Friday Favorites

The Rebecca Black in me is singing. It's Friday. The apartment is clean, groceries are bought, and now all that's left to do is relax. And run 13 miles.

Friday after work, MS and I hit the roof for Friday Happy Hours consisting of red wine, a cigar and the Frank Sinatra Pandora station. It quickly became the highlight of our week and will give me a chance to de-stress after spending entirely too much time this week stalking the Amanda Knox case. I'm hoping to make peace with the fact that I'll never really know what happened.

MS will have to make peace with the fact that I have invested 3 hours of my life on the Lifetime movie and Beyond the Headlines special.

These chairs are a real ego buster. I sat in one weeks ago and the bottom fell out. Namath didn't learn his lesson and tried the same thing moments after this picture was taken and fell prey to a similar fate.

DO NOT PANIC. But this will rock a few worlds. I've heard a rumour these ladies are back on the small screen - TV Guide channel - 10 and 10:30 a.m. CST. Set your DVR's and hear all about how Southerners don't eat dirt and THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA.

Welcome me to 2006. Need I say more? Any recommended apps?

A Dozen

Over the river,

and through the woods.

Under the interstate.

Through the suburbs for a water break.

12 miles down.

Half-marathon next weekend. Think I deserve a spa visit.

Friday Favorites

The Greek Food Festival started last night, and it goes without saying, we're pumped. I've already been once, since it's walking distance and all. It's for a good cause. It also might be the cause of next week's weight gain.

I've been really underwhelmed by the new shows this season...except for Revenge. Not to mention, I'm terrified what Emily Thorne would do to me if I stopped watching.

Beyond ready for MS to get home today. Not only can he button his own buttons, its nice to have someone to share the dog poop picking up responsibilities. Grizz's bowels slow down for no one.
Plus, life is just more fun when he's around.

A Recipe...and Some Rambling

There are pros and cons to getting older. Pro - I no longer get paid in tips. (I was a waitress. Get your mind out of the gutter.) Con - suits, car maintenance, taxes....this list is getting depressing.

I have noticed as I've gotten older my taste in food has matured. Case in point - turnip greens. So when I received this recipe, I wanted to give it a try.

16 oz bag frozen turnips (or fresh)

2 cans Northern beans

1 lb pork sausage sliced to your liking ( you can also use turkey sausage)

1 box Knorr vegetable soup mix

1 can diced tomatoes

4 cups water

salt and pepper to your taste

I got really adventurous and decided to try out cornbread in the cast iron skillet. I picked a great night to make all this food, as MS was on his way to the northern edge of the continental US.

I did not google image this picture. This is straight from the doctors office he's working at. Let me know, I bet he could get you an appointment. Yes, the proximity of his rear end to the water pitchers IS vomit inducing. Glad you noticed too.

Back on the homefront, I mixed all ingredients in a pot and let simmer for two hours.

While simmering, I took in a classic Lifetime movie. Does anyone remember this? It's TV gold and starts with those magic words - based on a true story. Bonus that the dad from 7th Heaven is Betty's ill-fated husband. Double bonus the sequel is titled "Her Final Fury". I would love to meet the person who names these movies. Heck, I would love to be the person who names these movies.

A few bites in, I remembered to take a picture. This recipe was really good, healthy and easy.

My brain is rotted and I now have enough soup and cornbread for a week. If anyone wants to come over eat soup, do crossword puzzles and discuss politics, let me know.

Double Digits

Saturday morning, we set out to do 10 miles. Getting started turned into a cluster - we kept forgetting stuff and ended up going back inside at least twice, after dropping a car off at the finish, so I was nervous this run would be one to forget. Fortunately, I'm not always right.

MS refused to let me take pictures of him this week, so I was the victim. Accurate wording.

Totally get why he didnt want to do this now.

It was an absolutely perfect Fall day. Check out the sky. And skyline.

This fountain looked a lot cooler when my flash didn't make the water invisible.

I was a happy runner Saturday. So happy, I actually took this horrible picture of myself and am posting it here. I'll regret this later.

Visitors: the hotel behind me now has free HBO and is $49 a night. I'll hook you up if you need a place to stay.
Seriously, this run was a big confidence booster. We finished in 1:33:21 and quickly headed down to Tuscaloosa for lunch.


Bring on 12, and the Gators.

Friday Favorites

Ok, so I put this post off until Sunday. But, we all like Fridays, so let's pretend.

The Spibelt. I think MS added this to his gear list, and I followed behind. The pouch is deceptively small - it stretches and actually holds a lot. Usually the exact items pictured below. Bonus favorite - if you've never shopped at runningwarehouse.com, you're missing out. Free two day shipping wins me over every time.


We all know cinnamon is good in roll form as well as being an excellent name if you work in the champagne room, but if you've never tried putting it in your coffee grounds, you're missing out. Divine.

After two seperate people raved to me about the fire roasted tomato soup from Newk's, I had to try it. I'm a tough sell. I got it in the large to go container, but I heard this is what it looks like when you order in the restaurant. Croutons you could paddle a canoe with.



Hope everyone had a perfect first Fall weekend.

Roll.Tide.Roll.

Numero Cuatro

Last weekend, our oldest niece turned the big 0-4. Hard to believe.

She got a lot of clothes. I was sort of jealous. Yes, that is a Victoria's Secret bag in the background. Not sure which is more unsettling - the bag or the fact that it was wrapped by her great grandmother.

She's pretty picky about clothes. Making sure the arms aren't too short.

I think this zebra has Namath's head to body ratio.

You know what they say...train up a child....

Finally, TOYS.
Sister got a Pooh coloring book. She was enthralled with every page turn. "There's ANOTHER Pooh!" Another victory for the Disney marketing department.

We had to leave early to make it to a retirement dinner for MS's mom. Circle of life.

We missed out on birthday cake, but luckily, Monday night, my neighbor brought this over. And all was right with the world again.