Memorial Day

Memorial Day is kind of confusing. We barbecue and do yardwork, spend time with friends and family, and also feel the sense of sadness and gratefulness that comes from the sacrifice of others for this great country. I only hope that I do my best to keep the legacy alive of those who have passed on, and to honor those who are serving us today. 

My grandpa's Army photo. He was a looker, alright.

I miss you everyday, Grandpa.

Mum, Gram and me.

Especially thankful for the sacrifice of this young man today.
We love you and you're in our prayers!

xoxo, Emily

Bill Clinton, a wedding and the Ozarks

Two weeks ago, my mom, Steve and I took a few days off work and drove to Little Rock, AR for the wedding of a family friend. We were all looking forward to the trip, even with the almost 14-hour drive, mostly because Arkansas has this:

A few other highlights, in chronological order:

Steve and I went to the MacArthur Museum of Military History, which I'm in no particular hurry to go back to. I'm almost positive we were the only two people in the museum that morning. It was cool to see a few of the things on exhibit, like this WWII jeep.

We visited the Bill Clinton Library on the recommendation of a few people and it was a lot cooler than I expected it to be. There was a replica of both the Cabinet Room and the Oval Office. The museum was also featuring a small St. Louis Cardinals exhibit, and a few things on loan from the Lincoln Library.

That evening, we went to Abby and Trent's wedding. I am a dork for taking absolutely no pictures of or with Abby and Trent. Abby's mom, Trish Monnahan, is one of my mom's best friends from high school. Her husband, Scott, married Steve and I last summer and Abby did my hair and makeup for my wedding. The Monnahans have been "family" to me for as long as I can remember.

On our last day, we drove to Hot Springs to Garvan Woodland Gardens, which is sort of like the setting to a fairy tale. It's in the Ozark mountains and is home to a beautiful glass chapel, which I would seriously consider getting married in if our wedding hadn't already happened. 

Until the next adventure!

Emily

Top Ten

The weeks start to fly by when the weather is nice and the sun is out longer. Winter in Minnesota is long and depressing; the worst part is when the sun sets at 4:30 p.m. While I want to get married sooner, I also want to stretch out summertime. I feel as though it was Monday and I blinked and it was Friday. Here are ten of my favorite things from this past week.

1. Bonfires and wine. Few things are better than good conversation shared with your best friend over a glass of Malbec. (Wine not pictured.)

2. Fresh flowers from the Nicollet Mall Farmer's Market. I'm lucky enough to work Downtown where everything is a short walk away, including the Thursday Farmer's Market. The Farmer's Market means food trucks, fresh fruit, and a bouquet of flowers for my desk.

3. The Five Love Languages. I'm reading this book right now, and thoroughly enjoying it. It offers so much insight on how each person feels loved, and shows love, in a different way. My love languages? Quality Time and Acts of Service.

4. Ray LaMontagne. Specifically him covering Gnarls Barkley.

5. This marriage proposal:

6. All the Rapture/Apocalypse talk. Read this post from the Center for Disease Control, and this article on a 5/21/11 Doomsday crazy. Both will provide you with some entertainment. 

7. Pinterest. I am addicted. Check out my boards here and let me know if you want an invite.

8. Recipe blogs. I am blessed with a job that sometimes requires me to research blogs. This week, I came across Annie's Eats, For the Love of Cooking, and Smitten Kitchen. I'm dying to try the recipes below:

Creme Brulee French Toast from Smitten Kitchen

Banana, Strawberry and Chocolate Chip Muffins
from For the Love of Cooking

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cake from Annie's Eats

9. This blog post about my mischievous niece, Lillian, trying to make herself a cup of joe.

10. Seeing old friends. Last night I had dinner with my college roommates from freshman year. Here we are in Seattle two years ago:

Have a great weekend!
Emily

Easter Blessings

My family and I have experienced a lot of loss in the last year and a half, and holidays are very bittersweet for us. Easter this year was no different.

I consider myself very blessed; I have a great job, amazing friends and family, and I am soon marrying my best friend. Easter this year was extremely relaxing and joyful, yet we always anticipate moments of sadness during each holiday, and we carry on knowing that while many of our thoughts remain unspoken, we are all thinking and feeling similar things.

I'd like to focus on my Easter blessings, because in spite of loss and pain, the blessings always prevail! Check out my weekend in pictures:

In our Easter best following Saturday-night service at Eaglebrook

Nellie wasn't as excited about having her picture taken.

Eager to be a little kid again and dye eggs!

Being artistic.

:)

Ta-da! I had to bury Steve's "suicide" egg (dipped in every color of dye).

On Sunday, my mom, grandma, Steve and I visited my grandpa's
memorial at the National Cemetery. It was a beautiful day outside
and we had a short little Easter service there.

Someone decorated a tree with butterflies and Easter eggs
to bring a little joy to the cemetery.

We spent the rest of the day at my aunt and uncle's house. I'll admit I
took a short red wine-induced nap and played a few hours worth
of Mario Kart with my 6-year-old cousin. Also: a game of
tag is a better work out than Jillian Michaels. Sorry, Jillian.