Rain + More Rain = Flooding

It seems like we go from one extreme to the next. Last week we were high in the 90s, and this week we are soggy and wet. On Friday alone we received just under 10 inches of rain. The soil (if you call it soil...more like rock/clay ground) is so hard and so dry, it is hard for it to absorb the rain. Add in the major amount at such a fast pace, there was no way the ground was keeping up. Major flooding happened, but, mind you it was nothing like Fargo experiences every year with the Red River. There were homes lost here, and some people lost their lives, but when a city has to put out warnings that say "Turn Around, Don't Drown" you have to wonder what some people are thinking.

On Saturday Kyle, along with my parents and I, tried to take a highway north. We were routed off the road, and we had no idea why. THIS is why.

Apparently it is one of the most common places that flood. Good thing to know, I guess!

Overall, our aquifer rose multiple feet, and we are again in a sever thunderstorm warning through all today. There are hurricane threats to the south of us, tornado threats to the north of us, so if all we get is a little more rain I am fine with that! Hope all are safe and sound with this crazy spring weather!

Link to other flood photos here in town: MySA Flood Pictures

Betty Crocker(s)

Over the weekend the two Fisher girls visited me for a day. We whipped up some of their dad's favorite cookies (reeses peanut butter cup cookies) and a pan of my favorite bars! They love to get in the kitchen and bake, and I love sharing the time with someone in the kitchen, teaching just as my grandma taught me!

As you can tell, we did not shy from the mess and dove right in!

I was really glad Kyle wasn't home, he would have been twitching from all the flour...and sugar...and, well, the mess in general! We did clean it all up, though! We baked and played games and sang and danced and played some more. Such a fun girls day!

They are SO yummy when they are warm out of the oven!

We then watched a movie and enjoyed some popcorn and m&ms.

And played games. They had never played Trouble before, and that was one of my favorite games growing up so it was a must! They LOVED it! We also played Farkle, Wii Just Dance and Wii Mario Kart.

Then we went outside to play fetch with Tucker, roll down the hills, and enjoy the pretty sunset!

Tucker loves them just as much, as they played hide and go seek and fetch all. day. long. with him! It was such a exhausting fun day!

I'm ready to NOT see flour, sugar, or reeses for a long time now :)

Book Club!

Have I told you that I am in a book club? I guess it could be argued that it is a wine club, but we do actually read books!

Here are the ladies that are in it with me. So glad they invited me! (Anyone who knows me knows I love to read...and have an occasional glass of wine!)

All the ladies of Book Club!

This was the only time all of us were present. We usually meet up at an outdoor venue (providing its not too cold or sweltering hot) or we go to a place called the Bubble Room. Full of yummy tapas, champagne, and/or wine.

Here we are celebrating one of the book club members getting engaged with a glass of bubbly!

Cheers to the Bride to Be!

Don't get me wrong, we DO actually read (some of us). So far since I joined here are the books we've read:  

Lean In; It was a good book, but I didn't agree 100% with it. Overall it was very inspirational, especially if you are looking for that extra boost in your career.

Sharp Objects; It was a light-easy read with suspense keep-you-turning-the-page kinda book. They had read a book by the same author (Gillian Flynn) last year so I will probably look up that book as well.

Thorn Birds; apparently this is an oldie and a classic, and somehow someone suggested it. I was glad to read it, though, it offered such a different view in time and place. I've never read a book that takes place in Australia, so that was very refreshing. It was long and a bit slow in places, but overall a classic and a must read!

I've also read a few other books during this time, but I won't get too detailed about that. I still want you to think that I lead a very exciting life down here ;)

Hope summer is finding everyone (I know it is here...in the triple digits!) Cheers!

Moms Day

Where oh where have these last two weeks gone!? I can't even think of what Kyle and I have been up to. Maybe that's a good thing. We are taking it easy and enjoying each others company before summer schedules start and he becomes non-existent.

Yesterday, in honor of  Mother's Day, I was thinking about the trips I've taken and things I've done with both my mom and mother-in-law. I am blessed to have two such wonderful women in my life!

The trip to Italy with my mom is going to be hard to beat. A week traveling to different cities, drinking lots of wine, seeing amazing things and meeting cool people, will always be a trip to remember.

Mom and I at Trevi Fountain.

And with Jill, us Bruns women took a trip to Chicago and explored the streets and found wonderful things to do. We went to the Oprah Winfrey show (a LIVE show with Russell Crow and Elton John!) and saw a play and went to the boardwalk and had an amazing time. I love the memory of us girls taking on Chicago!

Sitting downtown with all the beautiful tulips. Jill, me, Janine, and Sally.

And of course, I can't forget my grandmas! Grandma Bea and Grandma Lois are two wonderful women, and I love them both! Grandma Bea has THE best cookies. EVER. And Grandma Lois can always entertain me with her jokes! Such great women to have in my life.

Hope everyone else had a wonderful Mother's Day!