2013 River Bank Run

We just got home after a weekend in Grand Rapids for the River Bank Run. I ran the 10k this year and had so much fun. I have to say, I complain about the training and often don't feel like doing it, but when it comes to being a part of the event it's pretty amazing.

The crowd gave me bursts of adrenaline along the way and I felt great the whole run! I ran it in 1:01:59. I would love to run it in under an hour, but I am happy with this time because I felt so good during the race. I sprinted across the finish line...my favorite part. Can't wait to see the official race photos.

Gil and Laila both came downtown to cheer me on. Laila got lots of attention and pets. 

We also got to spend some time with friends and family while we were in town. Busy weekend!

Everything is in full bloom right now and it is making me so happy. Summer is just around the corner...

And finally...Happy Mother's Day to my amazing mom, Mary Jo. I love you!!!

Cooking Inspiration

Lately I have been feeling a little bored in the kitchen. I feel like I make a lot of the same dinners over and over. I've been searching around Pinterest lately for some new recipes. But I think I need to invest in a good cook book!

I whipped up a batch of the Pioneer Woman's salsa this week. I stopped using the cans of Rotel that it calls for (really high in sodium and I don't think the cans are BPA free). Instead of use Muir Glen organic tomatoes. This week I used the fire roasted variety and added some jalapeño. I also used red onion instead of white. Yum!

I made veggie "slaw" as a side this week. The idea came from the Proud Italian Cook. I used zucchini, carrot, red bell pepper, lots of basil, and shredded parmesan. For the "dressing", I just added a little olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. 

For dinner one night, we had BBQ quinoa salad. I have to say, this was only the second time I've ever made quinoa. I'm not sure why because it's super easy to make and adds a protein to the meal. This salad had cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, chopped red onion, and quinoa over greens. I added BBQ sauce for a dressing. 

Classic tomato, basil, and mozz here. One of my favorite food combos! I added this to some penne pasta. I also added a can of drained canned tomatoes. I added the canned tomatoes in with the pasta, so it would be hot. I added the tomato, basil, and mozz later. I was a big fan, Gil was not so much. He really hates when I make pasta (which is not often). I think he only likes it when his parents make it at home...they are the experts on sauce and pasta!

I tried to make root chips yesterday. I was pretty excited about this at first, but they ended up being a huge pain. The recipe called for them to be in the oven for an hour and a half, turning them every 20 minutes or so. It was probably closer to two hours and I ended up turning the heat up because they just weren't getting done. In the end, some were burnt, while some were still way too raw. Next time, I'll prob just try one kind of veggie at a time. 

Anyways, I like cooking but need some new things to try out. My favorite kinds of recipes are those that aren't too fancy-shmancy and don't use 1,000 ingredients. I also need pictures! Does anyone have any suggestions for good {preferably vegetarian} cook books? Thanks!

A Quick Trip to Quebec...

Or not! Try 12 hours in the car! We headed to Mont Tremblant for some spring break skiing. It was a super long car ride, but well worth it once we got there! We road-tripped with our good friends Jon and Tina. Let me tell you, 12 hours in a car is the true friendship test and those two totally pass every time!

Gil found a condo on an app called Airbnb and it ended up being the perfect place. Close to the mountain, cute, and way cheaper than staying in a hotel.

The mountain was beautiful and the views were amazing. The first day of skiing was a little rough for me because I was breaking in a new pair of ski boots and as I said many times that day, my feet felt like they were in a silent prison. I had to stop a couple of hours early while everyone else kept skiing. However, day 2 and 3 of skiing were much more comfortable and so much fun.

Sunday and Monday were better skiing days because it was less crowded than Saturday, too. There was a Red Bull competition going on so it was a little crazy busy the first day. Skiing was so much more fun when it was less crowded (haha, Tina).

Monday was the best ski day because the temperature had dropped, which made the snow way more ski-able. It practically felt like we had the mountain to ourselves this day and we had considered not skiing that day. Glad we decided to go out!

On the way home, we took the scenic route and drove by the 1000 islands , which was pretty cool. As you can imagine, it was a bunch of islands. It was interesting to see houses built on them. I can't really imagine living on an actual tiny island.

We also took a quick ferry trip across to Ottawa, which was kinda fun. In typical Sue fashion, I had an awkward moment when I put the car window down to pay, realized we didn't need to pay yet, awkwardly said "Hi!" to the attendant, and then put my window back up. Strange looks ensued from said attendant. 

We got home on Tuesday night and picked Laila up from daycare on Wednesday. She has done nothing but sleep deeply for several days now. My favorite. 

And after some very cold temps in Canada, I am happy to say that it is finally starting to seem like spring around Michigan. 

I have aqua shoes to prove it!

Now hurry up warm weather!

Things I'm Looking Forward To...

* Warm weather
* Starting my garden
* Spring break
* Riverbank Run
* Summer Vacation
The end.

Spring Break Lovin'...

I feel like we just got done with mid-winter break and I'm already looking forward to spring break! I have a feeling that the rest of the school year will fly by after spring break is over.

So, spring break. I think we will be heading here...

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Canada ski vacation...here we come!

Pleasant Surprise!

It's another snow day! I did not think this was going to happen. Yesterday during dismissal at school, it was pouring rain. By the time I left, it had turned to a slippery sleet. I headed to the library and by the time I got home, the snow was starting to come down hard. I woke up around 3 am to let Laila outside and the snow had stopped. I was pretty bummed and got mentally prepared to be at school today.

But alas, school was called off and I am one happy girl! Yesterday when I prayed for a snow day (haha true story), I promised that I would work on school things all day if we got a snow day. So now I feel I should keep that promise and get some school things done from home. Mostly my math block has been driving me crazy, so I'm going to try to think of some ways to improve it. I also agreed to teach morning school 3 mornings a week, starting next week, which I should probably get prepared for.


Other than that, I will be running...the Riverbank Run training schedule has officially begun! I'm going to run the 10k in May.

Here are a few instagram pictures from the weekend and Monday:

Laila got groomed 

Veggie enchiladas for dinner this week

New chair pockets from Donors Choose!

Have a great week everyone!

From 80 to 20...

I am currently enjoying the last day of my week long mid-winter break from school right now. I went to Florida with a couple of friends for a few days and let's just say the adjustment back to Michigan weather has not been easy.

We did not have great weather for the first couple of days in Fort Myers. As Gil likes to point out, it was 50 there and it was 50 here at the same time. But here's the difference between Michigan and Florida, after a couple of 50 degree days there, it then became 82. Florida win.

The weather turned nice just in time to make it very hard to want to return home. We got a perfect beach day and half a pool day in before flying back to the arctic tundra.

If it was not mid-winter break, I think we would've had a snow day today. I was planning to drop Laila off to get groomed and then go into school for a couple of hours to get some things done. But the roads were not great, so I ended up coming back home. I just shoveled the sidewalk and it was almost covered again by the time I was done. On Michigan's behalf, I do have to say it would be hard to live somewhere like Florida without the possibility of snow days. They really are the best unexpected surprises.

Since I'm snowed in today, I guess I will tackle my suitcase, which has been sitting untouched since I got home on Wednesday. I will think fondly of palm trees and sunshine while I get some major laundry and house cleaning done.