South Beach Diet - The Weekend Beach Chat

Happy Saturday, Chickies!

I'm enjoying my hot coffee on this frosty morning before heading out for groceries. We're taking the grandchildren to a Christmas party later today, and baking cookies and probably making our gingerbread houses afterwards. I should probably buy a big jar of pickles to nibble on so I won't be tempted by the sweets!

ZEFF, if you can't find fishing line for your garland, try dental floss!

Good morning! I see Cottage's egg is lit so she'll probably beat me at being first to post! We do lead lives of simple pleasures! :lol:

The back deck looks dusted with icing sugar this morning and we are expecting snow over the next week so I guess winter is officially here despite the calendar date. I am going to try very hard not to grumble about the weather this year.

Last evening my neighbours were in for a glass of wine and to see the wee pup who just charmed them. They brought along their crabby little Yorkie who was very intimidated by my two and their constant play invitations. Poor little guy came from a puppy mill and is a canine curmudgeon. I hate puppy mills and their owners should be sent to jail! OK - off the :soap: !

Today will be a quiet day - no "musts" except a cake for Church and the niggles are just going to wait. I have a new sewing machine that I bought in August and we are just now getting acquainted. I thought we'd spend some quality time together. :lol:

I hope your Saturday is as relaxed and peaceful as mine is going to be. :cofdate:

:wave: Smarty Pants! :hug:

Good Saturday Morning everyone! Grab a cup of coffee, and a chair, and tell us whats on your mind today! :cofdate:

The past week I've been exhausted so have not had the energy at night to clean, so today will be catching up on that, going shopping and walking dogs. I know, I live a most exciting life. I am buying tickets for my sis and niece to see the nutcracker either today or tomorrow. She hasn't answered which day she wants to go. Cody was five days accident free yesterday, till my son forgot to take him outside and he went inside. Not sure if letting Joe help helps or not! lol

So whats on your agenda?

RUTH, :devil: That's a shame about your friend's puppy. Have you heard of New Holland, PA? It's been in the news as the "puppy mill capital" of PA, and not too far from us. Thankfully, authorities have been cracking down and shutting those places down. Very, very tragic though.

Morning!

Linda I am going to get the girls a gingerbread house to assemble this year. They had so much fun with it last year. I have got to drag some Christmas stuff out of the attic today.

Ruth Yeah! Sounds like the perfect day for you. :hug:

Loriann My older daughter calls it the "Knuckle Cracker"-it makes me laugh so hard every time she says it.

Abigail wound up sick and at the doctor yesterday. The were worried that she might have had pnemonia, but fortunately it is just a virus. This has been a strange week for my normally healthy girlies. :?:

I have stayed 100% on plan since Monday and am feeling great. I worked out everyday with the expection of yesterday. Today's plan is to hit the gym, then home for cleaning and possibly putting up the tree. We have a family Christmas party this evening, we will probably only go for a bit pending how the girls feel.

Have a super day all!

Good morning Chicks :coffee2:

Cottage Sounds like a lovely family day :) Dental floss is great. Years ago when I wanted to learn to work with seed beads I used dental floss!

Ruth - A new sewing machine sounds like fun - hope you two enjoy your special time together ;)

Lori - Cleaning seems to be on my list every weekend too. Congrats to you and Cody.

Kiko- Hope the girls are back to themselves this weekend for all the family fun.

I'm off in a few to the co-op and winter farmer's market. I'm hoping for spinach and pears! I just put a pot of soup with the Bob's Red Mill bean soup mix in the crockpot for dinner. I'm not always fond of the mixes but this one looked good. Yesterday I found really cheap cranberry beans so need to investigate recipes to use them in. Other than errands it's the usual weekend list - chores, chores & exercise. We do have King Fu Panda for later so that should be fun :)

Have a good weekend day all

Good morning ladies...I am a return to this group...today will be the same for me as for all of you...chores with a few fun things....I have m y work holiday party this evening and I am looking forward to that. I should clean too, but that is always on the bottom of the list. I do look forward to taking a nap (if Ican sneak it in) before I go out later....the sun shines in my room on my bed and I stretch out like a cat in the puddle of sun and snooze. I try to imagine I am on the beach somewhere....my eating has been so far off of south beach that I must be off in the northern mountains somewhere. I am hoping you ladies inspire me to head back to the water....wishing you all a great day!!!! - Suzyq

Good morning! What a weekend we have planned! We are off to see Santa this afternoon, then a few hours visiting with my parents. My mom wanted to make some Christmas cookies!! EEK! I ate too many last night! I need to resist today. I haven't worked out all week and I feel like a slacker!
Tomorrow we are going to a Santa breakfast. Somehow I need to squeeze in 10 hours of work this weekend. Working from home during the holiday season is too tough!! I can't play catch up on weekends as easily!
Woke to 2 inches of snow on the ground today. VERY cold out there too! :snowglo:
Enjoy your day.

Good morning Chickies,

Cottage- sounds like you are going to have a fun day today

Ruth - hope you two enjoy your special time together

Lori - Cleaning is on my agenda for today as well.

Kiko- Hope you have a good weekend. Good for you staying onplan.

Cyndi- I still haven't seen Kung Fu Panda but it is on my list to see.

Suzy- welcome back to the group.

Jenskihere- Wow you have a busy weekend planned have fun.

Well, had no dsl last night or this morning until the AT&T repairman came but we are up and running again- don't realize how depend you are now on the internet until it is gone. LOL But I did get my morning workout in already so was happy about that.

OMG- I just caught the Kitten going up the middle of the Christmas- had to pull him out of the middle of the tree. Great he just did again- he is laying on the branches, you ever heard of that. I have DD2 trying to distract him.

Have a great day off to clean the house.

Oh my....I just woke up...DH left early this morning for the LSAT and DS woke up and fell back asleep in our bed shortly after. After DH left, I figured I would join DS...boy, did we sleep late! I guess our bodies really needed the rest from being sick!

We got our tree in the stand and ready to be decorated. I need a new tree skirt, the one I have is too small and looks silly with the big tree.

I guess on to my daily tasks until I hear from DH. I have a load of laundry to do, dishes and just some general decluttering around the house. It's amazing how quickly the house gets cluttered when you have children.

ETA: I'm so sick of having a sick kid! Snotty noses...eew.

Pearl - We have a white teacup hook attached to the ceiling above our tree and we fasten the top of the tree to the hook. It's stopped the tree from getting knocked over by cats climbing it. I don't thinki our two tend to do it much but the last ones we had sure did. The bottom branches are bent down because they loved to lay on them.

Kiko - Sorry to hear Abigail has been sick. Hopefully she will be back to normal soon. The gingerbread house sounds like fun.

Hi to everyone else. I'm out of time as usual again.

I designed our Christmas newsletter but it looks like I need to go get a new color cartridge. I didn't mention the divorce but just included pictures and news from Brian and I. I think I'm going to pick Brian up a sautering iron for Christmas. I ordered his large origami paper yesterday. Today we need to get the last of the decorations up.

Pearl, too funny about the cat up the tree..hhmmm, bring in a natural climbing device and expect him not to climb? :scratchhead:

OK... after a month of Chicken Soup for the dog lover's soul, Jade's had nothing but flakes, her fur is not as nice as it used to be and Cody's been itching! So, I am going to try Taste of the Wild... it's formulated for all life stages so I need only buy one bag. reviews, consumers are saying their dogs like the taste... here's crossing my fingers!

now off to figure out my menu plan for the week!

Pearl, my daughter had problems with her cats in her tree until she started scattering strips of orange and lemon peelings around the base of the tree. Something about the citrus scent keeps the kitties away.

Kiko, thank goodness Abby didn't have pneumonia! I hope both the girls are well enough to enjoy the party and decorating the tree. We always use the gingerbread house kits, too. They have everything you need and look just as nice as the ones made from scratch. I'll be thinking of you and your girls as we're working on ours!

Big puffy and fluffy snow is falling! I went out to get some Skor pieces for the cake, decided the roads were too bad to drive to the next town so changed my recipe, got dragged into the diner for lunch (half a quesadilla) and am now home to two very excited dogs. This is their first major snowfall and they are very excited! Jazz seems to think he needs to eat it all.

Can you smell sour cream coffee cake with pecans and cranberries? Definitely food porn!

Good news about Abby, Kiko. Cottage, I've often been tempted by those gingerbread kits - they sure save a lot of work! Barb, sounds like you are doing exactly the right thing for your Christmas letter. Zeph, sorry about the sickies - wanna trade lives and be nearly 70 for a while?

:wave: to the rest of the Beachers. Now I am going to go and bond with my new sewing machine for a while. Maybe we'll have a nap together.

Don't tempt me, Ruthie ;)

Still haven't heard from DH....worried....

Hopefully everyone is getting their chores done.

Ruth - I love bonding with my toys. Find that when I read the manuals it really helps. Ruth 70 is today's 50.

The traffic is horrendous here today and its snowing. I have spent some time cleaning up and put supper in the crockpot. I love my crockpot for days like today. Eating hasn't been great today, what is it about weekends?
Enjoy your evening ladies.
Sophie

Thanks for the suggestions, I am going to try putting orange peels around the base and see what happens.

Got all the cleaning done and DD2 is back from birthday party as well. DH is taking a couple friends of ours to Hockey game tonight, DS is working and DD1 has a soccer game tonight super late, so DD2 and I are going to relax at home. Going to try and get the Christmas Letter made up as well and maybe wrap some presents as well.

Pearl, too funny about the cat up the tree..hhmmm, bring in a natural climbing device and expect him not to climb? :scratchhead:

OK... after a month of Chicken Soup for the dog lover's soul, Jade's had nothing but flakes, her fur is not as nice as it used to be and Cody's been itching! So, I am going to try Taste of the Wild... it's formulated for all life stages so I need only buy one bag. reviews, consumers are saying their dogs like the taste... here's crossing my fingers!

now off to figure out my menu plan for the week!

That's too bad about your dog not doing well on Chicken Soup! My two girls are thriving on it! Beautiful shiny coats and no itches. We also put fish oil on their food, so that might help. Taste of the Wild is supposed to be a really awesome food though, good luck!

As for me, all I'm doing today is studying for finals and writing papers..bleh! Taking a time out from studying to read the forums. We had mock french toast and hot tea for lunch, so yummy! We are at the end of the first week of Phase 1 and I've lost about 4 pounds so far, and I'm feeling fantastic! Can't wait to tackle the next week!

I need some help, Wednesday and Thursday my fiance and I will be traveling to North Carolina for my company's Christmas party. They have rented out an Irish pub for the entire day. Everyone will be drinking. I know we can't have alcohol on Phase 1, so I'm afraid we're going to be miserable while all my coworkers are drinking and having fun. Are there any options for us? Or are we stuck drinking water all evening?

Our visit with Santa was so cute today! A friend of mine hosts an open house each year. Her FIL dresses as Santa and sits in front of the fireplace. We get to take our time, talk to Santa and take pictures. DD asked for a pony!! What!??! How about the stash of toys I have carefully hidden away, I was hoping to hear about one of those toys! DS did the same thing, pulled out ideas that I have never heard of! Being the smart cookie that I am, I suggested a few of the things I already got. I'll pick up some small "pony" toy as a gift for DD now!
We didn't end up making cookies today at my mom's house. We did decorate gingerbread cookies from a kit she bought. I wouldn't recommend it. We didn't use any of the candy that came with it, it was rock hard. We didn't use the frosting it came with, it was too much work to drag out the mixer. We used a can my mom had in the pantry. So basically we used the gingerbread men, and half were broken! Oh well, they had fun. Doubt they'll eat them though, they are too hard.
I am now settled in front of the computer, coffee in hand, trying to hammer out at least 3 hours of work. I better get to it!

PrincessH, you can have a glass or two of wine on SBD.

Our forecasted flurries turned into a beautiful Currier & Ives landscape. It's especially pretty with the glow from all the Christmas lights up and down the street.

If you have little kids... you are probably getting the same question I am over and over... "HOW MANY DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS?!?!"
I found this cute advent calendar online, thought I would share.
Your little one can color Santa's face. Each day add a cotton ball for his beard...
Here is the link:
http://crafts.kaboose.com/santa.pdf

Jen,
The advent calendar is adorable. This will really be something that DS will get into.

Finished the tree tonight. It's so great!! I need to get some ribbon though, it needs a little something else.

I've been having some odd contractions today...I hope this isn't signaling anything - we still have too much to do!

Zeff - did you go early with DS #1? You have a C Section scheduled, right?

Sunday morning coffee is ready! It's a winter wonderland out there with another three inches of snow that fell overnight. I think I am going to have to keep the deck shovelled off better this winter because the current Doggage have much shorter legs than the Porties. Anyhow, more snow is on the way for every day this week. I love it! If it's going to be Winter, I want snow instead of plain old cold with grey and brown frozen earth.

It's The Hanging of The Greens at Church this morning. I hope my coffee cake is OK. It looks a bit dry but may be fine when it's cut. I'm taking along some butter just in case. I used a recipe from 1960 and my tastes may have changed.

Another old recipe will be revisited today when I make my lamb and rice pilaf. I'll be using brown rice, of course - something we didn't even know about in 1960! Can you tell I've been going through old recipes - and pitching loads of them! Most of them are food porn anyhow.

Today, after Church, will be another "at home" day. I want to make a pot of evergreens for the side step and will venture out to the woods to cut branches. I couldn't do that last year because of my knee. If I get really brave, I'll go to the swamp to cut some winterberry. Yes, I take my cell phone just in case so don't worry. I think the bears are asleep by now and our wolves usually sleep in the daytime.

I hope your Sunday has some quiet moments just for you.

:coffee2: Good morning!

It's cold and windy, looking out over the snow covered yard. Brrrrrrrr! I think we may just stay home this morning, rather than having breakfast with the gang. Jake made some really tasty coffee, maybe Ruth can cyber-send us some of that cranberry pecan coffee cake to go with it. :D

I'm not sure what today's agenda will be. Monica and the girls didn't come out yesterday because of the weather, so may be out today. It will most likely be a full house with everyone here. :dizzy:

I'd better get another cup of that coffee before Jake drinks it all!

Good Morning. I have my coffee and am researching how to transfer cell number to my new cell phone. I've had the old cell for 6 years, time to upgrade! The new phone also takes pictures! I don't use my phone alot, hence why I am on tracfone. And the new one comes with double minutes for life.

I am going to be giving the dogs a bath today because I picked up the revolution meds. I also picked up some meds for Jade's ears yesterday. She's still got some yeast in them. I switched them over to taste of wild yesterday, hoping they do well on it. they seem to like the taste, so that's a plus.

Good morning Chicks :coffee2:

Ruth - Do you really have wolves?? Now I have to visit ;) When I was a kid we used to go into the "swamp" for our tree. Every year at least one of us would go through the ice into the river and get soaked (always along the shore so just legs). Got to the point we refused to go down there anymore! I hope your adventure is a drier.

Cottage - Just the slightest dusting of snow here but there's more to come. Hope you have a warm, cozy family day today.

Lori- Good luck with the food. Of course there will be puppy pics when you have the new phone?!

Zeff - How are you this morning??

Not much around here today, just chores from home. Have a warm, snuggly day out there :)

Good morning ladies...had our first bit of snow in Rhode Island and I didn't go out and the custormary bread and milk yesterday (could have used eggs too). I finally gave in and placed an order through Peapod...a home delivery via one of the supermarkets here (Stop and Shop). I actually spend less than I usually do,bought sensible (mostly) things, including 5 cases of water that I don't have to carry...delivery is tomorrow between 5-7 PM....I can't wait to see what it feels like to get groceries without having to shop in the store, load and unload the car and carry them up the stairs...

We now have a Trader Joes in Rhode Island so that has been fun also. My school holiday party last night was moderately attended and fun. We had it at someones house and everyone brought a dish. With the economy and a large young staff, I didn't think folks would want to go to a "place" and spend upwards of $25 a person or something. So we had our own food and fun....
I am hoping for a quiet day, I have been fighting a cold and cough since Thanksgiving and seem to be so tired. I know my daughter is going to ask to take my SUV today and I really wish she would stay home!!! Always something to disagree over with an almost 10 year old female who so wants to be all grown up.
I hope you all have the kind of day you would like to and may it be a wonderful one...happy to be back with you wonderful women - Suzyq
(now if I can get back with some wonderful diet!!!)

Morning girls. It must have been a false alarm last night. DH and I went for a quick walk and everything kind of calmed down.

I was very late with DS1, but who knows with this one. I have a c-section scheduled.

Today, I'm planning to make some dough for cookies that needs to be chilled. I wanted to go to a movie, but DH wants to watch football at noon. I also want to get a few things done around the house if I can peel DH away from the TV long enough to get some help.

I hate that Sundays are our day to do work, but there is also a huge chunk of time that I can't expect any attention to be paid because football is on. Oy.

Time for late breakfast!

Brrrr! It's pretty out there but a wind has come up and it's bitter with blowing snow. I am going to hold off on going into the woods. And yes, Cyndi, we do have wolves and coyotes.

Happy Sunday!! We went and had breakfast with Santa this morning. The kids played some games, made a Christmas card and played in the jumpy. Nice way to start out a cold Sunday morning! I have a few hours left to squeeze in for work today. Other than that, laundry, cleaning up and we are going to try to watch Fred Clause. Staying indoors and enjoying one of the free Sundays we have this month!! I may try to squeeze in a trip to the gym, but that is pushing it! :-)