Playing with new camera

I have a new dSLR canon that I received for christmas and it has been so fun to use.  I can't wait to use it in Yellowstone Nation Park and also maybe now I can post a move of the day etc.  I am also happy to have a way to take decent self timer photos of sewing projects/moves etc because Hubbee would try but wasn't the best at that!!

So here we are goofing with camera around xmas:

Wrigley--who tries to lick the lens:

Matt and Jaclyn:

Some of my bday flowers:

And then I had to drive Iris out to her grandpa's and there were about 20 bald eagles and four Golden eagles around roadkill (gross--I know--but so close!) i wish i had my telephoto lens, but it was still neat!

We took down our tree this am because it was ridiculously dead.  It had actually been a fire hazard for about two weeks:

Hubbee wants that to be our christmas card next year... ummmmmmm... let me mull that over!!!!  It took about 14 seconds to burn itself to nothing.  scary to think that could have happened indoors!

I am trying to set some goals for the new year.  I don't really believe in resolutions.  I want run a mary in 3:50.  I want to get to 10,000 NTC minutes. I need to have several smaller ones to get me to these lofty ones.  HELP!!! :) I also think I may post three moves/week or workouts/week on the blog.  Any suggestions?

I do need to continue to sew.  I have lots of orders for baby items and need to get to work on some items for Sister in Law...

What are your goals/resolutions?  

Now it's safe to post these pics!

I didn't want to post these before christmas in case some would see their christmas present posted.
I made a purse and pjs for my mom:

I also made her a doxie laptop sleeve:

i made Sunny a zafu/meditation pillow. This did not go as planned... I bought one and made a cover, however they are not at all squishy so it would not go into the envelope style cover I made--I then had to stuff it.

I made colleen (mother in law) a nightie to go with their gift of an overnight package:

And I made these cocktail napkins for a client:

I made a few other items but haven't distributed them yet! :)

I MET TONY HORTON worked out and survived!!

This weekend is yet another one for the record books.  I feel like 2012 was so amazing and had such wonderful opportunities I don't know whether I should feel sad/nervous about 2013 or excited for what possibly may be coming down my path?!?!  On Friday Sunny and I set out for Big Sky resort for a weekend of several workouts/lectures with Tony Horton.  

Now for a back story.  I have never done P90x workouts and Sunny owns just about everything issued by Beach Body Fitness but she too has limited experience with the actual workouts.  So, needless to say we were nervous.  I know I am in respectable shape.  I know I am not average when it comes to my own self motivation.  I have been this way since I was a child.  I have always loved to move.  It is a lifestyle for me and I work very hard to keep it this way.  Because of my philosophy I have always scoffed at the P90x theory because what the heck do you do after 90 days??? And so many people were beginning the program, that I think weren't at that level to do as such, and petered out after a week or so.  I planned on attending this event in Big Sky to support Sunny.  She has been to many of my races, taken amazing pics, cheered me on, and driven my sweaty sore ass around so I was happy to do it.

I wasn't expecting to fall in love with Tony.

Really.

His philosophy is exactly like mine.  Variety, challenging, 5-7 days/week, some days are better than others, food is fuel, etc.  "Aging is for idiots" was repeated throughout the weekend--and with how great he looks and amazingly fit he is--I am staying on this bus!!!!

But what I found the most endearing was how he didn't double take or have the bulging eyed look that some have when they hear/see Sunny is about to do some physical feat.  She is overweight but still has a level of fitness and her military background has a lot to do with her gumption.  I was so pleasantly surprised when Tony treated her EXACTLY like everyone else.  The entire group and Tony's team were all so welcoming and encouraging--it really made for a fantastic group setting.  Normally I am sooooo not a fan of groups.  But this was seriously a blast.  The workouts we did were actually quite similar to NTC but without weights.  It was challenging but fun.  Tony is silly and realistic and a bit goofy.  I imagined more of a drill Sargent style--but that was not at all how it was. PHEW!  He made himself and team available for questions, pictures, etc.  It was really a unique experience. 

I feel as though this put a little fire under Sunny's ass.  She is doing the work, now is going to work on her eating.  Tony has a meal plan system ,"Tony's Kitchen" that actually seems decent.  It is real food, no preservatives, etc.  Sunny was able to do these workouts and didn't have swelling that she used to struggle with and residual pain for days that made it impossible to stick to any routine.

We also skied on Sunday.  At first Sunny was done.  She found a chair and I went up the lift to take a solo run.  By the time I hopped off the lift my phone buzzed--she wanted to try again.  This hill wasn't beating her.  See--She has so much gumption--and its infectious!! :)

So we skied a few successful runs and decided to end on a good note and call it a day.

I am so proud of Sunny for going waaaaaay out of her comfort zone in so many aspects this weekend. And I can't thank Tony and his team enough for such fun times!! :)  My calves are yelping a bit but it feels goooooooood!! :)

It was a memorable weekend and a wonderful way to start off the holiday/my birthday week!  36 here I come baby!! :)

Pre Holiday Week!! :)

I have been a busy lady!! I would love to post pics but  few people might then see their christmas presents so i will have to post after the holiday.  But I must say I have been quite prolific... :)

It has been quite busy at my studio too. So my runs have been consisiting of 2 miles here, 2 miles there, a mile before leaving, etc.  I also have been doing some cross country skiing which has been a great alternative to running and Wrigley seems to love it.

I hope every one is enjoying this time of year, even though it seems to be shrouded with tragedy.  My heart goes out to these horror stricken communities.  

How is everyone else fitting workouts in during this busy season?  i need to finish wrapping some gifts to stuff into a priority mail box!!  Hopefully pics soon! :)

I did receive my workout ensemble from PV Body.  You sign up, take a quiz and they send you a top and bottom each month that are normally valued at $150 total.  You pay 49.99.  There are some discount codes floating around though, so search for one--I used one from @YogaEatRun and I only pay 39.95.  I received gray capris with very flattering seams and a super soft black technical tee.  I was hesitant about whether i thought they were worth the mula, but I wore them yesterday and was pleasantly impressed!  I will wash and post pics and do a better review soon.  Since I wear workout clothes every  day it seems like a rational amount to spend and it was fun to be surprised.

Good Hump day to y'all!!

running miles and making prezzies!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!  i did.  I ran the Huffing for STuffing 10k (which was actually 6.7 miles) and then we hosted dinner at our house.  It was very fun and we had great food and great company.  I had FOUR days in a row off!!!!  This is unheard of for me--if I have that much time off I am usually afloat on a river or not in Montana.  I was so excited to use the time for some sewing.  I have been wanting to make several gifts and the time seems to be flying.  I had to make several baby gifts during the last few weeks--I may have posted pics of these:

These are some baby kimono slippers and burp cloths. The kimono slippers I followed a tutorial http://www.niftythriftythings.com/2011/06/kimono-baby-shoes.html It was super easy to follow and these are VERY fun to make.  I added Rik Rak to a third pair and they are darling!

Next up was some pajamas (lounge wear as she calls them) for my mother.  She loves bright colored cozy pajamas and I found this fun contrasting flannel.  I wanted to make two pairs of pants, however, the coral was cut soooooooo crooked I was shorted almost half a yard.  Alas, my mom is tiny in size so I could at least eke out a pair of shorts.

These were fun and super simple to make.  I think I need to make more!! :)

Today is my mother in laws birthday.  I bought her some very nice earrings off of ETSY (aahhhhh uuuuhhh aaaauuuuuuhhhhh--that's angels singing--I LOVE Etsy!!!).  Ben chose a nice scarf and I wanted to make her something.  She likes birds and I had this fabric I had bought with her in mind and I followed a tutorial for this bag--the olivia bag--from DixieMango.com.  Again, excellent instructions/pictures etc.

This bag was super fun to make and comes together quickly.  It is a great size not too big, not too small.  I hope she likes it.

Also this weekend I have been working on fabric flowers--they are for a project that will be revealed later (I hope! :/).  And I wanted to try my hand at the English Paper Piecing of hexagons.  They are a great way to use scraps and I can do it anywhere (i.e.: not holed up in my sewing center). They do not, however, make fast work.  We watched a movie and I did five.  How the heck do people make entire quilts of these things???  Someone may receive a coaster, then next christmas the mate.  These are a slow go.  But I do see the attraction...

So that is what my hands have been up to.  The legs have been running shorter faster runs and NTC and bootcamps.  I need to start training for a half marathon in February.  I am looking forward to being in training officially again!!

What have all of you been up to?  Running or craftwise???

Fitness through the Holidays

This time of year is often hard for people to stay on task when it comes to their fitness.  There are so many social obligations so time is even MORE restricted and workouts may fall to the wayside.  Also, at these social engagements calories are consumed via foodstuffs and beverages.  I am vowing to stay on task.  i need my workouts so I can manage the stress this time of year brings.  For me, I need to make that commitment to myself or I may snap!!  Again, this year, Runner's World is having their running streak challenge: run at least one mile/day from Thanksgiving through Christmas or New year's (now i forget!).  I may try this... although I do believe in rest days, a mile won't put my body over the edge.

I was also thinking of creating my own challenge of completing 30 days of yoga from the weekend of thanksgiving through christmas.  Right now I am attempting to run 100 miles during the month of November and 600 min of NTC.  I am about halfway through miles and minutes--I need to step it up; the week before last I was pretty lax on running -- did some spin sessions and yoga.  Yesterday I headed out with the intention of 5 miles and ran 8.5! :)  it was a gorgeous day.  After having been snowed in last weekend, it was 55 and sunny.  It was windy but that kept my temp down since I had on a running jacket.  It was delightful and I figured since I needed to make up some miles--KEEP GOING! :)

I know my time has been consumed with a crazy busy work schedule and also trying to find time to sew some presents.  I have been up late/waking early to find time to sew.  I enjoy it very much, so it is not hard to convince myself to wake up an hour early to do so. But, I also know I need to exercise so I mentally feel better.  It seems the busier/stressed I get the more I crave my exercise. I feel very fortunate that I have the ability to exercise, the means, safe places, beautiful views, great four legged partners, etc.  When I put the spin on how great it is that I CAN do this, it makes me want to that much more!  

Who else is partaking in a challenge during the holidays?  what are your goals?

Exciting News!

It may not be THAT exciting.  Definitely not as exciting as some of the Nike news, etc.  It is, however, something for me to look forward to.  Sunny (@itsallaboutme) and I are going to Big Sky the weekend before Christmas to meet Tony Horton.  I must admit, i did my first P90x video yesterday.  Kenpo--and I survived.  I didn't really sweat, but I am not much of a sweater (???) and today I feel as though my shoulders are dead.  

And I LOVE it! :)

Sunny is a HUGE fan of Tony (ya, I'm going with the first name basis) and this has put a fire under her butt!!  i am hoping I can keep up--she has turned into a maniac.  I love it though--it is a fun way to stay motivated through this cold dreary time we seem to be having.

I am pumped to meet this amazing athlete for sure.  I am also psyched to go to the fondue restaurant at Big Sky!!! I love Big Sky--it is a phenomenal ski area/resort with so much going on and festivities and it is only 1.5 hours away.  They opened this restaurant two seasons ago and I have been dying to go.  Sunny is a bit nervous about how this food will affect our workouts--I'm willing to risk it! 

I have NO IDEA what I need to bring/wear/etc.  There is a meet and greet friday with some sort of lecture I believe.  Should I bring a notebook? dress up for meet and greet? do I need my own mat?  I wish that when you registered they had a "what to pack" list.  When I become a famous fitness guru I will definitely provide that info. *wink*

Anyone else going to this event?  Or have you been to something similar?

Oh--I almost forgot!  I am a featured runner on Doug's blog!!!!  
check that post out here: http://www.dougcassaro.com/2012/11/runners-spotlight-meet-elizabeth-rehmer.html