Coffee Talk

Care to chat?

I'm busy ordering items for upcoming events at work. We have a tea party coming up, and I have decided to invest in a scone pan. Since we plan to offer these tea parties almost monthly, we thought it would be best to invest. (I like how that rhymes.) I've only made scones once (Egg Nog Flavored ones from World Market,) so this is going to be a whole new venture for me. I have faith I can make it work.

Then comes the tea. I've never been a big tea drinker, I tend to lean more toward to coffee or carbonated beverages. However, in recent years I've given it a-go. Not too bad. I've ordered a wide variety for our participants to try, and I'm looking forward to revealing our flavors each month!

BIG news. Well.. for me anyway. (Let's see if I can stick to it..) Yes.. it involved my health. I am going on a Fall Journey with Valor Wellness. (Funny how this little side note is going to tie back into tea.) Sooo.. my friend, Frances, is a Yoga instructor (by night,) and an attorney by day (and former Communications Director, like myself!) She's originally from Miami and just a joy to chat with. (I always seem to gravitate toward folks from Miami... you guys are something special!) Anyway, I met Frances at... wait for it.. wait for it... a tea party! Yes, our friend Stephanie throws these fantastic tea parties, and she knew Frances through her sister. (Long story, but Frances is fairly new to Macon.) Well... Frances started a side project/company called Valor Wellness. She is offering a Fall Journey to Wellness program. Sounds like the perfect step for me! For one, I'm back and forth on the healthy eating. Weight Watchers tires me out with the documenting everything you eat. And let's face it, my stress level tends to rise and fall with the tides. I'm committing to 12 weeks of wellness. Anyone can do anything for 12 weeks... right? 
Here is the description of the class:

As the days grow shorter and the schedule gets busier, start your week with a yoga class, inspirational scripture, and nutrition accountability group at Tatnall Square Park on Monday evenings. We will meet by the pavilion from 7-8pm for 12 weeks, from August 3 (when the kiddos go back to school) through October 19 (as Daylight Savings Time winds down). Yoga classes are by donation, just like on Saturdays. The nutrition program we will be using is Beachbody's 21 Day Fix (which is all about clean eating and portion control). Group members are welcome to join us on the Fix, but that is entirely optional. You pick the nutrition plan that works for you, we support you in your journey to wellness!

I checked out the Beach Body 21 Day fix, and I don't honestly see myself doing the daily videos. (These are the people that created P90X.) But I do have a gym membership, and I do enjoy yoga, and I love the idea of an inspirational component.. so why not?

I did do a little research on what I could incorporate as an eating plan, and I went with the Mediterranean Diet with The Zone. That program actually has a plan with the foods I really enjoy eating. I think this might be worth a look at. My weight gain is hormonal in nature (PCOS,) and The Zone is all about balancing out the hormones. This may help me out.

Speaking of health - mammogram was beautiful! Yay!

Moving on..

Got a big event to attend Saturday night. If you live in the middle Georgia area, consider coming out to the Terminal Station in downtown Macon for the Taste of the Arts - Havana Nights. (It's a Cuban theme.) My team will be one of the many chefs preparing yummy things. I'm going for picadillo, not just ANY picadillo, Tere's Magical picadillo. (Yes, a Cuban friend that lives in Miami.) See? It's a Cuban themed blog post. lol

I'll of course share pics and little stories along the way.

But for now.. I will head out for lunch.

Have a beautiful weekend, my friends!

Tea Parties, Rappers, and Life's Little Surprises

This week was just full of surprises. 

I woke up Monday morning, finally feeling a sense of peace and calm. I actually got a good night's sleep, awake feeling energized and motivated, then I set out to embark on a new week.

Things have been going fantastically at the Cannonball House. We just got word that we are going to receive a grant from the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) to help restore one of our front columns. This is a very important, as well as, necessary task. (Not to mention, very expensive.) Today we are going through round two for the Watson Brown grant. The Junior Board is arriving for a site visit, and if we receive this, along with the DAR grant, we will have all the funds we need to complete the task! That would be a huge bee in our bonnet!

That Monday morning, I made it back to the gym (first time in weeks, if I am being honest with myself. I pushed myself harder than I have in a while, and it felt good. That bit of sweat and exertion just put me into a deeper state of relaxation. 

Then I got home.

I got the word that my roomie was moving on the greener pastures. (Aka moving on with her significant other,) and I would have to make other plans in late June. Alas, my life is flipped upside again. Luckily, my sister will be my port in the storm, until I figure out the next chapter in my life. I'll be moving back to Jones County this summer, living with her and my niece temporarily. Yes, my stuff will end up back in storage, and yes, I will be staying in my niece's room, but this too shall pass. I just don't have enough time to figure out my next move. Until then, I can help her out with Auttie Blossom and save a little money in the process. 

Though that surprise was slightly unwelcome, I did find a few small blessings along the way!

For one, very good friends have come along to offer me boxes, help with moving, and general good vibes. I am completely thankful for these people. Luckily, my friends Betsy & Gary got married last weekend, and with that came tons of boxes of gifts shipped to them. Now I have bubble wrap, scrunchy paper, and box after box. 

Just last night a series of good deeds came my way. My friend, Scott, called and asked me to dinner. His partner, Bill, was out of town, and my SG lives almost two hours away, so we went to eat Thai at a local restaurant called, "Lemongrass - A Thai Bistro," which is owned by my friend Gary. 

I opted for the Green Chicken Curry. YUUUUMMMM

After dinner, I popped by Roasted, and saw my friends, Floco Torres do a free concert for his latest release, #dreamboard with producer/DJ Shawty Slim. (Yes, THE Shawty Slim.)

Following the concert, my friend Molly from Southern Bon Vivant, invited me for a drink at Dovetail, a farm-to-table restaurant in Downtown Macon.

Our friend, Ryan, whipped us up a delicious glass of Sangria. 

Earlier that day, I got the opportunity to meet a ridiculously talented chef by the name of Michael Wright. He is the Corporate Chef for the HotPlates Restaurant Group. He has traveled and worked under some of the most talented Executive Chefs in the Southeast. I interviewed him for an article that I am writing for Macon Magazine. 

I also got the opportunity to interview tons of super talented coaches for this summer's Otis Music Camp for the 11th Hour. (Otis.. as in Otis Redding.) 

Lots of good writing ops ahead. 

Finally, my staff put on a fantastic tea party for mommies and their daughters. 
They ladies got to make tussy mussies, learn the "language of flowers," and go on an herbal scavenger hunt in our Victorian Garden.

Oh yeah.. one more thing.

What do you get when you mix Nutella + Bananas + Espresso?

THIS. 

Ocmulgee Trader's