Running Adventures with PC over Spring Break!

The last few days of my Spring break have been gorgeous! Sunny, warm, maybe a little too warm, but I'll take it.  I even got a little burned today-ooops....sorry skin!

On Wednesday I started out with PC on our normal run around the trail by our house. Usually we do an out and back, but today I decided to loop it.  As I passed the cemetery near our house I decided why not run through.  I always see people walking around in there and it's also the dog park.  People pay and then are able to let their dogs run in the huge area.....I'm not sure how I feel about people letting their dogs pee and poop where loved ones rest.....

In through the squeaky gate we ran. There were plenty of paths/roads what-have-you.  It was actually a little hilly too.  It was quiet- no big surprise there, but I mean for being in the city.  We ran past some mausoleums that needed to have their leaves swept out and many a worn tombstone.  It was kind of sad, some have been there so long that you can't even read what they said.  We didn't run around the whole thing, as I was little tired and also didn't know how much longer PC would be content.  I had given her a munch cup full of mix and raisins that she was happily munching on.

 It is a little weird running amongst the graves, but peaceful too (ha! It should be!)

Thursday- another BEAUTIFUL day. I decided to head over to the National Arboretum .  It's ridiculously close and yet G and I have only been once many years ago.   We stuck to the roads, we didn't venture off onto any paths to explore - for the next adventure.  The trees were beautiful. We didn't see all the areas of the Arboretum, it was also hillier than I expected- to be honest I didn't know what to expect.  So I huffed and puffed a long, but running hills should help me when I run on flat ground.

 In case you can't tell, the picture above is of us running up a hill. :-)

What's a run without a selfie by some beautiful trees.  I actually had enough room on my phone to snap off a few to send to the hubs while he was at work (sometimes I feel a little bad sending him pictures of all the fun things we are doing while he is a slave to the man....but he did ask for pictures, so pictures I will give- so long as I have room on my phone).   This picture doesn't really capture the beauty of the trees, nor is PC looking at the camera. You would think with a mama who is so camera happy that she would learn to look straight at it and smile- knowing that I will do my best to get that "perfect picture." 

This picture is a little better, at least she is looking at the camera....the magnolias were gorgeous. I wish they stuck around a little longer, that and the cherry blossoms.  My goal was to run down to the mall over break, but that looks like it might not happen.  

After we finished "our" run I let lil miss thang out of her stroller to troll around.  She needed to get out some of her energy.  

 I was a little worried that these sweet gum balls would hurt her- but it's important to let her explore.  She had no problem with them, even sat down quite hard on some (it probably helps that she has a nice padded diaper on).  

She then decided to check out this Grass display that they had.  They were displaying all the different types of grasses that you can find- PC decided that she wanted to "read" each of the signs.  Ha I was impressed that she knew that there was writing on the posts- or maybe she just wanted to do a few squats.....

Refrigerator Raider!

A few weeks ago I was making something, lunch, dinner, snack, what have you and left the fridge open.  Then came the pitter patter of little feet.  Lil Miss PC padded over to the fridge and because I am always curious to see what she'll do (they are quite curious) I left the door open. Yes, our door is full of glass containers, but they are pretty sturdy and she's pretty close to the ground.  She's actually handled glass before and is pretty careful.  She's the little girl who will go to grab her water bottle, but if it feels too heavy will use both hands instead of swinging it down, or pulling it onto the floor.  

Well, she immediately started pulling items out of the door and......then took them over and put them on our step stool- another huge play item for her (simple things right?!). 

I mean, everything is so colorful and in different places- my child's new toy chest. LOL!

 I turned around the other day, after leaving the fridge open and didn't see her, then I looked again and realized.....yup, she had officially climbed in, that little monkey.  If you look at the bottom left picture, you'll notice that yup, we store all our hottest condiments in the bottom of the fridge, probably because we use them so infrequently.  Try not to judge my fridge too much, it's getting better.  I mean you see those clementines in my bottom drawer right?!

 This is actually PC putting the items back into the fridge, much to her mother's delight.  Maybe she watches me clean up after her waay too much and it just looked like so much fun that she HAD to try.  Given this is like 1 of like 15 time she has been in the fridge, but, I think.....that she is learning....hopefully.

Snowed in means.....Homemade Pretzels

So, last winter I planned on making pretzels each snow day, but then we didn't get very many and I also had a 4 month old, so it wasn't exactly practical.  I decided this year we would try again, of course we've already had about 4 snow days, but better late than never.  I am a big fan of traditions, so when PC is a little older hopefully she will enjoy this....and hopefully I will also be able to perfect them.  I mean, who doesn't want to eat a fresh warm pretzel as they watch the snow come down? I mean other than gluten free people.....and since we aren't, bring on the white flour! LOL, actually the last time I made them I only had whole wheat flour and while they were good, I bet these will taste even more glutinous! I also didn't boil mine last time, you know like they do with bagels?

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, approximately
• 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
• Vegetable oil, for pan
• 10 cups water
• 2/3 cup baking soda
• 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
• Pretzel salt

I got the directions from here, but you can also find the recipe from Alton Brown from here

I have to say that my dough just never seems to double in size, maybe that's why my pretzels always seem so dense and not light and airy.  I still have to perfect this. If anyone has any suggestions.  They say to put the dough in a warm place to rise, so I placed it on the stove. Maybe too warm?

I will say, I enlisted my hubby to help with rolling out the dough- also they suggested breaking into 8 sections. I might do more so that the pretzels are not soo thick.  Anyway, he ended up doing a fantastic job.  The job is now his, until PC wants to help:-)

 Boil in the baking soda/water mixture for 30 seconds- we were literally timing it.

 Brush after boiling with one egg yolk mixed with 1 tbsp water.

 Salt with pretzel salt- which we didn't have, so kosher salt it is

 Bake 12-14 minutes or until golden brown

 We also decided that, being a snow day, why not also make a dipping sauce. We are not mustard people.  So, the hubs whipped up a batch of beer cheese dip.  If there are two things that we ALWAYS have it is beer and cheese.  Although- I might add less beer, a little too boozy for me...haha- we also added a little hot sauce for some heat and some paprika to make it pretty. Hubby got the recipe here- it was real easy and he whipped it up super quick!

*~Snow Day!~*

It's been awhile since we have had a "good" snow.  Actually, in my mind, the latest snow here in the DC metro area was, meh.  Let me say this though....it was beautiful and I LOVE watching it fall serenely and softly to the ground. There is something so peaceful about falling snow.  Pre-daughter, the hubs and I would take walks in the snow, at any time of night (that is, if we had the next day off).  Perhaps we need to invest in a longer range video monitor.

Any way....we ended up with about 4 inches and a SNOW DAY! That's the best part.  Because we are teachers it is even better.  Perhaps the love of snow and snow days is due to the love my dad had for snow.

The snow was so light weight that we could just use a broom to sweep it off the deck/porch/stairs.  We have yet to invest in a real snow shovel, as we just don't get huge snow storms.  I would totally eat my words if that means we'll get a HUGE storm, BOSTON HUGE!  That might handicap the DC metro area for many days!

PC had a blast in the snow, well as much as I could tell. She liked walking down the sidewalk and she liked brushing the snow off of the steps and the walls of other people's yards (*sidenote: I need to get PC some legit winter mittens, waterproof ones, but I just haven't been able to find some for her lil PC paws, or good boots, but as she isn't doing too much walking in the snow,  I guess they aren't necessary)

She didn't really walk in the snow, she would stand there and when she would attempt to walk she would basically fall over. Kinda cute.  We don't have a sled, so we couldn't even pull her through the snow, nor are there many hills here....
She did love sledding when we visited my bestie and her daughter and hubby last weekend in Pittsburgh.

but the pups, the hubs, PC and I bundled out and trudged down the block to our park to let the pups run free.

 Snow Dog!

Here's hoping that we get some a few more storms this year! I'll be turning my PJs inside out and flushing ice cubes down the toilet and PC and I will do a few snow dances! 

We <3 SNOW! 

We love visitors!

Who doesn't love when friends come over?!

Who doesn't love when people love your little one?!

Well, Auntie Meg came to visit(this post is a little late, but better late than never!).  Meg and I have known each other since 3rd grade! That's a long time ago! So we've probably known each other for 21 years! We went to elementary, middle, high school and college together! Oddly enough though we didn't become besties until college! 

Anyway, she came the weekend of the Race for Hope, yes I know weeks ago! If you know her, you know she loves brunch! And of course.....DC has no tons of wonderful brunch places! I mean how do you choose? Do we pick the unlimited mimosas/bloody mary place? The all you can eat? Fancy? It can get totally overwhelming!  We ended up going to Clyde's for brunch. It's a family favorite.  

Besties! 

PC pretending to be a big girl!

Auntie Meggie- the lion seems so tame! ;-)

Whatcha looking at Auntie Meg? My cuteness?!

Running this May

So I have two 5Ks coming up in May. The first is The Race for Hope, which I have been doing for the last 4 years, this will be my 5th.  I've had the joy of running with my husband and two of my besties. Last year I ran with PC(in utero) and this year, I will run with PC in stroller! I run in memory of my dad who passed away in 1997 from a brain tumor.  I wish PC would be able to know her grandfather, but hopefully she'll see some of him in me!

3 years ago 2012 with my girls and my hubs

Race for hope 2013- baby in utero 4 months 

I hope the third bestie will come back and run it again with us next year and with her newest edition too!

So, this weekend was perfect running weather.  I took Pepe out on Saturday for a 3 mile run and had to drag the pup along at several points.  Apparently I'm more in shape than he is. HA!

Then on Sunday, the hubs, PC and I went for a run.  Clear skies! Slight breeze.....Purrrrfection! We also christened her jogging stroller that PC's grandparents bought for her.  It rides soo smooth.

We love the trail that is right by our house....a fun discovery when we moved!
It does start off a little bumpy though ---------> Yay for the shocks on the BOB!

The trail runs along the Anacostia river.....not the cleanest river, but at least it is scenic and there isn't the hustle and bustle of the city.

I have to say that I was way proud of myself because I was able to keep up with the hubs! Maybe it's because he was just getting used to running with the stroller, or that he was being nice, but I like to think I've gotten better.

The only problem is, she's such a petite little thing that when she fell asleep her little head just lolled off to the side, soooo we need to remedy that. Guess it looks like I'm going to have to roll blankets and put them on either side of her head.
<------ She woke up, somehow she knows when we get home. She always wakes up when we get home in the car or in the stroller. It's like her 6th sense!
 Does anyone else have that problem?If so, what do you do?

The second 5K that I am running is the Girls on the Run 5K. I am running with our girls running club, Sole Sisters. Unfortunately GOTR was not part of the spring season in our county, but I hope that it will return....if not, we will continue with our Sole Sister running club.  I will be running with 20 wonderful young girls. We have some wonderful runners, some better than me! Ha, that doesn't say much does it? We are really trying to work on pacing with the girls because they do really well sprinting off in the beginning, but then end up walking, then sprinting off again.

If anyone has some good tips for teaching young girls how to pace, I'm all ears!!

Will post later about how we all did! 

Did y'all run this weekend? How far did you go?

Spring means flowers!

Spring is definitely in full bloom here in DC.  

We spent the day cleaning out our garden of dead plants and weeds.  We had a couple of plants that just couldn't handle the polar vortex this winter so those bad boys had to come out. It's ok, I didn't really like any of them anyway, but felt bad getting rid of perfectly healthy plants.  It's like the winter knew!

We walked over to the outdoor market that's a block away in the parking lot of RFK.  We bought a bunch of plants there last year and they did pretty well.  We decided that vine dwelling veggies were not such a great idea so we purchased, tomatoes, red peppers and banana peppers.  We also purchased some herbs, basil, peppermint, rosemary and cilantro. I never really used to be a huge fan of cilantro, but I think that it's grown on me, much like asparagus and brussel sprouts.

Flower wise for the front garden we bought gerbera daisies, zinnias, salvia portulaca and a knockout rosebush.  The knockouts are apparently very hardy and disease resistant.  The front garden gets a lot of sun and so we needed plants that didn't mind heat or lack of water. I decided the the front garden this year would be mainly yellows and reds/oranges.

I also bought marigolds for the front porch, as well as the herbs. I am also hoping to buy a citronella plant and catnip.  I hear that all three of those plants are natural mosquito deterrents. Mosquitos tend to be awful here, but there are also just "pocket" areas. I'm really hoping because of our crazy winter that there are sooo many less. We love being outback or on our porch, but not with the skeets!

For the back garden we purchased more marigolds and erysimum(those are the tall yellow plants) . If marigolds work my gardens will be full of them. Even though they aren't my favorite I dislike mosquitos even more! The back gardens already have some flowering bushes, knockout roses, the daisies are growing back, as is the hydrangea I like perennials.

We also got another stepping stone.  I know, one! But last year we purchased 4 and I thought we needed one more so that I didn't have to "leap" from one to the next (call me crazy).  I mean they aren't that close together....5 is perf!

We also bought some extensions for our drain so it didn't wash out and flood the one garden and we bought some garden edger.  The mulch will wait until the next trip! Our goal was to spend no more than 100 and we came in at $99.45! Pretty proud of us! Can't wait to drink some mojitos and moscato on the front porch! 

PC didn't help much, just sat on the front porch and looked cute while I blogged, she mostly napped during our working outside times.