Last night I ate ...

a Happy Meal at McDonalds.





On Saturday we brunched at Zingerman's Roadhouse where I only had one free refill of twice-fried french fries.  Speaking of fries, the Globe and Mail posted  an article today warning us how bad they are for us.  I will say no to Macdo's frozen fries, but not to the "real thing".

Speaking of Zingerman's, Kyle's kiddie meal was as big as he is.  Portion control please!




My favourite lunch in Ann Arbor is Panera's broccoli cheddar soup in a bread bowl.  It is served with an extra quarter loaf of French baguette.  Total calories = 900.  (I managed half of the bread).





I haven't exercised in two and a half weeks (three-mile walks each day notwithstanding).

Somehow I can still fit into my clothes.

Speaking of clothes, at H&M, Zara, and Uniqlo in Hong Kong I wear a size large.  In Ann Arbor shops, a size 6 is roomy.
But i did not come to America to write (kvetch) about food ...

This summer, I am the resident babysitter on Devonshire Road.  Big brother Kyle and his parents leave around 9 a.m. for daycare and work, so I am alone with baby Shane all day.  Many thanks to my trainer, Ewa, for helping me strengthen my core so that I can carry Shane around in the Baby Bjorn most of the day when we are not out exploring.  Shane is rather well-fed - 6 weeks old and 12 pounds.  A future UM defensive lineman.  In my spare time (ha!) I've been trying to figure out a way to sneak the two boys back into HK.  Grandparenting is so special.

Ann Arbor is beautiful, especially at this time of year and in this neighbourhood (Ann Arbor Hills).  The houses are all set way back from the road, and the lawns are beautifully landscaped.  We see deer, woodchucks, squirrels, and chipmunks in the back yard all day long (mercifully no raccoons).   It smells wonderful, and the weather has been perfect.  (Meanwhile, Jeff is slugging it out in the tropical HK summer.)   I've found a great alternative to Starbucks about 20 minutes away (on foot, of course).  It's called the Common Cup, and it's located in the basement of the Lutheran Church on busy Washtenaw Avenue.  Great cappuccino and muffins (ok - no more food talk), and a shaded outdoor terrace.

I have managed to keep up my tai-tai habits of pampering myself with mani-pedis, massage, and local entertainment.

There's a very cool venue called The Ark which showcases good "B" list entertainers.  Last Friday, I went to the Livingston Taylor concert.  He's the younger, less-well-known brother of James (I've seen fire and I've seen rain).  It's so informal here - as we were lining up outside before the show, Livingston came out to shmooze with the crowd.  When I asked if I could take his photo, he suggested having one taken with me!  The concert was fun - a real throwback to the 60s and early 70s.  Today I bought a ticket to the Tom Rush concert, and also to the Tartan Terrors, a Canadian Celtic group.  I love Celtic music (Barra MacNeils, Natalie MacMaster, Great Big Sea), but the TTs feature a lot of bagpipes, which might drive me out the door before the gig is over (tickets were only $15).


I can't resist ending the blog with two more recent photos of the boys!

Kyle and the ladybug pinata at a birthday party last weekend.  Candy anyone?

  Brothers!