Brian's dinner

My husband has a trainer who truly is what a trainer should be all about. He takes such an interest in his clients and takes on their goals as his own. Through the past 6 months, my husband has been so impressed with Brian as well as his side interest; he is a true foodie and gourmet chef. We have been talking about getting together for awhile, Brian wanted to cook.

Friday night we got together at our house, with my friend and trainer Fabiana, as well as dear friends Marcelo and Juan Carlos. (Marcelo also works out with Fabiana) We were gathering between 7:30 and 8 this being a spanish crowd, with the exception of Steve and I, nobody showed before 8:30. Dinner didn't even start the cooking process before 9. Appetizers were long finished and the tapas plates from Brian just started appearing. We ate in the kitchen, sitting around the island. The wines were being drunk, laughter was very present and the intimacy of the kitchen was so perfect. We ate the main course at 11:30. Juan Carlos and Marcelo were laughing at Steve and I... the Americans eating on Argentinian time. We loved it. The night was perfect, shared with wonderful friends Marcelo and Juan Carlos and new friends too. My village is expanding and I love that. I love being open to befriending anyone that walks an intersecting path, who wishes well and laughs hard. Good cooking goes a long way too. Thanks Brian! xo ginny

Friendship

ginnybakes is a new product line from Mindful Organics. I am so excited about it. There are 4 varieties, Chocolate Chip Cherry Love, Blueberry Walnut Oatmeal Bliss, and 2 more that are created but are nameless at the moment...so exciting! I hope they truly take off as I really believe in them. The ingredients are organic and were well thought thru with taste and health always in the forefront of any item included. I have used multiple test audiences trying all the different prototypes along the way. This included school kids, business professionals, gym rats, and every friend I know. Strangers and friends alike all loved them. They are ready to hit the market! Like any start up though it takes a village, and my village entered my kitchen on Friday. It started when one friend was complaining she never sees me. I said if you want come over anytime Friday for a cup of tea, I will be home packaging ginnybakes. Well from there it grew. My friends, my mom, my niece all came to the rescue. Caroline (ginnybakes head baker, and my dear friend) and I took pictures. The pictures show womanhood and friendship at its best.

Thank you to my intimate village for answering the call when I needed you. xo ginny

Valentines Day

Here it is again the holiday of love.

I was engaged on Valentines Day as so many people are. 24 years ago today my husband asked me to marry him. He brought a picnic to the waters edge on Key Biscayne. The shrimp was frozen, the champagne perfect. He promised to adore and love me, told me he would gladly endure a lifetime of listening to me singing in my off tune way. That is love. Today I love him more than I did that day. Then he was a kid offering promises we both hoped would come through. We were still at a kind of crazy stage, racing home on Friday nights after working downtown all week, alcohol in our systems from happy hour. Not very mindful at all; just glad the week was done, weekend ahead.

I believed in him, crazy in love but no proven track record of how we would care for one another when difficult times came our way. We have now gone through the many turns both good and terrible that is life. We know we are each other's protector.

My husband has always made me feel safe he was grounded while I was the passionate one. I have grown in different directions and he always let me fly waiting with open arms. Now the years are marching forward and he has learned to open up so much. He wants to dance me around the kitchen floor, sit together dreaming of the future and reflecting on the past. I love new love, but better I love the feel of someone's hand in mine that has weathered a joint journey together. That knows my sounds, my smells, my fears and joys. Who knows what scares me, and what instantly makes me giggle. I love this man who tells me I am is world, and who I know is my home, my world. I love the fact that we worked so hard at what we have. Nothing intense and beautiful comes without its pains, just makes the sweet times sweeter.

Happy Valentines to all, and most especially to my gorgeous man. xo ginny