1st Date Anniversary

So today was the 3rd anniversary of my first date with Dave!!! On one hand, it doesn't seem like it could have been three whole years ago, but on the other, it seems like we've been together SO much longer than 3 years.

The really nice thing was that Dave surprised me by sending me flowers at work today...here's a picture of them. They came with some Godiva chocolates....deelish!

Tappity tap tap tap

Some of you already know...but many of you don't...that my new thing is tap dancing. I've been taking adult classes since September and it is SO much fun. It's exercise that doesn't seem like exercise...and those of you who know me best know that exercise isn't exactly my favorite thing to do.

I'm taking classes two nights a week from a wonderful teacher in Lexington named Valery Marcantonio. Her group is called "All That Tap." We really have a great time and the people are so nice and fun. One of the interesting things about dancing as an adult is that I find I really don't compare myself to anyone else...it's just all about improving each week.

Dancing for exercise is something I would definitely recommend to any "grown ups" looking to get more movement into your routine. If I can do it, you can do it!

Magnolia

Tonight my book club met. We read "The Moviegoer" by Walker Percy, which isn't all that important for you to know. What IS important for you to know is that the book is set in New Orleans, and we always try to have a book club meeting that relates in some way to the book we read.

So we met at a wonderful southern style restaurant in Cambridge called Magnolia's Southern Cuisine (http://www.magnoliascuisine.com/). What a tasty, tasty treat it was. They have the kinds of things you would expect on the menu...jambalaya, blackened everything, crawfish. But they also have a lot of unusual things...case in point, the deep fried avocado stuffed with cheese.

As usual, the company was excellent and we had a lot of fun. If you go, don't miss out on the oven roasted portobello mushrooms stuffed with warm goat cheese and chopped pecans. And the Pecan Pie is absolutely to die for...it's a large slice, so plenty enough to share. It's not overly sweet and has a delectable flavor.

Pink Martini

Last night I saw the most fantastic band, called Pink Martini. My friend Hilary treated me...thanks, Hilary!!!

They describe themselves thus: "Pink Martini is like a romantic Hollywood musical of the 1940s or 50s -- but with a global perspective which is modern. We bring melodies and rhythms from different parts of the world together to create something which is new and beautiful."

This group is a 12-piece orchestra with a wonderful vocalist, who last night sang in no fewer than seven languages....English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, and Arabic. The orchestra includes piano, upright bass, cello, violin, harp (played by Beach Boys' Mike Love's sister, Maureen), guitar, bass guitar, trumpet, trombone, and a variety of percussion (including drums, bongos, various international percussion instruments). Really talented musicians and the vocalist is also amazing.

We saw them perform at the Boston Opera House (http://www.bostonoperahouse.com/ pictured at right) and I've never seen such a diverse audience. Quite literally aged 8 to 80...families, couples, young people, old people. I think if there was a common feature it would have been that it did seem like an NPR crowd. My kind of people!!

Though based in Portland, Oregon, Pink Martini plays all over the world. They are on tour in the U.S. through the end of May...if they're coming anywhere near your town, definitely don't miss them. You can check tour dates and hear samples of their music on their website: http://www.pinkmartini.com/

Black Bean Brownies

I think you probably won't believe me when I say this, but this recipe makes some GREAT brownies! Honestly, just try it before passing judgment. And for those of us watching our girlish figures, these brownies are only 2 Weight Watchers points each (use the information for the dry brownie mix that you use to figure this out).

Black Bean Brownies
1 15-oz can black beans
1 cup of water
1 box of brownie mix

Puree the black beans and water in a blender. Fold the black bean puree into the dry brownie mix. Bake. Seriously, that's it.

I found that I had to bake the brownies about twice as long as directed on the box, as the black beans take longer to set up than oil and eggs would. You'll have to just keep an eye on them and see how long yours takes.

Let me know what you think!

To Kill a Mockingbird

It's terrible and shocking that here I am at 37 years old and this is the first time I've ever read To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. But it's true.

What a wonderful story. This should be required reading for every citizen in America. I used to think that Demi Moore and Bruce Willis were mad for naming their daughter "Scout." But now I need to get a dog so that I can name it Atticus Finch.

If you haven't read this incredible book, do hop down to your local library and check out a copy. You'll be glad you did.