Pia and Mae Take Chicago

I lit a fire under my butt and finally worked up the nerve to take on the trip to Chicago by myself to see Pia.  When I get to see my very best friend it puts a new bounce in my step and now that I have conquered the drive, it doesn't seem so intimidating.  I'm guessing my trips to Chicago will be more frequent since it proves to be the most effective therapy for us both. The weekend was relaxing with no agenda or time schedule, just two life long girlfriends.  We incorporated the necessities for a girl's weekend complete with strawberry daiquiris on the couch to shopping on state street.  I hated leaving my little best friend in such a big city but I must say, she is doing great in city life and I am so proud of her.  I can't wait until the love of her life is with her though so her sad puppy dog, love struck eyes can take a little break :).

 Laying on the beach (1 block from Pia's apt.) while Pia took a run in prep. for some kind of marathon. I guess I forgot my running shoes...oops:).

 My first experience of Chicago's festival, The Taste.  We planned to eat lunch there but ran out of tickets after 1 beverage and chips.  Who knew chips could cost eight dollars?

Shopping on state street...I believe our first stop was TJ Maxx...

 Pretty Pia.

 If Pia was described using the contents of her closet...a stethoscope and sequins.

Who could be inside?

Oh Boys

Oh Boys (for youtube viewing)

S'mores + Cupcakes = scrumptous

I came across this delicious photo and it looks perfect for a cabin desert.  I may not be able to pull S'more Cupcakes off but I am sure going to try.  Prepare your taste buds for the 4th of July (cabin weekend) because it may just be yum-a-licious overload.

Worth the Wait

Click link below:

The Little Boy Who Had to Wait

John Wayne Ain't Got Nothin'

This weekend I crossed something off my bucket list.  I shot my first gun! Will and a couple old friends thought they needed to release some testosterone and fire through their collection of firearms at Travis and Krista's farm.  They of course needed to complete the scene by riding the horses.  I had NO complaints. I have always loved horses but calmed my excitement down when I rant and raved about my Wrangler in Training days (horse camp) and horse expertise and then clearly had no idea what I was doing with the horses.  Apparently my "Wrangling in Training" title has an expiration date and it may have been up 12 years ago in the 5th grade.

All in one day I shot my first gun, got back on a horse, and caught up with Travis and Krista's sweet little family.

April showers bring May... Mushrooms.

It's May; and for the last four years of my life this has meant something new.  Mushroom hunting.  I had never heard of mushroom hunting before Will's introduction but whenever I mention it around this town everyone knows exactly what I'm talking about and responds with their own stories about their findings.  At first I thought it was very boring, partly because I have NEVER found the beloved Morel mushroom.  However, after being cooped up for the winter, trudging through the woods on a sunny day sounds wonderful.  Will and I have ventured out a few times and have found TWO measly mushrooms.  With this being said, I usually get distracted with other interesting findings and Will mushroom hunts like he fishes.  After five minutes of staring at the ground he dubs it as "the wrong spot" and we have to move on to spot #2.  We follow the mushroom hunting rules of determining proper weather, finding dead elms, blah blah blah (I think these are old husband's tales) but we have yet to bring home the bags full everyone else seems to find.  Ah, oh well. I keep myself entertained and the thrill of hunting (even if it's fungus) does start to get exciting.

Somewhere Will read that dandelions are edible and even have health benefits.  We are always up for free food so Will thought we should "fry 'em up".  They went in the garbage soon after we got home and didn't make it to the frying pan.  

A Girl's Tale

My family developed bizarre sleeping arrangements when my brother begged to be moved to the basement bedroom but was too scared to actually sleep down there.  In addition, with my brother's move to the basement, this freed up a bedroom for me so my sister and I didn't have to share a room.  However, with years of Jenny and I having the comfort of a sleeping sister arms link away, the move to the room next door was not so appetizing.  So, although it made no sense, my parents spent the next several years tucking my sister and I into her double bed and my brother into my bed.  Although I learned much about the drama of the life of a teenage girl through whispering face to face with my sister, one very small lesson has always stood out in my mind.  The lesson? The luxury of newly shaved legs and clean sheets.  My sister made it clear that this was a girl's treat.  Small and silly as it may seem, it is one of the joys of a girls life.  Your day may seem complex and crazy but it just seems so simple when shaved legs and clean sheets bring you a smile at the end of it all.