A kiss and a hug

brilliant, clear day, fresh snow on the trees, picture postcard stuff, highs -6

Happy Valentine's Day! And a warm, deep hug.

While I agree with St Paul's letter to the Corinthians (wonderful excerpt - like most people we had it read at our wedding) that love is paramount, I'm not so sure about St Valentine's Day. I'm not at all cynical - in fact I don't have much patience for cynics. So it's not about the commercialism on this day - it's just that Valentine's Day doesn't mean that much to me or to Michael. I think, at the risk of being just too soppy, it's because he shows me his love every hour of every day - and I hope I show him how much I love him. We give each other cards all the time, just saying 'Thank you', or 'Well done', or 'I love you'. So it seems sort of redundant to do it on Valentine's day.

having said that, if we weren't on a diet I'd buy him a huge heart filled with soft centred chocolates, then eat half.

I suppose, to be honest, my celebration of this day is situational.

We're doing the NutriSystem plan. Michael just got on the scales and has already lost 3 pounds in less than a week! I don't use scales - I use my clothes. Fat clothing, regular and slim. I'm wearing sweats at the moments.

Writing went well yesterday. This is the first time I've tried to write a book and be on a diet. Normally, as many of you know, my books are fueled by food. in fact, I received quite a few emails from readers begging me to stop the descriptions since they're gaining weights just reading about dinners at Clara's and peter's and the Bistro.

Well, I;m sorry to report that dieting has only increased the luscious meals in the book! On ever page it seems they're eating something else mouth-watering.

Actually, it's been suggested that at some stage I might want to put out a Three Pines Cook Book, with recipes from the Bistro. What do you think?

We'll be celebrating St Valentine's Day tongith with NutriSystem's finest. The best way I can think to do it...lose weight, live longer, love longer. Perfect.