Farewell Chicago: Feeling Fortunate

sweet home chicago banner, farewell tour of chicago, chicago skyline banner

As our moving date approaches, I’m becoming increasingly aware of just how fortunate I am. I guess leaving a place after six years will do that to you. By now most everyone is privy to the big changes on our horizon and as much as I try not to think about saying goodbye just yet, the goodbyes […]

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Workout Wednesday: Running like the wind

running gear, workout tips, workout wednesday, resistance training, running against the wind

I wish I could start this by telling you that the subject line is based on my incredibly fast pace as of late. Or that whenever I run I feel like the wind is at my back just easily and breezily pushing me along. That running on the treadmill all winter long has not affected […]

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A leprechaun was here

st. patricks day layer cake, ombre layer cake, white birthday cake, buttercream icing, colored layer cake, st. patrick's day, holiday, baking,

Remember that time I tried to make an ombré layer cake for my mom’s birthday and messed up the simplest part of the process, resulting in a randomly striped cake? I do. By now I’ve heard the following reassurances: It still tastes great.  Hunny I think it’s perfect! This is the best cake I’ve ever […]

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Workout Wednesday: Rest Day

tips for a rest day, running tips, how not to sabotage a rest day, cancun, hammock

Hey guess what happened in Chicago last night? That’s right. It snowed again. Needless to say we are really thrilled about it. We should be though because they were calling for 9 inches and we only got 4. Nonetheless I’m back for another Workout Wednesday to talk about something that seems somewhat counterproductive in terms of exercise, […]

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A dog was here: Week 3

a dog was here photography series, dog toys on coffee table, photography, greater swiss mountain dog

Finn spent most of his weekend socializing with his friends in the neighborhood. The weather finally warmed up enough yesterday for us to get out and play so I took him over to a new dog park to see what all the hype was about. First of all let me explain that the dog park […]

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Moments of Clarity and Prancercise

glazed lemon pound cake

Have you ever had a moment of clarity in the midst of an everyday routine? As if all of a sudden you are experiencing it for the first time? Not so much a deja-vu moment, although I have plenty of those on the regular, but a lovely mix of nostalgia, beauty and hope all wrapped […]

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Off to the Races

indianapolis half marathon

This weekend I traveled down to Indianapolis to run the mini marathon with one of my best friends. She and her husband live in nearby Carmel and were gracious enough to host us and another couple for the weekend. Oh and two babies. Remember the days when the only person you had to coordinate before […]

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Faith and Marathons

running race group

I read this blog post shortly after the tragedy in Boston and it really resonated with me. The author references this quote from first woman to run Boston, Kathrine Switzer. “If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon” It wasn’t until I ran my first race that I realized […]

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Will Run For Food

overnight oats banana blueberry

This weekend kicks off race season in the Murphy household. And by household I just mean myself. The only race Finn would win would be that of kibble inhalation and I’m fairly certain he would medal every time. Kid’s a maniac! Each April various members of my family and I run various distances in the […]

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Spring Cleaning with a side of Rhubarb Cake

rhubarb cake

I had grand intentions this weekend. With an extra day off, I intended to make a to-do list and actually do the things on it. That’s right folks, spring was coming and I was feeling the itch. Unfortunately in order to do spring cleaning you actually have to have weather that indicates some sign of […]

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