‘Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the house, every creature was stirring, including the hedgehog.
We are in full crunch mode over here. Even though it’s going to be a small and secluded holiday, we are very much prepping for the big day with all cylinders firing. There will be cookies, and candy canes, and presents tied up with string, and it’s going to be amazing.
Sunday – 3.68 miles, walking
Happy Sunday to everyone! After my walk, I tested my skills at the dancer pose, and was thrilled to discover that I can make it happen. After my surgery, I struggle with some yoga poses, so it’s nice to make small gains.
The rest of the day was kind of nasty and rainy, so we listened to Christmas music and hung at home.
Monday – 3.98 miles, walking
It’s a new week and I was ready to get to it. I started the morning with a brisk walk and got my head on right furor the week.
Since A is now on break, I also instituted some screentime rules. It’s easy to lapse into bad habits on extended time off, so we are setting up some structure.
Tuesday – 4.77 miles running + 2.26 miles, walking
Great run this morning. The weather had warmed up just a hair and I was able to go out in a tank and shorts. I am a fan of less clothes when running. It just makes movements easier.
A went to work with his dad, and I drove to Daytona to half a patio lunch with Meghan. It’s been so long since we’ve been able to see each other (since February), and it made my heart so happy.
Wednesday – 3.88 miles, walking
Wednesdays are for walking, and I made the most of it. The day was gray and overcast, but these roses were just so pink and beautiful.
I also wanted to take family photos in matching pajamas. It’s something we’ve missed out on for many years, but we finally made it happen.
Thursday – 5 miles, running + 2.39 miles, walking
We had been sticking to 4.75 mile runs during the week, but since it was going so well, I bumped us up to 5! My ankle is handling the mileage really well (except for on the super cold days).
In the evening, we made gingerbread houses with some festive snacks. I loved this candy cane caprese board,
and Rudolph’s Tipsy Spritzer. So yummy.
We also had a hot chocolate bar. Everyone is raving about hot cocoa bombs, but I am just not great with chocolate work, so this is a fair compromise.
Friday – 3.27 miles, walking
I didn’t want to get up, but finally dragged myself out of bed, and got myself moving. Today, after my walk, I worked on some balance. Balance is so important, especially during the holidays.
I had snagged a hair appointment, and was super excited to spend some time in the chair. This is my third appointment with my stylist and I am so happy with everything (including the salon’s cleanliness and safety protocols with masks and limiting clients).
Saturday – 8.0 miles, running
J and I decided we wanted to change things up and so we headed to a local Greenway for our long run. I got up a little bit earlier to get in two miles on my own, before we ran six together. It was cold, but also kind of perfect, and so nice to enjoy some different scenery.
Then the husbands joined us for an outdoor brunch. Yum.
That afternoon, I worked on wrapping presents, and then we headed south to Flagler Beach for an early, outdoor dinner. We followed flatbread and wine with delicious hot fudge sundaes from Sally’s (this is Not Your Average Hot Chocolate with marshmallow swirl and peppermint crunch).
Goal-getting
Another great week! As we close in on 2021, my motivation is really coming back. Even though things are still so awful, I feel like I want to start taking control of what I can in my life. Things have been spinning so erratically for so long, and while there’s still so much I can’t fix, I can do a better job with myself.
We are keeping up with the holiday countdown, too! I haven’t taken photos of everything but we have made our donations and done our good deeds.
This week, we will bake some cookies, finish wrapping, and enjoy odor traditional Chinese food dinner on Christmas Eve. We are going to do what we can to make the best of this week, and that’s all we can do!
I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!
How was your week in training?
Any Christmas plans or traditions?
Your hair looks amazing.
I love the hot choclate bar. Less fussy and that way people can customize.
Great family pic. Love your hair. I’ve gone a few times. Next one I will get highlights.
You’re doing great with your runs. Jealous of your warm weather and ability to wear shorts.
I’ve been to Flagler beach twice and had ice cream there.
I love your family PJs pic! I was just wondering how your hedgehog was doing. ;-). I’m so glad you are ending 2020 with optimism. You’ve come a long way from this time last year.
I’ve struggled to get into the Christmas mood and spirit but just forcing it because I know this is what I (and the family) need. So I’m decorating the house, haven’t gotten to baking yet, but wrapping presents and have some of our activities and traditions going.
For some reason, I was super gung ho, and now today I’m not. Blah. A is struggling with the spirit, so I hope he feels more into it.
What a fun week! Love all the festive celebrations, especially that caprese candy cane! Too cute.
Glad you could meet up with a friend for a patio lunch!
Me, too. I missed her so much. 🙁
I agree on less clothes unfortunately not an option here, although you do see people running in shorts even in winter!
I just never get fancy like you do. Maybe because it’s just the 2 of us. You’re so creative!
I bet there’s a story behind Chinese Christmas Eve. We used to go into NYC to see a Broadway show on Christmas Day. Miss that!
I run in shorts all the way into the 40s. There’s two older women who are always out walking who tut at me constantly for not dressing warmly enough. They must think no one looks out for me.
So my stepdad LOVES Chinese food, but he has to watch his carbs and sodium. I used to make homemade carbonara on Christmas Eve (we are Italian, but not quite committed to the Feast of the Seven Fishes), but he is also super picky and doesn’t like it. I would get so stressed out cooking yummy meals for both Christmas Eve AND christmas, that I finally said enough. Let’s do Chinese food buffet. We order a little bit of everything and have at it. My mom can’t say a word to him about the meal, and he’s happy.
What a busy & productive week! I’m still procrastinating on my baking, something awful. And, I’m not feeling much guilt over it, so all is well. No one is bringing treats into work these days (the few of us actually there, that is), and the hubby and I don’t want all that sugar-laden temptation for just the two of us. As predicted ALL of my delayed packages are starting to arrive, all at once…three came today 😉
I got two batches of cookies done today. Tomorrow, I will try to do more tomorrow. I like the gesture of cookies more than the cookies themselves.
I’m glad all your packages are turning up.
Your pj pic is the cutest! I think we need to do something about excessive screentime with Thing 2 during break. It’s getting ridiculous.
I can’t deal with it. He hates reading, so that’s out, but go DO something! I am all for entertaining/crafting/doing things with him, but he has to be able to entertain himself too. This is where I struggle as a mom.
Such a fun, festive week! I love your candy cane caprese and will have to make that next year when we actually can get together with family. I don’t think my boys (including my hubs) would be down with the pj thing. Sigh…
You are so lucky you can still eat outside. There are tents set up here but it’s so dumb–it’s still eating in a closed space!
My boys are playing along this year, especially because of how much we all missed out on last year. Mr PugRunner doesn’t even wear actual pajamas, but he does like lounge pants, so I got him those and a t-shirt that he can wear to bed or during the day.
I think the weather helps us out a lot. We can eat outside. Shop outside. BE outside. And while it’s not foolproof, it certainly helps people from feeling like they have to crowd in indoor spaces, especially at this time of year. Even our good malls are outside, so easier to social distance.
I am jealous of your tanks and shorts weather. While it isn’t that cold for December, it is tights, gloves, hats, and jackets weather.
Limit screen time? No! 🙂
Well, I will be in full winter gear the rest of the week! It’s going to be cold again!
Oh my goodness, I love your candy cane caprese board! I’m definitely pinning it for next year when hopefully we’ll be able to resume our Christmas tradition with extended family.
Have a wonderfully Merry Christmas, Jenn!
It came out better than expected and tasted delicious! We will be making it again on the big day, along with a christmas tree charcuterie!
Merry Christmas to you, too!
Great going for the week. So far this week I’ve managed about 20km of walking because I am nursing a sore knee. Going to test it tonight with a slow slow jog back home from work.
Oooh, take care of that knee! Rest up and definitely take it easy.
What a great week for you! It looks like you’ve really embraced the holiday spirit 🙂 That family PJ pic is so cute!
I hope you and your family have a great Christmas!
I hope you and yours do, too! I think it will be nice.
I love the candy cane caprese board! You just gave me an idea for Christmas Eve 🙂
My family and I have worn matching pajamas on Christmas for a few years but last year we switched over the ugly Christmas sweaters. I personally prefer the pajamas but the sweaters make me laugh too, lol. Hope that you have a great Christmas holiday with your family!
So simple and easy!
I love ugly Christmas sweaters! A is wearing one right now!
Looks like you had a great week all around! Yummy drinks, outdoor dining, and running 5 miles at a time! I’m sure that must feel great to get into those yoga poses again after surgery. I am planning on some holiday pictures today. My family loves that (haha, not really). Hope your Christmas is excellent!
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I love holiday photos! We took front porch photos earlier this year, and those came out nice, but I want better pics when my roots aren’t gray and we can be in a more awesome location.