Nice Day for a White Wedding
Saturday was Sean and Angie's wedding reception for all the family and friends who couldn't make it to Cancun. Austin and I were planning on having a house full of company but the weather changed those plans. Still, the show went on and a good number of guests showed up. It was a rocking good time and really suited the happy couple.
On Sunday, Austin and I pondered making a snowman but after the late night opted for naps and lots of reading. Late nights take their toll more than they used to and let me tell you about how I used to walk to school uphill both ways during a blizzard...
Etiquetes de comentaris: family
Happy News
I've known for a few months now that I will get to be an aunt* for the first time early this July and today I found out that I will be an aunt to a
nephew, Conner Owen. RJN, you're the only person I can think of (who reads my blog) that has experience in the field. Any advice or observations? And also, is there a gender-neutral term for aunt/uncle and niece/nephew? We have words for relatives like "parent" or "sibling" or "cousin" but I think there isn't a good one for these cases.
*Austin's sister is the momma-to-be.Etiquetes de comentaris: good news
It's Sunny Today
After 20 below windchills, the fact that it hit 40 yesterday makes it feel like spring so I bought some daffodils. It's funny how 40 degrees can feel so great but it's not spring yet; there will be more cold and snow before the season is over, no doubt about it. For now, though, I'm enjoying the dose of Vitamin D.
Etiquetes de comentaris: daily, weather
Our Newest Ikean Acquisition
We've been wanting the Expedit shelf for a long time and it's huge, 6 ft square! We love it but I bet at least one person will be frustrated by it when we eventually move.
Now all of our wedding gift cards to Ikea have been used up but there is so much more that we still would like to get someday.
Valentine's Day
I'm trying to catch up on the blog so there may be some random posts popping up over the next few days.
The first update-- Valentine's Day fell on a Wednesday this year which wasn't the most convenient but I don't have class on Thursdays so it worked out for me. Austin and I made king crab legs and roasted asparagus. The crab looked like it was trying to escape from the dish before we cooked it.
We sipped champagne and planned on having truffles and vanilla ice cream for dessert but ended up being too full so dessert got a rain check. We have still not made our way through all the chocolate yet but have had some of the dark chocolate ones, a dark chocolate and champagne one, and a white chocolate truffle that was filled with geranium oil. We still have dark chocolate with lavender essence and a dark chocolate- Grand Marnier to go. The Haagen-Dasz remains untouched, however. Such restraint.
I enjoyed "working" from home on Thursday though I wasn't as productive as I am when I go into the office. Still, it was a nice treat to myself in honor of V-day.
Etiquetes de comentaris: Valentine's Day
Signs of Spring?
I slept in this morning and reveled in waking up when there was actual daylight streaming in, feels so much better on the body. As I was making my tea, I heard birds chirping. It struck me because I haven't heard that sound for a long time in this frozen, dead world that is the Upper Midwest. I realize that there are birds that stay all winter long so it could be those kinds of birds and maybe they also have the sense to wake up with the sun (which would explain why I never see them on my way to work at 7:15). The combination of the birds and the bright sunlight made me dare to think a little about spring.
The current temperature, however, is six below and 19 below with windchill. Also, I am painfully aware that spring doesn't fully move in here until about May, even if we get a few teases in April, so I know not to get my hopes up (Hemingway tells us there is nothing more cruel than a false spring).
I'll experience the arctic blast firsthand when Austin and I head out to run some errands. I think we are going to pick up some king crab legs for our V-day dinner.
Etiquetes de comentaris: daily, weather
Freezing in February
I've been bad about posting lately, partly due to a mental block in that I don't want to bump down the Cancun post. When we took our vacation, the "permanent" winter snow had only just arrived and the temperatures were quite mild. It wasn't an 80 degree heatwave, but it wasn't bitter either.
Then we returned.
The weather has been painfully cold here and all schools in approximately the entire NW part of our state were closed on Monday since it was about twenty below zero with a wind chill of 30 below. I, of course, had to work but luckily all of my brave students showed up for their exam on the frigid Monday after the Super Bowl, ay de mí!
In addition to the weather, there's been the usual beginning-of-semester stuff going on. Besides administrative tasks, it's difficult to teach when I'm still not sure of the names of my 100+ students nor of their abilities.
Finally, Austin and I are planning some rather significant life events (NOT children) and while the changes are all positive, there is still some associated stress that I am trying to keep at a reasonable level.
This post sounds kind of complain-y but the reality is that things are going along just fine. Austin and I are looking forward to a plan-free weekend so I'm expecting that a cozy weekend in will be just the thing.
Etiquetes de comentaris: daily
