And Speaking of Doing Hard Things

While I have been limping around this past summer, Scott has been training for the LOTOJA race. A bike ride that starts in Logan, Utah and ends in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for a total of 206 miles. He originally signed up for the relay with a bunch of his riding buddies, but about a month before the race, he decided to ride the entire thing. And he did. All 206 miles. It took him 12 hours and 15 minutes. Very proud of him!



At the beginning, looking all fresh and ready to go.





One of his many stops to get food and water that he had prepared beforehand. He learned from a veteran bike rider that this race is as much a test of staying hydrated and fueled as physical endurance. If you aren't careful, you won't make it. Part of his training this past summer has been figuring out what and how much to eat and drink during his long rides.







At the finish line with one of his riding buddies.



I was expecting some major recovery time, but all he suffered from was a sunburn and a sore arm. I don't know. He looks a little tired in this picture if you ask me.

Oh and if your interested in losing some weight really fast, this is the way to do it. He lost 5 lbs. in one day.

He did learn one thing from this ride. Never put sunblock on above the eyes. Even if it does say "sport" on the bottle. It will run into your eyes and sting making it quite difficult to see.






The real question is whether he will want to train for it next year to try and beat his time. But, like childbirth, you never ask this kind of question immediately after. You have to wait until the memory of the pain has dulled a bit.

You can see the all the ride data from his GPS at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113388954

Today I Miss Running.

Today I was typing on my computer and this song came on. It is one of my running songs. There is nothing special about it, only that it has a good beat and it was one of the last songs I listened to while on a run before my surgery.

Songs bring back memories and this one is no different. Running is hard. That is why I like it. In the few moments when running isn't hard, it is exhilarating. I really like this part too.

Trying not to get too discouraged about how long my hip is taking to heal. I'm ready to lace up and go. My hip says otherwise.

This and That

The past week or so I have been doing a bit of organizing. Not huge overhauls. But little spots here and there that have gotten out of hand this past summer. I like these kind of projects because they take all of 15 to 20 minutes. I feel like I have accomplished something and to me it makes a big difference. When I organize an area I try to leave empty space somewhere. I like that.



The kid's drawers for instance. They look nice, yes?



The closet in my mud hall. Much better now.




A lady in my Ward told me a really good way to organize Scout awards. I checked that off my list.




And in between my itty bitty projects I have been roasting up batches of tomatoes. Have you tried them yet? You must.

Sign of a Successful Camping Trip

Are we heading in the right direction?

Chase running inside the house loudly proclaiming "Mom I pooped outside, just like Andi." (Andi is our dog.)

Sure enough. There is was right in the grass.

At least he didn't play with it.

Today My Home Smelled Like Heaven

Being overrun with tomatoes I knew I needed to do something with them. I cannot bear to see ripened homegrown tomatoes hanging on the vine. I have seen recipes for oven roasted tomatoes before, but for some reason I have never tried them. What was I thinking?

The first hour they were cooking, my house smelled like garlic. Not a bad smell at all. But the second hour the tomatoes took over. I can't even tell you how good it smelled, but divine is the word that comes to mind.

Looking at the finished product, I had serious doubts about the taste. I was fully prepared to be disappointed. Nothing could taste as good as that smell. And let's be honest here. They look like a recipe that went horribly, horribly wrong.







And the taste?

Wow. Wow. Wow.

I have never been more surprised and delighted with something that looks so unappetizing. They are amazing.


Oven Roasted Tomatoes

tomatoes
garlic
olive oil
sea salt and pepper

Cut your tomatoes in half if they are smaller (Roma size) or in quarters if they are bigger.

In a bowl, pour in enough olive oil to lightly coat the tomatoes. Sprinkle in salt and pepper.

Place tomatoes in the bowl and make sure they are evenly coated. Put on baking sheet, skin side down.

Mince up garlic and sprinkle right on top of tomatoes, making sure most of the garlic ends up on the tomatoes instead of on the cookie sheet. The amount of garlic depends on your taste. The garlic taste intensifies so unless you enjoy eating a lot of garlic, go easy the first time.

Lightly sprinkle a little bit more salt on top of tomatoes.

Bake 325 for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until blackened around the edges, but still soft in the middle.

I cooked mine for 2 1/2 hours and I probably cooked them about half hour too long.

Let cool slightly, pluck off baking sheet and pop into mouth!

Beware

To all those who frequent my home...frequently,


I have had to use this product a lot the past several weeks. And it is not because of our dog. She is house trained and knows where to do her business. It is my babe that is having some issues.

I haven't been pushing the potty training on him. I learned my lesson several boys ago about that. On his own he is taking an interest in pooping in the potty. That is a good thing and I am encouraging it wholeheartedly.

Here is the problem. He is also taking an interest in pooping in his diaper, taking off the diaper and then sitting down in multiple places. We won't even talk about the finger painting. The first few times he stayed in our playroom on the steps. All hard surfaces. Gross, but easily cleanable. His last incident occurred in his bedroom, and unfortunately a swimming noodle got the brunt of his artwork.

I have never had a kid do this. I am hoping he gets bored of this really soon. So please use caution when you enter my house. As much as I scour and clean after I catch him in the act, I don't know what is lurking. And it may be a good idea to wash your hands after you leave.