McSunset

Driving to DC or Virginia from Baltimore can be such a chore. This 33 mile jaunt can some times take an hour and a half or more with traffic. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what was taking so long on the DC Beltway as I didn't see an accident warning.  After a crest in the road I finally realized it was the SUNSET.

Literally the sun setting was blinding the outer loop drivers to a screeching halt. 

I would have been okay with this if it weren't for a very important going away party I was now late for due to the sun.

Then I saw this glorious site. I gasped for air and was so thankful I had my camera at the ready. God was delaying me. Slowing me down to bid farewell to one of my closest friends of all time. 

Were other drivers doing the same thing...taking photos of the Mormon Temple sunset?

It was a breath taking sunset and I know my Momma will be so proud of me. She is the sunset queen.

Traffic let up the minute the sun went down.

Thank the heavenly sunset I made it in time to kiss the squeaky clean Bird before going night night.

DC's most patriotic couple is heading to the Best (Left) Coast! It's beyond difficult to even cuss and discuss this loss of proximity to our pals.

McCall and Tyson are leaving for Southern California to rear the Bird closer to their families. They are both from California. We are so thrilled for them. But what will I do without my bestie who invented Diva Doubles, Diva Dinners and is Smart and Glamorous and Knows All of the Answers?  Sadness.

The buffet was decked in Red, White and Blue.

McCall was the hostess with the mostess looking smashingly June Cleaver'esque in her black cocktail dress and bow headband.

The food was even Star Spangled.

Beach house pals we've know for over 13 years were in tow telling very funny stories.

There are not enough words to explain this photo. Just know this old friend was wearing his baby spit up as a badge of honor on his cashmere sweater.

I donned my most favorite martini glass GTH pants and posed with my Dewey Beach Babes. There were 32 of us in the house on McKinnley a jillion years ago. A few of us were there to represent for the going away party.

Our other very dear DC friends, Kristen and Tom, came to The Party in Kalamazoo (our wedding). Kristen and McCall went to college together in Cali.

Some of McCall's oldest Capitol Hill friends came to kiss them goodbye as well.

As DC is one of the most transient cities in all of the Union, McCall would always buy a photo book for going away parties. I carried on her tradition and got one for this very special going away party. Sigh. 

She has names for everything and KNH and I couldn't remember the nickname for her first apartment. It could have been any of the following; McMinny Apt, McCottage, McCapitol Chambers...but alas, we all McForgot the name.

Bryn was reading her husband Charlie's hilarious comment about how he was glad they were leaving. Which is a lie. None of us are happy they are leaving. We are all weeping ourselves to sleep as of late.

Her husband Charlie was even close to jumping into the pool in protest. If you remember from my earlier post this year McCall and Tyson JUST purchased this six months ago. They close next week. God opened every imaginable door for them to move and took care of business FAST. 

Despite the reason for the gathering we all managed to pull it together and have a good time. There was a crispness to the night and we could tell that fall was nipping at our heels.

Tyson had a few friends show up from the Marine Corps. He has a BRONZE STAR and is a real live American hero. In the six months they've lived in Great Falls they have already befriended great neighbors. We will all miss this house and this hood, the yard and the pool. God's lighthouse was the nickname for this bad boy. Shining light on all who enter, truly.

Charlie went to check on the Bird who he heard on the baby monitor.

The Bird was fast asleep.

This gal pal is like a sister to me. We were in each others weddings and we just love each other to pieces. I'm in complete denial that they are really leaving and burst into tears upon arrival the night of the party. Thank heavens I was the first to arrive and could buck up for the party. 

Avery's, what can we say? We are so happy that the Bird will be able to grow up going to yoga with Pooty and learn how to play tennis from Caren Cam. We are thrilled she'll be able to know her cousins, hang with Kevin from Heaven, Aunt Cheetah and learn all about the family wine business. Tyson, we couldn't be happier that you'll be able to catch waves on your lunch break in the Pacific. McCollege, I'm just going to miss hugging your face so much but can't wait for our SoCal vacays and long walks on the beaches with you. We love you and wish you the most peaceful move ever. God bless you friends!

Baltimore Food Co-op

The Baltimore Food Co-op is just around the corner from us in Hampden. We are thrilled with its progress. We have a neighbor who is on the board and I am happy to be connected to people making a difference in the lives of local farmers. I just read this article this morning I don't want to be sold. I just want, good, wholesome, organic products.

I can now grab gluten free Newman-O's on the way home from work and fresh produce. This cookie is for emergencies only. My nutritionist taught us that if we eat our sweets after lunch we won't crave them as badly. These have a nice Oreo texture but definitely doesn't taste as "fake" as Oreo's. You can taste the chocolate. They are tasty little treats.

The kale and basil looked gorgeous.

Cheryl Wade is the wonderful keeper of the Co-op. She is the most mission minded person and is the best cheerleader for organic and local farms. She is a wealth of knowledge and walked me throughout the new space. Previously named the Mill Center, Cheryl used to sell garden items, flowers, tools as well as organic produce. Now the Co-op is set up as a grocery store.

This mural is under construction on the bulk foods section that is yet to come.

Cheryl showed me this air conditioned little room. The whole space isn't air conditioned and the bulk foods need to be climate controlled so they don't spoil.

Quinoa coming soon!

Now the dry shelves have local and fairly traded coffee and chocolate. There are even brochures boasting of their sustainability.

There are also baskets of fresh produce. When my husband and I joined the co-op we received a great canvas bag to use for our groceries.

Cheryl takes such pride in her job and I've never seen her happier.

After the detox I eliminated milk by 90%. The only milk I drink is from Trickling Springs. E. loves their chocolate milk and they are from grass fed happy cows. You can taste the happiness from these refundable glass bottles. 

Grocery stores have a new meaning to me now, post detox. I read a lot of labels. I'm not looking for calories but what is in the container/package. Eating whole foods has been a great mood enhancer for me and I've never felt better. I'm trying to be gluten free and am finding that to be the toughest elimination from my diet. But it makes a huge difference. I haven't been sick once since I stopped eating wheat. When I eat wheat products I truly get a runny nose and cough. To have healthy options walking distance from our home is a gift from God.

There is a huge selection of dry beans. My nutritionist would be so excited.

The baking section is organized with the Gluten Free items on the top shelves just in case any packages break. That's Cheryl, always thinking.

Cheryl also pulled out this unique and beautiful RED okra and suggests that you slice it, drizzle with olive oil, salt and bake to enjoy.

There are even not so perfect carrots for juicing and roasting. I love multi-colored carrots. I love colorful food.

These bags of basil looked like spinach they were so plentiful. 

Big City Farms is a very cool project using urban farms on underused land. This basil came from a lot near the Hanover Bridge.

The refrigerator section and freezer section are also coming soon. If you have a specific organic or local brand that you are interested in ordering you can send it to Cheryl and she will look into getting it for the Co-op. 

There are lots of processed items but a splurge now and then is okay. Especially when they are made with good ingredients.

Stop in and tell Cheryl I said hello! If anyone is interested in being a guest speaker at the Co-op let me know. There is a great education component of having a co-op and I look forward to the programming coming soon as well. Maybe I'll teach a class on how to blog, cook or garden? 

Thank you Cheryl for you wonderful spirit. You are the real gift and we are lucky to know you!!!