Ever since I picked my mom up from the airport late Monday morning, I have been soaking in as much quality mother-daughter time as I can!
It’s been really great having her here. We share a lot of the same interests in both things to do and things to eat, so it’s been nice having a partner in crime throughout all of my whereabouts this week!
She must have brought the Florida sunshine with her, because it was unusually high in the mid-60s and sunny out when her plane landed! I couldn’t believe it. There she was in her winter coat and boots and I just kept telling her to enjoy being “hot” while it lasted.
Two hours later, we pulled up at Rochester Brunch House, which has easily become one of my favorite breakfast, brunch, and lunch spots in Downtown Rochester. The temperature was quickly dropping and it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
We were well into the afternoon, but I still ordered an omelet. That is pretty standard. I could happily order an omelet as my meal at any time of the day, as long as what is inside sounds good. This one was filled with turkey sausage, cheese, onions, and green peppers. Yum!
After lunch, we walked around the area for a bit… but not for too long.
Out of nowhere, the temperature dropped down to the mid-30s with high wind! Yup… nothing like showing your true colors, Michigan. You better hang on tight to those winter accessories, Mom!
We made the obligatory stop at Yates Cider Mill for hot cider and donuts, but hung inside to get a break from the strong winds.
We spent the afternoon running around town and made a stop at The Village for groceries at Whole Foods, followed by trip to Bath & Body Works for wallflower refills (ahhh, give me all the winter scents!!). It felt freezing out, but at least there were pretty lit trees to distract us.
Temporarily, at least.
I had my weekly small group bible study shortly after we returned home, but I know my mom was more than down for hanging there in her pajamas with the fur kids for the night. She never gets to relax at home!
I spent most of the morning blogging and catching up on emails yesterday. My mom brought some work she had to get done with her, so that worked out pretty well. Just after noon, we took a break from the computers and took Roadie with us for a run on the trails.
It was my mom’s first time running in temperatures in the 30s. She was nervous, but I assured her that it wouldn’t be that bad if we layered appropriately. She borrowed a lot of my winter workout gear, and we set out for an easy paced four miles.
I was so happy to see the snow had melted on the trails. We wouldn’t have been able to do my favorite loop through them if the ground was still snowy and slushy!
I made sure to point out some of my favorite parts, including the overlooks.
She did great and I am so proud of her. At sixty years old, my mother is running her third half marathon next week and is doing the Turkey Trot 10K with me tomorrow (in the cold) on Thanksgiving morning!
I figured a low stress four miles was just what she needed, followed by a protein smoothie post-run.
Plain Greek yogurt, cocoa powder, White Chocolate Designer Whey Protein powder, banana, ice.
I warmed up in a nice hot shower, and got ready to head out the door for the rest of the day!
After we took Scott’s mom to see Clarkston, an adorable country looking town twenty minutes from us, I thought it would be a great spot to walk around with my mom as well. We arrived right after 3 p.m. and had high hopes of taking a late lunch (or linner) at Union Woodshop.
We were bummed to find out they open at 4 p.m. during the weekdays, and our hungry bellies took us to the next available spot to grab a bite to eat. A couple of doors down, we found a gourmet organic shop that looked like it would do the job just fine!
I had never been inside Essence on Main before, and I just loved the knick-knacks and unique menu items.
I was trying to kick a headache before it turned into a migraine, so a Greek salad, bowl of homemade tomato florentine soup and a cola sounded perfect.
I hardly ever drink Coca-Cola, and when I do… it’s because it settles nausea and helps with my headaches! Couldn’t tell you why.
After lunch, I took her back through Union Woodshop anyways and also next door to the adorable women’s boutique shop, Frank and Me.
We walked down to a bakery, grabbed a couple of hot beverages, and took our time walking in and out of the shops along Main Street.
I always leave Clarkston with decorating fever. I’ve learned to deal with it and enjoy mostly window shopping instead.
We had the rest of the night at home, which actually sounded wonderful. I drove her through a couple of fun areas to see, and then we made our way back to the house to make dinner. Scott requested some kind of pasta (no surprises there) so my mom put together a nice side salad while I browned some seasoned ground turkey and pulled my usual “add any vegetable that makes sense” moves.
I added a mushroom marinara sauce, and dished up way too many veggie rotini noodles to serve it over.
Of course, I ended up eating it all. I’m ridiculous.
(Can you tell I’m attempting to incorporate a little What I Ate Wednesday for some of you?)
This morning started with a new-to-me breakfast, thanks to Mom.
I can’t believe I have never tried putting a couple spoonfuls of plain Greek yogurt on top of my cereal before! Look at you go, Mom.
We hurried out the door to pick up ingredients to create an easy Thanksgiving meal after the race tomorrow and returned home with just enough time to change and go to Rock City Fitness for a training session.
I just finished my 30 Day Personal Training Program there, but the owner graciously offered to let us come in and train while she was here. Thank you so much for the stretching and strengthening session today, Christina!
As soon as we got home, we dove into leftovers to enjoy a late lunch and then I hopped on the computer to catch up with you guys!
Phew. I think we are all caught up now!
***
We are going to a Pistons game tonight and plan to take it easy after that in order to turn in early and wake up at the wee hours of the morning for the race tomorrow.
I hope you all are enjoying the calm before the storm of Turkey Day!
If you’d like to see a real What I Ate Wednesday, feel free to explore the “WIAW” tag on the right hand sidebar, click over to Peas & Crayons to check out plenty others, or even link your own!
See you soon!

I love that your Mom’s right into fitness too. That is definitely something my Mom wouldn’t do with me, go climbing/yoga/runs lol.
Yeah, I kind of lucked out that my mom has always been a health nut. She’s also always been a runner, but actually didn’t start getting into running long distance races until about the same time I did a couple of years ago!
Same here, Nancy! That’s great that your mom’s into fitness. And I must know where to find that bright pink jacket? 😉
It’s actually mine! Scott got it for me as a Christmas present a few months after we moved up north! The brand is Moosejaw, but I can’t seem to find it online anywhere. This is the closest one I can find! http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_Dynafit-Women-s-Gorihorn-PrimaLoft-Jacket_10230270_10208_10000001_-1_
I love love love spending time with my mom!! Hopefully I will see you tomorrow at the Turkey Trot 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
Glad you guys had great mother-daughter time! I’m really close with my mother, we’re best friends, so I can understand the connection. I’m curious about that Curiosity Cola you had there with lunch…never heard of it! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Aw, so fun! I had never heard of it either… it definitely hit the spot and tasted less “chemically” than other Coca-colas.
Glad your mom was able to join you and Scott for Thanksgiving, I will miss shopping with her this year. Looks like you are having a great time. I am hoping I can come with her next time, just don’t know how to get my bike up there so I can follow you two while you run! Aunt Sandy is getting stronger! Love and miss you!
Aw, we miss you! You would love Clarkston. I would love to have you visit! And yes, I have heard you are doing so well! Love you. xo
I love that your mom is a runner too! That must make for wonderful runs together when you are visiting each other! I was just in Essence on Main Street today- I absolutely love it there!
Yes, I really do enjoy having her as a running buddy. Too funny. We are bound to run into each other one of these days! Love that store!
You and your mom sound like you have so much fun together! Enjoy the time and good luck at the race tomorrow
Thank you!
Looks like you guys have had quite the eventful time catching up. It’s great that you guys are so close and love doing a lot of the same things. I spend a lot of time hanging out with my mom too, so I can totally relate! As for the Coca-Cola thing, caffeine helps get rid of headaches, but if you don’t want to actually drink pop, most migraine and tension headache medicines that you can find at the drugstore have caffeine in them for this reason. Not sure why it helps with nausea, but my doctor always tells me to drink flat Coca-Cola when I’m feeling sick. It always helps, but I’m not sure why!
Yup, I usually prefer to take Excedrin for that very reason! I literally only drink Coca-Cola when I’m also feeling nauseous, which comes along with really bad headache or migraines. Interesting to hear about the flat Coke. Meds, a coke and usually a nap in the dark usually does the trick!
That is so funny about the headaches- I need a full sugar cola too to rid it!! Sounds like you guys had a fun and fit few days! Hope you have an even better Thanksgiving!
Must be something in there! Thanks, we did. Enjoy the holidays as well!
Time with your Mom is the best! http://www.eatallovertheworld.weebly.com