Pretty Purple Wildflowers

So loving all these pretty purple wildflowers going crazy at our land. It makes everything look bright and cheerful. Actually now its a mix of purple, yellow, and white. I need to snap a few more pictures. Spring is such a great time of year with all the green and vibrant colors.

Have an amazing Memorial Day weekend!

Dandelion Jelly

I always see bloggers making Dandelion jelly or using the greens. We had a large abundance of dandelions in Niobrara and since there were plenty that we knew for certain were chemical free at our farm my mom and I decided to give this experiment a try.

RECIPE FOR DANDELION JELLY

• 1 quart of lightly packed fresh organic bright dandelion flowers (try to use only yellow petals discarding the green which I just pinched off)

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 lemon, zest of,  thinly chopped 
• 5 1/2 cups lavender sugar with lavender
• 1 vanilla bean split (we didn't have a vanilla bean so just used Mexico vanilla)
• 1 (1 3/4 ounce) package dry pectin

Directions:

1. Using stainless steel pan, boil the flowers in 2 quarts of spring water for 10 minutes, cool, and strain, pressing the liquid out of the flowers gently, then restrain through a coffee filter.
2. Measure 3 cups of the liquid, add the lemon juice, zest and pectin. Optional: add 1 split vanilla bean.
3. Put into a deep jelly kettle and bring to a rolling boil, then add sugar and stir to mix well.
4. Stir and boil hard for 1 1/2 minutes, or until mixture sheets from a wooden spoon, skim, carefully remove vanilla pod, pour into hot clean half pint jelly jars and seal.

It honestly tastes like a fresh local honey more or less. The lemon does also stand out. It was a lot of work but I think I would do it again as a fun spring activity. Also don't you just love our super fancy stove?? Obviously our cabin needs a kitchen make over at some point!

Spring Blooms

The beauty of the trees with their buds and then colorful blooms always delight me in  the spring. I loved watching the transformation of this gorgeous tree on our property in Niobrara last week while.  We were there while I was recovering from a minor surgery. It was the perfect place for me to recover as it didn't hold the endless list of to-do tasks, meetings, and errands that Council Bluffs holds. Instead days were spent reading a book in the sun, napping, watching countless hours of Duck Dynasty (I am hooked!), cooking, and just letting my body heal. So thankful we have this place.

Inspiration in the form of the Bible

My cousin Sarah sends me a bible verse every day. I love getting these verses and so many are very encouraging and inspirational. I loved this one. Thanks Sarah!

"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth" 1 John 3:18

Spring Porch Chilling

I have already added a few more colorful plants to the mix but more or less my front porch is currently filled with sunshine and fun colors. I need to make myself sit down and relax here more often - instead of always being on the go trying to accomplish a million things! It truly is the perfect place to enjoy a book, magazine, and refreshing drink.

Althought looking at these pictures is also a glaring reminder that I need to strip the front door and repaint or restain (sorry it looks awful right now I know) and also fill in the holes where the tacky metal storm door used to be. I have a fun vintage screen door to then install. So much for relaxing!

Churches of Germany and Denmark

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11

More Florida Eye Candy

I know enough already - but I have so many photos of this gorgeous place it seems I should share a few more today. 

 The wildlife amazed me. There were birds of all species just hanging out next to my chair. Crazy cool. And of course the alligator I spotted on a morning run was very neat. The views made running a treat instead of a chore.

Sunny blue skies with fluffy clouds and warm weather felt like Heaven after our long cold winter and spring. Amazing what a little sunshine will do to restore your spirits! 

Flowers for a Cause

Finally sunshine and spring weather. I am rejoicing! I was so tempted to just blow off all plans last night and sit on my deck with a cool drink and soak in the sun (well obviously I would never blow off city council or dinner with grandpa but it was quite tough to force myself indoors).

I went to a fundraiser Friday for the Midlands Humane Society - Run for the Wet Noses. Cute right? Some of the silent auction items were gorgeous flowers so it was the perfect excuse to start on my summer porch decorating. Pretty flowers and helping out a great cause = win win!

Now just need this weather to stick around so I can plant more flowers in my backyard! But for now this little space certainly makes me happy. I usually stick to all pink and purple but this year decided to mix in a bit of yellow. So far I am liking the extra pop of cheery color.

I found out just last night that not only was a large amount of money raised at Friday's Humane society fundraiser it also encouraged adoption. All but two dogs were adopted from the shelter by the end of the weekend. Amazing!!!

"They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you." declares the Lord. Jeremiah 1:19

Lincoln Half Marathon 2013 Recap

I will admit I almost didn't run this race. It was cold and drizzly all day Saturday and I had a lot I wanted to accomplish in a very short time frame. I had just ran the Gambler Half two weeks prior and had no burning desire to prove I could run another. Luckily several runners in our group - thanks Brandy and Christine! - encouraged me to run. Totally worth stepping away from tasks and "to-do" lists to spend time with this great group and force myself to tackle goals.

"I run because I can
When I get tired
I remember those who can't
what they would give to have this
simple gift I take for granted
and I run harder for them.

I know they would do the same for me"

I wasn't expecting anything stellar - last year I had a HORRIBLE time for the Lincoln half and I truly wasn't motivated. It sadly was way way too cold for my cute running skirt pictured above but at least it wasn't raining. I decided to just run and give it my best without torturing my body and call it good.

I got lucky and had a pretty decent race for me. Nothing for the record books but considering my lack of training and motivation it wasn't awful (those other girls pictures above were beyond speedy with times like 1:36, 1:46, 1:47 wowza and kudos girls! The boys both finished their first half also deserving of kudos). Overall time was 2:11:50, an average pace of 10:04 a mile. Far from my fastest but also a lot better than the last few races I ran. Splits were as follows:  5k, 30:01, 10k 1:00:30, 15k 1:31:56. As always I started off a lot stronger than I finished but I finished.

I truly do feel blessed that I have this ability and opportunity to run as I know so many others do not. It is without a doubt a gift. I celebrated the finish with Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Meeting fun - mimosas and shopping??? Sounds perfect to me!

Now if only I could find some time for a massage to reward my tired muscles from two Half Marathons in the last month! Probably wont happen considering that "to-do" list is still quite long.