Irish Blessings

"May your joys be as deep as the oceans,

Your troubles as light as its foam.
And may you find, sweet peace of mind,
Wherever you may roam."

~Irish Blessing

Count You Twice

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Looking forward to a little lamb stew tonight with my favorite boy tonight.  (The kids are up at Grandpa & Grandma's farm this week for spring break.) And company of some good friends.

"When I count my blessings, I count you twice." - Irish Blessing

Chocolate Thunder? Cappuccino Crunch? Yes, please.

I always rate the selections on these things by what they selected for Iowa. I trust this list - http://www.msn.com/…/50-top-cheap-restaurants-i…/ss-AA9DL83… La Mie!  The picture above taken on a visit I made in mid 2014.

And I have a good friend and his wife moving to Delaware this spring.  This was the recommendation for their new great state - http://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/50-top-cheap-restaurants-in-every-state/ss-AA9DL83#image=9.  I can't wait to visit Woodside Farm Creamery and try Chocolate Thunder and Cappuccino Crunch whilst watching cows.  My friend also happens to be the friend that I helped run 100 miles this past fall.  He claims this is only 7 miles from his new house.  We could run there!

I did not take this picture, but isn't it beautiful?  It's borrowed.

Yum!  Have I mentioned ice cream's my favorite?

Ice Castles

So a few weeks ago, I saw some pictures of the Ice Castles in Eden Prairie.  Apparently, they were at the Mall of America (MOA) last year.  I do vaguely remember seeing posts about them, but it didn't really resonate with me until this year.  Ever since doing my photo shoot with the waterfall, I've kind of wanted to do a seasonal photo shoot using the same element (water) just in a different form... and maybe winter instead of summer.  This was my opportunity.  Inspired I set plans in motion to make it happen.  Two weeks to get ready is not ideal, but it sure did make me buckle down and get serious about my eating and exercise.  Thankfully, my favorite photographer, Adam, of Flashfillfoto was on board with the idea and met me there for some fun pictures.  Here's a sneak peek he sent me of how they turned out:

Can't wait to see the rest.  Many more taken during the daylight hours.  As always, it was fun.  I will come out at a later date and maybe write a longer post about why I've started doing these.

Surely It Couldn't Have Been

Do you have any idea how lucky I am to get to listen to these two practice? Do I have any idea how lucky I am? Relaxing afternoon at home. Cold outside, but that sunshine is streaming in. Surely it couldn't have been this amazing to listen to us practice the flute or the piano at home, Mom... and I'm betting they aren't going to feel the same way about my accordion practice. Heh.

Monkey Business

This Valentine's Day was all monkey business... ahhh... Valentine's 2015, I am sad to see you go...

And Grandma watched the boys so Craig and I could enjoy a little take out and the movie, "Begin Again".

Sometimes simple and low key is better.  No.  Best.

One Rule. No Hearts.

One day working from home with sick boy...

...turned into two. But productivity was not completely a lost cause.  Kept busy on day two with this guy working on "the arcade". Just in case he was well enough to go to school for his Valentine's Day party.  Only the best valentine's boxes for us. Only rule? No hearts.

I Wanna Go Back

TBT: Throwback to Super Bowl Sunday in 2010. Getting carried onto the field by these fellas... the year we watched the Super Bowl in Mexico on a beach and watched the Saints beat the Colts. The year we met the lovely Youngs from California.  I wanna go back! 

First Mate

Hmmmm.... I couldn't wait until Throwback Thursday...

Growing up is overrated.  Arrrrr....

Wallaby's Reinvented

A restaurant in our town recently made a move across town and the new place they built has an outdoor patio.  Can't wait to experience that this summer.  In the meantime, we've been visiting periodically and trying new menu items.  So far I haven't had anything I don't like.  This is called

Wasabi Tuna

No disappointment here.  The wasabi cleaned out my nostrils, though.

The Trip That Saved Me

Got home last night.  We'll call this "the trip that saved me".  Sounds melodramatic.  Trust me.  It's true.

Easing Into Things

Home again. Look what was waiting patiently for me at home. Do I know some talented generous people, or what? I adore it! And wow... it's cold here! Makes coming home a little easier.

They Are Awake Now

The closest I've come to finding a whole sand dollar. Interestingly enough seagulls aren't on the shoreline at 5 am. But they are awake now.

Add That to My Resume

After a beautiful sunset view on top deck...

... I drove a pirate ship all by myself tonight.  First time.  Totally adding that to my resume.

Thank you, Captain.

Not Sad

My gift from day three. A cool evening in a heated pool that changes colors... all to myself. The water felt like silk. A live band on the neighboring bar patio playing good music. And Orion's belt clear in the overhead sky. Spent a lot of time floating on my back. Too bad the pool closed at 11. A highly sensory, lovely evening pretending to be a mermaid. Not sad.