Columbus Marathon

This was seriously a long time ago, but one of the proudest accomplishments of my life. The marathon is the only race where finishing was in doubt. I attempted this race three times, finishing only once. While just under four hours wasn't going to get me into the Boston Marathon, I was so happy I literally jumped over the finish line, fist pumping the air. Not the smartest thing to do on tired, shaky legs.

http://www.columbusmarathon.com

Potatoes Au Gratin

That pile of sliced potatoes from Monday's post went into this yummy Au Gratin recipe. I suggest doing an hour or so of exercise before chowing down on this. It's not for the calorie or carb faint-at-heart. 

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter 
• 1 medium shallot, finely minced 
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced 
• 4 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, sliced 1/8" thick 
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 large sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add the potatoes, cream, milk, thyme, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Cover, adjusting the heat as necessary to maintain a light simmer and cook until the potatoes are almost tender, about 15 minutes,

Remove and discard the thyme Sprigs. Transfer the potato mixture to a 9x13 dish and sprinkle with Parmesan and cheddar cheese. Bake until the cream has thickened and is bubbling around the sides, and the top is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Clean Right

This chair was really dirty.  Was.  Thanks to the folks at Clean Right, it looks brand new.

http://www.cleanrightdayton.com

Browser Benchmark Test

This is an easy tool to gauge how relatively well your web browser performs compared to others. My two-year-old Dell laptop with Chrome 57 hit an impressive 88.8 compared to 25.6 for Internet Explorer 11. My five-year old MacBook Air with Chrome 58 measured 55.3 and was bested by Safari 10's 64.3. Be patient, each run takes a few minutes to complete.

http://browserbench.org/Speedometer

Mandoline

Reduced four pounds of Yukon potatoes to perfect 1/8" slices in under five minutes with the assistance of this V-Slicer Mandoline. Take care to keep your fingers away from the blades or they will meet the same fate.  Includes two blades for making thick and thin fries.

https://www.amazon.com/Swissmar-Borner-V-1001-V-Slicer-Mandoline/dp/B0000632QE

Farfalle with Crispy Prosciutto and Peas

This recipe had me at "Crispy Prosciutto". Super simple and quick, it's perfect for a weeknight. Not that you have to pair it with a bottle of Gary Farrell Pinot Noir and some fresh baked bread, but then again, why the heck not?

http://chewnibblenosh.com/2017/01/farfalle-crispy-prosciutto-peas

AutoDraw

This cute Google tool with keep a child (or your inner child) busy for hours. As you begin to draw, by holding a left-click and dragging around the canvas, Autodraw begins suggesting similar objects across the top. Click on one of those and your crude attempt is replaced with your selection.

https://www.autodraw.com

Stratus Helicopters

I don't know how this one didn't get into the blog for so long.  Back in October 2016 I had a 45 minute introduction and safety course about helicopters, then climbed aboard this blue two-seater on a beautiful sunny day for the ride of my life. I got to pilot the helicopter for about 15 minutes as we made a big loop around northern Cincinnati.  It's very touchy, but Matt was there to take over in a split second if needed.

He demonstrated during the flight how a helicopter, without engine power, can float down towards the ground, just like a glider. We fortunately didn't test out the final part of the maneuver, which would involve pitching the copter nose-up near the ground to kill the forward speed and falling the last few feet. But it's nice to know you can survive and not end up a splotch on the ground.

https://www.stratushelicopters.com

Bathroom Remodel is Complete

With the installation of the shower door, the bathroom remodel is officially complete. Couldn't be more pleased with the results.  And I'll continue seeing Jason Best and his crew for awhile, as they are doing a basement in the house across the street.

http://jbestconstruction.com

Sarna Sensitive

When my dermatologist recommended a new anti-itch lotion (eczema is my winter nemesis) which contained pramoxine hydrochloride, I researched a bit to find this half-price alternative, which does a very good job and much more budget-friendly.

https://www.amazon.com/Sarna-Sensitive-Anti-Itch-Lotion-7-5-Ounce/dp/B002DUDEQ2