For Cathy Jo

Guess what! I have been so busy! This is the longest blogging break I've ever taken. I have a confession, I haven't been reading blogs either. I checked my Bloglovin after two weeks and had 300 unread posts. I got so overwhelmed that I marked them all as read. Sorry guys! Well, Hank moved to Dallas and school started. I became co-chair of my department so my work load and late hours doubled from last year. Hopefully my five readers are still around. In other news, I have been bitten by the cycling bug. I got a hybrid bike in March and have since upgraded to this roadie right here. It has been really awesome to have Hank here to ride with. We have discovered some new trails and we think we might be able to ride a trail or not so busy road all the way to Plano. That's about 20 miles one way! I pick up my new bike this weekend from the shop. I cannot wait. My first big ride will probably be with Cathy Jo in Austin this weekend. It's just us girls, so I am looking forward to hearing her expertise. She has been riding for four years. She is my inspiration! 

After finishing my first queen size quilt this summer I took a little crafting break. I have a market coming up, so I need to get busy. Though I think after the markets, I might focus on making more quilts instead of making small stuff for extra cash. Here are a couple quilts that have inspired me lately. 

(Noodlehead)

(Ginger Monkey)

I feel a knitting season coming, too. Thanks for reading and checking back every day for over a month to see if there's anything new (Cathy Jo).

Almost There

I only have 6 more days of work left! Summer is just around the corner. I managed to get some sewing done last weekend for the June 9 White Rock Local Market. This weekend I'm off to Austin. I'm hoping to do some paddleboarding or hike the Greenbelt. We have to take advantage of the water levels while we can. 
My five mile race was a success! I had my best time but have since increased my pace. I'm down to a 10:30 mile. That's slow to some people but fast for me. I also got a sweet new bike rack for my car, which will significantly increase my chances of riding this summer. I look so sporty. Ha!

I got a bike!

I love it! I did about three weeks of research, made a bike binder, and visited about seven different shops eliminating bikes from my list. This one is my favorite. I can't believe how smooth it rides. I guess you get what you pay for. It's been raining here since the day I got it so I'm looking forward to a decent ride on Saturday.

I'm about to start the third book of The Hunger Games. Like everyone says, it's awesome. I read the first two books in five days. It's an easy fast read. I highly recommend it. Though I know I'm one of the last people on the planet to read it.

Oh Hey!

I haven't been crafty lately, but here's some other stuff I've been up to!  I made Hank a sampler valentine six pack. He made me French toast, took me on a hot date, and sent me flowers to school!

 I updated my clippie board.

 I tried cycling for the first time. CJ loaned me her setup. It was raining and I fell down. So I'm undecided.

 I made PW's amazing Spicy Stewed Beef with Cheddar Grits. Top notch.

 I ate at a Dallas food truck (Easy Slider). I highly recommend the burger with goat cheese, bacon, and strawberry jam!

I cleaned out my garage. I'm pretty excited about this.

Texas Half

 before the race, staying warm

 Around mile 10

 going uphill to the finish line

 after!

 the reward/Gabby's birthday cupcakes

celebratory pizza at Mama's (the best pizza in town)

I completed my first half marathon with my run club last Saturday. It was amazing! We trained well and had a great day. It was really cold and we managed to stay together and all finish within a minute of each other. I've run a couple 5k's and one 10k, but this by far blew them away. I feel so accomplished. Now where's my 13.1 sticker?

B T Dub Run Club

We started a running club at school and it is awesome!!! We go every Wednesday on the Katy Trail after school. Right now we are doing intervals (walk run walk run) and we are logging between 4 and 5 miles per week. We are so pumped to have an official logo (thanks, Hank). I never thought I'd look forward to running. We are all about the same level so we are a great fit. Highlights of the Katy Trail include: counting six packs, creepy ski pole guy, creepy jump rope guy, creepy guy running in gladiator sandals, creepy cat stroller lady, passive aggressive thumbs up guy, and my personal favorite, creepy (front side only) spray tan guy.

Down and Dirty

(all photos by Theresa Green)

Yesterday I participated in the Merrell Down and Dirty 10k Mud Run. It was a blast! I dreaded the training, but I am SO glad I followed through because it made it easier than I expected. I would definitely do another one, but maybe just a 5k. It was a great way to kick off my summer. 

my spring break so far

Several of us hosted a baby shower for my cousin, Sara. I put the candid pics on facebook, but I wanted to share this sweet tablecloth that my mom found in Houston. Katy is using vintage tablecloths at her wedding. We are all on the lookout.

My Aunt Connie sent these cute animal balls that she made. She is a sneaky crafter. I keep getting on her about blogging her creations so we can get ideas from her!

My spring break officially started this weekend. I met Hank for lunch at Walton's. I have been dying to try their pretzel bread. I was not disappointed.

Other spring break highlights: 

Date night pizza at Homeslice

hotwings with Hank/CJ/Mark at Pluckers

5k (walking and running) around Town Lake with CJ

Watched Saving Private Ryan and The Social Network

Tennis with Hank

Toms shoes hunting (no luck)

slept in until 10:40am two days in a row. 

I hope to do a little south by southwest while I'm here, too.

I made pork fried rice for the first time using the recipe from Everyday Food. It was so easy and was under $10 for four people.

Pork Fried Rice 
serves 4
Ingredients
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tbsp plus 1/4 tsp soy sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp minced, peeled fresh ginger (I keep ginger in my freezer, it's easier to grate, and I just leave the peel on)
1 bunch scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced
1/2 ground pork
2 carrots, shredded
1/2 cup frozen peas
2 cups cooked white rice (about 3/4 cup uncooked)  The rice should be cooled before using
2 tbsp rice vinegar

Directions:
1) In a wok or large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tbsp oil over high. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs with 1/4 tsp soy sauce to combine. Add eggs to wok and swirl to coat bottom of pan. Cook, without stirring, until almost set, 1 minute, then fold in thirds with a spatula. Transfer cooked eggs to a work surface and cut into 1/2 inch pieces.

2) Add 1 tbsp oil to wok and swirl to coat. Add garlic, ginger, and scallion whites and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add pork and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Add carrots, peas and rice and stir to combine. Add cooked egg, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and vinegar and cook, stirring constantly, until rice is coated, about 1 minute. Let cook, undisturbed, until warm, about 1 minute. Top with scallion greens and serve. 

Jump

Want to get your butt kicked by a jump rope? Do this workout from Real Simple. It also got my cat out of the room, which is a plus. He has boundary issues.

I'm doin' it.

I started my push up routine (for the first time) last fall. I was challenged by one of the girls on my soccer team. She told us that she did 100 push ups every night. I was blown away. That night under the stars on the golf course outside of my uncle's lakehouse (about 2 am), I did as many as I could do. Four. Wow. Pathetic. I worked my way up to ten, then twenty, then forty. I stayed at 40 through Christmas. I got distracted with family activities, being off work, etc, and I just let it fade out. About two weeks ago, I started again. I took the Thanksgiving week off, only because I forgot one night, then it was downhill from there. I picked it back up again on Monday, and am back up to 30. I didn't realize that there's a whole blog/website dedicated to this challenge. I am not exactly following their routine, but I hope to be up to 100 by Christmas this year. I have been writing my numbers down on my chalkboard each night as my reward. I am mostly doing this for bragging rights. Want to play along? I know my Cathy Jo and Hank are. We will be in T.F.C. in no time.