To Everything, There is a Season

Hello again!  I know, it has been a while and I feel like one of the most sporadic bloggers out there.  I spent the last month adjusting to the new job, which is going wonderfully, getting my Cleveland Marathon training back on track, and most importantly, spending time with those I love.

The last time I ran 26.2:  Detroit 2012.

After what seemed to be the winter that went on and on and on and on, it finally feels like springtime in Cleveland.  One thing I have come to appreciate is getting to experience the best of all four seasons.  Summer has it's long days filled with friends an fun.  Fall is for football, pumpkin everything, marathons, and my birthday.  Winter brings Christmas and snowboarding (which I failed to do this year).  However, spring has always been my favorite.  Perhaps it is the warmer weather and everything in bloom.  As a child, it meant the end of the school year.  While I never minded school, I always looked forward to field day in grade school and the dunk tank picnic in high school.  Spring semester of college meant Greek Week, Kappa Delta formal, and sitting outside "studying".  Now, spring is baseball games, patios, new sandals, farmers markets, and the Cleveland Marathon.  It is a season of rebirth and new beginnings.  Happy spring Cleveland!  I will see you at The Jake!! 

What is your favorite season??

Thursday Afternoon Football...like on Thanksgiving!

I do realize there has been a 2 week bye with my Monday Night Football posts, so I decided to do a Thursday afternoon post.  Afterall, there is always football on Thanksgiving Day in the afternoon.

Bye Week #1 came as a result of surviving running the Cleveland Marathon the day before.

Face of victory or survival...you decide.

Yes it was hot and my goal quickly became just finish.  I did not want be that person dehydrated on the side of the road.  I will take a slower time from running smart over a DNF any day!  Still, I enjoyed running 26.2 miles through Cleveland and I already am working on my training plan to PR in Detroit this October.

Bye Week #2 was Memorial Day and I was at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario cheering on the #firstplacetribe (yes, we will be back on top the AL Central very very soon)

Root root root for the Indians!

However, I am getting more and more excited since the big game is only weeks away!  I am ready to return to practice tonight and see all of the progress #TeamBrunette has made over the past few weeks.  Also, set your alarms, or DVRs, since BVB will be featured tomorrow morning on Kickin' it with Kenny during the Fox 8 morning show.  I'm going to be on TV!!  

There is still time to help me achieve my fundraising goal.  Remember, $20 will get you a ticket to the game on June 16th.  Also, our final Happy Hour will be next Friday, June 8th at the Barley House on West 6th.  20% of your bill goes directly to BvBCLE.    

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

**Disclaimer:  I was asked to blog about my experiences as a player for the inaugural Blondes vs. Brunettes Powderpuff football game.  I am required to attend at least 4 practices and fund raise $250 for the Cleveland Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.  All opinions are 100% my own.  Go #TeamBrunette!**

My Best Days Are Ahead of Me!

Loved this cake!  Wonder what will be on 27??

Once again, I am back from a blogging hiatus.  Alot has happened since I last posted, some good some bad.  One thing I have learned (yet again) is I must be more open about what is really going on inside.  I never really have been one for making New Year's resolutions but I do have an ever growing bucket list.  Sunday is my birthday which kicks off my favorite week of the year.  Seriously, my birthday, then Thanksgiving (ultimate food holiday), then Black Friday (biggest shopping day of the year).  I could not have been born during a more appropriate week.  I have read quite a few ___ at ____ "birthday resolution" lists lately which made me think, why not.   I realize some of these I already have been working on, some I have complete control over, and others I have to do my best and leave it up to God.  So here it is in no particular order, Steph's 27 at 27.  Enjoy!

1. Run 4 marathons.  Already signed up for Disney in January and Cleveland in May.
2. Take a fun, creative class. (cake decorating, creative writing, ballroom dancing...)
3. Ragnar with the #DirtyRunner team!!!!
4. Make more time for those I truly love and mean the world to me.
5. Find a new job
6. Road trip with the Tribe.  Every season I say I will go to an away game and never end up doing it.
7. Reach my $3400 Liver Life Challenge fundraising goal. (*hint*hint*cough*cough*nudge*)
8. Do the Warrior Dash
9. Do something every day to make me happy.  It can be as simple as going for a run, giving into ice cream, or buying a new pair of shoes.
10. Buy a house/condo
11. Get back into yoga
12. Finally get my passport
13. Get a puppy
14. Make Nana's chicken paprikash.  I have put off attempting this for way too long.
15. Finish the Tour de Bruell.  Yeah, this past year I only made it to one restaurant.
16. Actually finish books I started reading.
17. Be a better blogger
18. Be more responsible and everything that entails.
19. Continue to eat healthy while every now and then treating myself within moderation.
20. Watch the sunset over Lake Erie
21. Go to the Ohio Wineries.  As shameful as it is to admit, I have never been.
22. Volunteer more.
23. Find a softball team to play on this spring/summer.
24. Go to a Notre Dame football game.  It has been too long since I have been in Notre Dame Stadium.
25. Host a clambake.  Again, every fall I want to do it and never get around to it.
26. Go to the Southern Tier brewery.
27. Overall, be the best me I can be!  

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

Cluing into Fulfilling My Hunger

I know I have not written on here much lately, but when Amanda from Clue into Cleveland reached out asking for guest bloggers, I happily agreed to help her.  I met Amanda at an Ohio Blogging Association meetup and we quickly connected through our mutual love of the TV show Castle.  Since then, we have become kickball teammates, attend many of the same events, and have become friends in real life.  Here's a brief recap of how I fulfilled my hunger throughout summer 2011!

Hunger Fulfilled: Summer 2011

#DirtyRunners post Buckeye Half (stolen from Jess)

Also, if you have missed other guests posts I have written, check out Why? Tremont on Why? CLE and Foodie on the Run on Poise in Parma.

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

It's TRIBE TIME here in Cleveland, Ohio!  If there is one thing I love as much as food, it is Cleveland sports especially the Indians.  Win or lose, I love enjoying a game at "The Jake" (yes I refuse to call it by its newish name).  While enjoying Opening Day this past Friday, I notices there were quite a few new options at the concession stands throughout the ballpark.  Food at the game has come a long way from hot dogs, peanuts, and crackerjack, although you can still enjoy those classic favorites and so many more!

This season, Food Network has teamed up with eight Major League ballparks, one being Cleveland, to serve gourmet grub at the games.  Head over to section 172 to try he Food Network steak sandwich.  If you do, let me know if it is worth $12.50.

For vegetarian and gluten free fans, check out the "spuds and suds" stand located in section 164.  Here you can feast on veggie dogs, tofrurkey Italian "sausages", and some gluten free ballpark treats.

If you are looking for something not so healthy, go to the APPetizer Store in section 154.  This stand is a deep fried food lovers dream and a cardiologist's worst nightmare.  Fans can feast on funnel cakes, deep fried cookie dough, fried twinkies, chicken and waffles, and fried shrimp to name a few options.

Each month, Cleats, located in section 164, will be offering a burger of the month created by Tribe players. 

If you are craving a twist on nachos, head to the Market Pavilion and enjoy pulled pork nachos.

For beer lovers, there are two new brew options aside from the $7.75 drafts you get from the beer guy.  If you are looking for a blast from the past, or a cheaper beer option, go to "Your Dad's Beer" located in section 119.  For $4.50, you can enjoy a 12 oz can of PBR, Stroh's, Blatz, Genessee, or Schlotz to name a few.  There is also a beer stand featuring local brews from GReat Lakes, Hopping, Frog, and Buckeye Brewing Company.

If you still crave the classic ballpark favorite like I do, even hot dogs come in a variety of options.  Super dogs, kosher dogs, and foot longs with up to 14 toppings are available throughout the park.  Also note this season's Dollar Dog nights: April 15 against the Baltimore Orioles, May 13 against the Seattle Mariners , June 17 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, July 29 against the Kansas City Royals, August 26 against Kansas City again, and September 23 against the Minnesota Twins.  Make sure those dogs are topped with Cleveland's own Bertman's Ballpark Mustard!

Until next time...follow your heart, fullfill your hunger!