Another Busy Adventure

Just when I thought my life could be relaxing . . . the Busy Girl is off on another adventure. 

Right now I am sitting at the terminal at Dulles Airport, then will have a layover in Atlanta tonight and will end  the night landing in New Orleans at 1 am (est).  

Tonight I will be staying at a hotel in the French Quarter!  Tomorrow I have no time commitments till 1 which means breakfast in New Orleans!  I think I'm gonna have to get some yummy beginets at Cafe Du Monde!  

After breakfats in the French Quarter I have a meeting in the area then I am heading off to Tennessee.

Not gonna lie, I have not been in Tennessee since I was a kid.  Hmmm.  Maybe I will get a chance to do a little seeing in while I'm there.

Another meeting, then off to Houston!  (Well after a lay-over in Atlanta -- again   

As I stated in my previous blog, Texas Bound, I have tons of family in Houston that I am looking forward to seeing.

Then after two days in Houston I get to come home to my wonderful fiance!

Oh this crazy beautiful life I live!

Ready for a fun week with 3 lay-overs in Atlanta and one in Chicago.

All-in-all it shall be a beautiful week!

The Engagement

"So I can kiss you anytime I want" . . . 

"We're going camping the weekend of August 18th."  The Urban Farmer and I had the date picked for about a month.  With our crazy work schedule and busy lives we had not had the opportunity to get away and go camping since my birthday weekend and wanted to get one trip in before Labor Day.

We invited everyone and their mother to go camping with us, but the only two people that were able to were my sister and her friend Amanda.

As a kid, I only went camping on occasion with my family in Elementary school.  But after a failed camping trip my family put our camping gear in the attic and decided that "roughing it" will for now entail staying at a Holiday Inn over a Marriott.  

About 4 months into dating, the Urban Farmer and I went camping for the first time at his cousin's property in Radford, Virginia.  I loved it! the view, the water and the convenience of having a house near by!  From that point on, when ever we had a free weekend (which is VERY RARE) we would run off to Radford and go camping together.  

So, we had our weekend camping trip to Radford planned.  We packed up our stuff on Friday and left to go to Radford. 

Since we were meeting my sister and her friend there and we got there a bit early, the Urban Farmer and I went to a local bakery, "Crumb and Get It, and got some cookies and made happy hour at a local bar.

We went back to the campsite and got ready for bed

The next day was August 18.  It was a normal day to me.  Got up, made our Wal-Mart run and made a few stops in town.

When we made it back to town, we got our drinks ready, packed up the kayaks, and were ready to go to kayaking down the river.  

Once we got in our boats, the girls and I started floating while the Urban Farmer started fishing.  Partially down the river we all stopped down the river on an island.  We were being silly and hanging out together on the island.  

The Urban Farmer started to walk to the front of the island and called for me to walk with him.  I did and along the way I picked up a rock.  I kept telling the Urban Farmer about the rock and how we should collect rocks from all the rivers that we go to and keep them at home.  While we were standing there talking I go to put the rock in the Urban Farmer's life jacket.  The pocket of the life jacket that I went to put in the rock had my ring in it.  

At that point, the Urban Farmer got down on one knee and asked me "Will you marry me?"

The view from the spot he poped the question.

The Ring!  (It's whit gold. Photos make it look yellow)

Post asking... We aren't photogenic camping.

LOVE HIM!

Unfortunately, the Urban Farmer jokingly proposed to me before so at first, even though I saw the rock, I thought that he was joking.  Therefore my first response was, "Yes!  Are you serious?"  Supposedly, I said "Are you serious?" about ten times.  

The engagement was perfect and the weekend was perfect together camping by the river.

We ended the weekend at a winery celebrating our engagement with each other.

It was the most PERFECT engagement ever.  Below are some videos, post-engagement. 

(The Urban Farmer was being silly and shy in this one)

A little better.  But not much.

The Love Story

The Busy Girl and Urban Farmer . . . together FOREVER

I spent my childhood (and let's be honest here most of my time as an adult) watching Disney Princess movies.  The idea of a young lady being swept off her feet and riding into the sunset on the noble stead of their Prince Charming sounded like the ideal scenario for my "Happily Ever After".  I guess in reality I never thought it would be Prince Charming sweeping me off my feet at Lone Star and riding off into the sunset in his Ford Truck.  (Reality is ten times better!)

The Urban Farmer and I met on February 2nd at Lone Star Steak House.  I was a server there and the Urban Farmer was the bartender.  I remember the first time I laid eyes on the Urban Farmer.  He was standing at the bar with a smile on his face -- the same smile that makes me weak in the knees even today -- when we first caught eyes.  Trying to play it cool I did not make my way to the bar for a while.  The Urban Farmer introduced me to him by stating that he only works Wednesdays.

From then on I always looked forward to Wednesday nights were I had the opportunity to see the Urban Farmer, get to know him better and, well let's be honest here, flirt.  Overtime I got to know him better.  He told me about his accounting job, his house and his garden.  I told him about my job, Florida and moving to D.C.  As we got to know each other the Urban Farmer and I teased each other, talked and got to know each other better.  I was starting to like him more and more as I got to know him, but typical Urban Farmer he takes his time.

One night we were talking when the Urban Farmer received a text,  I jokingly asked him if it was his "Girlfriend."  The Urban Farmer responded that it was some "Teacher he was talking to."  My little heart was crushed to find out he was "talking" to someone else.  (Editors note: To date, the Urban Farmer swears he wasn't talking to any one else and told me that to get my attention -- Well hun, it worked).

After that, I felt like I didn't work with, or see the Urban Farmer ever.

Then one Sunday night the Urban Farmer and I were working together!  We began talking and he asked me "Why I didn't wait for him the other night?"  To this date, the Urban Farmer SWEARS he asked me to go get a drink the shift before.  I to date swear that he didn't.

Later that evening the Urban Farmer asked me to go get a drink with him after work, I said sure.

After work that night we went to get a drink at a local dive, "Reynolds".

The Urban Farmer and I talked for about two hours.  He told me all about his garden, his family and his ex-Girlfriend.  Great first date conversation!  I am a BIG talker, therefore no one can really talk more than me.   I remember thinking in my head that I was not going to go out with guy again.

The next time we went out was much better!  It was a fun atmosphere and we talked and talked for hours.

From then on the Urban Farmer and I started to see each other on a regular bases.  A Frisbee golf date her, drinks in Old Towne, him cooking me dinner at his house.  Slowly our relationship began to take form.

Over the past year and a half the Urban Farmer and I have made many memories together and over time have fallen in love.

Then on August 18, 2012 the Urban Farmer asked me to marry him . . .

Homemade Applesauce

About two weeks ago my older (I always like to remind her of that) sister came to visit me in Northern Virginia.  Since the Fall weather had began to kick in we thought that there would be nothing better than some good old apple picking!

Greg Apple Picking

Although the plethora of fresh apples seemed like a blessing at first . . . it has slowly become a burden.  After making everything from homemade Apple Butter to homemade Apple Wine . . . Greg and I would like nothing more than to have our fridge back!

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away . . .   I think we're good :)

I decided to use some of the apples by making homemade Applesauce.  (Yes, it's 10 million times better than the jar stuff).

Here's what you need:

• 5 Apples
• 1/4 cup of Sugar
• 3/4 tsp of Cinnamon
• 3/4 cup of Water

1)  Wash, Peel and Core the apples.  (Probably the longest part)
2)  Cut apples up and place them into a sauce pan.

3)  Add water, sugar and cinnamon to the saucepan.

4)  Turn the saucepan on to medium heat and place a cover on the saucepan.
5)  Let saucepan simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes.
6)  After 20 minutes remove the pan from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
7)  After cooled, place the applesauce in a food processor and blend till you reached the desired consistency.
8)  Enjoy your homemade applesauce!

Blueberry Muffins

My AWESOME Blueberry Muffin Recipe

What you'll need:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 cup fresh blueberries (I got mine from the farmers market)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 
  
• What's next:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Line with muffin liners.
2. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.
3. To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

**These turned out AMAZING!  Everyone loved them and the sugary top was AMAZING!


* Adaption for here http://allrecipes.com/recipe/to-die-for-blueberry-muffins/

And here's a throw back . . .

And for Melissa on her birthday . . . A throw back to her first day of Pre-school and her at Haloween!  Love you lil one!

Love,

the Busy Girl!

Happy Birthday Melissa

This post is for my most beloved and beyond AMAZING Baby sister -- Melissa.

My siblings and my Mom at Chef Mickey's at Disney!

Today, is her 19th Birthday so I wanted to write a blog devoted to her AWESOMENESS!

19 years ago my baby sister came into the lives of my family.  And with her addition came the final piece in our families Puzzle.  With Melissa born our family was now complete!

Now, although my siblings and I were thrilled about having a baby sister, that didn't mean that we were always nice . . .

As the youngest she was picked on, teased and maybe tortured a little more than the rest of us, but in all fairness my Family believes in equal opportunity harassment.

My little sister even made up a word that she would call us when we were mean . . . BRAJER!

To date, NO ONE knows what Brajer means  (Sometimes I don't think Melissa even knows) But she has no problem calling any of us a Brajer.

Being the self-proclaimed Harriet Spy, I decided to Google Brajer.  And the results were this:

No dictionary word, not  used in a sentence anywhere, and not even in the Urban Dictionary!

So today on Melissa's 19th Birthday I wanted to be the first official user of the word Brajer on the internet!

Here I go:

"Regina George was a such a BRAJER in Mean Girls!"

The Merriam-Webster definition of the word Brajer is: _____________________________.

Well even to date I am not sure.  I hope that maybe Melissa will one day be able to fill in the blanks,so the world no longer sits on the edge of their seat waiting to know.

So today, Melissa -- on one of the most wonderful days of my life I devote this blog to you!

Although I live 800 miles away you are so important to me and I miss you every second of every day.  You are the most amazing person I know and I hate that we can't "go for runs" and make Peanut Butter Pie instead, eat cheesecake and have a girls night, or go to "Del Taco".  I look forward to seeing you soon and I love you with all my heart!

Melissa and I asking Snow White

if she Hangs with Brittany Spears

And please let me know what the word BRAJER means so I can sleep with ease tonight!

Love,

Your favorite Big Sister!

P.S. - 730 Days till we will be celebrating your 21st Birthday!

P.S. - Brajer is the NEW Fetch

The New Busy Girl

So after a long overdue hiatus I am BACK to blogging!  (WOHOO)

I realized that my blog was becoming way to much work than being a fun piece of the internet where I get to share a little piece of me with the world.

I think part of blogging is finding your voice as a writer -- since I spend all day at work writing for someone else who -- I found this a little difficult.  But I think I have kinda figured this whole "blogging" thing working out for me.

Therefore, I decided that I need to focus on writing about the 3 things that I actually know about; Food, Wine and well ME!

This means no more me pretending like I'm some Jillian Micheals health instructor or Martha Stewart or some perfect person than I am not.

I am a mess, sometimes I don't brush my hair before work, I am narcotic, I am stubborn, I get sad, I cry uncontrollably at times and then I laugh at things that don't make sense to anyone but me.  That's me and I am happy with who I am.

Well I hope you enjoy the new blog.  Feel free to share anything with me and wish me luck with my future blogging!

One Big Busy FAIL

Editors note:
I wrote this post over a month ago but was too busy (Story of my life) to post it.  Enjoy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


So,I hate to admit this but I have been one busy FAIL.

Between traveling the country and living life I have not blogged ONCE!  I feel bad and I do thank my friends for holding me accountable for this FAIL!

So real quick, over the past two months I have . . .

Ran a 5k

Went on a Cruise













Baked and cooked . . .  A LOT

Went strawberry picking

My family visited

and planted a garden!

I look forward to reaching my goal of blogging twice a week and sharing my life with y'all.

Until then . . . You stay classy AMERICA!

I'm Back

Fellow bloggers, friends, family and random people I do not know . . . .

Yes, I am back from my CRAZY long break from blogging.  I plan to blog twice a week and share with you every irritating detail of my life.  So GET EXCITED!

I plan to do a little updating to the blog!

Have a little faith and patience and all will end well.


Love,

The Busy Girl

P.S.  As I write this the Urban Farmer is betting on my untimely demise again from my blogging.  Love him to death but would it kill him to be a better liar?

Health(ier) Alfredo Sauce

There is nothing that this girl doesn't like more than a bowl piled high of Chicken Alfredo!

It makes my little cheese and pasta loving heart to just pitter patter.

I decided last night the Urban Farmer and I will grill up some chicken, cook up some noodles and I was going to make Alfredo sauce.

My mother for years has told legends of the Alfredo sauce that she use to make while she was a triathelete -- but to date I have yet to try this sauce.  Therefore, tonight I was on the quest for healthIER Alfredo sauce.   (Mother if your reading this I still want the recipe)

The Following are the ingredients:

¼ cup of all purpose flour

¼ tbs of garlic powder

¼ tbs of Black pepper

1 cup of Chicken broth

1/3 c of plain no-fat yogurt

6 tbs of Parmesan

1 tsp of oregano

 a pinch of parsley

Combine the flour, garlic powder, pepper and broth in a skillet at low heat.  Stir occasionally till sauce begins to boil and thicken.  Remove from heat.  Stir in yogurt, Parmesan and herbs.  

So easy and so good!  The Urban Farmer and I figured that there were only about 150 calories in the WHOLE pan -- Sounds like my kind of my kind of Italian!!!

Well I hope to start blogging soon!

XOXO,

The Busy Girl

The Return of My Laptop

I have never been so happy to return back to my blog.  Due to my computer crashing I had to send it in to be repaired.  

Soooo Happy!

I know, I know I could have blogged on another computer.

But with my laptop I feel like Harriet the Spy, and you know she couldn't fight crime with out her notebook.

So today has been a perfect day,  Went for a 1.5 mile run, had some coffee, have pizza-pulls baking in the oven and its 70 degrees in March.  What could go wrong?

In my failure to blog for like 2 weeks I just want to give you a little recap on my life.

The Urban Farmer and I celebrated our One Year Anniversary!  He took me to Jackson's in Reston and got me flowers.  He did very well.  Unfortunately, no engagement ring but hey I got time :).

Aw, the Urban Farmer got all dressed up for me!

Last Saturday, we biked the W&OD trail to Leesburg.  We did about 23 miles this time.  It was a great bike ride, but boy was it chilly!  We rode all the way to Leesburg and had lunch at Lightfoot Restaurant.  I highly recommend that if you ever go to Leesburg you should try this Restaurant!

The Urban Farmer and I have also added running to the mix and have been running together twice a week.  I do two more times with out him, since as he told me he's such a "SEXY BEAST" and doesn't have to work out as much as me  keep -- dreaming hunny!

Just look at that Sexy Beast!

And of course, we cooked some really good food!

Well I'll be better about writting the next couple of days and sharing the Busy Girl's life with you!

XOXO,

Busy Girl

Dead Computer = Dead Blog

Hello Bloggers!

unfortunately, my cruddy computer's hard drive crashed :(  therefore I have failed to blog.  I should have my computer back soon and I plan to catch you up on the Urban Farmer and mine's crazy adventures as well as both of us training for a 5K!

XOXOXO,

the Busy Girl!

One Year Anniversary with the Urban Farmer

On March 6, 2011 I started dating the love of my life . . . the Urban Farmer.

Our first picture together at the 

White House Garden tour!

I have had the time of my life with you over the past year and have enjoyed every minute of it.

Together we learned new things, went on adventures and saw amazing things.

At Radford.

But at the end of the day you taught me things about myself that I never knew.

 

I love you so much and can not wait to see what the next year has in store for us. 

 "You are the best thing that's ever been mine"  I love you so much!

XOXO,

Your Busy Girl (Punkie)

Couch to 5k: Race Time!

With all my training for 5k in my quest for a healthier lifestyle I began a 5K program.

Right now I have been on the program for a week and a half and feel great about myself!  But what is next?  what happens after I finish the couch to 5k program?  Do I stop running or do I try for another goal?

Well I decided that I was going to run a 5k to celebrate myself achieving the couch to 5k program.  

In looking for a race I wanted something before our cruise, but far enough into my 5k program that I am not dying.  Therefore I hit the internet!

In doing so, I found the Prison Break run!  

The race takes place on April 15 at 8 am (one week shy of my run completion) in Lorton, VA!

The prison break run is a 5k located in Lorton, VA at an old jail.  The jail is no longer used but the race gives you an inside look into the prison grounds with out having to be incarcerated.   I knew the only way I was going to get the Urban Farmer to run a race with me would be if it was in a jail (he already asked if he could bring his gun.)

We are all sign up and anyone interested in running feel free to join!  We'll be running under the affiliation of the Busy Girl Blog!

Shoot me an email or comment below if you want to join or have any questions!

Do you like to run?  Know of any good races coming up in the Virginia area?  Share below!

Blueberry Banana Smoothie

Due to the fact that I had extra blueberries left from my Blueberry Mango Smoothie I decided to combine a banana and the rest of the blueberries up to make a new smoothie!

Ingredients:

1 cup of Yogurt

1 cup of Almond Milk

1 Banana (cut up)

1 cup of Blueberries

Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend thoroughly. 

Mango Apple Smoothie

Mango and Apple = Love

At this pint in my smoothie making career I am starting to live on the edge a little and try new things.  It is Sunday therefore my cooking day for the week.  the urban Farmer and i searched through the fridge and found that we had an apple and two mangos that needed to go -- and a smoothie was the way to go!

I decided to make my smoothies for Monday and Tuesday tonight so I am not stuck waking up at 5 am just to have a smoothie.  Great idea for any busy girl or boy out their that wants a good breakfast but does not want to be stuck cooking at 5 am!

Ingredients

2 cut up mangos

1 Apple cut up

1 cup of yogurt

1 cup of almond milk

 Mmm . . . Just look at that!

Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend.

C&O Canal

 BIKING THE C&O CANAL: PART 1

My boss at my second job has been really nice lately and let me have another Saturday off of work therefore I had big plans for the Urban Farmer and me.

For Christmas the Urban Farmer and I got bikes for each other.  But since we live in the icky North we have yet to really had the chance to enjoy them  Maybe a short bike ride here and there but not much.  Therefore, for my first WHOLE day off in Spring I decided that we should go for a bike ride.

 

Our Bikes!

 

Biking to the Urban Farmer's from the store!

We decided to try out the C&O Canal (Chesapeake/ Ohio)! 

C&O Canal History Lesson

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal is 185.4 miles long and is located along the north bank of the Potomac River.  It starts in Washington, DC and ends in Cumberland, MD.  The canal was built between 1828 and 1850.

Canals were used as a mode of transportation of goods and people through the 1800's.  The canals were a system of locks and levys that would push a boats guided by mules up the canal.  

Basically, what a canal does is take an existing river and digs a drainage next to it which allows humans to control the flow of nature.  The water flows into the canal when allowed and boats with precious cargo could take those to important hubs without going through the rocky river.

But with the advent of the railroad they were unable to compete with the speed and the efficiency.  Therefore, they became as archaic as the typewriter.

The New Deal restored the C&O Canal and to date the old canal is used as a bike/ runner and walker path for all between D.C. and Cumberland Maryland since the canal is a no longer needed technology.

Our Journey

In my strives for a Healthier Lifestyle I wanted to get in a good exercise on my day off of work.  

So, why not have our adventure involve exercise.  I wanted to do a little cross-training as well as use our bikes so, biking the canal seemed like a perfect idea.

Regretfully, it rained all last night and  this morning.  I actually feared that our plans to go biking were going to be canceled due to poor weather.  But we got up this morning determined to bike.  That is what half of every workout is -- determination. 

I really do aspire to bike the whole 183 miles of the canal one day, but we have time!

We started at the Chain Bridge (aka 123) on the Virginia side. (Parking is available 100ft from the bridge.)

Chain Bridge and our bikes

We crossed the bridge and were about to start our journey.  The Urban Farmer wanted to start our journey heading toward D.C.   I wanted to ride our bikes into nature.  Well after a moment of convincing, the Urban Farmer agreed to go the nature route.  Within minutes we were out of D.C. and in Maryland (both our home states.)

Since it rained the night before the path was all muddy and was desolate.  Our first leg we saw NO ONE out there.

We rode about 5 miles and saw all of this:

We biked a little past mile marker 9.3 (the Capital Beltway) and had the lunch we packed.  PB&J sandwiches, an apple (one for each of us) and reduced fat Cheez-its (I couldn't resist.)   It was delicious and the perfect portions.

I love PB& J

Then we headed back to the Chain Bridge.  Upon arrival, the Urban Farmer wanted to call it quits for the day since he thought D.C. was 9 miles away (remember D.C. is a 10 mile square, and we are already in it for about a mile. )   I wanted to make sure that I did at least 14 miles so I coaxed him into going 2 more miles into Georgetown with the prize being a beer -- he of course agreed (it is amazing what a man will do for a beer.)

We rode two miles into Georgetown and that is one thing I will never regret! (and neither will he -- X Urban Farmer)

In Georgetown we stopped for Urban Farmer's beer and my glass of water at the Peacock Cafe.  

The Urban Farmer enjoying a beer. 

We were both covered in mud and were kind of abashed to go into the fancy Georgetown decor but the Peacock offered outdoor seating which is what we were looking for.  The owner himself came outside and told us to feel free to sit down and relax.  We both enjoyed the hospitality and the great service.  

Although we did not eat, we saw all the food come by and it looked delicious.  We WILL be coming here to eat in the near future.

After our visit to the  Peacock Cafe, the Urban Farmer and I got on our bikes and headed in to see D.C.  We passed the memorials by bike -- definitely the best way to see D.C. 

Here are some pictures from our bicycle ride! 

Me on my bike on our way to D.C.  

You can see the Washington Monument. 

The Urban Farmer and I in front of D.C. (Watergate and Kennedy Center) in Georgetown!

In front of the Watergate and the Kennedy Center.

Biking to the Lincoln Memorial!

Me across the water from Rosslyn!

 

The Urban Farmer in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

 Made it to D.C.! 

We rode all the way to the Wharf where we got fresh Crab legs for dinner.  

Of course,  the Urban Farmer had to get some of his traditional oysters. 

At this time, it was starting to get late.  The Urban Farmer and I headed back.

After a 21 + mile bike ride, both of us were happy to spend the evening relaxing and eating crabs.

We both plan to do the next leg of the C&O Canal next time!

5.89 miles before Lunch

12.52 Miles after lunch

**My FABULOUS phone died so we did not get the last 6 plus miles for y'all.  Feel free to donate Busy Girl Blog to help ensure longevity of these post and to ensure this never happens again!  Email Me Here!
 

This was a great time and me and the Urban Farmer enjoyed our day together.  We must do this again!