Sitter Becky didn't come this morning. Our definitions of "raining" must be at odds. It rained during the night and the streets were wet, but water was not falling from the sky at 6 am. So while I got up, stretched and got ready to run, she was sleeping in (and I wasn't). Katherine made up for her though by offering to watch Matti while I ran (Auden was at preschool and lucky for K- Matti was napping). Thing is, it WAS raining then. (Heavy) Drizzling really. I walked out the door and walked right back in (temp.: upper 40s) until Katherine convinced me that I should run two blocks before nixing the 4miler altogether. It worked, and it felt so good to go at my own (slightly faster) pace. In fact, it was the best run I've had in a long time. While I usually find that jumping over puddles expends entirely too much energy during a run that's already taking all I have, today I couldn't get enough of them and the bigger the better. I enjoyed the run so much that it didn't even bother me when passing cars swerved closer to the edge of the road in a certain effort to spatter me with grey water (maybe that was my imagination). Until I hit the college campus, I was the only one out there. I had the park entirely to myself. On campus, it must have been between the bells because there were folks everywhere (I don't think that a single one wanted to be out in that weather). Which was cool because it was toward the end of the run and they kept me from slowing down. Can't run slowly around the youngsters. I don't care if it kills me. So I came back to find Katherine washing our nasty dishes and then (for fun) made her take a picture of rain/sweat soaked me. I Really owe her. Really. The tuna casserole dish alone was scary and I know the others weren't much better.
Oh, and, yep, those are bruises on my legs, I noticed them yesterday and have no idea what they are from. I remember being ten and having bruises all over my legs and thinking that at least when I grew up I wouldn't have them anymore. So that didn't work out.
Anyway, the day that began oh so crappily got even better. We celebrated the end of Cori's exhibition work. She's been immersed in, "At the Foot of the Rockies: The Colorado Artists" for awhile now and it's wonderful for us that she's finally come up for air. I've been wanting the make that Milk Punch from the holiday Cooking Light for months now, and so that with Carrot Cake from Bluestem Bistro is how we did it. I thought the cake was a little underdone, but I was the only one...As for the milk punch, Katherine and I are lightweights and thought the bourbon to ice cream ratio was a little skewed. Half the bourbon would have been much better. Cori though is a complete rock star and thought the suggested amounts were spot on. She may be my new hero (a prolific knitter who doesn't need her drinks watered down- really what more could you want in a friend)? What Next? We came home cooked Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo and lived happily ever after.
INGREDIENTS 1lb fettuccine (or linguine if you're in a hurry- heck, even spaghetti if that's all you have lying around); 6Tbs butter/margarine; a bit of onion or a shallot- minced; 1 Cup whipping cream; 1 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese; Salt or Garlic salt & pepper to taste.
Start those noodles as soon as you think you might be hungry- they take forever. Begin thawing the shrimp (1LB) or cutting the chicken (1LB) into bite sized pieces. Melt the butter in a pan and saute the onions. If you're going the chicken route, throw it in there too. When the chicken is no longer pink (or if you're opting for shrimp, when the onions are properly sauteed), add the cream. Now shrimp eaters, throw in the shrimp. Cook it down for approximately 5 minutes or until shrimp is done. Turn off the heat and add the Parmesan. Stir and Add to Noodles. Done. Oh, and don't forget that Caesar salad.