forever fall

trail in my neighborhood

picking baby pumpkins

my friend's grandpa is so cute on his tractor

raspberry picking. Had to use the pick one, eat one method. 

Alvi carrying our pepers we picked

beautiful fall trees

another walk with Boyd in our neighborhood

Just thought I'd share some of my Instagrams to show you how I've been spending the beautiful fall weather this year. The grandparents of one of my greatest friends, Tom, own a farm here in Woodbury. They needed help picking pumpkins and other produce that they sell at local farmer's markets. So, obviously Alvi & I jumped at the opportunity. A big group of us gathered at the farm and picked pumpkins, gourds, raspberries, peppers, tomatoes, and apples. It was great and we were able to go home with a trunk full of goodies. 

Boyd and I have also been enjoying our walks, lately. Wish the trees stayed like this forever.  

March an in Instant

March really flew by! I cannot believe that it's almost April.... when did this happen? I feel like I'm not prepared for spring yet. But then again, what is there to prepare for? I love spring for so many reasons: spring cleaning, colorful clothes, flowers, warmer weather, my birthday... and most importantly, it means that summer is right around the corner! 

1 Alv and I were able to enjoy our favorite view for the first time this spring

2 The beautiful view from Tom & Will's front porch. 

3 My new lunchbox. They're technically for kids but I couldn't resist! Get one for yourself at Goodbyn

4 Talking a walk with my boys

5 Why I love Minnesota

6 We went to visit the Falls in Mankato

7 How we celebrated St. Patrick's Day

8 The boys enjoying the view in Hudson, Wi

9 My favorite spot in Woodbury

10 Enjoying a pretty spring day at the St. Croix River, the border between MN and WI

11 Boyd napped all month long

12 Beautiful day spent on Sweeney's back porch for St. Pattys

February in an Instant

I may have been without a computer all month, but I have had my handy-dandy iPhone to capture some moments. February is always a great month: Valentine's, our anniversary, and spring is right around the corner. I've had a lot of new beginnings this month, which was very exciting. I'm anxious to see how the rest of 2012 goes. 

one boyd posing for a picture 

two we went to a Prof concert earlier in the month. As you can see, we were extremely close.

three boyd and I went to Indian Mounds Park, our favorite park which has fantastic views of St. Paul

four boyd and I on a walk

five had a small edamame obsession

six bought some new turquoise jewelry at Charming Charlie

seven made some hearty beef strew during the colder days

eight My cousin Vinnie (no, seriously) and his girl, Britni - we had dinner

nine Graduation celebration dinner at Mancini's, a fantastic restaurant in St. Paul. *

ten Currently obsessed with Crystal Light Mojito

eleven We had a going away party for our great friend, Max. He moved to Michigan for a new job at Chrystler! We're so proud of him

twelve I attended my first Timberwolves game

* fun fact: our great Aunt Mary Jane is a Mancini! We get spoiled there :)

* also, just noticed I never numbered a picture up there. It's the pair of TOMS. I've been working adding some lace to a plain pair of navy.

Instagram Instants

Just a few photographs that I took on my phone over the past week:

one My beautiful necklace that was gifted to my mom from Italy. two We celebrated Alvi's little brother's 21st birthday and Dave & Busters. three Wristbands for Jack Jablonski, a local high school hockey player who was severely injured during a game. four Nothing better than a relaxing bath. five New hair! six The Cathedral in St. Paul seven pretty little wreath at the Markhams eight Fireplaces are necessary in Minnesota. nine Boyd enjoying his bed ten Minneapolis skyline. eleven St Paul skyline

Instagram Instants

Nothing too exciting happened this last week, but I still snapped a few pictures on my phone. From right to left, top to bottom: 

picture 1: The long drive to my brother's house has one advantage: city lights.

picture 2: a photo from my #janphotoaday challenge on Instagram. This day was a "close up" of some beads on my mom's lamp.

picture 3: PROF TICKETS!!!! 

picture 4: the planning process of some paintings I'm working on

Weekend at Alvi's

Recently, Alvi and I began yet another long distance relationship. When we first started dating, he attended school in Winona, which is over two and a half hours away from where I was in Mankato. We handled the distance well and saw each other almost every weekend. In fact, I feel like it made us closer! We found new ways to connect and it showed us that we're strong enough to last through something that usually tears couples apart.

So anyway, this past weekend I drove down to Mankato to visit Alvi. I was so excited for a weekend of nothing but relaxing and the company of my bearded man. Boyd and I packed up the car and drove the hour and a half to my alma mater. Alvi lives with three other guys so I'm aware that their daily routine usually consists of video games, football games, more video games, and then drinking while gaming. SO, I always come prepared with plenty of activities to keep me occupied.

Above are some instagram moments that I captured over the weekend. From top to bottom, left to right: photo 1: Alvi and I had a nostalgic dinner of corn dogs and classic mac & cheese one night, photo 2: Boyd loves to disappear in the love sac, photo 3: my new journals that I picked up at Barnes & Noble, photo 4: my grocery list I compiled during the football game.