Whiskey Off Road

On Saturday, we were in Prescott to support Lance at The Whiskey Off-Road Mountain Bike Race.

For fifty miles, over 200 riders experienced technical fast single track, smooth fire roads, quality climbing and mountain vistas.

And...while Lance rode his heart out, we lounged on the downtown square listening to bands and eating the day away.

Lance finished in Third Place with the time of 03:18:05.66. He did an amazing job and we are so proud!

Pat's Run

On Saturday, after much begging, I gave my Pat's Run race entry to Max.

He ran a great race...

4.2 miles.

Swiiiing, Batter!

It took several games and a handful of peptalks, but finally, Max decided to swing away!

When the season began, Max came to the conclusion that he was much better off walking than taking a swing and possibly striking out.

So, game after game, he just waited.

And... to his credit, the result was usually a walk to first.

But, for the rest of us, it was painful. Afterall, Max has a great swing. He was just afraid.

On Wednesday night, after a bribe from his Mama and orders from his coaches to "swing at anything," Max finally did it!

The result:

A single and a double.

A game ball.

And...a smile that could not be wiped off that 9 year old face.

Hopscotch

Some of the best games are the simplest.

Boston Creme

I have made these Boston Creme Cupcakes for a few years now and they are always a favorite. I've had many requests for the recipe, so here it is.

Surprising how easy they are, huh?

Ingredients:

12 vanilla cupcakes, baked and cooled
1 1/4 cups cold whole milk
1 (3.4-ounce) box vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix (I like Trader Joe's brand)
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream
1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate morsels

Directions:
Combine milk, instant pudding mix, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Beat mixture with a hand mixer for 2 minutes, or until it thickens. Place mixture in refrigerator for 15 minutes. Spoon filling into a pastry bag fitted with a medium-size plain tip. Fill cupcakes with vanilla pudding filling by inserting tip into top of cupcake and squeezing a couple of tablespoons of filling into each cupcake.

Heat cream in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat until bubbles appear around the edges. Remove from heat, add chocolate morsels to pan, and whisk until smooth. Spoon or drizzle glaze over cupcakes, or dunk the tops into the glaze. Refrigerate until set, at least 1 hour, before serving.

Good Knees

"Winning has nothing to do with racing. Most days don't have races anyway. Winning is about struggle and effort and optimism, and never, ever, ever giving up."

-Amby Burfoot, The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life

Running does not come without its challenges. Those challenges usually include injuries and at the moment I am trying to hang in there by, as the above quotes reads, "never, ever, ever giving up..." even when the pain makes you question if it's worth it.

A few months back, a trainer at the gym stopped me and asked if I was a runner. When I told him I was, he replied, "I could tell. You have nice knees." At first I thought that was the weirdest compliment I'd ever received. However, after some thought, I realized how appropriate and well-earned it was. My knees deserve all the credit in this crazy running experience I have put them through. My knees have put in miles and miles, cried out in pain, given out, been iced, wrapped, coated in heat rubs, and finally, rested...and then shaken and stretched in the early morning hours to do it all over again. They deserve the adulation.

For the last two weeks, my right knee has been acting up.

But, I have miles to run.

So, hang in there, Knee.
Just give me until June.
After that I will give you a long, well-deserved rest.

I promise!

Thank You

Thank you to all who have donated to my fundraising efforts. I have reached my goal of $5,000, all of which has gone straight to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. This is one of the ways I have decided to make a difference and truly honor my mom.

Pancreatic Cancer is the most aggressive and lethal of all cancers. With the death of my mom, it has become a very personal cause.

I appreciate all of the donations I have received over the last year and I am going to continue to raise money toward research, patient support, and finding a cure.

To view a short new PSA about the inspirational Randy Pausch, click here.

Easter Sunday

The kids began their day with a lovely morning church service, participated in at least four Easter egg hunts, and wearily fell into bed much too late for their own good.

The Help

I just finished The Help by Kathryn Stockett. and I wanted to hurry and tell all of you readers out there that you've got to get your hands on this page-turner.

From beginning to end, I adored it.

Better read it soon, though ...I hear the movie is almost in production!

Happy Easter

Happy Egg-Dyeing