One of the most unforgettable parts of Blissdom started off rather unauspiciously – Saturday morning after breakfast, we were told there was going to be a special screening, and the hotel ballroom was scattered in HUMONGOUS Sony tv screens – the one at the front being about as big as a movie screen. The lights dimmed, and the music of Yanni began to swell…

Yes, YANNI…

But this is no ordinary Yanni – Yanni has found amazing vocal artists to accompany his flawless arrangements, and these singers just add to the soul-stirring music.  Two women with voices of angels, and two HANDSOME men who sang songs of love. But the best was yet to come…after the lights came up, we were introduced to the two male vocalists in the video, Nathan Pacheco, and Ender Thomas…

SWOON…

They were as charming and handsome as could be – and endured every question, request, and even sang happy birthday to the women lucky enough to be celebrating that day. Then took pictures and signed autographs for everyone who stood in line to meet them. 

I could go on and on some more about this fabulous  concert, but even better, I have a video preview of the Yanni “Voices” concert that is showing on PBS starting Monday – you can check your local times here, and get more details here. But watch the video first…

Thank you to Barbara and Arianne from One2One for organizing such a great surprise for us Blissdom Chicks!

After indulging at Blissdom, including all the Little Debbie 100 calorie treats they so generously provided,  I figured out it was time to get back on the Weight Watchers wagon. It’s not a difficult transition, and I am a firm believer in eating what you want, just in smaller portions. So while I DID eat the oh-so-yummy chicken recipe I posted last week, I ate a small portion and had a big salad and veggies on the side. I actually LOVE fresh veggies, but I detest prepping them…oh, and paying for them – $1 for ONE bell pepper? No thanks. I would however pay through the nose for a tomato that actually tastes like, say…a TOMATO???

That brings me to my next update – I need a GARDENING mentor. Someone who can tell me what , when, how and why…I want to grow veggies that taste how they are supposed to taste. I have a 10×15 area that is about 75% sunny, and it needs a lot of work. I would like to try tomatos, peppers (sweet and hot), cucumbers, squash, onions and garlic. Maybe even some fruit… Am I being realistic or getting in over my head?

Oh! Speaking of fruit – I found the BEST thing for anyone wanting to eat better. Wal-mart carries a store line of flash frozen unsweetened fruit – I know, frozen fruit had been around forever, but this not a big mass of frozen fruit and syrup – so you can pour out a little bowl of fruit to snack on as-is (YUM!), put some in your oatmeal, or have a little fruit salad with lunch. The BEST part? A CUP of these fruits – peach slices, raspberries, or blueberries are only 50 calories! That’s ONE point!! (ps – did you know 1 pt roughly translates into 50 calories?)

Ok, yeah, I get a little excited about fruit.

Last but not least, I was to be one of a few women interviewed for an upcoming article in Hallmark Magazine about Aprons – and unfortunately Hallmark has published it’s last issue. While I am REALLY bummed that the article won’t be coming out, I am REALLY bummed that we have lost another great magazine and more jobs were lost.