Good morning!

Barb, I thought the Journey to Bethlehem had a "longer run," LOL. But then, you do need the church for Sunday! I am so glad all went well. This is truly something the kids will remember all their lives . . . a cherished Christmas Memory.

As for the avatar . . . I know pixels can be confusing if one is not conversant with designing web sites, etc. But try working on a COPY of your picture. Crop it to head/shoulders. Then use that reduce image box to reduce photo to about 80 pixels wide. That should do it. Just remember where you saved it! I have a bad habit of not doing that. Also, if you are scanning an image into Photoshop, the file is a photoshop document file. You have to "Save as" a .jpg file. HTH.

Peg, I am looking forward to some pictures of your little love nest. It must be heaven after your long road trip. Have you run across any items that you forgot to pack? How did your lunch with the kids go? Is this DD2? If I recall, DD3 is in Texas??

As for Deuts, you could call. But in my heart I know he is doing just fine. He's probably getting belly rubs up the kazoo. And with other "friends" around (another cat and a dog if I recall), his days a filled with activities!

Shelley, I'll bet you are enjoying your mini vacation. How about a family picture?

I do that all the time! And those Mystic Fire Topaz rings are beautiful. I am looking at one for my DIL . . . a suggestion from Barb. I found a site where you can pick the stone and a setting and have it done. Very inexpensive. I am waiting to find out her ring size.

And speaking of snow, we are currently snowless. But son Mark and family were up in Clarence, MO for DIL's family get-together. It's a small farm community in northern MO. He called Sat. PM wondering if we had snow because Clarence had snow. He had to leave last night because he now has a job that entails "working" on Sunday, and was curious about the weather. KC has a tendency towards ICE. I have vowed never to drive in those conditions!

Judy, it sounds like your chicks were better than you thought! One team didn't show? Hmm. Did that team blow off the competition because: 1) they are really bad; or, 2) they don't want to tip their hand at how good they are?????

All this talk about Vickie's Pumpkin Thingy sent me back to that thread. I have to try it. I like your idea of adding Flax meal. Sorta firms things up a little. When I make it, I'll whisk it. And hopefully the Magic Bullet that's on my Christmas List will make its way under the Tree.

Terry, a salamander cute? I gotta agree with Peg on this. But bless your heart for looking out for the little guy! And speaking of looking out for the little ones . . . I have got to get my bird bath heater out . . . and buy a big bag of bird seed. One catalog had a bird house covered in seeds. After the seeds are gone, you can slather it with peanut butter and coat with more seeds. Kinda cute. I am glad we have lots of thick evergreens to help protect the birds. The also congregate on our deck close to the patio doors. Due to lack of insulation, I am sure heat is escaping to the outdoors. Oh well. Keeps them a little warmer!

Brenda, DH is out of town? How long? Will the mice play, LOL?

Rachel . . . we are missing you!

Donna, you are probably busy, busy, busy painting your heart out. And how did your DGD's play go? We would love to see some pictures!

Yesterday I planned on making a quick trip to the store and start my Christmas Baking. I have about 10 to 12 different cookies and candies on the list to make. Some high octane, others LC. The quick trip ended up being three hours. I wanted to grab a few more Icicle Lights. Both stores I went to only had the white wires. Had to go out of the way to find the green wires. As long as I was near another store I wanted to go to, decided to do a little shopping. Upshot was came back home tired and only finished one recipe and did not get the outside lights up. That's today. It's darn cold out there!

Oh, Peg, the Saturday job I mentioned is going to be put off to the first Sat. in January. Early enough to get the $$ in to pay bills, but won't wreck my Christmas Schedule.

Yikes. The Chiefs have a nasty game today against Denver. This is really a must-win game. They slaughtered us when we played in Denver. This time it's played in KC. GO CHIEFS!

Gotta run. Have a wonderful day!

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

All this talk about Pumpkin Thingies! Somebody please post that thread! I'm feeling all pumpkin-y. Also--does anyone have a favorite recipe for muffins (or cookies) using pecan meal? I bought a bag from Henry at our LC dinner, and haven't got around to making anything with it yet.

The Journey is behind us for another year. As often happens, I've already forgotten the "birth pangs" and started thinking about next time. The faces of the little children--and the fun, really, of making it happen--stick in my mind more than the worry about how we're going to get it all done.

Today I'll turn my thoughts to the class I'm teaching in January. Talk about procrastination! I've got eight 4-hour sessions to fill, on the subject of the origins of the English language. This is for the Baker U. Master of Liberal Arts program where I'm on the adjunct faculty. I have to reinvent this wheel every time I do it, and it's way past time to get started.

Judy, I know that professional educators have a big bag o' tricks. Still, the idea of teaching and encouraging students on a daily basis is daunting. I admire you greatly. This morning, I'm "teaching" (actually facilitating) my regular adult Sunday School class. The internet is such a great resource--and always available. I learn just enough to sound like I've done my homework. Still, the people in the class are smart and articulate, and we always have a rewarding discussion.

Yesterday, I spent the day in a very relaxed way. I watched one of my favorite "Christmas" movies--Love Actually--while I addressed cards. DH acquired a large collection of old U. S. postage at a bargain price, which included many Christmas stamps in small denominations. So we used those in multiples for our cards this year. Very colorful.

Back later. Stay warm--or keep cool, depending on your location!

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Barb, find the Pumpkin Thingy Recipe and all the related talk here:

http://www.lowcarbeating.com/bb/showthread.php?t=14548

As for muffins, my all-time favorite is Donna's Zucchini Muffin recipe. I just made a batch yesterday and added some chopped pecans. Delicious! I am going to include these in my Christmas Cookie/Candy gift boxes.

Here's the recipe:

Preheat oven to 350.

1 cup Atkins Bake Mix (I have used Atkins, Bob's Red Mill Low Carb Bake Mix, which is slightly higher in carbs, and MiniCarb Bake Mix, which states 0 carbs. I got both the bake mixes at Netrition, but I am sure you can find the Bob's Red Mill Low Carb Bake Mix at Wild Oats or Whole Foods . . . . no real noticeable difference.
1 cup finely ground almonds (I also used some of Henry's pecan meal in one recipe. Can't really comment on difference because I left them in the oven too long. BUT, I am eating them and they still taste good! I have a hunch the pecan meal may make the muffins a little heavier, but still GOOD.
1.5 cups Splenda Pourable (the kind in the big bag).
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
.5 tsp. baking powder (HALF teaspoon)

Mix all the above in a large bowl. I use a whisk to really get all the ingredients combined.

In another bowl, mix together:

1 cup oil
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 medium zucchini, peeled and grated. (I shred mine instead of grating. You would think there would be long threads of zucchini in the muffins, but the zucchini must melt or something 'cause there is no evidence of a zucchini being in there!)

Add the zucchini mixture to the dry mixture and mix well. I also added:
1 cup chopped pecans. (This is not part of the original recipe.)

Pour batter into greased muffin (cupcake) tins. I use the cupcake papers and spray those with Pam just because I'm lazy and don't want to wash the muffin pan. Makes about 18 cupcake-size muffins, depending how full you fill the cups.

Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes. Do the toothpick thingy to check if done.

Net carbs 3.5 per muffin.

Barb, these are good cold without any butter, and delicious warm with butter. Donna also mentions they can be frozen. They go too fast in my house because Bob loves them, too.

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

Quick fly-by. Just posting before getting ready for church. We are going to try a UCC church here.

Alida; I have a lot of pics for you all to see. Just haven't remembered to download them to the laptop. I'll do that soon. Thanks for the reminder.

It's interesting for us to consider what to do on these empty days. We love it, but it is a challlenge.

Alida: We have 6 kids between us. DH has 4: 2 daughters and 2 sons. I have two daughters. I should refer to my steps as "DSS" (Dear Stepson 1 or 2) and "DSD1" or "2" (Dear Step-Daughter). So, here goes: DSS1 and his wife (hereinafter called DIL, because we only have one) live in Tacoma, WA; DSS2 lives in Rancho Mirage, CA (only about an hour from us); DSD1 lives in Indian Wells, CA (an hour away, and close to DSS1); DSS2 lives in Lake Havasu, AZ (about 4 hours from here); and then there are my DD's who live in Dallas and Pasadena (about an hour and a half from here). So, there you go! Now there will be an exam on this............so take notes. You can see why we picked Redlands. It is former home (where I raised my kids and where I met and married DH) and it is pretty central to four of our kids.

Which brings me to a little rub. DSD1 and I always clash just a little. She has a need to compete with me for her father's attention. I don't really care, I have him all the time. But, she is a little more frank than I feel comfortable with. Yesterday (she and DSS2 came for lunch) she began planning our next three weeks and Christmas. Yikes! We do have my DD3 in Pasadena. She has my three DGK's. Our family has never blended, really. DH does not tell her no. I do. It's uncomfortable because she always has a reason why she should be right. I talked to DH about it, but he doesn't see it. (Sigh) Oh well, I'll figure it out, I suspect. It will be one of the issues that we will need to settle when we move here. I'm not being very clear, I suspect. Keep remembering that we are on the Internet, and I don't want to say too much. Though, I don't think that any of them come to this site.

Well, enough of this tome for today.

Good to see you Alida. What are the rest of you doing today? I know that you, Barb, must be worn out. I'll bet that you will be resting this afternoon.

Peace, Peg

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young

Oh, Barb, BTW . . . what IS the origin of the English language???? Saxon? German? Latin? I'd imagine a blend of all the above. Hmm. What did the Anglos speak before the Saxon invasion? Or do I have my history all mixed up?

Back in college, I do remember reading Beowulf in Old English. And some of the Bard in Elizabethan English. Oh, yeah, some Chaucer, too. Glad I don't have to do that anymore!

Peg, Thanks for Family Relationships 101. A test? Yikes! I'd better print it out and memorize it. But Redlands does seem to be the perfect place to retire. So close. Even DD(3?) in Dallas is closer now.

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

Barb (and everyone else), here's what I think will be my final version of the Pumpkin Muffin Thingy. I appreciate Vickie's initial thoughts from which I developed my recipe.

For approximately 4 custard cup sized muffins:

1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup flaxmeal
2 eggs
1/2 t. baking soda
sweetner, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger to taste. I just dump in a healthy dose of each. I've been using pourable Splenda, and I suspect that I use a scant 1/4 for the recipe.
pecans
cream cheese (just before baking)

Mix batter, add in pecans. Place batter in a small custard cup filled about 1/2 full. Just before baking, add a few small pieces of cream cheese. Poke the cream cheese down into the batter and smooth out the muffin top. Microwave 1.5 minutes. The remaining batter can be stored for a few days. The muffins are better cooked as needed.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

I see Pumpkin Thingies in my future! Thanks for the recipes, Alida and Judy.

Yes, I'm resting today. I have my laptop in the living room, with a fire in the fireplace, a copy of Monkeewrench from the library (off to a great start), and DH switching channels between the Chiefs game and the ice skating competition from Russia. We both like the ice skating better, but the Chiefs haven't actually thrown it away yet.

Tonight there's a rerun of the American Girl movie, which I didn't succeed in taping while I was out last Tuesday, so I'll watch that.

Alida, in answer to your question: all the above, and more besides. We speak more Danish than you'd ever guess. We use Bill Bryson's book The Mother Tongue for a text. It's a fun read, so if you have a casual interest in the subject, pick it up at the library.

Okay. Denver didn't complete their Hail Mary, and the Chiefs won the game. A lot of cold, cold fans just got a lot warmer. I'm signing off now.

Everyone have a healthy week. Take time for yourselves, and enjoy all that's good and peaceful and loving in the season.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Oh, that is one of my very favorites, too! It's in my Netflix queue for later in the month. Funny story: Last year, I was visiting a friend and we were both saying how we like Emma Thompson movies. When we got to Love Actually, we said, in the same breath:

(me, effusively) "OOOOHH, I ~LOVE~ that movie!!"
(her, with great distate) "It was the filthiest thing I've ever seen!!"

And, we just looked at each other in amazement. I thought we might be talking about two different movies, but nope - we compared plots and it was the same! She said couldn't even finish watching it, and she was very glad her DH was away on a business trip at the time. I couldn't even think why she would feel that way until I watched it again and saw the movie extras scenes. Ah... it dawned on me that she was embarrased by the movie extras' "postures". I guess she thinks I'm a bit depraved now. Well, in retrospect - it's no 'White Christmas' and I wouldn't show it to kids. But it's funny and touching and has a slew of my favorite actors and actresses. Despite the risque scenes, it remains my very favorite Christmas movie. I wonder if there's a cleaned up airline movie version yet?

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Busy day here.......

but now, three things I gotta try:

Donna's Zucchini Muffins
Judy's Version of Pumpkin Thingie
Love Actually

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Hello all!!

I was a bit hesitant to come back home to you all - realizing I had missed such a huge chunk of your lives this fall... I've read some but have to admit that you are such an active (wonderful) group that I couldn't possibly address everyone!

DH and I have a very productive week in Washington DC visiting various and sundry companies to let them know that we two are available to work (me immediately, and he in June after this contract ends). I had a lot of surprising meetings with companies I always wanted to work with/for. Since being out of the (serious) loop for a number of years on the IVF stuff, I didn't realize that I have an actual specialty and that there are lots of companies out there who would really like to work with me!

So while we are arriving on the plane from Amsterdam, DH's mother goes into the hospital for emergency surgery (perforate bowel - colostomy). We don't know it until one of his sister's tracks us down a day later. DH can't fly out immediately because he must have these meetings - but he leaves for WA state the minute his last interview is over. I head back home to my folks in NJ and we are separated for the last ten days of the break. I spent that time furiously finishing the one nephews quilt (the front I showed you all in pics) and got the other's way started. Plus a lot of running around and on the phone to insurance companies and whatnot (stuff I can't do on the phone from Tbilisi).

But my poor, poor guy, after days of dealing with doctors, lawyers, and two sisters who cannot be in the same room, let alone state with each other, he watched his mom deteriorate. She was stable however after ten days or so and the doctors predicted she'd move onto the in-patient rehab part of the hospital so he felt he could leave her. So he flew in on the red eye overnight from Seattle on Friday after Thanksgiving (arriving NJ on Sat am), flew out of NJ 6 hours later to Amsterdam arriving Sunday morning, then flew from AMS to Tbilisi on Sunday night arriving Monday morning and WORKING Monday morning.

His mom is NOT doing well - no septecemia (sp?) but she had some heart failure during the operation, and has leukemia anyway so the antibiotics they are giving her have to be very regulated. She is, after almost a month since the surgery, very weak, and just not getting better, it is troubling for DH to be on the phone with her and with the (rational) sister who is there and can tell it like it is. They have done xrays to see if there is more blockage (what they suspected) but nothing. Basically, her intestines are not starting to work again and this is not good.

<<sigh>> Sorry, but that's been the big concern on the list... not to mention getting off a plane and having to plan and provide a dinner party on Tuesday, host the chorale on Wednesday, attend a Bazaar meeting on Thursday, and perform on Friday (two venues, one with the US Ambassador)... the AmCHam Ball on Saturday and a brunch on Sunday. Today is monday and I'm wiped - and I have another Bazaar meeting today, and a folk music practice tonight...

My weight is high, not terrible - about 146-147 - but it has been impossible to control eating. I haven't been crazy - but not lo-carb.. my days are so nuts I find I am catching as catch can - never good for the weight - and not exercising. I was walking with my mom, but haven't this week back in TBS... <<sigh>> again...

I have missed you all and hope you are all doing well and enjoying the pre-holiday spirit! It is in the 60s here during the day - tough to get into Christmas without at least a little chill in the air!!

much love to you all!! - Rachel

__________________
Hugs, Rachel



Quien canta, sus males espanta... ("She who sings frightens away her ills") Miguel de Cervantes

Rachel, thank you for finding a few minutes to bring us up to date. Your life is incredibly complicated. So, so sorry about your MIL. It's hard being at such a distance, but there wouldn't be a lot to do on the spot either. You'll just have to trust in (1)medicine and (2)destiny. The body and mind have a way of working out their own plan. Take care of DH, and you.

Teel, Yes,Love Actually is a very raunchy movie. What kind of film genius could turn a couple of porn stand-ins into the cutest, most innocent couple in the whole movie? It may be a strange choice for a favorite Christmas flick. And yet, it is so tender, in touch with reality (in its way), and sweet. Really proves that love prevails in a way that treacly stuff like It's a Wonderful Life never do for me. And the music is great--oldies that fill me with nostalgia. But others be warned: this one is NOT for the kiddies. You'll never be able to answer the questions they could ask!

Off to my own wonderful life this morning. Everyone be well.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Oh Rachel.......((((HUGS!!)))

Never be afraid to come back to us. And thanks for taking time out to let us know what has happened in your life. Take care of yourselves!

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Good Morning!

Rachel: Welcome back to your Internet Home. We have all missed you! I am so sorry to hear about your MIL. Barb said it well. It must be very difficult for your husband to be so far away from his Mom at this time. But she is in good hands and his sister is there. Prayers ascending that she will be comfortable.

Your trip sounded very hectic, tense and productive. Rachel, that is fantastic! But will one of those companies have work available in the same country as your DH's next job? And how did his meetings go? Were there some nibbles for him?

Nuts on the eating. You have too much on your plate right now. Just do what you can and rest easy knowing good old Dr. A has an Induction Plan for you to follow once things settle down. We are all here for you! XXOO

Nuts on addressing each of us individually, too! Besides, much of it is just chatter, as you know!

Barb & Teel: Well, now you both have me wondering about that movie! Wonder if it's on Pay-Per-View? Can I at least watch it with my husband?

"The Mother Tongue" sounds fascinating! I'll check the library catalog. Danish? Interesting.

LOL about flipping between ice skating & the Chief's game! We finished the outside lights (Brrrrr!) before the game, and during the game I did some fine-tuning of the inside decorations, keeping an ear on the volume level of the crowd at the stadium. One can actually follow a game and know what's happening jus by listening to the crowd! Bob would yell "TOUCHDOWN!" and I'd run in to see the replay. Worked for me. Hard to believe we won the game, though. I kept saying prayers to St. Jude. (For those who don't know, St. Jude is the Patron Saint of Lost Causes!)

Enjoy Monkeewrench. Let us know if you guess the culprit . . . .

Judy: Thank you for your version of the Pumpkin Thingy. Sounds delicious! Bob's doing a store run today and I'll put pumpkin on the list. Gotta remember to specify NOT pie filling.

Oh, Peg, I did order a portable Communion Set for Mark's ordination. Thank you for the suggestion. Ordination is this Sunday. They will be doing the Ordination and the Installation on the same day. Thank goodness!

Peace and love to all. Gotta run and do some more 'net shopping!

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

My friend (also named Barb) lives on a hilllside, and wants to put in a new stairway from the street above coming down to the driveway. This weekend, I helped her with the planning by making some mock-ups in Photoshop. She took pics of the existing stairway and then we "harvested" some pictures of stone stairways she liked from the Internet. She sketched the pathway she wanted and I "removed" the old staircase and built two alternate stairways - one with landings and one without*. She was totally blown away, so I felt great about helping her.

This week, cans of pumpin were on sale at a couple of my local grocery stores (post-TDay, I guess). So, I stocked up. Funny thing is, the cats really seem to like the pumpkin. They were circling my feet with the "feed me" look, so both got a teaspoon or two and ate it happily. After making the big pumpkin cakes, I had quite a bit of pumpkin left in the can. So, following a tip in the cooking forum) I made a double batch of pumpkin thingy (v.Judy) to hold in the refrigerator. I use it as needed to make single-serving muffins.

Alida, as for watching Love Actually with your husband, why not? My DH wasn't too keen on it, but then he prefers those violent action movies. You can read the user reviews to see if you think your DH would like it: IMDB: Love Actually

Rachel!!! Oh, my! what a time you've had in the last month! So much going on and then to come back to full-scale entertaining, performing, and planning meetings. Whew - I felt dizzy just reading about your schedules! I can only imagine how difficult it must be for DH to cope with his mother's illness, particularly when other family relations are "difficult". I hope she is more comfortable by now and that you get better news soon.

Peg, somehow, I didn't realize that you and Bob have so many kids between you! And how nice that most of them are so close to where you're staying this winter. I'm sure your holiday schedule will be a bit "complex" with all the juggling, having so many nearby families nearby. But, what a fun kind of problem, eh?

Shelly, it sounds like DGS is taking full advantage of his time with his nonnie! What a great time for you both! I hope we'll be seeing some pics from the visit.

Donna, it sounds like your house is really coming along now. Do you think you'll put off the floors until after Christmas? That's what we decided to do. It just wasn't working out to get it done before the holiday. Just as well - less hectic, and no worries about the three stand leaving marks or overflowing on new flooring. What a relief it will be to have it all done, and then enjoy the new decor!

Everyone, hope you all have a great week ahead of you!

~~~tlb

* If you want to see the before-after, I put up a much reduced version at Barbs-B4-After-sm.jpg . A lot of the detail is lost due to reduction and compression, but I think the idea shows. The top row shows the source pictures and the bottom row shoes the results.

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Fly-by......I'll be back later to post.

Welcome home, Rachel (((((((((((((hugs to you and DH))))). So sorry to hear about his Mom. It can be so worrisome to be so far away and know that the prognosis is not good. I am praying for you all.

Off to get the car fixed this aft. Heat didn't work over the weekend. We got down to the 30's in the night. I'm not complaining, really. The sun is out. The mountains are "out." All is right with the world.

Back later.....
Peg

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young