Spring Stew

I had hoped to write a longer post sooner than this one, but life has been a fast-paced blend of flavors and activities the past week, so quickly:

I went rowing (twice) and learned the first day (sculling) that I am in better shape than I thought and the second day (five days later and sweep rowing) that I am in far worse shape than I thought. And we joined the Y this week, too, but I have yet to go back, primarily because Monday's rowing session left me nearly unable to move.

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I'm working on a new art project that excites me to no end. I'm not ready to share details just yet but it might be the most fun thing I've worked on yet. Not original exactly, but unique in its own way, and packed with adventure and fun!

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We've adopted a new member of the family - a sleek gray cat two months younger and half the size of Gus. Our hope was that Gus would have a new playmate. And he does. I think. At first he was viciously unwelcoming toward the gray cat, but slowly they started making each other's acquaintance. Now, I can't always tell if they're playing or fighting. But it's only been a week, so I'm watching and waiting and only breaking up the fights when it looks like blood might be spilled or one of them is in extreme pain. And sometimes, they do look like the best of friends.

Now the trick is to figure out how to feed them so that the smaller, scrawny one gains weight and Gus slims down a bit.

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Yesterday we went to Unfinished Furniture Mart to finally order a corner desk and hutch I set my eye months ago (I wanted to wait for our tax refund, and the waiting was very difficult), to find that they were on sale for almost 40 percent off. For no reason. No clearance, or holiday, or anything. Just because. Not only that, but they're expecting one to come today and we should get it by the beginning of next week (orders usually take three to four weeks, we were told back when we first found it). So we're buying a solid wood desk set for about the same as the particle board equivalent would be in most stores. Sometimes you get the good cards.

(Now maybe we can go back and get more of the same set but we've got to see how the desk and hutch fit in this tiny room, first.)

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And finally, the stew I mentioned? Al and I made a Mexican chicken-black-bean-vegetable naked burrito style dinner the other night that was so delicious I can't stop thinking about it. And that is a feat, considering that the only food that usually won't let go of my brain is chocolate mousse cheesecake. I wouldn't say it's my favorite food, because I have many of those, but it's the only one I really obsess about on a regular basis. What's yours?