Great Recipe + a Great Week

Hi everyone!! It has been a busy week but I've been excited to post an update. Half Marathon training has  kicked off with 12 miles ran since Saturday (3.1 Saturday, 6.2 Tuesday, 3.1 today).

Since I've last posted, I've made my best friend Caitlin's amazing paleo turkey sausage. Here is a link to where you can find the recipe. Cait's turkey sausage is unbelievable, it tastes like Bob Evans!  I follow her recipe word-for-word and it comes out perfect each time.  These freeze very well.  I gave half the batch to my parents and kept half for myself.  These have been breakfast all week!  Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe Cait :-)

Finishing this post, with a picture from tonight's 5k on Daniel Island.  I ran with some great people, made some good new friends, and fell in love with Governor's Park!  If you saw it, you'd understand... So here is a picture :-)

I have to say, this picture does not do it justice.  The palm trees, the waterfront, the bridges- seriously this park was magical!  Running terrain varied... Lol. But so gorgeous!  I would have taken more pictures if I wasn't busy running :-)

More to come this weekend, with a special meal care of South Euclid :-)

Kisses and hugs from South Carolina! xoxoxoxo

Madeleine

Southern Cross + Mason Jars

I hope everyone is having a great week! Last night, my parents took me with them to see Crosby, Stills & Nash. What a great show! We enjoyed listening to lots of their big hits including: "Southern Cross", "Helplessly Hoping", "Our House", and "Teach Your Children".  The show also included some Buffalo Springfield tunes like "For What it's Worth" and solo songs such as "Love the One Your With". Such a great time, thank you M & D!!

 

Tonight, I have been working on organizing my craft supplies. Do you ever have time to complete just 30% of a project? That is what happened to me this evening. The rest will get done this weekend, but here is a sneak peek. When I finish, I'll share the full before and after pictures!

 

Lots of mason jars! What can't you do with mason jars? I love them because they are so affordable and easy to repurpose at a later time.  

 

Wishing everyone a great Thursday tomorrow.  So close to the weekend, make every secnod count!!

 

Xoxo Love, Madeleine

Embracing the Cha-Cha + CharlestonGrit

Embracing the cha-cha!  My dear friend Katie shared this picture this week and, with her permission, I had to re-post!  The sign says, "Optimist: Someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it's more like a Cha-Cha". Katie - I love this and I love you!  You are all in every thought and prayer. This little slogan is such a great reminder for all of us! And a special thank you to those who might be reading this that have helped me with my own cha-cha dancing. You are amazing and I love you!!

Oh, before I forget!  I have exciting news to share.  I sent a writing sample and was accepted as a guest blogger on CharlestonGrit.com.  I can't wait to tell you more - thank you, CharlestonGrit.com for this great opportunity!  As I finish this post, the last load of laundry is spinning (love falling asleep to that sound).... Xs & Os and Best Loves -

 

Madeleine

Farmer's Market + Relic Revival

I hope everyone is having a great week!  It was a busy one, I'm blessed with work, but catching my breath this weekend has also felt good.  Yesterday I visited the Summerville Farmer's Market.

It was a lot different than my last Farmer's Market experience - I really loved it.  So many farm stands and local artisans.  I counted 1 hot food truck, which I think, is all that is needed.  There were stands for hot doughnuts, hot dogs, and Italian ice.  But I loved the selection of fresh fruits and veggies! 

Most of my shopping was done at Freeman Produce - you can find Camden admiring this and the rest of my haul below... Minus two plums that I ate during my errands. :-)

 After the Farmer's Market, I walked just 15 feet to Relic Revival Antique Shop.

The store is so beautiful!  It is a converted dance studio with a great selection across multiple price points.  I admired their beautiful furniture and I'm definitely going to make a return visit someday when I have a bigger house. 

But my favorite items were the beautiful home accessories.  I loved the handwritten note on each treasure, sharing the background and history of the items.  It reminds me of the notes my Grandpa left on items he would pass forward...  Loved these notes + the store has arranged their items so beautifully!

My favorite moment?  When Claude Debussy's Claire de Lune started to play. Here's a pic I took a few seconds after it came on... A song so special to my Granny - I linked to it above and I'd recommend giving it a listen - it starts and ends in a whisper.  Love moments like that!!

As I checked-out, I had a chance to chat with the owner, Morgan.  She was so easy to talk to and just lovely, I enjoyed hearing about the store.  While I was shopping I was really impressed by the number of repeat customers and the attention she showed. Visit the store and you'll see what I mean!  I purchased two books which she wrapped beautifully.  I highly recommend Relic Revival located at 113 W 2nd South St, Summerville, SC 29483. 

 

Here's Camden with one of the books I found, "Little Lost Kitten", for my original little lost kitten! 

The day ended with TJ Maxx and some deep-dish pizza!  Hey, if I was all fruits and vegetables, I'd have no credibility :-)  Today, I'm planning on further organizing the house and dropping off a bunch of items at the Goodwill.  May or may not be making this no bake chocolate cheesecake pie from Taste of Home (surprise ruined if my parents read here ;-) ) and visiting my M&D + Hensy.  Best love to everyone this weekend - make the most of it!! xxoo

Love, Madeleine
 

Cruising + 5k Complete

Hope everyone's enjoying the long weekend!  It's been a good while between posts but I had a great reason - was CRUISING in Mexico!

The cruise to Mexico was amazing.  We took the Carnival Elation.  Granted, Carnival hasn't been having the *best* luck lately at sailing the seas - but I've gotta say it was a great time.

The first stop on the trip was Progresso.  Seen below, the water was beautiful but the city itself was pretty run-down.  The port at Progresso has not been open too long.  Hopefully, the city's economy will improve as the tourism industry grows.

Cozumel was amazing!  We took a great excursion to go snorkeling and to a private beach.  We also had a great time enjoying the port area. Here's a picture of Cozumel from the ship's deck, where we gave a lookout for stragglers!

 

In both cities, the souvenir shopping was great!! It was fun to think about the people back home and I was wishing I had more room in my luggage...

 

All in all, it was a great time with these peeps... Can't wait for the next one.

Thanks to my M&D for taking care of things while I was away.  It was a wonderful vaca!

In other big news - I finished workout #24 (gulp) today and completed my 5K training. 

Yesterday, I tried doing some outdoor running.  There's an amazing trail that I've found which is closeby - you don't notice the heat (as much) in the shade of the trees.

 

While running, I see lots of squirrels, birds, and even a bunny rabbit.  However, my favorite site, is when I see other runners.  We share a mutual understanding!  My favorite part of the trail, is when it passes by this beautiful lake.

 

After last night's run, I returned again this morning and completed running a 5K at 33:26.  This was faster than I expected (had assumed I would finish in 35 minutes) but not as good as my PR which is 28:39 (set in 2010).  I am watching what I eat so I can increase my speed.  I'm also planning on continuing to run every other day - because as they say, "practice makes perfect".

 

Funny/ridiculous story.  I finished the 5K around 11:45.  I ran 2 miles out, turned around, and ran a mile (+.1) back.  Figured from there, I'd jog for a few minutes and then walk to the car.

 

So I started walking.... And walking... And walking...

 

Finally, GPS showed me that I was about 25 minutes in the wrong direction.  Well, after walking for 50 minutes in 95 degree heat (following the 3+ mile run) - 2 sweet older ladies asked me if I wanted a ride back!  I thanked them, said I was OK, and laughed... Lol. I must have looked like such an athlete for them to stop and offer me the car ride.  ;-)

 

Hope everyone is having a great week - thanks for reading & thanks for the comments! Post your blog links so I can follow you too. :-)

Farmer's Market Saturday & Paleo Nuggets

Hope everyone's doing well - it's been a busy week and I'm continuing to enjoy the 5K training. Today I visited Charleston's Farmer's Market.  While the view was lovely, the Market itself was...

 



Dissapointing?  When I arrived I was kind of bummed that there weren't more, I don't know, farmers? In fact, I'd estimate that 70% of the stands were either hot food (i.e. burgers, gyros, etc.) to eat on the spot or items to buy.  Granted, most of the items for purchase were hand made or crafted - but it still wasn't the farmer-like environment I had anticipated. 

I did find a great stand where I picked-up some broccoli, sweet potatoes, and blueberries.  I thought it was very sweet that they added in a jalapeno.  What I loved most about the stand I visited was that they accepted cash and WIC.

My favorite non-food find, were these paintings.  The one with the three sisters was definitely the winner, but I love this Charleston one too.  I haven't seen paintings like this, where the artist intentionally "paints outside the lines" onto the matting and frame.  I love that.

 

 

This morning I also visited one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie.  Look closely and you'll see some chairs - one of my sister's name's all over them. A little spray paint and I could take care of the other one.  Granted, they probably cost.. $$$$  But so cute.

Winner winner chicken dinner of this week -- literally -- has been my BFF Caitlin's paleo chicken nuggets and sweet potato fries.  Pictures below, I am in heaven.  SO GOOD!!! Visit her blog for the recipe - I prepared both exactly as she suggested in the recipe and they came out amazing.  Enjoy!

Tomorrow morning I'm going for a beach run with my friend from high school!! Oh so excited to see her and catch up. Hope that you all are doing wonderful!  Have a great weekend.

XO Madeleine


 

summer update

Just got back from a great beach vacation with my family!  Loved every minute.