Back At It and Right Into Winter!

After six days of travel, eating, drinking, hanging out with family and friends, relaxing, eating some more, taking some nice walks and exploring, and eating again 😂 it was time to get back to reality and back to running! OK, so I was planning to wait until Monday but I couldn't resist the beautiful weather on Saturday to get out on the trails! Plus, what's two days in the scheme of things? 😉 I headed out mid-morning for a run down to the river and back. There was a fair amount of snow on the ground with conditions being typical early winter variable so it was slow going and my legs were a bit sluggish after almost of a week off, but overall, things didn't feel too badly and it was a bright and beautiful cold morning to be out! (5.3 miles)

Snowy Heath

Roaring river

A few ice pancakes floating out on the river

 

After lunch while Ryan was out for his run, Sam and I headed over to the Cathance for the first snow walk of the season! It was nice to wander a bit farther out on the trail system and as always, it is a treat to share some time in the woods with Sam 💗 (1.6. miles walked)

Suspended mid-air!

Afternoon light

Lots of cool ice formations today!

Had to stop to make a snowman! ⛄

💖

Rain started overnight on Saturday, so we spent a lazy Sunday in our PJs, getting a few things done around the house and relaxing. Finally around 2:00 pm, the sky was lightening ever so slightly and it seemed to only be drizzling, so I got on my running gear and headed out the door. Very sloppy wet conditions on the powerlines and icy, slushy, wet conditions on the back dirt road, but there were a few easy pavement miles in between at least 😊😉 (5.0 miles)

Once I got back and got showered up, I went right back into my PJs. #winning #lazysunday

Last Day of NC Fun

We had a late afternoon flight out on Friday so after pie for breakfast, because, duh, that is the best part of Thanksgiving😋, we moved right into the next holiday and Sam and I helped my mom get the Christmas tree all decorated! #christmascarolsareacceptablenow 🎄💗

Eat pie now! 

Christmas tree decorating fun 😍

Then it was onto leftovers for lunch. Yum! No way to take them home, so had to fit it all in 😆😉Sadly, Dad wasn't feeling great so just the four of us headed down to Wilmington, where we, of course, stopped for a second time at Boombalatti's for ice cream. Because, you don't skip Boombalatti's! And besides, they had the holiday flavors going, including Gingerbread and Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Delish!🍨

Boombalatti's for the win!

After that, it was time to bid NC adieu and set off for the snowy north. It was a great trip, filled with tons of fun and family time. Thanks Mom and Dad! 💕

Thankful

The past few days in NC have been wonderfully relaxing, filled with lots of yummy food, some walks in the sunshine, crafting, baking and relaxing. The perfect way to recover from a race!

Tuesday we had a quiet morning and Dad and I went for a short walk through the neighborhood while Sam worked at her craft table. My legs felt really good! The only thing that was bothering me was the cuts that developed on the front of the top of my feet where all the mud built up and rubbed between my sock and the tongue of my shoe. Ouch! Other than that, I didn't have any chafing, which was pretty sweet. (2.0 miles walked)

NC sunrise

Still some beautiful blooms in my parent's yard

Turkey!

Dad had his allergy shots down in Wilmington Tuesday afternoon, so we went down early for lunch at Flaming Amy's - yum! - and then Ryan, Sam, Mom and I wandered around the Cotton Exchange during his appointment. Once we picked him up, we headed right for Boombalatti's for ice cream, because seriously I do not think there is better ice cream to be had anywhere and there is no way I'd be missing it on this trip! #eatallthethings 😋🍦

Wednesday was yet another beautiful sunshiney day so after Sam and Dad read the comics and did some of the word plays in the paper, the four of us set out for a walk while Ryan got in his run. While we were walking, Dad and I got ahead and Mom and Sam ran into a neighbor. The neighbor, who was in his car, soon caught up to us and stopped to chat. He congratulated me on my race and said that when he had been talking to Mom and Sam talking about JFK, Sam proudly told the neighbor that Mommy also has run a 100 mile race! So cute 😍 😊 I know the crazy things we do are not typical for most families, but I so love that Sam is proud to let people know about them. I'm a lucky Mommy indeed! 💕(2.1 miles walked)

Out walking, and getting a sassy face from Sam 😆

Doing word puzzles with Pippi

Busy crafting

Then it was onto Thanksgiving cooking for the afternoon! 

Making pumpkin pie

Beautiful peach rose in the backyard

Moon rising

Sunset

Yet another beautiful day for Thanksgiving although cold by NC standards, and only 39 degrees. But no snow on the ground at least 😉 Sam, Ryan and I took a nice walk along the berm in the morning in the bright NC sun. One egret, one great blue heron, one mockingbird, three live deer plus the remains of another, many animal prints, several caterpillars and butterflies and a number of flowering plants. The air was sweet with the scent of whatever blooming bush grows along the berm edge and it was lovely to get out for a nice leisurely walk together! (2.7 miles walked)

Nice morning for a walk with my two loves 💕

Silliness along the berm

Requisite dead thing (deer)

Shimmering light

Hibiscus blooming

Happy Thanksgiving! 💗🦃

Table all set

Pre-dinner cards and snacks

Eat.all.the.things 

Then in between dinner and dessert, we headed out to run around the back yard and play some golf! Gotta love Thanksgiving in warm climates! 🌸🏌

A wonderful day with family and much to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!