Dry Streak...

Well, our almost record breaking dry streak has come to an end: it rained overnight, the first time in 48 days!

This was quite alright with me since everything was just bone dry. Now everything is bright and green again (except for the grass which is still pretty crispy looking),  it smells nice and fresh outside and you know what? The sun is shining again!  {smile}

Here some impressions from early this morning...

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Yesterday I ran 3 minutes straight for the first time in my life. Miss M. was there to encourage me, and encourage me she did! {smile}  Thank goodness I have two days off now since I'm a bit sore... (I also did some yoga and fitness on the 'wii-fit' and I can definitely feel those lunges!)

Couch Potato...

New shoes and spandex: off I go!

A few days ago I came across a Face Book post by a fellow blogger friend of mine (Stardustshoes) who was starting the 'from couch to 5k' training plan.  Lots of people were getting excited so I thought I'd have a look at it. Since I had just bought new running shoes last weekend I did even better and have actually started with the plan!!!

I just finished my second day of running (so I'm on day 3) and I'm feeling pretty darn good! Today I ran three times during my 30 minute walk. (2 mins, 1 1/2 min and 1 min) In between I needed to catch my breath because boy, my lungs were hurting!

I know that a two minute run doesn't sound like much, but I have never been able to run. Three years ago I really tried my hardest to get fit. Went to the gym three times a week, hired a personal trainer etc. I did get a bit trimmer and definitely fitter, but I didn't see much result (yes, I did actually want to see something change after all that effort!) and I still couldn't run for the life of me! Very frustrating I can tell you. 

And then I broke my ankle (missed the last step of the stairs) and all fitness plans went out the window and have stayed there until a few days ago. I really don't enjoy exercise of any kind and will not have any crazy plans now either, but a bit more fitness in my life can only be good right?

Little Bit will start up again next week and that always a lot of walking and hauling etc so that will help as well...

At least all this walking and running gives me a nice high afterwards so now I'm off and will go and finish that skirt that I started last week! Toodles!

This is where I do the running part of the program.
Not many people around as you can see (and no bears for now!),
just the way I like it...  <wink>

Underneath It All...

Another lovely day here in the Pacific Northwest!

I spent the morning at school as an 'ambassador' for Little Bit (the horse therapeutic riding center that I volunteer for twice a week) in order to recruit more High School volunteers. On the way home I stopped by Target and had a nice little shopping spree and after all that I spent several hours sunbathing in the back yard, whilst reading 'Mansfield Park' by Jane Austen...

The sky is just so blue and everything is just so bright. Again, sucking it all in before it all disappears. (after this coming weekend)

Today I thought I would show you 'underneath it all'... (yes, sing along with Gwen Stefanie now!)  <wink>

Late Summer Bloom...

This week we are experiencing temperatures reminiscent of those 'Deep Days of Summer': on Friday they are expecting 85F/ 29C! Woot Woot!  {smile}

I'm trying to get as much sunshine in as I can, before the long dark haul of Fall will start again. Enjoy the color palette of our late summer days...

 

All the pictures are 'sooc' (straight out of camera) so no cropping or editing of any kind. Sometimes (most of the time!) nature is at its best 'au naturel'....

Views from The Dock...

Labor Day Evening from a dock on Lake Washington: bliss!!!  {smile}

Views Along The CowRoad...

Along the West Snoqualmie Valley Road...

(all pics taken from my car window!)   <wink>

Cows in the meadows...

Dutch heritage in the valley...

Birdies in the sky...

Small farm holdings... 

Huge skies...

"Wild horses couldn't drag me away..."

Ode to my blog title...

Pioneer Square & Pike Place Market...

Yesterday I got to drive shotgun (i.e. I was sitting in the passenger seat) in this fun little sports car all the way to Seattle and back. I felt like a movie star...  <wink>

My friend Kim had some errands to run at Pioneer Square and invited me along: yes please!  {smile} Here we go...

What a beautiful area with lots of old brick buildings and gorgeous old greenery. (i.e. trees) I also found a clog store but oh boy, those prices were steep: $135... {not smile}

Those blue ones were my favorites!

After we were done with our errands we drove a little bit further and parked right at Pike Place Market. (and saw this truck along the way which reminded me of home of course...)

With the incredibly nice weather we are still experiencing (40 days in a row without any precipitation and  still counting!) it was of course extremely busy, but Kim knew the way and before we knew it we were sitting at a tiny counter among all the touristy crowds and had delicious 'blackened salmon on organic salad plus garlic bread' platters in front of us: Yum!

After all that fun it was time to go home again. Tomorrow I will show you the pics I took along the CowRoad, which was it usual beautiful self with all that sunshine.

Right now I'm going back in the yard and in the sun. We have a long weekend now (Labor Day on Monday) and by golly, I will enjoy it! {smile}

Cheers!