doorways.

There are so many pictures from my trip to Washington DC. In an effort to share some of the best pictures I have put them into categories. This is the doorways set. The doorways are all located in Old Town Alexandria. We took a food tour in this area that really should have been called a food and history tour.

someday.

Someday I want to go on a vacation like this. Biking and wine and beautiful sites - who wouldn't love a vacation like that?

Someday I want to make jam.

Someday I want to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I don't know why I have a fascination with this parade.

Someday I want to make a map to chart travels.

What are your someday wishes?

lucky me.

I commented on a post over at the Superhero Journal... and it turns out that I won this super cute bag! I'm really excited to get it. Thanks to Andrea and the All About Cute shop!

newseum.

On my trip to Washington, D.C. I took a ton of pictures. I haven't had a chance to upload any of them yet so in the meantime you can feast your eyes on this video. My Mom, Aunt, and Sister and I went to the Newseum where you can become a TV Reporter. See the video below or check it out on YouTube.

vacation.

I'm heading out of town this afternoon to start my adventure vacation. Don't be confused - this isn't the type of adventure where you fill a backpack and go exploring into the wild. This is the type of adventure where your Mom and Aunts have planned the trip and you are traveling BY BUS to Washington, D.C. With 45 women. What an adventure! Yes, I will take pictures and share stories upon my return.

google reader.

Sarah convinced me awhile ago to use google reader. I knew Sarah was smart and this recommendation just adds to the evidence of her brilliancy. So... here are few amazing things that I found this week in my google reader.

My roommate would LOVE a Rock Candy Chandelier. Found via Kitchn.

1000 words.

Conner had a great MN Reading List. He just updated it.

I could totally make one of these coat racks.

Let's have a party where we can serve pretty soda pop. With straws.

Can someone make me one of these candle holders?

I want to be on this beach.

benefits of a bicycle.

wish list.

Bird on a Wire Necklace.

One of my goals for 2009 is to simplify... and I haven't been thinking about that much lately. I need to reconnect with my goals and see how I'm doing. But at the same time, there are a few things on my wish list. See that pretty necklace above? My friend Julie found it on Etsy. It's so pretty!

As much as I love George Strait... I do not have any of his albums. How sad is that?

I'm also on the hunt for a new laptop bag. The problem with this search is not knowing what I'm looking for. How many pockets do I need? How long should the shoulder strap be? What size? Color? Material? The possibilities are endless. Here are a few options.

And then there is this one from Keen. I can't get snag the picture for the blog post :(

dreamy.

fun things.

My favorite posts within my google reader are the ones that have lists of amazing links to amazing photographs or cool products. I'm in copy cat mode and want a blog posting like that of my own. Ready. Go.

My friend Julie found these awesome cookie cutters. Swoon.

I really want to eat these cookies.

I heart Adam Turman prints. He's from Minneapolis! I've been seeing his work around town for the last couple of years.

I'm dreaming of owning a house so I can do projects like this.

Reading about other people's vacation can be fun. Especially when great pics and stories are included.

My friend Sarah and I are starting an Etsy Shop. Watch out world, here we come!

This looks like yummy curry!

Very pretty pictures. Found via Sopheava de Lumiere.

And finally, the lilacs were in perfect bloom this past weekend in northern Wisconsin. Here's the proof.

Lilacs by the Willow Flowage

giveaways!

Enter to Win Fabulous Prizes!!

sushi in arkansas?

It doesn't seem like the words sushi and Arkansas should go together in one sentence. Alas, it is true. I had some fabulous sushi at Shogun in Arkansas this past weekend.

only available through craigslist

There are so many amazing things posted on craigslist today. Check it out:

bike ride.

Last night was a great night for a bike ride. After work I got ready and headed outside for a ride. I went over the Stone Arch Bridge and took the trail along the lightrail to the Greenway. I followed the Greenway over to Lake of the Isles, did a loop, and then headed back home. I just used Google to check the distance - it was about 17.5 miles. Lovely!

hot.

It's apparently SO HOT in my cubicle that chocolate will melt. I have a candy dish full of Lindor Truffles and the dark chocolate and peanut butter centers have turned to liquid. You have to eat the truffle in one bite - it's either that or get runny chocolate all over yourself and your desk.

May Day

A couple of weeks ago I went to the May Day parade in South Minneapolis with my amazing friend Julie. Here are a few pictures from the day.

movie trailer

I want to see this:



Found via A Cup Of Jo

owls everywhere.

Owls.
They are showing up everywhere! I keep seeing owls featured in blogs and in stores.
Here are a few things I have found.

Tea Towels on Etsy

Owl Greeting Cards on Etsy

Owl Themed Parties - like Baby Showers

Even musicians like Owls! Found via Oh Joy!

photo friday: wildlife

Buffalo in Hidden Valley at Yellowstone National Park.

wrap this.

Some of my friends throw away tissue paper from presents. They think it's silly when I grab it up for re-use. I think it's brilliant. And other people know it's brilliant too.

Check out these wrapping ideas:

10 Green Gift Wrap Ideas found via Naturally Nina.

try this.

Lately, I'm all about new recipes. Here are a few that I have tried recently.

Spring Risotto with Peas and Zucchini
I served this with garlic chicken and it was a hit. The leftovers were good too.

Beef Noodle Bowl
This was pretty tasty but it was tricky to get an even ratio of noodles, veggies and beef in each serving.

Maple Sour Cream Walnut Muffins
A huge hit at the office on Monday morning!

Enjoy!

I <3 the Twin Cities.

Over the past weekend I spent lots of time exploring and enjoying Minneapolis and St. Paul. Here's a photo re-cap.

Faded 7-Up Ad. You Like It. It Likes You.

Macy's Flower Show

Hennepin Avenue Bridge and Grain Belt Beer Sign

Wishes for the Sky Festival, Harriet Island

Beautiful Rice Paper Kites

i love stuff like this.

Take a look at this video.



Happy Friday!

photo friday challenge: circular.

look what I found.

Fun camera straps from Cotton Candy, found via Ali Edwards.

I would love to go on a picnic today with this set from Uncommon Goods.

bunny cake.

I had it in my head that I should make a bunny cake for Easter. I found some ideas online and then I woke up on Saturday morning and started baking! I made two 9 inch round cakes using a box cake mix. After the cakes cooled, I cut them to make two layers from each cake. It was a little tricky to make an even cut across the length of the cake.

Meanwhile, I made raspberry filling using this recipe. I think I should have drained the raspberries so to compensate I added extra cornstarch.

After the raspberry filling had cooled in the refrigerator I spread it on the cake. Then, I cut one of the 9 inch cakes to make the bow tie and ears.

I used one container of whipped frosting plus one container of cool whip to cover the entire cake. A little bit of food coloring was added at the end to highlight the bunny ears.


Then I used jelly beans and licorice to make the bunny face and decorate the bow tie.

My family was desperate to start eating the cake on Saturday night. I wouldn't let them have a sample before Easter and they didn't like that too much. We enjoyed the cake with an ice cream cake from dairy queen on Sunday after our ham dinner.

just dreaming.

Although I have not seen it in person, I am dreaming of this ring. It's on sale Wednesday morning. Too bad I have decided to save my tax return.

Do you dream in color? I would love to be at this festival. Found via Oh Happy Day!

...and of course I am dreaming of green grass and sunshine!

Wisconsin State Capitol

love.

so simple and beautiful, just like true love.

sweets.

Only 8 more days and I can have something sweet!!

fun projects.

This week I've been on a binge of checking out new blogs... and it's led me to find ohsomany very pretty and cool projects.

Here's a sample of what I have found.

I could totally make this modular bookcase, found via Design*Sponge.

Check out these colorful linens at Castle, found via Thoughtful Day.

I love glassware, so of course I love this.

For Easter, I should make a bunny cake.

The Growing Up on Facebook article makes me think, found via Superhero Journal. Read her post on March 16, 2009.

Enjoy!

easter tree.

Volker Kraft decorates a tree with 9,200 Easter eggs in his garden in Saalfeld, Germany. The Kraft family have decorated their tree with Easter eggs for more than 40-years.

fun things I found online.

Rainbow Cake! I think it would be fun to make this. Click on the picture to learn how.

Tulip Fields. I want to see these in person. Wow. Click on the picture for more photos.

camera 1. camera 2.

I have a mild obsession with the Gold Medal Flour sign at the Mill City Museum. It's a great symbol for the area by the beautiful Mississippi River. And at night - the words light up one by one in a repetitive pattern. It's glorious.

These pictures were taken from the Guthrie Theater. The yellow-hued photo is from Level 9 (or is it Level 8?) of the Guthrie. It's the part of the building that is a big yellow box. The windows are floor to ceiling yellow and create a crystal clear image of the surrounding area. Next time you are there you should check it out.

spoonriver.

I finally made it to Spoonriver for a meal last week. I met Julie and Brenda there for lunch and we had a delicious time!
Pics from the top to bottom: ravioli, omelet special, fish special.