Running...

I started this blog as a way to showcase my creative endeavors.  Scrapbooking, baking, decorating, crafting...I wanted a place that was separate from my family blog. That hasn't changed.  This blog is about all the things that I'm doing to develop myself and my talents.  So it's also going to showcase some of the things I'm doing to improve my physical self. 

Namely...my Running Journey. 

For as long as I can remember, I've loved the idea of running, but hated actually running.  Maybe I just wasn't mentally ready for it...I've never been a fan of exercise in any form.  In my 20's I discovered yoga, which I love, but I've still had a difficult time committing to a consistent practice.  However, as I've watched my children grow, I've realized my choices will influence theirs.  I've always struggled with my weight, because I hate exercise, because I love to bake, and because I love high fat comfort foods.  It doesn't help that I dislike vegetables.  I don't want my children to struggle.  I think that finally gave me the stimulus to commit. 

I started walking last summer, worked my way up to running a 5K in September.  October I was plagued with injuries (not all of them running related), November was ok, but December was horrible with the crappy inversion and the sub-freezing temperatures.  My body couldn't tolerate running below 25 degrees...even with multiple layers of technical clothes, I couldn't keep my legs warm enough. 

Although I'm hoping for lots more snow (I do love the slopes, and I hope to be up there a lot this winter!), the warmer temperatures this week have let me get back to running.  I've lost some endurance.  On Tuesday morning, I was able to run about a 1/2 mile, then I had to alternate running and walking(mostly walking).  I've been fighting a mild cold, so my chest was really tight and I only did about 2 miles.  Wednesday morning was better, I alternated running and walking for my entire 3.2 miles.  I felt really good afterward. 

Last night, my cold settled into my chest, so I skipped running this morning.  I'm feeling pretty good now, so I'm hoping to be able to run tomorrow. 

My ultimate goal for this coming year is to be able to run The Classic 10K in September.  It was the race I ran the 5K last year, and I really want to be able to run the longer race.  I see a 1/2 marathon in my future, but probably not until my baby is in school all day...right now, with working night shift, and 3 kids that need me, I just don't have the time to do the longer runs in the training.  It won't be long, kindergarten is next year. 
My goal for January is to run 9 miles each week. 

I have a teenager now....

...and just how was I supposed to decorate a birthday cake for my 13 year old son!?  He wouldn't want anything "babyish" or remotely girly.  Also, with the added possibility that my definition of girly and babyish might not coincide with his definition...

I remembered a cake that Amanda from I Am Baker made a while back...multi colored "dots".  I decided to use Kyle's favorite color (green), as well as a deep blue and and orange. 

From December 2011

First I crumb coated the cake with uncolored vanilla buttercream, and let it set up  in the fridge for an hour. 
Then, using the Wilton 1A tip (Thanks, Rach, for letting me borrow yours so I could have 3) I alternated colors til I had a good idea of what the pattern was.  I didn't plan on the "spiky" effect, but I liked the dimension it gave the cake...

From December 2011

I was really happy with how it turned out, and it tasted divine!  Plus, my 13 year old was really happy with it, and that was the most important thing.  :)

Sugar Cookies

Since the beginning of our marriage (16 year ago!), every year at Christmas my husband bakes sugar cookies.  I'm a great baker, and I love it, but sugar cookies are something I've never been good at.  I'm just fine at making the dough, but the rolling pin and I are NOT friends.  Many years ago, we just frosted the cookies and called it good.  However, over the past couple of years since I've gotten into this decorating thing, I've taken over the frosting of the cookies...

From December 2011

The idea being to make it as easy as possible to decorate, while still making them pretty...after all we did around 7 dozen cookies. 

From December 2011

I used my special butter cream frosting recipe....and lots of it!

From December 2011

Quite possibly the prettiest cookies I've ever decorated...I was almost giddy with excitement over how the snowflakes turned out!

Christmas Trees

From December 2011

Stars

From December 2011

Snowmen

From December 2011

And of course, the 3 Wise T-Rex's....

From December 2011

(I was running out of green frosting at this point, so the frosting job sucks, but the T-Rex's are for my kids, and they're not picky.  For the story on the 3 Wise T-Rex's, check out my husband's blog)

I know that sugar cookies frosted with royal icing are typically "prettier", but there is just something about biting into one of these soft sugar cookies loaded with butter cream frosting that transports me to gastronomic heaven! 

For frosting, I used the Wilton Star tip (21, I think).  All colors were Wilton as well.