Weekday Tourist

Some days it is incredibly handy to have a flexible job!  Since my friend Don’s visit was a bit unplanned, I didn’t specifically book any time off work…but when I found out he’d be hanging out here for a couple of days I immediately made time for us to do a little trip out to Peggy’s Cove!

I’ve been there like 5 times now, but I love it every time!!

 

 

Don and I were bestest pals the last few years of high school and on into his college days.  Silly boy ran off and got married and made children so we haven’t seen each other in ages.  He came to town on a work trip and managed to stay a few extra days to check out a couple of Halifax area sites and hang out.  Yay!

 

 

 

 

You can tell these photos were all taken with different settings, and I switched lenses part way through…for the non-lighthouse shots.  James Dean and I are finally getting to know each other a little better!

The self portrait at the end was taken on Don’s camera.  I look a little crazy…LOL.  It was freeeeeezing and windy!!!!

Sunshine

James Dean and I went for a walk yesterday.

18-55mm lens…

50mm lens…

Now that the good weather is here, I think a photographer friend really ought to take me under their wing and teach me how to handle James Dean better.  :)  Any takers?

Long, Slow, Sunday

Today was such a calm, yet productive, day! 

We slept in a bit this morning, but nothing too crazy…just enough!  Since we had an indulgent diner breakfast yesterday, I opted to make oatmeal today.

I’m addicted to Chocolate Coconut Banana oats!!

Added some hulled hemp seeds to today’s bowl…

With coffee in my most favoritest mug…  :)

After checking a few fun things from my to-do list (Dear lululemon, I swear I’m keeping at least one of your ambassadors employed!) I was very excited to dive into my Thai leftovers.

OMG, red curry makes the best leftovers!!!

So good.

After this I decided to scrap re-painting my toenails and reading in order to head outside.  It’s still super cold and there’s lots of snow on the ground, but the sun was shining and it was gorgeous. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to take James Dean (um yes, I just named the Rebel…*giggles*) on a field trip and today was the day!!

I decided to take one new lesson from Pioneer Woman’s photography tips and work with it today.  Headed off to the BLT trail…where I usually walk/run in the other seasons.

I used the 35mm lens for the walk in… the goal was to fiddle with the aperture and depth of field. (Totally sound like I know what I’m talking about, right? ha!)

[mouse over the photos to see the aperture…]

 

On the way out, I switched to the 50mm lens and continued to switch the aperture in and out…

I find it very difficult to tell what the actual photo will look like from looking at the view screen.  Many photos I think aren’t great, turn out fabulous once uploaded!!  Huge learning curve!!

Clearly, I’m still totally loving the 50mm with a large aperture. :)

It was a brisk 40 minute, 2km walk.  So lovely!  But I was freezing from all the stopping and starting (and I’m not sure the camera loved being outside that long either).  My runny nose and I were happy to get back into the car.

How’s that for a close-up? Yeeesh.

As soon as I got home, I changed my clothes and packed up my yoga mat so I could head of to a nice warm vinyasa class (I think it’s vinyasa…don’t quote me on that!) at Breathing Space. 

Long, Slow, Deep
Longer held restorative postures in a heated room! The perfect combination for a deep release to create freedom through the connective tissues. Breath deep and enjoy the stillness while taping into a deep inner peace.

It was a lovely practice, although I can sure tell I haven’t gone in a long, long time.  My hips and triceps will likely hate me tomorrow but it was totally worth it. 

When I got home, dinner was the first thing on my mind.  You know I went straight for the leftover lasagna and another one of my signature bigass salads.

Reheated the lasagna in the oven (the microwave just doesn’t do it justice!!)…

While waiting I made the salad:  spinach, cucumber, carrots, and tomatoes…dressed with balsamic vinagrette…

The lasagna actually looks like lasagna tonight, it held it’s shape. :)

The rest of our evening will be spent just chillaxing and hoping for something interesting on TV.  I might partake in a hot bath and read with some tea or something.  Seems the best way to end such a lovely day.  :)

How was your Sunday?  Do something interesting, fun or especially relaxing?

Happy Feet!

…and knees…and hips…and lower back!

What’s the answer to achy joints and chronic creeks and groans?

New shoes!!  (OK, it’s one answer not THE answer…but still…yay!)

Lucky me received Running Room gift cards from my Mom and my Grandpa for my birthday way back in November.  I had originally intended on putting them towards a heart rate monitor, but then FH got me that so instead I was able to get new shoes.  I finally got in there last week to get them, but of course they had to order in my size…but just a week later I have happy feet!

Asics GT-2150s.  (random fact: Amy and I wear the same shoes)

I had always worn Nike or New Balance in the past but was NEVER happy or truly comfortable.  Having said that, it’s not like I ever did much in the way of running or sports before either.  I didn’t really focus on needing good footwear until we moved to Halifax two years ago and I decided to join a gym and try running, etc.  The sports I had tried before (yoga, rowing and kickboxing) didn’t require athletic shoes.

I tried on pair after pair at regular shoe stores and just could not find any that I was really comfortable in.  Arch supports always in the wrong place, or my heels would slip, or toes would pinch.  I wear a relatively large shoe for a woman (10) so finding my size was an issue too.  Finally, I sucked it up and went to RR.  The guy there worked with me for a solid half hour trying on several styles and brands of shoes…in the end I walked out with the first pair he recommended.  Asics 2130s.  Heaven I tell you! 

Admittedly I’ve been milking those shoes for two years which is a HUGE no-no.  No wonder my body aches.  Especially because the majority of my running is on the treadmill.  Those shoes may still look pretty much new, but trust me my friends they are NOT.  So, I didn’t even look for other brands this time…I just went in and asked for the new version of my shoes, et voila!  Made.for.me. I swear!

This morning I took them for their inaugural run at the gym.  Supah bright white! ha!  Especially because I also got new supah bright white socks!  But the feeling is night and day.  I’m sure within the week, my body will be thanking me profusely.  :)

Do you have a preferred running/training shoe?  What?  Why?

Gym time:

• Cruddy 20 minute treadmill run.  Just over 2km, but it was sucky.  I don’t know where my energy was, but certainly not with me.  Booo.  But better than a kick in the arse I suppose.
• Core work.  If I don’t cardio it up, I beat it up.  Beat up my abs.  3 sets of 12: hamstring curls on the ball, crunches, reverse crunches, side to sides with 2kg ball.  3 x 30 second plank.

On the way to the gym I munched on half of a Peanut Butter Cookie Larabar.

Once home I chowed down on some toast made with my favorite bread.  Sunflower Flax.  Yum!

One with peanut butter & banana…

And one with peanut butter & raspberry jam…

With, what else? Coffee!

Broke into another pack from my birthday loot box…Italian Roast.  Not as dark and rich as I expected, but yummy nonetheless.

Mucho work and such to get done.  FH and I are off to the Symphony with Lynn and her hubby tonight thanks to another wicked Twitter win.  :)  Time is crunched!