February 12, 2014

Winter Wonderland

I've complained quite a bit this winter about the weather--the temps have been at record lows, and the snow has been at record highs. This has been the most "wintery" winter I've ever experienced. This morning, when it was time to walk the boys to the bus stop, it was so hard to get motivated to put on my coat and boots, and step outside, especially when I saw just how cold it was out there:


(It's actually kind of funny, though... -9 doesn't seem nearly as cold as it did two months ago. After seeing -30, the -9 doesn't look so bad!)

The boys and I walked to the bus stop, and I was completely amazed at what had happened to the trees overnight. They were absolutely beautiful! They all had little ice crystals all over them, making them appear white. I took a few pictures, but of course they were much prettier in person.



I took a few more a little while later, when it was lighter out. I actually stopped my car in the middle of the road to snap a quick photo:



My friend Melissa posted this close-up picture on Facebook, which shows it much better:


I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. It lasted all morning, but started melting when the sun peeked out for a little while. I'm glad I got to see it when I did though--it made me stop and actually appreciate the winter for a moment, instead of moan about it ;)

Today was a rest day, so instead of running after getting the boys off to school, I went to Monica's (my favorite bakery) to order Mark's cake. I tried to get Mark to be specific about what flavor cake he likes, but he just said, "Any old cake!" A quarter-sheet cake serves 20-25, and I'm guessing we'll have about 25-30 people, so I ended up deciding on a half-sheet. We're going to have a lot left over, so I figured we could bring it to the nursing home with Mark after the party, and he can share with the nursing staff and/or patients.

Thanks for all the great suggestions about what to have written on the cake! I ended up going with Jen's suggestion of "Enjoy Life", because that really does describe Mark very well. He has every reason to complain about the hand he was dealt in this lifetime, but I've never heard him complain about anything; and he enjoys every moment! 

They asked how I'd like it decorated, and I flipped through some pictures to get an idea. I ended up going with a fishing theme, because Mark keeps saying that the first thing he wants to do when he goes home is go fishing with my dad. So it'll be a marble sheet cake with vanilla buttercream frosting, decorated with a fishing theme and "Enjoy Life" written on it. I'm sure Mark will love it.

When I was outside this morning, my face was so cold that I decided I'd start making a cowl today. I'm using a chunky gray yarn and this pattern. It'll probably take me a few days to finish it, but this winter doesn't seem to be going anywhere!


I leave for San Diego seven weeks from tomorrow. I was thinking today that I'd like to get in really good shape for the trip! I don't want to "diet" or go back to counting points, but I definitely want to eat better and maybe kick up the exercise. I think I'm going to attempt to do Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred for 30 days, on top of my regular running. Since I've cut back so much on my mileage recently, I feel like my body is getting a little softer. 

As far as food, I want to cut back on the processed foods (not eliminate them altogether, but cut back) and eat a cleaner diet. Definitely more vegetables, because I'm always slacking on those. I'm going to cut out the wine for a little while, too. I don't think there is anything wrong with having a glass of wine at night, as I've done for a long time, but lately it's been making me feel snacky. And since I'm not counting points, it's easy to eat too much, even if it's not a binge. 

Anyway, nothing drastic, just changes that I probably should make anyway! The San Diego trip just gives me an incentive to get a move on it ;)

16 comments:

  1. It's called hoar frost. :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frost#Hoar_frost

    Daily site here in Calgary, Alberta from about October until May. :)

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  2. I'm interested to hear your daily food log now that you're not counting points! :) I hope to be there some day.

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  3. 7 weeks till we go to san diego! Wohoo! I feel bad complaining about 30-40 degrees here in south texas seeing those temps and pics! I cannot wait for warmer weather!

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  4. Wow, those trees really are beautiful! I love the pictures you took in the street.

    Side note: I just discovered your blog on Pinterest not too long ago, and I love it. I've been reading lots of your old posts from your archives for the last couple weeks. Thank you! Thank you for focusing on health (and not just image) and being so positive and motivating.

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  5. Wow, it is almost 100 degrees warmer here. Supposed to hit 90 degrees this week which is almost the complete opposite problem in the rest of the country - we aren't getting any rain/precipitation and it is too hot too early (which could mean really bad fires this summer). Crazy. I'm going to be FREEZING in San Diego and you guys will all be in tank tops and t-shirts - I CANNOT wait! This has been the month from hell and I'm ready for some fun! I'm trying to get my eating tightened up until we leave too but I'm planning on many cocktails and recreational eating while there! It will all be worth it doing the work before we go!

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  6. I bet you are looking forward to some California weather after all this nonsense! I love in Alabama, and the winter has been so crazy here! We have 3-4 inches on the ground right now, so nuts!

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  7. I just started up Jillian Michaels 30 day shred again this week! That lady kicks my butt even if it is just a workout video :)

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  8. Beautiful trees! We've not had any snow yet this year and a very mild winter but lots of wind and rain (we get the tail end of those terrible storms in England after they cross the channel - luckily without the flooding).

    Good luck on the Shred!

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  9. I am a runner and used to use the 30 day shred as my strength training a couple times a week. However, to get in tip top shape for my wedding last may I decided to do the actual routine every day for 30 days. Just a warning, it tore up my knees. It was just too many lunges and squats to do every day with running and no rest (I took rest days from running but not the shred). My knees got so bad that I had to stop both for about a week and a half to recover.

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  10. I love Jillian's 30 day shred. I should bust that out again :)

    I cannot wait to see the cake! I absolutely love reading about Mark. You've conveyed him so well that I think we all feel like we know him. I love just how happy and positive he is. It makes me think that my troubles are really not all that big. Now if only we could all have a bite of that cake! lol

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  11. You're going to love Southern California, especially with the weather you guys are having lately. I live in LA and the high for today is 81 degrees! I was raised in Michigan, but I don't think I can ever go back lol.

    I can't wait to see the cake and Mark's reaction! He seems like such a wonderful person. We could all learn from him--his positive attitude is infectious!

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  12. Pretty trees... but BRING ON SPRING ALREADY.... this winter has been BRUTAL and zapping my MOJO. I love how you always put a positive spin on everything - and it's not easy to put a positive spin on -9!

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  13. I'm originally from San Diego. You must check out Claire's On Cedros in the Solana Beach area. They have the best breakfast/lunch food!

    Www.3fromtolosemyself.blogspot.com

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  14. Those trees are beautiful. Don't know if it has ever been cold enough here to see that, stunning.

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  15. Beautiful pictures of the frost, Katie!

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  16. My best friend has told me that she LOVES running in the cold! She always talks about the white snow and the beauty she is surrounded by!

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