my day | Peaches Prattlings

{February 2, 2018} Civic Duty…I did mine!

Seriously? Did that just happen?!

I was on my way to the airport and something happened I think I’ve only seen in movies. I was driving and there was a car in the next lane. Now, I said next lane, not the next lane over with a lane in between us, but right next to me. Let’s just say if there was a passenger, they could have reached out and touched the driver in that car. So, you’re with me so far, I can tell.

Then, all of a sudden, there was a car in between us. What? Yes, in between us, driving over the dotted white line…in between us! How did that car fit?! I looked at the driver, after the intruder zoomed past and we both had our mouths open and chins on the floor.

I thought, ok, an idiot. Then…I saw him do it two more times, successfully, he got stopped two other times. That was it…I dialed 911. Yes I did. As I told them what was happening, they transferred me to the state police and I told the officer what happened. I even…without speeding, we were slowing down, I was able to get his, or her, license plate number. It was a VW, so very disappointed that this driver was giving VW’s a bad wrap!

I wasn’t sure about the color, the car was very dirty, but I saw most the numbers on the plate and reported that. They said thank you and I hung up.

I’ve done my civic duty and I hope they stopped that idiot, they were going to cause an accident!

{February 1, 2018} Osteria Ottimo

I was in the mood for some good Italian food and I got it!

I drove just past the hotel and found Osteria Ottimo and went in. It was dark, but warm and inviting. I sat at the bar and the adventure began. Some walls are brick, others wood paneling and others white, it all worked. The lighting was intimate, but bright enough to see where you were, your companions and your food.

The little touches were great, like I love a farmhouse sink and subway tile in a bathroom and the window pane signs for the bathroom. And then there were the pigs, oh my the pigs. Of course, I had to look up what the deal was with the pigs, this wasn’t a bbq joint after all!

The pig is highly regarded in Italian cuisine. Search it on the internet and you’ll find all kinds of articles to that end. The owner-chef, Patrick Concannon, found a beautiful picture in a book about the history of the pig in Italy. He loved it so much, that we had an artist recreate it for us and prominently hung it in the vestibule of the restaurant. Upon the restaurant’s opening, we proudly displayed one pig statue for good luck. It is said that if you rub the pig’s nose it will bring you good fortune. And thus the legend began…Friends, family, customers started bringing pigs in to the restaurant and there you have it.

I started with Cavalifore alla Napoletana, it was fabulous! Roasted cauliflower, currants, pine nuts, olive oil and parsley, I left off the pecorino cheese, I’m sure it would have added a little something extra, but to be honest, so did not need it! The entire dish was diced and served warm and I could have eaten two bowls of it, I actually thought about getting a bowl for lunch tomorrow. Wow!

I wasn’t sure how I was going to follow that, but I had pasta with spinache, broccoli, asparagus, garlic and olive oil. It was good, a good amount of garlic, all the veggies were the proper proportion to each other. The chef listened, no extra stuff. I have lunch for tomorrow, maybe even dinner. Overall, yum!

I talked with some of my fellow bar mates, the bartenders, listened to their conversations, part of it, not part of it, just another bar mate. Always a good exercise in psychology. yeah, that’s about the end of that observation.

If you’re ever in Orland Park, Il, look for Osteria Ottimo. Mangia bene e divertiti!

{January 30, 2018} Happy Birthday RJS!!!

I was very self involved this weekend with my time at home, I didn’t tell you about the birthday of a very special friend, RJS!

I’ve told you about RJS before, she and I have known each other since 2009 and it was love at first site! We hit it off immediately, kindred spirits I would have to say. I met her on the same projects as ST and JCT, actually the same day as JCT.

She’s a strong, vibrant, impressive, smart, loving, silly, adventurous spirit. She sees the good in everyone, at least she tries! And that is one of the things I love about her.

She’s a fighter! A survivor, who fought a great fight and won! And through it all, never lost her lust for life or sense of humor, and like all fighters, she rocked the bald look when it was time!

She’s an artist, a glass bead maker and can craft amazing creations with glass, the way she bends glass rods and makes beautiful beads. She has worked in many different mediums, she was learning steel work recently, I hope I remembered that correctly!

She is one of those friends who become family instantly and when we talk, it’s like no time has passed. We can talk on the phone or sit together and talk for hours and if someone doesn’t stop us, we go on and on and on!

And what a honey to her love, KS and her fur babies, Max and Maddie. I’ve told you about them, I’m Auntie J to the kiddies and stand in cat sitter sometimes.

I’m so excited that I can tell you about my friend and the day to celebrate her, January 26th. Happy Happy Birthday RJS, I love you!

{January 28, 2018} Had to come to Hawaii to see each other!

We had great plans of getting up VERY early to go watch the sunrise on the other side of the island. Think anyone remembered to set their alarm? Nope!

When I say very early, like 4am, so we can drive the hour to watch the sunrise. Guess what, I saw the sunrise, right outside my bedroom window just fine! Ha ha! What I need to do, is the first Friday I get home, go when I get up on my own at 4am!

Well, we got up eventually, I made some breakfast and we got some more planning done for our vacation! No, not telling! One thing I can tell you… neither of our hotel points or airline miles are going to help with this trip!

You should have see us, both propped up, laptops and cell phones in hand, comparing prices, looking for hotels, airfare, downloading guides. Adorable!

But all of that planning is getting our juices flowing and we are getting very excited! Now, if we could just get some other scheduling things into place so we can proceed and make definitely arrangements!

Then, I got the text I had been waiting for! WIS was docking in Oahu with a friend! They are on a 15 day cruise to Hawaii and it worked out for me to be here this weekend! We realized we haven’t seen each other since about September, go figure for us to see each other we have to go all the way to Hawaii!

They had a list of things to do, they had tickets for Pearl Harbor at 2pm, so the perfect place to meet, which was on their list, the Aloha Swap Meet! I’ve told you about it, it’s a giant swap meet, like a flea market on crack! It’s an Oahu staple, at the Hawaii University Stadium, open Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday.

To refresh your memory, it’s got everything you could imagine and I’m sure things you couldn’t! It’s a great place for souvenirs to take back home for others or yourself. T-shirts 7 for $20, how do you beat that! Car seat covers, fresh fruits and vegetables, ukuleles, candy, coffee, lotions, stickers, you name it, you can probably find it! I believe Santa found the hair bobs for Miss A at the swap meet!

We walked around together, catching up, looking, enjoying, laughing. PSM and I bought a few things, go figure! We got some snorkel masks, the ones that cover your full face and I can attach my go-pro to it!!! We also got free waterproof cases for our phones with that purchase and we bought waterproof bags that we can attach to the stand up paddle boards, which can also convert to a backpack for easy carrying. It will hold a towel and a change of clothing. We can even use it swimming and/or snorkeling! We rock! So, if you visit, we are set with whatever you need for the beach! I’ll show you the signs he got me later, I forgot to take pictures before I left for the airport.

After we got our fill, we went for raman for lunch near the stadium, which was also very close to Pearl Harbor, perfect! This was a new experience for them, so a lot of fun deciding, discussing, tasting, experiencing. We talked travel, cruises, Disney, WIS’ friend, is a travel agent and she gave us some ideas for the trip we want to take, coincidence? I did feel bad because we started catching up on work, just as we do when we meet for dinner, so at some point I think both PSM and S started to zone out, sorry! PSM and I did give them some great ideas for the other islands they were going to visit! Hope we made up for the work stuff!

After lunch we parted ways, lots of hugs and goodbyes and they headed off to Pearl Harbor and we went home. I finished packing, gathered whatever I needed for my flight, said goodbye to Mollie, stopped at Down to Earth for some vegan munchies, oh my! And then off to the airport.

I have to say, it gets harder each time I have to leave. Especially after a great weekend like this, relaxing, no pressure and quality time together! I cannot wait for our vacation, it is going to be that times a lot!

And then it was up, up and away. I watched a few movies, got in about an hour of sleep and we’ll be landing soon and then it’s back to the grind and the cold. Looking forward to another great week in Illinois! How was your weekend!

Day 23

{January 28, 2018} A day with my fella…

Why can’t we sleep in on Saturday? Seriously? It’s Saturday, the weekend, ever hear of a day of rest? Yeah, me neither! Up early, let’s just say the sun hadn’t greeted us yet. Not fair!

PSM and I sat out on the lanai and had our morning drinks, talking and just enjoying each other’s company, the sunrise and the view. It doesn’t change from this spot day to day, but it’s so wonderful, peaceful, inspiring, calming and beautiful, who cares!

After a while, we decided on a plan for the day, so he went off to do his PT exercises and I did my workout for the day, that trainer of mine is trying to kill me, even virtually!

Then, load up the car; beach blankets, towels, chairs, bottles of water, book, headphones and sunscreen, of course, pet the pooch and away we went. We went to Haliewa Town, on the North Shore and stopped at Cafe Haliewa for breakfast, we were famished! We sat out back, which is only open until 11am, we were lucky. We had a yummy breakfast of a veggie omlet and hawaiian sweet bread french toast with bananas. Doesn’t it look yummy? Tasted just as good!

Then…after a rough morning of nothing, ha ha, we needed a break, so off to Waimea Bay. We found a great spot under a palm tree and set up camp. PSM settled in for a long winter’s nap, ha ha, couldn’t resist that! I went to the shoreline and thought I’d go in and go in I did. The waves were rough, I made it in, was really enjoying myself and a big wave came and stole my fabulous $5 sunglasses from Walmart that I’ve had for about three years. I la la la love these glasses and I hope I can find another pair! I really think Mother Nature has something against me! First my ankle and now my shades, what gives momma!?

After some frolicking in the ocean, and by the way, I cannot wait, like PSM, I know! for his shoulder to heal so that he can frolick and play in the surf with me! I headed back to PSM, grabbed my towel and laid down in the sun, sunblocked, I promise, I learned my lesson! I finished the book that TS had given me and I, OMG, LOVED it! I’ll tell you about it soon!

We sat, hung out, enjoyed, watched people and then…can you see the little bubble of surf? We saw whales! Awesome!!! January is the time for whale watching in Hawaii and there they were! It was cool seeing some yesterday and here we are today seeing them again!

I did like that the lifeguards would give a warning every once in a while about the surf being strong, keep the kids out eventualy and if you wanted recommendations for calmer waters, come to the tower. Very cool. They also warned people to not jump from the rocks if you are not a strong swimmer. I saw t-shirts to that effect! Oh brother!

Eventually, we thought about getting something to eat and along the way up the North Shore, we stopped at Ted’s, which is a famous bakery and got some sweet rolls. Then on to the next beach! I apologize, I can’t remember the name, but look at it, gorgeous,sigh! The sand was much more course, I love how diverse the beaches are!

On this beach we started planning our next vacation. Guess where?! Not telling, but it’s in the Pacific! Yup, we live in the Pacific, in paradise, on an island and what are we going to do for vacation? Go to another island! We figured as long as we live in this part of the country, go see things on this side of the world! I cannot wait to tell you where we’re going!

Now it really was time for food! We went to the Kahuku Sugar Mill, it is now a tourist attraction with food trucks, shops, not much else. They didn’t have anything we really wanted so we went back into Haliewa and went to a Thai restaurant that neither of us cared for, so I’m not going to tell you the name, but the atmosphere was nice and the company even nicer. One of the things I marveled at was that in Hawaii there aren’t many places you actully have to get dressed up to go. Most places you can walk in after coming off the beach, they’re ok with it. Welcome to island life!

After dinner, back to the house to chill and pass out, wouldn’t you after that day?! Beach and beach, it can wear you out!

What does tomorrow hold?!

Day 22

{January 26, 2018} My happy office…my happy dog…my happy place…my happy honey

It was a pretty happy day, wouldn’t you say? Wait, I haven’t told you about my day for you to make a determination!

Since it was my first morning at home in Hawaii, of course, I woke up way to early, 4am, but that was perfect for starting work, 8am central time, that means I can knock off about 12pm/1pm local time. I did some work from bed, I wasn’t quite ready to get up officially. When I was ready, I got dressed, my weekend uniform: bathing suit, shorts and a tshirt. Then to the table downstairs and then outside while the sun was coming up.

So, not too shabby for a temporary office, wouldn’t you say? My happy office.

Oh, that plane…I texted SDL, she was convinced that it was the same plane, every day!

Eventually, I had to go back inside, the sun was high and in my eyes and no sunglasses were going to help.

A little while later, Mollie came home, she’s been with the dog walker all week since PSM has been on Maui for work all week. So nice to have her home, it was so quiet coming home last night, no dog, no honey. Now… see, my happy dog.

I had a few conference calls, did those, sent emails, updated some materials and then I was done for the day. My happy time of day.

I got a towel, book, blanket, bottle of water, pet the puppy and off to… you, you guessed it, my happy place! What more do I have to say?!

I talked to a few people, some locals, some home to visit, some on vacation and as a treat, we got to see whales! January is the time to see them in Hawaii! We saw two moms with their calves, so cool!

I bobbed in the water, played in the surf, started to read an amazing book that TS gave me, napped for a minute, went back in the water, only to get my left ankle pummeled by some rocks, ouch! But… Mother Nature made up for it by this amazing sunset, wouldn’t you say?!

What was missing? PSM and Mollie! Mollie isn’t traveling as well as she used to and admittedly, without her, I was able to stay on the beach a lot longer. PSM on the other hand, was coming home from Maui and I would meet him for dinner later, that would be my happy honey.

So… what do you think? Happy office, happy puppy, happy place, happy honey, happy me!!

Day 21

{January 26, 2018} Daisy’s Cafe…you made my flights yum-my!

I found a new vegan restaurant yesterday! And so worth it!

I was talking to someone at the client’s site about being vegan and she’s pescatarian, so we had a lot to talk about! She told me about a vegan place she was going to for lunch and even invited me to join her. I couldn’t, but I knew what I was getting for my flight today!

After work, I went to Daisy’s, it was about five miles from the client’s site, and grabbed a menu and placed my order. Then I took a minute to look around, I had been on a conference call when I arrived and only looked at the menu.

It is a small storefront in a neighborhood, if you didn’t know you were looking for it, you would miss it. It was unassuming on the inside, bright colored walls, one salad case in front of the window where they make smoothies, a counter with the register and about six tables. It was a busy place, a line when I got there, tables were all full and the door opened and closed the entire time with people coming and going.

I ordered a tofu filet, a good size square of tofu, breaded and lightly fried, layered with lettuce, tomato. I also ordered a BLT made with pressed seitan, lettuce, tomato and their own mayonnaise. Lastly, I added a container of mac-n-cheese.

I don’t always get a chance to get food before I fly and I’m so glad I did! A while after we took off I dug into the tofu filet and it was fabulous! I am sure it would have been much better hot and crisp, but it really was good. I tried it with some of the mayo, which was fabulous!

On my next flight, I had the BLT, equally fabulous! It was smokey and rich, you could smell the flavors through the foil. I even put some of the mayo on it, wow! A few hours later, the mac-n-cheese, some of the best I’ve ever had and I was never a mac-n-cheese fan!

Let’s just say, I’m hoping to go there at least once more time before I leave Chicago!

https://www.happycow.net/reviews/daisys-catering-cafe-phoenix-60600

The dinosaur has nothing to do with Daisy’s, he’s just cool!

Day 20

{January 24, 2018} I love my friends and family

I was just thinking tonight how much I love my friends and family and I got this in my fortune cookie.

“You will always have good luck in your personal affairs.” Could you have a better fortune? I wasn’t joshing when I said I was thinking tonight how much I not only love, but like my family and friends and you know you’re included in that group!

I am so very lucky to have the people in my life that I do. The people in my life enrich it in so many ways. Tonight I talked to ST for about an hour and a half, we had the opportunity because…I was supposed to talk to CWB, but something came up, so it was me and ST on the phone. And the other day, LGR, that was fabulous.

My friends and family accept me for who and what I am, which, admittedly, at times can be a bit coo-coo for cocoa puffs, one of my favorite sayings. I get enthusiastic about things, people and activities I love, sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming to people who don’t know me, but the people who do know me, they are sometimes tickled, sometimes annoyed, sometimes exasperated and some times…yup, that’s who she is. And for that, I thank them!

You’ve probably noticed a bit in the way I write, it’s exactly the way I talk. My friends and family have said they hear my voice when they read my posts, I think that’s peachy keene!

So, as I sign off, thank you friends and family. You made my fortune come true and I hope it stays true! “You will always have good luck in your personal affairs.” I wish nothing less for you!

Day 18

{January 23, 2018} Soul Vegan/Soul Vegetarian – Either way, yum!

I love this place!

I discovered Soul Vegan/Soul Vegetarian about two years ago when I was schedule to teach at the site I am at this week. When I was looking for somewhere to go for lunch today, what to my surprise did I find on my Happy Cow app? Majani for one! Do you remember me telling you about going to Majani, the vegan restaurant near DLP? It was about nine miles from the site. Well, Soul Vegetarian is about seven miles from the site, wow! I knew what I was doing for dinner!

I messaged DLP and eventually we worked it out, I had to go into the office, so I picked her up and we headed to Soul Vegan, which happens to be about a 15 minute drive to her house, perfect!

It’s not a fancy restaurant, bare bones, there are tables in the front room and back, a large counter for ordering takeout, an open case that has prepared sandwiches, desserts and some other cold things. Where it lacks in furnishings, it makes up for in energy and flavor. Every time I have been in there, there are a few people eating at the tables, but so many more at the deli counter or online to place or pick up orders.

On the other side is a deli counter, you can get hot or cold food. I was excited because I knew I was getting a fabulous dinner and then, from the deli counter, food for tomorrow! I need lunch in advance as there is not much happening around the site I am at!

We ordered nachos-n-cheeze, no jalapenos for our appetizer and I had the gyro and DLP had the ribs, both orders came with french fries. Once again, the food did not disappoint! That gyro was fabulous and I cannot wait to have the rest of it for lunch tomorrow!

From the deli, I ordered a few prepared salads, cous-cous, both large and small, egg-less egg salad, I know, let it out! and a carrot salad, the last one I tasted, oh boy! I love finding fun and new places that I can frequent and this one is on the list, especially having someone to go with!

If you’re in Chicago and you’re vegan or just curious, I recommend this place very highly. Ok, I have to go to sleep, I’m excited about lunch tomorrow!

Day 17

{January 22, 2018} Let’s get cultured and then kill brain cells!

Order of the day? Ended up Museum, lunch, movie, tv.

So…rouse ourselves about 9am, breakfast, then drive into Manhattan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or The Met, for those of you ‘in the know’. There was a David Hockney exhibit and we both like Hockney.

Now, if you’re familiar with David Hockney, it’s most likely paintings of swimming pools, which he is most known for. This exhibit was pools and more, earlier work, later work, portraits, compositions, famous people, wild brush strokes and one or two pieces we looked at with our heads cocked and said ‘Huh?”. The pieces did exactly what art should do, evoke emotion or response, even if the response is one of confusion.

There were some pieces I liked and some that I really didn’t and that’s the beauty of it, I don’t have to! There were some portraits of famous people, like Andy Warhol and Van Gogh and then there was this watercolor of someone named Celeste, dad and I were both drawn to it and I wonder if I was because she reminded me of my mom. Check out the piece that depicts a road, it was actually photographs that he pieced together like a collage of different roads in California. I thought it was fabulous!

Then it was on to the Michelangelo exhibit, much darker, lighting wise than the other exhibits. It was sculpture, paintings, drawings and sketches, oh my! The hard part was there were so very many people, you really couldn’t get that close to any of them and with my lack of stature, it was hard to see some pieces at all!

We looked at some of the impressionists, Rodain, Monet, Manet, Pissaro, Cezanne, Matisse, so wonderful! Unknown artists, known artists, a joy! I love going to the museum with my dad, not only does he have a wealth of knowledge of art, he has a passion for it! There were advantages to going to the museum with both of my parents. With mom, she was very knowledgeable as well and we liked a lot of the same painters, ones that dad doesn’t care for, but she wanted to read every single placard!

With dad, he and I love a lot of the same pieces and we have an affinity for the modern, a way of viewing that might not gel with some people. And…he doesn’t want to read every placard, so we could see more of the museum in less time! He was great when I was in high school and had art projects, he and I would go into the city and go to the different museums together to help me get what I needed.

Next it was, you got it, modern! Picasso, Leger, O’Keeffe, Chagall, Rockwell, Davis, Miro, just makes me happy. Some of it is bizarre, but some of it, pure genius, fun, frivolous! Sometimes I look and wonder how it would be possible, not to be happy looking at this much wonder!

When we were done, we had a hunger! So back to Staten Island to a Turkish restaurant we both like for appetizers that fill you up! Babaganoush, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, lentil soup, shepard’s salad, couscous, all delicious! We were stuffed, just like the grape leaves! A little grocery shopping and then back to the house, but then turned around and went out again, I decided I wanted some new boots and away we went!

Back home, it was time for a movie. Blade Runner 2049. Um…yeah. The popcorn was good and we got to see Harrison Ford. Yeah, the popcorn and Harrison Ford.

Then we needed something fun, so we watched another episode of Brokenwood, which was really good and so was the Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy Caramel Almond Brittle. O M G!! Yes, it is that good!

When the episode was over, it was time to talk to you and then crash, my alarm is going off at 4am, back to Illinois!

I hope your weekend was as fabulous as mine!

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