Item Number 4? Double Check.

S0. When I turned 25, I made this list.

One of the things on it, number four, was to run a 10k (that's 6.2 miles).
I'd recently kind of sort of started thinking about running again (I started running for the first time when I was nine, and then I stopped by mid-high school), and that seemed like a lofty but achievable goal.


{We didn't exactly remember to take pictures. So roomie Emma and I did a reenactment in our living room. It went down just like this, promise.}

This past weekend, I finished a half marathon. That's 13.1 miles, or more than twice my goal. Once I started really running last fall, I just kind of realized I liked it, so I kept going. Suddenly, a half marathon made sense. I signed up for one in February, but then I got horribly sick the weekend of the race, and it snowed, so instead, I raced yesterday, in New Bedford. The weather was perfect- it was sunny and not too windy, and I kept a pretty steady pace right through to the end, where they gave me orange slices and a medal.



You guys, it was amazing. It was so much fun, and the weather was nice, and we got to run along the ocean, and I pushed my body to go faster than I thought I could, and it was just awesome. Now, I think everyone should do a race like that.

Really, though, I only did it because seven months ago I told the internet that I wanted to do a whole bunch of things. I'll do a recap closer to my birthday, but now, I think everyone should make a list like that, too.

p.s. Thanks to Christine for being my super awesome race buddy and Nicole who doesn't read the blog for SCREAMING for me at the finish line. That was so super motivating.

Thank you thank you for your good wishes, friends!
The first two days have been wonderful.

In other news, my adorable mother (who lives less than a mile away) sent me this postcard in the mail. It says "Happy first day of your new job, and happy first day of no snow at our house!"

I heart my family and my blog friends.

Eek eek eek!

Today, I start a new job. I'm a little nervous, but really excited. But also nervous.

Wish me luck?

ps So very many thoughts and prayers to Japan right now.

I made you some cookies

This is my five hundredth post.

Huh. I've been doing this blogging thing for a while.

To celebrate, I made some cookies. But then I ate them, so you'll have to make your own. I'll share the recipe, though, because it is, quite simply, the best chocolate chip cookie recipe out there. Promise you'll make it, okay?

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the History of Ever

barely adapted at all from Smitten Kitchen

2 Cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for sprinkling

3/4 cup salted butter, melted

1 cup packed brown sugar (I usually use 1/2 a cup and double the regular sugar)

1/2 cup white sugar (unless I halve the brown sugar, in which case I use a whole cup of white sugar)

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 egg yolk

1 egg

12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Sift together dry ingredients. Set aside. (True confession: I rarely do this. The cookies do turn out better if you do, though. Sift at your own discretion.)

3. Cream together melted butter and sugars.

4. Add egg and vanilla, beat until pale and fluffy.

5. Mix in sifted ingredients until just blended. Mix in chocolate chips.

6. Scoop dough into cookie-sized chunks, and roll into balls with your hands. Sprinkle with salt (this step is key to chocolate chip cookie nirvana). Bake- 10-12 minutes for small cookies, 15-17 for larger ones.

{Daffodils and brownies, all wrapped up}

Happy Friday, friends!

And while we're at it, happy March! If Daffodils don't symbolize spring's fast approach, I don't know what does.

This weekend is looking crazy- I think I'm going to make up for last weekend, when all I did was lie around, recuperating, by racing around like a chicken with my head cut off. All for good reason though- I've got lots of fun stuff to do!

How about you? Any fun adventures?