New Years Weekend: Part II

So where did I leave off..........Oh yea, I woke up on January 1st nice and late! I laid around the house, while my friend Kira baked this beauty:

French Toast Casserole from Food and Wine magazine. Evan and I shared a slice, and let me tell you...Mmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!! On the side I had a bowl of cereal with blueberries and a banana.

And a cup of coffee. The house we stayed in only had a percolator and Evan nor I nor anyone in the house had any idea how to use it. We tried our best, but the coffee came out very weak and watery. I am not sure if we were doing it wrong or it was the coffee, but I did NOT like this coffee!!

After we digested, my girlfriends and I took an hour and a half walk around the surrounding neighborhoods. We had some great chats about life, books and movies. However, once we returned we were all pooped, so we relaxed and ate leftovers all afternoon. We managed to watch two old VHS movies (yes, they were videos!!): Austin Powers 2 and What About Bob? Two classics!!!

Once we were all rejuvenated, it was off to party and eat for the second night in a row starting with cocktail hour:

While we all snacked, Evan made us a traditional southern style New Years Day good luck dinner: BBQ chicken, black eyed peas and rice with bacon, and sauted spinach (instead of collard greens)!

Yummmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!

 After dinner we broke into teams and played Partini, which was the "party" version of cranium. It was so fun!

Girls against the boys: My team!

Partini was a LOT of fun!!!

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On Sunday we woke up, ate breakfast and cleaned the house! We spent 2 hours doing laundry, vacuuming, cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen. 

When the house was spic and span, we set off on our journey back to Boston. It ended up taking us over 4 hours to get home (it took less than 2 hours to get there). There was SO much traffic!!! When we finally got home I was SO restless I just had to move around for a little, so I went to the gym and did a 45 minute cycle class. The class was OK. I don't know if I was overtired or too full from an indulgent weekend, but it was not the best workout. Oh well, at least I got moving for a little bit!

When I got back home, Evan was warming up some split pea soup brought over by my mother.

Served with crusty bread!

Perfect end to a perfect weekend!!

New Years Weekend: Part 1

Hello, hello!!! I hope you all had a GREAT New Years weekend! I sure did! It all started Thursday evening when Evan and I made dinner for my parents, brother and brother's friend.

Started with a few apps.....

and wine

We got all fancy and sat in the dining room

While we enjoyed Pasta Primavera!!!

With some bread (of course!)

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I woke up Friday morning and went for a very tired 4 mile run around my parents' neighborhood. I finished in 35 minutes and then quickly got ready to meet my friends to head up to New Hampshire. We arrived at my friend's beautiful "lake house" around 1pm and went grocery shopping right away. I was very impressed by the house, it was just gorgeous!!!!!!!

We started the night off with some apps, homemade lasagna, salad and cards.

And then we got the festivities started!

Yes, I changed outfits twice throughout the night (I needed my "New Year's" top on at midnight!) 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!

To be continued....................

Girl with the Black Fit

For Christmas, Evan gave me a wonderful warm running outfit to complement my winter running. I have tried it out twice this week (one time being today!). And because he knows black is my FAVORITE color, the "fit" is ALL black!

The pants are Nike thermal insulated spandex and the jacket is Saucony and is a lightweight  windbreaker (with multiple pockets, reflectors and a cool light to use at night). After using the fit twice, I have to say I LOVE the pants; they are SO warm, but do not make my legs feel sweaty. I feel like I can run in all temps/conditions with these babies. The jacket is a nice extra layer. You definitely cannot wear it with only a t-shirt under it (at least not in the winter), but it is a nice complement to a long sleeve shirt. And I do have to say that I look pretty cool in it (haha)!!!

What do you wear running in the cold weather? 


Using my hot new fit, I ran 8 miles around my parents' neighborhood (we are staying with them for a few days). I decided to do a long run today because we are heading up to the mountains with friends for a long weekend and doubt there will be any form of exercising going on besides skiing. So 8 miles it was this morning, and here are my stats according to the Garmin (why does it work so much better in the 'burbs than in Boston??)

Distance: 8 miles
Duration: 1:9:30
Mile 1: 8:57
Mile 2: 8:38
Mile 3: 8:28
Mile 4: 8:50
Mile 5: 8:31
Mile 6: 8:23
Mile 7: 8:31
Mile 8: 9:12 (MAJOR, MAJOR hills!!!)

This run was challenging for many reasons! First the roads out here are a mess and there is deep snow and ice EVERYWHERE!! I tried stay to stay on the sidewalk whenever I could, but that is where the snow was the worst and it was to hard to run. My legs felt like they were running in place multiple times. However, when I did venture off the sidewalk I had to dodge multiple different cars coming my way! It was a very scary run! Especially because I kept going from street to sidewalk and then back to street. In addition, the hills around my parents' house are a nightmare. Almost the whole last mile was up hill!!! Anyways, the time is a minute and a half longer than my 8 mile run over the summer, but that run was done with no snow on the ground and in flat Boston. Oh well, no two runs are ever the same, at least not for me, but that is kinda what's fun about running!. But on a more positive note, my stomach and knees felt great and the weather was absolutely beautiful today!! Oh yea, and I had a pretty awesome outfit on!!!

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In other news, I met a few high school friends for lunch yesterday. We met up at the Rattlesnake in Boston. We enjoyed catching up (one friend that was there I hadn't seen in over 4 years!!!) and eating (and drinking) some yummy food. Over the course of the afternoon I enjoyed two Magic Hat #9's, which is one of my all time favorite beers! And ordered a swordfish sandwich and side salad for my entree.

This sandwich was surprisingly very good! I was not expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised!!! The swordfish tasted fresh and the aioli sauce and olive tapenade were nice complements to the sandwich! It was a lovely afternoon and a great time with friends!

Unfortunately, I will not be able to post over the weekend because the Mountain house we are staying in does not have Internet access. So, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!! I hope you have a wonderful night/day and the new year brings you lots of happiness!!! 

What are your New year plans? Anyone have any resolutions for the new year??

Christmas Eve Morning

Merry Christmas Eve!! Yesterday, I did a great speed workout on the treadmill. I first warmed up for a mile alternating my speed between 6.0 and 6.5. Then I did 6 "400s" at various speed 7.0, 7.3, 7.5, .7.8, 8.0, and 7.3. I recovered in between each 400 at 6.3 for a minute. I then cooled down for a mile. I did a total of 4.25 miles in 38 minutes. Great workout! After spending the rest of the day getting last minute shopping done, my friends from high school and I had a little reunion at a bar in Boston. Before meeting up with everyone my friend Vicki and I dined at a Mexican restaurant close by.

I started with a "skinny girl" Margarita, but after the first sip I realized that there was NO alcohol in it (well, it had triple sec). Oops, guess I should have read the menu better. So, what is a girl to do: order a shot of tequila that's what!

After catching up and exchanging Christmas presents (Vicki brought me cappuccino cups back from France and Glass Tupperware that I have been eyeing at her house for the past few months!!!), we ordered some Mexican! I order the "special" of the night: Ahi Tuna Tacos with rice and beans and a side salad.

This meal was HUGE!!! I definitely could have split it because I could only finish one taco, all the rice/beans and half the salad. The taco was very different tasting, but good. It did not taste like traditional Mexican and I was glad I got it, but I am not sure I would order it again. I guess when I go out for Mexican I want it to taste like Mexican food!

Once we arrived at the bar we had a great time catching up with lots of old friends. It was SO fun to see lots of friends that live in other states and catch up on their lives and realize how old we have gotten. I feel so fortunate that I can still see old friends, even if it is for just one night a year!

Needless to say I consumed a few beverages throughout the evening and woke up this morning feeling not up to par. So, Evan graciously made me a WONDERFUL Christmas Eve brunch!

Served with Dunkin Donuts coffee!

Happy Holidays to you and your family! I hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome Home!

Last night I welcomed back a good friend from a two and half year stay in the Panama Canal, while she worked on a master's project for the Peace Corps. A few friends threw together a "Welcome Home" party for her at a local bar.

My friend (at another friend's wedding) Kaitlin

Before I got to celebrating, Evan and I met another couple for dinner at The Elephant Walk. The Elephant Walk offered both Cambodian and French cuisine and is supposed to be VERY good. I had never dined there, so I was VERY excited when I saw a $50 coupon on Restaurant.com. Since the bar was close to the Boston location of the Elephant Walk, we decided this would be a perfect night to use the coupon. 

Upon arrival my friend Vicki and I split a bottle of Prosecco. Vicki and I have a little tradition of splitting sparkling wine when we go out because she does not care for red wine and I don't care for white, so sparkling is a nice compromise. Ordering Prosecco is also an inexpensive way to have a "fancy" drink when going out, a bottle is usually under $30!!! 

 The menu is set up where half of the cuisine is in the French style and the other half is Cambodian. I was a little disappointed because I thought it was going to be more of a fusion of both cuisines instead of separate menus. Oh well, the menu still offered GREAT options! Since we had to spend $100 in order to use our $50 gift card we decided to start with a few apps. The table ordered spring rolls (Cambodian) and PEI mussels (French). Both appetizers were fresh and delicious. The mussels were in a creamier broth than usual and tasted very fresh (sorry I was too hungry to take a picture). 

For my entree, I ordered from the Cambodian menu: Curry de Crevettes (which was shrimp and veggies in a curry sauce and rice). 

The meal was INCREDIBLE!!! I LOVE curry, so I had a feeling I was going to LOVE this meal!! There were lots and lots of veggies and shrimp, so that made for a filling meal!

Evan ordered from the French menu: Steak Grillé Sauce Roquefort (which was grilled flat iron steak with a creamy Roquefort saucy, golden potatoes and a watercress salad). YUM! I received a few tastes and the bites were VERY tasty. However, I am glad I did not order that meal because the Roquefort sauce was a little too creamy for me. But Evan LOVED it, so that was good!

Overall, the resturant was good, but not great. The waitstaff was not very helpful, attentive or nice. They got mad at us when we asked for bread and gave us a look when we asked for seconds on the bread. Also, our waitress never "checked in" with us and made us wait SO long for our bill. In addition, when I asked her what she recommends, she said: "Everything." However, the food was good, so I am sure we will go back, but we probably won't be in any rush. 

With VERY full tummy's the four of us headed over to Kaitlin's party. The party was already bumping when we arrived and we quickly ordered a few beers and joined in the festivities. I had a great time catching up with old friends and Kaitlin's family. And of course ending the night with lots and lots of dancing!!

Hoping to head over to the gym soon for a tredmill run (it is a little too cold in Boston today for an outdoor run). My legs are sore from all that dancing last night, so it might be a short run today. Hope you all had a GREAT weekend!!