My Last Week In Minnesota

Happy Friday y'all!  My time in Minnesota has pretty much come to an end.  I was originally going to be leaving tomorrow morning but opted to stay a couple of extra days.  Of course today is hot & humid as all get out preparing me to go back to Texas.  I'm talking it's 6:30 am and it's 76 with 100% humidity... that's only 6 degrees cooler than it is in Texas right now with 21% more humidity!

Today is my mama's birthday!  That's actually kind of how I originally decided how long I was going to be in MN this summer, be here by Father's Day since I'll miss my dad's birthday in August & stay until my mom's birthday since I missed Mother's Day in May.

Have a great weekend everyone & stay cool!  Linking up with Amanda!

1. From the blog

Monday: I recapped my weekend in which I explored Minneapolis more than I have in years.

Tuesday: I shared which 101 in 1001 goals I completed in months 2 & 3.

Wednesday: I showed off all of the things Becky & I ate on our way to & from Canada.

Thursday: I talked about our trip to Canada & how I got super awkward...

2. From the phone

Nash trying to make sure my parents' new dishwasher got installed correctly.

I have been wanting to try this lobster mac & cheese because it was on Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives and was obviously therefore ranked the best lobster mac & cheese in Minnesota.  It was so gross I couldn't even eat more than a few bites.  The lobster tasted mock & fishy.  My brother made homemade lobster mac once that was 100x better.

3. What I was up to

Monday: Most of the day was spent with Nash because he was tired of me leaving him.  I did go have supper & drinks with my friend Kristie that night though.  We're now talking about potentially going to Georgia at some point this fall!

Tuesday: Tuesday morning I met up with my friend Alicia for breakfast & to catch up about life & reminisce about missing WeFest.  Maybe someday we'll go to another large country music festival but most likely never WeFest again.  That afternoon I went with my mama to the cities for an appointment & then we met up with one of my aunts that for drinks & appetizers.

Wednesday: Wednesday was Trey's last day in Minnesota so I met up with him that afternoon to try to knock out the rest of the breweries on his list & check out Mall of America.  We didn't get to all of the breweries, but we did add a couple of different ones as well as a couple of restaurants.  Basically I felt super full again from all of the beer & food.  This is a reason I am ready to be back in Texas soon.  All of the meeting up with people while I'm here means so much alcohol & food!

Thursday: My mom & I met up with my cousin Becky, my pretty much other cousin Beth (she's dating/owns a house with/has a kid with my cousin/Becky's brother Kris), & their kids for lunch.  I had a salad ha.  I couldn't anymore with the the super heavy food.  I met up with 2 of my best friends from college that night, Kayla & Sonja, for happy hour.  I got yet another salad.  It's always great to get to see them again & I think getting to hang out with those two is one of the things I miss the most about living in Minnesota.

4. Random thoughts & things

- On Wednesday Andrea shared how to start getting email notifications again for comments on Blogger so I made the switch back.  I made sure to export my Disqus comments first.

-I am no longer coaching volleyball.  Instead I will now be the full time varsity softball assistant.  It does mean a small pay cut, but it also means a lot more free time.

-I have pretty much mentally called it quits with Pickles.  I had such high hopes for that one, and perhaps things will change once I'm back but I'm not holding my breath.  We went from texting everyday (not all day, but at least a little bit in the morning and/or at night) and also talking on the phone every few days to now we haven't talked since Monday night.  Just a week ago he was telling me that he also missed me, was excited for me to come back, & needed a hug from me to just disappearing.  He went MIA for a couple of days after that but then contacted me telling me he was sorry he was MIA & that work had been nuts, we talked for a couple of days, & now nothing again.  Only time will tell.  Otherwise he'll step up & reach out to me sometime between now & when I get back or he won't & I'll move one.

5. Entertainment

We've Never Been To Canada!

Yesterday I shared with you where my cousin & I ate on our way to & from Canada.  Today I bring you a summary of what went down on the way there & back.

We had originally planned on leaving around 8 or 9 am but due to car problems on her part, we didn't leave until around noon.  Because of our later start, & because we've done a lot of the stuff along the north shore before, other than coffee & lunch we only stopped at Tettegouche State Park in Silver Bay, MN & at an overlook of Lake Superior when we were getting close to the Canadian border.

We had WANTED to see some waterfalls while we were at Tettegouche, it was the whole reason we stopped there.  However at a certain point in our hike the trail started to seem like it was getting smaller & the mosquitoes were getting really bad so we just turned around unsure if we were even on the right path anymore.

I got hella awkward at the Canadian border.  It should be known that if I'm ever interrogated for real I would most likely crack like an egg.  The guy asked about a million questions such as "why we were going" & my variations because "we've never been to Canada" only seemed to create more variations of "but why are you going to Canada?"  Finally, we were allowed in however despite my being awkward as hell & Canada probably not wanting me lol.

When we got into Thunder Bay we didn't get to do much other than check into our Airbnb, eat supper, get some allergy meds at the magical wide aisled Walmart, & fail at our attempt to find Lake Superior.

The next morning after getting some coffee from Tim Hortons, which I just saw yesterday at Mall of America... womp womp, we started to head to Kakabeka Falls.  But first we had to make a pit stop for my tire.  As we were driving along my "low tire pressure" light came on.  I'd honestly probably normally ignore it for a bit.  However, the spare tire I currently doesn't fit, I didn't really have cell phone service, & I'm pretty sure my AAA membership doesn't cover Canada.  As luck would have it the light came on right by a tire shop.  Good ol Sam & Harv found the staple in my tire & got me all squared away.

We finally made it to the falls & wandered around them for a bit seeing all there was to see.  We never did see a moose or a mountie, & certainly not a mountie on a moose like we were hoping.  We did see this fake moose at the falls though & called it as good as it was going to get.

After the falls we stopped at a cheese farm because nothing says we've turned into our mothers like going out of our way to stop at something like a cheese farm...  I got some orange lavender gouda cheese.  Truth be told I still haven't eaten it...

Getting back in the US was a whole lot easier with just 4 simple questions:

1. Can you take your sunglasses off please
2. Where did you stay last night

3. Where are you headed now

4. Can you pop your trunk

Once back in Minnesota we stopped at Judge C R Magney State Park in Grand Marais so that we could see Devil's Kettle.  Honestly?  It was kind of a disappointment.  There was no great angle to see the magical mystery that is the kettle, that has also pretty much been solved.  It was also pretty much a complete vertical mile.  Only a slight exaggeration.  Most of it was very vertical.

Once back in Duluth we stopped for lunch & to take some very touristy photos in canal park that we've both taken 100 times before.  Then it was back home so I could see Mr. Nash & she could make it to her oldest son's baseball game.

North Shore & Canadian Eating

I grew up 4.5 hours from the Canadian border.  Growing up this seemed not super far, but far enough.  That's probably big reason that despite talking about it all the time, I never actually made the drive up there.  Now having lived in Texas for 6.5 years I realize that driving that far isn't that big of a deal.  So, a few days after my brother & I got back from our road trip that took us to both Nashville & Chicago, my cousin Becky & I hit the road again to head to Thunder Bay, Ontario.

First up, the most important part of any trip, THE FOOD!

On the way up to Canada we stopped at Northwoods Family Grille in Silver Bay, MN.  I got the Turkey Club which comes on Wild Rice Cranberry Bread...because Minnesota.  

Once finally in Canada & settled in it was around 8 pm... except it was 9 pm because we had crossed from Central Time to Eastern Time.  This meant that we had to scramble to find something that was a)open & b)didn't have reviews that make us think we might get sick.  That is how we ended up at Caribou Restaurant & Wine Bar in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  Was it delicious?  You're damn right it was!  Was it more expensive than we would have chosen if we had had more options?  Heck yes it was!  It wasn't outrageously priced considering what it was, but we probably would have picked something more low key if that had been an option.  We split a warm goat cheese salad, a 16 oz ribeye, & some asparagus.  Holy shit it was so good!  All of it!  I also got the "Rebel" for a drink which was blueberry vodka, mint, lemon, white cranberry, 7 up, & soda water.

The next morning we stopped at Tim Hortons for coffee & donuts because Canada.  (Upon writing this post I learned there are actually 13 locations in Minnesota now...)

For lunch that day we stopped in Duluth, MN & ate at Canal Park Brewing, also amazing!  We shared some Duck Poutine, which you can see better here, I got a Northcoaster Burger & a salad.  It was all so good but so filling.  I definitely didn't eat all of it.  I also got a Loon Juice Cider from Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery out of Spring Valley, MN.

Tomorrow you can expect a recap of what we actually did on the first day of our trip!

101 in 1001 #4 3 Month Check In

If you remember a couple of months back, I shared all of the things I had completed in the first month of my fourth 101 in 1001 challenge.  To stay on track you should complete about 3 per month.  Luckily I was super on top of it the first month & actually completed 6.

In month one I had completed:
#21 - Drink 1/2 gal H2O daily for a month
#25 - Walk a 5k daily for a month
#30 - Write a letter to myself to open at the end of the 1001 Days
#87 - Organize closets & cabinets
#94 - Finish 3 challenges on Thirty (21, 25, 101)#101 - Don't bite my nails for a month

Since then I have also completed:

#47 - Visit a brewery

#48 - Visit a distillery

#56 - Use my passport

#69 - Leave 100% tip

#80 - Go at least a year without changing jobs

#99 - Buy new boots

I am still technically ahead of schedule, 12 completed & only 9 needed to be done to be on track, but I need to make sure I keep it up if I'm going to get at least another 6 done by the end of September, especially with school starting again in there.

I Just Like Minneapolis A Little Bit Better

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone has a good start to their week!  I spent most of my weekend out & about so I'm currently trying to type this up with a dog on my lap because I'm pretty sure Nash is feeling abandoned.  He hasn't been this cuddly since he was a little baby.

Linking up with Biana.

Friday

So this happened Friday morning...

My friend Trey flew into Minnesota Friday afternoon so we hung out in Minneapolis for a couple of days.  We walked around the city & went to see the Stone Arch Bridge which is one of my favorite places in Minneapolis.

As per usual we ate & drank all the things.  We ate at Rock Bottom Brewery first, & I spared you the picture, but I was basically served a raw burger patty.  I like my burgers medium-rare, but burger right out of the package...nope.  We went to Clockwerks Brewing for some beers, I got the flight, & the place had a really cool vibe.  We also went to Union Rooftop because the girl he has been seeing suggested it & said it was really good, it was meh.  After the rooftop place being a miss we decided to walk to Runyon's for wings instead.  I got him all dropped off at his hotel & made the hour & a half drive home.

1. One of the many playable painted pianos around the city
2. The sign outside of Clockwerk Brewing
3. The Bob Dylan mural

Saturday

Saturday we went to the Twins v Rangers game, the entire reason Trey came to Minnesota.  He wants to see as many ballparks as he can, his only rule?  The Rangers have to be playing there when he goes.  The Rangers won.  They actually won the first two of the series.  Boo.  We didn't even stay until the end because it wasn't even a close, exciting game.

For brunch that day before the game we went to Hell's Kitchen.  I did the build your own bloody bar.  If there is a bloody bar, I'm going to do it.  It was so good!  Lil fatty also got a caramel pecan roll & buffalo tater tots.  I couldn't finish the tots lol.  That kept me full the ENTIRE day.  I only drank a couple more beers & had a burger because I felt like I should eat something else.  I was so uncomfortably full most of the day.  The burger came from Matt's Bar & is called a Juicy Lucy.  It's been on food shows & is a pretty big deal.  Obama even ate there!  Despite that, I had never been before.  For beers we hit up Indeed Brewing, Fulton Brewing, & Inbound Brewing.

During our exploration of the city we saw more pianos, I made sure to show him the First Ave & 7th Street Entry walls, & we also went to Minnehaha Falls.

I didn't get home until almost 11 again after dropping him off & this was the picture my mom sent me as I was getting ready to head home.  Nash decided to put himself to bed because he got tired of waiting for me to get home ha.  Poor little guy.

Sunday

Sunday was all about Nash!  We went for a morning walk & hung out at home all day.  By bedtime he was ready to go to sleep & just cuddle with Hedgey 3.0.  He had TWO of those hedgehogs as a puppy.  He destroyed them almost instantly.  This one he plays with, & shakes around like he wants to kill it, but mostly he just loves on it.  He's growing up so fast.

The Week I Took It International

Happy Friday!  I hope everyone had a good week!  I spent the first couple of days traveling again & then the past couple of days mostly relaxing.  A friend of mine is flying into Minnesota today so it'll be another fairly busy weekend.  Linking up with Amanda!

1. From the blog

Monday: I shared my extremely low key weekend back in Minnesota

Tuesday: I talked about my time in Nashville & how the whole trip there was based on one restaurant

Thursday: I recapped my brief stay in Chicago & the little pit stop made along the way

2. From the phone

Being basic in Canada

Jack was super happy that crazy Nash had put himself to bed

Loving on hedgehog numero tres

Canadian Walmarts have insanely wide open aisles

The closest we came to seeing a moose in Canada

Super excited to cross into Canada

3. What I was up to

Monday: My cousin Becky & I made a trip up to Canada.  We made a couple of stops along the North Shore on the way up & then spent the night up in Canada.

Tuesday: We explored a little bit of Canada & then made the trek back down across the border with a couple of more stops along the North Shore.  (You can look for a recap of the Canada trip next week!)

Wednesday: Nothing.  Seriously.  I watched a lot of HGTV & napped still recovering from the Canada trip.  It was Nash's Gotcha Day.  I can't believe we've been partners in crime for a year now!  I also finally broke down & told Pickles I missed him.  Good news: Pickles be missing me too.

Thursday: My mama & I went shopping & to lunch.  I tried to take a nap when we got back but it was so close to the time that I needed to start making supper that I pretty much just laid in bed, which was still nice.  Summer got me wanting to take all the naps!

4. Random thoughts & things

- I finally made the switch to Disqus.  I was warned by Megan that the import was a pain but does anyone have any tips on how they finally got their old comments to import/sync?

5. Entertainment

Super immature but my cousin & I could not stop laughing at the "Cooter Pottery"

She Was In Chicago

Hey everyone!  I meant to have this posted yesterday but when I got back from Canada Tuesday evening I was just too tired to finish writing this up.  Expect a Canada recap soon as well.

Last Wednesday baby bro & I left Nashville to head to Chicago.  We made a stop in Louisville to check out the Bulleit Distillery.  We didn't do the tour but we did look around & each buy a bottle.

The main thing I wanted to do in Chicago was hit up Portillos so I could get a Chicago Dog.  After getting some food & checking into our hotel, we decided to go for a walk down by Lake Michigan.

Nash was originally all about the walk.  He was loving getting to be outside, meet other people, and of course greet other dogs.  As we got closer to Navy Pier however he had had enough.  He got super overwhelmed & just refused to move.  I had to carry a shaking Nash all the way back to the car, trying not to cry myself.  I did get a couple of cool shots though & once we were in the car & he could lay down he started to calm down & by the time we were back at the hotel he was all better. 

I Woke Up In Nashville

Last Monday, June 11, baby brother & I packed up my car & hit the road for Nashville.  If I were a better blogger I would give you a more detailed description of what all went down.  However, it's 8:05 am on Monday as I am starting to type this up & I still need to get dressed for real & pack up to head to Canada today with my cousin Becky.  Once she leaves her house I have an hour until she arrives & that could be at any moment...

So now that you've gotten my excuses as to why this post will be mostly pictures, let's get on with it shall we...

Early in the morning the 3 of us headed east towards Nashville.  Much of the trip Nash acted as a little traitor & decided to stick close to baby bro.  Rude!

We didn't do a whole lot while we were there, as our main purpose of being there was satisfied on night one (more on this later.)  We did however find a couple of murals, walked around Centennial Park, & also went to Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin to walk around & take some really pretty pictures.  The farm used to be a 200 acre horse farm.  #LifeGoals

We of course hit up Broadway.  Mostly for pictures though, we only stopped into one bar since we had to be up early the next day.  We got some really awesome skyline photos & got to hear some good live music too when we popped into a bar for a beer before it started storming.  Awhile back I bought a pack of Sneaky Cards on Amazon.  I mostly forgot about them, & pretty much forgot about them on the trip too, but we did manage to leave 2 behind.  I left one with a tip for the musicians & then another in an Uber.  Basically each card has a different task & when you complete it, you leave a a card behind & they're supposed to do the same.  Basically a pay it forward game.

Hattie B's... the entire reason we went to Nashville.  I had been craving it since I was last there nearly 2 years ago so when my brother asked me about hot chicken while in Dallas, I knew we were going to hit up Nashville on the way home to get the real deal.  We also got sushi because I hadn't had it in 5 years & felt like I needed to give it another shot.  Nope.  Still nope.  But at least I tried, & fell in love with pork dumplings.  Our last Nashville meal was at The Row.  SO SO GOOD!  I would definitely go back.  The food was amazing, the drinks were good, the vibe was really chill, & there is ALWAYS live music.

And finally, what everyone really cares about... Nash in Nashville!

Back Home

Hey everyone!  I'm back!  Sometime this week, if I can figure out how, I'll be making the switch to Disqus.  (I may have slightly struggled on my one & only attempt so if someone wants to dummy it down for me... or do it for me... I'll love you forever!)

I hope that everyone had a great weekend.  Mine was really low key, which was nice considering I had just spent 4 days on a road trip with my baby brother & today I'm on a 2 day road trip to Canada with one of my cousins.

You can expect a lot of travel recaps this week on the blog...

Today however, I'm linking up with Miss Biana to recap my low key weekend.

Friday

Friday was SUPER low key.  Nash got to spend some time outside & enjoy being a country dog.  He is much happier in the country than he is in big cities.  My brother & I went into town to have lunch with my mom at work.  We picked up some tacos from the taco truck in town.  My dad got home from being away for work that night & so he, my mom, my brother, & I went to the A&W Drive-In.  Why aren't drive-ins still a big thing?  Not Sonic... I don't count Sonic.

Saturday

Saturday we all hung around the house most of the day again.  I did go out to my grandparents' with my parents so I could see them while I was home.  That night we grilled some steaks to celebrate Father's Day.  We also drank some moonshine that my dad bought when he & my mom came to visit me in Texas back in March, holy goodness it was strong.  I pretty much got an instant buzz off of it.  Nash & my brother's cat Suki are still unsure of each other.  Poor Nash is just too much for both the cat & my parents' dog Jack.

Sunday

Sunday was, you guessed it, LOW KEY!  It was spent napping & watching a storm roll in.  We were under a tornado warning for awhile.  On the bright side no tornado touched down so no damage was done.  On the flip side that means I still haven't seen a tornado in person & I REALLY want to.  When the storm finally passed we grilled some brats for dinner.  I called Pickles after supper because even though we talk everyday, we hadn't actually talked on the phone since Monday & I missed hearing him.  I however was too chickenshit to actually tell him that I missed him while on the phone.  Nashy put himself to bed around 8 & whined for a little bit because I wasn't also ready to go to bed with him.  I may be old but not go to bed at 8 pm old.  Okay sometimes I am... but I had taken a nap earlier so... I did go to bed about 9 so it's not like I stayed up crazy late.  The nice thing about having a dog that wakes me up between 5-6:30 everyday is that my sleep schedule no longer gets out of whack because it's summer.