Saturday morning I got up bright and early. Not for my long run, but to get things ready for our blogger brunch! Maggie picked me up and we rode together (picking up Christina on the way) all the way to Erin's place in the big city! We dropped off our stuff and headed out for the run (but not before taking a group photo).
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| Photo Credit: Erin |
Since we ran through part of the UIC campus, there were quite a few "This one time..." and "I remember when..." stories to those I was running with (I just couldn't help myself). After we got back, it was time for a mug of hot chocolate (perhaps with a little liquor in it) and for me to start prepping my brunch contribution, blueberry turnovers. They are best fresh out of the oven and I have not had success re-heating them so I prepped what I could and took over the kitchen once I got there. Once the blueberry turnovers were complete, it was time for me to put on my Christmas attire.
There was a little contest and I was hoping to win. Last year, we got a Santa Snuggie in our Yankee Swap family grab bag. (Front and back shots below, because it was crucial to get both sides. Thanks for the photos, Maggie!)
After tallying the votes, I was determined the winner (yay!!). It was pretty exciting (for me, at least) and I loved the swag bag of prizes that Maggie and Kim had put together. Now it was time to mingle, eat, and enjoy the party (and eat some more). I got to meet some bloggers I hadn't met before and put some faces to web addresses. It was really great to hang with so many other people that share the same interests (running, blogging, food)... I really couldn't think of a better way to spend my Saturday.
Next, it was time for the optional gift exchange. It was a yankee swap grab bag and there were lots of running themed gifts (shockingly). I got to see some products I have not yet tried. (Those Injinji socks are still on my radar.) I picked Maggie's gift (not really surprised by this one) and I got a few more Bondi Bands to add to my collection. I really like them for the winter because they can help wick the sweat under my normal headband. My gift contribution was some Picky Bars in a box with cats lifting weights design, along with some pineapple Gu and a Oiselle temporary tattoo. (Photo of the box contents can be found here, with the winner.)
After the gift exchange, we took a big group photo before some folks started to filter out.
From L to R, starting in the back:
In the front-front: Kelsey
Not pictured: Christina
Maggie and I hung around with some of the other stragglers and discussed spring race plans. We also tried to think of our next big blogger race that we've been planning since Zooma. It was then time for Kelsey and I to answer the age old question: who has longer arms. We've discussed this on one of Kelsey's blog posts (Is it weird that I looked that up? I didn't think so either.) and now it was time to test our theory. If you were wondering, my arms are longer than Kelsey, even though she is taller than me. We measured these proportions several different ways, each one creepier than the one before. (Special thanks to Maggie for taking photos to commemorate the discovery)
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| Who's taller? |
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| Arms Length |
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| Michael Phelps Wingspan |
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| I'm still waiting on that modeling contact. |
Have you participated in a Yankee Swap event this year? I always do one with my family every year, and these types of grab bags seem to become more popular every year. Do you also notice the trend of these events becoming more popular? What is your favorite food to make around the holidays?
