Sunday, October 11, 2009

Marathon


For the first time ever, I have followed through with a new years resolution! Along with two great friends, I completed the Omaha Half Marathon. If you asked me this time last year if I would ever run a half marathon, I would have laughed in your face. Loudly. Uncontrollably.

This was probably the hardest thing I have ever done; yet I am happy to report I would be more than happy to do it again. Maybe once a year for the next few years. It really was that fun. I dont need to set a time to finish, or go crazy about training; I have just learned to love running, crazy, right?!

Enjoy the pictures my darling hubby took while cheering us on! If I look like I am in pain; I am. I ran on a stress fracture (I didnt know at the time! All I knew is that my leg hurt and I was going to finish the God Forsaken race whether I had to crawl across the finish line!)









Tae Kwondo

I am pleased to announce that Mike and I earned our yellow belt last week! Look out world!



Believe it or not, Mike is excited about the yellow belt. He was not, however, excited to take a picture :)


Pies

Grandma Duffy made a comment last Thanksgiving that struck me, and stuck with me this past year.

As I helped cut the Thanksgiving pies, Grandma blurted out, "The art of making pies is dying". Boy, is she right. I didnt know the first thing of making a pie... Pilsbury and Mrs. Smith has always saved the day for me. After hearing that, I vowed to learn how to make a pie before Thanksgiving this year.
A few weeks ago, I got together with some of Mike's co workers and their children to go to an apple orchard, pick apples and bake apple pies together. What a fun afternoon! Jill had a delicious apple pie recipe that has been handed down in her family that she so graciously shared with the rest of us. The pies turned out delicious, and were devoured by the rest of the families who joined us for tacos and football.
After making these pies, I have been inspired to perfect my pie making skills, and to find fun ways to share pies with others... mini apple pies! They are perfect for a late night snack... warm and gooey with vanilla ice cream melting on top.


The goods...



mixing the egg, vinegar and water for the dough...



and the dough mixture....




last but not least the crisco...



add the egge mixture and what do you get....



divide it in half and roll it all out....



next task... find a circle cut out for the mini pie pans... thank goodness for an aboundance of tupperware!



into the pie pan it goes...



peel and cut the apples. Sugar, cinnamon, and butter in the pans...



put the tops on, cut slits and into the oven we go!



bake, and VOILA!!!





Yumm-o!

Cupcakes

Recently, I made cupcakes for my sister's boyfriends sister's bridal shower. (Did you catch all that?!) The bridal shower was a Hawaiian themed shower, hosted by my sister.

And drum roll please..............



ooohhhhhh............

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh............

**gasp!**

And the crowd went wild!!


They were a hit! I love that I finally have more time to bake in the evenings! There are going to be many more cupcakes to come ;)