I just kept running and running

Yesterday I ran a long way.
12.3 miles to be exact (I clocked it today in my car). I wish I would have gone down the street a little and back to make it a 1/2 marathon but I didn't know I was that far.
This is an amazing accomplishment for me. I am full of gratitude for the opportunity to accomplish something physically that is a little out of the ordinary.

beets

We picked beets from the garden yesterday. We bottled half for dinners and half we pickled for salads. Drew and Neil loved pulling the plants out of the garden and clipping off the greens.

Pickled Beets

Pick (leave 2 inches of green and tap root), wash, and separate beets into groups of small, medium, and large beets. Place washed beets in pressure cooker (not canner) with 2 inch tops and tap root still on. Pressure large for 12 minutes, medium for 10 minutes, and small for 5 minutes. Cool cooker immediately after time is up, remove beets, cut of green and root, and slip off skins. Slice beets or leave whole and place in jar.

Boil:

6 cups sugar

1 quart water

1 quart apple cider vinegar

(yields liquid for about 10 pints)

Pour brine over beets leaving 1 inch head space.

Process for 10 minutes in a water bath.

Thanks Melissa for the recipe- I can't wait to pop a jar and try them!

summer time

We spent the weekend of July 4th with Keith's family in Montana on the Clark Fork. There was a fun campground near the river and we kayaked both Thursday and Friday. My nephew Jaxs got on my boat for the last quarter mile for a fun ride. Neil and Drew had great time playing pine cone hockey, riding bikes, and camping with cousins.
We got home late Friday afternoon and did a few loads of laundry, repacked, and met the Hansens for Lake Powell at 6:30 the next morning. What a great 10 days we had! I'm afraid I always have so much fun I never take time to take many pictures but here are a few from both trips and one from Kirsten- thanks :).