Sunday, February 28, 2010

The Northern Lights



The Northern Lights are definitely on my must see list. I haven't been far enough north to see the colors. That would be incredible.
{via National Geographic}

Phoenix

Phoenix - Lizstomania / One time too many - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Snowshoeing









we woke up
decided on a whim to drive 2 hours north and go snowshoeing
we drove
turned the music up
we visited Hartley Nature Center
discovered that the Superior Hiking Trail runs right through
(the Caribou River on the SHTrail is my favorite part so far)
the snow had an icy crust and was powder beneath
but it was fun all the same
and a good workout
just to be together
all day laughing
is a good day indeed

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Sunday, February 21, 2010

bits of the week



















the Cowles Conservatory is a mini vacation in the wintertime within walking distance
clogs at The Southern Theatre were absolutely amazing in concert
jambalaya
asian burritos mmmmm
a bowl full of purple tulips from a friend{muchas gracias, Catie}
Sorry! {Evan is the reigning champ}
chocolate chip biscotti
the car wash again{yay, it's above freezing. then, just as I was getting my hopes up for the end of winter, I heard about April blizzards on MPR. frown. well, at least it's sunny. sigh. and what's the chance anyway?}
book-making{more on that later}
plastering with a friend
Ben Franklin at the MN History Center

Friday, February 19, 2010

I and Love and You



I and Love and You
The Avett Brothers

just discovered a new band
fond of this song

{photo via the Avett Brothers}

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Ten Thousand Villages



We picked up this Nepalese elephant mask to add to our mask collection at Ten Thousand Villages with a gift certificate we received over the holidays. We also found the most amazing sounding wind chimes made out of discarded television antennae(though you'd never know by looking at it). It was our first time there and we can't wait to go back.

Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit organization who "provides vital, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories throughout North America." We are looking forward to visiting the Portland location in April.

p.s. I made that wood-burned rhino when I was ten.

p.p.s. That picture is from a first edition book, titled A Book of Sweethearts, from 1908, with pictures by famous American artists. It is from dear Ione, husband's grandma. This portrait is by Harrison Fisher.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

A lovely puzzle


made for me + shared with you

Love to all of you this Valentine's Day!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Thursday, February 11, 2010

the best veggie burgers



We looooove these veggie burgers. Tasty with ketchup and mustard and tasty with guacamole and tasty all by themselves. Did I mention they're tasty? And healthy?

Veggie Burgers

2 medium potatoes, unpeeled
2 T butter
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 c finely chopped broccoli florets
1/2 c grated carrot
1/2 c washed and finely chopped part of a leek
1 c chopped button mushrooms
1 tsp soy sauce
3/4 c gruyere cheese
1 t chopped fresh parsley
pinch of cayenne pepper
salt and black pepper to taste
all-purpose flour,mixed to taste with salt and pepper
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 3/4 c bread crumbs
canola oil for sauteing

1. Place potatoes in a pan of water; boil until tender, 25-30 min. Drain potatoes, then grate.
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and saute onion for 3 minutes. Add broccoli, carrot, leek and muchrooms; saute 5 minutes. Add potatoes, soy sauce, gruyere, parsley, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper.
3. Cool and form into burger patties.
4. Coat each burger with flour, dip in beaten eggs, then dip in bread crumbs.
5.In a large skillet, heat a small bit of oil. Saute burgers over medium heat, turning as needed. Burgers should be crisp and golden on both sides.

{once you get the hang of it, you can swap veggies and add whatever, we like adding chopped, dried thai chili peppers}

a collection a day





I love things like this. This blog displays a collection a day.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

drawing without looking


cat + mouse

elephant with a basket

sofa + 2 stools

tandem bicycle[with toot toot horn]

taxi driver in NYC

her lips

Craig

baby + crib

french press

dining table + 2 chairs

3 baskets of apples

13149051812:our 3 apartments

a dog

Craig and I told each other what to draw the other night. The only rule was that you couldn't look while you were drawing. We amused ourselves all night.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

"I'd rather be.."





We paid a visit to the Art Shanties on Medicine Lake recently.

We went to Egypt and Paris in the Stay-cation Shanty, did the Twist in the Dance Shanty, listened to a down-home band at the Library Shanty, laughed as Mark was issued a ticket for excessive size in the Tiny Shanty, sat in a sauna, listened to a story and more.

Monday, February 8, 2010

A Love Letter For You









Love Letter
is a project by Stephen Powers with the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and is sponsored by the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through the Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative. Generous support provided by the Brownstein Group and
Septa. {via A Love Letter For You}