...Designing My Own Path...

The last few weeks have been pretty busy... but here are a few fun pictures of my non-stop life lately. Shade Mountain Vineyard New Favorite Wine - Late Harvest Night Swimming Orange Sunsets from the backyard New haircut Awesome tree root in the middle of Lake Jean Water Lillies Close Up --- with a bee Land of the waterlillies... Relaxing on the beach after a long weekend... 

One of the best days this summer! All of that training, running at 5:30 am... all worth it for this experience.  Can't wait to do my next run!

Salmon portion Panko breadcrumbs Dijon mustard  Butter Lemon Mango Papaya Place foil on cooking sheet.  Spray with Pam.  Place Salmon on sheet.  Squeeze lemon over salmon.  Spread butter, then Dijon mustard.  Sprinkle breadcrumbs over mustard.  Bake for 30-40 minutes at 400 degrees.   Cut up Papaya and Mango, add lemon juice and put over cooked salmon. Pairs well with rice (shown with *Roasted Butternut Squash & Rice Salad*).  

I had every intention of making a headboard for my bedroom this weekend, but Sunday offered a window of sun from 9 am until about 2, and Lake Jean was calling my name... Kayaking... my new obsession.  It might be a 40 minute drive, and a $10 rental fee, but the views are gorgeous and the whole experience gives me a high like no other.  My arms are a little sore and my skin a little pink, but worth it.   :)

I highly recommend just playing with a sledgehammer every now and then and getting your hands dirty.  Not only does swinging out frustration do wonders, but I'm pretty sure my dad appreciated the help as we tore apart some old steps... Felt like Diane Lane in "Under the Tuscan Sun" as she renovated that old Italian Villa.

2013 was supposed to be a year of greatness, and it started off right... until February. My love life flipped upside down, and after a week of feeling like hell, I found a challenge to bring me back.  My thoughts were... 6 weeks to take out my frustration and anger by pounding pavement (or in my case the treadmill.)  The timing couldn't have been better, for it was the start of Lent, and I've never been one to stick to something.  I was determined, I was motivated, and I found a schedule that was completely manageable. So February 18th was the start of 6 weeks of discovery.  Could I do this?  I was never a runner - the opposite actually.  I was the girl in high school who would get a doctor's note using her asthma as an excuse to get out of running the mile, and then the next year, would run 3 laps claiming to have done 4 for a passing grade.  I figured this would last a week or two, never 6!  Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday for 6 weeks, I was on that treadmill.  I