Mail

When I got home from work today, this was in the mail.

Two CD's of songs and a great card from my sister! I, of course, started crying. It was the perfect motivation I needed for my long run tomorrow. And some great new songs. Such a lovely little surprise. I love getting mail. Happy Thursday!

Donut Run

Or I guess it should be run and then drive to get donuts. On Saturday we were a little crazy. After my morning run we headed out for a drive... to Erie, PA! We had an errand that was taking us about an hour in that direction anyway. And it isn't as bad as it sounds, Erie is actually only an hour and a half away. When Jared was in medical school I found my most favorite donuts in the world. Buttercrunch. From... wait for it... Donut Connection.

I can't even explain how yummy. I would weigh 200 lbs if these were closer. Delicious!

Spring Fever

Everyone has spring fever here in Cleveland. More like summer actually. It has been in the 80s for 3 straight days now. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! We even had the top off the Jeep and ate outside at Hiroshi's Pub on Wednesday.

And with spring comes all the lovely flowers in bloom. I love, love, love daffodils in the spring! They just make me smile. I think it is because there were daffodils right outside my dorm at Virginia Tech. And even though it is only March, they are in full bloom here in Cleveland.

Yesterday we decided to take advantage of the summer-in-springtime temperatures and hiked along the Chagrin River. We even saw our first Woodpecker!

Just amazing how happy sunshine can make you! Happy Weekend!

Cooking Queen

I've been cooking like crazy this week. Weird, I know. With Jared working so much lately and my running training is taking more and more time during the week I have been trying to be more organized, planning dinners, and trying to be more healthy.

I forget that the busier I am, the more I get done and the more I like it. While this wasn't the most healthy dinner, it was delicious! I made Giada's brussels sprouts with garlic, olive oil red potatoes, and filet mignon. They were sold out of pancetta so I substituted prosciutto instead. Not sure how different that made it, but it was fantastic...  Go me!

Lucky

This past weekend was supposed to be busy. Jared was going to be working like crazy, on call at the trauma center and the weather was going to be amazing. Which is bad for working at a trauma center. Good weather = more people out being dumb and needing emergency surgery. I had a ton to get finished, spring cleaning mostly and my little project I still hadn't started from last month.

So we were prepared for a disappointing weekend of work for him and chores for me. But we were lucky. Maybe it was because of St. Patrick's day. Or maybe because of the GORGEOUS 70 degree weather in March no less! While there was a little bit of work and chores, mostly there was sunshine and happiness.

There was Guiness & Harp with some tasty Irish food at Claddagh (where we have spent the last 4 St. Patty's), Irish dancers, and Jameson shots for some crazy reason.

But mostly there was just us. Hanging around our little town of Cleveland. Running errands, catching a movie (21 Jump Street is hilarious!), and just being...

So lucky!  

Professor

The other day this came in the mail for J...

That's right. He's a professor now too!! How cool is that?!? So proud of my guy. :)

Viva...

Las Vegas! We had a mini vacation at the end of last week through the weekend, all the way to Las Vegas for a wedding! After working out (week 3 of my half marathon training is done!), hair appointments (the red is gone and almost back to my natural color), and finishing up packing we were on our way. We stayed at The Venetian Hotel & Casino... and it was beautiful!

No sooner had we landed and got to our room that it was time to head out for the wedding festivities... can you say starting the night at 9pm Vegas time... midnight in Cleveland?!  We had a great time though, meeting new people and especially celebrating with the soon-to-be newlyweds, Jason & Melissa. The night started at Lagasse's sports bar which unfortunately closed at 10pm. Weird. So we headed over for drinks and appetizers at Delmonico Steakhouse, then to Lavo and upstairs to the Tao nightclub. 

There was dancing, drinking, and fun, fun, fun until 3am Vegas time when J literally couldn't keep his eyes open! And somehow in all this I missed getting a good picture of the bride the entire weekend!

Friday morning we headed over to a French Bistro called Bouchon, recommended as the best brunch in Vegas... and it was delicious! Mimosas, coffee, chocolate croissant, quiche, and banana waffles... so super yummy!! 

After a little walking around outside and then lounging by the pool it was time for the wedding. It was a quick ceremony with a little break before the reception which was set up at a restaurant with a bunch of classic cars. Unfortunately the bride ended up getting sick and missed all but the first hour of the reception... no dinner, no cake cutting, no dancing! I felt terrible for her but we all tried to get the groom to still have fun.


After another late night we woke up bright and early, 6:30 am! So we headed out, after another stop at the Bouchon restaurant for coffee and beignets, to take in the strip. We took the monorail down to the far end and walked back window shopping and enjoying the sunshine. We had lunch reservations at Olives at the Bellagio. UNBELIEVABLY amazing!! We waited for our table at the bar with some sangria and when they sat us... we were outside on the patio right by the fountains! The food was sooo good! 

The rest of our trip was just relaxing... by the pool, in the hotel, at yet another restaurant and finally a little gambling where I actually won at craps, for a bit anyway!

If we had had more time we would have hit up a show, Tim Allen or Celine Dion, perhaps a Cirque du Soleil. We would have gone to see the race track, or indoor sky diving, or a million other things but there just wasn't enough time. We flew home early Sunday morning, right over the Grand Canyon.  

So next time we will have to take care of those things we didn't get to do... and perhaps bring along my sister and husband. 

New Look

So... if by some chance people actually read this, you will notice that things look different on my little blog. Up until yesterday this was what you would see this...
  
Thought it was time for something new, a new look for a still pretty new year! Enjoy!

Smoothies

Today is the Grand Opening of my friend Jenna's Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Poughkeepsie, NY! I haven't seen this girl in way too long, I think it has been almost 2 years I'm sad to say. Here we are with my sister at her NYC baby shower back in May 2010.

Since we are attending a wedding this weekend and aren't able to be there to celebrate this big day with Jenna and her family... we sent along some yummy treats from my sorority sister at One Preppy Cookie.

Amy fit me in her already booked until April schedule and I am so appreciative! I think they turned out fabulous, just like her! Thanks Amy!

And here is to Jenna and this new adventure of owning her own business! So proud of you girl. 

Chicken Wings

If you know me... you know I am particular about food. I don't like sandwiches, especially making them. Fast food is gross and I really don't like getting dirty eating and I dislike meat with bones in it. Yes, I know I am ridiculous. So last week after skiing I thought it was just a fluke that I ate a few chicken wings that Jared and Steve ordered. They were actually pretty yummy.

But then yesterday, while we were out watching some basketball at a bar... this happened.

Yes, this scary I don't have any make-up on, chowing down on chicken wings and I don't even care take a picture to document this photo.

Since moving to Cleveland I now eat mushrooms (they have to be cooked), blue cheese, and now chicken wings. What is going on? I don't even know who I am!

John Glenn

On February 20th, 50 years ago, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth. I am lucky enough to work at the NASA Glenn Research Center that is named after him, where he did some of his initial training way back when.

Friday he was here in town with his wife Annie for a reception to mark this occasion. Of course, I was a volunteer for the event. Somehow I managed to be a VIP usher... talking and shaking hands with our center director Ray Lugo, the NASA Administrator and former astronaut Charlie Bolden, the director of Space Flight and most importantly John Glenn himself. Super cool!

He was so well spoken, funny even, you would never know he was 90 years old when you hear him speak. It was a very fun day for me. Did I mention I love my job?