I can taste it!

Many of you who religiously follow me on Facebook might have noticed that I have been bragging about my running lately.  I've never been a runner.  I haven't had a lot of running experience, with the exception of my high-school track career (if you could call it that). But I am bound and determined to make myself one.  I've been pretty successful so far and have been very proud of myself.  I run 4-5 days each week, ending with a long run each Saturday.  Saturday I did a beefy 9 miles! My longest ever...since last Saturday's run of 7.5...which was also my longest ever.  I get to say that every Saturday which really helps my self-esteem get a boost.

In only 54 days I will be doing a half of one of these:

May 14, 2011, baby!

While my 9 miler was definelty a challenge (especially since it was done on the treamill because of the stupid snow), it made me realize how close I am to my distance goal.  13.1 is only 4.1 more than what I did (for those math challenged).  When I was in the car driving home from the gym, I almost wanted to go back in and do 4 more.  ALMOST.  I'm so close, I can taste it!  All thanks to my amazing running hubby for helping me with my training and encouraging me.  He tells me he's proud of me and I LIKE IT! :) I can't wait until race day!  And I can't wait to keep going after that too.  Hopefully my shins, ankles, calves and feet agree.  They haven't been as thrilled with my accomplishments as I have.  Here I come, Boise!! Get those potatoes ready.  I'll be hungry.

That's Amore!!

Holy, cannoli, am I a lucky lady.  My hubby made us dinner tonight - delicious HOMEMADE three cheese/spinach/herb ravioli. 

I only made the filling, he did the rest! They were SO fun to make...er...watch HIM make. :)

Step 1: homemade pasta dough

Steps 2 and 3: 1st sheet on Ravioli press, then fill with yummy ricotta/mozzarella/parmesan/spinach and herb filling

Steps 4 and 5: 2nd sheet of pasta on top, press with rolling pin to cut

Step 6:  pop 'em out!  Aren't they so cute????  Perfect little soft Italian cheesey pockets.  BETTER than a restaurant! :)

The entire batch.  48 amazing homemade all-natural little pillows of perfection.

It took about an hour from ingredients to table.  I didn't get any pics of the final served product, since they were completely scarfed in about 10 minutes!  YUMMMMY!

That's love, people.  He's not JUST for eye-candy, folks! ;)

Noteworthy

Tonight, every single one of my children ate every single bite of their dinner WITHOUT being asked, prodded, spoon-fed, reminded, yelled at, evil-eyed, or threatened.  I made this and the kids scarfed it up.  Every other time I've made it they eat it eventually, but never like this.  Astonishing.  Brian suggested I make a note of it since it probably won't happen again anytime soon.  I was so happy to not have to work so hard during dinner that I gave them all a cookie.  I like dinners that end with a cookie.

Matchy matchy and a side note

On Sunday, Sloan & I coordinated our outfits.

So, I know that's totally nerdy, but still cute, right?

What you didn't see in the picture was the icing on the cake of the matchy matchy-ness:

THESE!!  A new member of my closet.  I LOOOOOVVVVVEEE them!  And they make a perfect addition to my colorful shoe collection.  I was missing a fuschia/purple/pinky dress shoe.

In all honesty, I had my outfit all picked out first, including the blue necklace & purple shoes.  Then when I was getting her ready, Sloan asked for her purple & blue sweater, so it was kind of a coincidence (with the exception of the identical flowers for our hair...that was a joint effort).

Thanks Kimball for taking such a great picture of us girls.

And a totally unrelated super-honest TMI side note:

Since I turned 30 I have had way more facial "blemishes" than I ever had when I was a teenager.  What is the deal??????  I had super clear skin as a teen even without the use of any special facial products.  Just naturally beautiful with simple soap & water. ;)  But in the last 6 months, I find myself using Stridex wipes, facial cleansers, and low-oil face cream.  Are my hormones freaking out or something?  Am I hitting puberty a "tad" late?  Has anyone else experienced this weird phenomenon?  I wish my body would remember that I'm THIRTY.  Or if my body has decided to bring back some of the plagues of teenagedom, I wish it would include the body & energy I had then too. :)

Sloan flips out

Sloan in her mommy & me (but really she can do it by herself) gymnastics class: