Salad?, it's organic

I bet you didn't know that I have a restaurant on by back deck. It's open from about 4-6 p.m. on nice days. I know, I know, I have no zoning, no signage (but that's because of the no zoning thing) no industrial kitchen. The menu is completely driven by the seasons and everything is organic (and yet possibly slightly toxic).

The smell of mint and thyme are always in the air. The 'all girl staff' range in age from 6-10 and they are serious about quality, presentation and bug control.

While they are driven by the latest trends in food, they remain true to their own aesthetic. They work quietly and diligently as a team until the plates are just right. I have noticed that their customers have a slightly different quality, imaginary almost. I'm also pretty sure this whole operation is run on some sort of honor system because I've not seen any money being exchanged. It's a very nice place, and if you are planning a visit you better call ahead...

...seating is limited.

A Donut Cures Anything

In case you don't know, about 6 years ago, I cloned myself... not single-handedly, but my DNA officially won out. I never thought in a million years that this would happen. After having a beyond wonderful adoption experience with our first daughter, we were getting set for another adoption. God said, Let's try something new and different, let me create something pretty close to the original recipe, but we'll kick it up a notch, more, more, more is always better. At least I think that's what He said (because I don't think it was all those sour skittles I ate all throughout the pregnancy). So what we ended up with is a sweet and much spicier version of the original recipe. Let's just say raising yourself is quite an adventure, but it's the 'more' part that gives me the most trouble. I think I know what she's gonna do, but remember the 'kicked up' version of this recipe is spicier, saucier, you haven't had this one before. The flavors are familiar to you, comforting even, but the adaptation adds new layers. This recipe could knock it out of the park, or it could flame up on the grill. My days are an adventure, that's the only way to say it.

School has brought it's challenges for this one that likes her place on my hip, as it did for me way back when. The difference is, where I had trouble for three days at the beginning of the school years, the '4 G' version is still struggling. The separation anxiety is bringing us both down. Today, after a horrible morning yesterday, I fought it the only way I know how.... with donuts. Breakfast in bed may be the ticket. I'm not saying I'll feed the child donuts everyday, but maybe a nice wake-up will help until she's able to adapt. Raising this child has caused me to throw out the rule-book more than once. She's writing her own story, we all do, but the bottom line? A donut cures anything......I should know.

A New Season

A Two Donut Weekend

This weekend was a 48 hour whirlwind that involved a football game, a bridal shower and a 20th high school reunion. It was so fast and crazy that I'm not even sure if I did any of it, course that could be the late nights talking.

This is my niece-to-be, Miranda. And no, I don't stand next to her in any picture, in case you were wandering. She's not only beautiful, she's smart and loving and seems to be making my nephew a happy guy, so she's of course great in my book. I'm looking forward to their beautiful wedding in November.

And these lovely people are a few members of my graduating class. We look like a happy bunch in this picture, and of course we did a ton of laughing at and with each other last night. The turn out was slightly disappointing (I graduated with about 38) but we had a really good time anyway. The spouses were not pictured, so there were a few more people there. I also got to see a some classmates at the football game Friday night as well. When you come from a small town and a small school you bond a lot more with your classmates. We really do miss each other and it was great catching up. We even called a classmate of ours in Alaska and put him on speaker phone.

It was a great weekend, my head is spinning from lack of sleep and my house looks like a cyclone hit it, but there's nothing better in my book than spending time with people you love.

It could be even better than donuts.... there I said it, I love you more than donuts.

A

Share The Love Day Four

Occasionally I'll get some really great photos sent from friends. These are the best. They were taken by my good friend Tom T. I wrote about him here.

"Two Bottle Day"

Share the Love Day Three

Day three of my quest to get my blogging mojo back brings us to Polly and Yoga is Yummy. Lest you think I do Yoga, I should say that I don't... yet. This girl does a lot of yoga, she's an instructor and expertly trained. If you like yoga, this is the site for you. Let me tell you why I read it. The tall one in the middle is one of my very best friends from childhood. Polly is his wife. I've known her since probably '92 or so, but have had limited contact as they live 5 hrs away. A mutual friend told me that Polly had a blog. I looked it up immediately, and I was hooked. When I saw her green smoothies, almond butter, and coconut encrusted chicken, I knew we were soul sisters. She sings the donut praise, and sports the occasional donut t-shirt just like me. I think I've made all the recipes in her list at least twice. Most of all what I love about her and her blog is that I always come away inspired and smiling and hungry. She's a connection to my past and I've found that as life goes on that is a good thing. Her beautiful daughter is a miracle that lives and breaths and her smiling face makes me cry almost every time I see it, happy tears of course. Polly knows the blessings of a life spared, she reflects those blessings in her everyday life and continually passes them on to the people around her. She is a tried and true Two-Donut Girl.