On to the Sweet Sixteen!

Where did my team go today? We definitely did not show up for the second half like normal. I was sick to my stomach for the last five minutes of the game. I couldn't watch fearful of the outcome. Thankfully good friends helped David and I weather the storm. I am so thankful we pulled off another victory. Phoenix here we come!
Missouri vs. Marquette

New Recipe

This year I've been trying to cook more in anticipation of eating better. I haven't done well in either area. A few weeks ago I did make dinner. Here's a picture of the Sweet and Sour Chicken meal. Recipe to come.

This post is dedicated to Ashley Dunlap. Thanks for the delicious recipe.

Sweet & Sour Chicken

4 eggs 2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour 2 tbs. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt/pepper 1/4 cup soy sauce
4 chicken breasts 1/4 cup vinegar
1 green pepper 1 cup pineapple chunks

Cut chicken into pieces. Mix flour, eggs, salt/pepper in bowl. Dip chicken into mixture. Deep fry in oil. Drain on paper towels. Drain pineapple reserving juice. Add enough water to pineapple juice to measure 2 cups. Blend with sugar, cornstarch, soy sauce, and vinegar in saucepan. Boil for 1 minute stirring constantly. Pour of chicken and pineapple. Serve over rice.

I love layers

Over the past few weeks I've frequented GAP on my way home from work. Mainly because I have a gift card that is burning a hole in my pockets. I've scored a pair of shoes, jeans and a cute top. Over the past few years GAP has disappointed me with their lack luster looks. This year I'm loving their bright colors and layering of scarves and cardigans.

I've bought several cardigans and scarves over the past year. They are great for every season. I love their versatility. They are no longer used only for warmth, but for fashion. GAP has a cute yellowish scarf I planning on buying this week during a special 30% coupon sale. Check it out .

What's your favorite layered look?

V-Day

I had a great V-Day weekend. Thursday night I baked cupcakes.



Friday, David sent me flowers at work and Friday night we went to Medieval Times with friends.





We had a great time. We ate with our hands, cheered on our knight, and celebrated with a victory.

Saturday, David left for Vegas for a boys weekend. I enjoyed some quality time with myself. I went to the scrapbook store, to lunch at Einstein's Bagels, and Target. I spent the afternoon running and relaxing before seeing He's Just Not that Into You. It was cute. I'm glad I hadn't read the book. It could have been boring otherwise. After returning home I did some laundry, caught up on my DVR, and fixed Buffalo Chicken Cheese Dip. This dip is a fabulous appetizer. Here's the recipe.


I package cream cheese (cubed)

1 1/2 cups chicken shredded

1/2 cup Kraft blue cheese dressing

1/2 cup Buffalo sauce

celery, chips, or crackers for dipping


Mix cream cheese, chicken, blue cheese, and buffalo sauce together and microwave for 5 minutes. I like to add shredded cheese on top and bake until cheese melts.




Today, I worked on my scrapbook from London - while watching the first season of Lipstick Jungle, went running, and saw Confessions of a Shopaholic. I love Isla Fischer and Hugh Dancy.

5K Races

In high school I abhorred running anything longer than 2 miles and that was even a stretch. I was a sprinter and the long distances were hard on me. I wasn't a bad runner, I just preferred the shorter distances. During soccer practice we had to run 60 sprints throughout practice. I didn't love running sprints, but I liked them more than running distances. I did however love indian runs; mostly because the whole team was required to run and you weren't able to cheat. You cheaters out there know who you are, but I still love you.

It wasn't until college that I really got into running. It all started with a healthy obsession of competing with my sister. She had completed her first marathon and was entering the STL half marathon. Over Christmas break I decided that if she could run long distances so could I. It was hard at first. Mainly getting into the routine of running was hard, but I had a running partner so I knew I could do it. When we ran our first half-marathon David, myself and my sister did quite well. My unofficial time was 2 hrs. 8 minutes and 56 seconds. It was only unofficial because we registered on-site and they ran out of chips. It was a pleasant experience, for the most part, and I love the t-shirt and medal I received for participating.

It took two more years for me to run another long race. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it, I guess I didn't have anything to train for so I quit. David and I signed up for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in DC. We somewhat trained for it, but didn't. It wasn't an enjoyable race. There were too many people running and you couldn't maintain a pace. After that race I wanted to maintain the running stamina I'd built up while training. My sister mentioned training for the DC marathon together. I thought she was crazy, but I agreed. I wasn't sure I would be able to complete it. My sister trained in Chicago with a group and I trained in DC by myself. I'd made a commitment to myself and I kept it. I rised early every weekend and ran. During the training, I acquired essential running gear. I completed my first marathon in DC in October of 2007 with my sister. It was awesome. Through that experience I learned that I enjoyed running. It was a solitary experience that I still enjoy today. I ran 2 half marathons last year and plan to run 2 more this year - DC and Baltimore. I'm hoping me knee holds up.

Anyway my whole reason for writing this post is because I volunteer, through the Junior League, with an organization called Bright Beginnings. We are hosting the Bright Beginnings 5K Race in Washington, DC, on May 2. This is my encouragement for everyone in DC to come out and participate. I will post more information as the date approaches. I'm in charge or securing items for our race bags. If you know of a company who would be willing to donate samples or coupons please let me know.