This sounds like fun, Kay! For week one, I just finished reading the Essential Soapmaker, by a "fats" chemist. Lots of great information. My husband gave me a soapmaking class as a gift this fall and I am addicted. I have a few of these I want to read in January to lock in the information before I move on to other topics. Book two will be the Everything Soapmaking book. Amy

There's a Chef In My World We really enjoyed it in two of his dishes especially.... Peanut Satay and the thai soup. Amy

talk to the coordinator and say that you were not up to doing the arrangements but would love to watch what other ladies are doing and just help out. Would that be ok? Many times I have shown up empty handed to an event like this and just gave moral support to the ladies and visited while they worked (scrapbooking, etc.). No one seemed to notice or care. There was usually something I could do to help someone anyway without doing my own thing. Amy

Lots of paper towels, white cleaning cloths, those Magic Cleaner sponges, Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover, a general all purpose cleaner and windex. HTH! Amy

and maybe a little unsweetened coconut. (fresh berries in the summer). If I am working out I will eat one of those pepperidge farm whole wheat mini-bagels with some peanut butter (unsweetened) and honey. Or oatmeal with a little peanut butter, honey and flax seed. Or I will make a smoothie with unsweetened yogurt, fresh fruit and a little milk. Two eggs with veggies in summer/one piece of sausage. Or a nice big grapefruit and cup of tea. I enjoy variety... Amy

Avalon Organics baby sunscreen. Amy

Here's what I have right now. I need to go to the store: bananas apples oranges applesauce dried - raisins, cranberries, plums, dates frozen berries (all sorts) for smoothies butternut squash turnip garlic onions brocolli (shredded) lettuce frozen brocolli green beans I also have no chocolate or sugar in the house (except some Easter bunnies and some ice cream... and honey). I am shopping every few days and just buying a few days of menu items at a time.

It was slow - 10 min. mile pace but my goal right now is distance, weight loss and to finish a half marathon with no injuries. We are training for a half-marathon on March 8th. There's only 13 people signed up so far and they need 15 to make it a go. I would prefer to dissolve in the crowd (so I am not the only one in the rear!) but this is a convenient event. It's cheap ($8 entry fee) and basically in my back yard. Two of my friends will be running with me. This week, my goal is two more 30 min. runs, one weight lifting session and an hour run before our 8 mile run on Sunday. My time has been inconsistent with when I run so I am hoping to have a better game plan versus just hour by hour of when I exercise. Amy

Amy

Monday: Soup Tuesday: Pasta Wednesday: Stir-fry Thursday: Crockpot beans Friday: Something Fun (preferably involving meat or pizza) Saturday: Indian or Other Vegetarian Sunday: Breakfast for Dinner That's relatively easy? We love Indian but I have had a hard time creating it at home (without spending all day in the kitchen with questionable results). Here's one recently that I tried that was quick and good - kind of a thai/Indian combo... but family friendly. 1 onion, coarsely chopped 3 - 5 cloves garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh gingerroot, minced 1 tablespoon lemon zest, grated 1 jalepeno chili, stemmed, seeded and halved (chilis vary in heat proceed with caution) ¼ cup water 2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 - 3 lbs. chicken, cut into small pieces 1 cup carrots, sliced salt, to taste 2 teaspoons "hot madras" curry powder 14 ounces light coconut milk (unsweetened) lemon juice, to taste ½ - 1 cup loosley packed, fresh cilantro, chopped Puree together the onion, garlic, ginger root, chili, lemon zest, and water. Heat oil in pan, add the puree and cook, stirring for 3 minutes. Add chicken, carrots and salt to taste. Cook for 10 min. turning meat. Add curry powder and cook for 5 more minutes. Add the coconut milk and simmer, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. Stir in lemon juice to taste and cilantro. Enjoy with rice. A variation would be to add green beans, canned baby corn, zucchini or other vegetables. Notes: I used the entire lemon from zesting. Children enjoyed this! Just use 'hot madras' curry for this recipe.

We ended up covering the top of their yard with deer netting and times used chicken wiring and made sure no holes were around the perimter of the fence. At night, I would close the little chicken door and the entry door and they were locked in tight. The deer netting on top deterred the hawks too. I am living somewhere I can't have chickens now- I miss my back yard chickens and fresh eggs. Buff Orpington chickens were our favorite! Good luck, Amy

upon which he reliquished those habits." (memory work today - Poem by Edward Lear There was An Old Person Whose Habits. I enjoy the way Pudewa says this one in his Poetry Mem. cd.) Amy

one bedroom chair (lower smaller fabric covered chair), and three black Windsor chairs. Amy

Very encouraging! I guess the hard part would be eating out. Amy

It also really helps too when my husband is on the bandwagon. Thanks for sharing the book title. Amy