Good morning! 
I am so psyched that it’s Friday! You have no idea! I seriously need a break from working… all… of… the… time! I’m in total burn out mode. Unfortunately, I am multiple chapters behind in writing, so most of my weekend will be spent in front of my laptop, but there will be plenty of fun stuff thrown into the mix– including a Beer 101 course with my hubby tonight, a holiday party on Saturday night, and a video shoot on Sunday. So, the weekend won’t be all work and no play. 
Breakfast
Yummy breakfast this morning! My oats were an everything-but-the creation with all sort of goodies mixed in.
In the mix:
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1/3 cup canned pumpkin
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed meal
- 2 tbsp liquid egg whites*
- Pom arils
- Cinnamon
- 2 scoops of peanut butter
* If you have questions about the addition of egg whites, check out my FAQs. I used to add egg whites to my oats all the time back in the day, but I’ve since fallen out of the habit. I might have to bring it back!
I also had some iced coffee with a side of pug tail.
The holiday card positioned next to my iced coffee is from my friends, Beth and Caleb… who got ENGAGED last night!!!!!!!!! 
There’s no other reason for the card in my photo except to say that! Congrats, Bethy!
Cookie Friday
I’m really looking forward to my Cookie Friday treat today! The other day, Amie of the Healthy Apple sent me a holiday card along with a few goodies– including a 100% vegan Cranberry Chocolate Chunk cookie for Cookie Friday, of course! Thank you, Amie! 
I’m bringing this baby to work with me to enjoy later this afternoon. I only bring enough snacks (and treats) for the day because I will eat them all otherwise. I used to pack enough snacks for the whole week and leave them in my desk, but they’d all be gone by Wednesday. Now, I just bring one day’s worth at a time, which makes it impossible to mindlessly snack.
12 Days of Giveaways
Here’s your winner for the Me & Goji Giveaway:
#464 Kaley
on Dec 17th, 2009 at 10:54 pm [edit]
cocoa nibs, cashews, and blueberries!
Congrats, Kaley! Please email me to claim your prize.
You have until tonight to enter the Stonyfield and Breville Juicer Giveaway.
—
I’m doing another 20 minutes of writing, hitting the gym, and taking the rest of the day off. Yay!
TGIF!
{ 48 comments… read them below or add one }
I immediately thought of you when I saw this funny site. yeah pugs!
http://www.raincitystory.com/flash/screenclean.swf
I hear ya on the burn out feeling. Sounds like you have a great weekend for writing and fun ahead of you. Enjoy!
Your weekend still sounds pretty busy . . . make sure you have some good nights of sleep!
Beer 101 sounds really fun!
I hope the fun activities this weekend are enough to get you out of the burn out mode. I hate when that happens!
Oh and check out my somersaults giveaway when you get a chance. You liked those, right? Actually I haven’t met anyone who didn’t like them (except for Adam, he’s weird)!
Cookie Friday! Woo! I’m gonna make some popcorn brittle today for my “treat”.
Enjoy your day off and your cookie – sounds like a winning combo to me!
The cookie looks delicious — we’re baking all weekend while a foot of snow falls. Fun times!
enjoy your day off, you deserve it!
where is this beer 101 course? sounds fun!
That cookie sounds so good! Now I want one!
That cookie looks like a very respectable choice for Cookie Friday! I’m jealous of your beer class!
Yes TGIF! The cookie looks tasty and congrats to your friends! Engagements are exciting.
I hope you do have a relaxing weekend! Good luck writing!
wowza that cookie looks good. and it’s uber cute your dog is always around you! he can’t get enough of his mama!
Hang in there, girl!!
At least you have a cookie
Congrats to your friends! How exciting!! Enjoy your day off
Good idea about only bringing the snacks for that day… gotta do whatcha gotta do!
It really does seem like you work all the time! Haha. I hope you find the words flowing this weekend!!
Have a great evening with Mal!
Yum, I love cranberry in my cookies…adds such a nice little tart kick to counteract the sweet! And your pics of the pom arils make them look like little candies, so pretty! Enjoy your Friday and congrats to your friends on their engagement.
Courtney
adventures in tri-ing
have a fun, relaxing day! yeah for fridays!
I’ll be with you in front of the computer this weekend. I have to do some work both days so I can go out of town next week. It’ll be worth it!
oh i like the egg whites idea, it’s a different kind of protein than my standard nuts
I often add egg whites to oatmeal but 2 TBS really doesn’t add anything in terms of protein if that is what you are after.
Nice looking oats! Enjoy your beer 101 class! Take some deep breaths and try to relax.
mmm yummy oats! I think everyone is on the brink of burn out mode…hang in there! Youll get a break before you know it
I’ve never put egg whites in my oats – interesting idea! I’m always happy to find a new mix-in. Good to keep things interesting!
Enjoy the weekend :O).
The cookie looks like SO good. I hope it will help with the writer’s block!
I am having an impromptu Cookie Friday as well! A coworker gave us homemade spritz cookies as a little xmas gift. Soooo crisp and buttery — I immediately downed two and had to put the box away to get rid of the temptation to eat more! I normally don’t care too much about cookies, but the holidays make me such a cookie monster. I need to follow the big Cookie Monster’s advice and make cookies a “sometimes” food.
Your oats look delicious!
I totally feel ya – I’m burnt out too! I think that the upcoming holiday also just makes everything leading up to it that much more stressful!
On that note, I think I need to find myself a cookie or two…
Aw yay for you friends!
Hope you enjoy your play time in between working this weekend!!
I’m also glad it’s Friday… The Friday before Christmas. Which means lots of time off! Hope you have a great weekend!
iced coffee with a side of pug tail? count me in!
@Lara: It’s still 3 grams more than if I didn’t add them!
WOW! I hope you get your much needed/deserved rest! CONGRATS to your friends! YAY, I loooove good new! have a great day, oh and that cookie looks AWESOME!
I’m the same with my snacks, I only bring enough for the day.
That cookie looks delish. Happy Friday!!
I too am in the burn out mode. Hope the weekend is restful and you feel a new energy in the days ahead!
i love egg whites in my oats – gives it a great consistency!
Sounds like your life is busier now than ever!!! Are you happier??
Pom in oatmeal? I’ll have to try
@Susan: Yes!
Sitting at a desk all day is just not me.
hope ya have a great weekend!
mmm love putting pom seeds on oats! especially with a side of pug tail
Congrats to your friends!! how exciting!!
I feel ya! I’m in burnout mode too and feeling behind, but you are so right to be planning some fun stuff this weekend in addition to work! They seriously make all the difference!
3 grams is not significant. Why not add more?
Good Luck writing this weekend and hope you enjoyed the cookie I sent!!!! Happy Friday, Tina…
Beer 101? Fun! I wish they’d had THAT as a class when I was in school. Ah, who am I kidding? Every weekend was Beer 101 back then
Good luck getting work done this weekend!
Thank you for mentioning putting egg whites in your oats! I tried it this morning, and it was fantastic! Such an easy way to get some extra protein in the morning