Wow, September. It is pretty much here. We had all these plans for summer hikes and now summer is almost over (the fist snow has fallen in the mountains).
Here are some pics of where my summer has gone.
Planting a garden in a new house, maintaining it and harvesting currants, zucchini, cucumbers, peas, jalapeños, and the first carrot.
I am very thankful that the previous owners were plant and garden lovers and left us with great soil and a great garden design.
Nom nom nom.
Cherry season. Harvest and make jam. All natural, all organic. No thickeners added, pretty much from tree to pot to jar.
Germany did it. Another star was added. Ft Collins had the soccer fever.
Including Jack.
Fishing started. Trout out of the Poudre River, and some Lakes in the mountains.
Beer brewing started and hops was planted. First a German Altbier and then a clone of the Stone IPA.
More harvesting. Kohlrabi, beans, cucumbers and zucchini. Our garden this year isn't even that big. Next year we are hoping to add a front yard garden.
JR competing at the Train to Hunt National Championships.
He ended up in 7th place in his first season as a bowhunter.
Sage, broccoli, the first tomatoes and herbs.
Carrots are growing fast here in CO.
Pickled pretty much everything we couldn't eat. And we eat a LOT of veggies. Jam, salsa, relish, pickled zucchini and cucumbers.
Mail lady complained that our sunflowers are in the way. I responded nicely and told her we are lovers of bees and they seem to like the sunflowers. BTW, there were no sunflowers hanging in the sidewalk, she must have had a bad day. I beat her negativeness with positivity :-)
First pears coming in and to my surprise chard and spinach are still growing well, even in July.
No picture:
Passing the NCLEX and becoming a "real" nurse.
Trip to the Black hills of South Dakota for a half marathon. My marathon training has decreased tremendously after graduation. Work and studying took over (and the garden), and now as an RN work and sleep seem to have taken over my life (and the garden).
Camping in the Black Hills.
Happy to see I still have my school records, my state record and my national title stars. YAY. Motivation.
Race morning was EARLY (4 am) and the race went much better then expected. I went with the flow, whatever my legs wanted and managed a 1:22, a win by over 7 min and a course record. I would call that SUCCESS. Sometimes a good attitude really helps :-)
Jack barking at the deer family in downtown Spearfish.
My Spearfish Halfmarathon award. Pretty cool, canyon wood and rocks made into a sassy lady.
Came home and harvested more...
and...
packed for Hawaii:
Waikiki Beach.
Pina Colada and Cherry shaved ice. YUM.
Went surfing and had a BLAST. Took a few waves that were way too big for me and ate it big time in front of everybody :-) But managed to ride some waves as well. WOHOOO!!! My fear of fish is out the window when I get to play in waves.
Said hi to some locals chicks and roosters on my run.
Ran to all the sightseeing, since I didn't have a car.
Honolulu.
Lots of steps, ran them until tourists came :-) Oh wait...I was a tourist as well.
Pretty flowers.
Buddha with a...a Swastika...disturbing BUT we can't forget that in Buddhism this symbol is the element of the earth!!! In Hinduism it is a symbol of invitation to goddess.
Still strange to see in a restaurant in downtown Honolulu.
Snorkeling at the preserve. Fish fear set in, off course, there were no waves!!!
Favorite fish is the Convict fish.
Came home to more harvest: zucchini, carrots, bell pepper, beans and hair loom tomato and little tomatoes. All of the above disappeared in my belly that evening.
First corn harvest.
Hops harvest!!! First year plants. Can't wait for next year!!!
Hairlooms are going crazy!!! This year we focused not on quantity but on quality. All organic, purple striped heirlooms, yello heirlooms, white heirlooms, black heirlooms. Yum. BIG difference in taste when only fertilized with organic material (coming straight from our chickens).
We are expecting the Brahmas to lay eggs soon, their comb is coming in.
JR's hunting season started, he has tags for elk, antelope, deer (archery) and a backup elk rifle tag. The goal for next June-October is to have all our own meat (hunted or fished) and all the produce out of the garden. All the beer brewed ourself and who knows what else we can come up with :-)
This week is a long run of about 2 hrs. Hopefully I will acclimate to work soon and can get back to my normal running routine. Maybe an early winter marathon is in the air...til then: happy training and happy harvesting.
Oh ANNNNNND:
has just released their 2015 edition of bikes!!! Look at these colors. If you want to be able to have something special, something that looks fast and fun, visit their website and ask about these 2015 beauties!!!
