This week has us all a bit out of sorts. A kitchen in the basement, unable to walk on the "real" kitchen's floor, a visit to a gun range, eating more meals out... etc etc etc.Seeing the kitchen torn apart has also messed a bit with Ezra's mood as his home base is in disarray. I suppose this sort of change affects everyone, but it is magnified with a 2-year-old. Now, that's not to say he's been bad or misbehaving! He just is a little more emotional than usual.The photo above was from our date night last week, where we dined at the newest spot in the Walker Art Museum before seeing Hidden Figures at the theater (you all were right! what a fun film!).Saturday, we took Ezra to the garden center for a winters farmer market, and we were all mesmerized by the swimming koi.This is our makeshift kitchen. It's actually working out quite well!Who doesn't love dinosaur christmas tree pajamas?Renting an AR15 for $5. I have thoughts about this.And these are the gorgeous new floors. They still have one more coat of finish to be added, but I'm pretty happy about them so far!And now some internet shares of the day:+ Home decorating tips from photo stylists!+ It's in the high 50s, so of course I'm jonesing to get back out on the patio.+ Let's all make homemade cocoa puffs!+ I love artists. Seriously, this is so whimsical and fun.

Last night, myself and a group of girl friends went to the gun range.Yup.We were all having dinner a few months ago, and we were discussing politics (unsurprisingly). We were joking about our future commune (which we've been talking about for ... wow... more than a decade), and we hilariously realized that none of us could protect the commune. Sure, we could feed each other with no issues. But protection? Nah. None of us had ever fired a gun. And maybe we should learn how to do that.Let me be clear, none of us wants to start hunting (two of these friends are vegetarians!), but we figured the knowledge would be important.Also? It's a good thing we went! Did you know that if the safety is marked to "red" on the gun, it means the gun is ready to fire? Us silly liberals figured red meant, you know, "stop" -- meaning the safety was on. Just that lesson alone made the evening worthwhile!We were also very lucky that Sharon's daughter Jess, pictured above, teaches shooting at the range, and she was super patient with all of us. She showed us how the gun worked, taught us the best ways to aim and showed us how to load the gun. She was amazing. My friend Coutnay came from work. Isn't she adorable in this outfit at the gun range? Ha!She looks like a damn hot secret agent! And here I am. My dad might have to get this one framed.In the end, I'd say Jess was a great teacher! Look at how well we did!We were going to head home after the shooting, but we all felt like we needed a drink after that experience. I think if we had been the only ones at the range, it would have been a fun, educational experience. I mean, it was that. But it also was pretty startling to see how cavalier some of the other patrons were with those weapons.I grew up with a father who collects guns and would often clean them next to me while we watch television. For my 18th birthday, he got me a membership to the NRA, so this culture is not new or "weird" to me. But I have always been taught to treat such weaponry with the utmost respect. And that is not how I saw others acting. And that is what made me so nervous and stressed out. And it is also what makes me glad I at least know how to fire a weapon now.Two quick internet shares today!+ I want to make this soup! Maybe this weekend? We'll see how ambitious I can get in my "half kitchen" in the basement!+ These signals sent with body language seem so obvious. But I think leaders and those in charge of other should pay close attention. I'll never forget the boss who briskly walked through the newsroom with her arms crossed, hunched over, staring at the floor every single day.

Check out this blue heron rookery on the Mississippi! Isn't that awesome?!?I couldn't believe how high up in the trees the nests were, and I loved seeing all the Herons in flight. I'm used to seeing them along the lakeshores, but in flight they look so much more prehistoric.Only one internet share today, but it's a doozy.

A great horned owl! And what didn't make the cut were its babies!There is a nest at a nearby lake that the fabulous Lucy showed me today, and you guys, how cool is it to see one of these in the city!?!My own lenses aren't powerful enough to get shots like this, but Lucy loaned me her magical Tamron, and look what I got! Sadly, I didn't use it to photograph the babies, but maybe I'll head back again in the next few weeks.And now for your internet shares of the day:+ This story scared the crap out of me and might give me even worse nightmares.+ I love a good doormat.+ What a handy tip to avoid blisters! Just in time for spring! 

Well, today has been interesting!This week, we are starting a kitchen renovation*. Nothing too big -- the layout and appliances stay the same. In fact, our kitchen before was fine. Not great, not a dream, but fine. We just hated the cabinets. We hated the soffit above the cabinets that wasted space in a kitchen that needed more storage, we hated the wood finish and we *really* hated that the cabinet doors stopped closing and the hinges began breaking left and right.Our backsplash? It was fine. We put it in about 9 years ago, but I always wished I had gone with a black grout instead. The countertops? They were ok. We also put those in 9 years ago because we hated the teal formica that was there, but soapstone wasn't an option with our dogs. The wall color? We did that because I read somewhere that green kitchens made you want to eat more healthy. Listen, I have no idea if that was true or not, but I never want to see that shade of green on the walls in my house again.So we decided it was time to replace the cabinets, ditch the soffits, and use all the space we could get out of this room and give it all a fresh coat of paint. But.Did you know that when you take out the cabinets, your countertop will crack and you'll need a new one? And when you tear out the countertop, the backsplash comes with it? So you'll need a new backsplash as well? And since we're doing all of that, did you know that we have never had a microwave?I'm not against microwaves, I just didn't want to lose the counter space. But how about one of those above the oven, eh? We can do that now since we're putting in new cabinets!And let the games begin! *I would like to note that whenever I say "we" in regards to home improvement on this blog, "we" came up with the design and chose what we wanted. Our forever wonderful contractor manages all the work. Remember, "we" almost got divorced one time after hanging a medicine cabinet. Now "we" write checks to have the work done.And for your internet shares of the day:+ I would like to win this prize and have a magical genie pay the taxes pretty please.+ Speaking of kitchens, look at these gorgeous pots and pans!+ I love these new planters at Target.+ Dessa, of Doomtree fame, wrote a travel piece for the NY Times, showing us all AGAIN how talented she is.

Welcome to March Madness! Where we are inside glued to the TV almost every other day (until Kansas is either out of the tournament or wins it all) and it doesn't bother us a bit this year because the weather outside is dreadful. I love that shot up there where Ezra is enthralled with the game.One way to keep a 2 year old occupied during a 2 hour basketball game is to spread the trains out on the living room rug.Did I mention how stupidly cold it is here this week? Lots of tea and coffee around these parts.I've been trying to get out and walk more now that the snow has cleared. I loved these long shadows the other day.Besides those of us hogging the couch at night to watch basketball, someone else is hogging it during the day.And today after Ezra's doctor checkup, we celebrated his good health by going out to breakfast. He ate a gazillion pancakes. I had these amazing eggs. Fridays with the boy are so much fun right now!And for your internet shares of the day:+ I love this story of how Minneapolis is helping the homeless.+ Ladies working in government might benefit from this product right now.+ I love comparing the most recent Star Wars movie with the first one that ever came out. And someone melded them together. And it makes me happy.+ Aimee Mann has a new album out, if you're into depressing music.+ This couple has an open marriage. Talk about a conversation starter.

This sweet girl hasn't gotten much blog love lately, and I'm trying to give her extra attention this week because her world will be a bit nuts next week.Well, let me clarify, it will be nuts for the whole family, but at least we can understand why. You see, we're having the kitchen torn out of the house on Monday and a new one put in it's place. Er, almost new anyway.I'll go into more of those details as the work begins (I'm sure there will be photos), but for now I'm just trying to spend some time showering my pup in love and happiness while things are "normal." For your internet share today, this trailer for The Handmaid's Tale television show is phenomenal. It makes me think I should re-read the book. I read it in the 7th grade and didn't go back -- and I'm sure I would get even more out of it now. Regardless, seeing Peggy in this role is going to be fantastic. And I'm thrilled with the timing of it all.

A few weeks back it was in the 60s. And it's so sunny outside -- light is filling the house! And I can see sprouts in my garden!Yet? It is still freezing out there.It's cold enough to warrant winter coats (not just jackets!) and yesterday my son requested a fire in the fireplace. Spring in Minnesota is such a tease.Some quick internet shares for you:+ What a wonderful floral site. I have a hard time sending flowers to people out of town because I hate FTD. This looks like a great solution!+ I love these images of street vendors shot from above.