NYC :: Day 01

It’s been over a decade since I’ve visited New York City. Long overdue. This city is magic. Brian and I met up with Mel + Leif on a very foggy morning at the airport in Milwaukee. Brian and I originally had a 6:00AM flight and thank goodness we changed it. The 6:00AM flight was delayed and took off a few minutes before we did. Lucky. Once we got to NYC, we met up with Penny + Chris! How fun is that? We started our New York adventures by going to Grand Central Oyster Bar. None of us, besides Brian, even knew this existed. It was like stepping back in time and we loved it. Oysters and martinis are not a terrible way to begin an incredible weekend. We still had time to kill before dinner, so found a cocktail lounge with some great jazz music, then headed over to The Mermaid Inn for a delicious dinner. We were all pretty exhausted after our travel day, so called it an early night, thankful to be in this incredible city -- and the perfect weather we had all weekend!

Moments 10 26 :: Week 04

Last Friday, Brian flew to Minneapolis to watch Cole and the Auggies soccer game. Unfortunately, Cole was awarded his first red card ever in the first 11 minutes. It sounds terrible, but trust me, it was a horrible call. You can see on the film that all Cole was doing was hold his arms out because the other player was all over him. He actually had marks all over his body! When the referee came over, the other player said Cole was trying to choke him, which was a complete lie. You could see his hands on his shoulder. Unfortunately for Cole, a red card means he needs had to leave the field and sit out the next game which is such a shame -- especially since it's towards the end of his senior year season. Terrible, but he handled it well. The good news, Brian got to sit with him and watch the game, and afterwards they had a great dinner together. 

On Saturday, Penny came to Milwaukee and we all got some girl time. I met them for a glass of bubbles, then we had dinner at Cassis and went to Leanne Morgan (the comedian)! Such a fun night. 

Yvonne sent me this sweet book. It's translated from Japanese and definitely wasn't one I'd pick up on my own. Couldn't help but think of her the entire time reading it. 

This week's field trip was with this adorable dog, Pancake. She is almost two years old, a little thin at the moment and only 35#. She was so good with sit, paw and down. She was a benchwarmer, meaning she's been at the shelter for a little while, but before the bio I wrote, photos or video were even posted, she was adopted. Wishing her the best in her new house. She's very sweet. 

Moments 10 26 :: Week 03

Another photo of our boys, this one taken by Brian but I love it. 

Cute Gretel.

This week's field trip was with Junior. He's 1-year old, and I had read notes about him jumping up and biting the leash so I was prepared for a tiring day. Let me tell you, this guy was perfect! Outside of the shelter, he didn't do any of that. He walked without pulling. He loved to lay down in the grass. I had the best time with him. 

Beautiful skies on my walk with Van.

More. The beginning of the week still felt like summer around here.

Van and I spotted these two in a neighbors yard. 

I got the best news from the new owners of one of the dogs I had taken out last summer. That never happens, and I was just so appreciative. Xena is the deaf, 3-legged dog I took out. She was found as a stray and adopted out of Milwaukee. A few months later, I saw her on the Kenosha page. Then she transferred to Ozaukee (maybe even adopted yet again). A few months ago, one of my foster friends sent me a link saying she was on a rehoming site. Turns out, it was a foster who had taken her in. Fortunately, Xena found a home right away, and it was her new family that contacted. They love her so much, and are heartbroken thinking about her journey and wanted to let me know. It's made my week hearing this news. I'm so thankful. 

A couple good things I ate/drank this week. Dandelion matcha chocolates shared with us by our neighbor. Moonwater from Discourse Coffee - espresso, milk, wildflower honey, ceylon cinnamon, tellicherry black pepper, applewood smoked salt. 

Minneapolis, MN

Another great weekend in Minneapolis. This warm summer weather in October is throwing me off, but no complaints, even from this colder weather lover. On Friday, Brian and drove to Minneapolis and hit up some stores I've been wanting to check out. Umei is a Japanese home good shop, The Foundry Home Goods is a beautiful space and unique items, and we were lucky enough to be able to take advantage of the Mini Print machine featuring State Fair pictures when we stopped by Madge. Good stuff. Next, we drove to Cole's place, picked him up, and checked into our hotel. We all wanted a mellow evening, so decided to go to Cossettas. Funny story. On our way out of the hotel, the Houston Dynamo was coming in. Of course Cole and Brian wanted to hang out and see if they recognized anyone. We didn't know any of the players, but when the coaches arrived, all of a sudden they realized they know Preston, the goalie coach. Both were at the World Cup game with him. Brian's also met him in LA when he played for Chivas and in Salzburg when he went to watch the Red Bulls play a number of years ago. Now Minneapolis. So random and very fun. I love small world stories like that. 

The next morning, Brian and I got up and walked along Mill Ruins Park. We weren't staying at our normal hotel, and it was really nice to get to explore a different area. One that was super cool, to be honest. A little later that morning, Hudson flew in to join us! To say I was excited to have us all reunited is an understatement. The last time we were all together was Mexico in March. Too long. We stopped by Cole's place again so Hudson could see it, then left Cole and the three of us went to the Minneapolis Institute of Art for the Paris Couture exhibit. It really is such a gem of a museum, and the exhibit was very interesting. Even Hudson did not hate it. Next up was lunch at Dumpling Eatery before heading over to Augsburg for the soccer game! Hudson likes to catch at least one, so I'm glad this weekend worked out. The game ended up 0-0. Yet another tie for th Auggies. Cole had a great game. It was fun to watch. 

That night, we had dinner reservations at Indigena by Owamni, a restaurant that highlights products indigenous to the Americas. No beef, pork, chicken, dairy, wheat flour or cane sugar. A very interesting concept, for sure and such a special treat. We shared a bunch of delicious plates:

Tepary Bean + Smoked Whitefish

Game Thalo (Venison)

Bison Bone Marrow

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Venison with Chocolate and New Mexico Green Chile Relish

Scallops

Rice Pudding with Cocoa

It was such a beautiful night, so we walked around after dinner for a bit, following the sounds of a marching band. Turns out, it was the Youth in Music Marching Band Championship. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire was one of the exhibition bands and were warming up in the park acros from the U.S Bank Stadium.

Hudson had to catch a flight the next morning already. I'm just so thankful he was able to come and made this work. Brian and I had to head back to pick up the dogs, but first, a quick stop by Brits to see Cole at work. We had such a fun, full weekend. It was incredible.