Something for the Road

A Few of My Favorite Things

I love this idea.  What a great gift!

Cute little packaging supplies for little chocolates and other delectables.

Dyed Scarf DIY.  Jessamyne would love this.

Nut Butter Nuggets.  She swears they are healthy . . . .

 

I really like this wallpaper – maybe in my bathroom?

Design Seeds.  These color palette suggestions would make decorating just a bit easier.

I love these Dot Carpets.  Now, where could I use one?

The Pleasure in Getting New Shoes

I’m pretty sure that I have posted about new shoes – running or other – more than once.  I especially love getting new running shoes.  Usually my shoes have about 600 miles on them and they are more than ready to move on.  They are a little stinky, have a few holes, and lack that nice bounce they have when I first buy them.

These are my new shoes. Saucony Kinvara 2.

I love these shoes.  They are super light and a little more “minimalist” than my usual shoe.  I doubt I will ever go to something completely minimalist or “barefoot,” but I am liking these.   I got them in particular because of a recommendation from RunBlogger in this article- a great running blog that my friends recommended.  These have a 4mm heel-forefoot drop of 4mm, which is a little different than my previous 8mm.

I have done mostly treadmill and cross-training with them, but as soon as the ice clears, I plan to take them on the road.  In the meantime I look especially hip in my basement and when I make the periodic trip to the gym.

Feeling Great in 8

A few of my friends talked me into being on a team.  Not just any team, but one where I am forced to change my lifestyle and be accountable to them.  Oh no!  Not that!  Usually I can add my 200-500 calorie treat into my allotted calories and nobody is hurt by it.  Yes, it may take me a little longer to drop those “vanity pounds” at that rate, but I’m ok with that.

This program is all about points.  You get points for positive behavior – I am good at that part.  20 points for exercising more than 45 minutes a day.  That’s a cinch for me.  10 points for eating 5+ servings of fruits and vegetables.  Easy peasy.  10 points for drinking enough water.  Simple.  10 points for eating from a list of good foods.  I can dig that.  -2 points for each food on the naughty list.  Now, that doesn’t make for a happy stress-eater.  There are several other positives to earn points. And, I do get points for losing weight – if the scale shows that it all pays off at the end of the week, I just may be a convert.

At the end of the week, I will total my points and report them to my team leader.  She will then report them to the director of this particular Feeling Great in 8 Competition and there will be a winner for the week among the 19 teams that are competing.  I’m kind of excited to see how everyone did.

This week has been tough, but I’m finding that:  1) I am competitive; and (2) I won’t be responsible for making my team lose.  We intend to win.

I’ll post an update and review in March when we finish our 8 weeks.  In the meantime, if it looks interesting, and you like competition, and you need to be made accountable, you might want to start your own “Feeling Great in 8” contest.

*Please note that the link above lists the director for my contest only.  If you are interested in doing it, you will need to find someone starting a competition with open enrollment, or start one yourself.

Raclette Party for the 40-year old

This guy turned 40 last week.  Finally, he’s in the 40’s with me.  I guess now I can call him “my old man.”

I surprised him with a Raclette Set for his birthday.  He has talked about it since I’ve known him – something he was introduced to when he lived in Switzerland.  I like to think of it as the Swiss version of Fondue, but I might like it even better.  As you can see it is quite the spread – far from the history of Swiss Shepherds, I’m sure.

  

Small specialty potatoes, grilled chicken, and all sorts of veggies are a must.  We also had french bread (unfortunately it is tough to find a real baguette in town), and salted pork is very nice (we used salami and prosciutto).

The key ingredient is cheese.  We chose Brie, Emmentaler, and Raclette.  Our favorites were the Brie and Raclette.

Here is the grill all ready to go for our little party.

My plate.  Doesn’t it look good . . . . . just wait.

Veggies on the grill.  Meat is optional – it’s already cooked, but everyone liked putting a little of everything on there.

See the little pan underneath?  It’s holding the delectable cheese.  This is the best part.

Bubbly cheese.  Who doesn’t like it?  It’s going on veggies, potatoes,  . . . actually everything.  That’s good, right?

So, our first Raclette Party was a huge success. We probably won’t be doing it super often just because it can be pricey – you have to spend quite a bit just for the cheese.  And, let’s be honest, I don’t think I can possibly do enough Insanity to keep up with Raclette and Donuts!

A Few of My Favorite Things

This is my kind of salad.

I really like this transformation.  I’m working on something similar.

I am in love with this paper garland.

I always wanted a cool soap dispenser, and I really like this one.

All About Scale

Actually, it’s all about THIS scale.  I came across this post today and I am in love . . . ..

Check out the Withings Smart Body Scale.  This is on my wishlist.

And, you can enter to win one here.

Something New for 2012

We have loved our “New Year’s Resolutions” canvas, but it was stamped 2011 and it was time to switch things up.

So, I’ll paint over the old – I’m not getting super creative, using the same colors.

But, this year I’m using vinyl lettering (instead of contact paper) from my friend at On The Wall.  I think it will simplify things.  For my 24 x 36 inch canvas, the lettering cost me $20.  That was my only expense for this project.

The toughest part was lining everything up.

I sprayed it in Krylon Espresso paint using leftover paint from last year – there was just enough.
The fun part is peeling off the letters.

I like it.  We’re sticking to a quote to live by this year and we’re adopting it as our family mantra.
Doesn’t it apply to almost everything?

OK, so one thing I’m trying to decide . . . the letters are not as clean as I had hoped because I didn’t take enough time rubbing the edges of them.  I kind of like the rough look, though so I’m debating –
should I leave it or should I touch it up?  Help.

Donut Update: Raspberry Bulls-Eye

This is becoming a dangerous Sunday tradition.  When we stopped in at Top Pot Donuts in Seattle, we got their book, so we could only improve an already great thing.

That’s homemade raspberry jam in the middle.

Mike says fritters are next week.  Heaven help me.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Absolutely love the slipcovers on these parson chairs.

Not just any cake.

I know Christmas has passed, but . . . .Ruffled Linen Tree Skirt. I could make this.

I have never tried hearts of palm before, but this salad makes me want to.

This baked dish uses creamy cauliflower sauce.  Yum.

I love this table transformation.

Seattle Getaway

A few years ago, Mike and I stayed on one of the top floors of the Westin in Seattle.  It was dreamy.  We always wanted to go back, so when we realized Hawaii wasn’t a possibility this winter, we chose to do it again.  I know, some people think we are crazy for trading sunshine for rainy and dreary, but it is one of our happy places – a good way to rejuvenate and gear up for the year and celebrate 16 years together.

This time, we flew into Seattle and took the light rail to the hotel.  No car rental, and I’m glad we didn’t drive.  Not only did we avoid extra fees like valet parking, but we got to explore the city on foot.  Our best trip so far.

Our view at 6:30 in the morning (Mike is the sleeper).  Room 4131.  Perfect view of City and Sound.

Our view at 8:30 in the morning.  I don’t think you get much better than that.  Fantastic weather this weekend.

 

Off to Le Panier for Pain au Chocolate.  It doesn’t get more French than this bakery.  Mike gave his approval. 

A little stroll through Pike Place Market.  Fresh fish, fresh flowers, and all sorts of unique merchants.

Then, down to the Pier for a stroll.  We had fun watching this crane and pylons.  We also visted Ye Olde Curiosity Shop (a tradition since I was young), got some fish and chips, and did some people watching which is always interesting here.

On the way back through, we stopped at my favorite kitchen store and bought a donut cutter for our new weekend tradition.  I think Mike had just as much fun in this store as I did.

The view from our room at Sunset.  Can you tell that our favorite part of our trip was the room?  Lots of sleeping and reading and good food and recouping from our busy lives.  It was definitely our best vacation, yet. 

I think I am ready to face Monday.