Eclipse

Obviously this one is a bit old!

So exciting!  The day before this I was running around a little crazy looking for some welder's glass.  We were able to see it from our road outside....and a lot of people came up and we got to pass it around.....pretty beautiful....the only disappointment?  I wasn't able to get a good photo

Triathlon! 5 things

So this was back in the beginning of June....yes I am THAT far behind!  My life has been exciting.....that is that!

And with this event I can cut a few things off the list:
First open water swim
First ankle tracker
First race bib
First event for fun
First bike ride in the foot hills

So I didn't even register for this.....until 2 weeks before the event....I just decided to go for it.  I realized I haven't been really challenged in the last few years (other than the whole doing a million new things, but I am not doing too well with that one...) and I wanted to do something to push myself!

Triathlon has always been on that I wish I could but I can't list....why can't I? Is there a rule? NO! So I signed up had some crazy training and did it! My goal time was under 3 hours...and I came in just under 2.5.  My swim time was amazing (I would have been incredibly disappointed if it wasn't) the bike....SO DIFFICULT!  I know now there is a difference in road bikes (more on that another time soon)  There were a lot more hills than I was even remotely prepared for...and a lot of power walking for the lovely run...but I DID IT! I felt amazing....I want to do it again and I think i have the Tri bug! (3 months later that is still my plan, my training has picked up, but I have yet to find an event that I can make it to)

The ankle thing was pretty cool....I was able to look up the splits online totally cool!

And the race bib?  Very possibly keeping it FOREVER and I plan on accumulating a lot more over the next couple of years....very cool and exciting!

Rice cooker

Up until earlier this year (that I still haven't posted about) I have never made rice on the stove.  I don't make it very awesome, but when i do I pop it in the microwave and then all is well!

The problem? The microwave in our new place...pretty small....and only my plastic bowls fit....soooo i have avoided making it.  When I decided I was falling in love with Quinoa I also bought a rice cooker...SO AMAZING!  rinse it, fill it, walk away?  I think I can get used to this!

Quinoa

So yes these are VERY out of order....forgive me!

So for weeks now on Pinterest I have seen Quinoa, EVERYWHERE make it sweet, salty, savory, you name it and there is a way to cook it on Pinterest.  I have wanted to try it for ages....especially after reading about how much better it is for you than rice.

So at my FAVORITE bulk food store the other day is a nice large bag....I don't remember the weight but enough to fill my cutesy jar most of the way....

I cooked it in the rice cooker (more about that in the next post) and it turned out good....I LOVE IT!  I feel filled and good eating it and it goes well with many things....it has been about a week and a half or so and I have already added it to stuffed bell peppers and a round of pasta salad....I like having it on hand!

Transit of Venus

It was only because of the eclipse that I had the welders glass.

So as soon as I remembered I go home and pulled out the glass and th husband and I hopped on our bikes with the glass. We rode a couple of blocks and took turns staring at the sun through the glass. We eventually figured out that we both noticed the same tiny dot across the sun and think we saw Venus.

For those of you that want to sof I should warn you it won't happen for another like 300 years....that is something you miss when you aren't doing new things on a regular basis! Haha!

Empty toast

It was this same lovely meal that Derik enjoyed a Shirley Temple. Now I must tell you many times we gather there is a toast. So towards the end of thr evening I proposed a toast, then as we raised our glasses we realized....they were all empty. I must tell you giving who we were toasting we proceeded and had all the more laughs.

Good times with old friends as more new things to come.

Derik's Shirley Temple

So as I am looking over my blog posts from the last few months I figure now is a good time I update and my saved title made me giggle so I felt the need to update this one.

Rnd and friends have graciously adopted each other and become friends.

So as we are ordering one of the guys orders coffee, not uncommon from other times we get together and eat. At some point throughout the meal another friend asks him why just coffee why not at least a Shirley Temple or something. This got a GREAT reaction with Derik saying that he would NEVER be able to drink such an extremely girls drink. Why this was my opportunity....so the next time our server came by we (mostly me) requested a sprite with cherry syrup be delivered to our dear friend...who admitted that it was pretty good...

So yes this event had more to do with a friend than with me....but when friends have a significant event in their lives....we all celebrate.