I am getting back to normal after a bout with Kidney Stones and a knee injury.  Today  I started my second full week of marathon training.  I have switched my heavy training to the mornings.  So far I have been getting a 2 to 5 mile run and 30 minutes of weight training in each morning before work.  This week I hope to add a 3 to 5 mile run in the evenings.  I am doing good with my water consumption but I need focus a little more on quality nutrition.

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On Valentine’s Day we attended the wedding of our friends J.R. and Larissa in Austin.  They got married at Chapel Dulcinea, which is southwest of Austin proper and is set off a cliff and overlooks the Texas hill country.

The weather was prefect for the outdoor ceremony.   Then the reception was held at the Palm Door on Sabine.  We had tons of fun getting caught up with friends and celebrating the newly married couple.  It was by far a prefect evening… good people, good music and good food.

J.R. and Larissa are two people that defiantly deserve each other and prefect for each other in so many ways I wish them nothing but happiness.  Seeing them together brings so much joy to my heart.

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I have been cooking a lot.   I think after being laid up and depending on either Allyn to cook, bring home dinner or eat whatever I could find, I have just wanted home cooked meals.   While I have made many of old favorites I have also tried a couple of new recipes such as sour cream chicken enchiladas, steak Oscar, lobster in a tomato basil sauce and banana strawberry crepes (a spin on my traditional crepes).

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Friday we had friends over for dinner.  It has been the highlight of my year so far.  This was just not a normal dinner, but one where a friend introduced us to a special “friend.”  I was so over joyed to see our friend happy and full life again.  I truly hope that is a friendship that keeps building and blooms into something beautiful for both them.  They are two lovely people and both deserve nothing but the best. As an added bonus, the “friend” fit in with us perfectly… I could see the four of us hanging out and doing things together for a long time.  Evening like this mean more me than anything… I just love to see people happy.

Another added bonus of our dinner was that they introduced me to new brand, which is made here locally. Smith-Berry.  After two bottles I think I feel in love with the wine.

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When we went to Texas for the wedding we got to spend some time with my mom and see some of our family.   Saturday morning my mom and I went for a ride to check on the ranch.  I had checking out my old stomping grounds.

The ranch is where I learned about life.   I love that land.   On our way to Austin we stopped by my cousin’s house for a birthday party for her daughter’s (my God-daughter) second birthday.

Before we left Austin, I had brunch with my Aunt Cee.   Then our way back to San Antonio I stopped at Texas State University (where I got my master’s degree) and picked up a couple of t-shirts and stuff.  The trip was quick but we squeezed a lot in and we got to see a lot our friends.

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I am almost done with the editing of my pictures from Korea and I almost have all of my blog post for the trip written.   I am determined to write post for everything we did.  After I finish the post I am going make a hard bound photo album.  I am getting so close …