Archive for December, 2012
Bring on 2013
But first, let me talk about my birthday. Too soon to talk about October, yes, maybe?! However; we received a very lovely family calendar from one of Justin’s aunts, she included all birthdays and anniversaries and upcoming weddings in the family. The pictures for each month correspond to the birthdays/special events. It just so happens that on this particular side of the family, nobody has a birthday in October – so i got it all to myself.
His aunt clearly knows me and how much I love my birthday month!
I am ready to ring in the New Year tonight with some good friends, good food and good wine!
And tomorrow I’m hoping to continue the food fest with fontina and spinach baked eggs a la How Sweet It Is.
After breakfast we’ll have the yearly pork and sauerkraut to bring luck for 2013.
We’re going to be stuffed by the end of the day!
2012 was a really great year and I look forward to all the great things that I know 2013 has to offer!
Happy New Year!!!
Addy
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )A quick Christmas Re-Cap
I did not do a very good job of photographing all the time with our families over Christmas so instead I’ll start with just a photo of our Christmas tree.
We had a lovely time at home bouncing from one house to another – all in all we celebrated 4 different times with all the family we visited. We saw some friends we haven’t seen in a while and was great to catch up in person rather than through Facebook or email!
I am stocked with some great new running gear. A pair of Brooks Pure Connects that I can’t wait to take out for a spin. And a pair of Oiselle Roga Run Shorts. Those will have to wait a little while before I can wear outside – not a fan of freezing for the sake of freezing!
Justin and I have already spent some gift cards we received – what is it with gift cards, it’s like they really are burning a hole in my pocket.
We finally checked out Troegs Brewing Company. The Trogner brothers have been brewing beer since 1996, they just opened new facility in Hershey in October 2011. The Brewery is great, they have a large bar and long tables set up like an ale house where you can sample the beer and order snacks/lunch/dinner there too.
They brew some really great beers including one called Mad Elf – a seasonal beer that has an 11% alcohol content. It’s definitely very strong! We did a very brief self guided tour of the brewery, watched them bottle some Hop Back Ale and then got to tasting.
My sister and I shared 3 different kinds: JavaHead Stout, a Belgian Style Triple and a Cocoa Porter. This was all before lunch and I insisted we snack on some popcorn too so we weren’t useless the rest of the day!
they gave us a bonus glass of Mad Elf
We left there with a growler full of the Cocoa Porter and a case of the JavaHead Stout! We have a lot of beer drinking ahead of us.
We are back in D.C. now and it’s snowing again. I am still participating in the Elf4Health Challenge and have been assigned a wonderful Elf for the last 2 weeks. Her name is Karen and she blogs at wine & dash. Check her out!
Yesterday I made a healthy microwave muffin:
It doesn’t photograph well – truth be told it did not taste all that good either. It smelled great when it was in the microwave though! I have to give this another shot – maybe try a new recipe.
Today’s challenge is to take some time for myself – take a bubble bath or read a book – I think I might take a bath and read a book at the same time!!
Hope everybody has a great last weekend of 2012!
Addy
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Thankful 20x
1. My big, crazy family
2. The blogging community
3. Avocados
4. Faith
5. A new day
6. Friends – here, there, everywhere
7. Trashy TV
8. Handwritten notes
9. The Bar Method
10. Forgiveness
11. Cheese
12. Charlie – my sister’s new puppy
13. My ability to find a job, again and again
14. Red wine
15. New connections
16. My strong body
17. Nut butters
18. My super comfortable bed
19. New tennis ball smell
20. Freedo
Stephanie
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Let it snow
It’s snowing! And absolutely beautiful outside of my mom’s house. Today has been a very leisurely day but tomorrow I have plans with friends, will see Les Miserables (finally!) with my mom and will prep to drive back to DC on Friday. I need to squeeze a workout in there too 🙂 Maybe another round at Bar Method Summit?
Vacation is really the best.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were filled with family, food and fun times. Seeing all of my little cousins is always a treat and we capped off the day with It’s a Wonderful Life. It doesn’t get better than that!
Hope you have all been enjoying the holiday season!!
Stephanie
P.S. Addy and I are listed on DC Ladies as a DC blog. Check out their awesome site here and all of the other DC lady bloggers!
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PV Body
I got my first package from pv.Body in the mail today and it was such a terrific surprise. I love getting mail, the constant delivery of holiday cards has been great, but to come home to a lovely magenta envelope and be not entirely sure what it is was such a delight for the day!
If you are not familiar with pv.Body, it is a company that will customize the type of workout clothing you prefer (based on the style quiz) and will send you a top and a bottom each month. The cost is $49.95 – although I think they often offer 20% off for the first month at least. It is a fun way to get new workout gear for usually a lot less than you would spend in a store.
I was sent black pants from Performance Sportswear by American Apparel and a gray long sleeve shirt from Colosseum. The shirt has some designs on it which isn’t totally my style, but it is very comfortable. It also has thumb holes, which make it a winner! I’m still wearing the pants right now and they are super comfy! They will make both great house pants and I think they are warm enough to wear on runs in the winter. They have a little pocket in the waistband for keys, money or ID.
I really like the idea of this and I’m anxious to see what I will receive next month. I don’t think I will keep this up for a year, but maybe 3-4 months at least.
Addy
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Weekend Plans
I’m currently relaxing on my mom’s couch and it sure is nice. My trip home was super easy today with very minimal traffic. My only snafu was that I definitely got a speeding ticket via camera. Oops! I’ll try to do better on the way back 😉
While out to dinner tonight, my mom and I discussed how great it was that the only plans we have tomorrow involve meeting a puppy and baking holiday treats. What a life!
I plan to make three batches of my secret fudge (regular, peanut butter and candy cane) tomorrow morning before Charlie comes by.
On Sunday, I’m spending time with my dad’s family and am bringing a family favorite – salami rolled up on breadsticks with cream cheese. Old school, easy and delicious!
And I’ve been talking with some friends in hopes of connecting with them while home. I am full on in the holiday spirit around here if you couldn’t tell 🙂
Hope everyone is traveling safely and getting ready for a wonderful holiday!
Stephanie
A list
1. I don’t know how I had not discovered this website until now, but I love it. It really is the Greatist! Right now the 100 most influential people are featured on the site and it’s a really interesting group.
2. New restaurants are not often popping up in my neighborhood, but Range just opened by Bryan Voltaggio in Friendship Heights and I can’t wait to try it out. There is a ton of stuff on the menu so that’s kind of overwhelming, but it all looks so good!
3. I started thinking already about my half marathon training program for April (with a 10 mile race in the middle) and while I think I’m going to end up making my own plan to follow, I’m want to base it off a training plan for a goal time – the last two half marathons I was 2:04 and 2:05 – I’d loved to break 2 hours, but even just shaving off a few minutes would be great.
4. #Elf4health today is make a casserole with more veggies/ light on cheese and sauce. I have a recipe to use, but not sure if I will get to making it tonight – if I don’t do it tonight, I’m committing myself to it for tomorrow.
5. New Year’s Eve – it’s one of the most talked about nights of the year. I always get a little nostalgic on NYE and realize what usually makes it a great night is spending it with the people that make me the happiest. One year, my friend TK and I just went to dinner and ended up smoking a hookah all night long. I’m not a smoker, but I do enjoy some flavored tobacco about once a year. I’m trying to convince Justin that we should make this a tradition and do it again this year!
6. I watched the movie I Don’t Know How She Does It and the main character makes a lot of lists. I LOVE lists – I cannot operate/remember anything if I don’t write it down. This post was semi inspired by that movie and because all I have right now to offer is a bunch of random thoughts.
7. I’m really excited to give away all the Christmas gifts we bought. I might enjoy gift giving as much as gift receiving.
8. I am about to witness a co-worker serenade another co-worker with a farewell song.
9. I made cookies last night that were supposed to be chewy, but ended up more crunchy. They are good in theory, but I realize my dream of making cookies and giving them away as gifts really is just that.
and 10. I’m excited to go to PA to catch up with family and friends we have not seen in a while!
Addy
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Smiling
Even though Christmas is only 6 days away, I feel like a lot of people are feeling a little down lately so I thought I’d share some things that have made my smile recently. Enjoy!
1. Ann Curry suggested that people share 26 acts of kindness to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook shootings. Hear her discuss the idea here and join in the movement at #26actsofkindess.
2. This picture of President Obama.
3. The face that Pitch Perfect came out on DVD yesterday.
4. Victor Cruz visiting the Pinto family in Newtown, CT (and no I didn’t post this just because I’m a Giants fan).
5. That White Christmas has pretty much been on TV every single night this month.
6. That The Voice honored the victims of the Sandy Hook shootings in the most beautiful way possible.
7. The new puppy that my sister and her fiance got over the weekend. His name is Charlie – prepare to fall in love immediately. I can’t wait to meet him in a few days!
8. That there are are so many holiday cards over my fireplace that they keep falling down.
9. TV Spoilers Ahead: That Saul is in charge, that Barney & Robin are engaged and that Gossip Girl ended with Blair & Chuck FINALLY getting married.
10. That a new year is just around the corner. And while things may seem bleak at times, especially recently, there are many good times ahead.
Stephanie
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