Running group, pretzel cone, and photos

Hi friends!

Things have really been good this week  More and more, I’m completely appreciating this new area and journey! I can’t wait to see what happens next.

This week, I decided to join a local running group. Do you belong to one? I was involved with one in DC for a few runs, but it never really stuck with me because I felt like most of the runners were a lot faster than myself. Many running groups will claim to be for all levels, but then you arrive and that’s not the case. While there is no verbal pressure and people wait for the slower paced people, actions speak louder than words. I did have some great experiences, but for my running level every time I went I knew I’d have to go faster than my comfort level.

So of course, I was worried about joining this group. I did my research and even “liked” the group on Facebook. A kind soul friend requested me from the group and told me not to worry about joining Everyone is really friendly, etc. I’ve heard this before so I was skeptical. However, when I showed up and started to run I could tell this group was different. For one thing, there were walkers in addition to runners!

Plus, they give you options of different routes for various distances. Awesome!

I ended up running and walking which was great! Oh and more and more, I’m realizing how utterly beautiful this area is. I mean, breathtaking. We ran amongst farms, cows, and other amazing landscapes.

I even made some new friends See, if I didn’t take the chance to try something new, I wouldn’t have new met people!

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In other news, I met a new friend today for dinner! Stephanie and I had been talking on Twitter for awhile so we finally decided to meet up! We went to Sakura in Lancaster for some amazing sushi! I got my usual (an avocado roll and a shrimp tempura roll) and it was really yummy! I don’t think anything can top Dan’s and my favorite place in DC, BUT it was very close.

After sushi, I was craving ice cream (there’s something about having an Asian meal that always has me wanting ice cream for dessert!). Stephanie’s co-worker recommended Carmen and David’s Creamery which features ice cream made on the presmises! They abide by “By Fresh – Buy Local” which is all over Lancaster County. It’s a great slogan considering how much locally grown food there is here!

They had a ton of interesting flavors (molasses, anyone?) I ordered my favorite, mint chocolate chip in a… gasp… PRETZEL CONE.

Yes. I said it, folks. A pretzel cone. Now, I don’t know about you but I’ve never heard of this and, frankly. I wish I thought of it myself. It was a sweet and salty dream of a cone, if you ask me.

Ahhh…

All in all, it was a great night and I’m so happy to have met Stephanie!

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Two random things about this week:

1. I got stuck behind a horse and buggy, not one, not two, but THREE times this week. Two of those times, I was running late for something! Clearly, I need to work on my time management skills if I’m going to live amongst the Amish.

2. I have been playing around with Photoshop Elements (yes, not Photoshop; I can’t afford that!) by following The Pioneer Woman’s tutorials. I started out with this (it was tweaked a little in iPhoto but not too much):

Then I got this:

And this:

Cool, huh? It’s so easy too. Ree does a great job of explaining everything step-by-step.

I hope you are doing well! I’m so excited for this weekend! My family and I are going to Deer Valley (see post from 2008 here!). I wasn’t able to go last year because of a wedding so I’m really stoked to go back. I can’t believe it’s been two years since I was last there! (About the time I started this blog!).

Later!

Julie