Books, tea lattes and muffins...

that's how I spent my day today.....ooh, can't forget to mention the most important factor, spending quality time with my girlfriend Mary. Mary and I have been friends since...well, lets say, for like 22 years now!!! She is the one constant in my life (besides Mandi) that I know will always remain. Seriously, always be there no matter what! We may be totally different. We may lead totally different lives, have completely different views on religious beliefs, political beliefs, social beliefs etc...but we also totally respect that in each other, learn from each other and cherish that fact about each other. I can't imagine my life without Mary in it, and I hope that I never have to experience it. We have joked for years that one day, we will find ourselves, living out our days, sharing a home and a business and loving life together...

so, today we met for some quality time at Argo Tea in Evanston. Can I just say how much I love Evanston? I mean, it's like a mini Chicago, with all the cool accouterments that encompass a large city but on a smaller scale! Last month we had met for lunch, Mandi, Mary and myself (Mandi also adores Mary and Mary has been Mandi's Aunt Mary since before birth even!) and we decided that since we couldn't find a book club local to us that we would just form our own..I mean, so what if at the start it's just us two! We choose to read Elizabeth Gilbert's newest release "Committed" and it was such a GREAT read! After spending a couple weeks reading (me on my Kindle..LOVE my Kindle, and Mary with the book), we decided to meet at Argo Tea (a totally rad "Starbucks" feeling tea spot) for some lattes (of course, tea lattes..yum!! Mine was black tea, nonfat with chocolate syrup...oh yeah baby!!) and some chatter about the book. It was wonderful. Both Mary and I came to this book with different perspectives (really?? LOL) about marriage, and it was really cool to sit and dish about it..along with the authors idea of marriage as well. All in all, a really nice day spent!

After our discussion, lattes, muffins and fun....we headed over to Barnes and Noble to decide on our next book! We have decided to read Anne Rice's book "Called Out of Darkness A Spiritual Confession by Anne Rice" it somehow immediately spoke to us both, right there in the Evanston Barnes and Noble, and while I downloaded it toot-sweet to my Kindle, Mary bought it! I can't wait to start it tonight, and to eventually meet in a few weeks and discuss it with Mary!

So, that is how I spent my day today. I know, today on the blog is supposed to be my "Tasty Tuesday" post, with a recipe and all, but, well, I don't have one today. Maybe later this week I'll share one for you!! Maybe I'll post one of my yummy vegan muffin recipes...since Mary and I had that brief moment in time where we were baking vegan treats for the Wild Tree Cafe in Evanston. Speaking of the Wild Tree and since no blog post seems complete without a picture, I'll share the last picture Mary and I took together. We were hanging at the Wild Tree Cafe, Ivy's last day of business (sadly she has closed her doors and moved on to bigger and better endeavors in life) and Mandi took this pic of us. Yep, this is my girl...my rasta, dreadlocked, free-spirited, all loving girl that I can't imagine my life without.

God willing, I'll not ever have to!



Until next time,
Blessings!

As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
-- Colossians 3:12