Blueberry Plans

I had a big first this morning -- first time I've met someone in person that I previously knew only virtually!  Megan came with me and my husband to boot camp today!  It was fun, though she definitely got to hear a big rant when the instructor got frustrated that people weren't following directions.  Sigh.  And she got more leg exercises than expected.  But Megan, hope you had fun and hope you'll try a few more!  One of my favorite things about working out in general, boot camp, running, whatever, is liking the people doing it with me.  Even during something like a track workout where you're not really talking, feeling like there's someone there who feels your pain, or to give you a little boost of encouragement, makes it all somehow seem easier, less painful, and more fun.  I once answered a very challenging question on this blog about the number one reason that I run.  I struggled a lot to choose one reason, but I ended up picking the social aspect.  And it's not just running, I prefer doing any kind of workout with a friend. 

Anyway, I've been meaning to post about our big Friday plans for this weekend, so here goes. 

Several years ago, my local bestie invited us to join in her family's tradition of going to a nearby city's blueberry festival for the weekend.  This is rare for lazy me, and probably pointless since I doubt I'd click on a link to read about it myself, so why would you, but here's a post about it.  Basically, we end up having a ton of fun.  My bestie's brother-in-law has a craft project at his house -- usually making t-shirts or bags featuring blueberries or something similar.  Dinner in this town (most restaurants have a special blueberry-focused menu), and then out for blueberry cocktails.  A blueberry 5k race (that we've skipped).  Blueberry pancakes served in the town square.  And then attending the blueberry festival -- free popsicles, free water, tons of crafts, groups performing, shopping, etc. 

Then last year, it didn't look like we'd be able to go out of town that weekend, so we decided to plan our own "uptown blueberry festival."  And now it's become this thing that we do with my bestie, her husband, and her sister (and her sister's boyfriend last year), and maybe this year, her niece. 

The main events:
A dinner Friday night featuring blueberries.
A run or race Saturday morning.  If it's not an organized race, my bestie maps a route that looks a little like a blueberry.  This year it will be an organized 4 mile race. 
Breakfast post-run featuring blueberries. 
A craft project.
Hanging out to eat popsicles. 

Last year was pretty awesome.  So it's a high bar this year.  Plus of course, Friday is a very special anniversary.  Trying to see if I can come up with some way to integrate that into the party -- printing out little bios of some soldiers' stories?  Doing little menu cards and naming foods after the beaches?  Take a crack at drawing out a map on our chalkboard tablecloth?  I was actually thinking about playing hooky from work for the first time ever since I figured the History Channel would be doing nonstop features, but it looks like a few hours in the morning, then some non-war stuff, then some non-D-Day stuff, then one show I really want to see in the evening that I'll record.  Hard to believe it's been 70 years! 

The blueberry dinner Friday night is at our house again, so I spent a bunch of time this weekend on Pinterest and elsewhere trying to come up with a great blueberry themed menu.  This is what I came up with:

Blueberry-brie bites (the recipe is for black raspberry-brie bites, but I figure I can modify it)
Hot blueberry cheddar dip with toasts
Blueberry goat cheese salad
Blueberry mushroom risotto
Grilled chicken/tofu with blueberry guacamole
Lemon blueberry layer cake
Yogurt blueberries as a little side dessert snack

I'm still torn on the signature cocktail.  Either a "blueberry basil" cocktail (vodka, seltzer, basil, lemon, blueberries), or a "cranberry blue" (blueberry vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice), or a "blueberry muffin" (which my bestie and I would love, and my husband would probably hate) (blueberry vodka and Irish cream).  Decisions, decisions!