New Horizons

TGIF! Seriously, the week could not have been more draining. On top of not feeling quite right, (I think I may have caught a touch of a stomach virus that has been going around work) the work week was heavy and exhausting with one problem after another. Thankfully, its over now and even though I did leave a few issues to deal with on Monday, at least I won't have to think about it for a few days.
On a better note, we were truly spoiled today with some of the best weather we have gotten all year. I think it hit 65* and the sun stayed out a lot longer than they predicted. I met my dad for lunch today, which always make my heart happy. We try to get together at least once a month for a lunch date and these always seem to come at the perfect time. I really need my monthly father-daughter connection time and the fact that my dad and I share almost identical passions and visions in life makes our time together so fulfilling.
He also surprised me with a little gift! THE BEST PUMPKIN BUTTER IN THE WORLD! We live in PA and a short distance from Amish country. Every week, my dad takes a class that is just down the road from a glorious outdoor farmers market. This market is crazy! It's huge and has some of the best produce/products I have ever seen. Best of all, most of the vendors are Amish farmers and let me tell you, those Amish really know how to produce some of the best baked goods and other goodies. One of these being my beloved pumpkin butter.

I have not had this kind since last summer and oh how I missed it! I could not wait to open this beauty up so I knew it had to be incorporated into dinner somehow.
Before I left work, the hubby called, inviting me for a nice evening stroll with Sammy. Since it was absolutely perfect outside, I could not turn down the offer. We did a nice walk around the neighborhood and afterwards, I was feeling extremely ambitious to "test" out a jog outdoors. I have been running for almost a year on the treadmill and have not yet ventured my runs outdoors, but know that with the warm weather coming, it is something I am trying to prepare for. It must have been the beauty of the fresh air, but I decided to do a nice easy jog so I could test the waters.
At first, I realized how different it felt. It was definitely a lot harder, but once I got past the initial awkwardness, it started to feel great! The fresh air in my lungs and the feeling of the pavement was actually quite pleasant. I only did 2 laps around the block (which is just under 2 miles) but it gave me a nice little taste of what my runs will eventually turn into. I can't wait!
Toly has a boys poker night, so I am hanging solo (and liking some nice relaxing alone time). When the hubby is away, I often take the opportunity to create a wonderfully interesting creation of oats for dinner. (He does not like oatmeal and its probably my favorite thing in the world to eat) Tonight was a fruit baked oatmeal with the star ingredient...Pumpkin Butter!
My bowl contained...

• 1/2 cup Oats
• Cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, salt
• Vanilla soy milk
• pumpkin
• honey
• coconut
• Diced plum
• frozen blueberries

I mixed this all up and baked for about 30 min. Then I topped with a Big ol' spoonful of Pumpkin Butter, and 1/2 banana mashed with about a teaspoon of peanut butter.

Quite delicious!

In the process of making the banana mash, I found another lover of this creation.

Licking the bowl clean!

Tomorrow is a nice productive day followed by a wonderfully relaxing evening.
On the agenda...

• 7 mile (ah, hopefully!!) run in the morning
• Hair cut at noon
• Lunch with an old high school friend, Sarah
• Grocery shopping for the week
• Dinner/movie at home with my man

Hope you all had a wonderful Friday and are looking forward to a great weekend!