Monday library nights

Every Monday this summer before horn choir, I've spent about an hour at our local public library.  While I went to the Boston Public Library occasionally while at MIT, it was a real commitment between the time it took to get there (45 minutes, whether you walk or take the T) and the fact that you have to carry everything with you.  Then there's the whole lack-of-time-to-actually-read issue.  While I did manage a few books in grad school, I have read 30 books in the past couple months, and it feels wonderful. 

But at the moment, most of my time at the library is spent trying to avoid the book section, as I currently have a stack that's about 2 feet high of books from my childhood and my mom that I'm trying to get through.  But until then, I have to walk into the library and think fondly of the giant cookbook section and all of the novels on my list.  (How did I not consciously realize that libraries had cookbooks until now?  So many options!).

Instead, I'm browsing for DVDs both for me and the family...streaming at home has been incredibly slow lately, taking netflix and hulu off the table.  But, I've been able to see quite a few movies, both new and old.  It's also nice since you can take them up to the cabin and the TV that only gets channel 4 and have something to watch in the evenings.  Because sorry...I just can't quite deal with Big Brother.  Ha.

Puppy eating sweet corn

 

 I wish I had video of Ayden eating sweet corn from the cob.  The sound is just all kinds of adorable.

Antiquing

You haven't been Minnesota antique shopping until you've navigated the low-ceiling basement variety.

If I only had a nursery to furnish...

(also, I adore that stitched barn art in the background!)

Feeling nostalgic.

I wish I could have bought this entire table, but the glasses were $40 each.  Sorry, maybe another time...

Just outside of downtown St. Paul (right at the junction of 52 and 94)

That is one boss fox.

Bits and bobs

I'm scanning family photos in my down time, and this is one of the amazing album covers!

Sunset in Stillwater

The bluest sky.

Minneapolis wandering

One of my informational interviews brought me downtown to the IDS Tower, one of the skyscrapers in downtown Minneapolis.  On the first floor, there's a lovely atrium with some trees, but it's the second floor that's interesting, and that's because it's connected to the Skyway Network.  You can get just about anywhere through the skyways, which is perfect during the freezing winters here, and convenient even when the weather is nice because they're populated with shops, banks, and restaurants.

Skyway over the street.

My cute little car, out in the wild!

Puppy visit!

A cutie came over to visit!

That face.  I just can't even.

Her little legs aren't quite up to long distance running yet, so she came in a baby carrier!  Adorable.

To-do list: Progress!

1.  Car
2.  Health insurance
3.  Job
4.  Place to live

A 2015 Honda Fit Ex! 

Health insurance is in progress--my MNsure application is in the processing stage, so I should be all set once September rolls around.

Now, on to jobs! I've been working furiously on four different resumes, and I've had meetings with about twenty people so far, learning more about career options here in the Twin Cities.  Slowly but surely, things are coming together! 

And yes, that's a new phone.  My first smart phone, if you can believe it!  I don't have many apps, but I do love Alphabear.

Twin Cities Eats: Spoon and Stable

After a surprise champagne toast on the balcony, we walked a few blocks to the new restaurant Spoon and Stable - and what a treat!  Delicious food and cocktails - from the sorghum risotto to the scallop crudo, it was wonderful.

Clover Club: chamomile steeped gin, fresh berries, lemon, rosewater.  So pink!

Twin Cities Eats: Sun Street Breads

I have decided to undertake a quest to find the best biscuits and gravy in the Twin Cities metro area.  This one at Sun Street Breads was delicious.

And there are toast flights!  Adorable.

White Party

Beautiful house, lovely decorated backyard, lawn games, and the best retrieving retriever I've had the pleasure of playing with in a long time!

Hammerschlagen - where you put a bunch of nails in a stump and play a drinking game.  With a hammer.  Obviously a great idea.

Ladies in white with the birthday boy!