Category: Running

Hello all

(Some of my gifts lucky me- some super warm slippers, a cute lunch pot and flask, and some clinique perfume)

I hope you all had a fab day yesterday, and are having a relaxing boxing day (although, not sure if it is boxing day as it is a Sunday?).

Anyway, here is a quick recap of yesterday first of all.

We got up nice and late, had breakfast (pumpkin porridge for me) and then opened some presents. Andy was feeling bad as my present was a surprise trip to Discovery Cove, and we were supposed to be there on Monday, but he had to tell me at the airport, and we have postponed it until the summer. So I had nothing to open from him, and I don’t think he believed me when I said I didn’t mind. The gift from him is amazing and I have months of looking forward to it 🙂

(Some of my running gifts- tops, loads of gels and bars to try, Born to Run and RUN LESS RUN FASTER )

We had a walk (it was so cold out there I think my eyeballs froze), I had some clementines, and then we headed to his parents house for the afternoon and evening. We had a lovely dinner -I provided a pumpkin and goats cheese canneloni for my meal, as Andy’s mum has enough cooking to do. I piled up the carrots too (but I declined the sprouts- I am not a fan!). I also had some yummy christmas pudding with a little bit of ice cream. Later in the afternoon we opened our presents together, played some games, watched Strictly, played more games, and had a cheese and picalilli sandwich and some cake. The best game was a rather competative game of Articulate . It was a great day- I love the fact that no-one is in a hurry, we spend ages playing silly games and it is totally relaxing. Eating wise, I had not enough fruit and veg, and too much cake, but in the grand scheme of things it is one day.

(Some baking related pressies including a cupcake stand, some teapigs tea and The Great British Book of Baking – I have seen so many fab looking recipes in there!)

Andy was also given a Marmite cook book and the weirdest thing of all- Marmite chocolate. He loves marmite and spreads it really thickly, and his Mum got it as she had given his other brothers other chocolate that they liked- I think it was a “I saw this and thought of you in an instant!” kind of gift. Now, I do like marmite, but I don’t love it. And I feel very suspicious of it. Anyone tried it?

Now, onto today. Andy was off to watch a football match (which I have just heard has been called off after he made the journey there) and I went on a run! Hooray! I have not run since the wednesday before last, and it was such a great run! I had to be so careful getting to the clear pavement, as every day the pavement by my house gets even more slippery. But once I was there, it was fab! There was a mile stretch, so I went out and back 3 times (for 6 miles) and I amazed myself by being totally steady- every time I turned another 10 minutes had gone. My legs were like a metronome!  I passed the same family 6 times as they were walking on the same stretch of pavement! Once home I had what I like to call the cold weather glow!

(My cheeks looked pinker in real life than they do in the pic!)

Once shower and clif bar later and I felt a little warmer, and a slightly more normal colour!

(How do other bloggers take such good pics of themselves? I just can’t do it!! At least my head was actually in this pic- a few of them ended up being of the wall!)

And now it is time for some baking- my poor oven must be wondering what is going on haha!

So, did you all have a lovely christmas? What is your fave christmas family game?  And did you manage some exercise over the last few days?

Hey!

Yesterday was the secret santa present swap at work. We don’t buy for individual people but get a themed present which are then randomly given out. I was given two pairs of fluffy bedsocks (the theme was “warm”).

After work I had a run (5 miles in the drizzle- I was so tempted by a cup of tea but I had posted on wlr in the morning that I would go- I felt better after!) and after my shower I put on a pair of the socks. It feels like I am walking in clouds they are so soft! Perfect for this time of year.

After yesterdays panic I am feeling a bit better about being ready. I have most of my clothes ready, Andy has been charging all the cameras and things, and I have a list of toiletries that I need to get tomorrow. I am having my hair cut 🙂 and as it is late night opening I can pop to the shops on my way back to pick up the last few bits I need.

I am off to relax now 🙂

Evening

After my bath last night (and deep heat) my leg felt better today, so after work I went on a short, 3 mile, gentle run to help loosen it further. I took it easy and although I felt ok, made myself stop after those 3 miles. The run was good, although it was colder than I had anticipated so was still chilly every time I stopped (to cross roads etc).

Then it was time to sort out the gifts I have been making.

I made some cranberry and white chocolate fudge- I used the Rachel Allen recipe for white chocolate fudge and added in cranberries for a festive touch. I was going to add in pistachios too (for the green colour) but I wasn’t sure if anyone was allergic so they are in the cupboard for another time. I got some little food gift bags from Sainburys;

I think the bags make it look so cute- much better than in a sandwich bag!

I also melted a few squares of dark chocolate to finish off the Mickeys I made for Andy (and the Minnies for me 🙂 )

Also a picture of the baby christmas cakes I made for our work tea tomorrow. I halved a christmas cake recipe and cooked it in a small square tin, once cool I cut it into little squares, covered each one with marzipan and then icing. (This I did on Sunday).

🙂 I am thinking that they will go perfectly with a cup of tea after work (its a sort of end of term social at school for all the staff) and as they are quite small people will have one.

Off to pack up all the presents to take to work now, so exciting- night 🙂

Evening all

I was inspired by some other blogs for some close ups of my decorations, so skip to the bottom if you want to read about my run instead!

I got this moose candle holder from Copenhagen last year- Andy and I went there for 3 days last December for our christmas presents to each other. It is so pretty 🙂

I love the Happy Holidays theme in america- and I also love gingerbread, and Minnie mouse. Andy got this for me one summer from the disney christmas shop.

The Snowman is my ultimate Christmas film, so when I saw these I had to get them. Normally they hang on the tree, but they are heavy and the little branches cannot hold them this year.

This is a tealight holder from Whitards. When there is a candle in it, the light glows from the little holes and it looks so pretty 🙂

Another disney present from Andy- a cute gingerbread Mickey with the disney recipe in it too- bonus 🙂

Ok, now onto the normal stuff!

After work I wrapped up and went out on a 5.7 mile run. I was thinking I would take it easy as my legs were stiff today, but I did it in 54 minutes so I was pretty speedy, not sure what happened! I think the cold is helping! There was fog while I was driving home, and the frost did not melt from the trees all day, so it was quite spooky, but also really beautiful as all the trees looked like they belonged on a card. I was a bit worried that the pavements would be icy, and as I was running there were twinkling bits, but they were fine. Phew.  I did see a couple of other runners, which is always nice- I always feel pleased to see other people getting out there (and it proves I am not crazy for going out).

I also got around to icing some of the gingerbread cookies to take into work;

I am hoping to spread the festive cheer, as it is so busy at the moment that no-one is pausing to enjoy the fun stuff.

I might do some wrapping later 🙂 The bottom of the tree is all lonely!

Night