So, we definitely didn’t get out of class AGAIN last night until 12:15. I can’t even begin to relay to y’all the extent of my exhaustion last night. By the end of the night I was a zombie, walking around in circles in the kitchen with a towel in my hand, cleaning off table tops. The good news was that I got an A on my practical and a perfect score on my chocolate-peanut butter pie. The bad news is that about 10 minutes before I walked into class I got a call that my grandfather had a heart attack and is in the hospital in Wisconsin. So yeah.. I found it terribly hard to concentrate on what I was doing after that. I’m still waiting to hear more news—no one really knows anything yet except that he is in intensive care and waiting for test results. How I still managed to do relatively well on my pies is a mystery.
I was all ready to wake up this morning and go for a long run but the fact that I didn’t get to bed again before 1:00 and, of course, naturally woke up at 7:20 meant that instead of the planned long run I should just make pancakes instead. And so I did. Chocolate chip-walnut-banana pancakes from Skinny Bitch in the Kitch, and let me tell you, they were amazing. Really really yummy. I had three of them with half a banana and some maple syrup and could have probably eaten another three but had to control myself.
I’m headed home this morning—I have to pick Ryan up from the airport around noon and then tonight I have my next “meeting” of my Tampa dinner club at the Grass Root restaurant. I’ve been so excited about this for over a month now….remember the Grass Root? I’ll post the menu again later, but it’s Tampa’s ONLY all-vegan-mostly-raw restaurant. I’ve only been for lunch so I can’t wait to see what dinner is like!
amy
April 12, 2008 at 12:39 pmI am so sorry to hear about your grandfather! I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers! Get some rest and don’t work too hard in the next few days. It sounds like your body needs a break!
ibex hk
April 12, 2008 at 12:43 pmso sorry about the sad news, best wishes and thinking of you~ Congrats on the practical, that’s great 🙂 Enjoy your weekend home and rest up, sounds EXHAUSTING! mmm The Grass Root should be run, I can’t wait to hear about your night.
Megs
April 12, 2008 at 12:46 pmAwe, hugs!!! I know what it’s like to be stuck in that limbo. prayers.
erica
April 12, 2008 at 12:48 pmI’m so sorry about the news, let’s hope everything will be okay.. I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers jenna. <3
Congrats on the A on your practical, it is definitely well deserved.
Ella
April 12, 2008 at 12:49 pmI’m so so sorry about your grandfather. That’s extremely tough news to have to deal with. At least you can feel good that you’re eating in a non-Western (and non-Western disease) manner. Hope you can still enjoy your weekend; you deserve it!
PS those pancakes look delish!
Kelly L.
April 12, 2008 at 12:56 pmSorry to hear about your grandfather. You are in my prayers.
Em
April 12, 2008 at 1:00 pmSending my prayers to your grandfather.
And congrats to you for being able to focus through a tough situation still getting an A. That would be hard for anybody, but with your already exhausting week, it’s even more impressive. I hope he is okay.
Romina
April 12, 2008 at 1:20 pmI’m so sorry about your grandfather, I send all my love, I hope he gets well soon.
VTgirl
April 12, 2008 at 1:24 pmI’m praying for your grandfather, i am SO sorry to hear about that 🙁 i hope he will be ok.
but on a happier note, your pancakes look AMAZING! you never fail to produce awesome food and awesome pictures jenna
Kristen
April 12, 2008 at 1:34 pmI’m sorry to hear about your grandfather, Jenna. Sending good thoughts and prayers your way.
Congratulations on the “A,” though. That’s great news!
Kath
April 12, 2008 at 1:40 pmSo sorry about your grandfather Jenna – hope he’s OK.
We had the same breakfast 🙂
Kath
Alyssa
April 12, 2008 at 1:49 pmCongrats on the practical! I’m really sorry to hear about your grandpa. I’m nearby in Minnesota, so I’ll send all my thoughts and prayers their way! I hope you hear some good news.
nicole r
April 12, 2008 at 1:56 pmi’m so sorry!! i hope he’ll be ok. good job still being able to perform under such a rough circumstance..
erica
April 12, 2008 at 2:08 pmHmm, I was looking through skinny bitch in the kitch, and didn’t find this recipe! Maybe I have a defective book, haha.
Ashley H
April 12, 2008 at 2:21 pmMy thoughts and prayers are with your grandpa today. I hope you hear some good news soon.
On a happier note Congratulations on your A and perfect score! How exciting! Remember its the weekend now so Have Fun and Relax!!
Julz
April 12, 2008 at 2:37 pmThough I don’t know his full name, I’ll call and put your grandfather on the prayer list, so everyone who accesses it can pray for him. It really is amazing that you were able to pull through on your practical! But as they say in the G-dfather, “Go to the Mattresses”… Time to deliver, deliver we do! Hope your day is relaxing Jenna— *Blosphere Hugs*
bikergurl
April 12, 2008 at 2:46 pmSo sorry about your grandfather Jenna. It’s really amazing sometimes what we can do under stress though, congrats on your A.
Catherine
April 12, 2008 at 2:56 pmI’m really sorry to hear about your grandfather, Jenna. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Take some time to rest and relax, and great job on your practical and your perfect store!! That’s wonderful news!
Cara
April 12, 2008 at 3:02 pmI’m sorry to hear about your Grandpa! I hope everything turns out okay!
Have fun in Tampa this weekend!
Clara
April 12, 2008 at 3:15 pmMy highest hopes that everything turns around for your grandpa and he recovers well and quickly. Kudos to you for keeping your focus after recieving such upsetting news. You are a truely talented professional…. who deserves pancakes! Glad you are giving your body a rest. Take care and have a great weekend!
VeggieGirl
April 12, 2008 at 3:32 pmJenna, I’m terribly devastated about your grandfather – I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers, and hope for a quick recovery.
Kudos for skipping the run – you need to rest up, girl, with all those late-night classes!! And what better way to forgo a run than with a plate of scrumptious Chocolate chip-walnut-banana pancakes!! Yum!! :0)
I can’t WAIT to read about what you order at Grass Root!!!!! :0D
Alison
April 12, 2008 at 4:07 pmJenna- I’m so sorry to hear about your grandfather. I hope he has a speedy recovery. You need a nice relaxing weekend!
Betsy
April 12, 2008 at 4:13 pmi’m so sorry to hear about your grandfather! I’ll be thinking of you and your family today and hoping for a speedy recovery.
it looks like those pancakes were a bit of a nice comfort food though-they look excellent. and congrats on the A last night! no surprise there… 😉
Caroline
April 12, 2008 at 4:28 pmMy thoughts are with you and your grandfather. I hope for a speedy and healthy recovery.
Your breakfast looks amazing…perhaps I should invest in Skinny Bitch…
Becca A
April 12, 2008 at 4:35 pmGreat job on the practical Jenna. I know it must have been difficult with that on your mind. I hope your grandfather is doing ok. Best of luck.
Courty
April 12, 2008 at 5:01 pmI am so sorry to hear about your grand father, Jenna. You and your family will be in my thoughts.
Alice (in Veganland)
April 12, 2008 at 5:02 pmI hope your grandfather gets better, it’s horrible when your family is sick and you can’t be with them…
And congratulations on your practical!
Kristin
April 12, 2008 at 6:01 pmJenna, I hope your grandfather is ok- I will definately be keeping him in my thoughts for a healthy recovery!
Sometimes doing what we’re passionate about is enough to distract the mind just enough to complete what needs to be completed, and then worry about troubles at home. I’m sure your grandfather is very proud you got an A on your practical, congratulations!
Those pancakes look absolutely amazing, I’ve been wanting to make pancakes, I need to try and make them soon!
N
April 12, 2008 at 6:31 pmI’m so sorry about your grandfather. I hope everything turns out ok.
And those pancakes look wonderful!
Kate(the teenager)
April 12, 2008 at 7:34 pmGot a new blog about my running and nutrition…check it out!!!
kristin point
April 12, 2008 at 8:12 pmI know its been said a lot already but I’m praying for your grandpa and family. I hope you can get some nice and well deserved rest this weekend!
blueberrybabe
April 12, 2008 at 8:17 pmyou are SUCH a role model for all of us Jenna. keep it up and feel better sweetie 🙂
babycakes
April 12, 2008 at 8:27 pmJenna,
I am so sorry about your grandfather. You and your entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there sweetie!
I was really hoping you’d get some great sleep last night after getting home so late Thursday night. I can’t believe they kept you so late again! Despite the late night, it was definitely one to be proud of with that stellar practical grade and chocolate peanut butter cream pie! It’s incredible (but not surprising!) that you were able to rise to the occasion after such devastating news. It’s just a testament to your awesome baking skills 🙂
I too am quite eager to hear about your dinner at Grass Roots. I wish we had more vegan restaurants here in Boston!
Have a wonderful evening. BIG hugs!