Good morning and happy Marathon Monday to you!
Today is my favorite day of the entire year. I absolutely love Marathon Monday (aka Patriot’s Day aka the day that the Boston Marathon is run) because it (typically) symbolizes the start of Spring with the nicer weather and people engaging in many more outdoor activities. It’s like everyone comes out of hibernation after the long winter. And, of course, the energy around the marathon is contagious. I loved Marathon Monday long before I ran the Boston Marathon and now that I’ve run it, I love the day even more. It’s school vacation week for Mal, so we thought about spectating, but the logistics and likelihood of keeping Quinn entertained (and contained?) for such a long period of time is pretty slim, so we’re staying local to watch. Good luck to everyone running today, especially my friend, Scott!
I really enjoyed recapping last weekend via top 10 list, so I decided to use that format once again. That said, here’s my top 10 favorite moments/fun things from the weekend!
1. Getting creative in the kitchen – I have a bunch of new recipes coming your way this week and next!
These peanut clusters are especially DELICIOUS.
Mal, Quinn, and I are all obsessed with them. Definitely keep a look out for the recipe on CNC soon!
2. Linking 8 T2B in a workout at CrossFit – It was awesome. My T2B are slowly but surely coming along! Now I need to get going on my HSPUs!
3. Date night with Mal and our friends, Jeff and Marisa – We went out to dinner at Orta and had such a nice time!
I ordered one of the specials, which was haddock wrapped in bacon with mashed potatoes, tomatoes, and corn. It was incredible.
4. Eating ricotta toast and eggs – It’s such a tasty combo, and I ate it 3 different times this weekend. Mmm! Definitely try it!
5. Making Vietnamese iced coffee at home – Well, sort of. I just kind of winged it by mixing sweetened condensed milk with hot coffee and then chilling it. It turned out soooooo well despite not using the traditional method.
6. Getting in and out of Trader Joe’s on Sunday morning before the crazy crowds arrived – Q-Man and I enjoyed a leisurely grocery shopping trip together. It was so nice not having to rush through our list like we normally do.
7. Painting a bird house with Quinn – I saw one at the Dollar Spot at Target the other day and knew he would love it.
And he did!
We had a great time painting together.
Our masterpiece:
8. Also from the Dollar Spot: Hats for our vacation later this week – We’ll probably go to the beach at least one day, so I figured we might need some proper sun protection.
9. Enjoying a Dark Chocolate Almond & Coconut KIND bar – Holy cow. This flavor is easily the best KIND bar I’ve ever tasted. It reminds me a lot of an Almond Joy candy bar, but more natural tasting. It was so yum. Thank you for the samples, KIND!
10. Sharing our weekend via Snapchat – More fun from the weekend: blanket forts, Crocs ‘N’ socks, bubbles (anyone else’s kid TOTALLY obsessed with bubbles!?!), afternoon adventures at Bare Cove Park, CF partner WOD, Espresso Creme Burlee, Sunday morning 4-mile run, silly dinner entertainment. If you’re on Snapchat, be sure to follow CarrotsNCake!
Questions of the Day
Are you watching the Boston Marathon today? Know anyone running?
What’s your favorite day of the year?
I love Quinn’s concentration face in the painting picture! So serious and focused!
Ahhh, love the bird house! Totally something that my kids would love doing too.
My Whole Foods had no clue about Vietnamese coffee. I was so looking forward to trying it – maybe I’ll try at home. Bubbles are an all time favorite with my son. It’s amazing how much joy they bring and how long they keep his attention!
Quinn is so neat with the paints. My son who’s just a week younger would need a bib and a bath afterwards!
I love going to TJ’s early and grabbing a cup of their coffee and whatever they are sampling and wandering around with no crowds. That’s usually when I get into trouble though and buy everything! My favorite day of the year is definitely Christmas!
i can’t wait to take out paints with william! i’m waiting to bring our table outside so he can get really messy haha
Hi Tina, have you and Quinn looked for the stuffed lobster at Trader Joe’s. I am not sure all stores do it as I’ve only been to ours. They have a stuffed lobster they move everyday, if you find him (I think his name is Lenny – I’m probably wrong), you tell the courtesy desk and you (Quinn) will get a lollipop or sticker. You can just look for him for fun. I’d love to know if all stores do it.
Very cool! We’ll look next time. Thanks for telling us!!
@Jen Kedrie: Our TJs in New Jersey all do it. I always smile when spot it!
I love going to Trader Joe’s early too. My fiance and I go between and 8 and 9 every single Saturday morning. It is so nice to leisurely get what we need and browse a bit. The free coffee doesn’t hurt!
I think one of my favorite days of the year is Memorial Day. Besides the 3-day weekend off from work, it’s such a nice feeling knowing that the real days of summer are here. But, that might be a strong New England area sentiment because it also means nice weather!
Looks like you had a great weekend! My favorite day of the year is Opening Day of baseball season. I LOVE baseball and Opening Day for me seems to shepherd in the warmer weather, longer days, and summer!!
I have a friend running – its her 10th year! And its her first year where she qualified to run instead of running for charity (which she also loves!) She’s amazing and a true inspiration considering her first Marathon time was 5+hours!
Favorite day of the year is Christmas Eve for me – with family, friend, good food and drinks! Hands down my favorite day 🙂
I know a bunch of people running but I have never run it. What a fun day! Can’t wait to watch the live stream!
I love the birdhouse idea! I have an almost-2-year-old and have been looking for some fun activities to do together. I live north of Boston and just love today too! Especially since today is so gorgeous weather-wise! Happy Marathon Monday!
Can’t wait for those recipes! Also, great idea to put ricotta on toast with eggs. I’m always looking for other ways to use it because it’s so delicious!
I LOVED marathon monday when my family lived in Boston! You’re so right about the energy and everyone coming out of hibernation! 😀 That’s something I miss about the states: The excitement around sports!
I’m still working up to t2b! way to go!
I LOVE Marathon Monday! I always take off work so I can watch it without feeling guilty for always updating my computer and runner tracking!
My favorite day of the year is the Fourth of July. My favorite KIND Bar is the honey glazed pecan and sea salt one.
My dad is running in his 39th consecutive Boston today! #BostonStrong
Looks like you guys had a fun weekend!! I need to try that kind bar!
Kudos to all running today. Love the birdhouse. Brings back childhood memories. xo Lauren
Marathon Monday is one of my favorite days of the year too! We’ve always gone to the redsox game and then spectate the race after. This year we brought our 11 month daughter too! We were nervous that it would be a rough day but she did awesome! She even got to sit on the field for pictures after the game! Great day!
What is the best gluten free bread that you have tried? Looking for both a white bread and a cinnamon raisin.
I actually don’t eat much gluten-free bread, but I remember liking the Canyon Bakehouse brand. I think Target sells it!
you should try this for your vietnamese coffee. this contraption makes really concentrated coffee which you then add the condensed milk too and ice.
can use any coffee. layer coffee for 1-2 inches depending on how strong you want your coffee to be
http://www.amazon.com/Vietnamese-Coffee-Filter-Gravity-Insert/dp/B01AK11S7C/ref=sr_1_4?s=appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1461256333&sr=1-4&keywords=vietnamese+coffee