how FAR will you GO?

I just realized this evening that the Fargo Half Marathon that I'm running in is only 40 days away! It's pretty exciting stuff. I really think, with a little training, anybody can do it. It's like one of the greatest experiences to run with so many people and to have so many people cheering you on...it gives me goosebumps thinking about it! If you decide you want to sign up there's still time! (Click on the link below!) The fun takes place on May 9th!

http://www.fargomarathon.com/
(This is Leah and I at the Grandma's Marathon in Duluth last June...this is when the slight race addiction all began! It really is just a ton of fun.)

The Finished Product

Remember that Apple Carrot Oatmeal Flax Bread dough? Well, here is what the finished product looks like....kind of funky, I know, but it is delicious! If you care to try it out for yourself, here is the original recipe and how I adjusted it:

Original:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 apples - peeled, cored and chopped

Greta's version:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
  
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
  
• 2 apples - peeled, cored and chopped

Bake at 350 for appx. 45 minutes to an hour. Enjoy!

If You're Bored...Bake!

Well, I am home alone today. I have had the past two weeks of school off, the first week for spring break and the second week for flood fighting purposes. (I also have this coming week off-Merry Christmas!) So, today I decided to bake. I love baking whether it be chocolate chip cookies, banana muffins, or in today's case, apple carrot oatmeal flax bread. I know it sounds crazy but I'm pretty sure it's going to be good. The first picture is of me excited to share baking with you, the second of the delicious dough-I love tasting the dough, and the third is of the dough in the pan. As soon as it's done baking I'll be sure to share those photos as well. Dough.
Ready to bake. A little too expressive here.

Tunes

I realize I have failed all of you-I'm behind, a solid week behind. To be honest, you didn't miss much. I was busy writing papers and doing projects before spring break started. Now that I'm in the midst of spring break I have been doing almost nothing. I go to work and then come home and clean or read or listen to music, or watch a movie, or combine activities. It's been extremely refreshing. I'm going to try my absolute hardest to bring my camera with to take a picture with my co-workers tomorrow. They're wonderful, wonderful girls that I'm pretty lucky to get to work with. Anyway, the above picture is of a playlist I love...see if you can check out the tunes and if you're having problems let me know. I hope you're all having a wonderful Thursday!

A Little Bit of Home

This weekend was one of those bittersweet experiences. It was hard in that our family was together to celebrate the life of my Grandma Larson, who passed away this past Tuesday. It was a great time of getting to share stories about her and how she had touched each of us and brought us all together. It was also so wonderful to have all of our family together for a brief period of time. My family and friends have been such a blessing and I was overwhelmed by that realization quite a few times in the past 48 hours. It was just a really really good time to be together.
This is Grandma and Grandpa's barn that is just really cool looking and Ingrid's favorite barn shape. (She took the picture.) Every time I am at the farm I realize how much more I appreciate it and love being there. Like mother like daughter? I think so! Mom and Ingrid discovered how similar they are when they came out almost completely matching this morning! We thought it was pretty funny.

Sweet Friend

There's never a dull moment when Leah and I take a little road trip-even just to Grand Forks! As you can see, I am still even watching the road. :) We sing a lot, have good conversations, and just have a good time. Above: making faces. Below: making a move in the left lane...see ya later boys.

There was a beautiful, beautiful sunset. One of the benefits of living in North Dakota where the land is flat and treeless is how much of the sky you can see. It really is pretty sweet. I like mountains, though, too. A lot.

Another Fabulous Testimony

Listen up folks. This is good stuff. Word.