Blonde Bishop Presumed Dead

Caught in the act! Blonde Bishop officially missing. Pablo chief suspect (I found a pawn in his mouth).

My Chess Bud, The Pip.

The King Stands Alone

Mummy (Me) and Pip. My eldest daughter is going through an UK phase--loving all things British. Thus, I am now Mummy rather than the N. American: Mommy.

The smooth wooden sides are drawers that open to store the chess pieces in separate pockets.

My travel chess set has arrived. We christened it down town at a favorite coffee shop: The Cannery--Tabs, Pip and I. Pip and I on one team against Tabs. And let me say, both Tabs and Pip are brilliant players. Pip gets tired of the game quickly but when she's focused on it--she knows what she's doing and can see threats from every angle. But the day has been wrought with Chess issues. First of all my portable new Canon Elf camera refused to record the pics I took at The Cannery. The camera is broken and the help line doesn't open until Monday. The game went on for oven an hour and a half so we decided to bring it home to finish (it's magnetized).
The above pics are of Pip and I playing once home. Next thing we knew, blasted Pablo grabbed a few pieces and ran off. I found a white pawn in his mouth but we have found no trace of the bishop. The set is rather expensive and this is the first time we've played with it.
I called ChessBaron to see if I could order a new bishop. The Chess baron was most kind and said he'd send me a new one. I hung up the phone only to hear Peter make fun of me for telling the Chess Baron that a "blonde" bishop had gone missing. Peter thinks only a nit-wit would call a chess piece blonde. The correct term is white. I say F-that. The blasted bishop was made out of blonde wood and thus the guy probably had blonde hair if he were a real bishop :P.

The rest of the day I spent playing dog fashion show and dog treasure hunt with Pip. Mist has friends over and Tabs is at a friend's for a sleep over. Tonight we are going to the film The Artist. I fell in love with the trailer and decided I must see it.
And good news: I made it through he entire month of February without eating out at a restaurant or ordering take out! That was a record.
Made peanut butter marshmallow squares today as I am addicted to those snacks. Good thing I dance for about 8 hours a week. If I were to record how much dark chocolate and peanut butter squares I've eaten this month--you probably wouldn't believe me.

Checkmate

 Queen of the world: Me on the Costa Brava, Spain

I love chess. The queen is the most powerful piece. It is relaxing and challenging at the same time. I love to play with my girls. I've been looking for a good travel set to take with us when we go out for coffee. I like a decent sized board. I found one: The Chess Baron Online with free Canadian delivery. I had no idea I was a chess set junkie until recently. I love wooden sets--beautifully carved wooden sets. I'm not a fan of glass, bone or stone. There is something about the wooden figures that is very appealing. Chess Baron has exquisite sets. I ordered the most beautiful travel set with a good-sized board-12 inches square and the king is 2 1/2 inches tall--not bad for a travel set! I can hardly wait for it to arrive.
I love the simple things in life--exploring nature, dancing, playing chess with a good cup of tea and great company. I decided last night that 3 of life's necessities are: tea, chocolate and love--works for me.
Tonight I am having a dinner party. I am using the event to make my favorite Mexican enchiladas, butter baked rice, mango salad and French chocolate eclairs for dessert. My wonderful guests are in for a feast!
My sister told me recently that she read the secret to happiness is: sharing a meal with friends often (check), lots of sex (check), and regular exercise (check). I think my tea, chocolate and love fit right in :)