Ah, a little sun and warmth again, enough for me to be out on the porch, happy, happy. It just doesn't want to be spring around here - two steps forward, one step back, I guess. Not complaining! The cool air, warm sun thing going today is fabulous!

Our Friday lunch date at Lucia's was typically lovely. I spiffed up a bit, always fun. We scored a window table, enjoyed a gorgeous glass of rose, then split a cup of pureed chickpea-carrot soup, topped with a few tiny cubes of crispy fried croutons. Enough to add a hint of richness to the smooth and creamy-seeming soup, absolutely delicious. For our main we both had the salmon, seared crispy, buttery inside, served alongside a few boiled new potatoes (so fresh, so sweet) and sauteed sugar snap pea pods (ditto on the fresh and sweet rave). Gorgeous on the plate, simple and clean, perfect to eat. We left very happy and not at all weighed down.

Then on to the Sex and the City movie. Not completely fabulous, but fun to see anyhow. I'm not giving anything away by saying that it made me appreciate the quality of the TV version even more - more biting, funnier, more beautiful, realer. I came home from Baseball Moms to find John awake and made him watch an (HBO On Demand) episode with me (he always enjoyed the edginess of the show, thought the movie tried way too hard to be girlie; I agree). We chose the one where Carrie's shoes are taken from a party - hilarious. I just needed to put the greatness of it all back in my head, you know? Mission accomplished. And then, I could think back on the movie and enjoy it more, I do like the way the movie ended, satisfying and appropriate. Check out this review on BuzzSugar, good points (I read it this morning, not before I went to the movie). And definitely see it! It's not perfect, but you'll be glad.

It's a grilling day today! Hmmm, I might do hot dogs (Nathan's Famous and Hebrew National are both awesome picks) and a big salad. I'd say I'd only do hot dogs for the kids and throw a piece of fish on for John and me, but when I do that, the hot dogs end up looking so damn good that I totally regret not just going for it. So, I'm just going for it!

Moderate it: one hot dog doesn't have to kill a healthy diet. Yeah, they're not the healthiest choice in the world, but they're not total calorie-bombs either. Have it on a whole-wheat bun, load on the veggies, have a salad alongside, and enjoy every salty bite. Yum.

I don't know about you, but I'd have a hard time getting through the day without plenty of sips of tea and coffee. It's not about the caffeine - I have to down the decaf/low-caf version these days. (Old much? Sigh...) It's really about flavor and interest. What can I say? My 'buds get bored fast. I've been on a green tea in the a.m. kick these days, experimenting with different high quality brews from TeaSource. A visit to their store is always a blast for sampling various teas and tisanes (herbal teas), but ordering online is quick and easy too, check it out. Recent favorites are Green Arrow green tea and Lemongrass herbal tea. Hot in the morning, cold in the afternoon, hot after dinner, that seems to be the pattern. Tasty, healthy, no-calorie drinks, as stand-ins for a glass of wine or something "dessert-y" at the end of a meal, are a moderate epicurean's best friend, along with:

...ripe peaches and strawberries. I can't say how much I'm enjoying them right now. Pure decadence - but not really. Prrrfect.

...dried red pepper flakes. Yeah, the kind you grew up shaking on pizza slices, I'm a bit obsessed with them right now. Add a generous pinch, along with minced garlic, to olive oil and heat for a few minutes before sauteeing a variety of vegetables. Finish with lots of freshly squeezed lemon (or a drizzle of really good balsamic vinegar), and Kosher salt, and you will be glad. Good for you too, nice.

...grilling food. I'll grill damn near anything at least once. Well, maybe not eggs. But fish, veggies, fruit, bread, pizza, potatoes - yum! I love not having to clean up pans afterward. I love cooking outside. I love delicious results from lighter ingredients. Get thee a grill basket, and a roll of aluminum foil (for making packets), and start experimenting, says I. It's fun!

...iPods. Yay for summer songs! Yay for shameless reminiscing! Yay for looking like a complete dork while you walk/bike and (try to secretly) sing along! Hey, if it helps me get my butt out the door, it's all good, dorkiness be damned.

So, I'm very much looking forward to tomorrow! Yep, I'm talking about the Sex and the City movie, like everyone else, I admit I'm dying to see it. The girls, the clothes, the city (even the food!) - all of it. I have a date to see it with my husband, in fact, since he's the one who introduced me to it. A little lunchy-poo, followed by the 'vie, ooh now that's a nice Friday. Then to top it off, Baseball Moms - how appropriate, right? SATC followed by Happy Hour with the girls? Absof--kinglutely!

Moderate it: pop your own popcorn in a little bit of olive oil and smuggle it into the theater for a healthy treat. We've all heard how bad movie popcorn is calorie-wise, even a small, unbuttered. Plus - I realize I'm in the minority here - I think it sucks and that the freshly popped at home version blows the theater stuff away. Pop that!