Happy Turkey Day!

My feet ache from the three days of at the new job and the four mile run I managed to squeeze in with boyfriend's sister this morning. Then, instead of resting my tired kicks, I kept on them and ran around baking pumpkin pie,

 scrubbing potatoes (both sweet and regular!),

setting the table,

and preparing turkey stock for the gravy I'm going to make this evening. Our house is full of grandma, parents and sister of boyfriend, and I'm struggling to let go of the disaster that six people in a small cabin cause. As my feet ache more, however, letting it all go is becoming easier.

I'm just going to pretend I don't see it.

That works, right?

I love my job so far, which is good, and I can already predict that I will [hopefully] be good at it. It's a matter of talking to people and being the sweet person that I am, and let's face it, I've got that dialed.

While I'm not looking forward to another two weeks away from home — starting again on Sunday — I am excited to get to see one of my wonderful friends who lives in the Seattle area. She doesn't know it yet, but I plan on being at her house a lot in the next two weeks. I haven't seen her since May and I won't see her again until at least April, so I need to get my fix.

Somehow, I don't think she'll mind much.

I'm off to put my feet up and put a compress over my eyes while everyone is out and about. Mama Buwalda and Grandma Buwalda are at the grocery store picking up fixin's that got lost in the melee of coordinating, boyfriend and his dad are off cross country skiing and sister is entertaining herself quite well. Which is to be expected, as she is an adult after all. Wish my luck on my holiday ventures and I hope y'all have an awesome Turkey Day.

Pumpkin Pie (courtesy of Libby's canned pumpkin label)
Makes 2 pies

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
4 large eggs
1 (29 oz.) can pure pumpkin
2 cans (12 fl. oz) evaporated milk
Easy double crust pie crust rolled and put into pie dishes

Mix sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour into pie shells. Bake in preheated 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temp to 350 degrees and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for two hours. Serve immediately (with whipped cream!) or refrigerate.

Enjoy!

Ciao,
kc

TODAY: 4.01 miles

10 Reasons Why I Love My Garmin

10. Because of my Garmin, I have a better sense of distance when I run even when I run without it. True story.

9. With my Garmin, it's easier to find your way back if you get lost. It helps you retrace your steps. Which is a bummer when you have to retrace 3 or 4 or more miles, but it's better than being lost in the snowy woods. Or sunny woods. Depending upon the time of year.

8. With my Garmin, I can run in the woods and on trails and still know how far I've gone. Beat that, mapmyrun.com!

7. Because of my Garmin, it's easier to know that it's not about how fast you go, it's about doing to mileage. Yes, my Garmin tells me how fast I go, but when it's a depressing speed, I can just look at the "distance" box and see that I've gone far enough that it doesn't matter.

6. My Garmin tells me how fast I'm going, so when I'm too speedy, I can slow down and speed up when I'm too slow. My inner odometer might be nearly calibrated, but my inner speedometer still leaves something to be desired.

5. Because of my Garmin, I can go adventuring and check out new trails without worrying about how far I might end up going. I can go as far as I'm comfortable with and then turn around if necessary.

4. With my Garmin, I have worry-free running.

3. Because of my Garmin, if I don't feel like running that 4, 5, 10 mile loop that I have down pat, I don't have to. I can run somewhere else and still run the mileage I need to.

2. Because of my Garmin, I can explore different cities and locations while running.

1. Because of my Garmin, I run more often, faster, and farther. If that isn't reason enough to love my Garmin, I don't know what is.

Just a few of my favorite things

First of all, training has been exhausting. I say has been because though I'm currently home, after this week I travel back to dreary Bellevue for two more weeks of training. I know that Arcata gets more rain than Bellevue, but I'm pretty sure they don't make sun up in that part of Washington. I would hate to live there.

Outfit from the "first day of work." Grey sweater: Elle for Kohl's, $3.99; Black silk Tommy Hilfinger tank: garage sale, $0.50; Belt: came with something else from Kohl's; Pants: Lucky Lulu's in San Luis Obispo, $60; Necklace: Kohl's, $12.99

Training. Hmm. How many words? We're there 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though the trainer — a nice young man named Tyler — said with some enthusiasm last week, "Hey guys, guess what? There's a day in week two that you'll get out at 4!"

There were a few ragged cheers. And then he finished the statement, "...but you have to get here at 7 a.m."

Bugger.

Training is interesting though. I haven't lost my positive attitude about the job, and even if the job isn't my favorite thing in the world well, let's just say that Verizon Wireless is nationally recognized as the fourth best company to work for. They put an average of $22,000 into each employee before we even hit the sales floor and start making them money. They have the third best training program in the nation.

Ironically, I feel like I'm a PolyRep again, spouting awesome facts like that. I never thought that I should mention my PolyReps position for a sales position other than the fact that they were (duh) kickass and extremely prestigious, but in retrospect, I should have. I sold Cal Poly to incoming students and their parents. It's one thing to sell a cellphone, it's quite another to sell a university to a bored 18-year-old whose feet hurt and has been on fourteen other campus tours. Basically, I'm highly qualified for sales.

PolyReps 2008-2009. I'm in the middle (to the immediate right of the two girls wearing yellow headbands).

Boo-yah.

Oh, and did I mention that apparently it's more difficult to become an employee at Verizon Wireless than it is to get into Harvard? That's a big selling point for them. Harvard's acceptance rate is 3%. VZW's hire rate is 0.5%. Granted, more people apply for jobs at VZW than to Harvard, but still. Talk about impressive metrics.

Okay, enough about my job.

I did a bad thing yesterday. Well, not bad bad, but let's just say that every thrifty bone in my body is in agony, and while I'd do it again, I wouldn't do it frequently as it goes against every single grain of how I was raised.

Let's rewind.

I'm sure you've all come to realize that I'm a bit of a shopaholic. It is my drug of choice, but it's something I can choose not to do. But why should I when I am a smart, sensible shopper who puts time and energy into creating a budget based on my income that gives me wiggle room for shopping? Yes, my friends, I budget for shopping. But that's what makes it okay. It's my hard earned money, and so long as I'm still paying my bills on time and saving money, I can spend it any way I want.

Top: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's, $24 (60% off original ticket); black pencil skirt & belt: Apt 9 for Kohl's, 24.99; shoes: Versace, consignment (so I wouldn't actually wear the shoes to work — standing in those for 8 hours? I think not! — but they're my babies and they're pretty!)

One thing you may or may not have realized (though as you are all wonderfully intelligent, so I'm going to assume you have) is that I am a smart shopper. I can wait ages for that sweater I like to come down to a price that I'm willing to pay. After all, why would I pay $40 when I can wait four weeks and get it on clearance for $8? I do like new, but I don't mind wearing secondhand...though I think my attachment to new is the fact that I grew up wearing mostly handmedowns. Nothing wrong with it, but it's much like my mild attraction to TV — I didn't have it (much) growing up, so now that I can, I do, within reason.

Okay, so on to the bad thing.

Sonoma Life & Style ballet flats: Kohl's, $29.99

I went to Macy's. And I bought something. Granted, I also went to Kohl's, but let's face it, Kohl's is amazing. Everything I bought at Kohl's was marked at 40 or 50% off and then I got my 15% off on top of that for being a Kohl's cardholder. It's hard not to be happy about that. I never feel guilty about shopping at Kohl's.

But Macy's. Ouch ouch ouch ouch.

But, in my defense, I need work clothes. I have business casual attire, but VZW has a pretty strict dress code. Close-toed shoes, slacks, sweater or button-down, no cleavage (like that's a problem for me) and I can wear skirts and dresses but I have to wear tights or nylons and no visible tattoos. And let's face it, a girl like me doesn't want to wear the same thing every week. I like options. I like to mix and match. And since I'm not allowed to wear certain things in my wardrobe, I had to update.

Striped sweater: INC International Concepts for Macy's, you REALLY don't want to know; black dress slacks: INC International Concepts for Macy's, can't tell you (these are a bizarre fabric too, but super super super comfy to wear); shoes: Versace, consignment

Yes, I could have waited, because I have two serviceable pairs of slacks. But I have two weeks of training coming up, and let me tell you about these slacks. The first pair is a pair I shelled out a good deal of money for ($60, I think), because I needed dress pants and didn't have much time to find some. But I bought them ten pounds ago. So I can wiggle into them, and they fit all right (i.e. they don't look like I'm about to explode out of them), but it makes for a long day as they're not especially comfortable. My other pair, I got at a bargain price ($6 at Kohl's!), but they are a size 8. And I kind of float somewhere a little north of a solid 6, but I'm not an 8 — kind of unfortunately, as then they would fit and I wouldn't be having this problem. So they're a little big. But not so big that I can take them in myself — I really ought to take them in to a tailor — so by the end of the day, I've got saggy-butt syndrome going on, and while that means that they are super comfortable, it means that after two hours, they're not super attractive or professional. In a business that's one part first impression, well, let's just say I would be skeptical about someone whose pants don't fit.

Not saying everyone would be skeptical, but I would be. And I'd be distracted by it.

So, with my very lucrative job (I get my first paycheck on Wednesday...they pay us for training and travel time and expenses, so it's a hefty one), I went for it. Please don't judge me, this doesn't happen often, sometimes it's just necessary. I did get some lovely slacks and a sweater. Though be proud of me, I walked away from a gorgeous pair of chocolate brown leather riding boots that actually zipped up my calves over my jeans — which hardly ever happens.

Cranberry sweater: Nordstrom Rack, $14.99; gold sequin tank: Ross Dress for Less, $4.59;
brown dress slacks: Daisy Fuentes for Kohl's, $27.99; shoes: see previous photo

But I did apply for (and plan on immediately cancelling) the Macy's card, so I did get 15% off. And in the spirit of thrift and streamlining, and curbing shopping, I cancelled my Victoria's Secret credit card (and I was even a VIP member...). Mostly because I realized that I hardly ever used it, and didn't really take advantage of it, and when you buy one bra a year it's not really necessary. In addition, I even cleaned out my closet of the stuff that now that I can't wear them, I'll really never wear them. Also, the stuff that missed the first round of culling (from my move) that really needed to go still. I've noticed too, that now that I can dress fancy, I don't dress down very often. I mean, I dress in jeans, but I still dress up.

Grey sweater: Nordstrom Rack, $19.99; black dress slacks: Daisy Fuentes for Kohl's, $27.99; black ballet flats: Target, $12.99

Except when I'm in my sweatpants, and let's face it, that's just unavoidable. At any rate, that means my selection of casual tees has gone down. Not to say that I don't have casual tees, I just mean the ones with graphics on them.

Button detail on collar of grey sweater

Though I'll never get rid of my Ed Hardy. Call me silly, but I really like it! And I only have one. So it's okay.

Black crop sweater: remnant from a sorority recruiting event; ruffle top: Candies for Kohl's, $22.80; grey striped dress slacks: Macy's, $39.98; shoes: Versace, consignment

I'd like to apologize for today's fashions not being my normal thrifty, sale-digging finds. Girl's gotta splurge sometimes. Anyways, tell me about your shopping experience. Are there times when you pay full price even when you don't necessarily have to?

In other news, my lovely friend moved to Portland on Friday. I'm so proud of her! She got a job and made the commitment. I know she'll be much happier as an Oregonian, and we're only 3.5 hours apart now instead of 6.5. Which is super exciting. It means that if we really really need to see each other, we could do a day trip. And that makes me so happy, you have no idea.

Also, it's been snowing again. Yay! The mountain is projected to open Wednesday, but boyfriend isn't optimistic, as it needs to get dumped on in order for that to happen. Though it's predicted to get 10 inches of snow by then, so perhaps.

I ran again yesterday. I forgot my running shoes for training, which had me smacking myself for as the very nice hotel we were staying at offered free access to a nearby Bally's Fitness Center for its visitors. Oh well, next time. My Garmin's back from the Garmin doctor, and now actually works properly. It even told me the battery was low! It didn't used to do that! They actually ended up just sending me a brand new one, but they were so efficient about it, that even though my first Forerunner 205 was a poop, I'd still recommend getting one.

Just a heads up too, my posting will probably continue to be spotty as I start work in the store on Monday and my out-laws (boyfriend's parents, grandma, and sister) are coming to stay with us for Thanksgiving. So we'll have a full house on top of me being busy with work. But I'll make an attempt!

I'll leave you with one of my family's favorite Thanksgiving recipes, just in case, in celebration of one of my favorite holidays. They are delicious and always get gobbled up — but if we can managed to squirrel some away we do, as they're amazing the day after Thanksgiving with leftover turkey and some cranberry sauce! Also, in the summertime, you can use this recipe to make homemade burger buns or just as a bread to bring to a barbecue. The recipe even says it can be used for pizza dough. If you try the pizza dough, let me know how it goes! They go great with any holiday meal as well, not just Thanksgiving.

Refrigerator Rolls (recipe from San Fransisco - A La Carte)

Makes approx. 5 dozen rolls

Ingredients
2 packages (2 tbsp) active dry yeast
1/2 cup lukewarm water
3/4 cup butter
1 cup boiling water
1 cup cold water
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
7 to 8 cups unbleached white flour, unsifted

Dissolve yeast in the warm water for 5 min. Set aside. Combine butter with the boiling water and stir until butter is melted. Cool and place in very large bowl. Add cold water, sugar, salt, eggs and yeast. Mix well. Add enough flour (between 7 and 8 cups) to make a soft dough that when beaten does not stick to the sides of the bowl. Cover and refrigerate immediately for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight. Dough can be kept in refrigerator for 7 to 10 days. When ready to use, remove any amount needed, place on a floured board, roll out about 1 inch thick, and cut or shape into any size desired. Place rolls on an ungreased cookie sheet and let rise for 1 to 2 hrs. Bake in an oven preheated to 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes, depending upon the size of the rolls.

Enjoy!

Ciao,
kc

TODAY: 4.45 miles
YESTERDAY: 3.1 miles

Just My Luck

I am a big believer in letting things happen. Well, I am a big believer in actively letting things happen, worrying myself to the quick at the same time.

What's done is done, you cannot change it worth a damn, and a lot can happen in a short amount of time.

Now, today, the theme is a lot can happen in a short amount of time. Sort of "letting things happen" and "everything happens for a reason" and "if it's meant to be, it's meant to be" all at the same time, but mostly just about the former.

This week has been both the longest and the quickest I remember in a while. The longest because I spent all of Tuesday thinking it was Wednesday, but that's another story. After a miserable Tuesday evening (we went into town and checked on my job prospects Tuesday afternoon: absolutely nil), I rose on Wednesday determined to go out and just do my own thing for the afternoon.

I dolled up, because that makes me happy (leggings, black garage sale boots, leopard print tunic, and my grey blazer with some bling, for those who are wondering), and trundled into town. I had no plan in mind, just that I wanted a pick-me-up.

I went to my haven.

Kohl's. Shopping in general, Kohl's in particular. It is my element. I don't know why, but I love Kohl's more than I've loved any other store ever.

I'm a big believer in retail therapy, but I'm also a believer that part of retail therapy is allowing yourself the freedom to buy if you find something you'd like, but if nothing is all that special, you can leave without buying anything and leave just as satisfied. Which is a good frame of mind to have when one is as money-tight as I am right now.

Also, if you do say, "Okay, I'm allowed to buy something," be reasonable. It's about being frugal and about letting yourself do the thing that makes you happy at the same time. For instance, I spent $10 and am perfectly happy.

Anyways, that's not the point.

So I was in Kohl's, and I noticed their "We're hiring for the holiday season!" sign. With an inward sigh, I acknowledged that, hey, it's a job. I inquired and was directed to their online application. Promising myself to look into it, and patting myself on the back for my good sense at multi-tasking, I trundled over to Macy's.

Seeing a similar sign in the doorway, I borrowed a pen from one of the cashiers and wrote down both URLs so as not to forget them. After smelling, touching, and sighing over the fabulous shoe section, I strolled through the store and acknowledged that while lovely and enticing, Macy's is altogether out of my price range on a normal day when I'm not worried about money. With Macy's it's about the feel, rather than the purchase.

I consulted my watch and noticed that it was about time to look into another job prospect I had promised myself I'd look into while I was in town.

On my way to my car, I noticed a store. I won't name it just yet, as I may jinx it, but what happened next still has me reeling.

Smart girl that I am (modest, too!), I had a stack of resumes in my backseat. I snagged one on a whim and a sigh of, "Well, I'm here, I may as well," and walked across the parking lot to the store. Walking in, a sweet-faced middle-aged woman greeted me and asked if she could help me with anything.

"Actually, yes," I said in my best 'I'm a professional' voice. "I'm looking for a job and was wondering if you were accepting resumes?"

She smiled encouragingly.

"We actually are at the moment. Just a minute, let me take this back and see if my manager is available to speak with you."

He was.

He asked if I had time for an interview right then.

I said yes.

He explained to me after the interview that there was a process I had to go through with corporate, but he would do his best to expedite the process as they needed someone soon. That was yesterday afternoon. After getting home and submitting my application to corporate, I went to sleep happy that I might — just might! — have found a job.

This morning, corporate called for my first (of two) interviews with them. It went well, and we scheduled my second interview for tomorrow afternoon. If they still like me after that (and how could they not?) I have to undergo a thorough background check and pass a drug test (easy peasy) and then I'll be hired!

So fingers crossed for me, hopefully you'll be reading a money-making girl's blog here soon!

Also, side note, I went on my first run today since this weekend. 38 degrees made me wish I had a proper pair of running tights, but I cranked out a brisk and easy (though cold and wet!) 3.25 miles in 30 minutes. I found a new loop to run while I'm at it — which is good because the ol' Forerunner is having problems (been having problems) and I'm sending it back to Garmin to be fixed tomorrow, so I'll be Garmin-less for a week and then some.

Wish me luck on the job, I hope your respective winters are as lovely (though not as chilly!) as mine is right now!

Ciao,
kc

TODAY: 3.25 miles

The Hunger Diaries

Photo courtesy Marie Claire, Hearst Magazines, Nov. 2010

I was flipping through my Marie Claire November 2010 issue this afternoon when I came across this:

The Hunger Diaries: How Health Writers Could Be Putting You at Risk

Six popular bloggers advocate healthier living, but are they putting readers — and themselves — in danger?

Photo courtesy Marie Claire, Hearst Magazines, Nov. 2010

The trend of food bloggers, I suppose like myself, who are also "addicted" to exercise is inspiring a serious issue among women who read our blogs. Not so much like myself, as I actual eat my desserts in addition to bragging about them (let me tell you about these glorious homemade Oreos my mommy made...) and will happily tell you that I'm happy with my size, shape, weight and face.

It's not true across the board.

I do agree with the article in some senses, in that not all blogs promote a rounded outlook of health and happiness. Some show a distinct addiction to their training and what they put in their bodies — unlike say, those of us who don't feel the least bit guilty about rest days (oh, rest days, I adore thee...) and will happily cram one's face full of homemade oreos all day without even a twinge of guilt (hey, I ran 13.1 miles yesterday. I'm justified for like...a year.) — but there is the caveat that not all food/health bloggers are dabbling anorexics.

I grew up with one of the attendees of 2010's "Healthy Living Summit," and I know for a fact that while Nutrition Nut On The Run adores bizarre foods and has an overabundant fondness for veggies (I mean, I love me my broccoli, but not in chocolate...) but I know that she has a healthy love for herself and her healthy lifestyle is well-rounded and well-balanced.

I agree that it is something to be very aware of, as the trend is becoming alarming. But being healthy and fit is a lifestyle that more should adopt — though not at the degradation of life.

Heavy things, my friends. What do you think?

Ciao, bellas,
kc

P.S. It's snowing again.

Sorry, Reckless Running Over Here

After a brutal 4.5 mile uphill, my lovely friend and I powered painfully through the last three miles of our 13.1 mile race yesterday morning in a raining, blustery Portland. It was pouring when we climbed out of bed at 5:45 a.m. in order to get to the start by 6:30 a.m. so we could pick up our numbers and chips that she forgot to pick up on Saturday. After some miscommunication with our sole C.R.E.W. (Cranky Runners, Endless Waiting) member (boyfriend), we got our numbers and were ready to start.

At 7:25 a.m. and thankfully no longer raining, 1,600 racers lined up on 2nd Street in Portland, waiting for the gun to start us on our 5k, 10k, or half marathon races. Stupidly, lovely friend and I had chosen a half marathon.

We were cranky, cantankerous and had three weeks of solo-training-whine-buildup to release. It all came out during a dry first mile. We determined that our 6 a.m. meal was too long ago (though were it not for crossing of communication wires we would have  had a little more fuel to start out on), and chomped on our first shot bloks at mile 2. At mile 2.5, I was regretting the running tights under my red shorts and the neon yellow rain shell.

Then, at mile 3, the sky opened up. First merely spitting, but definitely raining, we commiserated that maybe, perhaps, the rain jackets and tights had been a wise choice. As rain began dripping off the brim of my S.F. Giants hat, we agreed that caps instead of the propeller beanies we had intended to wear (to go along with the race's "Alice in Wonderland" theme, as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum) were the better call.

At mile 5, we hit the beginning of the Hill.

"Did you look at the course map?" Heather gasped as the incline began to take its toll on both of us, our speed dropping from a shaky 9-minute-mile to 10s.

"Yeah," I barely managed, equally breathless, as my right hip flexor began to cramp, "It's like this for like a mile and a half. I think."

"We can do it."

"I know."

As the rain came down harder and the other lanes of the road (that was not coned-off) hissed with cars going downhill at speeds upwards of 40 mph. The line of runners chugging up the incline moved further out into the road as the gutter and subsequently, the bike lane became river-esque. The cars loomed closer and we tried to utter exclamations.

Water pooled in the sleeves of our waterproof jackets, trickling down our collars to accumulate inside. The combination of sweat and wet provided an unanticipated conundrum. How can one wipe off one's face when everything is wet?

We ate our second set of shot bloks about a quarter mile into the Hill. At mile 8, as we chomped our third set, I exclaimed, "Do you realize this is the second set of bloks we've eaten on this damned hill?"

Cursing ensued, as it struck home that this Hill was far more than 1.5 miles. We were entering mile 4 of the hill and mile 9 of the race.

"I didn't know you could go uphill this long," my lovely friend growled.

The top seemed to loom and was greeted with broken cheers on our parts. Glimpses of blue sky and a distinct slackening of the downpour was greeted with equal jubilation. Then, the road took a sharp right and we were faced with more horror.

It was the Heart of Darkness of Hills. And it steepened sharply after that turn.

"We should have done more hill repeats," I uttered painfully.

"We should have run more," lovely friend pointed out.

As if 25 miles a week wasn't enough.

The hill petered out at mile 10, and we were past acknowledging that our goal of breaking 2 hours was probably not going to happen. We were hoping for a finish at that point, as our burning legs, churning stomachs, and drenched bodies were petering out as well.

"If there are any more hills, I'm going to kill someone," I growled.

And then the path jutted upwards again.

"Okay, who's first?" I moaned.

Needless to say, our last three miles, while speedy, were tumultuous. We alternated "point" — the ultimate running buddy trick, where you have to keep up with whomever gets a spurt of energy; it helps keep pace and means the bitching alternates — and struggled to keep our legs pounding the pavement. A near tumble down a sharp incline off the side of the path, and a stumble into a runner passing incited comments of how falling down the hill was not, in fact, the quicker way to go and, "sorry, reckless running over here."

But we made it.

2:05:42. With a hill we were unprepared for and torrential rain, we did pretty damn well.

I was 714 out of 1655, and 51st out of my age division. Therefore I am not complaining.

About how I did, that is. My aches and pains are a different story.

We drove home to be greeted by the first snow of the season. Boyfriend can barely contain his glee and my parents and lovely friend got to see the house for the first time. I will post the only picture taken from the race as soon as I get it from my mom. Rain made our C.R.E.W. rather scant, and we were only hailed at the finish line, but we'll take what we can get.

More later.

Ciao,
kc

Welcome Baby!

Not my baby, but my godsister's baby. My first god-niece? Eh. We'll go with it.

She came home from the hospital today, but I'll (hopefully) get to meet her this weekend. When I'm in Portland for my second half-marathon. Anyways, I was so excited about this little one, that I knit her a hat today!

For size reference, the flower is 1.75" across. So tiny!

It's so tiny! I don't know if she'll wear it, or if she'll even get to wear it, but it's the thought that counts and it was fun to make!

I've also been super crafty lately, beginning work on the quilt for boyfriend. He requested it a while ago and last week we went to the fabric store and picked colors. He was pretty cute..."Where are all the boy colors?" he asked.

Two of eight colors all cut out!

I've only got three of eight colors cut out so far, and as I'm doing a snail trail pattern, I've got a lot of work ahead of me! We chose purple, teal/blue, bright green and yellow. A bit brighter than I had thought it would be, but it worked out. Hopefully it'll look nice...if it doesn't turn out as what we were picturing, I'll find someone very lucky to gift it to as it will still be beautiful!

I was cutting away the other night and boyfriend asked, "So are you almost done cutting?"

I said with a smile, "Well, this is the third color of eight that I have to do. Which means I have five left, so yeah, I'm almost done."

Apparently, he didn't realize quite how much work it was going to take. I pointed out that this is why I made such a big deal about being sure about the colors we picked! I'm sure it will be lovely. Fingers crossed!

I can't believe my race is on Sunday! Wish me luck while I increase in my antsy-ness as my activity level is halved for tapering. Yay, tapering, ugh, tapering. Love it and hate it. Love it because I don't have to run (there's no such thing as over-tapering), but I hate it because I can't run as much as I'm used to so my body starts to keep me awake at night — plus there's the side issue of my body still wanting as many (or more!) calories as I usually intake when I'm running 20 to 25 miles a week, which makes me feel torpid because I don't run it off.

Ugh.

Yay!

Oh god. I'm running 13 miles this weekend. What was I thinking??

Ciao,
kc

TODAY: 2 miles, 19 minutes flat...I was speedy. Ooops.

Time to taper

Really? Really? I'm tapering already?

Crap.

I have not, in the two months that I've been training for this thing, felt this unenthusiastic about running. In the morning it's cold and I am not yet equipped to handle running in the cold (with my birthday coming up, I'm hoping that will change...haha), and in the afternoons I just. don't. want. to.

The absence of my lovely friend has taken its toll, people. I am supremely unmotivated. Awesome.

Not.

Just wanted to throw that out there.

Also, boyfriend and I have discovered this nifty little bar and grill down the road from us. Aptly named "Boondocks" as we are, in fact, in the boonies, it boasts a surly barman and a chirpy, fifty-something waitress/barwoman with short, bleach blonde hair styled with gel, giant diamond earrings and a craggy smile. And more importantly, the Giants game on a flatscreen TV. And decently priced drinks and appetizers.

Boyfriend spent the whole game there on Saturday (I joined him at the top of the 7th), and we both went for innings 2 through 7 yesterday. Quite fun.

In other news:

 Sorry for the image quality, cell phone again. It's just so handy!

Corn Cheese Casserole

3 eggs

3 Tbsp Flour

1/2 cup cream (or milk)

1 cup milk

1 Tbsp honey

1/2 tsp salt

 dash pepper

1 tsp dill

2 Tbsp parsley (I don't usually use...)

2 cups corn

2 Tbsp butter

2 c diced onion

1 large carrot grated

1 small red pepper

1 c grated cheddar

1 block tofu (optional)

Salsa for garnish

Combine eggs and flour in blender. Add cream, milk, honey, salt, pepper, dill, parsley, and half the corn. Blend. Preheat oven to 350. Saute onions in butter until transluscent. Add carrot and peppers, saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining corn, blended ingredients, and cheese.

Pour in to buttered 9 x 13 inch pan  and bake uncovered about 35 minutes until golden and knife through center comes out clean. Serve with salsa.

 

Boyfriend was dubious about this dish, but I find it yummy in the extreme. He liked it once he tried it, but he was pretty incredulous when I added the tofu. For the record, I blend half the block of (firm) tofu in the blender and then add the rest of it chopped to the saute pan.

I also added a little broccoli that we'd cooked the night before. It was pretty tasty. Bon appetit!

Ciao,

kc

P.S. My race is on SUNDAY! That's six days away!

YESTERDAY: 6 miles

Black bean, sweet potato goodness

We've had quite the adventure so far, living in our little cabin in the woods. Yesterday, we got a barbecue for $20. My caveman was quite thrilled to be able to grill meat and play with fire. He's off on a bike ride right now, getting his wiggles out and leaving me in peace to do some work and talk to you!

I have some job interviews next week, one at a coffee shop and one at a graphic design studio. I'm kind of hoping for both to work out. We'll see. Professional face on and chin up and away we go.

Other than that, not much to talk about, I just wanted to leave y'all with this awesome recipe. My sister loves it and apparently makes it quite often. It's one I found when I was first learning to cook and have handed around, but often forget about myself. I made it the other night and boyfriend was impressed — though disappointed at the lack of meat.

"I'm a man. Men need meat."

"Yes, dear."

The following night, we added some ground beef to the leftovers and it was still quite tasty. I prefer the vegetarian version, but know that a pound of lean ground beef can be cooked up and thrown in with quite tasty results.

Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes (I usually use yams...the orange ones that everyone seems to think are sweet potatoes but actually aren't)
1 tablespoon chili powder*
1 jar (16 oz) mild salsa (about 1 3/4 cups)*
2 cans (15 to 19 oz each) black beans

In 4-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in sweet potatoes, chili powder, salsa, and 1 cup water; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Add beans with their liquid and cook 3 minutes to blend flavors. Serve with sour cream, cheese, and cilantro.

*To kick it up a notch, use medium salsa and add a bit more garlic and chili powder.


Just a note, this recipe makes a lot of food, so don’t double unless you’re serving more than say…five people. It goes great with corn bread.

And I don't mean the fake kind.

Buy a box of cornmeal, which is like, $2, and read the recipe on the back of the box for cornbread. It's actually easier than cornbread out of a box. And tastier. For a little extra moisture in the bread, add a generous handful of corn (thawed if frozen).

Running is going well, it's almost time to taper! Our race in less than two weeks!

Ciao,
kc

YESTERDAY: 4 miles
TUESDAY: 60 minute Fartlek, 6.4 miles total

We're not in Kansas anymore

I'm salty. But that's what happens when you run.

Twelve miles.

Owwww. The altitude and all of the stress/exhaustion of moving finally caught up with me yesterday, and other than the 5 mile run which was managed only with much bitching (in my head, don't worry, not out loud as I was by myself) and at 7:30 a.m. because that's when my lovely friend could run, I did absolutely nothing.

Nothing nothing nothing.

Well, that's not true. I made pillows.

And I roasted a pumpkin.

And I finished a hat I was supposed to have done by last Christmas and started on my second (of three that were promised last Christmas). Maybe they'll be done in time for this holiday season? One can hope. I still have a sweater I have to finish from three years ago. That's what happens when the initial thrill of "I can do this!" wears off and the craft projects that you used to whiz through take forever.

Though it's kind of fun sitting in my little cabin watching TV and knitting.

Oh, and I did laundry.

So yesterday, I stayed exhausted, did nearly nothing and was in bed and asleep by 9:45 p.m. and I even "slept in" this morning. Seeing as 6:30 a.m. has been my go-time all this week, and 7:45 a.m. this morning was when I finally pulled myself out of bed — that's sleeping in.

Today was all productivity. After making my coffee, and letting myself snuggle with my cereal and my coffee on the couch for one episode of "How I Met Your Mother" (my current staple, lent to us by a friend of boyfriend's family who lives in Bend), I was up and at 'em.

I folded the laundry I did yesterday. And no, in case you were wondering, I don't consider folding part of doing laundry. Mostly because I hate to fold laundry. Can you say, "Honey Do List"? I'd rather stack the cord of wood that's outside. But it was raining this morning, so I folded laundry instead.

Then I whipped up some pumpkin muffins from the pumpkin I roasted yesterday.

Unfortunately, the pumpkin wasn't particularly flavorful, so they're kind of wimpy muffins. And I needed to add more flour, because the pumpkin was a bit watery, so they're kind of flat. But nothing says "neighborly" like a plateful of fresh muffins, and nothing says "quick and easy breakfast" or "best girlfriend ever" like fresh muffins.

Pumpkin Muffins for your Tasting Pleasure
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup oil
4 beaten eggs
1 lb canned pumpkin (3 1/2 cups cooked pumpkin)
3 1/2 cups flour (1 cup whole wheat, 2 1/2 cups all-purpose,
unbleached flour)
2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2/3 cup water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together the brown sugar, oil, beaten eggs, and pumpkin. In a second bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. Alternate adding flour and water to the brown sugar, oil, beaten eggs, and pumpkin. Stir until just mixed. Place muffin batter in tins 2/3 full. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

Once I'd popped the first dozen in the oven, I busted out the vacuum to give our floor — which was rather dirty from all the moving — a good once over. My boyfriend has the best vacuum ever. It's got this head that goes in all directions (gets into tight corners easily!) and it's lightweight and easy to manhandle, and you don't have to use a bajillion different attachments for hardwood, carpet, etc. Just one. And it does it all!

I'd marry that man for his vacuum alone.

His mother thinks I'm kidding and thinks that statement is hilarious.

I'm not.

Though he does have many other wonderful attributes, so I'd marry him anyways. Regardless of his vacuum. It's just a perk. And don't tell him I talked to you about marriage.

Then I cleaned the bathroom, put another round of muffins in the oven, made up the bed in the guest room, and put the various odds and ends that don't have a home and can be stored in our attic storage. This is no small task for me as I am short (ish) and the ladder is really high up hard to reach. So I can get the attic door open, but I can't get the ladder down from the floor.

Not even when I stand on tip-toe.

Luckily, boyfriend has this cute little stool that he made when he was a cub scout that I've been toting around the house with me. Comes in handy when I'm trying to neatly put things on shelves, above cabinets, or get into the attic. It's so cute.

I finished up my muffin making, took some muffins over to my neighbors Linda and Lane (Lane built the house), and then had some lunch.

Then, lovely friend and I motivated to run our 12 miles for today.

It felt like I was at a higher altitude and that I took my rest day on Thursday and ran five miles on Friday instead. Oh wait, I am and I did.

It was hard.

It hurt. A lot.

But I found this nifty little 5.25 mile loop in Sunriver (we're just Southwest of Sunriver, which is the resort town south of Bend, between Bend and Mt. Bachelor). It's 1.75 miles from my house to the beginning of the loop, so I had to do an extra 3.25 miles in there, but it goes along the Deschutes River a ways on the prohibited-hunting side...oh, didn't I tell you? Yeah, it's hunting season...don't want to go more than 2 miles into the forest without a bright orange reflective vest or the hunters might think you're a deer. And shoot you.

So we don't do that.

Anyways.

It goes along the river and then it cuts over to the resort stables and past the little resort airport. Few to no houses out there, and it's this really pretty valley with lots of horses in the pastures dotted with fir trees and blue spruce. Then it travels back into the resort and loops around the lodge and through some confusing trails until I finally found the place where I turned around at 2.5 miles yesterday.

Really beautiful.

It'll be nice in the winter. I can drive to the starting point and just run around the resort, so that I'm off the road and within shouting distance of people in case something happens. Because it's just smart to be prepared.

So I did the loop, and then started the loop again to get my extra mileage, because I knew that if I had to run past my turnoff it wasn't going to happen. So I had just turned around (I went out and back 1.65 miles), when a group of four deer trotted across the path.

"Cute," I thought and kept running.

The deer paused to check me out, rather unperturbed by my presence and kept moving along the path ahead of me. It was two young ones just grown out of their spots, a doe and a buck. They disappeared around a corner and I thought nothing of it until I rounded the corner and practically ran into them.

The buck, in typical man-style, was answering the call of nature right next to the path and taking his time about it. The doe and little ones took off down the path at the sight of me, but the buck kept on doing his thing.

I nervously ran past him, coming within ten feet of him, and then kept on when he just looked at me. I ran on for a little bit, with maybe twenty or thirty feet between me and the doe and co. when I heard tap-tapping behind me, and I glanced back. There was the buck, trotting behind me.

Like, right behind me.

I wish I had had my camera. I had my phone, but it didn't occur to me at the time and I think he was as surprised as I was that we were so close. I sped up and he sped up. I slowed down, he slowed down. Finally, I stopped because he was making me nervous and I didn't know what else to do. At that point, to my relief, he took himself off into the underbrush to catch up with his family who had wandered off the path at that point.

Adventures with wildlife, I tell you what.

Between the deer and the chipmunk who really wanted to get in the house today (I looked up at one point and he had climbed halfway up our screen door and was chattering away), I'm a bit on wildlife overload.

I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto.

Ciao,
kc

TODAY: 12 miles
YESTERDAY: 5 miles

I played you love songs, you'd say we're playing house, now you still say we are

First of all, there's something really great about naturally waking up around 6:30 a.m. It means that it's quarter to eight and I've already had my coffee, done some work, unpacked a bag, and watched Glee. And of course, decided to blog.

I wanted to write last night after my four mile run, but I got caught up in unpacking just one more bag, and then another, and then another — you understand.

It's my intention to go take better pictures (i.e. not with a cellphone) today, but here's a teaser.

This is a two minute walk from my house. It's the headwaters for Spring Creek or something, and it flows into the Deschutes. All you can see is this tiny trickle that comes from underground to fill this whole pond that then gushes into the creek (where I'm standing) with a torrent of water that is unbelievably beautiful and seemingly impossible.

Half a mile from my new house, literally down the road (the road turns into the trail), is the Deschutes National Forest that runs along the river. I ran my run yesterday down that trail and I could see the water through the trees.

Gorgeous.

You'd think with me being from the redwoods and all that I would be unimpressed by stumpy evergreens and high desert scenery, but I'm not. It's a different kind of beauty, and in some ways, it's all the more beautiful to me because I didn't grow up surrounded by it.

I will admit that to some extent, I take the redwoods for granted. I can't help it. They've surrounded me my whole life, and they're just trees. Really really really really big trees, but just trees. Here, it's different.

Less damp, certainly.

I don't know. The redwoods are beautiful, but somehow, the area here is more beautiful. Maybe because this place is a place I've chosen to be. I choose to be here. I'm not forced here by a job, or by birth, or anything. I'm here simply because I want to be.

Well, that and boyfriend's here. But it was my idea.

We just let him think it was his idea.

Ciao,
kc

P.S. Apparently, I suck at making fires in our wood stove. At 38 degrees this morning, I decided it was necessary. Less than an hour later the damned thing is out without ever really getting hot. Good thing I'm dating a boyscout...and we have electric heat.

YESTERDAY: 4 miles, 37 minutes

Our New Home

Oh my goodness, I'm here. I'm here and I'm mostly unpacked. And I have internet. And the house is finally quiet. The new house isn't quite big enough for four people to navigate around each other (and a myriad of boxes in varied states of unpacked) without tension running a little high. Especially considering the emotional state rendered by the stress of moving.

I had my first meltdown yesterday. Hopefully the first and last, as boyfriend and co. drove home today. Boyfriend is off to pick up his truck and his parents (co.) are headed back home and then off to the east coast.

The meltdown was incited by a phone call with our internet provider. A very nice, young-sounding man named Rob had informed me that our internet had not, in fact, been activated on Friday as it was supposed to be and no one was exactly sure why. I need internet by this afternoon for my telecommuting and was in a mild panic because of it.

I'm talking full-on squalling meltdown.

Luckily, his parents were out and about and only boyfriend was there to witness the mess. We've been together long enough that he's a veteran and a pro at handling such situations. He's good at soothing noises.

Surprisingly, the meltdown was not incited on Sunday when we got lost. Or when the truck ran out of gas on the side of the road after not seeing hide nor hair of a gas station for 200 miles. Or when it took us 9 hours instead of 6.5 to get here. Or when we realized that there was only one air mattress and his parents were using it and our mattresses were buried in the very back of the truck and we had to heave-to to unload the entire truck before darkness fell (it gets pretty black out here) in order to have something other than beautiful (hard) wood floors to sleep on.

The meltdown was also not incited on Monday when I woke up to a house full of boxes and no coffee. Or when we ran around and around and around town (20 minute drive away) picking up things, trying to find things, inevitably getting lost and most assuredly bickering.

Just the last straw. Oh well.

Did I mention the truck ran out of gas on the side of the road? Couldn't be helped. We didn't know that we wouldn't be seeing a gas station for that long, or we would have gotten gas in Grants Pass. Thankfully, we were caravan-ing and my boyfriend had the forethought to put a gas canister in the back of the truck, so I was able to take the canister to the nearest gas station (seven miles away) and return with enough gas to get us to the gas station to fill up.

In other news, ready for a tour of my new house? I thought so. Please excuse the mess.

This is my living room and my "office" alcove.

My office. I have a beautiful view of spruce trees and a bird feeder that already has little birdies visiting!

Our "reading corner" and breakfast bar.

Dining room and backdoor.

Kitchen

Fireplace is in the center of the main living area. The kitchen is to the left and the hallway at the right goes to the bedrooms and bathroom. Straight across from it is my office.

Another kitchen view. Carpet was $7 at a garage sale.

View out my front door. The building on the right is our detached garage.

More front yard.

The wall on the right is the outside corner of my office. The tree is right out my main office window.

Path to the garage and the garage.

Front of the house.

Another living area photo.

View of living room from "dining room"

Also, I've done my first cooking in the house. We had a family friend over for dinner last night and I whipped up a quick batch of pesto.

Fresh pesto!

Pesto is easy to make and delicious on anything.

To Make Pesto:
Using a blender or a food processor (I prefer the processor), put in a generous handful of fresh basil leaves, a tablespoon of pine nuts or walnuts (I use pine nuts), a couple cloves of garlic, salt and pepper to taste and olive oil. Run the blender or processor until pesto is fully processed.

It made the store-bought ravioli (nothing wrong with that) a little more interesting than simple marinara would have. Be careful though, if you use too much garlic it has a pretty good kick. I added too much garlic. It is however, really yummy that way.

Keeps the bugs away too.

In addition, if you have any extra, you can freeze it for later use. I usually use an ice tray and freeze it in cubes for easy use. One "cube" is perfect if you're cooking only a little bit for one, two to four "cubes" if you're serving more people.

I had my first Oregon run yesterday. I called my lovely friend before I left (it's our plan to run "together") and then again when I got back. Boyfriend accompanied me with his bike and a beer (classy at it's finest...sigh) and I ran up the road towards the mountain. We're on the road that goes up to Mt. Bachelor...it's actually a quicker drive to get to the mountain for us than it is for us to get to Bend itself.

I'm used to running at sea level, so I was slower than usual thanks to less oxygen, but I still managed to do the whole Fartlek workout. Go me!

All righty, that's enough for now. Further updates on my life coming soon, as well as those promised pumpkin recipes!

Ciao,
kc

YESTERDAY: 60 minute Fartlek
SATURDAY (10/2): 8.25 miles on trails

Shoes

I love shoes. Have I mentioned that I love shoes?

You might have noticed when I dedicated an entire post to these:

Or when I posted TWO photos of these:

I can't help myself. I love shoes. There are so many reasons to love shoes.

1. You can get perfectly good shoes, gently used, at thrift stores, garage sales, second-hand shops for very little money and not have that weird gross feeling that I get when buying clothes at those places. I still do it, but they require a couple washings first. Shoes don't require that.

2. Shoes always fit. Even if you gain weight. Even if you lose weight. Even if your boyfriend dumps you, they are still there for you.

3. They will never leave you. They won't be offended if you box them up and put them in the back of your closet for months at a time only to pull them out to wear them once and return them to the back again. They don't mind if you stop wearing them in lieu of a younger, sleeker model. They don't mind if you consider them frumpy, dumpy, sexy or smart.

4. You can never have "enough" shoes. It's not like cars or jeans or sweatshirts. There's always a drastically different pair to be had.

5. I'm sure there are more reasons, TELL ME SOME OF YOURS.

Basically, I love shoes.

Even these shoes:

These shoes support me even at 7 a.m. this morning, when the moon was still out in the lightening sky and while my body wasn't quite awake, my brain was courtesy of the espresso I had before hopping in the car to go rouse my lovely running buddy to go run 5 miles, 3 of which were fast, one of which was sub-9. They support me even then.

Coming soon: moving news, fall favorites (recipes and more!), tea party preparations, and lots more running and fashion.

Ciao,
kc

THIS MORNING: 5 miles, tempo
YESTERDAY: 4 miles

Eventful weekend

First of all, see? See?

I went for my run yesterday. That's me putting on my shoes. My mommy took that picture. Thank you, mommy. And I didn't get wet, as it stopped raining for my run. But my cool new Garmin Forerunner 205 decided that .3 miles in was a good time to be the first time to crap out. Damn it. So I sprinted the hill but probably only ran 2 miles. Oh well, I ran it fast because I was mad.

Secondly, I found out this morning that the half marathon I was supposed to run on Oct. 30th in Bend was cancelled!! Oh no! They gave me the option of running the weekend before (the 24th) in Portland or just refunding my money. Convenience has now been eliminated, what to do? Double damn. I have to make a decision soon, but we'll see. My parents will be in Portland that weekend, so maybe it's just worth it to run that weekend.

I hate change! Especially when it's a deviation from the original plan. Ugh. I don't adjust well. It's not one of my better traits. I'm working on it.

This past weekend, my boyfriend and I house and dog- and kitty-sat. Technically, it was his job, but as I was there, I get credit too. In middle school and in high school at sleepovers, my girlfriends and I always just fell asleep in whatever positions we watched movies and gossiped in: usually one big puppy pile. Or so I thought that was what it was called.

I got to see the true definition of a puppy pile this weekend. Two of the four dogs we sat were puppies.

I don't know what kind of dog they are, but Otis and his sister are pretty stinkin' cute. The first night, Lucy (Otis' sister) didn't snuggle with us, but Otis stretched out quite comfortably on the other side of my boyfriend under the covers. They spooned most of the night and puppy spooning jokes/comments ensued with some hilarity and faux-pouting the next morning. The second night, Lucy joined us for Monsters, Inc. and then at the end of the movie, we decided it was time for the people to have the majority of the bed and threw the pair of them off it. Otis promptly jumped back up and gave me that (see photo) face.

Puppy faces are irresistable. Especially sad, "please?" puppy faces.

I sighed and let him snuggle. Boyfriend grumbled about not getting his fall-asleep cuddle, but we managed with Otis sandwiched between us.

At some point in the night, I woke up to find two balled puppy bodies between me and boyfriend. I woke boyfriend up and we threw the puppies off the bed so we could have some cuddle time. Again, I woke up later to find myself sandwiched between puppies. I threw them off.

In the morning, boyfriend was diagonal trying to find some space on the already smaller-than-we're-used-to bed, I was on my side curled around Lucy and Otis was sandwiched between my shinbones and boyfriend's legs. When I cracked my eyes open and groaned, lots of puppy tongues ensued.

Boyfriend decided it was time to get up and feed the puppies and their older counterparts and at last, I had some space.

Other than those shenanigans, we had a productive weekend.

At the massive garage sale last weekend, I picked up a "lovely" bench for $1.50. Actually, it was kind of a scungy bench, but the woodwork was nice and "Oh, you could just re-cover it" fell from my mommy's lips and I was sold. Plus, it was a $1.50! Actually, it was two, but I offered $1.50 and the nice man didn't seem inclined to argue.

Sunday morning (after the puppy pile night), boyfriend and I tripped off to the fabric store where we spent a mildly-funny hour picking out fabric.

He wanted fish.

I said no.

He wanted sailboats.

I said no.

He wanted birds.

I said, "Where do you think we're going to be living? The beach? We're moving to a cabin!"

He wanted camo.

I said, "Oh, hell no."

We settled on a lovely, not-too-masculine-not-too-feminine stripe in pale blue, cream and brown. That being the only one we truly agreed upon that would work. And then spent the better part of an hour pulling out the thousands of staples holding on the original upholstery. Dad foolishly offered to help, and mommy got suckered in too.

It was family bonding at its finest.

There were a lot of staples.

Then, after a second trip to the store for a new pad, we re-covered the bench. $50 later, it looks pretty good, eh?

Sorry the color is sort of washed out, but it looks really really good. I'm excited to put it in our new home.

Ciao,
kc