 people, but I'm going to play this the same way Mindi did: if you are reading this and want to play along, please do so. :-)

Thankful Thursday

It's been a quiet week, but that doesn't mean there aren't things to be thankful for. In no particular order:

• Live theatre! -- Opening night is tonight for the Lion King and then I get to see Julius Ceasar at the Shakespeare Theatre over the weekend.
  
  
• Friends who can hook me up with tickets to live theatre -- See above.
  
  
• Finding a REALLY GORGEOUS vintage bracelet at an expo over the weekend that was very affordable. Even better, it goes perfectly with a dress I got a couple of months ago. Best of all, it's over-sized, but my wrists are small, so I can have matching earrings made from the links I'll have to have removed so it'll fit me.
  
  
• Getting assigned to a new project at work that is not only high-visibility, it should be a lot of fun to do. I also get to hone new skills/expand existing ones, and it allows me to engage my more-creative side (something that I don't get to do too often at work).
  
  
• Local fruits are starting to come in season. The berries are here & it won't be long before roadside stands have peaches, tomatoes, and locally-grown corn available. Nothing says "Summer!" like fresh, vine or tree ripe produce!!
  
  
• Getting inspired to do some redecorating at home. When I got my home phone/internet fixed, I also went ahead and got cable tv. Up until then, I'd only had what was available on broadcast tv. HGTV has become a favorite station already and while I haven't hit on a "vision" yet, I'm now starting to mull over possibilities for my family room. I've also gotten motivated to work on my bedroom too. (Of course, actually finding the time & energy to execute any plans I come up with will be another matter altogether, but at least something is starting to happen.)

So, that's my list. Your turn. Feel free to take the banner & make your own post -- I stole both from Tiburon's SharkBait blog.

How to Eat Chocolate

A friend of mine recently went on vacation in England. Anyone who's ever spent time in Europe knows that you can get chocolate over there that far surpasses the standard American fare, so he brought back chocolate as presents for some of his friends & co-workers. When they opened the assortment of milk chocolates at his office, these are the instructions that came with the goodness that was inside:

The sensuous flavours of pure chocolate can take you on an enthralling journey captivating all your senses. All you need to do is close your eyes and take the plunge.

a) Take a few seconds to relax and prepare your senses before you even take a micro slab in your hands. Gaze at it a while.

b) Snap the micro slab in half and soak up the sound. Bring the broken edges to your nose and breathe in the aroma.

c) Take a piece in your mouth and give a few initial chews then just let it melt for about 10 seconds.

d) Move it slowly around your mouth spreading the melted parts across all the taste zones of your tongue.

e) Close your eyes to focus on the sensations. Don't rush it. Often the finish is the best bit.

How was it?

Several people felt they should either fan themselves or take a cold shower after reading that.

Vent of the Day!

Dear Restaurant Owners/Cooks,

If an item is not listed as an ingredient, please do NOT put that item in the dish. I would have told my waiter "No onions!" in the wrap I just had at lunch *if* I had known that there would be onions in it. Since onion was not an item listed as being part of said wrap, I didn't bother. So, instead, I got to pick them out. Not fun! And quite annoying. Other than that, the wrap was quite lovely & had you either not added them in or given me notice so I could have you withhold them, I would have thoroughly enjoyed today's lunch.

AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

I thank you on behalf of diners everywhere,

LN