The big screen, plasma TV is awesome. Saw this commerical on the NFL Network after the game, pretty sweet. Now begins the football withdrawal. Having the NFL Network helps. I love watching the replay games (Super Bowl 42 Wednesday night!), the Scouting Combine and Path to the Draft. One more day of football overdose listening to sports radio. Makes going to work worth it.
Now, prepping for Daytona. I am not a Nascar fan but we will probably be having people over. Great excuse to have friends over and be couch potatoes. The picture is just amazing clear and crisp. And Brad loves to turn up the sound. Daytona will get us pumped for the bike racing season.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Sunday World's
Still in a bit of a bother and denial, I left the house in a deficit. Pulled out the only Gu in half an hour and sucked it dry riding through the rollers in Millersville (where I work). I had a pancake and a mega mug and a half of herbal tea to hydrate. Forty miles. Should be doable.
I love Karen. She is super positive, motivating and inspiring. She meets me to do half of the ride. As usual I ride looking backwards checking for the guys. They catch us way too early (15 minutes from the start of the ride; 45 minutes for me). I had warned Karen that even though my stomach was empty, even after that Gu, I was jumping on. Jumping on gets me farther ahead, faster, gets the ride over quicker.
Mike the cop is on a roll even after blowing everyone away on the r-t-r yesterday. I knew I was crazy but I grabbed his wheel. He said, "hello, I am just going to go steady." Sure no problem. Right! I hang for a few minutes, make a right, and four guys were chasing (Art, Randy, Jim, ?). I don't remember if Mike shifted gears but I unhinged. I hung on for dear life by the Pequea Elementary School, trying to roll up to Mike so the guys who just caught on would not be gapped by my explosion. I ride in limbo until the lolly-gagging pack catches me. I hung again for another few miles until route 222 south. Karen doesn't like to have any of that craziness. Plus, the cold air triggers her asthma pretty quickly when she goes hard. We ride together again and go our separate ways at Strasburg.
I run into Jed Schober who missed all the usual suspects of Sunday worlds. I was WAY behind the guys and planned on taking the shortest, short cut to intersect the guys. Little did I know that I would have to ride hard to help Jed get there, too. We took Ronks Road to I don't know the name road, took a right onto Beechdale Road. Halfway on Beechdale, you can look head at Stumptown Road watching for the guys. 11:51 a.m. we turn left onto Stumptown Road. No guys. I placed my bet and hoped I had won the gamble. Riding with my head turned around, no guys. Two minutes later, I see the swarm with two or three rabbits off the front. Woohoo. I won the bet. Jed's happy, I happy and we jump into the game. Balls to the wall, Mike the cop is on the front towing teammate, Keith Wilson. The blow by me. I hope to jump on the pack and no luck. Fine with me. I found one rider off the back willing to help me get back to Lancaster for the last fifteen minutes.
Home again, making protein shakes and pizza for the guys at the house, I started carbing up with a Hoegaarden. I wish I could take the cap nap, waking the cats so they could make the apple pie and pumpkin cornbread biscuits for the super bowl party.
Oh, who won Stumptown: Mike the Cop. Man, he is on fire. He's coming down to Asheville for our late February vacation (training camp). Yup. We loved Asheville so much we are going back. It has almost been a year since I started this blog based on our time in Asheville last year.
I love Karen. She is super positive, motivating and inspiring. She meets me to do half of the ride. As usual I ride looking backwards checking for the guys. They catch us way too early (15 minutes from the start of the ride; 45 minutes for me). I had warned Karen that even though my stomach was empty, even after that Gu, I was jumping on. Jumping on gets me farther ahead, faster, gets the ride over quicker.
Mike the cop is on a roll even after blowing everyone away on the r-t-r yesterday. I knew I was crazy but I grabbed his wheel. He said, "hello, I am just going to go steady." Sure no problem. Right! I hang for a few minutes, make a right, and four guys were chasing (Art, Randy, Jim, ?). I don't remember if Mike shifted gears but I unhinged. I hung on for dear life by the Pequea Elementary School, trying to roll up to Mike so the guys who just caught on would not be gapped by my explosion. I ride in limbo until the lolly-gagging pack catches me. I hung again for another few miles until route 222 south. Karen doesn't like to have any of that craziness. Plus, the cold air triggers her asthma pretty quickly when she goes hard. We ride together again and go our separate ways at Strasburg.
I run into Jed Schober who missed all the usual suspects of Sunday worlds. I was WAY behind the guys and planned on taking the shortest, short cut to intersect the guys. Little did I know that I would have to ride hard to help Jed get there, too. We took Ronks Road to I don't know the name road, took a right onto Beechdale Road. Halfway on Beechdale, you can look head at Stumptown Road watching for the guys. 11:51 a.m. we turn left onto Stumptown Road. No guys. I placed my bet and hoped I had won the gamble. Riding with my head turned around, no guys. Two minutes later, I see the swarm with two or three rabbits off the front. Woohoo. I won the bet. Jed's happy, I happy and we jump into the game. Balls to the wall, Mike the cop is on the front towing teammate, Keith Wilson. The blow by me. I hope to jump on the pack and no luck. Fine with me. I found one rider off the back willing to help me get back to Lancaster for the last fifteen minutes.
Home again, making protein shakes and pizza for the guys at the house, I started carbing up with a Hoegaarden. I wish I could take the cap nap, waking the cats so they could make the apple pie and pumpkin cornbread biscuits for the super bowl party.
Oh, who won Stumptown: Mike the Cop. Man, he is on fire. He's coming down to Asheville for our late February vacation (training camp). Yup. We loved Asheville so much we are going back. It has almost been a year since I started this blog based on our time in Asheville last year.
Bonked
Saturday, I rode one of the three, "hmb" rides we do in the winter, called round the river. Any of the three rides are painful because I am out-of-shape-slow, but I can ride to it and ride home. From Lancaster East, we meet at the Wrightsville Bridge, Columbia-Lancaster County side. We ride along the river, up and down half mile to mile long hills. Up and down. Up and down. The only route numbers I recall are 425 and 74. We ride down and up to one of the few longer climbs that goes down to Otter Creek (video below)
From there we head south on 74 to 372 to cross the Norman Wood Bridge.
For me, I think that is the halfway point. Riding Old Pinnacle Road to River Road to Millersville to Lancaster. Up and down, up and down for 68 miles. It usually takes me 4 1/2 hours. Three weeks ago on my road bike I suffered like any usual suspect on the ride. But I had fun. I could suck wheels when needed.
Yesterday, I felt like crap riding to the Wrightsville Bridge but I felt that way the last time. I contemplated riding home because I was on my cross bike as my road bike was not shifting well. I figured I had some easier gears so I should fair better that the last time I did this ride. I ended up being the only woman again so I rode ahead to get over a few of the hills. I managed the first hour but just did not come around. The guys had gone by in three different groups. I was in denial that I did not eat enough the night before and especially that morning. It wasn't until I was half through the ride I was thinking about asking pick-up trucks to take me home (I'd be dead in the river!) So I kept pedaling, pep-talking all the way. The devil on my shoulder kept telling me to quit. It's not worth it as I thought I would fall over on the hills. After crossing the Norman Wood Bridge and riding on Old Pinnacle Rd, I called my m.i.a. training buddy, Karen. I had hoped she was done with her two 1/2 hour hilly ride and could come get me. Answering machine. I did not leave a message because I did not want to get caught copping out. I finished the last of my cliff blocks (I did eat a GU an hour earlier), took a deep breath and turned left down River Road. As I climbed out towards Tucquan Glen, I see a rider at the top of the hill. It's Karen, all smiles waving so happily. My chest started to heave. I tried to calm myself. I get to the top and she asks how am I doing and I lost it. In a bit of a bother, I unclipped and cried that I was a mess. I could not pedal faster than three miles an hour (I didn't have a computer on the bike but I know it was slow turning). The Amish man at the house waved happily at us. I wipe the tears, gathered myself and waved happily back and thought, can I use your buggy for a ride home? I told Karen that I had called her for a ride. We joked that she was the smart one for not riding with me. We would have both been jumping in a pick-up truck for rides home.
The ride splits at Safe Harbor. The Lancaster crew goes towards Millersville and the Elizabethown/Mt. Joy/Gretna guys continue on River Road (up/down, up/down). Karen's home is on the way and we rode to her house, up and down, up and down. I basically did the whole ride but eight miles. She saved me even though she was on her bike and not in her car. I called Brad leaving a message that he had to pick me up at Karen's. He had an rough ride as his cable broke and he was stuck in his 39-14, walking out of Otter Creek until the second group met up with him. I later found out other guys cracked but not as bad as me. Karen's husband Bob had done the ride and was already in bed with a belly-full of chocolate milk and pb&j. We laughed about the sad sight we were in and I ate everything I could.
Lessons learned: Need to concentrate on good, healthy eating during the week, must eat enough the night before a long ride. Must have breakfast, cannot ride anything other than a road bike (definitely did not have the power with the cross bike), carry more food than I need. I know better. I am always carry lots of food. If I don't need it, someone else might.
I am off to eat pancakes as I do not want to have a ground hog's day again. I do have the ride the cross bike today, though, as we could not fix my shifting on the roadie.
From there we head south on 74 to 372 to cross the Norman Wood Bridge.
For me, I think that is the halfway point. Riding Old Pinnacle Road to River Road to Millersville to Lancaster. Up and down, up and down for 68 miles. It usually takes me 4 1/2 hours. Three weeks ago on my road bike I suffered like any usual suspect on the ride. But I had fun. I could suck wheels when needed.
Yesterday, I felt like crap riding to the Wrightsville Bridge but I felt that way the last time. I contemplated riding home because I was on my cross bike as my road bike was not shifting well. I figured I had some easier gears so I should fair better that the last time I did this ride. I ended up being the only woman again so I rode ahead to get over a few of the hills. I managed the first hour but just did not come around. The guys had gone by in three different groups. I was in denial that I did not eat enough the night before and especially that morning. It wasn't until I was half through the ride I was thinking about asking pick-up trucks to take me home (I'd be dead in the river!) So I kept pedaling, pep-talking all the way. The devil on my shoulder kept telling me to quit. It's not worth it as I thought I would fall over on the hills. After crossing the Norman Wood Bridge and riding on Old Pinnacle Rd, I called my m.i.a. training buddy, Karen. I had hoped she was done with her two 1/2 hour hilly ride and could come get me. Answering machine. I did not leave a message because I did not want to get caught copping out. I finished the last of my cliff blocks (I did eat a GU an hour earlier), took a deep breath and turned left down River Road. As I climbed out towards Tucquan Glen, I see a rider at the top of the hill. It's Karen, all smiles waving so happily. My chest started to heave. I tried to calm myself. I get to the top and she asks how am I doing and I lost it. In a bit of a bother, I unclipped and cried that I was a mess. I could not pedal faster than three miles an hour (I didn't have a computer on the bike but I know it was slow turning). The Amish man at the house waved happily at us. I wipe the tears, gathered myself and waved happily back and thought, can I use your buggy for a ride home? I told Karen that I had called her for a ride. We joked that she was the smart one for not riding with me. We would have both been jumping in a pick-up truck for rides home.
The ride splits at Safe Harbor. The Lancaster crew goes towards Millersville and the Elizabethown/Mt. Joy/Gretna guys continue on River Road (up/down, up/down). Karen's home is on the way and we rode to her house, up and down, up and down. I basically did the whole ride but eight miles. She saved me even though she was on her bike and not in her car. I called Brad leaving a message that he had to pick me up at Karen's. He had an rough ride as his cable broke and he was stuck in his 39-14, walking out of Otter Creek until the second group met up with him. I later found out other guys cracked but not as bad as me. Karen's husband Bob had done the ride and was already in bed with a belly-full of chocolate milk and pb&j. We laughed about the sad sight we were in and I ate everything I could.
Lessons learned: Need to concentrate on good, healthy eating during the week, must eat enough the night before a long ride. Must have breakfast, cannot ride anything other than a road bike (definitely did not have the power with the cross bike), carry more food than I need. I know better. I am always carry lots of food. If I don't need it, someone else might.
I am off to eat pancakes as I do not want to have a ground hog's day again. I do have the ride the cross bike today, though, as we could not fix my shifting on the roadie.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
I'll Have Two, Please.
Wow. May I have both of them for President? I am glad to be able to have the choice. I am finally watching a live debate and am excited. Civil, intellectual and down to earth, easy-to-follow debate. Just not sure which way I will sway.
I find it interesting how Wolf asks questions differently of each Senator and what questions he asks of each candidate. I thought moderators are supposed to be impartial.
Come on, Wolf.
I find it interesting how Wolf asks questions differently of each Senator and what questions he asks of each candidate. I thought moderators are supposed to be impartial.
Come on, Wolf.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Things That Make You Go Hmm.
Just like the multi-media news market, tilting the scale in favor of one candidate over another just to make a buck (that was back in November).
Friday, January 25, 2008
Caramel-Pecan Rolls
From the America's Test Kitchen, comfort food at its best. "The defining element of Maryland Fried Chicken—the cream gravy—is traditionally made with milk. We swapped heavy cream for the milk to create a rich, velvety sauce with a satisfying dairy flavor. Serve the chicken with our easy skillet version of Apple Brown Betty."
I will let you know how the Maryland Fried Chicken turns out when I am allow to make comfort food again (when it is warmer!).
I have been banned from making comfort food in winter as I made whole wheat, caramel-pecan rolls a couple weeks ago. Three of us dusted off the pan in 20 minutes with cinnamon, sugar and butter clinging to our teeth. I had not made these rolls in many years. I said I would not make them until the summer so we can burn them off better. Well, the final playoff games were on Sunday and I whipped up five batches of dough for pizzas and another log of caramel-pecan rolls and Brad made a pot of chicken corn soup.
I use my 10-year old Oster bread maker to make the dough. You don't "knead" the bread maker to make these rolls. Just mix the dough ingredients together to get a damp ball of dough (about 5 minutes), then knead by hand for about 10 minutes. Let rise in a warm area for a little over an hour.
Dough
1 cup water
1 egg
2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
3 tsp of active dry yeast
I added about a 1/4 cup of ground pecans to the dough for fun.
Grease 13x9x2 pan. Mix the topping; 1/3 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 2/3 cup of pecan halves and spread it in the pan.
Mix 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tsp of cinnamon. Flatten the dough with hands or rolling pin into 15x10 inch rectangle. Spread with 2 tbsp of butter; sprinkle with the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Roll up tightly, beginning at 15-inch side. Pinch edge of dough into roll to seal. Cut roll into 1-inch slices. Place in pan. Let rise in warm place for about an hour or until double.
Bake in 375 oven for about 22 to 27 minutes. Oh yeah. Immediately invert pan onto heat proof serving plate or tray and devour immediately.
The second time I made the caramel-pecan rolls, I added a tsp of vanilla, extra butter and pecans in the topping. Fantastic!
- Maryland Fried Chicken with Cream Gravy
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Green Beans
- Skillet Apple Brown Betty
I will let you know how the Maryland Fried Chicken turns out when I am allow to make comfort food again (when it is warmer!).
I have been banned from making comfort food in winter as I made whole wheat, caramel-pecan rolls a couple weeks ago. Three of us dusted off the pan in 20 minutes with cinnamon, sugar and butter clinging to our teeth. I had not made these rolls in many years. I said I would not make them until the summer so we can burn them off better. Well, the final playoff games were on Sunday and I whipped up five batches of dough for pizzas and another log of caramel-pecan rolls and Brad made a pot of chicken corn soup.
I use my 10-year old Oster bread maker to make the dough. You don't "knead" the bread maker to make these rolls. Just mix the dough ingredients together to get a damp ball of dough (about 5 minutes), then knead by hand for about 10 minutes. Let rise in a warm area for a little over an hour.
Dough
1 cup water
1 egg
2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
3 tsp of active dry yeast
I added about a 1/4 cup of ground pecans to the dough for fun.
Grease 13x9x2 pan. Mix the topping; 1/3 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 2/3 cup of pecan halves and spread it in the pan.
Mix 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tsp of cinnamon. Flatten the dough with hands or rolling pin into 15x10 inch rectangle. Spread with 2 tbsp of butter; sprinkle with the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Roll up tightly, beginning at 15-inch side. Pinch edge of dough into roll to seal. Cut roll into 1-inch slices. Place in pan. Let rise in warm place for about an hour or until double.
Bake in 375 oven for about 22 to 27 minutes. Oh yeah. Immediately invert pan onto heat proof serving plate or tray and devour immediately.
The second time I made the caramel-pecan rolls, I added a tsp of vanilla, extra butter and pecans in the topping. Fantastic!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Scratchy Throat
I had another one of those fantastic days again. While feeling a little under the weather, I decided to sooth the throat with a little vitamin C, Cranberry Lambic. From Samuel Adams® website: "Samuel Adams® Cranberry Lambic is a fruit beer that draws its flavor not just from the cranberries it is brewed with, but also from the unique fermentation character imparted by the rare wild yeast strain. The result is a flavor rich in fruitiness and reminiscent of cranberries and bananas, cloves and nutmeg. The yeast fermentation also will create a slight sourness on the sides of the palate, a signature of the original Lambic style which, with the subtle cereal note from the wheat malt, remind its drinker that, as fruity a beer as this is, it is still a beer."
It reminds me of Stoudts Triple.
Yesterday's ale was from Oregon. I think is was the American Amber. Life's too short. Work on those zen moments and let the good times roll. I think the beer is talking.
It reminds me of Stoudts Triple.
Yesterday's ale was from Oregon. I think is was the American Amber. Life's too short. Work on those zen moments and let the good times roll. I think the beer is talking.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)