Re-Post! Tip Toe’ing

2nd re-post on this joyous Christmas week. Hope you all are celebrating, rejoicing, smiling, and taking time to enjoy the holiday. Be back soon!

…thru the tulips!

It’s a good thing the expedition called for tiptoeing because my knees are very bruised from volleyball but we’re undefeated so I can’t complain too much. Also, a day after turning 38, I managed to bust all the blood vessels in my middle finger putting the volleyball net away. Not my middle finger! I need that one! This is why…I have spare parts.

Back to the tulips, the Texas Tulips located in Pilot Point, TX. Only accessible about 6 weeks out of the year, it’s a fun getaway, one I didn’t know anything about until a few weeks ago. Spring Break presented the perfect opportunity.

I might have also overindulged in sushi and cookies. Both were incredible! If you’re in the DFW area, Sushi Axiom is one of my favorites. I probably should have taken a photo but I ate it all before considering the photo op. For the cookies, Insomnia Cookies is the way to go. Only available near college campuses, they’re open until 0200ish and offer delivery of warm, fresh cookies to your doorstep. Not kidding.

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I ask you –

What are your favorite flowers?

Have you heard of Insomnia Cookies?

Any idea on the origin of the word tiptoe?

(The post Re-Post! Tip Toe’ing first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

DON’T YUCK MY YUM!

“Why yuck their yum?” – the phrase recently brought up while radio surfing. The book, also the title of this post, was written by Amy Pleimling who references gross and desirable foods. New to me, but the phrase was coined in 2013.

The radio question pertained to how long does a parent support their child in an activity the child is clearly not excelling at but is arguably something the child really enjoys.

For some, the monetary cost and time investment are determining factors in this decision. However, what do parents without these issues do? Let their child continue because it brings them joy? Or gently redirect to an activity the child may excel at? Is it worth it to partake for sheer joy? Who says lack of skill is a bad thing? Maybe the child isn’t headed to the Olympics, but it makes them happy. Besides, being good at something is subjective.

I’m not good at a lot of things, but I enjoy my mediocrity! Preferably hobbies including food. However, I am certain that goat cheese is yuck and anything with pepper jack is yum.

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I ask you –

Had you heard the aforementioned phrase before?

Were you a participant in an activity you didn’t excel at?

Tell me your favorite type of cheese!

(The post DON’T YUCK MY YUM! first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

The Big Easy

Thus far, I’ve been fortunate to travel to some new cities to explore, network, and learn. The annual 2024 Athletic Business Conference and Expo was held in New Orleans, LA – a city I am somewhat familiar with but hadn’t traversed via foot in quite some time. My previous visit was with Morgan from Oregon when we ran the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon, circa 2019. I believe my wingwoman and I gave it a genuine run for its money with our average 25K steps per day on this trip.

First, let’s get the serious stuff out of the way. I never felt unsafe; however, the changing atmosphere around us when the sun went down was palpable. I doubt the AB Show will ever return to NOLA due to its volatile crime scene. Several incidents were too close for comfort. All this to say, we’re fine and had a fantastic time tasting our way through the city.

New Orleans, or as the locals call it Naw-lins, is slightly above sea level, giving it a bowl-shaped topography. This marshy area is perfect for ancient live oak trees, swamps, and, my personal favorite, humidity. I arrived nearly healed from a cold/allergy issue, succumbed to the 80 degree, then 50 degree temps, and returned home with a mild case of laryngitis. Interestingly, this is typical when I’m around McK for extended periods of time. It’s a running joke now.

I digress.

The Food!

…was authentic. We tried gumbo, red beans & rice, jambalaya, boudin balls, chargrilled oysters, pralines (pronounced prah-leans), many beignets (pronounced ben-yays), a meatery board (I nearly don’t want to discuss this at all), and, in typical fashion, all the coffee.

We also caught up with work friends and many new acquaintances.

From Bourbon St. to Canal St. and all the way to Matairie to meet a famous food blogger (check out Blaine’s), we explored the city without boundaries. Maybe we return, maybe we don’t. But the memories last a lifetime.

enjoying a dinner of chargrilled oysters at Drago’s

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I ask you –

Have you been to New Orleans?

If so, what is your favorite, traditional food there? Beignets, absolutely.

Tell me your thoughts on a city that has seen the best and worst times.

(The post The Big Easy first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Bee There

Introducing Bee’s Rolled Ice Cream. I know I only typically write about coffee, but I’ll make an exception for the best ice cream in Texoma. It’s a large claim – trust me. This is the best!

And, like many great places, her ice cream is only available where she parks her truck! This adorable kitchen on wheels is a magical place full of sweet treats. Did I mention the founder is only 17 years old? Beautiful, smart, and an incredible young lady, the sweet Briady (affectionately called Bee) has dozens of curated flavors for patrons to choose from.

Somehow, I won a giveaway for 4 free rolled ice cream desserts. Seems the heavens shine upon me for giveaways. Remember the shoes for 20 years? I’m still living that dream!

L to R – Cookies & Cream, Peaches & Cream, NY Style Cheesecake, and Pistachio

Pistachio was incredible. There’s really no other word. Somehow, she managed to capture both the creaminess of ice cream with the subtle pistachio flavor. Cheesecake, and peaches & cream were also top hits. Mini loved the cookies & cream!

I’m sad I never visited before the giveaway. Like all great places, I tell myself I’ll visit but never make the time. I’m so sorry, Bee! Knowing what I know now… don’t be surprised to find me near the Wichita Falls Brewing Company between 4-8pm Fri-Sun!

P.S. Tell her Running on Fumes sent you!

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I ask you –

Have you ever had rolled ice cream? It’s divine.

Of the flavors I mentioned, which would you try?

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with light.

(The post Bee There first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Can you help me out?

Remember those commercials in the 1900s with the sad music and a montage of puppies, always ending with some slogan about how for less than $1 a day, you can sponsor a pet… what was the singer’s name?

Not quite the same but along the same lines, I fantasized about traveling after my PhD and thought to myself how I need to make extra money. The first idea was to give up something daily I spend money on. For many people, it’s an $8/day coffee. Or $20/pack of cigarettes. Fill in the blank. I make my own coffee and don’t smoke. And, if you think I’m giving up coffee, forget it. I’ll sell feet photos before I do that.

my rainy morning dose of sunshine

But now that I have over 500 subscribers, hopefully it won’t come to extreme measures.

Who is the 501th? Or is it 501st?

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I ask you –

Do I drink too much coffee?

What daily habit would you give up?

Name the female singer of the sad song with puppies.

(The post Can you help me out? first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Making my way downtown…

…walking fast, the faces pass, and I’m homebound.

Name that tune.

Eating my way through San Diego, the land of beautiful people, fast drivers, and an overwhelming air of busy.

Allow me to present the evidence. On the left is a huge ice cream cone, filled with the loveliest I may have ever tasted. The establishment is called An’s Dry Cleaning. I also visited her other location, An’s Hatmakers. Unassumingly incredible.

Relatedly, on the right is the return of Blue Bell’s winter flavor, peppermint bark. I must try it.

Exhibit C is above. That beautiful drink is a salted caramel latte from Breakfast Republic. I also ordered one to go because I needed – needed! – another. There’s a food photo to go with this, but who really cares. The coffee was impeccable.

Also not pictured are the asada tacos from El Gordon’s, spicy chicken sandwiches from the Liberty Public Market, an unbelievable pastrami sandwich from Chris’s Liquor and Deli, a mouthwatering tri tip sandwich from Jensen’s, and, one of my favorites, the sushi at Sushi Deli. Ask me about those Shishito Peppers. Admittedly, I am a cheat. Long story.

Exhibit D is a rich, luxurious peanut butter beer, think Guinness meets peanut butter whiskey, found at Belching Beaver Brewery. It was great, even if it was so heavy. I tried a few others elsewhere, but this was definitely my favorite.

…Cause you know I’d walk a thousand miles if I could just see you.

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I ask you –

Are you aware of any catchy establishments with misleading names?

What are your thoughts on peppermint bark?

Tell me your San Diego of food.

(The post Making my way downtown… first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Patience, my child

Mini has an opportunity to try out for UIL events and my little heart exploded with pride and memories. Except for chess, I excelled at these events. Storytelling was my breakthrough – shocking, most definitely – into a world of possibilities for competitive scholastic events.

Many years ago I made a keto carrot cheesecake that was sublime. Really. It was incredible. I haven’t baked in a lonnnnnng while and now I have some free time. You know. While I wait. Anyway, I wanted to bring a family dessert to game night, to impress my friends. And that’s where it ended. The photo below doesn’t look too horrible. But the taste? Let’s just say something went awfully wrong with the carrot cake layer on bottom. It was gloopy, gross, and inedible. The cheesecake layer wasn’t bad, had it not been on top of the carrot disaster. Needless to say, I did not take it anywhere except to the garbage can.

As my brain functions in some sort of random, non-linear, jumbled mess, I can appreciate life’s linearity. One would think dissertation work is linear. Oh, but you (I) would be so wrong. I do the things, then wait. I do other things, then wait. My frustrations are apparent as I check and double check my email waiting for a notification of scheduled defense proposal. I complete the IRB documents, then wait. Turns out IRB approval can take up to 2 months. Although I despise speaking this fear into existence, I’m not sure if I’ll begin the research portion this fall. No approvals = no research. I will have spent nearly the entirety of a very expensive semester awaiting approval. Sigh.

Patience is not my strongest virtue.

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I ask you –

What events did you participate in as a young person?

On a scale of 1 to me, how much patience do you have?

Tell me your worst cooking fail!

(The post Patience, my child first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Re-post: They Beckon Me

It’s that time again – the one where I recycle a few older posts to support the time I need to recharge along the coastline. Hope you enjoy. I’ll be back soon! -Kel

A small voice calls to me from my sleep. Do you want coffee, Kel? Doesn’t matter that it’s 2am, 5am, mid-afternoon. I always answer yes. Short of labeling it an addiction, coffee is comfort. It’s my siren song.

In a vain attempt at creating coffee shop-worthy drinks, I made my own cold brew. Not half bad. However, the espresso beans were a bit past their shelf life so it turned out somewhat bitter. I still drank it. Then I ordered new beans.

Chicka D’s, of course

Also, I had a small issue with remembering to complete my fasted blood work so I was forced to reschedule which resulted in a nearly lunchtime appointment. Fasted. Starving. Not in a great overall mood. That particular day called for a third caffeinated beverage, mainly as a reward for not harming anyone.

I don’t know how some people do it. How do they survive without these magical beans? I never want to find out.

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I ask you –

How much coffee do you drink per day?

Does the need for coffee ever wake you up?

Tell me about the last time you forgot an important appointment!

(The post They Beckon Me first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Word Count

You know how I know running really does quiet the circus inside my brain? Because I was unexpectedly involved in a very serious discussion immediately post-run and I could barely formulate words. Literally, mostly silence on my part. The remainder of what exited my mouth was weird utterances. It was awkward. I know I sounded like a bumbling whackadoo but I was floating in the clouds on a runner’s high and right then was not the time to have an impromptu discussion about lifesaving devices. Although it may have sounded like I required one.

A new ice cream flavor. Help!

Blue Bell Cookies ‘n Cream Cheesecake

During my recent grocery run, the store only had the newest flavor in 1/2 gallon form. For sure, if the pint had been available, I would have snatched it up. Much to my own detriment. Small favors. Vacation is coming up quick so I’ll save my indulgences for then. One Landshark. One pint of ice cream.

Word of the day: bespoke. Bespoke is a British term typically reserved for high fashion, but is used lately to mean customized. Example: He wore a bespoke suit. Or, a bespoke framework explains blah blah blah. The more you know.

Finally, I found it fascinating research shows how one of the factors of doctoral achievement are behavioral and psychological characteristics (personality, motivation). Maybe one day I can study this more.

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I ask you –

Does exercise short circuit your brain, too?

What do you think about the new ice cream flavor? Would or have you tried it?

Tell me a word of the day!

(The post Word Count first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Blue Bell Love Affair

You had me at ice cream –

Introducing Blue Bell Creameries, headquartered in beautiful Brenham, TX. Since I was a very young girl, I’ve always wanted to visit the place where my favorite ice cream is made. It really is a lovely community with a proper downtown, a few coffee options (Mescalito was fantastic!), and some amazing BBQ!

The tour of the ice cream facility ends with $1 scoops of Blue Bell. Life is so good. As we visited first thing in the day, ice cream was more of a breakfast option, which I think is perfect! Blue Bell is actually the name of a flower, which the founders of Blue Bell Ice Cream chose to name their business after.