Alexis – Page 31 – Copper Acorn

by Alexis - June 13, 2011

Hell has officially frozen over…

Yes that’s right, Hell has officially frozen over. The fat lady has sung and now crazy things are a happenin’. I AM RUNNING. Like actually exercising. As in my body is tired consistently and I am still pushing it to the limits every week with the combination of sweating too much and being out of breath. (twilight zone music now)

OK, all joking aside, this is ca-razy for me. I’ve always told people I was allergic to exercising, with some small part of me actually believing it to be true. You know that thought, ”Good for them, but that is SO not for me” So how am I doing it?

1. new accessories. It’s fun to use new little toys while working out.

2. not doing this alone. (there’s about 6-7 of us ladies)

3. our fast approaching goal:

2011 Portland Get Your Rear In Gear Run/Walk

I know, crazy right? We’re following this plan, and it’s really doable. Even though we’re running a lot, I’m kinda nervous about being ready in time. July 24th is quickly approaching!

So yeah, you’ll probably be getting random progress reports leading up to that morning. 🙂

by Alexis - June 13, 2011June 13, 2011

Cinnamon Rolls

I have been wanting to get into the habit of making more tutorials. Mainly because when I look at blogs that’s what I’m looking for. So I might as well have some on mine.

Here are non-fat TASTY cinnamon rolls. Made without eggs or YEAST! So yes, a quick bread. It doesn’t take that long and substitute gluten free/vegitarian ingredients easily. Ingredients for the filling:

2 T cinnamon, 1/3 C brown sugar, 1/3 C sugar. Typical, and could be creative manipulated for different variations. 🙂

And now the ingredients for the dough, I would add a lot more things (dried/soaked fruit, zest or chocolate chips) but wanted to try this to a ‘T’ first to see how it would turn out.

(I didn’t have buttermilk, and normally never do, but added 1T white vinegar to the milk and let it sit. Instant buttermilk!)

The recipe will be at the end of the post. But basically, you:

Mix the dry ingredients first, then combine the milk/2T butter till a dough forms. (I had to add TONS of extra flour, fyi)

Knead for 30 sec. at least. There is something so incredibly satisfying about feeling smooth dough under your hands, you know?

Roll out the dough and spread 1T butter before allowing your little ones to help spread the filling. Let go of the control and allow them to be messy. They feel pretty grown up helping in the kitchen. 🙂

spread it, roll it, cut it.

OK, this part is important: When you bake them, cover with foil for 12 min. then take the top off and let brown, roughly 12 more min.

The instructions tolld me to cover the dish in foil. Not needed and you don’t need to do it either. Just spray/grease your pan to help prevent sticking. But lets face it- these are ooie gooie cinnamon rolls. They’re suppose to be sticky.

Once they come out and cool spread with your favorite icing. I made mine and it turned out bad. Eatable but not my favorite. Kinda like this last picture. Not my favorite but OK.

Over all, these turned out good. You should definitely try these. Go ahead and throw cation to the wind and make them.

A good trick that helps me not eat too many treats is eating in my exercise clothes. 😉

by Alexis - June 12, 2011

Lazy Sunday

Hope your day is filled with relaxation… and pink and purple girly pancakes. Next weekend is rainbow pancakes I think. Should be pretty. 🙂

~what easy little additions/changes do you do to make everyday things special?

by Alexis - June 10, 2011

A gift from God

A gift from God- nap time. Read my last post and you will understand. 🙂

by Alexis - June 10, 2011

I need an attitude change

Since when did my sanity depend on nap time?! Oh yes, now I remember. That is the only time I can kinda call my own. Sure I have to do dishes, laundry, phone calls/emails, but I can decide to lounge on the couch and do nothing if I wanted. That choice, that beautiful choice is heavenly.

Where is all this coming from?

Emma took about a 30 min nap today. Which is not the end of the world. She’s missed naps entirely before…which is not OK for her or me. Couple that with her attitude today being more than it’s ever been and you get one mom who is so seriously looking forward to nap time.

I made one mistake however. One MAJOR mistake, and if you can learn from my mistake PLEASE do:

I told Emma that when she woke up, she would be able to paint the rocks she collected from a trail. Sound innocent enough right? Well after 30 (at the most) she yells at me, ‘MOMMY! I DID IT!’

*ugh

From that moment on she was sure she had completed her allotted nap time and it was now time to get her ‘creative on!’ Her… feisty attitude carried on through her words, actions and attitude which resulted in her taking ‘rest time’ in my bed and me taking a time out for myself. (totally acceptable)

So what am I doing about it all? Nothing. Eating lemon squares, drinking milk and electronically whining. I might even make some hot cocoa when I’m done.

*How am I writing all this? Emma’s finger painting the rocks and it’s blissfully silent. Bath time will ensue.

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Actually, now that I have MY grown up hat on, I’ve had time to breath and there’s no more lemon squares…. I must say that I have learned a couple valuable lesson:

1. Next time I will save any exciting news till after nap time.

2. In Blogland, I can start a post with my inner child complaining about parenting and then end by being the adult my age reminds me I am. All wrapped in dramatic writing. Fun.

3. Lemon bars are powerful.

~I hope this helped you. In either trying a new parenting technique or trying a new pastry. Both are worth it.

by Alexis - June 10, 2011June 10, 2011

A look at my Spring list, how’d I do?

While I was making my ‘Summer List’, it reminded me that I had a Spring list I had made months ago. After looking at it I was pleasantly surprised!

All the ones with a golden star I accomplished. Our summer list is WAY LONGER, yikes! But I would be happy if I looked back on our summer list and rated myself a B+.

* What do you have on your summer list?

by Alexis - June 9, 2011June 9, 2011

Summer=5K…good Lord help me

What plans do you have this summer? Zoo? Picnics? Library? Our house needs to make our summer list. But unlike most everyone else, I’m focused to plan for rest and relaxation. It’s not too hard for this house to find business and plans.

Summer is suppose to be about enjoying a LAZY warm afternoon right??

And in our family, we need to schedule these times or we will get busy doing tons of other fun things. And yes, we plan on being lazy with friends. 🙂 It’s totally possible. Is our family like yours?

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I am doing a couch to 5K with a couple friends and am excited and unprepared. One thing is for certain: I am going to lean heavily on friend support. Wish me luck! 🙂

However, I was reminded while I heaved, breathed sighs and almost passed out (kidding, drama makes everything more interesting) I had thoughts like, ‘Um, I can’t do this.’ ‘I’d rather be exercising another way’ ‘this is too hard!’

These are normal I think, but when I think about some of the stories of people who have overcome so much to do something like a marathon, Special Olympics or Hood to Coast (Portland race) a clearer perspective is in front of me and I have more determination. They are so insparational and their stories give hope to myself and Ibegin to say, ‘this is doable’, ‘I have friends who are doing this with me-I’m not alone’ and ‘I have a goal’

by Alexis - June 6, 2011June 6, 2011

Friends

This past weekend we went and had a blast playing in a kid friendly water fountain in town and saw a parade. It was such an awesome time! (and was totally pooped when we got home at midnight-ish)

Enjoy the pictures! Our friends that came had the most adorable children and Emma had a blast playing the entire day together! Yay for friends!

Adorable right?! Seriously the day was jam packed full of tons of fun things…but for us parents, everything centered around nap time. 🙂

And their beautiful baby…

by Alexis - June 5, 2011June 5, 2011

Downtown P-town

Yesterday’s downtown adventure was full of tons of fun! (pictures coming) The sun graced us with her presence and now, thanks to her- I am the butt of all red neck jokes.

Before I realized what was happening I was blissfully taking random pictures of beautiful Portland. Which one is your favorite?

*All pictures are my own and would appreciate you not ‘borrowing’ them without my knowledge. Thanks.

(my favorite is the brick wall. LOVE the texture)

Have I mentioned I LOVE cities? 🙂

*Hope you have a wonderful night dahlings.

by Alexis - June 3, 2011June 3, 2011

Fare weather health fan? Totally.

I am so embracing this GORGEOUS weather we’ve gotten today and which is suppose to continue into the weekend. (great pictures coming if that’s true)

Isn’t it weird how when the weather gets beautiful we want to eat lighter and healthier? Makes me smile…and brings me to say that I have no shame in declaring that I am now (finally!) jumping on the bandwagon, with everyone else I know, and try to eat healthy. (until late September)

A fare weather health fan? Totally. Thus….breakfast:

I used to work at a bistro and they made awesome fruit parfaits. Couple that with the knowledge (thanks to Oprah) that grapefruit is basically a super fruit and also helps with aging…you have my healthy/great tasting breakfast. Only problem? I made way too much. I will cut the amount in half next time.

*and just for fun (because you have to have motivation to eat healthy) I declared my favorite yellow flower bowl to be my parfait bowl.

Ruby Grapefruit, Low fat granola and Nancy’s non fat Vanilla yogurt. I sprinkled a bit of sugar cause the yogurt was just a bit sour to me. I have a sugar addiction and have no plan on quitting.

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Can I just say that having long hair rocks! I have had very short hair (Audrey Hepburn short) and like it that way even though the upkeep is a lot. But a while ago I decided to grow my hair out, and even though it’s taken FOREVER, it is just now getting to the length that I can fool around with. I am having so much fun doing things… like side buns:

I would technically consider my hair ‘medium length’ but the fun is beginning! Yay!!! 🙂

*please ignore that my face is an obvious shade darker than my neck. We live in the Northwest. Enough said.