~~February Golden Girls~~
 

Happy February,

My Southern cousins went back home yesterday. I only gained 2.5 lbs while they were here. I actually consider that a success! Their happiest moment was when it snowed. They went outside at midnight to try to make a snowman & got up at 5 am to make snow angels (before the snow changed to rain). I took them to Philadelphia, New Hope, and Hershey in the 3 days they were here. The reunion was a success. They had the cameras, so when they send me photos, I'll post.

OK - back to reality. My sister stayed with me last night. Maybe we'll go to the gym when she wakes up. In any case, I'm back to eating right today. Tried on my Spring Pants Challenge pants this morning. Have about an inch and a half to go until they button/snap.

Lynn

Good Morning . . . :wave:

Another month -- another fresh start. :yes:

We got a little fresh snow overnight and the sun was a bit slow in showing his face this morning and has been coming and going ever since. Oh well.

Morning all...Just fast check in. Thank you for only sending chilly weather not COLD! Say that's coming later this week. Off to Home Depot to buy dirt and then to Publix for groceries. Never before moving to Florida did we buy dirt and don't mean potting soil. But just dirt. Have to keep holes filled or the rain makes pot holes and pot holes become sink holes and sink holes can eat your house......bye....Karen3

Hello all,

Happy Sunday ~ Happy February :)

Had an interesting start to my day. Opened the blinds in the family room and saw an armadillo in the back yard. I had seen them before, but never up that close. Woke my husband up to see too and got a couple pictures. Apparently it lives under our deck.

We have had fun over the years getting to see different creatures in our yard and getting pictures of them. In North Carolina we had some deer come right up in our yard (we lived in the city), and a big owl visited our trees. Also a possum was in a tree in our yard.

Up in Maine, we got to see a beaver swim by and loons on the lake. A moose came out of the woods into our yard. That was neat, but we weren't fast enough with the camera that time.

My parents lived in Ohio and came to visit us in Maine every year. Dad wanted desperatly to see a moose. We would go on drives along the roads where moose were often seen, but they never were there when we took Dad for a ride. It became a running joke about the lack of moose when dad was in Maine. Of course when that moose came in the yard, the kids had to call grandpa right up and tell him about it.

When I told my parents this morning about the armadillo, dad said he hoped to get to see it when he comes to visit, but that it would probably end up being just like the moose and he would never get to see it.

I am hopeful that I am back on the right track. Down 3 pounds. Making small changes. First thing ~ I am resisting buying snacks on the way home from work. My knees are feeling somewhat better (though after going up the front steps at my daughter's house yesterday, they are hurting again ~ thankfully not as bad as a couple weeks ago) so I am hoping to start walking for exercise again. Even if it is a little bit at a time ~ it is more than none at all

Hope you all are having a good weekend.

Take care

Hi Gayle,

Any chance you can post a pic of the armadillo?

If that were me, I'd be afraid to leave the house!

Lynn

Good Morning Everyone,

Scheduled for a blood test this morning, so I can't have my regular coffee and protein bar before the gym. Oh well, worse things have happened to nicer people.

Check back later,

Lynn

I let myself have a "freebie" meal once a week to keep from feeling deprived. So Saturday evening went for Mexican. It was good. I was bad. I behaved on Sunday. My weight is up a whole pound this morning. Gotta get back on track.

Good morning everyone, and Happy February:

Here's hoping we all reach our monthly goal! January was slow going for me; I only lost four pounds. In hopes of finding inspiration and encouragement I did join a local "Biggest Loser" type of challenge, and this will be our third week. There's fifteen of us and we each put up ten dollars. Weigh in every Monday evening, which of course this Monday will probably hurt my weight loss, as I had a slice of pizza last night during the SuperBowl game and pizza makes me retain fluids. Not to mention the cheese and pepperoni sticks to my thighs. :(

I want to re-double my exercise habits this month and try to fit in at least thirty minutes each day rather than the three times a week that I have been doing. Mostly I need to jump-start my metabolism and if anyone has any ideas that would help, please share them with me! At this time in my life I have the metabolism of a speed bump. Not good!

Have a great day, folks -

farmgirl

Good Morning . . . :grouphug:

Our resident rodent (Shubenacadie Sam) definitely saw his shadow this morning. Personally, I'm predicting about 8 to 10 more weeks of Winter since we usually get at least one good snowfall in early April. :mad:

My January weightloss was non existent. Hope I do better in February. Must get back into the Accountability Mode. :yes:

Have a good day, gang . . . :carrot:

Good Morning!
Sea...I've got something setting on my counter that keeps calling my name, Guatemalian sweet breads. There was an article about the new mall shop in the paper and I had to go check them out, I shouldn't have. These sweet breads are so delicious and I purchased two for hubby and two for me. I don't have a clue how many calories and I don't count calories on Sundays. But I only ate one yesterday, If I put it in the freezer I'll think about it all day. If I do eat it today, how many calories should I record. The lady that makes them said it doesn't have much butter or sugar in them.
Linda...It's going to be May 1st before we get rid of all our snow, I feel sorry for all the critters/deer who can't find food. We have two squirrel seats attached to a tree and those greedy squirrels eat the center out of each kernel and throw the rest away. I wish the deer would find the thrown kernels but it's probably too close the the house.
Glynn... I'd love to see the pictures too, what do they eat?
Lynn...I hate when I have my cholesterol checked, no coffee. That's worse than cleaning toilets. You have my sympathy!:hug:
Farmgal... What weight reduction plan are you on? If we know your eating pattern/life style that would help.
Hi Karen3, Karen31, Isabella, Fluffy,Lily, I know I'm missing someone?
Rats.........I shouldn't have talked about that darn sweet bread, I'm eating it. On that note I'll say goodbye.

Here are a couple pics of the armadillo

The info I read about them said they are omnivores and eat bugs, plants, fruit and vertebrates.

Lynn ~ I felt more scared of the racoons that came up on the deck. There was a mama and a couple little ones ~ the big one looked bold and scary.

Hi Gayle,

I've got a thing about insects and reptiles - are armadillos reptiles? I'd take a racoon any day. At least it's furry.

Lynn

Lynn ~ the info I read about the armadillo (on a national geographic website) said it is a mammal.

Glynne...cute little fellow!
I have a 'Maxine' desktop calendar, I see a new Maxine joke daily.
The jokes usually respond to whatever is going on nationally and today's was about groundhog day.

Maxine says: I don't care how many weeks of winter are left...I just don't want that groundhog doing his business on my lawn!

My laptop died last night but will be resurrected in about 3-4 weeks. The plug receptical for the power pack broke and the battery went dead. They don't service the computer at the shop because they send them back to the manufacturer. Fortunately, we purchased an extended warrenty on this one. I need a new screen also as the hinges have broken (for the second time) so I'll get everything done at once. The one bad thing is that it will take 3 to 4 weeks to get it back. I'm using DS's right now so I won't have use of this like my own. So if you don't hear from me for a few days at a time it's because I'm not able to get to a computer when I needed to.

Gayle, those picutres are so awesome. The closest I ever came to an armadillo was the chocolates called almondillos. :lol:

I've got to check in with fitday and a few other forums here at 3FC while I have access to this computer.

Have a great evening.

PS: Everything was making shadows today so we're doomed to more winter.

Bobbi -- Sounds delicious. I have my high meal each week a dinner out. I don't count the calories on that meal at all. Having it around the house would be a double whammy for me. If it is here, I eat it. I also get a kind of nervous about how fattening something really is. That leaves me preferring either boxed meals, with the calorie count on the pkg., or basic simple foods that I can look up. If something is fattening I want to know how much I should enjoy it! LOL. Knowing I cannot stay low cal all the time is the major reason I allow myself one cheat meal a week to avoid stressing over it. I admit I obsess; but I try not to stress. My current weight is enough stress already. Having my free day while dh is home is the easiest way to stay on track the rest of the time since I know that doing/going with him often means I get off my weekday plan. I find it is better to work with that so that I get right back OP, instead of giving up because I had two bites or a meal that is not typically diet. It really helps my attitude and I enjoy the treats I do eat all the more. It keeps me moving forward.

Stay strong, Isabella. May you be back on your own computer quickly.

I'm hanging in there. When I left my dear laptop at the shop to be shipped away I kissed it lovinly before I left. DS has left his laptop in the living room so we can use it. He has another one that he uses more often as this one is on the way out too. He even set up an account for us so we won't have to invade his stuff.

I also eat whatever I want once a week. Some days are better than others and most of those days I don't track the calories. I do, however, try to stay moderate in my indulgences but sometimes....

I was up way too late last night. I finished making the table centerpieces for DS's wedding and a bigger centerpiece for the gift table. I just have to put ribbon around the basket handles and tie bows where the handles join the basket but I don't have the ribbon yet. I have to go to the city to get that at a craft or fabric store. Can't get anything I want around here.

Must go get breakfast. Catch you when I can.

Morning all.....I wrote a long note last night and the storm ate it. Just found out that when cable goes out so does telephone and internet. Came back hours later. Worst was I saw it happening and hit save a second too late...

They say we are going get super cold tonight. Down in teens for awhile. It is dangerous for many people down here as they have no real heat source. Did that storm start up the east coast as a Nor'easter?

Had another week of just a pound loss....I can't exercise well right now. My knee is creaky and afraid to ride my bike.

Bobbi...what are sweet breads? Must tell you that growing up sweet breads back home were hog brains that you got when you butched the pig. Sauteed in a ton of butter....when I first read your note my jaw dropped for a second. The sugar finally registered.

Lynn...hope your bloodwork comes back perfect.

2 of my bridge partners are away this week and I don't have a game again until Friday. Have a bunch of odds and ends to catch up with. So off with the list...Karen3

Hi there . . . :grouphug:

Karen3...Thats sounds gross, yuk! I think there're like a Mexican Concho, that's what they look like.

Hi Sea,

I'm like you. I don't handle temptation well. This is why I've had such a tough time on vacation & when company is here. If we go out to dinner & other folks are eating good stuff, I want some too.

I do best at home where I've got total control of what I buy & what I cook & what's available.

Lynn

Hi
Everyone, It's still cold and white here. I think it snows a little every day. At least they are keeping the roads pretty clear. I know my little dog would like to be walked more, but there is so much salt on the side walks i don't like taking him out.

Gayle, First time I've seen one of those "creatures".

I don't have a cheat day. I will have a cheat day occasionally when my weight is back in line. I have gained about 5 pounds and have to take it back off! Untill then, I stay within my limits. I don't want to diet all week and mess up the weight loss with one huge cheat! Not worth it to me. I do understand that it's what keeps some ging, and that's fine. We are all different, and what ever it takes.

Lynn, I laughed at your cousins marvel over the snow. We don't quite "get" why some people are so thrilled at thing we take for granted. My niece had exchanged students at her house last summer. Her favorite thing was clouds. She would go out and stare at them for hours! She was from China and there is so much smog there that you never see the sky, so clouds and stars were new to her.

Karen3, I have TV, phone and net all together also. It went out for about an hour this morning. Hopefully we will not have a problem like lots of people in Michigan and Ky. are having with electricity.

Freda

Here's a little definition of Sweetbreads for your utter enjoyment . . . hope it doesn't make you feel differently about your little treat, Bobbi . . .

For those who feel they haven't been getting enough thymus gland or pancreas in their diets, have we got a culinary delicacy for you! Sweetbreads are the thymus glands and/or pancreas of calves, lambs and piglets under one year old. These glands are classified as offal in culinary circles, along with other parts such as gizzards and intestines. Unlike other members of the offal family, however, sweetbreads are considered a delicacy among those familiar with haute cuisine. Sweetbreads can be prepared in a number of ways, from sauteeing to deep frying, although the steps between the butcher shop and the table can be tricky and time-consuming.

There are two separate glands which fall under the category of sweetbreads, the thymus and the pancreas. The thymus gland is located in the young animal's neck and is primarily responsible for excreting protective t-cells as part of the immunity system. Thymus sweetbreads are more irregular in shape than pancreas sweetbreads, and are also considered to be less flavorful. For this reason, most thymus sweetbreads are less expensive than their pancreatic counterparts.

The pancreas varieties of sweetbreads are located near the animal's stomach, and produce insulin and other digestive enzymes. Pancreas sweetbreads are generally larger and rounder in shape than thymus sweetbreads. Between the two varieties, the pancreas sweetbreads of veal calves are the most sought after by connoisseurs.

Both the thymus and pancreas forms of sweetbreads must be properly prepared before they can be cooked. Raw sweetbreads often have a layer of fat and a sinewy outer membrane which must be peeled away first. Many professional chefs recommend soaking the sweetbreads in an acidic bath made from water and an acidic liquid such as vinegar or wine. The sweetbreads should be soaked in this bath for several hours, and the water should be changed out several times. This process is said to make the membrane easier to remove and also drain off any remaining enzymes and blood. Ideally, sweetbreads should be white or slightly pink in color. The older the animal, the redder the sweetbreads.

Once the sweetbreads have been peeled, deveined and washed, they can be blanched for a short time to reduce later cooking time, or they can be breaded and deep fried immediately. Barbecuing and grilling are also popular ways to prepare sweetbreads. The taste of sweetbreads is said to be reminiscent of bacon, although some say the main attraction of sweetbreads is the silky texture, not necessarily the flavor.

While sweetbreads may be difficult to find on many American menus, they are popular in other countries, most notably Turkey and Argentina. Sweetbreads are frequently barbecued or seared over open grills in those countries. Sweetbreads can be specially ordered in butcher shops, but it pays to know which variety you may prefer or are able to afford. Thymus sweetbreads are less expensive than pancreas sweetbreads, but they may be less flavorful. It is important to prepare sweetbreads within 24 hours of purchase, and avoid buying sweetbreads which are deep red in color.

. . . from www.wisegeek.com

Ewww. I thought Bobbi was talking about sweet tasting breads, like fruit breads. I used to use the fruit pulp I strained out when making jelly to make desert breads.

I've heard of meat sweetbreads. I think I read about them in an old cookbook at one time or another. Never knew why they were given that name though. Sweet bread around here is a loaf of molasses sweetened raisin bread often spiced with cinnamon and/or cloves. Now I want raisin bread.

Didn't get in my run today but I'll get on my bike this evening while I watch tv. Keeps me from getting bored.

Thank goodness, Bobbi . . . I can definitely :drool: again. :lol:

Hi Freda,

It's been snowing all day today. Looks REALLY beautiful. Glad I didn't have to go out.

I've had enough snow for a while. Spring can come now.

Lynn

http://www.smileycons.com/img/winter/28.gif


Good Morning, Everyone,

The snow yesterday and today has been just BEAUTIFUL. However, we were supposed to go scrapping today & had to cancel.

Check back later,

Lynn

Good Morning Gals!
I posted a Citrus Cheesecake on our recipe site, I haven't made it yet. I posted it in the original recipe but it can be tweaked with Splenda Brown sugar, all egg whites, skim milk, etc. One of the reviews said she squeezed the whole lemon and added that too. I will probably eliminate the graham cracker crust. If anyone makes this, let me know how it turns out.
We have shopping to do today and I better get my housework finished. Did anyone see the biggest loser last night. I'd like to choke Joelle and Aubrey.

Which one is Aubrey? Yes - Joelle needed to go!

Evening all.....Boy is everyone hunkerin down here. Hard freeze tonight. My yard looks like Halloween with the citrus trees wrapped in sheets. Picked the last of the myers lemons so just some flowering plants to get hit. I still have the Mexican heather that I planted 9 years ago. In Md that was an annual. Guess I will be planting it again.

I recaulked all around the tub and bathroom sink. Took me 2 days. First day to get all the old stuff out and today put in the new caulk. It comes in a can like whipped cream now with a long tube so was easy to get over the faucets. Fired my cleaning girl and now facing the dread vaccum. I hate to vaccum and iron. Guess all those years of ironing white uniforms has done me in. Looked a Roombas and read the reviews. Seems that Roomba has a thing for queen anne legged chairs and trys to doggy them. sighhhh Since I have 4 queen anne chairs guess Rommba would just go crazy. Can't win.

I laughed out loud over all the sweetbread stories. Sorry Bobbi but it did surprise me. Thank you for the happy giggle!

Aubrey??? was she the yellow team whiner? Or the pink team girl? Terrible with names! The man that had the GI surgery with the young son. I couldn't believe he could keep going over that pipe. That young man is about the same age as the kid they sent home last week and this kid wants to be there so bad. He is good to his dad too.....ahhhh how did I get hooked on this show, too. When been counting the days until Survivor and realized I'll be away at Sarasota tournament when first show airs...darn!

OMG....just told DH about Roomba and chairs and he suggested saving tin cans and putting the chair legs in the cans.

MMMMMM...off to check pantry for tin cans....Karen3

Aha! Yes, I was actually surprised that Joelle didn't come back at her. I think Joelle had lost about 30 or 40 lbs during the same time period that she lost 2 lbs.

Good Morning Everyone,

I'm going to brave the cold today and go down to meet my friend in South Jersey for scrapbooking.

Check back later,

Lynn

I agree with Bobbi and Isabella. Anybody who looks at me KNOWS that sweetbreads are sugary, fatty, yummy breads! LOL

Good Morning . . . :grouphug:

Anybody need some snow? I'd be willing to sell some really really cheaply. :lol: I don't think it's ever going to stop. :mad:

Hello all :)


Meowee ~ every time I talk to my parents in Ohio, Dad is offering to ship me some of their snow :D

Hope you all are having a good day.

Take care

Hello everyone. School was called off this morning on reports that the storm would start sometime this morning. It's 11 am and there's not a flake of snow falling yet. Schools are closing out on the Avalon (400k east of where I live) for the afternoon because the storm has started there. We've got a blizzard warning for here but as I said not a speck of snow yet. It rained all day Tuesday and yesterday there was slush up to your knees in places and then it froze. My driveway is like a very bumpy skating rink.

I'm having issues with the chocolate chip cookies I made yesterday. I was making them to make sure they turned out OK for the wedding. DS and his finance are putting little chocolate chip cookies in fancy bags for their wedding favors. They turned out very good. I tested them at least 5 times yesterday and twice today...sigh...I haven't gone over my calories but I've sure cut down the amount of food I could have eaten. Must drink more water.

Bobbi that cheese cake recipe looks delicious but we can't get fat free cream cheese where I live. We can get the fat reduced. My friend's daughter had key lime cheese cake for her wedding cake a few years ago and my was that good. That' what that one you posted reminded me of.

Must go get dinner ready. Catch you later.