Monday Morning Meet-Up: A Busy Week It’s Been

So much has happened in the past week.  It’s amazing how it’s flown by, yet last weekend seems so long ago!  Last Saturday, Dad arrived talking about all of the travelers with their shoes strapped to their bags headed to Boston.  Last week at this time, the Boston marathon bombing hadn’t even happened.  By this Saturday, one suspect was dead, the other in custody, and the puzzle quickly coming together.  In the process, the issue of racial and ethnic profiling has once again been brought to the light.  As Cardinal O’Malley said at Sunday’s mass, “We must be people of reconciliation, not revenge. The crimes of two young men must not be the justification for prejudice against Muslims or against immigrants.”  Here in Washington, the Senate failed to pass a basic background check for gun sales, despite 90% of Americas supporting the measure.  Gabby Giffords responded beautifully.

We too have had a super busy week, packing as much as humanly possible into a short seven days (get ready for a long post!), and eating and drinking so much in doing so that I’m thanking the heavens that the batteries on my scale are dead.  We enjoyed mussels at Belga Cafe, where on Tuesdays there’s no corkage fee if you bring your own wine and all mussel pots are just $15.  And of course we had to try some very unique desserts…

I made Thai Lentil curry (recipe to come!) and my favorite homemade banana naan.  

As you know, we devoured a Thai Thanksgiving feast.  Friday, we started the day with an awesome 10 mile run, boosting my confidence in being able to survive next weekend’s half marathon despite having completely neglected to do any sort of training since my last race in March.  Then I took my Dad and Kippy to see my office and we explored the American Indian Museum, which happens to serve up one heck of a lunch.

Friday night, my mom joined us for a Messy Kitchen dinner party.   Despite few unnecessarily flung profanities and even more unnecessarily shed tears when Courtney nearly ruined the meal right as I was about to add the finishing touches, everything turned out quite well.

First Course: mixed green salad with goat cheese, caramelized onions, and walnuts in a fig balsamic.  (Plus, check out our new table!  Isn’t it lovely?  We can now comfortably sit 6-8!)

Second Course: Shrimp, Bacon and Figs with Goat Cheese Quinoa, drizzled with Fig Balsamic (recipe to come!)

Dessert: Dark Chocolate Fettuccine with Caramelized Bananas in a White Chocolate Liqueur Sauce

Saturday we went on a beautiful hike in Great Falls National Park.  On the way out, we went on the Billy Goat Trail, which required all hands, feet and bums on deck and careful attention by Jo to not clumsily sprain an ankle.

Our reward at the end?  An A Litteri’s picnic: 

And Saturday night, we ended the week with a dinner party with a wonderful bunch of folk who have been dear friends of Kippy’s since before I could walk.   (I brought my favorite spiced rosemary chocolate chip cookies).  Awesome food, abundant wine and fabulous company.  The week definitely went by too fast, as visits with Dad always do.  But Mission Make Dad Fall in Love with (and subsequently move to) D.C. is underway, even if he doesn’t know it yet…

Workout Recap: (Even with company, it’s been a super active week!)
Saturday: 4.5 mile run
Sunday: 6.5 mile run
Monday: Cycling and Chisel
Tuesday: Cycling
Wednesday: Chisel
Thursday: Cycling
Friday: 10 mile run
Saturday: Beautiful hike
Sunday: Much needed rest day

Goals for the Week: 
Monday: 5 mile run
Tuesday: Cycling
Wednesday: 5 mile run
Thursday: Cycling
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Half Marathon

In other news…

I’m thinking of doing a juice cleanse.  I’ve considered either a DIY BluePrint Cleanse or the 3-day Dr. Oz juice cleanse.

Anyone have experience with these or other juice cleanses?

Any recommendations on a what juicer to invest in?

Johanna