Pool bums

This summer Alex and I spent A LOT of time at our local YMCA pool. It was a pretty hot summer, and I prefer to be able to get in the water to cool off. The lakes aren't always ideal for a dip in the water, unless you are on a boat. There are weird things that grow and can get people sick. So we opted to sit poolside this summer.

Double Birthday Rainbow . . . What does it mean?

On my birthday this year, I joined the rest of society and got my first iPhone. 

My first picture . . . a double rainbow as we walked out of the store. I have never seen a rainbow like this let alone a double rainbow. (You can faintly see the second rainbow to right of the photo.)

Swing Batter, Swing!

This past Spring and Summer Alex and I checked out a few of the other Minnesota Sports Teams. The first was attending the Minnesota Swarm Lacrosse game. We had the fortune of being able to sit in box seats at the Xcel Center with the Notre Dame Alumni Club. The owner of the Swarm is a Notre Dame graduate and arranged for the seats. The seats were great and the game was very exciting. It reminded me of cheering on my brother when he played Lacrosse.

We were also lucky to get tickets to the Cleveland Indians/Minnesota Twins game. They were great seats as well. I was decked out in my Indian gear and got quite a few glares. The Indians won the game which of course is always exciting.

We also went to a St. Paul Saints game. It is a great opportunity to people watch because everyone comes to these games. I mean everyone. There is also great entertainment at the change of innings. 

Dusting off the cobwebs

Wow! I can't believe that my last post was in April. It has been so long that I couldn't even remember what my login information was to even post this on my blog. Yikes!

Hopefully, over the next couple of weeks I can catch up on our summer. They may be abbreviated posts because there is just way too much to share.

Looking forward to sharing with everyone!

Notre Dame Alumni Design Conference 2012

This past weekend I travelled to Notre Dame, Indiana to speak at the 14th Annual Alumni Design Conference. Nine of my 2002 classmates and myself returned to share our experiences in the Design Industry since graduating 10 years ago. Yikes! I was incredibly nervous to speak, more because I was concerned about the 20 minute time limit. A lot has happened to me in the last 10 years, and I had a lot to share. Somehow I managed to do it.

Every year, there is a Crawfish Boil to thank the returning Alumni and to celebrate the MFA/BFA exhibition opening the same weekend. I had never been to a Crawfish Boil or even had crawfish for that matter. The event was fun and the food was tasty. Crawfish are like mini lobsters, just not with the same payoff.

Crawfish Boil

Crawfish

Before returning to Minneapolis, I was able to spend some time on campus Sunday. The weather was absolutely beautiful. It was nice to be back in the Spring. I am used to the chaos of Football Saturdays in the Fall which you don't really get to take the time to appreciate Notre Dame as a beautiful and peaceful place.

Snite Museum Tulips

Notre Dame Football Practice Field

Theodore Hesburgh Library (Touchdown Jesus)

Notre Dame Squirrel

Riley Hall (Art & Design Building)

Notre Dame du Lac

Blessed Virgin Mary at The Grotto

The Grotto Tulips

The Log Chapel

Lyons Hall Tree

Lyons Hall (Home)

Basillica of Sacred Heart

Golden Dome

This past weekend was a great opportunity to share with the students my struggles and successes over the last 10 years. It was also a great opportunity for me to reflect on what I have accomplished and think about what I to accomplish in the next 10 years. I have a lot of big dreams. Just like I told the students . . . "As long as your doing what you love and pursuing your own dreams, the rest will work itself out."

Photography 101

Today Alex and I headed out to a local park, Minnehaha Falls, to work on our photography skills and to enjoy the AMAZING weather we are experiencing. It is March 17th and it was 80 degrees today. We absolutely deserve this preview of Summer since we still had a 7 foot drift of snow in our backyard last year about this time.

My camera does a pretty good job, considering it is a little point and shoot and I have no idea what to do with all of the settings. I was working on subject and composition. Of course, subject was a bit difficult because everything is dirty, gray and brown. I am looking forward to the greens and colors of spring which should be around the corner. My tulips are 3 inches out and my new birthday lilac bush (which Alex affectionately calls "The Stick") is starting to bloom.

Snug as a bug in a rug

Cider likes to make it difficult to make the bed sometimes. This time I decided to make the bed around her. I am not sure she knew what to do.

It's about time!

We have had an incredibly mild winter this year. I understand that has been the case across the United States. However, we are feeling a bit lucky. It is a nice break from last year's ridiculous snow accumulations.

We did get a scare last week but again lucked out with only 6-8 inches of snow. It was pretty . . . even though it was a bit messy.

Not to worry it has already melted and we are looking forward to our 60 degree weather next week.

Sieve! Sieve! Sieve! It's all your fault! It's all your fault!

In February, Alex and I made a quick visit back to Ohio. We had a cheap ticket we needed to use and thought what better way to use it than to visit our home. Coincidentally, Notre Dame Hockey was visiting Miami of Ohio Hockey that weekend and were able to get great tickets. 

Lucky for me, Alex has developed a genuine love of Notre Dame. However, when it comes to hockey, if the Irish are playing Miami of Ohio, his loyalty remains with his Redhawks. My family joined in the fun with us.

Unfortunately the Irish lost . . . badly. It was a bit of a bummer, but we had fun, even though the Student Body chanted "Sieve! Sieve! Sieve! It's all your fault! We want more goals!" a lot! Alex was obviously happy though for his Redhawks.

"Emily" Crocker

This winter I have been spending a lot of time in the kitchen. For some reason, I am actually enjoying it a bit more than usual. I think I have finally have found a way to incorporate my love of design and order to bake/cook goodies with love!

My Super Bowl Sunday cookies were a hit at a friend's party. I made the cookies and icing from scratch and spent a lot of time decorating them to match the team's helmets and footballs.

All Alex asked for his birthday was to check out a new local Greek restaurant and a yellow cake with white frosting. Easy enough! Alex was surprised to see the festive decorations.

I decided to make Alex dinner for Valentine's Day. It certainly beats long waits in the restaurants. Lobster tails and twice baked potatoes with a side of amazing Oyster House corn bread (ordered via the internet and delivered on Valentine's Day!) 

What will I make next?

Merry Cider-mas!

For Christmas this year, we packed up the car and headed home to Ohio to spend it with our families. We dreaded the 12 hour drive but were excited to get home for a week of relaxation. Fortunately, we had great weather and did not miss out on a White Minnesota Christmas. In fact we have only had 10 inches or so compared to last years 50+ inches that we had by this time of year.

I knew Cider would be great in the car. Alex was a bit apprehensive. However, Cider did amazing. We were able to make a few stops to get her out and about for a quick walk and potty break. She did not lie down once in the car. She preferred to sit in the back and stare at us. I think she wondered where we were going.

For Christmas, Cider received her very own Chewy Vuitton and she loves it! We are twinsies.

My mom outdid herself this year with the Christmas dinner. It was quite a spread and very tasty.

The visit consisted of spending lots of time with my family, sleeping, laying around, run around, visiting friends and playing with Cider. She did awesome with my parents things too. A few mishaps but for the most part she was great. It was nice to have 3 extra helpers with Cider too. She enjoyed the attention. She did however earn herself more freedom our house as a reward.

The drive back seemed a lot longer although we made it back to Minnesota in 12 hours. Cider finally laid down to sleep which was nice.

We are already missing Ohio.