Oh, I just love pussy willows, don’t you? I’d really like to go out in search of a nice big bunch this weekend, but alas, rain is predicted yet again. Not snow, I know, I know, but a bit on the depressing side all the same. DH will be gone all day Saturday; he’s giving a workshop up in Manchester, NH, and I am thrilled. Oh, sure, he’ll make a dollar or two, but far more important is the fact that I shall have eight (and possibly more) glorious hours to myself!

Okay, it’s Sunday already…wherever did yesterday go, anyway? Well, I went out running about with DD3, who needed another piece of luggage for their California trip, and bought her some jeans and capris and tops to have to wear out there. She bought ME a pair of jeans for my birthday (which is next Saturday, and she’ll be out in L.A. with her brother) which cost more than I would typically pay (because I’m really not a jeans kinda gal - I just haven’t had too many pairs in recent years that have fit all that comfortably or looked all that good, so I’ll pay whatever they cost to get a good pair for my daughters, knowing that they wear them far more than I do) BUT I do have to say that these particular jeans really do fit well, feel comfortable, and look pretty decent on. I’ve been dragging my heels on size twelves, feeling like the clothing that I’ve bought in size twelve was just “cut large” or ran big or something. I haven’t felt like I was genuinely a size twelve, but I guess I must be, because the jeans are size twelve and fit perfectly. Of course, if my “healthy eating plan” is successful, these will be too big in another month or so, but that’s fine, too. I just don’t like to spend a LOT of money on clothes that are going to be too big soon, which is why I shop the sales at Kohl’s the way I do.

Well, anyway, DD3 and I ran about yesterday, tried three different places for luggage for her, and finally ended up with a really nice black medium-sized Pierre cardin bag with rollers and telescope handle for only $44!!!!! My mantra…”You just have to keep looking until you get the deal you want!!!

Then last night we had chinese food with DD2 and watched a movie at her house. I just had some shrimp chop suey minus the msg. Exercised admirable restraint, considering that there a was a big tray of <gulp> sesame chicken, which is one of my favorites, but hardly diet-friendly.

Today, DH & I went to a flea market a few towns over and I fell in love with some jewelry….there was an antique jewelry dealer who had some of the most amazing pieces - the kind of large and chunky stuff that I love wearing with with my simple summer linens. DH bought me a gorgeous neckpiece for my “non-birthday” (I’ve officially stopped having them). It has a kind of burnt rust-colored coral beads with a very large bit of silver and beadwork in the center interspersed with  dark teal-colored stones. Very big, very chunky, very striking and dramatic. We also found a terrific old white crackled vase, about 18″ tall, roundish with a curved lip that I intend to fill with dried branches and put in the foyer. We had a late lunch out - I had a chicken stir-fry that probably had a few more calories than I’d like, but the pizza last Sunday doesn’t seem to have done any real damage, so I don’t imagine the stir fry will, either. Maybe I’ll declare Sundays moratorium days, and eat what I like - within reason, of course.

After the flea market, we took the *scenic route* home past the reservoir and I spotted some pussy willow bushes way up in the midst of some underbrush and briars. I was determined to get those pussy willows, and pushed through the briars for about 20 yards or so (wearing flip-flops; where is my mind, you ask…?) a flip flop flip flopped right off at one point, but I was able to retrieve it, and got to the pussy willows, which were just awesomely lovely, and DH (who nobly shoved through the briars right behind me) helped me cut a nice big bunch (Yay!). Getting back was easier because it was downhill.

And now I have a pork roast and some potatoes in the oven which we shall eat with a nice salad in another half hour or so, and then off to bed and hopefully a good night’s sleep so that I can get up for work in the A.M. without too much grumbling.

Hope all my lovely blog-mateys have a good week - and hope those of you who are MIA will be back among us soonest.

Hugs,

Z