Christmas Cookie Exchange :)

Happy Wednesday (and a rainy one here in Charleston)!

Last night, I got to take a break from all my studying (which has been pretty weak lately, just too burnt out from finals, but finally getting back into it) and enjoyed a girls night in.  A few of my friends and friends of friends have put together a girls night, every week for the past couple months.  Since I have been so stinking busy with school/life, I haven't been able to make the girls night out yet!  But luckily, I was able to attend last night--and it was a delicious one!

Cookie Exchange

We ended up going to Ali, Mary Foster and Annies house for a cookie exchange.  It is a great idea and super fun for the holidays!  Everyone brought a bunch of cookies to swap around with everyone, along with some holiday wine and eggnog (Anna made it from scratch--quite impressive in my book!).  It was a great time and I brought home a ton of cookies--Drew was certainly happy :).  I forget how much I enjoy girl time sometimes and it was wonderful to just be able to chat and hang out with everyone!

Filling up our bags with cookies (such cute bags too)

Girls Night :)

As for me, I brought ginger snaps/molasses cookies and white chocolate pretzels   I made a hybrid cookie from two different recipes--one from the back on the molasses bottle and one from allrecipes.com.  They turned out pretty tasty if you ask me--next time I will have to splurge and buy ground cloves; but you couldn't tell that it was missing that if you didn't know (at least I hope)! Nothing like some homemade cookies :)

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday party season :)

Off to walk this bird loving girl...

This Weekend: Finished Law School, Finished a Marathon :)

Wow! This was an incredible weekend in the life of Cody.  I finished law school and PRed a marathon :).

I have spent the last few weeks preparing for my final finals...ever.  I have been a student for my entire life (as I know it)--and am happy to report that I am finally finished with my long career as a student :).  It is a much different feeling this go around, than the times past when I finished up with school.

I remember "graduating elementary school" and thinking that I was growing up--we even had to sing "the time of your life" to our parents, a little dramatic for elementary school but it worked!  And then graduating high school, I remember not wanting to go to college, I loved my friends, life and living at home.  I remember talking to my best friends saying how we wished that there was a 13th year.  And then college graduation came around--and boy was I NOT ready to leave college (so since I graduated early I stayed around for the semester that I should have still been in school and worked/played)!  I could have stayed in college for a few victory laps, and to this day when I go back to Clemson, there is still a part of me that longs for those college care free days!

Sorority Senior Walk 

*my other pictures won't upload :(

But this go around, aka my final go around, is completely different--I am ready to be done with school once and for all :).  It's not that I didn't enjoy law school and all the friends that I made along the way--it's just that I'm ready to enter into the "real" world and actually know how it is like to have a "big person job."  I have seen most of my friends finish with college, and even some with grad school, and enter into the work force--and I can't help but feel jealous of them for being independent and self-reliant. So, I am happy to report that at the end of my law school career/long educational career--I am looking ahead to the future and not wanting to look back (no Ph.D. or Master degree for this girl)!!

Also, I ran the Kiawah Marathon on Saturday (finished law school Friday afternoon--ran marathon Saturday morning: my life was a tad insane this weekend).  It was a great race and I felt great the entire time!  I started out the first half (13 miles) with my dad and Mimi.  I wanted to make sure that I had enough "gas" as my dad likes to call it for the end of the race--so I didn't bonk!  We started off at around a 10 minute pace (slow and steady wins the race).  When I cut off from them I was aiming at between a 9:00 and 9:30 pace.

Dad, me and Mimi before the race

Originally, I wanted to do the race in 4 hours--but since I have been studying and school took up my life, I stopped focusing on running and decided that I just wanted to finish the race with a smile on my face and didn't care about the time.  On Saturday morning, my dad said that they wanted to finish the race in 4:20--I then decided that since my last time was 4:17 I wanted to beat that time and we planned that I would stick with them for the first half and if I felt good that I would kick it up.  So, I kicked it up a notch--and when I was around mile 15 decided that I wanted to do it in under 4:15--which then at mile 19, that goal became 4:10. Basically, this was a plan as you go marathon--and I finished in my final goal of 4:10 with a smile on my face!

Drew's picture of me running--

no one said that running was attractive 

Looking back at the race, I wish that I had planned out what I wanted to do before the race started.  I was so consumed with school work that I lost sight of what I wanted to achieve in my running.  I am still proud of my time, especially with the amount that I was able to take off my time from my last marathon.  But part of me wishes that I would have had a goal and went for that goal.  I finished the marathon sprinting towards the finish (last mile was 8:10) and I wish that I had left all I had out on the course.  However, this isn't my last rodeo and I will always have another shot at my sub 4 hour original goal :).  Overall, it was an amazing race and gives me excitement for my next race--whenever that will be!

I don't mean for this to sound like I am boosting about myself--I am just really proud of myself for finishing two very challenging things.  I think that it is alright to be proud of yourself every once and awhile--and these two things are that for me :)  Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday--off to read some of my book before hitting the books for studying for the Bar :/

Reading the Happiness Project 

(since it has been popping up everywhere--decided to jump on the band wagon :)

Engagement Party Weekend In Maryland

Hey!

I can't tell you how much fun this past weekend was!  I got to fly home to Maryland to celebrate my sister, Lee and her fiance, Jeff's engagement party!!  We packed a ton into the 72 hours that I was home and it was worth every moment of it :)

I arrived late Thursday night which meant that we had all day Friday to play.  Mom and I got up early (as usual--we both are morning people) and after a cup or three of coffee we headed to the gym for a quick workout before going to the grocery store.  Call me crazy, but I absolutely love going to the grocery store--especially when I am at home, guess it's because Mom buys ;).  When we were at the store, we came across Pumpkin Spice English Muffins which my Mom has been raving about since late September when she first stumbled upon them!  Lee and I have been searching high and low for them in every store that sells bread--literally!  So when we found the delicious bread...we bought all of them that were on the shelf ha!

Lets be honest--anything Pumpkin Spice is good!

My beautiful mama :)

After our exciting find we got ready for our afternoon in Annapolis to see Lee and Jeff's wedding venue.  I have heard wonderful things about the location and couldn't wait to see it.  Kelsey, mom and I  shared a couple snacks and drinks while waiting on Lee and Jeff to meet up with us.  It was a gorgeous day and perfect for venue looking :).  We looked at a possible spot for the ceremony and then came across their venue!! It is perfect--absolutely gorgeous and makes me so excited for their big day!!!  

Got to try on the gorgeous ring--Jeff did a stellar job!

Jeff and Lee at the Gardens--possible ceremony spot!

Walking in Annapolis!

At the venue :) soo pretty!

On Saturday, we got prepared for the party day--by going out to lunch with two of Lee's bridesmaids, me and of course the bride to be! After a delicious lunch we headed off to get spa mani/pedis!  It was so nice to have a day of pampering and spending time with such wonderful girls.  It makes me excited to be able to plan Lee's bachelorette party because she has such great friends :)

My new tumbler--proud to be the maid of honor ;)

After our primping, it was party time!  There was such a great turn out of Lee and Jeff's family and friends.  It was so exciting to meet so many new people and chat with people I haven't seen in a while.  It was a really nice night and I think it's safe to say that everyone had a wonderful time :)

Mimi baked/decorated the cake--amazing right?!

Kelsey, Lee, Me and Mom

My pops learning to work the camera ha!

Speech time :)

Lee and I obviously in deep convo--

Unfortunately, I was a lame duck and had to call it an early night (after some guidance from my pops--that I had to switch the wine to water and that going to bed at a reasonable hour was in my best interest) and didn't get to continue the celebration into the wee hours with the remainder of the group!  But as always the old man was right and I got enough energy and sleep to be prepared for my 22 mile run in the AM.  It was a long, long run but Mimi, Dad and I completed all 22 with smiles on our faces!!  If you are in the DC/Baltimore area--I highly suggest running the NCR trail for long runs.  The trail is very beautiful and best part about it--it is flat :).  It was a wonderful day and even better weekend!

Me and Mimi before the lonnng 22 miler--think I was about to freeze!

Grilled Pesto and Shrimp Pizza

I have got to tell you about the best creation that I have found in a long while---grilling pizza!!!  I was skeptical at first about putting pizza dough on a grill, for whatever reason I felt that it would just melt passed the grates and create a heck of a mess, but after last night I am a true believer in grilling pizza :).

Scout wants some Grilled Pizza too

(bad girl jumping on the counters--but she is cute!)

Yesterday Drew and I went to one of my favorite places, Trader Joe's, to pick up some food and wine for watching the Clemson game.  We went in having not a clue about what we wanted--other than some cheese (seriously, the best selection)--and came out with the wonderful idea of having grilled pizza, after seeing a suggestion sign by the pizza dough section!

We decided to put on the pizza some sun-dried tomatoes, shrimp and homemade pesto, with fresh basil from my basil plant :).  I must mention that the shrimp was fresh caught too!  Drew and a couple guys went out on Friday night and caught a ton of shrimp--which means that our freezer is getting packed with bags of shrimp, but you definitely won't hear me complain about the shrimp overload :)! We were both quite pleased with ourselves and our very homemade pizza (next time I'm going to make the dough though).

Ta Da! Our Wonderful Pizza!

It is quite simple to grill a pizza.  You simply roll the pizza dough on to a cookie sheet, cover very liberally one side with olive oil and flip it (oil side down) on the cookie sheet, then move to the grill (oil side down) for 2-3 minutes; take the dough off the grill and put olive oil on the other side (face down on the cookie sheet), then simply put all your toppings on the pizza (on the side with the grill marks) and put it back on the grill for 8-10 minutes!! It comes out awesome--just a side note: make sure that the grill doesnt get too hot, we kept it around 350.

Pizza Please!!

The pizza was the perfect complement to watching our Tigers win and wonderful fuel after my long 16 mile run!  Gotta love a quiet Saturday night in every once and a while :)

Asheville Half Marathon

Wow its been a long while!

So much has happened that I don't even want to start to have a recap and bore you with all the details. But for the sake of not blogging for 2 months; I'll make it a quickie!! I had an amazing rest of summer including a bunch of trips to the beach with friends, a trip with Drew's family to the Outerbanks, a trip (or two) to Edisto, the start of my FINAL SEMESTER of law school (and school of any sort for that matter--unless I decide to get my PhD ha!), moving into a new wonderful house, Scout growing to 20 lbs (well 19--but rounding up), running, dying my hair back to it's natural color and really just attempting to balance life while welcoming the change of season :)!

Scout is Growing :)

As for this past weekend--I am so happy to report that I actually finished the Asheville Half Marathon!! This half was by far the hardest, most challenging, hilliest (or mountainous), and most beautiful race I have ever run.  Seriously, I never knew that Asheville was so mountainous but I guess next time I sign up for a race I need to check the map first!  It was a definite challenge but with a little help from friends we all got across the finish line with smiles on our faces :)

Asheville Rocks :)

Our Bibs complete with preparation: Gu Gels and 

awesome headbands (the first ones I have tried that don't slip!!)

PreRace Pic

Post Race Picture!

Got to Love Ali's sign ;)

Finished the Race!

Feeling good after brunch @ Tupelo Honey :)

Asheville is a gorgeous city with a very diverse population!  I was probably 8 years old the last time I was in Asheville, so I never got to quite realize the beauty of the town.  It was the perfect town to have a girls weekend away!! Christina and I had planned on doing a race out of town for about a year--and when this race came up we decided to hop on it and plan a girls weekend away with Ali and Kendall!

Getting ready to go out :)

Dinner Night!

Christina, Me and Ali :)

All of us 

Showing our Asheville Love--please note the 

small incline behind us, that was nothing!

Since moving and starting school, I have been so busy that I have started to feel like I have been losing touch with my girl friends!  It happens every beginning of the semester when I am trying to get in the groove of things--so this weekend was a wonderful chance to reconnect and just have fun with the girls!!  We went out to some of the most amazing restaurants--goat cheese stuffed figs I think are my new favorite thing ever--and got to tour around a bunch of breweries (and had a wine tasting too)!  All and all it was a wonderful weekend and I absolutely can't wait for the next one--need to plan around another awesome city with a half marathon ;)

Our Final Night, So Pretty!

Waterfest 2012

Happy Monday!

This weekend marks the end of Waterfest 2012.  I was lucky enough to be able to go to both weekends of Waterfest in Beaufort, SC this year.  Waterfest is a wonderful time filled with sun, boats, drinks and dancing! Waterfest marks the peak of summer--which means that the end of summer is approaching (but I plan on keeping in the summer spirit as long as possible!).  It was another gorgeous weekend filled with good times with great friends.

First weekend with the Clemson Crew

Wha what?!

Another nice Saturday!

Me and Drew at the Concert

Waterfest 2012

Before going to the concert on Friday evening, Drew and I stopped by his parents' sailboat to have a drink.  I have never seen their boat and was very excited to finally get a chance to go on it.  Last year his parents have took their boat to the Bahamas and enjoyed a few months of sailing around the Caribbean!  I think it sounds like the perfect vacation or way of life--just have to work for a few more decades before I can do it--but its something to aspire to right?!  It was wonderful to get to see them, even if it was brief!

Drew's Parents Boat

(one on the left side of the dock)

Crazy Weather!

The weekend was definitely fun, but exhausting as well.  Weekends like Waterfest are always worth it, but do take a toll. So I am looking forward to some down time the next few weekends and my body definitely welcomes some rest!

Scout was tuckered!

After our weekend adventure, Drew and I went to the new house to unload more boxes and unpack most of our belongings---so close to move in!! After our unpacking I was starving and decided to whip up a big pasta dinner before the Bachelorette.  Drew and I rarely eat pasta, but after trying to eat everything in the pantry before our big move we dove into some awesome angel hair with mussels--making me crave more pasta last night.  It was the perfect meal to watch Emily pick Jef :)!!

Thursday Pasta...

Sunday Pasta :)

Hope everyone had an eventful weekend and has a wonderful start to the work week!

Moving and a Running Puppy

Hi!  I have been on a hiatus from blogging because I have been slammed with moving from apartment to Drew's house to my new house!  It truly has been a chaotic few weeks and will continue to be until we are finally settled :)

Drew and I got the chance to fly up to Maryland to visit with my family and then be able to bring a ton of furniture back to Charleston from my parents.  I seriously can't thank my parents enough for being so generous--we got two couches, chairs with ottomans, numerous tables and side tables, pictures, and even a grill :).  It was wonderful to be able to spend sometime with my family even though it was only for a day! Drew and I then took the 500 plus mile trek back down south to move our newly acquired furniture into our new home.

Moving Break to go to a Nationals Game :)

Since we had a wonderful, big, yellow truck we used it to move me out of my apartment and move Drew's bigger furniture.  It was great to be able to move so much stuff--but it does mean that I have been camping out at Drew's while we wait to be able to finally make the big move! And believe me I cannot wait to finally have all my stuff in one place again (you never realize how nice that is).  It was a stressful few days, but I am happy that all my stuff is mostly at the new place (still in boxes--but still there)!

Some of my stuff...ek!

Drew and our moving truck

The month of July has really flown by, I know that for most people summer flies by and goodness it most certainly has this year!  I have made some amazing memories this past month and am forever happy that I have such great friends (and have even been able to catch up with old friends too).

Last weekend, a bunch of my college friends and I went to Waterfest in Beaufort.  Waterfest is such a fun time and I have been fortunate enough to be able to go for the past 4 years (thank you Brandon)!  It is a great time where people anchor out at the sandbar and hang out until the evening where there are concerts going on in the park.  It truly brings out the best in the low country and is by far one of my favorite times of the year!

As for the end of the recap--I don't like having to recap since I have been absent so long, but figure it is better to than not--it has been an amazing July and I can't wait to enjoy every last bit of the next few weeks of summer!

This past week (meaning starting Monday) I decided to finally get my booty in gear and start getting back into a routine of working out.  I have been interning at a law office in the mornings, which has really put a stop to my working out on the reg.  A lot of the classes I enjoy are only offered at times in the mornings, which means that I miss them and since it is the dead of summer it is really hard to run in the afternoons (excuses, excuses I know).  Since I had this week off of work I decided to use it to my benefit and get back into action.  I love group classes, especially body attack and body pump, the classes definitely make you push harder than if you were on your own.  While doing group classes, I still try to get my run on and have been trying to be more consistent in running (seriously don't understand how it is so difficult this time to get back into training mode).

Scout has become my running buddy! I have been getting her to run with me in the mornings during part of our morning walk (usually around a half mile).  After I told Drew about it he got excited and decided to take her for a run with him last night...I had to go to class so missed out on the family run :(. To my surprise she ran 2 miles with him!! I have always been too nervous to run with her because I have read reviews that say that you shouldn't take puppies for runs (even though they have so much energy), but I the vet did reassure me that it is alright to run with her (even good to) and that she will let me know when it is enough.  So with the good news I took the little one on a nice 2 mile run this morning and she was an awesome runner--having 4 legs is a perk!

Scout before run...

Scout after run!

After our run, I decided to whip up some chicken salad! Chicken salad has become a staple in my summer diet.  It is wonderful because it is so easy and cheap to make and makes a ton (saving a lot of money) as well as super delicious!  I did splurge on this batch of chicken salad--and got green grapes (though red makes it look prettier) and slivered almonds! I usually just omit the almonds if they aren't on sale and use raisins rather than grapes to save a few dollas, but hey you only live once--go crazy and get grapes!

Homemade chicken salad--very green!

Of course I had it on a bed of lettuce 

(love me some salad on salad)

Side of Apple and Cottage Cheese to finish off lunch!

Unfortunately, today is the same as how the rest of the week has been--off and on showers--so I will be a busy studying girl inside, rather than at the pool or beach (hard life right?!).  Hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday--just think tomorrow is Friday and the weekend :)

Scout is my little study partner!