Kickball: The Spokespeople

The kickball season has finally begun!  Our team gathered a few Sundays ago to screen our tees with our awesome logo.

Morton Arboretum

I grew up visiting the Morton Arboretum regularly.  My mom and I would go, almost weekly, for tea in the Gingko Room followed by a walk on some of our favorite trails.  It is through these ramblings that I developed a genuine interest in nature and plants.  Rambling along my mom would stop and point out various trees and flowers, offering up facts and stories.  Later in life, I became that person that would walk and point out what I saw.  I took an interest in what was going on in my neighbors garden or down the street.

Today I am surprised at the general lack of knowledge society has regarding nature.  I assumed everyone grew up knowing the difference between annuals and perennials, marveling at morning glories as they opened to the sun and helping to gather a bumper crop from the family garden.  I may not have known how lucky I was then, but I certainly do now.

On my last visit home, my mom and checked out some or our favorite old haunts at the Morton Arboretum.  I was pleased to see the center has expanded and now included a full time children's garden and maze, which didn't exist 10 years ago.  Through these efforts, children have the opportunity to learn and grow with nature.

A yarn covered tree added excitement to the Children's garden.  Throughout a short walk around, I spotted little doilies randomly placed on other trees and shrubs, a fun activity even for adults.

The Morton Arboretum Prairie.

Bright green moss.  Eye candy for an eye used to seeing shades of brown and gold.

Buds beginning to form on trees.

Daffodil Fields.

In the Spruce Forest.  Even on the sunniest of days, this patch of Spruces offer a reprieve to the heat.  Entering into the grove is unexplainably nostalgic and magical.

In the garden

In just one week my mom's garden continues to flourish.  Just look at this rhubarb plant compared to only one week ago.  At this rate we will have rhubarb pie in no time.

Other flowers popped up over my one week hiatus.  Marveling at them, I wait in excited anticipation for my little patch of garden that is sure to start blooming very soon.

Upon returning, I was delighted to see that my Minneapolis garden had in fact decided it was time to catch up to Chicago.  Despite our little snow outbursts, I am expecting tulips and daffodils to make an appearance very soon.

My boys

Muffin and Box Spring...at a tolerable distance

 No cat knows how to relax better than Muffin

Weekend Fun

I happened to be lucky enough to go home to Chicago for the second weekend in a row, but this time for work.  After spending the weekend in the suburbs of Chicago, I took the train downtown Monday morning to meet up with my colleagues.  We stayed at Hotel Monaco.  I would never, personally, spend as much money as we did on a hotel, but I have to admit it is nice to have a night in luxury.

While waiting I wandered over to Inteligentsia for a quick Cappuccino.  Serious coffee drinkers swarm here for their daily brew and for good reason.  These people don't mess around and it ain't no Starbucks.

Finally, I can never resist another photo of the bean in Millenium Park. If you go at 7AM you will have the place to yourself, a nice reprieve from the usual crowds.

One last ride

The snow has finally melted.  The only lingering reminder of winter is the thin sheet of ice coating all the lakes.  Over the weekend that too has vanished.  My bike and I couldn't seem to get enough.  Year to date we have already put on 450+ miles of riding. 

Weekend Fun

Pizza and Beer.  I seem to be developing a theme.  I swear I eat other things.  Next time you find yourself in the warehouse district of downtown Minneapolis be sure to stop in at Black Sheep.  Coal fired gourmet pizzas and craft beer; what more can you ask for?

 Market Salad 

 Top: Homemade Meatballs, Ricotta and Garlic

Bottom: Oyster Mushrooms, Smoked Mozarella, Rosemary and Garlic

Afterwards and slightly tipsy, we biked a few blocks east to One on One Bikes to view the Art Crank  exhibit "A Poster Party for Bike People".  In the past One on One has hosted the opening event, however the function has grown to be bigger than the accomodations.  I was happy, this year, to be able to skip opening night altogether.  The experience was much nicer.