What a Wonderful Week

I knew that I needed a vacation, but I don’t really think I knew how much.

This past 10 days has been absolutely invigorating. From my 2 days in Nashville, the following 4 I spent in Virginia, and final 4 at Fitbloggin, it really felt like 3 vacations in one.

And… I got to spend ten days focusing on what matter most

My Family

My Friends

Bettering Myself

As I was getting ready to head down to catch my shuttle this morning, I realized I was ready to come home, but not in that “Ugh… I miss my bed” sort of way (which translates to me as vacation boredom), but I was ready to go home with a sense of accomplishment.

I also come home realizing that it’s been DAYS since I’ve written here at NTTC.  Even though I have a full list of things I want to share, I have absolutely no idea where to begin.

I suppose it makes sense to start at the beginning, or to pick up where I left off.  I’ll try my best not to drone on and on about every detail… but it was such an inspiring week, it will be hard to sum it up.

Virginia

I traveled to Virginia on Sunday afternoon after an amazing weekend with the girls in Nashville.  My brother, sister-in-law, and their kiddos live about an hour out of DC and I always like to visit with them once during the year during a non-Christmas time when possible.  Since I couldn’t make it to the Cape this year… we worked something out in September.

Beth and Jason are about an hour out of Baltimore, so it made great sense to visit them pre-Fitbloggin.  Now, what no one could have predicted was that Beth would come down with a crippling back issue a week before my arrival.

Our plans of seeing DC and playing around by day quickly vanished in lieu of doing anything I needed to do to help her out.  My mom has been in Virginia for a few weeks now doing just the same.  Thankfully, when I arrived, Beth had begun walking again and was starting to feel relief in her back.  While we took it easy, we definitely had a good visit.

The one thing that was totally strange… is Beth was not in the kitchen!  Beth is one of the most amazing chefs I know.  She loves to cook and has spoiled us for years with her awesome dishes.  Knowing that she didn’t need to be on her feet, I volunteered to cook some new dishes for the fam, many of which I’ll share with you guys here on NTTC this week.

Here’s what Chef Kelly whipped up in the kitchen…

Laughing Cow Cheese Stuffed Turkey Burgers

Chicken Pho

Fig-Prosciutto Pizza with White Truffle Oil

Watermelon Gazpacho

Skinny Funfetti Cupcakes

PS… Cooking for SIX is much different than cooking for 1!  While I usually cut my recipes in half, I found myself doubling them to make sure I had enough to satisfy everyone’s appetites.

Even though we didn’t get out and see the sights in DC, we still had a blast.  We walked the kiddos to school one morning and visited the International Grocery Store another.

So many choices… and I LOVE sauces!

We got a cart full of new ingredients and can’t wait to go back!

We also made numerous trips to Target (my favorite store)…. And laughed A LOT!  We shopped at Kohl’s for last minute conference items (Beth’s favorite store), and I just enjoyed spending time with my mom, Jason and Beth, and being around the little Guys.  They’re growing up SOOOOOO quickly.  These moments matter a lot.

Hailey preparing to pipe her cupcake frosting…

Also, at the risk of sounding cheesy, there’s something awesome about being around my close friends and family.  About getting hugs before bedtime.  About the special moment when my brother carries my suitcase up the stairs (Thanks, J!)  About being with what I like to call “my team” – – you know, those people who would run through fire for you and vice versa.

Goofing off… Just the way I love him!

Being single and 1500 miles away, you miss having “your team” close by, even though you get to live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.   I guess it’s a trade-off… but that doesn’t make it any easier.  Love these Guys!