california {from ocean to desert}

{pacific ocean & torrey pines} {another torrey pines ~ I liked this photo too!} {at the beach, near Oceanside, I think?} {outside 1 of 2 Anthros visited in the same day...and I didn't buy a thing! can you spy Hub and I?} {Rodeo Drive...had to see what this was all about. Okay. Now I have.} {driving through the mountains...Sunrise hwy through Cleveland National Forest} {a glimpse of the desert from the mountains} {crazy big boulder mountains...these were just crazy but the picture does no justice} {hub in the desert...he really wanted to go there and see some cacti, so we did!}

Hub and I were in San Diego and elsewhere last week...my first real visit to California, other than a couple layovers in LA. Honestly I'm not completely in my right mind to write a lot of nice things about California or our trip at the moment. The weather was so-so, the traffic was horrendous, public restrooms were hard to come by, and I'm still battling a bad cold I got there mid-week (hence the clouded view I have right now of our trip). There's nothing worse than being very sick when you're away from home. All you really want is your own cozy bed, right? True, we didn't see the entire state... It is a quite a big state and we were only there for a short time. But in that short time, we did see quite a bit and drove over 500 miles or so. I came to the realization on this trip that the way we like to visit new places is to drive around, explore the surroundings, get out and see things, find good restaurants, etc...rather than visit the typical tourist attractions. Although the good restaurants part didn't matter much to me as nothing tasted quite right. But looking back on my pictures now, after a few days of being home, I realize it is a rather pretty place...aside from all the traffic and crazy driving. Maybe next time I visit I'll have better luck and better health!

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(10/28/10: I meant to post this earlier in the week ~hence the date~but catching up on life and being sick just kept getting in the way! More soon, when I'm feeling better, hopefully!)

day trip {ely}

On Sunday we took a drive...in search of autumn colors, fresh crisp air, and sunshine on our faces. It was a lovely, sunny day and we hopped in the car for a two hour ride to Ely...

When Hub and I first moved here, north from the Twin Cities, we always talked about taking little trips to nearby cities like Ely or Bayfield...but we've rarely followed through on this...life always seems to get in the way, no matter where you live. But on Sunday we seized the day and enjoyed visiting a somewhat new-to-us city, having a really good lunch at "The Chocolate Moose" outside on their deck, and then getting out for a vigorous hike that I found out about from a guy who worked at an outfitter store in town.

We nicknamed our hike something like "the many mushroom, mossy-covered, laughing bird trail"...which pretty much summed up all the the things we encountered. In reality, the trail was called "Dry Lake Trail" and we did wrap our way by one lake and then all around Dry Lake (which really isn't dry at all).

All in all the hike was great, except for a few moments of confusion when we couldn't really tell for sure what was the actual trail and what was just plain wilderness. The only thing more disconcerting than that was perhaps the couple of shots we heard fired, from a not too distant location. What could they be hunting? At the time, Hub only suggested Grouse...and we did happen to scare up several later on along the way. But on the way home, he told me they could have also been hunting Bear. I was glad he saved that part for the ride home.

summer mode {+ cabin-ing}

It appears I've slipped fully & thoroughly into summer mode...the place where I'm simply enjoying all the wonderful things about summer. Living in Minnesota all my life, I can't imagine living somewhere else that doesn't have 4 very defined seasons. There are things I do love about each season yet I prefer spring & fall since I'm not particulaly fond of extreme hot or cold weather, I guess. But the summers are uniquely special since they always seem to go by too fast, whereas the winters seem to drag on forever. So I've really come to relish the long days of this season...the lingering & intense sun, the bounty of wild berries, homegrown herbs & tomatoes, trips to the cabin, hours spent fishing, working in the garden, flowers everywhere, watching the hummingbirds, and all the other summer traditions, excursions, and activities that go by in a blur.

Hub & I spent last week vacationing at the cabin and I know I've likely said this before but the cabin has the best sunsets right across the lake without much to impend the view (as there're no other cabins on that side of the lake) and often glorious clouds that only enhance the sun's departure. I took a photo of the sunset each night we were there...and I think the one above was my favorite, but its hard to choose.

We spent most evenings out on the dock or boat until the sun went down...and come morning, I'd find myself on the dock again with my book and a cup of coffee in hand. We also had these daily visitors...a little duck family always looking for a handout.

Another thing I love about going to the cabin is all the little tiny towns nearby. We visited several during this week there...a drive to Dorset one day to browse around, followed by a fabulous lunch at a little cafe we found in Park Rapids, appropriately named "The Good Life." The food was so good! We must remember this spot.

Another day we golfed in Pine River then antiqued in Jenkins. And the following day we parked in the downtown of Hackensack and biked the Paul Bunyan State Trail heading north. (Me, resting on bench along the trail by Ten Mile Lake.)

These little towns are always fun to explore, but it's also good to get back to the complete quiet of the cabin...and wander off to a patch of wild blueberries.

I'd made note of this patch in previous years but it seems we never were there at the right time when the blueberries would be ready (last year we went later when the blackberries were ripe)...but not this year. We picked a little cupful of blue gems.

And on our final night at the cabin, we made use of another wild resource, fresh fish! Somewhat suprisingly, we'd never done a fish dinner at the cabin before, but this time we were determined to, even despite the so-so fishing. So we improvised using what we had on hand to put together a little fish bake and side pasta dish...

Hub filleted his fresh catches and I promptly washed them up and put them in little tinfoil packets...layered first with thin slices of lemon, then the fish fillets, topped with dabs of butter, salt, pepper, and dill seed (we couldn't locate fresh herbs at any of the nearby stores...hence the dill seed.) I folded them up tightly and poked a few holes in the packets. Then Hub slow-grilled them for maybe 12 minutes or so?

Meanwhile, I made a quick little tartar/dipping sauce (consisting of mayo, a dab of dijon mustard, lots of fresh lemon juice, and a bit of diced dill pickle...more improvising here!) and a whole wheat pasta side dish which consisted of sauteing up some green pepper, onion, and garlic in butter...then adding the cooked pasta to the veggies, seasoning, and topping with parmesean cheese. Mmm...this may have been one of my favorite cabin dinners yet!

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More soon! ~L

summery thoughts...

I've had this very strong hankering (don't you love that word?) for awhile now to take a road trip...or hop on a plane to Paris. One or the other. But our past weekend spent at the cabin will have to do for now...and it was really quite a relaxing and sweet little getaway. Although the weekend was a bit on the chilly side, today was finally hot and steamy and sunny...about 80 degrees here, which is steamy enough for this Northern MN girl. I worked outside for hours this afternoon...tending to my garden (it has changed so much since this spring and it continually amazes me each day, the way it fills in, and things are beginning to bloom!), watering the plants, cleaning the birdbath, and other such outdoorsy, yard tasks... Our pretty, pale pink roses are beginning to bloom now. So I cut a few to bring inside. I was reading a new book the other night by one of my favorite authors (the other day I screeched with delight & nearly knocked Hub over in Barnes when I saw she had a new book out!) and it mentioned something about flowers in the house and well, it made me think that little bouquets of fresh flowers shouldn't be relegated to just the kitchen table......I rather like the idea of them everywhere! As long as they are so readily available right out my front door this time of year. So I made a bouquet of the pretty purple Chive blossoms for our mantle that were just drooping over anyways, a simple rose in a vase for the main floor bathroom, and a couple pretty roses for the table...in my favorite thrifted glass bowl I found last summer...I love the sweet, scalloped edge of it.
I was a very lucky girl that day last summer!
~xoxo~

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P.S. I made my very first Etsy treasury today...would you like to see?

change of scenery

{a myriad of butterflies} {Sandhill Crane...our daily visitors, looking for a handout} {poolside knitting} {a little random nighttime Ping-Pong playing} {delicious food...tempura haricot vert with truffle aioli} {completing my very 1st round of 18 holes of golf!}

I’m trying hard not to hold it against Florida that well, it’s really not been a very warm place to vacation...at least the weeks that we choose to visit. Warm is relative but when you are coming from cold Minnesota, you really would like to soak up some HOT weather on your vacation. And each year you think and hope, almost beyond reason now, that Florida will be hot…each year. But I think after several years of vacationing there, several vacations which always have me grabbing for the few long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, and long pants I’ve packed, more often than my swimsuit or shorts, I really do think it's starting to sink in finally that Florida is no Hawaii. I don’t think it ever got above 65 degrees when we were there. Which coming from Minnesota feels pretty nice to some extent, but once the sun was down the nights were chilly and the only thing that helped was the warmth of our hot tub.

On the only one really particularly cold, somewhat rainy day, we took a trip out to the Mall at Millenia…mostly so I could get a little Anthro fix. (Note: I did.) Going up the escalator in Neiman Marcus (for purposes of using the powder room), we were pleasantly surprised to look up and suddenly be transfixed by a countless amount of lofty, airy white butterflies, millions it seemed, dangling down upon us by thin strings. So I simply had to take photos, covertly…as I’m always wary of taking photos inside stores now. ;) It was so pretty!

Yet despite the chilly Florida weather, it was still good to get away, to enjoy a change of scenery, which I think is always a good thing!

life lately...

It was a magical sort of morning here today...the air was crisp, just 8 below...and the trees were crystallized in beauty as the sun came up. It never looks quite the same in photos though.
Yet the sunny start to the day afforded a good photo op for the new skinny scarf I just finished knitting. I started it last year, and like a lot of things, it was put to the side for a long time...mostly because I ran out of yarn and the store ran out of this yarn too. So I finally ended up finding some online. Lately, I've been trying to finish things up...books, projects, etc...just so I can start new ones!Little bits of re-decorating the nest have been taking place too...I pulled out this sweet tea pot and cups that had been boxed up since we moved. Hub gave it to me several Christmases ago. I think the cherry blossom design is lovely and its making me hopeful for Spring.
Of course buying pretty papers is somewhat of an addiction. These are just a few new ones that I picked up the other day...again, with Spring in mind! I can't wait until I have some time to just sit down and start creating with them.

Cooking, homemade lasagna the other night...always cooking and baking. Nothing new there.
There is something a bit relaxing about making a dish so tedious as lasagna though. A lot of repetition in the grating, chopping, layering and all. It gives one time to just ponder things...
And finally, I'm SO anxious to do some packing in this super BIG tote bag I recently bought. Soon, soon, we'll be on our way for a much needed get-away. Sometimes a little change of scenery is all you need to get you through the long months where you patiently wait (especially in MN!) for Spring to arrive, don't you think?

More soon! ~L

Charleston, SC

It's very tempting not to start this post with a "How y'all doin?"

After spending just a few days in the South, I so want to add a little twang to my speech! A little trip to Charleston, South Carolina was one of a few reasons I've been away from my blog for so long! Did you think I'd forgotten about y'all?

Hub had a work thing going on in Charleston and I had the good fortune to be able to go along. I don't think I've ever flown in the Fall before and it was so lovely, viewing all the changing colors of the trees from above. I was mesmerized and inspired! I've also never been to the East Coast, other than for brief layovers which really doesn't count.

The photo above shows a view from our hotel room. We stayed in the French Quarter, right near The Market where every single morning I watched people setting up their little spot with all their wares for sale. In the background of this photo, do you see the big, gray ship? Also every morning we'd wake to look out there and see a new ship docked there at the port. This one I believe was called the "Michigan Highway". Hub would look them up on his laptop to see where they originated from...Japan, Sweden, etc...I'm not sure what I expected Charleston to be like but I found it to be a pretty, charming old city for the most part...reminding me a bit of Paris (minus the palm trees) with all the historic buildings crammed together, pretty courtyards and tiny cemetaries tucked in between. There was also an abundance of restaurants and cafes every which way you looked. And we pretty much ate and walked our way all over downtown Charleston! One evening we ate at Hyman's Seafood with Hub's group where the most adventurous thing I had was fried tilapia and hush puppies. I know... I'm not very brave when it comes to seafood. They were trying to get me to eat a mussel, and I came close, but in the end there just wasn't enough garlic in the world to get me to do it! We came upon the bakery "Baked" on the day we arrived which I'd first read about here but had no idea they had a sister location in Charleston.

We went to peak inside and I was charmed...

...so I went back the next day for lunch! I will take quiche over mussels any day!

I also enjoyed my fair share of shopping on King Street while Hub was away...

Urban Outfitters was in this gorgeous, old theatre building chock full of pretty chandeliers and painted pink ceilings.

While walking through The Market, I chatted with a nice gal (also an Etsy-lover) who worked at this spot selling amazingly, beautiful framed butterflies.

One afternoon, we took a boatride over to Fort Sumter, where as the brochure says "where the Civil War began".

From the boat we had a better view of the stunning bridge that we could also glimpse from our hotel room window.

And on the way back, we floated right on by this enormous ship stacked high with containers. Hub and I were in awe...and we thought we'd seen large ships here on our little Lake Superior. Ha!

When Hub was finished with all his work stuff, we got out of downtown and drove over to Folly Beach. We love the beach and while others in Hub's group were off doing Plantation tours and spooking themselves by touring old jails, we headed straight for the beach! It was a hazy, gray afternoon and we enjoyed a peaceful, windblown time walking along the beach, digging our toes in the sand and feeling the warm, salty sea air on our skin. On our last full day there, we drove over that huge bridge to spend some time on Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms.

We ate lunch out in the blazing hot afternoon sun at a little restaurant called "Poe's Tavern". (Edgar Allen Poe was supposedly stationed at the Fort on the end of Sullivan's Island.) We realized it was Halloween and sort of a creepy coincidence. I distinctly remember reading "The Tell-Tale Heart" in my English Lit class...not so much the story itself, but the creepy feeling you had while reading it! And just to add to the drama at Poe's Tavern, big black birds (not Ravens though!) were sitting overhead on the umbrellas and in the trees, flying back and forth, and I never felt very comfortable while we were there!

Afterwards we drove over to Isle of Palms to walk the stretching 6 miles of white sandy beach. I decided it was too, too hot to carry my camera while out on the beach so I have no photos to show for it. (I get a bit cranky when I'm really hot so I guess its a good thing I live in Duluth!) My arms were sunburned and we were wishing we'd brought swimsuits and towels to spend our last afternoon lounging on the beach. We walked barefoot in the water and watched wistfully as others were playing in the waves. Perhaps another time...we may just have to go back. But it's always so good to get back home, back into a routine, and sleep in our own bed! Even though our hotel had the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in while traveling, there's just nothing like your own bed!

More soon, y'all! ;)