Vacation Recap

I've completely neglected my blog for the past few weeks. I've been too busy traveling to think about blogging.

First, Tim and I went to Rhode Island. Vacation highlights included visiting Watch Hill with our friends Dave and Veronica who just moved to Rhode Island.

On the Beach with Dave and Veronica

Watch Hill, RI

Tim and I also went to Newport. We spent the day visiting the Tennis Hall of Fame, touring the Breakers Mansion, and eating dinner at the Black Pearl.

 Last weekend we went to a wedding in Portland, Oregon. It was my first time visiting the Northwest, and I thought it was beautiful. Portland is a really eccentric city. It seems like everyone there is a hipster, even the middle-aged people. The advantages of visiting a hipster city include:

• Great boutiques
• Tons of vegetarian options at restaurants
• Tater tots (for some reason they were on the menu at every restaurant)
• Frozen Yogurt
• Art - everywhere! Sculptures, Gardens right in the city, and paintings everywhere.

The wedding itself was beautiful. The ceremony was on the lawn of an Italian restaurant on a river. 

Loved the bride's dress!!

I finally got to wear the dress Tim gave me for Christmas!

 Glad to be back on the blog!

Is anyone else going on vacation or to a wedding this summer? 

 

Countdown to Vacation

At this time next week, I will be on vacation. Tim and I are going to the beach. This means sunsets on the ocean, frozen yogurt, shopping on the boardwalk, bbqs, and lots of napping on the beach.

What's your favorite vacation destination?

Memorial Day Relaxing and Grilling

At the beginning of the memorial day weekend, it looked like I had a boring weekend ahead. We were supposed to go out to my friend's place on the lake, but all of my girl friends weren't going, so I stayed home too. I thought the whole weekend would be a bust, but I ended up being super busy and having a blast.

Source: Luqieme (view)

Kicked things off by playing tennis with my mom and having dinner with my parents.

Then, I went out and met my friends to see Hangover 2.

 It was sooo funny. I didn't really think the first one was so amazing, but this one was hilarious. I loved the monkey and Chow. I recommend seeing it, even if you didn't like the first one.

After the movie, my friends and I went out for drinks. It was really chill - no drama or craziness. We just sat outside on one of the patios and relaxed.

Source: Lexington Travel (view)

 I didn't get to bed until 4 on Saturday night, so Sunday included an 8 mile run in the 80 degree weather. I didn't get started until noon, so it was HOT. I had to finish the last 2 miles inside on my treadmill.

After the run, I recovered by grilling with friends. We made grilled salmon and it was delish.

Source: McCormick (view)

Monday we went to my in-law's place on Skaneateles Lake. It's beautiful there. Check out this picture from the town website:

Hope everyone else had a great weekend too!

Run in the Sun

It's Sunny!! For the first time this season, we are going to hit 70 degrees here in Syracuse on Monday. It's supposed to be in the 60s all weekend, and I'm thrilled.

When the weather is bad, I run on my treadmill and watch TV shows on my laptop. But when its nice, I run outside and rock out to my iPod.

For today's blog challenge, I'm changing the prompt. The prompt was to write about a song that describes your mood. Here's what I'm doing instead.

Blog Challenge Day 8 and 13: All-Time Best Running Playlist

Here are some of my all time favorite running songs. This post was inspired by posts on running playlists from Hungry Runner Girl and Fitness Food and Faith. Speaking of other running blogs, check out the super cool giveaway on Pain, Pride, and Perseverance.

Running Playlist

In no particular order...

1. LFO: Summer Girls
2. Nicki Minaj: Super Bass
3. Everclear: Santa Monica (I listen to this when I run at the ocean in RI)
4. Sublime: Ruca
5. Sublime: Get Out
6. Goo Goo Dolls: Big Machine
7. Goo Goo Dolls: Naked
8. Modern English: I Melt with You
9. Dispatch: Bang Bang
10. OK GO: So Damn Hot
11. OAR: Lay Down
12. OAR: Right On Time
13. Girl Talk: Once Again
14. Girl Talk: Shut The Club Down
15. Lil Wayne: Ice Cream Paint Job

So happy that it's nice out!

Source: ImogenHeap (view)

Shin Sin

Apparently when your shins start hurting, you should stop running.

The weather finally got nice this week -60 degrees. I was thrilled to run outside.

Source: Science Daily (view)

I was so happy to get out in the sun, listen to Sublime albums on my iPod, and get back on my usual running route through the neighborhood.

It was so nice out, that I chose to ignore the shin pain, which I knew could be the start of the dreaded shin splints.

Source: SportsMD (view)

After my run yesterday, I could barely walk. Now, no more running. Just ice, rest, and stretches. Ugh!

Summer Daydream

LITC did a post on daydreams of far away places and asked, "When you daydream, where do you find yourself?"

Here's where I go...

Fenway Beach at Weekapaug, Rhode Island

Another shot at the beach in Rhode Island

Only a few months until sunshine, sand, and flip flops :-)

Allie in Cali

I went to visit my brother Matt and his beautiful family: wife = Kimber and daughter = Kierra. They are a gorgeous bunch!

We visited Matt at work! I got to see his office and meet his co-workers!

After I arrived on Saturday night, we stayed in a fun hotel, The Bahia Resort. See Sunny in SoCal. Then, on Sunday we went to Sea World. Most of it was a little overwhelming for little Kierra, but she did like the whales.

After going to Sea World, we went to Filippi's Pizza Grotto, which was delish. Kierra tried a lemon. 

We arrived at Matt and Kim's house in 29 Palms, and they have a great place!! Kim has done such a beautiful job of decorating! She is so artistic - great colors, themes, and textures. She needs to come decorate my house :-)

On Monday, I got to meet Lindsey and Morgan. I showed everyone how I make Baked Macaroni and Cheese from the Joy of Cooking Cookbook. I also got to see Morgan's dancing skillz.

Kierra, on the other hand, was too busy playing with Chewie to dance.

On Tuesday, Kim and I had a girl's day, including lunch and pedicures. Our toes were gorgeous.

For dinner that night, Matt's friend Jeff came over, and he was really cool. Kim made the best eggplant parm I've ever had! She is such a great cook and hostess!

At dinner, we all got to see another Kierra Trick.

Wednesday was a Lazy Day. I was really excited to meet two of Kim's friends, Lexi and Ivy. They were really nice girls. We just relaxed and watched Shrek :-)

For dinner, Matt and Kim took me to Appleby's. For dessert, we went to the best frozen yogurt place ever, Utopia Yogurt! When you go there, you take a cup, and it's self serve. You pick from about 12 different kinds of yogurt, and then they have a whole long table of about 40 toppings to choose from. Once you have made your sundae, they just weigh it, and you pay. It was amaaaazingggg.

Thursday was a Sad Day. Matt and Kierra drove me to the airport. The only part of it that was good, was that Matt and I had three hours to chat in the car and catch up. We talked for the whole ride. Clearly he has found a great life out there. I miss him like crazy, but I am so proud of him, and I can't wait to go back soon :-) Thanks Matt and Kim for such a great visit!!!

Sunny in SoCal

I missed out on writing some blogs. Here's the update: I'm in Cali visiting Matt and Kim! Check out where we stayed in San Diego before we came out to their house in 29 Palms.