She's Back

This here girl is cleared to start running again.  Wahooo!  Unfortunately, I have to start slow.  And...with all of my running buddies at high mileage and fast paces it's going to take me a while to get back to where I was + some.  Look out Team TMI, I'm back.

I'm looking forward to getting back into this kind of shape again, but I've got a long road ahead of me.  Happy running!

Shoe Shopping

Saturday I went with my girlfriend Cassie to help her find a dress and shoes for her girls for her sister's wedding. Cassie got an amazing dress (wish I had taken a picture) and these girls tried on shoes for days.  They are the cutest.

 Gemma

 Avyn

Then, dinner with the Chippings at Cafe Lucca. Round 2: Almond Joy (with toasted coconut, almonds, and chocolate) and Chocolate covered strawberry.  Delish.

Things are looking up.  Especially when there's gelato involved.

When it rains.

I'm having a huge streak of bad luck.

1. slice open my toe and need four stitches*
2. currently have had a major cold for a week (and counting)
2. ate a tootsie pop and cracked my crown*

I'm sure it's a lesson in patience in faith but I'm having a real BAD month.  I'm not looking for pity, just want to let out the bad so the good will come.  Next month can't come quick enough.  Trying to stay positive.

*these are/were awful and awfully expensive.

Saturday

This weekend, Ryan and his dad are going to all three days of the Long Beach Grand Prix.  So yesterday, my mother in law invited me to tag along with some ladies from her ward.  We went to the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, and got a guided tour from a sister that was an Art History teacher at CSUF for 20 years.  It was an awesome experience to get so many insights and background behind Western art from the the 15th-17th centuries.  There's sooo much to know about art, and Cathy was a powerhouse of knowledge making it such an interesting tour.  No pictures from any of that, but here are some pictures from our dinner last night in Old Orange with Ryan's parents.  Cafe Lucca, delicious.  Even more delicious was their Toasted Almond gelato.

 I'm unfortunately am not looking too good here, I've been sick with a cold since Tuesday.  And it won't go away!

Go to the Norton Simon Museum or Cafe Lucca, and call me if you need a buddy.

sorry sucker

I am a sucker for romantic comedies.  of course they have to be good enough for me to fork over $20 for Ryan and I to go see it.  I'm hoping this one is going to be worth it.

Our Unexpected Treasures

Some pictures from our weekend.  Look at our awesome finds.

They had such beautiful coral, we were lucky to pick up these awesome specimens.  Here they are in our house.

Last post of the day I swear.

Tried some new G free products this week.  Pleasantly surprised.  Here are my favorite new additions to my G free diet so far:

 Just made delicious waffles with this, this morning.  I was so happy to be able to pull out my waffle maker after months of hibernation.

Who new how good quinoa pasta was?  I was skeptical, but now am a believer.  I'm also trying to introduce more quinoa into my diet.  They have soooo much protein in them it's crazy.  Here's my next attempt: Warm and Nutty Cinnamon Quinoa.

Have you had one of these babies?  So...good.  They're a fruit and nut bar, and have a minimum of 2 ingredients and a maximum of 9.  Seriously, only a handful of ingredients and they are oh so delicious and full of fruit, protein and fiber.  My favorites so far are apple pie and peanut butter and jelly.  Check out their website to learn more about their products.

These are all great and healthy products even if you're not G free.  Enjoy them all.  And I'm seriously recommending the larabars.

Growing, growing, growing...

Our garden is growing fast!  We first posted about it almost a month ago, and look how it's grown!  We've also added a few new plants to the bunch last weekend.  Here's the progress so far.

Before:

 After:

 Before:

 After:

 Before:

 After:

 Before:

 After:

 Before:

 After:

And these are our the latest additions.  Strawberries, zucchini, and jalapeño peppers.  So excited to see how they grow.

Isn't nature awesome?

Bossypants

Just added it to the Kindle.  Really excited to read about one of my favorite people.  Madame Tina Fey.  And the cover is just awesome.

The Great Toe

Last night after watching conference and eating dinner I decided to make some G free cinnamon bread.  So I was at my in laws in their kitchen downstairs, while everyone was watching a movie upstairs (Ryan, his Mom and Dad).  I took out the bread, and wanted to let it cool, so I picked up my ceramic baking pan, flipped it over and the bread came out, when I flipped the pan back over I lost my grip.  The pan fell on the counter breaking, and then fell to the ground, cutting my big toe on the way down.  So I had to go to the ER last night to get 4 stitches, my very first set.  Not horrible, but very unfortunate, seeing as how painful and expensive the whole thing was.  But now I'm home today from work, keeping lots of gauze around my toe, and keeping my feet up.  I have to keep the gauze on for 24 hours, and then I can remove the stitches in a week.  Next post will be the actual toe picture with stitches and all.

Giant gauzy toe.

And this is what I've been doing all day.  Reading blogs, having lunch with Ryan, watching parks and recs, and trying to make more plans for decorating my house.

Thanks for bringing me lunch and taking care of me Ryo Crandall.  You're the best husband.  Really, the best.

Weekend Update

This weekend we hung out with the Chippings.  We got breakfast in the morning, then Ryan and I headed to the Salvation Army to do some thrifting and found these new beauties that we're going to fix up.

Then we drove out to Irvine to Tanaka farms for some fresh "U Pick" produce.  We decided not to do this tour, but we will definitely do it this Spring.  These are the fresh berries we picked up from there.

We got back to the Chipper's and each took a turn banging out on Em's new drums, picked up their power sander to sand down our new chairs and headed home.  

Then I made some delicious G free peanut butter cookies, recipe found here.

And we then went to a fancy schmancy wedding reception for a family friend.  Wonderful Saturday!