I bounced out of bed this morning and headed for the treadmill downstairs since I knows I had lots of shopping on the agenda today! I did a run/walk combo for 50 minutes, which basically consisted of this:

*run for 5 minutes at 5.5 (I run super slow, practically as slow as I walk)

*walk for 5 minutes at 4.2


BOR-ING! But it got the job done. I had a million and two errands to run, including finishing shopping for this guy’s birthday, which is on Monday.

We are going to celebrate his birthday tomorrow since work is getting in the way of celebrating it on Monday. All he wants to do is stay home, grill and watch the Steeler game. He won’t ever go out to eat! Not hard to please, huh?


I had so much to do that I couldn’t wait to get out of the house. I made a giant smoothie to take with me in my tumbler (I love this thing!) since I was an anxiety attack waiting to happen.

I have to tell you about this shake because it held me over for 5 hours. Granted towards the end of the 5 hours I was ready to chew my arm off, but it worked. It had coconut milk, peanut butter, chocolate amazing grass, frozen banana slices and 4 cups of spinach. Every morning before breakfast I drink a smoothie of milk, a few banana pieces and a few cups of spinach just to get some veggies in. I don’t like it but I force it down, because I do like it better than eating a cup of broccoli. I have to get the veggies some way.

I stopped by my parents house and this almost made my mom vomit. It was great. Then it was off to shop!


I have another dirty little secret: I am really bad with gift cards. I never want to spend them right away, because I want to wait to find something that I really love. However, that just results in me forgetting about them. So today, I spent gift cards that were left over from our wedding. I even embarrass myself.

Here is some loot I picked up:

I am in love with this placemat for a few reasons. I love that it is square and not rectangular. I love that it is beaded, and I especially love that it sparkles. Give me something shiny and I lose all concentration and train of thought. Glittery things make me giddy. I swear I’m not trashy. But I’m sure that’s debatable.

Also grabbed some pumpkin spice and apple ginger candles and other sparkly items. So predictable.


I got this Fiestaware casserole dish in lemongrass:

I love it!


Grabbed this salsa bowl and spoon:

Isn’t that so cute? I’m in lust.


A wooden serving tray with built in bowls:

Most people would probably put veggies and fruit in this but I am thinking an assemble line of chocolate, peanut butter and bacon. Then I want to dip something insanely fattening into all three. Yum.


And more candles:

Because I clearly needed more junk for this house.


I was gone for 5 hours. I almost lost my marbles.

But I did pick up some great gifts for Mr. How Sweet. Come Monday, I wish share if you are interested!


I had my own case of hungry-angry-wife syndrome when I came home, and I made this snack again because I can’t stop eating it.

Seriously. You need to send help.


All I wanted to do was pass out but we headed to church instead. I enjoy going on Saturday evening so much better. I try to stay as positive as I can on the blog, but the misery and tears that occur during me wishing away the days of Monday through Friday from 8-5 are super stressful. Thankfully I have been able to channel that unhappiness into hours spent pouring over this website, working on it and trying to make it enjoyable. But I need that hour each week where I am reminded of how blessed I am, even in the worst of situations. Sometimes the gratefulness just builds up inside of me so much I feel as though I may burst!


I didn’t burst tonight, and it’s a good thing too because I had some baking to do.

I only got things started…

And that, my friends, is why I rarely take pictures at night. U-G-L-Y.


Now can someone come help me organize my cookbook shelves? There are 50 cookbooks laying all over the floor. I’d like Mr. How Sweet to live for his birthday and not end his life over the mess in this house. I know I said I was going to do it yesterday, but… I didn’t. That’s typical.