1st Snowflakes!

It snowed in Minneapolis today.  Nothing substantial, but it instantly brings me indoors to the warmth of the oven.  We keep our apartment extremely cold, so anytime the air gets chilly outdoors, I pull out the recipes and bake.  Today I did just that!  I love how the heat of the kitchen brings people and cats towards it.  And then the bonus of delicious smells wading through the house.  I can smell the brown sugar and butter working magic as I type.   I can't deny that a little excitement ran through my body when I saw the fluffy flakes.  It means more baking days are ahead.  Well, I'm off to eat an obscene amount of cookies.  Happy almost weekend!

The Knoll

Like everyone else living in Minnesota, I think fall is a season of magic.  There's no more excuses for looking longingly at those light weight sweaters in the back of my closet, I can pull them on now.  And I believe one of the best pairings of those coveted sweaters to be a picnic.  Ross and I have been pretty avid picnic-ers this summer because there are so many inviting spots in Minneapolis.  This is now one of our favorites, the knoll at Gold Medal Park by the Guthrie Theater.  

I loaded up the baskets of my bike with pumpkin curry soup, a travel mug of hot water for tea and a cupcake to share.  I like to make picnics as simple as possible so I won't be discouraged each time I want to go on them.  You can create a perfect picnic with just three little items: soup/sandwich, tea/wine, and a small dessert.  Throw in two bowls or plates with utensils and you're ready to go!

So, we laid about and daydreamed (shocking really) and watched as a bald eagle kept soaring right in front of us along the Mississippi River!  Magic!  

So, get out there and have yourself a picnic because it's time to celebrate fall!!