Recent Days

In recent days I have.... 

- sat on several patios

- been hissed at by a goose

- sat on a dock on the St. Croix 

- jumped on several trampolines

- had deep conversations with friends

- enjoyed Minnesota sunshine

- burned from Minnesota sunshine

- laughed with loved ones

- sipped wine

Needless to say - I am enjoying my days. 

Each day brings memories, new adventures and joy.

{and photo opportunities - I love those}

Life is good. God is good. 

{Dear Monday} 5.14.12

How & Why do Mondays come so quickly?! 

 I'm linking up again with Megan at Happy Day for Dear Monday letters! 

Dear Monday, I'm not sure what you have in store for me but bringer on! 

Dear Minnesota,  thanks for the stellar weather as of late.

Dear Carm, it was beautiful to see your face, laugh & talk with you in person, even if it was only for an hour during your layover. I am so ecstatic that you are moving back to the Midwest! 


Dear week of TV show finales, family dinner, friend birthday celebrations x2, graduation celebration & movie night with the girls, you already hold such wonderful potential. I cannot wait to see what else is in store! 


Dear plants, please grow grow grow!   

Happy Monday! 

Weekend Beautiful

Weekend. 

You were something beautiful - that much I know.

Friday Nae & I kicked off the weekend with a great lunch date to celebrate her BIRTHDAY!
Lunch dates with friends are such a treat for me and I absolutely love pausing in the middle of the day and grabbing a bite with someone I love! And we sat on a patio - simply heavenly!

Saturday was busy & so much fun with a great friend date that involved crepes, coffee & a beautiful leisurely walk around a Minnesota lake with friends.
I also was able to try on my MOH dress for Nae's wedding that is coming up soon - so soon!
Saturday I also popped over to the Minnesota State Fair grounds for a wonderful rogue art & craft show & lastly bought some flowers and started working in the yard! By the end of the day I felt like I had accomplished so many things and fell into bed utterly exhausted!

Sunday was like a cherry on top of a perfect weekend. I had a wonderful Sunday school class of little 2 year olds, great church service & then a wonderful lunch served to all of the women in the family by my dad and uncles! I love traditions and I love Mothers Day in my family - it's always so special! 

Sunday I also was able to have a quick fun Subway date with a great friend who was on layover for a few hours! 

The weekend was beautiful. Fast but beautiful. 

Weekends like this always remind me how truly blessed I am. God has gifted me with a great life, wonderful people and the ability to do many things. Life is not always easy but it's beautiful {in the good & the bad}. 

An Unexpected Weekend.

My weekend was not what I expected it to be.
Does anyone else every have that? Wednesday & Thursday I was absolutely sure I knew what my weekend held and then it all changed. But that's ok - my weekend was still amazing & perfect. 

Tasty ice cream with Kelly & Khalia - ice cream dates may just be perfection in a cup!

Many movies were watched; Thor, We Bought a Zoo & Ghost Protocol. 

The weather was a bit dreary and it rained a few times. But sometimes rain is a good thing, even if we don't think so at the time.  

A beautiful & productive Panera date, they're the best. 

Lots & lots of reading. The fun leisurely reading while lounging in bed or in your favorite chair with a cuddly blanket. 

One last bridal wedding shower for Lynnae.

Skyping with Amanda Sue. 

What a fun relaxing weekend. 

How did you spend your weekend? Was it what you expected or was there a game changer?

{Dear Monday} St. Paul edition

 I'm linking up again with Megan at Happy Day 

Dear Monday, you started off a bit rough but an impromptu girls night was just what the doctor ordered! 

Dear St. Paul, I love everything about you. 

Dear Minnesota, you will always have my love but please help a girl out with sunny warm weather.

Dear Weekend full of roommate day, movie nights, an afternoon nap, friend dates & church, you were just what a girl needed. 

Showering with Love

The past few weeks I've had many occasions to celebrate life with loved ones near & dear to my heart! I am so blessed to have these people in my life and loved being part of their celebrations!

{beautiful snacks at Nae's shower}

Two weeks ago Amanda & I headed to Wisconsin with one of our favorite brides-to-be to celebrate her and her upcoming wedding in June. We even got a glimpse of our bridesmaids dresses which Nae's mom is making for us!

{Shower Cake // Amanda, Nae & I // bridesmaids dresses}

Last week I was able to celebrate my friend Amanda and her little girl. Amanda's mom took care of all of the details, the shower was just beautiful and was held at the Lake Elmo Inn with their famous brunch! 

Six years ago Kaarin, Kristi & I were all in Amanda's wedding - for the first time since the wedding we were all together again. 

I can not wait to celebrate Nae's wedding in a few weeks and meet Amanda's little girl soon after (or before). 

{Dear Monday} The Happiness Issue

Thank Goodness it's Monday {TGIM} again!  

I'm linking up again with Megan at Happy Day 

Dear Monday, today you are a vacation day - that makes you instantly beautiful! So far I have slept in, read a book in bed, visited old friends, wore cute new shoes and sipped a marshmallow latte while working in caribou. 

Dear Life, you are amazing! I am sorry that somedays I do not realize it, but beautiful you are.

                                                                   Source: southernpiphi.tumblr.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Dear Camera with a ruffled strap,  sometimes I forget how much I love you. But then I pull you out, start snapping pictures and fall more & more in love with you with every click of the shutter. I love looking at life through your lens!


Dear not-so-new job,  I cannot believe this week marks a year of working you. I'm still learning about you and the role I play in your big tetris game. 

"We tend to forget that HAPPINESS doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing & appreciating what we do have."

- Frederick Keonig

Happy Monday to you & yours!