Super Sunday

Happy Sunday evening, y'all! I've been busy crafting and putting together my friend's end of the school year gifts!

The day started with a(nother) trip to Michael's for a few more beading essentials...including an earring-making book!

So far, I've only made one pair of earrings. I need to purchase some thicker metal wire, because there are TONS of cute ideas that require a thicker, bendable wire.
Here's my first pair!

a gift for my bestie, Alyssa!

I also made an anklet...

and a necklace!

gifted to another friend. :)

My bead box is FULL now!

so much fun to be had!

The day was spent beading, watching "Just Go With It" (super cute and funny), and relaxing in the AC. I did spend a bit of time napping, which was perfect for a Sunday afternoon.
At 5:00pm, Ben and I met up with a few couples at Sweet Tomatoes, a delicious salad bar restaurant. I had a Hugh Jass salad, including sweet and dill pickles, BEETS, blue cheese, green peppers, olives, tomatoes, and cucumbers. I also had a small slice of cornbread, a few bites of macaroni and cheese, and a yummy glass of iced berry green tea. It was a fun dinner!

Tomorrow we're having a surprise breakfast for a staff member that is leaving us this year, and I was one of two teachers in charge of fruit. We stopped at Harris Teeter on the way home from dinner, and got GREAT deals on fruit. Check my MASSIVE bowl of berries!

that's a berry parfait! strawbs, bluebs, raspbs, strawbs. :)

just give me a fork, and I'm ALL SET. 

After chopping and layering, I quickly made my lunch for tomorrow, and then got to work wrapping my friend's gifts!

apple + bracelet for our E.C. assistant!

I don't want to talk about the wrap job... apples + lanyards!

allllllllways watching...

Ok! 2 more days of work (workdays! no kids! *exhale*), and then I'm FREE for the summer! Which means that this blog might actually return to being a fitness blog, as well as an everyday stuff-I-do blog! Weee! :)

Crafty!

Hey y'all!

I've been searching my brain, the mall, online, etc. for great, meaningful end-of-year gifts for my co-workers. I bought them fancy "#1 Teacher" Rocky Mountain apples, but I thought that I should find something that would be longer-lasting. However, as you may know, teacher salaries are seriously slightly a joke...so I started wracking my brain for inexpensive, DIY projects for my friends.
And so...
I got crafty this weekend!

After tutoring and Qdoba lunch with Benjamin, I headed over to my pal Alyssa's house for an afternoon of creativity and girl-time.
We drove to Michael's craft store, and spent a solid hour perusing the aisles, hoping to be inspired. I wandered through the scrap booking aisles, as I do love to "scrap" on occasion...but it was when I turned the corner into the first beading aisle that my brain went into over-drive, and I got really excited! I slowly walked through the 3 aisles of beads, pendants, wire, and accessories. Soon, my basket was full and my eyes were glazed over, as I tried to distinguish the difference between sizes of wires, types of clasps, and billions of colors of beads.  Alyssa got sucked into the beading aisles, too! :)
Eventually, we pulled ourselves out of Michael's and drove back to her house for a beading party!
My goods: 2 pre-stocked boxes of beads, an organizer that I filled with beads, pendants, clasps, and wires, a pair of wire cutters, and stretchy plastic cord! My old Steve Madden boot box is the perfect "beading stuff box"!

the inside of the organizer! 

I decided to create beaded lanyards for my friends, which they can use to clip their school ID badges on next year. These type of beaded lanyard/necklaces are available at teacher stores, but are quite expensive. These homemade lanyards were inexpensive, and individualized for each friend!

the pair!

close up- for my school's speech therapist

close up- for the other E.C. teacher at my school

I am LOVING those little silver beads with words on them. They are adorable, and were the perfect size to add to these necklaces.
Can't wait to get more serious with jewelry making...I've got plans for earrings, an anklet, and a lanyard of my own! :)

Friday Celebrations

Hey pals! Hope you're all relaxing and having a wonderful weekend.

End of the school year goodness continued yesterday with a full-blown workday at school. The day started with a catered breakfast, including an amazing egg casserole, fruit salad, cranberry muffins, OJ and coffee! Yum. It was fun to eat breakfast in our school cafeteria with the whole school staff, celebrating another successful school year.
I knew we'd be going out for lunch, and had a baby shower to attend at 2:00, so my productivity was not 100% from the get-go.

Doing paperwork, listening to my fav T.Swift.

To-Do List: GO AWAY! 

That to-do list is actually pretty short, considering that it's the end of the year and all. I did send some paperwork on to our central office, and tidied here and there...but for the most part, I was out of my classroom attending meetings, a delicious Mexican luncheon, and a baby shower for our guidance counselor!

I got home around 5:00 and took a quick shower before heading out for a celebratory dinner with my man friend.

waiting and waiting

We drove to Durham to have an end of the school year celebratory dinner at Southpoint mall, where we ate at the delicious Rockfish Seafood Grille. We sat outside and got pretty warm, but there was music playing and people walking around shopping in the outdoor part of the mall, and it was a nice night.
I got a shrimp po'boy sandwich, which included grilled and AMAZINGLY seasoned grilled shrimp atop a fresh roll, with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and remoulade sauce. It was so good! It was supposed to come served with french fries, but I chose a house salad instead, which was a nice mix of greens, tomatoes, candied walnuts, apple slices, and herbed vinaigrette. Yum.

Ben got the special, which was FRESH Alaskan salmon with grilled asparagus and a really tasty potato salad.  (It was plated a bit nicer, but Ben started picking at it before I stopped him to take a picture.)

fun dinner out!

After dinner we walked through Southpoint's outdoor shopping area, and decided to stop for an apple at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory! MY FAVORITE!
We walked in and debated several apple flavors before settling on the apple pie apple, which is amazing and I highly recommend.
As we waited for our apple to be sliced and bagged, I noticed a few apples that were wrapped and on display. They were a few different types, but each had written on it in icing, "#1 teacher", and they were beautifully wrapped and tied with ribbon. I had been trying to decide what to get for my E.C. teacher pals, and these were PERFECT!

bag full o' goodness. 

We finally made it home and I crashed. It was a great Friday!
Stay tuned for today's crafty projects!! :)

Two smoothies and a book review!

workout: biked 15 miles- 49 minutes; ran/walked 1 mile- 13 minutes (4.0/6.7 minute intervals with warm up and cool down)


Hey all.
I feel like junk.
My stomach has been up and down and unsettled for the past 36 hours. I'm not sure if it's something I ate, my new vitamins (Trader Joe's women's multi), the heat (high 90s), or what...but it's an issue.
So, we'll keep this quick!

Breakfast:  frozen mixed berries/spinach/vanilla protein powder/almond milk smoothie

hey berry smoothie. 

so seedy!

travel cup...so classy

Lunch: romaine lettuce salad topped with green peppers, carrots, avocado, strawberries and goat cheese (also had a bunch of whole strawberries and a Fage 0% plain + cherry yogurt)

perfect summer salad!

Afternoon snack on my way to the gym: baggie of almonds and a hardboiled egg

sunny almonds!

working on my weekly goals! just slurped down the last of a big cup of water.

Dinner: another smoothie because my stomach is wayyyy off and I don't have any appetite. UGH.

thick like a milkshake! 

Seriously, don't be alarmed by my small meals today. My stomach has been so OFF the past few days that it's like I have to force-feed myself, or else I just won't eat. I should probably try some toast or something from the BRAT diet...but I really hate toast...and applesauce...and I don't feel like cooking rice. So that's that.

Has anyone read this book- "Secrets of a Former Fat Girl", by Lisa Delaney? It's actually pretty good. The author recaps her weight loss and the strategies she used to keep herself in check as she changed her diet and became a runner. My favorite strategy is "INO" or "It's Not an Option". She uses this acronym when she feels tempted to cut her workout short or binge on pizza. The author also discusses "pushers", which would be people that, whether out of good intention or bad, want to push foods on you that you may not eat due to diet/health/etc. Pushers may try to tempt a vegetarian to eat a juicy cheeseburger. Pushers may encourage someone following the Paleo diet to have a cookie or bagel. Get it?
I like this book. I've been reading it off and on for the past few months, re-reading chapters and reflecting on them. I've read several "diet" books, and this is one of my favorites.

(Please don't ask why my cat's collar is on my nightstand...which means yes, I'm in bed.)

Alright, time to shut this baby down and relax for a few hours.  Last full day with students tomorrow! :)

Goals and a kettlebell experience!

Hi friends! Happy Monday!

After visiting the beautiful Vanessa's blog, I feel compelled to make a list of my weekly goals...so, let's do this!

Fitness:
-run and bike a total of 50 miles! this is totally doable, if I bike 3x at 15 miles per session, and then do at least 2 running 5ks!
-weight train at least once this week!
-attend at least one fitness class at my gym!

Health:
-eat my vitamins EVERY day!
-drink lots and lots of water...as in, fill my Tervis at least 3 times with ice water.
-BIG green salad at least once a day...typically this happens at lunch (like today!) so this should be easy.
-no fast food!!!!!!!! duh.


Getting these notes out in writing really helps me solidify how important it is to work toward short-term goals, and not focus so intensely on long-term goals, like weight-loss or running a marathon!
I've been so busy stressing myself out trying to figure out a way to lose weight and feel great...but what I need to do is create short-term goals that are attainable and realistic. I feel good about the goals I listed above.
So far, I can check off my weight-training goal....I did Jillian Michael's Shred it with Weights, using at 10lb kettleball! That girl is crazy pants. I have her 30-day shred, which I don't love, don't hate. This new work out is TOUGH but great! And I love using weights while working out, it feels so productive.  This was my first experience with a kettlebell (which I want to spell kettlebAll SO badly). I liked the way Jillian explained how to "explode" the kettlebell up with energy from your hips! I felt very powerful.

annnnnnnd CRUNCH! 

I've decided to end my gym membership, for lots of reasons...finances, location, lack of gym buddy, etc. So, today I stopped at Walmart on my way home from school and picked up a few at-home gym essentials...

• Jillian Michael's Shred it with Weights
• Jillian Michael's 6-week 6-pack
• Gold's Gym 10lb kettlebell
• Gold's Gym medicine ball

I'm hoping that adding these fitness pieces to my already expansive collection of dvds and workout tools will help me stay motivated and consistent with my at-home workouts. I plan to continue running outdoors, and would like to look into purchasing a bike this summer! I may also look around at other gyms in my area, including a YMCA right around the corner...but for now I'm going to encourage myself to work out at home, save money, and explore some new fitness techniques. 

HEY GUESS WHAT?! There are only 2 and 1/2 (student) school days left! And then 3 more workdays! And then it's SUMMER VACATION!!!!! Weeee!

Dinner tonight is was a sampling plate of fresh fruit, veggies, a hardboiled egg, and a 100-calorie bag of popcorn....aka the lazy girl's dinner.

P.S. I should note that I ate 3 mini cookies (for my student's party tomorrow) and a 90-calorie snack pack of rice cakes on my drive home...so though my dinner looks small, it's really just dinner part 2. :)

that egg was a stinker to crack and shell. 

Oh, here's a question for you: kiwis. skin ON or OFF? I swear I've seen people eat them with the skin/fur (ew?) on...but I've never tried it. Thoughts?

Time for Bones on Fox.com in bed. Do I know how to have a crazy Monday night or what?

new computer and a homemade hummus!

Hi all! I'm blogging from my brand spankin' new Macbook Pro! It's a beaut!

Google reader was my first website to open...duh :)

Izzy likes the laptop, so far. She's been watching me work on it with wide eyes.

"I like your new thing, Ma."

Backing up a bit...Ben and I have been using desktop computers since our early college years, and mine has been through a lot! It's had multiple viruses, had it's hard drive wiped clean, and it's still not working well. Ben's computer is more reliable, but it's a desktop, which means no computer-ing on the couch or in bed. So, after using and LOVING my sister's Macbook Pro, I decided it was time to make my move and purchase my own laptop! Ben and I visited the Apple store last night, and we were SO pleased with the customer service and overall experience. The men that helped us were SUPER friendly and helpful. I got a discount, because I'm a teacher...and they threw in a free (after rebate) Epson 3-in-1 printer! I also got a new case for my iPhone, as the past one was getting cracked and the plastic was peeling.

Kate Spade...because I'm fancy like that. 

Moving on to today!
This morning I had a hankering for hummus, and have been craving some homemade hummus for weeks. If you remember, my wonderful parents bought us our first food processor for our 1st anniversary, back in April. Ben used it once to make deviled eggs for Easter, but I hadn't found the energy/time/recipes to use it...until today!
I ran to Harris Teeter for a few important ingredients...

almost ready!

When I got home, I did some blog-searching and remembered Meghann's recent experiences making hummus, so I re-read her first hummus post for inspiration.
All ready!

peeling those beans took TOO long, but it was worth it!

Ben chopped a head of garlic beforehand. 

Mix mix mix...

a little pot of hummus! 

I scooped out about 1/2 cup to store in a tupperware container, and then I brought out the big guns...roasted red peppers! We threw a few in the food processor (and a few in our mouths...MMMMM).

oh sweet (garlicky) heavens! SO GOOD!

The first batch of plain, garlicky hummus was good...but the second batch of roasted red pepper hummus was AMAZING! I took several tastes before storing in a air-tight tupperware for later snacking! It's creamy and dreamy and extra delicious. I'm so proud of us for making homemade hummus!

Garlic-Lover's Dream Hummus:

• 1 head of garlic, minced in the food processor
• 1 large can of garbanzo beans, drained and with shells peeled (shells off=smoother texture of hummus) 
• 3 tbsp tahini
• 2 tbsp lime juice (lemon would probably be better, but we were out!)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup liquid from garbanzo beans (or water would work)
• directions: mix ingredients, pulse in food processor, gradually adding olive oil and garbanzo bean liquid, mix until smooth and thick (or thin, if that's how you like it!)
• Add ins: 2 roasted red peppers, dried rosemary, thyme, and parsley
• Serve with pita chips, fresh veggie sticks, or tortilla chips! Also would be great on a salad or wrap!

Just got back from the pool, took a shower, and I'm thinking about popping a few pitas in the oven to serve as dippers in the homemade hummus. And it's happy hour time, so I'll need a Summer Shandy! :)
Happy Sunday!

Friday + Festival

Hi! Happy Saturday! I thought this weekend would never arrive...and I am SO glad that it's finally here!
Weekend plans include...

• tutoring 10-12:30 this morning
• going to my tailor to get a dress hem fixed, a lining added to a (see-through) skirt, a pair of jeans hemmed, and an old Gap maxi dress made into a skirt! hopefully this won't cost me too much!
• work out today, yoga tomorrow
• maaaaaaaaaybe going to Ben's race tomorrow...but it'd mean leaving the house at 7am and not returning until 7pm...so the jury's still out on that one. 
• cooking! i'd like to make tacos tonight! and perhaps a PIE! :-D

Friday was a busy, fast-paced, fun-filled day.
It started with a quick stop at a gas station that advertised Dunkin Donuts on it's sign! Low and behold, I was able to create my own Dunkin Donuts iced coffee, right inside the gas station. AMAZING.

cawfs + ice + a little skim milk = heaven

Yesterday was our county's Special Olympics!
We took 8 students, and there were 4 adults...which turned out to be the perfect ratio of child:adult. We took blankets and chairs and the event supplied a covered tent for us to set up camp for the day. The event was held at one of our county's high schools, out on the football field. There was an "opening ceremony", in which each school lined up and carried it's flag around the track (about 200m) and onto the football field. The mayor of Sanford was present, as well as our school's superintendent and many school board members. The high school's marching band played the National Anthem, we said the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Special Olympics Oath. Then, it was finally time for the games!
Each of our students participated in two events. The choices were: 25m run, 50m run, standing or running long jump, softball throw, and frisbee throw. They also had a 200m run for the 18+ crowd...but our little 3rd graders were content to run 50m. Our students did wonderfully! They ran their little hearts out, and every student was awarded a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or participant ribbon...so each student went home with 2 ribbons!
Around 12:00 the games finished, and we made our way back to our tent to set up for lunch! Hardee's donated sack lunches for the kids, including a burger, a (single-serving) apple pie, and a little bag of potato chips. One of the teachers from my school got the adults Subway, and we sat down for a picnic lunch!
Overall, it was a WONDERFUL experience. This was my third year participating in my county, and it was by far the best year. The event was well organized, there were plenty of helpful volunteers, and it was a beautiful day! Success. :)

Moving on!
I made it home around 4:00, took a quick shower, and CRASHED. So tired!
I napped for about two hours, caught up on my day with Ben, and then we decided to head out for dinner.
I had heard about the Got to be NC Festival happening this weekend at the Raleigh fairgrounds, and it seemed like a cheap and entertaining event.
We drove to the fairgrounds, and were pleased to find that parking and admission were FREE! We grabbed a map and a brochure, and started wandering in search of dinner. I had heard on the radio that there was going to be a Shriner's fish fry, as well as fresh BBQ. We walked past many carnival rides, games, and fried food...and finally found the Food and Wine expo! It was $2 to enter, and there were plenty of freebies to nibble!

jams!

bbq sauces! SPICY!

Muscadine Grape slushie! well, that was $3. BUT SO GOOD.

Finally, we found the WINE.

several wine vendors! all local to NC! :)

We tasted wine from about 5 different vineyards...and found several that we LOVED. We kept gravitating back to Stephen's, which held many fruity wines, reminiscent of a apple orchard & winery in Michigan that I've frequented and loved. We sipped Peach, Apple, Blackberry, Pomegranate, Watermellon, and Blueberry...but the Peach and Blackberry slole the show!

 

We decided to purchase two bottles, and the workers were pleasant and helpful!

can't wait to get home!!!!!

After a bit more browsing through the expo, we headed back out into the fairgrounds to search for DINNER. We looked high and low for bbq, but couldn't seem to find any! So we settled on the Shriner's Fish Fry, which advertised fresh-caught NC fish, shrimp, and clams. We decided to share a 3-item plate, which included fish (not sure what kind), shrimp, and clams...as well as sweet potato fries, 3 hushpuppies, coleslaw, and a can of soda.

hellooooo fried seafood!

I had a few bites of everything...but gosh, it was FRIED. I mean, I knew it would be...but it was a little hard to stomach. The shrimp weren't too deeply battered and fried, and I liked them the best.
After satisfying our hungry bellies, we wandered around a bit more and found a petting zoo! My heart strings always pull when I see farm animals in captivity at the fair...but these little guys seemed very well fed and had plenty of water and room to roam around their HUGE pen. It was free to pet, and you could purchase a baggie of chopped carrots to feed the animals for $1. There were so many families trying to squeeze in, I just watched from a distance and awwwwwed at the goats.

so busy!

We finally made it back to Ben's car, and headed home. Of course, once we arrived home, we immediately got to work poppin' those bottles of wine!

taste testing at home

The peach wine is by far my favorite of the night. It's sweet, yet has a little bite! And it tastes exactly like the peach wine I know and love from Michigan. <3

Time to get ready for my day!
Have a great one, friends!