must read!

After a busy weekend of painting, today seems rather humdrum!

Over lunch I finished this book:

So so so so good!  Sprinkled with recipes, amazing descriptions of food, crazy and eccentric characters, written with honesty and strength.  I loved it!  It's a memoir written, the author admits, with slight embellishment.  Such a good read!  I want to find more of her books.

What good books have you been reading lately?

And do any of you have books that inspire you to run?  I always love Born to Run, but am looking for another book or two to read before the marathon to get me even more excited.  Movies work, too!

lazy bones

Yesterday was one of those gloriously lazy yet still somewhat productive days.  Since marathon week has officially started I attemped to sleep in, but only made it til 6am.  I went for a VERY sweaty, hot, humid, somewhat miserable run of 8.5 miles.  I took my time stretching, cooling off, eating breakfast, and getting ready. Then I walked to the library and checked out some books:

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Interpreter of Maladies (short stories) by Jhumpa Lahiri
Too Much Happiness (short stories) by Alice Munro
Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler

If you haven't read any of Jhumpa Lahiri, you should start.  I started The Namesake around 11am and I completely finished it at 4:30.  It was glorious.

In between all that reading I dropped off the recycling and then went to the park and sat in the grass and read.  I got some sun and also got to see a deer!  At home I shared the couch with this little one.

She's all paws.

Per marathon week "rules" I mixed in chia seeds to my morning yogurt and I had a green smoothie as part of dinner.

Spinach, yogurt, 1/2 a frozen banana, peanut butter.  So refreshing!

Dave and I watched the movie 500 Days of Summer last night and loved it... well, mostly loved it.  We loved the quirkiness, the music, the acting.  We didn't really love some of the ideas/perspectives about love or relationships.  Still, I'm glad we watched it and really loved the unique way they played with different movie styles.  It was so creative and cute!

I made it til 6:45am this morning and now am headed out for a short run before church.  Not sure what Dave and I have planned for today or tomorrow - but probably lots of lazy fun!!

(Also, weather.com is going to make me go into fits before this marathon, I swear.  The ten day forecast says that June 5 will be 72 and rainy - which I love - but if you click the actual day it says sunny and 89.  I'm choosing to believe the 72 and rainy, because 89 and sunny sounds like pure running hell.)

a quote

Running to him was real; the way he did it the realest thing he knew.  It was all joy and woe, hard as diamond; it made him weary beyond comprehension.  But it also made him free.

-Once a Runner, by John L. Parker, Jr.

book talk

I'm headed out for a long run here soon, hoping that it starts warming up quickly.  When I got up an hour ago it was 29... now it's 27.  Fantastic.

Our date night last night was dinner (leftover tomato lentil chili... even better second time around), a walk, reading time, and basketball.  When I woke up this morning Dave was doing the dishes!  At 5am!

I've been listening to Laura Ingalls Wilder books on CD lately and yesterday checked out These Happy Golden Years (in book form) from the library.

(source)

I read it all yesterday.  It took maybe 3 hours.  It was such a good book, and so satisfying to read it all in one day.  Right now I'm listening to the first Lord of the Rings book - it's 20.5 hours long!  I haven't read any of the books yet and only seen the last LoTR movie.  So far I'm loving it!  The next book to read is Mennonite in a Little Black Dress.  Maybe I'll start it today?

What books are you reading right now?

fatty fat fat

Dave and I went to Sam's Club for the first time on Friday... amazing!  We got a HUGE bag of almonds, big bags of frozen fruit (for munching, oatmeal, and muesli), gum, batteries, kitty litter, trail mix, and dried fruit.  Dave also picked out a turtle cheesecake.  When we got home we looked at the nutrition information and about died:

Bad enough one slice is 390 calories... it's 68% saturated fat!  Gross!  Dave had me get out two pieces and put the rest in the freezer - he's planning on eating them every once in awhile as a treat.  I don't like turtle cheesecake much anyway (because of the nuts) and was more than happy to have a good reason to avoid it considering the damage on there!

I'm currently reading Walter Zacharius's The Memories We Keep.  It is so good.  One of those books you start and then become obsessive about reading and finishing.  I'll probably have it done by the end of today.

I made split pea... something yesterday.  It wasn't exactly soup, although it tasted like it.  I did 1/2c. split peas cooked with an onion, a carrot, 3 cloves garlic, and 1/2t. each of curry and cumin.  It was delicious and so filling!  I'm going to make more this morning to take with me to Marion for my lunch Tuesday and to just have in the fridge for the week.  I might like split peas more than lentils?

Colts play today at 3!!!!  I think I'll try to get a run in this afternoon pre-game (it's supposed to be 46!), but that depends on the wind outside and also on my foot.  I've been having some toe-tightness in my right foot, at my 3rd toe.  Yesterday while out for a run I had a moment where it hurt A LOT and then went away.  This morning my foot is a little sore and stiff in that area, so I don't want to overdo it this afternoon if it's still acting up.  It basically feels like a sore muscle or something... it's very odd.  Doesn't hurt so much as feel stiff and going up on my toes feels good while curling my toes under causes more issue.  Bizarre.

Off to make oatmeal and split peas!

where to start?

Oh man, seems like there is a lot to cover since we left.

Let's see... Christmas day I got a blister on my lip while cutting pineapple - sap from the rind flew up, hit my lip, and created an instant blister.  Super.  It's still healing... and resplitting often.  It's really comfortable (and cute).

Carrot cake review: it turned out great!  It even held together when it was cut.  Lou was so pleased to have a gluten-free option and I was proud to have a layer cake that didn't look nearly as dilapidated as it should have.  And I learned that next time I should put some wax paper on the bottom of the pan to help the cake slip out easier.  Things to know before you pour in the batter and bake it...

Our Christmas day with Dave's family was lots of fun - we ate together, opened presents, watched A Very Brady Christmas, played games, and laughed and played with little 10-month Lydia.

We got to the cabin on the 26th at about 3 and immediately Dave made a fire.  Hooray!!

I love love love fireplaces.  And then I got my anniversary present from Dave, a day early (he knows the way to my heart is by early presents... I'm never patient!).  A beautiful solitaire necklace!  (Please also note the lingering pineapple blister.)

That night we went to downtown South Haven for dinner at Tello Bistro.  When we got there we found this on the table waiting for us!

So fun!  We both started with salad - caesar for Dave and spring mix with pine nuts, vinaigrette, and goat cheese for me.  Then Dave got the chicken margharita with fresh green beans and roasted potatoes, and I got salmon that was grilled in herbs and drizzled with roasted red pepper sauce.  It was fantastic - easily the best fish I've ever had.  We came back to the cabin for the top of our wedding cake... which still tasted awesome!

The rest of the cabin time we hunkered inside as it was constantly snowing.  Dave kept the fireplace nonstop going for me and we watched some movies and lots of HGTV (we both loved the house hunting shows).  We got in the hot tub once, but didn't end up repeating it since going out on the cold cold deck and hauling off a snow-covered top made it less fun.  Still, once was great!

From South Haven we went to Cleveland and had Christmas with my family.  Tons of time with 1.5 year old Lizzie and 1 month old Clare (both so adorable!) and lots of eating (of course).  We also played dice and watched Christmas Vacation and swam in the hotel pool.  Kel and I got up on Tuesday morning to workout in the hotel fitness center and found it to be 80 degrees.  Needless to say it was a shortened and very sweaty workout.  In retrospect we joked that we should have switched to Bikram yoga instead.

Now we are home and although I miss my family already, it is good to be back in our apartment, with Mosie, unpacked and ready for a few more days of downtime.  We have a wedding in Lafayette on Saturday, but other than that it looks like this is what the rest of my vacation is going to be about (after I finish two Kingsolver books).  Thank you, mom, Kelly, and Richele!

Glory glory!  The three vegetarian cookbooks are on loan from my sister - she graciously is letting me have them for a bit so I can continue to learn more vegetarian recipes/cooking strategies.  Apparently that bottom one, Didi Emmons' Vegetarian Planet, is amazing.  I've been tasked with protecting it with my life.

I also got a clear glass tea kettle for Christmas - and might have a video in the future to show.  I think it's so fun to watch the water boil!  (Simple pleasures for me!)

lazy saturday

Today has been one of those slow, easy days.  Love them.  Took my time before going running this morning - munching on cheerios, drinking coffee, reading.  Finally went out for a smaller run.  It was beautiful and sunny and cold!  Dave and I watched the extras from Up over lunch (sidenote: that movie is so stinkin amazing.  Hilarious and so touching.), then I took a walk to my in-laws' and the library.  Future reading material:

When Dave and I got home last night from the in-laws' we had a package waiting for us from my sister.  The sad news:

Apparently the black squirrels that frequent our fire escape really wanted in this package.  My sister sent us some peanut butter granola (Dave's current most FAVORITE thing) and I guess the squirrels wanted to munch, too.  The ziploc was completely shredded and the granola spilled out... we deemed it all "contaminated."  Dave was very sad to see the granola go.  I'm slightly worried he might plan some sort of revenge on the squirrels.  However, other fun things were included that the squirrels didn't get!  Kashi granola bars (chocolate caramel and chocolate almond) and an ornament for Mosie!  Thanks, Jilly!!

We have a wedding shower tonight - coed - at Dave's aunt and uncle's house.  Taco bar and rock band to be included.  I'm off to scrounge up an apple and some peanut butter, some hot tea, and one of those books.

crazy kitty morning

Date night update: plans changed again Friday night!  We had Papa Vinos Panera grocery store salad!  I know that sounds weird, but the Martin's grocery store in town has a pretty impressive salad bar.  I got a big one with romaine, spinach, tomatoes, eggs, sunflower seeds, sesame chips, peas, beans, and a little sundried tomato pesto vinaigrette.  And a small side of cantaloupe and grapes.  It was delicious!

Dave and I spent yesterday in MI with friends - pictures to come later, after they post them to facebook and I steal them.  We didn't take a camera but knew that pictures would abound.  We got a long walk in the sun together, plenty of talking and catching up time, baby time, and some delicious food.  It was so good to be back with old friends, laughing.

I skipped the morning run today out of laziness... which eventually led to not enough time.  I'm planning to go this afternoon (Colts don't play until 8:15!  BOO patriots!) - it looks like it will be sunny and in the 50s.  Very enjoyable!

Currently reading William Goldman's The Princess Bride.  It is very very good.  Reads fast and is hilarious.  Definitely recommend it - especially if you like the movie!

We're having friends over for lunch after church - leftover spaghetti and bread and corn I froze this summer.  A football and reading and running afternoon - my favorite!

I'm off to spray Mosie with the water bottle - she is a big stinker this morning!  On tables, the bathroom counter, chewing cords, hands, buttons... sometimes she really is a bad little teenager kitty.

sept. summary

My goal for September was 175.  I hit it with 175.5... I only needed to do 4 miles yesterday and since I was in Marion, it was right before dinner instead of in the morning, and it was pretty windy, I contented myself with doing the bare minimum.  To be honest, I later regretted not working my body a little harder, but I'm sure it's enjoying the rest.  Today is a rest day, so that is the final total!  My goal for October isn't a final number but a weekly sum - right now I'm running about 40 or 41 miles a week.  I'd like to hit between 45 and 50 weekly for October.  I hope the weather cooperates!

I picked up a different book on CD this week - The Best American Short Stories of 2001.  Great things about this: Barbara Kingsolver was the editor.  She also wrote and read the introduction, which was fabulous.  And she has a great reading voice.  One of the stories, while really well written and beautiful, was also slightly bizarre.  A woman kept finding baby parts - real ones - in her house.  Started with a hand, then a shoulder, a torso, a penis, etc.  She stitched them together when she had all the parts but the baby died.  It was... strange to say the least.  But also well written.

This morning I went to the dentist (I am one of those freaks that really loves going to the dentist - you get out of work, you watch tv, you leave with super clean teeth, and you get to talk with really nice, friendly people).  My hygenist informed me that she heard they're calling for a particularly rough winter.  So I checked the farmers almanac.  Read it yourself here, but essentially she's right.  UGH.  I quickly learned last winter that northern Indiana's iteration of winter is about ten times more horrible than anywhere else I've ever lived - the wind! the insane sub-zero temps! the snow!  I'm already dreading it...

Are any of you winter time runners?  What do you do to stay warm running outside when it gets really cold?

race day!

I got my goal time! 1:58:23! That's a full sixteen minutes better than my time in May, which was fifteen minutes better than my previous best time! What a good running year!

The FW half was a great race - a decent run with lots of spots for spectators (Dave, Aunt Penny, and Uncle Lyn managed to see me five times before the finish), a run through a park, a neighborhood, and an awesome finish in the new baseball stadium downtown! I will definitely want to do this one again next year!

Richele and I, the morning of the race:

Aunt Penny had the great idea to give us multifunctional socks. 1) to keep your hands/forearms warm in the cool morning and 2) as hankies to blow your nose mid-run before you pitch them away. Great idea! They worked so well!

After the race Richele, Ben, Dave, and I, got treated to Powers burgers by Penny and Lyn. Powers burgers have a FW cult following - they're basically like homemade, glorified White Castle. Actually, Richele and I just stole bites off Dave's and Ben's... we didn't think we could stomach all the grease and onions (although they did smell amazing!).

I still need to get some miles in to make 175 for September... but right now it seems doable!

PS - With all the exclamation points in this post, can you tell that I'm still running on race endorphins?

Also, here's a quote from Born To Run that I reread this morning to keep me going.

Relax enough, and your body becomes so familiar with the cradle-rocking rhythm that you almost forget you're moving. And once you break through to that soft, half-levitating flow, that's when the moonlight and champagne show up: "You have to be in tune with your body, and know when you can push it and when to back off..." You have to listen closely to the sound of your own breathing; be aware of how much sweat is beading on your back; make sure to treat yourself to cool water and a salty snack and ask yourself, honestly and often, exactly how you feel. (Page 69)

I've also found smiling makes me more cheerful and energized during my run, whether I really feel like smiling or not. Today's run was, thankfully, very enjoyable and genuinely FUN. I'm excited to get back out again tomorrow morning.

squashtastic?

Goal 1 was accomplished last night: cooking with squash. I had a... shoot. I forget the name. Butternut acorn? Could that be possible? Butternut dumpling? Anyhow, it said it was a sweeter squash. Thank goodness for Cutco knives, because dang that sucker was hard to get through. (I realize now I probably should have pierced it with a fork and microwaved it to soften it before attempting to cut it.) I cut the squash in quarters, drizzled it with olive oil, then applied liberal amounts of basil, oregano, garlic, and salt. Put it in the oven at 350 for about 45 minutes. When it came out I sprinkled it with parmesan. We ate our squashes with spinach salads - peas and feta and red wine vinegar for me, taco meat and cheese for Dave. All in all, the squash was just okay. Not bad, not great. Does anyone have some squash wisdom to share - a particular kind I should buy? Different ways to eat it? Please help! I want to be a squash lover!

After dinner I had a frozen reese's pb cup and chocolate chip cookie (leftover from Saturday where Dave and I bought 30 different chocolate chip cookies from 30 different places for my sister-in-law's 30th birthday). Dave made himself a small but Coldstone-worthy sundae: chocolate peanut butter ice cream topped with peanut butter, magic shell, whipped cream, and chocolate chips. My boy knows how to do dessert right.

We watched a movie from the library last night - Another Cinderella Story - which we were expecting to be laughably bad, like most other Disney made for ABC family tv movies. This one was suprisingly decent... about on par with other predictable-but-still-fun-to-watch chick flicks. Having Jane Lynch definitely helped - she makes any movie awesome. And in all the squash preparation and movie watching I totally forgot about Monday night football with the COLTS! Good thing I have all season to make up for it.

Dave and I have started a new nighttime ritual: reading time! Last week Dave suggested we start reading for half an hour together before bed. I was all too happy to oblige! We still had leftover gift card money from the wedding to Bed Bath and Beyond, so Sunday we bought two extra fluffy pillow so we can sit up in bed comfortably. I've been distracted from Kavalier and Clay of late because Dave surprised me with four old Runner's World magazines the library was selling for cheap. They've been hard to put down!

Today's run was much better, although it was summertime humid out there again, which slowed my time slightly. Still, way more of a fun run than Sunday's!

Labor Day

Since we had the day off, Dave and I took a trip to Plymouth, Indiana, to the Blueberry Festival. While there we made some unfortunate food choices. Together we split:

a basket of spiral cut potato fries

a cheeseburger

a blueberry sundae

half a bag of kettle corn

We came home and immediately took a nap (I actually started mine in the car on the drive home) while our bodies certainly labored to digest. Poor decision making on our part, with that lunch, for sure. Then we watched the movie Big Fish, which was creative and had beautiful colors and fantastic actors, but was a little disappointing in the overall theme and idea of the movie (your life isn't good enough as is - you have to color it up with stories?).

Now we're playing with Mosie. Dave has a meeting later and I'll go for a run. We're thinking a simple, healthy dinner of corn on the cob is in order. We've both been chugging water all day, too, trying to drain the fair food out of our system. Ugh. Nothing like carb and grease overload to drain you of all physical energy.

This is completely random, but I've been reading the book Kavalier and Clay, by Michael Chabon. My friend Tyler surprised me earlier this year by shipping the book right to my door! It's only taken me this long to actually start reading it. It's so good!! Unique story, fantastic writing, well-developed characters... I'm not surprised at all that it won the Pulitzer. I'm not even close to halfway yet, but I'd already definitely recommend it.

Hoping to make corn chowder on Wednesday - expect a review!

august round-up

I ran 140 in July, so I decided I wanted to hit 150 in August. My final total was 152 - just over. I really think the fruit has helped these past two days - my legs have felt much much better. Bananas are definitely proven to be great for runners, but I'm building my faith in all fruit for that.

It's incredible to me that what used to be a longer-ish runs for me are now my daily runs. Earlier I commented that the book Born to Run changed my attitude about running and really helped me get to the level of running I'm currently at. And I do believe that. If you like running at all (or just want to read a phenomenal story) get that book. It is so dang worth it. But something else I've learned as I've been running, especially in the past two months, is that the capabilities and desires have always been there, hidden or dormant or trapped. And the book maybe helped me see them, but it was God who really helped me release them. Running has been an incredible way for me to experience the strength of my own body, the possibilities I possess. I run now for positive reasons - its healthy, it feels good to be outside and moving, I like seeing how far I can push myself, pure enjoyment - instead of the old reasons - mainly ones tied to negative self-image and weight issues (neither of which really helped me enjoy running or go very far... and I always quit after a bit). Running has been a way for God to really break down some old lies that I believed about myself and to heal me. I am an incredibly different person mentally in regards to my body and my self-image at the end of these two months than I was at the beginning. Running was definitely the key, but God was the one turning the key. I didn't really want this entry to be a sermon, but I also felt strongly that I needed to give God the credit for what He had done, and not say it was just running or just a book. Both played a large part, but they weren't THE part. September's goal is 175, just to see if I can. I am thankful for new freedom and continued growth.

Egg roll update: couldn't find egg roll wrappers in the grocery store (new leads have suggested the produce section??) so used corn tortillas instead. The filling tasted really good but I thought the tortilla was a bit too much for the filling... so I still want to try it egg-roll style. If all else fails I might get phyllo dough and try it that way. Still, a good recipe. And the filling really was delicious. Would be excellent as a salsa-like dip for tortilla chips.

Also got a new basil plant from Meijer - a bigger one. Trying to grow it indoors and hoping it keeps. I probably need to get it a new pot this week. I should move my oregano now, while it's still alive, and before an early frost comes in (which seems likely considering it's AUGUST and 45 degrees this morning). Our friend Irene gave me a tiny hen and chicks plant. She said the chicks should start coming out in a week. I am very excited about this plant!!

Also. Random: Dave and I have watched the Bourne Trilogy this weekend and in the movies the killer/assassins are called "assets." We have taken to calling Mosie "The Asset" when she is in play mode since she loves to stalk and hunt.