It's Fabulous Friday! And just what am I finding fabulous today?
1. My
2. Weekend
3. Is
4. Free
5. For
6. Whatever
7. I
8. Want
9. To
10. Do
Can you tell I'm a tad excited about that? Happy weekend everyone!!
Showing posts with label weekend. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weekend. Show all posts
3/9/12
1/23/12
Another weekend gone by....
...too quickly! Time always flies when you don't want it to. Anyway, it was a decent weekend even if it was too short.
Saturday was taken up mostly with a Praise Project gig, but there was mexican food and margaritas for me and Mr. Nate after the gig, so that was nice. And then we watched a movie, not a great one but it was something. So exciting yes?
Sunday was a little more interesting. Nate went to a movie with Ali and I went on a hunt for frosting supplies to assist in my next batch of cupcakes. Then I baked. I made vanilla cupcakes with chocolate icing this time. While the process wasn't quite as smooth as last week's, overall I am pleased and oh my are they tasty. Sweet, but tasty.
Saturday was taken up mostly with a Praise Project gig, but there was mexican food and margaritas for me and Mr. Nate after the gig, so that was nice. And then we watched a movie, not a great one but it was something. So exciting yes?
Sunday was a little more interesting. Nate went to a movie with Ali and I went on a hunt for frosting supplies to assist in my next batch of cupcakes. Then I baked. I made vanilla cupcakes with chocolate icing this time. While the process wasn't quite as smooth as last week's, overall I am pleased and oh my are they tasty. Sweet, but tasty.
Look, I even attempted fancy frosting swirls with my new decorating supplies! For a first go at it, I don't think they're too bad!
I told Nate I probably will take a little break now before I make the cupcakes again, but it really has turned into a fun new little hobby for this winter. It is a lot of work though! I was pretty exhausted by the time I was done. We were lazy and grabbed burgers and fries from out for dinner then. Healthy? No. Tasty? Yes. Just means extra time on the elliptical for this girl.
Next weekend will be fun, we're going to our glass blowing/beer tasting class that I bought as a gift for Nate for Christmas. At the class we get to make a pint glass to take home with us! It should be interesting!
Today started out not the greatest ever, the snow/ice out there is just awful. Took 20 minutes to clean off my car and another almost 20 minutes to get to work. Gross. I want to clean out my garage and park in it. Or tear it down and build a bigger, heated one. Now, where did that Money Tree go again?
11/28/11
Whirlwind weekend
Whew. What a wonderful long holiday weekend I just had! I don't want to brag, but it was pretty freaking awesome. Now that it's over I feel like it flew by, but really, I enjoyed every moment and felt very present in each moment, so I feel pretty good about that.
So I mentioned previously that I saw The Muppets twice. In addition to that, we celebrated Thanksgiving with Nate's side of the family and it was nice to see all of them. We went to the gun range on Friday morning to do a little recreational shooting. I still can't believe I can do this now, I have come so far. It helps that I have outstanding hearing protection. Anyway, we had some fun there and had lunch out at my favorite deli (Nelson's Cheese Shop in Spring Lake Park). Friday was one of the days we saw the movie then in the afternoon and after that we had dinner at Punch Pizza with my parents and Nate's parents. Then we met up with Ali back at my parents house and had dessert and opened presents.
Saturday we were a little bit lazier but that was ok because the weather was totally crappy. We did venture out in the afternoon to find a beer store we've been hearing about and it's like total Nate and Beth's ultimate candy store - The Four Firkins in St. Louis Park. Holy beer Batman! I have never seen such a huge selection of craft brews. And they do "create your own six pack." Total win. The store is organized so well too as to the different types of beers. I'm mildly embarrassed to admit we spent close to an hour in there. After that we picked up Five Guys burgers and brought them home and settled in with some movies.
Sunday I got down to business and after breakfast finally set about getting my Christmas decorations up. I had done a little bit of it on Saturday, but hadn't gotten the tree up and all that jazz. Nate was even teasing me that I was "running behind" on that, but with all the birthday hoopla, just hadn't had the time to work on it until Sunday. I got all the lights strung on the tree and discovered that one whole set was burned out. Crud. So I planned a trip to Target and Nate said he'd go with because he needed a birthday card for his dad. And somehow said trip to Target involved a slight detour to the Verizon store so I could buy myself an iPhone. No big.
Oh back up a bit here....I GOT AN IPHONE! Yes I am excited. So that was pretty big news for yesterday. We did go get the lights and stuff too. Returned home and I finished up the tree, we met up with my in-laws for a short walk in the cold air, came home and made shepherd's pie and tried to unwind a bit more before getting ready to face the week and come back to reality.
All in all a great weekend. I have no complaints!!
So I mentioned previously that I saw The Muppets twice. In addition to that, we celebrated Thanksgiving with Nate's side of the family and it was nice to see all of them. We went to the gun range on Friday morning to do a little recreational shooting. I still can't believe I can do this now, I have come so far. It helps that I have outstanding hearing protection. Anyway, we had some fun there and had lunch out at my favorite deli (Nelson's Cheese Shop in Spring Lake Park). Friday was one of the days we saw the movie then in the afternoon and after that we had dinner at Punch Pizza with my parents and Nate's parents. Then we met up with Ali back at my parents house and had dessert and opened presents.
Saturday we were a little bit lazier but that was ok because the weather was totally crappy. We did venture out in the afternoon to find a beer store we've been hearing about and it's like total Nate and Beth's ultimate candy store - The Four Firkins in St. Louis Park. Holy beer Batman! I have never seen such a huge selection of craft brews. And they do "create your own six pack." Total win. The store is organized so well too as to the different types of beers. I'm mildly embarrassed to admit we spent close to an hour in there. After that we picked up Five Guys burgers and brought them home and settled in with some movies.
Sunday I got down to business and after breakfast finally set about getting my Christmas decorations up. I had done a little bit of it on Saturday, but hadn't gotten the tree up and all that jazz. Nate was even teasing me that I was "running behind" on that, but with all the birthday hoopla, just hadn't had the time to work on it until Sunday. I got all the lights strung on the tree and discovered that one whole set was burned out. Crud. So I planned a trip to Target and Nate said he'd go with because he needed a birthday card for his dad. And somehow said trip to Target involved a slight detour to the Verizon store so I could buy myself an iPhone. No big.
Oh back up a bit here....I GOT AN IPHONE! Yes I am excited. So that was pretty big news for yesterday. We did go get the lights and stuff too. Returned home and I finished up the tree, we met up with my in-laws for a short walk in the cold air, came home and made shepherd's pie and tried to unwind a bit more before getting ready to face the week and come back to reality.
All in all a great weekend. I have no complaints!!
11/1/11
Just Write - Lazy day, best day
Saturday was a long, full, rather exhausting day.
Sunday we had plans of getting up, going out and doing stuff. I was calling it our "day of fun".
When Sunday dawned, we slept as late as our bodies would let us and realized, we're just feeling too lazy to go out and do anything. But looking back, it was the best day ever.
Breakfast in. Coffee. Prairie Home Companion on in the background.
Long, hot showers.
A trip to the video store, first time setting foot in an actual video store in years and discovering it is cheap, fun and a way to relive our dating years in a sense.
Coming home with two movies, making popcorn, settling in with blankets, dimmed lights and enjoying an in-home movie theatre experience.
Making tea, sitting out on the deck when it was discovered it wasn't raining as predicted.
Getting take out italian food from a favorite restaurant. A bottle of red wine and another movie. Rounding out with a couple of favorite shows from the week. A warm relaxing bubble bath. Falling into bed and actually falling asleep quickly, rare for Sunday nights.
It was a day of fun. We were together. We rested. We needed it.
It's more than ok to be lazy.
Sunday we had plans of getting up, going out and doing stuff. I was calling it our "day of fun".
When Sunday dawned, we slept as late as our bodies would let us and realized, we're just feeling too lazy to go out and do anything. But looking back, it was the best day ever.
Breakfast in. Coffee. Prairie Home Companion on in the background.
Long, hot showers.
A trip to the video store, first time setting foot in an actual video store in years and discovering it is cheap, fun and a way to relive our dating years in a sense.
Coming home with two movies, making popcorn, settling in with blankets, dimmed lights and enjoying an in-home movie theatre experience.
Making tea, sitting out on the deck when it was discovered it wasn't raining as predicted.
Getting take out italian food from a favorite restaurant. A bottle of red wine and another movie. Rounding out with a couple of favorite shows from the week. A warm relaxing bubble bath. Falling into bed and actually falling asleep quickly, rare for Sunday nights.
It was a day of fun. We were together. We rested. We needed it.
It's more than ok to be lazy.
Linking up to "Just Write" today as I have been doing on Tuesdays. Visit Heather of the EO to read other Just Write posts or to add your own.
10/17/11
Weekend recap and a Challenge
Wow. What a wonderful weekend. Our party was a success and it was a lot of fun.. It was so nice to see so many people and everyone seemed to have a really great time. I'm not going to talk about it a whole lot more right now because I want to save my reflections for a "Just Write" post tomorrow - I have the ideas floating in my head which makes me happy since I didn't have a post for it last week!
The rest of the weekend was pretty good. Nate and I slept in on Sunday, although it didn't turn out to be too terribly late of an evening on Saturday, it still felt good to sleep in. We had brunch at Brasa and once again, it was fantastic. Then we braved the madness of the apple orchard - I swear I haven't seen it that busy in a very long time. Got a few items there and hope to make a pie this week, haven't had any apple pie yet this year!
Came home and pretty much vegged, finishing out our day with pizza and the first disc of season three of Mad Men.
We had a conversation though yesterday that all couples have to have here and there and dread talking about and that was a "money" talk. And through the course of our conversation, I decided to issue myself a challenge. I would like to first of all put a disclaimer here that we are not in the poor house or something, but we both agreed that we need to be a little more fiscally responsible and kind of start acting like the almost 30 year old adults that we are. So, enter my challenge.
Starting today, October 17th until one month from today, November 17th, I will not buy anything for myself that is not considered a "necessity." No more clothes shopping, no purses, no frivolous things for one month. Baby steps, but it seems do-able. Here is a list of what I do consider a "necessity":
1. Food (duh - gotta eat. This is for groceries and our "one night out a week at a restaurant").
2. Gas for my car
3. Replacements for anything pertinent to daily life - toiletries (soap, toothpaste), etc.
4. Cat items (food, litter)
5. Medicine we happen to run out of (it's allergy season)
6. Paying bills
And here are the definite no-no's:
1. Clothes
2. Purses
3. Magazines
4. Books
5. Music (MP3 downloads or CDs)
6. In home parties (jewelry, Tastefully Simple, Partylite, etc.)
7. Bath and body items (Bath and Bodyworks, LUSH)
Again, it's not that we are broke, but I have a bad shopping habit and I think a one month challenge is a good way to try and curb it a bit. The other exceptions I didn't mention is that I am going to allow myself to buy a birthday gift for Nate and if I find early Christmas gifts for people that is allowed too.
The reason I targeted one month from today as the end of the challenge is that is the day the Cities 97 City Sampler comes out and I would like to buy my annual copy of that. After that day though, we'll see, it'll be getting close to the holidays and my birthday and while I will be shopping for others, I will probably keep the "no shopping for myself thing" going. Seems like a good time of year to try this anyway.
So, here goes nothing!
The rest of the weekend was pretty good. Nate and I slept in on Sunday, although it didn't turn out to be too terribly late of an evening on Saturday, it still felt good to sleep in. We had brunch at Brasa and once again, it was fantastic. Then we braved the madness of the apple orchard - I swear I haven't seen it that busy in a very long time. Got a few items there and hope to make a pie this week, haven't had any apple pie yet this year!
Came home and pretty much vegged, finishing out our day with pizza and the first disc of season three of Mad Men.
We had a conversation though yesterday that all couples have to have here and there and dread talking about and that was a "money" talk. And through the course of our conversation, I decided to issue myself a challenge. I would like to first of all put a disclaimer here that we are not in the poor house or something, but we both agreed that we need to be a little more fiscally responsible and kind of start acting like the almost 30 year old adults that we are. So, enter my challenge.
Starting today, October 17th until one month from today, November 17th, I will not buy anything for myself that is not considered a "necessity." No more clothes shopping, no purses, no frivolous things for one month. Baby steps, but it seems do-able. Here is a list of what I do consider a "necessity":
1. Food (duh - gotta eat. This is for groceries and our "one night out a week at a restaurant").
2. Gas for my car
3. Replacements for anything pertinent to daily life - toiletries (soap, toothpaste), etc.
4. Cat items (food, litter)
5. Medicine we happen to run out of (it's allergy season)
6. Paying bills
And here are the definite no-no's:
1. Clothes
2. Purses
3. Magazines
4. Books
5. Music (MP3 downloads or CDs)
6. In home parties (jewelry, Tastefully Simple, Partylite, etc.)
7. Bath and body items (Bath and Bodyworks, LUSH)
Again, it's not that we are broke, but I have a bad shopping habit and I think a one month challenge is a good way to try and curb it a bit. The other exceptions I didn't mention is that I am going to allow myself to buy a birthday gift for Nate and if I find early Christmas gifts for people that is allowed too.
The reason I targeted one month from today as the end of the challenge is that is the day the Cities 97 City Sampler comes out and I would like to buy my annual copy of that. After that day though, we'll see, it'll be getting close to the holidays and my birthday and while I will be shopping for others, I will probably keep the "no shopping for myself thing" going. Seems like a good time of year to try this anyway.
So, here goes nothing!
9/26/11
One moment at a time
As I've been mentioning here occasionally, we've been in a season of craziness in our house. And I don't know how to say it without it seeming negative because it isn't - but Nate and I really needed some time to focus on each other and spend some time just the two of us for a bit. So again, this is no offense to any of our friends, family or fellow Praise Project members, but I am so glad he and I finally had some much needed couple time this weekend. And I hope that we can continue to make sure we're fitting that in because while all those other things are certainly very important to us too, we have a tendency to get into a pattern where we are neglecting each other and that's not good or healthy either. Again it's all about balance and we're working on a better balance. Looking ahead to this week - well it's not quite balanced right but it should be the last week like that for awhile fortunately.
So anyway, back to our couple time this weekend, you may ask, what did we do with our time together? On Saturday we had dinner out at a restaurant we haven't been in a very long time, Clauddaugh in Maple Grove. It was wonderful, we both really enjoyed our meals and it was quite relaxing. We went home and played some backgammon and then watched some TV shows.
Sunday we slept in - wow did that feel good! Nate made us some wonderful breakfast and we took our time eating and enjoying each other's company. Then we decided to head off to the Como Zoo. We haven't been there for awhile and it's always had a special place in my heart because that is where we got engaged. I was worried when we first got to the Como Park area because the parking lots were full and there was some walk going on, but then we found out that they have free shuttle service on the weekends from the Saints baseball stadium. Hardly anyone was using that service either so we were able to park with no problem and take a little ride on a bus back up to the zoo.
Some highlights from our zoo visit:
So anyway, back to our couple time this weekend, you may ask, what did we do with our time together? On Saturday we had dinner out at a restaurant we haven't been in a very long time, Clauddaugh in Maple Grove. It was wonderful, we both really enjoyed our meals and it was quite relaxing. We went home and played some backgammon and then watched some TV shows.
Sunday we slept in - wow did that feel good! Nate made us some wonderful breakfast and we took our time eating and enjoying each other's company. Then we decided to head off to the Como Zoo. We haven't been there for awhile and it's always had a special place in my heart because that is where we got engaged. I was worried when we first got to the Como Park area because the parking lots were full and there was some walk going on, but then we found out that they have free shuttle service on the weekends from the Saints baseball stadium. Hardly anyone was using that service either so we were able to park with no problem and take a little ride on a bus back up to the zoo.
Some highlights from our zoo visit:
Baby Orangutan and it's mother
Under the "date" tree in the Conservatory
The Japanese Garden - so peaceful and serene
Me in the Japanese Garden
I'm so glad we took some time to spend out there. We got to see the visiting Brown Bears from the Minot, North Dakota zoo as well, they weren't terribly photogenic however.
After our zoo trip we went home to veg for a bit before heading over to my in-laws for dinner, we had yummy ribs and potatoes with them. Went back home and Nate was a nice guy and helped me move our Elliptical machine up into the spare bedroom. Right now our running/walking program is kind of on hold, so I need a form of exercise and was tired of working out in the dungeon that is my laundry room, so we're going to try it upstairs for awhile. We will see how it goes, it is taking up more room that I'd like, but it was nice this morning when I was using it, so hopefully it'll last.
And now we're into a crazy week, but I'm choosing to go one moment at a time and I think we'll get through it all!
9/15/11
You know that feeling...
...that you get when you are going on a little trip, even when it is just a couple of days worth and you have a list a mile long of things to do including packing, cleaning up your house a bit for the person caring for your cats, running errands, making corn bread to take with you to eat with your dad's chili, and brewing up a batch of beer because if you don't by tonight it won't be ready for the Oktoberfest party you're having in a few weeks and you want to have a packed bar so you really need to do it?
Yep. That.
(P.S. I decided to take the afternoon off.)
Yep. That.
(P.S. I decided to take the afternoon off.)
9/13/11
A good weekend
Now that I'm done remembering 9/11 I'm back to your regularly schedule ramblin' gal!
And today I thought I'd ramble a bit about the weekend. We had a good weekend full of good things! It was a bit warmer out at times than I like, but otherwise I really enjoyed the things we did.
Saturday I indulged myself a little bit in having my own Stella and Dot party. I will be able to get a few pretty new things that will help me totally rock 30 in a couple of months. I made a couple of new appetizers that turned out really well too and that was awesome!
Saturday night found me stepping out of my shell just a little - I went to a women's homebrewing group. Yep. I thought I'd give it a try. Long story short, there's another women's beer group I found on Facebook that just got started here in the Twin Cities called Barley's Angels. It's a group that meets monthly at various bars to do beer tastings and educate women on beer - and help them foster an appreciation for it. I've been meaning to go to one of their meetings, but I just haven't had the time yet when they've had them, but I still "liked" their Facebook page so I could keep up just in case. Another woman who is in that group then contacted me when she noticed that we homebrew - she has a group called Bitches Brew Crew and they brew beer monthly at her house in New Brighton - not far from us at all. I decided to give it a try, figuring it was close to home if I hated it but otherwise, would be interesting to see what other homebrewers do. It ended up being pretty neat - about three other women came, and the option is there to purchase a share of what is brewed, so it's divided up by about four of us. We brewed a Pumpkin Ale and I'm excited to give it a try when it's done. I don't know how many of their events I'll be able to make it to with our busy schedule, but I'm kind of proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and trying this out. Nate's excited too because the woman in charge of this group does all grain brewing with her husband and we might get to learn about that sometime (we currently do what is called "Extract brewing"). I was home early enough to still unwind with Nate for a bit on Saturday night too, so you can't beat that!
Sunday we slept in and that felt really good. Then we got up and tried the brunch at our favorite restaurant Brasa in NE Minneapolis. I had a feeling we'd end up loving it as we have everything else we have tried there and I was correct. It was amazing. I had french toast, Nate had a ham and egg hash and we shared these prawn cheese grits. Yummmm.....
Then we went home and both just vegged for awhile - I honestly don't know the last time we were able to just do that on a Sunday afternoon. Nate played video games while I took a nap! I loved that! Ha! Then we decided to be crazy and take our afternoon walk by going up to Cub to pick up things for dinner - man was it HOT. We kind of regretted that decision later, but hey, we got our exercise for the day, that's for sure! Then my in-laws came over and enjoyed chili dogs with us and then we wrapped up the weekend with a couple of TV shows.
Now we're on to a short week, we're cabin bound at the end of this week which I am looking forward to! Gonna be chilly up north and that's just how I like it!
And today I thought I'd ramble a bit about the weekend. We had a good weekend full of good things! It was a bit warmer out at times than I like, but otherwise I really enjoyed the things we did.
Saturday I indulged myself a little bit in having my own Stella and Dot party. I will be able to get a few pretty new things that will help me totally rock 30 in a couple of months. I made a couple of new appetizers that turned out really well too and that was awesome!
Saturday night found me stepping out of my shell just a little - I went to a women's homebrewing group. Yep. I thought I'd give it a try. Long story short, there's another women's beer group I found on Facebook that just got started here in the Twin Cities called Barley's Angels. It's a group that meets monthly at various bars to do beer tastings and educate women on beer - and help them foster an appreciation for it. I've been meaning to go to one of their meetings, but I just haven't had the time yet when they've had them, but I still "liked" their Facebook page so I could keep up just in case. Another woman who is in that group then contacted me when she noticed that we homebrew - she has a group called Bitches Brew Crew and they brew beer monthly at her house in New Brighton - not far from us at all. I decided to give it a try, figuring it was close to home if I hated it but otherwise, would be interesting to see what other homebrewers do. It ended up being pretty neat - about three other women came, and the option is there to purchase a share of what is brewed, so it's divided up by about four of us. We brewed a Pumpkin Ale and I'm excited to give it a try when it's done. I don't know how many of their events I'll be able to make it to with our busy schedule, but I'm kind of proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and trying this out. Nate's excited too because the woman in charge of this group does all grain brewing with her husband and we might get to learn about that sometime (we currently do what is called "Extract brewing"). I was home early enough to still unwind with Nate for a bit on Saturday night too, so you can't beat that!
Sunday we slept in and that felt really good. Then we got up and tried the brunch at our favorite restaurant Brasa in NE Minneapolis. I had a feeling we'd end up loving it as we have everything else we have tried there and I was correct. It was amazing. I had french toast, Nate had a ham and egg hash and we shared these prawn cheese grits. Yummmm.....
Then we went home and both just vegged for awhile - I honestly don't know the last time we were able to just do that on a Sunday afternoon. Nate played video games while I took a nap! I loved that! Ha! Then we decided to be crazy and take our afternoon walk by going up to Cub to pick up things for dinner - man was it HOT. We kind of regretted that decision later, but hey, we got our exercise for the day, that's for sure! Then my in-laws came over and enjoyed chili dogs with us and then we wrapped up the weekend with a couple of TV shows.
Now we're on to a short week, we're cabin bound at the end of this week which I am looking forward to! Gonna be chilly up north and that's just how I like it!
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