My Running Journey Begins

For years, I have wanted to run. (I found that Life Is N-o-t Like a Dream.) Every time I attempted running, I set out at a runners pace - leaving me breathless and sure that I would never be able to run. I finally discovered that all runners start slowly - meaning jogging, tiny steps. I learned that I need to develop distance to strengthen my heart and breathing capacity, and then incrementally increase my pace.

On December 20, I began my running journey. It is one month and we are jogging 4 miles now. I have been jogging with a friend (a two times Boston Marathon runner). We meet at 5:30 a.m. three to four mornings a week. Although we have not had technically freezing weather, many mornings have dipped into the 30s this past month.

A Snowy Mountain Hike - Can you believe it's July!

 ~ Photos~

 Carson Pass Trail Head, Winnemucca Lake

 Marker to Winnemucca Lake, Pausing Near Frog Lake, Wild Flowers

Frog Lake, Dead Tree at Winnemucca Lake

~~~♥~~~

We left the house around 6:40 A.M., and after stopping at McDonald's for breakfast, we began the two hour drive up to Carson Pass for our annual mountain hike.

Usually we see the mountainside covered in wild flowers with a few patches of snow. This year, there was so much snow that most of the way we could not even find the trail. Occasionally, we stumbled upon sections of it, only to lose it again under more snow.

However, all we had to do to reach Winnemucca Lake was to head in the direction of Round Top rising above it.

 ~ Photos ~
Following the Leader

View of Round Top, View of Caples Lake from trail

Snow Covered Hill Below Round Top

Clear Section of Hiking Trail

~~~♥~~~

Winnemucca Lake Elevation: about 8999 ft.

It was a free fishing day, and the fellows had hoped to catch a few fresh mountain trout.

Alas, the banks of Winnemucca Lake were covered in icy snow.

All this snow made for a real adventure, a pleasant change from our regular hike.

~Photos~

Navigating Our Way Back

One for the Album, Winnemucca Lake

Trail with View of Round Top, Lunchtime at Winnemucca Lake

A Great Day for a Mountain Hike

~~~♥~~~

Breakfast Sandwich and Coffee

~ Along the way to Starbucks ~

This month and thru April 10, when we buy a coffee at Starbucks we get a sticker.

Collect five stickers ~ get a breakfast sandwich

~ Double-Smoked Bacon, Cheddar & Egg Sandwich ~

We share the coffee and sandwich.
(They say that two can live a cheaply as one.)

This gives us each a scrumptious breakfast of about 250 calories a piece.

And I mean scrumptious! This croissant bun is so delicious buttery tasting.

Mornings like this make us feel as though we are on vacation.

~ Morning at Starbucks ~

~~~♥~~~

Apple Butter on Toast

 I had a drawer of apples I needed to use up.
So, I made apple butter.
The family likes it!

Click on Recipes, below, to see Apple Butter Recipe.

~~~♥~~~

{Pinterest}
~~~♥~~~

Sunday Breakfast of Corned Beef Hash

Corned beef hash, cheesy bagel, and fried egg breakfast

~~~♥~~~

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is a big holiday in our house.

We enjoy our traditional corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots.
A little strawberries and cream cake is good too.

~~~♥~~~

{Source}
~~~♥~~~

Budget-friendly Lunches

A simple lunch of tuna fish sandwiched, carrots and olives, and spicy Cheetos.
My boys love tuna fish.
~~~♥~~~