Livin' the Dream in Lima

Isn't it funny how sometimes you just get a little carried away with life and your blog goes a month without an update?! I've been super busy ever since we got back from Colorado... between baking orders for  Sara's Sweets , training for the Columbus Half-marathon, and getting back into the swing of school. (We've already been back for 7 days... just 173 to go! Heh.) Systems of equations, anyone? School started last Tuesday, and we have had some pretty big changes. Instead of 95-minute blocks and semester classes, we now have 50-minute periods and classes that last all-year long. It's been a bit of an adjustment, but I like it so far. (Except for the whole four different preps at the same time. That's a lil' rough.) I've got several of the same students from last year, and they're a fun group. We're also acclimating to the new Common Core standards which is loads of fun. (Or not.) Some beautiful sugar cookies to lessen the blo...

Yesterday was the 4th of July. You were probably aware of that, due to the numerous photo uploads of fireworks on facebook, instagram, and other social media platforms. You probably were also aware that it was HOT. (At least in the Midwest.) We had a great day. It started out with a run, some baking happened during the middle, and we finished off by celebrating with friends. Starting with the run... it wasn't just any  run - it was the Freedom 5km !  This was my 'A' race of the summer, so I was hoping to PR and run sub-18:50. But... did I mention it was hot yesterday? As in, 85*F and full sun at the 9am start? Yea. Great  for racing. The start Anyway, I set out to run my best despite the heat. My plan was to run 6:00 miles for as long as I could. I warmed up with a 2-mile jog, some plyos & striders, and then we were ready to go! The first mile was not too bad, just got into the groove. 5:50  split. [ Side note : that might be my fastest first mile, ...

Is it really only Wednesday? This week has been crazy busy! Cookies & cream batter, yum My Business Man's business is celebrating its 90th birthday this week... so he recruited me I volunteered to bake 40 dozen cupcakes for him to deliver to local businesses to celebrate. Yes, 40 dozen, as in 480 cupcakes. That's a lot of cupcakes in my little kitchen. (With only one oven. And just three cupcake tins.) Dining room table full of cupcakes Boxes ready to go It was loads of fun, but I will admit I'm a bit relieved that I don't have to bake cupcakes today. ;) Clockwise from top left - Nutella with Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting, Red Velvet Cheesecake with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting, Monster Cookie with PB Buttercream, Cookie & Cream with Vanilla Buttercream, and Lemon Supreme with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting. --- Now onto the running... Last night our local YMCA hosted a 5km - the Herb Jay River Run. I wasn't sure if I'd ...

What a whirlwind of a week! The last week of school is always busy... throw on top of that two big dessert/cupcake orders and you have one jam-packed schedule! But I love it. Yesterday I got out of school at 2pm, woot woot for summer break! Although I do  have to go back Tuesday for a few hours to check out and clean up my classroom. But what better way to kick off the summer than to bake 10 dozen cupcakes? Hehe...  I headed straight home and got to work in the kitchen. 10 dozen wedding cupcakes plus an 8-inch topper cake all done in less than 5 hours. I was pretty impressed... I was fully expecting to stay up super late to get it done. I realized last night as we dined on leftovers from my Business Man's bbq lunch that I hadn't cooked dinner  once  all week. Well, unless you count the Little Caesar's pizza fundraiser kit we had on Tuesday. I finally understand when people say they are too busy to cook! We are desperately in need of a grocery stock-up....