Maria Runs

Morning all

I have had a busy few days- Thursday was body pump night (last one of the current track list), and before I managed to make the dough for my gingerbread house, and bake the sides, and after I made the rest of the dough into little cookies (most of which I took to work).

On Friday I was stiff, and managed to fit in a 3.7 mile run after work, before the shopping was delivered. I only needed 2 layers as it was positively mild- maybe 6c! Then my parents came over for a Christmas get together as they are off too. Last weekend I made stollen loaves and had saved one for last night (the recipe said they were better if left as the flavours mingled even more), I was worried it would have gone stale or hard, but it was still moist and delicious- success 🙂 They took home the cake I made for them;

I didn’t set the alarm today, and woke up at 9.30 which is unheard of! So am letting breakfast go down before my long run. At least it is not as cold today.

Later on I am going to finish the gingerbread house- I am taking pictures as I go along this year so be warned! 🙂

Later guys!

Hi all

Thanks for all the comments on the last post- I appreciate them all.

Today started with some cherry porridge- I cheated and added half a bag of nakd cherry raisins to the porridge before cooking.

The result- lovely porridge with bursts of sweet cherry in each mouthful 🙂

I also had my last nakd berry bar at break time this moring.

Then the other day I ordered some more new nakd bars (me and Andy have gone through the box already) and they arrived today.

I ordered a box of cocoa mint and a box of cocoa delight, as they were my fave. But look closely and you will see that a pixie has left a few freebies in there too in the form of a cashew cookie and pecan pie bar. How exciting 🙂

Yum. And a totally nakd packed day was enjoyed by me!

After work I went straight out to dinner with some old friends, and it was fab to catch up with them all. I love catching up with people I have not seen for a while, and bonus- we arranged to meet up in January so we have something to look forward to 🙂

Night

So a while ago with the teapigs giveaway my fave sounding recipe was the spiced apple cupcakes from Laura, but when I made them they sunk and burnt- I had halved the recipe but don’t think I did it right! So anyway, I decided to make the recipe again but this time bake it in a tray, instead of cupcake cases. I also made the icing and I have to say that the icing is amazing- so fudgey and delicious! I didn’t have any dried milk powder but it seemed fine without it.

The recipe is from Veganomicon , and I would say that they are amazing- I only had a little slice but the apple is so sweet and spiced, and they have a lovely autumnal flavour. Mmmm.

I did some wrapping when I got back from work today so now the tree looks lovely.

After work it was time for aerobics (after a nakd gingerbread bar- very seasonal! )- there were loads of newbies today, and although it was freezing I had bags of energy. The songs were great which always helps. Also I normally try to avoid looking at myself in the mirror (one side of the studio is mirros and we spend most of the time facing ourselves) but today I was thinking that actually I looked okay in the mirror. Workout gear is not very forgiving and normally shows any lumps, plus when you are leaping up and down the jiggle doens’t always look that attractive. But today when I caught glimpses of myself I was quite happy with what I saw. So I am feeling good about that too. I feel healthy on the inside (which I think is really important) but it was good that I felt I looked healthy too- does that make sense?

Now it is time for a gingerbread cookie with some tea- love it 🙂

Hello all.

So today, the saga with the tree reached a good conclusion! We took back the fake one and swapped it for a real one.

It is only a diddy one but it smells so good! Have not had a real tree since I was little. I do now have a rash from the needles though! This evening we decorated it;

Keeping it simple. Plus the poor little branches would not take the weight of some of the decorations!

I also decorated a christmas cake for my parents and one for Andy’s parents;

And to check that the recipe was still good I made some gingerbread cookies in preparation for making a gingerbread house next weekend;

Fun cookie cutter shapes- stars, heart and snowman.

They make the house smell so festive 🙂

For breakfast I enjoyed festive porridge- porridge with a handful of cranberries, a tbs pumpkin puree and some mixed spice.

Yum 🙂

I also posted the cards I had written the other day, and bought some wrapping paper so I am getting prepared.

One of my favourite things is to get home from work and put on the lights on the tree- it makes the evenings feel special.

In the shops today I heard A Winter’s Tale being played, and I love that song. When I was younger I was in a choir and we sang that one winter, it’s such a beautiful song. I also love Winter Wonderland for some upbeat singing. My favourite carol is Silent Night, which reminds me of my Grandad so makes me a little teary. So, fave festive song or carol?