A Very Special Marvelous Monday

Good morning and happy Monday! How was everyone's weekend? Good? Crazy? A little of both? Today should be an interesting one, since Peanut's older brother is home with Peanut and I for a day, and it's my first day completely alone, since both parents are back to work. If you think I'm slightly nervous (and/or terrified), you would be completely correct. Fingers crossed we survive with no major mishaps...and if both children sleep today, that will be a miracle. One can dream anyway...and hopefully they both will...for an hour or two. Either way, today is still marvelous, and I shall be happy to tell you why thanks to Katie!

Monday is marvelous because...

...both of my runs this weekend happened pain free AND in the sunshine. Although Saturday's was frustrating, I finished it, and it was a beautiful day to boot. Sunday's was speedy and quiet...just the way I like it, so overall, a good weekend in the mizunos.

...my date with my daddy was perfect. It ended up being too chilly to walk around the little town we had picked (oh and everything was lame and closed...that's a Sunday in Western PA for you), so we went to Starbucks, got some drinks, and talked about a little bit of everything. I love talking with my dad; he knows a ton about so many things, so it's always an interesting conversation. He's good at listening and offering advice when needed, and he has really great taste in running clothes and helped me find some cute tops at Target that were on sale. Win!

....I finally had a chance to make chicken fingers and roasted sweet potato wedges, which turned out amazingly well. I used Sam's recipe, and all I can say is that you need to make this yesterday. It is so easy and so delicious that I know it'll become a staple in my menu. It looks pretty, too, right?

....I made these tasty cookies for the Pens/Rangers game last night. I followed this recipe from Sally and substituted chopped up peanut butter cups for the chocolate chips, which was an excellent decision if I do say so myself. Seriously, you cannot go wrong with any recipe from this website, so you should probably pick a few randomly and make them...and then send some to me, so I can have a taste, too.

....I tested out my new yoga mat with some Yoga Download workouts after my run yesterday. It felt sooooo good to stretch out again, and I cannot wait to use it Tuesday night in a studio.

...in FOUR days I will be on my way to stay with this girl for a weekend, during which time I will also get to play with these girls. Excited doesn't even begin to describe how I'm feeling about the hanging out, girl talk, run, burger and shake I am going to enjoy with them. It shall be one for the record books, and I cannot wait to get to D.C. to begin.

....watching two Penguins games with friends was a highly enjoyable way to spend a few hours. I love watching the Pens any time...but it's a lot more fun when you're surrounded by friends who love them, too. And who like to eat your cookies and tell you how tasty they are.

...the Penguins creamed both the Flyers and the Rangers in back to back games. No easy feat, friends, but they did it beautifully. Why, yes, I do see a Stanley Cup in our very near future...

...it is a very special someone's 29th birthday.

I hate the fact that we aren't together, and I can't spoil you like you deserve, but I'm happy this is the last birthday apart, so I'm focusing on that instead of whining like I usually do (I'm tryingggggg anyway...). I love you, Joe, and I hope you have a wonderful birthday (even if you did open your birthday card and remote control helicopter two weeks ago and now have nothing to open as a surprise today...yes, it will take ages for you to live this one down).

Have a marvelous Monday.

What's marvelous about your Monday? Who's birthday is next in your life? Do you like to open presents early? What was something fun you did this weekend?