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!