some seasons have come and gone....

Spring came with sunny skies...

chartreuse leaves...

and eighteen cups of rhubarb.

summer was spent canning pickles...

taking Polaroids...

and developing film.

we caught Monarchs in vintage coffee jars...

and took impromptu dips in the surprisingly warm lake.

we assessed the damage of the 'big flood'...

and spent several days with family relaxing by the lake.

there was outdoor dining on our new patio table that Scott built...

several outdoor art shows (Facebook page here)...

and lets not forget that a certain somebody turned three. :)

Autumn brought us a kindergartner...

more apples than we knew what to do with...

a sky that was on fire...

some autumn knits...

Halloween...

and another room made 'liveable'

these last few months have been a wild ride with our share of ups and downs.  it feels good to be sharing here once again.

Our days...

have been looking like this...

an early morning sunrise

walks through the neighborhood

with pit stops on the hillside

fall colors that once were

quiet coloring

and posing for the camera

we've also been...

~baking lots of desserts containing apples~

~finishing up and starting new knitting projects~

~enjoying our local library~

~trying new dinner recipes, most of which only I liked~

~anticipating the move into our new house (one week left!)~

~spending our days in sweatpants and t-shirts~

~brainstorming ideas for the new house~

~playing 'picnic' and 'zoo' with the girls~

~carving pumpkins (Ginger is afraid of the finished product)~

~gearing up for Halloween and Scott's 32nd birthday~

Hope you're all enjoying these last few weeks of fall.

Someone had a birthday last week

And that someone was Ginger who turned two last Tuesday.

Scott was working the night shift on Monday, so we made plans to have a lasagna dinner with a world famous 5 layer chocolate pie for dessert when he woke up.  The pie was from Betty's, which is a go-to restaurant for tourists here in Two Harbors, and deciding on a flavor was one of my hardest decisions ever.  The entire meal was enjoyed by all, including my dad who came by for dinner.

Afterwards, we drove just outside of town to one of my new favorite places, Flood Bay.  It's pretty much just a parking lot with access to Lake Superior, but the beach there is generally quiet, the waters are calm, and there's an abundance of agates and great skipping rocks.

Upon our arrival, some tourists were heading back to their car and one of them offered to take our picture.  I jumped on the opportunity considering it was Ginger's birthday and that we don't have many photos of us all together.  I thought it turned out kinda cute. :)

Ginger was having a gay 'ole time running back and forth throwing rocks and driftwood into the water.  I remember my mother taking me to the lake when I was little too and she now tells me stories about how she could sit there for hours watching me.  

I couldn't agree more.

But then the rain came.  The girls were joyfully prancing around enjoying the falling raindrops on their dry heads.  Before I knew it, everyone had disappeared back into the car, and I found myself all alone taking pictures.

I finally headed back to the car to see this sweet, two year old face looking at me through the car window.

Ginger received the knitted sweater that I made for her too.  The blue matches her eyes perfectly and the button is made from a rock I found on that same beach we went to that day.

It's a bit too warm for her to wear now, but it won't be long before the long sleeves will come out of hibernation and she'll need that extra layer to keep her warm.

It was a day full of everything and nothing all in one.  No big parties and no fancy presents, but lots of memories to be shared for years to come.

Goodbye baby... baby goodbye

(my parent's front porch)

This song instantly popped into my head when I thought of goodbyes.  I have yet to meet someone who doesn't appreciate Van Morrison's musical talent.

So once again we're hitting the road... tomorrow in fact.  Leaving early in the morning and heading out east with Burlington, Vermont being our first stop.  We will break up the trip with a stay over near Chicago and another near Bloomsburg, PA. (Maegan, are you reading this?):)

A lot of things have happened these past few weeks that have kind of put a kink in our original plan.  Finding a job has once again proven to be a more difficult task than expected.  I don't know how other travel nurses can deal with all the uncertainty that goes along with the job.  But I do know that it stresses me out!  With lots of prospects and NO interviews, we decided it might be best to start applying at the hospital in Duluth... just in case. We have been seriously considering staying in my parent's home while they're 'snowbirding' it down in Tucson this winter and snagging a job now would definitely solidify our decision.  We've been leaving our options open knowing that things happen for a reason.  Scott ended up having an interview today and another tomorrow before we leave town.  I think the universe is trying to tell us something. :)

So, with prospects of jobs here in MN., we've decided to take only a two week vacation instead of waiting for (what seems like an unlikely) travel position out east.  The uncertainty is becoming to unsettling (mostly for me) and I seem to have 'grown roots' since arriving here nearly a month ago.  Time sure did fly by but I realized how much I love it here.  There's no place like home.

With that being said, I'm going to close up the computer and get a good nights sleep, for tomorrow is going to be a long day.  If anyone out there has any ideas of where we should go or what we should see, feel free to leave a comment to let us know.

See you on the east coast!!  

A fun-filled weekend... derailed

Our weekend was one to be filled with a parade, a street dance, a family BBQ, and a daiquiri party.  Little did we know that on Friday evening all our plans would change.  Our energetic Maria somehow contracted an icky stomach bug.

 

The only other time we've had to deal with this situation was when she was a baby, still sleeping in a crib.  Poor, sweet Maria debilitated and so sad.  It's hard to watch your child in such a state, but by 7 pm. she was sound asleep and feeling better.

Scott gave me the 'go ahead' to head downtown to meet up with some friends at the street dance.  It was nice to catch up with so many of my favorite people.  I came home late to a sleeping house and word that there were no more mishaps during my absence.  Whew!

Today, Maria woke up refreshed, all the while looking and feeling much better... aside from the head cold that decided to take hold this morning.  I made the tough choice to keep her at home while everyone else enjoyed the parade. 

We're missing out on all the fun at the BBQ tonight too, but I'm okay with that.

Now we're crossing our fingers that none of the others in the house come down with the 'ick'.  Only time will tell.

Overall, I'm okay with us all staying home.  The weather is dreary and cold and there's already been a downpour earlier this morning.  I'm tired and finding that this head cold is lasting longer than I'd like it too.

Hoping the coming week will be a bit better.

Reunited, and it feels so good

Just checking in to say that our family has finally reunited.  It feels good to have Scott back and the girls are all smiles when he's around.  I was also able to upload the buttload of pictures from my camera onto our computer.  

We have a busy weekend ahead so stay tuned!

Happy July!

I can't even believe today marks the first day of July.  Our time here in Minnesota is flying by and savoring every moment has been wonderful.  Last week I found my first heart shaped rock while out and about with Sarah and her daughter Rowan.  I was pretty shocked when I looked down at the ground and saw it sitting there plain as day.  I didn't even have to dig!

Maria is currently camping with Scott's mom and will spend more time down in Sauk Rapids awaiting Scott's arrival on Sunday. From what I hear, he spent time in Steamboat, Co. with friends and will spend tonight in the Black Hills before driving the last nine hours home.  Everyone is so excited to see him.

The girls have been loving the cooler weather and the freedom to run around in Nonny and Grampa's back yard.  I've been taking lots of pictures and can't wait to upload them onto our computer so I can share them with you all.  Pictures of wildflowers, prairies, old barns, and lots of green grasses are plentiful and quickly filling up my memory card.  I've been filling the void by taking pictures with my phone, but I'm not too happy with the results I've been getting.  Makes me wish we would've gotten those iphones. :)

  

The coming weeks are bound to be busy with fireworks, parades, a lantern launch, and possibly a daiquiri party at the farm.  Finding time to fit it all in will be the hard part... so many people we have yet to see.

Still no word on a job out east, although Scott's application has been submitted to 3 positions in St. Albans, Vermont.  We're crossing our fingers with the hopes that he snags one of them.

Wishing you all a happy and safe 4th of July.

More soon!

It's still spring in Duluth!

Yesterday was the first day of summer, and yet the weather here in Duluth, MN. feels like spring.  Since our arrival it's been cold and rainy with a blustery east wind.  I am trying to keep my spirits high amd remind myself that it's better than the extreme heat in Arizona... something that Scott is still experiencing.  He did sell the trailer last Friday which means we are officially homeless.  The truck has been packed to the brim with our belongings and wait for the long trek back north where most of it will be stowed away.

The girls and I did arrive safe and sound and the plane ride went fairly smooth.  We are now enjoying time at my parent's home which has ample room for the kids to act like fools. :)  I made lemon chicken with potatoes last night for supper and plan to make my favorite rhubarb bars today... something I've been craving for months.  I'm fortunate enough to experience the blooming lilacs of spring and I make sure to take a big whiff when I pass them on my way to the garage.  It won't be long before the peonies start to open too.

There's plans to see sisters and nieces and aunties and cousins and friends.  There will be shopping and eating and hopefully some walking with time by the lake if the weather ever clears up. We will enjoy a street dance as well as an annual parade... or two.  There will be a haircut for Maria and more knitting for me, plenty of picture taking and possibly even a movie in the park.

And that is where I will leave it for now, for there are some delicious bars that desperately need to be made.