Back In Black - Day 20 (Saturday) & Something About Greasing Greased Wheels...

Sometimes, we're so busy tending to the issues generated by the more needy, difficult, or demanding people in our lives that we fail to appreciate the greased wheels who keep on keeping on, happy to take what they can get, containing themselves when self-containment is the order of the moment, and partaking cheerfully of good opportunities for interaction and togetherness when they are presented, with the most minimal requirements of the people around them.

Mads is one of life's greased wheels. A mostly joyful, agreeable, caring, empathic, and easily pleased kind of child who takes her happiness where she can get it, whether it be in alone time with imaginary friends, together time with real ones, an opportunity to practice some dance moves in the back yard alone, a movie with the family, a walk on the beach (or just around the neighborhood) with us, a cupcake, or a Drumstick.

We took three because she thought the first two
made her eyes a little too squinty in the sunlight.

And because she's so easily contented, and because there are often other people and things vying for my attention, it's also easy to forget sometimes how deserving she is of my undivided attention. Not just because she's my child, but because of all she does (and does not) that keeps her little moving corner of our household calm, peaceful, and a generally nice space to occupy.

I love that we both find satisfaction in the little things -
like perfectly blue skies and pretty white clouds.

So we headed out Saturday morning for some coffee, hot chocolate, pastries, and girl time. That all it took to make her happy was a mention of hot chocolate and a little time together is pretty much indicative of her M.O. She wants so little in the first place and then is grateful to get just a piece of it.

It made me happy that she found the pain au chocolat at Petite Madeline (we went to a patisserie that shared her name, minus an *e*) to her satisfaction. She specially liked the crust, she said. But then it's just like Mads to be able to find something specially good in just about any circumstance.

I find it fitting that Mads was born on December 22. A truly perfect Christmas present for a mom who isn't all that concerned with exact dates. :)

BREAKFAST

was an almond palmier from Petite Madeline. I'm guessing they must have named the bakery after a person because they spell "madeleine" correctly in the display case. My Mads, on the other hand, shares her name with that most delightfully buttery of petite cakes from France.

And the first creamed coffee in a while.

LUNCH

was four goi cuon. A light lunch before heading over to our friends' place for Mex, beer, and margaritas.

DINNER

was two yummy ceviche and guacamole tostadas followed by two tasty carne asada tacos washed down with first a refreshingly cold Anchor Steam and then a margi on the rocks. No pics. Too busy enjoying the company.

EXERCISE

was a 20 minute walk while at our friends' place, trying to get an overstimulated Izzy to take a nap. I haven't really had a proper workout since I started this thing three weeks ago, but I am generally feeling more energetic, which I think is attributable to the simple acts of reducing the number of alcoholic beverages and just eating less, if only by two or three bites than usual.

Now to decide what's lunching today...

shinae