What's on your (PHOTO) Friday Menu?

Gorgeous. What type of flower? Guess it does not matter it is purple.

I am very confident that all my friends just pick the purple whatever. I try to make it easy on them:-) I do think these are some kind of orchid.

Good morning, everybody!

As it turned out, the fishing line came off pretty easily. After that it was sanding, steel wool, touch up sanding and more steel wool. Then we actually started the familiar fishing rod things: attaching and gluing the ferrules, picking our hardwood color for the reel seat, and attaching and gluing the tip top.

But the big thing yesterday was building the grip. It is rings of cork glued together and turned on a lathe. This was my first time spinning, so a new experience for me. Since cork is soft, most of the shaping can be done with a strip of sandpaper.

Today is all about line guides. They are attached with silk thread which is a very detailed process. At 4:00 the first coat of varnish goes on everything!

Saturday is a three part class: one coat of varnish from 8:30 to 10:30, one coat from 2:30 - 5:30, and we receive our rods at 8:30. I think that the second session is longer because we have to settle up our bills. Suffice to say that there are plenty of opportunities to purchase upgrades (and be laughed at by our spouses).

Marilyn and my retired partner had to reschedule their fishing trip because of muddy water. They are on for Saturday. They did some touring and had their toenails done yesterday. Today they are renting kayaks.

I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

Super cool.

Vicariously loving this class you're taking. It's such an involved process and you're going to have a sought-after fly fishing implement made by your own two hands at the end.

Also low key jelly of a day kayaking. Would so much prefer being on the river today!

Jim, what an awesome vacation idea. And the souvenir is going to be so treasured. You guys plan the most fun things!

I am curious how much the workshop cost you... Hopefully, when you settle up your bill it won't be too shocking. The rod looks amazing already and so fun to see the transition throughout the week.

Very nice. And you kept the arrives really sharp on your hexagons. That's not easy. Walnut on the reel seat?

Ask JB about her work on the lathe. She's turned some nice pens and rolling pins.

Very cool rod!

The lobster looks fantastic. Now I want one.

Qotd: a old school type of polish food: lots of carbs, hardy vegetables, meat. Plus all type of cabbage dishes, soups (one pot meals), pierogis, cabbage dishes (i.e bigos), and pastries. My mom would bake a bunch of "sweet yeast breads" or cakes. Very filling and always available. Plus the seasonal fruits and vegetables, often purchased at an open market by the train station. When I was growing up - there were no cereals in Poland. Typicalbreakfast was open face sandwich and warm tea, milk, or cocoa. We didn't have to drink the milk drinks because my mom hated them and she was forced to drink them, so we got them if we wanted them. Sometimes we got hot breakfast- specially in cold days in winter, eggs or oatmeal. But otherwise- a sandwich - hardy bread, butter, cold cuts. My mother believed in breakfast. I stopped eating them after I started smoking (college).

Yesterday I decided to get to Costco. I don't like going there on Friday, plus I need to finish some reports so that means very late day at work for me today..

I'm trying to switch back to Keto but...so far 1/2 day of eating is good, then my body decides " screw that " and I get carbs with dinner. Last night I planned shrimps in garlic sauce (frozen from Costco- looked like may be good), but.. I don't think I made them right, because they end up being tough, and ...I didn't make enough to make a real dinner portion. So...I ended up making a sandwich with brie and fresh tomato. Lately I crave fresh tomatoes. And watermelon.

When I eat carbs regularly, my pouch sensitivities to qty of food is greatly diminished and I can eat almost regular meals. When I'm on keto - I have small pouch days. But the transition from regular food to Keto is challenging. I plan to stay at work today, so I'll pack a Cesar salad and lots of chicken. I hope I can stuff my pouch with chicken and sausage. The diet transition days are often really "hungry" days. And I need to bring digestive enzymes. Dense proteins- I would need help to process them.

This morning I need to stop by a friend's house to drop some items I got for her in Costco.

Today food - who knows....ugh. but I plan to have:

Ceasar salad, chicken, sausage sticks, maybe some tomatoes and blueberries. I also have cheese, and meat sticks.