That's Life

No Fry For Five

When I was walking out of the Rec Center after my morning swim, I saw a poster announcing the "No Fry For Five" Challenge for September.  You can visit the Shape Up Houston website to register for prizes if you pledge to not eat any fried foods for five days of the week.   Or just try and follow along on your own.
(Sounded A LOT better than signing up for  racquetball - yikes!)

That includes french fries and chips -- oh, oh.  That could be a toughie.  But you do get two days a week to enjoy and for good behavior.  It's all about balance and never saying never, right?

I'm going to do it - the Rec Center had these wrist bands at the front desk  if you promised to sign up online.  I know it sure helped me when I went grocery shopping afterwards - pausing and then walking right by the chip aisle!

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Mighty Leaf Vanilla Bean

Cost:  $3.88 - On clearance at Target, you can also find this at Whole Foods and online for around $7.79-$9.99.  Whole Foods often puts this on sale for around $4.99-$5.99; and if you are lucky, you may find a coupon attached to the box.
Number of teabags:  15
Caffeine:  Yes
Type of tea:   Black
Steeping time:  4 minutes
Add ins:  A little bit of honey, if even.  It tastes just fine without any sweetener.  A spoonful of CBTL's Fat Free Vanilla really raises the bar, though!  Wow!
Teabag fragrance:  A nice deep vanilla.  Ahh!  Let me whiff that again!
Ingredients:  Black tea, Madagascar vanilla bean bits
Opinion:  I seem black tea drinking lately.  Maybe because of the season changing and I want something a little more robust and flavorful now.  This does the trick with a nice vanilla bean kick, thanks to Madagascar vanilla.   Actually I was surprised to see the sell by date for this was May 2011, and it still tasted great! I found it, unopened when I was going through my pantry.  I'm sure the fact the pouches are individually sealed also helped keep that vanilla strong.  I also used two teabags, just in case.  I am definitely going to pick up a fresh box next time I'm in the store and find it on sale again.
Lately I've been getting Vanilla Bean lattes at Mod Coffee Shop in Galveston, and they put cinnamon in it.  Interesting combination!  So I tried adding a few taps of cinnamon - and voila!  A Vanilla Black Tea latte!   Try it!
Rating:  4

Wednesday Work in Progress

Hmm, no progress on the dress - other than being pushed aside to gather materials and supplies for a watercolor class I am about to start!   I've always wanted to try it, and after two years finally it was offered again this semester.   I will post pictures of my efforts week by week.
Love the Pochacco pencil sharpener on top of my pencil case?!
You can also get a sneak peek at something else that caught my eye - the Zen Tangle and Zen Mandalas books!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Marc Enfroy - "Moonlit Dreams" - 3:31
Early morning swim, and I could still see and enjoy the crescent moon in that gorgeous pre-Fall azure sky while doing the backstroke.

We Remember. . .

Netflix Stars - Bernie

5 stars - Dark humor, but funny!  And it's a true story!  All characters were played to perfection by Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey (look for his mom in a cameo role!).  Plus it was filmed in Central Texas - Bastrop and Texas State University.  I loved the townspeople weighing in throughout the movie - mockumentary style, especially the one in the restaurant explaining the State of Texas in the beginning.   Definitely different.  Definitely good.

The bonds that tie

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

September 9/29 --
25% off all knitting needles and crochet hooks

September 13/15 --
McCall's - $1.99
Vogue - $3.99

September 16/22 --
Coupon Commotion - Lots of 50% off coupons for regular-priced items
Butterick - 99 cents

September 23/29 -- 
BIGIF buttons

Netflix Stars - Just Friends

3 - Not a bad indie rom-com.  I was surprised to see it was from 1996.  Netflix suggested it for me.  Other than Hal Linden, the actors are pretty much unknown, but vaguely familiar-looking.  A nice movie to pop in for an afternoon respite.

Fall for the Free Raspberry Enlightenment and shipping at Penzeys!

Penzey's new Fall 2012 catalog is out, and if you are on their mailing list, you found a coupon for a free jar of  Raspberry Enlightenment on the cover.  Since this is such a value - $8.55, it is free with a $5 purchase.  Still a great deal! (Online orders, the coupon code is 97185C)  The coupon is not available in the stores, so all the more reason to call (800/741-7787) or visit their website.  (Which is also offering free shipping until October 14 for all orders of $30!)  Of course this catalog and website features "Enlightened" recipes, but also many other  Fall temptations like Slow Cooker Carnitas, Tomato Juice Cake, Pumpkin Pancakes, and a great story about Laurie and her Chicken, Sweet Potato and Apple Skillet.

Thursday Tea Time - Mango Tango

This week - Trader Joe's Specialty Teas - Mango Black Tea

Cost:  $1.99 at Trader Joe's in Tuscon, Arizona
I am eagerly awaiting the opening of Trader Joe's in the old Alabama Theater at Shepherd/W. Alabama.  Open, open, open!
Don't have a Trader Joe's or are impatient, too?  It is also available on Amazon.com
Number of teabags:  20
Caffeine:  Yes
Type of tea:   Black
Steeping time:  4-5 minutes
Add ins:  As is with honey - very good.  Add a teaspoonful of CBTL's Fat Free Vanilla Powder - Perfect!! (see picture below)
Teabag fragrance:  Mango
Ingredients:  Black tea, natural mango and other natural flavors, blackberry leaves, hibiscus and calendula petals.
Opinion:  Wow!!  This is good GREAT!  I haven't even tried it iced yet -- I've been drinking it hot and for a tropical-y fruit tea, that says much right there.  I also like the fact that it is a fruit and black tea combo.  I'm all for drinking green tea, but the black tea really tangoes with the mango.  And you can't beat the price!  I am hoping Trader Joe's opens soon before I run out, I've been drinking this almost every day!  I've also been using two teabags, for extra mango fruit punch.    I can't wait to check out their other teas, if this is indicative of their quality, flavor and cost!

Picture pretty and yummy!

Rating:  5+

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

The Paper Raincoat - "The Right Angle" - 3:51

Wednesday Work in Progress

Progress indeed!   The cutting table has finally been cleared!  Getting ready to make another Butterick 5744 - this time transitioning to welcome Fall in a gray and cream dotted cotton version.  I'm going to narrow the flounce to make it a little bit more tailored and easier to fit underneath a sweater or jacket.

Netflix Stars - Jeff, Who Lives At Home

3.99 - Not quite a 4, but almost.  Definitely defining a quirky and heartfelt film.  Funny, too.  Stick with it to the end, there's a nice message to it.  Added plus, it also has one of my favorite character actresses, Judy Greer.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Neon Trees - "Everybody Talks" - 2:57

One of each please!

What a great deal on Tuesday, September 4 at Dunn Brothers!  I'm going to try the Pumpkin Maple Latte for sure!  And the Sea Salt Caramel Latte.  Two dollars, two hands -- works for me!

Greetings from Tuscon!

My husband traveled to Tuscon...and all I got was this cool "Fearless" totebag from Trader Joe's! And Trader Joe's Mango tea instead of a tee-shirt.    A perfect fit!
Houston already has one Trader Joe's in The Woodlands, with a new one opening very soon (I hope!) in the old Alabama movie theater on Shepherd near West Alabama.  Yay!  I go by that one all the time - can't wait!

Imagination is the eye of the soul. . .

Today's Costco Find

Ready, set, create!

Found at the Houston Galleria Costco this afternoon.  Priced to fly at only $4.97!  Score!