I ended up having an excellent workout today! Glad I waited. Sometimes it’s nice to get a day’s worth of work done so you can just relax at the gym. I biked on over (in the cold – all bundled up!) and then spent some time just relaxing on the elliptical. Some days I think you need a heart pumping workout. Other days I like to just veg and don’t worry about pace or intensity. The ups and downs make workouts enjoyable. Everyday doesn’t have to be tough to be good for you.
When I returned home, the Devil was in my kitchen tempting me with tastes of his latest, a Belgian Dubbel.
Now I loooove me Belgian Dubbels + Tripels, so I started with a sniff…
And ended with a few glugs. EXCELLENT brew Kanz!
Then I showered.
Karen came over for dinner tonight and we made bison burgers on the grill. Matt exercised his baking skills and made the buns from scratch!
Karen and I made mocktails (with flat seltzer 
) while we waited for the burgers to cook
Enjoyed with Prancer and Vixon
Hot off the char and topped with a bit of melty herb cheese
Plus M+K, tomato and spinach
On the side we had a simple bagged coleslaw made with a dressing of mustard (lots), vinegar, salt and pepper plus a little hot sauce and spiced pepitas on top!
Had seconds on this one!
The reason for our celebratory meal was a big walk up to the Rotunda for the Lighting of the Lawn!
We bundled up in our Uggs boots and scarves and walked the mile or so to the lawn
It was quite the festive college event! Lots of cups flying around and fun college times. I was very sad I was not one of them. I wanted to go INTO some of the parties – both student and departmental – that were taking place in the pavilions, but Matt and Karen said it was not appropriate. I still beg to differ and think they would have enjoyed community neighbors coming in for a cup of hot chocolate and a cookie! But alas, we stayed outside.
We took an interlude from the carolers on the Lawn to visit Starbucks for some after dinner drinks. We were greeted by more carolers!
I got a Refresh Tea Latte – because they were OUT of decaf coffee!! We all know regular was not on my radar. The latte was good, but a bit bland.
We returned and listened to a few more songs before it was time to countdown and light up the lawn –
Very festive. I love that we live so close to a university : )
The walk home was long, but not too cold. But I sure am ready for bed now!
Katy (The Singing Runner) says
Love the pictures!!! I love holiday lights! 🙂
Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey says
Looks lovely!
I can’t wait to buy my tree and decorate the house this weekend! Tis the season!
~
Amanda (Eating Up) says
I can’t wait until I’m done with my finals and can partake in festive things like this! It looks like a great night! And I love, love, love bison burgers. One of my favorite kinds of burgers for sure.
VeggieGirl says
Hahaha, you and Matt are hilarious 😀
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
that dinner looks killer…matt should totally start an online bread business. i’d buy that bread!
Ameena says
I love living so close to a university too (UCLA). It makes me feel really young!!
Shannon @ Freshman Yr of Life says
A big reason I miss living in Syracuse! I mean NYC has like 30 colleges but such a big university brings a community together. Looks like so much fun!
Camille says
Everything looks so beautiful and wintery! I looove it!
Kristen @ Kristen, Sweetly says
So impressive that you biked to the gym in such cold weather! I can barely pry myself out of my warm bed and into my car to get there. The lawn lighting sounds like such a good time… even if you enjoyed the whole thing from outside. :-p
[email protected] says
I made bison burgers for the first time over the summer, and that flavor just can’t be beat!
Sana says
I love that you wanted to go party. Rock onnn
Maria says
awww how fun!! Those burgers look amazing! I recreated a recipe I saw on your blog the other day. It was a mashup of squash, thanksgiving leftover turkey and other things…amazingness!
Heidi - apples under my bed says
oooh those burgers look great!! love the homemade bun!
Heidi xo
Christine says
You look so cute bundled up!
I swear, I thought Matt said that he didn’t like Belgian Dubbels or Tripels (but could appreciate a well made one)
But mmm malty, fruity, yeast-y …..what’s not to like?
Matt says
I like dubbels but not so much on the tripels… too spicy with not enough malty, caramelly, candy-like deiciousness
Amanda says
What does a refresh tea latte taste like? I love the refresh tea plain, but a latte? NEVER HEARD OF IT but VERY curious!!
Kath says
It’s minty.
Alaina says
I’ve never had bison burgers before. I’ve heard that they are better for you than regular beef? Do you buy it at Whole Foods?
Kath says
They ARE better!!
The meat was from a local organic butcher here in Cville
trang says
May I ask you where you got prancer and vixon? They are adorable.
Kath says
They are ornaments and I got them from my mom, so I have no idea
Melissa @ I Never Imagined says
I hate that feeling when I want to be partying but know it’s not appropriate. You should have ditched Matt and Karen and let loose! Hehehe!!
Ummmm…… Starbucks was out of decaf?!? That’s so weird!!
Namaste Gurl says
Looks like a fun night– and your hubby makes me LAUGH, by the way (everyday!) 🙂
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
How cozy!
Nicole - yuppie yogini says
It totally would have been appropriate!
Christine says
I think a compromise was in order- crash the student parties, but not the faculty’s 😉
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
how pretty! i totally would have crashed a party. 😉
i’m going to have to borrow your mocktail trick – i have 4 parties a weekend until christmas! poor little liver. 🙂
Ida says
Tripels are my favorite!
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes says
I’ve been craving a good homemade burger like mad lately! alas, our grill has a strange and recent affliction and appears not to be working…your pictures of that burger had me wanting to lick the computer screen! Note to self:(or the Mister!) Fix. Grill. Soon!
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
So festive! Love the lights.
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
What a fun night! College campuses are so alive and full of energy. I love it. 😀
(p.s. the bison burgers look awesome! 😀 )
stacey-healthylife says
You should have went to the party, they wouldn’t have noticed. 🙂
Lauren says
You live in the most vibrant and lovely town. It makes me want to come visit! 🙂
Kath says
You should!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I love that first picture of Matt – it is hilarious! Question: Why is his nickname Kanz?
Kath says
It’s a nickname from college – he’s named after Kanzi the bonobo.
https://www.katheats.com/timber/
Faith says
Kath, am I correct in saying that you slice you tomatoes from the top down instead of horizonally? Is there a reason for this? Do you end up with more waste when you slice like that? Just curious, I noticed that the tomatoes looked awfully good for this time of the year!
Kath says
Matt sliced them that way and I think he only did because they were small and it would give them a longer diameter
Amanda says
That sounds like an awesome day!!!
Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama says
I love your photo collage. Very cute.
Julie @ Honey B. Nutrition says
Those burgers look soooo good! I love making burgers at home, you honestly can make them delicious AND healthy. Darn you should have gone in to the parties!!
Stephanie says
UVA really is such a beautiful campus, esp at Christmas! I’ve never put mustard on coleslaw before, I usually use Greek yogurt instead of mayo, but I may have to try this because it sounds so interesting!
Faith @ lovelyascharged says
Seriously, can I re-enroll in university now? Do you think any colleges would be willing to take a 22 year old freshman with a bachelor’s degree? 😉
Maddie (Healthy Maddie) says
Looks like a fun night!
Haleigh says
What a lovely evening 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I love doing easy elliptical workouts. It feels good to just get moving, even if you don’t work up a sweat.
Stacy @ Every Little Thing says
Gah I can’t wait for my Matt to start home-brewing! We need to clean up the garage first.
I’ve found my Uggs are the most comfortable shoes in the world, but not the best for my arched feet. I can wear them daily without a problem but if I have any amount of walking to do, the Ugg flatness wears my feet down.
But damn, I love Uggs! The Cardy’s are my favorite.
Rachel says
I keep forgetting it’s time for Christmas carols! Looks like a fun holiday night you had. The town I’m in now (Beaufort, NC) is having a Christmas tree lighting and other festivities this weekend.
Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life says
Looks like you had a great night! If I were with you, I would have totaly gone into those parties! : )
Suzanne @ Continuing My Education says
So fun! I totally would have gone into the pavilions with you! You look young enough to be a student and your tall boots and skinny jeans make you fit right in!
Kath says
wish you had been here!
[email protected] says
That is one cute devil. You lucky girl, you!
Love the little silver reindeer, and the lights! I am SO looking forward to decorating this year.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Wow, what a delicious looking dinner! I love how you fancied-up the coleslaw salad. Sounds like a really fun night! 🙂
Stormy says
Absolutely you should have gone into the pavilion parties. You should know by now that Charlottesville and UVA are full of southern hospitality!
Regina says
Had anyone ever told you that Matt and Kath go together like Mustard and Ketchup? (M + K) =)
Matt says
If I get to choose, I prefer mayo!
Kath says
Haha – no, cute!
Lauren says
You can always go with the decaf Americano at Starbucks if they’re out of decaf brew — I think their espresso tastes better than their coffee, anyway.
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
That’s my kinda burger!!
retro sweets says
I will surely take that glass when a man offers it to me like that! 🙂 I love the burgers and the silver deers. Done decorating the tree yesterday but had trouble finding the heirloom decors. Anyway, I’m for mayo too. 🙂 Advance Merry Christmas Y’all!
Eileen says
Hmm … I can’t stand cole slaw, but I think I might like it the way you made it. It’s really just the mayo that puts me off. Anyway, fun-looking night!
Lindsay says
Those bison burgers look so good! Love this photo: IMG_3211!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Holy geez those burgers looks incredible!! Way better than anything you’d ever een get in a restaurant.
Simply Life says
Looks like a fun time!
Hannah says
That burger looks wonderful! Funnily enough even though I did an exchange year at UVA, I missed the lighting of the lawn. Whoops!
Kristin says
No santa repelling off Chambers, but college holiday celebrations are always fun. Did they repel when you were at Davidson?
Kath says
Yup! I have a video of it too!
English Sweets says
I know it’s no longer the holiday season but this caught my eye as everything looked so nice and cosy!