Pizza #Fail

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Coco

This weekend my husband and I had a classic “date night” our way–a late matinee movie followed by an early-ish dinner. Movies are expensive enough before 6:00 pm, and we’d rather be home with our dog after she eats her dinner, than try to get her to eat and go out before we leave for a few hours!

We saw Argo, which we both thought was good. I was surprised at how many memories it brought back. I vividly remember seeing yellow ribbons everywhere and watching “Day XXX” of the hostage crisis coverage.

After the movie we went to one of our favorite Mediterranean places for dinner. I was in the mood for pizza, and thought they would have a good veggie one. When I saw this on the menu, it sounded perfect.

20121103-201711.jpg

(The whole menu spells “Kalamata” with a “C”–is that a variation or a typo?)

When the waiter brought my pizza, it looked great.

But after a few bites, I tasted something almost sweet, and then noticed a white sauce all over the pizza. Blech! I asked the waiter if there was “salad dressing” on the pizza, and he said that there was. 🙁

I debated trying to blot it off, but realized that it probably had permeated the crust. The waiter offered to bring me another pizza, but I decided to share my husband’s cheese pizza instead.

I grabbed a take-out menu on our way out, and saw that I had overlooked the offending ingredient–it must have been that garlic aioli sauce. 😛 The pizza would have been great otherwise, so I will go back and order it again–without the sauce!

Have you ever ordered something that had one surprise ingredient that ruined it for you?

Do you send food back if you can’t eat it?

Posted in Food | Tagged | 7 Comments

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday (Running Is A Mental Sport)

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Coco

20121020-150318.jpg

20121020-150324.jpg

20121020-150318.jpg

Posted in Fitness | Tagged , | Comments Off on (Almost) Wordless Wednesday (Running Is A Mental Sport)

It’s Not My Race, But … (Vote!)

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Coco

It’s not my race, but I trained …

enduring countless t.v. and radio ads,

answering numerous voter polling questions, and

deflecting too many campaign calls to count.

It’s not my race, but I strategized …

studying the local election guides,

reading about the candidates and their positions,

figuring out how to adjust my schedule to get to the polls.

It’s not my race, but as this post is publishing, I will be collecting my medal.

Have you voted?

Posted in Life | Tagged | 2 Comments

Why I Love November Running

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Coco

It’s November!

With the Army Ten Miler behind me and plans with friends preempting the Richmond Half, I have no more races on my calendar. Still, I set my alarm this weekend so I could go for a sunrise run. As I was warming up, I realized that I was running because that’s what I like to do.

I love being outside at daybreak.

I love the fresh, crisp air.

I love that it’s cool enough for long sleeves, but not so cold that I need to bundle up.

I love the fall colors in the trees.


I love clearing my head and leaving my stress on the trail.

I love stopping at StarbucksÂŽ on the way home for a Grande Thanksgiving Blend.

What do you like to do in November?

Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Prayers For The Election

Posted on November 4, 2012 by Coco

The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church has prayers for almost every occasion, including a prayer “For an Election.”

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges:

Guide the  people of the United States (or of this community) in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Since we will be electing our next President, this prayer “For the President of the United States and all in Civil Authority” also is fitting:

O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world:

We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that, being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace.

Grant to the President of the United States, the Governor of this State (or Commonwealth), and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

And, after such a divisive campaign, it would be good to say a “For our Country” as well:

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage:

We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will.

Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners.

Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.

Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues.

Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth.

In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail;

all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Recent news from around the world reminds me of how blessed I am to live in a country where I can freely and fearlessly discuss politics, criticize our government, promote what I believe in, be friends with people who disagree with me, and cast a vote that will be counted (albeit under the strange math of the electoral college!).

Posted in My Faith | Tagged , , | 3 Comments