Sunday, March 31, 2013

Easter Weekend

This Easter weekend was spent at my mom's place. 
She lives in western North Dakota with 
my youngest sister. 
I drove there with my other two siblings
and it was so much fun.
I always enjoy visiting my mom, catching up on all the news, 
drinking gallons of coffee throughout the day
and then switching to beer when the time was right. :)
The scenery was just beautiful.
You can see for miles, and within a few minutes, the light just changes 
and your view is entirely different.







Other highlights: playing with the adorable puppies
hanging with all of the siblings together
walking to see calves being born
drinking and playing games
and spending time with family.


























And the final day of our weekend?
This happened.


Happy Spring!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Fresh Summer Food

We got 8 more inches of snow while we were on vacation in Texas.
When we were enjoying the warm sunny weather,
I laughed when I heard about the
new storm.
Then we came home.
I'm not laughing any more.
Now I'm just dreaming of summer and fresh produce.
So I made some lunch for the week with some amazing results.


Doesn't it look scrumptious?
Very simple salad with carrots, broccoli, red peppers and quinoa.
I'm in love.


I can't wait for my CSA boxes to come to me this summer!

Texas Photos

I admit it.
I was HORRIBLE for this vacation in Texas.
Seriously, horrible.
I should have taken SO many more photos than I did.
But, I have a reason.
When I'm on vacation, I like to actually use that time to relax.
I haven't really figured out the balance between documenting things, and taking the time to be in the moment.
This type of balance is hard for me.
But, I did take some.


Six Flags was something we did the second day that we were in Texas. 
I did not participate in any of the ride going.
Heights and speeds terrify me.
Amusements parks and I don't get along.


This was the ride of a lifetime.
Not because it was a great ride, 
oh my no.
It was because Adam and our friends waited in line for 
3 HOURS.
Let me repeat that.
3 WHOLE HOURS.
It was insane.


This was only part of the line.
And it looked like it didn't move at all.
But, eventually, I could see them.


Right there in the middle.
They finally appeared.
Stubborn as ever, not even considering giving up.
I was the weirdo just sitting on the side for 3 hours.
It got boring.


At least the weather was beautiful.
It made the waiting bearable.


I looked around, bought a $10 hotdog. 
Immediately regretted said hotdog.
The most fun part of the day was the people watching.
It was awesome.

\
We stayed at two different hotels during our stay. 
The Fairfield in Denton, and the hotel our friend works at
Best Western Premiere.
Both hotels were awesome.
After two days with our friends in Denton, we took a short
trip to Austin, Texas.
SXSW was going on, and it was NUTS.
I don't remember seeing so many people in one area. 
Music playing everywhere, hipsters galore.
I loved it.
Rachel's friend Pam graciously let us stay at her house.
Having a front and backyard to spend time in was great.
Especially since the weather was just perfect, 
not too hot, not too cold.


Downtown Austin had such a great vibe about it,
food trucks everywhere, 
cool little shops.
Adam really liked this one place.
It reminded me of my grandma's attic.
Weird, cool, old things.


I can't wait to visit again. We both really loved our time in Texas. 
Great food, wonderful time with friends,
and new memories were made.
Texas, this is not the last time we will be together.

Back From Texas!

Texas was a blast!
Oh my goodness, so much fun.
It was so amazing seeing our friends Sam and Cydney, 
and they were such gracious hosts.
I hope to have some photos up here soon.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Missing The Warm Days Of Summer

If you happen to live in the Great North, 
there inevitably comes a time when you start to hate winter, 
and you feel like the cold wind and snow 
will never end. 
I haven't gotten to that point yet, but I'm sure it's getting close.
We're in March now, 
the supposed beginning of spring, 
and we are expecting ANOTHER storm by the end of this weekend.
 6-12 inches is predicted.
I'm hoping for 12 inches. 
I still need to go cross country skiing.

But....

Adam and I have planned for the dreaded 
"Winter-is-the-worst-season-ever-why-do-we-live-here" 
phase by planning an mid-season trip!

To Texas!


These two tiny people are our friends Sam and Cydney.
They live way down south,
and in about 11 days, 
we are going to wear some shorts
and join them!
Adam and I are both pumped.
And, we are traveling with our good friend Rachel!
Even more fun!
This trip has been getting me so excited for summer.
Like, super excited.


See this pizza?
It's peanut butter, pepperoni and jalapeno pizza that you get at Zorbaz's in DL.
It's so wrong and so right at the same time.
This is the food of summer.
And I can't wait.


Reading with coffee out in the summer morning is a pleasure I've almost forgotten about.
But, hopefully I'll remember how to do this when we
are down in Texas.
Let's hope so.


And I love traveling with this guy. 
He's always a good partner on adventures.
Or in general.