If every Sunday could be as nice as today, then Sunday would pull rank on Friday and become my favorite day of the week.  

Shane must have heard me tossing and turning and struggling trying to get back to sleep at 5:30 this morning.  He began the morning “ WHIIINNNE!  Who could sleep with that kind of music in the back ground?  That’s not really a question but in case you ARE wondering, Ted could.

Shane and I were out the door by 6 am.   I walked him to the soccer field off South Park Drive and we played a little Frisbee while walking around the field.  It was nice because the snow was hard so we were able to walk on top of it and not fall through.   

When we got home, Ted was up and about and had the cross country gear ready.  He actually waxed our skis!  Oh happy skis!  They haven’t had that kind of attention in over 10 years!  Skis, Shane, Ted, Joanne, all piled into the car to Hamilton College for some cross country skiing. 

It was a nice sunny 30 degrees. 

The trail was horrible. It was icy and hard and with our waxed skis, it was FAST!

In case you’re wondering why there is never a photo of me on my behind while skiing, it’s simply because I control the camera.

As you can see by the obvious tongue hanging, it was hard work out there on the trails today.  I bruised my shoulder and Ted picked up a few aches here an there as well.

That guy staring at you is the only one who made it home bruise and pain free.  Shane loves cross country skiing.

After all that work, we decided to stop at our favorite breakfast nook, Creekside Cafe in Washington Mills.   There menu covers every fit of fancy imaginable. 

First things first.  COFFEE!

Keep it coming!  I was having a major melt down because it was 8:40 by this time and I needed JAVA!

Both Ted and I had Giambrottes.  His was “Sam’s Special” which had sausage and potatoes with greens, sweet peppers, tomatoes with dry wheat toast.  Mine was the Veggie Giambrotte with spinach, greens, hot peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and feta with dry rye toast.

Great breakfast.

We made a quick stop at the grocery store for some things left off the cart from yesterday. That happens when Joanne misses shopping day and Ted fills in.  I did try to make a list but didn’t do a very good job of it. 

Once home, Shane hit the rug for a doggy nap. Ted packed up the trash to take to the disposal.  Joanne made Vegan Friendly Blue Cornmeal Whole Wheat Spice Muffins.  That recipe will be posted tomorrow.  By 2:15 pm, we had to get ready to go celebrate with the birthday girl!

Nancy, Happy Birthday!  

Nancy and Bob spent two days in Saratoga, NY in celebration of Nancy’s special birthday.  While they were there, a very odd thing happened.   Shane got in Nancy’s head and look what she brought back for him

BELLY RUBS!  Shane’s favorite!   These little cookies are adorable.  They are made with all organic ingredients and the flavor is “Pumpkin Ginger Spice”.  I think I might swipe one while Shane has his back turned and dunk it in my coffee.

Check out the name of the store the cookies came from:

What a perfect name!

Cheers to Nancy!  Cheers to cross country skiing with husband and dog! Cheers to truly delicious breakfasts!  Cheers to spending a wonderful Sunday with best friends while celebrating the best of friends birthday!  It’s Sundays like this that make every other day look weak.  Oh look at that!  Isn’t there an English term for that?  Weak…Week…?????

We give to the National Wildlife Federation.  In response to our donation, the Federation sends little gifts to remind us of our obligation to protect nature

Rick is such a cutie.  It was tough keeping Shane away from him. 

Some tips to protect wildlife so we can enjoy it for years to come.

1. Grow Native Plants – plants found in your area.  Trees, shrubs, etc that offer food for nature (pollen, nuts, berries, etc.)
2. Provide Water for Wildlife – a small pond, birdbath or shallow dish.
3. Create Protective Cover – a meadow, a prairie, dense shrubs, and evergreens.  Hollow logs and rock piles also allow creatures of nature to find refuge.
4. Build birdhouses – create safe areas for nesting wildlife.

Speaking of nature…the three of us were one with nature this frosty cold February morning as we went on a cross country skiing adventure to Seven Oaks Golf Course in Hamilton, NY.

Skiing wasn’t the best since there wasn’t a lot of snow. 

Shane had a blast running free with his toy in his mouth.  There was no way we were going to try to keep him on the leash and ski.  I started out that way and went a whole lot faster than I cared to before finding my rhythm.  Shane was on his own!

I fell twice. Ted maintain his vertical position throughout our 2.2 mile adventure. 

Both of us were suffering from pretty frosty fingertips.  Since Ted had gloves on and I had mittens, he was the one who got to use the Grabber Hand Warmers.  He said they really helped.

The ingredients in these things is interesting:  Iron, water, cellulose, activated carbon and salt.

“Commercially available disposable warmers rely on a chemical reaction involving iron powder, water, salt, activated charcoal and vermiculite……The iron in the mixture is exposed to air when the packaging is opened. The iron oxidizes with salt as a catalyst. Carbon helps disperse the heat, while the vermiculite helps act as an insulator to control the rate of the reaction. Once the iron converts to iron oxide (similar to rusting), the reaction ceases.”

That was our exercise for the day and a good easy workout after a hard run yesterday.  Now it’s onto making and baking and cooking and cleaning and….SUPER BOWL fun!  Yahoo!

Who are you rootin’ for?

The workout plan for the coming week:

Monday:  30 minute T/M run + 30 min. weights (chest/bi’s) + 30 – 40 min walk with Shane

Tuesday: 40 minute Cross train + 25 min. weights (legs) + 50 min. walk with Shane

Wednesday:  60 minute run (haven’t decided whether to go outside or T/M yet).  + 20 min. shoulder workout and 30 min. walk with Shane (not if we go out side for a 60 min. run)

Thursday:  30 minute cross train + 30 min. weights (back/tris) + 3 plus mile run.

Friday:  50 – 60 min. walk

Saturday:  10 mile run

Sunday: OPEN

Do you have your workout all planned out?