looking back on the long winter

pulling inches and inches snow off the roof

It's March and the official first day of spring is just around the corner, which makes me sooo happy. I've been itching to start up my daily walk around the neighborhood, this time with a baby in tow. But we've still got heaps upon heaps of snow, and if you live anywhere near the Midwest, the weather/cold/snow is all anyone can talk about these days. When will the snow melt? When will the roads finally be clear of ice? When will it be above zero degrees? I've always sort of been of the mindset that if you're going to live in a state like Minnesota, you better be ready and able to handle winter. I try to not use complaining about the weather as small talk or a conversation starter. But if there was ever a winter to talk about, this one would be it. It has been one of the coldest and snowiest that I can remember, and we've broken all sorts of cold and snow records. But it's winters like this that make us hardy. It's winters like this that make us appreciate the fresh air of spring that much more. Yes, it's been long, but being stuck inside with a new baby isn't the worst thing and I will look back on this crazy winter and remember…

rocking my brand new baby to sleep at 2am by the warmth of the fireplace
sleeping in the downstairs guest bedroom for the first month after Jack was born
piling more blankets than any other time
nursing Jack in his cozy nursery and watching the chickadees on the leafless lilac bush
wearing snow boots almost every time I left the house
not leaving the house for 4 or 5 days on several occasions
watching Tim shovel the driveway countless times
taking a walk on the one above-freezing day
falling asleep the moment my head hit the pillow at night
learning to cherish Jack's 4am feeding, when everything is quiet and cozy
finding a new routine
seeing the thermometer dip to -30 degrees actual temperature
learning that the top of Jack's head is oh so kissable

lately...

April 2012

April 2013

I'm not one to complain about the weather, especially when I live in a state like Minnesota - cold, long winters are just a fact of life. However, don't you think it's just a bit crazy that it's April 15th and we still have a foot of snow on ground and more on the way? Mom reminded me the other day that exactly a year ago, her, Tara, and Grandma were here to see our new house. And you know what I wore on that Saturday during showing off our house and shopping downtown? Shorts. For real.

And I think all this crazy cold anti-spring weather has contributed to my lack of creativity and writing; I literally haven't done anything noteworthy in the way of design work or blog writing in weeks. Gross. Someone get me some vitamin D stat!

However, while doing nothing creative, we have been...

• watching a lot of 30 Rock - new fave show. I know, a few years behind the trend as usual.
• spending the past few weekends with family and friends
• celebrating Evie's first birthday
• compiling gear lists and play lists for our trip out west (in just a few weeks!)
• listening to A Prairie Home Companion during road trips
• knee deep in grad school homework (Tim)
• wanting to put up a gallery wall in the house (me)

valentine's snow

I've always felt a little "meh" about Valentine's Day. I was never one of those girls who protested the day or anything, but during my college years I did indulge in a brief I-don't-have-a-boyfriend pitty party and a small pint of Ben and Jerry's on this day. And even after getting myself a boyfriend and eventually a husband, not a ton changed, and that's okay with me. Take tonight for instance: Tim's at class all night so I'll be spending a romantic evening baking, cleaning, and catching up on Park's and Recreation thanks to a free month of Netflix. So sexy, I know.

Maybe one of the best parts of my day, besides a lunch date with Tim at Chipotle, was waking up to the winter wonderland that was creating by the overnight snow. So gorgeous.

the state of hockey

disclaimer: please watch/listen to this while you read this post. for real.

Last week I fulfilled a life goal: attend an NHL hockey game. The best part was that it was free. Ah the perks of being married to someone in the corporate world where they have weekly drawings for sporting event tickets. We may have spent $7 for a hot dog and $15 dollars for parking and gotten home at midnight, but it was soooo worth it.

ameri-jello

This year's 4th of July was almost a perfect replica of last year - hot, hot, and more hot - minus the epic storm. It was one of those days where the best/most comfortable thing to do was stay inside, soaking up the air conditioned goodness OR be in the lake. Luckily, we've got connections and were on the lake for America's birthday. But there was a point in the afternoon when even being completely submerged in the water, it was still hot hot hot.

The only times we were not in the water, we were eating (and catching a few Wimbledon matches). And what were we eating? Butter braids, hot dogs, steak, cherries, chicken salad, and Ameri-Jello. It's never a real July 4th celebration until you have patriotic Jello.

4th of July Jello

1 small package each of red, blue, and lemon jello
1 pint of vanilla ice cream, softened
2 1/4 cups boiling water
1 cup cold water

• Put red and blue jello into separate bowls
• Pour 3/4 cup boiling water into each bowl and stir until completely dissolved
• Stir 1/2 cup of cold water into each bowl
• Pour red jello into mold (or mason jar) and refrigerate for 1 hour. Reserve the blue jello at room temperature
• Meanwhile, stir 3/4 cup boiling water into lemon jello in a bowl. Spoon in ice cream until melted and spoon over red jello. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Pour blue jello as the last layer and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Salute!

our weekend :: birthdays & vacations

We just spent a wonderful weekend along the beautiful North Shore of our beloved Minnesota with my family. It's such a blessing that we all have such a great time together. There was much laughter, good food, and a little R&R by a giant Minnesota lake. We...

• stayed in a cabin overlooking Lake Superior
• ate breakfasts of omelets and pancakes on the deck each morning
• slept with the windows open
• fished for northern
• took in the sites of some of the most beautiful MN state parks
• stuffed ourselves with pasties and pie at Betty's Pies
• got sunburnt
• explored Canal Park and its museums and antique stores
• celebrated father's day/mom's birthday/Tim's birthday all in one night

Now it's Sunday night and as we watch the storm clouds roll out our patio door, it's sinking in that this is the week we've been waiting so long for. It's officially we-become-homeowners week! The boxes have been found, the lists have been made, and we have a goal of not buying any groceries this week. Let the craziness begin!