George's Big Concert

Thursday night we all went to the state fair grounds to listed to 800 first and second year strings and instrumental students perform a concert. The musicians where 4th ,5th and 6th graders. The concert was a showcase for the Indianapolis Public School students who receive music education thanks to a 1.3 million dollar grant from VH-1. George was one of the performers playing cello. It is a thrill to hear all the musicians play their songs. George loved playing in the concert and O cannot wait till next year to play in the concert.

May 2nd was the 33rd running of the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon. Rick dropped me off in downtown Indianapolis at 6:45 along with 35,000, yes 35,000, other runners. I found my corral and waited to start the race, no port-o-lets for me. The weather was perfect, over cast and 48 at the start. After a rousing rendition of Back Home Again in Indiana and the motor speedway traditional invocation of "Godspeed" in many languages we were under way. In the first mile you run past the zoo and it is so cool to see the elephants up on the hill past the zoo's fence. About 3/4 of a mile in the live musical acts started. I enjoyed basement grunge, rap, death metal, middle age cover bands, cloggers, cheerleaders, West African drum ensembles (twice) and square dancers. It is so great. The whole scene is so cool! All of the streets are lines with spectators and children looking to give you high fives. For some reason there where also a lot of mascots also lining the streets giving out fives and encouragement. Mile 6-7 1/2 is a hot lap around the motor speedway. That is where I watch the winner of the race break the tape on the jumbo tron. As you pass the pagoda and head toward the speedway start finish line you have to be careful not to trip on people stooping to kiss the bricks. The race was good for me. Not a PR but I beat my time last year. I got passed by spider man, a man juggling, an 80 year old woman and a couple pre-teens. However I did beat the runner in the gorilla costume and the banana. Thank goodness! I meet up with Rick at the Finish line where he was poised to take a photo finish of me but he missed. We left to go pick up the boys who were at Mam and Bops and we were met with balloons and signs that the boys made for me. Owen's- "But I'm not dead yet". George's- "now you're done with 13.1. It was a fun day. Bec before the race

I was very happy to meet up with Rick after the race.

Dutch Baby

We have discovered the sensation of Dutch baby. It is treat that is a cross between a popover and a crepe. Eggs, milk, flour, and a dusting of lemon sugar, sometimes we serve it with blueberries.

Here comes the sun

It has been a while since posting but that happens when it gets warm and we are out playing. The hoop has gotten a work out lately. They guys play all kinds of versions of one on one. I love some of their made up rules.


O goes strong

G's new red cleats

When the sun is out some things have to take a back seat

So not to get his cup mixed up with George's, O decide his needs to be customized

Food Post

The more Rick, George and Owen say they enjoy my cooking, the more I cook. Last weekend my sister Kathy and I got to talking about how we both are constantly thinking about our food plans. Sometimes, we'll be eating one meal and planning the next. We come by it genetically.



Apple Crisp is fantastic year round.



Friday night at the Henss house means homemade pizza. This recent concoction is one of our favorites for dinner and breakfast--basil pesto, prosciutto, fresh garlic green onions and new potatoes. That's right, I said potatoes. Dang, that was good.

Many people don't realize that in addition to getting famous for leading the snakes out of Ireland, St Patrick was also the first guy to brew green beer. Here's to you SP.

He also liked brown butter soda bread. So we made some of that.

And his favorite meal was coddle. So we have this every year in his remembrance. It's potatoes, sausage, bacon, onions and parsley. Sort of like Ireland's breakfast of champions.