Wordless Wednesday

Italian spelling of Allison?

Never seen it spelled this way before.

Always a first time for everything, right?!

Strawberry Pie

Strawberries speak summer and I'm a sucker for all things strawberry, unless you put them in a salad. I hate fruit in salads!  Some time ago I pinned a Strawberry Pie recipe as every strawberry pie I've ever had has been delish. This one is also delish and so easy. To make it a little healthier I used sugar free jello and light topping.

Quick & Easy Strawberry Pie

What are your favorite strawberry recipes?

Iowa Nice

Can we all agree that the video of Scott Siepker on "Iowa Nice" is one of the best things ever? I crack up whenever I think of it!

While I didn't get to take many spring travels this year I did make a quick trip to Des Moines for a baby shower which allowed me to experience some of Iowa Nice in Des Moines.  Thanks to hotels.com for a very cheap stay at the Marriott and free Lyft credits, I couldn't have asked for more as far as lodging and travel once I got to Des Moines! BTW, if you aren't using Lyft or Uber yet, get on the bandwagon, so easy, so cheap and such a lifesaver!  

First stop was The Cheese Shop which was perfect for a rainy afternoon. Wine, appetizers in an adorable quaint little place with two dear friends! ❤ Word is that the Cheese Shop is opening a new bigger location in Des Moines.

In between the Cheese Shop was the Baby Shower which I have no pictures of, sorry Brad & Kelli!

After the shower it was on to more adventures and putting $50 on a card at the self serve wine bar, Della Viti. So $50 might have been a bit much for two people at the self serve wine bar. But none the less we were able to watch KU get smoked out of the NCAA tourney & play a card game, which I don't recall what it was (probably due to the $50 self serve wine credit). As our credits were running out a certain somebody may have accidentally been pushing the button for the wine to come out before the glass was where it was supposed to be. But hey, I had a good time there and I can't wait to go back!

And who wouldn't be hungry after drinking several glasses of self serve wine? A short walk down the street to Zombie Burger for a midnight snack. I had been wanting to try Zombie Burger and it did not disappoint. So good! 

Some may be laughing at my recount to my Des Moines travels but what is that saying, Home is Where the Heart is. Home never felt so good and so fun exploring in my home state.  Some of the coolest places are in the most unassuming spots! Life is what you make of it, where you make of it.

Iowa Nice.

PS. I also spent some time shopping and browsing at Valley Junction and came away with a few new cute spring decorations! No pictures but was really fun. Lots of great stores to pop in and out of.

#7 in the Books

Last weekend the 7th Annual MGA Triple Crown commenced. We had just under 500 participants and are still waiting on a few checks to come in but are just around $38K! An amazing weekend doesn't even begin to describe it. Although the weather was chilly and for some brunch at Hereford House following the run chilly, it can be deemed a success! It took nearly 100 volunteers to pull off this years run.

This post does not seem adequate of my thanks as there really aren't words to express my level of gratitude. Run weekend has become one of my most favorite weekends of the year.  It embodies friends and family from near and far coming together to help raise an awareness for a cause so close to my heart. I could not ask for more support and to those that come year after year, I am amazed. I am not in this battle alone and I feel so much love and support on run weekend. (and through out the year) Thank you!

I'll leave you with some fun pictures of the weekend!

Be sure to check our Facebook page this week and next as we are still collecting the professional photos! And you have to check out this video done of the run!  

From the bottom of my ❤, thank you!

Feel Good Friday Not So Much

Irony.

The morning after Republicans vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

It's a pretty sick feeling, a pretty scary feeling to know that you are in the pool that could suffer from their choices. 

I'm sad for America. I took this picture on the steps of the Seattle Art Museum the week of the presidential election. At that time these words spoke to me and they do again this morning.

Last time I checked God didn't want all to be rich and doing for only themselves. 

Irony, the biblical ties to the Republican Party.

That's it.

It's not such a good feeling this Friday.

What's Cookin'

This probably sounds like a broken record but I've been trying to eat healthier. No sugar, low carbs. It's not very fun. But here's what's cooking!

Stuffed Mini Peppers

Attempting to make them a bit healthier, I substituted cottage cheese for ricotta cheese.

They were ok, probably won't make again. Was so tired of them after eating them for 2 meals!

Easy Low Carb Mousse Pudding

When you are trying to stray from sugar but want some sweet. This is easy and really tasty. I've made this a few times and it has hit the spot for a dessert!

Fried Cabbage with Kielbasa

This recipe has the potential to be delicious! Unfortunately I put too much crushed red pepper seasoning in it and was crying from the moment it hit my mouth. I will definitely try this again! It's also very cost effective. 

I'm excited that it is Farmer's Market season and I can incorporate trips to get fresh fruits and veggies with my weekly grocery shopping!

#TBT

Remember gelly bracelets? About died when I saw these. Kind of takes me back to 3rd grade!

or the 1980's!