Perfect day!

The Girls


"Alternate" Lentil Fest 2007-


As a child I remember my grandpa Dilworth playing the piano. He would play the prettiest music. One of the songs was called "The End of a Perfect Day". It is more of a ballad, soft hearted song, but after reflecting on yesterday, I would have to sum it up as a Perfect day!


We began our "alternate" tour at 7:30 am. (Alternate, meaning that we opted to start at the half- way point an hour before everyone else, catch up with the actual tour, and then stop back in the middle. We also shortened the ride a bit, and didn't pay the entry fees($20 each)). It was a really nice ride. Here are some shots (before my batteries died) of the ride.

Riders in front of me and behind!

I really feel very blessed to have so many great friends to ride with. I don't know why we haven't done this more regularly.

After our ride, we picked the kids up from our new friends house and went home for Poppy's nap. I went and made the purchase of an ipod nano (which I'm really excited about). After an outing to the store and Poppy waking up we went to the pool.

Sadly, yesterday was the last day of the outdoor pool being open. Oscar has been going off the high dive for the last week and I really wanted to get a picture. But as mentioned previously...the battery was dead! Tonight while putting him to bed I asked him what he felt like when he was going off the high dive. His response was "I was scared at first, and then I didn't think anything."

After swimming we rushed home to eat some cold cereal for dinner. Before heading off to the Lumberg's house for some seasonal blackberry picking! We brought the makings for ice cream and after a belly full of berries and playing with friends we topped the night off with some yummy vanilla ice cream we made with some blackberry/lemon ice cream the Lumberg's made, and some yummy lemon-iccee sorbet that the Weiken's made. It was all delicious and we sat outside this beautiful Victorian house (Lumberg's) with a beautiful country setting, stars shining, kids running through the beautiful green grass. It all made for a picturesque kind of day. A day when you have Lived!

I'm so grateful for a wonderful husband, kids and really great friends. Not to mention the pretty part of the country we live in. The wheat is just being harvested and the skies are a pretty blue. Live is good.

Kiddie conversation

Overheard conversation between Oscar and his friend Chelsea...

Here Chelsea, I made you a card...this is me, I'm an alien. Look, you are an Alien too. You have a square head!

Bumps and Bruises

Lately the Pops has been sporting some nice shiners...She suddenly has entered this really clumsy stage (I'm pretty sure this was inherited by her auntie Meg).

Just this morning, she took a header off the slide (to which I am still pulling out dirt boogers), banged her head on the car door, re-scratched a bug bite (that since Monday has had her eye partially obstructed). These added quite nicely to the prior bruise from pulling her high chair on herself.

All day it seems I hear this shriek of excitement...followed by the cry of pain. She's certainly trying to expand her boundaries... and she isn't even two!!!

She's also developed a healthy appetite! She actually ate almost the entire corn.

Sampler...

Signs you are "in training" for a marathon or other long-range exercise goal:

1. Rug burn in unsightly places (thus finding new uses for butt paste and Vaseline).

2. GU, electrolyte, hydration, fatigue, Ibuprofen, Ice, bands, stretching, water etc... become common conversation topics in social situations.

3. You own more exercise gear than regular clothing, your laundry consists on more athletic gear than regular clothes, and you spend your discretionary play money on running/exercise equipment (i.e. shoes).

4. Black toenails and blisters on your toes...Oscar told me the other day that I had old feet!

5. You are so tired at the end of each day that you vaguely remember hitting the pillow!

6. Suddenly, when running long distances with gas, a full bladder or other bodily behaviors you otherwise would try to contain or hide...your mind no longer cares who or what is around (and when desperate, leaves are a necessary alternative to TP).

7. One develops an intense uncontrollable appetite. Thus, you invent creative meals consisting of various carb-full meals. Such as, the night before your 18 mi. run, a great carb-load dinner can be oatmeal and raspberries!

8. Distance becomes relative...you begin to think things like...it's only a 10K or half-marathon.

9. You are always certain to get one annoying song in your head that somehow won't go away. Baby beluga frequents my running routines (this may be because I'm a mom??). The other is annoying songs from high school (why do they surface during exercises?).

10. You plan every vacation around a running, cycling, or athletic event! The fun of it all, is that it gives you something to work for!

Now, because of 5. I will leave you to think of some more...my pillow is calling...

Successful 7 &18!!

Today will go down in "My" history as the first successful 18 mi run! I'm certain that most of you will find this a trivial matter, however for me it is a milestone (no pun intended). The lovely Betina and I awoke bright and early and did a nice out and back course through the country wheat fields. It was a beautiful morning and everything (other than an unexpected potty stop) went really well. Tiring as usual, but very nice.

Betina is a great running partner...not only do we keep a good pace together, but we can dive into the meaty important topics of motherhood.

Recently I read an article about a psychiatrist who gives his patients a discount if he can meet with them for counsel, while they run! He said it is a very therapeutic method.

I concurr...can you imagine how great the world would be if everyone took their problems to the pavement? I think biking has a similar effect for those with poor knees...

More important than even a successful 18mi run...today will go down in history as Ricky and My seventh anniversary!! For seven years I have been blessed with the companionship of my favorite guy! He truly pushes me to greater heights and together...I think we make a great team! He is a great father, husband and training partner (even if he runs loops around me).

I often think of my many blessings (some of which will be posted tomorrow) but I really think the greatest blessing I could have, is a really loving supportive husband who really makes this world a better place!

Who knew that in seven years we could accomplish so much???? Here's to many more years of marital bliss!

Lazy Summer Sampler...

Week two post Marathon...I also had all of my spinning classes canceled for the week. I spent the majority of the week taking a break from real exercise. Yesterday I did do a 10mi run and it felt great! I'm grateful for the nice week-long break.
It was kinda nice not having any schedule to stick to. We spent a bunch of time at home catching up on stuff and hanging out. Here are some tidbits of our week...

Double Dive from the Ricky and Lil'O...A certain sign of summer is spending every evening (or most) at the pool. We look forward to meeting dad there after work.
Oscar and I also went "school shopping" for the first time. I'm sad to see my little boy growing up! He is such a great kid. I"m sure it will come as no surprise when I tell you that every piece of clothing he chose was of "hero" variety...I let him choose, which is also a big step (for both of us)!
Big Girl panties!! Potty training Pops...going quite well, she is very interested and stays fairly dry...She also lost all of her Binky's this week. So we have decided not to purchase any more...we are therefore Binky-free (it has been hard on her going to sleep, but tonight she only cried for 1/2 hr rather than 2). I'm not sure I like making these big growing-up steps all at once...she's now no longer a baby!
Spending some time at the river with friends...Poppy actually even did quite well missing her nap. Oscar not pictured due to his exploration along the beach and too busy for me to take a pic!
Ummmmm.....fresh home-made-hand-cranked ice cream! Ricky scored a vintage hand churn ice cream maker on eBay for $30. Tonight was the trial run using Autie Em's tasty recipe.
I'm certain this is the first of many more ice cream making days to come...hopefully my waist doesn't expand with our new addition!

Ice cream recipe...
3 Cup Cream
1 Cup Milk
3 Egg Yolks
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
Vanilla (to taste)
Heat cream and milk until scalding. Beat sugar into yolks. Pour scalding milk into yolks while beating. Add some vanilla (1 tsp-ish) cool.
Freeze

Summer Delights

Can you see the likeness of my fresh apricot-ginger jam and the bucket full of Poppy? They both are an abundance of bottled up sweet/spicy goodness. Speaking of which...I decided to start potty training yesterday...after 10 pairs of undies and a "edge" of frustration, we have morphed into the half-potty trained girl who is currently wearing a pull-up and occasionally will sit on the potty.

Who was I kidding when I thought the "girl"-potty training would go easier than the previous "boy" experience...She is about 6 months earlier than him though. I should also note that she has perfected the art of potty training her two dolls. They now occupy the potty more than she does!

Birchermüesli

Cut up a variety of different fruit (the more the better). Like a huge fruit salad.

Add enough raw regular oats (no quick-cooking) to the fruit to lightly coat the fruit. (you can add more later if you choose.

Next take a container of Yogurt (any kind but plain) and add until the fruit and oats are well moistened and a goulash looking blend.

For an added tasty goodness we add a little bit of cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg.

Let it sit for 1/2 hour (if you can wait that long) for the oats to soften, and eat!

My kids love the stuff and the leftovers make a great breakfast!

As a child this was the epitome of a summer time dinner. My Mom who is a Swiss miss, used to make this tasty treat on the hot summer days, when you want something more than Popsicles for dinner, but no cooking.

The original recipe looks something like this. My Aunt Sylvia (Mom's sister) had Tuberculosis as a child and was sent to a sanatorium. While there, this is a meal they would frequently feed the patients. If you look at the link I posted, it gives the original recipe (made with milk, cream and honey) and they give a little history to the recipe. I however have modified it slightly and made it into an even simpler summer treat!