15 minutes for me

I decided to take a few minutes this morning to take photos of my magnolia tree, for no reason other than I wanted to do it. I've been shooting photos at Cal's school all week. It's been fun. But I wanted to get back out and shoot some nature. These are all different shots, and I did different things with each in post-processing. Again, no real reason. Just for fun. Enjoy!

Highlights from New York City

We spent last week in New York City. We lived there for a year (from 1997 to 1998) while Paul did his fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Calvin was just a year old when we moved to New York. We have a photo just like this from our first week in the city. A fun comparison shot!

This time, we were in the city as tourists. We had a great time and managed to do a few things we wanted to do while we were there, but as is the case in New York, we just couldn't do everything. That just means we'll have to go back!

Mason had at least one slice of pizza each day we were in New York. He's our "Pizzatarian".

Paul visited this great place (The Pickle Guys) that sells pickles (and olives, and peppers, etc.) I think we'll have an online order arriving any day now.

And one of the most surprising highlights of our trip...two visits to "The Doughnut Plant". It's a small little shop that's been featured on the Travel Channel as having some of the best doughnuts in the country. We agree wholeheartedly! The chocolate ones were amazing!

For Trish

My friend Trish says she's tired of looking at the snow photos on my blog.

I don't blame her. We didn't see snow in Duluth for the entire month of March! Seriously. Check out the facts if you don't believe me!

Spring has sprung early in "The Northland" and we're lovin' it!

I'm hoping to blog a little more frequently now that the weather is nicer. So, let's start things fresh what we've been up to lately.

The basement renovation project is still underway. We've put in a bathroom, a dog shower, and we have a gameroom that's almost ready for gaming. We've been moving boxes from storage area to storage area down there in order to put in new concrete floors throughout. The whole thing has been a huge transformation. When it's done, I'll post photos!

Today's photo, is the OTHER project we've been doing. This is our third floor. It used to be cluttered with dozens of bins filled with legos, and a big old TV. Not anymore. This will be a bar/fly tying area. The window wall will have a full-length countertop where Paul and Mason can tie flies. The little white alcove where the holes are? That will house a wall mounted faucet and sink and an upper cabinet. We're getting a ginormous sectional and a new TV set to finish out the room. We're hoping it will be ready by the end of April!

Yes, we love our projects. But we're looking forward to a project-free summer. Unless my parents need help at their new house. Oh, and there's a few things we need to finish at the cabin....