Today was an interesting day. I woke up early-ish (for a weekend) and I had the urge to finish painting my bathroom… so I took my vitamins, had some chocolate, made some tea, and got to work.

One and a half hours later I stepped down off of the kitchen stool and surveyed my work. It looks good. Pictures may be forthcoming. I then assembled a bathroom shelf thing that has been waiting to be put up (waiting for me to finish the painting) and actually managed to screw it into the wall. It is not the fanciest of shelves, but it’s clean and simple and it does what I need it to do.

At this point I was pretty hungry, so I woke Bobby up and we ordered big salads from downstairs (Metro Cafe). Our salads always end up being complete opposites – but both are (I think) delicious (Bobby does not like my salads – too kitchen-sink-y). Metro is having a deal this month – unlimited topping salads for $6 if you order online.

After an hour or so of doing nothing, I got incredibly anxious. I avoided stewing in my anxiety by getting out of the house and going for a walk. It was terribly cold today, but the walk was just what I needed. I walked across Central Park South, up to 72nd Street, then back across The Park. I mapped it and it was about 3.2 miles.

Today happened to be the Winter Jam at The Park, which meant that there was music, a snowboarding show, and some free samples. I picked up a bag of apple slices and a lollipop (both given to Bobby) and I bought 4 Fuji apples ($1.50/pound) for myself. The apples are gone (oops).

We ordered Hawaiian for dinner and I supplemented with a big bowl of oat bran and oatmeal mixed together. I cooked it in almond milk and it was so creamy. Topped with maple syrup and more almond milk.

And I’ve been snacking on a bunch of fruit as well. And this kombucha tea (it was on sale for $2):

I’m working on this thing where I say, “wouldn’t XXX be nice,” rather than, “I WILL” or “I MUST” and so on. This is a recommendation from my acupuncturist to help me with my stress and anxiety. It’s kind of working. It will definitely take practice. It’s not something that can happen overnight.

What are you working on? Renovations on your house, in your life, physical, mental, whatever?

Before the recap – look what I did!

I got a milk frother at the Foodbuzz Festival the other week and I finally used it… for coffee. Did you know you can froth coffee? I did not. It’s really cool. Unfortunately this is decaf instant coffee courtesy of Nescafe, but the froth made it better.

Yesterday Bobby and I (and we brought our friend, Justin) spent the day in New Jersey with my family. My Grammie hosts Thanksgiving every year and I was really excited and happy to see her – I hadn’t seen her since January!

Everybody futzed around in the kitchen for a while (Mom, Grammie, Dad, Bobby)…

More futzing (Justin, Uncle Rudy, Aunt Mattie)…

Playing with cameras (Rob, my brother)…

Then it was time for the food. Somehow we ended up with 3 Tofurkeys (!), but it was actually the perfect amount. They were cooked with onions (from the garden), carrots (from the garden), and potatoes (not sure – probably from the garden). We also had sparkling cider (I opted for sparkling wine instead). Everyone in my family (grandparents included) loves Tofurkey.

Dinner is served! (Julia – sister, Rob, Dad, Justin) This was actually lunch; we ate around 1:30 or 2pm.

There was real turkey too, of course. A little dry, but remedied with lots of delicious (vegan) dressing.

Creamy chestnuts were great – always a favorite of mine.

My mom’s sweet potato pie (from the Moosewood cookbook) stole the show. It had pecans and a cheddar-poppyseed crust.

I didn’t get a picture, but there was also a bowl of pureed squash that I attacked without mercy. Grammie made it – must get the recipe from her. She wasn’t sure what kind of squash she used; it was bright orange (but not kabocha, butternut, buttercup – possibly hubbard).

Other things that were unpictured: Brussels sprouts, stuffing (one vegan and one from the turkey), cucumber salad thing, pickled beets, … I think that was it.

Dessert was impossible pumpkin pie, apple pie, and an apple-pecan dish. Served with whipped cream.
I actually skipped out on dessert in the afternoon (though I did have a generous bowl of whipped cream – real cream) but I brought home leftovers and had them last night with supper (more leftovers).

I think my favorite was the apple pie; the apple-pecan thing was amazing but a little bit sweet for me. And the pumpkin was pretty delicious as well… I just have a fondness for apples.

I didn’t do any Black Friday craziness today, but I’ll probably go out for a walk in a little bit and maybe do some yoga later.

How was your Thanksgiving?