I don't have a picture of this, but its too good to not post. This morning, while walking across the bridge, I looked down and saw a woman walk around a bush by the Federal Reserve Buiding and squat down behind it. She obviously didn't think about the view from above. I guess my skills I learned while camping in the woods could come in handy in the city too.

I've been doing noon-time walks this week to keep the energy going at work. Monday was bob johnson through-hole and today was the Nicolette Ave. farmer's market. Thursdays the market goes urban and the farmers set up on the main drag. There are all sorts of professionals sorting through the beans, peas and cilantro (although I was told today that cilantro is out of season - I didn't know herbs had a season). Target professionals are part of the throng. Even if you can't see the little tag hanging from their shirt/belt/trendy vest, you can spot a Target employee from a block away. Something about them stands out from the crowd - haven't ever been able to figure out what. Its quite possible that they are just the majority on Nicolette, but I'm not too sure.

This is the Bob Johnson Commemorative Through-Hole. My friend bestowed the name a few years ago when he walked through it everyday on the way to work. It's basically a tunnel through a condo building from parking lot to Washington Ave. and sometimes I walk through it while on a noon-time walk or if I'm running to the art supply store up the street. Through-holes are special, because they are a rare find. You don't see the inside/outside dynamic very often. They are also very important. If this wasn't cutting through the building, there wouldn't be an access through to Washington for 5 blocks - its like a porthole really.

right - I forgot that I did take a picture this weekend. Brandon with his new toy - this is what I will be seeing for a long time...

I've been pretty bad at the pictures this week. No time, because I've been doing absolutely nothing. I'm in a nothing rut right now. I get nothing done at work, I feel like I waste a whole bunch of time at home. The epidemic spreads through the office and the home - maybe its too hot, maybe its just time for a real vacation. I feel a bit energized after a good balanced weekend of nothing and productivity. I did go golfing and did get things cleaned (except the bathroom - that one always gets left out), but I also went to the beach, finished a book and watched a movie. Ok - now that I write these all down it seems like a lot! I think you are just reading the ramblings of a semi-type-a personality concerned she is not busy enough. Sorry to ramble - back to pictures (and to-do lists) next week.

7.13.08

Packing up camping - we downsized our tent this year. Now instead of fitting ourselves plus the 8 kids we don't have plus the kitchen sink, we just fit us.

7.12.08

After a while with any family, the kids become parents and the adults become grandparents. This usually results in less Christmases spent together as a whole extended family, because of other commitments, in-laws, distance, etc. This family solved the problem with Christmas in July. Yep - we have a tree and homemade presents and camping x-mas feast right in the middle of July.

7.11.08

We saw windmills on the way to camping. A sign that you're not going camping in the northwoods: cornfields and windmills. My in-laws have an annual camping weekend every year. It is usually the hottest weekend of the year with temps in the 90s, but we lucked out this time - only 80 with lots of wind. There was a lake this year too! My camping experience has always been in the northwoods with lakes and fishing. Going camping with the Stengels is always a new experience and a great way to get to know my husband's extended family a little better.

damn bunnies!

We have active train tracks running by our house. I've never counted how many trains in a day, and I'm the queen of exaggeration, so I'm not even going to guess, but its busy. The same trains go by my office - you get used to the noise and the breaking and even the whistles, because they are always in the background. Its the occasional midnight whistles that jolt you out of bed, just in case you forgot trains are nearby.

How more perfect can it get than a July 4th weekend spent with friends? We got some projects done, bbq-ed, even got out to the beach. Love the 3 day weekend!

7.4.08

Playing bocci ball in the back yard. I learned to play this game at my aunt and uncle's cabin on an island. It is a challenging game to play on an island - rocks, rocks, grassy patch, hill, more rocks, lake. I get board playing on flat land.

My messy side of the garden

New perennials

The organized/designed side of the garden