fancy cars and beautiful traditions



okay okay okay, I can't stand it! I have got to share my thoughts about William and Kate! I have not cared much at all about this "Royal Wedding". I haven't watched anything leading up to it and haven't had much interested in even watching it. Well,  last night about 1:30 I was woken up by a stomach ache and couldnt fall back asleep. So, I turned on the TV in hopes that it would help me fall back asleep (I always watch TV when I go to bed, bad habit, I know!) Well, the wedding footage was just started at about 3:30-4:00, so I started watching. Needless to say, I did not fall asleep! I watched the guests starting to arrive at Westminister Abbey. I think I dosed off and got about an hour of sleep and woke back up just in time to see Prince Charles and the Queen arriving at Westminister. From then on, I was intrigued! What a beatiful ceremony. I am so overjoyed that traditional wedding ceremonys (and traditional services in general) are still occuring! I LOVE the feel and sounds of traditional hymn music and prayers that follow! Everything about this wedding was gorgeous! The boys choir was absolutely amazing! The British accent just made the sound of the vows even that much more beatiful! I am in love with everything about this wedding! Okay, enough rambling about that. I wish Kate and William all of the best and I am very happy for them!


Oh, and I vote for Kiss #2!!

Going along with the wedding themed Friday, I am heading to the beach this afternoon to begin my Bachelorette Weekend! Whoop Whoop! Lauren, Kels, and I are headed down tonight- we are running the Tanger Outlets 5k Saturday morning and then just hanging out until the partying begins Saturday night! Looking forward to a fun weekend!

Rainy day thank you's

Today, I actually have nothing on the agenda! This came at a good time because I hate having a jam packed day when there is such nasty weather. This storm is pretty serious, so I am staying snuggled up on the couch today with my computer and my box of thank you notes and my wedding gift book! =) I wanted to get in a run sometime today so maybe it will clear up this afternoon! The wedding gifts have slowly started to trickle in and we feel so special each day when we receive something for our wedding!

On a different note, I can't wait to use of the wedding goodies and begin cooking and baking! I have always wanted to be a good cook and make all of these amazing recipes that I find, but it seems I never take the time to actually do it. (I don't have my own kitchen either and Mom is always cooking). My family and friends probably think I dont know how and I am horrible at it because i dont do it. They laugh and joke with me about not being able to cook. So, I got inspired and told Charlie by the end of the week my goal was to cook something out of the new Southern Living magazine (p.s. I LOVE Southern Living Magazine and all its greatness), and that is what I did! Yesterday, I made 2 Kentucky Hot Brown tarts! I will have to say that it was pretty good! I know I can cook, I just have to make time to do it! Here is the recipe!!

Ingredients

1 (14.1-oz.) package refrigerated piecrusts (to save time, I used a piecrust already made)

1 1/2 cups chopped cooked turkey

2 cups (8 oz.) shredded white Cheddar cheese

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives

6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled

1 1/2 cups half-and-half

4 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

2 plum tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 

 

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 425°. Unroll piecrusts; stack on a lightly greased surface. Roll stacked piecrusts into a 12-inch circle. Fit piecrust into a 10-inch deep-dish tart pan with removable bottom; press into fluted edges. Trim off excess piecrust along edges. Line piecrust with aluminum foil or parchment paper, and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Place pan on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes. Remove weights and foil from piecrust, and bake 8 more minutes. Cool completely on baking sheet on a wire rack (about 15 minutes). Reduce oven temperature to 350°.

2. Layer turkey and next 3 ingredients in tart shell on baking sheet.

3. Whisk together half-and-half and next 3 ingredients; pour over turkey.

4. Bake at 350° for 30 to 40 minutes or until set.

5. Place tomatoes in a single layer on paper towels; press tomatoes lightly with paper towels. Arrange over top of tart, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cool on baking sheet on wire rack 15 minutes.
 

Ok, this is the only picture I have of this, so don't laugh! My blackberry takes terrible pictures! I will do better with the photography next time!

 



Food Overload

I am definately on junk food overload from this weekend. I am always very consious about what I eat, but lord know I have a terrible sweet tooth. Between my shower, two birthdays, and easter celebrations with both families, the food just kept coming. I feel miserable today and I started my morning with oatmeal and fresh strawberries! A good start to being back on track!
This weekend was a fun one! Saturday I had my monogram shower hosted by Mrs. Judy, Lauren, Colleen, Brandi, Ginny, and the sis. They did such a good job, everything was wonderful! We celebrated BJ and Missy's birthdays saturday night with a cookout and strawberry shortcake! Happy Birthday to them!!
Easter Sunday is always a day that I look forward to. Not only is it a time to celebrate our risen savior, but to celebrate the power and love of Jesus Christ with friends and family. Our worship service was beautiful and the song we sing, Lift High the Cross, is one of my favorite hymns of all times. Thank you Lord for such a beatiful Easter! Christ our Lord is Risen today, Allelujah!!

LOVE this!

 The hostesses

 Easter sunday before church

Now it is off to run before I make the drive to Columbia for my last class of my graduate school career!!! THANK YOU LORD for helping me get through these past two years!!! Looking forward to celebrating with dinner tonight with my classmates! 

Feeling Blessed

Tomorrow is my last day of my internship, which means my last day of my graduate school career! I feel so blessed to be graduating in a few short weeks! I don't have much going on today, so I spent a little bit of time reflecting on the other reason I am feeling blessed: the outpouring of love and support that has been given to us by our friends and family during our "wedding season". I can't begin to tell you how loved we already feel and we are still one month and one day until the wedding day! From showers to partys to gifts in the mail, it is hard to express how thankful we truly are! Here are just a few highlights from all of the wedding festivities!! A big THANK YOU and HUG to all of those who have taken part!

Couples Shower/Oyster Roast- January 15, 2011

 Hostesses

 Jordan, me, and K decked out in Judith March

Misc. Shower Given by Charlie's Aunts- February 27, 2011

Church Shower given by the ladies in Mom's Sunday School Class- March 6, 2011

Wedding Party at the Hyman's- April 2, 2011

GE Healthcare Party Hosted by Jeff and Mary Taylor- April 16, 2011

I did bad with taking pictures at this party, this is the only one we have, and its before we even got there! oh well, too much excitement!

This saturday I have my last shower, a monogram shower hosted by some of my girlies! I am looking forward to spending time with them! I will blog it this weekend! We truly have the most amazing family and friends any couple could as for!!

Race to the finish!

I feel as though I am racing to the finish in more ways than one! Yall know I love to race! I only have 6 more days of my internship left and then I will officially be DONE with graduate school. I feel very relieved but at the same time I feel like I am racing to get all of this paperwork and last minute stuff done, not to mention that in the back of my mind all I really want to think about is the wedding! I have stuff constantly running through my mind! I sure hope I can get everything done! I am looking foward to the future and a new journey!
This weekend we headed to the beach, thank goodness! A weekend away with the Vause's is exactly what I needed, especially since it was Michael's birthday! We got up early Saturday morning and headed to Litchfield State Park to run in the Fun Sun Run. Michael and I ran the 10k, Lauren ran the 5k, and Charlie cheered us on! It was a great race for a great cause (Global Soccer Ministries)- they teach the love of God and their love of soccer to various places in the world who are suffering and struggling to get by. We visited our FAVORITE restaurant, Soho, for some amazing sushi and then headed to Croissants for birthday dessert! The food was fab!!!! Thank you Lauren and Michael for being such great friends and having us spend the weekend with you at the beach!! 38 days before the big day, the race is on!!!

Fun Sun Run 10k- 53:35- First in 20-29 age group

I actually forgot my camera, which doesn't happen often! So, these pictures are the only ones and they came from Lauren's phone!

 Before dinner, being his normal silly self

 B & L

right before the finish line of the 2011 Fun Sun Run 10k event

Putting on "the dress"

Yesterday I took my bridal portraits. The day turned out to be such a fun day! I started the day off not so good when my hairstylist didn't show up for my 11:30 hair appointment at the salon. After a few frantic phonecalls, several voicemails, and a trip back home to do makeup, she finally called us back. We finished makeup, headed back to the salon, and everything worked out! I LOVED my hair, my makeup, and being able to finally see it all come together for pictures! I cant wait to see them all! Sorry, no pictures for this post! Invitations go out today, how crazy is that?!?! This thing is really going to happen!!! Getting more and more excited as the days pass! Oh yeah, and only three more weeks of my internship too. Thrilled to be almost done!!!!

My fear of obstacle courses...

has been overcome!! Yesterday, March 26, 2011 I ran the Palmetto State O-Run Team Challenge to benefit the SCSheriffs Association! It was a 4 person team effort as we raced 4 miles through the woods conquering about 30 obstacles along the way! I was sort of a last minute fill in for the "Fitalicious" team. We had a blast and finished in 50:50. The fastest team was an all guys team who ran it in 40 minutes. We placed 31 out of 179 teams and fished 2nd in the all girls category! Not to bad I dont think! If I had known sooner I was going to participate, I would have trained and been ready. The obstacles requiring upper body strength really slowed me down. The girls on my team all particpate in Crossfit and I am itching to be a part of that as well. Once life slows down for Charlie and I, we are going to try it out most definately! Overall, I was okay pleased with how I did and I had a blast and met some new friends!

 Before the race

 Showing off the socks

After the race

Time is...

flying by!!! I only have one more month before I finish my masters degree, and I cannot tell you how thrilled I am. I have been doing my internship (aka working 40+ hours a week with no pay) since January and I am ready to be done! I cannot wait to begin my career as a school counselor!


And well, the wedding, exactly 2 months from this past Monday! Wow! I am very ready for it to be here!!


I knew I wouldnt have enough time to keep this blog updated with all that I have going on. I did COMPLETE my first marathon, and it is still hard for me to put in perspective how many miles I ran. I don't know that I have comprehended what I accomplished on that day, but it was a great day! I finished in 4 hours, 30 minutes, and 02 seconds and my goal time was 4 hours, 30 minutes! I am thrilled about that!

I already have an itch to run another one!!! After the marathon, I didnt take a lot of time off. There were quite a few local races coming up that I love to run (I like supporting local causes!) So here is a recap of the races that have run since I last blogged!!!


My next race is this weekend....The Palmetto State O-Run Team Challenge!! I am filling in for a friend and wasnt originally planning to do this! SO, I am nervous, but excited and looking forward to a fun race with friends!!


Finishing out 2010:


-November 20, 2010- Friends of the Florence Museum 5k- 24:08- 1st overall Female
-November 25, 2010- Hartsville Turkey Trot 5k- 23:45- 1st in Agegroup- new 5k PR
2011


-Polar Bear 5k- January 22, 2011- Did not get to race. First time missing this race since it was started!
-Myrtle Beach Marathon- 4:30:02
-Trinity Collegiate School Titan Trot 5K- Having trouble locating my time- 1st in 20-29 agegrou
-McLeod 10K- 54:24- 2nd in agegroup

A Quick Catch up

I have been running since August of 2009 when I signed my name on the interest sheet for the half-marathon at the Florence YMCA. I don't really have any records of my times execpt on my saved race bibs that I've started collecting. So, here it goes. A quick catch up of my race history up until present! Enjoy!

2010

SC Pecan Festival Half Marathon- November 6, 2010- 1:49:45- 1st in 20-29 Age group

Myrtle Beach Mini (Half) Marathon- October 24, 2010- 1:56:23

Independence Day 8k at Market Commons-Myrtle Beach, SC- July 3, 2010- 42.27

1st Annual Race 4 Taylor 5k- May 14, 2010- 26. 18- 1st in 20-29 Age group

Charleston, SC Cooper River Bridge Run 10k- March, 27, 2010- can't find results

Mcleod Health 10k at Briggs Elementary School- 52.24- 3rd Overall Female Finisher

Trinity Collegiate School Titan Trot 5k- March 6, 2010- 25.19- 2nd in 19-29 Age group

Myrtle Beach Half-Marathon- February 13, 2010- SNOWED OUT

2009

Friends of the Florence Museum 5k- November, 14, 2009-25.35- 4th Overall Female, 1st in Age group

SC Pecan Festival Run Like a Nut 10k-November, 6, 2009- 51:44:35- 1st in Age group

Florence Family YMCA Half-Marathon- October, 31, 2009- 1:58:20




Polar Bear 5k Trail Run- Held each January and Sponsored by my church, Central United Methodist
  2005- 37.32- 4th in 20-29 Age group
  2006- 37.25- 5th in 20-29 Age group
  2007- 32.40- 1st in 20-29 Age group
  2008- 31.17- 4th in 20-29 Age group
  2009- 29.39- 3rd in 20-29 Age group
  2010- 26.40- 3rd in 20-29 Age group

I Finally got to...

run my first half-marathon!! I was registered to run the Half-Marathon in Myrtle Beach in February of 2010, and it was cancled due to snow (a definite first and probably last time that it will snow in Myrtle Beach!). The Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon was a great race! It was the inaugural race and everything was so well organized and put together! I finished in 1:56:23! A new PR for me!

On the other hand, I just registered for my very last class of my E.d. S. degree! Whoohoo. It really is a feeling of bittersweet. I am so ready to be done with school and get a job, yet I am going to miss being in school, the friends that I have met, and the atmosphere and comradere of the University of South Carolina! I can't wait to start my career!

This weekend is my second half-marathon of the season! I am running the Pecan Festival Half Marathon in Florence. I am exited about the local race and being with all of my running friends in our area! This weekend is also Charlie's Pig Pickin weekend; the Hewitt's anual family reunion weekend. I am excited to spend the weekend with my soon to be family!

Oh yeah....199 days to go!!! I can hear those wedding bells!!