Edinburgh, Scotland

First and foremost, I want to wish my mom a happy birthday!!  Hope you had a great day!

Banana cupcake from Sprinkles to celebrate...YUM!

Now, back to my travels...as you know from reading this post, my friend, Mary, and I spent Labor Day Weekend 2009 exploring Dublin and Edinburgh. We covered Dublin first so I left off just as we arrived to Edinburgh...

We arrived to Edinburgh in the evening.  We were pretty tired from a long day touring the Irish countryside so we quickly found our hostel - the Royal Mile Backpackers - and crashed for the night.

Early the next morning, we were off on a heart of Scotland tour.  We saw so much gorgeous scenery!  We stopped for lunch at a beach, saw a field full of hamish, viewed the William Wallace monument from afar, roamed around the pitlochery dam, and even took a brief nature hike.  So much variety and beauty!!

We also stopped midday for some fun at Loch Ness.  Mary and I paid a little extra to go out on a boat cruise.  We befriended the captain and heard lots of fun stories about Nessie sightings!

That evening we went on a ghost tour around Edinburgh.  It was impromptu, but very fun!  Toward the end, we were even able to catch some of the fireworks from a nearby celebration/festival. 

The next day we toured the Royal Mile.  We hit the highlights, but also stopped in so many little shops along the way.  I even bought a bengal striped bracelet that I still wear to cheer on my Bengals during football season.  We had a lot of fun just roaming around the area all day!

We spent a fair amount of time at Edinburgh Castle.  There was SO much to see there!  We also managed to take a look around Deacon Brodie's Pub, St. Giles Cathedral, and a couple of museums - The People's Story and the Writer's Museum.  Both were unique and interesting though we didn't spend too much time in either one.  We also checked out the Heart of the Midlothian...and I most definitely spit on it for good luck :)

The last place we visited before heading off to the airport was the Holyrood Palace.  We spent a good amount of time here as well, but could have easily spent more time looking around. 

We had a plane to catch though!

We headed back to Dublin that evening to spend the night in the airport before an early morning flight back to NYC!!

It was quite an adventure, but one I will treasure forever!  Such a fun time with a great friend :)

Have you been to Scotland?  What area did you enjoy most?

Linking up with Helene today!

Andrea :)

Sushi X + Paint Your Own Pottery

This weekend, I had a fabulous time in Albany with Christopher!! It was great to celebrate three years of dating with such a relaxing weekend :)

On Friday, I arrived in Albany early enough for a fun dinner at Sushi X.  Chris had talked about this all you can eat sushi place before, but I'd never had the chance to dine there with him.  It was great!!  They bring you order sheets as often as you need them so you don't feel like you need to over order initially.  You can eat plates of small appetizers and a roll for as many rounds as your sushi loving heart desires.  We only managed a couple, but it was delicious.  I especially liked the sweet potato roll!

Sweet Potato Roll is pictured in the middle on the bottom.  Yum!

After dinner, we headed over to celebrate one of our friend's 30th birthday!  His wife made the amazing cupcakes pictured above.  SO tasty!!  It was pouring outside so we stayed there for a couple of hours before we called it a night.

On Saturday, Chris went to watch soccer with some friends while I managed to squeeze in a quick run - it was freezing up there!!  I think I completed roughly 2.5 miles, but it is difficult for me to get a totally accurate count at the park where I run in Albany.  Either way, it was good to get a few miles behind me in preparation for my upcoming 4 miler this weekend!

After I showered and got ready, we headed out for some fun at The Pottery Place.  We decided to paint mugs so that we would be able to make use of them once they are fired and returned to us.  It was fun even though we kept it pretty simple.  I am really looking forward to seeing how they turn out!  The colors will be much darker once they are fired so they will look a bit different when we see them again.

After our fun afternoon of painting, we tested out Albany's Restaurant Week at V&R Italian Restaurant.  It was packed!  The food was great, too!

I had the penne alla vodka.  Delicious!

On Sunday, we met a couple of friends for brunch at Justin's.  We had a great time catching up with both of them.  And let's just say each of us cleaned our plates with no trouble at all!  Chris' banana pancakes were super good!!

We relaxed most of the afternoon, but did get to start one of the couples' studies that I had been wanting to try.  I think we are both interested to see what we can learn from it.  I am excited about it!

Before I left, Chris took me to my favorite - Cracker Barrel!  We both tried something new there, too!  That's huge for me.  I'm a sucker for my good ole standby when I go there.  Sometimes it is  good to branch out though!

What did you do this weekend?

Andrea :)

Weekly Recap!

Today I am linking up with the fabulous Allie, Jenn, and Ricci for Weekly What?

Hopefully, you caught everything, but just in case here's a recap from my week in blogging! You can find all the links to my posts by clicking on the day of the week above each recap!

MONDAY

Today, I linked up with Sar and Syndal to recap my weekend!  I finally got some rest!  Such a blessing with so many weekends of travel the past few weeks!  Also, I bought some new shoes...let me know what you think!

TUESDAY

As a result of the tragic events in Boston, I reflected back on how I began my journey as a runner as well as what running has come to mean in my life today.

WEDNESDAY

Today marked our three year dating anniversary!  And as Christopher stated on twitter, "@alhadventures has put into words the last three years of our lives.  Good read if I do say so myself."

THURSDAY

I shared a fun and easy recipe for Pecan Pie Muffins with you!  They are so simple it would be a shame for you not to make a batch this weekend!  Great breakfast treat!

FRIDAY

I linked up with Katie to share all about a recent book I read - Semi-Sweet by Roisin Meaney.  This was a great read about the trials and tribulations of a newly opened cupcake shop owner - Hannah!  Check out my review to find out more!

That brings us to SATURDAY!!  And here I am...recapping my week for you lovely folks! 

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Andrea :)

Book #7 - Semi-Sweet

I recently participated in a book swap that was SO much fun!  I'll be posting about what I received in the swap soon, but today I am reviewing one of the books I sent my partner.  When I picked it out for her, I just couldn't resist reading it before I sent it along. 

In the store, it immediately jumped out at me because of the cupcakes.  You all know I love those tasty treats!  After reading the back cover, I was totally hooked.  It was a pretty quick read and definitely drew me in.  There were a few different story lines and while I enjoyed some more than others, they were all interesting.  I would say that a bit of the book was predictable, but it was still a great read.  I definitely enjoyed it!  And totally loved the main character, Hannah!  I would definitely recommend reading it if you have a chance.  I'll leave you with the synopsis from Goodreads.

Hannah Robinson is just about to open the doors to her new shop Cupcakes on the Corner when out of the blue her boyfriend Patrick announces that he's leaving her for another woman. Faced with starting a business on her own, Hannah begins to wonder if her life-long dream has just turned into a nightmare. So her best friend Adam sets his birthday as a deadline - seven months to make her shop a success, or walk away from it all. And as Hannah immerses herself in her new business, she soon discovers that she's too busy to think about Patrick and his now pregnant girlfriend ...or to notice an increasingly regular customer who has recently developed a sweet tooth for all things cupcake. But while Hannah is slowly piecing her life back together, family friend Alice's is falling apart. Her husband Tom's drinking is getting out of control and things are about to get a whole lot worse. As the seven-month milestone approaches, Hannah must decide her future. And while she's figuring out what's really important, it becomes clear to everyone that happiness in life, and in love, is all in the making.

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Andrea :)

Pecan Pie Muffins

These were such a tasty treat!!  And so simple to make!

I saw the recipe here and decided to give it a shot.  I'm glad that I did because these were the perfect treat for a rare lazy Saturday morning!

Pecan Pie Muffins Recipe

(Makes 3 dozen)

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup flour

2 cups chopped pecans

2/3 cup butter

2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease pan.  (I used Pam spray.) 

Mix sugar, flour and pecans in a bowl.

Beat butter and eggs in a separate bowl.

Stir the dry ingredients into the moist ingredients.

Bake for 12 minutes (mini-size pan) or 15 minutes (regular size pan).

Enjoy!!

 
Andrea :)

3 years

It's hard to believe that three years have past since we sat across the table from one another at Brother Jimmy's in Murray Hill.  Since we went to grab Pinkberry even though it wasn't quite warm enough yet. (Proof that from the start Chris has been a trooper when it comes to my sweet tooth!)  Since we sat on the front row of that Kips Bay AMC theater to watch Date Night. 

It really is hard to believe how quickly the time has passed.

Today, Chris and I are celebrating three years together.  Together, but apart.  As most of you know, our entire relationship has been long distance. It hasn't always been easy, but we've made it through the rough times...together.  And those rough times have made the good times even better.  And I'm happy to have found such a patient, kind, and loving man. We'll be celebrating this weekend, but lucky me got a fun treat at work today as well. 

Two for each of our fabulous three years together :)

He knows me well!!  I was pumped!  They are even from a bakery - Billy's Bakery - that I didn't know existed so it's a major win.  I get cupcakes today...and tomorrow...and Friday...you counted six in there, too, right? :) And now I know of yet another nearby bakery when I need a cupcake fix down the road.

Thank you, Christopher, for making me a better person.  For helping me and for challenging me.  For putting up with me in my not so gracious moments and for apologizing when you have those moments of your own.  For encouraging and supporting me.  For loving me for me.  For taking pictures with me even though you hate it.  For making me feel special.  For listening to and remembering the things I tell you.  For so many lovely moments over the past three years.  And most of all, for being you! 

Thanks for making me your top priority these past three years!  I look forward to spending many more with you!  I love you!

Andrea :)

Why do I run?

I usually link up with Helene for Travel Tuesdays today...and I had every intention of posting about the Edinburgh leg of my Labor Day weekend adventure with Mary, but I just can't bring myself to write about anything else besides running today. 

Yesterday, I discovered just how much running means to me.  It hasn't always meant much to me.  In fact, back in my middle school Lady Cougar basketball days, I hated conditioning because that meant running.  And that wasn't fun...at all!  Then, I moved on to high school where I joined the track team.  I learned I didn't like running any more than I had in middle school, but I learned a few tricks of the trade and I stuck with it for the camaraderie...and a crush or two I may or may not have had at the time :)  Nonetheless, running still wasn't fun.  A few years down the line, I moved to New York.  I made some great friends.  Those friends ran.  What's a girl to do when all her friends run?  Join in the fun...yes, this time it actually WAS fun! 

My first "real" race was the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5k in Central Park way back in September of 2009.

I signed up for that race because of the encouragement and support of my friends.  These amazing ladies showed me that running is more than just a way to get some exercise.  They showed me that it can be a way to challenge yourself, to build community with others, and to unwind and just reflect on life. 

Over time, they've taught me that it's ok to not be fast as long as you continue to race against yourself.  They've taught me that it's ok to finish last as long as you finish.  They've taught me that it's ok to set lofty running goals because you just might surprise yourself with what you are able to accomplish when you put your mind and body to the test.  They've taught me that it's ok to enjoy running, but even when you do, sometimes, you just have to make yourself get out there and go.

So proud at the finish of my first official race!

One race lead to another with a group of friends from work.  This one was a Big Brothers, Big Sisters 4k a month or so later in Riverside Park.  I was starting to really enjoy running for the first time in my life.  It wasn't easy, but it was productive.  I just needed a good pair of shoes and my ipod shuffle...and I was set.  Not a worry in the world.  Just me and the streets of New York.

By the Spring of 2010, I wasn't quite ready to tackle 13.1, but I was on my way.  I was able to competitively (for me) run a 5k in flushing with a group of friends from church.  It was a great experience.  The first time I really felt truly ready for a race.  And the thought of having so many spectators and supporters for our group just made the excitement that much more intense.

It was later that fall when I ran my first half marathon in Chicago alongside my brothers with the rest of our family there to cheer us on.  And a month later my boyfriend cheered for me and several of my friends as we ran the Diva Half in Long Island.  I have only the fondest of memories of both races.  Partly because I was accomplishing a great feat with family and friends, but also because of the support of loved ones cheering me on.  There really is nothing better than seeing someone you love at the beginning, middle, and end of a long race.  It's motivating.  It's exciting.  It pushes me to keep moving when everything else wants to just stop.  It's necessary...at least for me.

These are the reasons why the devastation that occurred at the finish of the Boston Marathon struck home for me in a real strong way.  I wasn't able to catch much of the coverage until after work when I went to the gym.  But I could barely concentrate.  I teared up.  I felt sick.  I just kept thinking of the  horror of it all and how it could have easily been me out there.  But then I remembered all of the reasons why I run.  All of the joy it has brought me over the past five years.  All the friendships.  All the fun.  All the excitement.

My prayers go out to all of the runners and spectators that were there today especially those whose lives were forever changed.  I'm thankful for race personnel and public service officials that risk their own safety to help protect others.  As much as I want to be scared and feel afraid about the task of running the NYC Marathon that lays before me, I'm going to be hopeful instead.  I'm going to treat running as a privilege.  I'm going to have a much better appreciation for the race staff and volunteers along the way.  I'm going to be even more thankful for all those smiling faces at the finish line...especially those smiling faces of my loved ones.  I'm going to continue having fun running and making friends along the way because that is truly what it is all about.

Andrea :)