July, 2011
now browsing by month
the fruits (& veggies!) of summer
Today, after mass, we headed down to have a leisurely afternoon with my side of the fam. It was blazingly hot, but luckily, not as humid as it usually is. My parental units live about an hour from us, and I was looking forward to spending some Q.T. Plus, they have an amazing outdoor patio with water fountains, colorful flowers, and some shade (provided by umbrellas). Sitting out back and sipping on some adult cocktails sounded like just the thing for day like today.
We swung by my family’s favorite road side produce stand on the way down. There’s nothing I love more than fruits & veggies in season. I had specifically asked for roadside stand corn and tomatoes, because the stuff from the supermarket just doesn’t compare.
Check out the colors and yumminess of fresh corn, berries, 
peaches, squash and peppers.
Paradiso!!
Huge surprise when we arrived ~ booty from South Africa! I can’t wait to make some Green Curry Chicken. Mmmm! And biltong, South African jerky, is mouth-watering. I’d be jealous of myself if that made any sense!
Jorge Dos came with us as well. He enjoyed quite the day ~ and even had a Jorge Dos-sized corn on the cob. Hilarious!
Some pics just need to be full -sized to appreciate the full extent of Jorge Dos’ adventures (I realize that I had a little too much fun this afternoon thinking of places a bobble-headed turtle might wander if given the time … and ability!).
checking out the froggy competition
"Do you come here often?"
a new way to travel
After I had sufficiently exhausted all resources for Jorge Dos’ adventures, we were ready to sit down for dinner. My Mama Bear and her lovely twin sister prepared a very fresh and delish meal to take full advantage of summer produce.
We had steaks on the grill (cooked to perfection by my dad), marinated in my Mama’s special marinade. (I’ll share the recipe soon ~ I totally love it and feel like my steak is naked without it!) We had a Tre Colore Salad a la my lovely aunt, and we had corn on the cob (and no, as of the last time I checked, I haven’t become a corn on the cob … yet).
prepped for the grill
Tre Colore a la Aunty Lenny
ready for some peeps to sit down & mange!
It was a total summer feast (enjoyed indoors, because after a few hours out in the heat with my dad creating his own mister with the hose, we decided to dine in the comfort of the cool kitchen).
Tre Colore A la Aunty Lenny
2 garden fresh tomatoes (which were cut up before I realized I didn’t have a pic!)
2 ripe avocados
1 ball fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese
Olive Oil
Freshly ground Salt & Pepper
Balsamic Vinegar
Fresh basil leaves
~ Slice tomatoes, and line a large dish (decoratively if you are inspired)
~ Halve avocado, remove pit, and cut into slices longways ~ arrange on top of tomatoes
~ Slice mozzarella cheese into thin pieces, top avocado with cheese
~ Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar evenly over entire dish
~ Add freshly ground salt & pepper to taste (use sparingly, because the flavor of the toms is so amazing)
~ Top everything with fresh basil leaves
~ Serve!
Hope everyone had as relaxing and enjoyable a Sunday as we did! ‘Til tomorrow!
frolf … or so they say
Despite our best intentions of going to play disc golf over John’s birthday weekend, it just didn’t happen.
Fast forward to today. John and I had gone our separate ways last night ~ he hung out with some college buddies, and I met up with an old co-worker (okay, I admit it, one of my most favorite ex-co-workers EVER and we haven’t seen each other in months). While I was sipping cold Bud Light at a darkly lit bar in the city, John was in the ‘burbs, plotting our weekend activities. So this morning, his fraternity brother came over for breakfast, and following perfectly cooked eggs and sausage (done by the man) we all headed out to play disc golf. Or frolf (which is a word that I may dislike more than blog ~ the jury is still out).
Disc golf is pretty fun.
I almost got hit in the head and the leg several times (mental note: don’t take pictures and ponder where Jorge Dos would explore on a Saturday morning at a busy Frisbee Golf course). But in general, it was fun.
Now, let me clarify. I didn’t play. I was a little hesitant about the whole thing, because I can’t even through a regular Frisbee, let alone throw one accurately enough to get it into a basket at the end of a ‘golf hole.’
But I think I’ve warmed up to it enough to try it out next time.
Here are some pics from today. You know you’re thinking ~ Wow, that looks like a beautiful place to walk through on a Saturday afternoon. Just remember, keep your wits about you, or you may get hit!
Jorge Dos on our way to the course
teeing off at one
the game begins
ahhh, nature
on a quest to find the 'bee
we are!
ummm... it fell over here?
gorgeous-ness
Nature is a very beautiful lady when she gets all done up!
I love the next picture ~ if only I’d snapped a millisecond sooner when he was still in mid-swing! But it was my favorite tee-box. So picturesque.
power shot!
I think, after it’s all said and done, that while I’m enthusiastic to give it a try, it will always be called disc golf in our house. Jury’s in. Decision rendered.
introducing jorge dos
This post ~ and really, any posts that contain references to the adventures of Jorge Dos ~ are all dedicated to my great friend who is the caretaker of Jorge Primer and who so thoughtfully brought me my very own Jorge to take journeys with.
he's getting ready to get his learner's permit
Everyone, please meet Jorge Dos, my delightfully lovable bobble head turtle, who will be residing semi-permanently in Rooney the Mini Cooper. Together, we three amigos will venture out into the world to explore the unknown and mysterious (or just go to work and Starbucks … I guess it will all depend on the day of the week!)
and I thought the Cooper was Mini!
Jorge Dos journeyed quite a long way from Mexico to come and reside with John, Rooney, The Beast and I. (John and I have deep love for both our vehicles, as I am sure you can tell!)
He rested up the first few days (jet lag, he claimed) but today he was wide awake, and out and about. He came Frisbee golfing this morning and hung out in the garden (until a gi-normous bee came a little too close, and Jorge Dos very politely asked to have indoor adventures -if at all possible- for the rest of the day).
Jorge Dos in the garden, checking out the view from up top, and perusing the vino selection (he prefers tequila himself).
He also checked out the computer, and the mantle piece.
Keep an eye out for his adventures. I have feeling they will be funny (because it totally cracks me up). Jorge Dos is ready to see the world!
oh happy day!
I have been very into watching Secretariat recently. ** As a side-note, I can watch the same movie over and over again ~ for days, sometimes weeks on end (Field of Dreams comes to mind). ** But, to the point, there is something so uplifting about the story of a woman who believed in her gut instinct and knowledge, and fought tooth and nail without much support, to fulfill a dream. And what a reward at the end of it all ….
The story of Secretariat is remarkable, and to this day, he is considered one of the best athletes that ever lived. It’s incredible, really.
Watching the recreation of the Belmont Stakes of ’73 in the movie, I can’t help but feel my heart flutter with excitement as Secretariat rounds the final corner, and continues surging for the finish line. His time and margin of victory, to this point, have never been matched. No one has even come close. If nothing else, that’s amazingly impressive. 
(** For anyone who feels that movies gloss over reality, and paint prettier pictures than actually existed – which is more often than not, true – you should check out the words of Penny Chenery’s youngest son here.)
That’s the thing about sports ~ and any kind of sport, really. The wonder it inspires in those of us who aren’t amazingly skilled, to watch those who are excel in ways that sometimes defy imagination. It’s breath-taking, adrenaline-pumping … one of life’s daily miracles.
Speaking of miracles … another movie that I have over-played is Miracle, the story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team and -this is shocking, I know- the end of that movie (real audio from the actual game) gives me shivers.
“Do you believe in miracles?… YES!” Thank you Al Michaels, for one of the best sound bites in the history of sports. Not just hockey. Sports. Full stop.
Sports’ triumphs, often depicted in movies, can lift a country during a time of need (Jim Braddock, The Cinderella Man, Seabiscuit in Seabiscuit), support civil rights (Mohammad Ali, Ali) embody the morals of a people (the 1980 U.S. hockey team defeating the Soviets at the height of the Cold War, Miracle), reinforce womens’ struggle for equality (Penny Chenery, Secretariat) … really, do any number of things. Including uniting a group of people, and teaching us to believe. Because sports exist in black and white, as so little else does in our ever-evolving culture, and in times of trial, or worry, having answers gives people security. Sports give people hope.
Sixty minutes. One team wins, one team loses. And that depends on the level of performance and strategy during those constantly ticking seconds. Trust me, after this past Super Bowl, I’m intimately familiar with how important those 60 minutes are.
Nine innings. Eighteen holes. Mental toughness. Physical skill.
At the end, the score says what you accomplished, and it’s either good enough, or it’s not. There is no middle ground. It’s refreshing. It’s a relief. There’s a finality that is comforting to sports.
I am a big fan. Clearly!
That’s why it’s such a bummer I’m not better at them! However, Shaun T. and I once again had a fairly successful workout. It was the “bad workout” (aka, the one the always summons the Doozer)and not only did the Doozer not arrive, but I felt really good about my progress. Truth be told, I’m nervous to admit that – for fear that tomorrow, I will crash and burn. Ah well, we will see.
I feel it's important that you all meet Shaun T., too. Say hello.
He’s smilin’ because he loves it! (If you ever endeavor to do the workouts, you’ll find that pretty funny).
Last night’s WeHangsDay was a doozy. Our friends’ surprised John with a bag full of great BBQin’ loot to celebrate his 30th. I’m a little jealous, I have to admit! And dinner was great ~ pork tenderloin on the grill, mango salsa with a kick, and mushrooms (need I say more… really!), tomatoes, zucchini (mmmm….) and cauliflower on the grill. Yum. And … pretty good for a person, if I do say so myself! We also enjoyed some very delightful vino (keep an eye out for it on ‘in vino e verita’). All in all, a slice of perfection. Thank you, Man Cave. 😀
Also, they brought me back a present I have to share as soon as the camera is charged. Everyone, please wait with baited to breath to meet Jorge Dos. Adventures to follow. 😉
Tonight, because I’m a socializing diva (ha!), our neighbors came down to dine. We served white wine (obv!), baked salmon with an avocado cream sauce (told you I can’t resist that little green fruit), fresh broccoli from our landlords’ garden (totally flavorful ~ muchas gracias to our lovely land-people!), and little red baby new potatoes boiled and served with a drizzle of EVOO, salt and pepper. Here’s how I did it ~
~ First, I filled a saucepan with water and added the potatoes (baby red bliss). I brought the water to a slow boil, and let them cook happily away while I composed the rest of the dish. I checked on them periodically, and when they were soft (I tested by poking with a pointy knife), I pulled them off the burner and let them sit.
Meanwhile …
~ I separated the huge head of broccoli into bite size pieces, and then put them on a foil covered cookie sheet, sprinkled a little sea salt and EVOO and then popped them into the oven which was preheated to 375 for about seven minutes (note: when the broccoli starts to make audible noise from sizzling, it’s done ~ there were some crispy bits, but that added to the deliciousness).
~ Next, my fresh salmon filets. I seasoned with salt and pepper and a little white wine. Then, I baked them at 375 for about twelve minutes ~ the flesh had turned a nice light pink color, but the fish was firm to the touch.
~ While the fish cooked in the oven, I quartered two avocados, and with a whisk, smashed them up with two dollops of mayonnaise, some S & P, and a splash of soy sauce. Pretty much guacamole ~ only this time, I had a heavier hand with the mayo.
~ When the salmon was plated, and the avocado cream sauce plopped on top, I drained the potatoes, and drizzled them with EVOO, salt and pepper and some parsley flakes (green is such a lovely color … oh wait, that’s right, it is my favorite!).
I also braved making angel food cake to serve strawberry shortcake (for John’s b-day I used store bought ‘dessert cups’ and I was not a fan). Even angel food cake from a box is challenging. Just FYI.
my teeny work station
Either way, it was pretty good (sans burnt bottom).
A triumph Mrs. Cratchit! A triumph! (I will use this many times, so it’s probably a good thing to advise that this expression will make frequent appearances).
I love dinner parties. If only I could afford to entertain every day …. Ahhh.
Dreams.
wed.nes.day.
breaking the fast
It’s my favorite day of the week. I don’t know why, but I’ve always loved the Wednesday. 😀
Have a champion breakfast this morning. As I told John, I bought raspberries because they were on sale at the market. Meaning, they had raspberries they were selling. (I just can’t resist …!)
Raspberries are hands down my most favorite food. I have the best memories of going raspberry picking as a child in the borderlands of Scotland with my Granny, my Mama Bear and my little brother. We would pick baskets and baskets full of raspberries and gooseberries (which did not leave the same lasting impression on my taste buds) … and I would be stuffed by the time we left, because I would have eaten so many warm raspberries right off the vine.
Mmmm. Memories. There is nothing quite as heavenly as fresh raspberries with English heavy cream. Makes me want to check flights right now! Although sadly, the raspberry farm we used to go to has been closed for many years.
I would like to add for posterity that raspberries are best enjoyed in their native form … raspberry-flavored candy, etc just isn’t the same as pure, unadulterated raspberry. Why mess with perfection, I say?
- pure heaven
Last night, John and I hosted his closest friend from high school for dinner, and a movie. He is being deployed in August (yes, he’s one of those very brave, noble and admirable people who protect our country and I am totally in awe of that) and he was on his way home from wrapping things up at the base. Occasionally, he crashes on our couch (we’re a good mid-point between base and home, so it works out!).
The more the merrier, I say!
I had a whole meal planned out and then John dropped the bomb … his buddy is allergic to chicken (there goes my BBQ chicken pizza idea). So we improvised a bit. Using some frozen short ribs, we did a BBQ short rib pizza, and then a shrimp & pesto pizza with cilantro garnish. Both were pretty yummy (but not, I will admit, on the good end of the healthy scale). Pizza can be a lot healthier than it might appear at first … and we like making it at home because it allows us to get all kinds of creative (you can’t even imagine some of the pizzas we’ve made … and surprisingly, they are all good!).
I was pretty pleased with how they looked … I like when food looks appetizing.
Clearly, after enjoying a few slices of pie and a glass of vino bianco, I knew that I had to get serious about my workout this morning.
It was tough getting back into ‘Insanity’ after four days of total slacking! And today, my body was still sore from my afternoon workout yesterday.
But, amazingly, the workout felt okay today. I guess after two weeks of really not feeling like any progress was being made, that’s a good sign. My quads still feel shaky towards the end of the workouts, and the Doozer makes a daily appearance. But it’s getting much better!
Whew! I was beginning to worry that something was seriously wrong, and I’d never feel in shape again for the rest of my life (there’s that tendency toward hyperbole rearing it’s ugly head again!).
Well, cheerios and raspberries have disappeared, so I guess it’s onward and upward to get some work done.
Tonight is WeHangsDay for the first time in about three weeks … we’ll be heading over to the Man Cave this evening for din din. Thank goodness, cuz I don’t know that I have any ideas for dinner whatsoever! Gotta start thinking for next week ….
Happy Hump Day! Have a good one! 🙂
ladies, all the ladies
Check these out if you haven’t … they are scrum-diddli-umptious! My brother’s lady love, Eli, introduced me, and I cannot thank her enough!
and it friggin' tastes like a s'mores, too!
Had a much more successful reunion with Shaun T. than I had anticipated … the workout (while still reminding me of self-imposed torture) was much easier to keep up with today. Very uplifting. I think it may have something to do with the Luna Protein Bar (chocolate peanut butter!) I scarfed before buckling down to the Max Interval Circuit (which is the über long one, btw).
I’m starting to get that getting healthy is an on-going process … I just have to keep my chin up and keep trying my best ~ even when I have a bad day. Little by little I know I’ll make progress. (The turtle and the hare come to mind … my patience wishes that results arrived like the hare … but my mind & body are hoping that by getting there via the turtle, the results last longer).
It’s funny how just when I thought I had hit a brick wall 45 million feet thick (I exaggerate a little sometimes … I’m sure you’ve picked up on that) ~ today happens, and all of a sudden, Shaun T. doesn’t look like such a sadist.
But, that is just today! 😉
tigger-licious
I sat bolt upright this morning when I remembered that Rooney (my Mini) had an appointment with destiny at 8am. Well, not really destiny, more like inspectors … but since her tags expired last Thursday, it was pretty important that I get my hiney out of bed and over to the dealership asap.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t set an alarm, so I was running juuuust a leeeettle beet late. Whoops.
Luckily, the people who work for Mini are potentially the nicest people on the face of the planet. Big props to Mini for being a pretty rockstar company.
A short 45 minutes later (and a delish soy chai from Starbucks) Rooney was ready to hit the road, and she’d even gotten a bath. If you noticed, she’s the gorgeous colors of the Pittsburgh Steelers ~
house-warming present from my Mama Bear
And she’s named after the family who has owned and run one of the NFL’s best franchises since the Steelers were founded (and originally called the Pirates!), the Rooney’s. Clearly, I’m biased, but I have great admiration for a family that runs their business with the kind of integrity, spirit and soul that the Rooney’s possess (and, to be fair to the man, the Mara’s -owners of the Giants- have, too). As we like to say, real football teams don’t have cheerleaders!
So, I wanted to follow up quickly to my Eeyore Day last week. It’s always rough when you get the glums, and can’t seem to shake them. And I think the best thing to do is dig deep, and take action instead of giving in to being bummed.
Some things I did last Thursday to cheer myself up.
I painted my little piggies.
french done at home
It took me a little bit more time than usual ~ I used to do french pedis all the time, but got out of the habit~ … and I’m glad I did it. It always makes a girl feel good when her toes look nice in sandals, right?
I drank a lot of water.
I always try to drink a lot of water, but being hydrated definitely helps kick fatigue. Plus, when you do Insanity work outs (like most workouts), you sweat so much, that you have to keep re-hydrating.
Sometimes, I don’t want to drink any more water, but I forced myself to on Thursday ~ I try to drink my minimum of 64 ounces a day, and more if I can. Just constantly drinkin’ agua. Yummy.
I went outside and enjoyed some new flowers that are blooming. Somehow, if you’re stuck inside all day, it’s way more depressing. Gotta get some A & D from natural sun rays …
Pretty purple to go with the dazzling orange of our Tiger Lilies.
I also tried the massage techniques described in my GOOP newsletter. Once I stopped thinking about it, and expecting miracles to happen, it was pretty relaxing. But I’m gonna guess that it’s not as satisfying as having someone else do the massaging (which costs moola that I don’t currently have … bummer).
One thing I have absolutely learned over time is that when I eat well, and exercise, I feel better. Thursday was an anomaly … I hadn’t had too many glasses of vino, or eaten junk food. I was just weighed down by stress. And stress can wreak havoc on a person physically and mentally.
Shaun T. and I didn’t have a wildly successful workout, but it did boost my spirits a bit, and combined with a little water and some pampering (in the form of a home pedi), I was feeling better by the time I curled up in bed.
The hardest thing to do is find the will to put the workout duds on, and get motivated to get sweaty. Especially when all I wanted to do was stay snuggled in bed. But the days that I sleep in feel less productive and more frustrating than the ones when I get my butt out of bed. Early bedtime and good rest is way better than ‘sleeping in,’ which just kind of leaves me groggy all day. Something of a letdown of a revelation, but it’s better to know than to keep feeling yuck.
I’ve got 16 more days of ‘Insanity’, and then I’m hoping that the Planet Fitness is open across the street (no words can describe how totally psyched John and I were when it was finally revealed that the empty car dealership on our street was becoming a gym … fabuloso!). I have a couple ideas up my sleeve to keep myself working out and moving forward & motivated. But I’m not ready to share yet, so when I am, y’all will be the first to know.
Enjoy the short week! In the infamous words of Gupta from “The Terminal” (and a favorite expression of a great friend & myself) …
Don’t hate the Toosday! 😀
one, two, three, four (!!!)
Life is a highway ~
So excited to be home and tapping happily away on the keyboard of OFFICIALLY my very own iMac computer! It has been ‘my’ work computer since starting my current job, but as of last week, my boss gave it to me to keep permanently!!!! Can you tell this makes me deliriously happy?
So, as I mentioned on Friday, I was just about bursting with things I wanted to share. Unfortunately, I had a much busier work day than I anticipated, and when we got home, I had about ten minutes in which to make a salad, pack my clothing, and organize my casa. Needless to say, it was a little bit rushed.
the goods for black bean & citrus salad
We obviously didn’t get on the road when we had anticipated … but we did make excellent time (and we didn’t even speed … much). About a third of the way into our drive to the mountains, I decided to capture some pics of the sunset. (I liked the one up top because the jeep in front of us had a kayak on its roof … something John and I are investigating investing in ~tongue twister!~ … fun fun, right?!)
For Saturday’s dinner, I made guacamole and a Caprese Salad …
As I’ve mentioned, I could eat avocado every day … in any form. My guacamole is pretty basic, because I love the nutty flavor of the fruit in its pure form.
2 avocados, diced
2 large spoonfuls of mayonnaise
two tablespoons of soy sauce
salt & pepper
All I do is mush everything together with a whisk until the avocado is pulpy, but there are still some chunks. Some people like to add lots of crazy ingredients to guac … diced tomato, black olive, jalapenos, habaneros … I don’t do all that, and I love it. Also, guacamole is excellent with Doritos (just a little heads up if you’ve never tried it! 😉 )
Saturday was also when I took the plunge … and slept in a tent. Here’s our set up … the close up, and the wide version.
Doesn’t it look like a real wilderness set up?
And there’s the truth … a house and a bathroom and running water just a short walk across the lawn! But I DID sleep in a tent! Two nights in a row, if anyone is counting …. 😀
On Sunday we went to the family party, where my salad was fairly successful, but I was a bit disappointed, because the really tangy citrus flavor wasn’t as prominent. MENTAL NOTE: Don’t over-egg the pudding (as my mother always says) ~ a nice balance of citrus and avocado makes the salad yummy. Too much avo and not enough pink grapefruit makes it good … but not delightfully extraordinary. 🙁
However, I got an amazing treat when I got to drive and take a ride in John’s uncle’s rock crawler (he’s our age, so I always forget he’s John’s uncle!). Holy moly, that thing is crazy!
up a hill
how cool?!?
I clearly LOVED it!
Thank you thank you thank you (Uncle!) Ed! It was awesome!
Today we hit the road kind of early, so that we could get home and be able to unwind (aka get work done) before it was too late. But, we took a scenic drive along the historic Rte. 6, instead of the regular ride home. It was worth it!
Here are some pics from the Wyolusing Trail overlook ….
Aren’t the farm lands just breath-taking? And there’s me and my honey ~ he’s the most patient man alive. <3 He drove the whole way there & back … altho’ I do think that it’s partly because he doesn’t trust his beloved truck to anyone for that long … I believe I’ve driven it five times since we bought it in March.
One of the perks of our detour down Route 6 was stopping at a traditional BBQ joint (aka, in the middle of nowhere) for some grub and refreshment. We didn’t have BBQ (I know, I know, but I was cruh-ah-ving a milkshake).
how fun, right?
But we did have a milkshake (his), a rootbeer float (hers … and a last minute change-up!) and a pile o’ fries (yum, but would have been better with vinegar).
The back patio (where we devoured said fries before re-entering The Beast, John’s truck), had a view of the corn fields and the river.
I had no idea that homes were built on stilts here because they are in the flood plain (sorry, my zoom only zooms so far … but if you squint! you can see how high some of these homes are lifted off the ground … craziness!)
(The river is right behind the houses!)
By the time we got home, I had a sunburnt right arm (the A/C in the truck is a little finicky right now, and we didn’t really need it until the end of the ride, because the mountain air had a little nip to it!) and really heavy eyelids. So when we’d finally unpacked all our swag, I made the necessary call.
The perfect dinner post-road trip ~
Just a little FYI, there’s a ‘Rocky’ marathon on, and if there’s something my man loves, it’s a little Rocky Balboa. So I’m leaning back on the couch, with my glasses on (my eyes are singing hallelujah!), and enjoying this view (think 55″ HD flat screen – a recent purchase that we are still totally enamored with- just out of sight at the top of the pic). Hope everyone is having a relaxing night!
Happy Birthday America! Thanks for being so … rockstar! 🙂
i survived…
Sleeping in a tent … while it rained … as a grown adult.
And it was really fun!
Silly me, I forgot my uploader cord (that’s my technical name for it) to add some really good images of my first camping experience … but never fear, I will do that when we get home tomorrow afternoon and John is doing loads of work (that I would like to add a post script to, that reads~
“Dear John’s Work,
I think it’s beyond ludicrous that you expect your [insert John’s job] to do extra work at home on a three-day weekend because, quote, they have more time. FYI, John’s Work, a three-day weekend is three days of NOT being at work, therefore, you can’t expect higher productivity. Rather, you should lower your goals accordingly, because it’s 4 day work week.
Sincerely,
John’s Roommate 😉 ”
I am going to get back to my tent, sans electricity, to enjoy the pitter patter of little rain drops.
Hope everyone’s weekends are super fan-tab-ulous!
independence yah!
So, I had SO MUCH I wanted to share today ~ I am in a much better mood, although I did stand Shaun T. up this morning because my entire body ached, and I figured it was speaking to me.
I have workout gear packed for our weekend in the country, and I’m hoping to be motivated enough to take a little jog around the golf course near John’s parents. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Lots of fun stuff going on this weekend, and I’m excited to share it when I get back … until then, just know that I have made (for the third time!) Iowa Girl Eats‘s Black Bean, Quinoa & Citrus Salad (with Israeli couscous subbing for quinoa!) and I hope it’s as big a hit with John’s family as it was with mine!
Xoxo! Happy Independence Day!
D5 Creation