RUM Cake

I was in a dangerously adventurous, mood and decided to try something new.

I opened the freezer this am and saw a half a bottle of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum in there. Hmmmm, I thought- what could I do with this?!?!?!?!?

make RUM CAKE!!!!!!! of course!!!!!!!!

So I searched recipes online and decided to make up one of my own!

1 box Jiffy yellow cake
1 box vanilla pudding
2 eggs
1/4c oil
1/2c rum

bake in bundt pan at 325F for 30 min or so

saute 1/4c butter and 1/4c suger on stove and add 1/4c rum

pour over cake

It turned out delicious, even more so after left overnight. And a little rum is the perfect way to start the weekend ;) just kidding! but it was great!

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Question to think about:
Whats a dessert recipe you love but hardly ever think about making?
I first had rum cake in the Caymon islands and have always loved it. I just never thought of making it myself. What a great idea!

West Palm Beach

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This is a picture of where I run most evenings of the week. It is truely gorgeous! A fun fact is that I ran along this waterway all 4 years of college with the girls from my cross country team. Running is something that gives me strength.

West Palm Beach is such a community city. From the Green Market Saturday mornings to Clematis by Night on Thursdays with live music and food vendors, to the Sunday lawn concerts at the Meyer- there is always something bring the community together.

I love that I can walk downtown, grab a starbucks, and soak in the WPB coastal breeze. Everytime I need motivation one glance outside gives me instant energy to go for a run.

*** Photo credit: http://www.elitetraveler.com/news_detail.html?nid=1330
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Question to Consider:
What do you love about where you live?

Lets Plan on IT!

Today has been a relaxing one- and productive. I was on a roll this morning and made several calls first thing leaving the day looking great! I love mornings when I have I am on top of things from the beginning! It gives me energy to plan out my day and cross things off the list. LOVE IT!!!! :)

The most important thing I plan is my meals.. When I have time to think ahead I eat healthier. Last night my roommate had made homemade sausage cheese balls when I got home and I indulged a bit too much. Today I am back on track and eating protein bars, fruit, and green tea throughout the day to keep me satisfied til the big bday cookout tonight I am going to with Bryan and a few friends on Singer Island. Tonight Ill limit myself to 1 burger and of-course plenty of iced tea and BDAY cake! How could I ever skip on THAT!?!

In other news, my best friend in the whole world and I planned a girls weekend getaway a few days ago. We plan to go on a cruise to the Bahamas in Dec. Just us girls! I am craving time away and can't wait to sail the wide open seas, enjoy gourmet cuizine, and be pampered at the spa.

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A Question to think about......
How do you spend your vacation time? Do you find yourself craving a trip somewhere exotic or just spending a "me day" doing all the things you love but never have time for?

For me, its a mixture of both. I feel that I need those "me" days every once in a while. to go running at 11am, sip starbucks while curled up with a good novel, and work on projects like scrapbooks and planning holiday/bday presents for family and friends. But with vacation time I also get fullfillment in traveling- going somewhere new and capturing it on photo. Its not just the traveling I enjoy but spending quality time with good friends. What could be better!?!

Frigid

Hopfully last night will be the last time this year we will be putting the air down low to sleep. My first step outside this morning greeted my with a burst of cool wind swirling around my sleeveless shirt and knee-length pencil skirt. BURRRRRR! Chilly at first, but in reality, I LOVE this time of year!!! Time to bring out the cute scarves, gloves, and my favorite- boots!!!!!



The best part of "cold" weather in Florida is that it always is accompanied with the beautiful sun and clear skies. It really is the best time of year when the rainy months of summer come to a close and the skies open up. Myabe its just me, but the ocean even looks bluer in the winter. Love it!

** pic: http://www.rhondasand.com/2009/03/05/ncl-epic-the-new-standard-for-cruise-ships/

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Question to think about:
Whens your favorite time of year? (click on comments below to answer)

For me its definietly the holidays. The cool air, the cute clothes, and decoartions in every department store. People just seem happy!

Pure DELICIOUS!!!!

Today was one of those days- woke up starved and didn't want to completely destroy my day by rampaging the fridge (especially after the DELICIOUS Italian dinner I had last night with Bryan~ compliments of Lisa's bday giftcard to us for Carrabas- Thank you LISA!!!)

I was completely sore rolling out of bed so I knew that a 5 mile run this morning was just not going to happen. BUT, NEVER LOSE hope, CHOC DELIGHT PROTEIN BAR came to the rescue!!! I decided I would go to the gym and workout light for 45minutes and treat myself to Chocolate afterward..... (if all else fails I can always motivate myself for the gym with something indulgence afterward- whether it be a bath, chocolate, or massage). I ended up running 3 miles at 7.1 speed and trekking 2 miles on the elliptical trainer while watching Hollywood E (for some reason it really motivates me to watch this???!!). It was perfect, I was glad I made myself go and even more excited that I had started my day out right. So many times I hit the snooze button thinking I'll be happy to get the sleep but have a harder time getting started then if I would just jump out of bed right away and go to the gym.

The best part of working out first thing in the morning is that I feel I DESERVE a satisfying bfast. Bryan introduced me to Pure Protein bars a few months ago and I am in LOVE with them! Everytime I open a bar I let each bite melt in my mouth. The best part is that after about 3 bites I feel satisfied. Its crazy how fast it works and its so awesome that its actually GOOD for you too with 20 grames of protein!

I swear I should be a marketer for them haha, but I truly love this stuff!

**** Photo compliments of www.meltingmama.net

Halloweeeeeeeeeeeen

This past weekend was incredible! Bryan and I decided to celebrate our birthdays with the group in old-school fashion and went out Friday for a night of bowling, light beer, and dancing! It was fantastic!

The next night Bryan and I got an early start and headed to the green market downtown WPB after a fall-inspired breakfast of pumpkin pancakes, crisp apples, and vanilla spiced tea. It was gorgeous out and we indulged in my favorite CIDER DOUGHNUTS! Nothing could be tastier on a beautiful Autumn morning.

That afternoon we met up with friends for the MSU game (saddest game of the season). But we didn't let it get us down and ended up going out for one of the best nights of the year- Moonfest. It wasn't the event itself that made it the best night (infact Moonfest was a bit crowded for my taste) but it was what happened on that night that topped the night off!

Bryan and I were dancing at one of the lounges downtown when he looked straight into my eyes and told me the words I have been waiting to hear for so long.... "I Love you." I have been so in love with him for months but haven't wanted to say anything before it was the right time. He asked me later what makes it the right time and my reply was simple. "When both people feel it." Thats exactly where we are right now. We both feel it and have felt it for a few months so it was perfect timing to let it be known!

I feel that everything is progressing at the perfect speed. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Fall is in the Air, Love is in the Air, and LIFE IS GOOD!