Freshness

Ah Lancaster, home to the many Amish and Mennonite, as well as many others.....but mostly Lancaster is known for its large Amish populations. 

We had to make an early trip up to Lancaster this morning due to a funeral, for my wonderful and kind hearted grandmother, Grammy.

Since Lancaster has so many farms they have LOTS of fresh produce, something we do not get that often hear in DC.  We got to Lancaster sooner than we expected so we headed off for some fresh produce.  There's this one corn stand that we pass when we go up and it's always packed. At 9:45 people are showing up in the hoards. I believe it is bring your own bags and or boxes.  YES, people come and buy SO much corn, they must be feeding a small community. I mean I can eat corn with the best of them, but at some point I have to stop. Corn there costs $3 per bakers dozen. I don't know how much it costs by all of you, but here it runs about 75 cents an ear. I only bought 7 ears for the hus and I for a buck fifty.

Corn soaking before the grilling

Freshly grilled and steamed corn....note how burned and charred those ears are? 

 Yet, not even damaged, not dried out, not burned soo severely.
 I of course buttered and salted, but I decided to add a little cayenne, my spice of choice to add a little extra heat and flavor.

 
 Sugar Plums

After that we headed to a local orchard where I picked up some white and yellow nectarines, red cherries and some sugar plums. Yup, you know the ones who dance in your head....they are bite size and delish! 

After the service we all had lunch as a family at a local smorgasbord.  I always think that's a funny name.  I wasn't overly impressed with their options although their salad bar was nice.   

 I asked Gary if he wanted to go for a buggy ride, but he declined....

That sign says Doll Outlet, over 5,000....sorry if you are doll lovers, but that kinda creeps me out.  I'm pretty sure dolls come alive at night and run all over the place, not killer like, like Chucky, but still...

Then Gary and I drove to Bird-in-Hand (yup, true name). Lancaster has all sorts of fun names, Paradise, Blue Ball, Intercourse....

We hit up a bakery and an antiques place.  We don't do this often, we aren't pickers or collectors, but since we watch many of those shows we though, what the heck.  I found an old Maxwell House coffee tin (Maxwell being my maiden name) and Gary found some old beer cans, as well as a old mirrored Schlitz sign.  I was hoping that I could find some sleigh bells. Nothing screams Christmas to me than hearing those (I know, Christmas is about 6 months away, what's the hurry, but I'm always looking).  There was one strand for $125 a little out of my price range and a smaller strand for $20, but they just didn't sound right in my mind.  I think they would look great hanging on my door with some Christmas tree branches and a bright red bow. Oh well, next time. 

What I ate Wednesday

Today was a weird day, I got up late and had some milk. Then I immediately started to run errands.  

I went to work to clean up the teacher's lounge and to bring in the new pieces that I got from craigslist. I love that site BTW. The free section is great.  Now if only I could find a good couch and some lamps.

Since I had to work at 7 dinner was super early, like senior citizen meal time as in 5 haha.....sorry for those of you who eat so early.

We ate at Gary's restaurant(well, where he works). I didn't cook, I know, dropped the ball on that one.  I'm awful.  It's just that I had to leave at 6:15 to get to work and I didn't get home until 4:45.  Sigh.... but this is what I had: 
The green green salad of home, tossed lovingly with green goddess salad dressing. There was a hard boiled egg, feta cheese, tomatoes, kalamata olives, carrots, cucumbers and croutons

 The soup was cream of broccoli soup. It wasn't exactly what I expected. It was super pureed, no chunks. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE cream soups, this was just a little too thick for me.

 I also had a taste of their pinot grigio, it was pretty yummy.

 For dessert, one of their famous handmade milkshakes.  Smore's topped with graham crackers and rainbow sprinkles.

My exercise today consisted of carrying heavy boxes of paper and lifting furniture, as well as walking up and down the stairs. 


What did you eat today?

Weekend update

Ahhhh....finally we've had a break in the heatwave that has been tormenting most of the east coast. Those of your who live here know.  I think Saturday reached temperatures in the 100's.  Can we say sweaty?! 

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Friday we spent the day at our friends pool- you know it's hot when you are sweating before you even sit down.  She legit lives right across the street from their pool.   Then we wined and dined at their house.  Not too shabby..... it didn't exactly look like this, there may have been A LOT more kids and no waterfall, or shrubbery and it may have been bigger and surrounded by power hungry lifeguards. 

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Saturday I worked in the morning and then Jenna, and I went out to dinner Saturday night while the boys watched UFC, Silva vs. Sonnem(sp?).  I am no UFC lover, but I did enjoy the weigh-in. It's kinda weird though they all come out in their layers of clothes and then have to strip down. I think one guy took of like 3 bottoms before he got down to his super tight boxers (can they still be called boxers if they are skin tight?!) Those guys are pretty jacked, some have muscles that I have never seen before I call them gills. 

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Anyway..... since the boys were watching half naked men fight we decided to watch half naked men "strip."  That's right, we lowered ourselves to seeing Magic Mike with Channing Tatum and Matthew Mcconaughey.  We both decided that 1) the previews were not intended for the audience viewing the movie.  You know how usually if you see a kids movie previews are directed towards kids, action movies tend to have action previews and you get the drift.  I guess there isn't a very good pairing to go with Magic Mike, but horror?! Really?! 2)  Jenna and I decided that the movie had too much "story" and dialogue- LOL!

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Prior to the movie we went out to dinner to Don Pablo's for some fruitiritas and some Mexican cuisine.  I had a frozen mango marg and she had peach. Mmmm....let me tell you after a 100 something degree day those things were refreshing, especially since it seemed as though the restaurant was lacking in the AC.  We both thought the movie started at 10:10, jokes on us, it started at 10:50, so what do 2 gals do with so much time?! Target(also noted, their AC was less than par too, we ended up sweating hardcore that night)! We ended up getting stuff for school- silly us, even though it's over a month a way. Once a teacher, always a teacher, at least where Elementary Ed is concerned. 

I may have ordered WAAAAY too much....whoops

 Spoon corn bread- super yummy, couldn't finish....super sad

 Well, at one point in the night the glass was completely full.....

 Enjoying the same meal as I, copycat!

 Note the empty theater, this was us, thankfully we were joined by several other "viewing friends."

 

Sunday was kind of a blur since I didn't get home until 2 something and had to work the early shift at 4 am Monday morning. I know right? Retail at 4 am....I actually don't mind either working the 7pm-4am or the 4am-1pm.  I get an hour break, I can listen to my own tunes and where whatevs I want and..... I get to organize, which I love to do. Plus side, it's clothing.  Sometimes it takes all my will power not to buy something.  I think I'm going to have to make a rule. I can buy 1 thing a week, or 4 things at the end of the month.

Monday, today well I worked until 1pm. Oh and get this...not only was it raining when I got up(though much welcomed), but my car wouldn't start- ahh battery. Thankfully my wonderfully loving husband drove me at 3:30 en la manana to work.  Bonus points for him today! After work I zonked......and rightly so.  When I woke up from my coma I forced myself to run.  It's the first time in awhile I felt like I could step outside and not immediately feel weighted down by the humidity and heat.  I did 3 miles, which wasn't too bad.  I will slowly get back to 10-11 miles before Sept.  I've got time right?! 

The hubs was working, so after I showered I biked over to his restaurant and hung out for awhile(total biking 3 miles). I didn't even sweat biking. It was breezy and a perfect summer night.  Tonight's weather reminds me of the beach--- which I was there right now.  

Hope you had a splendid weekend and stayed cool!  

Back in the Saddle

 

Well, I just signed up for my third 1/2 marathon and my second Rock N' Roll.  It's in Philly(home sweet home) on Sept 16.  Hopefully it won't be this awful heatwave, or the "dog days" of summer. I don't know if I'll survive.

I've started training again. I really haven't run since June 2, well nothing long. I've had a few short runs, but I've been sick for over a week which put a whole damper in the exercise thing.  Prior to that I hurt my knee at step class. Grrrr...so frustrating.  My goal this summer was to hit the gym a lot, but it's hard to do with all this obstacles to overcome. Then the gym lost AC due to our wicked storm we had this past weekend.  I'm so thankful we didn't lose power like so many who did.  Our wires are all underground and because we live on Capitol Hill we rarely lose power.  I couldn't imagine not having AC this last few days of pure evil humidity.  

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 I know how you feel bud!

Today I returned to the gym to begin training.  I've got a lot of work to do in a short time. I have a little over 2 months to get ready and who knows what will happen between now and then.  I've started out slow, can't start pounding away at the ol' body even though I desperately want to.  I would rather run outside, but these temperatures are certainly not optimal conditions in my mind.  

I did some weights at the gym, triceps, biceps, back....then I ran on the treadmill - I ran an easy 2 miles then hopped on the elliptical and did another 30 minutes.  My knee hurts a little I really hope this isn't going to be a continual nuisance. Time to ice.... Tomorrow I'll probably repeat and then up the miles on Sunday.

Afterwards I ran a bunch of errands, Target, Jo-Ann Fabrics and Home Depot.  You'll see what I'm up to, when I'm finished:-)  Don't let the suspense kill you! 

For dinner, because I got home so late I had steamed broccoli with cheddar cheese (steamed in my wonderful tupperware).  I also had these weird little chicken croquettes they remind me of the ones I used to get in Spain, or at a Tapas restaurant.  Someone brought them over for international night and ended up leaving them, WIN for me!  They are yummy and three fill me up plenty though I'm sure I could scarf down more.

Happy 4th!

Happy Fourth of July!

Let's remember all those who have served or are serving today.

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I hope everyone has a nice day, stay cool! 

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Enjoy your BBQs and the fireworks.

Be SAFE!

We are prepared for the barrage of store bought fireworks that will go off in the district later tonight.  It literally sounds like a war zone. 

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Did anyone run any hot races today? I had a few friends run a 5K!

 

Olympic Trials

Have you been watching the Olympic Trials?

I have, swimming, track and field, gymnastics....quite enjoyable. 

I watched the final heat for the women's 1500: .

1) Ridiculously fit!

2) Ridiculously fast!

3) Amazing!

(I always think the 1500 meters is weird since it's virtually a mile, that being said my 1500 would probably take me 10 minutes to run LOL)

Do you see the World Record time? 3 minutes and 50 seconds?! Insane.

I was rooting for Jenny Simpson(P.S. I also love her hair) to win the final heat, but am very glad she made the team.  Overall I'm just glad that we have three amazing women representing Team USA.

 Morgan Uceny= FAST

 When I raced in High School, this was always the most nerve wracking part, it isn't the race it's self, it's the On.Your.Mark.Get.Set.GO! Or gun shot....how you get off the line can have a big impact in how you do.

Note several things:

1) Schmidt, far left is MUCH taller than the rest of the gang

2) Those girls have -% body fat

3) I hate wearing a bathing suit, let alone run in one, BUT, if I had their bodies or work ethic I could!

 Home stretch

First, Ucheny, then Shannon Rowbury and the Jenny Simpson

Here's your 2012 Women's Gymnastics Team

 They got out of order, from left to right, Gabby, Alexandra, Mckayla, Jordyn and Kyla

I like that the men's team congratulates them.

I have to say that I was never a huge fan of Nastia Lukin because I loved Shawn Johnson, however.....that being said, I would have like to have seen her on Team USA for this Olympics. She IS an amazing athlete and it's sad when someone that great makes mistakes in the Olympic trials, however it does make them human and we all make mistakes. It's sad that this will be her last competition. 

Swimming

Was really hoping that Dara Torres would be joining Team USA at age 45! But, c'est la vie, she has had an AMAZING Olympic History.

Michael Phelps- the Human Torpedo will be competing in 7 races. He would have been competing in 8, but just dropped out of the 200m freestyle.

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"I'm the King of New York"

One of my all time FAVORITE movies/musicals is Newsies.  I was SO excited when I heard they were bringing it to Broadway. I told Gary that if we lived in NYC we'd be broke because I would have to go to all the Broadway shows! 

When they were having auditions for Newsies, I wanted to go, but 1 I am too old and 2 it's mainly an all boy cast.

Originally we were going to wait in like at TKTS but thankfully I asked a man and he said it was for only day of performances and that they didn't have anything for Newsies anyway. So then I kept my eyes peeled for all those other people selling Newsies tickets, you know the ones with clipboards and legit shirts. We found some and I asked they said they had 4 for about $95! We decided to then go to the Nederlader box office to see if they had anything left. That was a NEGATIVE, they had nothing for the whole weekend. So....back to the other people we went despite the fact that it had just begun to downpour, but it felt so good because it was SO HOT!

I was told that the musical was very different from the movie, which had me a little worried since I LOVE the movie so much. I mean, Christian Bale!  So I was little unsure of what to expect.

However, I definitely give this show an A+! The singing and dancing was AMAZING! I love seeing strong male performers. And....I am also a HUGE fan of SYTYCD and 4 of the performers were on the show with 3 of them making it in the top 20: Alex Wong, Jesse and Evan. 
Sooo excited about my signed playbill, it's framed, hence the light reflection at the top. Original Cast baby!

The story was the same, for the most part.  There were however a few big changes. The newspaper reporter played by Bill Pullman(movie) was now cast as a woman. I don't wanna give too much away for those of you who are going to see it. The movie doesn't start off with Max Casella narrating, but with Jack Kelly singing with Crutchy to "Sante Fe." It's not surprising that they had to add more songs, it is after all a musical, but they also got rid of a few songs from the movie. The set design was really neat too.

I read on the website that the actors actually come out and do autographs after the show.  I originally meant to rush out before the end of the show, but oh well.  Maybe if I go back to NYC I can bring my other playbill and get that signed and also get better photos with the cast.  Yes, I the almost 30 year old stood with all the little star struck teeny boppers and got autographs and pictures.  I know I didn't get everyone and I can't even tell everyone's signature.  But I did get them- and pictures!!   Please ignore that double chin/neck that formed while I squatted down. I also believe that had I been standing straight(mind you I was wearing wedges), but I would be taller than all those guys. 

 The end of a perfect night....actually that's not the end of the night.....

Go see Newsies Stat!