Valentine’s Day Leftovers

With Valentine’s Day falling on a Tuesday this week, it didn’t offer much opportunity for romance.  Mike and I weren’t even able to fit in a lunch date this year.  While I was at work, Mike was chaperoning Sebastian’s class ski trip to Spirit Mountain.  He did have a great time and had a fun group of skiers that he was with throughout the day.  My lunch date ended up being with Daphne.  She seemed pretty happy about it.  I even gave her an extra dog treat because it was Valentine’s Day.  I had given up much hope for anything Valentine’s related in my day, when these arrived for me in the afternoon.

Valentine's Flowers
Purple Tulips
In Bloom
Star Gazer
Tiny Flowers
Full Bloom

 

I was also greeted with six chocolate-dipped strawberries from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory when I got home.  I fought the temptation to devour one and instead got a quick run on the treadmill in while Mike got dinner for the kids.  When I finished my workout, I put together dinner for Mike and me.  By the time our risotto was finished cooking, Mike had only 5 minutes before he needed to leave with Sebastian to basketball practice.  He ate a few bites and then headed out with Sebastian.  I was planning to wait to eat until he got home so that we could share our dinner together, but I was hungry and the risotto looked too good (with Italian sausage, red & yellow peppers, parmesan cheese and fresh cracked pepper).  I finished eating just as he walked back in the door.  We did enjoy chocolate-dipped strawberries after the kids went to bed.  We had enough leftover risotto that we ate more for lunch the next day along with a couple of the chocolate-dipped strawberries.  Even though I think we still deserve a night with just the two of us, I can’t help but be thankful that our days are busy and full with our kids and activities that make us a family.

The kids are looking forward to their winter break from school this coming week.  We don’t have a big trip planned, but the kids will get a mix of time at daycare and time at home.  The kids are excited to see friends at daycare that they haven’t seen for a while.  We also have some fun things planned to do in town and are looking forward to a week off from evening activities, homework and packing lunches.

Mike and I are both tired after a late night out last night. We were invited to a dinner at a co-worker’s house.  There were three couples in all.  We had a nice evening filled with wonderful food, great stories, music and even some Pictionary.  We got home way too late, but enjoyed our time socializing with adults.  Morning came early when Daphne wanted to get let out at 6:45 this morning.  The sun was coming up, but I wasn’t ready to be up.  Despite my grogginess, I noticed the sherbet colored skies outside.  Half-asleep and in my bathrobe, I took a quick snapshot through our front window.  Even though I would have loved to stay up and watch the sunrise, I was too exhausted and went back to bed.  I’m sure it was quite amazing though.

Another Sunrise

Beautiful Day

We have a hectic evening schedule today including conferences for both kids, gymnastics for Sophia, early registration for tomorrow’s ski races and a middle school open house  for Sebastian.  Good thing the morning started like this.

Colorful Day
Sunrise Over Lake Superior
Warmth From The Winter Sun

A New Perspective

I took a short detour on my drive into work this morning.  After dropping the kids off at school, I was determined to get a shot of the spectacular colors from the morning sky.  It didn’t quite happen.  Now that the days are getting longer and the sun is rising earlier, I’m not able to get out the door before the best part of the sunrise has faded.  However, I was able to get some interesting shots along the Lakewalk in Canal Park once the sun had peeked over the horizon.

Sunny Start

 

Rise And Shine

 

The Sun's Rays

 

The Tree

 

City Scape

 

I guess I can’t complain that with each day there is more sunlight.  After weeks of it being dark when I leave for work and dark when I come home, it would be nice to have a little extra daylight.  Some warmer temperatures wouldn’t hurt either.  A quick look at my weather app says that it is currently -4 degrees with a windchill making it feel like -29 degrees.  Spring can’t come soon enough for me.