It’s been a pretty unremarkable week since my award winning run!    A busy Tuesday with Orthodontist, Optometrist & Dentist appointments.  Weight Watcher weigh in (-.02 this week), volleyball practice, my 45 min. jog, soccer practice run and then book club.  Book club was just me and Paula this month, Dawn was off on a date with Robin to see Jimmy Buffet (lovebirds), Amy was sick and who knows what the others were doing, but Paula and I had a good time discussing “Alice I Have Been” and got into a deep discussion on child pornography (you had to be there, trust me).  We also decided we would just pick out the books for the next two meetings since we were the only ones who showed up!  Picked “Angelology” (great for me as I’m already reading it) and “The Irresistible Henry House: A Novel”.  I can see this group discussing angels and I already have the Henry House book so it’s win win for me, but Paula actually choose the books.

Today I went down to the Women’s Shelter with UMW to serve the ladies there (Grace UMC).  We made one large and 2 smaller casseroles, and used every drop of food we had.  We had over 50 women show up which was more than they have been having lately.  We found out they are moving at the end of the summer so we’ll have to see where the new building will be.  Heidi feared that it was in a very rough part of town (drive by shooting area) and we were told there would be a guard on duty when we served.  Hmmmmmm, UMW will have to decide if this is going to be the right fit for us.  The ladies at Grace are so wonderful to work with.  It’s a shame they can’t continue in the building they are in now, but it looks like it will be sold due to the financial times we live in.
Tonight I plan on cooking for the kids.    They will be shocked.  H is driving down to Orlando for a frat brother golf outing that lasts through Sunday.  Just me and the kiddo’s for a few days, and just me and Jackson once Clayton & Shelby leave on Friday for their Mid Hi Retreat!  Sweet!  If it rains, maybe I can get some scrapbooking done???  Maybe!

Oh goodness, it’s time to share some summer recipes and this one came to me this week from one of my foodie links.  I love sweet potatoes and this looks like something I would like (minus the peppers).  But I know that most of you like peppers, something I’ll never understand.  (Personally the peppers and onions are out of this recipe for me nope don’t like the taste!) The roasted corn with the sweet potatoes sounds yummy though, doesn’t it?  Let me know if you try this recipe (only 3 WW pts!!) 

Sweet Potato Salad Recipe with Roasted Poblano, Roasted Corn & Chipotle

SWEET POTATO SALAD with
ROASTED POBLANO, ROASTED CORN & CHIPOTLE

Hands-on time: 35 minutes
Time to table: 35 minutes
Makes 4 cups

• 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and diced small
• 1 large poblano pepper or green pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup corn

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
• 1/2 teaspoon adobo sauce from canned chipotle chiles
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or fresh basil, chopped
• Salt & pepper to taste

• For garnish, additional cilantro or basil

COOK SWEET POTATOES Cook the sweet potatoes in boiling salted water until barely soft OR steam for about 10 minutes.

ROAST PEPPER Move oven rack close to the broiler, set oven on broil. Slice the pepper in half vertically; remove core, membrane and seeds. Flatten halves skin-side up on foil on a baking sheet. Place under broiler til skins blister and blacken. Remove from broiler, fold foil over the pepper to form a tight packet; let rest 5 minutes. Lift off and discard skins; slice flesh into strips.

ROAST CORN In a non-stick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium high until shimmery. Add the corn and cook, stirring often, until the kernels turn golden brown. (It’s fun! Some kernels just might pop!)

COMBINE Meanwhile, collect remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in the cooked sweet potatoes, roasted pepper and roasted corn. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

SERVE & SAVOR To serve, transfer to a serving bowl to serve at room temperature, otherwise refrigerate to serve later but do return to room temperature. Garnish the salad with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro or a leaf of fresh basil.

NUTRITION ESTIMATE Per Half Cup: 162Cal; 4g Tot Fat; 1g Sat Fat; 0mg Cholesterol; 65mg Sodium; 31g Carb; 4g Fiber; 10g Sugar; 3g Protein; Weight Watchers 3 points

Adapted from a local St. Louis newspaper, The Ladue News from a recipe from The Market at Busch’s Grove, an upscale grocery in Ladue, on Clayton Road just west of Price.

By now, I think most everyone knows I ran my first 5K run on Saturday.  I have been doing what I like to call my “gentle” jog for a couple of months now.  I run about 3.2 miles here in the neighborhood in around 40 minutes.  You have to take into consideration the hills (that feel like mountains) that I have to run up just to get out of my neighborhood!  So when I saw this 5K run up in Johns Creek I figured it had to be flatter than my current route and I should go for it.

Weight Watchers is doing a push this month to get their members to walk a 5K by May.  I think I’ve fulfilled that!  But as is usual with anything I do, there has to be a bigger story than just me doing the run.

The weather was forecasted for lightning storms on Sat. evening, not morning.  I woke up around 4am on Sat. and heard the heavy rain coming down and by 6am there was significant thunder to accompany the rain.  I got up and checked but there was nothing about the run being postponed or rescheduled.  I figured it would be a go if it rained, but the lightning was a whole other thing.  Anywho, I pinned on my number, put my tag on my shoe threw on a long sleeve t-shirt and headed up to the run.

It wasn’t raining at home by the time we left, but as we neared the course, it was raining pretty steady, then it stopped while we waited about 15 min. for the race to begin.  H took a photo of me (dry) prior to the race (he’s a smart man).
 

So, I get ready to run, met some nice girls and talked about the course.  The race started and down the hill we all ran…

Ten seconds after this photo was taken, the heavens opened and a deluge of water poured down on us.  It was horrible.  I was immediately drenched my shoes filling up with water by the time I got to the top of the first hill.  Oh the joy….then all the really fun stuff happened. 

On the first long hill to run down my shoe comes untied.  So I lost several seconds as I had to run to the side of the road to re-tie.  Then I’m off again  with lightning sounding overhead only to have my left ear bud of my iPod die.  Now I keep my pace to the music on my iPod and I’d worked for weeks to get the right mix of tempos to set the pace for my run.  Then about another mile in, I notice my songs aren’t playing in order.  Of course I forgot to wear my contacts and I’d given H my glasses so I couldn’t read what playlist was playing.  I thought I would cry by about then but I keep plugging along.  My shoes felt like each weighed 5 extra lbs. with all the water in them, my shirts clung to me and weighed me down and still the rain kept coming. 

Even with all these difficulties, I felt good.  If I’d known where the end of the run was I would have poured on some speed near the end, but I finally arrived…now here are the “after” photos before getting my hat on and they’re not pretty (drowned rat time):

Crossing the Finish Line

Do not show this to small children, it will scare them! 

But I did it, I accomplished my first 5K and with a time of 31:27.

I was so tired once it was done, but mostly from feeling like I ran with ankle weights on….which in a way I did!  There were 224 people who ran the race, I was in the top 40% of runners and believe it or not, I placed first in my age bracket (50-54) and received a plaque!  I just wanted to accomplish this, never dreamed I’d end up with more than photos to show for it. 

Receiving my award

So now it’s back to my gentle jogs until the next “flat” 5K opportunity arises…with no storms closer than Mississippi in the forecast for start time!  I know I could have done so much better with my times if it hadn’t been for the rain, shoe and iPod issues.  I’m feeling pretty good about this.

Oh, we went to Ted’s for dinner tonight to celebrate and I had some fries!  (just a few along with a veggie burger…mmmmm, mmmmmm, good)!  And I ate a cookie tonight too!  I’m not too thin and I feel great so I encourage you to find the exercise that you feel comfortable with and go for it!  Just do it!  I’ll be your biggest cheerleader!

I found this list of spring quotes online.  These would be great for cards or scrapbook pages.  I thought these pretty little flower photos I took should accompany the spring quotes.  First up are the tulips blooming in the Duke Gardens. (These are just a sampling of the hundreds of bulbs blooming there)

My darling Dutch BFF Ellen gave me beautiful blue hyacinth bulbs back when she lived here in Atlanta.  I think of those fun times every year when they bloom.  I love this photo because the bottom petals seem to be hugging it’s own leaf like little arms.  So stinking sweet….

Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!”  –Robin Williams

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.  –Charles Dickens

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.  –Proverb

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.  –Margaret Atwood

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.  –William Shakespeare

An optimist is the human personification of spring. — Susan J. Bissonette

I stuck my head out the window this morning and spring kissed me bang in the face. ” — Langston Hughes

Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. — Doug Larson

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. –Mark Twain

O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind? –Percy Byron Shelley

A little Madness in the Spring Is wholesome even for the King. –Emily Dickinson

April comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers. –Edna St. Vincent Millay

The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful. –E.E. Cummings

I have an exciting weekend coming up.  This is the weekend all us Princesses' get together and head downtown to see the Princess Diana Exhibit of her clothing and personal objects.  The only thing I haven’t decided on yet is whether to wear my tiara or not?  Maybe too much for a mid-day event?  We bought the tickets months ago and in a blink of an eye, the day has arrived.  I have to miss Shelby’s last day of volleyball tournament, but sometimes Mommy’s needs  come first.  Daddy will go with Shelby and I will go one Saturday.

Have you been enjoying the wonderful strawberries at the store this spring?  Oh my goodness, they are so tasty this time of the year.  I found this recipe for a frozen strawberry “low cal” treat.  The crust calls for Fiber One cereal.  I use Fiber One cereal anytime I need a crust or breading crumbs.  So high in fiber, I just pulverize them in the food processor and then keep them in a zip lock baggie.  For breading, I spice up the crumbs with all sorts of spices.  I haven’t tried using sweet stuff with the fiber one so I’m excited about trying this recipe.  These recipes are from the Hungry Girl web site.

Freezylicious Strawberry Squares

PER SERVING (1 square, about 2.5" X 2.5"): 173 calories, 2.75g fat, 142mg sodium, 35g carbs, 5g fiber, 21.5g sugars, 4g protein -- POINTS® value 3*

Ingredients for Crust:
1/4 cup light whipped butter or light buttery spread (like Brummel & Brown)
1 cup Fiber One bran cereal (original)
1 cup Fiber One Caramel Delight cereal
3 tbsp. Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granulated)
1 tsp. cinnamon

For Filling
Half a 14-oz. can (1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp.) fat-free sweetened condensed milk
2 cups frozen strawberries, slightly thawed
16 oz. (2 cups) fat-free strawberry yogurt (like the kind by Yoplait Light or Fiber One)
1 cup Cool Whip Free, slightly thawed
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine butter with 2 tbsp. water. Microwave until just melted; set aside.

In a blender or food processor, grind both types of cereal to a breadcrumb-like consistency. Transfer to a bowl, and add butter mixture, Splenda, and cinnamon. Stir un til mixed well. Spray an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Evenly distribute crust mixture along the bottom of the dish, using your hands or a flat utensil to firmly press and form the crust. Press it into the edges, but not up the sides.

Bake in the oven for 10 minutes; remove and let cool.

Clean and dry blender (if you used it earlier), and add all ingredients for filling. Blend at high speed until completely mixed and smooth. Pour evenly over the crust in the baking dish, covering it completely. Cover and freeze for 6 hours, or until firm.

Before serving, remove from freezer and let thaw for 5 - 10 minutes. Cut into 9 squares and enjoy!  MAKES 9 SERVINGS

***********************************************
And since Lent is over and my friends who gave up alcohol for Lent might be looking for a low calorie sippy, here is a lovely little recipe….

Low-Cal Cherry Vodkatini

(Entire recipe: 105 calories, 0g fat, 5mg sodium, <1g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars, 0g protein = 2 Points)

Ingredients:
1.5 oz. vodka; chilled
1 serving (for 8 oz. prepared) sugar-free, artificially sweetened cherry powdered drink mix (such as Sugar Free Kool-Aid) OR unsweetened cherry powdered drink mix (such as Kool-Aid unsweetened drink mix)
1 packet SPLENDA (only needed if using unsweetened drink mix)
1 oz. diet cherry lemon-lime soda (such as Diet Cherry 7UP)
Directions:
Begin by dissolving the drink mix into just 6 oz. of cold water (even though the serving size is for 8 oz.). If using unsweetened drink mix, add the Splenda. Combine just 1/3rd (2 oz.) of this mixture (save the rest for future Vodkatinis!) with the vodka and stir. Pour into a martini glass, top with soda and enjoy! Serves 1.

HG Alternative! Martinis are typically strong cocktails, but if you prefer a lighter (and larger!) beverage, just add some extra soda or cherry drink. You'll still have a super-low-cal cherry cocktail!

Bet you think I’m talking about one of my children…..you would be wrong, my baby turned 5 yesterday.  On Sunday, April 11, 2005 baby Yoko Ono King was born around 9am and about 12 hrs. later she came into my life.  To this day, none of us can look at her and not melt.  There is truly nothing special about this kitty except we can’t forget how she looked when we got her and how fun it was raising her by hand, feeding her from her bottle and watching her grow.  Most people, when they get a puppy or kitten bring them home when they are anywhere from 6-12 weeks old. But we got Yoko on Day ONE and have been truly blessed with a sweet kitty.  She also gives wonderful kitty kisses. 

So while I still need to write about my trip and post family photos all I can do today is post photos of my baby girl……


 

 
   Oh how I miss those days…..

Monday    10.5  miles  -24,000 steps  - 8 points
Tuesday     9     miles  -22,595 steps  - 6 points
Wednesday 6.6  miles  -15,677 steps  - 4 points

OMG we have walked over 15 25 miles in 3 days (my bad math skills were showing).  Now that is pretty impressive considering I had whining children along the way and my head didn’t explode! 

We have seen “all” the sights and I think Jackson enjoyed the museums the most.  Clayton & Shelby found bits and pieces of the Smithsonian interesting, but Jackson complained we were moving too fast and he didn’t have time to read…that’s a good sign he was interested (naturally we slowed down a bit for him).  He even enjoyed the art museum and that I did not expect.  The exhibits have all become more interactive and many are brand new as of April 2010.  We got lucky when we just stopped by the Supreme Court and got in on the last tour of the day. We thought they were still in session.  An unexpected, but totally fascinating tour.

                    “Arguing before the Supreme Court”

Seems that the cherry blossoms had peaked by the time we got here.  I think it became much warmer than they had expected.  We’ve experienced a mini heat wave on the days we were here, but they were beautiful, breezy and low humidity even with the high temps.

Jackson loved the Air and Space Museum.  Clayton really liked the National Archives and naturally Shelby and I enjoyed the First Ladies exhibit.  Michelle’s dress is unbelievably beautiful up close and she has large feet (her Jimmy Choo’s were easily size 9+). The Museum of American History has always been a favorite but we also enjoyed the Museum of Natural History.  The gems and stones were as beautiful as ever and the Hope diamond is so much easier to see now with it’s new exhibit.

Tonight we plan on driving back into the city to see the monuments lit up at night.  We promised Shelby we would drive by the Jefferson as we decided not to walk that far today.  Today we went to the National Archives and saw the Declaration of Independence (which is so faded you can barely see the writing), Constitution and Bill of Rights.  No photos allowed inside. 

We then walked over to the White House and I mean the minute we get there, the police shoo everyone from the walkway in front and close the gates to the eclipse so no one could get right in front of the building to take pictures.  The police said they didn’t know how long it would take and they couldn’t tell us why it was closed.  About 10 minutes later it just opened back up with no explanation.  We were the first to get right in front of the fence and get our pictures taken….



I have loads of photos that I will write about once I get home.  Can’t wait to get some scrapbook pages done with all my new photos.  I’ll close tonight with this family photo in front of the Mall:

Signing off for now doodlebugs!! 

YES!!!!  They opened the bookstore at 1pm so we had lunch at the University Center and were first in the store to fix my visor problem….all that moaning and groaning I did…but if Duke hadn’t won last night, I don’t think they would have opened today!  I bought two additional visors just to be sure I have one handy!    We made it to D.C. by 5:30 (and there was tons of traffic) and we are now in the hotel room.  Yes, they weren’t kidding when they said we were right by Arlington National Cemetery, it’s next door…You can see the monuments over the river and everyone is out walking, running and biking…..I’m going outside too!  Later!!!!

Happy Easter ALL!

Hope you had a wonderful, bright, family centered Easter!  I’m sitting here in a hotel room with my family pouting because the darn girl at the Duke bookstore didn’t put my new visor in my shopping bag…considering the amount of money we paid yesterday ($$ would buy you a pure bred puppy for crying out loud!) you’d think they could put everything in the bag….and on a normal weekend the bookstore would be open on Sun. afternoon so I could go straighten this out,  but I’m afraid Easter will see the store closed.  I’ll have to go back by and check before we head out to DC.  If they are closed I’ll have to talk to them by phone and try to work this out!  What a hassle and crappy way to wake up to Easter. But I haven’t forgotten the importance of this day.   I did have a beautiful run this morning and had a great conversation with God in the process.  

We had a wonderful first day of spring break at Duke yesterday.  H walked around telling the kids all these great fraternity stories.  They got to see where Daddy lived on campus, where he partied (hummmmm, what every parent should do right??  lol), where his classes were, you get the picture.  Everyone bought loads of Duke paraphernalia and they were happy as clams (especially me).  H even walked by a fraternity brother he hadn’t seen in years and come to find out he lives in Atlanta, small world…that happens more often than you’d think, they seem to be everywhere!  

It’s photo time:::::

All decked out in their Duke hats…..

 
Can you say Krzyzewski??  I love this photo…. 

I like this silhouette of H.