Project 365: 129 | Boos | 10.26.12

Project 365: 129 | Boos | 10.26.12

Some of the decorations at a local Elks Lodge where we had dinner for my father-in-law's 70th birthday. In case you can't read the little sign, it says, "I'm just here for the boos." 

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 128 | Cooler | 10.25.12

Project 365: 128 | Cooler | 10.25.12

This cooler holds two sets of lungs, one healthy and one unhealthy. Ah, the life of a health educator.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 127 | Wedges | 10.24.12

Project 365: 127 | Fries | 10.24.12

One of my new favorite potato side dish recipes is oven roasted potato wedges. You just cut some potatoes into wedges, toss them with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper, pour them onto a baking sheet, and bake them for 35-40 minutes at 450 degrees, shaking them around a bit halfway through.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 126 | Invite | 10.23.12

Project 365: 126 | Invite | 10.23.12

I was excited to receive our first official invite to a party this holiday season -- an ugly Christmas Sweater shindig at a dueling pianos bar. We RSVP'd yes, of course.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 125 | Honey | 10.22.12

Project 365: 125 | Honey | 10.22.12

I cooked up a batch of homemade honey syrup to use for brown derby cocktails that we were introduced to at a lounge in California Adventure. Honey syrup is just equal parts honey and water, simmered and stirred on the stove until combined well. A brown derby is 2 ounces bourbon (we used bulleit because it is delicious and I found it on sale), 2 ounces grapefruit juice (Simply Grapefruit is the next best option after freshly squeezed) and 1 ounce honey syrup. The drink is best stirred and served in a champagne coupe glass. (We just used small tumbler glasses because we don't have coupe glasses.)

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 124 | Flo's | 10.21.12

Project 365: 124 | Flo's | 10.21.12

Cars Land, Disney's California Adventure.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 123 | Soarin' | 10.20.12

Project 365: 123 | Soarin' | 10.20.12

One of my favorite attractions at Disney's California Adventure, Soarin' Over California.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 122 | Disneyland | 10.19.12

Project 365: 122 | Disneyland | 10.19.12

My honey and I went to Disneyland this past weekend at it was. SO. MUCH. FUN. I was especially excited to visit The Haunted Mansion since it is currently the Nightmare Before Christmas edition. We rode it three times and I still can't believe how different it is from the regular version. It was awesome.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 121 | Dates | 10.18.12

Project 365: 121 | Dates | 10.18.12

Trying to schedule a statewide meeting, on dates that work for everyone, is impossible. Those marks next to the dates are the number of people who said the potential dates don't work for them. Keep in mind that this was already after listing all the conflicting dates based on other meetings, conference, etc.

Hmm.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 120 | Palms | 10.17.12

Project 365: 120 | Palms | 10.17.12

I was away on business last week and while walking back to my room after dinner on Wednesday night I snapped this photo of the palm trees.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 119 | Packing | 10.16.12

Project 365: 119 | Packing | 10.16.12

Stella Kitty helping me pack. Apologies for how dark it is but it was early in the morning.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 118 | Five | 10.15.12

Project 365: 118 | Five | 10.15.12

Yesterday my honey and I celebrated the fifth anniversary of our first date. Five! We celebrated with a date night. The restaurant treated us to a dark chocolate tart after we enjoyed oysters, caesar salad (prepared from scratch table side), and entrees. I had scallops and they were awesome.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 117 | Beers | 10.14.12

Project 365: 117 | Beers | 10.14.12

We recently joined a beer club at a local restaurant. Along with discounts, if you drink 100 different beers there, you get your name on the wall. We have these little books to keep track of the different beers we drink from their rotating selection. So far we have each had 5 beers there. It is going to take us a while.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 116 | Bangin' | 10.13.12

Project 365: 116 | Bangin' | 10.13.12

I get my hair done every 2-3 months (ish) but usually have to stop in between appointments to have my bangs trimmed. Otherwise they start hitting my eyeballs.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 115 | Charcuterie | 10.12.12

Project 365: 115 | Charcuterie | 10.12.12

We met friends for drinks/dinner/karaoke on Friday night. My honey and I split this plate of meat. It was pretty darn good.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 114 | Rain | 10.11.12

Project 365: 114 | Rain | 10.11.12

Getting rained on during my second Couch to 5K workout. It actually wasn't that bad. Better than the super hot weather a few days before.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 113 | CPK | 10.10.12

Project 365: 113 | CPK | 10.10.12

We went out for pizza last Wednesday night. It was for a good cause.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 112 | Pages | 10.09.12

Project 365: 112 | Pages | 10.09.12

Library sculpture.

Camera: iPhone

Couch to 5K -- Week 1, Day 3 Recap

Workout: Brisk 5-minute warm up walk. Alternate 1 minute of jogging and 1.5 minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes. 5-minute cool down. (Same as Days 1 and 2.)

Location/Distance: Down our cross street, across the main street, and a straight shot up and over. 2 miles, with hills!

Music: Upbeat songs on shuffle. Included Kelly Clarkson, Huey Lewis and the News, Britney Spears, La Roux, and Madonna.

What I probably would have been doing if I wasn't working out: Doing laundry. (My honey started did it.)

How I feel: Hot -- heat, not sexy. Why do my arms hurt.

Next workout: It was going to be tonight but honestly I probably won't start week 2 until next week.

Couch to 5K -- Week 1, Day 2 Recap

Workout: Brisk 5-minute warm up walk. Alternate 1 minute of jogging and 1.5 minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes. 5-minute cool down. (Same as Day 1.)

Location/Distance: Our street + some time on our closest main street. 1.95 miles + whatever the distance is for the ~5 minutes of additional walking I had to do to get home because I somehow missed the "you're halfway there" alert and went a bit too far before turning around. Whoops.

Music: Burlesque -- original movie soundtrack with various artists but mostly Christina Aguilera and Cher.

What I probably would have been doing if I wasn't working out: Snuggled up inside where it is warm and dry, possibly with a glass of wine.

How I feel: My legs hurt.

Next workout: Sunday morning.

Project 365: 111 | 5K | 10.08.12

Project 365: 111 | 5K | 10.08.12

Week 1 Day 1 complete! More information here and here.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 110 | Brulee | 10.07.12

Project 365: 110 | Brulee | 10.07.12

I made creme brulee to bring to my parents' house for our Sunday night dinner. My honey bruleed the tops and we enjoyed it while watching the second episode of the current season of Amazing Race. I haven't decided who I am rooting for yet. Or who I don't like.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 109 | Fest | 10.06.12

Project 365: 109 | Fest | 10.06.12

On Saturday we spent the afternoon at a local Art, Jazz and Wine Fest. It was the 10th anniversary and I haven't missed a year. It is small but with good drinks, music, and art/craft booths.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 108 | Carving | 10.05.12

Project 365: 108 | Carving | 10.05.12

We have lived in our house for over a year and I just now noticed this carving on a retaining wall in our backyard. 1956!

Camera: iPhone

Couch to 5K -- Week 1, Day 1 Recap

Workout: Brisk 5-minute warm up walk. Alternate 1 minute of jogging and 1.5 minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes. 5-minute cool down.

Location/Distance: Our neighborhood. ~2 miles. (The iPhone app tracks distance but I clicked on something and messed it up, hence the estimate.)

Music: "Gym mix" on shuffle -- Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Taio Cruz, Adele, Katy Perry, Enrique Inglesias.

What I probably would have been doing if I wasn't working out: Watching part 2 of the Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion. I watched it afterward. No shame.

How I feel: I am proud of myself for completing the workout without passing out and/or vomiting. It is a few hours later and my legs are already sore. I may need to rethink heels at work tomorrow...

Next workout: Thursday, post-work.

And so it begins...Couch to 5K Program

In a moment that can only be described as insanity, I jumped on board with a friend who wants to do a 5K mud run.

In case you don't know me personally, let me make it clear: I don't run. I work out on occasion but I am far from athletic. One time I was asked if I wanted to play pool at a bar. My response, without hesitation was, "I'm not sporty." That is just one example of my level of non-sportiness.

Then I went and signed up to not only run but to run a 5K that includes crawling through mud, climbing walls, and who knows what else.

This particular mud run is female only and non-competitive but, oh my goodness, I still need to train.

I don't like doing things half-assed. I needed to figure out how to give this my best effort. I consulted with Google. Enter Couch to 5K. I downloaded their app on my iPhone and am ready to go.

At least I think I'm ready.

I will begin the program with my first workout tomorrow after work. Good thoughts are welcome and probably very much needed. I will report back on my progress.

Project 365: 107 | October | 10.04.12

Project 365: 107 | October | 10.04.12

With the weather being 100+ degrees earlier this week, it didn't seem much like fall. Well, the weather has finally started to cool down and I received this card from my cousin so now it actually feels like my favorite season has arrived!

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 106 | Election | 10.03.12

Project 365: 106 | Election | 10.03.12

I am really excited and a bit anxious about the November election.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 105 | Windshield | 10.02.12

Project 365: 105 | Windshield | 10.02.12

I returned to my car after a meeting and found this little flower had fallen and stuck itself right in the middle of my windshield.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 104 | Oatmeal | 10.01.12

Project 365: 104 | Oatmeal | 10.01.12

I recently tried an overnight oatmeal recipe and was pleasantly surprised that it works and it is really tasty. Perfect for during the work week. This was the simplest version -- 1/4 cup quick oats, 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, and 1 teaspoon chia seeds. Shake all that up in a jar and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, take out, microwave and add toppings.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 103 | Brunch | 09.30.12

Project 365: 103 | Brunch | 09.30.12

A friend invited me over for a girls' brunch on Sunday. When I arrived, I helped her with these smoked salmon and chive cream cheese crostinis. It turns out she doesn't even like smoked salmon but she said that it she wouldn't be a good jew if she didn't serve something "jewy." They were delicious and so was everything else she prepared.

Camera: iPhone

Project 365: 102 | Rowling | 09.29.12

Project 365: 102 | Rowling | 09.29.12

On Saturday morning, I finished a book and promptly started J.K. Rowling's The Casual Vacancy. It is very different than the Harry Potter series but I am enjoying it so far.

Camera: iPhone