How was your week?

My week has felt like this...

orange and blue

Up on the roof at Moto-i

Look!

I'm featured over at Simply Hue!

wednesday

Bonus points to you if you know where the photo above was taken. Any ideas?

coming soon. . .

August is full of so many joys and surprises. It's going to be a busy month. Here's a sneak peek at what's coming soon.

August is full of birthdays. First, it's my sister's birthday. Then my Grandma (turning 84!) and I celebrate our birthdays together. Hopefully Eli will arrive this month to add to our August Birthday Calendar!

I'm going to Dallas.

My parents will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.

found treasures.

There are so many amazing, beautiful, creative treasures to be found. Here are some of my top picks from the recent past.

This spice cupboard organizer is genius.

I love reading stories written by Sobrina at Quiet Like Horses. Her storytelling skills are very captivating.

Here's a great video to remind all of us that love is sweet, even in a whisper.

This is a great gift idea = Customized Sigg Water Bottles. Found via The Kitchn. It would be really hard to decide on just one custom design!

Check out this great kitchen. Go Yellow! Found via The Kitchen.

14 things.

It's been awhile since I have done a post like this... Here are 15 things about me. Surf over to Jen Loves Kev to read her 15. Then post your own!

1. I started a photo club with two of my friends who are both named Sarah. The photo above is from our most recent outing. I love the spoonbridge!
2. I own three bicycles.
3. I love york peppermint patties.
4. I have two older sisters.
5. My friend Sarah and I started an etsy shop. Visit the shop by clicking here.
6. I planted some flowers in pots on my patio and I haven't been giving them much attention this summer. Surprisingly, they are still alive.
7. I haven't been camping yet this summer.
8. Green is my favorite color. This is obvious because I have SO many green things. Green bike, green purse, green bedroom, green luggage, and a new green pen!
9. My Grandma and I have the same birthday (and it's almost here!).
10. Soon, I'm going to be Aunt for the first time. I cannot wait to meet Eli Lenard Kramer.
11. I have a collection of spoons - the kind that are in tourist shops from the state you are visiting.
12. I'm very excited to go to a wedding this weekend.
13. I would like to learn calligraphy.
14. Right now I'm listening to the song Red and Purple by The Dodos. I like it.

Urban Image

Simple, Modern, Sentiments

Come on over to the Urban Image Etsy Shop. My friend Sarah and I are in business selling greeting cards. We'll add new cards frequently, so browse often. Need something specific? Let us know and we'll work with you to create just what you are looking for.

Happy Shopping!

standing tall.

download this. ALL of this.

A huge thanks to Kate at For Me For You who posted about the great free music from Urban Outfitters. I'm downloading all of it today!

make this.

Fajitas Marinade

for 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts

3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons lime juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons onion salt
1 1/2 teaspoons season salt
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon red pepper

Mix all ingredients together. Place cut strips of chicken in a large plastic bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. The marinade smells delicious.

My sister Kelly gave me this recipe and I have made it on two different occasions. Both times I only let the marinade set into the chicken for about an hour. Then I cooked the chicken and in a separate pan I cooked peppers with garlic and olive oil. Build your own fajita with the chicken, peppers and toppings of your choice. The best thing about the marinade (besides the taste) is that there isn't a lot of remaining marinade to dispose of after you soak the chicken. It all covers the chicken and cooks nicely.

Enjoy!

I <3 Wisconsin.

Bosacki's Boat House, Minocqua, Wisconsin

glow.

architecture.

From top to bottom - More pics from the DC Trip.

The ceiling at Union Station.
The Old Post Office Building.
The Willard Hotel.
The Rotunda Ceiling at the Capitol.
The Metro.

art.

The pictures from my DC trip continue...
From top to bottom:
The original poster used for the Obama Campaign.
Fotobama exhibit at the Newseum featuring professional and amateur pictures.
Bike shop in Georgetown.
Pieces of the Berlin Wall on exhibit at the Newseum.

reflections.

Here are a few more pictures from the trip to Washington, D.C. The top photo is my reflection in a tour bus. Then in the middle that's me, Wendy, Mary, and my Mom outside the Newseum. And the last one is obviously from the Air and Space Museum. I'm considering all of these 'practice' for when I have a chance to take reflection photos at the Bean in Chicago. I want to go there.

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.