Lucy Lou
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space
For some reason, I have been a little bit preoccupied with space of late.
As in, every feels too small, and too closed in.
This was the majority of the motivating factor of our recent apartment ‘facelift.’ Luckily, the man is very understanding of my need for constant organization (I wouldn’t say I have OCD, but I wouldn’t not say it, either).
We stream-lined the apartment, and we’ve been spending a lot of time with Lucy at the many state parks in our area (we are very fortunate in that) taking long walks and enjoying the peace of nature. It’s not quite the same as actually being in the country and not hearing a highway and the constant noise of traffic ~ but it’s a lot better than the constant crush and rush of inner-city Philadelphia.
My need for space to breath was also a factor in our purchase a few months ago of my new vehicle (or as the man refers to it, my ‘whip’). I loved my Mini with all my heart, but being in a one-bedroom apartment and driving a car with ‘small’ in the name, plus commuting into the claustrophobia of the city every day ~ I felt as though I wanted to stretch and every time I tried, my arms and legs were bumping into something ~ penning me in.
I’ve been lucky that many things have changed recently ~ the new car, the new furniture, and most importantly, the new business offices for my company. Now instead of sitting in an hour’s worth of rush hour traffic, I’m just driving to the next town over. It means less time alone for Lucy, less stress for me … more space.
This weekend we are hosting the man’s family, and we *finally* have a place for them to sleep that isn’t piles of blankets on the floor. Tomorrow, my parents will be here as well, and we will all break bread together (for the first time) over Easter luncheon. Today I prepped my asparagus bisque (which I am serving chilled) and made craft-y DIY centerpieces that I found in “Good Housekeeping.” I’ll share all that tomorrow ~ but for tonight, we’re noshing on Smitten Kitchen’s Buttermilk Roast Chicken with pull apart bread and a baby spinach salad with honey-roasted almonds and pear slices.
Hope you’re enjoying Easter weekend as well.
april fools
This morning, we woke to Lucy waiting patiently for us to get out of bed, feed her and take her for a walk. She was waiting expectantly, eyes focused on us, cool as a cucumber. It was adorable.
She’s been a good sport the past few weekends when we have spent most of each day re-organizing our entire apartment. We usually like to make changes in the spring, but this year, we have successfully replaced nearly every piece of furniture we own. We went a little nuts.
You can imagine that for Lucy, this has been a lot of upheaval. All she really wants is to run through the woods, curl up in her bed, and have her people close at hand.
Today, after enjoying a Friday night birthday dinner for my dad (lobster, asparagus and baked potatoes prepared expertly by my Mama Bear and Zia), a Saturday filled with Ikea purchases, and furniture rearranging, it was only to be expected that Lucy would anticipate a long walk. Unfortunately, we spent most of the afternoon finishing our massive project, racing to be done and curled up for the premiere of “Game of Thrones.”
Today is also my daddy’s birthday, so I usually forget that April 1st is April Fool’s Day. (For Lucy, it must have felt particularly cruel when we took her to the park and did half the walk). I can’t believe it’s April already ~ time just keeps slipping by. Next weekend is Easter, and the man and I are hosting both sets parents – the first time in the nearly four years we have been together that our parents are spending time together. My fingers are crossed that it all goes smoothly ~ seven people, three dogs, one small kitchen and lots of chefs!
training
This morning, Lucy and I got back in the saddle, and did a run as part of my training for the Broad Street Race. Last week, because I was feeling mostly like a Mac Truck brutally sidelined me, we didn’t get in much running (I use this term loosely, because when it references what I do, it mostly means shuffling along and trying to remember to lift my knees and use proper form at a speed that slightly outpaces a fast walk).
We had a nice pace going (once Lucy has ceremoniously evacuated her bowels not once, but three times, resulting in equal hand weights for the first mile of lilac-smelling potty bags filled with … potty) and nearly hit four miles in forty minutes (which would have been excellent). When we crossed the 12 mile marker on the Wissahickon Ribbon trail, we slowed to a walk for cool-down purposes, as well as the fact that there was a quite a monstrous dog approaching, and the big guy didn’t look friendly.
And here I make my **Public Service Announcement** to the dog world.
Yes, I understand that you want to take your pup for a nice walk/job/amble through the woods on a beautiful morning such as today.
Yes, all dogs deserve to stretch their legs in the great outdoors.
Yes, I am sure that deep down, your growling, hair-raised, poised-for-attack dog is really a softy.
But when my over-eager puppy of nearly nine months begins to cower and her back-end starts to uncontrollably shake, it means she’s scared, and your brute of a dog is probably a little overwhelming.
Therefore, dog-owners. Rather than move to the side of the path and allow your dog to jump viciously toward mine with the mere restriction of what I can only imagine MUST be a leash with superpower (otherwise why would you have your attack dog on a public path with no other method of restraint?), perhaps you should err on the side of caution.
Either don’t bring your dog to a public path where he is bound to encounter other dogs, OR take precautionary measures to train, restrain and socialize your pup.
I know you love him. I love my baby girl, too. But you didn’t reprimand or attempt to control your dog as mine walked meekly by, ears flat and body quivering. Considering she’s full of kisses, love and excited wiggles, and despite my extreme bias, I have a hard time believing that her reaction wasn’t at least partially due to your dog’s … erm, enthusiastic? … greeting?
We’re safely home, and the Luce is curled up next her dad and I on the couch. She’s clearly not forever damaged. But I haven’t forgotten our encounter, and I will be on guard the next time we approach the snarling dog of this morning’s walk.
Until then, I’ll focus on my #broadstreet training. #runrunrun!
Valley Green
Philadelphia has one of the largest urban park systems in the country -collectively referred to as Fairmount Park- and the man and I are lucky enough to live very close to one of my favorite parks in the system, Wissahickon Valley Park.
Wissahickon Valley Park includes Forbidden Drive, Devil’s Pool, The Indian (a mysterious statue that I heard about for eight years before finally finding him today on our long Sunday hike) and a multitude of other great places, including the Valley Green Inn (which features Yappy Hour every Tuesday from 5-7pm … bring your pup and enjoy cocktails and snacks, for man and beast alike, on their heated outdoor deck ~ absolutely genius for people like the man and myself who have recently become three). There is even a section of park where Lucy can run free of her leash and meet up with doggie friends also enjoying their dog park-esque freedom in the woods.
Forbidden Drive is 5.42 miles long and features the only red covered bridge in any major city.
Spring is coming …
The Fingerspan bridge … 
modern weathering steel bridge (this girl crossed it quickly … I’m not the biggest fan of heights!) Lucy also needed a little persuading. It was cool walking over the bridge, though, because even though you are totally enclosed, you can see through the walls and the floor and you’re fairly high up, so the view down the stream is pretty gorgeous.
We hiked for about two and a half hours, finding The Indian with some help from fellow hikers. It was not what I expected, and it’s a steep switch back path from one side to reach him, but well worth it.
The legend of the statue of The Indian has many variations. I liked the idea that it was an anonymous Lenape Indian Chief watching his people move West as the Eastern lands became over-populated.
This is the view of the river from the foundation of the old Mill (in fact, the last working mill in Pennsylvania!).
As I type, the man and Lucy are working on getting the fire pit roaring outside. We are going to enjoy a relaxing Sunday evening. I hope you’re enjoying yours, too!
a day late, $40 short
On Sunday, as I sunk into my sofa to enjoy two hours of Downton Abbey, I was feeling quite pleased with myself. I’d blogged twice, I’d made dinner and cookies, Lucy was fed, bags were packed and ready for work, laundry was done … you get the jist.
Then Monday came.
And it was not what I expected. Roofers arrived bright and early with a dumpster the size of China, which they thoughtfully placed across my garage and right next to my front door, in front of which they positioned their ladder, and power cords running to the roof.
The man’s truck, which has been inoperable for a few weeks (I was waiting for the man to come home, because who could have anticipated telepathically that my whole world and apartment would be turned upside down?) had to be moved, as did the Mini. Lucy and I, after realizing what a huge inconvenience it all was, packed our bags and headed south to stay with my parents.
My anger has not get dissipated at what I consider to be a highly inconsiderate occurence.
Yesterday, after getting Lucy settled with my dad (it took all of zero seconds, because Dad loves Lucy and Lucy loves my Dad), I headed downtown. I thought it odd that there was a line out the door of the tiny cupcake bakery I walk past every day on my way to work. Normally, it looks empty, and the counter worker slightly forlorn and deflated.
What was causing this mad rush for cupcakes, I wondered? Was someone trying to boost her spirits?
Upon arriving at work, I noticed that the office manager had flowers on her desk. Was it her birthday? I knew she had recently lost a family member. But pink roses? Odd.
Since I was running really behind, I threw my bag down, and started doing about nine things at once. I felt a little flustered and just wanted to get things in order.
My office mate (he of the cookie requests) poked his head in the door and smiled a big smile.
“Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Ah! It all came together … cupcakes, pink roses … a lot of people wearing red and pink.
So I’m a day late today, but to those who celebrate, Happy Valentine’s Day!
This morning, I arrived at work much less flustered (no line at the cupcake shop ~ all felt much more normal!) but anxious to register for my first ever race. And after two hours and 45 minutes, multiple windows, several failed attempts, and one successful one (by Minda’s hubby, not by me), I am officially registered to run Broad Street 2012. I’m excited and terrified. And as Josh pointed out, it took longer to register than they allow you to finish the 10 miler (you’re capped at 2 hours and 30 minutes by the police, emergency services, etc etc, so that roads can be re-opened in a timely fashion). The pressure is on.
Wish me luck!
flash blizzard & strong drink
Yesterday afternoon, after spending the morning at Jefferson Hospital’s Heart Health Day, I packed a bag for Lucy, and the two of us headed south to my parents for a dinner of Haggis and Mashed Neeps.
The haggis had originally been purchased for Rabbie Burns Day a few weeks ago, but I’d finagled my darling parents into coming to my house to visit with my brother and his lady, so the haggis had gone uneaten. (Instead, we’d enjoyed Crab Stuffed Tilapia, boiled baby potatoes and green beans … yummers).
It sounded like a relaxing Saturday night, and as Lucy had never visited her Grandparents before, it was also an excellent socializing opportunity. And if I timed it properly, we’d be home in time for a blog post and a snuggle on the couch before heading to bed.
Into Lucy’s bag went dinner, her Dragon, her antler chew toy, a blanket, her kitchen bed (not to be confused with her bedroom bed), and some water from home. For safe measure, I also brought her big, blue collar (which she should have been wearing to prevent her from licking or scratching her incision, but she hated it so much I took it off). Better safe than sorry.
We hooked up “A Clash of Kings” and settled in for the drive. There were a few flurries in the sky, but all seemed okay. After we turned off the highway, I pulled over to fill up my gas tank (it’s SO much cheaper near my parents house).
And then the weather just … well … completely changed. The wind picked up, and Rooney Cooper was pushed around the road. The big, wet flakes that had earlier been dancing to the ground became an angry squall of blinding white. The temperature dropped nearly eight degrees in less than ten minutes, and we slowed to a crawl as we slid on the curving country roads.
It was a long twenty minutes to finish the drive. My mother called as we pulled into the driveway. My father had arrived home just a little bit before me (he’d been Lucy-sitting while I worked), and the driveway hadn’t had any snow on it. As I pulled in, and slid sideways a little, it was a slick sheet of ice and snow. As we tumbled inside the house and stamped snow from our feet (well, Lucy was ‘detained’ and politely allowed her Nonna to wipe off her paws), my mother said matter-of-factly, “Well, you’re not driving home tonight!”
We did have a great night. Lucy was very well behaved (despite not sleeping through the night), the Haggis and Mashed Neeps were delicious, and breakfast of fried eggs, sausage and English muffins with Marmalade was scrumptious. It’s always nice to go home and be spoiled a little bit.
The pup and I hit the road shortly after breakfast and were home before 1p, at which point I collapsed on the sofa and we had a nice little afternoon nap. I awoke with a deep craving for Bourbon Balls (a decadent dessert introduced to me by Minda). So I made some. It’s really the only logical thing to do when all the ingredients are in the cupboard. Now it’s time for the penultimate installment Downton Abbey (it’s extended!), some Bourbon Balls, and some cuddling with the pupster.
In case you’d like some Bourbon Balls, too ~ here’s how!
What you Need:
1 box Nilla Wafers (10.75oz)
1 lb shelled Walnuts or Pecans (Minda does half and half and it’s sublime)
1/2 c. Honey
1/2 c. Bourbon
1/4 c. White Rum
1/4 c. Brandy
Powdered Sugar
What to Do:
1. Combine Nilla Wafers and nuts in a food processor.
2. When fully chopped, add honey and alcohol. Mix together.
3. Roll into balls and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
4. Refrigerate. Enjoy at your leisure.
**If you have time, refrigerate the batter after mixing, and about an hour later, roll into balls. It will make the process much easier, and less messy.
from the depths
Today, Lucy had her lady surgery (my way of saying she got spayed, which I think sounds so ugly …). We got up early, had a bath (Lucy was quite good in the whole scheme of things) and headed to the vet. It’s a little bit of a drive, so we listened to “A Clash of Kings” on the way, because currently, I am completely enthralled.
When I handed her over to the extremely friendly vet staff, she was shaking so hard that I knelt down and wrapped her up in my arms, telling her over and over again that I would back soon, and she would be okay with her friends at the vet while I was gone. Telling her that I loved her and everything was fine.
I cried a little on the drive home. Not hysterically, but my heart was filled with worry. For Lucy, for the man who journeyed to Nicaragua yesterday, for all the uncertainties of life which felt huge at 1oam this Friday, the 10th of February. I called my mother-in-law, who kindly assured me that the man was fine, despite having not heard from him, and that Lucy would be fine as well. We talked about lasagna, and pierogi casserole, and stuffed pepper recipes. I felt better when I arrived at Starbucks to purchase my daily addiction of a soy Chai Latte (no water, extra hot).
I spent the afternoon doing numbers and data entry, and was relieved when the vet tech called to say Lucy had done very well, and was currently in recovery. Huge. Sigh. Of. Relief.
I heard from the man, and we were able to talk for a bit. Huge. Sigh. Of. Relief.
It put into very stark perspective for me, however, that my love for both the man and the pup plumb the depths of my heart and soul. Their well-being, happiness, safety … all of it ranks so much higher than my own. Wondering and worrying about either breaks my heart into a thousand tiny pieces. Such is love, I think. Real love is so uncontrollably self-less … so completely pure, and good and amazing.
…
On a lighter note, now the Beatles’ “Real Love” is in my head. It will keep me smiling as I tuck the Peanut into her bed, wearing her ridiculous blue collar, and climb into my own to drift to dreamland.
Good night my friends! Sweet dreamin.’
mission accomplished
I have had the idea of pizza sammies in my mind for quite some time. And today, despite not being hungry at.all (I dined at PF Changs for lunch and completely stuffed myself) I made one.
And it fulfilled my dreams.
I ate every bite, and I wasn’t hungry after the first few.
First, I pulled apart some sweet Italian sausage, and cooked it in a saucepan with a little bit of olive oil.
Then, I took two slices of the Asiago bread (bought for this specific endeavor), buttered the outside, and layered Paul Newman’s Tomato & Basil pasta sauce and nuggets of fresh mozzarella on the inside. Once the sausage was popping and hissing, I added it to the mozz and sauce, closed the sandwich, and smooshed it between the press.
Delish.
Then, as an experiment, I left Lucy for a few minutes to catch up with my neighbor. She re-paid me by peeing on the floor (about 15 minutes after she peed outside, which was disheartening, to say the least).
But the bottom line is, I made that Pizza Sammie. It’s been a little bug of an idea buzzing around my brain for a few months, and it may sound small, but to me, I wanted to see if it was still pizza-y while maintaining it’s identity as a sammie.
It did. 🙂 Mission Accomplished.
girl’s night
Lucy looked at me with sad eyes as I grabbed my lunch from the fridge and put up the pet gates. She sat, thinking that perhaps, that would mean I wouldn’t leave. It twisted my heart into knots twisting in on knots. I thought about it all day at work, as I trained my new assistant and watched the clock tick slowly by.
It’s amazing the capacity you have to love when you weren’t even expecting it. My heart seemed full and then I met her, with her wide eyes, and floppy ears, and big, white feet. She was mine and I knew it the second I met her eyes. The man knew that my heart was set. We packed her up and brought her home. We became a family.
Life has changed since she came to live with us. Obviously, the man is gone (no, not in a bad way, in a “he-has-to-be-gone-for-work” kind of way). So it’s just me and my girl. And it isn’t always easy. It’s particularly hard when I leave her, and those sad eyes look forlornly at me through the front door, as though she believes she may never see me again. Seriously. Could I feel more guilty? … Probably not.
But today when I got home, my little lady hadn’t destroyed anything (other than the chew toy she received as a little present this morning … oooor bribe … y’know, however you choose to interpret it). She was bending herself into a pretzel (boxers do that, I am told) and after running around the yard for awhile (which tired me out more than Lucy) we’ve been enjoying a girl’s night together.
New, well-balanced food for Lucy with pumpkin puree mixed in. Eggplant Parmesan from the restaurant for me (I know I had it last week, but it is just.so.good!). A nice bottle of chilled white wine. Lucy’s dragon, Puff (or, as her dad calls him, Draco). A lot of HGTV. And her Yak’s Milk and Lime chew toy, that managed to last the.whole.day.
Life is pretty good. Hope you’re enjoying an indulgent Thursday, too.
how time passes us by
I woke up this morning with a pit of dread in my stomach.
Never before in my life had January 31st held such foreboding. But January 31, for those of you not “in the know” (which included me until last year) is the deadline for issuing 1099 forms. As I run a small company’s business office, it falls on my shoulders to undertake such a task, and if I am being honest, I have been procrastinating like a high school senior working on a thesis.
I mean, I have been panicking about this project.
And instead of just diving in and tackling it (at which point I would have realized it was nothing to get myself all worked up about) I kept staring at the stack of papers and the online QB account with complete and utter fear.
Silly girl.
On the up side of the whole thing, it taught me (once again) that the unknown isn’t really that bad. It’s just unfamiliar.
But the other thing, is that it feels as though it was just yesterday that the man and I were plane-hopping back from Indianapolis, and now, it’s practically February. And the man is far, far away on business and won’t be home until … well, not that long actually, but to me, it feels like forever.
When did time start to slip by like this? And ~ on that note ~ if time goes by so fast, why doesn’t my savings account balance grow exponentially every time I check it? (A little voice in my head is saying, “A watched pot never boils …” but must I listen to it now?)
I popped the 1099 forms and the missive to the Federal Government (aptly given another number, because clearly, it must be distinguishable from all the other forms that exist) into the mailbox before 5pm and headed over to Parc, Steven Starr’s french bistro on Rittenhouse, to meet up with my boss and our restaurant’s GM and Exec Chef to try out some Pork Milanese.
I took a moment, as I sipped Sancerre and noshed on the truly delish pork, and thought that unknown obstacles were bound to challenge me periodically. The man being gone, a new puppy, chewed sunglasses (grr Lucy!!), tax forms, new restaurant development, schedule changes, unexpected expenses, a dead truck in the driveway, a baby gate that the dog systematically knocks down every.day. … the list goes on.
But really, it’s not that bad. I have a man who loves me no matter what, one of the cutest pupsters in the whole world, great landlords and neighbors who come to the rescue when needed, a boss and co-workers who make work a lot of fun most of the time, and the best friends and family in the world. Thank you Ikir, for reminding me.
D5 Creation