Catching Up + Thanksgiving Recap

Happy Weekend everyone! I have to say -- I only had to work 2.5 days last week and even though it will be a complete nightmare to go back to work until the wedding I have had the best time off.  I really think that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday -- the food is great and it just seems more low key and less stressful than Christmas.  I came home from work and started baking early and finished a book by the fire.  It was heavenly. 

First -- we started off the holiday with our half-marathon! I have not run the Atlanta Half course in several years and they have changed the course since I ran last time.  We had a really great race but I was battling some cramps and being depleted around mile 11 (mainly because we were speed demons right out of the gate) and The Housewife left me to finish a bit ahead.  With all the hills on this course it made the back half of the race very tough so I was still very happy to finish just under 2 hours and 15 minutes.  We hit some really great splits -- if only I could have held them the last 2 miles. 

I immediately came home and started cooking before a trip to my Dad's.  I tried two new recipes this year -- the chocolate mousse pie above and a butternut squash + kale gratin.  I got both recipes from Martha Stewart Living and they were all a hit.  The gratin was really easy and while the pie had a lot of steps none of them were too difficult. 

Friday I had a lazy day and when Matt got home we went to a local farm here in Alpharetta to pick out our tree.  I loved our small tree last year and wanted to get another small one -- but I wanted to up my game and get a flocked one.  They are definitely expensive but if you get a smaller one its not as hurtful to your bank account.  Also -- if we return the stand ours came in we will get a $30 gift card. If you are in the Atlanta area I highly recommend supporting local for your Christmas tree and nursery needs with a trip to Scottsdale Farm.  

Saturday was my final dress fitting and watching the GA v GA Tech game with the fam.  It's a nice tradition -- but I like it a lot more when the Dawgs don't lose.  Also -- I've been living in this plaid shirt from JCrew -- I am obsessed.  It's 30% off today if you care. 

So far today I've happily cancelled my Fly Barre reservation, had copious amounts of coffee by the tree, and am determined to finish up Christmas decor today while also trying to read 8 library books that are overdue.

Happiest of Holidays to all of our readers! 

~the engaged gal~

Weekend Recap!

So...Monday morning I was incredibly sad to see last weekend come to an end.  Well, I was sad for like 4 hours until my flowers were delivered!

My weekend started early.  TDH really likes to be the one to make the plans (no complaints here) but since he is an out-of-towner I always send a list of suggestions and he goes from there.  I was beyond excited to finally eat an actual meal at Little Alley Steak in Roswell {reviewed previously} rather than just sit at the bar, drink too much Chard, and harass the awesome bartenders.  I figured a nice steak dinner would be good prep for my race on Sunday, too.  Boy was it.  I had the small filet and successfully ate every bit of the mac and cheese on our table.  And maybe had a lot of wine.  We had a fabulous dinner! We were almost 30 minutes late for our reservation but I have yet to see a hostess that isn't immediately disarmed by his ridiculous Scottish accent so I knew we wouldn't get any static. 

Little Alley place cards!
*image from atlfoodsnob.com*

The only crazy part was that we had to make our exit right by Tall Stu who also happened to be right outside with some friends that night.  Awkward. I prayed he didn't see me but I think he did! It's not that I'm sneaking around but I didn't exactly feel like making introductions either. 

I was up late for sure but managed to eek through Friday at work and then speed into Atlanta to meet up for our reservation at Murphy's {I know, I know, we went there last time, but Murphy's is never a bad idea. Ever.}  We ate on the patio.  We drank beer.  The food was perfect.  The service, as always, was spectacular.  I also love that he recognized that I was hardly keeping my eyes open and I got to go back to the hotel and watch TV in bed until I fell asleep.  Speaking of sleep - I didn't get out of bed until well after 9 a.m. It was so nice to just pop out of the hotel and be right in Atlanta.  We walked around a lot, talked a lot,  had coffee, and then meandered to ESS for brunch.  Where we talked more, ate more, laughed more, etc.  {I even cheated and had a bellini the day before my race.} 

Anyway. He is super fun. And its always nice to go out with someone that takes care of all the little details where you don't have to worry about anything.  The accent, good looks, and perfectly fitted suits don't hurt either.  

Sunday was race day!!!

I already gave y'all the only picture I took when I did Monday's post.  So sorry about that.   I had such a great day! It was so easy to get to Athens early in the morning, they had plenty of free parking,  and there were only about 3,000 people racing.  My original goal was to shoot for a time anywhere from 2:10-2:15.  The last official time I logged was 2 years ago for a half and it was around 2:26.  I got my race results -- and I officially came in at 2:09:38!!!!!!!!! I can't believe I beat my ultimate goal of 2:10.  I needed a good race to get out the crazy bad juju that was the Las Vegas Marathon.   I am so proud of myself - especially considering I trained alone and wasn't even sure I could run that fast.  Again, I ran like hell to get that time.  I looked at my race photos yesterday and I basically have a terrible look of pain on my face when I crossed the finish line, but I did it! 

I came home and sat on the couch the rest of the day and watched girly movies with Em and it was glorious. So was the pizza we ordered.  And the beer we drank. 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~