Good News, Good Weather, Good Meal

WOW. Bangles galore. Sadie can't decide which to wear first!

What a wonderful, sunny, spirit-lifting weekend. It actually felt like spring. I drove by the bank time/temperature sign and it said 56 degrees! We walked in the sunshine, ditched the hot coffee for iced, went to the park for the first time in months (squeals of delight from Sadie), and just soaked up the sunny rays and reveled in the mild temperatures. Is mother nature just being a tease? Most likely. It is New England, after all. Newport isn't known for their springs either. We seem to go from a long, cold winter and then, bam, it's summer. Every year though, I hold out hope for a nice spring. Who knows? Maybe this will be the year of the early spring. We even went to a surprise birthday party for John's boss, Ron, where Sadie instantly made herself at home as soon as she saw all the balloons scattered around. "Balloons!!" Oh, and the tortilla chips. She licked the salt off them one by one, then gave them back to the nearest person. "All done." Oh, Sadie girl. She bonded with Ron's sister, Lisa, when Lisa let her play with all her silver bangle bracelets. That is heaven for Sadie- TONS of bracelets! And she was so engrossed in her new surroundings, John and I got to sit back, relax, chat with good people and drink some good wine. Not a bad weekend, eh?

Our salt addict. She hears the crinkle of a chip bag a mile away and comes running.

On Sundays, if there is time and motivation, we like to try a new meal that we wouldn't have time to make on a week day. So, I opened up my Ina cookbook, and after much deliberation over what delicious dish to make, we decided to try her Chicken Stew with Biscuits. Panadda and Charlie- that gift has gotten so much use!! I love that cookbook! Well, after almost triple the amount of prep time stated and dinner at 8:30pm, a delicious chicken stew was served with, oh yes people, homemade biscuits on top! I have to give it to Ina, she has the best recipes. Sure, it calls for two and a half sticks of butter.... but that must be what makes it good! Laurie- what would I have done if I hadn't gone to that fateful Halloween party last year where you made that amazing dip and told me all about the wonder that is Ina??!

Hell ya those are homemade biscuits! Woot!

I saved the best for last. The good news. Sadie had a doctors appointment and a weight check today. Drum roll please....... She gained 1.5 pounds this month!! That is by far the most she has gained on her own and it was very much needed. Little by little, we will get back on that growth chart! At first I thought either I was reading the scale wrong or had her last month's weight wrong. But it was neither, it was honest to goodness weight gain. We are amazed and so elated about this. I was just hoping for a few ounces and no weight loss. How nice is it to be pleasantly surprised like that? A great end to a great weekend. Keep it up, my angel!