Yummy Carrot Chips!

I found this really yummy recipe on Pinterest!

Because of the rain today is the perfect day to spend in the kitchen!
I made a few altercations to this recipe, but I posted the original so you can try it both ways!

Firstly slice the carrots very very thin. This allows them to dehydrate and become crispy! 

Then it is best to have bowl with olive oil. You do not need a lot of olive oil because a little bit goes a long way. Then dip the carrot slices into the olive oil. 

The slices can then be laid onto a cookie sheet. It does not matter how close they are or if they overlap. Because they dehydrate they shrivel up! Then sprinkle salt on to the slices.

These are now ready to toss into the oven. 

I set my oven at 400F because one of our heating elements does not work... 

I let them bake for 12 minutes.

Once the buzzer goes off you can take them out and enjoy! 

I find that you do not want to let them cool too much or they do not taste as good.

I tried to get a picture of them coming out of the oven, 

but my mom needed the oven after me and I was letting all the heat out...

NOTE: I tried three different baches to find what I thought was the best recipe. 

So if you are not completely happen with the way the first bache came out experiment! 

I experimented with out thick the slices were and the oven temp.

I hope you try and enjoy this! 

Let me know if you tried anything different! 

I am always open to new things!

Now, my mom also made something super yummy! 

She made a lasagna that you use zucchini instead of pasta.

This is great for all of us gluten free people!

 This is the recipe!

Another note is that my mom also use summer squash like the zucchini!

I hope you enjoy both of these yummy dishes! :)

Friendship :)

This post is a responds to a text I received from a friend last night. This is the text:

"That moment when you look at old pictures and wonder what ever happened to all of us.. why do we barley talk now? We are nearly strangers to one another when once we were the closest of friends.. I miss the way we all use to be.. I know we grow.. but why did we have to grow apart?"

Sadly, this is a part of growing up (or old). When we leave high school and move away its often no easy to always be thinking of who you left behind, because life moves fast and its hard to keep up. This is because as you grow older you gain more responsibility.  With more reponsiblity, the less time there is to do what you need to do.
So when we move away we start to learn more and more about ourselves and what we want to do with our lives. With some people they find that they want to do something completely different that their original plan. Then they might change that plan a millions times before they find exactly what is right for them. Other people know right from the start what they want to do and they go out and get that. The great part about growing old is finding yourself. People say you do that in high school, but I disagree. I say you find yourself after. In high school there is so much pressure to be one thing or another. There is also always someone there to hold your hand and help you through. After high school, theres so much less pressure. Its almost like you get to breathe your own air for the first time! Does that not feel awesome! I certainly thought so! However, if your a homebody, that fresh air might just suffocate you! That's okay though! That just means your not ready yet, everyone gets ready in there own time, some faster than others and some slower. As long as you go at your own pace you will be just fine. So for those of you who loved that first breath you will enjoy no one there to hold your hand and helping you. This relates back to responsibility. Some people love it and they seem to have all the time in the world.
Now your probably wondering how that last paragraph has anything to do with friendship? Well I'm getting there...
So, lets say your at the point in your life when you have just graduated high school. This is when YOU as a member of the human species start to change into the kind of person you will be for the rest of your life. It may not seem like it at the time, but that is only because this change takes a really long time. By that I mean this change can take years! Again, this is different for some people. Some only take a few years, others can take there whole life.
Alright, now this is where I tie this into friendship.
So after high school everyone moves, leaves, goes to college, and/or just changes in general. So what happens to all those friends you left? Well, for one, they are NEVER forgotten. It may seem that they forget about you, but it only seems that way because they are caught in their new responsibilities. Time seems less and less while the responsibilities are like rabbits in a breeding frenzy!
There is also the notion that your friends have changed so much they are not the same or maybe they do not like you anymore. WRONG! This change is the one thing that makes you go back and want to spend time with your high school friends! Yes, the change is good, even great. However, when you go through a change there is always that part of you that wants to go back. This is where your high school friends help. As soon as you are with your old friends every part of you that has changed goes back to your old self. You start talking, acting, and just be a goofy like old times! Its like an addiction. When you have not had it in a long time you really really want it/need it! Unlike most addictions its safe to go back! When you do go back the first two minutes or so feel a bit weird because it does take time to transition back to your old self but then once you do... hold on tight because your going down memory lane!
So do not feel bad that you have grown apart, because as soon as your back together its like you never left. It's just a natural part of life that everyone eventually goes through. <3

A Storm Is Coming

Listen to the rain by the sea.

The pounding as it hits the surface.

A storm is coming.

Off in the distance the waves crash violently to the beach.

They stamp and beat the rocky shore.

A storm is coming.

Winds whip around every corner.

Trees brake in its mighty strength like trivial sticks.

A storm is coming.

Hear the faint sound of thunder in a far off place.

See the lightning dance across the dark sky.

A storm is here.

This picture was taken this morning. I woke up to the sky looking gray and sad. Then the sun tried to peek through. I took a couple pictures of it in color but I feel this one did it the most justice. The poem I wrote just now. I can still here the rain on the roof and it just made me want to write. I love storms. I like excitement, energy, and change. A storm is all of those. Excitement because you never know what might happen next. Energy because so much is happening all at one time. Change because its something new and a little change is never a bad thing. Storms scare some people, for good reason too, but not me. If I could I could be out there right now standing and enjoying every second of it (until I get cold). <3

Coffee, Crocheting, and Good Ol' Rock n' Roll

These past couple of weeks have been a little crazy. Between moving into college and the K-100 life has been a little stressful. I have found a little down time so I will take a bit of that to blog a little. This year on the K-100 I ran/walked all of the 100 miles! It was hard and painful but that's the just part of the journey. Nathan did a lot of it as well! He did a good amount of running the first two days. Then the third day was all walking and he walked the whole day! I am so proud of him! My mom could not do as much as she had hoped and mentally the first day that hit her hard. I said some encouraging words and hugged her a lot (she needed those). In the end I think she was able to do about 75 miles of it! I am also really proud of my mommy! <3 I love my K-100 family!
Monday morning we hard our closing ceremony and then it was move back to Orono! It was easy because I had packed light and my walls look so bare right now! First day of classes was good, as well as the second and third day. I only have three days of classes and four days off because of the way my schedule is set up. Monday and Friday I have no classes! This is how I found time today to blog.
After all the rushing around and stress of the past couple weeks it has been nice to just sit here. I made some coffee <3, I'm working on crocheting my dads hat <3, and listening to classic rock (right now its Sweet Child of Mine) <3. I feel that too many people let their stress build up to often without finding a way to relax and counter the stress. We all have stress in our lives from one thing to another. The difference is some people find ways and make time to relax. Others let it build up so much that it in turn startes to affect their health, mental and physical. We all need to just stop every now and then to take a deep breath in and then let all (or most) of the stress out. Maybe if everyone did this we might get along better and enjoy life better. :) Peace, Love, Smile.

Summer's End

Today was my first realization that summer is going to end soon. 

There is no call for saddness because after summer is fall, and there is no shortage of fun in Fall. However, when I look back at the summer of 2012 I think of it as sort of dull. Dull is not quite the word I am looking for, since it is a bit too strong, but it will do for now. I say dull because I feel I did not do as much as I have down in past summers. 

In past summers I was always with friends, traveling, and I never stayed in one place very long. This summer was different. I did not hang with many friend, I did not go traveling, and I was always at my house or Nathan's house. I am not complaining because I know I did get to do more things than some people. I had the chance to go deep sea fishing, and stay in a pretty cottage in Greenville, Me.

I knew the ending was near because I had to start packing to go back to school. Although, I was not aware of how close it was. 

Tonight I went outside in a t-shirt, shorts, and bare feet to get something from my truck. When my feet touched the grass I noticed it had the "nights are getting colder" feeling. 

Now that then end has come its time to make a trip to Katahdin, and then move back to Orono. The changing of season means a change in everything. Maybe good, maybe bad. (hoping good!).

Also, Nathan and I had been trying to go camping at the Tree Farm all summer but never go the chance. So today we went and had a picnic with all fresh veggies from my parents garden! Yum! While we were there we took some photos, and this is on of my favorites:

Productive Day

Today was a very productive day. :) First I (and mom helped too) made a dress! I have never tried to make anything before. I have always that that I'm not good at those sorts of things, or even being creative. Then one day I was tired of feeling like I could never afford natural (or hippyish) looking clothing. So I looked up how to make a simple dress (even though I never ever wear them). I found a blog wear this woman shows a step by step on how to make a simple dress. It looked easy, so I tried it and came out with a great outcome! :D The dress I made is the one at the top ^^^. I can not for the life of me figure out how to put it in between text (grr). The link that shows how to is here -> http://talk2thetrees.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-make-easy-high-waisted-dress-for.html

After making the dress I made oatmeal rasin cookies! I had to make them for my sister Maulian's Bridal Shower tomorrow. :) They came out really good! Even my mom could not resist them! The link for the recipe is here -> http://allrecipes.com/recipe/oatmeal-raisin-cookies-i/

Then, I did a little self portrait photo shoot. I usually do not like pictures of me unless they are just right.  So I had to take a lot. I have found that I like a lot of light. That is a bit weird since my skin is not light. Either way its fun to mess around with, and I love photography as a hobby.

All in all, today was a good day, :)

Tonight We Eat Corn!

This week has been a very busy one. Not in a bad way, but a good way. On Tuesday my parents and I went up to Katahdin. <3 That day we hiked South Turner mt. Both my parents have done it before but it was my first time. It is a short, steep climb, but very worth it. The view from the top is amazing! You get to see a whole new side of Katahdin! It is good the climb the Mountain itself, but sometimes you need to climb something else so you can see the greatness. :P So that night we spent the night at Roaring Brook camp ground. The next morning we hiked seven miles to Russel Pond. There are a few stream crossing that are not that hard if you are only caring you. However, add a pack that is probably 30 plus pounds and things change very fast. Luckily we all made it across just fine thanks to some walking stick my dad cut along the way. Wednesday night we had a lesson with a group of kids my dad was brought there to teach.  The group of kids were very nice. :) Then yesterday we hiked back to Roaring Brook with the group of kids. On part of the hike back I hiked next to one of the counselors named Matt. He did not talk much but he was very... Planty... I say "planty" because I'm not really sure what else to call him. As he hiked he had to touch almost every plant that he walked by, even if it was a little too far to reach. Also, anything edible he could find he would eat it. It was funny because he was always grabbing at the ground for a yummy plant that I forgot the name to. I call it Heart shaped Clover. Its a bit sour but still very good.
Today I woke up at home to a very happy looking garden! :D I helped my mom pick green beans for her to later can them! Beside everything else that had grown in the garden since we left I was most happy for the corn! Tonight was the first night we got to eat our corn for the year! Now it is late, I need my sleep. I also apologize for any grammer mistakes, I am tired and do not feel like reading over this so you will have to suffer. :P Peace.

Hello, and welcome to my new blog. :) I don't have much to say right now, which is a bit odd, since I always have something to say. I think I shall talk about the name of my blog; "Run. Live. Breathe.". It is my own play off the quote "Peace. Love. (and the last one is always different).". I was going to name my blog after the original quote but I felt like being different.

1. Run; I chose this because I love to run, my mom loves to run, my dad loves to run, and my boyfriend (sometimes) loves to run. Running for us is not always about doing races and trying to win every time; rather many other things. For example: on a really long run its time for us to spend together so that we can bond. Although lets be honest, there is no family that is perfect, and when we are on a long run and we are tired its not always warm feeling bonding. :P Aside from running with my family I like to run by myself too. Its a time for me to think about things, relax, and feel good about myself. Sometimes when I emotionally do not feel good about myself I will go for a run and I always feel better after. :) In the past year I have done some very long runs with my mom and dad. Last fall I did my first Marathon (26.2 miles!). I was very excited because I was the youngest there! Then this spring I did an Ultra-Marathon! For those of you who might not know what a ultra-marathon is; it is anything longer than a marathon. The ultra I did was a 50K (31 miles!).
2. Live; I chose live because I believe that everyone should live to the fullest that they can and I believe that anyone can accomplish anything if they set their mind to it. If you want to build a model of the Eiffel Tower made out of cupcakes; go for it! On another note I have a very open and curious mind. I believe this is a huge part of what makes life happy and worth living for. If you live like a feather on a breeze you never know what will happen, and as a result life will never get boring! :)
3. Breathe; Lastly I choose this because everyone needs to just stop what they are doing and breathe. In these times a lot of people get to caught up in what is happening around them; weather it be work, home, or just stress in general, that they do not notice that they are not enjoying life. They just need to occasionally stop, breathe, look around, smell the flowers, and relax.