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Thursday Things

July 17, 2014 by Jenna

This picture was taken during brunch with a girlfriend at Lake & Irving on Sunday. It was a beautiful morning for coffee and grapefruit mimosas. We split the Open Faced Kalua Pork Torta and the Nutella French Toast. So good! I love brunch. If you live in Minneapolis go there, pleaseeeee. You won’t regret it.

I’m glad it’s Thursday and almost time for Sunday brunch again. But first, here are some things and thoughts that I wanted to share with you:

This year for my mom’s birthday (or Mother’s Day? I can’t remember which one) I registered us for this 5K. Then I convinced 3 of my friends to also sign up for it, because it is such a fun race and positive experience. It’s also my friend’s birthday and her first 5K. Good thing there is bubbly at the finish line because celebrations will be in order! (HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTINE!!!)
How cool is this lamp?! I really want to try putting it somewhere in my condo. I think I can find space for it somewhere…
This article is speaking to me. I always learn so many things when I travel, about different cultures and myself. Only three weeks away from boarding a place to Costa Rica!
I can’t stop listening to this song. And this one too. Just put them both on repeat. Happiness over and over again.
I am going to try stand up paddleboarding for the first time this weekend! I’ll probably be terrible, but will be all like, “Hey, SUP!” (Get it?) Who wants to come with?

Have a super fantastic Thursday! xo

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Thursday Thoughts

July 10, 2014 by Jenna

Holy moly it’s Thursday already! This week has gone surprisingly fast considering it’s the week after a holiday day. Here are some random comments, thoughts, and links for this gorgeous Thursday morning:

When I was condo hunting a couple of years ago I had a few basic requirements that I was looking for, one of the most important being that it must have a balcony. Luckily I found one. Now that it’s nice out I utilize it as much as I can. I’m either in the kitchen or on the balcony. The two very best places to be! As a bonus I have a nice little view of downtown Minneapolis, which is especially beautiful during that magic evening hour. It’s just enough to remind me how much I love this city.
I have been struggling with my running the last couple of weeks. Maybe it’s the heat. Maybe it’s the early mornings (5:30am!). Or maybe I’m just out of shape. Whatever the reason may be I needed something to work towards to keep me positive and motivated before I start marathon training in August. So I signed up for the Urban Wildland Half Marathon on August 2. Also because my friend told me to sign up, so I did (easily influenced).
I have been thinking about switching up my breakfast routine (on a major smoothie kick right now) and was intrigued by Minimalist Baker’s Simple Vegan Omelet. I am not vegan and love eggs, but was still interested in giving it a go. I multiplied the recipe by 3 so that I could use it for a few breakfasts. I am eating it right now (outside on my balcony) topped with fresh dill and salsa. It is delicious! Try it out if you are up for something new!
A few weeks ago was Popsicle Week and I thought that was amazing. But people, it gets better. This week is Milkshake Week! Is that not the best thing you have ever heard?! I’m drooling over all of them, but especially this Peanut Butter and Brownie Milkshake, the Birthday Cake Milkshake, and this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Milkshake. Gahhhhh. Milkshakes for dinner are totally acceptable, right?!
One of the bajillion awesome things about summer is going to outdoor music festivals. The Basilica Block Party has been my summer staple since I moved back to Minneapolis. They always have a bunch of great artists and bands playing and it always such a blast. I love just being with a big group of friends listening to the music, dancing, drinking beers, and being young. I’m excited for another round of that again this year.

Hope your week has been going as fast as mine has! Enjoy the rest of it and continue to soak up the summer.

Have a great day! xo

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Thursday Thoughts

July 3, 2014 by Jenna

You know what they always say… knee-high by the 4^th of July! I am at my parent’s house and we are about to head up to our cabin for the weekend. I thought I would share this picture of our corn field. I also thought I would share some things I have been thinking about this week:

Last weekend was the Pride Festival in Minneapolis. It was so much fun. I kind of felt like I was in Vegas for a second? Love for everyone, people. Love. For. Everyone.
I just bought these little detachable lenses for my iPhone last week: wide-angle, fisheye, and macro. They are so cute and little and just snap on and off via a magnet. I haven’t played with them too much yet – the above photo was taken with the fisheye lens this morning – but I am excited to experiment more!
I just started using Bloglovin’ and I loooove it. It’s like a combination of Pinterest and Feedly. #addicting. Check it out and follow me on there!
I really want to try to grill pizza. Have you done it before? This looks amazing and so does this. Come grill and eat (and drink) with me!
On Saturday the ladies in my family along our cabin neighbor ladies will be running/walking the Nisswa Firecracker 5K together as the “Bass Lake Bandits”. My mom made all of us matching red, white, and blue headbands. The finish line features a crawfish boil, a free PBR, and a Slip ‘N Slide. So yeah, it’ll be fun.

I had a half-day of work, so I am officially on vacation and ready to head up north. Woop woop! My bag is packed full of miscellaneous red, white, and blue clothing that will hopefully come together is a somewhat matching and stylish patriotic outfit or two. My nails are red. I am ready to go festively celebrate our nation’s birth. I hope you have a great weekend planned! I hope you grill and enjoy some sunshine and wear sunscreen and enjoy time with people you love (or like a lot) and have ice cold beverages and hop into a pool or lake and see fireworks and just have a grand time all around!

Have a great day! xo

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Thursday Thoughts

June 26, 2014 by Jenna

I have a couple (5) little thoughts for you on this lovely Thursday evening. Just a couple of things that are intriguing me, inspiring me, and making me happy. I thought it would be nice to share them with you. So. Here you go………

I am loving this song right now. The lyrics are so fun and summer-y and happy. I’ve listened to it many, many times today. Do you ever do that, listen to a song over and over and over again? There is even a Glee version, so you know it’s good.
Did you know that it is Popsicle Week?! Check out the list of delicious flavors bloggers are coming up with. Some of the flavor combos are super intriguing. I want to try all of them. I will be posting a fun little popsicle recipe soon, so stay tuned.
This Spicy Savoury French Toast? So amazing. I don’t know why I have never had (or even heard of!) savory french toast before. My mom and I will be making it for the family 4^th of July weekend at the cabin. Counting down the dayyyyysss.
I won Take A Megabite’s Driscoll berry giveaway! I AM SO EXCITED. I love berries and they are so beautiful right now. Do you see those strawberries above?! Gorgeous. It’ll be a very berry summer. Also, I am totally making that sconecake.
My friends and I went to Burch for dinner tonight. It was amaaaazzingggg. Burch has been on my “Must Eat At” restaurant list basically since it opened a year or so-ish ago. I finally gathered a group of friends and made reservations. The restaurant is known for its steaks and delicious sides and James Beard award-winning chef, Isaac Becker. It did not disappoint. I went with four of my favorite ladies and when we all the sat down the waiter asked if we were celebrating anything. We all kind of paused… “Ummm.… Friendship? Happiness? Oh…. A lot of us have new jobs! But mainly friendship….Oh, and love.” He was probably sorry he asked.

That’s it. Have a great night xo

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Being Sick Is The Worst. Traveling Is The Best.

May 28, 2014 by Jenna

I’ve basically been unable to leave my couch or bed since Sunday night at 7:00pm. So I obviously haven’t been cooking or baking – I’ve barely been eating. And I clearly haven’t been running or working out. It was a huge feat for me to take the elevator a few floors down to get the vending machines to buy some Powerade earlier today.

Being sick is pretty much the worst. But being sick while it’s 80 degrees? That is pretty much the absolute worst. I’m seeing everyone’s pictures and snapchats of their fun outdoor activities. I mean I love my condo, but jeeezzzzz GET ME OUT OF HERE.

On the bright side though I’ve been catching up on a lot of movie watching. Problem Child was just on. Hello, flashback to childhood. We used to watch that movie over and over again. And before that it was Horrible Bosses. Hilarious. I’m so glad my boss is amazing. Over the past few days there was also 27 Dresses, Bad Teacher, What Happens In Vegas, Space Jam, and a few episodes of Arrested Development and Friends.

I don’t think I’ve watched this much TV in a row in at least 15 years… or ever. Of course I haven’t ever been couch-bound for 3.5 consecutive days before either. So there’s that.

Let’s face it. That wasn’t a bright side at all. TV is the worst. BUT what is a real, actual, literal bright side is that I just booked a trip to Costa Rica. Yes, I JUST BOOKED A TRIP TO COSTA RICA.

Why? The tickets were cheap. The lodging is cheap. I’ve always wanted to go to Costa Rica. But primarily because my best friend and travel partner (we’ll call her “Natalie”… because that is her name) called me up a few hours ago and asked me if I wanted to go. Soooo… duh.

Traveling is pretty much the best. You get to eat a lot of good food (picture taken in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2013) And aimlessly wander around. (picture taken in Jackson Hole, Wyoming 2013) And have lots of amazing adventures. (picture taken in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2013) So moral of the story is being sick is the worst and traveling is the best.

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because i love crumbling under peer pressure…

April 29, 2014 by Jenna

On Sunday I had written a lovely blog post about cake. A very delicious cake filled with all of my favorite things. I wrote about its magical healing powers and also about the magical healing powers of running in the rain.

However, you will never read this post. Why, you ask? Great question, I say.

I had to go to the airport and board a plane before I was able to post it to the Internet. I thought I had sent it to myself in an attachment, but I didn’t – whooooops. The post is still in my computer in Minneapolis, MN while I am in my hotel in Vineland, NJ.

NEVER FEAR. I shall share the recipe for the magically delicious cake very soon. You have my permission to start getting excited about it now.

As you may have figured out I love cake. I love sweets. I love sugar. Luckily I love vegetables and I love exercise too. I love being inspired by my friends. I love when they peer pressure me into things. I also love using the word love liberally.

Let me clarify my peer pressure statement.

I don’t mean they peer pressure into bad things, like let’s-go-steal-things peer pressure. I don’t hang out with that sort of crowd. It’s more like let’s-have-a-Sunday-funday peer pressure. Or let’s-buy-plane-tickets-to-Atlanta peer pressure. Or, most recently, let’s-sign-up-for-a-marathon peer pressure.

I crumble under peer pressure ev.er.y.time.

In a good way.

These crumblings have often led to long-lasting memories and life-changing moments. They have caused me to grow, learn from my mistakes, and challenge myself: all good things.

Last night I crumbled again. After some persistence from my favorite running partners I signed up for my third marathon.

Yikes bikes. Am I ready to start training again? Maybe. Can I do it? Of course I can.

Bring it on.

Last June I ran Grandma’s Marathon. It was a lot of work, but one of the best experiences. Seriously, THE BEST. This was because of the people in my run club who encouraged, pushed, inspired, and ran with me. Because of them I was able to set a new PR and shave 40 minutes off of my first marathon time. Because of them (and their wonderful peer pressure) I want to do it again.

And by “it” I mean “run another marathon”. I won’t be shaving another 40 minutes off of my time – I’ll be happy with 4 minutes… or even 4 seconds, really.

So I did it. I registered for another marathon. Because I love crumbling under peer pressure. I love training with wonderful people. I love long Saturday morning runs where we talk about food, boys, hopes, and dreams. I love challenging myself. I love endorphins. I love running. And did I mention I love using the word love liberally?

So I will be running the Philadelphia Marathon on November 23, 2014. I won’t be marathon training just yet, but I will be running. Because I can and because I love it.

I apparently also love beginning sentences with the word I. That’s the worst, sorry (for the most part).

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