Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Fun and Active Weekend

This weekend the forecast was for rain both days. Good thing those weather forecasters don't always get it right! Saturday was my store's first on-the-water kayak demo of the season. The sky was definitely overcast, but the rain stayed away all day and we had a decent turnout. Better yet, we sold a few kayaks! Joe decided to get a long bike ride in with some friends, and rode from the Plaza to Parkville, a small town north of downtown KC right on the river. The city was holding its annual Microbrew Fest, an event that brings 20-30 small breweries together and for $20, you get a sampling glass and can try all of the different beers that the breweries bring out. We went a couple of years ago and had a great day, so Joe and his friends thought it would be a fun way to spend the afternoon. I picked them all up, since they had ridden their bikes to the park, and Joe and I had a quick dinner out at Ponak's, the un-official place with the best margaritas in KC.

Sunday, Joe and a friend plotted to get me and the friend's girlfriend out to go golfing. I hadn't been for almost 2 years, and was a little reluctant, but agreed to go anyway. Joe and I split a bucket of golf balls at the driving range waiting for the others to show up. I figured, ehh, I'm probably a little rusty, but it can't be that ugly, right? WRONG! I missed the ball completely the first few times I swung, and the next dozen only moved a few feet. Getting more nervous, I insisted we split another bucket until I could tell I was settling down and my swing was coming back. We started the 9 hole course, and my game was definitely off. As we continued down the course, a miraculous thing happened - I got better! Unfortunately for Joe, it seemed that I may have been stealing his skills, because as my game improved, his worsened. We only had a little tantrum on the course, and no mom, it wasn't me! :)

Yesterday I opted to relax at home instead of doing work, and definitely paid for it today. Last night I made dinner, using Jill's meatloaf recipe that Joe and I both love. I decided to try something new as a side... instead of traditional mashed potatoes, and mashed cauliflower! I'd read that mashed cauliflower is a much better substitute for potatoes, and has a similar taste. I have always hated cauliflower and have been looking for ways to eat more vegetables. Turns out, with a little milk, garlic, salt and pepper, they really were pretty good! They definitely didn't taste exactly like mashed potatoes, and I need to perfect the recipe, but I plan on making them again. Once I figure out the recipe, I'll be sure to post it, as I think it's a great side dish that's tasty and really healthy!