The ABC Life Blog

Having a great time this month doing F things and who cares if I FUDGE a little on what counts.  After all, the whole idea of the abc life is to keep interesting inputs coming your way and not give into the pull of the couch or the ever-so-tempting procrastination gene that I’ve been blessed with.

2 points for visiting the FRISCO Arts in the Square. It’s not every day you see a $500 life-like chicken footstool. Didn’t buy anything but took cards from a few talented (non-fowl) artists whose work I will consider in the future. There’s something special about a beautiful day and art that lifts the spirits.

2 points for a FRIDAY evening theater performance of Rent at the Collin College Theater. Surprisingly well done. I’m continually amazed at how much quality entertainment exists in my community.

2 points for going to FRANKIE’s in Richardson for brunch. The food and service were great. Their food choices and presentation are different than your typical Tex-Mex fare – with strong influences from Acapulco.

Yes, I realize my E month is gone, but I still have just a few easy entries to go.

1 point for each of the following books:
Ignore EVERYBODY by Hugh MacLeod. An extremely enlightening and easy read.  Truly gets you thinking about your creative side. Written for “creatives” (rather young ones, at that), its messages can easily be used by those who aren’t creative and those who’ve left their 20s and 30s in the dust. I’m giving this book as a gift because even if you take away one little nugget, you’re still ahead of where you were.

Danielle EVANS’ before you suffocate your own fool self is a collection of stories that are insightful, intelligent and witty. I’ve become interested recently in the short story form and her stories are great examples of what works.

2 points
I had myself an ENGLISHMAN last week. The Grazing Cow restaurant offers all-natural, local grass-fed beef dogs and the Brit version included a fried egg, baked beans and fried tomato on bun. Very tasty but too gooey to eat the traditional way, which damped the experience just a tad.

1 point
When you hear someone else’s conversation, is it eavesdropping? Or overhearing? An experience at a local Chinese restaurant got me thinking and after researching EAVESDROPPING (its origins and meaning) and polling some friends, I now know that when it’s unintentional (hey, I’m in hearing range guys), it’s overhearing. When you go out of your way to listen in, it’s eavesdropping.

Now bring on some fabulous Fs. I already have a few planned.

2 points. EVENT ALERT tickets. For anyone living in the Dallas area, this is your lifeline for inexpensive tickets to all kinds of theatrical events. Barbara and I got two seats to the Richardson Community Theatre’s performance of Crimes of the Heart. Billed as a look into the relationships between sisters, we naturally thought this would be highly entertaining. It didn’t deliver on that angle, but the acting was exceptional.

1 point. El Fenix Restaurant. Miguel Martinez opened his first restaurant in 1918, leading to his claim of having the oldest chain of family-owned Tex Mex restaurants in the United States. I felt it was only fitting to have enchiladas. The chips were different but addictive. My curiosity about this chain was finally satisfied, my belly was full and although I don’t feel compelled to return, I wouldn’t complain if I did.

The abc life is truly living up to its purpose: nudging me to try new things. I would be missing out on a lot of new discoveries without it.

2 points. Hubby and I took a short trip to EATZI’s Market and Bakery, an extraordinary European eatery. I expected it to be larger (probably to live up to the raves I’ve always heard about it), but its selections more than made up for its size. It’s like one wide circle, with fresh bread and pastries on the right, grilled food on the left and the highly popular salads-made-to-order area in the back, with sandwiches and endless entrees filling in the middle. We split a grilled panini that was delicious and took home sushi, lasagna, a french baguette, a cherry cheese pinwheel and a creme brulee.  The pastry was to die for…the light, flaky dough a wonderful reminder of breakfasts in Paris. I loved it all but the pinwheel will definitely bring me back. Although the lines were long, the customer service was very good and we found everyone helpful and friendly. EAT at EATZI’s and ENJOY!

Thanks to a snowed-in start to my E month, I’m a bit tardy on getting started. However, I’ve managed to amuse myself with a few E ENDEAVORS.

EARRING ELIMINATION (1 point)
Part of my campaign to be more organized this year, I went through all my earrings and eliminated six pairs and threw out two lone orphans. Now the majority are all neatly organized in two plastic tackle box things, while the favorites still float free in one of my top drawers for easy access.

ECHO Burning by Lee Child (1 point)
Snowed in and unable to get to the library, I eagerly reached for an unread E book from my book stash. And who can resist Jack Reacher, freelance lawman? He’s tough, carefree and so afraid of commitment that he literally only owns the clothes he’s wearing that day. But if you’re in trouble, you want Jack on your side. These books are very atypical for me but they’re enjoyable, emotional and the child, Ellie, is enchanting. Not my favorite in the series, Echo Burning was still a good escape.

Computer has been down all week, adding insult to injury regarding my lapsed blogging. Using spare one to input a few last D reflections.

Let’s hear it for the Dan’s. 2 points for a DAN Spigel presentation at my woman’s club earlier in the month. He talked about his mother’s family during the Russian revolution through the Nazi invasion. It was interesting but he was too concerned with selling his self-produced DVD, House of the Generals, to concentrate on giving us a truly focused message. Another 1 point for DAN Buettner for his book, Blue Zones: Lessons in Living Longer from the People Who Have Lived the Longest. (Special mention for one of the longest living titles in history.) Really enjoyed that book and will incorporate some of the lessons into my life. Not alphabetically, I may add.

2 points for studying the new additions to the world’s top English DICTIONARIES last year. “Matchy-matchy” is now official, along with frenemy, unfriend and friend as a verb. Thank you FaceBook for expanding our vocabulary. Other new words: flash mob, zombie bank, sheeple and bromance. Gotta love ’em.

1 point for DECLUTTERING DRAWERS. Part of my quest to become more organized. Discovering unused and now expired gift/promotional cards was one downfall to that project. Never again – I’m using all the others right away!

Well, unless I “DRAW” tomorrow, that’s it for my D month. Looking forward to E.

Barbara and I decided to double the stakes in one trip. We went to DUBLIN, Texas  (196 miles from Paris, TX and 87 miles from Italy, TX) to explore the town (2 points) and visit the Dr Pepper Museum (2 points for topic of study). Barbara will talk about Dr Pepper, which was a real sweet experience.

Recently the site of various UFO sightings, the town of Dublin was the topic of the History Channel’s UFO Hunters Episode 110. We didn’t see anything odd, but we did meet a suicidal dog (Barbara will report). As two sisters, we couldn’t resist entering The Three Sisters of Dublin shop (1 point), where we chatted with two of the three sisters and chuckled over some of their sister-oriented gift items. We told them a little about our “D” month activities and they were delighted with the concept and immediately suggested we visit the neighboring town of De Leon. The sisters were kindred spirits and we loved their shop. If you’re ever in Dublin, stop by and say hi to Lisa, Brenda and Mary.

No New Year’s Resolutions for me. From now on, it’s my DO IT list. (Doesn’t that even sound more motivating?)

Laura’s 2011 DO IT’s:
1. Lose 20 pounds and embrace a nutritious and fit lifestyle. (Boring and predictible but this year I will DO IT.)
2. Spend more time on things important to me and my family than on needless distractions or unwarranted obligations. Huh? Expressed more clearly: Make better choices where I spend my time.
3. Get better organized. (I’m way too random.)

What are your DO IT’s? Please share.

Finished 2010 with the flu – but that’s so last year. To all my blog friends: a very Happy New Year. May you have wonderful new experiences this year and lots of fun discovering new things to do, cook, read and study.

Made my first CHOWDER (2 points)!  I’ve tasted my share of chowders but never attempted to make my own. Took the plunge – it was delicious and easy to do. For vegetarians, just substitute mushrooms for the sausage.

Potato Sausage CHOWDER
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
3/4 small green pepper, chopped
3 cups peeled and diced red potato
1 Earl Campbell hot link, sliced (or another brand)
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon Italian herbs (or thyme)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 cup milk, divided
3 tablespoons flour

Melt butter in large Dutch Oven; add onion, celery and green pepper. Cook until tender, stirring frequently. Add potatoes, sausage, chicken broth, herbs, salt and pepper. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir in 1-1/2 cups milk and stir. Then combine remaining 1/2 cup milk and flour, stirring until smooth and add to chowder. Simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened. Simmer longer for more thickness, if preferred. Makes 1-1/2 quarts.

Any chowders or soup recipes to share?