Saturday, 2/6: We are in the midst of an old time, batten down the hatches, Mid-Atlantic blizzard. And a luxury it is; Rosa, our 13 year old, is held hostage (by the blizzard) at home all day and night. We bake Jacques Torres’ sublime chocolate chip cookies, the secret being a small smattering of sea salt placed on the top of each cookie before baking. We watch 3 episodes of the new “it” television series, Life Unexpected (not quite reaching the heights of The Gilmore Girls-but what show does?) We read: I finish up the luminous Let the Great World Spin (a must read!), while Rosa peruses 17 Magazine and Teen Vogue. For dinner, Mark Bittman’s macaroni and cheese. The day, in a word, fabulous.
Sunday, 2/7: Life begins to return to the humdrum. Swim practice at 4. Tax return documents are gathered. After all those carbs yesterday—-a short run in my new Yaktrax.
I don’t think the orthopedist envisioned this day, when he declared that I could run once I gained elbow mobility. But, we runners are curious people. The Yaktrax Pro’s, steel-coil traction gear, were a cinch to place over my running shoes. And…. they worked! My footing was secure on the snow, slush and ice. I felt confident and balanced. They didn’t slip off my shoes. The quiet solitude of the bright and pearly run was interrupted only when I run over patches of bare road, where the Yaks made a distinctive crunching sound. Snow shovelers gave me “are you crazy?” smiles. I wanted to lift up my shoes to display the Yaks, but that would be tempting the gods, wouldn’t it?
Some scattered winter running observations: Clothingwise, I’ve been wearing one thin and one thick(er) technical shirt, and a windbreaker, as opposed to a running coat. I’ve felt notably warmer and drier. LDF maven, Kerry, purchased a gorgeous runner’s windbreaker (with a LED light on the sleeve) weeks before a NY Times article touted the very jacket!
Locking in and paying for a half (or full) marathon seems to be the only way for me to get out there and put in the long miles.
I marvel at my LDF’s , who instinctively recognize when the winter elements are just too daunting and declare it time to call it a (running) day and when to encourage us that today is the day to push on. Understanding how serene, and yet energized, we will feel when it’s all over.
Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adapted from Jacques Torres
Time: 45 minutes
3 2/3 cups flour (minus 2 tablespoons)
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate disks /chips
Sea salt.
1. Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt (not sea salt) into a bowl. Set aside.
2. Using a mixer, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate (Chilling the dough improves the flavor.)
3. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.
4. Scoop mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes.
Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.
Yield: 1 1/2 dozen 5-inch cookies
