Then and Now

I was looking through some old photos and found this one of Fucie and Skott.  We were on our way to Seaside Oregon for a weekend get-away.  I believe it was around the year 2002. 

This photo on the bottom is one that I took only a couple months ago.  We were on our way to Door County to go camping.  Fucie loves to ride in the car!

Rustica

I must admit-

one of the things about the West Coast that I miss the most is

a good cup of espresso.

I used to take offense when people called me a "coffee snob" but now I don't really care.  I don't actively make that my goal, I just enjoy a great espresso, something I took for granted before moving to the midwest.

Everyone has their "thing" that brings them comfort and elicits a floodgate of good memories.  For some, it's chocolate, for others, cookies.  For me, it's coffee.

It is really hard to find good espresso here.  The good kind -the kind where the crema is generously floating on top, the kind where I don't need to add any splenda or sweetner, the kind where it is the perfect drinking temperature... 

It is very easy to tell if I am going to get a good cup of coffee at a new place here in the Midwest.  The conversation almost always goes as follows:

Me:  "Hi, I'd like a 16oz triple shot breve"  (note: none of those stupid starbucks labels, just plain terminology.  16oz=size, triple shot= how many shots of espresso I want, breve= type of drink made with cream instead of milk).

Barista:  (with a blank stare or completely panicked look) "Um, ok, uh.... What size?"

Me:  "16 oz please"

Barista:  "Ok, and how many shots, just one?"

Me:  "No, three please"

Barista:  "Oh, so you want a large/24 oz!? (at this point usually relieved, as she has a button to push on the cash register)"

Me:  "No, I only want 16 oz.  I just want three shots in it."  (FYI- three shots in a 16 oz cup is mostly just the espresso, doesn't leave much room for the actual cream part)

Barista:  (Confused again and at this point, turning for help if anyone else is there) "Ok, so you want three shots in a 16 oz cup?  Now refresh me, what's a breve?"

Me:  "Just use half-and-half instead of milk"

Barista:  "Oh!  Ok!"

at this point, I don't even dare ask if they will only heat it to 140degrees (my preference).  I am afraid I would end up with a 140oz breve with 16 shots or some weird derivation of all the numbers!

***********

Fast forward to Rustica.:

A couple of months ago Skott and I were in the cities.  We went to a neat shop that has a lot of local spices, chocolates, cheeses, etc.  We bought the most amazing cookies from a place called "Rustica".  We looked them up online and found out that they have a shop in the cities as well!  Skott went once when he was over there shopping.  He couldn't wait to take me!

The next time we went to the Cities we made it our first stop.  I didn't get espresso that time, but wished I had of when I tasted Skott's!  We had some delicious pastries and looked forward to returning.

For a graduation/birthday combo, we went to the Cities last Saturday.  We met up at Rustica with some good friends from Cedar Creek and had amazing espresso and this awesome cake:

Ahhhhhhhh.....

Winter Storm

Looking out the back door Saturday morning.  Heading out to carve Skott a path in the driveway.



Looking out into the yard Saturday morning before Skott got home.  No plowing or snowblowing done yet.



 Saturday afternoon.  Still storming.  Skott is home.  The wonderful neighbor has made one round with the snowblower.

   

Sunday morning after more snowing and lots of wind

Sunday morning.  Snowblowing Round 2.  The snow is higher than the fence now.

After Round 2, the view of our yard from the street

The front of our house.  The snow is piled higher than our windows



The dogs braving the elements to check things out



Standing near the garage looking into our backyard.  Lots of drifts!  Our swing is buried, along with our endtables.  In some places the drifts go over the fence!

Live

Live

with intention

My wonderful, talented husband made me this necklace from a pendant we found at one of our favorite stores, Bibelot.  I love it!

We took a long walk today; down to the library and back, and then along the railroad tracks behind our house.  We followed the bluff all the way around the water.  It was misting a fine rain that made everything seem so coastal and magical.  I cherish these moments with my best friend.

Homesick

I miss lounging in a beach chair with this as my view:

I miss breathtaking scenery that truly puts my life into focus:

I miss this look:

and this one too: 



A Rare Sighting

Skott driving a mini-van!

On our way to the Como Zoo and the only vehicle that would hold all of us at once.



I finally figured out how to get pictures off my iphone so here are more images from the Como Conservatory:

poisonous dart frog

It looks like someone drew on it with a crayon!

Mmmmm chocolate..... -or is it?

you know it's been too long

Geez, you know it's been too long since you've blogged when you can't even remember your password!  Yikes.  This semester has just been insanely busy.  I have one class that is completely kicking my butt, which makes everything else feel so overwhelming.  But, I am half way done with the semester and just weeks (36 days, not that I'm counting) away from graduation.

So I have started the job search.  Very scary to put yourself out there in this economy, but not quite as scary as this:

I was absolutely terrified.  The first day of Entomology lab we "had" to hold Madagascar hissing cockroaches. 
But anyways, I have been applying all over the country so we'll see what happens.  I just hope I am not out of work very long after school ends.

We have been enjoying an amazing fall.  They completed a really nice bike trail a short distance from our house.  Skott and I have been riding together a couple days a week.  We try to go around 16 miles or so.  Most days I try to ride to school as well.  But the last couple of weeks I have been running on very little sleep so I have slacking in the bicycle/exercise department.

Justine & Max, Carrie & boys, and Skott & I went to the Como Zoo and Conservatory in Minneapolis last weekend.  It was pretty amazing!



We were also able to go to Mason and Aundray's last football game.  It's easy to spot Mason, he is the tallest one out there (#68) and Aundray is to his right (#61).



Dad, Sherry, Carrie, and a very enthused Ray

I'll leave you with my favorite picture from the conservatory (good eye, Skott):





Family dinner, Part 2



"Bloody Handprints" gel clings on our back door



More pictures from family dinner last week at Carrie's:

Aundray

Max

Justine trying to lift giant pumpkin

Erika and Aundray

Mason

Aundray and Max

Can you see all three boys?



"Special" Sisters

This picture is from a couple months ago.  Carrie and I were at Kohl's trying to find sunglasses.  Who can resist a giant pink bow headband???


Carrie at family dinner last Sunday

How many forehead wrinkles can you count?

This is for you Amy!

getting ready for eyebrow waxing

This picture terrifies me

Family dinner was awesome!  Lots of laughs!  Lots of blackmail photos taken.  I will post more this weekend.

being silly

as normal as our family gets