It's Friday so here's my five things

I've had such bad bloggers block lately! Say that five times fast!
I do have one post in the works but we cancelled our internet so I'm posting from my phone and it takes way too long to post important things this way. Plus my predictive text isn't keeping up with my thumbs so I'm having to backspace a lot which takes more time. #bloggerproblems

Anywho..

1. My IT band and knee is healing rather well. I've been running 1/2 a mile to 3/4 of a mile every other day with no pain. Today I ran a whole mile with a tiny bit of pain towards the end. I walked the first quarter mile and the last so my total distance for today was 1.51! I did wear my IT band strap so that may have helped. I'm really happy with the progress I'm making.

2. I'm really excited about March 23rd! I'll be volunteering at my first race and it's a Boston Qualifier! The Surgical Artistry Modesto Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k. I'll also be going to my first expo ever the day before to see where they're going to put me. The only downside to the whole thing is that I'm going by my lonesome. :-( But it may force me out of my shell and help me to meet new people.

3. Oranges taste better when they're sliced. I'm so ready for some spring/summer fruits!

4. I've been wanting chocolate lately but I haven't had any in almost a week so I asked the man if he'd pick some up for me after work. I'm sure he only said yes because he was already going to the store for buns.

*Satisfied*

5. Spring Into Fitness Giveaway and Bloghop is going on now over at RunawayBridalPlanner! I can't make it clickable from my phone :-/ CatLadyRuns is Co-hosting the giveaway so you can check out her blog as well for all the info! Now go check out all the awesome blogs and win some sweet prizes!

What are your favorite spring/summer fruits?
Who's ready for some beautiful weather? I AM!
Do you like cheap chocolate or fancy? I don't know the difference. Chocolate's chocolate to me!
(I've typed "chocolate" too many times now it doesn't look like it's spelled right)

Have an amazing weekend everyone!!

My first attempt at cooking a whole chicken

As I was thinking of what to make for dinner tonight I remembered we had a whole chicken in the fridge that needed to be cooked. Usually my husband is the whole bird cook, not me. But he wasn't home so who was left to cook this thing? Kate couldn't, so it was up to me to get the job done.

I can barely handle cutting the skin off chicken thighs, let alone handle a whole dead bird! But I thought I'd surprise the fam with a roasted chicken.

I looked up a recipe then got to work.

I unwrapped it and laid it in the pan. The wings and legs fell to the sides. I thought, "that does not look right."

I started to cut the skin off when remembered that's what gives it flavor and helps keep in moisture. (That's why the legs fell)

Then I realized there was a bunch of brown junk inside it so I picked it up and shook it over a bowl so the "innards" could fall out. There was no way I was putting my hand inside that bird!

I tied the legs and wings up because it still just wasn't looking right.

I gave it an oil massage then seasoned it up. Oh and I put some onion wedges inside of it.

Now it was looking more like something we could eat!

I baked it at 225 degrees for about five hours and basted it every half hour or so.

I'd say it turned out pretty good for a first timer! It was a tad bit dry but thankfully we had mashed potatoes and gravy to moisten it up. No one complained at dinner so I'll take that as a win! Maybe next time I won't be so afraid to touch it.

Oh and just fyi, this is what happens when you play with a five year old and a sticker book.

And this cheese is on sale at Costco for 3.89!

How was your Monday?
Can you handle raw meat or whole hens?

I hope everyone has a great Tuesday!!

Saturday Sharing #2

Things have been pretty low key around here lately. And as surprising as it may be, I've been enjoying doing a whole lot of nothing. I did manage to change up my blog. What do you think? I know there are some things that still need to be fixed and I'll get to it soon.

Anyway..

I'm supposed to be avoiding the sun but it was so inviting. Did some reading: See With New Eyes. No I didn't pick this book because of my eye situation. ;-) it's a book about God's character. It's a great reminder of God being full of love and compassion.

Warning: The following fact may gross some people out. I have been washing my hair every three nights in an attempt to make it healthier. It seems to be working wonders! Plus I'm saving money since I'm not going through shampoo and conditioner as fast. It's a win-win! 

Mini me:

Banana pancakes and almond butter. So much protein and potassium. I'm healthy like that.

My favorite mother-in-law brought me some Dove chocolates today. The little fortunes or inspirational quotes on the wrapper are usually good things to live by. Mine said: Take a moment to yourself, and: Be good to yourself today. So I did just that and ate some more chocolate.

Today we had the privilege of watching someone get baptized in a nearby river. It never gets old watching as someone becomes a new creature in Christ. This was by far the highlight of our weekend!

How is your weekend going?

Do you wash your hair every day?

What's your favorite breakfast food?

Ps
I'll be doing my first run in town tomorrow! Hoping for a good mile or just over with no pain!

I lost a little part of myself today, literally.

Some of you may remember a few weeks ago when I mentioned I had a tumor in the corner of my eye that needed to be removed. Well, today was the day I said goodbye to what could have been my twin.

I really am glad it's gone. They have to send it to be tested for cancer but I'm pretty sure it's benign. The worst part of the procedure was the numbing shot. I'm not in a lot of pain, thankfully! I have to put some ointment in my eye for a week and stay out of the sun but that sure beats the possibility of having another limb or organ growing out of my face!

Anyway..

I had no appetite all day but as soon as it was over, boom. Appetite came back.

This is not my ideal meal but hey it was fast and we were starving. Plus aren't you supposed to go out to eat after surgery?

In other news we bought a camp trailer! It needs a little tlc on the inside but you can't beat $250 with a stick! I can't wait to "rough it" in this thing! I bet it'll be a lot more cozy than an air mattress in a tent!

So that's about all the excitement I have for you today. I just wanted to share the loss of my tumor with you. :-) Doesn't that make you feel special?

I hope everyone had an amazing week!

How was your week?
Are you happy tomorrow is Friday?
Have you ever had anything removed from your body while being awake? Childbirth doesn't count for this question ;-)

Broccoli Tortellini Chowder

This is one of our favorite chowders along with Clam Chowder. 

Believe it or not, I actually created this wonderful concoction one night when we needed dinner and had minimal groceries in the house. (This is the new & improved version from the first time with added tortellini)

*This is not a low-fat food!* 


(I'm sorry for the low quality cell phone picture, it's much more appetizing than it looks)

Broccoli Tortellini Chowder

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef or turkey 
1/2 "tube" of ground sausage (If you want to use only sausage like we did the 2nd time, use a whole "tube")
1 celery stalk
1/2 onion-chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
Desired amount of milk
Buitoni Cheese & Spinach stuffed Tortellini (or your choice) 
About 4 cups of chopped (fresh is best) Broccoli
(Any other veggies of your preference can be added & it still turns out great!)
Seasonings to taste: Pepper, garlic salt, basil, dill 

Instructions:
In a large stock pot on medium heat cook onion and beef until done. Do NOT DRAIN!

Add veggies. Cook for about 10 minutes. While the veggies are cooking, cook the sausage in a separate pan. Add to stock pot when done. WITH GREASE. 

Add cream of celery & mushroom soups. Stir well. 

Add milk until desired consistency. (you may have to add some later, unless you like your chowder really thick)

In a sacuepan boil the tortellini as directed on package. Do not over cook or they will turn mushy! Once they are done, drain immediately and add to stock pot. Gently stir.

Add seasonings, reduce heat to low-medium until heated through then enjoy!