madness

Life has been slightly crazy lately... some good crazy and some bad crazy, but generally just plain crazy... hence an entire ten days without a post. Oh no!

And though life has slowed down a little this week, I still have an endless to-do list to plow through before the holiday weekend. So for now all I can give you is a little recap of the past couple weeks and a promise to get back on the wagon.

Life's Recent Highlights (in words and photos):

- Spending a weekend on the shores of Lake Superior with an absolutely fantastic group of people
- Watching two amazing friends commit themselves to each other with the most beautiful vows I have ever heard
- Dancing so hard to The World' Best Playlist that my entire body still hurts two days later
- Lots of pie
- Lying on the beach with three old friends, laughing about old memories and making new ones
- Clam chowder and lobster and red wine and watching the sun set over the harbor
- Dozing in a beach chair as the late afternoon sun warmed my skin and ocean waves crashed in time with "England"
- Runs along the shores of Cape Cod and through the muddy trails of northern Minnesota
- Dinners of beer and green veggies from our farm share
- Beautiful weather all around

reunited and it feels so good

I'm off to Cape Cod for the weekend to reunite with my three college roommates. A little "girlfriend getaway" of sorts. The itinerary? Run, lie on the beach, drink cocktails, eat dinner, laugh, sleep. Repeat. I've been looking forward to this for months and am so, so happy it's finally here. I'll provide photos and tales next week. Happy almost weekend!

goldfish boobs

I recently read I am not myself these days, a memoir by Josh Kilmer-Purcell. I loved it. It made me laugh out loud, made me cringe, saddened me, fascinated me and pulled me in. I mean, a real life NYC drag queen with aquarium breasts? How could it not?

food blogs = pornographic?

Yes, it's true. My job often requires me to look through food blogs. This has turned out to be both a blessing and a curse -- I really, really love food, making this task feel as naughty as looking at internet porn at work, but on the other hand, at 4pm when I'm about ready for Lunch #2, I have to be careful not to drool on my desk.

Today I found a lovely little gem called Ezra Pound Cake. This woman knows her food. Cooking, baking, sauteing, she's got it down. Awesome recipe after awesome recipe. And, she has wit to boot.

"Sausage Balls. The culinary equivalent of taking your top off."

Ezra Pound Cake, you are officially bookmarked.

friday favorites: wedding excuses

Already having four awesome weddings on the calendar for 2011, and four awesome weddings to attend yet this year...

... and having eight great excuses to shop around for shoes like these.

Happy, happy weekend everyone!

thirsty indeed

I am loving myself some Reed's Ginger Brew that I picked up at Trader Joe's last week. Yum. A perfect post-soccer game drink and a lovely dose of ginger. Yes please.

I'm also loving myself the anticipation of some lady time tonight, complete with cocktails and lots of laughter, I'm sure. And, since it's Bike Walk Week here in Minneapolis, I'll be biking my butt the entire 2.1 miles there, which means I can get my buzz on. Thirsty Thursday indeed.

sex and soccer

"Sex, in other words, is just one of many factors that will determine who will win and who will lose at this year's World Cup."

Hmm.

talk of the town

After a fairly brutal four-day week that felt like a regular fiver, drinks, good food and great company were much deserved. Mr. Rain forgot to check my social calendar before coming in to town, so plans to eat at Sea Salt were postponed for the second time this summer. Luckily, I was more in the mood for a fried egg sandwich than I was for fish tacos anyway, so dinner at the Town Talk Diner hit the spot. Multiple spots, actually. It's hard to go wrong with their cheese curds, Jameson Ginger, fried egg sandwich and adult milkshakes. Delicious indeed.

friday favorites

green tea ice cream. peonies. sun bleached hair. june. upcoming dinners at sea salt and "girlfriend getaways" in cape cod and weddings on the shore of lake superior. farmers markets. rooftop gardens. bogos at lunds. eating piles of pork and drinking pitchers of bell's with best friends at brasa. air conditioning. summer hours.

libation lubrication

Cook to Bang. A saucy little blog that's all about seductive recipes.... including, of course, decision-inhibiting cocktails. My favorites? The Mo' Mojo Mojito, Hottie Toddy and Bangarita.

los angeles

Oh my. I went on vacation and didn't even warn you! Nor did I line up any posts to be published in my absence. Shame on me.

I did have a great long Memorial Day weekend though, visiting my brother and future sister-in-law in Los Angeles. Below is a photographic representation of the trip's highlights, including lots of ethnic food, beach time, and family (and canine!) bonding.