MIMM 3/03/2014

OOOOOOO it’s the third day of the third month!  To think that if I was actually on the ball and got this post (I just wrote pot haha… small things amuse small minds) up earlier I wouldn’t have noticed that 😀  There’s method to the madness.

How was everyone’s weekend?  Get up to anything much?  Mine was okay for not being able to get outside much.  Got some errands run on Saturday morning, met up with friends Saturday afternoon, and then headed to my parents for dinner Saturday night.  On Sunday I managed to hit the gym for some running, biking, and 8 minute abs.  This was followed by some cleaning, dinner prep (slow cooker chicken and barley stew) which was so fast thanks to Iowa Girl Eats, and making some mall returns.

So I thought it would be fun to participate in MIMM by finding marvellous solutions to problems.  Thanks to Katie, as always, for hosting this link up!

 

Problem….

Saturday’s ridiculous temperature waking up

Marvellous solution…

It kind of looks like my breakfast can fly… or at least hover.

Problem ..

 

Had some hangry moments

Marvellous solution…

Just a breakfast larger than my plate

Problem…

Sunday’s temperature… yes ambient temperature is better but windchill worse 😦

Marvellous solution…

Hot tea in my new mug from Market Collective!

Yup… I solved all of my problems with food 😀 and I think that is just marvellous!

One of my last thoughts of the day

Questions

1) did you have any problems that you solved this weekend?

2) What was the best thing you did this weekend?

 

Thinking Out Loud 27/02/2014

Wow, two posts in a row!  That’s pretty good for me these days :S  I have kind of been pushing my life to get a little busier these days, busy with friends and getting out more.  And I have to be honest that I am quite enjoying it.  So how are you doing?  How has your week been?  I am so happy that it’s Thursday because that means the last business casual day until casual Friday 😀  Well I feel like today is a good day to link up with Amanda and all the other bloggers and participate in…

1) I have really been enjoying getting out more on weeknights.  I have finally gotten over my “it’s too cold to go out” mentality.  I was starting to feel house bound and needed to DO SOMETHING!  So on Saturday we met up with some friends for a couple of beers and then headed over to the Loose Moose Theatre for a night of improve.  We really had a blast and I think another comedy night should be in our future.  On Monday John and I went out with friends to (FINALLY) see the lone soldier.  Oh my goodness, what an emotional movie.  If you haven’t seen it you really should.  I have to admit that the book, in my opinion, was better but that is usually how it goes.

2) I am currently writing at 8:15 on Wednesday night after doing a quick grocery shop.  I really needed to pick up some snack foods that didn’t include wheat.  I found some things but I am already REALLY missing my nightly bowl of cereal.  I am going to have to make some granola this weekend to satisfy my cereal and milk tooth.

3) I don’t know if I can make a whole month without wheat… these past two days have actually been really tough.  I hope it get’s better however with that being said my parents want to go out for an Italian dinner next weekend.  I am thinking I might have to give in for one night as I can’t pass up fresh pasta.  That is basically a sin.

4) I have finished the only two seasons of Downton Abby on Netflix.  Season 3 isn’t out until June… cruel cruel fait.  This is really sad and means I have to find another show to get into.  My lovely friend tells me Suits is a great show so that may be on the list.  Life is so tough!

5) It got up to 3oC today 🙂  it’s supposed to be a high of -22oC on the weekend 😦  WHY OH WHY IS THE GOOD WEATHER DURING THE WEEK!?

6) I am going for another massage today and this time they are going to try a hip release.  I felt so much better after getting my muscles worked on last week so I hope this fixes the last little niggles.

7) I had my first, albiet short, run on Tuesday and I felt on top of the world!  I felt a little pain on Wednesday morning so I am going to lay off running anymore until the weekend.  If all goes well I am hoping to sign up for the Calgary Half Marathon again in May.  Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me!

8) I can’t stop on odd numbers…. now I have writers block… well this counts as 8!

Have a great Thursday!

Photo of the morning…

Questions

1) What are some social activities you like to do during the week?

2) Are you hooked on any shows at the moment?

THINKING OUT LOUD 20/02/214

Hello blog readers!  How is life treating you today?  I have a bunch of things I want to put into writing today so I feel this is a great way to incorporate Amanda’s

Thank you so much for hosting Amanda!

1) I am starting to feel a lot of blogging pressure lately.  What is this blogging pressure I can hear you ask.  Well, it’s the pressure to post every day, take some photos of your activities, make every entry entertaining.  And this pressure, I think, is completely self induced.  I started out doing this blog for myself (yes I was being selfish with it) but I think I have become sucked into feeling like I need to cater it to readers.  This needs to STOP.  Don’t get me wrong, I love when people read my blog and comment!  That really makes my day.  I think I am just starting to feel like I’m conforming and struggling to keep up.

2) I am also feeling too scheduled.  Moving forward you might see me participating in link ups 5 days a week or maybe none.  I love linking up but need a little more freedom if ya know what I mean.

3) I went for a massage (finally) to help my leg/glute.  It hurt so good!  Evidently I have messed up my posterior 😦 hopefully we are on the mend now.  I have to go back next week again to get my hip flexor released.  I have a feeling it’s going to be another round of good pain.

4) I am an eating machine and I am okay with it.  John has started to pick up his exercise routines again after mostly just doing the daily biking into work.  He now understands how I can’t stop eating.  I am so happy to have someone that understands 😀

5) My parents went skiing today… there was over 50cm of snow over the last day… I was jealous…. one of the main chair lifts was closed due to snow/wind…. I was still jealous.

6) We are going to see some improve comedy this weekend with friends.  I am really looking forward to it!  If you are in Calgary and want some comedy I suggest the Loose Moose Theatre!

7) Everyone was watching the hockey game at the gym yesterday during lunch hour.  It was a pretty memorable experience.  Cheers went up when Canada scored and won the game.

8) John is making pizza for dinner tonight… I am excited!

9) I love my friends and family.  I just wanted to put that out there 🙂

10) I can’t wait to see what the day has in store.  I am waking up every morning and telling myself to do what makes me happy.  It has helped to banish the bad moods.

Have a great day!

P.S. to everyone who has commented in the last couple of days, I am playing catchup but will reply back to you!  I haven’t given anyone the cold shoulder!

Questions

1) Do you set goals for your day or have encouraging words to tell yourself when you wake up?

2) Do you ever find yourself conforming to what you think people are wanting/looking for?

Liebster Blog Award Nomination

I had originally planned to do my usual WIAW post but…… Miranda over at Lovely Wife Lovely Life has nominated me for Liebster Award!  Thank you so much lovely lady!  And since this is my first blogging award I am just over the moon 😀

Like I said, this is my first time being nominated so I am following the rules that Miranda posted which are as follows:

Rules:
1. Answer the 10 questions the person who nominated you wrote.
2. Create 10 new questions for next set of bloggers to answer
3. Nominate 10 bloggers to answer your questions and pass on the award to

Well here we go!

1. If you were an animal, what would you be? hmmm you know what ever since I was really little I always thought that if I were an animal I would want to be a dolphin.  Who wouldn’t love to just goof off all day and star in movies 😉
2. What was your favorite movie as a kid? Please don’t make me pick just one!  I have to go with three: The Last Unicorn, Unico, and Rainbow Bright.  I had have a thing for horses!

3. Pancakes or waffles? Oooo another tough one.  I am going with pancakes!  I like the equal distribution of syrup you can get rather than little waffle pools.  Plus you can stack ’em!
4. Would you rather: never have to do your makeup again or never have to do your nails again? I know this one!  I would never do my makeup again.  I never seem to find time for my nails so I would be able to designate my old makeup time to my neglected nails!
5. What’s your favorite month of the year? October!  I love fall 😀
6. Would you rather: workout at 5 am or workout at 11 pm? 5 am because I am a grandma at heart that needs an early bed time.
7. What is your dream career? Dolphin trainer!
8. If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it? Well…. I guess I would make a donation to charity and then go on an awesome trip!  I would invest the rest because I am a saver at heart.
9. What is your favorite comfort food? Sheppard’s Pie!  But only the one my parents make.
10. What is your guilty pleasure? Train wreck TV haha

Thanks again Miranda!

Well those were my questions to answer and here are mine to ask!

1. What is your favourite meal of the day?
2. If you could only have a sweet or savoury breakfast for the rest of your life what would you choose?
3. What is your favourite book?
4. milk, dark, or white chocolate?  Or none of the above?
5. What is your favourite movie genera?
6. If you could be any age for a day, how old would you be?
7. Do you have a favourite TV series?  If so which one.
8. If you could have any super power which would you choose?
9. What is your favourite band/song at this moment?
10. If you could live forever would you want to?

And now my nominees are

*Drum roll……*

Laura@fit fresh and funny

Jan@sprouts n squats

Liz@carpe diem run

Brittany@Dulce Vie

Madison@Eating for Balance

Jess@PugRunAholic 

Christine@apple of my eye

Rola@the talking pencil

Leigha@minougirl

Kendra@veggie dancer

I can’t wait to hear the answers 😀

Question:

I am totally copying Miranda on this one!  Pick two of the questions I asked to answer.  I can’t wait to hear your answers 🙂

Looking Forward

Well if the rest of the week continues like Monday did than the weekend will be here before we know it!  Time sure goes when you are busy with copious deadlines!  Keeping them all straight is starting to get difficult.  How was your Monday?  I hope your week is off to a great start.  As I am writing this I am listening to a song that makes me want to cut my ears off!  Valentine or Valentines day something… worse than nails on a chalk board!  And it turns out it was David Bowie….. interesting.

Well I thought it would be fun to write about what my non-work week is going to look like so far.

Monday

Made this for dinner!

Rather than chicken, I added shrimp.  Anyone else out there love Iowa Girl Eats?

Pick up some groceries and hit up MEC for some bike gear.  I am jealous of the States for having so many things we don’t have and would trade some of our stores for theirs, but NOT MEC!  That store takes a lot of this outdoorsy girls money.

Eat a snack and watch Breaking Bad followed by reading (the Hunger Games) and bed!

Tuesday

I kind of want to hit up a body attack class but that would mean me signing up at Goodlife.  It might happen…. If not, I do need to get to a mall to buy some clothes.  It is actually becoming a NEED rather than a want :S I also need to start organizing some of our legal/tax documents and appliance manuals

Eat a snack and watch Breaking Bad followed by some reading and bed (this becomes a theme)

Wednesday

Hit up a yoga class if my leg/IT/Hip flexor feels like it’s up to it.  If not I either want to finish the Hunger Games (AHHHHH SO SO GOOD) or catch up with a friend.

Thursday

FLAMES GAME!!!!!!  I was given a couple of tickets to the game on Thursday night against the Sharks.  Should be a really fun night!

Friday

I hope to have a massage booked.  If not I will plan something with friends!

Saturday and Sunday

The days are pretty open so far.  I know I want to make a slow cooker pot roast plus run some errands and I know there is talk of seeing a movie.

Questions:

1) Is there a particular song you can’t stand?

2) What are you most looking forward to this week?

MIMM 27/01/2014

Hey there!  How was your weekend?  Are you ready to hit the ground running or were you hitting the snooze button this morning?  Does anyones else feel that Sunday nights are the shortest nights of the week?  Mine always seemed to get consumed with prepping food for the week or doing the laundry I procrastinated doing earlier in the weekend.  This weekend was really good and I feel like we got a lot accomplished so let’s take a peak into what is….

Thanks again to Katie at Healthy Diva Eats for hosting!

Marvellous was… Getting takeaway food, with John and a friend, from the Himalayan for dinner Friday night.  As always the food was awesome and the company was great!  I have never ordered the same thing twice from this place and always am so happy with my choice!

My dad and John

Marvellous was… taking a walk in the beautiful sunshine and warm weather!  I could have seriously warn a T-shirt Saturday afternoon.  The paths were crowded with everyone getting out and enjoying the best day of the year!

Marvellous was… Celebrating my dad’s birthday at the Szechwan house!  My mom, John, and, I wanted to have a surprise dinner for my dad so we told him we were going to bbq steaks while she had already made reservations.  When they showed up to our house there was no food and I told him I decided not to cook haha.  He loves spicy and new foods and the Szechwan House always fits the bill.  We all come away with scorched mouths saying we should put some toilet paper in the freezer 😉 You can order milder but we like a challenge.

John somehow ended up with 4 forks…

I think the heat made him a little delirious

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!

Marvellous is… Finally trying Julie’s Egg white and oatmeal protein pancake.  You should just go make one now!  I topped mine with PB, berries, coconut, and a little syrup.

Marvellous was… Catching up with an amazing friend on Sunday and hashing out life.  It really was a highlight of the week.  I love being able to tell her anything and everything and always come away feeling so happy to have seen her 🙂

Marvellous is… John’s slow cooker Sunday meal!  Shredded chicken chilli with quinoa.  I think he found the recipe on the food network.  Sorry ladies, he’s mine!

I hope your weekend was just as marvellous!  Have a great day 😀

Questions:

1) Did you get some outside time this weekend?

2) Do you do food prep for the week on the weekend?

HAPPY MONDAY MIMM 20/01/2014

Welcome to another beginning of the week!  How was your weekend?

Sorry I went a little MIA on Friday and over the weekend.  Unfortunately there was an event that occurred that had (has) me really down and just didn’t think it was respectful to try and sound happy go-lucky or anything along those lines.

But the weekend was fairly enjoyable, I am just shocked that it is over already 😦  And once again I took very few pictures… one day I will get into the habit.

So let’s jump into MIMM!  Thanks Katie!

Marvellous is… Getting my hair cut FINALLY!  It was getting a little ridiculously long, read half way down my back.  It is now at a very manageable shoulder length.  And get this, my hair stylist just did Paris Hilton’s hair for a show she was doing in Calgary!  How cool is that!?  He showed me the pics and everything 😀  I think the best one was of Paris (yes we are on a first name basis 😉 ) getting her hair done by one person, her make up by another, and her nails done all while typing with her other hand on her laptop.  I think that might the be ultimate in multi tasking.

Marvellous is… Date night with my man!  After I got my hair done Friday night, John and I headed out to the Coup for dinner.  It is a vegetarian place with some of the best food!  A review is likely on the books for tomorrow so I won’t give too much away, but we had a great night!

Marvellous is… Having two amazing friends over for dinner Saturday night.  We were finally able to have them over for dinner, after they have hosted countless a dinner.  John and I decided on a beer can chicken, roasted veggies, salad, and a Guinness cake.  I think it all turned out really well, we just need to get on top of our furniture/home decorating situation.

Marvellous was… Getting in a little gym time this morning followed by a lovely walk in the sun this afternoon.  We decided to head out to North Glenmore Park in Calgary, and what a great idea that was.  We had never been there and are glad we finally did.  The views of the mountains are incredible and it feels very woodsy in the middle of the city.

Marvellous was… having some great food over the last few days.  Pancakes, wraps, hot oatmeal, chicken, burgers… It was a delicious few days!

Marvellous are… These fabulous chewy granola bars that Amanda at Running with Spoons created!  I have a feeling that these aren’t going to last for long 😉

 

Marvellous is…Watching people become stronger and never giving up.  You know who you are 😉

Questions: 

1) What happened this weekend that you want to share?

2) How long do you go between hair cuts?

Itchy Throat Giveaway and HAPPY FRIDAY!

I have a fresh batch of cookies for anyone who wants to trade throats for a day or two (people who are also sick need not apply)!  What!?  No takers?  Come on…. all I want in a non itchy throat for mine that is driving me up the wall!  Yes I know I posted  the other day that my cold wasn’t that bad but I guess I jinxed it 😦  I woke up on Thursday morning with a really plugged nose and a throat that feels like I have swallowed glass :(:( I think it’s just being caused by some post nasal drip (TMI?) but bahhhhhhhhhh GO AWAY!  How was that for a blog post introduction?

On a nicer note I received some lovely flowers from my coworkers after they found out my Grandma passed away over the Christmas holidays.

It was so thoughtful of them.  The flowers are so cheerful and beautiful and remind my of my grandma who will forever be in my heart.

Well I have finally officially changed my last name 😀  I will be receiving my new health care card and drivers licence in the mail in a couple of weeks.  Oh and if anyone else is in the process of changing their last name, the ask for your new signature at the registry office.  That really caught me off guard and I had to come up with my new signature on the spot, needless to say it is not very creative.  Oh well life goes on.  I also managed to pick up some face cream, that I had run out of many moons ago, cough medicine for above mentioned throat, and toothpaste.  YAY for a very productive lunch hour but not a very interesting post.  Sorry my day was not very interesting by any means but…. tomorrow is another day (and it’s Friday as I am writing this Thursday night)!

I really hope I am able to rally a little health wise for the weekend because it is shaping up into a nice busy one. Saturday is a baby shower, Sunday= FRO YO :D, and John and I hope to watch the hobbit one night.

Well this is about all I can muster for Thursday night, I think I am going to head back to my previous position…

Have an amazing friday everyone!

Questions:

1) What are your plans for the weekend?  Are you busy with friends and family?

2) Are you a procrastinator?

3) Seriously, anyone want to take my itchy throat!?

CHRISTMAS EVE!!

Good Tuesday morning everyone!  Things are really gearing up for Christmas around these parts so I have been pretty bad on the blogging front.  The days have been full of family, food, more food, and shopping.  I am SOOO okay with this.  I guess we left off on Saturday morning.  Since then we have been to a friends for a Christmas party with a table full of wonderful nibbles.  Sunday started off slow but then quickly became busy as we decided to have my parents and my brother over for a wonderful dinner made by John.  He did wonderful braised lamb shanks, wild mushroom risotto, and beats.  My contribution was salad haha.  My parents brought over a homemade pecan pie for dessert. Lots of drinks were had and it was a very merry time 🙂

Monday… I totally missed MIMM oops c’est la vie.  John and I got up early to meet a friend, who we haven’t seen in a few months, for breakfast.  It was so great to catch up and it had been way too long since we had gone out for breakfast.  I think I will always order poached eggs when we go out for breakie!  After breakfast we said goodbye and I took John to a meeting he had for work and then ran more Christmas errands.   I can proudly say I have most of the shopping now done apart from a couple gift certificates.  After that I finished up baking the gingerbread house (or so I thought).  I totally forgot one of the main support walls which I will have to bake today.  I really need to to this earlier next year!  When John was home we decided to grab some lunch at home and then head out for a run.

It was so nice out we just had to take advantage of it.  Our route is starting to get easier which is great!  I love feeling the progression and feeling that I can start upping distances.

The run really helped make room for the wonderful meal my parents prepared for us Monday night.  Salad, pot stickers, homemade lasagna (homemade pasts too!), and two types of pie.  Yes I needed to try both and they of course were a la mode (cherry and chocolate).  We had to turn down the offer of chocolates.

Random Egg Nogg photo 😀

Today (Christmas Eve) is looking like it’s going to be a busy day as well.  We need to pick up groceries for Christmas breakfast, last minute shopping, a little bit of work, baking one last piece of the gingerbread house, wrapping, building the gingerbread house, and last but not least CHINESE FOOD FOR DINNER!!!  A long standing tradition around our house.

I hope everyone has an amazing day and that santa treats you well tomorrow!

Questions:

1) Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

2) Have you finished your shopping?

3) Have you had any bid meals leading up to Christmas?

John’s 30th surprise party!

Good Saturday morning everyone and happy start to the weekend! Well I have officially made it to HOLIDAY TIME!!  And they started off with a bang 🙂  I had been planning John a 30th birthday surprise party for about a month now.  Yes his actual birthday was a couple of weeks ago but GAH it’s so hard to find a Friday or Saturday night during December where there isn’t another birthday or Christmas party.  We had the party at the Newcastle pub that is just a couple of blocks from our house and has a good British theme to it as well as supporting John’s favourite football (soccer) team.  I had everyone arrive to the pub at 6pm and we showed up around 6:15 to find most of John’s nearest and dearest sitting around a table.  I don’t think that he expected a thing judging by the look on his face 😀  Well the night went off great and I think the Ice Cream cake I got for John was a highlight.  Thank you DQ!

Well by the end of the night John looked like this…

And nope he is not feeling to well this morning, but better than I anticipated 🙂  I would say it was a successful night!

Oh and a big congratulations to our friends who we just found out are expecting twin girls in the spring!  We couldn’t be happier for you!

Well I think the rest of the day will be hopefully filled with Christmasy things while John recovers for going over to our friends for dinner tonight!  Let the Christmas cheer commence!

Questions:

1) Have you ever planned a surprise party?

2) If you are a DQ Ice Cream cake fan do you prefer the original or the blizzard cake?

Just two will do today 🙂