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.
what a fun weekend! love the pink ribbon panera bagels. your pictures are gorgeous as always, kristin, and that farmers market looks spectacular!
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!
I worked in South Lake Tahoe this summer – such a fun place! Have a good trip :)
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!!!
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!
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!
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!
I did the Cedar Falls Pink Ribbon 5k yesterday morning. It was chilling, but the reason made it worth it – plus the bagels afterwards.
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.
I watched one of my best friends marry the love of her life!
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!
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.
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.
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. :)
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. :)