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.
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie 10.02.2011
This must be the weekend of races! Josh and I went to the Poconos this weekend and they were hosting an Iron Man competition. It was cool to watch!
Congrats on participating in such a great cause! That is awesome how many survivors his family has, obviously they’re warriors!
Shawn 10.02.2011
Geez!! I was there too!! This was my 8th year walking – it is always great to see the wonderful turn out. And ya gotta love the big pile of goodies!!
Hannah 10.02.2011
OMG! I thought the women in my family were the only ones who said “hilar” …. I love it!!!!!!
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) 10.02.2011
My sister and I attended our county’s first Farmer’s Market!! It was amazing. I walked away with pork tamales, granola, and vegan baked goods (a cinnamon roll & double chocolate chip cookies!). The weather was amazing and it made October 1st truly feel like fall. Live music too!
Iowamom 10.02.2011
Great weekend for you!
We have had a football weekend with our school’s Homecoming game on Friday, we went to ISU to watch them get clobbered on Saturday :(, and my son played in his 6th grade game today. It’s been a beautiful weekend………….sorry to see it go but so glad that it happened!
Tessa @ Amazing Asset 10.02.2011
This is wonderful, what a great thing to do on a Sunday :) You are so hilarious with getting all of that race swag, I do the same thing with free stuff like that!
Tammy 10.02.2011
Where did you find the adoreable spider planter? I must have it!!
Iowa Girl Eats 10.03.2011
It’s from a vendor at the Farmers’ Market! :)
kathleen @ the daily crumb 10.02.2011
what a fun weekend! love the pink ribbon panera bagels. your pictures are gorgeous as always, kristin, and that farmers market looks spectacular!
Dawn Marie 10.02.2011
OMG… I planned our ski vacation in Lake Tahoe end of January (I am so excited. Hyatt Incline here we come! Then I went to Nordtroms and walked straight to a handbag that I had to have. That never happens. I usually look for hours, but this one just had my name all over it. So tired of my Coach bag, everyone has them now. Ugh!
But the travel plans were the funnest part!
anna 10.02.2011
I worked in South Lake Tahoe this summer – such a fun place! Have a good trip :)
dawn Marie 10.03.2011
The Hyatt is on the North Shore, a little quieter than the South, but OH.SO.Lovely!!!!! My daughters first time in skiing. I wonder if she is gonna wanna board instead! Probably!
Thanks!!!
Rachel 10.02.2011
I had breakfast with a couple friends yesterday morning, which was a lot of fun–We were trying to come up with good Halloween costume ideas!
Trisha 10.02.2011
Love that so many of you get together for this breast cancer walk, what a great family event! I’ve been brainstorming ideas for breast cancer awareness pink cupcakes…hoping to make them sometime this week!
Amanda 10.02.2011
Gushers! I loved those as a kid! Good for you and Ben for walking for such a good cause! My weekend kicked off with a lobster dinner with two of my best girlfriends on Friday night. We even wore the bibs and had a complete blast (it was the first time my friends had tried lobster)! Our server must have told the chef about us, because he came out to see us at our table and brought along freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for us to sample! And when it came time to pay for our bill, they had taken off our drinks and desserts, just cause! Such a fun night!
colleen 10.02.2011
I did the Cedar Falls Pink Ribbon 5k yesterday morning. It was chilling, but the reason made it worth it – plus the bagels afterwards.
BeccaV 10.02.2011
My sister and her husband were at that race this morning! My sister’s mother-in-law has walked in it the past 13 years and was hoping to come in first for her age group today. They finished in about 40 minutes.
As for something fun this weekend, friends of ours had their first baby yesterday, so we are off to the hospital to meet the little guy.
Rachel 10.02.2011
I watched one of my best friends marry the love of her life!
Angela @ PattycakesnPancakes 10.02.2011
Thank you so much for walking. I’m a survivor and usually participate in 2 or 3 walks a year but this year I was blessed with a baby so I’ve been busy. It’s on my to do lost for next year though. Congrats to Ben’s Aunts! You all look marvelous! Love the colors of the flowers. Just beautiful!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio 10.02.2011
What a beautiful weekend!! The colors at the farmers market are amazing and what a great time at the breast cancer walk. Love.
Yesterday I went to an art festival near DC and had a wonderful time. The weather is MUCH cooler than last week, so it’s been wonderful being outside and spending time with my honey.
thatShortchick 10.02.2011
I always hear good things about the pink ribbon bagels but I’ve always been hesitant to try one, don’t know why! I definitely will be trying one this month.
Missy 10.02.2011
OMG! I have been following your blog for a few months now, and love it. I’m an Iowan at heart, and hope to get back there in the next few years, but for now, I’m living in Missouri.
I was so excited to see the pictures from today. Every year for the past 5 or 6 years I’ve done this walk in CR!!! However, couldn’t make it this year. I loved looking at the pics, though, and thank you for bringing that to me, stuck here at home! I need to go do my own 5K this morning just to keep with tradition. :)
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef 10.02.2011
oh my goodness. what a bunch of goods you ended up with! crazy. this weekend i had a girls night with some friends from church. we watched mama mia and made homemade pizzas. yum! the boys were not invited. :)