Single and Lovin It

I think one of my favorite things about being a mom is dressing up my daughter in holiday attire. I simply cannot go to Target and not buy something for her to wear for the upcoming holiday. I am already on the lookout for her St. Patrick’s Day and 4th of July outfits.

IMG 7743

I did an hour on the elliptical today and the time FLEW by because I had one of my 2 new birthday books to read (yes, I consider cookbooks books).

DSC 8341

Before you know it, I will be an expert on child development. I LOVE reading about this kind of stuff (the book is called ‘The New First Three Years of Life’).

Ham and veggie omelet for lunch.

DSC 8348

For the last two V-Days I have talked about this next little topic on the blog because it is something I always think about on Valentines Day. Holidays can be the greatest days for people or the hardest days for people. I had those V-Days (before I met Billy) where I felt really alone and I know that holidays are extremely hard for those that are missing their loved ones. I just wanted to let you know that I am always here to email if you are feeling lonely today!! We can be Valentines:) Valentines Day isn’t just about having a significant other to love but to celebrate our love for our family/friends/co-workers/internet bf’s/running shoes/dogs/chocolate or whatever else you love.

Billy has to stay at school late tonight to finish a paper so Brooke and I will be celebrating our love for See’s Candy and chick flicks on the couch tonight:) Feel free to come over and join us!

DSC 8347

I learned this on the Biggest Loser last night:

“The week leading up to Valentines Day, Americans buy more than 58 million lbs of chocolate (not including candy or cakes).”

What is your FAVORITE piece of See’s Candy?

-Easy. Scotchmallow (marshmallow and caramel).

What are you reading lately? Favorite topics to read about?

Anyone else cross train today?

You May Also Like

109 comments

Reply

Happy Valentines Day!!! I am doing the same thing you are tonight- eating chocolate and watching chick flicks because my boyfriend has to work.

My favorite See’s Chocoalte is DEFINITELY scotchmellows! So so yummy!

Reply

OK-I am OBSESSED with your blog. You are the nicest, most genuine person and have a beautiful family. And you make me laugh all day long :) But like for real, Brooke is ridiculously cute and that outfit is AMAZING. I totally want to be yours and Brooke’s Valentine. My Valentine is my moms dog Cody who I am dog sitting for! He is a great snuggler.

Reply

We all are (obsessed). Janae is seriously way adorable.

Reply

I was actually feeling kinda lonely today, so THANK YOU for saying that :)

p.s. I spent the day baking & if I wasn’t on the opposite of the country I would gladly share!!

Reply

Love sees candy! Especially the chocolate covered caramels! You might find the book Parenting with love and logic helpful! I have been reading it and LOVE what they have to say!

Reply

Holidays are definitely difficult for me because due to disordered eating/depression from my surgeries/death of my hero (mommom)… Things just aren’t exactly the same as they were when I was a kid. It’s hard sometimes but you’re absolutely right when you say Valentine’s Day isn’t just for significant others… It’s the love from all family members (including my puppy).

I agree with Brooke, though. Single and lovin’ it ;-)
I love reading fitness magazines. I think they make the time FLY by when you’re working out!
I have never had See’s candy :( It always looks so good! I need some dark chocolate marshmallows!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Reply

Holy cow that’s a lot of pounds of chocolate!!! Brooke is the cutest! No cross training for me – today is a run day! When I do the elliptical I am always more sore the next day than I expect to be!

Reply

I also will be celebrating v-day with my youngest. My hubby will come home for about an hour and then leave again. But I can’t think of a better person to celebrate it other than my hubby. I’m sure there’s quite a few moms like us. Happy valentines day

Reply

I hope you’re having a fantastic day with your little Valentine! I coo over the cute seasonal baby clothes at Target and get excited for when my many pregnant friends have their babies and I can send them presents. Candy is definitely key to celebrating the holiday. My reading list includes two running books that my dad sent me as a Valentine’s Day gift. I’m so excited to get started on them!

Reply

Oh See’s candy… It brings back so many memories of my Nana for me. She would ALWAYS have a box or two of See’s candy in her refrigerator. Whenever we went over there as kids, we got to pick out a piece and I always went with the fudge. It’s still my favorite! Enjoy your See’s and chick flick filled evening! ;) Happy Valentine’s Day!

Reply

I just finished reading “The Heavy.” It stemmed from a Vogue article about a mother who put her obese daughter on a diet. In that short statement it sounds mean, but if you read the book you’ll realize it was a journey for the whole family. I learned so much about child’s nutrition from reading it!

Reply

Love you, LOVE YOU! What an amazing example you are to so many Janae! Happy Valentines day my sweet friend. Brooke is cuter than ever and I love the pink leg warmers. Too stinking cute for words!

Reply

I am currently reading The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. Just like all of his books this is predictable and sappy but I love it. I love a good tear jerker!

Reply

Obsessed with Brooke’s leg warmers… I love to read about health and fitness and of course, food. For Christmas, I got Hungry Girl’s cookbook and am in love with it. Was seriously so excited and read it through three times in two days. In terms of “book” books, I’m currently reading The Kite Runner.. I just started so I haven’t really gotten into it yet, but it holds promise!

Reply

I spy the Our Best Bites cook book. Love it. Pretty much made everything from their 1st one. I have both of their books and they are even autographed. They have to show love to their (self proclaimed) fan club president, you know? ;)

4th of July and Easter clothes are my favorite to shop for for my kids.

I like the chocolate covered toffee a lot and the mint truffles. Great. Now I want a box all to myself.

I tried to run today and only got a mile into the run before I had sharp pain above the inside of my ankle. Grrrr. I should probably go do some weight…or go get that box.of chocolates. Decisions…

I am starting our boom for book club saving CeeCee Honeycutt. Hope it is good.

Have a great vday with Brooke. She is a pretty dang awesome Valentine if you ask me!

Reply

Brooke’s valentine’s day outfit is soo adorable! I rarely had a boyfriend growing up and always associated valentines day with going on a date with my girlfriends, thats the best way to spend valentines day in my opinion! Because I know your love of running (obviously) I gotta ask, thoughts on Oscar the South African sprinter being arrested for murdering his girlfriend?!?

Reply

I learned that on Biggest Loser, too! Then I really wanted to eat some chocolate.

I think I’ve only ever had See’s once before, so I don’t really remember the flavors. My favorite candy today are Kinder Chocolate Hippos. I could eat boxes of them in one sitting.

I’m reading the second book in the Maze Runner series. It’s pretty good, but no where near as good as Hunger Games or Divergent.

Reply

I have never had See’s candy :( That’s sad. Brook is adorable in her little onesie and are those leg warmers?! So cute!!

Reply

I agree that cookbooks count as books. I always read cookbook cover to cover when I get it!

I love the toffee candy from See’s. We send those chocolates out to our clients for Christmas and always get an extra box for the office to share.

Reply

oh my, that BL fact – wow!

You are so sweet! I always think about that on holidays too..even things like Christmas and New Years..there’s a lot of happy people, but also a lot of heartache. I hope everyone can find a little joy and smile today :)

Reply

I ‘read’ cookbooks too! But I just bought Run & Train like a mother books and Mile markers – just getting into the meat of them! Love them so far.

Reply

I have never, ever had a sees candy. Though I can picture with clarity exactly where it is in Universty Mall in Orem and what it looks like.

Since it’s the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice I just finished reading that yesterday, but I haven’t picked up anything new yet. I need a new good book. I have a book about the mental game of running in the mail, I hope it gets here soon.

Reply

Today was the crappiest speedwork session ever. I felt terrible, the wind sucked, and I was almost angry that I was still hitting the goal times our coach had set- that’s how crappy my body felt! But, afterwards, it gave me a bit of happiness to realize even when I feel like I should have stayed on the couch, I can bust out some decent interval times.
My husband and I don’t really celebrate VDay. He has to work most years, like today, and this morning, he had a dental appointment, so I saw him for all of an hour today. I usually just cook us something nice for lunch- today it was baked salmon cakes and steamed broccoli- and I’m wondering if that meal he loved so much was what my body wasn’t loving later. Fish just doesn’t energize me.

Reply

I was about to say that I definitely contributed to that 58 million lbs of chocolate that were bought, but I’m Canadian so I guess that doesn’t count ;)

Happy Valentine’s to you and Brooke! I’m celebrating with my momma today too :D

Reply

Aww, Janae you’re the sweetest <3 My boyfriend and I recently broke up, so today is definitely not a good day for me. I'm going out to dinner with a friend though, so hopefully I'll still have a bit of fun.

I love Brooke's outfit! Picking out clothes for small children is so much fun. My neice is 18 months and I love buying clothes for her. I'm years away from having my own kids, but I totally admit when I'm at places like Target I always end up walking through the kids department so I can look at the adorable outfits.

I read cookbooks, too! Most people think its weird, but that's the first thing I due when I get a new one.

Hope you have a great day with your valentines!

Reply

Breakups ARE the WORST!!! I hope you have fun at dinner with your friend!!!

Reply

When in highschool and single, my BF and I would watch horror movies on Valentines. :) Tonight, the husband and I are going to sit on the couch and watch Psych.

I love See’s and yes, the scotchmallow is amazingly my favorite. I always try to pick it out before the family does when we get a box. :)

Doing a light yoga today. my stomach is still a little iffy from earlier this week and I don’t want to mess it up again with a hard cardio workout.

Brooke has to be one of the cutest, happiest babies around. <3 Girl, you're making me want one of my own.

Reply

Hi! I’m a new follower and just wanted to say that you seem to be such a sweetheart! And look Brooke is such a doll!!!

Reply

Hey Jessica! Thank you so so much for your sweet comment!!!

Reply

My favorite Sees: Molasses Chips. I get in trouble though because I think they are somehow healthier than the rest of the box & eat more than I should. Happy V Day!

Reply

Happy Valentine’s Day! I just have to tell you that I love reading your blog, and I feel like we are BFFs even though we’ve never met….is that weird!?!? You truly seem like the sweetest and most genuine girl, and I look forward to your posts everday. I think you need to come run a big race in the Mid-West….Twin Cities, Chicago ;-)

Off I go to brave the MN winter, run, and EAT CANDY!

Reply

We are bffs and I want to come run Chicago so so so so badly!

Reply

Registration for Chicago 2013 opens this Tuesday the 19th….!!!

Reply

I love your V-day message! Everyone should be their own Valentine, and what a great excuse to eat candy (the ultimate expression of love) with everyone you care about no matter who they are:) I don’t go overboard for Valentine’s Day, but I usually feel very happy and lucky to have an amazing husband. We’re in a little bit of a weird phase of our lives where we don’t have as much of a support network as we’d like and are used to so I treasure him even more than normal. I wanted to bake some treats to bring to work to share the love, but I got way too tired yesterday. Better late than never though!
I am not reading anything at the moment because I bought some non-fiction books to read, but I only really like fiction. So now I feel too guilty to read anything else!

Reply

Happy Valentine’s Day! Last night I did a really cool old school workout video. You might be too young to remember but I used to love Denise Austin, and I did her shrink your fat zone video. It was awesome. Avoiding the chocolates till I lose another 20 pounds but eating real clean all day so I can have some wine and steak tonight with the hubby.

Reply

I did all her workouts back in the 80’s before, during, and after all my babies were born! Wish I still had them…

Reply

Awww Janae you are the sweetest girl in the blogosphere. Fortunately this year I am having a great V-day, but there have been some times in the past you probably would have gotten an email from me!!! Thanks for being a great blogosphere BFF :)

Reply

The AWESOME dark chocolate bars! I take them to hockey games.
I am reading the first Gillian Flynn book and need to start Life of Pi for the book club.
I also did the elliptical and some weights.

The Kidless Kronicles

Reply

Favorite is the almond buds…chocolate, caramel and almonds! YUM!

I’m reading the game of thrones series right now and I’m totally obsessed!

Reply

I love reading cookbooks! And your right, scotchmallows are hands down the best!

Reply

I just finished Kara Goucher’s book and loved it. I have a hundred new ideas to try. :-)

Reply

Oh and I love her socks, she is so cute.

Reply

I like the thick chewy chocolates. Hubby and I are celebrating on Saturday: a short run (he hates running), dinner and a movie!!

Reply

I love chocolate caramels. Sounds like the ideal valentines day to me single girl chick flick night! And you have the best of both worlds since billy will be around later to celebrate!

Reply

I haven’t commented I don’t think since Billy did a little guest post since I’ve been seriously busy trying to finish my PhD BUT your post today made me smile. It’s true that many people feel lonely during the Holidays (and I can totally relate to this feeling myself) so thank you, Janae for offering to be my valentine! :)

Reply

I’m glad we are going to be valentines today:) lets both eat tons of chocolate mmkay?!?

Reply

-I’ve never had See’s Candies before but I’ve heard that I’m missing out!
-My favorite topics to read about are health/fitness and then those mushy, cheesy romance novels (think Kristin Hannah or Nicholas Sparks) :)
-Happy Valentine’s Day!! LOVE Brooke’s outfit.

Reply

Scotchmallows are the absolute best!! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Reply

Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m reading The Bourne Identity now. Such a good book!!

Reply

While I do have a Valentine this year, I also earned a few more from some 6 year old boys hollerin’ at me today during my run- kind of cute, but I don’t think 6 year olds should know the term “hey sexy mama”.

I’m not currently reading anything- I go in phases where I devour book after book, and then I spend a month or two struggling to get into anything. Favorite books are memoirs. Check out Wild, if you haven’t read it.

I’ve never has See’s candy. :/ Favorite candy overall are Heath bars, as well as Snickers Peanut Butter Eggs- the kind that come out at Easter- they have the perfect ratio of Snickers to chocolate.

Reply

I used to only get the candy cane sticks at See’s because I hated chocolate. But now I would probably get some rockyroad.

Reply

Happy Valentine’s Day! I am spending the evening with a sick 6 year old watching Disney Channel, while my husband takes my 11 year old to his b-ball game. Not what I was expecting but hey that is part of being a mom. Favorite chocolate is Swans….yum.

Reply

See’s Candy–good stuff! I love the dark chocolate with caramel. Mmmmmm! I will def be having some chocolate tonight with my man!

Love that outfit on Brooke–TOO cute!

Reply

I LOVE the pear chobani. And Brooke’s outfit. Obviously.

Reply

So adorable and always so happy!! And her hair is really long now. Happy valentines day!!! Here in Canada purdy’s is my favorite chocolate. Off to a Trx class tonight. Mt valentine is with my niece visiting in a different city!!

Reply

Never seen that candy before!
Happy Valentines to Brooke and you! I’m going to be hanging with my Mom too hah. And my Step-Dad, I guess that makes me a cool cat;)

Reply

One of my Kindergarteners had a “Single and Lovin’ It” t-shirt on today! So cute! Anther had one that said Love Stinks! with Pepe Le Pew. Adorable. Enjoy your first VDay with Brookers!

Reply

you are the sweetest. as is brooke. great onesie. happy valentines and enjoy your chocolate!! I made choco covered strawberries for my hubby :)

Reply

I think Ghiardelli milk chocolate & caramel squares has my vote over Sees for sure — and XT tonight, I think — no running, just coming off of a cold and still feel pretty weak!

Reply

Ghiardhelli milk chocolate and caramel squares take my vote over all — but in general, I don’t discriminate against chocolate!

Reply

Happy Valentine’s Day!! I love Brooke’s outfit! I’d like to officially nominate my son to be her first valentine!

I didn’t cross train today, but I did do my first crossfit session last night since my son was born 7 weeks ago!

Reply

Do they have that shirt in my size? ;-)

Reply

I love reading books about backpacking, and I’m in the middle of a great one right now. “A Walk In The Woods” by Bill Bryson. So funny!

Reply

Yoga today :).
I’m currently reading mile markers by Kristin Armstrong.

Love Brooke’s shirt! That is so awesome.

Reply

I am an el metro and love historical fiction .

Brooke’s stockings are too much!!! So cute!

Reply

I am reading There is No Me Without You. It is about orphan care in Ethiopia. So, so good!!

I cross-trained today…Jillian’s 6 weeks to 6 pack abs. Have you tried that? Seriously awesome. I *heart* Jillian!

Reply

New follower here :)

Just discovered Sees Chocolates a couple years ago upon my first visit to CA. Not a big chocolate lover (have you blocked me yet?) but I did try a piece and enjoyed.

Can I just say your little Brooke is a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e!!!

Reply

Okay I had to comment on your “use by” sticker on the table. Mike gives me a hard time because I stick produce stickers on the kitchen sink. Ha!
I did strength training and lots of foam rolling. My left IT band has been tight and rolling it out really does work even though I think I’m going to cry. And I don’t cry.

Reply

Did you get my 1/2 birthday wish for Brooke this morning? Big nit, I’ll day it again…
Happy unbirthday Brooke!

Current book is Fit & Health – class textbook.

Reply

Crazy spell check – “Big nit, I’ll day it again”. WHAT! Ha ha
Here’s what I meant to say…
“If not, I’ll say it again”. Geez, yes I did run today and am suffering from lack of oxygen ….. ;-)

Reply

Crazy, but I don’t think I’ve ever had See’s Chocolate….
I ran and lifted so I kind of cross trained?

I just finished Bossy Pants and Mindy Kaling’s book… I enjoy laughter :)

http://realliferunnergirl.blogspot.com/

Reply

Crazy, but I don’t think I’ve ever tried See’s Chocolate.
I ran and lifted so I guess I kind of cross trained?

I just finished BossyPants and Mindy Kaling’s book. I love laughter, what can I say?

Reply

you are SO sweet!! I hope you and Brooke are having a wonderful Valentine’s Day together! My very special valentine is currently deployed in Kuwait (and has been since June 20th) and so today has been extra hard.. However, he is returning next week!! AH! Anyways, the lonely times are easier knowing he’ll be home with me soon.. Your blog always makes me smile and I appreciate you always reaching out to readers!! :)

Reply

Wow! Stacey! I am so sorry that your valentine is deployed! I can’t imagine what you have been going through these last few months! You are so strong!!! Keep being amazing!

Reply

I can identify every chocolate in that box. I’m that good at See’s.

Reply

You are seriously so sweet!

Reply

She is so adorable!!! And I thought that biggest loser stat was crazy! Then I think about how much chocolate I buy to “fuel” my runs ;) makes sense!

Reply

The only committed relationship I have right now is with my running. So I took it on a long date after work today. :)

Reply

Valentines Day can def be a tough day for people and you are so sweet for reaching out :) I have only had See’s once and loved every single piece equally! so good. Sounds like you and Brooke have a great night planned. Enjoy!

Reply

I love Scotchmallows! Definitely my favorite candy in the world.

Even though I’ve been married to an amazing man for 20 years, I really don’t like V-Day. I don’t like the idea of a day devoted to love. It should be shown year round.

Reply

I could not agree with you more about Valentine’s Day! It is about all the LOVE we have for everyone and everything! :)
Happy Valentine’s Day! :)

Reply

I’m reading ,”It Starts with Food”. My chronic and boring injury is keeping me away from any big time running and training so I thought I would try 30 days of clean eating. Starting in March. Yeah. I love cookbooks! Especially on my iPad where I can set it up in the kitchen and look at the pictures while I cook.

Reply

I am reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan (for like the third time), and I absolutely love it!

Reply

I keep it pretty simple with the dark chocolate-covered almonds. Or any kind of nuts. But then again, I’m not too picky because I like chocolate-covered everything.
Hehe Brooke is such a photogenic baby!

Reply

Ooooooooh…See’s. How I miss thee.

Anything dark chocolate + Nuts. I’m so, so there.

I also like marshmallow-y things, as long as the marshmallow isn’t pink. :)

Today, I’m reading about science. Dorky, but I like it. :)

Reply

This post shows what a sweet person you are! Sorry you won’t have a lot of time with Billy today, but I hope you had a great day.

Reply

You really are one of the sweet people Janae..that is all!

Reply

my hubby is a first year law student also so i can relate. he goes at night though so i already knew i wouldn’t have an evening valentine. oh well, i hit the gym for a little cycle and tabata.
btw, he’s still not home and it’s almost 11:30pm. must be studying hard – i know he has a lot due soon.

i just checked out YOU: the owner’s manual. you might like it. it came highly recommended and so far so good:)

Reply

You are the sweetest! Who wouldn’t want you and Brooke as their Valentines? :)

Favorite See’s candies: Divinity puff and cashew brittle are pretty darn good, but I have to say Scotchmallows are amazing too. Good choice!

My cross-training today also included the elliptical and some basketball actually! I forgot how much fun it can be! (used to play when I was younger)

Hope you have a lovely Valentine’s Day!

Reply

Dark chocolate California brittle. (I think that’s what it’s called.) Mmmmm…

Reply

OH MY GOSH! What a cutie pa-tootie :) lol She is just the most adorable little girl ever. You are mighty lucky – for now. Until she gets older and you have to start beating the boys away with sticks and such. Cross that mountain when you get there lol. Hope you had a lovely Valentines Day!

Reply

Brooke is sooo adorable!! I also consider cookbooks as real books and LOVE reading them :) Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Reply

You really are the sweetest person ever!

Reply

We can totally be besties because the scotch mallow is one of the few See’s I don’t like so I’d be willing to give mine to you in exchange for the rectangle one with walnuts, caramel and dark chocolate (sorry, don’t know the name). And I totally need a shirt with single and loving it! Thanks for your super positive blog – it’s my favorite and I look forward to it every day!

Reply

I’m currently on the second book in The Maze Runner series. It’s really good!! Similar to The Hunger Games. I read all three of those books in 2 weeks. I put off reading them for a really long time because I didn’t think I would like it. My sister twisted my arm and I finally gave in. Then, I made my dad read them and he loved them! There are 4 books in The Maze Runner series so it will take over my life for a while but I’m really enjoying it!

I hope you and Brooke had a great Valentine’s Day!! Her little leg warmers are adorbs!

Reply

I love you & I love our twin girls :D
How do you like the book? Recommend reading it?? I’m the same way, I like reading about child development too, it’s so interesting.

Reply

You are so sweet. I love that you offered up for people to email you on VDay. That is VERY kind! Love your blog, love your stories, love pics of Brooke!

Reply

I just bought a box of the sees cinnamon succors… So yummy!!! I also have been dying to read the Hansen marathon method book. I bought it after your reccimendation. I was really interested in the long runs no further than 16 miles.

Reply

My single years I was miserable on Valentine’s Day! Now that I have the man I only dreamed about I think it is a silly holiday either way. People should celebrate their love for each other everyday! Not on one silly day of the year.

That’s not to say I don’t totally love the flowers and chocolate and coffee shop gift card I got yesterday :)

Reply

I know Valentines Day is over now, but my boyfriend shared these gems with me yesterday and I thought that I had to share them with you!! They some of the best Valentines Day Cards Ever :)

http://www.buzzfeed.com/travisrandg/8-arrested-development-valentines-day-cards-5d61

Reply

I crossed trained this morning (2/15) on the elliptical!

I love love love candy and my favorite candy in the tray is the one with cream inside! YUMMY!!

Reply

You are just the sweetest. I love what you said about V Day, and it’s so true! Celebrate whatever you LOVE!! :) Also, Scotchmallow is the best See’s, you’re correct.

xo

Reply

I’m glad you said Scotchmallow was good! I sent one in a Valentine’s package to a friend of mine and I wasn’t sure what it was like, haha.

Reply

the scotchmallow is really good…but the toffee covered in white chocolate is my absolute favorite!! yum. i love sees!

Reply

You’re seriously the sweetest! I hope you and Brooke had a wonderful girl’s night in :) And I made a note – as well as told my girlfriends to remind me – of Brooke’s absolutely adorable outfit! I cannot wait to have my first girl, just to dress her up :D

Reply

Your daughter is such a beautiful baby. She looks like a living doll.

Reply

Thanks so much for this post. You are so sweet. For some reason I teared up a little when you offered to be there for those who are lonely. You rock.

I haven’t had See’s candy for years but my favorite chocolates come from a little store in West Yellowstone. All their chocolates are handmade and they have some called haystacks and they are so delicious. They are milk chocolate with crunchy toasted coconut mixed in. I dream about them at night.

Reply

I’ve just read this and you are so cute!! I am reading ‘Me before You’ and it is so sad. It’s the type of book you just want to keep reading in the hope that there is a happy ending!

Reply

that outfit is freakin’ a-dorable!! i don’t even have kids and i still love to look at the baby clothes in target, ha! they have the cutest things.

Leave a Reply to Lindsey Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *