Weekly Wrap

 

December 28th-January 3rd, 2016



I am joining the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly from HoHo Runs and Tricia from MissSippiPiddlin. The Weekly Wrap is a blog link up where bloggers share their active lifestyle and other exciting things weekly. To find out more, click on the image below. Feel free to join in on the fun.

 



 

It's been almost a month since my second marathon at St.Jude Memphis. I'm now following Hal Higdon's marathon recovery plan.  I just completed week three of the four week reverse taper recovery plan. I'll recap my recovery and New Year's on the weekly wrap.

 

Monday, December 28th

 

Monday was mine and Michael's three year wedding anniversary. We usually don't exchange gifts being so close to Christmas, but Michael did surprise me with some more adult coloring books and an art set. We go to the beach each year for our anniversary and eat out at least one nice meal. We didn't leave until Wednesday night because Michael had to work Monday and Tuesday.

 

 

December 28, 2012

We got married at our local courthouse.

It was a small ceremony with only immediate family members. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Tuesday, December 29th



 

It was rainy and stormy here during Christmas. Tuesday was the first day in almost a week that the sun came out. The temps were in the 50's. It was perfect running weather, but it wouldn't last long.

 

 





 Wednesday, December 30th

 

Wednesday was my last run of 2015. I didn't make my goal of 1,200 miles this year, but this run made exactly 1,000 miles for 2015. I will keep trying for 1,200 miles in 2016.

 

 

After my run I got showered and packed for the beach. We ate a quick lunch and hit the road. We arrived in Orange Beach around 5:30. We got settled in and unpacked. Then, we headed to the Wharf for dinner.  The lights at the Wharf were beautiful even in the rain.

 

 

 

 

Thursday, December 31st

 

It was raining most of the day Thursday. We went out for lunch and did some shopping in Foley. Then we went back to the condo, watched some football, and rested. We went to my sister in law's house to watch the Bama -vs- Michigan State playoff game. They had a shrimp low boil with several other dips and dessert. We had a great time. What an awesome game! Bama is headed to the National Championship! ROLL TIDE!!!

 

 

Friday, January 1st

 

I ran my first run of 2016 on Friday. I only planned to run 5 miles, but the rain held off and I felt good so I kept going for an extra mile.

 

 





 

Michael and I went to lunch and then did some more shopping at the Tanger Outlets in Foley. There's really not much else to do during this time of the year especially when it's rainy and cold. Later that evening, we celebrated our anniversary with a nice dinner at Shipp's Harbour Grill. I ordered the filet and Michael had the grouper. It was delicious! I'm not normally one to take pictures of food, but Michael's meal was presented nicely with the orchid. I thought I would be a good blogger and take a pic.

 

 

Saturday, January 2nd

 

I went for another run on Saturday morning. It was much cooler out and windy. I did enjoy the change of scenery. Sure beats the same loop around the neighborhood day in and day out.

 

 

We wanted to see Bellingrath Gardens this trip. I've never been and thought it would be nice to go for our anniversary and see the lights. It's a little over an hour drive from the condo, so we decided to head straight home from there. We got to Bellingrath a little after 3:00. We walked around the garden and did the home tour. The sun was just beginning to set when we toured the lights. I wish it was a little darker, but it was still beautiful.

 

You can read about our trip to Bellingrath and see more pictures by clicking on the photo below.

 

 

Sunday, January 3rd

 

I'm glad we came home last night and had today to relax before going back to work tomorrow. I cannot believe Christmas Break is over already. I spent some time blogging today and getting the laundry caught up from our trip. We have inservice tomorrow before the students return to school on Tuesday.

 

Next week will be my last week of the marathon recovery plan. Hal Higdon recommends a 5K or 10K race on the last weekend of his plan. It timed out perfect because the Cruising the Creekwalk 5K is this upcoming weekend and I run it every year. I'm excited to run it again on Saturday.

 

How was your New Year? Did you do anything special to celebrate?

 

Do you already have some races planned for 2016?

 

 





 



 





Bellingrath Gardens

January 2, 2015

Michael and I spent the New Year at the beach. We stopped at Bellingrath Gardens before heading home to see the home and lights tour. Bellingrath Gardens and Home is a 65 acre public garden and historic home of Walter and Bessie Bellingrath, located on Fowl River in Theodre, near Mobile, AL.

Walter was one of the first Coca-Cola bottlers in the Southest. He built the estate garden and home with his wealth from Coca-Cola. He and his wife Bessie lived in the home which is now converted into a museum.

We arrived late afternoon to do the home tour before seeing the lights. The home was gorgeous! It was over 10,000 square feet. We toured the main rooms including three formal dining rooms. One dining room overlooked the Fowl River with large windows and exposed brick. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take pictures inside.

 The courtyard at the home reminds me of New Orleans.

 

 This represents the builders initials and the year the home was built

 

 

 

It was almost 5:00 when we finished touring the home. The sun was just beginning set. I wished it was darker when we did the lights tour, but it was still beautiful. It was packed when we were leaving, so we really toured it at a good time. We enjoyed our tour, but we were both ready to get back home and settled.

 

 Here's a few pictures from the lights tour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

If you've never been to Bellingrath Gardens, I would highly recommend it. The lights tour begins the day after Thanksgiving and lasts through the day after New Years. They are closed on Christmas and New Year's Day.