Old Friends

I just returned from a quick visit with my good friends, the Girvan's and Huskey/Hernandez families, in Minnesota. I have known Carrie since High School, and Becky and Erik since our days at University of Alaska Fairbanks. Wow, it seems like a life time ago.. amazing how 15 years seems like a life time now. So much has changed since I left Alaska and UAF 13 years ago... and mostly, all for the good.

All of us are married, two of them to each other, and have our own little growing families. Our careers have taken us on very different paths, and yet, our values remained grounded and similar... Even though we get together only every couple years, it is like no time has passed. And, there is something so wonderful about being with those who have known you before.. before we were what we are now: parents, spouses, professionals, stay at home moms, etc. What we are now is good, yet it is comforting to be around those who loved you when you were just a young naive little human... :) it is like putting on your favorite sweater...

I am blessed to have friends like this, and this year seems like I have been able to see a lot of them.

More strawberries...

And to wrap up the strawberry season, we made freezer jam. I found the perfect pectin that requires little sugar and the jam tastes like fresh berries, not like sugar as does so many jams out there..

Then, just for added fun, we made a mixed berry freezer jam with Blueberries and Raspberries... and have begun picking our marionberries.. oh, how i love berry season!!

On this day...

Nine years ago today, I stood next to my best friend and made a vow to spend the rest of my life with him..... It is hard to believe I have been married for 9 years already... time has flown by, and we have done so many exciting things!!

I am so amazed by how we have continued to grow together and enjoy each day. You know, I never knew what made a great marriage.. not that I know now, but I sure know it is possible. I was always a skeptic when it came to the whole " til death do us part" bit, as I had seen so many divorces in my family. Then I met Kyle... and things changed. I changed. We changed.

Our wedding day was very memorable, but it is the days that have followed that I treasure most... the birth of our children, vacations, camping, laughing, talking, and so much more. I feel blessed to be married to someone who not only loves me, but supports me and makes me a better person. I have enjoyed these past years and know that there are only more wonderful memories to come.

Thank you for 9 wonderful years!!!

Strawberries....

As it is strawberry season, it is time to find ways to use this yummy berry! We found a recipe for Strawberry Bread (at Penzeys Spice Store), and so we decided to give it a try....




And into the pan. An hour later, enjoy...

This bread is yummy, and I enjoyed it warm for breakfast, then used it again to make strawberry shortcake!!

Recipe :

1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon ( i use extra)
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease and flour a glass loaf pan. Rinse, core and slice strawberries. Place in small bowl and sprinkle with 1/2 cup sugar. In a large mixing bowl, blend together the remaining sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. In a med bowl, beat the eggs until foamy, then add the vanilla and melted butter. make sure the melted butter is not hot, just melted.. or it will cook your eggs!! :) Stir in strawberries. Combine two mixtures and blend until the ingredients are moist. Scrape batter into pan and bake for 60-70 mins, until toothpick comes out clean!! Remove from oven and cool on rack. Enjoy :)

** I think you can cut the sugar to 1/4 cup on the strawberries if your strawberries are ripe and sweet!!!

The Streamer Frock Grosgrain Giveaway

i love it. ;)

The Streamer Frock Grosgrain Giveaway

Time to Get Dirty....

Welcome to America’s most insane race. Warrior Dash lands in the Northwest for the first time in 2010 where eleven obstacles from hell await along this 3.15 mile course. Are you a warrior?

Am I a warrior? nope... but I am going to be for a day... and I am going to get dirty along the way.

Wanna see the course? Learn More? Click Here!!

Now, it is only 3.5 miles long, but it is a dirty, muddy, obstacle course that I am sure will kick my bumm...But it will be fun!!! A few of my Mac gals are doing it, along with our hubbies.....Who else is on board??

Mileage Monday

Ok, I have been running, though I have also been mixing it up with some spinning and cross training. A good balance, though I plan to add one more day of running again soon. :)

So, since June 1, I have logged 32 Miles. Check out the sidebar for the totals to date...