“I Hope Everyone’s All Right”

This morning I was driving down a busy four-lane street when I saw an emergency vehicle with its lights and siren on coming from the opposite direction. As soon as I saw it I pulled over. Sounds simple, right? Isn’t that what you’re legally supposed to do, not to mention morally? I did not slam on my breaks, I signaled before I stopped, but apparently I was alone. Cars were passing me looking at me as if to say, “What the hell are you doing?” Granted the truck was two traffic lights away, but it wasn’t like it was a mile away. Were these drivers in that much of a hurry? A few seconds later it turned left at the light I was two cars away from and everyone did finally stop. An ambulance came next and as the light turned green I actually wondered if the cars around me were going to let the ambulance (with lights and sirens on) go first.

I pull over as soon as I see and hear the sirens. My rationale is simple: That’s what I would want all drivers to do if I were the one in need of the emergency vehicle’s services. I strive (and like to think those who know me would say I succeed) in living my life doing “the right thing” for the simple reason that it’s the right thing to do. I have witnessed cars continue driving obliviously when near emergency vehicles, even prohibiting them from going through intersections.

I am blessed/lucky to have never needed the service of an ambulance but if I do I hope it is given the right of way on its way to help me. You never know where they’re going to turn or even really how fast they are approaching.

So, I ask you, when do you pull over when you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching from either behind or toward you?

Favorite Photo Friday: River Commute

From September 2007 – December 2010 I commuted on average once a week 30 miles north along the Mississippi River Road. I was one year into being a mom of two children when I began the commute and I relished those peaceful drives along the Mighty Mississippi. I found sincere beauty in every season. It was two years ago on a Saturday morning that I decided to bring my camera and capture the beauty of the River in the winter.

Photo Taken by Daria Lapp. 2/14/10. Freight train traveling south along the frozen Mississippi River.

Favorite Photo Friday: Bird Babies

It has become common around my small house and property to see one, if not more, Robins build a nest on or around our house in spring. I often watch with admiration of a bird’s determination to build a home for its growing family on a crooked light rather than a tree. But in April of 2010 a Robin built a nest in our fence. If I stood on my tiptoes I could see inside the nest and when I stood 10 feet away on a bench and zoomed my camera in I captured some of the most breathtaking moments that nature has ever provided me. We watched the eggs turn into tiny closed eyed baby birds. We watched the dad bird guard the nest from afar, while the mom fed the babies. And we eventually watched the birds with their youthful spots hop around our yard bravely on their own under their parents’ watchful eyes.

This is just one of many photos I took during their time in the nest, but it is the most heartwarming one to me. It’s a bit blurry, but it’s one of my favorites just the same.

Photo taken by Daria Lapp. 4/28/10. The birds were just 2 days old.

No Cookies From Me This Time

My son’s school is hosting a Family Valentine’s dance this Friday. They’re asking for donations of a dozen non-frosted treats to share at the dance. Of course I jump right into baking mode thinking what cute heart treats can I bring? That’s when I see http://www.stoplookingetcookin.com/2012/02/easy-valentines-day-cookies/ and I say, hey those are easy and cute. After stops to two different stores I find the small heart sprinkles I want to use. Then I made the rare decision to buy a bag of sugar cookie mix. Cake mixes and brownie mixes I don’t usually think twice about, but I don’t think I’ve bought a cookie mix ever. But I’m not a sugar cookie baker and it is a somewhat busy week (excuses, excuses).

Yesterday I baked the cookies and although they looked nice after taste testing two cookies I decided I didn’t really enjoy them so much. After school my son had one and he said they were good so to the dance they will go.

Well that was until this morning that is. Picture it: My kitchen, 7:45 am. (I’m channeling my inner Sophia, and if you don’t get this reference try singing Thank you for being a friend. No, you still don’t get it? That makes me sad for you). The kids were ready a little early for school so I sat down at the kitchen table to read my morning’s blogs. As I’m reading about making homemade chocolates (http://www.littlebittybakes.com/) I begin to smell something awful, looking back now I’d say it smelled like…….burning plastic, Tupperware to be exact, my favorite Tupperware to be even more precise. There it was on the kitchen stove holding the Valentine sugar cookies inside.

Before I sat down to my computer I was cleaning up after breakfast and moved the Tupperware, along with a large bowl on top to the smooth stovetop. I love how my stove gives me small kitchen just a bit more counter space. I glance over to the stove and see smoke all around the Tupperware! My instinct quickly had me moving the Tupperware only to have the cookies fall out the bottom and for melted plastic to stretch all the way to the sink.

Notice the melted plastic blob in the middle of the not so cute cookies.

So now picture me telling my kids to open the front door so the smoke alarm doesn’t go off, while I’m opening kitchen windows and turning on the ceiling fan all while trying to move melting plastic and burnt cookies off my stove. Wow, is melting plastic ever stringy AND hot?!

Melted Tupperware upside down in the sink.

This entire time my mind is completely boggled as to why the stove was even on. My first thought was my husband must have turned it on this morning before I got up. But that made absolutely no sense and we ate out last night so I couldn’t possibly have turned it on last night and kept it on (not to mention it is totally irrational to think I wouldn’t have known if the stove was on all night.) So, even though I knew my husband had an incredibly busy morning at work I had to know how the stove was turned on before I could leave the house to bring the kids to school. As I was waiting for him to pick up the phone it came to me and I quickly hung up. The Tupperware bowl must have bumped and turned the knob on.

In the end I got it mostly cleaned up, I only have a small blister on my thumb and I waited until the stove cooled completely before taking the kids to school. Oh and I got pictures! Before the birth of this blog I don’t think I would have even considered taking pictures, but this way when the kids tell Daddy that Mommy almost burned the house down I can show him the pictures.

I am a true believer that there is something to be learned from everything that happens in my life. This morning I learned that I should always bake my cookies from scratch.

Hmmm now added to my To Do list is to find a Tupperware consultant so I can replace my favorite cookie holding Tupperware.

I’m Starting my Training…Tomorrow

Some Monday morning running motivation for those who need it. Honestly, don't we all need it after eating our (my) way through the Super Bowl. I "officially" start training tomorrow for my April 10K so I have a free pass today.

The original link to my Monday Motivation courtesy of Women's Running Magazine.

I did it! I signed up for an all women’s 10K in the end of April. I have run three 10Ks in the past 5 years and truth be told I haven’t “trained” once. I’m imagining what I can accomplish if I actually train. Maybe a time under 60 minutes?! The first 10K was the BolderBoulder in 2007. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when my dear friend I was visiting in Boulder asked if I wanted to do it. It was an emotionally driven race for me. My mom had been diagnosed with lung cancer just 8 months prior to the race and my friend, Maggie was a great support to me in my time of need. It wasn’t long before that she had been battling similar emotions with her own father. WOW! It was A-Mazing and the spectators make that race what it is! Every May since I strive to be the most awesome spectator as I cheer marathoners on in the La Crosse Marathon.

Last year I ran two 10Ks; one in June in Green Bay, that I hope to repeat this year and then another in August which I have no intention of repeating.

Ok, back to my training. For the past 13 months I have been running with a small clip on iPod using Nike+ to track my runs. Nike+ has a 10K training program that I signed up for on their website. When I say I signed up for it I mean I clicked on it. For the past few months I have had many Monday morning runs, beginning my week off “right”. Well, because the race in April is on a Sunday this plan has me beginning my weekly runs on Tuesday. It’s going to take just a little bit of getting used to, but I am so thankful that I have a free pass not to run today. I am still full from my all-beef Super Bowl foods and it’s 9:30 the next morning.

A Jew in the Midwest on Super Bowl Sunday

Every year we host a small gathering of friends to watch the Super Bowl. For me it’s always been about the commercials, I majored in advertising after all. As I’ve gotten older it’s also become about the food. The one exception was when the Packers played (and won) last year and my then 7 year old was amped up, then I got real into the game.

This year I’ve decided to keep the food simple and classic. Pigs in a blanket and meatballs are among the many snack foods I have in my house right now. Simple with one obstacle that is. Often times when people first learn that I’m Jewish one of their first questions is, “Do you eat pork?” Yes, I like bacon and I will even occasionally make pork chops for my gentile husband.

After shopping for Super Bowl food I realized my answer isn’t that simple. I also only eat all beef hot dogs, bologna (actually only kosher) and meatballs. Part of it is a preference, but it’s mostly because of what I ate growing up. It all comes back to the nature v. nature debate. I have no problem finding beef hot dogs here, after all Oscar Meyer is headquartered in Madison, WI. It’s not really cow in a blanket that I want as much as bagel dogs, but that brings back an old conversation about missing east coast food, sigh. Having “classic” tastes I also really do not enjoy Pillsbury crescent rolls (there you have it folks, another confession of my pickiness). So, I went where I go for most of my recipes; online! Easy solution: puff pastry. I am so excited to taste my cows in a pillow!

Ok, so now onto the meatballs. Who knew most appetizer-sized premade frozen meatballs were not all beef? I know who…you! Well, not me. I did eventually will some all beef frozen meatballs to appear within my site in a grocery store. I didn’t want to mix them; although I will confess I have already eaten both. So, I have a large crockpot with lips and asses meatballs (sorry, but I’ll never forget learning in junior high that’s what hot dogs were made from) – true or false, I really don’t know, so why not the meatballs too? Back to the crockpots, a large crockpot with meatballs covered in a sweet sauce and a small crockpot of all beef meatballs in barbecue sauce.

About the game? I was never “into” football growing up, but I did own a Giants coat in high school and I have some family members who are fans. But I did grow up in New England, so I’m confused about who to root for. My kids, for whatever reason, are cheering for the Patriots. Oh who am I kidding?! I can’t wait to eat and play Super Bowl Commercial Bingo.

Some time I’ll talk about my obsession with cooking shows.

Favorite Photo Friday – Footprints in the Sand

This week’s photo was taken on the shores of Lake Michigan in Ludington State Park, Michigan. Why our family’s footprints look as if we tunneled under the sand is beyond me. It didn’t look that way until I saw it enlarged on my computer. If you look closely you’ll notice the footprint in the background isn’t susceptible to same optical illusion. This is just one of many breathtaking photos I took during our first visit to an equally breathtaking part of our country. Who needs the ocean, when you have crystal clear Lake Michigan with it’s sugar white sand beaches; no saltwater, no sharks, and no jellyfish.

Photo taken by Daria Lapp. July 20, 2011. Ludington, Michigan.