The Trees at Carnegie

Today we took a trip into Pittsburgh for Gran's 88th birthday. We had a nice breakfast at her house and then went to see the trees at the Carnegie Museum, a family tradition.

The theme of the trees this year: Muses


The ladies looking at their favorite, Olympia. Gran's friends put this one together.


I liked the painter's tree ...


Since Andy Warhol is from Pittsburgh, his society did a tree on his muses...




We had a quick trip to pick up some beer for our next stop Charlottesville and to Whole Foods.

They had the chocolate flavored Food Should Taste Good chips!!! I can never find those in Boston, and their gauc was only $3.99 so of course I grabbed some for us for tonight!!


Back to the country and the snow...a walk with Luna and some sledding!!

Sorry for blogging from my phone- I know the pictures aren't as good. But soon I will be in wifi heaven and be able to use my fancy camera. :)

Dinner at Rolling Rock

Last night we went to dinner at Rolling Rock...

The tree was fantastic!



They took the gingerbread house down though :( It had looked so beautiful!




Our dinner was spectacle as per usual...

Sarah had ordered the crab for starters...while the rest of us had soup.


My salad was wonderful ... local arugula with parm and roasted tomatoes...


For my main course I had the beef tenderloin with sweet potato hash and bruseel sprouts. It was out of this world. I hadn't had red meat in over 3 months!



Then there is the desserts at RRC. For me it's always vanilla ice cream encrusted with pecans and dripping with hot fudge...total decadence...


We had a wonderful evening and all woke up very full!!

So a family walk in the snow was in order...

Sarah took this picture of mum, Dave and I in front of the White Pine, where we got engaged and plan to get married:)

Snow is Falling...

We have about 6 inches by this point in the Western PA woods and it's still falling...


I guess it's nothing compared to what Boston is about to get-good luck.

I wanted to share our meal from yesterday .
Menu:
Asparagus wrapped with prosciutto
Guac with salsa and chips
Olives
Gluten free and regular crab cakes
Alexia fries
Homemade lowfat coleslaw with raspberries
Peppermint ice cream with chocolate sauce







Have a wonderful day relaxing...

Sarah and I are off to the club to workout!!

Merry Merry

Luna, Dave and I...




...wish you a very merry Christmas...

Driving to Christmas Snow...

We had a great trip down yesterday- no traffic, no snow and a quick stop at the Woodbury Commons to Lululemon and Vineyard Vines.

Dave drove the entire way...what a stud...



We brought along the perfect car snacks to nibble on: bananas, apples, carrots, clementines(Thanks Stew), fudge-like brownies, and a wonderful chocolate bar with espresso(Thanks Julie).







We also made a quick stop at our favorite grocery- Wegmans- where I picked up a fresh roll with veggies, and some brown rice veggie sushi.


Why not start the holiday season off with a veggie/fruit kick!!

Now, we're off to get the Christmas tree!

Merry Merry everyone!!

Sniffle Sniffle

While working at the hospital today, I started to feel a little tickle in my throat and then got the sniffles! So, I had a nice big salad with many colored veggies and two large cups of green tea to help fight it!

Then, it started to snow... the little dusting turned Boston into a HUGE traffic jam. It took me an hour and half to drive 4 miles. During that time, I called Pho n' Rice to get some pho ga(chicken rice noodle soup). I completely believe in brothy soup helping a cold!

FINALLY I got home. Dave and I walked to Pho n' Rice to grab the soup and take Luna on a little walk throughout the snow.

Then, the boys made tacos for dinner, while I had my pho soup.



Dave decided we should make some puppy cookie treats for Luna's park buddies & puppy cousins.

She just sat on her puppy bed hoping for crumbs.


They look pretty cute as Christmas trees.



Peanut Butter & Molasses Dog Treats(not gluten free)

- 1 tbsp. of molasses
- 3/4 cup of milk
- 1 cup of peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups of flour( all purpose)
- 1 tbsp. of baking powder
- 1/4 cup of oats

Preheat oven to 350F. Whisk the flour, baking powder and oats together. Then add the peanut butter, molasses, and milk, and stir. Flour a surface, and knead dough into the surface. Roll out to about a 1/2 inch thickness, and cut into fun shapes, like tiny Christmas treats. Bake for 20 minutes, and let cool.

Saturday Fun

Last night our friend's Ben & Nyssa had us over for their annual Yankee Swap.


Nyssa had some delicious treats for us to enjoy including: spicy sweet potato bites, artichoke dip, bacon wrapped deliciousness, and cheese and chips galore!




How cute are our hosts???


Then Dave got ahold of the camera and snapped this pic of me... oh Dave... :)


I tried to get a silly one of him dancing but instead thought this one with Aggie was too cute not to share!


We had a great night and came home with a Snuggie AGAIN and a cookbook- not too bad!!

Today, Dave raced in the Jingle Bell 5k with some buddies while I watched my friend's son, James.

We baked cookies together, and of course Luna was all over James and his tendency to drop cookie bits on the floor.


Then, Dave's brother and girlfriend came over for some afternoon cookie baking and pizza from Stonehearth.

Late afternoon was filled with cleaning and reading.

For dinner tonight I made a stirfry with edamame, peas, carrots, spinach and sweet potatoes with brown rice. It really hit the spot!


Two days until we head to PA...

Gingerbread

This afternoon I went over to my friend Elise's house to help decorate a gingerbread house with her boys.

We had dark chocolate m&ms, life savers, gobstoppers, and Necco wafers to add on.



Our house really started to come together with lifesavers and Neccos as shingles.

I decided to work on a wreath on the back wall.



It turned into a royal icing mess...



It was a great Christmas activity with the boys & Elise!!

Dave had to work late tonight(boo!) so after taking Luna on a long walk I came home and made cannellini & pistachio dip.

The ingredients going in the food processor


The delicious dip that I had with carrots.

A day late...

I'm a a day late on my blogging.

Yesterday, I taught my last spin class of the year :( and did some major holiday planning.

I also made some holiday bark: pistachio & cherry to give out to friends and family.


Then, last night I met my GIRLS from school at Sol Azteca for dinner. We started with chips, salsa and guac. It was so delicious on a cold evening.


All the girls got vegetarian fajitas with corn tortillas... except ME


I had their chicken mole poblano enchiladas. I did not like the cabbage or rice, but the beans and enchiladas were perfect!


We then exchanged gifts...

Elise gave us all these super cute vegetable ornaments. I got a broccoli and carrot!

Marcia had this gift o' treats including homemade toffee. In all honesty, this cute Whole Foods bag was a gift enough!!


Today, I took a Muscle Conditioning class, trained, worked at the hospital, and had my last cooking class in Dorchester! Phew! What a day...




Tomorrow, I'm heading over to Elise houses to help decorate this gingerbread house with her kids.


I also need to do a little Christmas shopping, cookie baking, and start packing for our trip! We are on MAJOR countdown to Rumbling Bridge!

Cinnamon Pecans

How amazing do these look?

Just another little holiday treat that I wanted to share with you all.

Cinnamon Peacans

Ingredients
- 4 cups of pecans
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 1 tsp. of cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. of vanilla
- 1 egg white
- 1 tbsp. of water

The pecans before going in the oven.


Directions
Preheat oven to 225F. Beat the egg white, water, and vanilla until foamy. Add the brown sugar and the cinnamon into the egg mixture, mix well. Then, add the pecans and mix. Cover a baking sheet with parchment and then place the pecans in a single layer. Bake for one hour, stirring after twice. Take the pecans out of the oven and let cool. Enjoy!

On the Run...

After a nice ride on the bike this morning, I came home and tried a new gluten free bread Canyon Bakehouse for breakfast.



I had it with poached eggs and parsley. It's pretty good, but more hefty in calories and has less fiber than Abigail's brown rice and millet.


Mid-morning I went to my friend Jamie's house. I was little hungry when I got there so I made a small cup of walnuts, almonds and raisins with a side of seltzer.


Her son Joey then showed me how he can get on his horsey. How cute is he?


Jamie and I then went on a whirlwind shopping trip which also included a bite to eat at Panera. I had a greek salad with chicken and their onion soup. They are the first chain I have been to in awhile. I was happily surprised to see the calories on the menu. It looks likes companies are abiding by the law.


We had a a very successful day shopping and caught up on girl talk! :)

When I got home, Dave had started dinner and had decided he wanted gf mac & cheese with gf Bell & Evans for dinner. I added a side of broccoli for some holiday green. I think I had too much broccoli though, ugh my stomach!


Tomorrow is my LAST Wednesday spin class for the year. :( Every Tuesday night I make a new spin mix, and tonight's is holiday inspired!


My favorite Christmas songs:
- Christmas Song- Dave Matthews Band
- O Holy Night- Tracy Chapman
- Christmas- Blues Traveler
- Any and ALL of Messiah