It's been over a week, let me photo dump on you!

St. Patricks day 7K.

yes I made up my own 7K, 

and yes I ran with shamrock socks and green attire while blasting Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys! 

The nugget had a blast at the neighborhood park, cutely sporting her green!

She also finally decided to wear her sunglasses the following day, a cloudy day.

Her friend decided to match.

Ear flap hats + sunglasses = super cool babies

Too cool for school at Toddler class.

We enjoyed a bus tour with our Mom's group at the Zoo, 

followed by some Monkey and Hippo sightings!

Ever heard of Hullabaloo? It's a band for the tiny folk, and we grooved to their music on Friday.

Saturday, the Nugget woke up sick, puked all over for the first time ever and had a fever. Somehow, amazingly, it lasted only that day. This meant we were able to join our family in Dana Point for a delicious brunch (celebrating Easter early). This food was phenomenal! I ate on that Huevos Rancheros  leftovers for 2 days!

Following brunch, we went to {Auntie} Mel's for dessert and an Easter Egg hunt. That sister of my sure get's into holidays. Her darling daughter will have a hoot next year searching for eggs.

Great Auntie Debbie helping Nugget search

On Monday, we ran somewhere new {for me}. Silver Strand is a small piece of land that connects Coronado Island to "the mainland".

It's a nice flat run with great views of the Coronado bridge and Glorietta bay. However it was a very HOT run. Not sure if it's always like this, or if it was just the day.

We played at the park and walked along the beach after the run. It was a perfect morning.

Tuesday was uneventful save for a trip to the market for fresh produce. We keep a huge stock of carrots and oranges on hand because the nugget often insists on {me} making fresh juice! 

Nothing wrong with that!

Have a happy Wednesday!

What's your favorite juice to make, or drink? {or both?}

Nugget's surprise

Mornings have been super foggy the past few days which make for eerie runs...

not sure what's more eerie: the fog or my expression!?

Since the hubs was off yesterday we took our little darling to the zoo.

no... not this darling...

Random fact: The above bird is a Victoria Crowned Pigeon, the largest pigeon on Earth. 

{cool mohawks, eh?}

THIS!

Any-who,
Remember how I told you we were going to pick up a surprise???

Well,
I am going to bombard you with photos of the totally awesome surprise for nugget!
{Nugget pulled out her inner Vanna White, just for you ;)}

An outdoor clubhouse!!!!!

Complete with half a picnic table, peepholes and a secret cubby!

This little one is ALL smiles!!

The hubs put the clubhouse together yesterday during nugget's nap.
When she woke, I had her go look out the window...
Her eyes widened with excitement as she exclaimed "side! Side! Out-side!!!"



Today, we spent most our afternoon in the backyard playing.


Tomorrow I plan on running around the neighborhood sporting some green and shamrocks.

Then enjoy this for breakfast:

And this for lunch ;)

What's a big surprise you remember as a kid?

Do you have any plans for St. Patricks Day?

blackberries and a play date

Have I ever told you how much I love my mama running group!?!?  I do so much!
Quality time running with other moms, Nugget in her stroller, and playtime for the kids afterwards is such perfection. These mom's keep me trucking at a great pace and help me get my runs/miles in.

Ella and Elli playing at Lake Murray

After our run yesterday, I decided to swoop by Windmill Farms to pick up some fruit. We go through produce so fast (which is great!)

Blackberries were 99 cents a pint, so I grabbed FOUR!

num, num!

One more blackberry picture to get your drool glands really going...

Nugget was being silly before nap

Jeans go on our HEAD, mommy!!!

Today we had a fun play date with Odin.

These two play together so wonderfully. It makes me so happy!

We had our usual breakfast play date and made whole wheat waffles. 

I used this recipe. Delish!!

waiting for waffles

story-time with my friend Megan

Another 80 degree day today in SoCal, 

and after Nugget's nap we are going to pick up a surprise! Can't wait!!! 

What's the temperature where you live today?

Easy Buttermilk Cinnamon Rolls

So there I was a few days ago, 

searching the internet for recipes using buttermilk.

You see, 

when the hubs craves a 'biscuit and gravy' breakfast, 

he makes deliciously home made buttermilk biscuits.

I then follow the buttermilk suit a few days later with pancakes.

After consuming all these delectably sinful treats, 

we still had buttermilk remaining. And of course, I am not one to waist.

So back to the internet and my search for buttermilk.

I found many options, but decided on cinnamon rolls! 

It was something I'd never ventured to make before.

The recipe I found is here, however I adapted it a bit to TRY and make them healthier, 

so I'll share my recipe with you.

Ingredients:

4.5 tsp active dry yeast (2 packets)

1/4 cup warm water

1.5 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup oil  (coconut oil is my favorite)

3 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup AP flour

1/2 cup 9 grain cereal

(You can use 4 cups all whole wheat or whatever flour you prefer.)

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup brown sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

Process:

1. In your mixing bowl, measure they yeast then add the water. 

Let sit approx. 10 minutes till foamy.

2. Heat buttermilk until it is warm to the touch. Slowly add to foamy yeast.

3. Mix in the oil.

4. Add salt and baking soda, mix in.

5. Add the flour, a half cup at a time until all the flour is added and the dough forms a ball when mixing.

6.  If using a KitchenAid Mixer, change from the paddle to your dough hook and set at 2. Allow to run 6-8 minutes. (If no dough hook, knead by hand approx. 20 times. 

7. Cover kneaded dough and allow it to sit for 15 minutes.

During this time, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon and butter.

8. After the dough has rested roll out onto a floured surface into a rectangle. Spread the sugar mixture to cover the rectangle. 

9. Roll the dough into a log,pinching the seam closed. Slice 1 inch pieces off the log and place into a greased baking pan.

10. At this point you can choose to let rise for 30 minutes and bake, or refrigerate over night and bake in the morning. I choose the latter. Either way be sure to cover so the dough doesn't dry out.

11. preheat oven to 400 degrees, bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes before devouring!

Even though the steps may look daunting, I promise these are really easy to make!

Do you have any buttermilk recipes worth sharing?

Unusual day

Today was an unusual day in which three things happened.
(and for one, didn't happen)

1. I was up before both the nugget and the hubs! I fully blame the dogs on this one. It was past 6 and I could here them being antsy, and didn't feel like cleaning up poop. I also blame the following...

2. I made {from scratch} cinnamon rolls. (Okay.. I did most the steps last night, but had to egg wash and bake this morning.) I wanted them fresh!

before baking

3. Nugget didn't nap! I'm hoping this is some sort of day light savings fluke, and not some sort of "I'm almost 2 and I don't need to nap rebellion"!

This morning I ran 4 miles by the bay with a mama running buddy. The kids then played for 2 hours at the park. Beautiful day, sorry no pics.

{One would think that would be enough to send a toddler to nap land... but nope}

After a failed attempt for a nap ,
(ahem- me being especially bummed... I needed a nap!)

I decided to fulfill my pizza craving at Woodstocks.
They have a lunch special that includes two slices, so the nugget and I shared.

She had a blast, as this was her first pizza experience.

not sure what to do with it here....

yes.. now she gets it!

I had to return something to Toys-R-Us which turned into an hour of play. 

the purse of the day= Victoria's Secret bag!

Hello awesome vintage toys!!

Mommy, I need THIS chair!

I finally dragged the nugget kicking and screaming out of the store, and on the way home, decided to swing into the library.

Reading about dogs while mommy picks out books

I am about to go scoop some chocolate peanut clusters from the crock-pot.

This is a guinea pig run, so I'll let you know how they turn out!

Stay tuned for my Cinnamon roll recipe!

What did you do today?

see you soon

This beautiful girl is back in her crib!!
That means... I may actually find a minute or two to continue on with this blog ;)

That means stories of our life,
running this and that's,
and perhaps a few {somewhat} healthy recipes to come soon.

I have missed updating you,
so I'll see you soon.

Just thought I'd throw this one in there b/c little feet and flip-flops are perfection.