Last Run of 2010

Well, today was the last run of 2010 for me.  

The weather was beautiful and sunny.  

It was a bit windy for my taste, 

but it's great for training.

 The lighthouse at Lake Hefner

 One of my favorite places in OKC.

 A post-run Powerade Zero is always good

 Finishing 2010 strong with my SIL, April

My friend, Kelli, is working on 

the C25K program so I invited her 

to join us today.  
Both of these ladies did great 
and I'm so proud of them!


I hope 2011 has many more miles 
in store for us all!

On The Run With My SIL

The weather was really nice here today in OKC.  So, as I was sitting in my oversized chair reading an owners manual to a new Christmas gift, I was bit by the running bug.  I immediately made a post on my SIL's FB asking if she'd like to meet me at the Lake and then sent her a text.  She was actually about to head out the door to Eldon Lyon Park for a run, so we met there.  It was so great to get out there and run again.  Running has been difficult to squeeze in my hectic schedule lately and I've missed it so much.
It was really wonderful for us to catch up and chit-chat while running.  She signed up to run her first half-marathon this spring while I run the same event for my second time.  I'm so pumped!  It's neat to watch her on the journey that I was on a year ago.  Plus, it's nice to have a local training buddy this time around.  The last time I trained for a half-marathon, I trained in St. Louis all by myself.  That made for some really long runs.  
I think my SIL, April, and I will have to get some matching hats, hair accessories, or something for the event.  I can't wait!  We McCoy ladies are proudly representing our male-dominated not-so-athletic family and loving every minute of it.


I hope we can meet up for another run on Thursday!  

Jesus' Birthday Cake

This cake is a symbol of Jesus's love for us. 

The chocolate cake symbollizes our sins. 

The white frosting symbolizes Jesus' purity 

that covers our sins. 

It is topped with a yellow star (remember those yellow star sugar cookies I made?) and angel (lacking this today, oops!) to symbolize the bearer of the first glad tidings. 

There are twelve candles on top to 

symbolize Christ our light through the year.

The cake is encircled with fresh evergreens 

to symbolize everlasting life. 

The baker and the cake.

I helped my nephew, Noah, blow out the candles.

Christmas Cookies In Photos

Merry CHRISTmas!

"For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given... And His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, 
The Prince of Peace."


He had the Birthday, 
WE got THE GIFT.
Thank You, Jesus!


Merry CHRISTmas!!!

'Tis the Season for Giving!

I LOVE to give year round and help others as much as possible.  I've always been that way.  ; )


I surprised my sweet neighbors with a homemade calzone on Wednesday night and a crustless spinach bacon and cheddar quiche this morning.  Mmm....  


Here's what their daughter (she's only a year younger than I am and as sweet and as fun as can be!) posted as her facebook status:
  
"My parent's neighbor and our good friend Jennifer brought over a homeade quiche this morning-looks amazing!! And this is after she brought the most delicious homeade calzone the other night-if I could ever hire a personal chef!!! :) I am enjoying getting a bit pampered!"


I like that other enjoy my culinary creations.  It really brings me joy! 


My neighbors are so kind and take good care of me while David is out of town.  I am so grateful for them!

Christmas Cookies

Christmas Time Is Here!

I baked sugar cookies for Christmas.  

This time I tried TWO new things:  

Stained Glass Cookies AND Royal Icing.

It was a blast and I can't wait to do it again.

Here are a few photos from my journey....

Crushed Candy for stained glass cookies

Not too shabby for my first time

Outlining candy canes with royal icing

 Flooded candy canes

Flooded with white and beginning to dry

 A few completed cookies

A few more 

And some more....

but there were many, many more 

that don't appear in the photos. 

I may add them later.

Oh, and in case you're wondering... 

THEY ARE VERY TASTY! 

Mmmm...

I had to make a special cookie for the hubster.  

Hopefully this will keep him from being temped to sneak some Christmas cookies before Christmas.

= )

 Can you believe that after all the cookie baking/decoration/flour & sugar 

everywhere madness 

I actually went to the gym? 

Spin class helped me get my sweat on 

and work up an appetite for dinner.

The gym always guarantees a good time!  LOVE it!

Adult Allergies

I'm only 30 and signs of my old age are already adding up.  


It was 8 years ago when I discovered I was allergic to penicillin.  I had taken it many times prior and never had a problem.  My body just decided to hate the stuff for some reason.


A couple of years ago, I developed an allergy to adhesive.  The adhesive on band-aids or medical tape would make my skin red and blistery.  It was horrible.  I try to stay away from band-aids.


Today, I was cleaning the bathroom and used a glove.  I always just toughed it in the past and cleaned without gloves, but the products tore my hands up and then David would make me feel guilty for not taking better care of myself.  My eczema is bad enough without the help of chemicals.
Well, I recently broke down and purchased latex cleaning gloves.  Sadly, I'm going to have to get latex-free gloves before I clean again or David will have to do all the cleaning.  That's right, I'm pretty sure I have developed a latex allergy.  


What's wrong with me????  Is this all because I'm getting older?


Have you developed any allergies with age?

Quotes By Kids

"Mrs. M, you just filled my bucket!" - grade K

Cable

After much discussion, David and I decided to sign up for cable TV through New Years Day.  The reasoning behind this may seem silly to some people, but it's serious business to us.  We signed up just so we could watch the Fiesta Bowl.
It's been difficult finding places to watch some of the OU games and we'd really like to watch this one in our own home.  Cable isn't something that we consider a necessity and honestly, we think it's pricey.   This is a very RARE treat.


Well anyways, I am so excited that we have cable for now.  This means I get to watch Food Network during my winter break.  This could be dangerous.  Oh yeah!

OLD NAVY $1 DEAL

Old Navy will be offering $1 Performance Fleece Scarves this Saturday (12/18) In-Store ONLY.  You will want to get there early, because they'll sell out quickly.  Once they're gone…they’re gone!! (Limit 5 per person).

Get all the info and details on their Facebook Page!  I would call your store ahead of time to verify their holiday hours and opening time!

Gap Kids?

David helped with laundry today.  While folding my shirts he asked if I've been shopping at Gap Kids.  He thinks he's pretty funny.  I wonder what he'll think when I can get rid of these last 15 pounds?

A Pastel Christmas

I follow foodgawker which is part of what fuels my kitchen madness.  They have the most delectable looking photos of food.  Let's just say that it's what all of us foodies call 'food porn'.  I'm not kidding!

Aren't these cookies breathtaking?  This person has some real skills!  You can check out these gorgeous pastel Christmas treats by clicking here.  Everything in the blog post is absolutely gorgeous.  You will not be disappointed.  


I think it's time I get back in the kitchen for some Christmas cookie baking right now.

Amazon's 25 Days of Free MUSIC

One of my favorite countdown to Christmas traditions is Amazon’s 25 Days of Free. Amazon offers a new FREE MP3 holiday song download each day from December 1 through 25.  Be sure to visit their site daily.  
ENJOY!

Married with Medicine

You know you're married to a med student when you walk into your room and find a stethoscope on the nightstand

Black Friday 2010

It was a great day!

The goods minus a microwave and Corningware.

 David and I purchased nice new footwear this week.  

My feet have been absolutely freezing at work (even with wool socks) and David loves the comfort of the Cole Haan dress shoes while working long hours in clinics or at the hospital.  

We have to keep our feet happy!

 Aren't these classy?

They will look stunning with his interview suit.

My new Uggs are fully lined with real sheepskin that naturally wicks away moisture and keeps feet dry. The outer boot is a distressed, pebbled, full grain leather upper with an oiled finish.  It is a great boot for durability and traction which is obviously something I need based on my "graceful" history. 

 LOVE them!

Here are my fantastic finds.  

I put most of it to use already.  = )

Merry Christmas/Happy Belated Birthday (almost 6 mo. late) to me!!!


David had a really nice pile of goods too, but I didn't photograph them.  I got him TONS of clothes.  He has everything from new jeans to ties and pajama pants to belts.  I think we're set.... for now.

Oh, and my sweet husband, David, surprised me with a new COACH wallet when he returned from his second interview.  That was a REALLY nice souvenir!  He also brought me back a t-shirt and mug from one of my most favorite places on Earth.  Yes, I might be spoiled.  = )

So, there ya have it.  That was our black Friday.  It felt great to stimulate the economy even if I will be paying for it 30 years from now along with 10% interest.  My view on debt changes on a daily basis and I must have had a pretty carefree view that day.  Oh well.

Sooner Spirit from the Kitchen

These are a few of the cake balls 

I made for the OU/OSU Bedlam Game.  

This game is serious business!

I put edible glitter on some of the cake balls.  

They turned out to be pretty cute.  Next year I might make some for OSU also.  I'm thinking I'll stick with red velvet and cream cheese 
for OU and make orange dreamsicle 
cake balls for OSU.  

Doesn't that sound fun?


Hopefully these OU cake balls will make an appearance before Bedlam next year.  
That would be the best!!!

OU Cake Balls

How is this for Sooner Spirit ?

BOOMER SOONER!!!

Tonight is the Bedlam Game.  

I'm hoping OU will win and go to the 

Championship Game.

Happy Feet

I LOVE my new Uggs!

Approved by Noah

As you all read in a previous post, I made three batches of homemade rolls for Thanksgiving.  They are the one food item that my in-laws really look forward to.  Seriously, as soon as I walk in the door they ask me if I remembered the rolls.  I don't get a "hello" or anything.  It's really quite cute and makes me feel like I can contribute something special. I hold the key to a Happy Holiday!  = )


My nephew, Noah, is three years old AND a real McCoy.  He took a bite of a roll and said, "This is soooo good!"  And then he chomped into the roll again and again.  He had this amazing look of satisfaction on his face as if that moment was what life was all about.  The kid knows what's good at age 3.  So, there ya have it, my rolls are officially approved by Noah.  I see many more rolls in his future.

From The Kitchen

 Roll dough in the making

This is what magic looks like

They're rising

I need more baking sheets

 First batch is out of the oven!

Glorious cranberries!

They're just gorgeous!

Making the Pioneer Woman's Nantucket Cranberry Pie

Ready for the oven

I hope we have enough!

The finished cranberry pie

 Marinated Veggie Salad

This was David's dessert on the Thanksgiving Eve.  

Apparently he didn't think he'd get enough dessert on Thanksgiving.

 ; )

Turkey... this one ended up going home with us.

More turkey!  Yes, the McCoys cooked 2 birds this year.

 Mashed potatoes my MIL made

Dressing my SIL, April, made for our feast

My SIL, April, also made green bean casserole

I made deviled eggs

I also made a cheese platter

My SIL, April, made her first pecan pie.  Isn't it beautiful?!?  It was super yummy too!

The marinated veggie salad that was a hit with my nephew, Jonah.

The cranberry pie I made.

David's plate

The Nantucket Cranberry Pie didn't impress the McCoy family.  I won't be making it again.  I don't even know if I'll be trying any more of the Pioneer Woman's recipes after this flop.  It wasn't great.  What a waste of cranberries and pecans.