Thursday, April 22, 2010

Why I Heart Today

-My compost heap is literally 1/3 the height it was in the fall.

-We went for another run tonight. Gus was pleased. Hopefully it made him as happy as he was here:
-I am having chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy for dinner. Gravy always makes me happy.  I am trying something new with the chicken: partially frozen roaster, celery ribs, herbs, and onion all went into the slow cooker this morning. That's old hat. New trick: not adding additional water. "According to my research," the thawing process should add plenty of liquid. (Who got my Magic School Bus reference? Ten points for you.)

-I am making cookies for our trip to...

-Hershey Park on Saturday! I haven't been since I was maybe 10. Very excited about it.  May have photos to post come Sunday.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Sweetness and Light

Note to self: bring camera on pre-dawn walks in order to capture amazing sunrises (light). Yesterday's was gorgeous; it brought to mind the cover of whatever Faulkner book I read in high school - I think it was The Sound and The Fury.  Spectacular rising over a dairy farm with red barn and white house, and I'm sorry I didn't think to capture it for posterity. 

I hung out briefly with Marissa and her baby (sweetness) before heading out for a quick run with the dog. It was a good run, I didn't have much shin pain, no hip pain, and I did negative splits of 10:10 and 9:10, which isn't great but could have been much worse. Also, it was uphill out and downhill back, which is just faboo. I feel speedy when I come home.

This year, the motivation to run isn't as strong as it has been in years past. By now, I should have started  training for the sprint tri I've down for the past three years. I'm sure it's a combination of things: M. isn't running, and I depend far too much upon him for motivation; I've been lazy; I have umpteen projects I want to work on, and only so much time in which to do it.  Further complicating the matter is my new 'need' to go to bed no less than 3 hours after eating. In case you're wondering, it's really hard to do so if you run after work, then cook a mostly from-scratch dinner. I know, I know - it's just excuses. If I really wanted, I could easily run in the morning, or go to the gym, or whatever before work. Apparently, I just don't want to!

In good news, all of my 22 peat pots have seedlings! The jalapenos finally sprouted, a few days after everyone else had joined the party. Better late than never. At this rate, I may actually have enough plants to fill the 64 squares in my as-yet unconstructed raised beds. I bought the most gorgeously inspiring book:

and now all I want to do is grow and put away food. Mmmmmh, pickles!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Shout outs

I'd like to recognize Quaker Quick Grits and Kraft American slices for producing a fantastic lunch of cheese grits today.

Props also go to Coccadotts for making a really cute cake for Great Aunt June's 85th birthday this weekend, in the shape of a red hat. Really tasty, and adorable to boot.


And finally, kudos to 4:45, that magical number that signifies the closing of the workday. Can I get an amen?

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Radical homemaking

After hearing about this woman, Shannon Hayes, and her new book, Radical Homemaking, from a few different people (including my boss, who gave me an article in the Gazette to read while at the dr's office waiting for the endoscopy), I decided to buy the book. Because really, what's another book in my big ole pile of 'em?

After reading bits of the website , I feel a touch guilty for buying the book and not just getting it out at the library. Still, I'm feeling suddenly inspired, motivated, and a bit jittery about this whole idea. Am currently trying to wrap my mind around homemaking as a feminist activity; will post once that's closer to completion.

In the meantime, know this: I think I want this life. More to come.

Monday, April 12, 2010

9.77 - for reals

Went for a walk with the dog and M. yesterday. Keeping in mind M.'s complete lack of activity over the past 2 months, I had no idea what to expect. We did 9.77 miles in 3h20m! With a total climb of 770 feet. We are beasts. Also we are very tired.

I think what surprised me the most was the fact that, for the first time ever, I seem to be in better shape than M. This is astonishing - he could always be counted on to beat me up hills, down hills, and on flats. Last year I bought a road bike. He still beat me - on a mountain bike, with fat knobbies. How embarrassing. Yesterday, however, he had to stop when we were going up the first big hill, and I didn't need to (I did, though, because I am a dutiful wife).



After finally making it home - the last two miles took FOREVER and I may have whined a few times - we popped Gus in the kennel and went to my favorite store. Tractor Supply Co and I have a deep deep bond. Yesterday it was strengthened by the presence of pullets! And ducklings! They are so cute. But also kind of smelly. We left there with a new hi-protein no-grain dog food, a few more seed packets, peat pots, a new thermal shirt for me, and various and sundry lawn mower-related goods.

Yesterday's true highlight (this is punny, you'll get it in a minute) was setting up my grow light for seeds. Now there's an otherwordly glow coming from under the door of the guest room. I checked them last night before going to bed, and M. laughed at me and reminded me that it takes longer than 5 hours for seeds to germinate. Seriously, they can't do something to speed up the process?

This week should be a good one. Endoscopy tomorrow to rule out celiacs (please please please rule it out!) so hunger is once again on the schedule. Get to start outdoor housework this week - planting sweet peas, cutting down last year's stalks and general cleaning. M. says he's going to build my raised beds for the square foot garden this week. We'll see if it happens.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Two glorious nights in a row

Wednesday was warm warm warm, so I cranked up the Jay-Z CD on the way home and did the head bob with the windows open in Duanesburg. I'm very cool, I know. Laced up the new running shoes, on which I am not 100% sold, and took the dog out for a short pre-dinner run. We went out one of the country lanes near home, and I let him off leash once we were past the trafficky areas. I <3 living in the country sometimes.

Seeing him race up and down the drainage ditches made me realize a few things: running is a really good way to be really happy; my dog has entirely too much energy; I can't remember ever being as happy about something as he seemed to be about running in the water. We didn't go fast (ok, I didn't go fast. 3.24 in roughly 33 minutes) but when I got home I was content. It's not often that I feel completely at peace with the world and everyone in it, but for about 20 minutes that night, I did.

The evening was improved by dinner; Thai turkey burgers with peanut sauce. Salad on the side, as usual. AND we watched the end of a movie in French, which is a special treat for me.

Last night was gorgeous because I was able to lay out on a beach towel (and pillow! Always keep both in the car.) in Washington Park. Got licked on the forehead by a few dogs, which was a bit unexpected. Nearly finished a fantastically fluffy and funny book by Lisa Lutz, then enjoyed falafel and stuffed grape leaves for dinner. Got complimented on my presentation for work, and had a good drive home.

High expectations that tonight will match the last two in awesomeness. Step one to accomplishing this: Zweigl's hot dogs for dinner. Considering a step .5: jogging with the dog. Have to find my motivation for the Army Ten-Miler in October. Anyone up for doing a duathlon with me this summer? I've decided I'm d-o-n-e with swimming.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Overanalyzing, comme d'habitude.

For someone who usually has no problem expressing herself, I'm suddenly feeling quite shy about this whole blogging bit. Why am I doing this? What am I trying to accomplish? Why am I over-analyzing this activity that so many of my peers participate in?

I suppose the answer to the last question is irrelevant, yet central to my being. The first two, upon reflection, don't really matter. Why do I do so many of the things I do? Simply because I am occasionally taken by whimsy.
  • Whimsy. Definition 1: Whim - a capricious or eccentric and often sudden idea or turn of mind
Sometimes it rules my life, and frankly I find those times to be incredibly enjoyable. For example, my abrupt decision to get a sex in the city cupcake from Coccadotts today, as opposed to my plan to get a chocolate-covered pretzel rod.

So on that whimsical note, je laisse les bon temps rouler!