4th of July and Trip to Michigan

Set your sights on PURE MICHIGAN.

The ads are pretty catchy, but it took me a while to figure out how pretty Michigan actually is.  I went home to visit the parents while Bry went to Lake of the Ozarks with some buddies. (His story turns out to be not suitable for posting on the blog - but he promises me that he did behave.  Just think what you're find in a place called "Party Cove.")  Anywho - I waited until late Friday night to leave for MI.  There was still 3 lanes of traffic the ENTIRE way back to Michigan which was totally unusual for 11 PM.  

I did get safely there and even got to sleep in without the pressure of having to wake up for work.  It was quite liberating.  My parents made me breakfast and coffee - heaven.  Then mom took me shopping at Kohl's for some summer clothes.  We followed this with a trip to Ivelise's Yarn Shop.

The yarn store had a good selection of Rowan, Debbie Bliss, Cascade and other big names, as well as some nice Michigan local yarn.  I did purchase some nice cushy wool to make a shawl.  We also found some samples of Rozetti Marina.  This is a funky new yarn that creates wonderful ruffles.  It is a pretty quick knit - but not mindless like regular yarn.  The other I don't like about it is that you can basically only make a scarf.  However, I am making 2 of these and they will likely be Christmas gifts. 

I quite enjoyed the yarn shop.  The owners were super friendly and helpful.  I am not that difficult a person to whom to sell yarn - this is well established.  But I walked away with yarn for 2 more shawls, the 2 Marina scarves and a couple of free patterns.

Lastly we went to downtown St. Joseph, Michigan.  Many people are surprised that St. Joe is a big tourist destination, especially for the Chicago crowd.  This weekend there were way more IL cars than MI ones in downtown.  We went to a bunch of cute shops downtown and ate lunch at a great restaurant, Beachside Deli.  This is a nice little Mediterranean restaurant on the main drag of St. Joe.  We had a nice time there and enjoyed some time just for us.

Later that night my Cousin, Morgan, joined us.  She was en route back to Washington, D.C. and decided to stop in.  We convinced her to stay an extra day and made a great Girls Only weekend of it - with Dad acting as our Chef and Banker.  We went out for dinner (horrible, really) and drinks with friends Abby, Mike and Brian.  The next day we went to Church, the beach, and a wonderful grill out luncheon before heading to the Round Barn Winery for dinner and wine/beer tasting, again with Abby, Mike and Brian.  We are excited to have Abby and Mike coming to visit us later this summer - and were happy to see Brian who is visiting home from China for a few weeks.

 I LOVE grilling out

 While this picture is horrible - the grilled Eggplant was TERRIFIC.

 Desserts from Bit of Swiss bakery.

 MORGAN

 Lincoln Township Beach

 Brian - wine tasting with his Schnoz.

 Each year downtown St. Joe has sculptures on the corner supported by local businesses and individuals.  This was one of our favorites - a collage of all kinds of materials.  This year the theme was "Farm Animals".

Twins Game

Let's not focus on the actual OUTCOMES of the recent Twins/Brewers Series.  Let's just focus on the fact that I got pretty close to my boyfriend, Joe Mauer, and we had awesome seats and an awesome time.

We went to the first game of the series on Friday.  Bry got us great seats just 3 rows behind the Twins dugout.  I was able to get some pretty nice photos.

We had to miss the Saturday game for a family wedding (Congrats to Tim and Marissa!) but we got to the Sunday game.  Good friend James Enderle joined us and we found some last minute seats in our favorite section.  We had a fun time there - even if Bry did drop my cheese curds on the ground.  We just love going to the Brewer's games - so easy (2 miles from our house) and fun.

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We LOVE Joe Mauer!

I always tease Bry that this guy will be the only one to possibly steal my heart away - I guess I have a thing for Minnesota Boys.  In all honesty though, not sure which one of us would love Joe more - Bry thinks he's pretty special too.  (His batting average this year aside.)  He's a quality guy, great athlete and not too bad on the eyes either!

Not sure why the photos aren't uploading with a good quality - still figuring out how to work this whole new computer.  Currently I still have to go between the computers for music and photos.  One day it will be all sorted out.

Hope you had a great 4th of July!

Catch Up

Well there has definitely been a lot going on lately. Bry just returned from a road trip to Missouri for a boy's weekend for his best friend's Bachelor Party.  Abi was left to fend for herself and headed to Michigan to visit the parentals for the weekend.  Got to see lots of great friends, family (Hi! Morgan!) and visit the beach and a winery.  I have more photos and stories about that to come.  I will be writing up a bunch of blog posts here and slowly releasing them to the Faithful Followers. (Tony - that's you!)  But first: KNITTING KNEWS

When I'm stressed at work knitting takes center stage to stave off suicidality.  I have been completing a number of items lately and have been trying them on any Little Person that will Hold Still. 

 Pattern: Cascade by Raya Budrevich

Yarn: Madelintosh Vintage in Cove

This sweater was an absolute joy.  The yarn.....I have seen the Madelintosh LIGHT and will have to restrain myself.  The ONLY reason I did not buy every available skein of it was the cost.  In this yarn you truly get what you pay for.  I will save it up for special projects.  It is the heroin of yarn.  Swear.

 Pattern: Springtime in Hollis by Teresa Cole

Yarn: Louisa Harding Kashmir Aran

 Pattern: Cabled Cocoon from Bergere de France No 156

Yarn: Rowan Cocoon

This is a lovely lovely pattern - really liking how the cables are coming along.  However, the whole seaming thing.....not liking it now that I've figured out how to knit whole sweaters in the round.  I have the entire bottom finished - going to sew it together and start on the top.

So that is the knitting update.  Coming up in future episodes will be: Twins Game, 4th of July, Brewers Game, Michigan Visit and probably some more.  Lots to catch up on before I start in the ICU in 2 weeks.