Birds and the Bees

Okay, so this entry is likely not what you think, but I was at a loss for a better title. After all, this post is about nature! When we purchased this house one of the reasons I knew it was "the one" was that it had a nicely sized yard. Now, little did I know that we'd be bombarded with creatures! Well, perhaps "bombarded" is a bit strong of a word, but you'll see what I mean in a second.

First of all, I have done some landscaping work since we moved in. I have ripped out some dead bushes and planted both annuals and perennials. Unfortunately, the beautiful little flowers I planted all along my back landscaping (see image below) become an entrée for a resident bunny. I spied the little critter escaping under our fence into our neighbor's yard this evening. See those little flowers? Yep, neither do I. There are no flowers on those plants now, just a few leaves. So much for that. An entire flat has gone to Mr. Cottontail.

Also, we have a new neighbor that has decided to take up residence on our detached garage. That's right, thankfully "on" and not "in." I don't mind her, though. She's been good quiet company when I'm in the yard playing with the kids. In fact, I'm guessing she'll soon have her own little ones for us to adore. It's actually been a nice nature lesson for Anna on how the mommy and daddy work together to build their home. The daddy would fly away to grab twigs for the nest, return, hand them over to the mama, and then go off again. Repeat, and repeat. They don't even seem to mind that the kids' play fort is mere feet from their chosen habitat.

Now, you're probably wondering where the bees come in. Well, thankfully they don't as of yet. But, speaking of insects, the ants are coming out in force so I'm going to make it Matt's priority to put down insect killer on the whole yard this weekend. If there's anything I want to avoid, it's stepping in a fire ant pile. Done that one too many times.

Here's hoping all of you are soon blessed with some similar signs of spring!

Summer in March

I have never spent a March picking strawberries and making freezer jam. But, I suppose, there is a first time for everything. Every year, for the past 3 years, I have made homemade freezer jam during berry season. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple in our house and we're jam snobs. Buying jam with real fruit and no high-fructose corn syrup can be quite expensive. As a result, I tend to make my own jam. It tastes better, in my opinion, and it's enjoyable to make.

Anna and I had some bonding time at the berry patch and then mashing up berries (a great stress-reliever, might I add). I use a handy little tool for berry mashing--the Pampered Chef Mix 'N Chop. It's a lovely little gizmo that works like a potato masher but much, much better. I use it for all my smashing needs; it also works well for breaking up ground meat into small restaurant-quality consistency for tacos and meat sauces. I can't say enough about it. Actually, I can't say enough about almost all the Pampered Chef kitchenware I own. I have considered becoming a Pampered Chef consultant, but then I decided I'd spend more money on their products than I made (which is probably what they want you to do but I don't really want to play that game).

Living in Texas is like living in another hemisphere from Michigan. Bugs are bigger, my hair has been bigger (and it's not even that humid yet!), it's like June at 78 degrees today, and the June Bugs (aka Japanese Beetles) are already banging against my back door. I left winter, skipped spring, and entered what I think of as summer. I'm told to just wait; I'll melt.

So, to those of you back home, know that I'll envy you in June when it's your turn to pick berries. Maybe I'll even turn up on your doorstep; to experience this season again would be nice!

Okay, so it's been a while

Nevermind the fact that it's been MONTHS since I posted anything. Well, here I am again. A lot has changed since the last post. Let's sum it up.

1. Totally wussed out and did not do that 10mi run in August.
2. Anna had her 4th birthday.
3. Matt got called about a job opening in Texas.
4. Just after Thanksgiving Matt accepted said job.
5. Spent WEEKS stripping wallpaper, painting, and getting our house cleaned and readied for the market.
6. Took two house hunting trips to Texas and settled on one we saw for the first time on our second visit; made an offer that same day!
7.Our house goes on the market and sells in 24hrs to someone we went to high school with!

Update to the present...

We scramble around trying to figure out how to get all the luggage, stuff the movers won't ship, two small children and a dog across the country in the least painful way possible.

What an adventure we are beginning!

I Did It!

I ran my first 10k this morning. The longest distance I ran training was 5.5 miles, so adding that extra .7 miles was a bit of a stretch but not too bad. I ran a nice, steady 10-minute mile. I realize this is not record pace, but I'm pretty proud of myself. I'm thinking of doing a 10 mile run at the end of August. Should i do it? The training regimen is the only thing that scares me. I can't imagine myself running for two hours straight. But, when I started this I couldn't picture myself running 6 miles, either, and I did it!!!

It's such a nice feeling when you realize you're stronger than you thought!

That Isn't Right

Just gotta love it when your 13-month-old gets motion sick in the bike trailer as you're out for some exercise; thank goodness Matt was the one towing and the one cleaning up.

I think we'll take a more leisurely ride next time.

The Sweetest Thing

I went to a meeting at my friend Erica's house the other night. She had made the most fabulous coffee cake muffins; I didn't try one that evening but took one home for breakfast, and I'm so glad I did! They were superb. I wish I could credit her for the recipe, but it is one she got from a website called, "Picky Palate," and that site credits someone named "Beth R." for the recipe.

Anyhoo, to make a long story short, my thanks to Erica and "Picky Palate" for sharing this fabulous recipe!!!

(For a direct link to the recipe on "Picky Palate" click HERE.)

Beth’s Starbuck’s Coffee Cake
(half recipe)

1 Box Yellow Cake Mix (plus ingredients on back of box)
2 Sticks cold salted butter
2 1/4 Cups flour
1 1/2 Tablespoons cinnamon
1 ¾ Cups brown sugar
1 1/2 Tablespoons vanilla
Powdered sugar (for dusting)
PREHEAT oven to 350.
PREPARE cake mixe in large bowl according to directions on box. Spray 9X13 pan with non-stick spray. Pour batter into pan. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until center is just barely set.
WHILE cakes are baking, prepare crumb topping. In large bowl of electric mixer combine, butter, flour, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla until all crumbly.
IMMEDIATELY after cake is removed from oven, break crumb topping into marble size pieces with fingers, sprinkling over top. Put back in oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes (topping will begin to look a little less wet/raw). Let cool fully then dust with powdered sugar, using a sieve.
CUT into squares and serve.
****Beth doubles the recipe and uses a 8 or 9 inch baking dish in addition to the 9×13 inch dish, feel free to double it to make more if desired. I only had one cake mix, so decided to half it.**** 2 9X13 inch baking dishes would also work fine.

On to the Next Thing

I did my triathlon and it was fabulous. Now, in truth, I thought I was going to die on the run, but knew I wasn't about to give up. I have way too much pride for that. I placed second in my age group and 17th in the fat tire division. I clocked in at 1:21:41. Not too bad since I really took it easy on the bike ride.

So now I'm on to the next thing. I'm going to run a 10k in four weeks. I ran 5miles today--the longest distance I've ever ran. My legs hurt, but I don't know if that's from running or more from all the yard work I did yesterday, though my hunch is the yard work.

My friend Erica, who is way more of a runner than me (stop shaking your head, Erica--you totally are) has convinced me to run a half-marathon with her in September. I don't know if I'm crazy, obsessed with challenges, or both, but I'm actually looking forward to doing it! We've found a few training plans online that look, oddly, quite do-able. I guess when you're already used to doing 5+ miles, what's a few more? It's not like I sprint or anything so I figure I just have to find a good pace and hold steady. I'm in it to finish not to win.

So if any of my friends out there want to train with us, let me know! I can promise it will be worth it--I haven't felt this good since my senior year of college!!! When I started training for my triathlon in late February I had no idea what a positive step I was taking. The changes in my body, mood, and self-confidence make all the little moments of training pain worth it! I'm never turning back.