Friday Favorites: Desserts...

Desserts, one of my favorite things ever.  I have always had a sweet tooth.  I remember as a kid being bribed with sweet treats.  Quite honestly, I can still be bribed with sweet treats!

This is really hard for me to pick what my favorite desserts are because I love so many.  Below are indeed, my favorites.


Brownies, I am in love with brownies!  A big warm brownie with ice cream is my favorite dessert ever.  Bonefish Grill has one of the best brownies I have ever had.

Brownie from Bonefish Grill

Pumpkin cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory is one of the best things ever invented.  I am sad to say I did not get a slice last year. 

Of course the birthday girl ordered pumpkin cheesecake!

I am also madly in love with the Chocolate Sack at McCormick and Schmidts.  To date, it is the only dessert I have not been able to finish.  I had about two bites left that I just could not finish.  ***Hangs head in shame.***I really think if I take it on again that victory will be mine.  Perhaps that is where I should go for dinner a few weeks after Ironman Louisville to celebrate???

No, I did not share with Ken.  Stopping judging.

Those are my top three favorite desserts!  Lucky for me, Bonefish Grill and Cheesecake Factory are both right by our house, so that means plenty of treats.  What are your favorite desserts?

Friday Favorites: Wedding Pictures...

Our big five year wedding anniversary is coming up!  

I can hardly believe it has been five years.  How is that possible?

Below are my favorite wedding pictures from that gorgeous May day in Jamaica.

I loved my dress!

I turned to face the camera and Ken is talking to the people next to us about how hot he was.  Looking at this picture made me realize how truly short I am.  

For once, I am taller than Ken.  :)

I feel like this is a summary of our life.  Sure, Ken is probably laughing at me laughing at myself, but you know, ultimately, I made him laugh.

Love you Ken!

Friday Favorites: TV Shows...

I probably spend more time than I care to admit watching TV. 

One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday after a tough workout is lay around and watch TV.  It is called recovery.

These are my favorite TV shows that are no longer on TV, but you can catch a rerun or marathon on TBS, Nick at Night, or ABC Family.

The Gilmore Girls

I love this show!  I had never watched it before, but in 2007 my friend Susan let me borrow the first few seasons.  Ken was working in Nashville at the time, so I spent all of my free time watching it.  I quickly became obsessed and wished that I too lived in Stars Hollow.  I ended up going and buying the last two seasons just because I had to watch it.  Love, love, love this show. 

Sex and the City

I started watching this show back in high school and really feel like I learned so much about life from these four ladies.  I still love watching reruns of this show, but really do not like the edited version for TV.  I prefer the show with all the racie comments and scenes.  

LOST

I did not watch this show until last year.  Quickly, it became a full time job.  I could not stop watching it.  I would stay up late watching it and I would also watch it all weekend.  Thank goodness I was not training for an Ironman last year!  I loved the flash black scenes and quickly decided that I must go to Sydney at some point in my life.  I also had a strong desire to join the Dharma Initiative.  My favorite character was of course, Jack.

Full House

I know, I know, this is a super cheesey show.  I cannot help it, I am a child of the 90's and I grew up watching this show.  Plus, I love San Francisco.  On one of our visits to San Fran, I made Ken drive me by the Full House House.  He refused to circle the block and park for me to get a picture with it.  I have never forgiven him for that either. 

Friends

This is my favorite show ever!  I own all 10 seasons and have watched every episode multiple times.  Every night at 10:00 pm, I change the channel to Nick at Night to watch it until I fall asleep.  I often quote lines from the show and reference different episodes.  I wish I could tell you my favorite episode, but there are just too many.  A few that I love are when Ross goes to get a spray tan, when Ross whitens his teeth, when Ross gets angry over his Thanksgiving sandwich, when Monica sings at Mike's piano bar, and when Rachel gives birth.  Honestly, there are just too many to mention.  I have seen rumors about a possible reunion and that might just make my year. 

Friday Favorites: Races...

I thought it would be fun to kick off a little series called Friday Favorites.  I will list anything from races to cities to toiletry items.  Sounds kind of fun doesn’t it?

 Since this is technically a running blog, I thought I would start off with races.

#5 

New York City Marathon

 While this race was not my favorite marathon, it is the New York City Marathon and it deserves to be on my list.  I entered the lottery for three years trying to get into the darn thing.  I will admit that I kind of hyped this race up a bit, which partially lend to my disappointment.  The entire race itself from an organizational stand point is simply amazing.  I will never forget riding the ferry over to Staten Island and people watching in the athlete village.  I will also never forget how steep the Queensboro Bridge felt before descending onto 5^th Avenue.  I never published my race report from 2011.  I know I really should, but for me the race took place when Ken and I had so much chaos going on in our lives that I felt my view of the race was a little negative. 

 You can barely see my head!

There I go!

#4

 Hospital Hill Half Marathon

My #1 fan at the Hospital Hill Half Marathon

I run this half marathon every year that my schedule allows.  It is the oldest race in Kansas City and I really consider it to be my home town race.  The weather has varied over the years from hotter than all get out to a crisp beautiful Summer day.  Let’s be honest, the first week of June in the Midwest is usually torture.  I love all of the down hill in this race.  I also love that Ken and Kya come out to watch and Kya usually acts silly in the fountains at Crown Center.  This race holds my half marathon PR of 1:53.

Quite possibly one of the most unflattering pictures ever.

 #3

 St. Jude’s Memphis Marathon

The Memphis Marathon was my first marathon.  I could not have asked for a better experience.  The course has many rolling hills, tree lined streets, and music along the course.  The finish is inside the Cardinals AAA stadium allowing your family to get the perfect view of you crossing the finish line.  This race is filled with many special memories for Ken and me.  I will never forget the look of pride and possibly surprise that Ken had when I crossed the finish line.  This race also speaks my language when it comes to finish line food.  I mean, who would not want sugar cookies, pizza, and donuts?

 Memphis, 2007, my very first marathon

Memphis, 2008.  It is hard to believe that was six years ago!

#2

 Chicago Marathon

 I have run the Chicago Marathon three times and wish that I could run it every single year.  It is hands down my favorite marathon.  I love the spectators, I love the energy, and I love the course.  Chicago is also a very easy four day weekend trip from Kansas City.  My marathon PR of 3:56 is from the race in 2010.  It was on record one of the hottest Chicago Marathons with lots of carnage on the course the last several miles.  Thank goodness it was not the Chicago Marathon of 2007.  I will not be running the race this year, but with any luck will return in 2015 or 2016.

Running my PR in 2010

Feeling proud and looking rough, in 2010

In 2011.  This is my life people, always looking up and looking like a little person.

2013

#1

 Ironman Louisville

I mean, are you at all surprised that this is my favorite?  One thing about this race that is down right amazing is the volunteers.  Every single volunteer was so friendly and you could tell they were genuinely wanting you to achieve your goal.  My smile never left my face that day.  It was the best day ever.  I know this race will always have a special place in my heart since it was my first Ironman.  I just hope that I feel the same way about it after this coming August. 

The look of fear

The best day ever.

That wraps up the first installment of Friday Favorites!  Check back next week to see what else will make a favorite!