You Are The Sunshine Of My Life

Okay, you've asked so I'll tell. I had an amazing time in Minneapolis this weekend. AND I navigated all by myself, the city, 394 and 494 and only once had to bust out "Sorry...I'm from Iowa." Feeling pretty proud of myself. After meeting Drew and his co-worker for lunch we didn't know what to do with our afternoon since we had no plans for the day or evening and it was only 2pm. So we did what anyone would do. Drink beer and go bowling.

(the popcorn was butter herb and parmeasan. Sooo good)

(Drew concentrating real hard)

We had fun and weren't conserned about scores ( I WON) and had a good afternoon.

After bowling we hit up the booze store grocery store for ingredients for inside out lasagna.

(Wine was totally a key ingredient. No really)

This was such an easy recipe and it turned out soooooo awesome. I am craving it right now.

Might have to make that again this week.

Saturday was a bussssyyy day. Started off with touring Drew's work with his grandparents, who were so sweet. Followed by dinner at our favorite Indian restaurant where they have a lunch buffet, and lets just say I'm glad I was wearing leggings. Finally after that we hit up the Walker Art Center.

(Claes Oldenburg!)

(sculpture garden at Walker Art Center)

(Drew growing impatient with my picture taking)

That night we met up with one of Drew's friends for sushi in St. Paul which was amaazzing (again so glad I was wearing leggings!) and I got to see this

Why yes that is the Church of Scientology in St. Paul. Apparently it used to be the children's museum. It is huge. Those scientologists are loaded.

Sunday was brunch with the fam, and it was awesome. His parents are so nice and his mom deserves Mom of the Century or Sainthood or something. Drew is the oldest of 4 boys (thats right FOUR) and his youngest brother is autistic. Yet his mom is the most upbeat, kindhearted person I've ever met. I don't know how she does it. He has some amazing parents. Also she made eggs with Mornigstar Farms "sausage" in it for me. That made me smile :)

So there you have it. My Minneapolis weekend and meeting the fam. Such a great weekend and relocating is becoming less stressful. Now if only someone would give me a job....(hint hint)

Cheers!

Marisa

Title Lyrics: Stevie Wonder "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life"

(Future) Homeward Bound!

I'm heading to Minneapolis today to spend a wonderful weekend with my boy and (gasp!) meet the fam. Keep your fingers crossed for me ;)

We have some really fun things planned, but what I'm really excited for is a trip to the Walker Art Center . Our friends generously gave us tickets they were not able to use the last time they were up there.

(via)

Where this Claes Oldenburg lives

(Oh he's like way famous)

Catch up with you all after the weekend! Hopefully I have some good adventures to post!

And thank you all for your sweet comments, and thank you new commenters and followers. I don't know what I'd do without you guys :)

Cheers!

Marisa

Clare & Miles Mills Rose Garden

Today I finally did it. It's on the 30 Before 30 but I've been super hesitant to do it. I used to draw all the time in high school and before that. I also used to write. All the time. Many many many short stories. The two traded on and off but after freshman year writing took over and drawing fell by the wayside. Until now. I picked up a sketch book and pencils today after work and went to one of my most favorite places in Des Moines: the rose garden. 

 

Not to many flowers in bloom yet, but I got some pics of some.

(Orange Roses: give them if you want to express desire and enthusiasm...use cautiously ;)

(Give pink if you want to show appreciation. I expect a bundle at my office tomorrow.)

(Give Red if you want to show...a variety of things. Love, respect, congratulations...)

Anyways to get back to the point, I decided to come here and start drawing again. There are some interesting things here that have always caught my eye.

( The famous egg)

(And my favorite place to read and write)

Obviously I'm no where near as good as I was back in the day, but it's something that I've always enjoyed and I am going to keep at it. Obviously I don't expect to become an artist and start selling my work like my girl Sarah, but I hope to improve in my own right. So! Cross one more off the 30 Before 30. Only 3.5 years left to complete it!

Cheers!

Marisa

Des Moines Art Center

Today was unusually nice in Des Moines. 80 degrees! I spent the whole morning being hungover after too much celebrating of my good friend Mike's birthday the night before. Well worth it though. Once I finally felt better I forced myself to head out because for all I know it could snow again tomorrow. So I went to one of my favorite places in Des Moines, the Art Center

I really enjoy art museums. For some reason I find them to be one of the most peaceful places. I just bring my ipod along and I'm off in my own little world. Thanks to Principal Financial Group admission is always free and thus it's my favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon. These are some of my favorites

(Matisse Dame a le robe blanche)

(Francis Bacon's Study after Velazquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X)

This one creeps me out and at the same time I never pass it up.

Also a treat, currently the art center has an Anselm Reyle exhibit. Which I loooovveeed. 

(Anselm Reyles Untitled 2009)

(Anselm Reyel Untitled 2010)

I admit. I'm no art critic. I don't know the deeper meaning behind it all, but I do know that Reyle's use of bright neons, different textures and light really appealed to me. 

After the art center I ventured to the adjoining Rose Garden where somehow 2.5 hours went by and I finished my second mountain disaster book. 

This book actually scared me. Will not be attempting K2 ever.

I would've taken pictures at the Rose Garden but well...there are no roses and it still is brown and drab and depressing looking. However it has benches and it was so nice outside (80 degrees...did I mention that?) so it was the perfect place to finish my book about people dying on a frigid dangerous mountain...

How was everyone elses weekend? I hope absolutely fabulous! Ughh not ready to start another week but only 7 more weeks till vacation!

Cheers

Marisa

*all photos via google images