birds of a feather

I finally organized my pics! I don't know what took so long. I didn't even take that many while I was there. I'm just lazy I guess.

For an extended weekend I got to spend time with two of my all time best friends in NYC and it was pure bliss! The following pictures are a mixture of phone and camera shots.

I mostly just took pictures of this guy. Can you blame me??







We had an absolute blast eating, talking, laughing, walking, shopping, eating some more, and just being together!







We went to an amazing yarn and fabric store called Purl Soho.















This picture courtesy of Janet because I didnt have a picture of the three of us. What the what?? You can see more pictures over on her blog.



I love you my dear friends! To the moon and back!

a find

It's been a while for the posting on this site, but we've been traveling (on separate trips) and there's just a lot going on. I will be back with pictures from my amazing travels (if you ask Dave really nicely he might post pics from his) but you can admire this awesome find in the mean time.



It's a jewelry holder that I found at an antique store in NYC. I'm in love.

Orchids

Last week I went with Chloe and the kids to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to see the Orchid exhibit. It was lovely!



Standing in a warm building, surrounded by exotic flowers, it just felt like spring!







Here are a few funky ones







Photographer in the making









They had this awesome stick house outside that reminded me of Where The Wild Things Are





I CANNOT wait for spring!

split pea soup

Since it's still winter here (and probably will be FOREVER) I'm still on a soup kick. This one is super easy and super delicious!



Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup

Adapted from Food Network Magazine

8 to 10 fresh parsley stems
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 pound green split peas
1 large leek, white and light green part only, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
2 stalks celery, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 smoked turkey legs

1. tie the parsley and thyme together with kitchen string and place in a large crockpot. Add the split peas, leek, celery, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. stir to combine. add the turkey legs and 7 cups water. cover and cook on low until peas and meat are tender, 6 to 8 hours.

2. discard the herb bundle. discard the skin and bones from the turkey and shred the meat. vigorously stir the soup to break up the peas and make the soup smoother. stir in the turkey meat. season with salt and pepper.

3. serve with homemade french bread!

The Year of the Roommate

This year's mix is finally here! For those of you that don't know, every year (around our anniversary) we put together a mix of songs that were special to us or that we listened to constantly over the last year. You can find The Year of the Apartment and The Year of the Dog here.

The Year of the Roommate:

Orchard House - Little Women Soundtrack
Jackie Wilson Said - Van Morrison
Sussudio - Phil Collins
That's What You Get - Paramore
Higher Devotion - Jimmy Eat World
You'll Be In My Heart - Tarzan Soundtrack
Empire State of Mind - Alicia Keys
Thistle & Weed - Mumford & Sons
Blood - The Middle East
Won't Turn Back - Needtobreathe
Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show - Neil Diamond
The Only Exception - Paramore
My Hands are Shaking - Dan in Real Life Soundtrack
Looks Like Love - Needtobreathe
If You Want Me To - Ginny Owens
Tupelo Honey - Van Morrison
I'll Be Seeing You - Billie Holiday

I finally made them

Cake pops have been around for a while, originating here, but it has taken me a long time to take the plunge and make them. They aren't hard to make, just tedious. And although they are super cute, I'm not sure they are worth all the effort. My husband would disagree. He loves them! You should make some and decide for yourself.







You can find the original recipe here

and the oscar goes to...

Scenes from the party!









Red Carpet!