Freakend

Wow it was hot this past weekend. An early Summer heat wave has hit us recently and even caused a freak tornado storm on Thursday afternoon. Power is still out at many of the offices surrounding mine, but lucky for you (and me?) we forge on towards the Champs-Élysées that is the close of Q2.

Speaking of France, the three week Tour de France (French for 'Tour of France') starts this Saturday. To celebrate, Michelle and I drove our cars everywhere.

The first stop was downtown Phoenixville for a Friday evening dinner al fresco. To our surprise, the sidewalks were lined with musicians each playing for the town. We walked around and eventually made a quick stop before eating.



Hipster Home is a really neat shop and features lots of fun/expensive design pieces. We settled on Molly MaGuire's for dinner and I quickly ordered a Summer Ale.



Michelle eventually got her own beer and also ordered this thing called a boxty. It's a like a wrap, but instead of using a flour tortilla they use a potato tortilla.



We walked around a little more, but headed home early since we're old and boring.



Saturday was relatively unscheduled for us but far from uneventful. Michelle went in to work, and I did some climbing on the bike. I also got to enjoy some street hockey later in the morning with Brian. We had been trying to set something up for nearly a year now and finally found a court nearby and made it out there. Coincidentally, we arrived at the same time as a small group of guys and joined them for a pick-up game (my team won 6-5).

I also stopped by bicycle racing teammate Jamie's to drop off the power washer. His next project car had a thick coating of volcanic mud that needed blasting. It's been a few years since I've been able to really wrench on a car so I'm getting excited to help out with this one.

Sunday came early at 5:30am, and shortly after Jamie and I were headed north to Allentown to race the Bob Rodale Fitness Park Criterium. In the car we devised a secret "Marco/Polo" plan for the race, and I'm happy to report it helped secure our best results of the year. (8th and 11th)

I normally stick around to watch the other races but instead had to leave promptly after the finish to make it home and pick up Michelle. We had tickets to the Phillies afternoon game and plans to tailgate with my family. Michelle is incredible at getting ready quickly, and we made to the parking lot in time for a beer and a burger.



Fresh tossed Bok Choy salad? Thanks Mom!



Normally our seats (second row from the top) would be undesirable, but on a 100 degree afternoon in June our shade and breeze gave us the best view in town.



Here's the gang. I think my grandmother (Bo) is making fun of the drunk kids in front of us.







This juvenile got thrown out for buying a beer after being flagged by security. I think the nonplussed expression on the security officer reflects his response to the remaining fans chanting "Chug chug chug!" as they escorted him out.



It's now Tuesday, and just like the roudy fan I'm feeling forcibly escorted out of the weekend for simply wanting just one more. Good thing I had a designated driver.

John Deere Green

Here's a quick picture update of our bucket garden!

Happy Father's Day!

Another successful weekend of living life is in the books. This one featured plenty of fun in the son! Get it? Because it was Father's Day!

I don't get to see my dad that often anymore (the picture below is from the winter), but I was able to talk to him for a bit on Sunday. He likes the sound of our potential house in Phoenixville which was reassuring. He had a tilapia and pineapple salsa on the grill though so I let him get back to work. Happy Father's Day, dad!



The weekend was much more than phone calls with dad though and started for me at 5:30am Saturday morning. My race didn't start until 8:30, but one important thing I've learned this season is to take time for an early breakfast and last minute weight reduction.

Saturday's race was in Bethlehem, the hometown of our friend Coleen. Sadly, Coleen's dad passed away last year so she was certainly on both our minds this weekend.

This was my first race in over a month, and it felt good to get back out there. I felt pretty good during my warm up and lined up right at the front for the start. After the peloton played the first few turns pretty cautiously, I found myself and another young guy from Drexel in an early breakaway. We worked well together but neither had the lungs/legs to hold it, and I soon found myself back in the main group. I should mention now that leading a race is pretty damn cool. It works out better on the last lap rather than the first though. The rest isn't nearly as exciting, but I managed not to finish last with a 26th out of 30.

Data:
18km raced
39mins
23mph avg speed
max HR 195
avg HR 171



I stuck around after my race to photograph some of the fast kids but couldn't stay too long as Saturday was booked like PF Chang's. In the afternoon we had a graduation party to attend, and Saturday evening was the Philadelphianniversary party hosted by our friends Eric and Lauren.

They have the coolest apartment down in Northern Liberties, and it made for an awesome Summer evening under the stars. Even the BMW was out enjoying the weather!



We brought Strawley too!



Then came the Four Loko. You may remember that recently the FDA started cracking down on caffeinated alcoholic beverages like Sparks. This stuff is a good reason why. It was quite possibly the most intensely flavored and carbonated fizz that I've ever had the misfortune of drinking. It's so bad in fact, that it soon became a revolving dare of 24oz proportions.



Michelle loved it!



So happy Philadelphianniversary, kids! Thanks for moving here and riding bikes/running with us!



Knowing us, one full day of excitement was hardly enough and Sunday would not disappoint. I wasn't up quite as early, but early enough to get in a quick ride and some overdue house cleaning. Luckily Michelle cleaned 90% of our apartment on Saturday so it wasn't too much trouble. I even had time to blow my vuvuzela as New Zealand upset Italy in a fantastic 1-1 draw.

Sunday's main event wasn't soccer though, so I got started on our Father's Day feast. I brined these love birds for about an hour then cleaned, dried, seasoned, and trussed them.



Downstairs I had set up the grill earlier for indirect cooking at around 340 degrees with hickory wood for smoke.



The birds took a few hours to smoke so I kept busy while Michelle and family were at the pool.



Here they are about 15 minutes before I pulled them.



Next on the grill was the corn. I picked up this technique last week, and it's just plain kicks ass. Pull the husks back and tie them together to make a handle for each cob. Then lay them on the grill with the handles sticking out the front. Keep rotating them while you spread some melted butter over all the kernels. They should be ready to rock in 12-15 minutes.



Counter space!



"Um, how do you carve a chicken?... Mom!"



Despite our lack of appropriate chairs, serving trays, beer, and napkins everyone really enjoyed the meal. Michelle's dad, Steve, has been getting into bbq more too so I'm looking forward to sampling his creations soon.



I'm also looking forward to picking up the corn that got splattered across the apartment.



"So how the wedding planning coming along?"

"Eh, we're thinking Fall of next year."

Hammer Time

"Good weekend" I said to Michelle on our way home from dinner tonight. Topped off with chicken parmesan, she returned a single nod of agreement. That's pretty good though for 8:30pm on a Sunday after a big dinner. In fact, I'm pretty proud of her tonight, and you get to read all about it!

It's been fairly quiet for us lately. The Flyers' post-season run provided evening rejuvenation after several soul sapping nine to fives. Unfortunately though it came to an end, and we were left on our own for the rest of last week. Thursday was my mom's birthday, and it turns out she got last minute tickets to the hockey game. She's always going on crazy adventures, and I hope she continues it when she grows up.

Feliz cumpleaños, Mamá!



Friday couldn't have come soon enough though and greeted us with a beautiful morning. It's just what you need to get your day started.



Then I sat and stared at this for a while.



Michelle promptly rescued me at 5pm to go hang out with our long lost neighbors, Brian and Coleen. Down the street from work is another area micro-brewery called McKenzie's. They have a nice outdoor section in the back, but I feel like it's just a regular happy-hour bar with a small brewery to sound cool. Never the less, we got right to enjoying a great Friday afternoon with great friends.



For those of you just tuning in, Brian and Coleen were our respective roommates in college and now live a couple doors down from us in Limerick.







Nearly every Saturday I wake up around 6am to get a long training ride in but decided to take this one off and get caught up on some sleep. I didn't realize Michelle was planning an early morning photoshoot though.



Once I did finally wake up, our Saturday followed the typical schedule of house showings and pool time. We saw a neat little place in Phoenixville, but it needs a good bit of attention. It's a single family house with a two car garage and perfect location though. Could this be our diamond in the rough?

I guess we'll see.

So as a last minute thing we decided to ride in the French Creek Iron Tour this morning. Michelle and I rarely get the chance to ride together anymore so it was nice to have the roads to ourselves (and 1,000 other Freds) this morning.

So as I mentioned earlier, I'm pretty proud of her because she broke two records with this morning's ride. First, she picked and completed the 35 mile route which is now her longest ride.



The second record took me a bit by surprise to be honest. Maybe about half way in this morning and after a long descent, she rolls up next to me with a big grin and says "I hit 37mph back there!".



Finally, our 35 mile route took us through most of North Chester County and therefore through many rolling hills. If there's one thing I know for sure she doesn't like it's climbing. Like a mountain goat though she powered through it like Cancellara and conquered every climb while others would abandon and walk.

"Venga venga venga!"



35 miles in the bag and done in time for lunch! And boy does that kid on the left need some lunch..



Celebrate? You bet your ass! Tonight we turned on the air conditioning!



Have a great week!

Fly guys

1st period:



2nd period:



3rd period:



Have a great weekend!

Memorial Day Weekend Recap

"I'll make you dinner if you do our weekend blog." -Ben

Deal.

So, the weekend began about 1pm Friday afternoon. Ben jetted out of work where as I had a farewell lunch for a co-worker on the company tab. When I got home, I had the awesome idea to hit the batting cages and driving range for a good end of the work week release.


STRIKE.... or not, it felt great to swing as hard as I could. I would like to mention I did make contact with a few!


Ben hit some too, I just couldn't snap a good strike pic.


Next we headed over to the driving range. Yes, that's me in the distance, past the yellow ropes that you are not supposed to go beyond. I decided to bring my guns and my swing as hard as you can motto and accidentally slung shot my driver down the range. I was mortified, but Ben thought it was hilarious as I had to ask some gentlemen to stop their play. He just had to document it as I searched. Thanks....

Saturday:

Ben and I were invited to a BBQ at our college friend's new humble abode with his new fiance. I wish we would have snapped a pic of their place, it was adorable and I am quite jealous. Oh yea, Ben picked us up some new Flyer's gear too. Maybe they lost because I wasn't wearing my new 'broad street bullies' shirt. I will try it tomorrow!


That's Ben, our college friend aka JB aka Ben's frat brother.


That's his new fiance, Cait. She insisted we do shots of the captain "for her house!"


JB and Cait have 2 dogs. Yogi and Tootsie. Again, I am jealous.

Sunday:

Sunday morning was gorgeous, so I decided to go for a run and I actually got Ben to come with me. The run, however, was horrible! I about died after 1.5 miles. That's what I get for taking a one month hiatus. After my heart rate reached 186 we decided to walk the rest of the way home then to the local restaurant for some brunch. I am so indecisive when it comes to even choosing a meal. Maybe that's why we haven't set a date for the wedding yet....


GREAT NEWS: OUR VEGGIES HAVE SPROUTED!!!


Our makeshift watering can ensures and even shower so we don't drown them!


We nursed these buckets so much this weekend! We carried the buckets up and down from the balcony to make sure they got the best sun all day.


I made sure I got some sun too, but not without my SPF and my new hat!

That evening we had an agenda: some groceries, fill the propane tank, pit stop at my mom's for some sides, (pasta salad, macaroni salad, potato salad, deviled eggs, pickled eggs and beets, and fruit salad) then a party. The agenda was not followed and I quickly became cranky as my hunger overwhelmed me, the grocery store was closed, we couldn't fill the propane tank, and the young man at the Home Depot's pretzel cart said he was closed.

My AWESOME fiance stopped at this fair to find me food to cheer me up.


Dessert before our dinner! YUM!


Our party guest list: Me, Strawley, and Ben. We lucked out with our tailgating grill to cook dinner. And my mom's salads became my main dish with a little side of chicken.

Monday:

Ben and I decided to walk Bridge St. of Phoenixville. As we parked, I reminded him nothing would be open. He proved me wrong and got me that soft pretzel! Instead of a red, white, and blue color scheme, I chose a condiment motif for all the BBQ-ers remembering Memorial Day. I snagged Ben's red sunglasses for ketchup, my white top as mayo, and my purse, earrings, and shorts were the mustard. And the mustard on my pretzel was spicy brown, of course!
We didn't do much the rest of the day. Before game 2 of the Stanley cup finals, Ben took off to check out an addition for our bike collection.


I came home from work today and a test ride was a must! Bike count = 6.5


Stay tuned for engagement photos featuring our new member! She just needs a little work before shes ready for the real deal.