Five on Friday – the spam edition

Hello!!

We made it!!

source

I don’t know about you but this has been a tough week.  I’ve been super slammed at work, trying to fit in all of my workouts and still find time to eat and sleep, and I’m still hyped up about Saturday’s bear encounter.

I need a break!

And no bears on my long run tomorrow. Seriously.

So, in the spirit of taking a break, I’m going to let some other people do the talking.

I’m going to share the spam with you.

Not that kind of spam, silly. That’s gross. Do people, besides those who live in Hawai’i, still eat that?

Seriously, we lived in Hawai’i for 6 years. Spam was on the menu. Ugh.

Anyway, these are the top 5 spam comments I got this week on various blog posts.

ONE

This one came on my Hearty Italian Sausage and Potato Skillet post.

“Decorations that you are thru watching tv the primary series, it is evident that the exact survivors are not only seen on it’s own relating to the region however that others in the industry relating to the region may also be probably not browsing help them break free of oh no- lately. The film helps you to treatment general questions or concerns that people face your every day lifetime ever since the scenery connected with life and so the fight to depart the city and be accepted as recovered encourages usa to peer inside of our universe from the mileage. Tips on how straightforward wondering and just how we shouldn’t let deed? Some of pretty much pretty good persons? Specifically what valuable thing are you going to do today your kids? What quantity of are you going to price tag your household?”

Oh. Sure. That totally makes sense and relates to my recipe.

TWO

 This one is in response to Wednesday’s Wine Wednesday – the health benefits post.

“You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the article you write.
The arena hopes for even more passionate writers such as
you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.”

Well, I’m so glad that spambot sees the enthusiasm in my post and “always go after your heart” is actually pretty decent advice.  But, who the heck is “the arena?”

THREE

This awesome comment came on my Savannah recap post.

“Wonderful article! We are linking too this particularly great post on ouur website.
Keep up the good writing.”

Hey, thanks! Now, it’s your turn to try some great writing because I’m pretty sure you failed spelling.  Ouur. Really? And don’t get me started on the whole “to, too, two” thing!

FOUR

 This one came is in response to my Tapering, Still CrossFitting, and the very best cookie bars in the history of the world. Ever. post.

“When some one searches for his important thing,accordingly he/she wishes to be available that among elaborate,whereupon that thing is maintained over here.”

I don’t even know. Are the cookie bars the important thing?

FIVE

 This one is also in response to my Hearty Italian Sausage and Potato Skillet post. Apparently, that post was very popular amongst the spambots! Hopefully, whomever was cooking did a good job. 😉

“Si, comme Marion Cotillard, vous avez les cheveux bruns fonc��s avec les yeux bleus et un teint clair, vous ��tes sans nul doute une fille de l’��t��. Et si vous avez les cheveux chatains avec des reflets dor��s et des yeux bleus ou noisette, ou si vous ��tes m��tisse, vous ��tes de la m��me typologie. C’est probablement vers cette saison qu’il faut aller chercher les teintes dites froides qui vous mettront en valeur.”

Yeah, I can parlez a little Francais but really? Now you want me to translate?

And my hair (cheveux) is not brown (bruns) – it’s red. Get it right, spambot.

Talk to me: Bloggers, what’s the strangest spam comment you’ve ever received? Non-bloggers, what’s the strangest spam e-mail you’ve ever received?

– jennifer

Five on Friday!

Hello!

It’s Friday!

I love Fridays.

Actually, I love Saturdays more because that means my long run is DONE but Fridays are pretty awesome.

And so is wine.

I love wine.

Sometimes, I love wine a little too much.

But, we won’t talk about those mornings.

Yesterday, I skipped my tempo run, rested my aching & freaking out muscles (hello, no CrossFit for 4 months and suddenly, BOOM!, I’m back in it. You KNOW my muscles aren’t pleased.) and enjoyed a lovely glass of wine with dinner.

I also love Justin’s nut butters.

I’m not addicted to them at all. Nope.

Finally made it to the Fresh Market near my house and stocked up!

Except, that was Monday and now it’s Friday and I’m just about out again.

SHOPPING TRIP!

What else do I love? COOKIES!!!!!

I mean, really, what’s not to love?

I even love the ugly cookies. Somebody has to.

And then, of course, there’s my love affair with bacon.

Don’t judge me.

I so totally love my fur babies.

Even though they shed all over the place and make it necessary to vacuum practically every single day. And  they frequently hog the couch and chairs and bed.

*le sigh*

But, they love me back. Unconditionally. (Or maybe they just use me for food? It’s fine. I’m easy.)

And they snuggle. Except for Eliza. She’s not a snuggler.

Fine.

Talk to me: What do you love? 🙂

– jennifer

Foodie Friday with a guest blogger and some goodies!

Hello, hello!

image from http://www.melissashoe.com

Holy cow, what a week!

Oh, and clearly, I survived the dentist yesterday.

Barely.

I had to have a root canal. Not my idea of a good time.

BUT! My tooth no longer hurts!!

And, it really wasn’t as awful as I had expected it to be.

But, I digress.

Not only is today Friday, it’s Foodie Friday!

What the heck is Foodie Friday?

I’m glad you asked!

Every month, Lindsay over at http://www.theleangreenbean.com/ does Foodie Pen Pals.

Lindsay’s been running Foodie Pen Pals for 2 years now and helping people to meet through food!

The best part?  You don’t have to be a blogger to participate!

Basically, you sign up each month and then you get randomly paired with 2 pen pals.

One you send stuff TO and one you receive stuff FROM.

So, you’ve just made two new friends!

And, if they’re bloggers, you get to check out a cool new blog you may not have known was out there!

And, if they’re readers, and YOU’RE a blogger, maybe you just got a new reader who will share your blog friends!

And, everyone gets FOOD!

It’s completely a win-win situation, no matter how you look at it.

So, I was paired with both a reader AND a blogger for August.

My pen pal to send stuff to was Icie, a reader from Mount Vernon, WA.

That’s a looooong way from Florida!

(and, honestly, I thought there was only one Mount Vernon – you know, George Washington’s place? Huh. Learn something new every day!)

Anywho, I packed up some stuff and sent it traveling across the states to my new pal and here’s what she had to say about that.

Everyone, meet Icie – my guest blogger today!

———————————————–

For the month of August, I received a very thoughtful foodie box all the way from Florida.  Enclosed was a big jar of peach preserves from the J.W. Renfroe Pecan Company in Pensacola, Florida. My husband is addicted to this juice sweetened (not granulated sugar added) spread. We add the preserves to our Greek yogurt to enhance its delicious flavor.

The other incredible item I received was Kinloch Pecan Oil. I had no idea how healthy pecan oil is compared to other oil types. So far, I have made pecan viniagrette and a pecan pesto with pasta dish – both, completely amazing! If you have never tried pecan oil – try it! Next on my list is pecan hummus.

To top everything off, Jennifer sent me homemade Blueberry-Pecan Scones, with a personalized recipe card. I felt so spoiled; it has been wonderful to be a part of the Foodie Penpal adventure!

—————————————————

Thanks, Icie!  I really had so much fun putting that box together for her!

I felt like a little kid who had just picked up the perfect gift for her friend and couldn’t wait to see the reaction when she opened it.

Okay, the truth’s out – I’m just a big little kid.

Now, let’s talk about the goodies I received from my other pen pal, Lena over at http://leanlena.com/

You should definitely check her blog out and follow her fitness journey! She works really hard and makes some really yummy food.

Seriously, I’ve drooled on my keyboard looking at some of her recipes.  It was kinda messy.

Lena sent me an amazing box full of yummy goodness!

Um, yeah, the gingersnap cookies? Those lasted like 2 minutes.

No, I didn’t share.

She also included a handwritten note and a copy of her favorite recipe for Delicata Squash with Orzo!  Oh, it looks amazing and I can’t wait to make it!

So, I’ve totally been noshing on those Seedlander Crispbreads for snacks with some Laughing Cow spreadable cheese and either fruit or veggies.  Those crispbreads have like 4 grams of protein in each one!  I’ve never seen a cracker with that much protein. Amazing!

The linguine and quinoa?  Oh yes.

As you can tell, we really really really like those little baby peppers. 🙂

Om. Nom. Nom.

The beef and burger rub is totally happening this weekend. Hello, Labor Day BBQ!

The tea immediately came to work with me.  It’s such a pleasure to have a cup in the afternoon when I need that moment of “ah” and “relaxation” – you know, when I’m trying not to fall asleep at my desk because I get up so stinking early? I love tea. It’s warm and comforting and relaxing.  And hot.  So, no sleeping while you’re drinking it!  Or while on the job, for that matter!

So, folks, definitely make your way over to Lindsay’s blog and check out the Foodie Pen Pals program.  I promise that it’s as much fun as it sounds!

Happy Friday!!!

Questions:

1. Have you eaten anything interesting or tried anything new lately? Share!

2. Have you signed up yet for September Food Pen Pals? Go on – do it! 

– jennifer