Tag Archives: boyd

Pizzas & Puzzles

Today’s workout: 3.26 miles of stairs + 2.61 miles. The best part? Kevin noticed that ESPN was airing some coverage from last year’s Cross Fit games. I was so excited because I’ve been trying to talk Kevin into trying it with me sometime (if you have no idea what it is, check out this video. It’s ridiculous). I love that it’s “the sport of being fit.” I’m a huge scaredy cat, and not tough at all, but for some reason I’ve convinced myself I want to try it. I think my first step will be when I can complete some double unders!

This weekend has been super booked for us after being gone last weekend, and I’ve totally been oversocialized. Our last event of the weekend was Marriage + Class, and we were sooo looking forward to coming home afterwards to some peace & quiet. I made some homemade pizza with my favorite toppings green peppers, onions, and pineapple. Mmmmmmm!! Kevin’s side had no piña and a lot of jalapeños.

I know my friends are going to die when they see this, but Kevin had been casually mentioning that he thought it would be fun if we did a puzzle together sometime. So I surprised him with one on Valentine’s Day! We didn’t really do anything big since I was planning to plan (yes, I plan to plan!) it over last weekend and we ended up in unexpectedly in Chicago! But he still got his puzzle!

He hid behind the table because he didn’t want all my readers to see him in pajamas again. Outed.

Yeah. Let’s be real. I’m totally faking it here. I’m never that intent about anything – except maybe Garmin stats. But I did go through all the puzzle pieces to flip them over and check for missing edge pieces! There are 1000 pieces! And I didn’t say,”Am I there yet?” Not even once.

In my defense, I’ve put together 3 pieces. And finding the missing edges really helped Kevin out. Or maybe he just says that because he’s a sweet husband.

By the way, I chose this Flags of the World puzzle. It was between puppies and some sort of a geographical theme. I went with flags because I felt that learning about them might help me in one of my vicious Corrie versus Jeopardy!-on-tv matches! Hopefully someone in the gym will hear my yell the answer to an obscure flag question and be really impressed. These are the things I strive for in my puzzle selection.

Our biggest fear? You know Boyd is going to eat a puzzle piece, right? And that’s it! That’s the end.

He’s just waiting….

No, we didn’t have two kinds of pizza tonight. This is pizza I made on Friday night, and felt the liberty to share now since this post had “pizza” in the title. I love a good pita pizza, don’t you? This variety had bbq sauce, black beans, red onion, pineapple, and mozz.  We each ate two. And a half.

Do you like puzzles? Not really. Why do you think I’m blogging right now? I do LOVE a good crossword puzzle. But I have too many gaping holes in categories like “sports” and “anything in pop culture that took place before 2000.”

Ever tried Cross Fit? Or want to? Not yet. Although I have done quite a few at-home workouts that would be similar (but not as hard!).

How long do you think it will take us to finish this puzzle? I’m thinking I’ll probably invited someone over to dinner before it’s done. And then things are going to get ugly. We’ve been working on it about 1.5 hours now and the border isn’t even finished. Just to give you a hint. ;)

 

<3 Day!

Knocking them off the list!

And doing it pink!

Today was our first time trying out the pool at our gym. It was tricky! I had a hard enough time getting my swim cap and goggles on let alone swimming!! I had Coach Kevin at my side giving me pointers (he was a lifeguard and taught swim lessons), but I ended up downing a lot of water up my nose. By the time we got home, I was super nauseated.

My sweetheart made me some Annie’s mac ‘n’ cheese in bed while I digested my chlorine. It passed after about 30 minutes, but I’m nervous about swimming again!!

I think it’s safe to say that Kevin’s a LOT more precise in his cooking than I am. Since we were away all weekend, we didn’t really have time to plan surprises for each other. Instead, we opted to make dinner together. :)

While Kev Kev was working on dessert, I tried out Crunchy Oven-Fried Ravioli from How Sweet Eats. I can’t really report on the recipe since I neglected to cook the ravioli before coating it with the crunchy stuff. And I didn’t measure a thing. Ah, well.

We couldn’t resist a little heart-shaped goodness! A mini chocolate cake for Kevin, and just frosting for me. Two knifefuls! Yum!

Bite.

Sweethearts!

I love a good Peter Pan collar!

And a good twirl!

My other Valentine! :) We’re looking more & more alike, right? His curly ears are almost the exact same color as my curly mane!

Any tips for a newbie swimmer? Especially on goal setting and not digesting the water!!

Favorite type of collar? Peter Pan. Here’s a cool Peter Pan collar DIY!

Do you and your pet look alike? Just checking!

Pssst! In honor of Valetine’s Day, I started writing our How We Met story. Check it out: K&C Part 1: He’s from Winona!

2 Ingredient Valentine Fudge

My mom sent me this recipe! She knows me so well.

It’s so genius that I hate to share, but hey, I’m a giver! I brought them into the office, and I was secretly happy that nobody asked for the recipe this time. :)

2 Ingredient Valentine Fudge (via cookies&cups)

Ingredients

  • 1 (16 oz) can of strawberry frosting
  • 1 12 oz bag of white chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Prepare a 9×9 pan by spray lightly with cooking spray.
  2. Over a double boiler, or in the microwave, melt your white chocolate chips.
  3. When chips are melted, remove from heat and stir in your strawberry frosting, evenly.
  4. Spread in your prepared pan and place in fridge to set for 30 minutes.
  5. Cut into squares (or HEARTS) to serve.

Did you see those two ingredients? Do you realize that they’re in one aisle at Target. I could almost grab one ingredient with each hand while standing in one spot.

I’m a sucker for those chocolate brown eyes so Boyd got the leftover frosting container to lick out. I had to take the paper label off first otherwise he would have eaten it. Silly Boykins!

I felt Kevin’s smile for the fudge picture was a little lackluster so I told him,”Smile like you’re me on our wedding day.” It worked.

Quick mini lunch because I’m on my way to the gym! I’m checking out the interenets for a Valentine Cookie Friday idea. I don’t really want to do anything red velvet or cutout.

Any ideas? xoxo

 

 

 

Snow Day! + I Haven’t Lost My Edge

I really kind of hate winter. But if you’re going to have winter, you might as well have a bunch of fluffy white snow, right?

When I got home from the gym today, Kevin James wanted to take our little bundle of joy out for a romp in the snow!

The snow as practically deep enough for the poor Boykin to drown in!

We taught him a new trick! Snow mountain climbing!

Of course, he hesitates when I call him. Haha.

The two best buddies.

Embracing the snow!

Seee, I haven’t lost my edge!!! ;) I don’t think I’ve done a snow angel since about 2007…

(In Iowa… in a studded belt!! I guess I was a little tougher back then because I was in short sleeves).

The Boykin and I! Of course, the one time he’s actually looking – my eyes ae closed! :)

Just so you can get an idea… that’s all snow we got in basically 1 day! And it’s snowed more since then!

Time to go inside!! Trust me that whole photo shoot took about 15 minutes. Lol. My mother-in-law says that I’m in winter denial with my refusal to actually have/wear actual warm clothes.

What’s your favorite snow/winter activity? Ice skating. And snowball fights. ;)

Denver Date Night: Las Caras + Boyd Hates Me (He Really Does!)

Tonight, I let Kevin convince me to go to a restaurant with no website. I was very skeptical about this, but he was persuaded by online reviewers. I was persuaded by the fact that I was so starving that I didn’t want to waste any time Googling more restaurants.

So I said,”Do you have a good feeling about this?” Kevin said,”yes.” So off we went!

Me: “They don’t even have a real sign.”

I’m really not that snobby, but isn’t that a clue that the restaurant changes hands often? Haha.

Luckily, my husband knows about three things that can get me to shut up very quickly. Chips, salsa, & guac! Don’t you always choose Mexican when you are the HUNGRIEST? I love that you get the chips & salsa right away so you don’t starve to death. And because of his great love for me, Kevin James always orders me the guac or avocado even though we are always warned it’s going to be an extra charge. :)   It’s a healthy fat! I needed it before I began consuming fatty fatty fats.

Speaking of fatty fatty fats… come to mami!

Ok. So I loved it. But I’m just going to say that the cheese factor was out of control. I’m very stingy with myself about cheese at home. I sprinkle. I don’t douse. This was doused.

Boy, I was feeling pretty good that I had just finished running 10.03 miles at that point. Probably canceled out at least half that plate.

Look at the cute old people! I had to make haste to take a picture before they left, but you’re in luck – took them a while to get their coats on. :) Also you can see the las caras (faces) on the wall. They’re so clever.

I loved the cozy environment. Totally won my heart. Of course, I had to ask Kevi,”Which would you choose… Las Caras or Hacienda Colorado?” Hacienda Colorado was way fancier and had massive Diet Coke cups, but I think I’d choose Las Caras. I like the small neighborhoody vibe!

Back at home, I was making nice with Boyd. We were getting along sooo well – I think it freaked Kevin out! I really do love that little freak.

And then… all of a sudden he started gagging right in my face! I was about 4 inches away. Kevin raced him outside, and turns out he puked up a sock. Gross. Probably one of my sweaty running socks. He’s completely clueless and doesn’t see a doggy treat if it hits him on the nose… but sweaty socks are a different story.

I think he was trying to get back at me for yesterday….

I was planning to take him the 2 miles out & back route we usually take through the dog park. The 2 miles turned into a 5k which turned into a 5 mile which when we got lost turned into over 7 miles. That might be a personal distance record for the Boykin! He wasn’t really that pleased about it. In fact, I think he dislocated my right shoulder from all the pulling and yanking around I had to do. When we run into the wind, I literally have to drag him behind me at times. I’m sure it’s comical to watch.

We’ve noticed that Boyd will not come to me to go outside any more. Do you think he is hinting about something? If I stand at the door with leash, he ignores me. The second Kevin walks over, he is ready to go. He hates me, guys. I’ll admit I probably overdid it with the 7 miles, but he likes our normal Thursday & Friday half-day-at-work jogs! He loves seeing the other dogs and the bunnies. And I give him food while I’m cooking all the time. Why have I not won his heart yet? I’m used to being the favorite so this really stings. I know he doesn’t like it th at I make him sit & stay, but I think he’s overreacting!

By the way, I had another job opportunity come up today. I randomly applied and they contacted me back within 15 minutes. I then had to return their call, but it went to voicemail. So I spent the whole afternoon agonizing about them calling me back – which they haven’t yet. That’s how I ended up doing a totally uncalled for 10 miler. I was just hanging out at the gym waiting on their phone call. I was literally trying not to run too hard so I wouldn’t be out of breath when I answered the phone!! And guess what Miss Genius did? I ran in my new shoes again! I hadn’t run in them since the race, but I thought I was only going to do a few miles. But I did a stressy 10, and earned myself a nice little blister. No high heels again for the office tomorrow. Boo.

What are you doing this weekend? Guys – my in-laws are visiting for the first time!! I don’t even have meals planned for them. What’s my problem? Maybe if I’d stop with the extra long runs, I’d have time!

Also, the school asked me to come in tomorrow or Monday so we’ll see if they get back to me soon!! They’re looking for a long-term sub starting in February! It could be so cool. I need to chill out about it though.

What do you usually order at a Mexican restaurant? Once I get past chip, salsa, & guac – I’m pretty clueless. I used to always order grilled chimichangas back in the day, but there wasn’t one in sight on this menu. I ended up going with that combo plate – not really sure what all I had on there!  I just picked a number.

How do you think I can win Boyd’s heart? I have to make him like me better than Kevin. Without sacrificing my iron rule. Haha.

 

 

Slow Cooker Red Beans & Rice

I knew my super manly husband would love this recipe, and I love the fact that it can be prepared the night before!

Slow Cooker Red Beans & Rice (via Cooking Light)

Ingredients

  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup dried red kidney beans
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 3/4 cup chopped celery
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 (14-ounce) package turkey, pork, and beef smoked sausage, thinly sliced (such as Healthy Choice)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups hot cooked brown rice
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions

Preparation

Combine first 12 ingredients in an electric slow cooker. Cover with lid; cook on high heat for 5 hours. Discard bay leaf; stir in salt. Serve over rice; sprinkle servings evenly with green onions.

Nutritional Information

Amount per serving

  • Calories: 413
  • Calories from fat: 5%
  • Fat: 2.5g
  • Saturated fat: 0.7g
  • Monounsaturated fat: 0.2g
  • Polyunsaturated fat: 0.5g
  • Protein: 21.1g
  • Carbohydrate: 76.3g
  • Fiber: 10.1g

I think it turned out well. I was NOT a big fan of the sausage. Yuck! It mostly ended up in Kevin’s bowl, but he was fine with that! Beans & rice in a slow cooker are something I can get behind.

I also had a little everything bagel thin with some sharp cheddar. I was starving after the gym!

Today’s workout: 3.20 miles easy while watching Jeopardy! + 3.30 miles of stairs + 15 minute Nike Training Club circuit workout

After the gym, we tag teamed it and Kevin went to the grocery store while I cleaned up and got dinner on the table. Do you like my list? Kevin did a stellar job of finding everything… with one minor exception.


Are these little guys zucchini? I don’t even know. I thought they were supposed to be big like cucumbers. Even Googling is kind of letting me down here so maybe you can help. Kevin said they were labeled “zucchini squash.” Is there a difference between regular zucchini and zucchini squash? Someone’s got to know this! Either way, they’re really too small for my recipe which calls for using them as faux lasagna noodles – bet you can’t wait to see that!

Hehe. We tricked Boyd into sitting in front of the fireplace when it was on!! He was chilling out there, and I sneaked up behind him and turned it on. Took him forever to notice. He was probably wondering why he was starting to get warm!! Last night we couldn’t drag him near it! I don’t think he would’ve gone over there for a marshmallow fluff jar!

A surprise came for me in the mail today!

Now Kevin & I can be study buddies!! I can’t wait to share all the nerdy workout science stuff I learn!! :)

Do you know the answer to my zucchini question?  I need to know what to do with that stuff.

What’s the last cool thing you got in the mail?