Anniversary Weekend pt. 1

I'm just gonna warn you now, there's a LOT of pictures in this post. Like a hella lot.

Kev and I celebrated our 10th anniversary on August 27th, (I can't believe it's been 10 years!) and we were trying to think of where to go to celebrate. We thought about the beach, but I don't do well just sitting somewhere for 3 days. I need to move around. I can do one full day at the beach and maybe another half, but I just don't care about the water. There, I said it. I don't care about the beach. Then we thought about Canada, but the flights were really expensive. I kept mentioning Williamsburg VA, but then I realized I'd just been listening to a lot of Hamilton and I wanted to see something historical. When we thought about what we wanted to do, a trip to Washington DC met all of our criteria! Endless stuff to look at, founding fathers, food and booze. Win!

I left Raleigh and flew into Reagan International where Kevin picked me up. It was odd, I've never had trouble finding where my baggage was being off-loaded but I wandered around for a while looking for it. Finally, I saw my bag off to the side, not on the conveyor belt, like it had been sitting there for hours. I landed, maybe 15 minutes prior. It was all very odd.

Anyways, Kev found me and we headed to our first hotel. Before he decided to go up before me and visit his family, we'd planned on driving up Friday and staying halfway, now we were in DC for an extra day and our "special" hotel was booked Saturday - Monday. We stayed at a Kimpton hotel, which is always fun and quirky and they allow pets, so there are dogs everywhere. We stayed in one in Pittsburgh last time and there was a giant dog bed in the room.

I was pretty hungry and we decided on sushi for dinner. I stink, and I don't remember the name of the place, but it was fancy AF sushi. I love me some bogo or discounted rolls, and this was not that, but it was some of the freshest and most delicious sushi I'd ever eaten.

I started with a saki-tini which was pineapple flavored and yum

I went with the an assortment platter and Kev got a similar one. It was plenty of food for me, but Kev though that he'd need to spend $100 before getting full. After we left, we went to Georgetown and stopped at Good Stuff Eatery where Kev got a burger and some fries. It was a progressive dinner. 

Across the street was Georgetown Cupcake which got mixed reviews from my Facebook friends. A lot of people said it wasn't worth the hype. The were good but not really line out the door around the block good. 

The were pretty

I had the butterscotch waffle cone cupcake and it was gooooood. 

The next morning I woke up ready for a day of sight seeing. Even though we said we weren't exchanging presents, Kev had a surprise waiting for me.

He'd gotten me a super cute bracelet. I actually wore it that day while walking around and it tarnished. This is not my first piece of Tiffany silver and it should not tarnish, especially in one day. We brought it back on the way home and they really concerned about it and I wasn't confident that it wouldn't happen again, when I was miles away from a Tiffany Store, so I opted to return it. (I ended up with a David Yurman bracelet instead). Tiffany fail. I have pieces for 10+ years without any tarnish. 

Anyways, on to the sightseeing!

Andrew Jackson on a horse!

The White House!

We tried to get tickets to the White House tour, which you need to request in advance and get a letter from your Congressman (I kid you not). We were denied because "there are too many kids having tours and they're more important". (I'm paraphrasing) Damn future leaders of the country wanting to see the White House. 

More White House

Everyone give it up for America's favorite fighting Frenchmen! #Lafayette

If you want to go on the tour of the Treasury, you have to request that in advance too. Which we didn't. Instead, I have to take a far away shot of the Hamilton statue.

He's there.

For the day we decided to get tickets for the hop on hop off tour buses and go see the major monuments, I'd never been to any of them before. 

The Capitol

Washington Monument was up first. Unfortunately the elevator was broken and you couldn't go up to the top.

The view to the Lincoln Memorial was AMAZING

The Jefferson Memorial from the bus.

Coming up the stairs.

Sometimes it makes me wonder why I even bring the thunder. #Jefferson

Oh, hey, look at that. Founding Fathers say that you can come to this country and not be persecuted for their religious beliefs. Huh, it's still timely today, isn't it. 

Gorgeous view

Peace out Jefferson

A tour of all things Hamilton, but not actually seeing Hamilton wouldn't be complete without a little Arron Burr. But just a little Burr.

Yea, Hamilton just kept talking trash about Burr for years until he finally challenged him.

After we got our fill of Jefferson, it was back on the bus and over to the Lincoln Memorial

The outside

The view from the other side was pretty sweet too.

What Up Abe?

We still had some time, so we stopped at the Archives and saw the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Deceleration of Independence. You can't take pictures inside the archives, but it was pretty awesome to be able to see the documents in person.

Finally we got back to the hotel. We'd moved from the Kimpton to ... The Jefferson. Yep! A historical hotel full of nothing but Jefferson. The place was amazing and the service impeccable. When we got back from sightseeing, this was waiting for us.

They gave us non-chocolate strawberries because of my soy allergy. 

I took a nap and then it was time to get ready for our anniversary dinner. We had reservations at the Prime Rib which is a pretty schmancy, jacket-required restaurant. When I tell you it was full of nothing but old mobsters, I'm not exaggerating, and I'm known to exaggerate. I LOVE OLD MOBSTERS. Like, so much. It was perfect. 

The cocktail napkin

We sat at the bar for a bit and had a drink and listened to the live music, which was a pianist and a bass player, both old and awesome. The bartender (who you could tell had heard some stories in his day) made me what might be the strongest cosmo of my life. And he made extra in the shaker. When I was halfway through he topped me off. Soon the table was ready and I stumbled to the table.

Soon came cosmo #2 which was rimmed in crushed ice. 

Pretty

We were eating at the Prime Rib. We had Prime Rib. Kev had some sort of potato and I wanted corn, because I hadn't had corn in a while. I remember it being really good. Then I think we shared a piece of cheesecake. I'll be honest, I was pretty tipsy at that point. 

We soon made it back to the hotel. I think we took and Uber, it was a long day and everything was kind of a blur at the end. 

That was our official anniversary! It was a pretty awesome day and a great way to celebrate 10 years of marriage!

Linking up with Amanda - Meet @ the Barre! AND

Weekly Weigh-ins #18 and #19

Hi all! I hope you had a lovely Labor Day weekend! I don't know about you, but Labor Day is the official start of Fall for me. I know that it's going to be 90 degrees next week but I'M STILL TRANSITIONING TO FALL. DAMN YOU WEATHER.

On to the weight loss thing. For week #18 I weighed in a day early because I was flying to DC to meet Kev for our anniversary weekend. I was expecting a big loss and it delivered!

YASSSS -4.4! I knew I had a big one in there!

I really didn't do anything differently. I knew that I'd been putting in the work and not seeing results, but that it would show up eventually and it did! I also knew that I didn't really deserve the +.8 gain I'd had the week before. I'd been weighing myself at home so I knew it was coming, but I loved seeing it on the JC scale and the shock on my consultant's face!

After eating my way though DC and only eating JC the last 3 days? I'll take a +.2.

Workouts

Week #18

Saturday - Body Pump

Sunday - Body Flow no run

Monday - Combat

Tuesday - CAB meeting at NCSU

Wednesday - Combat

Thursday -  Hair and Nails

Friday - DC!

Week #19

Saturday - Walked 15,358 steps

Sunday - Walked 16,898 steps

Monday - Walked 19,951 steps

Tuesday - Drive home

Wednesday - Combat

Thursday - Body Pump

Friday - Nope

Leading up to my week 18 weigh-in, I was pretty much on point. Kev was out of town, so I ate my JC food and went to the gym. In DC I knew that I wasn't going to go to the hotel gym or anything like that, and I was hopeful the steps I walked throughout the day would make up for all the delicious food I was eating. 

Notice that there was 0 running the last 2 weeks. Le Sigh. I kinda forgot to run. Even though running every week is one of my August goals and I have a 5k coming up on the 10th. That's the 5k that's usually full of sadness after not running all summer. Thankfully I'm in a much better place running wise this year than last. I also discovered that while yes, I definitely lost some running fitness, a lot of it was from getting fat again. You'd be surprised how much quicker you get when you aren't hauling an extra 25 pounds around. 

What I'm eating this week

I've got 2 posts coming about all the food I ate in DC. Such food... Instead last week was a happy day because Jenny Craig released some new food! Sadly my beloved egg burrito seems to have left for a while. If I'd have known that, I would have stocked up. Now I'm burrito-less. 

But they did come though with a new Chicken Street Taco! OH HAPPY DAY! I LOVE TACOS.

The tacos are double wrapped, so you get 4 total corn tortillas, there's plenty of chicken mix in there and you can easily add more veggies, some salsa and make it into 4 tacos. So much food and they're really flipping good. And I love tacos. 

I get at least 2 packs each week. Hmmm.., I could probably make some kick-ass nachos too.

 Picture

Week 18

Week 19

This was my "tribute to Hamilton because I can't get tickets in NYC" shirt/trip. My shirt says "I am Inimitable I am an Original." if you get that reference, we can be besties.

Week 19 gets a hotel room selfie because I thought I looked smaller in my jorts and t-shirt. I realized on this trip that I have next to no decent summer clothes, just a bunch of t-shirts and maybe 2 pairs of shorts. 1. I didn't want to buy larger sizes that I wouldn't need next summer and 2. I don't really need to have more than 2 weekend outfits. Yea, I have dress up dinner clothes, but on the weekend, I'm generally in exercise clothes and after work, I'm in exercise clothes. Maybe I'll think about it for next year. In the mean time, I'm ready to transition to all things fall!!

Goals

Ummm... I met 0 of these goals. I lost 5.4 pounds, thanks to my massive -4.4 which saved me at the last minute. Then I forgot to run the last 2 weeks of the month. In my defense, the last goal was based off the Apple Watch and at that time my Active Calorie Goal was set at 590 calories per day, which I can't achieve if I don't go to the gym. After all day at work, even if  I walk the dog and run errands, I can't get there. As everything evened out over the last month, I adjusted the goal to 530 calories per day and sometimes I can get there if I don't make it to the gym. Generally I'll hit it 5 days a week, which isn't terrible. I can't physically go to the gym every day, and hitting that goal 90% of the time just isn't happening. 

What about September??

I'm going to keep my goals pretty much the same. I'd be thrilled if I lost 6 or more pounds this month. Losing 9 pounds puts me back into 90% of my clothes. Then the fun starts. :) Hopefully I can maintain this momentum and get to 1st goal by the end of the year. 

That's all for me! Here's to another great week!

10 Years in North Carolina - and a Giveaway!

This month marks the 10 year anniversary of Kevin and I moving to North Carolina. First of all, I can't believe it's been TEN YEARS. Omg.

 Ten years ago we were living in Martinsburg WV, we affectionately refer to it as "Satan's armpit". If you're from Martinsburg, sorry not sorry, but we hated it there. I had moved there from Pittsburgh 2 years earlier to manage a Whitehall Jewelers (now defunct) and Kev was a college professor. He'd been at Virginia Tech and as a result of some budget cuts, he had to find a college job last minute and Sheppard College it was.

Somehow in the midst of all that, we manged to meet and bonded over our mutual dislike of the town. Look, I grew up in WV and the northern panhandle is nothing like the eastern. At least the people are nice and not horribly xenophobic. But I digress. We met, fell in love, got engaged and the first chance we could, we got out. Being a musician, it's much more difficult for Kev to find a decent job than it is for me. I mange and train sales people, they're everywhere.

Kev interviewed a bunch of different places and ultimately ended up taking a position as the FT music director at a church in Durham NC. He came down here for the interview, swore I'd love it and we took the leap and moved!

We weren't sure if we'd like it, two Northerners moving to the South? Where are my casinos and diners?? Heck when we got here the state didn't even have lottery! You couldn't buy a scratch off ticket in NC ten years ago. Crazy!

Honestly, it didn't take long for us to become southern converts. We met some amazing people, made great friends and fell in love with the state. I think that all of our friends and family back home need to relocate down here. Come on, when we left WV we left our snow shovel in the old house and haven't bought a new one. (OK, we could, but whatever snow we get melts in a day. No need to shovel when it will be gone the next day.)

In the last 10 years we've lived in 3 different places, soon to be 4, we've adopted 3 cats and one dog, Kev has had one job and me, yeah... more than that, lol. We've had some amazing highs and the lowest of lows in the past 10 years. All in all, we consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have ended up here.

To celebrate 10 years in NC I wanted to share with you all some of my favorite NC-born items.
The lucky winner will receive this awesome NC gift package!

• Print from cr2f  - Carrie might have been one of the first people I met when I moved here 10 years ago, it was at the annual Kappa Delta Alumnae Cook-out. The rest is history! You should totally check out her site too.
  

(the print in the giveaway is teal)

• Onesie from The Green Elephant Co  - Another KD friend, I've known Kaete for several years and she has the cutest line of kids clothes. I might be a little jealous of the outfits she makes for her little girls. So stinking cute.
  

• Jar of Peanut Cocoa nut butter from Big Spoon Roasters - You know there's nothing this gal loves more than a nice nut butter and this one is stupid good. I want you to taste the yum.

• 1lb of flavored coffee from Bean Traders. I'm going to send you one of my favorites. It might be the Sugar Cookie or the Carmelita. I haven't decided yet but it's gonna be good.

• NC themed coffee mug - Fo yo' Been Trader's Coffee. Duh.

• 2 lip balms from Burt's Bees - Did you know that Burt's Bees are made right here in NC?! Yep, and they're one of my favorite lip balms. Speaking as someone who always need to have on some sort of Chapstick, I know lip balms and Burt's Bees is awesome!

• Box of Moravian Cookies - These super thin, crispy cookies are sooooo good! Made in Winston Salem out of love, flour and unicorn smiles, I can't ever buy these, unless I want to eat the entire package.

• Bag of super yummy popcorn from The Mad Popper - I really like all their flavors and there will be an equally delicious bag of tasty corn.

And perhaps a surprise or two!

I'll name a winner on September 10th! It's been a great 10 years, here's to many more!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Linking up with BLoved Boston!AND

Scenes from the Weekend - Choir Brunch Edition

This Sunday was our annual choir brunch. Every year Kev's choir sings their last service of the year until the fall and afterwards they all descend on our house for brunchy goodness. As usual, I was running late this year and didn't plan the menu until Weds last week. Really though, this is the 6th or 7th year I've done this, I've got it down to a science.

Always use the baking spray with flour when the recipe tells you to. If not, you have to run to Target at 7pm and buy some. 

I remembered blogging about the brunch last year, it was one of my first few posts. You can check it out here. Then I thought, shit. I missed my one year blog-a-versary. It was 5/25. Just one short year ago I was bored at work, knowing I was interviewing for a new job and instead of submitting resumes on-line I decided to start another blog. (No really, I swear I worked up until the very last minute I was there.) I have a give away in the works, I'm just gathering the last few items, I should have it up by next Monday.

Alright, on to the weekend. Friday I said goodbye to 2 of my former advisees and wished them well as they went off into the real world. 

The super awesome cr2f designed this print that I gave to my former advisee turned intern on her last day in the office. I thought it was perfect. If I were a betting woman, (which I totally am) I'd expect to see one of her fantastic prints as part of the give away.

Friday after work, I met up with my other former advisee for drinks and dinner, I promised her 3 years ago that I'd take her for drinks when she graduated. She's moving to NYC in a week and I needed to make good on my promise. We went to Jose and Sons where I had 1.5 margaritas that were quite delicious.

Really though, I'm so proud of both of them. It's a little bittersweet to watch them grow up and go off into the real world but I know they'll be crazy successful and have amazing lives. Sniff, Sniff.

I woke up Saturday morning firmly on the struggle bus. It was like I was hung over but I only had a drink and a half. It was a rough morning and I did jack squat until I left for my hair appointment at 1:30. Well, I did watch a few episodes of the X-Files. More on that later.

My roots were out of control.

Then I came home and started prepping for the party, at 4pm. I've never started this late before, never. I was a little nervous. Fine, a lot nervous. The day before I make all the baked goods and prep everything that needs cooked the next day.

Then this happened. When the recipe says to use the special baking spray, you need to use it. If not, you have to go to Target at 7pm and get it, because the mini pecan pie muffins weren't going to happen without them. 

I also needed some Sterno for the chaffing dish which is MUCH harder to find than you'd think. I walked all over Target only to discover they don't sell it. Then, in desperation I went to Wal-Mart, because that's where you go to buy things you set in fire, right? Nope. I asked 3 people and no one knew what Sterno was. I gave up and then I had to pee which made me panic. The thought of having to go into a Wal-Mart bathroom makes me want to shower with hot water and bleach. Thankfully I work out and my squat game is strong. 

I made it home, and finished prepping. We got a new fridge and moved the old one into the garage. It's the best. thing. ever. All my prepping went straight in there and freed up so much space in my fridge. 

Alight, onto what I made. It's sadly similar to what I did last year, and the year before, and the year before.... Kev loves certain things and wants me to make them year after year. So I do. 

Fruit bowl - Watermelon, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries.

Homemade Gourmet Mini Pecan Pie Muffins - Have you heard of Homemade Gourmet? It was a direct sales company that made AMAZING mixes and all you had to do was add the wet ingredients. Similar to Tastefully Simple and actually Tastefully Simple bought them several years ago and HG is no more. I was a rep for the company and LOVED so many of their things. 

Well, the lady who started HG published some e-cookbooks with all of her HG recipes in them. There's actually an affiliate link on the right side of the blog if you want to get one. 

In the Breads cookbook is the recipe for the mini pecan pie muffins which was a HUGE seller. So good and crazy simple to make. Just be sure to use the right baking spray...

Berry Jam Bars - Kev LOVES these and wants them every time I need to make a dessert. 

Auntie Nell's Blueberry Muffin Bread - You can read the story and get the recipe here. It's the best blueberry muffin recipe you'll ever eat. No, really, it is. Try it once and you'll be hooked.

Trader Joe's Assorted Macrons - You can get these in the freezer dessert section at Trader Joe's and they're ah-mazing. I think it's $3.99 for a 12 pack and they taste just like the ones that are $2 apiece at the fancy bakeries.

Mimosas - Enough said. Classy blue solo cups...

Upside Down Apple French Toast - This is Kev's very most favorite breakfast item and it will never leave the menu.

Veggie Egg Bake - I used 20 eggs, shreddy cheese, sauteed onions, broccoli, green and red peppers.

Aunt Neet's Cheesy Hashbown Casserole - A family favorite. It's such a 1960's recipe, full of butter, sour cream, cheese and a can of cream of chicken soup, covered with cornflakes. Eat it and don't think about it. It was annihilated.

Sausage Balls with Dijon Mayo Dip - It's a Paula Dean recipe, sausage, cheese and Bisquick. I don't know how these 3 ingredients make so much delicious.

Cheesy Eggs - Instead of another egg bake, I made 24 scrambled eggs and put them in the crock pot to stay warm. As I write this, I realize that I used a crap-ton of cheese. 5 bags to be exact. I also went though 6 dozen eggs and 3 packages of butter, No shame in my dairy game. 

The party was a huge success and they ate almost everything. I have some cheesy eggs left and a few muffins, but that was it. Not too shabby folks, not to shabby...

I did have to go to the grocery store and get food for the week, we were out of eggs....

Have a great Monday everyone!

Linking up with BLoved Boston!