Some friends of ours are house-sitting the most awesome place this summer. It was with LOTS of envy that I snapped just a few pictures of what we call “the compound” due to it’s isolated nature and thick concrete walls!
I have come a complete 180° design-wise from where I was a couple of years ago. I have been converted into a believer in white walls. The white walls here really let the wood cabinets be the star, and they totally complement the southwest style of the home. The owner imported many touches from Mexico, like colorful hanging lanterns and a stamped-tin mirror in the bathroom.
I dream of someday having huge plants like this in my bohemian abode… and how incredible is that rug under the dining table?
Of course, not every wall in here was white…
What I wouldn’t give for a shelf like this taking up the whole wall!
Our friends who live here eat an extremely healthy diet and are an inspiration to me. Of course, I had pizza for dinner yesterday and a hamburger for dinner today, so I have a long ways to go. Still, I aspire to eat more “weird” vegetables and salads! It’s amazing how a salad can fill you up and make you feel great when you make sure to include protein (nuts, cheese, etc) and use garden fresh lettuce like this…
Do you have a rad place that you’d like me to invade with my camera? Please tell me it’s in central Kansas. I’m working on some beginner interior photography skills and I would LOVE to come shoot your home! E-mail me!
Over the recent three-day weekend, we scooted on down to my uncle’s farm in Oklahoma. I loved seeing my aunt and uncle, grandparents, and many of my cousins and second cousins! We had a cookout Sunday evening, but Sunday morning before church Doug and I had the chance to snap a few photos in the sleepy, quiet morning atmosphere.
I hope you had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend as well! Do any grilling? Take advantage of a Memorial Day sale? Or did you visit the grave of a loved one?
Our anniversary is coming up on the 20th, but due to the anticipated arrival of Doug’s co-worker’s baby, we decided to take the week before off so as not to cause drama at the lab.
We tried to save pennies by staying closer to home (7 hours is not that far) but ended up splurging for a boutique hotel (the Moonrise Hotel) that I found online and couldn’t resist. We did score a deal by buying two nights and getting one free. The third night (the free one) I probably slept better than I ever have! Haha.
The Moonrise Hotel exterior at dusk.
The first day we were there, we shopped the street the Moonrise is located on–the Delmar Loop. The street really isn’t a loop but with interesting stores and restaurants on both sides, it’s easy to walk up to one end and loop down on the other side. Our area reminded me of Hillcrest in San Diego and had lots of ethnic restaurants; something impossible to find in our town. At one of a few resale stores, I scored a pair of Coach tennis shoes for $24! Actually, it was perfect because I had forgotten a pair of good walking shoes. Providence!! At another store, Doug scored some retro swim trunks because the ones he had last summer seem to have mysteriously disappeared.
The shorts. Actually, he has a v-neck in each of these colors except orange. They go with everything!
The following day we slept in as long as possible–we ended up getting up around 10. We went over to downtown to see the Gateway Arch, but since I had ridden up in it as a child and Doug had done it in 2009, we decided not to spend our money in that way.
At the Arch. Shiny!
Instead, we found out that while the team is away, Busch Stadium offers tours! At first I was skeptical of the $10 cost–not cheap, especially considering that there are two of us, but the tour actually turned out to be one of our favorite parts of the trip. We learned some insider info, including that there’s a buffet section! They offer tickets that include a great seat and access to an all-you-can-eat buffet. The price depends on how popular the Cardinals’ opponent is and what day of the week the game is.
The buffet area was set up for a baseball-themed wedding reception. Cool!
During the tour we got to go in the radio press box, in the fancy area where the players eat after the game, on the field (had to stay off the grass) and in the dugout!! It was very cool, Doug was in sports heaven, and our tour guide was very funny.
On the field! It looks bigger from the stands.
Sunday, we went to the St Louis Zoo (free!) in the morning and drove a couple hours to my Grandma’s in Illinois for the afternoon and evening. Some of my other relatives were there and it was so good to spend time with the lesser-seen side of my family.
Monday, yesterday, sadly, was the day to make the 7 hour drive back home. Unfortunately due to hauling a couch gifted by my grandmother (she got a replacement and this one was lonely in her garage) we drove the truck, a manual shift. This means that poor Doug had to drive the whole time and it was my job to keep him in high spirits. Fortunately, even though it was raining through Missouri, everyone and everything made it back in great condition and we even shaved 30 minutes off the estimated trip time (according to TomTom).
It was so great to get away for an extra-long weekend.
My Friend Staci 