Day Three Hundred and Thirty-Five: Cup-o-licious

Last weekend, Pete and I were humbled by a shower my parent's friends threw for us in my hometown. Part of the evening was playing "The Newlywed game". Pete and I, my parents, and another couple (sitting in for Pete's parents who were unable to attend) were each asked questions about our significant others. They ranged from "who is the problem solver in the relationship" (each couple got this wrong because every person said themselves...an interesting sociological statement, if you ask me), to "what is their favorite way to consume chocolate" (Pete and I got this right...he prefers hot chocolate.)

How does this relate to the picture above, you ask? Well, in preparation for the game, Pete and I asked each other lots of little questions to make sure we were well prepared. Things like "Where would you most like to go on vacation?" (Pete: the mountains; me: someplace where I can do NOTHING...most likely the beach), to "What is your most embarrassing moment?" (Do you really think I'm going to reveal that here? Keep dreaming...) The answer to the question "what is your favorite beverage" was easy for the both of us; Pete likes coke with grenadine. I like what you see above...a latte. Something about the espresso flavored frothiness makes me giddy every time I get to have one. There are many days when I must exhibit physical restraint in keeping my car from turning into the nearest Starbucks. But each time I get to have one...boy, oh boy. MMMMMM. :) This particular latte is again from my favorite shop: the Sconelady's at 15th and Kasold.

In the end, Pete and I SCHOOLED the other two couples who have a combined marriage length of more than 50 years. They were supposed to impute their wisdom on us. Maybe us youngin's have a few things to teach them as well. :)

Day Three Hundred and Thirty-Four: Juicy Fruit

I love me some pomegranate! MMMMMM!! If you haven't ever tried this delectable fruit, I recommend you do so, post haste. But be careful, while those juicy seeds tantalize the taste buds, they also terrorize the threads (okay, your clothes...meaning the juice stains. That's enough of me trying to be, well, I don't know what...but threads just isn't in my vocabulary every day).

Enjoy!!

Day Three Hundred and Thirty-Three: Hey Mr. Postman!

After months of preparing....

....After thousands of creases....

...Hundred and hundreds of hours later....

...and after using more glue sticks than I can count....

...the envelopes have been sealed...

...the stamps have been affixed....

....;the wedding invitations are nearly ready to go.

Day Three Hundred and Thirty-Two: Let the Games Begin!

The Iowa High School Basketball season is about to begin. Before the season actually commences, however, the area teams play each other in smaller round robin jamboree sessions. I was lucky enough to get to watch my brother Ted, a freshman, start on the Ankeny High School Boys Varsity Basketball team at one of those jamborees this weekend. The lighting in the gym we were in was amazing and a lot of cool pictures resulted. This one is my favorite. And no, I did not add any fades or gradients...the black on the top and the bottom is simply that spectacular lighting.

Here are a couple of my other favorites:

Foul, anyone?

Ted gets a few moments of rest during the games.

I'm so excited for his games to come. I hope to attend at least one or two, even with the distance in between here and A-town.

Day Three Hundred and Thirty-One: Vino

My mom is one of the most creative people I know. She always made amazing gifts for our teachers when we were younger, started her own business for a while selling hair bows, and has a way of making everything look great (which is why I know that, in her hands, the decorations at my wedding will be fabulous). Today when Pete and I arrived at my house for the Friedman family portion of the Thanksgiving weekend, my mom showed us her newest creation: light up wine bottles. And although my description of the item sounds kind of cheesy...nothing but elegance flows from this truly creative piece.

Maybe after the wedding she should get back into business...this time he "wine" business. :)

Day Three Hundred and Thirty: Spring of Life

On this Thanksgiving day, let us stop to remember all the good things that bless our lives every day, and the good Lord who provides them. Thank you, Lord, spring of eternal life. You continue to shower me with more gifts and happiness than I ever deserve.

Day Three Hundred and Twenty-Nine: Big Mouth

Remember Pete's niece Miranda? Earlier this year, she, her dad, and her grandparents visited us in Lawrence. At that time, I got an adorable picture of her enjoying some ice cream during the middle of a summer heat wave. Now it's Thanksgiving, and Miranda and her dad came over to Minneapolis (from their home in Spooner, Wisconsin) to get ready to do a Haack family Thanksgiving Day tradition: A Turkey Trot.

But before we got all tucked in a rested up for the "big" race, Miranda volunteered to pose for my photo of the day. Thanks, Miranda! Our little photo venture will result in laughs for lots of others.