12/52 2014

Hmm. I don't even know what to say about this week. It's been weird, but things are falling into place, and while I have no idea what the future is going to bring, I'll take it with stride and figure things out as I go.

It's still winter here, even though the calendar says spring...

Wednesday 19 March // day seventy-eight :: did you know that there is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle tire toy for dogs? one of my dad's friends gave this to him for his birthday a few years ago. Harley was always a part of my life growing up, as funny as that seems. I haven't been on a motorcycle in years, and I bet my helmet doesn't fit me anymore. anyway. we used to roll this for Max and he would love it!

Thursday 20 March // day seventy-nine :: mystery footprints in the snow.

Friday 21 March // day eighty :: a little relaxation time between shifts and a meeting.

Saturday 22 March // day eighty-one :: wearing some Geri X, with a green tank top, of course. I love that my hair has been looking redder lately.

Sunday 23 March // day eighty-two :: sometimes I mess around in manual, and I am working on figuring settings out on my camera! I was happy to catch the puffy clouds, since I usually see them upstairs, and by the time I get outside with my camera, they're gone.

Monday 24 March // day eighty-three :: sunset at the boat launch.

Tuesday 25 March // day eighty-four :: planning a lesson for Sunday. I was just wondering how off my camera settings would be since they were still set for some shots I did outside at seven o'clock the night before. turns out they worked for this shot too!

xoxo.

March 2014 NatureBox

One of my favorite things about getting my NatureBox every month is that it is literally delivered to my door because it is too big for my mailbox. haha. Here's a look at what I got this month!

One of these things is not like the others!

Homestyle Cheddar Mix :: this was the grossest thing I have ever had from NatureBox. I did not taste cheese at all, just oil. I kept thinking that they would taste better, but they didn't. I actually ended up throwing these away.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries :: these are kind of like the Baked Peppery Fries that I had last month, only they are obviously made with sweet potatoes. These are really good. They're crunchy and they have a little kick to them thanks to the cayenne and cinnamon!

Black and White Granola :: I have never had a bad granola from NatureBox, and this one did not disappoint either. I think there are even some chocolate chunks in the chocolate granola. So delicious!

South Pacific Plantains :: thank goodness these have some sea salt on them, or they would be super bland. I've never had plantains before, but I expected them to have more flavor.

Fuji Apples :: oh how I love dried fruit. these apples were great. they didn't even last three days! haha.

September 2013 NatureBox
October 2013 NatureBox
November 2013 NatureBox (same as December, oops!)
January 2014 NatureBox
February 2014 NatureBox

xoxo.

10 Things I Like About Me

I saw some "Ten Things I Like About Myself" posts floating around, and I thought that that was a great post idea for self-confidence boosting, so here goes nothing!

1. my green eyes. both my parents and sister have blue eyes, so how I ended up with green eyes is beyond me.

{Instagram filter + iPhone camera makes my eyes look grey}

2. my strength. not like physical strength, because I don't really have a lot of that, but emotional strength. I've been through a lot the past few years (including, most recently, my parents' divorce), but I believe that I am able to work through the obstacles and continue to strive for my goals.

3. my independence. I am about to get my first apartment, and while it's scary to know that I will be living by myself, I know that I can do it. I just traveled to a big city for a few days, and coming from a small town, that was nerve wracking! the traffic was crazy and there were so many more people than I am used to, but I was safe and everything was okay.

4. my love for photography. it's so cool to me that everyone sees things in their own ways, and I love to capture the way that I see things.

{James Hall, Jimm McIver, & Andrea Wittgens // Dark Songs 2013}

5. my hair color. I have never dyed my hair (and I don't want to). it's a mix of light brown/blonde/brown/reddish. it looks different depending on the lighting.

6. my love for reading. I might not always have a lot of time for reading, but when I do, I love love love to read.

7. my tattoo. it means something to me, and it always will.

{fresh ink // 29 May 2013}

8. my memory and memories. I remember some pretty little things, like conversations with people, or significant dates.

9. my education. I worked hard and achieved my associate's degree in a field that I love.

10. my sweet tooth. there, I said it. I like cupcakes and I cannot lie.

{Cupcake in Minneapolis}

xoxo.

11/52 2014

I'm publishing this a little bit early because I don't currently have internet at home, and I want to make sure that I get this post up! This week sure has been interesting and busy!

Wednesday 12 March // day seventy-one :: some favorite photos and a seashell

Thursday 13 March // day seventy-two :: I made some muffins and used my vintage green Pyrex bowl for the first time. I added some chia seeds this time, and I must admit that I don't feel too terrible about eating this batter, because there aren't any raw eggs in it.

Friday 14 March // day seventy-two :: sometimes things in boxes are fun. sometimes they're not.

Saturday 15 March // day seventy-four :: someone likes to drink from the bathroom sink

Sunday 16 March // day seventy-five :: fun mail from miss Geri X arrived the day before. I love her handwriting!

Monday 17 March // day seventy-six :: another desk shot. trying out a new mascara and reading an interesting book.

Tuesday 18 March // day seventy-seven :: my preschool Sunday school nametag. how cute.

xoxo.

Minneapolis Days Four & Five

{this post contains fifty-two photos. I'll try to use less words (:}

5 March 2014

Today started out earlier than my other days, and I went out to get a doughnut for breakfast!

I went to Glam Doll Donuts, which has a vintage pin-up theme, and it seriously the cutest place! It reminded me of home.

They have a ton of vintage furniture and knick-knacks, (the straws are in a vintage Swiss Miss can!) and some pin-up artwork.

I had their Calendar Girl doughnut, which is chocolate salted caramel. It wasn't messy until I got to the salted caramel center! My hot chocolate mug had a star at the bottom, and I thought that was pretty cute. My camera wouldn't focus on the star though.

Before I left, I took a walk around and looked at the rest of their vintage furniture and decorations. I just noticed the tiny white table and chairs in this picture!

The other place I considered going for breakfast was right across the street: The Bad Waitress. They have some cool neon.

I took a walk around the block and saw this interesting church.

I went over to the Basilica of St. Mary, but I didn't have a five dollar bill for parking, so I had to leave. I ended up driving to St. Paul to go to the cathedral there.

I found this street sign on the way there and had to laugh.

The Cathedral of St. Paul is such a huge and beautiful church. Those center doors are only used on special occasions, according to the sign on the door.

I walked around inside the church for a little while, and then I walked around the outside of the church. Both the inside and the outside are so beautiful.

After I left the cathedral, I went to Electric Fetus, which I thought was a pretty funny transition. Electric Fetus has a ton of cool gifts and things in addition to lots of music. I bought some postcards for my dad and the motel.

I ended up back over at the Bad Waitress for lunch. Not only did they have red plastic cups and formica tables, but they also had the same sugar shaker that we have at the motel, so I knew that I was in the right place. They have notepads and pencils at the tables because you write down what you want to eat and drink, and then you bring it up to the counter and pay, and then they bring your food out for you. I had the grilled three cheese, which came with tortilla chips.

I took a walk around the block and went to a thrift shop, but I didn't find anything that I liked. (I did a lot of walking while I was in Minneapolis, but I forgot to use Nike+ to track my walks.)

I drove over to the sculpture garden next, and parked at the Walker Gallery.

One of the first sculptures I saw was this blue snowman thing. I managed to grab the last brochure about the garden, so I'll have to read it and figure out what I saw while I was there!

Of course I had to see spoonbridge and cherry as well. My manager called this Claus, and I have no idea why. Like I said, I'll have to take a look at that brochure. I was expecting this to be much bigger than it was. Also, can someone maybe explain to me why this is a symbol of Minneapolis?

I loved seeing all of the paths through the snow.

There was a walkway over I-94 to Hennepin Avenue, so I took that and went to visit the basilica and a few cathedrals.

There were some pretty sights on the way to the Basilica of St. Mary.

What a huge, beautiful church.

The inside was gorgeous as well. They were preparing for the Ash Wednesday evening service.

 I love the sunflares in this picture of the Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church.

I walked around the building trying to find a way in, but all of the doors were locked. Pretty funny because that sign states that this is a fallout shelter.

I also walked around outside Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, but I didn't try to go inside this one.

I walked back over to the sculpture garden and I made another loop there before I went back to the parking garage. I was going to go to the Galleria in Edina, but I must have had the wrong address, so I ended up going back to the hotel because I was tired.

I relaxed in the room for a little bit, and then I went downstairs to Manny's Steakhouse for dinner. I had the tomato and mozzarella salad (I didn't really like the red wine vinaigrette) and the salmon.

I went back to the room and relaxed and watched the sunset!

6 March 2014

I had started packing the night before, so I finished that up and took some last photos of the skyline. I hung out at the hotel until about ten, when I went over to IKEA.

I had breakfast there (cinnamon roll and milk!), and then I walked around the showroom to look at desks, which I totally forgot to do on Monday.

When I got downstairs, I picked up the dishes and silverware that I wanted, and I also got a pillow. After I got checked out, I went outside and buckled the dishes in. I did not want those to slide around while I was driving.

I started my drive east, and I stopped to get gas before I left Minnesota. It was such a boring drive. I stopped in Green Bay for Sam's Club and gas, and I got home around five.

xoxo.