Anna leaves in the morning 
So we really spent today having a blast! We did fit in our hour-long power walk and are looking forward to visiting the gym at 5:30am !!
For lunch we had leftover navy beans 3 ways:
In my leftover mystery soup –
As a sandwich spread (mixed with some canola oil, S+P)
As a tomato bruschetta (with oregano, tomato, balsamic, EVOO, S+P)
Plus leftover salad and some pineapple and a little extra bread for dipping –
Our massages were FABULOUS!!! Except for the fact that my shoulders were dubbed “bubble wrap” by my therapist because they were full of little “bubbles that popped.” EWWWWWWW!! Literally every time he went down my shoulder blades things popped and moved. He said my shoulders were some of the most tense muscles he’d ever felt. Not really sure why, but I do have a lot on my plate at all times (the proverbial plate, that is 
) I think I should schedule massages more often. They are really so much more than just a luxury. My upper back feels SOOO much better after this afternoon.
After the massages we stopped by EarthFare to say hi to the husband and pick up a few things for dinner. Anna graciously bought some cheeses and grapes to set up an appetizer plate for Karen and Andrew. (We also had a few EarthFare samples while in the store)
We enjoyed a bottle of Sauv. Blanc that Karen brought when she arrived – L.O.V.E. this wine!
And there was also home brew free flowing. I had about 1/3 of one. Have I mentioned yet that the husband not only brewed this fantastic beer, but he also drew the label (“Presidential Pardon Pale Ale”) himself, scanned it, shrunk it down and printed it into these cute labels??
For dinner I made Clam + Mushroom Pasta –
The sauce was a combo of: sauteed mushrooms, 2 tomatoes, Bertolli sauce, 2 drained cans of minced clams, sun-dried tomato paste, oregano, S+P.
Along with a spinach, craisin, walnut salad in Annie’s Maple Ginger dressing –
And Karen brought her famous Southern Pecan Pie!! It’s so dark and authentic and the best ever –
I had 2 slivers –
It was a wonderful dinner.
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
*Everything* looks fantastic! Too bad about your shoulders. Have a great last-night!
So jealous of your massage…and of your market! EarthFare sounds like just a wonderful place to shop.
Oh my gosh pecan pie is the best. I don’t know how you just had two slivers!
Glad the massage was a nice treat.
I always tell myself I should get it done more often too.
Angela
http://www.ohsheglows.com
Kath that red clam sauce sounds great and super easy! I’ve been meaning to make some red clam sauce and now I have a recipe
And the husband’s beer label looks great…where did the inspiration of the name come from?
matt is soooooooo creative! love it!
Ya know, I don’t think I’ve ever tried pecan pie. I always used to think I didn’t like nuts, but now I’ll eat about any kind. I may need to try some pecan pie this holiday season
Cute label on the beer, husband! Did he make the beer at your place or somewhere else?
Sounds like you had a fun, fabulous day!!
Aha! That’s what those clams were for. Sounds yummy.
Matt’s beer sounds great! Hope Anna enjoyed her stay, it looked like you guys had a fun time together!
I am so jealous of the massage!
I want that Southern Pecan Pie, please!!!
Enjoy your remaining moments with Anna!!
That dinner sounds and looks delicious
Sounds like you had a really good time with Anna, yay!
Have a good workout tomorrow morning!
I’m so glad your massage felt great! It’s an awesome treat. However, I have to say that almost every time I get a massage, they say that my back and shoulders feel “so tense, very tight,” etc. My theory is that they’re just trying to get me to come get massages regularly; my dad’s is that since we’re pretty fit, good muscle tone feels like tenseness to massage therapists!
Is anyone else told this when they get massages?
I’m so glad you had such a great massage. When I get them at home (from my mommy haha) I can feel the little knots moving around…kinda gross but it feels so good getting them out.
what a wonderful dinner!!! so glad you had a fun time-i love sauteed mushrooms!!
AHHH! a massage! how lucky.
lunch and dinner look delicious!
the husband is so creative!
you should use the any extra thanksgiving challenge money for another massage!
Ah! I was waiting for those clams to show up somewhere! Sounds like you had a fabulous, relaxing day- and fun filled weekend!
Ah! I was waiting for those clams to show up somewhere! Sounds like you had a fabulous, relaxing day- and fun filled weekend!
Ah! I was waiting for those clams to show up somewhere! Sounds like you had a fabulous, relaxing day- and fun filled weekend!
I love Matt’s drawing! It’s nice that everyone contributed a little something to dinner
Massages are the best! Glad you have had fun with Anna! Love all the food!
I love massages! There is a difference between a strong muscle and a tight, tense muscle. Strong muscles are firm but give to pressure. My friend is a massage therapist, so I know she isn’t just telling me this for business sake. When we are active, tense muscles happen even more often than for inactive people. I teach up to 10 fitness classes a week, and every therapist urges to me go once a month. I go about four times a year and feel amazing after every time. I am a huge advocate for massages(obviously), so glad you enjoyed yours, Kath. Also, the husband amazes me with his talent.
Your shoulders could be tight due to using the computer a lot. I have the same issue, and I notice it not only when I get a massage but other times as well.
So glad the massage helped! They are wonderful. Bobby and I took a massage class during my last semester at Cornell and every Monday night we each got to get an hour-long massage from the other. It was awesome. Not so awesome was having class in the cold late on Monday nights, but the massaging was so fantastic that it made up for it
Enjoy the rest of your time with Anna!
The pecan pie looks awesome!
When do you find out the winner of the Quaker Oatmeal Contest?
Kath,
I remember a while ago you mentioning adding yogurt to rice and that I beleive it was your indian roommate who suggested that to you. That sounds like a great vegetarian way to add protein to rice. Any ideas of what she put with it? Meaning did she only mix plain yogurt and rice or were there certain veggie and sauce combos to make it more of a meal? I was thinking pasta red sauce but that could be disgusting. I would love to hear your suggestions.
I don’t think I’m enough of an adult for clam pasta, but that pie looks out of this world! If you like dark pecan pie you should make shoefly pie – that is the exact flavor and it’s the easiest thing in the world to make.
That happens to me when I get massages, too! Except more and more I can actualyl feel the horrible tension in there all the time, and even when I get the knots worked on, it only helps for a short period of time.
Did your masseusse give you any tips on how to loosen them up?
Looks like a great weekend!
Aw, bye bye Anna! I hope you had fun with Kath.
Stephanie ,
He’s debuting the beer at Thanksgiving and each year the president pardons his turkey:
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/thanksgiving/pardon.asp
Justy2003 ,
He brewed it in our bathroom!! I”ll have him blog about it soon.
Natalie ,
Around Dec. 5th.
Lauren ,
She just mixes the rice and yogurt, and I think there was garlic involved. We ate it with chunks of sauteed chicken. You could blend it with any spice you like!
Kath
Looks like you had a great weekend with Anna!
That pie looks DELICIOUS.
That all looks so good! Nice job on the beer label Matt!
Would Karen share her pecan pie recipe? Believe it or not, I just had it for the first time last week and my husband wants me to make one for Thanksgiving.
Your husband bakes bread AND makes beer!? Watch out, I’m coming for him!
Biz ,
It’s Southern Living’s classic recipe. You should be able to find it online.
Runjess,
LOL.
Kath
I love that cute little blue vase that’s in the pic of the glass of wine!
http://mrslc.blogspot.com