Thank you so much for the birthday wishes for Duncan. He had a stellar birthday and Christmas. Lots of homemade cookie gifts from friends and more toys.
Speaking of cookies….I’m still emerging from my holiday cookie coma. I’m really lucky that I have great baking friends and family but man, it’s going to be hard to break this new 10-cookie a day habit.
So Christmas came and went just like that. I got a quick run in on the morning of Christmas eve before heading upstate to my friend Susan’s.
Short sleeves on Christmas eve because it was 70 degrees out!
We had a nice low-key holiday dinner….just Susan, her hubby and me, along with Duncan and Susan’s pup Lucy.
Lucy having a post-meal nap
Duncan enjoying a pre-recorded U2 concert on TV.
I spent Christmas Day with Mr. SOTSS. First we exchanged gifts and then we went to spend the day with his family. Again, another nice, low-key day.
I don’t even know how to tell you all about my merry little Christmas without this post becoming a novel. So I’ll save you all the details and just tell you some of the highlights.
1. I have spent the last 14 Christmas Eve’s with my dear friend Sue and her Italian family celebrating Christmas Eve the way the Italians do with a Seven Fishes dinner. (well this year was 6 but who’s counting?)
Tilapia and shrimp oregonata
Pasta with white clam sauce and calamari
“baccala” codfish salad
Sue’s mom, who is 91 years old and currently undergoing chemo for pancreatic cancer, and her 89 year old aunt, remarked at the dinner table about how they forgot to have fun these last 30 years! That really struck a chord with me. I live my days to their fullest and don’t EVER want to forget to have fun.
Somewhere in between the fish dishes and the conversation we watched some classic I Love Lucy episodes and Duncan and his girlfriend Lucy got matching Santa toys.
Duncan and Lucy with their matching toys
Duncan and his new santa toy
I love Lucy!
I don’t know if next Christmas Eve will be the same but I know that this one will remain so meaningful to me. My prayers and thoughts will be with Susan’s mom as she continues to work at living…..even at 91. She isn’t ready to go yet! God bless her.
a warm candle light, a fragrant holiday wreath and festive flowers really decorated our evening.
2. I don’t want to get all mushy gushy about the boy here, but let’s just say I spent some quality time with him and I am JUST.SO.HAPPY!! This awesome running vest was one of many sweet, thoughtful gifts he gave me.
Nike Aeroloft 800 Running Vest
Little does he know I didn’t need anything for Christmas. He sure is my gift. The vest packs into the back pocket and has a hand strap so you can easily run with it if you decide you’re getting too warm. I can’t wait to try it out. But I’m trying to stick to my plan and not run for a couple weeks. #SoHARDToDo. He also got me this awesome tripod for my iPhone.
Joby GripTight GorillaPod Stand
Joby GripTight stand
I love that I can wrap it around things like tree branches vs a traditional tripod that can only be placed on a flat surface. Here’s to some new running pose pics for my blog for 2015!
3. This sunset.
Sunset 12/26
After spending 3 days away from home visiting with friends, family and the boy I got to see this beautiful sunset just before arriving back home last night.
Today is all about cleaning and enjoying the unseasonably warm temps later with a nice long walk with Duncan. You know, quality time…..because Duncan hardly gets that. LOL!
And the winner of the Luna Bar giveaway is:
Luna Bar Giveaway winner!
LeeAnn I am sending you an email requesting your mailing address so we can get that box of bars to ya. Congrats!
QUESTION: How was everyone’s holiday? Any meaningful moments for you? Any great gifts? Running gifts? Favorite gift?
I’m running out the door for my work holiday party.
Festive red faux wrap sweater
But I wanted to share some great news…
I finally stopped procrastinating and wrapped all my gifts.
All ready to give!
OK that’s not the great news. The great news is that I went for a RUN!
She’s Back!
The first run in 19 days. So happy that my ankle is all good now. Of course the left hamstring was tight and the problem knee felt weird still but those are things I can work on. I’m telling you, my New Year’s Resolution is to make foam rolling, stretching and strengthening my business. I think I say that every year.
What’s going on in your life? Are you busy with the holidays? Attending any parties? What’s your “go-to” attire for holiday parties?
First, let me start off by saying if I don’t make complete sentences it’s because i’m so tired! I’ve partied like a rockstar at the new Club 40 (years old) for a few days straight now…
Friday night I met some good friends and former co-workers for a celebratory birthday dinner. We’re closing in on almost 20 years of friendship!
this is what friendship that lasts looks like
I stayed out fairly late and didn’t really sleep or prepare much for yesterday morning’s long run. But I pulled it together and met my friends at the base of the Queensboro Bridge where we ran over it into Queens, then back into Manhattan, up 1st Ave into the Bronx and then back down 5th Ave in Manhattan before splitting up at 90th and Central Park West. (basically the last 11 miles of the NYC marathon course).
peeps!
I’m coming for you mile 16 next Sunday 2:10pm!!!!
I continued running toward my car on 57th street and although I was shooting to run 12 miles, I stopped at 11.8 because Starbucks had made me a latte (well, technically they didn’t start making it until I went in and ordered it….technically schmecnically)
lots of traffic lights slowed us down
I walked an additional block back to my car and then headed home for some last minute packing and prep before heading to my brother’s house for my big party.
Have I mentioned how much I love the fall foliage lately? (probably a dozen times i’m sure)
Then my party happened:
favors
birthday princess
marathon runner inspired birthday cake
running peeps
running peeps
i’m this many!
nom nom nom!
custom jack-o-lantern
It was such a great night! My cake was made by an amazing cake decorator who took my bib/medal/mums idea and ran with it (get it? see what i did just there?). And my amazing friend, the Rescue Baker made my favorite delicious cookies.
7 heavenly layers of awesomeness
I got so many wonderful gifts, many of which were running inspired…
tech shirt, running mitten/gloves, It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon” bracelet, and sporting good store gift cards
even these could be running inspired….
refuel and celebrate with candy and booze and sooth sore achy muscles and feet after running
I am so truly lucky to have great friends and family. So now I’ve caught you up on my birthday weekend. I am going to hibernate for a long time take a nap now and then get myself prepared for the week.
At this time next sunday I’ll have just crossed the finish line of the NYC Marathon! Woo hoo!
Question: What’s the best birthday gift you ever got? How much cake is considered too much cake to eat in a day?
We had a nice low-key holiday dinner….just Susan, her hubby and me, along with Duncan and Susan’s pup Lucy.
Recent Comments