February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

[sooty]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

Hello fab ones, just a quickie, had internet probs (again) and now got unexpected visitors - (his family not mine) so not going to be back till tomorrow night as they leave tomorrow pm.
A beautiful day here today, a taste of spring but not forecast to last - but the sun and mild weather was so welcome.
I hope the weekend goes well for all of us, I'm fine, just distracted.
Lav I don't envy you that snow.
Keep safe and strong everyone
Sooty

[dill]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

Chill, I have no insights other than the usual: alcohol is cunning, baffling and powerful, and also patient. It sounds like he must have let his guard down. He's certainly not the first. The only way to go from here is forward. Give him a hand back up on the wagon and hope he stays there! Your signature line answers your own question. Remember: sometimes it's progress, not perfection.


It's awful quiet around here today. I think I'll get a little action going. Watch out!



:H:H:HGotcha!!:H:H:H

Peace and strength to you all. Attached files [img]/converted_files/1151845=5485-attachment.gif[/img]

[Lavande]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

Right back at you Dill

I shoveled my way out to the hen house this afternoon & a path for the dogs of course. Looks like we got 19 inches of snow! It was hard finding a spot to measure where there were no drifts!!!! Enough for me

Chill, sorry to hear about your friend. God only knows what makes us keep repeating the same stupid mistakes! Just be a good friend & boot him right back up on the wagon - he'll thank you for that.

My daughter & son-in-law re here, chilling for the evening - so nice!

Wishing everyone a warm & cozy AF evening.
See you all tomorrow!

Lav

[Lavande]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

This is Max my Swiss Mountain Dog enjoying the blizzard today!

Attached files [img]/converted_files/1152029=5487-attachment.jpg[/img]

[ladybirdheart]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

Your Swiss Mountain Dog is quite handsome, Lav. I am not familiar with his breed; he appears to resemble a Bernese Mountain Dog but without the long hair. Very handsome. You are quite an instigator Dill when thing are slow. Red, I am awful with following recipes except with baking; I usually get ideas from books and magazines but then adapt them over time. Just take around a cup each chopped celery, carrot, and onion (or far less celery if it seems remotely bitter or overpowering) saute in some mild tasting oil until fragrant and a bit golden, add a chopped medium Yukon Gold or other yellow flesh potato, cover with water and simmer until soft. Meanwhile, coarsely chop an apple that can handle cooking (Granny Smith is traditional but I only had a Fuji and it was lovely), and cook it in butter, turning occasionally, until caramelized (maybe ten or twelve minutes). Set aside. Meanwhile, also toast and salt some chopped walnuts, chop a bit of parsley, and crumble up some good blue cheese (I used Stilton). When the veggies are done blend them in batches until very smooth. Return to the pan and gently reheat adding a cup or more milk to make a consistency you like along with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with plenty of the toppings in the proportions you like. It will evolve. It looks very pretty. Chill, I am really sorry about your friend. I figure it could be any of us at any time and I don?t know what to do other than pull out the Golden Rule and keep on moving in the right direction. Love to everybody, Ladybird.

[lodestar]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

Happy Saturday night to you all. I haven't even been up for 10 hours and I'm thinking back to sleep is in order. Oof. Tired today!

Chill ~ Sorry to hear about your friend. I don't have any answers, of course, but I'm thinking...you can only control what you do. Not anyone else. It is very sad to see people we care about struggle, stumble, fall, need to dust off, etc., but we can be there for them and realize it isn't about us. Your friend is finding his way. It might not be your way. Perhaps you are scared for him? Sometimes I find my anger is more about fear. Does it make you nervous that he sounded confident all along and that there is no rational explanation? Best advice is protect your sobriety and be kind to your friend. Realize that what he does is not about you and that he may need you now more than ever. If you find that is too hard to do and your sobriety is in jeopardy, then do whatever you need to do to protect yourself.

:l to all...I'm off to be lazy and crash early on quiet Saturday. Hope everyone had a good one.

[Chillgirl]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

Good Morning Febfasters!

Thank you all so much for your posts you have helped me enormously.

Dill - Thanku for reminding me what was right under nose! When a problem is close to home its hard to step back and see it with the usual clarity.

Lode - You hit the nail right on the head for me and I only saw it when i read your post this morning. Underneath my anger of course was fear, my friend was as confindent as I am, if he could fail where does that leave me? I was so terrified I found an AA meeting last night and went.
And you were right again about it not being about me, I took it so personally as if he had done it to hurt me and I let my stupid ego get in the way.

He is so sad, sorry and bewildered right now and needs me (as Lav said so well!) to boot him back up on the wagon.

Lav - Im in love with your Max he is absolutley adorable! A touch big for the puptogo pouch though.

LBH - My mouth was watering reading your recipe, I wouldnt say no to an invite to your house!

I wish you all a wonderful AF sunday....
:h

[lilmea]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

Just a quick check in. It looks as if everyone survived the storm.

Is everyone ready for the superbowl today? I am not a sports fan but since the Colts are in it this year, people around here are pretty excited.

Wishing everyone a safe, af Sunday.

[spedteach]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

Well I'm glad somebody's up even if they are in another time zone.
Reading through posts this morning and a couple of things stuck with me. Fear is always lurking beneath whatever I seem to coat it with, especially anger. And I love the concept of "it's not about me". It's taken me years to wrap my head around that one. Once again I am so impressed by the thoughtfulness of this group.

And what foodies we all are. Chill, I love eating tapas. They're just the right size. And LBH, what a weird garnish for that simple soup. I can see it in my mind but can't conjure up the taste so guess I will just have to make it.

Wondering who got the most snow. Let's hear reports. My guess is Lav, though maybe Dill. My middle baby boy (he's 26) went to Pittsburg for a job interview last week and is still in Pittsburg. Has a flight out on Tuesday.
And guess what? It poured yesterday in southern CA. It's supposed to start raining here this afternoon and you know which direction storms move...EAST!

Super bowl Sunday. Go Saints. Post Katrina New Orleans needs it. Guess you can tell how little I actually care about the game of football itself.
Will try my best to stay out of police cars, ambulances and emergency rooms today. Makes me shudder to think about last year. Got plans for the day, the gym, movie with friends.

6 months af is right around the corner.

Would someone please bring me another cup of coffee!??!!

Love,
Shelley

[dill]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

Snow total for my particular town was 7.5", but just 10 miles north of me they had 11". Wilminton had 7.4". A lot of variation in our area.

Lav, your dog is quite handsome! He did not appear too me to be enjoying the snow. I think he looked more than a little concerned!:H

LBH, thanks for the soup recipe. It sounds wonderful! If I didn't already have plans for today, I'd try it. I certainly will next weekend. Today Mr. Dill has requested a pot of clam chowder for our little Super Bowl fest. It will be just he and I and one other gentleman. I'm thinking I'll make some cornbread to go with the soup, and we'll have other appetizers as well: little fillet mignons wrapped in bacon, bourbon chicken wings, veggies and some cheese and crackers. I'll enjoy the game, but for me, it's really about the food!

Lode, very insightful post about the fear. I felt it in Chill's post, but I did not consciously give voice to it either until I read your post. This path we walk is a lonely one at times. It is nice to have others to share the burden with, but ultimately, we are responsible for only our own individual destiny.

Sped, good going on making plans for the day that do not include emergency vehicles, police, etc! We know this is your big hump. We'll be with you in spirit. Once again, let us know if you need chat buddies.

Lil, how did the birthday party go?

[Lavande]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

Good morning friends!

15 degrees but sunny - a welcome sight after yesterday's blizzard :H

Shelley, I've made a fresh pot of French Roast coffee to get us started
Hang onto our coat tails - we're movin forward!

Chill, my dog Max is actually a girl (Maxie). Everyone thinks she's a he because of her size! She is just tons of fun :H

I don't watch football but I'm wishing everyone a good Super Bowl day!
Be back later.

Lav

[Lavande]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

Hi Dill - cross post!

[ladybirdheart]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

Hi all. I trust you will enjoy a lovely day, Sped, with not a speck of induced drama; my warmest thoughts are with you in this milestone. I am with you also Dill, as usual, both in our natures and in food. I do not characteristically watch football but will make an exception for a little party with Lord Bird Heart today. Your clam chowder and all the elegant little bites of filet sound heavenly, I don?t think there is a more warming soup on earth for me, even the hot pots of Korea. I am fixing a funny ?football? meal. I found grass fed, organic, uncured beef hotdogs off all things and am serving them on ?buns? of garlic whole wheat naan, with stout mustard and kim chi ?sauerkraut?. I am not sure if I shall kill Lord Bird Heart or amuse him. Poor thing had to take back his beloved new giant television this morning after long phone conversations last night with Costco and Visio who encouraged him to exchange rather than repair the whale after it suddenly emitted a flurry of arching, buzzing sounds and beached itself in the dark. His brother helped and the hunters are now home happily taking a new one out of what looks like a piano crate just in time for the Big Game and with a three hundred dollar credit to boot as it just went ?on sale?. Go team. Hi Red, trust you are doing your Sunday cooking marathon. Hi all, and I join Sped in noting the storm passing over our hood and toward those of you in the northeastern US. It will be spring anyway before we know it, and for now I am off to put more wood on the fire. Love, Ladybird.

[sooty]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

Hello I'm back, visitorless and very happy to be here.
Lav I love the pic of your pooch, she's lovely.
I don't envy you the snow though. The forecast is for more cold weather here later in the week but no talk of snow yet thank goodness.
I hope everyone is having a great Sunday and enjoying the superbowl.
See you all tomorrow
Sooty

[Sky]

February: FEB FAST ~ AF ~ Week 1

Hi all. Not much to say today. Just hope everyone is well and happy.

Oh, Lav, the poor doggy! Too cold!!! I've been watching how much snow is in the Capital. Incredible.

Love Sky