Sunshiney Day!

**Hey guys!  Don't forget to check out my 31 bags fundraiser for Autism Speaks!  No one has entered yet, which means that you have a VERY GOOD chance of winning a 31 bag in exchange for a tiny $5 donation to Autism Speaks!!  Seriously, that's an amazing deal AND you're helping a good cause!  Win-Win!

Actually, it's not sunshiney at all in real life.  Today it looks like this outside:

Which is why I'm curled up inside with this:

A pot (or two) of mint tea and homemade baked pumpkin donuts.  This all after a bowl of pumpkin pie stove top oatmeal this morning.  I am always sad to see summer go, but I do love me some pumpkin.  I like to think of it as fall's apology for the cooler weather.  That and the opportunity to wear scarves.  And easier running weather.  

I digress.  Back to the sunshine.  Fabulous Alyssa at Don't Look Down has given me the Sunshine Award!  Fabulous Jennifer at Red Hair and Running Shoes gave me this award last month, too, but I completely forgot to write a post about it.  Sorry, Jennifer!  Blame it on "back to school brain" (yes, this is a thing)!

About the award:The award is circulated to those bloggers to let them know that their posts brighten your day.

The Rules:

1.  Include award logo in a post or on your blog.
2.  Link to the person who nominated you -- See above!
3.  Answer 10 questions about yourself.
4.  Nominate 10 bloggers to receive the award. Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs letting them know they’ve been nominated.

1. What is a signature dish that you make?  Signature dish?  HAH!  That's funny.  If you know me IRL (in real life), you know that I hate cooking almost as much as I hate scrubbing my bathroom.  I do almost anything to avoid it!  One dish I actually can make well is a spinach lasagna.  This is my go-to when I need to make a legit meal or provide a vegetarian dish for holidays.  I do like baking, though, and can make some great banana bread.

2. What was your favorite college class?  Omg, this is a hard one.  Hang on a minute where I geek-out about how much I loved 99% of my college classes.  I absolutely adored my el ed classes, especially one I took on Environmental Education for Youth (a May Term specific-focus class).  Outside of the ed department, I took an amazing English class on Literary Theory that was hands down the most challenging and rewarding class of college.  It was taught by a phenomenal professor who literally pushed me to think completely outside my comfort zone, and during that single class I grew more as a writer than during any other English class I took in college.  (I was an El Ed Major, Lit Minor) 

I loved college!

 3. What is the best ice cream flavor?  That's like Sohpie's Choice.  I love a good cookie's and cream, anything with peanut butter, and coffee ice cream.

4. What is your favorite race distance (5k, half-marathon, etc.)?  I am loving the half marathon distance lately, and also the 10-mile.  The 10-mile is long enough to get warmed up and really push yourself, but just short enough to avoid the pain that comes at the end of a 13.1!

5. Favorite football team? If you hate football, just say the Iowa Hawkeyes and I'll be happy.  I am going to be 100% honest and share with you that even though I went to every single home game in high school (I was in band...), I am lacking even a basic understanding of the rules of football.  Definitely not my sport!  To make my Dad happy, though, I will say the Chicago Bears.  

More of a Chicago Blackhawks fan, tho!

6. Cookies or brownies?  Again, Sophie's Choice.  I will have to say brownies, but it's a tough one!

Also, I know it wasn't a choice, but PIE.  Really, just all desserts.

(Boy am I in trouble once marathon training is over...)

7. Have you ever watched the show Dance Moms? Don't lie! I just watched the whole season on OnDemand.  I have a penchant for crappy reality TV, so yes, of course I have watched Dance Mom's.  I will not hide it, and I am not ashamed.

8. Where and when was your last vacation?  I went to Boston, MA in early August to visit my cousin and a friend, and to run a half-marathon.

Biking in Cape Cod!

9. Favorite breakfast food?  PANCAKES!!!  But on a daily basis, oatmeal loaded with PB, fruit, and nuts.

10. What is your favorite gum brand and flavor?  Not a big gum girl.  I chomp icebreaker mints all day long, though!

Nominate 10 Bloggers for the Sunshine Award:

1. Michelle @ Run4Life
2. Stephanie @ Run for Fun
3. Lauren @ Forward is a Pace
4. Carrie @ Being Lady-Like
5. Kayla @ Fit Life Forward
6. Barbara @ Grade ONEderful
7. Rae @ Mindful Rambles
8. Sarah @ MissKinBK
9. Jan @ Running on Fumes
10. Christa @ Livin a Little Life

My 10 Questions:

1. Favorite guilty pleasure TV show?

2. 5 picks for Desert Island books (the 5 books you would take if you were stranded for the rest of your life on a desert island)

3. Favorite way to spend a Saturday?

4. Favorite way to stay in shape?

5. Favorite holiday tradition?  (Any holiday!)

6. What's your typical lunch during the week?  Do you go out or bring your lunch?

7. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

8. What is the best concert you have ever attended?

9. Fill in the blank: I almost never leave Target without _______.

10. What's one goal you have for this week?

Can't wait to hear your responses!