Northern Minnesota

This is where I spent last week. Ever been to Northern Minnesota? I highly recommend it. The air is fresh and clean, the skies big and blue, the lakes are clear and clean and I promise you will sleep like a baby. And the best part, the call of the loon to wake you up each morning so you don't miss a minute of the best summer days you will ever experience.

Pictures From My Week

Beware Of Ducks! They have found a new home in my in-law's pool. They made their appearance last week. They are very tame and Suzy (so named by my nephew) will eat right out of your hand - very cute and oh so sweet. However...they like to do their business in the pool - and other things that couples do :-) Unfortunately for them, my mother-in-law is working on the eviction notice.

I love little duck butts!

For Real - Wow!

Who Is Your Yoga Teacher?

What Costa Rica Taught Me

1. I don't melt in a monsoon
2. Bugs can grow really big
3. The jungle is mesmerizing
4. The people of Costa Rica are kind and gentle - all of them
5. I enjoy waking up to the sounds of the howler monkeys
6. Sloths really do move slow
7. Beans and rice are nourishing
8. Yoga in the jungle is delicious
9. Snakes can get into yoga rooms
10. It (whatever "it" is) will never dry

I patiently await my return - next time with more friends :-)

Libra - That's Me!

Jennifer over at Pink Heels posted her Sagittarius 2009 prediction from Yahoo.com. How much fun is this? I loved what mine says, here it is.

Year 2009 Overview for Libra - that's me!

Brilliant ideas come easily into Libra's awareness throughout 2009. As you trust your higher self and allow thoughts to flow freely, you are able to embrace new opportunities and make positive changes in your life. You come to a higher level of understanding and appreciation as you let go of old ideas. You're no longer separated from what you want as you to detach from limiting thoughts, bringing you a new spiritual perspective of feeling fully supported and loved.

As you stay centered within your core, your highest ideals manifest, and you have the ability to help others realize their interconnectedness, and bring balance into their lives. Your efforts bring you into a more stable way of working than ever before, an important development, what with all the changes occurring this year.

You are a natural conduit, and you are able to receive messages that will help you grow in every area of your life. You have a strong inner sense of direction for where life is going, so trust and allow your struggles to be released.

What does 2009 have in store for you? Take a look...

Happy Halloween!

Do Some Yoga In Costa Rica

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain

"...and do some yoga!" ~ Karen

Yippee, only 93 days (but who's counting?) until we board that plane for the Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica. So far I have purchased 4 new bikinis and 3 new yoga tops for the adventure. I am looking at a new travel yoga mat from Hugger Mugger - I think that will be a smart purchase since I will only have so much suitcase room - 4 bikinis do take up some space :-) I can't decide between the green mat or the blue one. Decisions, decisions.

Want to Explore, Dream and Discover? Join us in Costa Rica - the more, the merrier!

Related Posts:
Wanna "Yoga" In Costa Rica?

It Happened...

"Life begins at forty."~ W B Pitkin

The big day came and it was bigger and better than anything I could have ever imagined thanks to my friends. They are kind, compassionate, silly, thoughtful, fun, and ALL SNEAKY! I was kidnapped from my house and spent a wonderful day shopping, movie watching, eating and entertaining them all because I had no idea what the heck was going on.

They giggled, they whispered, they conspired and passed notes under the lunch table. I loved every minute of it.

SAS sent birthday wishes via her blog featuring granola (my favorite recipe - hers) and raspberries (grown in her garden). Thank you my wonderful friend!

The cute, fingerless gloves above are from blog-less Gina in PA (get a blog girl!). I love, love, love them and you too!

So many CARDS!

And this special Birthday Wish from 3 little cutie-pies (warning, plug your ears toward the end):



May your next big one be as special as mine.

"Friends are kisses blown to us by angels." ~Author Unknown

Thank you to all my wonderful friends near and far - I love you all!

Many More...Why I Love My Life

#28 - Very few days begin with the alarm clock.
#27 - Homemade granola for breakfast every morning.
#26 - Work day starts when I say so.
#25 - Doggie Girl at my feet.
#24 - Delicious homemade lunches.
#23 - I get to teach yoga - pure joy!

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." ~Annie Dillard

One Of My Favorite Things

A little doggie butt would be it! There is nothing better than a dog in front of you, cool morning air all around, sweatpants & sweatshirts, peace & quiet, in a beautiful nature setting. This is one of my favorite ways to start off the day. Now on to my second - breakfast.

The Minnesota State Fair

My goal was five times. I wanted to go to the State Fair five times this year. I made it 3 times. Although, there is always tomorrow - the last day. It could be 4!

This is a picture from the chair lift type ride. I'm not sure what it is called but it really was the highlight of my last day at the fair. It was rather hot this day and the breeze and view was spectacular.

What did I eat you ask? Garlic French Fries, French Crepe, Cider Freeze, Pecan Nut Roll, and an ice cream cone. So yes, wheat and dairy did make their way into my mouth - but hey, the State Fair is only once a year. Well, 3 times a year for me.

Next year, I will make it 5 times.

Dream Expansion Inspiration

STREAM OF LIFE

The Same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures.

It is the same life that shoots in joy through the dust of the earth in numberless blades of grass and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers.

It is the same life that is rocked in the ocean-cradle of birth and of death, in ebb and in flow.

I feel my limbs are made glorious by the touch of this world of life. And my pride is from the life-throb of ages dancing in my blood this moment.

~ Rabindranath Tagore

I was introduced to this beautiful poem when I saw this video today. Wow, right? Toward the end of the video I realized that more than anything else, the music was moving me. This voice, while singing in a different language, was so beautiful and the music was so upbeat. What is this song and who is singing it? I so appreciate Google each day for answering so many of my questions! The song is called "Praan". It is the above poem put to music by Gary Schyman. The voice is that of Palbasha Siddique, an 18 year old woman originally from Bangladesh who now lives in Minneapolis. Here is a link for more information on the video and Palbasha.

As I watch this video and see all of the wonderful locations, all of the people, the music and the wonderful message and I can't help but think - who's dream was this? Did it start small and grow? What was the inspiration? How many people told him that it wasn't possible or that it was crazy. Look how big this dream became. How can I use this as inspiration for my own dreams?

What are your dreams? How big are they?

Use this video as inspiration and then I ask you, how can you expand your own dreams?

Today: The Grand Start - Brittany

The best thing about July is Le Tour De France. For 21 days I am amazed and inspired by the cyclists pushing themselves to the limit around one of the most beautifully stunning countries in the world. I watch the Tour as much for the competition as for the beauty of the French countryside. As I watch, I imagine that I am there. I take the in beauty with my eyes, taste the foods, hear and feel the excitement. One day, I will experience it for real. For now, I am so grateful for the live coverage on TV!

July 5, Stage 1 - Brest Plumelec 197.5 km

Flags and Flowers

Happy 4th of July!

Blogging Inspiration

Met my friend 'Sas'sy (from Play Daze) for lunch today. We picked up our CSA boxes and talked about food (among many other topics) and the conversation came around to blogging inspiration. I've felt a little less than inspired with my posts recently. I realized that all I want to talk about is food. So, after my wonderful salad tonight comprised of heirloom lettuce (see gorgeous picture above), radishes, broccoli from my CSA box and a delish homemade dressing, I'm inspired. Don't be surprised if you see more food posting - I love food. I love to eat it, take pictures of it, talk about it, research recipes, spend hours in grocery stores, get up really early on a Saturday morning to go to the farmer's market, and grow it.

On that note, here is one of the coolest food sites I have ever seen - enjoy!

Foodini?

Not only am I a yogini, I am also a foodini - OK, sorry, foodie! I love food blogs. They have provided me with some of the most wonderful recipes and links to new and different brands to try out. And on that note, I am so happy to share with you my latest finding - a Food Blog Search site!

The Ride

There is something about riding a bike that thrills me. Not only do you get exercise, you can travel quickly to many beautiful destinations with the wind in your hair. This day I really needed something to uplift me - and this was perfect. A beautiful day, in a beautiful place and I felt like a little kid during summer vacation. What is more perfect than that?

7 Random Things About Me

This one is from YogaLaura! I found this a bit challenging because everything is random!

Here we go...
1. I am a rocker (just like YogaLaura). Welcome To The Jungle by Guns and Roses was the most requested (by me!) song at my wedding reception.
2. I have very inflexible toes and a very flexible body - does that make sense?
3. I love barns - looking at them, studying them, imagining what it was like in that barn 50 years ago, 100 years ago. One of my dreams has always been to have a barn.
4. Hiccups hurt me - really. I have them right now. Ouch.
5. I must have at least 4 pillows to get a good night's sleep. I have two at my head and one on each side. I tuck them in around me and fall happily asleep
6. I don't like the word "swig". I have no idea why...
7. Jamie Oliver is my hero

Now I want to here from you - especially Play Daze :-)