Summer Memories

Happy September, dear friends...

I hope this month is bringing you many sweet moments of joy!

Summer flew by, (as it always does), but it was certainly savored. 

We took a little road trip to the North Shore 

and it was very restorative...

I'd love to share some of the beauty with you...


(this is what we heard most days)

(video is not mine)

We began our journey in Duluth...
such a beautiful and eclectic town

"No photos, please!"
;)

The city is fun and lovely...but were there for the WATER...
seemingly endless, deep blue water...
bliss.

... from Duluth

From there we continued North 
to the picturesque little town of Grand Marais...


(photos of GM on my next post)

On the way, there were many beautiful sights, scents, and tastes...

Gooseberry Falls National Park

Is anyone familiar with this plant?
The fragrance is extraordinary!


A stop for lunch at the incredible New Scenic Cafe
did not disappoint...
we've never had anything there that was less than stellar...

Sorry about the appearance of that blueberry pie...we dove into it before I realized that I wanted a photo!
:)

Almost everything here is made from fresh, local ingredients...
if you are ever on the Scenic 61 drive, this is a perfect place to feed all of your senses.
And the view is, well...there's a reason it's called scenic...

Now that the air is getting chilly, my mind is on traditions and rituals, one of which is my annual re-reading of this book...

here

Reading this gem is like being cuddled in the coziest, softest blanket...I find it a wonderful way to get centered and invite the new season.


Wishing you a beautiful weekend!

Love and Blessings,
~ Irina

Cook Up with Dzintra!

Time is flying, summer is in full swing, and I so miss blog world and friends here...

This has been a challenging year in several respects, but throughout all of the changes, my mind was on blogging...

For me, this a place of friendship, beauty, and inspiration...I knew I had to come back as soon as possible...

So here are a couple of updates from me, and I'm looking forward to visiting all of you to see what you've been up to!

We had a luscious spring...

A "real" spring in Minnesota is quite a treat...

:)

My aforementioned Donna Hay cook-up turned out beautifully...

so delicious...Dzintra has a lovely one up now, do visit her blog if you get a chance...

Once again, I'm cooking now from the books instead of magazines...and although her books are wonderful, I miss the gorgeous glossies.

For this cook-up, I made...

Green Olive Baked Chicken

(p.80)

Asparagus and Potatoes with Lemon Butter

(p.144)

And for a refreshing dessert...

Lemon Pudding

(p.178)

It was a truly perfect springtime menu...

simple and fresh ingredients 
combined in a most delicious way.

Sending out love and wishes 
for a safe and happy 
4th of July!

Spring Songs

GypsyInMe

And Happy Autumn to dear blog friends in the S.H.!

Things aren't blooming around here quite yet,

(in fact, we are expecting snow tonight)

but the sweet birds are singing...

allaboutbirds.org

allaboutbirds.org

allaboutbirds.org

I'm very happy to be blogging again, and excited to continue with lovely  Dzintra's Donna Hay cook-ups...
Sadly, I don't have access to the gorgeous magazines anymore, but my library carries many of her books.





In the coming days I will be cooking from
"The Instant Cook"

A dear friend was kind enough to gift me this beautiful book, and I can't wait to get started on the recipes and share the results with you...

I hope the new season brings many joys to you all!

Thank you so very much for your kindness, dear friends and readers....

for sticking with me throughout my "holiday hiatus"...
:)

GypsyInMe







Love and Blessings
xoxo
Irina

Happy Wishes

Wishing

YOU

LOVE

GypsyInMe

JOY

Art by Anita Rivera

and

PEACE

Pablo Picasso

Love and Blessings!

See you in the New Year...

xoxo

Simply the Best

*** DULUTH ***

 

...one of my favorite places on earth...

 

* infinite zen *

How fun it was to discover that this magical city was just voted "Best Town Ever" by the readers of Outside Magazine!

I'd love to share a few photos from our most recent visit...

( photos on this post GypsyInMe)

So exciting to watch these big guys come into port!

I don't know what took us so long, but this was the first year that we drove across the lift bridge to "Minnesota Point"...
part of the largest freshwater sand pit in the world!

The weather was gorgeous...a perfect day at the beach...

 

 

 

("scattered driftwood on the beach"....

Abba song playing in my head...remember that one?)

;)

The homes on this tiny

strip of land are charming and unique...

 

 

 

 

It is a well-known fact that sea air makes one hungry...

 

 

 

 

Yummy pizza at Lake Avenue Restaurant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing sweet treats at Amazing Grace Bakery and Cafe 

 

This may have been the most delicious cheesecake I've ever tasted...sour cream frosting tops it off... perfection...

a delightful al fresco evening

 

My absolute favorite place in Duluth?

 

 

 

 

 

I can spend hours perched on these ancient glacial rocks...

 

Thank you for joining me, friends!

Until next time...

xoxo