Main Ingredients:
1 water bottle
1 pair of sneakers
1 helmet
1 bike
1 bubble holster
(Note: Recipe assumes you are wearing clothes)
Topping:
20 Boston Cream Cupcakes
So, I have rediscovered the joy in blowing bubbles and I am hooked! C’mon now, we all did it as kids, and you really need to try this again. Really.
I enjoy them as much as I do running, biking and baking, so I decided to have a full day of all four and it almost pushed me past the brink...of pure joy.
I have been taking them on my latest adventures because they make me smile. They bring so much happiness – not only to me, but to others as well – especially kids, dogs and folks over 65 (or those who have retired).
So now, as I prep for my runs, walks or cycling excursions, I have added one additional item as a new piece of gear - it goes something like this:
1 water bottle – Check
1 pair of sneakers - Check
1 helmet –Check
1 bike –Check
NEW: 1 bubble holster - Check
What..what was that?
Yes, you heard me. This has been taken to a whole new level. I have gone so far as to converting one of my runner belts into a bubble holster. I swear that the Spiebelt model was made just for this very thing…to hold a bottle of this delightful miracle juice.
What is that? Crazy you say?
Just go try it, and you will see just how crazy I am. As crazy as you will be riding along side, begging me to take you on my next trip. It’s a drug I tell you. A drug. You know how they say that people get "sick on the pipe?" Well, I am “sick on the wand.” Just sick.
Watch the Wind
This is the first major piece of advice that I will give you in your attempts to experience this recipe for JOY in just the right way. Make sure it’s not windy. I had a long run scheduled on this day so I chose the route that crosses the George Washington Bridge. How perfect. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Well, I got a little ahead of myself in the excitement of my new discovery. As I tried it out, the wind blew the bubbles back in my face (with a swirl of dirt that had whirled up from the road). Once the bubbles started to pop, I got a mixture of dirt and soap in my eyes and couldn’t see! I stopped and staggered for a bit and could swear that I almost fell off the bridge. I had to take a little time out squirting water from my bottle into my sockets in order to see again. Even after that things were a little fuzzy…and my shirt was full of suds. So again – watch the wind.
After this little freak show, I went home changed my shirt and grabbed my bike ( I am trying to train for a duathlon). Which brings me to my next piece of advice…
Wipe Your Hands and Wear a Helmet
I know what your thinking. Trust me.
If you are on a bike ride and pause to take a break to park and blow bubbles, this is a priority. When you are finished make sure to wipe your hands of all excess bubble juice. I made this mistake once and my hands slipped off my handle bars – thank goodness I had a helmet on or that could have been a disaster... except for that darn chin strap that got caught on the handle bar and almost choked me.
Geeshe, what a spectacle. And I wasn’t even riding yet- just trying to mount my bike.
I left in one piece, with a minor scratch on my cornea (from the handle break) and a small limp, nothing to keep the ‘ole girl down though…
Instead, I pulled over and sat down on a nice park bench in front of a beautiful flower garden with views of the Hudson. I must have blown bubbles for an hour and could have stayed there all day. I had to go because I had one final thing planned for that afternoon. To make a delicious treat!
So after the day of events and exercise were complete, I decided to take what energy I had left to make something delicious as my reward – Boston Cream Cupcakes.
I have been searching for just the right recipe because Boston Cream Pie is Jeff’s favorite dessert. Hands down. I tried to make it a long time ago, but wouldn't necessarily say that I nailed it.
Usually when I do, Jeff will take a bite and exclaim, "This needs to go into the binder!" I keep a binder of favorite recipes so I can make them again. Only the best make it in. The last time I tried to make this (when we just started dating and I was still honing my skillz) this didn’t happen. And now that I come to think of it, we haven’t really spoken about that day since…but, I digress. Anyway, this new recipe has officially made it to the binder…
It’s from Martha Stewart’s Cupcake book.
It’s amazing…I just add an extra splash of vanilla and a pad of butter to the pastry cream…perfect!
So as I sat there, tasting just a little bit of heaven, I reflected on the day and thanked the universe for such a glorious time.
"I wonder how much it would take to buy a soap bubble, if there were only one in the world."
- Mark Twain
Live and love life!
(And now go get some bubbles!)
-Butter
