Or at least, our families version of it. This meal was made my aunts and cousins. My grandmother and mother used to make it every Christmas Eve since I can remember, and I can’t wait to learn how to make it myself because I want to keep the tradition as a part of our family. It is homemade flatbread, pinto beans with spices, sauerkraut with dumplings (or mushrooms!), and mashed sweet and regular potatoes. We also had cranberry sauce, prunes and delicious spiced red wine.

This Eastern-European dinner is traditionally a meatless feast whose preparations begin early on Christmas Eve. It is a solemn meal that brings the family together, sometimes from hundreds of miles away. Dinner doesn’t begin until the first star of the evening is sighted, a job customarily given to the young children of the household to keep them occupied while dinner is prepared. Prayers are followed by a blessing with a clove of garlic dipped in honey. The head of the household dips the garlic in honey and makes the sign of the cross on everyone’s forehead as a reminder to keep Christ foremost in their lives. Yes, we still do this every Christmas Eve.

 

I’m kind of bummed because my Garmin died at Mile 19. I wanted to see my splits. I have to charge it to recover the information that is hopefully on there through 19 and I haven’t yet. From what I remember, Miles 1-4 were difficult (as usual) and I was wondering how the heck I was going to run 16 more. Miles 4-8 were awesome and I got into a rhythm of running. While thinking, I worked out a strategy that if I could run/walk/crawl four miles an hour and feel okay, I will make it under the seven hour time frame for the full in Disney. I still felt pretty good for Miles 8-12, but was starting to feel tired by Mile 12. Thankfully, my Dad and sister met me at my car with a banana and – to my surprise – my sister was dressed to run! She ran Miles 12-16with me and I was struggling by this point (did I mention that the first two miles of every four mile loop were uphill). I figured I would take it from Judiand play big or go home. And yes, Judi, I wasat Ohio Health. So, by the times I ran Miles 16-20 I was pretty much spent and did a lot of walking, which worries me a little since I slowed down so much. I was so happy to finish! I am feeling confident about the Goofy now. Surprisingly (and oh-so-thankfully) my knee is fine today, but my foot and quads are really hurting. Since when did I get a foot issue?!

This recap is brought to you by…

 

The Ohio Theatre!