After a long day back to the grind, I released myself into the wild world of green, blue and sun.
I was excited to finally see this guy in daylight again!
And crunched on this nice apple for a snack. A late spoonful of Maranatha Dark Chocolate Almond Butter may have passed my lips simultaneously
I put on my workout gear, mounted my bike and pretended I was 12 years old.
I roared past flowers.
I felt the warm breeze on my arms.
I sucked in the smell of freshly cut grass.
I waved at dogwalkers.
I smiled at dogs.
And I inhaled the intoxicating fumes of a quarter mile’s worth of honeysuckle.
For a moment, the world stopped spinning.
I arrived at the gym, spend a relaxing (yes, workouts are relaxing!) 30 minutes sweating with Real Simple, did pull-ups, push-ups, lunges and planks, and made my return journey, stopping for a bit of nectar this time.
I arrived home to find the chef hard at work!
Gnocchi anyone!?
The last time Matt made gnocchi he froze half the batch. Convenient for a gourmet weeknight meal!
Tonight’s featured a Bertolli sauce I was sent through the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program back in March: Arrabbiata.
We sauteed mushrooms, red pepper and cherry tomatoes in some olive oil and then added the sauce to make a bulky veggie sauce.
Poured over gnocchi with a little parmesan cheese and oregano
Sadly I didn’t like the sauce at all. It was very oily and didn’t have much flavor. I didn’t really care for either of the Tastemaker Bertolli sauces. It’s not the brand though, because Bertolli makes THE BEST pasta sauce ever: their Premium line that comes in a pouch. I got a few samples from BlogHer 2008 (when I met Rocco DiSpirito!) and they rocked. I’m not seeing them on the website, so I hope they are still made! Perhaps the vineyard line is the replacement?
On the side we each had a Great Harvest Potato Virginia Roll! These are the BEST rolls!! All white flour, doughy and delicious.
🙂
Dessert
***
Happy 92nd Birthday To my Grandfather, Pop!!
Here he is sporting his KERF sweatshirt!
A postcard sent from my great grandmother’s sister to pop’s dad upon his birth in 1918!
[Told you mom learned how to use her scanner 🙂 ]
And here he was as a boy!!
Pop was in the Navy in WWII – his ship was nearly missed many times, he says. He went to Johns Hopkins University. He LOVES the Baltimore Orioles. And he STILL goes to work most days of the week to this day!
With me as a baby with my grandmother
And with mom and Larbs in the 80s
Then the 90s (I LOVED that San Diego Zoo shirt!)
And finally, our whole family recently
***
Off to watch Gossip Girl! (At least a little of it before bedtime). I tried to watch it on the plane last night and had NO luck finding it online anywhere. Thank goodness I’ve got it DVRed!
Goodnight all
Simply Life says
how fun -hope he has a happy bday!
CM says
http://www.watch-gossip-girl.com/
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
OMG The photo of your grandfather at a young age, I think I can definitely see you in him, especially around the nose and cheeks
Lisa says
I love this post about your grandfather. It’s so sweet. Happy Birthday to him!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
Happy birthday to your Pop!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Happy bday to your grandfather!!! He sounds like one amazing man!
The gnocchi looks great but that roll… oh i’d KILL for one of those!
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
Are you sure we aren’t twins. I definitely sweat to Real Simple when I’m at the gym as well. Gnocchi is my absolute favorite pasta. I didn’t even think about freezing it.
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
That photo of Matt is hilarious! And that postcard is an awesome find…
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
Matt’s just earning lots of points for being so helpful. That’s cute that your grandpa is wearing a KERF sweatshirt and showing support.
julia says
Your bike ride sounds blissful! 🙂
And, I have a site that you can use to watch almost anything. I don’t even have a TV.
www.sidereel.com. it’s awesome.
Love the old pictures!
lauri Watson says
I kinda liked the Arrabbiata sauce! Definitely liked it better than the 4cheese white sauce, which I thought tasted okay, but too heavy. I would buy the red, but not the white! Sweet post about your POP! Glad you made it back safe and sound!
Jenny says
Happy birthday Pop!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Bummer about the sauce!
Happy B-Day to your pop!
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies says
What a great mid-week meal! It’s too bad the sauce wasn’t that great – but it looks fantastic! Happy b-day to your Pop!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
aw, happy birthday to your grandfather!!! he’s adorable in his KERF sweatshirt 🙂 i’m so excited to smell some honeysuckle soon, i miss that sometimes!
Ann @ Appalachian Appetites says
TIna @ Carrots ‘N’ Cake didn’t like the Bertolli Sauces either…Guess I won’t be buying them anytime soon. Kinda sad for Bertolli but I trust y’all’s opinions!!
Krystina says
Haha that picture of Matt is priceless!
Happy Birthday, Pop!
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
oooh what great family pics!
And that photo of Matt is too funny 🙂
Stacy Grows Healthy says
Too bad about that sauce. I was thinking arrabiata would be super tasty.
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
Such a cute tribute to your grandfather.. and I LOVE that he is rocking a KERF shirt! Cute picture of Matt too!
Marisa (Loser for Life) says
I love seeing your old pics!
christina cadden says
Awe, such a great post!
Abby says
Honeysuckle always brings back memories! We had honeysuckle in my backyard and my older brother and I would pick it and suck the “honey” out of it. Ahhh, I loved those days!
Happy birthday to your pop 🙂
Red says
Oh I loooove honeysuckle! It tastes good too!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
Great photos!! I love looking at old photographs 🙂
Samantha says
Don’t you love treating yourself to white flour every once in a while? Too tasty!
I’d buy a kerf hoodie in a second!
XO
Kath says
You can here!
http://www.cafepress.com/KathEats
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
So glad you got a minute to breathe in that sweet air today! It does make you feel so much better. I totally agree that workouts are relaxing! Dinner looks delicious. We did pasta with meatballs/beanballs. Enjoy your show…have a great night!
Nicole, RD says
92! Wow! Amazing! Inspirational! I want to live to be 100 🙂
You’re lucky to have such a savvy husband in the kitchen…and a model. Haha!
Lindsay @ Summit Sandwiches says
I loved the way you described your bike ride to the gym. You make it seem like we’re there right along with you, experiencing the joy of a ride on a beautiful day…I love writing that transports like that. Thanks.
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
aw i love the pic of your grandpa in the kerf sweatshirt! that’s adorable.
Hannah says
I love all these family photos from the past! I kinda wish we still dressed little boys up in suits and combed their hair like that, but I’m guessing parents today have enough on their minds…
Erin says
Old family photos are the best!
Mastering Public Health says
Happy 92nd birthday to him! 🙂
Katie says
Wow, your grandpa is 92 years old and he still goes to work?? I hope I’m not working past 60, haha. If you don’t mind me asking, what does he do?
Kath says
He works in investment research 🙂
Megan says
I have been a daily blog reader for the last 2+years and you have all inspired me to start my own. My Story of weight loss is a little different then most. I would love for you so stop by and check it out. Keep up the great work!
Kath says
2+ years – still hard for me to believe! Congrats on your blog!!
Emily Eats and Exercises says
So much good stuff on this post, but my eye got stuck on the pull-ups. Can you do pull-ups!?!? That’s next on my fitness goal list…
Kath says
I can do:
1 pull up
~3 chin ups
and
About 26 assisted pull-ups with 80 lbs.
So when I say “I went and did pull-ups” they are assisted 🙂
Sara says
26 🙂
Rose says
That picture of Matt is totally priceless.
Rose-Anne says
I hear you on the bike rides. My bike ride commute home today was amazing–suddenly a Wednesday evening felt like a Saturday. It’s magic!
And that picture of Matt in the doorway–ooh la la! He is hilarious and such a good sport for KERF.
Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Love all the family photos! Very sweet. 🙂
The gnocchi + dinner roll look divine.
Jenn
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) says
I love bulking up pasta sauces like that, and sopping up the leftovers with doughy rolls – yum!
Happy Birthday to your Pop! He looks like he is spirited and full of lots of great stories 🙂
thepinkpeppercorn says
mmm! Gotta love gnocchi!
Andie says
What does gnocchi taste like? Never tried it. And is it available at normal grocery stores?
Kath says
Like potato dough. And yes, you should be able to find it frozen.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
Aw, sorry the sauce wasn’t the best, but wow it looks amazing! Matt is turning into quite the cook! 🙂
Happy Birthday to your Grandfather!
Cara says
Aww I adore all the old photos. Your grandpa seems pretty awesome!
Nicole says
I love looking at old photos, thanks for sharing!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
Is Larbs your sister’s real name? If not, what is it? : )
Kath says
It’s Laura!
Camille says
That picture of Matt has me cracking up 🙂
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
Happy birthday to him!
That workout trip does sound so relaxing – sometimes it’s nice just to stop and SEE the world, as opposed to it flying by 🙂
Jackie (Peaces of Earth) says
Happy birthday to Grandpa! That is so adorable he is wearing your sweatshirt!!
I love riding my bike. Seriously makes me feel so joyous and carefree like I’m 8 years old again!
Jessica says
Hi Kath. There is such a high element of narcissism present in your blog, and not just yours, but in that of so many other food bloggers. What do you gain by posting almost everything you do on the internet? Your meals, your job, your husband, you parents, your family-why? Do you want adoration from others? Or does it fulfill some other void in your life? Is anything left sacred and private in your life? I realize this may sound harsh, but there is an element of exhibitionism here. I would ask you to see if you could, perhaps, quit blogging for a week or so, and just live, not photographing this or that, and see what perkalates for you. It may be even more edifying than however many readers that may comment upon how delicious the food that you comsummed for lunch was. You seem talented and bright, and with much to give to the world. Maybe drawing some personal boundaries for yourself would proivide you with some privacy and unimagined benefits.
Kath says
You obviously are new to the blog world. Stick around for a while and maybe you’ll change your mind…
Laura says
A little late in the day, but just wanted to share something that you reminded me of the day before yesterday- one of my favourite songs when I was a teenybopper, when you said ‘lets get ready to rumble’- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_sJmIQrH54
Classic right? It was a huuge hit in the U.K. Those dance moves, priceless! Have a lovely day Kath, keep going!
Kath says
LOL.
Anne @ Food Loving Polar Bear says
I love the old pics! my granddad in Germany has a lot and we usually spend hours looking them while he tells his terrific stories 🙂
That gnocchi looks awesome and I’m VERY jealous that you’ve met Rocco, he’s the man of my dreams 😀 (together with Bruce Willis and Tom Colicchio 😉 )
Lauren says
What a gorgeous dinner! Too bad the sauce wasn’t the best. I’m picky about pasta sauces – luckily one of my favorites is the simple and affordable tomato basil marinara from TJ’s.
Sounds like your bike ride to the gym was glorious – I love how poetic your description of it is!
Veronica says
I loved the old pictures of your family, very fun! Happy Birthday to your grandpa and thanks for sharing your life with us.
Ally says
Great Photos Kath! I think its funny how you and Larbs both look exactly the same in the picture when you are kids with your Grandfatehr – the San Diego Zoo shirt one, as you do now! Also – couldn’t help but notice you are reading a MAGAZINE! haha, have a great day!
MLT says
Wow, your mom and Larbs look so much alike!
Heather (www.runningwithsass.com) says
super cute! I love looking at old pictures!
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
I really need a scanner. I love old pictures and my grandmother’s house has tons of them.
Funky Lady says
It’s funny you featured honeysuckle. In Ohio, we do quite a bit to get rid of Honeysuckle. It is an invasive plant and is taking over our forest areas and killing the flora that we should be enjoying. We have events such as “Honeysuckle Haze” where groups of people, led by environmentalists and park employees, volunteer to cut down and destroy Honeysuckle!
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale says
Cute kid pics!
My grandfather was in the navy too. He was a pilot on an aircraft carrier. His boat was hit once and he spent 10 hrs. floating on a lifesaver in the sea until a British boat picked them up!
I love hearing stories from my grandparents – they had such interesting lives!
Jen F. says
Hi Kath, with all the reports of e-coli found in lettuce and other fresh (organic) produce, what steps do you take to try to avoid contamination?
Kath says
I just wash my produce before I eat it.
Shawna @ Balancing Me says
Aww what great photos! And it’s great to know that he’s still working most days! What a wonderful thing!!!
Matt says
Guilty!
Diana(mymarblerye) says
omg, I kept thinking you were the girl on the right but then I saw you on the left!!! Your sister (i assume) and you are twinsies! DOUBLE MINT GUM!
Anne P says
I love that comment – “For a moment, the world stopped spinning.” Beautiful! 🙂
Also, that pic of Matt is classic!!
Lauren says
Aww, I called my Grandpa Pop too!!!
Matt’s picture is amazing!! 😛
And I loved hearing about your bike ride- you are a breath of fresh air!!! 🙂