dreaming of thanksgiving

i'm dreaming of centerpieces and yummy recipes.  place settings and fancy desserts.  i'm dreaming of minimal decorations and classic food.  romantic and rustic.  traditional and modern.  thanksgiving only comes but once a year, who says you can't have it all?

images via: turkey roulade, stuffed mushrooms, burlap table runner, rosemary, mason jars, pumpkin pie

pineapple carrot cilantro juice

juicing is a lot like making a soup.  it's a great way to clean out your fridge, marry flavors you'd never think to try, and are on most occasions, a light and healthy meal.

this pineapple carrot cilantro juice was exactly that.  and experiment gone well.  very, very well.  and i have to give a. some serious credit- it was all him.  he's officially the juice master.

pineapple carrot cilantro juice

serves ~3

ingredients:

1 whole pineapple; skin removed and roughly chopped

1 bunch of cilantro; rinsed very well

1 lime

3-4 tart apples (we used mcintosh)

6-8 whole carrots

directions:

wash and prep all ingredients according to your juicers instructions.  combine all ingredients into a juicer (again, be sure to follow the juicer's instructions) and add all juiced ingredients into a pitcher.  chill for an hour or until the flavors are combined.  enjoy cold.

26.2

i’m making the commitment right here & right now.  to each and every one of you.

a few posts ago i made the announcement that i was debating between a half and full marathon.  & after much thought and ample discussion, i settled on the full…for many reasons.

• i want to do an ironman.  call me crazy (i know you are) but there’s something about rolling in after 140.6 miles that seriously appeals to me.  again, crazy.  that being said, running isn’t my strong suit so i need the practice and what a better way to train for some of the larger triathlons (i have to work my way to the iron) than have 26.2 miles under my belt.  it makes sense to me.
• lately, a. and  i have had some serious discussions about our future- so hopefully in the very near future, long distance running won’t be in the cards.  that said, i need to start training now.  otherwise it could be a year before i’m running for something other than bottles and diapers.
• it’s something i’ve always wanted to do.  sometimes i waiver, but looking back, it’s been on every.single.one of my annual bucket lists since college.  yet it’s the one thing i roll-over when i can’t find the time to do it all.  & considering my aforementioned points, it’s time to lady up and go for it.

so here i go.  training began on monday & i know i have a long and challenging path ahead of me.  i'm actually really excited and can't wait to give this a go.  run, walk or crawl...i'm crossing the finish line with my head held high.

images via pintrest

out of the office.

today i received the very best out of office, ever.

I have been shrink-rayed to grasshopper size and have headed into the garden to investigate the tunneling system of the earthworms - there is something fishy going on there.  I expect to make the pond by Friday if I don't get caught and squished by an earthworm.  I will be unshrink-rayed by 8:30pm on Friday.  My eyesight will only return to normal the next day, so I'll reply to your messages over the weekend.

right?!? 

i love people with a sense of humor.  it makes for a great day. 

happy tuesday.

welcome november.

dear november
i'm excited for the promises you bring
& i have plenty in store for you this blustery month
i plan to enjoy your cool breezes and morning frosts
and of course, the last bit of color in the leaves

my word for this month is patience- as much will be required
i'm planning to get my life back on track since
the months that were september and october
were emotional and chaotic and while ever-so-wonderful
removed me from my routine

so i will require patience with myself and life
as everything will definitely begin to change
in a good and healthy way

this november
we're hosting our first thanksgiving dinner in a long time
& prepping the house for many family visits-
from my mom, sister and a.'s parents
there are plenty of challenges in a basement remodel
cooking dinner for four and
finding that work-life balance

& i have a few extra challenges of my own.
this month i plan to create at least four projects
this month we are committed to eating at home five days a week
this month i start training

so with the falling leaves and first snow flurries
i embrace you november
and look forward to the many wonderful
and exciting things you'll bring to us
and ask of me in return