cooking class

Last night, I attended a cooking class at my local cooking store, Cooks Tour. Blake’s sister, Meredith, invited me to go with her, and I was happy to accept the offer! Each class features a different chef, and this class was led by chef Lyman Winner, from one of my favorite restaurants- The Frogtown Inn!

First, Lyman reviewed what we would be making for the evening, and then we got to work. I was excited that everything on the menu for the night sounded very appetizing to me!

First, was a chilled melon soup, garnished with fresh mint and a touch of ground black pepper.

Next, was a jicama and watercress salad with a lemon honey vingarette.

The main course was strip steaks with a smoked paprika rub, grilled shrimp that were marinated in a soy, ginger, and orange marinade and then served with a spicy pineapple chutney, and grilled sweet potatoes. We used a charcoal grill for all of the main dishes, which gave everything a wonderful flavor. I especially loved the pineapple chutney, even with the sweet potatoes. (My plate doesn’t look nearly as appetizing as Lyman’s did, but I can assure you that everything tasted delicious!)

Dessert was a triple chocolate custard, which I wasn’t too excited about, but ended up being amazing!

It was a very fun night and I hope to go to another class soon. Who wants in?

recovery run

A few more details on my half marathon run…

My official time was 1:47:43!  I will take every second I can get   This time makes my average pace 8:13 min/mile.  I can deal with this pace, but it is a little disappointing because I know that I was running less than 8:00 min/ mile for the first 6 or 7 miles.  After that point, the heat started to get to me and I slowed waaaay down.  I am still happy with my overall time, but I wish I could have kept my pace under 8 min/mile for the whole race! Maybe next time!

Monday I was SO sore!  While I was laying in bed that morning, I hadn’t even moved yet and I knew I was going to be sore.  Sure enough, I walked like a crippled woman all day and stairs were a real treat!  Needless to say, I took a much needed rest day.

Yesterday, I was still sore, but I knew that a run was the best thing for me.  In high school, our coaches made us do a 7 mile “recovery run” every day after a race and while I thoroughly disliked the long runs, they did always make me feel better.  So, yesterday I ran 3, walked 1, and stretched out really well. 

I am feeling like a new woman today!  And just because my husband took no pictures of me running I don’t like to write a post with all words and no pictures, here’s one of me yesterday before attending an event for Blake’s networking group.  Does that skirt look familiar?

an hour to spare

On Monday morning, my breast pump completely stopped working!  I thought that it has sounded a little bit funky lately, but I didn’t expect it to completely die on me!  I was pretty upset about the it because I rely on my pump so much.  I called Medela (which I always pronounced ma-dell-a, but when I called they pronounce it ma-deal-a), they said that the motor must have gone on it, which is only covered by a one  year warranty   For the next week or so, I am borrowing one, but then I am regaining my freedom and going to stop altogether.  I have been considering giving it up soon anyway, so this is like a sign from above that the time has come.

Luckily, I am a milk factory hoarder and have plenty of milk saved up to make it to little Kiwi’s first birthday.

Right now, I spend about an hour of every day pumping breast milk.  What am I going to do with my new found “free time”??

m + a + c + y

scrapbook paper +

 these letters=

This was such an easy project, and I love how the letters look hanging above her bed.  I tried to choose paper that will grow with her, but I can always update them in the future with new paper, paint, or yarn!

proud

I completed my half marathon today!  I am so happy that it is over with and I am pretty darn happy with my time of 1:48.  That’s six minutes faster than my one other half marathon I ran in 2008!

We also have a new runner in the family.  I think the marathoners inspired her!

I’m proud that I completed the race, earned a new personal record, and accomplished this just nine months after having a baby!  But, it was hot today and I was SO happy to be done at the halfway point.  I give the crazy marathoners so much credit!

My running app estimated that I burned 1600 calories today, so I tried to make up for at least a few of them

I started with a mimosa.

Then, I asked baker Blaker to make me some cookies.  Unfortunately, he thought that meant combining all the ingredients into the mixer and turning it on…

Somehow, they still turned out okay and I downed about 8!

Dinner was BBQ ribs, pasta salad (that I have been craving for days), and ice cream with hot fudge sauce!

I’m retiring to bed very shortly.  Hope everyone had a great weekend and accomplished something to be proud of!

look mom

“I’m riding Kiwi like a horsey!”

I guess it’s a good thing there’s only a few pounds difference between them!

skinny mini

Macy is so skinny that her size 2T shorts (and underwear!) were falling off every time she walked.

We quickly solved that problem by putting her in Kiwi’s shorts- size 6-12 months!  They were a little short, but at least this way she will match her hootchie mama And yes, her boots are on the wrong feet. Maybe it’s part of her fashion statement.  I love this little peanut!

getting her hair did

We made the most of this rainy day by making it one that we’ll never forget.

Guess who got her very first haircut today, after two and a half years!- Miss Macy Reese!

She was so good, even though she was visibly nervous

You look gorgeous, girlfriend!

happy mom’s day

I started off my mother’s day with a lovely 8 mile run.  It’s my last long run before the big race next weekend, and I felt pretty good.  I think I’m ready for the half marathon!  I just don’t want to disappoint my partner, speedy gonzalez!

After burning all those calories, I consumed twice as many while at brunch with Blake, the girls, my MIL, and Jerry.  We went to brunch at Skytop Lodge, which is a resort that’s close to our house and absolutely beautiful.

Macy loved the buffet!  She ate three chocolate muffins, cheese, lots of fruit, prime rib (dipped in ketchup), a piece of ham, two pieces of french toast, and a bagel with cream cheese.  I was impressed to say the least!

Avery ate a ton of food too, but then again, she usually does

It was such a lovely day!  I am so honored to be a mommy to these two gorgeous girls and I am even more blessed that I have an awesome mom of my own.  Happy Mother’s Day Kitty and thanks for teaching me what it means to be a great mom!

cinco de mayo

Our friends, Beth and Tony, invited us over for a cinco de mayo celebration on Saturday and a good time was had by all!

Beth outdid herself with a full spread of tacos (with chicken, beans, or pulled pork), chili dip, fried plantains, empanadas, fried rice, and fresh salsa.

She also made some yummy beverage selections- strawberry lemonade, pina coladas, a melonball cocktail, and fuzzy navels.  Macy approved of the lemonade!

I made a few margaritas using a recipe that I found in Food Network Magazine.  It’s blue because of the addition of Blue Curacao liqueur, an orange flavored liqueur.  They took awhile to make, because I used fresh limes to squeeze the juice, but were well worth the effort!

Macy also had the pleasure of busting open her very first pinata (with some help).  Apparently, she has no idea how to hold a bat, so a future in softball is out of the question so I think her dad needs to work on that this summer!

The adults also played some games.  I played ladderball for the first time, which I actually don’t suck at and had fun playing!  I think I need to buy this game.  I like games that I’m good at

source

To finish off the day, we enjoyed these fruit tacos that I made for dessert.  They were a hit with everyone, which made me happy since they were nearly impossible to make!  I promise to share the recipe soon.

Hope everyone else had a nice cinco de mayo celebration too!  Thanks for having us Tony and Beth!