Weekend - Pre-Easter

Jordan had Thursday and Friday off this weekend, so we have been busy getting our house together, and exploring Evans!

On Friday, I ran five miles easy in the morning around home while he slept in.  I decided to be nice and let him have a rest day.  I felt a little stiff from the speed workout Thursday, and was glad when the run was over.

We worked around the house during that day, and after eating dinner we headed to the Evans theater to see.....

The Hunger Games!

I recently read all three books and was a huge fan of them.  The entire concept of the series gives you so much to think about (I may have had nightmares after staying up late reading), and then there is my girl Katniss.  After being disappointed with the Twilight series, it was awesome to see such a tough, kick butt heroine in the story.  The love triangle was really interesting and both guys were so adorable and in love with her, but she wasn't like wimpy Bella pining away for Edward and just taking up air.  Katniss got it done!  I also related with her strategy in the arena.  I would totally run away and live up in a tree until everyone else killed each other.  

The Hunger Games, in a strange way, kept bringing me back to thinking about the marathon.  We all reach a place in the race where you need to focus on maintaining your pace and just surviving.  I usually get into the 'survival mode' at about mile 18.  Up until then, I have maintained my goal pace and,have felt pretty comfortable.  At this point, I don't want to blow it due to some stupid mistake (compare it to dying of dehydration during the hunger games).  I become very aware of taking care of myself - drinking enough fluid, taking in enough calories, keeping my form, hitting my splits, drafting if it is windy, and playing mental tricks to stay in the game.  Hopefully, I can channel some of Katniss's survival skills on April 16th. :)

Saturday, Jordan and I ran at the Evans Town Center Park during their Easter Egg Hunt.  He ran/walked 4 miles and I did a pretty easy 5.  I felt much less stiff.  We had a post-workout breakfast at Panera after, and shopped at the best grocery store in the world, Publix.  Publix is the bomb.  We literally had THREE very pleasant teenagers waiting on us.  One polite young man actually insisted on unloading our cart for us.  A girl checked us out, and kept asking us how we were doing, did we find everything okay, etc.  Another guy bagged our groceries and offered to walk us out and unload our bags for us.  The Dirty Bird (Giant Eagle, my highschool employer) should take notes.

I spent the afternoon cooking up a storm for our Easter feast today.  Although it is just us, I really wanted to cook a nice dinner - and have lots of leftovers.  I made Banana Cream Pudding, Sesame Asparagus, a Breakfast casserole, and prepped our cheesy crockpot potatoes.  Tomorrow I will make the ham and homemade biscuits.  I will have to post some of these recipes, nothing is too tricky and the pudding is especially delicious!

I love my Easter Apron my mother got me!

After a day of slaving away in the kitchen, Jordan and I went to Salsa's Bar and Grill just down the road .  I was ecstatic to see that they had half pitchers of margaritas for only $8.49.  We split it, and didn't even finish the whole thing, haha.  I have a special place in my heart for margaritas after honeymooning in Mexico.

I wasn't super hungry, so I chose to get a combo for only $7.95.  I picked a Chile Pablano and a chicken burrito.  I loved the pepper because it was spicy and NOT FRIED like most are, so I could actually taste the pepper.  Fried food can be good, but it covers up the pepper taste too much.  The Burrito came with a spicy, red sauce so of course I liked it, and of course I added some Mexican hot sauce to it.  Jordan ordered chicken fajitas and decided they were the best he has ever had, besides the ones in Mexico.

 It was still light out after dinner, so we decided on an after dinner photo shoot at the Woodbridge.

He may or may not have chased down the geese after this photo...

Hope you are thinking of us if you are watching the Master's!  Happy Easter!