sick and silly

The nugget got sick last week...
that combined with the hubs being gone, {meaning no sleep...}
can really only explain my laziness absence from blogging.

The nugget wanted comfort through the night and I was happy to give it to her.
Even happier when it didn't mess up her sleep routine when she was on the mend.

Last Saturday we made it up to Mel's new place,

Which is now just over an hour away!
It's a beautiful suburban area,

with great views and amenities.
Such a thrilling new chapter for them!

{insert here pictures of the house that I forgot to take!}

On Sunday, the hubs was off (work) before he left for Virginia.
As we were preparing the nugget for bed, she decided to really start walking!

She had done a few steps here and there,
but she traveled back and forth from me to the hubs several times!
This is so exciting and she keeps improving as she practices everyday.

We went to the beach on Tuesday so I could run and nugget could play.
Although it was {beautifully} overcast, it was extremely humid.

The nugget has also been silly this week despite her lingering cough and runny nose.

Playing under the table and dreaming...

Cooling off in the dog's water dish,

and of course, some fun time in a box!

What has kept you busy this week?

Cloud Dough

I found this sensory activity on pinterest and couldn't wait to try it with the nugget.

Cloud dough feels like flour, but is moldable.

The recipe I found was for a small army.

So I cut it down to

2 cups flour

1/4 cup baby oil

It's so EASY to make,

and so FUN to play with!

It all eventually ended up on the floor, as nugget dumped the container on herself!

This brilliant activity kept her busy for 45 minutes!!

However, 

cleaning this up was no easy feat.

I had to call in for a little assistance.

My gym

I recently saw this quote by John Bingham and thought it was too perfect not to share!

I AM A RUNNER because my runs have names. I do tempo runs and threshold runs andfartlek runs. I do long, slow runs and track workouts. My runs are defined, even if my abs are not. 
I AM A RUNNER because my shoes are training equipment, not a fashion statement. The best shoe for me is the one that makes me a better runner. I choose the shoe that goes with my running mechanics, not my running outfit. 
I AM A RUNNER because I don't have running outfits. I have technical shirts and shorts and socks. I have apparel that enhances the experience of running by allowing me to run comfortably. I can say "Coolmax" and "Gore-Tex" in the same sentence and know which does what.
I AM A RUNNER because I know what effort feels like, and I embrace it. I know when I'm pushing the limits of my comfort and why I'm doing it. I know that heavy breathing and an accelerated heart rate--things I once avoided--are necessary if I want to be a better runner.
I AM A RUNNER because I value and respect my body. It will whisper to me when I've done too much. And if I choose to listen to that whisper, my body won't have to scream in pain later on. 
I AM A RUNNER because I am willing to lay it all on the line. I know that every finish line has the potential to lift my spirits to new highs or devastate me, yet I line up anyway. 
I AM A RUNNER because I know that despite my best efforts, I will always want more from myself. I will always want to know my limits so that I can exceed them. 
I AM A RUNNER because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far. 
I AM A RUNNER because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not.

Word John. Word.


Monday Motivator:

(source)

The streets, the sidewalk, the grass, the hills, the beach...
That's my gym.

not asking for much

As much as I LOVE summer, I'm ready for cool weather!
I want the windows open with a cool breeze,
I want the abundance of house flies, fruit flies and spiders to decrease,
I want my runs to not be so sweaty, hot and humid,
I want to start baking with pumpkin.

I'm not asking for much. ;)

Hot sweaty and gross after my 5 mile long run.
You can thank me later for posting this pic.

At least we have the beach to cool off!

The nugget is still having a hoot practicing standing

which has turned in to muscle contests on how much she can lift while standing.

She pretty much makes all the decisions around here, 

and decided our spices needed to all go in one box.

Nugget also picked out some good reads at the library...

then discovered a tunnel in the book racks.

I made my favorite pulled pork recipe when my friend Kendra visited from MN.

We ran out of buns of steel for the leftovers, 

so we were creative and made pulled pork wraps!

it is smart to fold up the end of the tortilla, 

this helps keep all the yumminess in.

{I MUST have coleslaw with my pulled pork}

The hubs created a breakfast wrap using the leftover pork, and it was amazing!

If you like pulled pork sandwiches, what do you eat with them?

Key Lime Cookies

So I may have mentioned key lime cookies yesterday..

and they are just so delicious,
I thought I should share the recipe.

I made key lime pie bars for the hubs' birthday, and had leftover key limes!
So I searched for key lime COOKIE recipes and discovered this one,
which I tried to make healthier,
and more my style.

Recipe for Zesty Key Lime Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup turbinado sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg plus 1 egg yolk
1/4 cup key lime juice
2 tsp key lime zest
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup bread flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt

Process:

1. Mix together the flours, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
2. Cream butter and sugars in mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in egg and egg yolk.
4. Add key lime zest and juice, mix until combined.
5. Slowly add flour mixture to the bowl.
6. Once all the ingredients are combined, chill contents for about an hour in the refrigerator.

see the zest in the batter?

[this helps for easy ball formation.. if you can wait that long...]

7. Form dough into 1 inch balls and place on a greased cookie sheet.
8. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
9. Enjoy!

I am a runner

Saturday I'm as lazy as can be was my {running} rest day.
It's also a day that the nugget and I don't drive anywhere
 [unless we have to].
I'm very lucky that I can do my errands during the week,
so there is not battling for a parking space or long check out lines.

(source)

We stopped by our neighborhood block party when the hubs got off work.
The nugget bounced on the outside of the bouncy house for awhile.

Sunday I ran a "recovery" run {2 miles} from my 4 mile "long run".

It felt good, and I followed it up by making some whole wheat oatmeal pancakes.
I use this recipe and they are simply amazing!

The nugget has been practicing standing a lot,
{with a step here and there}
so her legs needed the use of compression socks, again.

Then she organized the magnets on our fridge,

whilst I made these delicious key lime cookies.

Monday Motivator:

(source)

I like this because I usually run a 9-10 min/mile pace which isn't speedy.

I like this because I have yet to run further than 6.2 miles {10K}. 

[Which I have done 3 times]

I like this because I AM A RUNNER.

Hey, remember me?

Now that I've finished the Hunger Games series , you might see a bit more blog posts from me!

Yesterday I had my long run for my half marathon training, which was {only } 4 miles...

I struggled with myself to get through it.
I think because it's been so hot and humid, running has been harder.
Last week a 3 mile run turned 2.5 because my body wouldn't let me go any further.

This may have been why I was nervous to run 4.
I pushed myself,
battled my mind,
and managed to finish!

{even though at 2.75 miles I was about to quit... but I would have felt worse if I did}

It may have helped that the morning was overcast and misty.

The wet sky felt wonderful on my face!!

Or it may have helped by properly fueling the night before...

The nugget has been busy playing,

skyping,

trying on my compression socks,

and of course eating.

The hubs has been busy turning old.

BIG 3-0

What have YOU been busy doing?