San Francisco {Day One}

My trip to San Francisco didn't really start out as planned. I had planned on leaving for San Francisco on Friday afternoon at about 11am and meeting up with my Aunt Cathy & Sis in Law Lindsay. I was also flying standby. (I have family in the airline industry, so I thought I would save some $$$) Well, let's just say after spending the ENTIRE day in the airport and lots of tears I didn't make ONE flight out on Friday. My mom decided to help me fly out the next morning so we woke up at 3:30am and headed back to the airport. We didn't make our first flight but made the 8:30 am flight and off we were to San Fran! We got picked up from the airport and we  all decided to head to downtown SF.

 

Can you tell how happy I was to finally be in San Fran?

(Sis in Law Lindsay, Me, & Mom)

 

 We headed to Union Square because we needed to pick up our race packets. There was a really long line so we decided to grab lunch first.



 

 

 

My Girls Trip companions!

 

We were starving and had no idea where to go or what we wanted to eat so we stopped at one of the first places we saw that looked and sounded good: Cafe Bellini.  I spotted crepes on the menu and knew that is what I wanted. I ordered a Chicken Pesto Crepe. After a long wait, we got our food and it was delicious. Even though we waited a really long time to get our food it was still delicious. My Aunt Cathy told me I need to work on re-creating that recipe so you just might see that up on the blog if I don't fail! ;)

 

Me & My Cousin Brooke - BFF's since birth. We used to call eachother and plan out our outfits so that we could match.

After lunch we headed back to Union Square to get our race packets. The line was TWICE as long and wrapped around twice. It did move pretty quick though. 25,000 women running in the race so of course the line was going to be long!

 

Lindsay, Me, Brooke & Aunt Cathy 

 

 

After we got our race packets we walked around and did some shopping. There is SO much shopping to be done in San Francisco. After walking & shopping we went to dinner at Chevy's Mex and my mom and I shared a meal. We didn't want to stay out too late so we went back to the hotel to get some zzz's in before the big race. 

 

 

 

I LOVE my Online Friends GFC Hop - {Link Up With Us}

Good Afternoon everyone! I made it to San Fran yesterday and am running or have already run my half marathon. I am in love with the city so far. More details on that when I get home but for now we are co-hosting this amazing blog hop today. Check it out and please, please link up with us!


Welcome to another week of the I Love My Online Friends 'GFC' Hop. Last week we had 147 link ups. Our goal is still that magic number 180! For more info on the hop and guest hosting, please read HERE.Well, are you ready? Let's go hopping! RULES FOR THE HOP 1. Please follow your host and the fab five on Google Friend Connect (GFC). Tami @ The Things We Find InsideKerrie @ Family, Food and TravelCaley @ Ellie LoveWhitney @ Something Brought You HereKelly @ Mrs. in TrainingKara @ Happy Go Lucky2. Link up your homepage and start hopping around. Remember, this is a blog hop, you've gotta do some hopping in order for it to truly be worth your time. When you get a new follower it's always nice to return the favour. Visit their blogs, leave them a comment and/or return the follow. 3. You are not required to, but it would be great if you could tweet/like/pin/share this post and/or grab the button and share it on your blog. The more people that see this hop, the more blogs for us to visit and the more followers we gain.

Thanks and Happy Hopping!

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Friday Letters

Dear Atlanta, Thanks for the shopping trip and taking all my money. Dear Chicago, See you next week. Dear London see you in a few more. Dear Friends (I'm going to copy Whit) and ask for you to give me all your tips, hints, and any advice you have on visiting Chicago and London. Dear Whitney, Please make it to San Fransisco. Dear Park City, can't wait for the girls night we have planned this evening. Dear Wardrobe, You have gained some great additions and you are now fall ready.

 

 

 

 

 

Apples&Applesauce

It is October which means that it is Apple season. My mother in law has a huge apple tree that produces so much fruit. Last year I decided to make some homemade applesauce and can it. It was my first time so I wasn't sure how it would turn out. It was so delicious and we went through 21 quarts faster than I ever thought. As soon as the apples started to ripen this year I knew that I would be making more applesauce. Last Wednesday I went up to my mother in laws and we spent the entire afternoon preparing the applesauce. It would have taken me two days to do that all on my own. So thankful for her willingness to help me out.

 

Here are the steps to making amazing homemade applesauce:

 



#1- Grow an apple tree, use your mother in law's tree, visit an orchard or go to the grocery store and Pick your apples. (However, buying them would get pretty expensive!!)

#2- It takes A LOT of apples, so make sure to pick a ton!

#3- Rinse.

#4- Using a apple peeler/corer- Core and peel the apples. You can do it the old fashioned way but it would take you twice as long.

#5- Have the person who is not peeling/coring the apples at the next station. Make one slice through the apple and remove the top & bottom slices and any yucky parts.

#6-  Pile up your sliced apples in a large stock pot. Once it is full pour a small amount of water into the pot. Bring to a boil and let simmer placing the lid on the pot.

#7- Cook the apples until they are really soft and broken down.

#8- Place the apples in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add a little bit of sugar and sprinkle some ground cinnamon in there to make it yummy.

 #9- Funnel the applesauce into jars and process in a water bath canner for approximately 20-25 minutes. (Process time depends on where you live and your elevation)

#10- Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

 

We thought for sure we were going to double what we made last year but we only ended up making 26 quarts. Still a good amount, I will enjoy it while it lasts!

 

 

wedding wednesday

The Planning for my future wedding is always happening and ever changing. Although I am still working on finding a groom to fit into this wedding, I feel the need to share with you a few of the currents plans I have finalized... until I change my mind next year of course.

Image via

 

First things first, this photo comes from an ad campaign by Tiffany&Co. I'm obsessed with Audrey Hepburn, hence my love for Tiffany&Co, and this photo. What does this all mean? that I will have a picture like this taken on my wedding day. It's perfect.

 

Image via

 

My Bouquet will be only white, and only Peonies.

 

Image via

 

So get this, I asked my mom if I could have her wedding ring for my wedding ring and she said no. It's weird that she wouldn't want her only daughter to have it. Alright so I know I am ridiculous and even thinking such things is crazy talk. But I love her ring its a gold band solitaire round diamond. I'll tell you what though, I really just love the idea of having a wedding ring that has been someone elses, even more so my moms but I'll get over it. This ring pictured above is my current favorite right now. It's understated, simple, and vintage.

 

So what does all this wedding talk mean to you. Nothing.

But I just like you all to be involved in the planning, that is all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Conference

I love general conference weekend, It always means....

• Lots of food
• Uplifting Words
• Girls night
• Spiritually edified
• Family
• Comfy clothes
• Fun

 

 

 

Just a couple of my favorite quotes from conference.

Also I could go on a mission right now, just had to throw that out there.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well.

 

 

Friday Letters

Dear San Fransisco, I will see in you one week and I cannot wait. Dear Friends, Please give me ALL your tips about places to eat and things that need to be on my MUST do list while in San Fran. Dear Vampire Diaries, I am absolutely dying to watch the season premiere...so glad it is next week! Dear Fall Weather, I love you but you are really starting to get cold in the morning. Went running this morning and froze my butt off. 42 degrees is NOT my favorite. Dear Utes, you did so well in the first half last night but then threw it all away after halftime. Way to go. Dear Hubby & Mia, I am looking forward to just enjoying my weekend with you!