My Where Abouts

Happy Tuesday Lovlies! 

I know I have been a bit MIA, but last week got super crazy and work.  And then I was gone all weekend relaxing! 

This past weekend I was down in Whalen Minnesota. 

You may have heard me talk about Whalen before!  Whalen is the little town my family always bikes to, you know the little town that has the amazing pie shop! 

Well the reason I was in Whalen this past weekend was for Derek's family vacation/get together! 

I had a wonderful time.  I got to hang out with some great people, play lots of fun games (we had our own Olympics) eat tons of amazing food (like these some of my favorite bars!) and of course watch we watched hours upon hours of Olympics!  

Have you all been watching the Olympics?

What did you think of the opening ceremony?

I have to say the opening Ceremony this year was not my favorite.  

I did however love the torch at the end... 

(Source)

and the fireworks!  

The fireworks for the opening ceremony were spectacular! 

(Source)

There are several events I love to watch in the summer Olympics !

I love watching both Mens and Womens Gymnastics!

I really hope... does well! 

And I love watching Sycronized Diving and Platform Diving! 

I seriously wish I could do some of those dives!

What about you?  Any sport you enjoy watching during the Olympics?

What I am Loving

Happy Hump Day! 

I know I have said this before, but I am going to say it again!  

I just love Wednesdays!  It is the middle of the work week, and that means the weekend is in sight! 

Here is a short list of a few things I am loving right now! 

I am loving that I get to go to lunch today with a great high school friend of mine! 

She just started working at the same company as me, it will be great to be able to catch up over the lunch hour! 

I am loving all the wonderful sales that are going on right now! 

I scored this necklace 

and these earrings 

from Banana Republic!  

I am so excited for them to come in! 

I am loving that Mid August (which is right around the corner) I will be reunited with these lovely ladies!

Butler Girls weekend, we are going to take on Minneapolis! 

I am loving fresh baked banana bread!  Check out my new go to recipe here! 

It is delicious! 

And finally I am loving that two new recipes turned out to be a great success (last weeks pin challenge) 

Whole Foods Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes 

While not a favorite of my taste tester, I sure did love them!  The combination of quinoa and temeph was right up my alley!  I am thinking next time I will have to make two different versions of stuffed tomatoes! 

and 

Whole Foods Mediteranian Crunch Salad

Source: wholefoodsmarket.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

(this one did get a good review from my taste tester)!

This salad was perfect to pack for lunch!  I threw in some quinoa and temeph for a little extra something! I will be making both of these recipes again!

What are you loving these days?

Things About Town

This past week and weekend  I got to experience so many new things!

Not only was I crossing things off my Minneapolis "To Do List" but I was enjoying quality time with great company! 

Shall we take a look at what I have been up to?

This past week was part of the 70th Annual Aquatennial Festival  

Now I have to admit people kept talking about the Aquatennial and I had no idea what is was, or that it was such a big deal! So here is a quick little description of what the Aquatennial Festical actually is!  

"The Aquatennial is the official civic celebration of the City of Minneapolis. Entering its 73rd year, Minneapolis residents, workers, and tourists have come to love and appreciate all that the City of Minneapolis has to offer during the Aquatennial Festival." 

(Source)

  So now that we covered what Aquatennial is I can tell you about the fun that took place outside of my apartment window Wednesday night!  

This past Wednesday night Hennepin Ave (a major street going through downtown, that I live on) got completely shut down at 7pm for the Aquatennial Torch Light Parade and 5k!

The best part  about the Aquatennial parade was that it literally took place right outside my apartment, I just had to walk out my front door!   It was neat experience to be able to look out my apartment windows and see the parade go by!
I decided that next year I want to run the Aquatennial 5k Race!

Saturday I got to have a night out on the town!
A night at the Guthrie Theater (Check out my post about the Guthrie here)!

where we saw, Roman Holiday the Musical!

Roman Holiday is by far one of my favorite Audrey Hepburn movies, well besides Breakfast At Tiffany's!  I just love Audrey Hepburn, and the actress Saturday night did a wonderful job portraying the classic movie star!  I thought the performers did a lovely job bringing this iconic film to life on stage!  Not only was the Musical wonderful, but the Guthrie Theater is beautiful, with large windows, and picturesque views!  Just take a look!

The Aquatennial Fireworks made for a perfect way to end our night out at the Guthrie.  We literally walked outside after our show into a splendid fireworks display!    I have to say that the Aquatennial fireworks were some of the best I have seen, maybe even better then the ones I saw on the 4th of July!

(Source - Joyce of J.D Photography)

And now a few of mine!

So Bright! And Loud!

It was a fun filled week/weekend!
Does your city have any big celebrations?

A Roman Holiday - Audrey Hepburn My Style Icon

For those of you who don't know, I am obsessed with Audrey Hepburn. 

One of my all time favorite movies is Breakfast At Tiffany's (My close girlfriends and I even had breakfast outside of Tiffany's on 5th Ave, thats how much we love it).   I love the story line, and absolutely love how effortlessly chic Audrey Hepburn looks in the movie!   She really is my style icon!

I wish that I could go back in time and meet Audrey Hepburn.  You know just sit down with her and chat about anything (like her effortless fashion, her class, and UNICEF).  

Well since I have a huge love for Audrey Hepburn and all of her movies,  there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity to see Roman Holiday the musical. 

The musical is based on the iconic movie ans  is being performed at the Guthrie Theater in downtown Minneapolis.  

The Guthrie Theater just so happens to be one of the many theaters I have to see (on my Minneapolis must see places)!  I have been to the Guthrie Theater before as a little girl, but have yet to see the theater post remodel!  I have heard the theater remodel is breath taking! 

I am excited for a fun filled evening downtown. 

I am excited not only for the Musical  (because Roman Holiday rates right up there with Breakfast at Tiffany's, in my book) but also excited to dress up, and do something a bit different on a Saturday night! Stay tuned for a recap, and pictures!  

Happy Friday Everyone!

Do you enjoy going to play/musicals?  

What was the most recent play/musical you have been to?

A Fun Idea

I was sifting through my pins last night and came across this cute idea, I had completely forgotten that I had pinned this!  The idea is you label popsicle sticks, with different "date night" ideas.  Random, fun and spontaneous!

Source: lifeinthegreenhouse.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

Not only is this idea cute for "Date Night" Ideas, but I figured that I could use this idea for my Minneapolis "To Do List!"  Check out my Minneapolis "To Do List" here in this post!


So far I have gone to:
A Twins Game
Basilica Block Party
Williams Peanut Bar
Stella's Rooftop Cafe
Run around Multiple Lakes
Pier 500

And I am sure there are some that I am forgetting!
I have an empty jar, now all I need to do is make the popsicle sticks, look out Minneapolis To Do List!

Two New Recipes and a CookBook Recommendation!

Happy Wednesday Lovlies! 

Is your week going well, glad it is the middle of the week?

Hard to believe it is already Wednesday, the week is flying!  I am a bit behind on getting this weeks Pin Challenge Recipes to you.  But I will admit there recipes are not on my pin board, they are actually new recipes I got from my sister! 

Since I have an abundance of Quinoa I decided I needed a few recipes featuring the lovely grain! 

This first recipe stuck out to me, you all know how much I love stuffed peppers.  But never before have I made a stuffed tomato.  

Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes 

From Whole Foods

Source: wholefoodsmarket.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

The second recipe just sounded delicious, hot weather always puts me in the mood for a big salad!  And the fact that this salad featured broccoli one of my favorite veggies, I was all for it!

Mediterranean Crunch Salad

From Whole Foods

Source: wholefoodsmarket.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

And while I am on the topic of food, I have to share a cook book with you that I am in need of picking up! The new Mayo Clinic Cookbook.

My sister has this cook book, and I copied a few of the recipes out of it! 

The Tabouli is amazing! I highly recommend getting this one! 

Happy Wednesday! 

Wolfe Pack...Domination

(Such Great Shirts My Dad Made for All of Us!)

Yes, The Wolfe Pack dominated the Omaha Color Run this past weekend! I enjoyed every color filled moment of this race!  It was exhilarating to run through a spray of color as you completed each Kilometer!  By the end of the race, We looked a hot colorful mess when we were done!

 

Love my Family!

I may or may not still have some paint splotches left on me!

It was great to see my entire family out there racing, great family bonding event!  We even got some great pictures for our Christmas Card!

Trash Bags make the perfect post race outfit!

This is how you ride home in style!
Can't get the car dirty! 

The Omaha Color Run had a great turn out, 13,000 people showed up to participate on a hot Saturday Morning!  And I will say that despite the heat I ran well, I now cannot wait to sign up for my next race... I am thinking it is time to start training again for a 10k! 

Did any of you run the Color Run?

After running a race do you instantly want to sign up for another one?

Omaha - Color Run

I am really glad that today is Friday.  Not just because the weekend is here, but because we are heading down to Omaha tonight for the Color Run on Saturday! 

One of my New Years resolutions for 2012 was to run a 5k!  I feel like this year so far,  I have had a lot of set backs running, like runners knee, and a stress fracture, but I am finally running a race!  And I get to cross running a 5k off my list of new years resolutions!  

I am excited that my whole family will be running the race, we are going to be one colorful mess when all is said and done (don't worry lots of pictures to come)!  My parents made us all white shirts to wear for the race, I am so excited to see how they turned out! 

Are you doing anything fun this weekend? 

Anyone else running the color run?

Banana Bread

Sunday afternoon as my friend Katie and I sat enjoying a slice of Apple Sauce Bread (waiting for the boys to get back from golf) we got on the topic of Banana Bread.  We both agreed that we had yet to find our perfect banana bread recipe, and we love us some banana bread!  We kept talking about how we wanted our banana bread recipes to be exactly like the Apple Sauce Bread (only banana)!  Then the thought came to us... why not tweak the  Apple Sauce Bread recipe just a little bit and add in some bananas!  The idea seemed perfect, so we tried it!  And the results we got were nothing short of amazing.  We got the moist banana bread we love, without all the oil!  

This recipe is to good not to share with you all!  

So here is Katie and my version of Banana Bread!

Banana Bread

Adapted from Eat Live Runs Almond Apple Sauce Bread

Dry Ingredients 

2 Cups Flour 

3/4 Cup Sugar 

3 Teaspoons Baking Powder 

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda 

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon - I left this in 

Wet Ingredients 

1 Egg Beaten  

3 Tablespoons melted butter ( I use...) 

3/4 Cup Apple Sauce ( I like Motts Natural) 

3 Over Ripe Bananas

Optional Toppings:

1/4-Small Handful Cup Granola of Choice (I like Bare Nakeds Fruit and Nut Granola, or Trader Joes)

A few Tablespoons Brown Sugar 

Optional Mix ins:

1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips

1/2 Cup Chopped Walnuts

Directions: 

First spray a loaf pan with cooking spray and  pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.

1-Combine your flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. 

Mix dry ingredients well and set aside. 

2-Now grab another medium bowl.  Place your over ripe bananas in the medium bowl and mash with a spoon.  Add your applesauce in with your bananas and stir to combine, and set aside.

3-Grab a measuring cup and melt your 3 tbs of butter, once melted beat your egg into the butter.  

Now add your egg and butter in with your banana/applesauce mixture.  Stir well to combine.  

4-Pour your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients, stir well until combined (but dom't over mix).  

5-Pour your bread batter into your greased loaf pan, and sprinkle with a handful of granola if you wish ( I like the added texture the granola provides, I believe Katie sprinkled the top of hers with brown sugar - Both are delicious)

6-Bake your banana bread for an hour-an hour and fifteen minutes.  Be sure to check the center of your bread with a tooth pick.  If your tooth pick comes out clean its done!  Mine took about an hour and fifteen minutes to bake! 

And there you have it, a delicious treat!

Enjoy! 

What I am Loving - July Edition

Happy Hump Day! 

I feel like Wednesday is one of my favorite days of the week, well besides Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  This is because Wednesday represents the middle of the week and means you survived the first half of the week ( well work week)! And from Wednesday on things just seem to get easier, and the weekend is in site which is always a plus! 

So on this fine Wednesday I thought I would share with you the things that I am loving right now in July!  Starting with... 

...The Beautiful Weather!

Minnesota is finally over the hot muggy weather we experienced for the past week!  The weather here has been a perfect, comfortable, warm 80 degrees!  Oh and we have been enjoying lots of sunshine!  

This perfect weather is great for an outdoor rooftop brunch, 

(Uptown Cafeteria Rooftop!) 

or even a good 3 mile lake run! 

Both of which have been done this week, and I am loving both! 

I am loving huge summer salads, there are a million good inspiration recipes on Pinterest! 

Like.... 

Source: guiltykitchen.com via Kayla on Pinterest

(Caprese Salad)

And... 

Source: becauseimaddicted.net via Joanie on Pinterest

(Watermelon and Feta Salad)
And... 

Source: pipandebby.squarespace.com via Dee on Pinterest

(Grilled Vegetable Salad)

I am loving my new pitcher from Target!

I have been experimenting with different spa waters! 

So far my favorite has to be cucumber mint, it is so refreshing! 

I am loving the smell of fresh baked bread floating through a clean apartment! 

And finally I am loving that I get to see my family again this weekend! 

The Wolfe's are going to dominate the Color Run this weekend in Omaha! 

We are going to have a blast! 

What are you loving in July?