2012 Goal:

I like to break-up my big goals into monthly or quarterly goals. They seem more manageable that way. 

My goal for the 1st quarter of 2012 is easy to say, but will be tough on the follow through. 

90 Day Fitness Challenge

In three short months I will turn 30! The BIG 3-0.

In all honesty I am not sure how I feel about turning 30. I know in my mind that I should be proud of all the I have accomplished in my 20s and embrace what is to come in this next decade, but I LOVED my 20s and I don't want to let them go just yet. 

My only goal between now and March 19th is to workout every day and be proud of the body I have EVERY DAY. Sure I would love to lose 15 pounds and I would love to slip back into my favorite jeans from college. But at the end of the day I just want to feel strong, run fast, and be happy with the way I look in my favorite wrap dress.

I am one week in to my 90 days, meaning there are on 83 left to conquer :)

Sun: 5 mile walk

Mon: 5 mile walk

Tues: 2 mile run

Wed: 2 mile run

Thurs: 5 mile walk

Fri: 2 mile run

Sat: kettlebell arms

I have never been one to track my measurements, but I thought I would give it a shot this month and compare it to what I might be in 30 days. 

Chest: 36.5

Bust: 42.25

Waist: 39

Hips: 42.25

Thigh: 24

Arm: 15

It really is...

 THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

I really love Christmas and all the build-up that leads to the magical day marked December 25th. But what I really love is the days following Christmas. As a teacher I get the week after Christmas off and that allows me time to slow way down and enjoy my family. 

As you know, my mom and Todd visited us this year and we spent the days after Christmas sightseeing, riding the red train, eating copious amounts of dessert, laughing around my grandparents dining room table, and catching up. We weren't on a time schedule. We weren't running to in every direction. We weren't rushed.

I spend at least 340 days a year on the run, making lists, planning the next big thing. It has been absolutely wonderful to spend the last four days just embracing the moment and going with the flow. 

I know 2012 is right around the corner and with it comes new beginnings, new goals, and new lists. But tonight it is still 2011 and I am going to sign off, enjoy my one pot dinner, slowly sip my glass of wine, and snuggle with Mr. R. on the couch as our Christmas lights twinkle for one final night.

*Today's photos were taken this afternoon at my grandparents house. Piper has learned how to stop, roll, and catch a ball. 

December Daily: 27

'staching through the snow!

Warm winter wishes from sunny St. Augustine

This is what happens when you have a little bit too much felt and a small obsession with mustaches.

Thanks Rachel for the idea :)

December Daily: 26

St. Augustine Nights of Lights & the Red Train Tour

 It is my family tradition to see the lights as we ride the red train and sing Christmas carols. I have been riding the red train at Christmas since I was 15. 

This year was a bit more exciting because #1 we have Pip and #2 National Geographic voted our home town as one of the top 10 places for the BEST Christmas lights in the whole world! Talk about some serious bragging rights.

 It was as beautiful as ever and I think the best part was watching Piper take in all two million lights. 

 Two little girls sat in front of us and they were on a mission to find the one red light in all 2 million. They did and now I can say I found it too. In case you are wondering, its located on the plaza de constitution.

 

mmm mmm good

It's cool and rainy today. The perfect day for a big bowl of tomato soup. I saw recipe on pinterest that I have been wanting to try. Tomato basil bisque with grilled cheese croutons! Mr. R. is a big grilled cheese fan so I knew he would be on board. As you can see from my empty bowl it was SO GOOD!

 Our grilled cheese included: gluten-free bread, pepperoni, and garlic & herb cheddar cheese.

Domestication suits me.

 I spent this morning performing my motherly and wifely duties. On a normal week I am only domesticated on Saturdays. On Saturdays as a household, we clean, grocery shop, run a million errands, and cook for the week. Since I am off this week I took advantage of an early morning grocery expedition and spent a few hours steaming, blending, and freezing baby food in the kitchen. 

Piper is now on stage two foods and is a big fan of fruit and veggie combinations. We also started oatmeal last month and she loves oats with apples, bananas, and raisins.

I was in a food rut and lacking creativity so I visited the baby food aisle for some inspiration. I love looking at all the different varieties and stealing their flavor combinations. 

A few of Piper's favorites include:

Pumpkin & Blackbeans

Spinach & mango

Mango, Banana, and apple

Pear, apple, and broccoli

Oatmeal, banana, and prunes

Oatmeal, apple, and pear

Pumpkin, banana, & cranberry

Carrotts & pears

Sweet potato, pumpkin, and apple

Apples & banana

butternut squash, apples, carrots, and prunes

I am a huge fan of our baby bullet and having used it for the last three months I can say we could not survive without it.

I steam most of the fruits and veggies (minus the mango, banana, strawberries, and prunes), make the combinations in bowls, drop them into the bullet, and blend away.

After I freeze the combos in the bullet tray or ice cube trays. I usually leave them in the trays overnight and then pop them out and place them in freezer bags. This amount should keep Pippa full for a little over two weeks. 

12 dates of Christmas

Each year I give Mr. R. 12 dates for Christmas. 

I plan the date activity, choose the day we will take the date, make reservations if needed, and give Mr. R. little clues as to when and where we are going. 

(This will be our 4th year of the Date of the Month Club!)

We had a blast in 2009 (we were new to St. Augustine and I planned dates to help us get to know our new home and the surrounding counties.) In 2010, we were saving to go to London so our dates were planned on a budget. (We had in home movie dates, star gazing, indoor camping, and attended free festivals and concerts downtown). 2011 threw us for a loop, pregnancy did not agree with me and once Miss Pip arrived we didn't want to leave her. (To be honest, I have a hard time getting a sitter at night to this day). So we only completed 3 of our 12 planned dates.

2012 is the year we turn 30! It's the year our daughter will turn one! It's the year we celebrate ten years together! And I am determined to carve out one night/day each month to spend time with Mr. R. just the two of us. 

12 dates in 2012!

Here is the rundown.

Dec: Sherlock 2 & a coupl'a pints at Meehan's Pub

January: Mini Golf

February: Mellow Mushroom Date (Anderson, SC) 

March: Jacksonville Zoo with Pip

April: Kayaking & Picnic Lunch (at the state park)

May: Picnic Lunch (with offerings found at the Farmer's Market) at the Fort

June: Stand Up Paddle-boarding Lesson (@ Salt Run)

July: Ice Cream Date & Side Walk Chalk

Aug: Sushi & Saki Date

Sept: Food Tour 

(Mr. R. and I keep talking about trying all of these new places popping up around town. For this date we will pick three and choose an appetizer off of each menu and split it).

Oct: pumpkin carving/CornMaze with Pip

Nov: Coffee and magazine picnic at the fort. 

(We'll pick up coffee and something sweet at the Bunnery and then walk to the fort for an afternoon of reading and chasing Piper).

December Daily: 25!

People are partying, songs are being sung, Sugerplums are dancing, all in holiday fun. Presents are under the tree, reindeer fly high above, peace on earth, goodwill to all, sending YOU joy and love!

Make your own free digital slideshow

December Daily: Twenty Four

 And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Miss Pip is fast asleep and Mr. R. and I are enjoying cups of peppermint tea. Our Christmas tree lights are the only ones on in the living room. And I am taking a moment to bask in quiet merriment. 

Christmas is a busy season full of shopping, wrapping, socializing, visiting, caroling, eating, traveling.... that I sometimes lose myself in the celebrations and picture taking. 

Tonight we attended Christmas eve service and the message take home points were that the Christmas story is an intervention to save me from a sinful world, a redemption story of grace that I cannot earn but am given, and an adoption story that makes me a daughter of the king. 

As I gaze as the wrapped presents, our beautiful tree, my handsome husband, and the sweet face of my sleeping daughter, I must remember who made this wonderful life I have possible.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that all who believe in him will not perish, but have ever lasting life. 

December Daily: Twenty Three

Here we come a'caroling...

My mom started a neighborhood tradition of caroling. For eleven years my family and our three neighbors have delivered cookies, cards, and sung two Christmas carols to the 20 plus houses on her block. I have caroled with the neighbors three times and Mr. R. even joined in for Christmases 2003 and 2004. 

I have been wanting to continue the tradition down here, but never followed through. We always felt there were a few things holding us back. 

1. We can't sing.

2. I don't bake.

3. We weren't sure how our neighbors would react.

Tonight Mr. R. and I realized we had a free night and we decided to face our fears. 

1. We decided to sing just one carol. We wish you a Merry Christmas. 

2. We gave out hot cocoa. With help from the dollar store mugs and coupons on hot chocolate.

3. We brought Piper and pups, hoping their cuteness would win everyone over.

  The verdict: THEY LOVED US! 

This is totally becoming a tradition, so fun, so worth it. 

So many smiles!