Sleep 'n Pancakes

While I'm on a roll, I'll share a bit some things.  Nothing too deep, don't worry!  I started about two weeks ago, going to bed at 10 pm and waking at 6 am - in order to get 8 hours of sleep.  I was tired of feeling tired when I woke up each morning and wasting about 2 hours, from 10 - midnight on the computer doing nothing important.  I'm here to tell ya - getting an 8 hour sleep each night is pretty wonderful!  And when I don't stick to the schedule, I definitely feel it in the morning.  I probably miss the mark once a week, but overall I'm proud of myself for taking care of myself.  Simple thing to do and worth it.

 

Second subject.  Well wait, do we need a photo here?  Just to break it up.  Okay, let me go get one.  Here are a bunch of quilts I have.  I need to sell some...  I had a friend say in an email the other day something about her "good intentions" of getting creative with all the things she's buying was getting old!  Do you ever feel that way.  Struck a chord with me.  That's what they should call Pinterest... the land of good intentions.

 

Second subject is breakfast for dinner.  My brother and I have been doing most every Tuesday night for the past couple of months.  At IHOP on Washington/I-10.   Its so fun to have breakfast for dinner - what a treat!

 

And last subject is... travel.  I'm going to London on Friday for work.  Well, I'm going a bit early so I can shop at Portobello Market and Spitalfields Market and a few other places.  At the end of the week I'm jumping on the Eurostar to Paris for two days and one night... Yikes!  I don't speak French and I'm going alone but hopefully I will immerse myself in France and enjoy every moment.  Its going to be a good week!

Oprah's LifeClass

If you haven't seen my FB posts, I was invited by my good friend, Theresa to attend a taping of the Oprah Lifeclass show in Houston at the Hobby Center yesterday. I had tried to win tickets in the lottery myself but to no avail. T was the lucky girl!  Finally, the big day arrived and I was ready! We had tickets for the afternoon taping and Pastor Rick Warren, of The Purpose-Driven Life was the guest. There was a 2 page list of instructions for attending which included wearing bright colors, eating a big lunch and don't be late! We had a nice lunch at the original Irma's on Chenevert. 

I bought a new green ombre shirt that has a hint of sparkle in it!

We arrived early and there were lots of preparations on the set.  A guy cleaned that desk top twice!

 

My friend, Theresa.  We were in Mezzanine, one floor up and no cameras. 

Here's Oprah when she first comes out.  Very gracious.  They taped two shows that will air in January.  They referred to Rick Warren's 10th anniversary edition of his book,which will be coming out in January. 

 

The conversation between Rick Warren and Oprah was very relaxed and fluid.  Both shows went very smoothly, no retakes.  I don't know if they rehearsed everything but it is exactly like what you see on TV.  During each break, she'd tell Dean (the stage director - in the bottom left photo below) - Let's keep going, Dean. 

During the class Oprah would take notes and they would show them on the screen above.  It was interesting to see her handwriting.  During the breaks, she would keep discussing the issues.  Only once did the makeup people come out.

At the end, Oprah thanked Houston for it's Southern Hospitality.  She explained she couldn't do pictures with one person, she did visit with the front row and particularly this one girl - she talked to her for probably a full 8 minutes.  I think it was a girl who told her story about feeling less than/hating her appearance.  It was pretty amazing because she spent a long time talking to her.  Someone else asked for her shoes and she said no - that they actually fit and felt good!  She still kicks them off when she's at the desk.

A full crowd.  If a seat was empty - they brought in a filler.  Comcast was given a whole slew of tickets, I guess they'll be promoting OWN.

And then a final good bye, leaving the stage with her security man, Rick Warren and Dean behind them.  See all the bright colors - everyone was dressed to the nines!

It was a fun experience, so glad I got to go.  While they had some rigid rules in the two page instructions, they were very relaxed at the theatre.  It was touching at times to be there - inspiration stuff.  The show runs so smoothly, which of course, after 25 years of doing it, but I was still surprised - it is just like you see it on TV.  Thank you, Theresa for inviting me!  It was a bucket list item for me.

 

Warrenton Finds

I owe you a few pictures of the goodies from Warrenton. It always takes me a while to do that because you have to get good light, set it up, take the pics, edit the pics and then yes, finally post the pics.

These are the linen tableclothes I found.  They will make good fabric for angels or pages.  Or maybe one day I'll get around to make a handkerchief pocket holder... one day.

 

Here's my bisque doll that was $25.  They had 3 for sale at Cole's for $320.

These are little insulator bulb things (Sandy said they're fuses)... I think  they will make good feet for a box.  And I love red and blue so I picked up the hankie.

Do you even know what this is?  First thing I thought was an angel doll body.  Of course.  Its also the agitator for a washer... With a coat of white paint you won't know the diff.

I saved 2 of the yardsticks for myself - nice thick ones.  And it said Dutch Boy, so I had to keep it.  Isn't the card catalog exquisite with the dove tails.  It was $32.  I know, right.

I've been cooking like a fool on the weekends.  Last weekend I made Cream of Cilantro soup on Saturday and Sunday I put another whole chicken in the crock pot with rosemary and lemon.  Then I picked it, threw in a little cream and dumplings and we had chicken and dumplings.  Really, really good and so flavorful.  I'm telling you - throw a chicken in the crockpot, ball up some foil and place it in the bottom, add some carrots, season up the chicken and add some rosemary inside and on top and lemon and you will thank me.  Promise.

EDITED TO ADD:  Yes, the foil keeps it out of the juices, so that it "steams".  Learned it from Pinterest here!  It is super moist.

It's a big week here.  Oprah is coming to town Friday and I get to be in the audience on Friday afternoon at Hobby Center.  She's taping her show, LifeClass.  I am beyond thrilled.  I'll let you know how it goes.