Such a good, good day. Spent the day with my class of 17 hi-pos "sharing their spirit" with Shared Housing, a non-profit in Dallas that provides shelter for women and their kids, and provides them with the training, counseling and hopefully, self appreciation to make it on their own. Today, the group replaced flooring, painted the counseling center, hemmed and hung drapery, hung a new light fixture, painted a mural, *gasp for breath* installed new appliances and fixed up a kitchen in the span of about 9 hours. Inspiring! It's a full feeling to arrive home after such a day -- it's also a humbling one... so blessed to be where i am in life and have what i do *head bowed, hands clasped to praise the Big Guy*.

We partnered with Home Depot, who sent folks who were also in the midst of a leadership development program. So cool. Got to trade some thoughts about our different programs, and hope to be reaching out to share more and perhaps partner next year when we go back to Shared Housing.

After showering off the bits of spackle and mulch stuck vigorously to my fingers and knees and a few minutes of the droppsies, i decided a meal is in order... a tasty home cooked meal (veeegan, of course) -- creamy tomato fettucini -- which required the use of a food processor and some chopping and crushing. Accompanied by a spinach salad with cucumber and toasted pumpkin seeds, i impress myself sometimes. Uh no, i wasn't accompanied by salad, the fettucini was. "Crocker, move yer arse on over. Endicott's in da house!"

Also, cool site to explore: 1000 Awesome Things. Enjoy!

Happy July 4, 2010!

For some reason, i thought there would be firework extravaganzas today -- on the actual day of Independence for this great nation -- so i had my plan working to watch the shows after a fine dinner with the fam. However, i'm supposing a show on Sunday would be far out of schedule for Saturday suburbia, as i'm sure at least 3 people have to work on Monday,... so i missed the shows *hand raised in frustration.* i do love a mighty fireworks show.

Instead, today, i got my Martha Stewart on. Fought the grocery store crowds, used coupons, baked beautiful oatmeal bread, brownie bites, tossed a tasty salad with homemade herby viniagrette, blogged about it, and the day's not done... may get a little crafty.

Here's a pic of the beautiful bread after a taste test. i can verify - delish.

Also, adding to the list of completed Library E endeavors (but not about the list of books to read before i die, cuz sheesh, gotta take a break from depressing):

• Medalon by Jennifer Fallon -- really enjoy her stuff. quickly engaging, political enough, pretty good character and plot development; lovely for a good fantasy read without those characters who suck you in and make you think about them for days.
  

• Master of Surrender -- trashy romance just like all the others, but how can you not appreciate reading 384 pages over several hours, and enjoying the wonderful frenzy of love-hate going on when the wench falls for the invader who killed her father out of mercy *hoot*. Hey - it was free eye candy at the library when i picked up the sequel to Medalon. i do, however, have a bone to pick with the cover art pickers... at least make the hair color of the cover model match the color of the hero's do... details people.
  

ATTENTION LADIES & GENTLEMEN! It's all the rage, and it's called cooking! Well, maybe not all that and a bag of chips, but it's great when it turns out ok, as did my piece de resistance this evening.

Lemon garlic pasta with pine nuts, accompanied by a light, butter leaf lettuce salad with homemade (did you read that? not too quickly now. don't want the shock to pass you by.) homemade balsamic vinaigrette. It was beautiful and tasty (i can testify to that, as even Hubbie liked it. Though he sniffed cautiously at the vinaigrette). Even shaved the carrots for the salad and added a bit of avocado. And the pasta sauce, lemony garlic goodness whipped up from scratch. i am both proud and full.

Should you like to borrow the recipe, it's in my Eat, Drink & Be Vegan cookbook.

Feeling better this week, so accomplished a walk and dinner IN THE SAME EVENING! Miracles do happen, People!

Happy Monday!