Rambles 10.18.12

There’s no logical flow to today’s rambles so I think a list would be best [in no particular order]:

Waffle Stack Creations:  The past few mornings I’ve veered away from pancakes and have enjoyed a stack of the very convenient [and very tasty] Van’s frozen waffles.  It’s easy-peasy…  I simply pop them into our toaster oven and when the bell dings I add whatever topping my heart desires.

Chocolate Cherry Coconut: chocolate PB2 + frozen cherries +unsweetened shredded coconut

Almond Joy: chocolate PB2 + almond slices + unsweetened shredded coconut

*a drizzle of maple syrup would be great but we were out*

Fall Family Walks:  Yesterday was a rest day for me and I couldn’t have been happier because the weather was absolutely bea-uuu-tiful!  I wish the leaves would stay all these different shades of yellow, orange, and red all year!  Ryan and I took Charlie for a walk and wandered down a new trail where we found a little dock.  Charlie is the biggest pansy when it comes to water…  He won’t go near it, his nails come out and he plants his paws into the ground [oye vey]!

Talking to Siri:  I have zero, zilch, nada clue how to talk to Siri!  I accidentally double clicked on the home button this morning and before I knew it she was asking me what she could help me with!  I wonder if she could have written this whole post for me?  Could she help with my laundry?

Crock Pot Cooking:  Every time I use our crock pot I love it.  What’s not to love about one-pot cooking?  You dump everything in, let it do its thing, and within hours your house smells amazing and your creation is ready!  This weekend I think I’ll make another batch of cinnamon applesauce [since it was gone within 2 days], as well as one of these recipes and Lindsay’s lentil lasagna!

Remembering My Medicines:  I am the worst at remembering to take my medicine.  I swear, I think I need a tattoo stamped on the back of my hand to remember!  I’ve tried pill cases in the past but no luck.  I think I’ll put a note on the fridge tonight…

Parmesan Cheese:  I picked up a little tub of the stuff over the weekend at Wegmans and I cannot stop sprinkling it on everything!  From breakfast eggs to last night’s pasta dinner in honor of National Pasta Day…  A small sprinkle packs such a big punch of flavor!

*roasted artichokes + roasted bell pepper slices + a dab of Earth Balance + fun fall shaped pasta + parm cheese + garlic seasoning blend*

New Camera:  Saturday after apple picking Ryan needed to get a new pair of sneakers and skateboard so we headed to the mall.  Conveniently next to the mall was Costco so I asked Ryan if we could peruse their cameras.  I looked a Panasonic which felt nice in my hands but I wasn’t enthusiastic about its features.  Immediately to the right was a Sony.  I’ve had 2 Sony’s in the past and have loved them…  Within a blink of an eye I was walking out with a new toy ;)

Puppies Playing Tag:  We’ve been bringing Charlie to doggy day a couple of times a week for the past month.  From what we can tell [by the way he eagerly sprints inside] he seems to enjoy himself.  Ryan and I get a laugh out of the report card they send home every time even though they’re all very similar…  “Charlie likes basking in his counselors attention” [he’s an attention snob, we know that] and “He likes playing tag with Gigi!”  We’re not so sure how do dogs play “tag” and we’re also not so sure we want to know…

High School Clothes:  This morning was one of those mornings when I looked into my closet and despite it being full of dresses, shirts, and skirts, I still had nothing to wear.  I ended up choosing a shirt and skirt, both of which I bought in high school…  High school clothes = high school curves.  I guess my womanly figure is still waiting to sprout?!

XOXO,

Allison

Question:  Can your relate to any of my rambles?

Question:  Do you still wear any of your high school clothes?

— Life's a Bowl

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Wordless Wednesday 5.9.12

May’s Memorable Moments [to date]: Spending time with my friends, bachelorette surprise beach weekend, receiving a job offer, and planning many fun social events for the rest of May and into June!

Question:  What’s your favorite clothing store?

Question:  The weather forecast is predicting a BEA-UUU-TIFUL weekend, what should I do?!

— Life's a Bowl

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13 Things Thursday

I have too many things on my mind to write a logical post so let’s be random and jump around :)

Yesterday

Thing #1:  I ditched the gym in favor of a mani and shopping date with one of my girlfriends- it was fabulous to catch-up, get pampered, and find clothes that I want but currently can’t afford.  I got “First Dance” by OPI and thought it looked great, until I woke up this morning and saw that two of my fingernails got smudged.  I don’t know when it happened since they looked fine last night after I played with Charlie, made dinner, cleaned up the kitchen, and did some pinning…

Thing #2:  Dinner was simple yet tasty…

Brown Rice

Steamed Stir-fry Veggies

Perdue Simply Smart Lightly Breaded Chicken Chunks,

TJ’s Teryiaki Sauce

…Voilà, dinner was served!  Ryan and I both agreed that we need to add this chicken teriyaki rice bowl into our meal rotation.  FYI: I can’t remember the last time I had Chinese food- I don’t like eating it because an hour later my stomach hurts.  Literally, every time.

Today

Thing #3:  I read this article this morning and it made me rethink assigning homework.

“What the research shows is that, in countries where they spend more time on homework, the achievement results are lower,” Dr Walker, from Sydney University’s Education Faculty, said.

Too bad that thought lasted for .02 seconds and I gave my students homework tonight.

Thing #4:  A mom of one of my students brought me a special delivery: a bottle of water, a dozen deliciously smelling roses, and a bag full of produce…  Too nice!

Thing #5:  After lunch I popped in a piece of cinnamon gum and it made my tongue tingle.  Is that normal?  Does anyone experience this?  I eat ground cinnamon almost every day and it doesn’t make my tongue tingle…

Thing #6:  Did you know that 1 out of every 88 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder?  Boys are five times as likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls [source].  To read more about autism, check out the Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] website.

Thing #7:  I tested out my new sneakers and ran 5 [hilly] miles after school!  That’s a big accomplishment considering the farthest I’ve run in the past few months is no more than 1.5 miles.  I definitely want to and need to get back into my running routine!  Too bad I think that a few of my toenails are going to turn purple…

Thing #8:  My momma texted me earlier in the day asking if I wanted to go for a hike down to the river.  I couldn’t say no to a hike on such a gorgeous day and I’m so glad she asked- the scenery and the blue bell flowers were breathtakingly beautiful- a simple reminder why I love where I live!

Thing #9:  When I was reading Monica’s post over at Run, Eat, Repeat about her love for crab cakes, I realized that I have lived in the DC area for all of my 22 years of life and love crab cakes, but I have never eaten a Maryland crab cake!  I immediately texted one of my girlfriends and she informed me that she knows exactly where we need to go :)   FYI: Maryland is known for their crabs…

Thing #10:  I’ve been back and forth about it, but I think I need to try a gluten-free diet for at least a week.  The past few days I have limited my consumption to one or two servings of wheat and have noticed a difference.  Sad but true.

Thing #11:  Tonight Ryan and I are going to attempt Bess’ from Bess Be Fit “500 Challenge.”  The challenge is to do 500 ab exercises today…  I usually average 100 a day, so it’s just 5 times 100 [ha], OYE!

Source

Thing #12:  Tomorrow is the last day of the third quarter- I am in disbelief, time has literally flown out the window!  We’re having a party at the end of the day full of fun, food, crafts, and a movie…  I still need to figure out the craft and the movie.

Thing #13:  This week we’ve had spirit week at school [today was PJ day and I definitely participated :) ] because next week is spring break- WAHOOO]!

Daily Memorable Moment March 29:  Running 5 miles and going on a hike with my momma!

Question:  What workout did you do today?

Question:  Have you ever seen a blue bell?  I’ve also heard them be called blue bonnets…

— Life's a Bowl

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