Life Lately
First off, happy birthday to my intelligent, supportive, kind, wonderful, hard-working, and funny husband, Ryan! Today’s his 28th birthday—and finally, because I’m so bad at secrets that I don’t think I could keep hiding presents for another day!
You ever experience a complete and utter writer’s block? I’m certainly having one of those days. It just comes with the habit of writing daily. Like running, you have bad days and good days, and usually spikes in creativity follow writer’s block.
So, for today’s post, I want to share bits and pieces of life lately!
Lately, I’m…
Celebrating:
We also celebrated our first wedding anniversary this weekend. A year flies by fast when you get to spend every day with your best friend.
For our anniversary, we went hiking in the Issaquah Alps. Tapering means tapering in hiking as well, so this was just a short little 4 mile hike with less than a thousand foot gain. The trail we choose was pretty and quiet, but much shorter than we expected – the WTA said it would be nearly a 7 mile hike. At least this gave us time to head home and clean up for our date. We went to Redhook Brewery (the same place we went for my birthday); we had our rehearsal dinner at our favorite brewery in Valpo, so it felt fitting to go to a similar place here. Plus, their beer is amazing.
Eating…
This strange but delicious dish: pumpkin pureed with roasted onions and goat cheese, topped with mushrooms, beef, roasted mushrooms, and crunchy pumpkin seeds. I was inspired by this recipe and I’m hoping to make it again to share the recipe on the blog.
Reading…
I have a bad habit of reading more than one book at once, usually at least one non-fiction and one fiction. I blame being an English major in college and spending four years reading multiple books in various genres at once. So, right now, I’m slowing working through a re-read of Run Faster from the 5K to the Marathon![""]("https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thirunsrec-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0767928229")
Baking…
This pumpkin pie recipe for Ryan’s birthday. I make a pie each your for Ryan’s birthday, and pumpkin is his absolute favorite. This year I’m finally making the whole thing from scratch, using a fresh sugar pumpkin rather than canned puree. Yum! I’m also determined to cook it perfectly so that the crust doesn’t crack this time.
Coveting…
These PrAna Kara Jeans
Working Out…
I did this strength training workout that I shared last fall with pretty light weights (2 10-lb dumbbells) and I definitely felt sore from it this morning!
Enjoying…
The fall weather and colors, especially along my running trails.
Watching…
Fringe. Grimm and Supernatural don’t start for another two weeks, so we’re getting our sci-fi tv fix with this show.
Anticipating…
The Portland Marathon. After how well yesterday’s goal pace run went (and how well all of my goal pace runs have gone), I feel confident and excited for the race!
Snuggling…
This little puggle. Who can resist that face?
Don’t forget to check out the Eat to Run: 50+ Recipes to Fuel Your Fitness without Breaking the Bank. It’s available at the sale price of $15 through Sunday—after that, the price goes up to $20.
(Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support of This Runner’s Recipes!)
Questions of the Day:
Do you get writer’s block? How do you overcome it?
Answer some of the questions above!
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27 Responses
Seems like life has been pretty darn good to you lately! I’m glad–you deserve it 😀 And happy anniversary and book debut! I hope both are successful for a long time to come!
Thank you so much, Susie! 😀
Lots of great things happening for you- so exciting! I can’t wait to see how you do in the marathon. Happy birthday to Ryan!
Thank you so much, Lisa! 🙂
Your wedding photo is just gorgeous! I’m also obsessed with Prana right now (I think it’s all the SPA posts lol). I just purchased the Lily Puffer jacket and I love it! It’s got a different style than what I’m used to seeing and it’s very comfy.
Thank you so much, Pragati! I’ve been eyeing the Lily Puffer from Prana and I’m glad to here you like it – it looks so warm and comfy!
I need to get better at reading during the week – but the last book I read, The Lost City of Z was absolutely incredible. I highly recommend it! Happy anniversary and I am so excited for you to crush your marathon!
Thank you so much, Jamie! I’ll have to check out the Lost City of Z – I love non-fiction and adventure books!
Lots of happy celebrating for you! One year, that’s a big (and fun) one! Happy anniversary! What a beautiful wedding picture. I have also been enjoying the fall weather- cooler temps and sunshine. It has been beautiful here! Snuggling with your pup on the couch is the best! And you’re right, who can resist that face 🙂
Thank you so much, Angie! I bet the weather has been beautiful in Wisconsin! I hope you’re giving Milo a lot of sweet snuggles -and that his allergies are doing better in the fall weather!
Happy anniversary! Your wedding picture is adorable and beautiful. I love your bouquet! Your pumpkin pie looks amazing 🙂
Let’s see: Reading: The New Jim Crow (grad school book); Coveting: Northface backpacks!; Baking: trying to make a healthier version of my favorite chocolate chip cookies 🙂
Thank you so much, Lauren! The bouquet was a lavender and some other flowers since lavender was our wedding flower. The Northface backpacks are so nice – have you been to the flagship REI store? I’m excited to see your chocolate chip cookie recipe! 🙂
I do get writers block from time to time which usually involves so many thoughts in my head yet an inability to organize them out into posts! I hate it. I sort of feel that way this week. Sometimes the words flow and sometimes they don’t want to work for me!
Yes, that’s exactly how my writer’s block feels – like the thoughts are moving too fast for me to write! I hope you overcome your writer’s block also soon! Maybe it’s happening to us because this nice weather just is tempting us to be outside, not inside writing. 🙂
I totally get writer’s block! I fix it by drinking wine. LOL. It’s true though! Writing pours out of me when I’ve had a glass. There’s a delicate balance though because by the end of the second glass, my writing starts taking a nosedive. HA!
Write drunk, edit sober, right? A drink really does help writing, until there’s been too many and then I just want to go to sleep!
My wife is just the sweetest person in the whole darn world! You guys know, she woke up SUPER early to make me cocoa chocolate chip pancakes (from the ecookbook that she kicked butt writing!) ??? Cuz she did! Seriously, I love you and there is nothing you can do about it!
Yup I’m soppy. No regrets.
Awww, I love you so much!!!! <3 You're too sweet, you know that?
I read Run Faster From the 5K to the Marathon. I love their plans! I used marathon level 2 for my last race.
I’m already thinking that I’m going to use their plans for my next half – I’m glad to hear you had such success with them!
I definitely get writer’s block, ugh. I write all day for work and then try to write a post and sometimes … it … just… doesn’t… come. If possible I usually try to do something else or go for a run! But I love the bits and pieces you shared. Gorgeous wedding dress!
Thank you! Running is a another great way to be writer’s block – except sometimes I forget my ideas by the time I get back from my run!
Redhook Brewery – we’ve got one here too! Love it. Matt Fitzgerald’s book – love it. Prana Kara Jean – have ’em and love ’em.
Very similar tastes! Great minds think alike 🙂
Happy Birthday to your husband and Happy anniversary!
Thank you!