Good morning, friends! Hope you all had a great weekend! Aside from the debate last night, I’d say my weekend was pretty low-key, stress-free, and productive.
This week, we’ve got a 4-day week with our kiddos because Friday is an inservice day and then the following week is our Fall Break! I’ve always thought that October is a really challenging month to get through in the teaching world so it’s nice that this county has a week off to make it a little more bearable. (And anyone who has a problem with teachers having a week off should spend a Sunday with a teacher as she lesson plans and writes IEPs all day long). This is just a nice payback for all those Sundays! 😉
Now, before I get too feisty, let’s recap the weekend with some pictures!
Friday:
On Friday morning, I was pumped to attend Brenda’s Step Aerobics class. But, by Friday afternoon, I was completely drained. Once my butt hit the couch, the chances of me going to her class were slim. Around 4:45, however, I somehow mustered up the strength to get up, change my clothes, and head out the door. I don’t know what it is about her class, but it is seriously the only thing that will get me off the couch on a Friday evening at 5PM.
And what a workout it was. Typically, we do the “step” part of the class for half an hour and then move on to strength training off the step. But, on Friday, we did full-on cardio for 45 minutes and I was sweatin’ up a storm! It was such a great way to step into the weekend (<—pun intended). I am always so grateful for Brenda’s endless energy that keeps me motivated throughout the entire class.
When I got home, Ankur had already gotten to work on our pizzas. He made a Weight-Watchers friendly version for me, which won him the Best Husband Award. (The difference between my version and his version was simply the crust. He used the Trader Joes crust and I used Joseph’s Lavash Bread – which is only 2 WW points for the entire thing!)
While the pizza was in the oven, I was able to Facetime with a few of the cousins, which is always a nice treat. Weekends are the best time to catch up with the family and it always makes me feel so happy and comforted when I get to see their faces.
Shortly after dinner, I curled up in bed and fell asleep. The combination of pizza + Step Aerobics + a long work week made for a sleepy girl!
Saturday:
Because I went to bed so early, I was up at 6AM on Saturday morning! I settled down with my Kindle and a cup of coffee and waited patiently until Ankur woke up. Around 8AM, we drove to Cumberland Gap to get a hike in and, man, I was absolutely blown away with how beautiful it was outside.
When we first moved to Harrogate, it was raining on and off every single day. Coming from California, the rain was such a treat for us and the abundance of green made me so excited.
Well, fall has come. And the colors are changing. And it is GORGEOUS.
We wanted to hike to the Pinnacle so we took the Object Lesson Trail to the Harlan Road Trail which led to Fort McCook.
From there, we did the 1-mile trek to the Pinnacle.
We couldn’t see much at the overlook because it was so foggy. But that was a-okay with me because the hike up the mountain was so gosh darn beautiful that it didn’t matter what it looked like up top.
Overall, it was about a 4-mile moderate hike and, by the end of it, we had worked up quite an appetite. We went straight home and made breakfast sandwiches. (I’m still not over them. They’re my favorite way to start the day!). After breakfast, Ankur studied a bit while I tidied up the apartment and got some random stuff done.
Harvest Moon Festival:
In the evening, we met up with a few friends at the Harvest Moon Festival. I was looking forward to this all week long because, not only was this event an opportunity to see some local artists’ work, but a few wineries were coming to the event and they had advertised that there would be wine tasting.
In my mind, I had pictured it to be somewhat of a “Wine Walk” – comparable to the wine tasting events that I had gone to in California.
But, after paying the entrance fee and heading back to the wine tasting tent, I was pretty disappointed. There were only two wineries present with an option to try any one of 15 “award-winning” wines. But I could only make my way through two of the tastings because the wines were so syrupy and sweet.
Oh California. You have spoiled me so much.
We didn’t stick around for too long after that. We all went to Angelo’s next door to grab some drinks and then ended up at Oasis to pick up some pizzas and head to Katy’s to hang out with this little guy.
Sunday:
I actually have no pictures from yesterday since I spent the entire day inside doing work. Luckily, it was pretty windy outside so I felt like it was good working weather. In addition to getting stuff done for work, I cleaned the apartment a bit (<—how does it get so dirty so fast?!), cooked dinner (another Hello Fresh meal), and watched the debate (holy moly. I can’t even get into it).
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And now, here we are. At the end of the post and the end of my coffee.
So, I’ll go make another one and get my day started.
Hope you all have a good one!
Questions of the Day:
- Are the leaves turning where you live?
- How did you get your workout in this weekend?
- Did you watch the debate?
This time of year is so perplexing to me in Texas. It’s still 1,000,000° outside and yet it’s fall. Yesterday I saw a couple buying a pumpkin and thought: damn they are super early very prepared 🙂 and then I realized it was almost October.
I miss fall. I need a visit home to the East Coast to frolic in some leaves.
Such lovely pictures!
I live in Africa, so it’s basically just too hot or rainy
I did a lot of walking this weekend, maybe a bit too much 🙂
And yessss, I did watch the debate. I found the whole thing a bit exhausting though
Politics is such a dirty business.
I love all the colors of fall! It looks like it was a beautiful weekend. Kudos to getting out to the exercise class!
Heather recently posted…{31 Days} On Being an Introvert
Sounds like a lovely weekend! You picked the perfect time of year for early morning walks in the mountains. I love that the fall colors are shining through already! I with they’d make an appearance in Richmond.
I will agree with east coast wines…I love that wineries are popping up everywhere, but I feel like they’re trying too hard to appeal to non-wine drinkers. After living in CA for a while and working in the wine industry there, I just can’t drink many east coast wines anymore because they’re so sweet. It’s kind of ridiculous.
The leaves are definitely changing where I live. The husband and I took a drive the other day to see them. Other than that we didn’t do much. Haha. Looks like you had a great weekend!
Victoria recently posted…The Best Crockpot Spinach and Artichoke Dip
I did not watch the debate, but gardening was my workout. I need to do more! Leaves are beginning to turn, but the last blooms are soldiering on in my garden.
Thanks for sharing us your wonderful weekend! Contrary to mine (was boring in my case) yours are much fun and YES for hiking!
That is seriously a good weekend! Pizza, workouts, hiking, fall festival and wine! 🙂 All my favs. Gorgeous color on that hike. Hope you have a good week too.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Currently… (October 2016)
Your pictures really show off the fall season, and it is my favourite season because it comes with so many indoor and outdoor fun activities.
Sheri @ A Busy Bees Life recently posted…10 Awkward And Unusual Facts About Vienna
You had such a full weekend! I always try to stay active and get outside on the weekends.
You stay really busy! I love how active you are. I hike five miles a day five days a week (four this week because the kids are off today as well). Love your pup, what a cutie!
Julie Maloney recently posted…NYCC – Cosplay and Family
Looks like the perfect fall weekend! That painting looks amazing – love the vibrant colors! Happy Monday xxx
Chrissy recently posted…Taking A Look At Last Weekend.
What beautiful photos from your hike! The colours are so beautiful at this time of year – it’s my favourite ☺️
Paighton Millington – The Lazy Baker recently posted…Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten/Dairy-Free)
Such a great post. It felt like i was chatting with a friend who was telling me all about her/weekend. Big thumbs up to Ankur for the pizza.
Love hiking in fall and we did a hiking trip in Yosemite couple of weeks ago. It was a blast. BTW, I was eyeing your wine tasting pics. Nice!!
Aish Das-Padihari recently posted…Coconut Cream Cheesecake with White Chocolate Drizzle
Your tough workout must have been a good start to the weekend. The hike and the Harvest Moon festival sounded nice!
What a fun weekend! The cumberland gap looks beautiful. I live in East Tennessee also and absolutely love it!
Yes, the leaves are beginning to turn around here. Strangely enough they seem to be turning lower downstate (nearer NYC) and not as much upstate. But I can see it coming and I can’t wait. There is a large tree I can see from my window which has a yellow cap over the green–quite interesting and beautiful. Exercise–I don’t think so! As for the debate–no I did not watch it-I was sound asleep by then.
Michele recently posted…Book Review-Tapas, Carrot Cake and a Corpse-Sheri Bryan
Looks like a very busy, but really fun weekend! Loving the looks of that homemade pizza!
Oo the pizza looks great. I love Trader Joe’s so much–I tend to spend too much whenever I go.
Amber Myers recently posted…Hey, It’s Okay!
I love step classes. They are such a great workout but also super fun to do! I need to do one soon!
What a lovely weekend! I love weekends where they are nice and chilled and you can go out and enjoy a lovely walk and appreciate nature. It’s always a beautiful time of year, coming into a new season.
Lennae xxx
http://www.lennaesworld.com
Woah! I love LOVE Fall!!! It’s just starting to turn color here in Atlanta – it’s good to see North Carolina is way ahead of the change! Maybe I’ll drive up for a weekend soon!
It looks like you had such a full weekend!
Well it seems you had a great weekend and despite you had to pay extra for the wine tasting I bet it was fun. Your doggie is cute too. Us in FL got hit by the hurricane so most of our weekend was watching the weather and staying safe.
I love step class; it looks like you had a great weekend!
Jillian recently posted…Beef Bolognese Sloppy Joes
How fun! Fall in all its beauty…looks like a great weekend and homemade pizza is a must!
I live in Florida where I’m surrounded by Palm Trees and Pine Trees so the leaves don’t really change. The weather is getting a bit cooler with a lot less humidity though!
Beth recently posted…Bright Crystal by Versace
That hike looks beautiful! Sad about the disappointing wine tasting… I would make up for it with my favorite wine at home.
You seem to have the most beautiful surroundings! I also love the paintings that you have displayed on this post.
zim recently posted…Christmas unit studies, lapbooks & coloring books
The leaves have definitely turned here and most of them have found theirselves on the ground. We actually experienced our first frost yesterday so now it is a rush to finish everything before winter really gets here.
Carrie recently posted…5 Essential Oils for Winter
That pizza looks delicious. I love making my own pizza.
Jemma recently posted…Matcha Yoghurt Bark
Me too! So much yummier, customized, and HEALTHIER than going out or ordering pizza!
It looks like you had a great weekend! To be honest, any weekend that involves pizza has to be a good weekend.
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Sounds like you had a pretty full and yet productive weekend! I love going hiking too so those shots made me wistful for a good hike. I loved the selfie you took with your hubby. Sweet! 🙂
Those tree leaves are gorgeous! Its still quite warm where I live and the leaves are not near turning yet. The festival looks to have been a blast. I enjoy scoping out art and eating when the chance presents itself. Unfortunately, I did not workout this weekend, I told myself I would, then it never happened.
Dani Adams recently posted…Rainbow Rain Balancing Rock Art
What a fun weekend!!! I love this time of year with the leaves changing colors, it really does make for great photos!
Looks like a perfectly lovely weekend to me! That fog was seriously impressive, we drove through some last week that was incredibly thick!
Let’s see, I think I tried to drink through the debate (really, I just finished a glass of wine). The leaves are definitely changing and workout? What workout? I chase a toddler. 🙂 Happy week!
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What a beautiful area! I love going to art and wine festivals they are so fun. I need to take a little trip like this soon.
You always seem to have nice weekends. Happy Fall and enjoy.