Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.
G.B. Stern

Sunday gratitude:

• we finally got a renter for our Florida house - woot!
  
• homemade French toast with warm syrup.
• Corrina, Corrina on TBS. Gosh, I love that movie!
• purging and shredding all the junk in our files.
  
• Welsh potato chips and rarebit from Llywelyn's.
  

I'm tired of hearing it said that democracy doesn't work.
Of course it doesn't work. We are supposed to work it.
Alexander Woollcott

On Wednesday, I had the treat to join my Junior League committee and head in a snazzy rented minivan to Jefferson City. We had a great day planned not only as an educational opportunity to see our state's capitol but also meet up with the three other Junior Leagues in the state (Springfield, St. Joseph and Kansas City).

Our day included being introduced to the House of Representatives, tea with First Lady Georganne Nixon (and her dog Daniel Boone!) in the Governor's Mansion, lunch with State Auditor Susan Montee and meetings with our local St. Louis representatives Rachel Storch and Cole McNary.

Such a fun and interesting way to spend a cold, Missouri Wednesday!

With First Lady Georganne Nixon - we were freezing and windblown but still had fun!
(Photo taken by Karen Wisch)

All men are equal before fish.
Herbert Hoover

On Friday night Nick and I ventured out to try one of the many local Lenten fish fries around St. Louis. Before moving here I don't think I ever realized what a large Catholic population there was - obviously the city name, Saint Louis, never made the connection for me.

So there are a ton of local fish fries at area churches. They all get a lot of media coverage, there are fun stories of "fry hoppers" - old women who go to a different church every week to see who does it best. There is even a blog reviewing the different churches annually, Friday Night Fish.

I scoped out the reviews and we selected St. Mary Magdalene in Brentwood. As soon as we walked in Nick laughed and said what a flash back it was to his childhood. The line for the food was the length of the the school gym and while we waited we browsed the menu to make our selections. I went with the "God's Cod" sandwich, side of cole slaw and a homemade dessert (a from scratch Rice Crispy treat, yum!). Nick picked the standard two pieces of fish with two sides, mac 'n cheese along with spiced apples and a homemade brownie.

Overall it was very yummy and a different, inexpensive Friday night dinner date. I hear through the fish fry gossip that the very best in town is St. Pius (real china and live music) so we may check that out in the coming weeks too, maybe introduce my mom to the fish fry scene when she comes to town!

Nick demonstrating his tarter technique.

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!
Mark Twain

St. Louis teased us with sunny, 50 degree weather of Saturday. I think people were actually skipping through Target! Then today it is raining, with some snow flurries and cold. No fair!

At Trader Joe's this weekend I spying small bunches of cut daffodils for just $1.50 and couldn't resist. They are bringing temporary Springtime to our dining room!

Aren't they cheerful?

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.
G.B. Stern

Sunday gratitude:

• fresh cut daffodils from the grocery store.
• trying our first St. Louis Lenten fish fry!
• $5 deals from Home Goods.
• petting the darling guys from the Blood Hound Rescue at Petsmart.
• watching Olympic speed skating with Nick - it's like horse racing but with people!
  

One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something.
Henry David Thoreau

Last week I joined a group of women from the local Tri Delta alumnae chapter at St. Louis Children's Hospital near Forest Park.

Tri Delta's national philanthropy is children's cancer charities, specifically St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, but alumnae groups show their support locally too. Our alumnae chapter donates time, items and money to the St. Louis Children's Hospital (like the emergency room bags of crayons, games and coloring books we made in December) so it was a great chance to tour the hospital to see where our efforts were being used.

I was so impressed visiting the hospital, it brings the sense of hope and joy that I felt when I visited St. Jude. I'm so thankful to have the opportunity to support them.

Entering the main area of the hospital

The main atrium

Hallway art gallery

Aquariums all over the place

Joe Buck Imaging Center - baseball and sports everywhere!

Another view of the imaging center

Ronald McDonald Family Room -
like a small, in hospital version of the Ronald McDonald House

Group shot of some of our alumnae chapter members

I get a little behind during Lent, but it comes out even at Christmas.
Frank Butler

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

Generally it is customary to give something up for Lent - fast food, swearing... my grandmother used to give up beer! I always tell people about the time Casey's husband, James, gave up shaving for Lent. Nick threatens to do it each year.

But I also hear teachings that you can do something good for Lent like volunteer at a local shelter or promise to exercise regularly.

So for Lent this year, I'm going to church. Backwards, I know, but I thought it would be good to pick up a habit that may stick! I was raised in the Episcopal church but haven't found one here in St. Louis. I tried my second parish last Sunday and then have one more within my immediate area to check out. Hopefully one of those three will feel like a good fit. So far, the two I have been to have their pluses and minuses so I'll just have to decide what is most important to me.

Also, a friend of mine from high school is an Episcopal priest so I contacted him for a recommendation for a good and brief online/e-mail daily Lenten devotional. He recommended this one and asked me to let him know my thoughts after I try it for a few days.

So my first day of Lent plans include reading my devotional this morning, perhaps bribing Nick to go with me to church tonight for ashes or maybe during my lunch break and then trying church #3 on Sunday. We'll see how it all goes.

I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills.
It's probably the most important thing in a person.
Audrey Hepburn

The quote above is one of my favorites. I think of it constantly when I'm with Nick. He always makes me laugh! A very romantic Valentine's Day was no different.

We just had a yummy at home. My mother always made heart-shaped meatloaf and pink mashed potatoes so I did the same. Nick requested chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting for dessert.

I made him turn off the sport-of-the-minute or whatever he was watching on television and put on some nice music for dinner. He selected Sirius XM - Love Songs and then serenaded me with My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion.

Swoon.

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.
G.B. Stern

Sunday gratitude:

• my darling red-headed Valentine.
  
• my mama is coming to visit in March!
• meat wrapped in butcher paper, not just on a foam plate with clear wrap.
• buying a cute gift for attending my first baby shower next week.
  
• the Olympic opening ceremonies - so many excited faces!
  

Love is the greatest refreshment in life.
Pablo Picasso

I had a nice Thursday afternoon treat when a bouquet of tulips were delivered to my office. Happy Valentine's Day from my darling husband. What a sweetie!


They certainly create a bright spot on my desk even though it is cold and snowy outside.

Nick has Saturday off which will be nice to get out and do something tomorrow. Sunday we'll keep it low key and have a nice dinner at home for Valentine's Day - heart shaped meatloaf and pink mashed potatoes of course!