I seriously need a kick in the ass and some serious goals. I'm running late for my dentist appointment, but I wanted to jot a few thoughts down real quick.

Shelley's December Goals:

 Noodles asked me for my mom's lemon bread recipe, so I figured I'd go ahead and post it here. I made mine with whole wheat flour and I used oil instead of butter. Don't do this! I totally screwed it up! Sorry, mom.

Nancy's Lemon Bread

Ingredients:

1 med. lemon

2 1/4 c. flour

1 1/2 c. sugar, plus 2 tsp more for glaze

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

3/4 c. butter or margarine

3 eggs

3/4 c. milk

Directions:

From one lemon, grate all peel, squeeze juice, set aside. (I like to put my lemon in the microwave for about 10 seconds and then roll it around on the counter to make it juicer)

In large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, & salt with fork. Cut in butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. Stir in lemon peel.

In small bowl, slightly beat eggs with fork, stir in milk, then stir this mixture into flour mixture just until flour is moistened.

Spoon into greased pan, bake 1 hour or until lightly browned. Cool in pan 10 minutes.

In small saucepan over med-hi heat, whisk lemon juice & 2 tsp. sugar to boiling. Cook, stirring until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Brush with pastry brush evenly over top of bread.

 I started feeling so much better today that instead of folding laundry and packing, I spent the day baking, of all things!! I love to cook, but baking? Not so much!! As I was making my moms lemon bread recipe, MY SONG came on my iPod and it brought tears to my eyes.  It was really unexpected. Its the song my mom named me after. I hadn't even thought about being sad for the holidays--until today. I had a good cry, then moved on to the zucchini bread and banana bread. I also finished up my grandma's bbq pork that I had been marinating all night last night and all day today! OMG, yum. Now I feel a little better in that I know we will have at least bread and pork to chow on at my brothers! ;)

I'm glad I ended up getting so much done. I even cleaned out my car....brought my little Shark vacuum cleaner out and everything. Got the dogs walked, but no other exercise. I'm still trying to take it easy. Going back to bed this morning and taking a few Zicam really seemed to help. BTW, thanks for the idea, TryinNtriing! :) And thanks for all the well wishes!!! Anyway, I'm still not packed, but everything else is done. The kids are both packed. I'll finish in the morning. It will happen; no reason to stress over it. I have to remind myself that this trip will be behind me before I know it. Unlike most of you, my family gatherings aren't all that warm and relaxing. My brother, dad, and nephews like to argue--a lot. Its so annoying. Family. Gotta love'em.

I haven't gotten around to doing a grateful list, but I would like to say that I'm grateful for this site and all the friends that I've met here. Thank you! And Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

 On my way to tennis last night, I realized my throat was scratchy. I called my husband to mention it and he said that it was how his flu/cold thing started....sore throat in the early evening. Great. About 20 minutes later I started feeling really congested. All through tennis I kept thinking oh, god, no, I can't be getting sick. But, of course, I am now full on sick. I slept really good and as soon as I drop my daughter off at school I'm going straight back to bed. I'll be ok.....I think.

BTW, DH is fine! Figures, huh?

Well, today has been pretty good on the food front. I made some barley and added it to my homemade Minestrone soup for lunch and I'm stuffed. My daughter (11) is home sick today, so I made some for her, too, plus some vitamin C, orange juice and DayQuil. Poor kid. I'm going to suggest reading and a nap soon. We both got to sleep in and have just been screwing around on the computer. I want her to go to school tomorrow.

I made a Tuscan Bean Salad the other night, a recipe from this cookbook (A Taste of Home) that I won a couple of weeks ago. It has 3 different types of beans, barley, and a honey mustard dressing, which I modified. It was good, and I've been munching on it, but I should have halved the recipe because no one else seems to like it. I also whipped up some "Sassy Water" this morning. Yes, Kim, love that stuff! Thanks for the reminder. I think I'm missing something, though. I have mint, cucumber, lemon, & ginger....I feel like I'm missing one ingredient. Anyway, as long as I get my water in, I'm happy.

The other thing that makes me happy is a clean house. Well, my house is not clean. At all. I'm gonna hang up here and get busy with the housework. Its all so overwhelming! The kids are really starting to help out alot, though. But its just not the same as me doing stuff myself. I won't be running today because I don't think I should leave my daughter. I might go search the garage for my exercise bike...its gotta be under there somewhere! :) I've decided that I don't need to be so focused on running. I have dvd's, the exercise bike, my new beach cruiser, a gym, etc. I need to round out my routine.

I am going out of town for a couple of days, but when I get back I promise to catch up with everyone!!! Or sooner, if possible. I don't know if I will have wireless. 

Happy Tuesday! Eat Clean! Move your body!

 How was everyone's weekend? Mine was super busy. Friday was my youngest daughters birthday, we went to see the B-52's Friday night, Saturday night was the school fundraiser event with my favorite cover band....I wore my silver dress, the one I wore to a wedding in DC last year....then yesterday was the big b-day party with the kids here at the house. I somehow managed to play tennis yesterday, but that's about as much exercise I got. Well, I guess dancing for 3 hours counts! I ate like crap all weekend: KFC, a Big Mac, pizza, licorice, and lots of wine. So, I'm not expecting a very good weigh in tomorrow.

I went to the Hydration Station this afternoon to sweat off my 600 calories. After that I went to Eddie Bauer and bought myself 2 outfits. A couple of corduroy's in dark brown & dark gray, plus matcing long sleeved tops. When I tried the pants on, I brought in 12's, 10's, & 8's cuz I wasn't sure. All I really know at this point is that I am no longer a size 4/6. Thank God the 12's & 10's were too big and I ended up with the 8's. I guess I can handle that for now. I think my husband is mad at me for buying more clothes, though.

I am so exhausted from my busy weekend! It was a whole lot of fun, but now I'm just ready to chill. I am trying to conjure up some mojo to go for a run. Tennis practice is cancelled tomorrow because we have a match (that I'm not in), so I might join my friend for Pil-Yoga instead. Not sure...I think staying in bed sounds much better. 

I'm sorry I'm so behind on reading/commenting on your blogs. I'm horrible. I've been so busy and I'm also mad at myself for not being more focused on weight loss. I lost 2.5 pounds in 2 days last week, only to gain it right back in one weekend. I'm not giving up, I'm just admitting my mistakes.

Looking forward to Tuesday!