here I go again...

This week I started training for another half marathon. I don't have the best of luck when it comes to training. I have trained for two and completed one. BOTH times I ended up with a stress fracture and wore a sweet space-looking boot for 8 weeks....not at all awkward (note the sarcasm)...

Soooo... I would really like for this time to be different! I have joined a training group in hopes that I can meet new friends and become a better, healthier runner.

Unfortunately, I will be missing the long group run this weekend so I am going to have to kick out 6 miles by myself...ugh... Anyone have some fun running songs they can share? My playlist is getting kind of boring.

My goals for this half marathon are simple... 1. no stress fracture 2. finish

Easy right?!?

Don't forget to write!

Last weekend was SUPER busy! One of my favorite couples is moving to Africa in two weeks...I am pretty devastated for myself but ecstatic for them! Rachel is my crafting buddy and fellow blogger. Her husband Will could also qualify as my crafting buddy as well because he provided some great company and laughs while Rachel and I worked. We had some great times over the past year. I can't wait to hear how Africa is and I REALLY want to be able to visit them!

This weekend was their going away weekend. I'm sure it was quite a whirlwind weekend for them. They actually had two parties this weekend (to read Rachel's take on the weekend and much better pictures, click here). The party I was semi in charge of was a potluck picnic and was pretty laid back. We planned for it to be at a local park and kept our fingers crossed that the rain stayed away.... and it did! Although, it was a little sticky and hot, we still had a great time!

The party was a potluck picnic...perfect for a warm summer evening! I wanted a cold dish that was easy. After searching a few of my favorite blogs, I came across this recipe for Southwestern Quinoa Salad. This dish was perfect...easy...cold...and DELICIOUS! I had a box of quinoa in my kitchen so it seemed just right. This grain is something the gf cooking community raves about but I was a little hesitant. I also don't think trying a new dish out at a party is always the best idea but thankfully this one worked!n (fyi...I loaded my pictures backwards and am too lazy to fix)

The finished bowl of deliciousness

All the veggies pre-quinoa...corn, onion, bell pepper, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro...simply wonderful! I could probably have eaten this without adding the quinoa!!

Cooked quinoa... this stuff really fluffs up!

I also got to play around with the decorations for the picnic. We have a fun wholesale florist here in town that I stopped by the morning of the party. They have two huge walk in coolers full of flowers to choose from. I can be a little indecisive when it comes to picking out flowers but I also cannot stand to be cold. I made my flower selection fairly quickly!

I don't remember what the green ones are but the white flowers are freesia. The smelled delightful!

While at the florist, I found some flower pots I thought I could use.

My flower vase is one of my mom's canning jars (usually full of yummy blackberry jam)

The finished decorations

and a few lanterns for the tree

I will miss Rachel and Will so much! I am a little sad that I forgot to get a picture of all of us together... I guess we will have to do that when I go to Africa!

a busy beginning of July

First off...I can't believe it is already July. Oh my, where has this year gone!?!

This month started off with a busy, busy weekend! After being on vacation during the last week of June, I came back to a holiday weekend with my brother, sister in law, and nephews came up for a visit. We had so much fun! It can be hard to entertain 3 boys in the summer heat...

An EARLY visit to the park....

It was really interesting to see how the number of dads and grandfathers out numbered the moms and grandmothers at the park. SIL came to the conclusion that the moms were ready for MOM TIME after a long week with the kiddos :)

BW enjoying a little swing time (it is really tricky to take a picture of a child swinging)

Bug is quite a climber!

On Sunday, the whole gang stayed together and hit up our local science museum. It was great fun for both the kids and adults. Of course it was nice to have 5 adults to 3 children. We spent time running around after them and having a little fun for ourselves!

The bubble exhibit was quite a hit!

I don't know what this is called. When I was little, I had a miniature version. It is basically a wall covered with little pegs that you push to one side and can then put your hand, an object, or in this case, your entire body into the pegs to create the shape. I think this one is supposed to be the Heisman pose....although it looks like this person is pushing down a small child... that produced quite a laugh!

flying lessons :)

We finally conquered the arch! It's certainly is a lot easier with the help of tall people.

It was great fun and a busy weekend! Unfortunately it rained on the 4th, which slightly changed my plans. I am so grateful the family came for a visit!

Something yummy!

Ok, so right now I should probably be doing some more cleaning for my July 4th cookout...but the cookies, brownies, and dips are made! So I decided to take a little break to share a yummy recipe that I made yesterday. I found it on one of my friend's boards on pintrest. I had some extra cilantro left after making fresh salsa last weekend. I usually use what I can and then toss the rest. But, geez, I hate to do that....enter this recipe... Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette! I didn't get too creative with how to use it because I really wanted to just use what I had on hand. It is amazing to me how much food I have but yet I go to the grocery store for more...

Back to the yummy vinaigrette...

It was super easy to put together! I love the use of a blender to mix things up and chop (less work for me!).

I was extremely excited that I had EVERY ingredient already in my kitchen.

mmmm....garlic is so yummy!

I kind of cheated and didn't chop my cilantro at all...but it was ok! The blender did all the work for me :)

It was delicious!

I marinated chicken tenderloins for a few hours in half of the vinaigrette. The other half was used as dressing for salads. I added the chicken (which I just cooked in a skillet on the stove), tomato, and onions to my salad. MMMMMMMM! So yummy!