Good afternoon!
I’m finally getting caught up from a very busy weekend! So, let’s get to it!
Friday morning, I left bright and early to meet my mom in Omaha to see my best friend from forever in her ROTC commissioning ceremony!
Reciting the Cadet Creed – gave me chills!
Laura taking her oath, flawlessly.
Getting “pinned” as a 2nd lieutenant by her sister & cousin.
Receiving her 1st salute as 2nd lieutenant by her aunt.
Congrats, Laura! We’re so proud!
Seriously, how gorgeous is this girl?! 
After the ceremony, we rendezvoused to lunch in the Old Market & then my mom came back to Sioux Falls with me for the weekend! It was girls-only Friday night, so mom and I hit up a local restaurant, Bracco, for drinks, apps and girl talk. You can’t beat that!
Saturday morning we were up bright and early for a 5 mile walk with the pup to a new coffee shop in town. After gearing up for the rest of the day, we headed out for some shopping. Look at what we found!
This same kind of ottoman we’ve been looking at have been upwards of $300. We found this one for $138! Score! It was just what we were looking for & there was no way we could pass it up!
Someone already thinks she owns it.
Other purchases of the day included lunch at Camille’s, patio chairs & cushions and pedicures (for the girls, anyway)!
After a relaxing afternoon, we headed downtown for happy hour at Touch of Europe.
This place is so cool! When you walk in you head downstairs to the restaurant/bar and the entire place is enclosed in old brick.
We took advantage of the $2 beverages and ended up staying for the entire happy hour! (Check out Dillon’s shirt from Raygun – “Kiss me, I’m Iowish.” That’s Des Moines love)
Oops, we just lost track of the time!
Next, we needed to find some dinner. While wandering around downtown, we ran across some awesome sculpture pieces that are sitting out for the summer. I love this one – made entirely of bike parts (and surrounded by perfect tulips, no less)!
Finally, we decided on some sushi for dinner! My mom hadn’t had it in almost 20 years (when she used to despise it), so we figured it was time for a re-do!
We took the sushi to go, though, so we could sit outside in our new patio chairs and enjoy the amazing weather!
And, ladies & gentlemen, we have a winner! She loved it!
Exhausted from the busy day, we finished up the night with some soft-serve ice cream and then hit the hay!
Once again, we were up bright & early Sunday morning for breakfast at Panera before mom had to get back on the road. ‘Twas delicious, as always.
After breakfast, we bid farewell to mom as she prepared for her 6 hour car ride back home! Always a fun weekend when mom’s in town – thanks again for coming, mom!
What was left of our weekend was spent at the dog park (as usual) and on the couch with my eyes closed. Glorious.
And, of course, dinner was magnificent. First, we started with our favorite wheat beer.
We sipped on these while our veggie burgers were grillin’ away.
Also on the grill: red potatoes. Our favorite!
And, finally, some homemade pasta salad!
Put that all together and that is one tasty summer meal!
Oh, and I cannot forget: out of the blue, I decided to make a dessert I have never tired before. no-bake Twix bars!
Oh. My. Gosh. Seriously. These are the simplest things to make & we “mmmmmmm’d” through every bite! So delicious! I came across these here, but you can find the full recipe here. You have to try them – you won’t be disappointed!
That’s it for our weekend – we zonked out pretty early last night!
A) Do you like sushi? If so, what kind? We haven’t ventured out a lot from our usual.
B) Guess what?! I won a giveaway on Brittney’s blog! I won a $25 gift certificate to any of the 250 CSN stores. What do you think I should use it toward?!
C) Make sure to keep your eye out for Dillon’s post tomorrow! What do you think we should name his weekly posts? I suggested “Tuesdays with Dillon” You know, like, Tuesdays with Morrie? That idea got shot down.
-Lindsey
I’m so glad you liked the Twix Bars! Thanks for the mention!
~Liz
[...] hour and end up going back home. Other times we stop into a random furniture sale and score a cheap ottoman. Whatever it is, we enjoy it. I refuse to believe it is because we have a fresh, new marriage, [...]
Oooh, a creative session! And maybe a prize? I’m in. I’ll get back to you.
Yes, a creative session, perfect idea. Although preferably one without awkward silence and glares from Adam.
Get on it!
Reading everything – makes me want to come back and do it all over – except for the ride back home. You forgot to mention all the wine I bought – love that store – I’m on my second bottle already!! Thanks for a great weekend – it was nice to get away – loved the gourmet grilled cheese – and now I have something else I can make at home all the time!!
[...] (it was HOT) we came home and grilled up some veggie burgers and potatoes again – worth repeating. But, this time we added in our fresh salsa and tortilla chips! And, it was [...]
[...] (it was HOT) we came home and grilled up some veggie burgers and potatoes again – worth repeating. But, this time we added in our fresh salsa and tortilla chips! And, it was [...]