Father's Day, Summer Sizzler and Aunt Bertha's Blueberry Muffins

These guys are keeping me entertained. Everyday they do something that gets me giggling.

Look what they bought Ted for Father’s Day:

Shane sent his “pennies” my way and I helped him order a 6 bottle bucket of international beer plus nuts, crackers and sausage. A MAN’S bucket of goodies. Love Shane and Zoey.

SUMMER SIZZZZZZZLER 2012. 5 Mile Race at SUNY IT.

Results from last year here.

Before I tell you about the best blueberry muffins in upstate New York, let me share my 2012 Summer Sizzler experience. I wasn’t looking forward to this race A T A L L. Not sure why, maybe I “raced myself out” last year. I convinced myself that I should run this 5 miler in preparation for the Boilermaker on July 8th. Still, the enthusiasm and energy just wasn’t there. Last year Ted and I raced as a husband and wife team, coming in first. This year, my running partner wasn’t running. Foot problems AGAIN.

Warming up with some Karaoke’s

Then some stretching at the starting line (Ah HMMMM! Ted! Nice time to take a photo!)

And then I ran, starting slow because I knew the course was rolling for the first 3 miles then it went into the SUNY campus trail which was grass covered for the most part. Grass running and my feet don’t get along. It was a beautiful morning to run, warmer than last year, the grass STILL held me back (my slowest mile at 8:30 pace) but my time was better by a few seconds than last year, average pace last year was 7:55.

2012 Results: Overall pace: 7:50 Time: 39:15 Place 5th overall female and 2nd in my age group.

My goal pace for this race was 7:49 so I didn’t miss by much AND I stuck to my guns holding myself back in the first mile even though it started on a downhill. Didn’t feel good running the race but I feel a lot better now.

Aunt Bertha’s Blueberry Muffins

Evita tells us about these muffins…”I FINALLY made the blueberry muffins with this recipe and I must tell you that they are AWESOME!! I have looked for years and could never find a recipe that I liked …. This is now a permanent fixture in my recipe box! Thanks! – Evita”

Makes 12 standard size muffins – Posted by Chris

• 1/4 cup butter at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 to 2/3 cup milk
• 2 cups fresh blueberries, washed and stems removed

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Heat the oven to 375 F.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.

In another bowl, mix the flour and baking powder. Add to the butter mix, alternating with the milk. Stir until all is combined and moist. Fold in blueberries and nuts (if using).

Fill greased muffin tins about 2/3 full

and bake for 20 – 23 minutes.

Moist, sweet, very BERRY and just plain (in Evita’s own words) AWESOME!

Seeing as it’s another beautiful day in Utica, we are going to get a few chores done then relax and let Ted celebrate Father’s Day. We went to Delta Lake on Friday night, BEAUTIFUL!

Feet in the sand

Ted went for a swim

Nice

What are your plans for this Father’s Day?