Cheers to the Holidays!

To say that Thanksgiving has come and gone – would be an understatement! I would be lying if I told you I was sick of thanksgiving-like food…I just came home and raided our leftovers for a quick & easy dinner.

I was prepared to show you lots of close-up pictures of Thanksgiving feasts I happily indulged in, including a football tailgate – but over the course of 4 days I could write a novel. So here are a few of my favorites – all delicious food and good times with the fam!

Got Pies? 🙂

~All the Stafford gals~

This is what our back stock room looked like on Black Friday - needless to say we had to stay energized for all the crazy midnight shoppers!

Cousins!

Stafford & Cushman Tailgate Party!

The boys!

The girls!

Now on to Christmas! Let me just tell you I AM READY. Last year, Stephen and I were laying by a pool in Thailand ~ drinking cocktails on Christmas day. Don’t get me wrong, I loved every minute of it…but that just means this year I am going all out for Christmas 🙂

Stephen seems to be excited too! 😉

Hope you had a great holiday weekend! Time to start recovering from my food coma before the next one hits!

 

 

Say Cheese!

I don’t know about you – but I am LOVING this weather! Stephen and I had our engagement photos taken Sunday morning and I could not have asked for a nicer day. I couldn’t help but snap a few pics myself…the views were gorgeous of downtown Richmond.

Even better? Midway through our photos, the train passed above us and we heard a cheerful, “Hellooo!”  from the conductor – Stephen’s day was then complete!

Mine however? My day was complete after we indulged in Bottom Up’s Pizza. NEWSFLASH ~ this was my FIRST time eating their pizza – yea I know…I’ve been living under a rock apparently!

It was INCREDIBLE. I ordered Karen’s Combo of spinach, sausage, ricotta and a whole lot of yummy goodness.

Stephen opted for the Meat Master with jalapeños  – needless to say we have no leftovers.

But forget about pizza – cause’ it’ TURKEY WEEK! 🙂 Hope you are off to a good Monday and stay dressed to dish!

Legs like Jello!

I survived my 1st HALF MARATHON!

And boy am I feelin’ it…legs like jello & feet feelin’ sprained. END RESULT = Just give me a walker and let’s call it a day. In spite of all my soreness – I LOVE this feeling. It’s not lettin’ me forget those 13.1 miles I ran for sheer enjoyment 🙂

The morning started with a chilly 34 degrees. With less than 15 minutes until race time, my mom and I parked (what felt like) a mile away – YES I’m about to run 13 miles – but I sure as heck don’t want to walk a mile afterwards to the car…we did.

Minutes before our start!

2 HOURS & 13 MINUTES later…I had run 13.1 miles & was walking on a cloud of JELLO.

Stephen met me at the Finish Line! In exhange for flowers he got a well deserved sweat-infused hug.  For the remainder of the weekend – I had my fair share of celebratory junk food, but Sunday night’s dinner trumped my chips & salsa  😉

Thank you to my future IN-LAWS for a nice & relaxing Sunday night 🙂 Nothing beats ending this weekend like a glass of red wine, steak on the grill, and little Frank Sinatra.

Skirt Steak, Diced Red Potatoes, & Fresh Asparagus ~ So good!

After eating a DEE-licious dinner and reminiscing over childhood stories, we clanked our glasses and said cheers with Chocolate GODIVA Vodka – And Oh my gawd that was the cherry on top of a fantastic weekend 🙂

Hope you’re off to a great week ~ stay dressed to dish!

Twas’ the night before…

With less than 12 hours before I run my FIRST Half Marathon, the butterflies are beginning to arrive!

Last night I picked up my Registration packet and Bib Number ~ # 9602! Let me just tell you – walking into the Race Expo last night was like walking into a Runner’s Paradise. Shoes, snacks & athletic gear flooded the entire inside. First up ~ I signed my name on the Runner’s Poster!

As far as all the goodies & prizes, I was SO overwhelmed!

26.2 ~ Hmmm maybe next year I can buy that mug?

For dinner tonight it was PASTA PASTA PASTA. 🙂

After reading a gazillion recipes…I basically concocted my own list of ingredients. Ultimately it came down to ~Fettuccine with turkey sausage, chopped tomatoes, basil, garlic, and FETA ~ gotta have that cheese!

Hope you have a great weekend! I’ll catch up with you after this weekend’s festivities! 🙂

I’m off to enjoy a scrumptious, calorie packed brownie…or two…before gettin’ my ZZZZ’s!