Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy. -A

Beach Running

I happened to be in Myrtle Beach this past weekend attending a conference.  It is also two weeks away from a half marathon, so it was definitely not the best time to be slacking with training.  I am so thankful that both afternoons we had some free time.  I took advantage of that and went for a run both days.  They weren't extremely long runs, but I could tell for sure that I was getting a workout running on the sand.  I was pretty sore the next day.  Although I did, and do, count them as training runs it was a very nice mental break as well.  Beautiful and refreshing. -A

Good Evening Pizza

Today at work was especially frustrating.  I will spare you the details, but it was just one of those days.  I spent the last half of the day in a lab across town.  Thankfully P reminded me that it was right around the corner from Little Italy :)  Even though I had to drudge through the rest of the day, I did it with a smile on my face because I knew what I was going to take home for dinner.  I ordered my pizza then checked my messages on the bench outside.  That moment (and eating half of the pizza) really made my day much better.  Of course, I should have thought about eating half the pizza before running 5 miles but it still was not as much of a struggle as the first part of the work day. -A

Monday Flowers

Earlier this week my husband surprised me with flowers.  I love getting flowers and especially on a Monday.  They still look beautiful today and make me smile every time I look at them.  - P

First Snow

Today marks the first snow of the season which seems so soon after the first frost.  It is a bit early but since we expect it to be in the 60's Sunday, it really didn’t bother me.  It should be easy to remember the first snow as it is 11/11/11 and Veteran’s Day today. - P

Pate a choux

On Saturday my husband made me Pate a choux or puffs drizzled with chocolate.   He used the recipe from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking.  Although I am usually the baker around the house, I am tempted to relinquish that role if I can have these every weekend.  Instead of taking the time to make my own coffee or espresso I had a Starbucks Vanilla Latte with them.  I have to admit the Latte tasted so much better. I love little treats like this to make me truly appreciate the weekend and how having a little extra time can produce such pleasures.  - P

Afternoon at the Vineyard

As far as wineries go I have enjoyed my visits to all of them.  Whether they have been located in France, California, Canada, New York, or Ohio the experience has always been an enjoyable one.    The wine is better at some of them, but the experience of relaxing with friends and family or just the two of us is as equally fun.  Over the weekend we went to an Ohio winery that seems to always be a very nice experience.  The wine is good and the atmosphere is similar to a small winery in the French countryside. Really!  I think going there at any time of year is nice but going in the fall is just perfect.  I couldn't get a clear picture of the beautiful fireplace and pizza oven since there were quite a few people blocking it but the rest of the photos should give you a good idea of just how inviting it can be.  - P

Aioli!

Tonight's dinner was inspired by yesterday's dictionary.com word of the day: aioli.  I have been craving roasted vegetables and aioli ever since.  I threw in some fresh parsley for extra flavor.  Yummy. -A