Summer Middle school running has finished, and cross country has started.
The heat has arrived, though still grateful it’s pretty tolerable.
I’ve started waking up at 4a naturally. It’s only taken June & July to get there. And only 1 more month of early mornings.
Shoulder physical therapy has progressed into strength rehab. One more month until I go in the water to swim!
Gonna aim for this to be an every 3 week newsletter. 2 weeks is just a bit much for me to accomplish at this point in time.
Sharon Tri’s
That initial phase of conditioning has once again kicked my butt, and I’m grateful that, once again, through it. Those first 4-6 weeks of starting a new component of exercise. I’d been walking & easy biking, but since July started, I’ve got more running & biking in, and just recently added lower body strength training. Running has finally started getting easier, and I feel I can do more, which is good as I am doing some running with my cross country kids. My power (watts) on biking has finally started getting back to the zones I was doing prior to surgery. For August, this is enough. I’ll be ready to add swimming in September. Have I mentioned this yet?
I’ve got 3 months til the 3rd triathlon I registered for this year. I’m intending this one will happen!
Since I seem to have see more clients in Austin these days, you may be missing the cats. So I’m creating their own section. And you never know, somefluff might sneak into a lunch bag or studio bag and end up spending the day there.
I finished Future Human: new ways of living and being on Earth. Recorded in 2022/23, it really connects with what is going on right now in the world, and it’s purpose. We have to go through this to evolve as a species. I admit, I was ready to be done with this book. It was good, just not the space I was in right now…
And then I started something I’m totally in the space for: Just add water: my swimming life by Katie Ledecky. Since I’m getting ready to be back in the pool in September (have I mentioned that yet?), I’m inspiring myself. I didn’t realize how much it would also inspire me as a coach. Hearing about how her Coach Yuri really keyed in to her, and nudged her along… I wanna be that kind of coach. Make sure the athletes feel they deserve to be where they are. I admit, I’ve teared up a few times as I’ve listened. Plus, I turned on the TV to chill the other day, and the 2025 World Championship swim meet highlights were going on. I got to see Katie win another gold in the 800 free.
I’ve finished 8 books this year to date… Just add water is 9. Considering I didn’t listen/read for 6 weeks while I was recovering from surgery, I’m happy to be moving along. My goal this year is 15. I’d say I’m on target!
Cherry almond scones
I blame, with much love and gratitude, my mom for these. We had cherry almond scones during our Door County excursion, which made me think “I can make these Sharon Friendly”. Well, Sharon friendly-ish. I used a 2T scoop so they are small, so less reaction, as long as I only eat 1. And that happens….um….
On our trip, I got a bag of no-sugar added dried cherries to bring home. It’s one of my rare souvenirs. And totally worth it.
I also made this recipe easy. Kitchen clean up just isn’t in my wheelhouse of energy right now, so I scoop them out versus rolling. Super easy. Super yummy.
The recipe I modified also uses almond paste which I haven’t played with before. I also cut down the amount so 1 box will last me 2 batches.
Preheat oven to 400F
Mix together in large bowl:
- 1 c each cassava flour & almond flour
- 2 T baking powder
- 1.25 t xanthan gum
- Pinch of salt
Cut in
- 6T butter/margarine, cut into small pieces, cut in until nothing bigger than a pea
Add in
- 1/2 a tube of almond paste, grated with large holes, mix in evenly, and separate any clumps that happen. They’ll happen.
Add in & mix well, so evenly distributed & well coated:
- 1 generous cup dried cherries (I’m sure cranberries would be just fine too!)
Now for the liquids. Make a hole in center of the above mixture, and add:
- 1 egg
- ¾ c Aroy-D coconut milk (original recipe – heavy cream… maybe even try buttermilk? But something thicker)
- ½ t almond extract
Mix well. For larger scones, use about ¼ c per (makes ~12), for smaller ones, a 2T measure (makes ~24). Bake for 20 min.
Then they became cherry almond waffles… just add a little more milk.
The Plant Sale
I am slow to get the plant sale going (in my free time). But, I’ve got these beauties available now! The larger pot in front it taken, but the other 2 are available. Suggested minimum donation is $5/ for the pot.
With my limited free time, I’ve also not yet gotten an expense total. I can, however, tell you we’ve raised over $4500 so far. And the plants are just getting going!
Zoe has someone DONATING a bunch of cuttings. These will be available in September, but please let me know what you want (email is better). Prices are suggested minimum donation to the Zoe fund. First come, first served.
- Coleus – At least 3 types, red, pink, green, 1 each, 3 total starts available, $3 ea
- Spider plants – 3 pots of plain green and 1 variegated. Pups. $3 ea
- Neon Pothos – 2 pots with at least two end-cut vine starts each, $4 ea
- Global Green Pothos, 2 pots with at least two end cut vine starts each, $4 ea
- Golden Pothos, 2 pots with at least two end cut vine starts each. $3 ea
- American Beauty Berry, 1 start, $5
- Heart-leaf philodendron, 2 starts, $3 each
- ZZ plant, green, 3 starts, 4”, $3 each
- “Looking Glass” angel wing begonia, 6 starts, $4 ea.
- Angel wing green leaf begonia (red/pink), 3 starts, $4 ea
- Echeveria (“Ghost Plant”) succulent, 6 starts, $3 ea
- Bright lime green Sedum (“stonecrop”), fine leaves and produces yellow flowers. 3 starts $3 ea
- Tradescantia “Purple Heart” or “Wandering Dude” – I can make basically as many of this as you could sell. $2 ea pot. I have green, purple, or “bluish-purple” types. Please specify color when ordering.
- Mystery surprise pots – this would be whatever I can assemble, divide, or dig up from my garden to spare. $3 ea – 10 more pot of… Could be anything from violets to century plant pups to other sedums of other colors. Depends on what comes up and re-plants into a pot well. Will be identified when delivered.
- Red turks cap – $3 ea. I’ve got these at the house, currently rooting.
- Please see last post for the other plants I’ve got available now.
Cross country has started, reminder of shift in studio hours…only to shift again in Sept.
- Tuesdays (note: I start coaching at 630a, so done by 230p)
- if in Taylor, 10a-230p
- if in Austin, 9a-215p
- Wednesdays in Austin – 12n-6p
- Thursdays in Taylor, 11a-230p (coaching at 630a)
- Fridays in Taylor, 10a-230p
For anything scheduled 8/10/25 forward, there will be a 20% surcharge for appointments scheduled outside normal business hours (ie what’s in the scheduler & above). My down time is essential for my well-being, and I also acknowledge that sometimes you need an appointment outside normal hours. This is the compromise. If you’re already scheduled off calendar, you’re good for the normal rate.
Exceptions to this surcharge – such as Labor Day (already full), which I opened up since I’m taking a workshop the remainder of that week.
I will endeavor to stay well ahead of any such schedule shifts.
Next openings are…
- Tues, August 26, 9a, 30 min only
- Wed, September 17, 445p.
If you are looking for something in Austin, please ask to be put on my wait list. I actively use it.
Next opening is…
- Fri, August 29, 10a & 1215p
If you are looking for something in Taylor or virtual, please ask to be put on my wait list. I actively use it.
