Boston Marathon 2013
Update – I wrote this post Thursday afternoon before knowing about the continued events that are unfolding today. Everyone in the Boston area – please stay safe!
I have tried multiple times to put words around my feelings about what happened in Boston on Monday. But it’s been hard to do. At the same time, it has proven helpful for me, so here are my thoughts on the tragedy.
Having recently moved out of Boston to Ohio, I still feel like Boston is my home. When I meet people here in Cincinnati, I always make a point to say that I just moved here from Boston. I guess the word “just” is relative and at some point, that won’t be part of my introduction. But I don’t know when that will happen.
2008
Marathon Monday has always been my favorite day of the year in Boston. The day is full of magic and inspiration. I have to admit that when I first heard people talking about how great Marathon Monday was, I was skeptical. I didn’t see how standing outside to watch a bunch of runners could stand up to the hype. Then I went to my first Boston Marathon. And I was hooked.
Since we lived near Coolidge Corner, our yearly routine was to hit up Coolidge Corner Clubhouse for some food, a beer, and to watch the elite men and women cross the finish line on the TV. Then we’d head out to the course. We’d start by cheering at Coolidge Corner for a while, always checking our phones to track where people we knew were at on the course. We’d slowly work our way down to the finish line, cheering on the runners and just enjoying the atmosphere that is Marathon Monday in Boston.
2012
One year we went to the Red Sox game. Hubby and I both hated it. We wished we were out with the crowds, high-fiving runners, screaming their names to encourage them, and clapping to cheer them on. That’s exactly what we did once we left Fenway that year.
This year we had planned to fly back to Boston for the weekend and stay for Marathon Monday. With the timing of getting our new house and the expenses associated with that, we decided not to make that trip.
This might sound crazy, but Hubby and I both wish we had been there. Sure, we’re glad that we are safe here in Ohio (I know our parents are too). But processing this tragedy from 1000+ miles away has been difficult to say the least. I found out about the bombing on Facebook Monday afternoon. I instantly starting emailing and texting friends to make sure everyone was safe. Luckily, everyone we talked to was safe, as well as their friends and families. I found someone to cover my Monday night meetings and went home in a daze.
2008
Hubby and I both had a strong desire to be in Boston on Monday night. We felt so helpless here in Ohio. We sat in our living room, listening to WBUR streaming through our computer while reading everything online we could find about the bombings. We’ve seen the Google Document where people offered a place to stay for anyone affected by the marathon. We’ve read the stories about the marathon runners who ran to the hospital to give blood. And the first responders who ran towards the second blast.
The stories go on and on of people in Boston helping others in need. But we can’t help anyone here. I can’t even give my friends a hug. Most people in Cincinnati don’t feel the same sadness, anger, and sheer confusion around the events that took place on Monday. So Hubby and I have been sharing this experience together. But at the same time, we both feel very alone in this new city of ours.
2011
I know that we are pretty lucky in the fact that no one we know got hurt. And I realize that complaining about dealing with the emotions of this attack from far away is nothing in comparison to what some other families are dealing with this week. I wanted to share my feelings and open a discussion for anyone else who loves Boston and hates what happened. Boston is a strong community and the city will make it through this tough time. I have no doubt about that.
Here are some other articles that fellow bloggers have written about the tragedy. If you’ve seen others out there, add the link in the comments.
Fiona from A Boston Food Diary wrote about the Boston community. This post had me in tears and rings so true to the attitude of Bostonians.
My friend Nick is a video game blogger and he lives 3 doors down from the house with the boat where they found Suspect #2. He writes about it on his blog, Applied Gaming.
Kirsten from Cake, Batter, and Bowl wrote about a friend who started fundraising for victims of the attack.
Shannon from Tri to Cook wrote about her experience with the marathon, where she volunteers every year.
Megan from Delicious Dishings wrote about her feelings from Monday.
Brianne from Sweet Cheeks in the Kitchen wrote about her experience on Monday. Her husband ran the race and they were waiting for a table at the Cheesecake Factory when the bombs went off.
Brianne’s post led to me to her friend Amy’s blog… Amy from The Lawsons did Dallas! also wrote about the experience. She was with Brianne, along with both of their young sons at the time of the explosions.
Kristen from Decorate This! wrote about her experience as a spectator the day of the race. Her husband finished before the bombings, but they weren’t able to get ahold of each other due to spotty service immediately following the tragedy.
And her husband, Jeff from I was Born Ready wrote about his experience as a runner. I love reading stories about marathon runners, they always make me cry. Jeff summarizes his feelings in a very real way that hit home for me.
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
Hmmm cheesecake might be my biggest accomplishment. Actually, baking a cheesecake that didn’t crack was a huge accomplishment!
Love the new digs, nice work. I am on the waiting list for my new blog design – May.
My biggest baking accomplishment is either the snickerdoodle cupcakes I made which my husband said were the best cupcake I have made yet, or the French Lemon Cream Tart from Dorie’s FMHTY that my Dad went nuts for (and he is hard to please).
I’m a lurker… I have enjoyed reading for many months. I’ve even tried some of your recipes!
My biggest accomplishment happened years ago. Before I knew that it was hard, I made Beef Wellington. It turned out perfectly – beginner’s luck.
Sorry to rain on your parade – I think your old layout was more complimentary to your food photos.
I recently conquered yeast too! Check out my blog for my pretzel update! You’re blog is lookin’ good. 😀
I like reading your blog, it gives me inspiration to cook new things!
I think my biggest kitchen accomplishment lately was getting my husband to request my chocolate chess pecan pie for his birthday instead of a cake… and he “doesn’t like pie.” 🙂
Thanks for all the comments so far everyone!
Congrats Steph on the cheesecake. I have yet to make one that doesn’t crack.
Mermaid – I’m going to have to try those snickerdoodle cupcakes you mentioned.
Thanks for the feedback cHim. I appreciate it. Congrats on the Beef Wellington. I’ve never tried, but I know they always struggle on Hells Kitchen with it (yes, I love reality TV).
Nice work on the pretzels Erin. Pretzels are so good aren’t they?
And Julie – nice work on converting your husband. Hubby used to say he didn’t like sweets. Ha!
I’m a very new reader, but hey – I’ll comment if you want me to!
My April Fools dinner is going to consist of:
“fruit punch” – jello in glasses with straws set in
“grilled cheese” – loaf pound cake sliced and toasted with orange frosting in between
“fries” – apples cut into sticks, tossed in cinnamon sugar and toasted in the oven
“cupcakes” – meatloaf cupcakes frosted with mashed potatoes colored with beet juice
“sundaes” – scoop of mashed potatoes topped with a thick gravy
Hi! You’re my baking inspiration. I’ve been avoiding it all together after a couple fiascoes and just got back into it this year. I’ll say my biggest accomplishment, not screwing up my sisters red velvet birthday cupcakes. 🙂 Your new blog design is pretty. Looking forward to more photo projects with you!
Oh definitely my cherry limeade cupcakes I made for my sister’s birthday this year. They were so CUTE! And so GOOD!
I would have to say chocolate truffles…I was so proud at how they turned out! Love the new design! : )
I also overcame my fear of yeast (which included a couple failures before my successes).
Also, I baked my first cheesecake. It was delicious and it didn’t crack (I hightly recommend the recipe from America’s Test Kitchen Cookbook).
This year I hope to do more with yeast and tackle making pies.
I’m not sure if this is much of an accomplishment, but one of my most exciting food moments was when I made my first roasted chicken and gravy on my own, away from the watchful eye of my mother. For some reason it had always seemed intimidating to me, though I know it’s really one of the simplest meals you can make. The skin was crispy, and the gravy was perfect (maybe even better than Mom’s….shhh!)!
Hi! I love your blog and I am here in Mass, so that makes it even more fun! I love making cupcakes and I’ve made some pretty fun ones! I’m not super fantastic or anything, but I have lots of fun with them!
I don’t think I’m particularly talented in the kitchen, but one recipe that I thought was difficult when I first made it at 19 was Manicotti.
I enjoy your blog because it combines two things I am very fond of, Boston (lived there 2 years and miss it everyday) and baked goods. Thanks very much for your posts!
Hi! I found your blog a few weeks ago and started following due to your yummy looking oatmeal raisin cookies. I haven’t made them yet but I plan to soon!
My biggest kitchen accomplishment would either be A) starting anad maintaining a food blog; I never thought I could do it!, B) making red velvet cake or C) hosting my first holiday (I’m actually counting my eggs on this one; I’m hosting Easter in a week and a half).
Love your blog!
My biggest accomplishment in the kitchen has been gaining the confidence to come up with original recipes! Sometimes I have a disaster, most of the time we grade the recipe a 6 or 7 and then I have to go back and make changes (only recipes rated 8 and above by both my hubby and I make it on my blog!), but I always have fun!
Hi! I love your blog, but honestly don’t comment very much because I have to log into my google account to do so. My blog is on wordpress and you don’t have the open ID comment option, so it is just laziness on my part!
~Melissa
http://madebymel.wordpress.com
Love the new design layout! My biggest accomplishment was hosting Thanksgiving this year – from the turkey to the taters, it was all me 😉 Except for the pies, those, we leave to the Moms.
Hi Baker! I haven’t been around much lately but I just wanted to say hi and I love the new look.
Amy
Laurel – what a cute idea for an April fools meal! I’ve never even heard of doing something like that!
Amy – you’re one of my main crafting/photography inspiration. That’s a fair trade right?
OPK – Those sound great
Jess J – I hear ya about yeast. I’ll def have to check out the ATK cheesecake…
Jess – I know what you mean about certain recipes just being intimidating
Jingle – Hey neighbor! Cupcakes are fun no matter what!!
Pipabubo – Manicotti at 19 is impressive! I hope to try to include more Boston stuff in my blog this year.
Shoe – I hear you about maintaining a food blog! It’s more work than I thought, but very addictive.
Kerstin – Everyone has disasters in the kitchen right? Congrats on gaining confidence – it can go a long way in the kitchen.
Melissa – I’ll have to look into openID to see if I can use that in my blog. I’m not sure how to set that up, but thanks for the comment.
LOS – Hosting any holiday is a huge accomplishment! Congrats!
blue – Thanks 🙂
Kudos to you and your 18 months of posting! While I am a fan of cutest blog on the block, the gray tones don’t reflect the excitement that your posts and pictures contain. 🙂
My only kitchen accomplishment at this point is my ability to organize it. After all the new dishes from the wedding, I now am happy that everything has its place and my pantry is in order. I’m a bit OCD about it, but when I do go in for the kill on a baking excursion, I know exactly where to find everything!
Hey girl, first time on your blog and it is very cute! i would say my biggest accomplishment is banana bread. can’t wait to go through your site. It looks really cool! Hope all is well!
I’m another lurker as well, and I’ve loved using your blog as inspiration for my baking! I’m dealing with an ancient oven that is from the seventies which makes it tough to try recipes that require a long baking time i.e. cheesecake. My biggest baking accomplishment was not really in terms of flavor but in decorating -shark cupcakes for my sister’s birthday!
Thanks for the feedback Sara. It’s always nice to have an organized kitchen!
Thanks for visiting Beth! I love banana bread. My mother in law has a great recipe.
I heard you bcallegra about an old oven. Ours is getting replaced soon. Shark cupcakes sound cute!
I am also very new (thus my late post!) … I think my biggest accomplishment in the kitchen is a tie between being able to make whole wheat bread and my once-a-month cooking schedule that I mastered this weekend — 20 meals in 5 hours! Phew!
Ms.Green – once a month cooking sounds good to me! We’re actually doing something similar for our upcoming kitchen renovation.
I’m a lurker! 🙂
I’d say the first time I made a homemade apple pie & everyone kept asking me to make more! I havent stopped baking since & I’ve fallen in love with trying it all!
& I love reading/following your blog! It gives me inspiration to try new things! 🙂
I’m a lurker! 😉 My accomplishment as a foodie is to keep up my food blog! I’ve been doing pretty well in maintaining it. Come and check it out sometimes!
http://blissfullydelicious.blogspot.com/
I know I’m a little behind, but I had to comment. My biggest accomplishment was a pumpkin cheesecake I made for Thanksgiving. It took me 2 tries the night before, but finally got it!
Thanks so much for the comments Sonja and h2babe. I love when lurkers come out and say hi 🙂 Keeping a food blog is hard work. I’m definitely going to check yours out!
Wow Steph – I’m impressed. I’d have to say I would have gotten frustrated and thrown the towel in. Nice work for sticking with it and making it work.