a weekend on the north shore

I have always always wanted to see northern Minnesota in the fall. I've been there in most every other season, but autumn has eluded me for some reason. And hello, it's the best, so this past weekend was pretty much a dream come true for me. 

Rachel and I took a girls weekend since our guys were busy, and took it all in. We hiked around Grand Marais and the superior hiking trail, Oberg mountain, Leveaux mountain... and it was definitely fall up there! Both of us were on cloud 9. Thankful this lady loves fall as much as I do. 

 

When we were in Grand Marais, we stumbled across this donut shoppe that proclaimed to have the worlds best donuts... and you guys, I had a dream about these donuts last night. It might be a good thing they are 4 hours away or I would look like a very different person. Seriously. When in Grand Marais... buy lots of these cinnamon sugared donuts.

I loved the towns along lake superior, and we took the scenic drive on our way back into Duluth on saturday night. 

We were wiped out from a full day of hiking, so it was a little bit of relief to sit in the car for a bit, and after a delicious Mexican dinner right in canal park across the street from our hotel, we crashed hard. The next morning we toured around Duluth a bit before heading back up to Split rock lighthouse and Gooseberry Falls.

We were so thankful for a gorgeous weekend to do our thing and enjoy each others company. Girls weekends are a must! And I will most definitely want to get back to the north shore for the fall colors again. It was unlike any fall that I've experienced down here in the city. 

I am now ready to bring in autumn. It is my favorite season, and it was made all the more beautiful this year by this little getaway.

_________

"...if you really begin to pay attention, you'll soon discover that much of the time your mind is caught up in thinking about the past or the future. When we're lost in these thoughts we are not fully in our life at the present moment… it’s just that now, the present moment, is where your life actually takes place; it’s the only time you have to learn, to grow, and to be fully alive. If you are constantly rehearsing for the future or rehashing the past, you’re missing this moment of your life, which is the only moment you ever really have." 

{ Nancy Bardacke }

this june...

It's June! Summer. Evening sun. Friends on the weekends. Patios. There's this quote by {none other than} Winnie-the-Pooh that perfectly sums up for me this feeling...

\\ "Well," said Pooh, "what I like best...." and then he had to stop and think. Because although eating honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment in which just before you begun to eat, which was better than the eating itself... but he didn't know what it was called. //

People, that's called the beginning. That anticipation of what's to come and what has already begun is an amazing feeling. 

Take, for example, Jared heading to Phoenix to visit an amazing friend in his new journey down there. Then embarking to Florida for a favorite Sports Information Director conference {with his brother this time!} and having a blast. Runnin' a race, and leaving the day he gets back for "man camp" weekend with the boys. Getting rained on and coming back a day early without telling their wives {ahem}. Golfing. Sleeping in {a little bit}. That's what the beginning of summer looks like. 

Girls weekend. Sleepovers like 12 year olds in the living room. Thunderstorms. Happy flowers. Patios and sunshine to kick off weekends. Brunch. Gilmore girls marathons. Earl Grey lavender tea. Smoothies. Peaches + cherries. Weekends in Rochester for a wedding staying with friends. Rhubarb, rhubarb shakes, rhubarb ...... mmmm Summer.

And coming up super soon... we leave for Cali! Jared and I couldn't be more excited to get away. It's been an awesome month - very busy, a decent amount of time apart - so getting out of town TOGETHER is looking pretty good right now. :) 

fall at our place.

It is truly starting to look like fall over here at our place. Aside from the fact that I am very aware of how I geek out in the fall over that cozy, homey feel - and decorating to match it - the leaves are blowing, sprinkling down that light layer of crunchy yellows to dust the grass, the windows are open, and when those gray days roll in it's pretty much time throw on some boots and go outside. And be happy because fall. is. here.

As I was perusing one of Jared & my friends, and favorite blogs the other day... (Hi, Summer!) {that's a link guys, go check her out!} ...she quoted C.S. Lewis perfectly and it explained not only why I glean so much joy from blogging, but also felt right on track about this whole "fall-y obsession" that I have an innate need to talk about and share:

"I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed."

And I was all, "yes!" this is exactly why I love talking about what I enjoy, fall included! If I didn't speak about what I'm thankful for & celebrating, somehow, I wouldn't enjoy it as much!

So thanks, you guys, for listening and just hearing what I'm praising and enjoying right now. Even if it doesn't mean as much to you as it does to me. :)

So. Right now at our place, we have fall goin' on. I've been to a barn sale in the country, I've made pumpkin bread & crock pot pulled pork this week, we're drinking chai, we've pulled out our down comforter & sleep with windows open, and we are practicing the discipline of giving thanks. How are you starting to enjoy Fall?

Right now we are counting our blessings. Here's a taste of what's going on at our place at the beginning of this glorious season.

And hey, one more reason to go visit Summer over on her blog... she made and sells goodies like these 50 promises cards that Jared and I loving memorizing!

So during my favorite season of all time, this is what we are clinging to and believing. That the Lord blesses us with these small joys in order that we may give HIM the thanks! Happy Fall, everyone.

hello, september.

I'm so glad it's here. It's one of those transition months, right? Where we can enjoy the remnants of summer, but welcome in the beginnings of fall. Sometimes you're a little warm sleeping with the windows open (Jared), but then there are those days that the crispness makes you not want to get out of bed (Skyler)... that's September, people. Holding out on the Pumpkin Spice Latte for that first day of 60* weather? That's me in September. Throwing on some flip flops and moving the sprinkler one last time to catch that brown spot? That's summer-September. So much to love about this month. We are currently enjoying...

{the foggy mornings that say cooler weather is rolling in. We are still training for that Twin Cities 10 mile - and seeing some beautiful mornings/evenings in the process.}

{thinking about our summer weddings & seeing some awesome college friends. It was so fun re-connecting!}

{peaches on the grill. that's the end of the summer for 'ya.}

{ice cream. and lots of it.}

{weekend breakfasts with friends. day trips. light jacket weather.}

It's the end of summer and the beginning of fall - not without the sporadic 80* day here and there, but that's just what September is great for. Hope you are enjoying too!

this week{end} i like

some beautiful highlights. along with the rest of minnesota, we crammed as much festivities into the 78* weather as we could these past three days. first and foremost... drumroll, please.....

*insert moment of silence and gratitude...aaah...* straight & unedited. it was really that blue. 

we spent about 17 hours between the Bethel baseball & softball fields this weekend. hey, if we have to put in the time to make up for all the snow cancellations... at least it was 77* and sun.

enjoying mary poppins with our wonderful parents on friday night. 

first grill out of the season. amazing dinner, even more amazing friends.

completed with a walk for ice cream, of course!

*all pictures courtesy of my iphone* :)

and in other news...
- J got to enjoy the Legends club and dugout seats at the Twins game this past week (jealous) :)
- we're definitely on crunch time with Jared having to make up all the spring sporting events that got postponed from the weather. (translation: I don't have to cook for awhile because we're never home at the same time)
- my best friend + hubby are coming for a 4-day visit next week!! so excited!! and there's a wedding. even better.
- there are exactly 19 days until our vacation. i am counting. religiously. 
- i'm avoiding the forecast (yet again) as clouds and rain are making their way back into our lives for the next 7-8 days. crossing my fingers they are wrong. 
___________

and i got my vitamin d. boy, did i get my vitamin d. ouch. just the sheer nature of how much we were outside this past weekend was a jolting surprise for my winter-white skin. feels good to have a little color - my left shoulder might say otherwise - but i was so thankful we got this little glimpse of late spring/early summer weather this weekend. so i'm basking in that today. happy monday!

this early fall.

This early fall, we've been loving...

 

- chilly walks at {our} park

- the rare mornings of breakfast together {on a weekend, no less!}

- enjoying garden cherries from the farmers market {a work treat}

- my newest undertaking {a mentorship program for junior & senior high at our church}

- the smell of fall - always an addiction {fall candles from bath & body works}

- football game days at Bethel {!}

- beautiful happy flowers from my husband {daisies are a fave}

- my favorite cuddly blanket {plaid - just screams fall}

- pumpkin bread {need i say more}

 

I'm trying to take it slowly on the fall madness. I haven't been able to stay off pinterst as of late, and my brain is brimming with ideas.... now it's just a matter of... well, time. I so dearly wish that I could implement every single one of them. So, here's a taste of whats to come. I'm really hoping to do some diy decorating around here soon!

 

 

Happy fall beginnings! Hope your'e enjoying the change of season as much as I am. :) Looking forward to some cooler temps next week! I hear high 60's are in our future. Mmmm.







its fall in my kitchen.

Quite the name, and quite worth it. A delicious blend of late summer-early fall goodness.

 

Here's what you need:

Pastry for a single crust pie
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
6 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored, and cut into cubes
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup honey
1 cup packed brown sugar, divided
2 cups rhubarb, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/4 cup instant tapioca
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup flour
4 Tbsp cold butter, cut into cubes

* Now is when I took care of the apples... peeled, cored, sliced, then cubed. Set them aside. I did forget to take a picture.... can't win 'em all.

While the mixture is sitting, add the salt to the caramel remaining in the pan and cook, stirring often, a few minutes more to reduce it to a thick syrup. Do not let it scorch. Remove from the heat and set aside. Probably a good time to preheat the oven to 375 degrees too!

Bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees. {Time to be patient.} Now let cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. Just before serving, drizzle any remaining caramel (reheat if necessary) over the pie.

As you can see, mine turned more into a "crumble" as I was impatient in the cooling process. Or maybe this is just how it turns out - we'll find out next time. Happy fall baking!!