Pin It Party

I saw this link up for a Pin It Party via Runwiki and thought it would be a fun way to take a look back at my archives, as well as lurk around other's posts for great recipes and pins!  So, I'm linking up with Lindsay from the Lean Green Bean today.  

( You can follow me on Pinterest HERE.)

Here are her rules:

"All bloggers are welcome to participate! Here’s what you do:

-Round up 5 blog posts you’ve written that you would like to see on Pinterest.
-Make sure there is a nice, pinable image or photo included in each post.
-Write a short post featuring the posts you chose- ie, put 5 nice images & links to the posts all in one place, along with a short description of each post.
-On Thursday, publish your post, then visit The Bean and add your post to the linkup! (If you’re just reading this today and still want to participate, just publish in the next few days…I’ll leave the linkup open for about a week!)”

So, here are my favorite 'pinable' posts:

I refer back to this Choosing A Marathon (or Half) Training Plan post quite a bit.

This could be a fun travel pin for folks thinking of visiting Orcas Island with the kiddos.  Hey! I think I'll go pin it right now...

Okay, I have to pin a recipe or two... I love how yummy and pretty this Thai Meatball Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing turned out, Pinterest worthy, IMHO.

I also think the Lean Green Bean audience would appreciate a enlightened version/My Take on Runner's World Hummingbird Muffins.  I know my family does!

And, as I'm in the midst of PT and returning from some really slow and low mileage months, this is a good post to remember: Finding Your Running Motivation.

Happy pinning!

The Stuff Kids Say...

I delved into this topic a little while ago when my son talked about who he was going to marry.  The kids crack me up on a daily, if not hourly, basis.  So, I really wanted indulge in a bit of mommy blogging and write some of this stuff down so I can remember...

On his way to his first Sounders game (really first professional sports outing ever), he asked if he was going to get a turn to play.  Um.

Last week as we were reading a book about sharks before bed (yep, always a great idea!), it touched upon the story of Bethany Hamilton.  He asked why she just didn't get a new arm.  Well, I suppose they make prosthetic arms, but I told him that we can't just get new parts to our bodies - or bodies in general.  Then his mind took a bit of a leap and he asked "Who was the first person?"  Er, like, EVER?  I told him that different people believe different things and that it's hard to know, because it would have been a looooong time ago.  "Some people believe that it was a man named Adam, other people believe that we evolved, changed little by little over a really, really long time, to become what we are today.  We're probably related to monkeys!"  "Oh my gosh, mom!  That is so cool!  WOW!"   

As we were driving to swim lessons, he was taking note of how dark it was outside compared to when we go to lessons in the summer.  "It's SO dark out!  I love when it's dark and all the glowing lights are on outside. I think this is where I belong - in the night."  Oooookay.  And of course, I started hearing Pat Benatar in my head.

Last week I got a call from the school nurse's office telling me that he was laid up with a fever and that I should come and get him if I could.  (Hoo boy, that's never a fun call: "Hi this is the nurse at your son's school...")  Anyway, when I went into the office to get him, the nurse said he was so cute when she asked if his mom worked.  "Oh yeah, she works."  She said something along the lines that it would be a bit harder to track me down if I wasn't at home.  "Oh no, she's at home, working on lots of laundry."  Thankfully it was not working on her iPad, phone, or sitting around drinking coffee.

At age three, my baby girl is mostly funny with her phrasing and still has the tiniest traces of baby talk.  When we went on our getaway to Orcas Island, she kept calling our hotel: the 'ho-intel.'  Which made my husband and I visualize undercover prostitutes. Hm.

Eye flash = eyelash.  This kills me.

Whenever we're getting her ready for a transition (yeah, you parents know of what I speak) we give the ol' five minute warning: in five minutes we're going to leave the park, etc.  She's become so immune to this that instead of asking for 5 more minutes, she holds up both of her tiny hands and says, "Can I have lots of minutes?" I could say, sure have 1,000 more minutes or 1 more minute and it would still be followed up with her yelling and screaming "PLEAAAAASE!"  Because, ya know, when you try to teach your kids the importance of please and thank you, they think it's being polite no matter how they convey the sentiment.

Lastly, when people ask how old she is, this is her response:

our dog is the ultimate photo bomber

No, she doesn't give a verbal response - even though she knows perfectly well that she's three.  She just prefers to flash her little gang symbol!

Until next time, because I'm sure I will soon have a few more gems to add for posterity...

Nutella Yogurt Parfait and This Week's Eats 1.25.14

The holidays got us all into such a routine of eating dessert after every meal, as it should!  Baking and exchanging treats is one of our most beloved traditions.  However, I gained a bit more weight than usual this season.  Womp. Womp.  Probably due to the fact that I didn't have the Seattle Half training going into the holiday eating frenzy like I have the last two years, and I'm taking things easy while I get some PT for my leg.  Of course, I'm not going to cut out dessert.  Please.  I'm a firm believer that life is too short and that I can still enjoy things in moderation.  Usually, I'll have a Ghiradelli square after dinner.  But if that's not cutting it, I've started making this Nutella dessert.  I don't know about you, but I could sit and eat that whole jar with a spoon.  Probably not the best idea, so I figured out how to extend just one meager tablespoon of the stuff into a really yummy dessert (or snack, or breakfast, etc.).

Nutella Yogurt Parfait

1/2 cup of nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt (I'm partial to the tubs from Trader Joe's.)
1 tablespoon of Nutella (Or, less; I've found that even a heaping teaspoon goes a long way.)
2 tablespoons of granola (I recommend Bear Naked Fit varieties.)
Fruit to taste (Sometimes I save the fruit versions for breakfast and just eat the chocolate-y crunchy version pictured below for dessert.)

Just swirl the Nutella into the yogurt and add toppings!

It's really quite impressive how the yogurt takes on the taste of the Nutella.  I used to put some in my morning oatmeal and could hardly taste chocolate at all.  But this version = tasty bowl of chocolate.

• Monday - Pizza
• Tuesday - Chicken Stir Fry (trying this simple Shutterbean recipe)
• Wednesday - Gnocchi Soup with Turkey Sausage, Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach
• Thursday - Easy Chopped Salads with Chicken, Bacon, Cherry Tomatoes, Avocado, Blue Cheese and Red Onion
• Friday - Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema (old favorite from Cooking Light)
• Saturday - Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs (HAVE to try this brand new recipe from Annie's Eats)
• Sunday - SEAHAWKS SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!!  Chili, of course - we're trying this new recipe from the Neely's that I found on Pinterest. 

As always, I'm linking up with Org Junkie, Mommy Run Fast and Jill Conyers - be sure to check out all the great weekly menus!

A Few of My Favorite Things and January Ipsy Bag Review

I felt like the folks at Ipsy must've read my last Favorite Things post, because the January Glam Bag had less makeup and more self-care type stuff.  I was pretty excited when I opened up the bag.

• Benefit Pore-fessional
• Malin and Goetz Mojito Lip Balm
• Balanced Guru Organic Balm Me up Sweet Cocoa and Tangy Body Balm
• Absolute! Makeup Cleansing Tissue
• Yaby Liquid Foundation

I really love the lip balm.  In addition to slathering my hands with lotion at night, I also slather on lip balm and this one is really great - it has the consistency of a gel, but feels moisture rich.  When I opened the body balm, I was confused, as I thought it was going to be a body lotion of some sort.  Alas, it's a solid, almost beeswax like substance and I'm really not sure what to do with it - I suppose I could use it as a cuticle treatment, or yet another lip balm...  Hrm.  Large pores are not a problem for me, but sensitive skin is - so I skipped the pore refining cream, in addition to the foundation.  I'm not a foundation gal; I put spf on everyday and occasionally I'll put on a tinted BB cream.  I do like the makeup wipes and they smell delicious.  So, yeah, I don't know if the Ipsy will be for me going forward.  I'm rather picky (shocker!) about what I put on my face and would rather spend the $10 a month on stuff I know I want.  However...

I did cave to a Julep Maven box, because I've heard good things about them from several sources.  Your first box with them is FREE (use code FREEBOX) with no strings attached - you can cancel after receiving the box.  But, ooooh, I reaaaaally like getting nail polishes plus one little makeup thing THAT YOU CHOOSE every month.  After taking a style quiz, Julep suggests one of four style boxes for you.  But, you can choose whichever you like best.  I don't consider myself 'boho glam' but that's what my style quiz came up with, and that's the box I liked the most!

I'm liking the cuticle serum and love the berry 'Michelle' color and the blue 'Aisha' is fun, but a bit on the goth side.  I got a fun speckled polish and a top coat as add-ons to obtain free shipping.  I thought, okay cool, I'll get a bunch of cute stuff for about $13 ($10 for the two add-ons plus tax) and then cancel.  Twenty bucks a month is pretty steep and I learned after I signed up that they've changed the policy of being able to skip a month whenever you want.  Currently, you can only skip once every 6 months.  But then I saw February's polish/makeup selections and I looooved them!  Plus, they give all sorts of incentives in the form of 'Jules' points with every month you get a box (extra points if you get 3 boxes in a row, etc.) towards buying more items from the site, and nice little 50% off coupon in the first one.  Aaargh.  So, I'm going to try and get the most bang for my buck over the next couple of months with this subscription and see how it goes.

A few more of my favorite things...

Russell Wilson - This guy is the real deal.  Yes, I will always be a Bears fan first, but Russell Wilson is threatening to pull ahead with the Seahawks.  I have Wisconsin family cheering for him, too. I just wish I knew 'Blue Tuesdays' when we had our epic children's visit!

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, White Walls - in keeping with my current state as a Seattle fangirl, I must admit that I can't stop listening to this song and it's fun to see the bits of the video that they shot here at Dick's in Seattle.  

My Stella and Dot wallet - I go through wallets like crazy since I usually buy cute, but cheap, ones from Target that fall apart in a matter of months.  I got a bunch of awesome stuff from Stella and Dot recently, but I lurve my new 'big girl' wallet. Plus, it's uplifting to look at this bright happy color every time I must part with my cold hard cash.  

SHERLOCK OMG - So, please don't give anything away regarding the current season!  I'm still in catch up mode (we're into season two) of this fabulous show.  Since Downton is really just spiraling out of control into the abyss, this is fulfilling my inner Anglophile and my love for Martin Freeman.

Favorite internet find - We never took engagement photos.  I don't know if that was even a 'thing' back in 2001...  Anyway, these guys?  Nailed. It.

Happy weekend!

This Week's Eats 1.19.14 (and Seahawks Shenanigans)

I'm writing this as we watch the Seahawks play the 49ers in the NFC championship game.  And, I must say, I'm rather impressed with the level of fan support 'round these parts.  I sometimes feel like I'm truly the only person not wearing Seahawks gear when I leave the house, and pretty much every local business is having specials - including Starbucks, which had a promotion for 12 cent coffee the other day.  My kids have done their share of 12th man projects:

baby girl's art from the Y

Big brother's 12th man flag (12 is on the other side) project from school

If you're not sure who the 12th man is, as I'm gathering there are people who are not, here's more info than you ever needed to know.  After returning home on Friday with his big ol' flag, my son was asking if we could go to the Seahawks game.  HA!  Kids, man.  I tried (IN VAIN) to explain how tickets were hard to get, and rather expensive.  Once he gets older, I'll also explain to him how we're really Bears fans at heart.  Sure, we're excited and always cheer for Seattle, but we're not bleeding green and blue over here.  He liked my explanation that most people stay home and have a party while they watch on TV, and immediately asked if we could have a party with cake.  Sure kid!

Thanks for making my job easy, Safeway

• Monday - Pizza
• Tuesday - Dinner out with friends!
• Wednesday - Chicken with Tomatoes, Artichokes and Mozzarella
• Thursday - Greek Turkey Meatball Salad (from The Perfect Pantry)
• Friday - Angel Hair with Pomodoro Sauce (this Carrabba's recipe is exactly how we've made ours for years)
• Saturday - Korean BBQ Short Ribs (an old favorite recipe from the Today Show), Green Beans and Mashed Potatoes
• Sunday - Crock Pot Chicken Mole (Trying this recipe from Honey, Ghee and Me that I found via Pinterest)

Also, last week's Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes were tasty - two thumbs up!

As always, I'm linking up with Org Junkie, Mommy Run Fast and Jill Conyers - be sure to check out all the great weekly menus!

December 2013 in Pictures

Co-Pilots
HAIR
Love this additional benefit of his learning to read
Santa drive by!
Foggy day hike

First Christmas program
Admiring his snow angel handiwork
Bear-Pug
Botanical Garden lights
My favorite part of the holidays: tree, carols, red cups, Uggs, a good book and (not pictured) a fire going

Cookie decoratin'
Little swimmer
Favorite new sweatshirt!
Santa Tracking
Feliz Navidad margaritas

Annual trip to Molbaks
Annual photo op with Santa 
Snow day
Sleepy pups
Present opening

Faith, trust and a little pixie dust..
First tooth gone!
Annual family photo
Favorite Christmas present doubles as neck pillow
We go crazaaay up in here on New Year's Eve! 

This Week's Eats 1.12.13

I'm having a hard time containing my excitement over this very recent discovery...

I've already mentioned how awesome the Trader Joe's brown rice from the freezer section is, and now! Now we can have easy peasy quinoa!  Not that it's a difficult grain to cook, but these freezer packages come out perfectly without dirtying a single pot or spoon in a tenth of the time.  So, of course, I have to incorporate this stuff into the menu for this week...

• Monday - Pizza
• Tuesday - Sloppy Joes and Baked Sweet Potatoes (I've never tried Pioneer Woman's Sloppy Joe recipe, so I'm going to remedy that now)
• Wednesday - Mediterranean Chicken Pasta (an old Tyler Florence favorite)
• Thursday - PORTILLOS HOT DOGS OMG (thanks to my MIL for the always appreciated x-mas gift!)
• Friday - Thai Chicken Quinoa Bowls (quinoa! recipe from How Sweet It Is)
• Saturday - Penne with Vodka Sauce (tried and true Rachael Ray recipe)
• Sunday - Crock Pot Tequila Lime Turkey Chili (from Pink Parsley)

As always, I'm linking up with Org Junkie, Mommy Run Fast and Jill Conyers - be sure to check out all the great weekly menus!