Triathlon

Guys! I did it. I finished the Columbia triathlon this morning. My legs feel like wet noodles, and my bottom is oh so sore from the bike ride, but I am WILDLY proud of myself for finishing. Let me tell you, there are some really fit people out there, and I am not one of them. I felt a bit fraudulent amongst this set of people. A little doughy, if you will. I walked most hills, and flailed around for the first ten minutes of the swim. I think my novice status showed particularly in that I was riding my mom's 20 year old hybrid bicycle, which feels awesome to me because it's so much faster than Eleanor, but I guess is a little less legitimate than the bikes people bust out for triathlons?

On the whole it was a pretty fun day and I could *maybe* be persuaded to do another in the future. Maybe sprint distance? My dream would be to find a race where you swim and bike but don't run. Running is the worst, am I right?

The Weekend

 

 

Mike and I had another busy weekend which happily included lots of good food and some progress on Highclere's prestigious gardens. On Saturday I talked Mike into going to historic Bowie (if you're local you'll see why this is humorous). Historic Bowie basically consists of roughly one block. But in that one block's defense it is a pretty cute block consisting of a few antique shops and a cute little restaurant with some delightful ice cream. After lunch we biked on the BWA trail in a somewhat pitiful attempt to squeeze in a little triathalon prep!

 

Also on Saturyday, Mike also built us 2 raised garden beds. Hip hip! We acquired a LOT of free dirt from the dump (which is awesome by the way) and then I spent my life savings on some other dirt to mix it with. I planted (drumroll please) cucumbers, squash, spinach, and green beans! Also marigolds for cross pollination purposes. Once I've saved another small fortune to spend on dirt I'll be planting carrots, brussel sprouts, peppers and tomatos in the other garden bed.

 

This weekend was also the Monastery's annual plant sale. I scored not one, not two, but three blueberry bushes! Three varieties, again for cross pollination purposes. I don't know if I'll get much from them this year but I'm hoping next summer there will be blueberries galore in the yard!

 

Also pictured below, a massive hole next to our basement back door where contractors are working away on widening the steps and door frame so that we can eventually finish and furnish the basement!

 

Adventures with building a fence!

Friends! I may have fallen off the blogging bandwagon. This could be due to the fact that the majority of my time these days is spent working, doing chores, and (worst of all) exercising so there’s not many fun activities to report on. I’m hoping that will change in the not too distant future. Anyway I’m here today and ready to share an accomplishment on the home front!

Mike and I have been busy putting up a fence along the back side of our backyard*. When we moved in the view we saw out of our kitchen window was a rusty chain link fence, with logs stacked in front (we don’t have a fireplace so this is puzzling), and the whole mess was covered in ivy. Not a good look as you can see from the ample photo evidence I've provided below.

More after the jump!

Spring!

We did it! It's springtime! March never even threw us a bone but thankfully it looks like warmer temperatures are finally here to stay. Zoe and I took a trip to the Arboretum last weekend which was lovely as always. Things were just starting to bloom so I'm hoping to go back soon when more flowers are out in force.

I would also like to disclose to you my friends and family that in a moment of ridiculous ambition back in February I signed up for the Columbia Triathlon. At the time the race seemed so far away that it seemed quite manageable. Now that I'm just over a month out however, I think it's about time to start panicking. I've hardly done any training (which I blame entirely on the cold depressing weather we've had) and I also feel  pretty unprepared in terms of equipment and general knowledge about how a Tri works. Despite these things I'm pretty sure I'm going to win first prize.

I hope you all are enjoying spring time temperatures wherever you are!

Lately

Merrily we roll along here at Highclere. Last weekend Mike made Peruvian chicken. One member of the Petersen family did not get the memo about cutting back on meat. And that member is Zoe. Look at her hopefullness! 

We've had some visits from our favorite big headed friend Louis, and sister Kerry celebrated a birthday which called for the most lemony cake ever.

We're hoping to start building a fence this weekend and that's about it!

Landreth's Seed Company

I'm sorry, but have you ever seen a better looking gardening catalog in your life?  Please pardon the photo, it does not do this little catalog justice.

I first heard about Landreth's Seed Company on this blog and was tempted to check out their seeds now that we have our very own yard. Even though I have a bit of a reputation for killing plants I bought a bunch of vegetable seed packets so that I can have my own little farm out back. My thought is even if nothing blooms I'll only be out $20 and I will have had a little adventure with backyard gardening. I am of course hoping that I turn out to be a fantastic gardener but that of course remains to be seen.

Landreth's has beautiful flower including some heirloom Dahlias which I would LOVE to grow but since we have so little sunshine in our yard and Zoe dug up all the bulbs I planted last time I've decided to not press my luck this year. But if any of you have sunlight in your yard and no dogs to dig up your bulbs (Hi Peggy!) I suggest you give them a try.

7 Years

Mike and I started dating when I was 22 and he was 23 and this week we celebrated 7 years of dating! I like to think we've slipped on a little dignity in the past 7 years but that we're still keeping it real. Happy anniversity to my favorite partner in crime and the best settlers of catan plater I know.