Runners in Boston: http://www.baa.org/sights-and-sounds/photo-galleries/2012-half-marathon/2.aspx?page=2

Bert and I are headed to the Boston Marathon this weekend.  No, we’re not running.  In fact, I struggle with just meeting the demands of my Fitbit (set by me, no less) of WALKING (not running) 10,000 steps.  Yeah, yeah.  We walk the neighborhood when the weather is ideal.  We walk in cities when we travel.  But run?  No way.

Jim Miller, running his 100th marathon in Boston, April 21st, 2014

We’re going to Boston Marathon 2014 to support our friend, Jim Miller, who’s running his 100th marathon.  Let me say that again, because you have to get your head around this: 100th marathon!

A 1974 graduate of University of New Hampshire and a consultant in the hospitality industry (now living in Orlando), Jim set a lofty goal for himself that started in Boston years ago.  His first goal?  Run a marathon in each of the 50 states.  And check.  Just like that.  Jim did it.

Jim Miller from News 13: mynews13.com

Next goal?  Run 100 marathons.  And that’s about to be another check.  This race, the 118th Boston Marathon, will satisfy that 100th-marathon goal, a personal accomplishment for the “runningest” person we know!

Boston Start from http://www.baa.org

Jim also wants to raise $100,000 for the Liver Foundation in memory of his father as he explains in this YouTube video. He’s getting closer to that goal, too, as he is now in third place in the Boston Marathon fundraising category through the Liver Foundation‘s Run for Research. (Want to contribute? Click here for Jim Miller.)

Runners, Boston Marathon: http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/27/us/boston-marathon-banned-items/

So, what about us?  First, we’ll fly into Boston for a bit of sightseeing with a particular destination:  the Boston Public Library‘s exhibit “Dear Boston: Messages from the Marathon Memorial” (open through May 11).

Boston Public Library Memorial: http://www.providencejournal.com/features/lifestyle/travel/20140413-boston-public-library-hosts-exhibit-marking-anniversary-of-marathon-bombings.ece

We’ll check out the usual sites, of course, like Fanueil Hall — and maybe ride in a Swan Boat, if lines aren’t too long.

Fanueil Hall by Robert Linsdell: http://www.providencejournal.com/features/lifestyle/travel/20140413-boston-public-library-hosts-exhibit-marking-anniversary-of-marathon-bombings.ece

Then we’ll accompany Jim at the official Number Pick-up event held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  (It’s exciting.  Really, it is.  All those runners.  And all us loafers gawking and wishing we were in shape enough to join ‘em!)

Map for Number Pick Up: http://www.baa.org

We may even be make it to the Pre-race Pasta Party hosted by the Boston Athletic Association, whose website provides maps, history, and great photos of previous events. (Click here.)

Course Map provided by Boston Athletic Association:
http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/event-information/course-map.aspx

Then, on April 21st — Race Day, we’ll  join thousands of other spectators hoping to get a glimpse of the 35,660 registered runners and catch a bus (hopefully) to the Finish Line to congratulate Jim. (The Amazing Race, for real!)

Boston Marathon Medal from http://www.baa.org

So, watch for us.  We’ll be the ones wearing Big Orange University of Tennessee ball caps and Boston Strong wrist bands. Smiling.

We’re excited.  We can’t wait.  But most of all, we’re proud of our friend Jim Miller.

Run, Jim Miller, run!

For more information:

Boston Athletic Association: http://www.baa.org (Race info, participant information, sights and sounds of previous races, history, map of route, etc.)

Articles:

“Bags, strollers, unregistered runners not welcome at this year’s Boston Marathon.” CNN U. S. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/27/us/boston-marathon-banned-items/

“Boston Public Library hosts exhibit marking anniversary of marathon bombings.” Providence Journal.  Retrieved from http://www.providencejournal.com/features/lifestyle/travel/20140413-boston-public-library-hosts-exhibit-marking-anniversary-of-marathon-bombings.ece

Breaking down the Boston Marathon by the numbers.” Boston Magazine.  Retrieved from http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2014/04/14/boston-marathon-economic-boost/

Videos:

“Jim Miller wants you to run the Boston Marathon with him.” YouTube.  Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIXlE6tWFiQ

“NH native ready for his 100th marathon.” WMUR. Retrieved from http://www.wmur.com/sports/NH-native-ready-for-his-100th-marathon/25201954

YouTube: (Training Clinics, Videos of past races, etc.) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBostonMarathon

Social Media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBostonMarathon

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/rushasams/boston-marathon-2014/

Twitter: @bostonmarathon

Calvin and Hobbes top Tammy Jo Gleckler’s award-winning cake, What Will You Do With Your Imagination?

Imagine this: You walk into the Tennessee Terrace concourse at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville greeted by long tables filled with children’s books and colorful, creative companion cakes! And then you know:  Reading really is in a sweet spot!

Cassie Pruitt’s cake Reading Is Fundamental: 2nd Place for All-Occasion Fondant, Intermediate Division

It’s all part of a major fundraiser for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that provides new books to children under the age of six in Knox County, Tennessee.  And with over 3,000 people in attendance, the net estimate of $25,000 by Mary Pom Claiborne (marketing director for Knox County Public Library) may be low since cakes, donated baked goods, and t-shirts were on sale, too. (Click here: News-Sentinel: Cake Bake a sweet event to benefit Imagination Library.)

Detail from Skyla Shealy’s cake Ladybug which took 2nd Place in All-Occasion Fondant, Junior Division

The main goal, of course, is to encourage reading at a young age, and, judging from the kids and grown-ups we saw, children (of all ages) were eager to dig into books as well as cupcakes, cookies, and cakes.

Year Shah’s Dr. Seuss: 3rd Place in All-Occasion Fondant, Beginner Division

We were also anxious to see what this year’s competition would bring since our blog post Books and Buttercream at The Great Cake Bake (Click here) nabbed the highest views of any post in 2013.  And, this year, we were definitely not disappointed.  In fact, if you had followed us around, you would have heard How’d they do that? multiple times since the mysteries of fondant, frosting, and flourishes escape us.  Here are our favorites, but who’s to say, right? Thank goodness we weren’t asked to judge.

Haley McManigal’s train loaded with books took 2nd Place in the All-Occasion Fondant category, Professional Division

Wedding Cakes

Ranging from average size to toweringly tall, wedding cakes were judged in two categories:  buttercream and fondant.

Chocolate on Amaretto Wedding Cake by Melissa Pendleton

Tammy Owenby, 1st Place Wedding Cake

Close-up, Tammy Owenby’s Wedding Cake

Fleur de lis base supports the tallest entry in the Wedding Cake category

All-Occasion Cakes

Cakes could be submitted in four categories:  Professional, Intermediate, Beginner, and Junior.

Detailed storybook characters populate the entry “Dr. Seuss” by Maria Pannala

Sarah Hicks’ entry The Hobbit took First Place in the Junior division.

Robin Middlebrook’s floral creation came in 1st in the Junior Division of All-Occasion Buttercream

Stacey Kolopus’s detail on her steam-punk themed cake merited 1st Place in the Beginner division of Fondant All-Occasion cakes.

We loved the characters on this Wonka cake by Whitney Roberson who was awarded 3rd Place in the Beginner Division for All-Occasion Fondant.

With so many people voting for Tammy Jo Geckler’s Calvin & Hobbes cake, we knew it would win, and it did: 1st Place, Intermediate Division, All-Occasion – Fondant.

Close-up of melting snowmen on Tammy Jo Geckler’s cake, What Will You Do With Your Imagination?

A dark background contrasts nicely with the figures on Julia Hammer’s entry “Granny’s Dragon”

Another popular cake was this UT Cornhole look-alike by Kathy Macourek!

Cupcakes

The tiniest creations in the show were submitted in the Cupcake category with these divisions:  Cake Pops, Intermediate, Beginner, and Junior

Hannah Southall’s entry entitled “Starbucks”

Winning 1st Place in the Junior Division was Rachel Hicks’ elephant cupcake

Donovan Scott created an almost look-alike llama to win 2nd Place, Junior Division for Cupcakes

Donovan Scott, proud winner of 2nd Place, Junior Division for his Llama Llama Red Pajama cupcake!

Debra Correa’s Catching Fire cupcake won 3rd Place, Intermediate Division

Diaper Cakes

A new category this year, Diaper Cakes, first involved supporters who donated $150.00 so that volunteers could create “cakes” out of diapers.  Yes, diapers.  After being carefully rolled and stacked to form “layer cakes,” diaper cakes were decorated based upon the theme of a beloved children’s book.

Little Owl’s Night

Zinnia’s Flower Garden

Good Night, Gorilla

Ladybug Girl and Bingo

All of Baby Nose to Toes

T-shirts were everywhere — on volunteers, Cake Bake attendees, etc. Parker Foppiano manned the table full of t-shirts (royal purple this year!) emblazoned with the Great Cake Bake logo.

Great t-shirts for a Great Cake Bake!

And baked goods were on sale for grown-ups who couldn’t pass up a bargain at the end of the day.  Like husband Bert who toted home cookies, oatmeal bread and a carrot cake at the insistence of long-time supporter of Friends of the Library, Bonnie Naugher.

Bert was easily persuaded by volunteer Bonnie Naugher to take home the goods at the end of the day!

Thanks to sponsors Sugarbakers and Food City and the many volunteers and Friends of the Library, the fifth annual Great Cake Bake is history — and a profitable one for a good cause, too.

Melissa Pendleton’s Green Eggs and Ham

If you missed this year’s Cake Bake, make a note for next year.  After all, who doesn’t like to have their cake and reading, too?

Close-up from Cassie Pruitt’s Reading Is Fundamental

For more information and pictures:

Check out my Pinterest Board: Fancy Cakes for pictures from The Great Cake Bake as well as other creative cakes I’ve found on the Web: http://www.pinterest.com/rushasams/fancy-cakes/

For the News-Sentinel article by Mike Blackerby “Cake Bake a sweet event to benefit Imagination Library,” click here.

For more on Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, click here.

For more on Friends of the Knox County Library, click here.

Some of the sunniest things that happen in the blogosphere is that you get to meet creative, interesting people.  Like Anne who writes Tales Along the Way.  Anne has been living in India for six months and now writes about her experiences. But look for a variety of posts on other topics, too, on her blog.  I’ve enjoyed reading her posts, especially since we visited Nepal and India only one year ago. Her greeting/closing of Namaste brings back so many fond memories.

Anne has nominated our blog for the Summer Sun Award, and to thank her, we’ll follow her lead by answering questions and nominating others.

You can visit Anne at http://talesalongtheway.com.

Award Rules:

1. Display the Summer Sun Award medallion and link back to the blog from the person who nominated you.

2. Answer the questions.

3. Nominate a further lucky eight recipients (one for each ray of sun).

Questions and My Answers:

1. Favorite song with summer in the title or lyrics: Summer in the City by The Lovin’ Spoonful

2. Favorite summer book: (of all my summer reads) The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy and (this summer) Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

3. Favorite summer film: (of all time) Jaws and (this summer) Mud

4. Favorite summer memory: Our son’s wedding on the beach at Pawleys Island, South Carolina

5. Favorite summer destination: China — Viking River Cruise from Beijing to Shanghai

6. Books included in my suitcase: (on my Kindle) The Light Between Oceans: A Novel by M. L. Stedman, And the Mountains Echoed: A Novel by Khaled Hosseini, and The Boys in the Boat: Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown

7. Next likely destination: Idaho (for business and pleasure) and France (to see more than just Paris!)

8. What hottie would I want to share the summer with: My husband, of course!

Congratulations to my eight nominees:

1. Clicky Chick Creates: http://clickychickcreates.com/

2. TNLOVESLIBRARIES: http://tnloveslibraries.wordpress.com

3. Peripatetic Eric: http://peripateticeric.wordpress.com/

4. thebestdressup: http://thebestdressup.com/

5. The World Is a Book: http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/

6. Travels and Trifles: http://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/

7. Northwest Frame of Mind: http://nwframeofmind.com/

8. Gallivance: http://gallivance.net/

May the end of summer bring you great memories and a forward look to a beautiful fall!

Rusha and Bert Sams