A Pinch Of Two Gears

This past weekend really just had two modes: all on or all off – resting mixed with running, dancing and then more resting. And that was all before being let down by the White Lotus season finale to round out the weekend… Boring!

Friday was my first night to relax after the long week, which was much needed ahead of a Saturday long run into a very fun friend’s wedding. The gloomy Saturday morning weather was perfect to train for the inevitably rainy Broad Street Run (four week pulse check). At this point, I think my body is more used to that weather, because I was able to run an extra two miles. Bold move before a night dancing with friends to celebrate.

Sunday was an early ride back to Philly with my mom to head to Black Hound Clay Studio in Point Breeze to pick up some handmade dishes from East Fork’s seconds sale. East Fork is beautiful and very well-known, given the fact that we had to wait well over an hour just to get inside. And safe to say we made our time in there worth it… which meant I just had to get stuff as well. After a quick visit by my dad, who was chauffeuring Lucy back to the city and my mom back home, I was couch locked for rest of Sunday to no surprise.

Also, I have to give a big shoutout to a friend on the topic of handmade pottery. I love showing off talented friends and how creative they are. It was a process, and Nate got these plates and bowl made damn well! Hard to imagine eating anything on them when they look this good. (I did find a way.)

What’s Cookin’

Getting back into the weekly meal prep / cooking routine is quite something because I’m not cooking as much since the meals are just for myself. I may make dinner on Monday and Tuesday, and then I have meals almost entirely for the rest of the week. Not such a bad thing (as long as the leftovers are actually good).

Last week was filled with some simple bowl meals - chicken and vegetables over rice, and a roasted salmon bowl with cucumbers and carrots. Simple for the first week here. But still some highlights ahead of this send, of course

Ditalini and Asparagus by Hailee Catalano

After work today, I wanted something seasonal, but the April showers and gloomy weather make it hard to not want something warm. So after a quick scroll on Instagram, Hailee Catalano was on the same page about today’s vibes with her Ditalini and Asparagus. A perfect meal for Monday night with some fresh asparagus for the seasonal connection.

Cream Cheese Carrot Coffee Cake by Butternut Bakery

And because I can’t sit still for two days in a row, I couldn’t just stop after work at making dinner, taking Lucy on walks, doing wash, and writing this… (maybe something I should work on.) So after a couple more scrolls, the algorithm was on tonight. I already love Butternut Bakery’s carrot cake – so much so that it made my top 10 bites of last year – so this new version was a must. And that must was a must-do tonight I guess.

The multiple layers before baking are worth the patience: carrot cake, cream cheese layer, coffee cake crumble (which I swapped in a regular topping rather than her recommended walnuts mixture), then the frosting drizzle.

I’m laughing to myself after writing and reading about how up and down this weekend was activity-wise, but all of it made for a very fun few days. And April doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon, no washing away the fun ahead.

Enjoy your week 🤘