Garden is in!!

I haven't done a garden post in quite awhile and a lot has changed. About a month ago we planted asparagus seeds and they are really starting to come along. We won't get asparagus this year but hopefully by next year it'll be ready. Here's the plants so far.





We tried to plant our cucs, green beans and squash plants before we left for SC. (the ones we started indoors from seeds) They were getting too big for the containers so we thought it was time. Well not such a great idea. They were all dead by the time we got back. I think they needed a little more TLC. oh well. This past weekend we started over and did the whole garden with seeds. We planted squash, zucchini, cucumbers, green beans, peas, lettuce, garlic, and green onions.

Justin hoeing everything up.


The big garden full of seeds all marked with sticks.


Tiny lettuce plants. The first to sprout.


I also started the smaller garden. This one will eventually hold the tomato plants, peppers, rhubarb, and all the herbs. I'm still waiting for the plants I started indoors to get a little bit bigger before I plant them. The rhubarb is going strong (getting too big already) and I planted a couple herbs I got from my parents - mint, chives and cilantro.

Whose idea was this??

This is what happens when you see if you can fit through children's playground equipment. (yes I did fit but maybe not worth it)

Delicious or Disgusting?

This website was featured in a magazine I was reading and it made me laugh: thisiswhyyourfat.com. I especially like the bacon topped chocolate cake and deep fried lard balls. Doesn't get any better (or worse) than that!

Long Weekends

After taking a roller blade around Lake Harriet I stopped to take a break, enjoy the day, and eat an apple. As I looked up from the bench this is what I saw. (this picture does not do it justice)



So beautiful! It made me appreciate one of my favorite places in the city even more. Hope you get to enjoy the long weekend!!

Charleston Wrap Up

Hard to believe my vacation is over and tomorrow is back to reality. We did so many things that it's hard to remember them all! The weather at the end of the week was really nice and sunny until our last day when it rained on and off all day. But while we were eating our final meal at one of the restaurants on the island, we saw dolphins swimming in the water!! It was really sweet. They were too far away to get any good pictures but it was the perfect way to end the trip. Here are some more of the highlights:

I've always wanted to ride on a segway, so when we saw they did Mt. Pleasant segway tours we thought it was the perfect way to see it. After a short training session the 6 of us were on our way for a private tour. We rode for 3 hours and covered 10 miles! So much fun. Justin thinks we need to get some for ourselves. We'll see about that one.




We had a recommendation to do a pirate treasure hunt around Charleston. You were given a compass and a treasure "map" which had instructions on where to go. Along the way you had to write down answers to questions where the answers could be found on the plaques and buildings. It was a lot of fun and a great way to explore the areas.


Of course this wouldn't be my blog unless I mentioned all the food we ate. I think I have fallen in love with grits and sweet tea! I've always thought grits were like cream of wheat, but when done right they are great and have a nice corn flavor. MMmm mmm! We hit up many many restaurants. I think my favorite was Magnolia in downtown Charleston. We had homemade potato chips with melted blue cheese on top, sprinkled with scallions. (below)


This was my shrimp and grits with a tasso gravy also from Magnolia.


Cari and I hit up Charleston's Cupcake to see if they really are the best in town. They were good but I think Cupcake in Mpls has them beat.


We took a day trip down to Savannah. Went on a carriage ride to see the city and then walked around. I wasn't overly impressed with the town. They had some cute parts but it was nothing like Charleston. Glad I got to see it once.


One morning Cari, Sue, and I got up before the sunrise to go shelling on the beach. It's amazing how many shells you can find! Also cool to see the sunrise on the ocean.


So those are a few of the highlights. Don't have my pics up yet but hopefully will soon. There are a lot of them between the 4 couples.

Charleston Part I

Here we are in Charleston, SC. Well technically Isle of Palms but close enough. It's only been 2 days and it feels like we've done so much! We're staying at this beautiful 5 bedroom, 5 bath villa very close to the beach. The weather has been pretty up and down. It's really sunny and then it gets cloudy. Sometimes it rains, other times it goes away and the sun comes back. Here's some picture highlights so far.

Sampling grits on our foodie tour. Full of cream and butter - very good!


Outside the villa.


Inside in the villa main area.


Biking around the island.


Alligator on our bike ride.


Angel Tree - oldest tree speculated at ~1500 years old.


Relaxing before dinner on one of the decks.

Coffee Junkie

2 blogs in 1 day. Can you tell my mind is on vacation? This one was just too good to resist. First a little history: We have a Starbucks about a block away from my work office that is connected by a tunnel. Needless to say we go there quite often year round. So often in fact that everyone there knows my drink order. This Starbucks is also connected to the bank I go to. To get to the bank you have to walk through the Starbucks.

A co-worker of mine wanted more caffeine this afternoon and I need cash, so off we headed. I veered towards the bank and she went to place her order. When it was her turn in line they took her order and it went something like this:

guy: "We also started your friends drink for her."
co-worker: "Oh, I actually don't think she was getting anything. She just ran to the bank:
guy: "Oh...well I guess now she is!"

I come back into Starbucks.

guy: "You don't have to drink it all, but we made your drink for you"
me: "Sweet!! I guess it's cause I'm such a loyal customer!"

And now I sit her sipping my free tall skinny vanilla latte. Ahh life is good!

Tweet

Well I bit the bullet and joined Twitter. I'm still not sure about this whole thing but I'm already starting to get addicted. :) My biggest issues are the site can be REALLY slow and I get impatient with it quickly. Also, their search engine sucks. You can't search for your friends, or at least I haven't found a way how to. If anyone knows please fill me in. It is fun to see the updates. I think once I get more used to it I'll like it a lot! If you are on it let me know your page so I can follow you!

WANT

Don't you think I need that for my South Carolina trip? It's the Kindle for anyone who is unfamiliar. The greatest and latest technology in books/reading. Download books to read or get a magazine subscription delivered to it. So great. Someday I will have one, someday...

(pictures compliments of Amazon)

Biggest Cup of Cappuccino Ever?

If you ever want a big coffee just head to Salut in Edina. Kristen, Lori & I were supposed to head to KC for a girls weekend but Kristen ended up getting sick and I wanted to go to Lany's wake. So it all worked out in the end. Sat we decided to do some shopping/dinner/drinks for a mini girls trip all the way up in South Minneapolis/Edina. :) The shopping trip was pretty unsuccessful but the great food at Salut made up for it! Highly recommend the baked brie appetizer.

In Memory of Lany Kallsen

Lany was my step-sister's great aunt. Even though we weren't technically related she always treated me as her niece. She taught this city girl how to ride horses and everything else about life on the farm. Lany you will be missed and remembered by many! We know you are in a better place now.