What is Happening

1. I was in a wedding. Like my dress? And the hair?

2. T.J. was an usher in a wedding. Our friends got married in St. Louis and we made a weekend out of it. We stayed at a swanky hotel downtown and spent an afternoon in the botanical gardens. So many beautiful things...it's ridiculous how I forget to look at the wonderments of nature so frequently. Look at these leaves...unreal, but yet, real.

3. I am singing in a community choir. We are working on pieces from Handel's Messiah. I am loving all those trills and runs.

4. We went to see ARCADE FIRE at Starlight Theatre. It was possibly the best concert experience I have ever had. I hope heaven is like that concert. I really mean that.

5. School is going well. My students are giggly, squirmy, and perfect five-year-olds.

eggs are the best

t.j.'s advisor told me about this. it is a real promotional campaign. that is so great.

**click on "song"**

Beginning of School

On our way to lunch:

Kid: Mrs. Tomlin, why does school have to be all the day long?

Me: You know, I wonder that myself sometimes.

Probably not the answer he was looking for.

Movies to See

Here are two movies you must make sure to view:

Once - sooo beautifully nice. we now own the soundtrack as well. you know, it's been the longest time since i bought a movie soundtrack. i used to do that all the time.

Sweetland - you can rent this one. i just loved this film. it is just so refreshing. it's romantic but not gooey. it's thought-provoking, but far from preachey.

I am also very excited to see The Bourne Ultimatum. That Jason Bourne (or whoever he really is) has sure been through a lot.

Northern Exposure, Part Two

After a long stay in Wisconsin, we got back in our faithful vehicle, Joe the Ford Focus Wagon. Then, farther north we went. We ended up in Grand Marais, Minnesota which is just about an hour from the boundary waters between the U.S. and Canada. It is also where our friends, Peter and Melanie and their sweet daughter Aglaia, live in the summer. Pete's family owns a lodge and it is amazing!! Yet, we did not stay at the amazing lodge, but rather with our friends in their wee cabin sans plumbing. An experience to be sure. I was a little worried for myself since I really very much prefer bodily cleanliness...but I did pretty well. And, in turn, I am now even more thankful for the water amenities that I so often forget are an amenity. The cabin was very neat...the people who live there year round (not Pete and Melanie) have this very simple way of living life that is really challenging and inspiring to T.J. and me. There was only one little hand mirror in the small cabin and just the basics for everything (which means no cool dresser from Design Within Reach, or no cute place mats from Target for that matter, and definitely no garage sale finds of the day). I know that decorating our house is not simply a bad thing, but it is also good for me to stare down my own traces of materialism or at least my dependence on material goods.

Our time with our friends in Minnesota was priceless. Peter grew up there and seriously LOVES it. He is more passionate about it than any Southerner I ever met devoting their allegiance to the rebel's cause and the yankee's demise. Sooo, we got quite a tour of the great Minnesota outdoors. The lakes and rivers up there are just beautiful. I swam a little bit one day when we were canoeing, but it was a little cold for my taste. T.J. really gets the prize for waterplay. He went crazy in this massive waterfall. He was splashing around and jumping into the gushing falls like a little otter. He had this huge smile on his face the whole time. Kid at heart, I tell you...one of the reasons I love him.

We zipped around the Minnesota lakeshore for just a couple days and then we headed back home. We did however split the trip up into two days, stopping at a Country Inn for the night. I love hotels...a lot. Shower, 2 queen beds, tv, pool, order in pizza, towels, mini shampoo...what's not to like?

Thus ends another glorious summer roadtrip adventure. Until next time...

Northern Exposure, Part One

And I am back! I was thinking about how for the past three summers, we have taken HUGE road trips. Two years ago, there was the trek across Ohio and Pennsylvania (I still hate that turnpike) to Caitlyn's lovely beach wedding in New Jersey. Then, there was the ever famous Ocracoke Island trip last year. And, now most recently, there was the Northern Tour...Wisconsin and on up and up and up to Minnesota...to the boundary waters. Each time we have gone to an edge of this place called America. So, I wonder what we'll do next year...I'm thinking West. Giddy up!

Anyway, I had a lovely vacation. I think for right now, I'll just write about Wisconsin and leave Minnesooota for my next entry. Okay? Okay....Wisconsin was great! I love seeing my parents and my grandmother. I also got to see my cousin Heidi and her husband, Will, and their three precious kiddos. As you can tell from the photos, my mom has a massive garden and it is just so beautiful to me. We also eat very well and healthily because of it! OH, and the raspberries were perfectly peaking and begging to be picked. How could I refuse?

Life moves slow up in Wisconsin. And, naturally, that is just my speed. I have never had trouble just unplugging and relaxing. It really is a gift and I'm glad to be blessed with it.

My mom and I took a long walk down Bryn Drive one afternoon. This windy and hilly road is one that we have walked ever since I can remember. There are some nice houses (a few my relatives have lived in) on Bryn Drive with luscious acreage, a cemetery that my Grandpa John is buried in, and farmland. Since I love old things, I just can never soak up enough of the fields that have been harvested year in and year out for I don't even know how long. It makes me sad to think that eventually and regretfully this farm will be sold and cut up into lots for new homes.

As always, it was very special to be in Wisconsin with my grandma. She is extraordinary. I love this photo of her cutting pole beans from the garden. I talked to my parents today and they said Grandma was outside shucking corn.

Gone

Just wanted to let you know that I am not ignoring my blogging duties. We are merely leaving home for a bit. Wisconsin and Minnesota, here we come!