Red Earth Brewers club meeting, October

We had fantastic weather last night and our presentations were held outside of Roughtail Brewing at the picnic tables. 

Fortunately, the presentations were short because loud planes started to fly over. 

Everyone brought beer to share and sample. We also had some people bring snacks. My beer had good reviews from everyone and we drank two bottles of it. 

Empty cans, waiting for beer. 

Me and the new club president. It's great that there are so many women who brew beer!

I walked 2 miles before the club meeting and are a burger and fries. I think that soaked up some of that beer. Happy Friday friends!

Half marathon training update

My Last night I ate Argentinian pizza and empanadas to prepare for today's long run. 

Heaven in my mouth!

My Argentinian friends are big fans of cheese. I am too. 

I was worried about blisters from Thursday's running. I had blisters on both heals. I made it to the end but realized that the blisters hasn't healed all the way. 

I still had a funny smile on my face. I may have lost a toenail on my right foot. That toe is unfortunately swollen and leaking. You're welcome for not showing that to you. 

The half is on October 4th. I'll probably have to run in an older pair because of this toe situation. That's why old shoes stick around. My body heals quickly but I am concerned. 

A 12:41 pace and 11 miles in 2 hours and 19 minutes. I think that would put me at a sub 3 hour half but not 2:30. I will be a happy camper once I've crossed the finish line. 

After the half, I plan on walking a 5k for active recovery and for beer. It's called runtoberfest and its sponsored by Red Coyote. I may regret this decision on Sunday October 4th. 

Chomps is distracting me so I better wrap this up. Tomorrow I'll be brewing beer. Maybe blogging too. We shall see how the weekend shakes out. 

Updates on stuff and things

1-Half marathon training is in full swing. I'm kicking some miles butt!

2-I'm losing weight and gaining weight. I've been more consistent with myfitnesspal (esthernorine, friend me!). Last week was a 3 pound loss and this week a 1 pound gain. Here's to next week where I hope to lose 1 pound with my hard work and half marathon training. 

3-Going to Cuppies and Joe tonight in OKC. It will be amazing and I will have the calories freed for it. 

From Picasso cafe and not Cuppies and Joe

4-I'll be at the vegetarian dinner at Picasso cafe next Tuesday for food heaven. 

5-When it cools down, I'll be seeing beer. It's too hot here to adequately chill the wort.  

PS does it seem like I'm obsessed with food? Maybe a little. I guess that's why I'm always trying to lose weight. 

What beer means to me...

Many years ago, I went through a dark time. A time when my husband went to grad school in a different state for two miserable years. I grew a lot during that time. I learned that I am a strong person. At times, it would be difficult for me to get out and socialize.

I was living in Denver and on the weekends my only conversations were with the cats. This was because all my friends moved away around the same time as well. After I graduated my grad program, I needed to find something to occupy my social time. If I didn't, I found myself wallowing in depression. Cats are sweet but that wasn't enough.

I went to meetup.com and found Pedals and Pints. I'd go biking with them regularly. I started to go to beer dinners at a couple of the chain breweries. I went on beer brewery tours. I made friends and did my best to have fun. 

This blog was originally started during this time. The blog was a great source of therapy then too. I didn't have any followers and I didn't participate in blog hops. None of that mattered because I was able to express my feeling and emotions. 

So beer has a special place in my heart. Now I drink beer for the enjoyment and craft. I look forward to my first batch of craft beer. I am also thankful for all the seasoned Brewers in Red Earth Brewers in Oklahoma City. They've been a great support in getting me prepared.

Race recap and beer brewing update

The race was a large loop around Oklahoma City and I started my app early. Which is probably why, I see 13 miles here. My official time was 2:54:10, which is respectable. 

I've decided to brew my beer in other Rogue beer bottles. I'm now trying to decide which fun duck tape to cover the label with. I'm currently leaning towards leopard print. 

Beer brewing stalled

My large collection of Rogue beer bottles nearly line the entire second outdoor patio. They've all faded in the sun. (Sad face.) Thursday is the monthly meeting of Red Earth Brewers and I will request everyone to drink a Rogue Voodoo Doughnut beer. I currently have 6 bottles and I estimate that 26 to 30 will be necessary for the kit I've purchased. 

Tomorrow, I have big dinner plans at Picasso cafe. I expect to blog about it tomorrow night. I hope to also make a batch of chocolate stout brownies for Thursday's meeting. That may not happen after a good dinner. 

The look Chomps gives when he's looking for a head massage. He was a purring machine tonight!

Forward momentum and buttermilk coffee cake

It's officially 96 days until our trip to Antigua. Besides that, it's 12 weeks until the Go Girl half marathon in Oklahoma City. I'll start training tomorrow and I need to pay my friend back for the race registration. Here's our training plan courtesy of my running coach at Runhers. 

I have to miss this Saturday for work and my reward is to get Wednesday and Thursday off this week. It's a weak reward but I must accept it. 

I've been battling some sickness and I hope to have this thing licked today since I have work tomorrow. It's been all over me so there's no where left to go but out. 

I decided to make buttermilk coffee cake and bring it to work tomorrow. I hope everyone enjoys it. This is my mom's recipe and her gorgeous handwriting. 

Before going into the oven. 

Final activity to look forward to is brewing some beer. I plan to start buying supplies this week. 

What are you looking forward too?