That Time of Year?

Granted I only have 21 friends on Facebook, but the updates seem few and far between even for me. It must be a busy time for everyone with holiday shopping, parties, family and friends getting together face to face! Hooray!

Merry Christmas 2010 everyone!

B is for Blizzard

You know you're in trouble when the weather forecast includes these terms:

Arctic air

Siberian sun

Yukon

Nanook

Sub-zero

Gray, I can feel my toes again

Weather drama

These terms were all used in the local newspaper 7-day forecast. Not sure which is worse an east coast "nor'easter" or a mid-west "canadian clipper".

UGH or UGG

I just purchased something I thought I would NEVER buy - UGG boots. They have been stylish for eons, especially with celebs and kids. Not a style maven and living in Florida, UGGs were never on my radar although all the girls have had them for years. Although they look comfortable, they also look boxy and bulky, well.... UGGly. Even the name, UGG, is unappealing. When our family first started purchasing them (yes, the girls each have had multiple pairs) there was just one style that came in two heights and two colors. It seems like this year there has been an explosion of UGGs. Size, shape, color, fabric, not just boots either, they have expanded into scarves, hats, mittens, gloves, all for women, men, kids, even babies.

I need something to keep my tootsies warm out here in the tundra (as Colleen calls it) and UGGs are just the ticket. They have lived up to the hype, are incredibly warm, comfortable, AND (bonus) stylish. With temperatures predicted to be sub-zero next week I may be forced to buy something else I thought I'd never need -- Cuddleduds!

A Winters Walk

Something about a sunny day is just so inviting it makes me want to be outside. The sky is blue, the sun is bright and sparkling on the snow, my knee feels good. So I decided to take a walk in the brisk 13* temperature (feels like 1* according to the Weather Channel). The Mississippi River flows directly behind our condo building and there is a park and scenic path that follows the river. I am not as crazy as some; I passed 3 bikers, 3 joggers, and 2 dog walkers. I did a short loop encompassing 3 blocks and it took all of 20 minutes and it was exhilarating. But I am glad to be back in the cozy warmth of the condo, listening to Christmas music, and looking at the beauty of the outside from inside. Some shots of my walk:

At the start looking at the Mill Ruins Museum, some other loft apartments, and the cantilever of the Guthrie Theater.

A better look at the stunning Guthrie Theater. We are seeing A Christmas Carol there when Colleen gets here next week.

Looking back at the semi-frozen Mississippi and the stone arch bridge across to the east bank.

Passing Gold Medal Park (as in the flour) on the way back. Just one of the many parks near our condo.

Winter Wonderland

I just love the holidays and I enjoy every decoration, song, food and drink associated with Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is just a blur from gearing up for Thanksgiving until the new year in January.

It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Minnesnowta! I am loving this cold, snowy, weather ... from the inside of our condo overlooking the Mississippi River. When I moved to Boston from Delaware as a young 20 something, my first winter experience was the Blizzard of 1978 and the city basically shut down for a week. Now 33 years later my first winter in MSP, November was the snowiest in decades. And the snow is still coming. Another 4 to 8 inches of light, powdery (Aspen-like they call it) snow is predicted overnight. They don't just shovel and plow this type of snow in MN, they also use small front end loaders with rotary brushes attached that sweep the light snow from the pathways. So cute. They are not fooling around when it comes to snow removal. The first chance of a 32* thaw isn't until 12/15 so this snow is expected to stay around for awhile. But behind the snow arctic sunshine is in store, lows is the -1* category, highs in the mid teens (brrrrr). It might be frigid, but Minnesota has more winter sunshine than any other northern part of the country and some parts of the south. Lots of factoids here.

Might I just be trying to convince myself that I like all this cold and snow? Check back in February!

Road Trip - Let the Good Times Roll

If anyone watched the movie Road Trip from 2000 (or even the trailer for that matter) there was nothing fun or good about that flick. My recent Road Trip with Nancy and Melissa however, was all fun with loads of good times.

After packing up the MVY rental house and the car to the hilt, we waved good-bye to Massachusetts and the East Coast heading to our new adventure in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a journey of approximately 1500 miles. First stop beautiful Niagara Falls, NY. My expectations were not the highest. Yes, there is a touristy feel, but it does not take away from the spectacular and amazing power of Mother Nature. The mist rises regardless of the weather and can be seen for miles as 600,000 US gallons per second flow over the falls!

Less than 24 hours later we were on the road again traveling west and south along the Canadian border on our way to Chicago, IL (Chitown to us mid-westerners). There was no construction or tolls, little traffic, smooth roads and the On Route areas were new and clean! Tim Horton's was the fast food choice at every stop. We thought it must be the Canadian version of McDonald's and were pleasantly surprised that healthier options were offered- soups and sandwiches as well as donuts and other pastries that we by passed even though they looked fresh and delicious.

Although there are a few wind turbines in MA (on Cape Cod and MVY) I had not previously seen a wind farm. This part of Canada seems perfect for them because the terrain is very flat and there is nothing but corn and soybean fields for miles and miles. We re-entered the USA through Detroit (a pretty skyline from afar), crossed the state to drive along the shore of Lake Michigan, through not so beautiful Indiana where a billboard proclaimed that 4,000 plus bridges statewide were in need of repair! It was an 8 hour plus drive and the skyline of Chitown was a welcome sight. We packed two days and three nights with sightseeing, dining, and wining. An architectual boat cruise along the Chicago River (wonderfully informative, hope I can retain some of the info imparted),

Navy Pier and the ferris wheel (I couldn't take a picture as we were all a little freaked out because it was so high),

the famous Bean,

the biggest and coolest amphitheater,

drinks at Trump Tower,

and the cherry on the sundae, a tour of Wrigley Field and the club house.

Then it was on the road again to our final destination -- HOME! We even played the tourist in Minneapolis taking a segway tour which was a blast,

but the main event was moving into the new digs.

Thanks Melissa and Nancy for partaking of a road trip with Tour Guide Barbie, helping with the move, and most important making memories. Love you!

Memories.......

After a relaxing two week beach side vacation at The Ponte Vedra Inn and Club and saying a sad good-bye to our PVB friends, Colleen and I arrive by ferry in early June. She, ready to get to work earning spending money for college at Nell and 20 Main. Me, ready to get to work on the building phase of our new house. We are both happy to arrive on "Paradise North".

Building gets off to a slow start, but the constantly sunny, warm days allow the architect and builder to make up precious time. The plan, to have the house buttoned up in time for the cold winter. So far, so good.

Rachel arrives for her summer adventure with Aunt Mary. Her promised job having fallen through, she pounds the pavement and scours the shops with Colleen and quickly secures a position as a sales clerk at The Black Dog on Main Street and agrees to babysit the caretakers 6-year old son. This is her first night on island enjoying dinner with a view at The Boathouse.

It must be Wednesday! A local up island bake shop with an outdoor pizza oven opens to the public every week. You bring your own toppings (or not depending on your preference), drinks, and chairs, they provide the dough and extras for a nominal fee. Delicious, but you cannot be a germaphobe and remember the bug spray. We didn't and were almost eaten alive.

July 4th. So much FUN! Em arrived with multiple friends in tow. First order of business, a beach day. Then a little backyard golf game. The boys are tenting because of tight quarters in the house. I think they liked it better outdoors anyway :)

July 4th wouldn't be complete without the traditional home made flag cake and kid photo.

Off to dance the night away at The Boathouse. I won't ever be able to think of 7/4 without remembering Dynamite and Don't Stop Believin' and watching the kids own the dance floor. A brief intermission to watch the fireworks over the harbor and then back to dancing!!!

The revelers.

Finally figured out what a good beach vehicle is for us, a 4wheel drive Jeep Rubicon. Jim found a 2003 "Tomb Raider" version with 3400 miles. Still needs a little pimpin', but no worries about getting stuck in the sand with this baby.

Running errands with the top off.

Dinner on the beach one night. Beautiful, just Colleen, Rachel and I, not another soul in sight, just the way I like it even if it was a little chilly.

We did multiple kayaking trips. The first was on Sengekontacket Pond. Fun, but not too exciting, we lasted about an hour.

Next we ventured to Lambert's Cove for an evening kayak. This was much more fun! We kayaked out about 6 pm, played team kayak frisbee, crossed the channel to the ocean side beach and had a lovely picnic of champagne (water for the underage), crab dip, lobster rolls and cookies. Enjoyed a beautiful sunset and then kayaked back along the shore in the dark with glow sticks and watched the phosphorescent organisms in the water light up like fireflies.

No summer on MVY would be complete without a beach day regardless of the weather. It's all about family, friendship, and fun.

Mel, Nancy, Evan and Colleen.

Mel - relaxing and celebrating after the job search is over.

Em and Kevin happy to escape city living for awhile.

The chefs.

Day is done.

And summer comes to a close too fast. Our last night on MVY before heading off to take Rachel home to Virginia and celebrate 35 years of tradition -- the Crab Bash. Bye-bye MVY until next time!

Five Things

It's been awhile since my last blog, and a LOT has transpired. I am going to jump ahead for now and then recap the summer in a later blog.

Five Things I Like About Minneapolis:

5 - MN accents - you betcha.

4 - No humidity after August.

3 - City living.

2 - The outdoorsy life.

1 - Being with my honey!!!

Five Things I Miss About Ponte Vedra:

5 - The beach.

4 - Sunshine 95% of the time.

3 - Long days.

2 - Golfing with the gals.

1 - Friends.

Five Things I Don't Miss About Ponte Vedra:

P.S. Okay, I admit, this is a stretch and it took me longer to think of reasons I don't miss PVB.

5 - Our big house.

4 - Bugs and geckos.

3 - Humidity.

2 - 90 degree plus days in September.

1 - Living w/o my honey 5 out of 7 days a week.

There you have it in a nutshell!

Summer In Aspen

A beautiful Aspen Tree grove.

Jim and I just spent several days in Aspen for a business team building event. Not only has it been about 9 years since I have been to Colorado, I have never been during the summer months. We had spectacular weather to match the spectacular views

and the spectacular food. We stayed at the St. Regis at the bottom of the mountain. Alas, so much to do and so little time. We did have time to ride the gondola to the top of Ajax for lunch, take a white water rafting trip down the Arkansas River,

At the end of our ride on the Arkansas.

and fit in two rounds of golf,

Maroon Creek Golf Club

plus some walking, shopping, and relaxing. Oh yes, Jim had a little work mixed in there too. All in all, I think summer is my favorite time to visit the Centennial State.

Green Thumb?

I have been wanting to enjoy the fruits of a garden for several years now. Not known for my patience or gardening skill, I was excited to read about the supposed ease of hydroponic tomatoes! Once settled into the rental house on MVY, I raced to the nursery to pick up the necessary equipment. Low and behold it was just as advertised... easy! So easy in fact that I decided to try two varieties of tomatoes AND an herb garden.

Freshly planted, lookin good.

A month later and there are lots of flowers on the tomatoes and we are enjoying the fresh herbs in our daily fare. Stay tuned for a tomato update. Yummmmmmmm.

G is for......

G raduation

R eally good friends

A wesome grads

D uke

U nabashed pride as parents

A trip down memory lane

T rucks, beer trucks

(Better known as Duke Alumni Commencement Celebration. Sounds dubious, is dubious.)

I nspiring speakers

(Yes, and...)

O verjoyed

(over served?)

N ew beginnings

We wish Cullen success in law school in NYC and Melissa success in Boston. We had a full weekend of parties and family celebrating the accomplishment and achievement of the two cousins who started together at Duke four years ago.