4 Things.

Hello, friends!  Hope everyone is having a great weekend.  After an unseasonably cold summer here in Minnesota, the weather has warmed up this past weekend.  It finally feels like summer!  I plan on heading down to the pool this afternoon.  Must soak it up while it lasts!

And now a few things I found on the web this week...
-I have not been cooking much since I moved, but need to get back into it!  I think I'll make this yummy recipe this week.
-A few creative apps for your ipad.
-12 things you own too many of.  Take it from the girl who just moved and is STILL GETTING RID OF STUFF.  It's annoying.  Get rid of stuff you don't need!  Once you started, it gets easier, I promise.  And be really careful about what you bring home.  I feel like this is a big lesson that I've learned this summer.
-Here's a fun take on a classic dessert.

4 Things

A dandelion fountain! 

Berger Fountain in Loring Park.

Change often teaches you something about yourself.  Sometimes big things, sometimes little things.  A little lesson I recently learned about myself is that I hate furniture shopping.  If you know me at all, you know that I love shopping.  For just about anything.  (But I dislike malls, perhaps that's for another day.)  But what is it about furniture?  It's not even about the money.  I made a point to set aside money once I knew I was moving just for this purpose.  I've been getting completely hung up on interior design.  What is my style?  I'm not entirely sure.  Since I'm a grown up now, I'm trying to curate a well put together look instead of just buying stuff.  I think I'm getting there.  I bought a couch the 2nd day I was in Minneapolis and I've also purchased a coffee table. The media console was completely a different story.  I've been shopping for one for weeks and weeks on end.  Finally, yesterday, I actually bought one!  I'm happy I held out for one that I really like.  And that it has storage.  It's the one in the middle of the picture below.  Whew. 

I purchased it at a crazy small and congested furniture store called Nadeau.  As you can see in this picture, they had things stacked up at least 3 high! In a mass produced, Ikea world (not that there is anything wrong with Ikea, I have plenty of things from there too), they have a different approach.  Their tag line is "Furniture with a Soul."  From their website: "we are dedicated to enhancing our customers' lives by consistently discovering and offering unique, handcrafted and affordable furniture that brings beauty, warmth, and a bit of authentic, ethnic culture into their homes."  Nothing is mass-produced or assembly required!  They have locations all over the country, perhaps there's one in your neck of the woods.

Now on to this week's 4 things.
Potato stamping.
This looks like a great way to use farmer's market purchases.
Happy people.
Are you an introvert like me?  I've been reading Quiet by Susan Cain.  Can't recommend this enough!!

I know, I know....

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It's been a while since I've blogged!  I've missed it and will be getting back to regularly scheduled programming.  I used to research for my blog at lunch time and then would write my scheduled post on Thursday, also at lunch. I don't have that luxury any more, I plan on researching in the evening and writing on Sunday morning, posting on Monday morning.  Sound good?
I've been doing well and feel like I'm fitting in pretty easily here in Minneapolis.  My apartment is coming together.  I still need to buy a few pieces of furniture.  I detest furniture shopping and have realized that I don't have a knack for interior design.  At all.  So, there are a few piles of things here and there.  I also realized that I have too much stuff and have been editing my collection of junk.  I've also been very careful about what I bring home.  But I digress...
On to this week's "4 Things"!
-Love this video about a family that sold everything and is taking a country wide road trip.  I really admire people who have the courage to live differently.
-An interesting dating experiment. 
-Love these curtains!!
-This looks like the perfect summer dinner. 
(I forgot to mention...the above picture is of Lake Calhoun, the biggest lake here in Minneapolis.  So beautiful!  I live about a mile from it.)

On Leaving Baltimore

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The unknown.  It's exciting and a little scary.  I'm packing up and leaving Baltimore for what I'm considering a new beginning.  In a new town, with a new job.  I am very excited.  But a little nervous.  All of this change at once is overwhelming!  I also have made lots of friends here.  It's hard to say good bye.  Change is always hard.  Even when it's something good.

There are benches all over that proclaim Baltimore, "The Greatest City in America."  I'm not entirely sure I agree with that, but it still is a great city.  The people here are friendly, maybe a little rough, but honest.  It's not really that big of a city.  Pretty easy to get around, except for that pesky harbor.
Here are a few of my favorite places:
Place to visit:  Fort McHenry.  I love Fort McHenry.  So full of history, but also just a beautiful place to hang out.   I have spent many a Sunday afternoon with a picnic and a newspaper, watching the sailboats go by.
Restaurants:  Here's something you may not know about me.  I'm not a fan of a fancy restaurant.  I like a  restaurant with a fun ambiance and really good food.  I don't think that it has to be expensive.  I recommend Hersh's Pizza and Drinks.  It also happens to be right down the street from my building.
Bar: This is a very unfussy place, but very genuine!  If you want a true nautical experience, check out Captain Larry's.  The people are friendly and the food is good!
Wine Shop:  After all my talk about an unfussy restaurant, I have to recommend the Wine Market.  It's both a wine shop and bistro.  The food is excellent, as is the wine. I haven't bought a bad bottle of wine from there.  Great selection.
Day Trips: Downtown Ellicott City is really only about 30-40 minutes away but I LOVE it there.  Small town quaint.  Great boutiques and antique shops alike.  Great restaurants too!
What I'll Miss the Most: Living in a condensed city environment.  I've really gotten used to either walking or taking really short drives to get everywhere.  I also live and work right by the harbor.  This is the first time in my life that I've lived by the water and I have loved it!
I will miss seeing it everyday!
What I'll Miss the Least: Baltimore is not very safe.  I am fortunate to be able to afford to live in a secure building, but the crime is rampant.  Here are a few recent stories.  Two more shot...  Mayor addresses shootings...  (And these are about this past weekend!)  I have to admit, that I have lived here in Baltimore City for 5 years and have not had any issues, but it will be nice not to have to worry so much about it.

All in all, it's been a good run!  I've enjoyed living on the east coast, but am looking forward to returning to the Midwest!

4 Things.

Happy first day of Summer!!
Make your own clothing rack!
This bread looks yummy.
Mix & Match homemade popsicles.
I'm in love with this chicken coop. (And it was built by a 13 year old kid!)

4 Things.

Change.  It's hard.  Even when it's something you really really want.  It's still hard.  That's what I'm going through these days.  It's going to be ok.  It's going to be better than ok.  I know this.  That doesn't make it any less difficult.  Lots of deep breaths. 
These quotes really have nothing to do with anything, but I found them on my iphone and thought they were really good. 
Only one more week in Spring.  The first day of Summer in just one week!  With that in mind...
-The best budget rose wines at Trader Joe's.
-Fish tacos!
-9 Secrets to Homemade Lemonade.
-Thoughts on container gardening.

4 Things

Hello!  I went to a really fun flea market last weekend and thought I'd share a few of my finds.

I couldn't resist this set of glasses.  I LOVE vintage souvenir items and this set was only $4!  They are in perfect condition.  Definitely my favorite find of the day!

I also picked up this vintage saltine tin.  I have been on the hunt for one of these for years.  It's a little rusty in the bottom, so I don't think I'll be storing any actual food in it.  But will be great for some craft supplies!

Now on to this week's "4 Things."
-15 things you should give up to be happy.  #1 & #2 have already started me thinking.  Great article!
-And also How Happiness Changes with Age.  Another great article!
Now, for a less philosophical topic... Looking to make some new jewelry this summer?
-Looks like you can just stop by your local hardware store to get the supplies needed for this necklace!
-And while you're at the hardware store, pick up some cording to make this bracelet.