My Birthday

Leo wasn't the only one who had a big birthday lately.  I turned 35(!) on January 1.  While I am okay with aging (as if there is any choice), this birthday being so mid-lifeish did throw me for a bit of a loop.  I can't say I am in my thirties anymore.  Since I still seem to think of myself as being 27, this is a bit of a surprise.  However, I love my life and where I am at in it.  With that in mind, I chose to celebrate the day and maybe push my boundaries a little.  Just like when I turned 30 I signed up to run a 5k.  Chris was a sport and signed up, too and then surprisingly after mentioning it on Facebook three other friends decided to do it as well.  This made the morning so fun!  

My parents took the boys for the day (and they had a wonderful day) while Chris and I headed downtown for the race.  We knew it would be cold for the race but the path was also snowy and icy.  This made the run a little slower and more treacherous than planned.  It was so icy the organizers actually shortened the course to be 2.6 miles rather than 3.2.  I didn't realize this at the time and was a little disappointed when I did learn this later.  I was thinking I had a rock star (for me) time of finishing in 32 minutes.  In reality, the time was so great because we didn't do a half mile of the course.  Regardless, I am proud of myself for doing the race and it is still an accomplishment.  Plus a great way to start off the new year!

After the race we headed out for a long brunch complete with a few adult beverages.  Being out with friends, Chris and my brother in the middle of the afternoon with no children around was such a treat! We then headed back to my parents to continue the celebration with the traditional pork, sauerkraut and cupcakes.

It was a fantastic day.  I don't think I could have asked for more:  family, friends, good health, fun exercise, good food and many many laughs and hugs.  With a start like this 2013 and 35 is going to be a great year! 

Me crossing the finish line

A Winter Wonderland in March

Spring was coming, it was, it really was. I, prematurely it turns out, had flip flops on, it was warm and sunny last Monday. Even Mother Nature received the memo and bulbs were starting to peep up through the ground.

Then talk started of some snow to hit beginning Friday. This talk of snow soon turned into a melodrama of the Blizzard of 2008 with a special logo on the local news. Usually when there are stylized logos of storm warnings, I tune out. And so on Friday morning when it was cloudy, but clear of snow, I hopped into the Beetle to drive to work. From 8 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m., I was at a meeting in a hotel ballroom with no windows. When I pulled out of the hotel, I was surprised to see snow and not just a little snow, but enough snow to make the half block drive from the hotel to my office a little scary for me. Once at work, my car safely in the parking garage, an e-mail was sent saying we could leave early and to be careful on the roads. I decided my car wasn't going anywhere, so my friend B. and I headed to a bar for a snow day beer and then to catch the bus. At the bar, along the streets and then on the bus, there was a sense of excitement and community goodwill. It was fun and out of the normal for Columbus to have quite as much snow fall as this in March. I encountered the same sense of spirit on my walk through my neighborhood on Saturday afternoon. There is something about the first hours of a snowstorm that make me think PLAY, so we embraced that spirit for a few hours of sledding. And later still we had some friends over for pot roast, games and more wine than was probably acceptable for four people. But, hey, snow days are for celebrating.

A Good Night for Chili

Nights like this...

... all snowy and blustery make me think of warming foods. Foods that are a mix of warm liquids and solids. Something with a little kick and lots of fun toppings. Yeah, it sounds like a good night for chili. Luckily by the time the snow really started to come down, I had a bubbling crock pot full of the easiest chicken chili ever. I'll share for the next time you're thinking chili to beat the chill outside.

Easy Chicken Chili

About a pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts

A jar of your favorite salsa (pick one with lots of flavor and veggies you can see)

Can of great northern beans; can of black beans

Can of fire roasted tomatoes

Spices to your taste (I used chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper and dried cilantro)

Toppings you like (cheese, sour cream, avocado)

- Place chicken breasts and salsa in crock pot on high. When the chicken is cooked through (about 1 hour), shred it with a fork and knife. Return to the crock pot, also adding cans of beans and tomatoes. If it looks too thick, add some water (or other liquid). Turn crock pot to low and let cook. About 30 minutes before serving, add desired spices. Feel free to adjust the type of beans and add items (like frozen corn or jalapenos). Serve with the things you like on chili and corn muffins. Best served in large bowls and eaten on the couch. Stay warm!