I love Dayton!

When I relocated to Dayton, Ohio, I received the following question (probably about a million times); "Dayton, OHIO??? Why?"

I'll tell you why. There is ALWAYS something to do in Dayton. Part of my new blogging commitment will be reviewing some of my favorite local spots in the Gem City. Dayton has some fantastic restaurants, museums and a terrific MetroPark system.

On a related note, I'm "hosting" Flat Stanley for one of my cousins girls. For those of you who haven't hung out with 2nd graders, Flat Stanley is a children's book about a little boy (Stanley) who is flattened to the width of a piece of paper, and is then mailed around the United States in an envelope to visit friends. I've done the Flat Stanley project many times with my 2nd graders. It's such a fun way to learn about the 50 states, and see other parts of the country.

Back to my "Dayton Favorites"...Cobblestone Cafe in Waynesville. I was introduced to this adorable cafe and gift shop by my friend Sheela, from Dayton Christian. They have a great seasonal menu and feature their own garden-grown herbs and produce. I'm excited to come back in the spring when I can eat on their patio!

Fabulous ambiance. I love the exposed beams, punched mental lighting, country chairs. It's incredibly warm and inviting.

Grilled Asparagus sandwich and French Onion Soup. Delightful!

March committment

I'm home sick today, I've caught the sinus yuck that was bound to hit me. It's cold in Dayton, and I'm a little cranky that someone else is living in my Las Cruces condo, enjoying 70* and the pool by Sonoma Springs Golf Course. 

However, I have a brother who made a Kleenex run, I'm drinking tea, watching The West Wing, and was able to catch up with one of my best friends, Sara. (Who, by the way, is an incredible woman and who's friendship is so dear to me. More on that another day).

One of our topics included blogging, so I'm motivated to document more of what I'm cooking, creating, and planning. And just for fun, a little blast from the past:

 

 

One of those once-in-a-lifetime trips

Precious friends

Sara's wedding

Sweet times

3 decades

One of my dearest friends turned thirty this weekend and although I couldn't celebrate it with her, I sent a video message and some photos from the past decade. It's hard to believe that we're both thirty and in two years, we'll have been friends for 20 years!  

6th grade, in all our glory!!

Easter 2011, on the train to Center City in Philadelphia

Easter 2011, shopping in NJ

July 2012, Myrtle Beach, SC

July 2012, Myrtle Beach, SC

Katie's favorites, February edition

Valentine's flower's from Brandon.

Valentine's meal with the boys, grilled, while it was snowing outside!

Some of the most beautiful sunrises!

Preparing for Lent

Eating one of my favorite meals that Nate makes; homemade marinara and angel hair pasta

Nate's Valentine's

Getting my DIY on!

Running in wool socks, and freezing temps!

Pre-run, with more layers!

Reasons why I'm ready for February

1. I love Valentine's Day. The hearts, the crafts, the chocolate that I always throw away, balloons, flowers. I have always had terrific a Valentine's Day. My parents used to make it really special, and in later years when I was teaching, my dad would send me flowers and a really sweet note. My brother flew me out to Dayton a few times (prior to moving here in 2011) because Presidents Day weekend also landed on Valentine's 2 years in a row (or close by). Such fun memories, and such a fun holiday.
2. February is a short month.
3. Presidents Day = another day off school. I'm a history nerd, so I used to enjoy pulling out some of my favorite classroom biographies about Washington and Lincoln and reading aloud to my class. 
4. This year, Lent begins on February 13. I have an awesome Lenten calendar/countdown that I'll post pictures of ASAP. I love the historical framework of Easter and looking back at the original Passover story. It is packed full of references to our Savior, and provides a beautiful picture of the final sacrifice.
5. February means one month closer to warm weather. I'm finding out that I'm a total LOSER about winter. This is the first real winter that I've experienced in over a DECADE! Give me a break. My first year in Ohio was unseasonably warm and everyone told me that it was a fluke. Sure enough, this year has been pretty cold and snowy. 
6. Season Premiere of Smash. Don't judge.

Downton Abbey downer

Why do I subject myself to to an hour of this EVERY Sunday?! At the very least, it gives me a chance to catch up on blog reading, finances, menu planning, and Pinterest. I've had to laugh while "cleaning" up some of my Pinterest boards. I have more Mexican food, and burger recipes than I realized.
One of my newest projects that I've taken on is budgeting. I say this as a well educated 30-year old, who has never taken the time or effort to manage my finances. Along with budgeting, I'm working on becoming a better meal planner throughout the week.
Here's one of my favorite budget friendly meals that is healthy, and reheats well for leftovers.

Vegetarian Mexican Night: 

• Perfect Black Beans (I like to add tomato paste, green chile, cumin, salt/pepper, mild chile powder)

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/perfect-black-beans-recipe/index.html

• Brown rice (I've taken a tip from Chipotle (and Brandon) and added fresh lime juice to the brown rice, sometimes a little fresh cilantro)

• Sauteed onions/bell peppers
• Roasted sweet potatoes (I usually have these on hand)
• Trader Joe's Fire Roasted Corn (Again, I usually have this on hand)
• Fresh salsa/avocado/sour cream/fresh grated cheese (skip the preshredded)

I personally like corn tortillas, or this can be served over rice. The black beans can be made into refried beans pretty easily, or made into vegetarian enchiladas. I love the versatility of this meal!

2012 Recap

2012 Recap

I realized that my 2011 recap sounded like such a Debbie Downer. Thankfully, 2012 was much more enjoyable! 

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

Run more than I ever thought possible! Finished two half marathons in under 2 hours, 30 minutes.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

for 2012: being the woman God intends me to be.he
I feel like 2011 was an instrumental year in my walk with the Lord. I'm thankful for the growing pains and perspective it's given me.

for 2013: more of the same, growing closer to the Lord, exercising more, being on time for work, running a 2 hour 1/2 marathon would be super!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
BFF Sara had her first, Annalise on my 30th birthday. I was able to fly out and visit in October!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No

5. What countries did you visit?
None...just states:

April-Chattanooga, TN for spring break
June- Canton, OH for Canton 1/2 Marathon
June- Orlando, FL for The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference
July- Chicago, IL for missions trip with Dayton Christian Middle School
July- NYC with dad
July- Myrtle Beach, SC with the LoDico's
October- Lakeside, OH with the Sharp's
October- Seattle, WA to visit Scheuerman's
October- Huntington, WV for Marshall UV 1/2 Marathon


6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
2012: More of Christ, more contentment in Him.
2013: Of course I want more of Christ, but I'd also like a better budget.

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 8, 2011-my brother married an amazing woman. I got a sister, and friend!
October 15, 2012- I turned 30 years old!

8. What was your biggest achievement for the year?
2011: Graduating from Covenant College
2012: Finishing my first year as an administrator

9. What was your biggest failure?
Trying to achieve perfection, taking on too many things, trying too many DIY projects at once.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Saucony running shorts.

12. Where did most of your money go?
DIY projects (painting, etc...), running gear, Trader Joe's

13. What did you get really excited about?
Having the house to myself (no more crazy roommate),

14. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Anything by Mumford and Sons

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
-Happier or sadder?
Most definitely happier

-Thinner or fatter?
Thinner (I think)

-Richer or poorer?
The same

16. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I'd done more running (I'm awful at running solo), more strength training at the gym, and more classroom visitations to my teachers at school.

17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
2011: Complain, impulse buy
2012: Probably the same! See above!

18. How did you spend Christmas?
Spent it with Nate, Kevin, Kaitlyn and the Fitzsimmons. Nanny had arrived a week prior, so she also spent it with us. Nate made killer pecan sticky buns, and Kaitlyn made a delicious ham for lunch.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
2011: Mad Men, 30 Rock, Parenthood, Friday Night Lights
2012: The Killing, Downton Abby, Homeland, Mad Men, 30 Rock, Parenthood, Smash, Glee

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
Spiritual:
According to Plan- Graeme Goldsworthy
Method for Prayer- Matthew Henry

Fiction:
Anything by PD James
The Hobbit- still reading

Nonfiction:
The Meaning of Marriage-Timothy Keller
The Last Great Lion (bio of Winston Churchill)

21. What was your favorite music this year?
A lot of everything. The usual top 40, plus my ghetto music for running. I'm a big fan of classical music for work. Love Pandora for home.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
2011- The Kings Speech
2012- Batman (last of the trilogy), The Hobbit, Skyfall. I still need to see Le Mis, and Anna Karenina.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 30!!!!!!! I went out to eat with friends at Pasha (Nate made a delicious cake from Amy's Bread) and flew out to Seattle the following weekend to visit Sara.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
2011- Being with Jesus.
2012- I would have to say, living without my roommate would have made 2012 much more enjoyable!

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
2011- More plaid, more wedges, more "uniform" look for work (pencil skirts, cardigans, button down shirts), lots of tall boots with skirts, dresses, jeans.
2012- pretty much the same. I don't deviate too often. I'm getting old, boring, and set in my ways. Haha!

26. What kept you sane?
2011- Running, being outside, quiet time in the morning, chocolate
2012- see above!

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Sometimes the good things, and the hard things are one-in-the-same.
I'm tougher than I thought.
Nothing surprises the Lord!