Snow time like the present...

Finally! After months of rain and snow dancing in the front yard (while clad in a grass skirt and shaman's headdress). We finally got some snow in Boulder. Over 14 inches in that one storm! Check out the back yard after the dumping. Hurray - the lawn got some much needed water!

The Road to Running

This is it. This week is the beginning of my training. I’m going to run a marathon this year.

I’m not entirely new to the sport of running. I was on the high school cross country team (battling it out with three other girls for last place). I’m not a fast runner. But I love it for so many deep and superficial reasons.

1. When I run a lot, I look good and can eat guilt free.
2. Running is the cheapest therapy there is.
3. I feel accomplished.
4. The dog gets exercise.

I’ve done about 8 half marathons over the course of the past few years, so I think I’m ready (or hope I’m ready) to tackle this next challenge. I’m using Joe Henderson’s 100 day program to your best race. The training involves longer miles on the weekend, but pretty short and easy runs during the week, which I think will work best for my ever hectic lifestyle (she says from the comfort of her home computer while nestled snuggly in her pajamas at 3 in the afternoon).

Wish me luck! The goal is to be ready to Rock ‘n’ Roll at the Seattle Washington Marathon on June 27th, 2009. I’ll keep you posted on the progress. And, somehow a few friends and I also got into the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco this October. So, I guess I really am going to accomplish this goal this year, one way or another!

Sushi Party 乾杯

I had heard rumors of people making sushi (maki - the cut rolls) on their own – but it seemed like so much work. Way too complicated to actually accomplish on one’s own. However, over Christmas I was buying some presents at the book store when a little $7 “Do-It-Yourself” kit caught my eye in the checkout line. It was for Sushi! My husband loves nothing else as much as he loves a sushi dinner, but those of you who actually go out for this know that once you have a few drinks and your favorite rolls, the bill can be anywhere from $60 – over $100! So, I figured I could give it a try. This could be a little project we undertake together. It ended up being the best purchase ever made! Really, the California rolls are easy and fun – but if you get fresh fish from Whole Foods – you can make any of the rolls you would buy for at least 1/3 of the cost! We also discovered that it’s a great way to plan a party. Everyone gets involved in the making of the sushi, and you have plenty of time to drink, eat, experiment and have a blast!

Here’s how to have a rockin’ sushi party, and what you’ll need….

Rice (a rice cooker is VERY useful)
Seaweed (available in the Asian section of the super market)
Bamboo Mat (to roll the Sushi on)
Cling Wrap (to avoid your bamboo getting rice all over it)
Rice Vinegar (to keep the rice from getting too sticky on your hands)
Cucumber (any other stuffers you’d like)
Avocado
Fresh fish of your choice
Some toasted poppy or sesame seeds.

Step 1:

Using your hands mash an even layer of rice onto the seaweed (I like to have the rice on the outside for a "tighter" roll - called Uramaki). The rice vinegar on your hands will keep the rice from sticking to you - and help it stick to the seaweed.

Step 2:

Now flip your rice over so that the rice is face down on the Saran wrap. Now you lay strips of what you want inside. For a California roll you can shred Crab, Avocado, and Cucumber. Optional is a thin strip of spicy mayo. Once your "insides" are all lined up - you're ready to roll!

Step 3:

Now you just need to roll! Make sure to use your mat to create a tight cylinder so that its easier to cut when you are done. the Saran wrap will also ensure the rice only sticks to itself.

Step 4:

Cut and Serve! Its time to enjoy your awesome Sushi. I also recommend serving Edamame (something for guests to eat while you make these terrific rolls).

You can also cut fresh fish (Sashimi) or serve over a ball of rice for a simple and pure sushi tase. どうぞめしあがれ (douzo meshiagare) enjoy your meal!

Dog Blog

She's my buddy. My little black shadow, sometimes just in front - to my side - slightly behind me (sometimes on the bed patiently waiting for me to stop working and take her for a run). I have had dogs before, but I've never fallen for such a dog's dog. You know, the type that picks up sticks on walks. A dog that runs outside with a new bone to promptly bury it and cover the evidence by pushing dirt around with her nose. I have never had a dog that swims, or lays in the snow creating a burrow with her paws. She often takes clothes and shoes outside when she misses us (or when we aren't looking), and she cries for us when we leave. She isn't the smartest dog.... but by far the most loyal and loving that I have ever seen. In fact, I've thought about perhaps paying a stranger to kick her around or mace her to prevent the abandonment with which she runs, tail wagging and tongue out, to strangers just to say hello and play-bow her introduction.

I was in Petco (where the pets go, apparently) and I noticed they were selling red laser pointers by the checkout stand. It touted "hours of fun for your dog or cat. And use it for meetings too!" Torture both man and animal with this thing! Steve and I have played with the laser pointer. Heck, who hasn't? Remember when they first came out? Watch out for your eyes - it will burn right through your retinas! Its entertaining at first to watch your dog chase it around the room. But when it begins to obsess about it - even when the red dot has clearly not been visible for... hours - there seems to be something cruel about such a devise. Don't get me wrong, its hilarious to play with this thing. Its like dog mind control. But I'm not sure its necessarily humane. Perhaps I should research and see what Cesar Millan thinks about it. I suppose that's why its so easy to fall in love with a dog. The innocence and pure ability to live in the moment (even if that moment involves searching mercilessly for a red dot). Steve and I have totally become "those people". Acting as though our dog is our child. But, I'm okay with that - any creature whose ultimate goals in life center around eating and cuddling deserves that type of love. But I'll admit, the montage of our pup... well, it could be a bit much. But, she is pretty darn cute.

Winning the Lotto...

Take a good look at this picture. Closer… closer…. There you have it! You're looking at one of the luckiest men to ever visit Vail ski resort. According to the smoking gun, this man boarded a chairlift at Vail's Blue Sky Basin the morning of January 6th. Apparently, some lifty accidentally forgot to put the seat down and wah-lah.... a little bit of public exposure, (possibly some therapy for the kid), and seven minutes later, a guaranteed hefty sum of money to keep from suing the resort.

How long do you think it took Vail to fire the poor ski-bum working the lift this morning? Just goes to show you - some people have all the luck!

LEON

Leon, Noel, El No.....

Every year my father, Ed, delicately rearranges the faux gold Noel stocking holders that my Mom lines along the hearth of the fireplace. He stretches them out making various words that are just as funny as sacrilegious. When we were younger the porcelain nativity scene (a Grandma Helen special) would actually travel from upstairs, to the living room (the Inn) where Mary and Joseph awaited the birth of Jesus (each day the three wise men moving closer and closer with their camels, frankincense and myrrh).

This year Steve and I had our first Christmas as husband and wife, starting the first year of our very own “family” traditions. I tried (and failed) to send out a funny Christmas Card. Don’t worry though, next year I’m going to actually mail them – and ensure that the photo is even better! We made Swiss fondue, had a delicious pre-Christmas eve dinner at the Boulder Cork (that is for sure a new tradition –YUM!), and even made sushi from scratch at home. Most impressively, we hosted our first “ugly Christmas-Sweater Party”! Can red and green snowman Jell-o shots be considered tradition? We endured gale force winds ice skating on a frozen pond with Alexa, Brenda and Marc. And, our cute little house was trimmed in lights while Delilah only managed to eat one string of them! (Naughty dog!)

We closed out 2008 in the mountains – riding in the New Year in the snow crusted Rocky Mountains. And started off 2009 with a full list of Resolutions (start a random blog for journaling, stop eating). So far, it seems to be the start of a fantastic year! I look forward to sharing thoughts, experiences and tid-bits of our daily lives, and hopefully I’ll progress to a witty and enchanting writer.

Until then….