Go Greek.

First weekend of June = Greek festival in San Jose.
Yea!

Have a lovely weekend!!!
xoxo, natty ♥ 

Good to see you.

We're all three here in San Jose and its been nice to be back. The weather's lovely and we're seeing many people and doing lots of things.

And I saw these artichokes on my run today.
xoxo, natty ♥ 

The wonders of modern technology.

xoxo, natty ♥ 

Backlog.

Oofdah.
I had a bunch of posts but hadn't pushed publish on them so here we go!

In other news, with some very sweet Chilean friends who are visiting we had our first go at Ethiopian food tonight.

It's kind of ridiculous since DC is know for this cuisine and there are several within a short walk of our home {as there were in California for that matter...} but Mikey and I try to be frugal and eat at home and anytime we decide to eat out it seems too adventurous to attempt something so new to us.

Not so much anymore! We had the traditional combination plate and shied away from the raw meat. I won't go into details but it's a lovely variety of about seven or eight separate dishes all presented on a large pizza sized piece of traditional Ethiopian bread which is spongey, ever so slightly acidic, and used in place of utensils. It was a yummy meal shared with some intrepid travelers and new friends.
Then we came home to a leaking waging machine {leaky valves?} and to get ready for my 7 AM flight back to California {yippee}.

Wish us all luck tonight and tomorrow morning.

xoxo, natty ♥ 

Let's be thankful.

Because of a variety of visitors we've been at the memorials twice this weekend and I only think it apropos to be so poignantly reminded of the sacrifices of others.

So today, let's be grateful and remember.

xoxo, natty ♥

Beat the Phillies.

We watched the Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies today. We're in the midst of a little cold snap {60s} that includes wind. Our seats were in the shade to begin with and it was quite chilly. It was a joy to watch the sun creep up to us and finally bring us warmth.
Onwards to Memorial Day folks.
xoxo, natty ♥ 

Real good day.

We've got some friends in town this weekend so we had a great day with them eating {a lot} and walking around to work off what we ate.
Tomorrow's plan: baseball!
xoxo, natty ♥ 

Friday Friday Friday!

Yippee skippee! Have a lovely weekend!
xoxo, natty ♥ 

On the cusp.

We're on the edge of another weekend and a new season.
Here's what I've been doing today.

There's a bunch of laundry hiding back there.

On the agenda in the next few days: friends, baseball, eating, running...happiness!

xoxo, natty ♥  

Ooh ahh.

xoxo, natty ♥ 

Mint.

Today I was gifted some mint. So...

This libation is going nicely with the warm and muggy weather - I'm not complaining by any means but apart from a few dips into the 70s in the next few weeks, me thinks it be iced coffee time.

xoxo, natty ♥

Facetious?

Mikey's at soccer tonight so it's been a completely quiet evening.
Which is actually really nice. No music, no TV, just me.
And my soul needs that once a week.

In other nourishing news...

1} I saw this today:

IS this tongue-in-cheek? Or not? Never knowing is half the fun?

2} I used my cat mug this evening.

We have a beautiful and colorful dinnerware set that is a wedding gift and includes coffee mugs. But I've also inherited a dangerous penchant for mismatched and humorous mugs. My dear aunt gifted me this beauty and it gets good use in our home.

3}

4} California's on my agenda in two weeks' time. ♥

5} Though muggy, temperatures are high this week and a happy me that makes.

I hope you're well in your corner of the world this evening. Say a little prayer for those in Oklahoma and Texas tonight and count your own blessings while you're at it.

xoxo, natty ♥ 

Oohrah!

Oohrah!
This morning I ran the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

I had signed up a little while ago but failed to properly train so I was pretty crabby leading up to the race day this week, what with being unprepared.

But I was able to finish with an OK time {not a PR by any means but pretty good for where I'm at fitness-wise} and hopefully won't be injured or too sore this week.

A race recap:

- I felt pretty good and strong, despite a gently rolling course, up until mile 11 when we hit "Hearthbreak Hill". It was only maybe a mile or so up hill and included several little plateaus and since I wasn't pushing myself by any means, I was fine, just a bit pooped when the hill was over but by then it was mile 12 and almost all down hill until the end.

The weather was a bit muggy and it rained/drizzled almost the whole time but it was in the high 60s and that was perfect for me.

 

- I overheard these two running ladies in the first mile:

Friend A: I'm only doing this for the beer.

Friend B: Oh my gosh I love beer.

The best part is that they were probably in their fifties and just keeping it real.

- There was a mini-horse wearing a Marine-Corps "jacket thing". I saw it four times along the course and it made me happy each time.

- There were various music groups/performers along the course. What I love about races like this one, though, is that they're kind of smaller acts: three older women singing a capella, three guys playing the rolling stones, a bagpipe playing group (including a wee lad banging on a drum for the beat), a group of men doing bluegrass, and a sole punk guitarist who was set up at the top of Heartbreak Hill.

- The run wound its way through Fredericksburg including a newer suburban area as well as the historical/downtown districts. I'd say that a good part of the run was past homes and through neighborhoods so many people were out in front of their homes cheering on the runners and the best part of this was the meek little kids furtively holding out a hand for high-fives.

- Marines were stationed all along the course and I thanked as many as I could. The best reply was "It's a privilege".

- Fredericksburg seems to be overgrown with honeysuckle and almost the whole run was beautifully perfumed. 

- There was a group of colonial dancers at one point on the course.

- There were some beautiful older homes along the route and we got to go past the gorgeous campus of the University of Mary Washington.

- I got to take a picture with a Union soldier at the finish line.

- The people watching was spectacular, as it usually is  at any running event.

- I got to run with some great friends.

It was a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning and hopefully I can use it as a jump-start for some quality miles.

xoxo, natty ♥ 

Cool.

I went out for a quick three mile run this morning and picked up coffee on my way home.
Then I ate left-overs from earlier this week.

Now I'm on the couch listening to The Animal House which is a hilarious and informative podcast about, duh, animals and includes a call-in portion.

The windows in our little turret apartment are open and I'm enjoying some mild breezes and the smell of rain. I love having our windows open but living in the middle of a city and having sycamore trees around us means that EVERYTHING is almost instantly covered in a layer of yellow pollen-dust. Gross.

I hope that you're enjoying your Saturday!

xoxo, natty ♥

Busy week.

You know it's been a busy five days when the calendar still says "Monday".

So let's make it a good weekend!

xoxo, natty ♥

Gearing up.

It's fixin' to be a busy summer for us and we're currently in a busy little time too so I feel like life's moving pretty quickly {Beuller?}.
Which is fine.
They're all seasons.

But a good magazine before bed makes things a bit easier.

xoxo, natty ♥

Browning bananas, dusty table.

xoxo, natty ♥

Menu!

It's been a while {a busy/lazy meals sort of while} but let's DO it!

Sunday: Asparagus and provolone omelets.
Monday: Smoked turkey kielbasa with white cheddar on buns and steamed broccoli.
Tuesday: Warm butternut squash and chickpea salad with goat cheese. 
Wednesday: BBQ out.
Thursday: Noodles! With butter and capers!!
Friday: Black beans and rice with salsa.
Saturday: Butter chicken with rice, steamed broccoli, and naan.

Happy eating folks!
xoxo, natty ♥

Another sky!

Oooooh! Another Monday!
What else?
1} A beautiful sky on my way home today.

Will I ever tire of these?
No.
2} The neighborhood window display for May.

April showers brought May flowers.

3} Yummy dinner tonight.

4} May is a beautiful month, even though today and tomorrow are a bit cooler {& windier} than they should be.

5} I get to go to California in a couple of weeks. ♥

Was it a good Monday for you?

xoxo, natty ♥

Isn't she lovely?

And hilarious, unfailingly loyal, and my loving mother.

Happy Mother's Day Mama! 
And to all of the other mamas in our lives and beyond; we are all better people for you and your sacrifices.
xoxo, natty ♥