Wednesday, November 30, 2011

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

After looking far and wide for a new Christmas tree stand, our tree is up:




I decided to go with a blue and silver theme this year instead of red and green.  I'm completely obsessed with Pinterest and found a lot of DIY decorating ideas.  My first 'craft' idea: 


Holy flash Batman!

There will be many more decorations in the next couple weeks.  Hopefully the apartment will look very festive :)

We leave for Vegas on FRIDAY!! I probably won't blog while I'm there, but I'll make sure a post a bunch of pictures when I get back.  I'm nervous about the race, but it should be fun!!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Post Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! My thanksgiving started with an amazing breakfast:

The breakfast :)

The chef :)

After watching part of the Thanksgiving Day parade (my cousins were in one of the marching bands!!) we drove up to Hershey.  I forgot to take pictures of the food, but I did get the dessert I made:


And my sister-in-law got a new kitten, Squirt:


On Friday we did some shopping, but other than that it was a pretty chill Thanksgiving.  The Christmas tree is going up this weekend :) I love getting into the holiday spirit!

Have a great Saturday!

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How many weeks before Christmas do you put up your tree? 

Find any good deals on Black Friday?

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thanksgiving Preparations!

After working a half day (well...actually a 6 hour day), I went to the gym to get my workout on before I started baking for Thanksgiving. 

I'm really excited about seeing my husband's family and having my parents there too.  We're going to my sister-in-law's in Hershey, PA ('the sweetest place on earth'..and yes...you can smell the Reese's plant as you drive in...awesomesauce).  Andrew and I went last year and had a blast, so we wanted my parents to share in the Nagel Thanksgiving experience too :)


I'm baking two things: These and This.  I'm nervous about baking the rolls, but since I'm making them the day before I'll have time to make something else if I mess them up. 

Oh..and of course this is the perfect day before thanksgiving dinner:






My parents are coming over tomorrow morning before we drive to PA because they need to bake 'crapple' (I will show you that wonderful creation in a later post) because they are currently renovating their kitchen.  The best part about this is Dad offering to make breakfast!! I plan to make pumpkin muffins and I think Dad is making pancakes and eggs.  Greco breakfasts are epic...and it will hopefully tide us over until dinner at 1:00 ;)




Some have chocolate.  The white specs are cake mix...I can never get rid of them when I make these muffins!

Have a happy happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Monday, November 21, 2011

The best way to refuel after a long run...

8.13 miles to be exact :)

Can I say that I love my hubby...look where he took me:

I think this is the best way to refuel after a long run, don't you?!

Off to get ready for work and this three day week.  Have a happy Monday everyone!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Shopping Date

Why do weekends go by so quickly, yet the weeks take forever?!  This week, despite it only being three days, will probably feel extremely long since I have Thanksgiving and the possible viewing of Twilight to look forward to. 

I still haven't decided which dessert to bring, but I did make these cookies with the hope of sending them to my B-E-A-U-tiful sister who in currently in Korea.  However, she will be going to China for Thanksgiving and I was afraid they wouldn't get to her in time. 

The best MOH ever!

Come to find out...Andrew LOVES these cookies.  I was going to bring the remainder of them (I gave some to Mom) to Thanksgiving, but I don't think they will make it to Thursday.  What should I do?!

Anyways...Yesterday was spent shopping and hanging out with Mom.  We got a little bit of Christmas shopping done (aka I try on clothes and then 'forget about them' then get them for Christmas), I found some clothes for work and we went to Panera for lunch. 

I heart their Hazelnut coffee!

Then Andrew and I did some grocery shopping and went to Subway for a quick dinner.  Then I went to bed at 9:30.  I lead a very exciting life...haha.

Well...it's off to get ready for church, lunch, GOTR and an eight mile long run (eek!).  Have a great Sunday everyone!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Tuesday Randomness

1. I somehow managed to follow my own blog.  I didn't do it intentionally, but I have an extra follower now.  It's me.  Pathetic?

2. Since it's my off day (and I'm going crazy!) I'm trying to decide what I will cook for Thanksgiving.  Dad said we can eat chocolate on both Thanksgiving day and Christmas day so I think the dessert I make should have chocolate in it.  But first I'm thinking about these rolls from How Sweet It Is:



But for dessert it's between a few things from Picky Palate.  First idea:


Pumpkin Toffee Chip and Rolo Chunk Cookies

Or this:

Cinnamon Roll Pumpkin Vanilla Sheet Cake

So many choices!

3.  I'm going Christmas shopping with Mom on Saturday.  Yes, Christmas shopping.  I like getting this stuff done early.


Meet my Mom...isn't she pretty? :)

4. I'm also going to attempt an eight mile run before shopping.  Hopefully it won't be too cold!

5. I OD-ed on Frosted Mini Wheats after dinner tonight.  I crave weird things.  Like cereal. I blame my Dad on that one...he eats cereal as a snack every day.

6. I want Ricki Lake to win DWTS, but only because I'm in love with Derek Huff. 


Ricki, Ricki, Ricki! (source)


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Did anything random happen to you today?

Who do you want to win DWTS?

Sunday, November 13, 2011

I think I have a new obsession...

Good morning! With little brain power this  morning, I thought I would check out what Pinterest is all about.  I see a lot of other bloggers mention it and even post some pictures...so I guess it's my turn :) I found a lot of motivational fitness quotes that I wanted to share today: 


I love this one...and now feel better about my big butt...haha




Hopefully these made you smile/want to go do something healthy :)

I'm off to get ready for church and a baptism. 

Have a fabulous Sunday everyone!

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What motivational quotes do you live by?

Any fun plans for today?

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Reasons why I was M.I.A.

Happy Weekend Everyone!  I apologize for my absence, but things have been pretty hectic around here. 

An update on my running: 4.5 miles PAIN FREE!!! It was slower than molasses in January, but it still felt great.  The 1/2 marathon is looking better and better! My hope is to run around 6 miles today, but we shall see if that actually happens. 

In other news, Andrew and I went on a mini-adventure to Chicago for my birthday weekend.  After looking at the pictures I realized that I took more pictures of food than anything else (oops! Maybe we both love food way too much) Here are some pictures:

Frozen custard 'contrete' consisting of vanilla custard and a whole funfetti cupcake (frosting included!). 

Apparently the best pizza in the U.S.A. I wouldn't argue with that...it was AWESOME!

I dream about these cinnamon rolls.  They were gone in 30 seconds.

Oh...those cinnamon rolls..were a side  to this massive vege omelet.

This guacamole was made in front of us at That Little Mexican Cafe...and it was also gone in 30 seconds 

Did I make you hungry...or have the urge to go to Chicago?  I love that city and would encourage everyone to visit it as least once.  And you know what else is nice about it, it's a running city! There was at least one 5K every weekend in the spring/summer and they were all pretty well organized.  I hope to run this race in the near future:

Source

Well...off to prepare for my run.  Have a great Saturday!