p.s. Jordy says "I like spaghetti toasts"
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
easy. yummy.
We had leftover spaghetti sauce from our pre-race dinner, so we decided to sort of have leftovers on Sunday night (dinner was a quick fix before the fantasy football draft).
For some reason I thought it would be good to have some Texas toast with our leftovers. And T decided that we were going to have "leftover spaghetti pizzas" or "spaghetti toasts". So yummy. And quick.
I *heart* my 'hood
This weekend:
One neighbor brought me a tomato from their garden.
One neighbor had FREE Kool-Aid on Sunday afternoon.
One neighbor was digging up rhubarb and gave me one to plant.
One neighbor brought me a tomato from their garden.
One neighbor had FREE Kool-Aid on Sunday afternoon.
One neighbor was digging up rhubarb and gave me one to plant.
Minneapolis Duathlon
Oh boy, was I excited when I signed up for this race. My training for it was so-so. I did some bike/run training, but not alot and not all out, if you know what I mean. I knew race day would be interesting enough given the newness (to me) of the race. [um, what's transition? should I change shoes?]
As per usual, I set aside my race stuff the night before. T (who also raced) had the bikes on the car the night before and we were ready to roll far too early on Sunday morning. Even so we arrived with only a few minutes to spare to rack our bikes in the transition area and head to the start line.
This is the before picture. Do we look nervous?!?
The run was a nice course starting downtown by the Mill Ruins. It included the Stone Arch Bridge and a out and back along the river parkway. The first run was pretty well paced. Maybe a bit slower than I would normally given the fact that there was an 18 mile bike immediately following it.
Transition was pretty easy. T and I met in the transition area so that we could head out on our bikes together. He probably could have outpaced on the bike. There were times when I was, literally, at full speed on my bike and couldn't pedal any faster. Of course, I was using my city bike (no road bike for me), so that was understandable. For some reason, both T and I thought we might get some "rest" during the bike portion of the race. That was not the case. We were both pretty much full pedal for 18 miles. About halfway through I turned to T and said "I love riding my bike. I do NOT love racing my bike." T was great and kept me moving along on the bike and took off for the long slog uphill at the end, then he waited for me to head out on the run.
The first few steps were ridiculous. My calves were pretty well numb and I was just trying not to fall. I knew I was moving forward, but felt like it was in slow motion. We ran about the same pace in run #2 as we did in run #1, which surprised us both. We kicked it in at the end and crossed the finish line together, which was great (with a time of 2:12:03).
We look surprisingly happy after the race.
Marie and Brandi also rocked the Du. It was great to see them, cheer for them and with them. T raced like a champ.
......and for T's REAL reward, we stopped at Town Hall Tap post-race (instead of the race sponsored beer at Brit's)
As per usual, I set aside my race stuff the night before. T (who also raced) had the bikes on the car the night before and we were ready to roll far too early on Sunday morning. Even so we arrived with only a few minutes to spare to rack our bikes in the transition area and head to the start line.
This is the before picture. Do we look nervous?!?
The run was a nice course starting downtown by the Mill Ruins. It included the Stone Arch Bridge and a out and back along the river parkway. The first run was pretty well paced. Maybe a bit slower than I would normally given the fact that there was an 18 mile bike immediately following it.
Transition was pretty easy. T and I met in the transition area so that we could head out on our bikes together. He probably could have outpaced on the bike. There were times when I was, literally, at full speed on my bike and couldn't pedal any faster. Of course, I was using my city bike (no road bike for me), so that was understandable. For some reason, both T and I thought we might get some "rest" during the bike portion of the race. That was not the case. We were both pretty much full pedal for 18 miles. About halfway through I turned to T and said "I love riding my bike. I do NOT love racing my bike." T was great and kept me moving along on the bike and took off for the long slog uphill at the end, then he waited for me to head out on the run.
The first few steps were ridiculous. My calves were pretty well numb and I was just trying not to fall. I knew I was moving forward, but felt like it was in slow motion. We ran about the same pace in run #2 as we did in run #1, which surprised us both. We kicked it in at the end and crossed the finish line together, which was great (with a time of 2:12:03).
We look surprisingly happy after the race.
Marie and Brandi also rocked the Du. It was great to see them, cheer for them and with them. T raced like a champ.
......and for T's REAL reward, we stopped at Town Hall Tap post-race (instead of the race sponsored beer at Brit's)
the other dog in my life
Jordy is still a banana, but he loves pets more than he bites now ....which is nice.
Have I posted this before?
If so, I think it requires posting again. Iowa Girl Eats has a fabulous Jerk Chicken recipe with red beans and rice. I almost always make it with grilled pineapple too.....
Thursday, August 23, 2012
One more tree....
The beautiful, mature tree in front of the property at Pleasant was removed this spring. Apparently it isn't automatically replaced. I tracked down how to request a new tree -- City of Mpls, Parks and Rec: Forestry Division. One call put me on the list. I even had the option to pick what kind of tree I wanted planted. Next spring, there will be a new tree.
For more info:
http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=532
For more info:
http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=532
Monday, August 20, 2012
how lucky am I??
TWO date nights with T this week -- Town Hall Tap AND a movie. We saw Batman. It was good.
TWO friends with me at the yoga workshop.
AND
breakfast with Jane.
The weekend was busy and filled with all the cleaning and stuff that weekends have. But it was also filled with some of the smiling faces that mean the most.
TWO friends with me at the yoga workshop.
AND
breakfast with Jane.
The weekend was busy and filled with all the cleaning and stuff that weekends have. But it was also filled with some of the smiling faces that mean the most.
MOA
Friday afternoon, T and I took the kids to MOA for a few hours. We rode some rides, walked around, checked out legos.
Once again, both kids wanted their face painted. Sully choose Lightning McQueen, and nearly fell asleep in the 3 minutes he was sitting down to have his face painted. Harper chose a puppy, of course ...and it was pink. How perfect.
Once again, both kids wanted their face painted. Sully choose Lightning McQueen, and nearly fell asleep in the 3 minutes he was sitting down to have his face painted. Harper chose a puppy, of course ...and it was pink. How perfect.
Foundations of Power
Nicole and Heather joined me on Saturday at a Foundations of Power Yoga workshop at Sigh Yoga. It was empowering, fun and allowed for discovery about each other and ourselves. There were other Sigh "residents" at the workshop, some of whom of have met and practiced with before and some not. There was so much to learn. We pushed mind and bodies. I was REALLY sore. Ugh. So worth it. And so happy that I experienced it with my two wonderful friends.
After the workshop, we grabbed a snackie at Wise Acre. Oh, what a lucky day for me!
After the workshop, we grabbed a snackie at Wise Acre. Oh, what a lucky day for me!
T bday weekend, part 3
Sunday night: Dinner at The Butcher & the Boar
Reservations for 6:15. We arrived late, but not too late. The restaurant was busy for Sunday night. Nice atmosphere. T ordered an Old Fashioned, which he thought was good ...not sure if he agreed with the waiter that it was the best in the city.
The food was excellent. We had jalapeno poppers, which were made with a PB based filling, apricots, feta. So tasty. I would go back just for those.
Next up was gilled oysters. Perfectly buttery and lemony. Yum.
For the main dish, we ordered the sausage sampler platter - three house made sausages with various accompaniments. All were delicious.
Of course I have no picture of T and I from dinner. We dressed fancy-ish. ...and there is no evidence. As a matter of fact, I think the only picture of he and I from the weekend was taken by H at Target Field ...and I'm pretty sure my eyes were closed.
We finished the evening with a beer at Town Hall Tap. Sweet.
Reservations for 6:15. We arrived late, but not too late. The restaurant was busy for Sunday night. Nice atmosphere. T ordered an Old Fashioned, which he thought was good ...not sure if he agreed with the waiter that it was the best in the city.
The food was excellent. We had jalapeno poppers, which were made with a PB based filling, apricots, feta. So tasty. I would go back just for those.
Next up was gilled oysters. Perfectly buttery and lemony. Yum.
For the main dish, we ordered the sausage sampler platter - three house made sausages with various accompaniments. All were delicious.
Of course I have no picture of T and I from dinner. We dressed fancy-ish. ...and there is no evidence. As a matter of fact, I think the only picture of he and I from the weekend was taken by H at Target Field ...and I'm pretty sure my eyes were closed.
We finished the evening with a beer at Town Hall Tap. Sweet.
T bday weekend, part 2
Sunday: Brunch + Twins game
T loves the chicken toes and cakes, so we started the actual birth day celebration with brunch at the Town Hall Tap. The kids both attacked their pancakes too. And then had fun playing with the cars on the bar.
We came back and played outside for a bit before heading to Target Field.
The Twins game was fun. Both kids wanted Bullseye, the Target dog, painted on their face. We took some super cute pictures. I think the kids lasted until the 6th inning, which was pretty good.
After the game, we dropped the kids off and headed out to the birthday dinner.
T loves the chicken toes and cakes, so we started the actual birth day celebration with brunch at the Town Hall Tap. The kids both attacked their pancakes too. And then had fun playing with the cars on the bar.
We came back and played outside for a bit before heading to Target Field.
The Twins game was fun. Both kids wanted Bullseye, the Target dog, painted on their face. We took some super cute pictures. I think the kids lasted until the 6th inning, which was pretty good.
After the game, we dropped the kids off and headed out to the birthday dinner.
T Bday weekend, part 1
Friday/Saturday: Camping with the kids at William O'Brien State Park
We loaded up the car (and the car topper) with camp gear and headed out for a night in the park. The drive there was short and sweet except for some traffic in Stillwater and getting slightly lost trying to find the entrance.
We set up camp. The kids got used to being at the campsite. H helped set up the tents. Jordy was a banana because he was tied up. We grilled dinner, started a campfire, went for a walk, searched for chipmunks. Then came the best part: s'mores!
The kids slept in their own tent with their own flashlight, which was whirly-gigging around until WAY too late at night. They also woke up WAY too early in the morning and both climbed in our tent.
The plan for Saturday was to hike down to the river & Lake Alice, swim, and head home. We packed up camp after breakfast, then loaded up for our 3 mile hike. We stopped in the nature center before heading out, consulted a map, and checked out the MN wildlife exhibit.
We took a wrong turn on the hike, but still discovered milkweed, a frog, pine cones, lots of sticks, and grasshoppers. Instead of hiking down to the water, we drove. I walked along the river for a bit with Jordy while T and the kids swam in Lake Alice.
We headed back towards home with a lunch stop in Stillwater at the Water Street Inn.
After arriving home, we unpacked, cleaned up and crashed.
We loaded up the car (and the car topper) with camp gear and headed out for a night in the park. The drive there was short and sweet except for some traffic in Stillwater and getting slightly lost trying to find the entrance.
We set up camp. The kids got used to being at the campsite. H helped set up the tents. Jordy was a banana because he was tied up. We grilled dinner, started a campfire, went for a walk, searched for chipmunks. Then came the best part: s'mores!
The kids slept in their own tent with their own flashlight, which was whirly-gigging around until WAY too late at night. They also woke up WAY too early in the morning and both climbed in our tent.
The plan for Saturday was to hike down to the river & Lake Alice, swim, and head home. We packed up camp after breakfast, then loaded up for our 3 mile hike. We stopped in the nature center before heading out, consulted a map, and checked out the MN wildlife exhibit.
We took a wrong turn on the hike, but still discovered milkweed, a frog, pine cones, lots of sticks, and grasshoppers. Instead of hiking down to the water, we drove. I walked along the river for a bit with Jordy while T and the kids swam in Lake Alice.
We headed back towards home with a lunch stop in Stillwater at the Water Street Inn.
After arriving home, we unpacked, cleaned up and crashed.
Friday, August 17, 2012
one week ago.
We planted a tree in the backyard to honor Jack. T really wanted a tree anyway, so he was happy to bring one home and say "this is for Jack, baby".
We were talking about where to plant it for appropriate shade, aesthetics, etc. I said if it is indeed Jack's tree, it will be in the way half the time wherever we end up putting it.
A heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful people in my life for the thoughts, prayers, kind words, hugs and toasts. I am so lucky to have all of you. A super special thanks to T - I don't know how I would have made it through without you. You were amazing throughout this whole process.
Friday, August 10, 2012
best. dog. ever.
Today I put Jackson to sleep. It wasn't an easy decision. It was the right one.
I was blessed for 13 years with a sweet, loyal companion. He hiked mountains. He swam in the ocean (and pretty much every body of water he could get into). He learned the hard way not to chase porcupines. He made rounds of a room to get pets from everyone. He buried his ball in the snow and dug it up again. He was a gift in more ways than one.
I am lucky. He was good more than naughty. He was goofy and sweet, calm and loving. He was my protector and my friend.
I am sad. I will miss giving him scratches (and him begging for scratches). I will miss watching him chase the ball. I will miss hearing him speak.
I am happy he is at peace. He lived a long, full, adventure-filled life.
Born: June 16, 1999
Died: August 10, 2012
To the best dog ever: Rest in peace.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Mom and Dad were here.
They arrived on Saturday afternoon and spent a low key weekend here in Minneapolis.
We ate grilled food, stopped in at Minnehaha Falls, had breakfast at Turtle Bread. Of course in addition to time spent on the patio, there were also some projects (small ones!). Dad fixed a loose wire on a fan and sharpened mower blades. Mom and I found frames for the family photos. Then we hung a couple picture ledges to put those frames on.
It was a great weekend.
We ate grilled food, stopped in at Minnehaha Falls, had breakfast at Turtle Bread. Of course in addition to time spent on the patio, there were also some projects (small ones!). Dad fixed a loose wire on a fan and sharpened mower blades. Mom and I found frames for the family photos. Then we hung a couple picture ledges to put those frames on.
It was a great weekend.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
stand up paddleboard!
Marie and I went stand up paddleboarding at Calhoun on Friday afternoon. It was great to be out on the water, and surprisingly easy to balance. We headed up the lagoon to Lake of the Isles, then through the lagoon to Cedar lake. We spent a few minutes resting on our boards, chatting before heading back. Super fun time. Even paddling into the wind on the way back. Phew. A lot of work!
I wish I had a picture, but I don't.
Marie found a yoga paddleboard class, which we are most definitely going to make time for yet this summer. How fun!
I wish I had a picture, but I don't.
Marie found a yoga paddleboard class, which we are most definitely going to make time for yet this summer. How fun!
old dog
this old dog was sick for a few days late last week. it felt like weeks that he was sick. he probably felt that way too. he is better now. it takes longer for him to recover these days.
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