Going to hurt tomorrow

After watching the Olympics, I decided that it was time to get off the couch and start exercising. It's not that I have dreams of winning eight gold medals or competing in a decathlon, but getting back into shape (and fitting back into my favorite pair of pants) is its own healthy goal. So after school today I had a little extra time and decided to go out for a run. Of course, I planned to do it the right way with a nice warm up walk, a little stretching, and a nice slow jog. Though I was following my plan I unfortunately fell into the trap of doing what every out-of-shape hoping to be in-shape person does the first time: I over did it! While my workout consisted of rotating walking and jogging, my brain somehow talked my sluggish muscles into attempting to run more than I walked. The plan was to walk five minutes and jog three minutes, but the argument went something like this: "Come on legs! You used to run five miles a night during cross-country season, so five minutes should be nothing." I'd like to think that I'm a reasonably sensible person who's well in tune with her body....but let's just say reason went out the window in pursuit of tighter buns and shapelier thighs! Rest assured tomorrow will be a very sore and long day.

One task down

As I sit in our duplex watching the Olympics (feeling vaguely guilty about not seriously exercising in the last year or so) and making nanaimo bars (which aren't helping with being out of shape), I decided that I should at least complete a task even if it is not exercise related. Earlier this summer I started a cork board made out of wine corks. I had first seen one of these beautiful boards hanging in a house in Indianapolis a couple of years ago and decided that I should give it a try. I started collecting wine corks from family dinners and celebrations, friends, and even complete strangers thanks to James' Ebay adventures. Finally, after years of collecting corks and a summer of procrastination, I have completed the process!


I figured that if I didn't finish it soon I would become too busy with school related things. So that's one task down, perhaps next I'll tackle a fitness related task...or maybe I'll remain lazy and just finish sewing the apron I've been putting off instead.

Tennessee and some treats

James and I had one last "hurrah!" before school starts back up. We left early Thursday morning to meet up with his family in Wears Valley, TN (the same place as our honeymoon) and spent the weekend with them. For a first vacation with the in-laws, I'd say it was a success. We had a nice time eating at the "Birth place of Kentucky Fried Chicken," hiking in the Smoky Mountains (though beautiful, it is the national park with the worst air quality - mainly due to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville's traffic), caving at Tuckaleechee Cavern, a little shopping at a huge outlet mall, and grocery shopping at Jungle Jim's. Here are a couple pictures from our weekend trip.

Henwallow Falls and a handsome photographer

Tuchaleechee Caverns

Sunday's Dinner
Sourdough from Jungle Jim's, the first tomato from my garden,
and a tasty fruit (at the bottom).

Can anybody guess what fruit it is?
I'll even give you a second view.

Recipe for a great weekend (Almost perfect...)

This past weekend we went on our second camping trip of the summer and this time we were joined by some wonderful people - my family (minus two)! The weather was nice, the camp ground at Summit Lake was pleasant (except the bath houses left something to be desired), and the hiking was alright. We even enjoyed some canoeing on Lake Summit. For a small state park it was a nice experience. (Check out the sunset from the Sunset Shelter on the lake.)


Speaking of experiences, we definitely had a new one on Friday night - a large, ferocious thunderstorm during tent camping. While I certainly enjoy a good thunderstorm every now and then, this one was a bit close for comfort. I was certainly tempted to reenact the panic I experienced on a Smokey Mountain trail during a thunderstorm when I was around six. I remember yelling "We're all gonna die!!!!!" and truly believing it. Luckily we didn't, so we could experience this colossal one as well...minus the panicked yelling.

While camping was the highlight of the weekend, we did have an unfortunate surprise waiting for us at home. Our freezer door was open and most of our freezer items had thawed! We had water everywhere and had to pitch about $15 worth of (previously) frozen items. Fortunately, a lot of the items we had in our freezer included ice tea concentrate, juice concentrate, bread, and granola that we could save. We did lose some homemade ice cream, a little fish, spinach, and some chicken. We've had some trouble with our freezer lately, such as keeping the door shut and water dripping into our refrigerator. We've made a call and hopefully this will be fixed by tomorrow. So while the weekend was wonderful, the ending left a little to be desired.

Caught in the act!

Novice Gardener Files

Case #001

Name: Tomato Horn Worm

Known Alias: Hawkmoth

Culprit description: Green, 4" in length, five sets of "feet," small "red eye" markings, and a squishy body texture

Charge: Tomato thievery (Oh, the shame!)

Verdict: Guilty

Sentence: *Due to the graphic nature of the culprit's sentencing, this portion has been edited out for your stomache's sake.

Today I found the culprit that has been annihilating my tomato plant. Yesterday I noticed that my plant was looking a little sick and that half of my largeest tomato had disappeared as well as small chunks off of my smaller tomatoes (along with the Baby Toes I was growing...but that's a case for another day). I wasn't quite sure who/what the culprit was and I took some preventative measures to insure that this would not happen again. However, today I discovered that more of the tomatoes had been feindishly struck down in the same manner! Apparently, it was time for extreme measures - a stakeout and swift/harsh punishment to the vandal. It didn't take long to locate the tomato horn worm (though I have to admit that he had done a great job of camouflaging himself), a positive identification was made with the help of our neighbors, and the worm was convicted in swift order. In the future, I'll have to be more vigilant against the sneak attacks of the tomato horn worm, but it was a lesson learned. I guess its all in a day's work for this novice gardener...

Aunt Bee's Cooking

I had a bit of an adventure this past weekend. James and I went to a wedding in Danville, Indiana and I happened to see this lovely little place to eat: The Mayberry Cafe. While James was off doing groomsman things, I was off exploring downtown Danville and eating lunch at the cafe. It was adorable and very "Mayberryish." I even watched two episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show" and had a good laugh at Barney Fife attempting to foil a bank robbery during my lunch. I was told by a resident that I had just "experienced true Danville culture."

New "Discovery"

James and I had some time off this week so we headed out to visit our families, which has become our "vacation" destination this summer. We had a couple of appointments, haircuts, a family picture, and newlywed items to take care of: consolidating bank accounts and things of that nature. While visiting I was able to go to the shops and eateries that I enjoy, which is easy as there aren't many to choose from in that area. I had a Veggie-Deli Peta Wrap (my favorite!), a true southern sweet tea, the perfect ham salad sandwich, and I even found a new indulgence: YummyEarth Organic Sour Lollipops! They are available at www.yummyearth.com and they are well worth it! (Interesting - I seem to be very hungry when I visit family!)