First of all…yesterday was a special someone’s birthday! It was my BIL’s (brother in law) birthday! What an exciting weekend he had unpacking boxes, carrying heavy things because he is so strong, and all the other fun things that happen when you move in to your first house with my sister!

Cutie Costello’s in front of their house in Bristol, RI…can’t wait to visit!

My BIL always comes to my races and cheers me on really loud and crazy…and even he put his thumb up when I rounded the corner during my casual 26.2. Thanks for being my #1 fan!

We love him and we couldn’t have found a better addition/calming force to add to our crazy family!!

Happy Birthday Prez Pat!

Okay “readers” (all 4 of your that is, love you guys!)…I hate making excuses but I am going to anyway. I started a new semester of grad school about a month ago and it has been seriously kicking my butt. I love my program I am in (school counseling), but I just haven’t had much “free” time and unfortunately blogging is the thing that gets put on the back burner…I can’t give up working out/running (sanity), I can’t give up friends/family (life), and I can’t give up my job ($$$).

But I do LOVE blogging and since February is all about ❤… I am going to try and be better about blogging! I will start keeping track of workouts again and trying to add in recipes more often. I also received this cute little note from a co-worker and I decided I had to post again soon since I had a special request:) (Thanks, Kerri!)

This could be why I don’t feel like doing long runs outside for this half marathon that is in 5 weeks. I HATE the cold…and if you have been around me the past month every time I walk outside I say “I am over it”…but apparantely the evil mother nature doesn’t catch my drift. I do enjoy an extra 2 hrs in bed every now and then 🙂

This helps you through the winter…cupcake red velvet is where it’s at! (or any of the others cupcakes, and real cupcakes too)

This was the text I received after Beyonce’s performance from my mom….don’t worry we straightened her out.

And I will be kind and leave you with a recent recipe that is easy, healthy, and a crock-pot fave (this is also a WW recipe so I included PPV if you are interested:)

Slow Cooker Minestrone
PointsPlus Value: 4 (for 1.5 cups)
Servings: 8

Ingredients
4 cup(s) canned chicken broth
14 1/2 oz canned diced tomatoes, with basil, garlic and oregano
1 pound(s) uncooked Yukon gold potato(es), peeled, diced
1 medium uncooked zucchini, quartered lengthwise, sliced 3/4-in thick
19 oz canned cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

(I added a can of kidney beans too!)

1 1/2 cup(s) uncooked string beans, cut in 1-in lengths
1 medium uncooked leek(s), chopped (light green and white part only)
1 large uncooked carrot(s), diced
1 rib(s) uncooked celery, diced
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground (or more to taste)
2 Tbsp olive oil, extra-virgin
1/2 tsp table salt, or to taste
3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano suggested

Instructions
Combine broth, tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini, cannellini beans, string beans, leek, carrot, celery and pepper in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW setting until vegetables are tender, about 6 hours. Stir in oil and salt; sprinkle with cheese just before serving. Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.

I didn’t take a picture of the soup (where was my mind at!) But I did take a picture of snickerdoodle cookies that were (shhhhh from a box mix!) delicious that I made for superbowl sunday.

As much as I love dips, chips and anything of the sort… cookies will always have my heart.

xoxoxo