Monday Spruce Up-Healthy Dose of Sunflowers

     On Saturday, I tagged along with my daughter and her friend and headed about  45 minutes north of St Paul to explore a Sunflower field. I had never seen an entire field of sunflowers and this was spectacular. I have a dozen or more photos, but this gives you a taste. The price was not expensive, but wasn't inexpensive so I guess about right, at $20 a car or $10 a person. The farm had a lot of  photo op settings throughout the walking paths, made with hay bails. It seemed like those visiting were doing their best to social distance, some wearing masks even though outside, and we didn't see any signs of  people abusing the field. It was hot and humid-we were pretty drenched in sweat after the walk from the car to the fields and back again. All and all, it was a nice diversion to a bleak summer of cancellations, even though the skies threatened rain all day. I even snapped a selfie, something I am never comfortable doing. Sprucing up my attitude and accepting myself, flaws and all, is an ever present goal. 

A sea of sunflowers. 

Under a sunflower umbrella. 

I thought this little version was adorable, mixed in wiht it's big siblings. 

Thi was a field with flowers just beginning to open. 

Don't they just look like they are smiling!

It May Be Cliche:Pumpkins and Leaves!

I live in Minnesota. The winters can be brutally cold and there are summer days that rival the deep south for heat and humidity. Yet, there is this splice of the year when all things are perfect. The sun will shine, the breeze will blow softly, a light jacket or sweatshirt is all that is needed. That time is now. What better way to experience the best of Minnesota weather, a day off of school and work, than getting out and about with my favorite teen? We had a lazy day, stopping at the library before a hair cut, then exploring a few shops. We had a low cost lunch at Panera, thanks to an old gift card I found, enjoying soup, salads, rustic sandwiches, baguettes' and smoothies. We make lunch a sampler meal whenever we go out, sharing items for optimal tasting. Spending was  low in the shops, as I have become quite disciplined, with the purchase of a sweatshirt for DD, and two hand soaps in Christmas decor at Gordman's for $.99 each, less than 1/2 what Bath and Body Works charges even on sale, though I love Bath and Body Works products. 

The outing was completed by a stop at a small farm off the highway, too perfect not to use as a photo op for my new toy, and pick up a pumpkin.I grabbed one of the two last butternut squash she had as well. We'll have  my mother in law over for dinner on Sunday, and she likes squash. Here is my day in pictures. The tree is from our front yard. There was a lovely early morning moon peaking through, but I could not capture it on the camera so you'll need to use your imagination. My life is not all pumpkin patches, autumn leaves, and perfect days with my family, and I try to stay real on my blog. Yet, there are the days that are gems. Photos of pumpkins and leaves may be cliche, but I do not care. I love fall on sunny days and hope you get a chance to experience this bliss yourself. 

Just Like Fire

It's not another post about the weather today, but I had DD2 snap this ironic photo in the car after her second soccer game. Note the song title-note the temperature! Yes folks, I live in Minnesota where hell in the summer will literally freeze over come January. 

She played two games in the heat yesterday, and while we have traveled farther for tournaments n single days, we  had a hotel room to head back to and rest right after the second game. This was supposed to be the travel tournament that the team stays over, but we intentionally picked a mid distance because it is such a busy weekend for families that they could have the choice to stay or drive back and forth.  Only four girls ended up staying and I am happy we stayed as I've been a little frazzled lately, and the drive back home, and then here today would have set my week up for exhaustion. She plays at 11:00, and if they win, they play again at 5:00, a whole afternoon to kill. Of course I want the team to play well, but are we bad parents because most were thinking, and a few said out loud, that it wouldn't be a bad thing if they lose?  The girls want to win-this team always plays tournaments much better than the regular season. 

Three anecdotes. One, as the team manager, I sent all the tournament details in a link to the tournament as a whole, and I direct link to their bracket with the field directions, times, and other need to know information. I previously had a place holder before we knew times of 24 hours on both Saturday and Sunday-12:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. Of course one family didn't bother to look at the e-mails with the tournament bracket, didn't check before the day, and showed up for the 11:00 game at 12:00 noon, becasue they went to the original date hold, which said 12:00 a.m. not p.m. anyway! (the other 14 players were well on time.) Another went to the check in address-not the field, but arrived before game. I feel sorry they did not pay better attention, but frustrated that both seemed to think it was my error in giving them wrong info. Arrgh! Not worth arguing, I just said, "sorry for your confusion."

Two, I will be sporting large quantities of aloe today, and carrying around a golf umbrella to keep that sun off me. I have nice pink arms and legs today-not attractive on someone who is still 56 pounds from getting back in her normal weight range. The third anecdote reminds me of the scene from  One Fine Day, where Michelle Pfeifer's son squirts grape juice on her blouse, and she magically pulls out one of her 6 year old's t-shirts from her bag, and wears a cute little dino t-shirt under her executive suit vest and jacket the rest of the day. She looks cute and perky. In my getting out the door, I forgot to throw a night t-shirt in my bag yesterday morning. DD had a few extra's and I maneuvered my arms and head into one size small shirt. My chest looked like I had inserted an inner tube inside the shirt, but at least it was clean and fresh for after my shower. It's one of her hand me downs, so if I ruined it, so be it. 

Have a great Sunday, and I'll be back in the week with news from the soccer field, and  a few recipes I have up my sleeve. Strawberries and rhubarb are coming! I'll leave you with this trailer and you can see the t-shirt peaking out from the suit staring at 1:15. Michelle Pfeifer I am not, but I do love that actress and this movie. Hard for me to believe it is twenty years old, and it reminds me of my older two's childhood. I wasn't mistaken for Michelle Pfeifer back then either, but my boobs were a little more perky. 

Summer Day Trip's-Time to Build the Calendar

I shouldn't be planning any day trips with my free home days as we have so much to get done this summer on the house. I have three day trips, locations not specific, that I want to build into my summer that should be doable while getting and staying on task. . 

Day trip one: Hit a variety of farmers stands,  farmers markets, or direct source producers, with the end result of a farm to table fresh meal for me and my closest friends. I've been missing getting together as frequently as I would like, partially due to time, partially trying to rein in the spending. This might accomplish that as well as fill my need to be one with my food source. 

Day trip two: Go somewhere new that I can combine a good swim, a good book read, and a good picnic all in one place. I'm not talking about a loud and crowded water park. I think my chaperoning those may be over, as the chaos is just too much now. Potentially a small lake with public access, or a small, less used swimming pool nearby might fit the bill. 

Day Trip three: Out and about garage and flea market day, looking for the bits and pieces that I can upcycle for either our spruced up home by Septembers end, or for our bedroom at the lake place. So far, I have not heard there is any requirements placed on how we do our individual bedroom, and I'm thinking light and beachy would be so relaxing. DH won't care.

I may have to fit a hooky day in my work schedule to accomplish somethings at home, to trade in for a day off for a trip. I might  forgo heading to the lake with the rest of the family, and find a little solitude for myself. I have no big summer bucket list, but going to indulge my love of planning to get these  scheduled, and accomplished. Half my joy with experiences is always in the planning, whether a whole vacation or just a simple day. Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted when and if they happen.