Summer Dresses/Staying Out Of Joann's

I used to have a bunch of sundresses that I would wear for playing weddings on boiling Saturday afternoons in our un-airconditioned church balcony. By the time I gave up that job, the dresses were all a little tired looking from being washed, and worn, so I sent them on their way. I thought I would sew some more, but went to skirts and tank tops instead, which was working out until I put on a little weight, and the summer has gotten unbearably hot. I decided to hunt up some fabric in my "attic store" and make something cool and comfy. My idea was to attach a skirt to a tank top. I pulled some candidates out of the stacks, and brought them down to the sewing room to see if that idea would work.

Last Wednesday I went to the mall for WW, was strolling past Macy's, and what do I see--a rack of dresses just like what I wanted to sew. Alright! I will not be out of style! Thursday morning I decided if I went back to Macy's, I could buy one of those dresses, and use it as a pattern. It helps if I have some of the measurements to know how long and how wide the skirt should be--things like that. I go to where the rack should have been, and the whole thing is gone. I hunted up and down, back and forth, finally got a girl to help me out--no dresses. I figured they had moved them to the markdown rack, but there wasn't one in any size anywhere. What did they do with them? They couldn't have sold them all overnight--there were too many of them.

So, now I'm on my own and this is what I came up with. All out of my attic. I'll be cool and comfortable, even it if is hot!

Still Struggling With Weight Watchers

I have been attending Weight Watchers meetings for something like three years now, mostly because I have two dedicated friends and we meet there every week and catch up afterwards over coffee. I'm sure without that grouping we all would have fallen away a long time ago. We certainly haven't heard anything new in a long time, and we all know what we need to do to "eat healthy".

I guess my big beef with WW is that they do not address those of us who really know how to cook. They kind of dumb it down so that it will appeal to the most number of people--it's a business, and like any business, they have to maintain a paying clientelle. I do my best to cut the calories, but it is so hard when I can go out into my kitchen and put together something delicious with whatever is on hand. Take tonight. 5 pm, no dinner planned, watching the news. Actually, 6 pm, since it is Saturday, and the news comes on late. Also, I want to catch the episode of Sherlock Holmes that will be on PBS at 7 pm.

Hit the freezer, defrost a pound package of tuna medallions. (What a lovely find these have been. They wait for me frozen until I want to fix them, either pan seared, or grilled outside with marinade--on sale for only $3.99!) Do a couple of steamed potatoes in the microwave, blanch fresh string beans, HB two eggs, slice up farm lettuce, a few black olives and Voila! Salade Nicoise! Perfect for a 90* day when who wants to eat anything hot.




Last night we had America's Test Kitchen recipe for Chicken Paprikash with couscous--and
yes, there was a salad on the side.

At Easter the WW leader told us to skip the cheese and crackers--they aren't delicious...Do you think she has ever tasted triple cream Havarti or St Andre's? At least I have managed to get over dessert. I pretty much just don't make it any more unless we are having company. But, I am a good baker. I used to make 10 loaves of bread at a time for the fam...

I confess I will continue to fight the good fight--I suppose half due to vanity, and half due to the fact that I enjoy my life too much to give it up to obesity. But, WW needs to start a gourmet class...