This is what happens when I try to not squint my eyes (like I always do when I smile) for a picture, borderline creepy eyes. Billy and I got to the blogger meet-up a little early yesterday and so we took pictures of each other and squirrels while we waited.
This is Screecher (anytime I see an animal that does not already have a name I feel like it is my duty to give it a name). Screecher got his name because he was making the craziest noises to get the seagulls to leave.
We walked around for a while to different picnic tables around the park to try to find the meet-up and would start eating their food, once we came to a table that didn’t ask us to leave is how we knew that we found the right place.
Janetha put on an incredible Utah blogger get together and the food was out of control good. Yesterday was the first time I have ever tried Kale in my 26 years upon this earth… About 89% of you just shook your head in sadness for the nutrients I have been missing out on for so long.
Potluck strategy: Try a little bit of everything on the table and for plate two load up on your favorites. Through trial and error I have really perfected this. Good thing everything at the table was delicious.
I forgot to take a picture of my dessert bowl. For potluck strategy #2: Use a bowl for your desserts because it allows you to stack desserts and everyone around you only sees the top layer but little do they know you have round two right below.
I finally got to see Janetha’s most adorable dogs yesterday and they were even more adorable in real life. I can see why she has a small obsession with them.
Billy was stoked because for once he wasn’t the only boy at a blogger thing.
It was so fun to meet everyone and hear what their voices sound like in real life because I always imagine what they sound like when I read their blogs. In case you were wondering what my voice sounds like it is high-pitched and I have a really loud laugh.
After the meet-up we got a bunch of errands done to get ready for our road trip today. We were forced to eat leftover pizza and watermelon for dinner because I refuse to let food go to waste and it was delicious.
Are you sick of me talking about the trials yet? I loved the 110 meter hurdles finish. The guy that took third (and won a spot to the Olympics) did a dive across the finish line. It was part of his strategy to do this and it ended up working.
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What is the LONGEST road trip you have ever taken? How many days did it take you?
-When I was little my family did a MONTH long road trip all around the country. My parent’s are very patient people.
If you could choose any pet in the world to have besides a cat or dog, what would you choose?
-A horse.
Do you have a potluck strategy? What type of dish do you usually bring to a potluck?
Do you eat Kale? Is there a vegetable that you have never tried?
49 comments
Katie @ msfitrunner
That is funny – my daughter names every animal she sees, chipmunks, squirrels, ladybugs – you would like her;-)
I have to pace myself at potlucks or I would have to be rolled out.
The longest trip my family took when we were little was driving from Maryland to Moab, UT, where my grandparents live. with no ac in the car. my mom is a saint
Have a great time in CA!!
Anne
My family drove from Florida out to Utah/Colorado/Montana aka “Out West” almost every summer for a month!
Now that I’m 23 I’m still hoping on the bandwagon while I still can (only for a week this year, booo real job.)
Were headed to Moab from Colorado in a few days. It’s been 3 years since I’ve been (sad I know) any trail running suggestions???
Michaela
For one of my clinicals (physical therapy student), I drove to Phoenix. I live in Chicago so it was quite the haul. My bf drove out there with me and my mom drove with me for the trip back. It took us about 27 hours.
HollieisFueledByLOLZ
I’m not going to lie. I laughed a lot when I read the title ha. I normally bring some sort of dessert because I really am a whale fail at making any sort of tastey real food and it’s hard to mess up boxed cake mix and make cupcakes. lol!
We own a pet donkey. When my parents bought their house the owner (who was a farmer) never came back and got his donkey…so it lives at our house. We didn’t have the heart to get rid of him and my brothers were quickly attached. It is always fun when I go back home and visit…or tell people that my parents own a donkey.
Michelle (Better with Berries)
Your family’s month long road trip sounds so cool! My family has never been very fond of road trips, but I love them, and luckily, so does my boyfriend! So we plan on going on lots of them someday :-) The longest I’ve ever gone is to Florida with my friends, about 14 hours. Driving there was one of the most fun parts!
Nicole @ Simply Nicole
i’ve been watching the trials non-stop as well! that guy was crazy! hey, at least he’s going to the Olympics! I can’t wait until the games finally start!
Erica
Hahahaha……I do have a potluck strategy, it is sort of similar to yours. I take dabs of the dishes I might find questionable, but at least want to try in case they end up being amazing. i fill over those with the ones I know I will love and eat reguardless…….fruit, pasta salad, dessert. That way the ?-able ones just look like reminants if they are a no go. Then I use plate 2 to refill with all of the favorites.
Maybe I just need to get over the fact that I am not hurting anyone’s feeling just because I did not like their concoction.
Losing Lindy
I haven’t tried Kale yet either, and I am much older than you.
Losing Lindy
I haven’t tried Kale yet either, and I am much older than you.
Katherine @ Neon Blonde Runner
I want to try Kale!!!! I’ve heard it’s a ‘super-food’ and tastes really good as baked chips…
Lindsey
Last summer we drive about 2800 miles and took 10 days to do it. It was a awesome 10 days, and we loved every minute of it.
Either a dolphin or a panda.
I try a bit of everything, then round two get the stuff I really liked. I usually bring a salad or dessert.
I love kale! I have never tried kohlrabi.
Tess
I’m certain we’ve been on a longer trip but as a stay at home mom I took my only one left kid (12 at the time) and we went on an 8 day, 8 state 4000 mile road trip starting in Colorado and circling through so we could see the Mormon Temple in Utah, the great redwoods, the ocean, The Space Needle, Yellowstone Park, every single awesome ghost town, museum and random abandoned grave or what have you on the side of the road. It was…amazing. We listened to Harry Potter the entire time. We blogged about it every night with photos so the whole family and friends could follow us and we used credit card points for hotel rooms. Best. vacation. ever. Hands down. Beats Disney.
Tara
My husband and I name random animals all the time too! It’s a fun game.
Darcee
What a fun party!!! Never tried kale, not going to lie it sounds gross and looks gross. I have a hard time eating things that look gross. I would have a giraffe or an elephant. Longest road trip is every time I drive home, 12 hours. Drive safe!
Beth @ Miles and Trials
When I was in middle school my family rented an RV and we went to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons for 2 weeks. I’d love to do a trip like that now that my kids are almost that age.
I keep hearing about Kale and want to try it, but don’t know what to do with it. I’ve seen recipes for the Kale chips, but just haven’t tried it yet.
Shannon
Oh man, I saw the dive across the finish line and can only imagine how much it hurt!
Khushboo
I love that potluck strategy- def trying it out at the next buffet I attend! Kale’s aiight but I prefer spinach :)
Kayla @ Keep Moving Forward
My family is from Oregon but we lived in Minnesota for a little while – every summer we would drive back to Oregon to visit then back home to Minnesota! My mom was single so I don’t know how she did all of the driving herself!
I LOVE kale! I can’t remember the first time that I had it – but I love that you can put it in anything! soups, salads, sandwiches…
Erika @ YouJustDidWhat
We love road trips! I think the longest one was up the coaat of california starting in the oc, up to Seattle and through the state of Washington and then ovet to South Dakota, then back to CA. We were gone for a couple of weeks. It was fun.
As for Kale, I’m not a huge fan. I tried making Kale chips but didn’t love them. Maybe if someone makes it well! I prefer Spinach over Kale.
I’be never tried Brussel Sprouts and I don’t really have much desire to try them. Unless someone inspires me to do so!
Holly
1. You are GLOWING!!!! Gorgeous!
2. I actually really don’t like kale that much. I don’t know why, but it just has a bite to me.
3. Hope you arrived in CA safely!!!
4. A pet that was not a dog or cat: a miniature potbelly pig :)
5. Enjoy your rest day & time with family and Charlie! Xo
PS: I was watching ESPN this morning (sportscenter) & there is a clip on there that I think you would enjoy watching. It’s about the Kenyans that train in Anchoridge Alaska- have you heard of them? If you can watch Sportscenter this morning it should be on there, called ‘Running for His Life.’
Rene Hall
We are in the midst of an epic road trip. We’ve done 12 days, 3700 miles, and 14 states plus DC. We have a 3 day layover at home before the next phase starts. I love road trips. Our goal is to find the 4 state license plates we coudn’t find during phases 1&2. I aim high.
I have never tried kale and probably won’t.
Have a great time on your trip. I’m super sad our paths won’t cross this time but I’m working on a plan.
Meet Me At The Finish Line
I used to have a horse miss it every day!
Kale um I am slightly addicted to chocolate covered kale chips! Crack in a bag if you want anything from me bribe me with chocolate covered kale chips no joke!
I LOVED that dive and just the pure joy on his face isn’t that why we run? I would so love to meet some running/blogging idols just to know what they are like in real life and to have people who won’t be annoyed by my obsessive running talking!
Pam
I don’t do potlucks. I don’t like not knowing who brought what and don’t trust that the person preparing the food is as sanitary as I would like! If I ever attend anything that’s potluck, I bring and eat my own food.
If I could have any pet other than dogs and cats…hmmm….. if we’re talking farm animals, either horses or pigs. Indoor would have to be a ferret! They’re just so stinking cute!!!
Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More
I drove 1700+ miles (Missouri to Florida) straight through and alone when I was 19.
Then 1200+ miles (Missouri to New York) with a friend in my twenties. We broke it up over two days going there, but drove nonstop coming home.
We’ve drove 1700+ miles (Missouri to Oregon) twice now.
And my longest will be this summer, I’m driving 2000+ (Oregon to SW Colorado to Missouri) alone. I plan on taking a few days to get there and stopping to visits friends along the way. I’m actually really looking forward to it. I love roadtrips and I have never driven this particular route!
What is the LONGEST road trip you have ever taken? How many days did it take you?
Any pet? I will choose a horse, too. But not for me, for my 14 year old daughter. She’s been horse-crazy since she was 5. She’s an amazing rider and would love a horse of her own!
I have the same potluck strategy. I take a little of everything that looks good to me on the first round and then go back for more of the good stuff! I usually bring a trifle dish to potlucks. They are easy to make, can be made in advance, look beautiful and taste amazing!
I’ve never tried Kale either. Glad to hear I’m not the only one!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
One month?! I went on a two day one with my family and was just about to jump out of the car. And we were riding through mountains — so that could have been pretty bad!
Kari @ Running Ricig
I always name animals when I don’t have name for them already. I’ve actually named some of my neighbors that I don’t know what their names are.
The longest road trip I’ve taken is from CT to MI. It’s a super fun 13 hour drive, sometimes you can go through Canada! lol
Laura @ sweatingforit
When I was a kid, we drove from Alabama to Massachusetts. My youngest sister was a toddler and pulled all the hair off the side of her head on the way up! All of her pictures had to be taken with a comb-over on the trip. That was the last long road trip we took and thankfully, her hair grew back!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats
Haha I’ll keep your potluck strategy in mind! And the longest road trip I’ve taken was 20 hours from Flagstaff, AZ to Kansas City, MO. My best friend and I were driving her car home from college and we took 2 days to do the trip. It was a BLAST. We love road trips. That same summer we drove to Denver and back and then Memphis and back, each about 9 hours each way. We’re crazy. and we love it.
Abby @ Change of Pace
Wow- your parents were brave! Our longest roadtrip has only been 10 days, but this winter we’re hoping for a month-long one.
I would choose a llama for sure! I love them!
michelle kim
If I could make sure it won’t turn on me and decide to eat me, I would want a TIGER!
Laura @ LauraLivesLife
Loved meeting you yesterday – and am in total awe of how much you run! I think I need you as a coach!
I’m pretty much obsessed with the Olympic trials, but couldn’t believe the hurdles final – especially the face plant at the end! Between swimming and track, I don’t watch anything else right now!
LauraMae
Driving..hmm..Indiana to Utah. We drove straight through in about 24 hours.
I would choose a horse, too. I used to want a ranch so badly growing up!
Potluck Strategy: Bring gluten free food…or ask around what is and then eat as much as you can because it’s probably one or two fruit bowls and you’ll be starving looking at what other people are eating! =)
I wish! Kale is amazing but pricey!
Christina
Hi! I recently found your blog and have enjoyed reading all the archives–you have such a positive voice and I love how enthusiastic you are about running and food! I’m also so inspired by how much you run even being pregnant! I’m not as fast and don’t run as far (yet) but am working on it cause I love running so much! I’ve never tried kale–I’ve seen some recipes for it that people swear are good but I haven’t been brave enough to try it yet. I have a sweet Shih Tzu named Sera (she’s my baby even tho she’s now 14), and think it would be neat to have a miniature pig (I think they are called “micro pigs”) as a pet one day. Have a great day! :)
Tiffany
I pretty much have the same potluck strategy as you. I always end up bringing green salad. I think my family must not think I can cook. But they always ask me to bring it and say I make great salads, but I am just like…hmmm. all you have to do is cut it up, not too hard. Oh well.
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
I LOVE kale!! But I’m sure there are a ton of vegetables that I haven’t eaten. Like turnips. Who eats turnips??
Meghan Rene @ Uncooked & UnWalked
So we have the SAME potluck strategy. Looks like you had a blast.
Kale is meh – but I throw it in my green smoothies so I don’t taste it – just to eat the nutrients.
I would want a big fat bunny :). My mom has one and it has twizzlers for breakfast every morning. It is the fattest cutest thing in the world. It also likes to lay on the AC vent so we’re all sweating – but bunny is nice & cool.
Lisa
I want to go on a blogger meet up so bad! Why does no one live by me? Boo. I enjoy your strategy on potlucks, I’ll keep that in mind next time. The longest road trip I’ve ever taken in only like 8 hours I believe, maybe not even that long. Although, I do really like road trips, definitely more than planes!!
janetha
i kinda wish i hadn’t met you.. cause now i am even more sad you’re bailing. on that note–let’s make an effort to get together when you come visit these parts :) XOXOXOXOXO times infinity.
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries
oh man, i was SO bummed i had to miss the blogger potluck! i would have loved to meet you and a few of my other utah favorites. i’m so glad you all had such a great time!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
haha I love you – you’re so funny. I’m glad you had a great time meeting up with everyone.
Jerilee @ Mom's Gone Running
I am terrible at potlucks. I always have a great “plan” and it never works out. I love eating everyone else’s food, though :).
When I was 15, my parents took all of us on a 7 week road trip across the country- visiting historical sites, etc. 6 kids in a minivan pulling a trailer. Not sure how my parents survived!
Janae
7 weeks…holy cow! That is intense!
Anna
I absolutely love road trips! One day I just want to pack up and start driving with no destination in mind and see where I end up.
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat
I always name animals too! :) We have groundhogs, rabbits, deer, and turkeys who frequent our backyard so it’s getting tough to keep them straight. ;)
Karen
Things that make that table spread of food look delightful:
lululemon bag
whole foods deli items
larabars!
Kay
Sounds like a great meetup, glad you liked trying kale!
Lea
I would own a mini-giraffe, or have a fish tank with mini-manatees in it (we’ll pretend like those animals actually exist)! I think a mini-giraffe would be pretty much the best pet ever.
I always bring dessert to a potluck. Everyone loves sugar. Or sometimes I bring something super healthy, then no one else wants it and I can have it all to myself!
Theodora
You’d never tried kale? Please hand over your blogger cred card.
Kim @ The Family Practice
Janae it was so nice meeting you and I too have to admit that I hadn’t tried Kale before the potluck! That salad was delicious though – not sure who made it but I loved the dressing.
And I love that you mention getting to hear what people sound like in real life. Neither you nor Janetha sound like the “voice in my head” when I’m reading your posts. Isn’t that funny?