Happy Little Trees

Central Market has a new theme this month. It's all about France . I stopped by the market today to pick up some lunch to-go, and I was lured by all the French offerings.

There were special labels of all products from France. I forgot to check the French fries, but there were other cool products like yogurts, butters, cheeses...all my favorite high-cal French ambassadors.

On the way out, I grabbed some pre-made crepes with chicken. And I also got a quiche. Maybe it's all those years of high school French and my three day tour of France, but I cannot say crepes like an American anymore (crapes -- like grapes). I must say, "creptz." I feel like a weirdo when I say it, but I can't help it!

So, my desire to retour the land across the pond might not be a reality any time soon, but all the parts of France I love are pretty much at my back door now, without all the "fume."

Joie de vivre!

I love food. My father loved food. My mother loves food. It's in my genes (or overflows from my jeans--hee-hee!).

Here's some food that I love from places I love:

1) Old Hickory Bar-B-Que - I know that I've blogged about this before--but you really need to go visit Owensboro, Kentucky, (the birthplace of myself and Johnny Depp) and try a chopped mutton sandwich. Also, get some burgoo. It is sweet, savory, with just enough pepper. I love this stuff! But I'm glad I only partake in it on visits home--otherwise, I would need a coronary bypass since I'm past 35.

2) Lupe Tortilla's - Houston has amazing fajitas all around--each place has something that makes it special. Lupe's offers an amazingly delicious marinated fajita beef. Soooooo good! It's always sad when the skillet is empty and my belly is full, because I want to relive the moment again!

3) Onion Creek - For some reason, I'm addicted to their hummus wrap. I love hummus. And this wrap hides in vegetables that I eat without even realizing it! It is dee-lish and makes me think I'm healthy.

4) Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria - Speaking of hummus, Barley's in Asheville has some awesome black bean hummus. This was probably the first hummus I ever ate. I love their pizza slices and the hummus is always great to share.

5) Laughing Seed Cafe - This is another Asheville spot I miss. I absolutely loved the Low Country Roll-Ups from the Laughing Seed. It's basically like Sloppy Joe tofu in a whole wheat wrap--this was the first time I ever knew that tofu could taste like something else besides styrofoam.

6) Catalina Coffee - You will find a beautiful latte. I searched for a pretty latte all over Houston and this place has excellent coffee and will make you a pretty latte.

7) Niko Nikos - Since I've been in Houston, I've seen this restaurant expand (and possibly myself). It is one delicious place. I can eat a gyro, a chicken barbeque pita, a chicken parmesan pita, or pretty much anything I want. But my deepest love for this place is the fact is has an amazing lemon chicken soup (avgolemono). It is what I want the most when I feel sick. The lemon is healing. The chicken broth hot. And it is the comfort of all comfort foods when you have a cold. It's a beautiful thing.

I've lived in Houston for many years now and figured out that there a few ways I've changed since I've been here. A few friends from my hometown county have journeyed down this way, so if anyone else decides to do the same, here's how you become a Houstonian.

1) I know what the loop is. And I try to stay in it.
2) I need a jacket for 60 degree weather--also, I also have an emergency cardigan.
3) I prefer corn tortillas for enchiladas; I only like flour for fajitas--and that is if they are homemade or prepared in the restaurant.
4) I don't watch the news because it's too scary.
5) I avoid Wal-Mart (for the same reason as above).
6) I don't pump gas at night.
7) Going to the super market is like an event.
8) Continuing with the statement above, I shop at HEB, but love, love, love Central Market.
9) I can move over seven lanes of traffic in one sweep and survive.
10) I have cowboy boots and treasure them.
11) My heart warms at the site of the skyline at night.
12) Crowds don't intimidate me, but lines annoy me.
13) I am a breakfast taco aficionado.
14) I can two-step.
15) I know the hand signs for all the major Texas universities.

I love to work out. I live very close to a YMCA, so I can just pop across the street and get my workout groove on. I normally use the same types of machines at the Y. I really like using the new elliptical/space machine (not the official name). But it makes my feet go a bit numb. I'm not sure why.  But it's a bit more challenging than your run-of-the-treadmill elliptical. And--it makes me feel like I'm running on the moon.

When I do a workout, I feel so much better. My body needs it. My body craves it. But sometimes, the busy bee and couch potato that live inside of me just refuse to work out. I wish I could get those two in gear! Then, I would be like Miss Universe or something.

The first time I had a wedding bouquet, I was about four years old. I think someone actually gave it to me during the reception. I'm not sure I really caught it, but I have a picture documenting it. I kept what was left of that bouquet for many years in my keepsake box.

When I finally reached the age of a wedding guest that was the legal age of marrying, the bouquet toss became an extremely embarrassing affair. I hoped that I would be in the bathroom during that time or anywhere but in arms reach of someone dragging me to the toss. All the single ladies were gathered as a spectacle for the rest of the group to watch. I hated the pose where the photographer would make us raise our hands in the air pretending to want it. I usually wound up hiding in the back just hoping the moment would pass so I could refill my punch.

At a certain point in my 20s, I decided that I would no longer fear the bouquet toss, but I would seize that bouquet every time. If I had to play the game, I was going to win. At one event, I was so eager to grab it, I made a fellow single lady bleed from my fingernail skimming her wrist. After that, I decided maybe fierce aggression at a wedding was not a good look.

I attended a wedding last weekend, and I got a bouquet again. It was pretty much by default. At our friend's wedding a few years ago, she and I have a picture together pretending to fight over the bouquet.

There wasn't an official toss, but the bride was kind enough to let me have the bouquet in a Mean-Joe-Green-Coke-Toss kind of fashion. It was a special catch--because I knew she'd been there like me many times. It felt like I was being handed the baton or something. I don't know if this means that I've had enough bouquets in my possession, I will finally get married, but whatever the case, it's a lovely bouquet and it's stayed fresh all week.

I like the concept of Groupon, but there seems to be a disconnect between me and it. Good deals are great, and I am drawn to them like a bug to a light. But I struggle with actually using the Groupon. Perhaps that is the purpose of the concept. It lets people envision that they will actually use all the services--and then they never have time to.

I bought a Zumba coupon, and I was determined to use it. I had to make sure that $20 was not wasted!

I've been to class a total of three times now. It's a bit interesting. The weirdest part is the Zumba facial expressions. The instructors looks a bit like they are on a Shakira video and the people participating look a bit like they are in shock. I try to block that part out and move whatever body part they tell me to move to the correct beat. Somehow, I leave sopping wet with sweat.

I love to move to music, so it does help me to move, but I am very afraid that someone is getting a secret Zumba video that is going viral and officemates are gathered around laughing--and I am the center of the video. It's probably not happening like that, but the possibility is always there.

I've been listening to a morning radio show on the way to work. The focus this week has been on heaven. When I got bored with the daily request for donations for the non-profit program, I turned onto the local Christian station and heard a familiar song, but this time, I paid attention to the words. The focus of the song was about achieving all your goals...now what?

All of those things together struck a chord in my heart...suppose I check off all my goals... Suppose my bucket list spills over with completed tasks. Suppose I have adequate food, clothing, and a job... Now what? What else is left?

The song said over and over, "Your love. Your love. The only thing that matters..."

The radio program beckoned, "There is more to life than just what we see on Earth."

Life can seem like a constant race or goal or unmet desire. But when I take a step back, what really matters? What will last beyond my final early breath?

The love of God is eternal. Heaven is forever.

My priorities have to be refocused on a daily basis--well, maybe a hourly, no-- minute-ly, no-- secondly basis.

REFOCUS.

It's not a bad thing to have goals or dreams. I believe God puts those in our heart. But the main goal is Christ.

Where is your focus today? What is overtaking your mind and/or your time? How does that fit with God's agenda?
(questions I am asking myself)

The cool thing is when I am able to able to refocus--things are much better. I like knowing a big God watches over and cares for little me. (oh, and you, too--no worries.)