The Happiest 5k

Posted on July 16, 2012 by ericaribnick

Yesterday I woke up at 6 a.m. which is basically unheard of on a Sunday morning. You would think I was really sleepy but I was wide awake and a bit giddy with the anticipation of running in the Color Run in 2 hours. I managed to eat a bit of breakfast and then drove to the State Fair grounds where the race was being held. Justin and I didn’t expected that at 7:30 a.m. we would encounter any traffic but boy were we wrong. (After the race I learned that the color run would have 19,000 runners complete this race today.) I knew that since there were three start times: 8 am, 10 am and 1 pm that it would be busy but WOW I have never seen so many people at a race. I had a blast at this race and rocked the plastic sunglasses and the last minute white t-shirt purchased from Target. The great thing about this run was the music, my fellow runners, and the people that organized this run. I am definitely doing the Color Run next year and organizing a team. Now… Who wants to join me?

ROYGBIV love!

Erica

2011… A year of change

Posted on December 30, 2011 by ericaribnick

Here is a picture of me in July 2011.

As I began 2011 I made the same resolutions as every year before: find a new job, get healthy, and get to know the Twin Cities better. When I rang in 2010 and made these resolutions I did not realize that the year would go by and how little I would accomplish. As 2011 ends I am smiling because I have made some major changes in my life and am proud of where I am heading. The blog is an outlet for me to share, but I have kept one part hidden for a couple of months(my health). When I turned 27 in August I made a birthday resolution to hit the gym, eat healthier, and join Weight Watchers. Five months have passed and now I am 2 pounds away from a 30 pound loss. I am sharing this with you to challenge all of you to go for those resolutions whether be health related , job related, etc.

I’m sure you all read that I found a new job in September this year. I teach a 4 and 5 year old class. I enjoy my work and love the amazing gals that I work with. I am so much happier and enjoy seeing the progress my students are making.

As for exploring the Twin Cities… Every day I feel I I learn something new. I am relying less and less on the Tom Tom. I still ask for help from Justin GPS ( my husband) but who doesn’t call someone when they feel they are heading to Timbuktu instead of Target.

Not the best picture but… Here I am today!

I recently heard a quote and it continues to stay with me (can’t remember where this was from) do not stand on the sidelines of your life. Take charge and make things happen!

Happy New Year!
Erica

Give some cookies… Get some cookies

Posted on December 11, 2011 by ericaribnick

Today I went to my first cookie exchange! My friend Anna invited me and about 12 other girls. She told me to pick a type of cookie I would like to make and then bring between 8 to 10 dozen of that kind. I knew right away that I was going to make Ginger Snaps! I got a great recipe a couple of years ago from one of Justin’s parents friends. I ended up quadrupling the recipe. I made the dough during the week and froze it in logs that I wrapped in foil. This was the best idea because all I had to do today was bake the cookies. (super easy) I came home with two tins full of cookies. I ended up giving a tin to a friend and I am sending the other tin with Justin to work. I took some snaps of all the cookies for y’all.

What is your favorite cookie?

I had such a blast making cookies and exchanging them that I got to thinking…

I would like to do a mini cupcake exchange maybe in February around Valentine’s Day.

Forty Six is a big number… When it comes to desserts

Posted on November 28, 2011 by ericaribnick

I promised y’all all the dessert details so… Here ya go:

My mom set up 6 tables for her desserts. She started making all of these delicious delicacies at the beginning of October and covered them in quite a lot of foil and placed them in the freezer. I don’t know how the woman does it but she makes sure to have the old favorites ( party cheesecakes, pecan pie, pistachio cake, and chocolate casserole) and some newbies (malted milk ball cake, butterfinger pie, and gosh knows I’m forgetting some). I love how she makes labels for all these desserts out of name tags and Popsicle sticks. Unfortunately I was not there to help her come up with creative names for the desserts this year. (next year… I will be there to fix this) At the end of the post you can see the pictures. If you count in the pictures you will get 44 desserts. I realized after I did this that one of the trays has 3 desserts on it so that makes it 46.

Mom, I love you but am begging you… Next year I think the dessert theme should be like the top 10 desserts.

What do y’all think?

What would be on your top ten dessert list?

Truly the best

Posted on November 27, 2011 by ericaribnick

As I sit above the clouds on a flight back to Minne all I can think about is how much fun we had this Thanksgiving! My parents did an incredible job and not only was the food yummy but the centerpieces were gorgeous too. Before we got to the airport this morning I asked my mom what she was going to do today and she told me absolutely nothing. After y’all see these pictures I think you’ll agree with me that she has earned a day to simply relax.

How was your Thanksgiving?

PS- tomorrow I will post the dessert spread

Shake Up the Snow Globe

Posted on November 19, 2011 by ericaribnick

Hello weekend… hello first snow for the season… I know we were warned but really I did not expect it. I realized I was quite unprepared when I stepped out of the car this afternoon at the outdoor shopping area in Maple Grove. I have decided to use this as a learning experience. Uggs+ a light fleece= no good in 28 degrees!

I am jet setting off to upper 60′s in a couple of days and I could not be more excited! Hello sunshine, the fam, and Chickfila.

Now you know who was prepared for the snow? This little fella…

Boo… Guess who?

Posted on October 30, 2011 by ericaribnick

I love holidays! I think I get it from my mother. I love to bake for them and I love all the decorations. This week I have attempted two recipes so far for Halloween. My Halloween Funfetti Cake came out GREAT(of course it’s from a box) and my white chocolate pumpkin fudge (from scratch)was a flop. I am trying another new recipe this afternoon and I am crossing my fingers that it works.

I went to a Halloween party last night with a bunch of friends. We had a blast dancing in a very dark room with a ton of people we didn’t know. ( random guy dressed up in a workout leotard)

Here is a snap of Leo’s costume. It didn’t really fit him perfectly.

Bakerella comes to Minne!

Posted on October 9, 2011 by ericaribnick

I could not be more excited to share these snapshots with y’all from this weekend. I met Bakerella, Angie Dudley!!! She signed her Cake Pops book and did a Q & A at the Williams Sonoma at the Galleria in Edina.
I even got up the courage to ask her a question during the Q & A.

I must tell y’all that now I regard her as not only a pure genuius but, also one of the nicest gals. I found out while talking with her that she is a southern girl! She is from Atlanta, Georgia. Now after learning this I of course got super excited and replied… “well, you must love CHICK-FIL-A .”Oh dear…

Let’s get back to what I learned.

When decorating the best markers are AMERICOLOR.

One of her favorite candy coatings is MERCKENS. ( I love this too!) I have not been able to find this candy coating in Minneapolis so I have had to order mine on Amazon through the website Confectionery House.

A great tool for cleaning up and attaching decorations… Toothpicks

How has your weekend been?

Lots of Love,

Erica

Apple Orchard Time

Posted on October 3, 2011 by ericaribnick

Summer may be my favorite season but fall certainly comes in second. It has been quite warm in Minnesota lately but I am definitely not complaining. This weekend with the sun shining I new that another day of apple picking would be a great way to spend the day. Justin and I went with our friends Molly and Eric to Apple Jack Orchards. Since moving to Minnesota (2 years ago) I have been to Apple Jacks a total of 3 times. I love how you can pick your own apples, sample a variety of apple dishes (apple pull apart, apple pie, apple danish, apple butter, apple spice doughnuts, apple sauce, apple cider, and so many more), and shop for fall decorations.

: Look what we found on the apple tree

Now…. What should I make with all these apples?

First Day Jitters

Posted on September 6, 2011 by ericaribnick

Today was my first day teaching at Fraser. I’m not sure who was more nervous my kids or me. I have no snaps to share from my first day. I did get through 20 handprints with green paint without coming home with any on me. ( I consider that quite an accomplishment.) I will try to send some snaps of the classroom before the weekend.

I do have pictures to show thanks to Alli and Allison. My weekend was jam packed with a variety of fun events. ( Maroon 5/ Matt Nathanson/ Train concert at the Minnesota State Fair and Adam & Galina’s wedding.

How was your weekend?