Slow and Steady...

This is my new motto since I've been training for the half marathon.  

I'm NOT a fast runner.  I believe Tauna calls it a slog (slow jog).  I figure as long as I'm out moving, I'm doing OK.  I just finished week 3 of training and ran 7.4 miles yesterday.  I think my mind is telling my body to go slowly to conserve energy for the miles ahead.  I'm down with that but wish I could step it up for a 5K! Oh well, at least I'm not standing still.

I want to share the new additions to my kitchen. These salt and pepper grinders are awesome! They have a magnet on the back (the side without eyes) and they hang on the back of my stove for easy access.  With just one hand I can have my scrambled eggs covered in black or white or both!   Target has them for $9.99 each but these were purchased in Park City at the Outlet Mall for half that. 

One more thing to share.  This triple berry salsa recipe, taken from the Taste of Home Healthy Cooking magazine, is delicious!  The picture was taken the day after I made it so the berries look a little...limp.  But it's still good!

Triple Berry Salsa

1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

3/4 cup chopped fresh strawberries

3/4 cup fresh raspberries

1 medium tomato, chopped

1 small sweet yellow pepper, chopped

1/4 cup finely chopped red onion

1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro

1 jalapeño, seeded and minced

2 green onions, chopped

1 Tbsp. cider vinegar

1 T olive oil

2 tsp. lime juice

2 tsp. orange juice

1 tsp honey

1/4 tsp salt

In a large bowl combine the first 9 ingredients.  Whisk the remaining ingredients.  Drizzle over salsa; toss to coat.  Chill. Serve with tortilla chips. 

 Perfect for the summer barbecues ahead.

Just keep moving!

Love Letter

I got this letter in the mail from 6-year-old Corbanator.  It's always a treat to get love notes from my grandkids.  I'm not sure what kind of pet Corb has in mind. 

Evidently he doesn't consider Henry Graycat, the GQ model... 

...or computer whiz, a pet!

Today is the first day of summer vacation! 

Henry has the right idea.

Between the Storms

We've seen more rain than sun the past few weeks.  Today was a beautiful, sunny day! The weatherman says that we will have rain for the next 3 days so today we took advantage of the good weather.

I started out with a 6 mile run.   I need to train for the half-marathon.  It was the perfect morning to be out running.

We did yard work.  I love all the textures and color on the side of the house.  

We had a gymnastics extravaganza with Kels (on the left) C8 (next to Kels) and K8E on the right in the red skirt.  (Don't mind my blurry picture.) Why do chubby tummies look so cute on 3-year-olds? They were so fun to watch on the balance beam, the bar and doing summersaults and cart wheels on the mat.

In the mail I got a box filled with these delicious peanut clusters from Maggie at "Just Between You and Me".  I won her giveaway!  Thanks, Maggie!

Last night, my daughter, Jill, and I got a pedicure, manicure and facial!  What a way to end a long, busy week!  It was warm enough today to go barefoot outside.   Is it inappropriate to post a picture of my feet since they look like Fred Flintstone's feet?

Yes, it's been a beautiful day between the storms.  I'll take it!

I hope your day has been just as nice!

Soccer Full Circle

After spending years sitting out in the cold, snow, rain or blistering sun; watching my children either chase the soccer ball around the field or stare off in to space, I'm back at it again!  Only this time I don't have to take anyone to practice!

Mr. Cy has the eye of the tiger!

 Miss Em is ready for anything that comes her way!

3-year-old C8 thinks soccer...

...is...

...boring!

Soccer hasn't changed over the past 20 years!

What a way to spend a Saturday. 

As a side note:  I signed up to run a half-marathon in August. I know that for many of you this is a piece of cake but it's going to be hard work for me! 

Now that I've told you, I can't back out!  Yikes!

Like Mother - Like Sister?

When I was growing up, people would say that I look like my mother.

That was OK because my Mom has always been a beautiful lady, inside and out!

Shortly after Andy and I were married, we moved to a new neighborhood. A woman came up to me at church and asked if I knew (she said my mother's name).  I told her that the person whose name she mentioned is my mother.  She said that she used to work with my mom 30 years before and I looked just like her.  

My mom is now 88 years old!.  (Don't tell her I told you)  That's more than 30 years older than me.  She's reasonably healthy and looks good for her age.

My Dad had to have an angiogram on Thursday.  I went to the hospital with my parents.   Mom and I went to the gift shop to buy some gum.  While paying for the gum, the woman working there, looked at both of us and said, "I KNOW that you two are sisters!"  

I was speechless.  No one has ever accused me of being my mother's sister!   Mom said, "No we're mother and daughter.  The woman looked a little sheepish.  Then my Mom said, "Guess which one is the Mother!"  I immediately left before the woman had time to answer.

Maybe it's time to go back to coloring my hair. Perhaps then people will mistake me for Jill's sister! (In my dreams)

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!  

A very special Mother's Day to my own dear Mom/sister!

Utah's Finest

Jeanette graduated from the University of Utah today!

We met before graduation for a little food and fun.  Notice what's on her left hand.  She got that little number 2 weeks ago.

I tried to do a close up but it doesn't work when both the camera person and the model are moving.  Oh well, you get the picture.  

The weather was beautiful! Perfect for outdoor pictures.  

Here's Jeanette with her Dad... 

...her fiance...

...and with Baby Aly, who had enough of the whole graduation scene. 

Way to go Jeanette. We're proud of you!  Now go out and change the world...or at least get your wedding planned!!

Graduation, a Race and Flowers

Graduation Day!  

Jill graduated from UVU on Friday.  She really IS smart even though she's holding her diploma upside down.

With her last name of Kaufusi, you know there will be lots and lots of flowers! I think she had more flowers placed around her neck than they had at Buckingham Palace earlier that morning!  

Here she is with her Dad. Yes, even her parents got lei-ed! It really was fun to see all her husband's family there with the leis.  Fun tradition!

She accomplished a lot during the past 4 years.  Not only did she go to school and maintain a great GPA, but she is a fantastic mom and wife.

Way to go, Jill!  We're proud of you!

On Saturday there was a half-marathon/5K race at Thanksgiving Point.  Candice ran the half marathon. (Great job, Candice!) Camille and I didn't leave our comfort zone.  We trotted along in the 5K race. The Point boasted of their beautiful tulips that we'd be able to see.  The 5K group didn't get to see many tulips but what we did see were covered in snow! It was cold but ended up being a great day for a race.

Camille, Me and Candice after the race.  

   It's great to be old...I came in 3rd in my age group and got a trophy! (Now, if I can just remember where I put it.) 

Hoping for some Spring weather this week.

A Sense of...Style?

Jacob came in to the house while I was cleaning the kitchen.  I noticed his shoes and asked if they were new.  

"No," he said, "I don't wear them often, I feel goofy in 'em!"  At that point I looked up and noticed his other clothes. I couldn't talk because I was laughing so hard.

 What do you think?  Is it the shoes or the cut-offs from 7th grade and the Saver's Christmas shirt?   BTW - he had been playing baseball with a group of friends.  He had actually worn this "outfit" in public!  He must feel comfortable enough to  sport his own style. (I know of a pair of cut-offs that are NOT going to make their way back to his room)

Jumping for Easter Joy and Eclairs

Now that Spring is here (if you believe that, I have a Sony Walkman to sell you), our favorite activity with the grandkids is jumping on the trampoline.  We had all the kiddos over on Saturday for a barbecue and a wet Easter egg hunt!

The beginning of the hunt.

It was a success.  I'm sure we'll be discovering un-found eggs for the next few weeks.

I went to the Taste of Home cooking school last week.  One of the recipes featured was this one for eclairs.  It's super simple and delicious!

Pastry

1 cup water 

1/2 cup butter, cubed

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp. salt

4 eggs

Filling

2 1/2 cups cold milk

1 package (5.1 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Frosting

2 ounces semisweet chocolate or 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 Tablespoons butter

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

2 to 3 Tablespoons hot water

♥In a large saucepan, bring water and butter to a boil.  

Add flour and salt all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms.  Remove from heat.  Let stand for 5 minutes.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny.

♥Using a tablespoon or a gallon size zip-lock bag with the corner cut...

...form dough into 4 inch x 1 1/2 inch strips on a greased baking sheet.  

Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes or until puffed and golden.  Remove to a wire rack.  Split eclairs open.  Cool

♥In a large bowl, beat milk and pudding mix according to package directions.  In another bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form.  Beat in sugar and vanilla, fold into pudding. Fill eclairs.

♥For frosting, in a microwave, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth.  Stir in sugar and enough hot water to achieve a smooth consistency.  Cool slightly.  Frost eclairs.  Store in refrigerator.

Enjoy!  Have a napkin handy.