Legends of the Phog

It's no secret that this family {hearts} KU basketball.  A few weeks ago we took Everett to the Field House for the first time.  What's more was that it was the Legends of the Phog game.  We're talking Paul Pierce, Scott Pollard, Ryan Robertson (hey good looking.  nice to see you again), Cole Aldrich, Super Mario, you get the point.  It was awesome to see all my old faves again and it was even more awesome to see Everett pointing at all the Jayhawks, enjoying the crowd and actually watching the game.  I tell you what, E has experienced more in his short little life than I had by the time I was in my 20's!  Even though it was about 500 degrees in there, we enjoyed loved every minute!  Everett even got a few high fives from players as they came out of the locker room after halftime.  Sweet!

Mom vs. the {Half} Marathon

So last week I completed my first half marathon and as I told my running buddies, and by running buddies I mean my buddies who are much better runners than I am, I'm hooked!  I had an absolute blast!  Trust me, I never would have thought I would ever have actual fun while running.  I am not one of those people who run for fun, run to think, run to get away.  Point blank, I run because I eat a lot and I like my current clothes.  I don't want to buy a whole new wardrobe.  I mean, it's nice to get outside in warm weather, but the moment I get about a mile from home I am pretty much ready to go back.
Another part of the back story is that last spring when I decided to sign up, I looked at the dates for the Rock and Roll Marathon series and tried to find a location where 1) Does Southwest would fly there and 2) Is it pretty? I settled on Denver.  I have ran in Colorado and Wyoming and didn't think the altitude would affect me that much.  However, many, many, many, many people told me how crazy I was for running in Denver.  It may have affected my time, but honestly, I didn't feel it at all.  It could have been the adrenaline, but I never had trouble breathing or felt like I was over fatigued.
Now, being that this was my first "big" race, I told Grant that I learned so much that I just had to do another one.  Let's be honest.  I had no freaking clue what the heck I was doing.  I chalk this trip up to a learning experience.  What did I learn?  Please read on.

When flying with a one year old, make sure your portable DVD player is charged.  It really sucks when the batteries run out 20 minutes into the flight.

Speaking of which, make sure the charger you have been using and the one your brought on your trip is not the Swiffer Sweeper charger.

Remember to bring your camera.  Buying a disposable at the hotel gift shop makes you look like tourist from 1995.

Watch the forecast.  Even if your friend who lives in Fort Collins says it is 85 degrees, it probably means that it will be 35 with freezing rain when you get there. 

Bring an umbrella.  See above.

Bring warm clothes.  See above.

Bring gloves to run in and a hat and cloves for your baby.  See above.

After you pick up your race packet, read ALL the directions for how to check your clothes when you get there.  That little blue zip tie does not belong in the trash can and that bag they give you is not just for fun.  It's for all your crap.

Don't lie down for a nap with your baby and expect the fire alarm not to go off an hour into your restful slumber.

Speaking of which, don't go to bed at night and not expect that the fire alarm to go off at 11:00 at night.

When you leave your hotel room in the morning without your key, make sure you have everything including your bagel.

When you leave your hotel room for the second time without your key, make sure you have your zip tie and bag for the equipment check.

Don't stay in hotels that require you to have your room key when you go up on the elevator.  You will be extremely winded and think, "What the (beep) was I thinking running in Colorado," as you make 4 trips up and down the stairs.

Know where the start of the race is.  Even if you think you can follow someone there, it doesn't mean that those people know where they are going.

When you get to the equipment check, make sure you take your jacket off.

After you cut in line at the equipment check, make people mad, give them your forgotten jacket and then turn around to warm up, make sure you don't drop one of your $30 gloves you just bought at the Expo.

Make sure you don't leave your knee braces in the bag that you checked.  You'll look really dumb if you go back twice because you forgot something.  I didn't go back by the way.

When you sign up for the race and you put your predicted finishing time, don't underestimate yourself. You will be stuck in the LAST CORRAL with the walkers and the coffee carriers.  Yes, you read that right.

Speaking of corrals, if you are in the last one, you may want to get to the starting line a little early or you will literally be stuck in a mob and since you've never done this before you will start freaking out.

Don't plan on seeing your family at any point along the way.  A one year old is too unpredictable.

Don't give your family all your Gu to give you at mile 4 and 8.  Again, they won't be there.

Don't eat the Gu they give you at mile 10.  It is supposed to taste like "Blackberry", but you will end up literally gagging it down. 

Don't believe that your husband who is supposedly really good with directions will not get you lost and keep you walking around for 45 minutes after you have just ran for 13 miles.  Don't even bother getting a hotel a half a mile from the finish line.  It won't matter.

Don't expect to see mountains in Colorado.  Apparently on this course, there was only one lonely mountain at the end of one lonely street.  Not the view I was planning for.

Don't trust the airport shuttle.  There are several reasons why.  1) They will break down on the way to the airport. 2) They will act like it is no big deal that you are about to miss your plane. 3) The new driver will ask if he can stop for gas. 4) The new driver will ask if you have your paid ticket...no we just saw this shuttle and decided to get on.  Uh, pretty sure you just saw us get off the other shuttle.

Make sure your one year old has a drink when you are deciding on an airplane.  He won't take a binky when he is too busy crying and putting his fingers in his ears.

Overall, I learned a lot.  As Grant says, "I had a lot of fun, but this was the worst trip ever".  See you next fall Rock and Roll Marathon Series.  Can't wait to choose a new race!

Apple Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

We are loving everything APPLE in our house this month!  Everett can recite that "A is for Apple", we have colored apples, made homemade applesauce, eaten apples for snack a little more than usual and this week we are trying an apple upside down cake!  Let's just say that the recipe starts with melting butter in a cake pan and then pouring the batter on top of the melted butter.  Uh, that has to be delish right?  In honor of October being apple month for us, I present to you

Apple Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Cupcakes:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp apple pie spice
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
4  large eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 cups applesauce, unsweetened

Preheat oven to 350. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, apple pie spice, nutmeg, and cloves.

With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and both sugars until pale and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low, add applesauce and then the flour mixture. Beat until just combined.

Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarter full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer tins to a wire rack to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature, or frozen up to 2 months, in an airtight container.

Frosting:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese at room temperature
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 ½ vanilla extract
¼ to ½ tsp cinnamon

Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter, and confectioners’ sugar until smooth; beat in vanilla and cinnamon. Top each cupcake with 2 tbsp of frosting and spread to cover. You can also pipe the frosting onto the tops of the cupcakes.

Frosted cupcakes can be refrigerated up to 3 days in airtight container; bring to room temperature before serving.



Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Bars

I have decided to enter one of my favorite recipes into the KC Star cookie contest.  I don't expect to win, but I thought it was a fun idea.  The best thing about these bars is that they taste better the longer they are stored airtight on your counter!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Bars

Ingredients

Bars:

1 1/2 cups flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 cup granulated sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup creamy peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

¼ cup butter, softened

2 tablespoons milk

½ cup milk chocolate chips

10 mini peanut butter cups, cut in half

Topping:

1 ½ cups sifted confectioners' sugar

¼ cup milk

¼ cup creamy peanut butter

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

10 mini peanut butter cups, cut in half

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees.

2. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt, stirring well with a whisk.

3. Combine vanilla, eggs, butter and milk, stirring well. Add peanut butter.

4. Stir in chocolate chips then fold in peanut butter cups.

5. Pour batter into an 8 inch metal baking pan that is lightly sprayed with cooking spray.

6. Arrange peanut butter cups on top.

7. Bake for 20-23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging.

Once bars are baked, begin preparing the glaze.

8. Place confectioners' sugar, milk, 1/4 cup peanut butter, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl; whisk together until creamy.

9. Drizzle glaze over cooled bars.