Greetings from Cedar Rapids, IA! :D (PS I watched the movie Cedar Rapids a couple weekends ago – hilarious…)
I’ve been on the go since yesterday at the crack of dawn. Whoo! Destination #1: the Farmer’s Market.
I didn’t think it was possible, but it was packed with even more colorful produce than last week, and I had to stop myself from buying a million more pumpkins. I was itching to buy a few more – they’re just so perfect. :)
My favorite find were these incredible dahlias. I hadn’t even heard of a dahlia before yesterday, and my Mom, the flower whisperer, had a good chuckle when I pronounced it dahl-ee-yah, instead of dahl-ya. Hey, I didn’t know!
They had the brightest blooms I have ever seen, in so many different colors. They’d make a perfect Fall wedding bouquet.
I left the market with an acorn squash (destined to be halved, roasted & stuffed,) some flavored Pappardelle’s Pasta,
and an Oreo Cake Pop from the Sweet Cakes Gourmet Cupcakes tent!
My Mom and I were actually just strolling the market when I noticed some yummy-looking cupcakes laid out on a corner. I looked up at the woman working, and it turned out to be an old sorority friend from college!
She and a friend started a cupcake business several months ago and I just had to buy something from her. This Oreo Cake Pop was dense, sweet and AMAZING. Muuuuch better than my failed attempt… ;)
After the market I packed up the car, picked Ben up from a Saturday shift at work, and we were off once again.
This time to reunite with tons of Ben’s family in Cedar Rapids, IA, about 3 hours east of Des Moines, for the Especially For You race against breast cancer 5K this morning.
Ben has 3 breast cancer survivors in his family, so the event is especially meaningful. Today was the 21st anniversary of the walk, and the 19th time one of his Aunts had participated!
It was cha-chilly at 7:30am when we arrived at the starting line. 35 degrees!
We quickly warmed up though, when the race kicked off at 8am.
Aside from the initial chill, the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Bright blue skies and not a breeze to be felt. The streets we walked were lined with huge trees too, that were turning fall-yellow, orange and red. So pretty. :)
It was nice catching up with family as we walked the course.
And one hour and one minute later, we crossed the finish line!
Then promptly came home to stuff our faces. :lol: Covering three miles before 9am definitely calls for egg casserole, fresh fruit and a Panera Pink Ribbon Bagel for breakfast.
These bagels are my FAVORITE.
And now that we’re all exercised, stuffed and sleepy…it’s time to drive home.
Is there a time warp on your trips to CR from DM? When I drive from CR to DM or back it takes about 1 1/2 hours, not 3. ;) :D
I had my 10 year school reunion on Saturday night – and in the middle of all the festivities, my boyfriend got up on stage and proposed in front of everyone!It was amazing!
That is fabulous!! Congrats Juani!!
Try the Hot Apple Latte from Fresh Cafe (the wheatgrass stand) at the downtown Des Moines Farmer’s Market! YUUUummEE!
Please tell me you’ve gotten tacos from Tacopocalypse at Farmer’s Market! They’re SO good. (SW corner of 2nd and Court.) If you haven’t you must go before the dtfm ends!
On Saturday, my Mom came into town and we hung out all day. Then on Sunday, I did a 5 K walk in another town too! I went with my “boyfriend” ‘s Mom. We came in in just under an hour and it was a pretty cold walk.
I got engaged last night too! :D :D :D :D :D :D
Ahhh! That is amazing!! Congratulations! :D :D :D
Glad you had fun in Cedar Rapids this weekend! Sorry I missed you at the Especially For You Race (I of course was there handing out 8,000 Pink Ribbon Bagel samples)! That’s great that the family has such a strong tradition of attending the race – such a wonderful event for an amazing cause (which is why our money in CR goes to support it!). I can’t wait to try the PRB Oatmeal!!
In honor of October Breast Cancer awareness month I cannot wait to try the Panera “Pink Ribbon” oatmeal! I look forward to the Susan G. Komen race every year strictly to taste the delicious bagel!!!!!!!!!! Is there a better way to remember your loved ones who have battled this disease? I think not…..:)
Oh how fun!! Cute family :)
We went on a long hike with our dogs on the trails and then had a hearty dinner at a Mexican place with tons of gucamole and a fresh magarita!
This weekend = I had pilates, dance practices, and abs/core classes. Always fun to me :)
OMG, that is some SERIOUS swag! :)
Looks like you had a great weekend! Mine consisted of orchards & pumpkin patches, with amazing peach cobbler and raspberry jalapeno jam! mmm!
Hello….Oktoberfest, Amana Colonies!!! No IowaGirlEats?!?! Maybe next year?
I headed WAY up north, nearly in Canada, to the Gunflint trail and hiked all day Saturday, enjoying solitude, beautiful fall leaves, fresh air, and so many lakes. The scenery was breath taking. Best. Weekend. Ever!
That is so much swag, like I don’t even know what to say! I love that you guys were out there supporting the women in Ben’s family! This weekend we decorated for Halloween, it was hilarious – I thought the husband was going a little overboard, but every time he put something else up, the little kid across the “street” in our complex squealed in delight!
I love races like that, that have a purpose! I’ve run the Ronald McDonald House 5k in Iowa City the past few years as a grad student and it feels good to participate in. This past weekend I went to an Oktoberfest celebration with my mom and we had a great time eating apple struesel and drinking German beer!
That movie is really funny, very different from your average comedy, but funny.
wow, that’s a lot of swag!!!
fun times this weekend: we took our dog to the pet walk! he loved it!
Ahhh! You were in CR?! I didn’t do the race, but if I had, I would have freaked out if I had seen you! So…maybe it was best I wasn’t there. :) Hope you had a great time in my stomping grounds!