Bestie Time!

The last weekend that I was in Wisconsin I planned a little road trip to Minnesota to see my best friend, Sarah, from College.  I hadn't seen her in at least four years so I was really looking forward to catching up with her and just spending quality time together being nerds like we were at Winona State.  My other best friend, Sarah, from Winona State as well, let's call her my Twin, for non-confusion purposes, was spending the Holidays in South Africa with her husband's family, and I knew I was going to miss seeing her since she wouldn't be in Wisconsin while I was home.  Lucky for me, I saw her post as soon as she got back from South Africa, suggested she make a trip to Wisconsin, and she decided she wanted to see her family as well, so we made plans to have Lunch while I was on my way to St. Paul.

I hadn't seen my Twin in at least nine years, we couldn't believe it had been that long, but it was.  We met in Montello, a small town in Wisconsin where I didn't even get service on my cell phone but the friendly Wisconsin folk allowed me to use their cell phones in order to coordinate a meeting spot and then find a place to grab Lunch.  As the snow started to fall, she pulled into the parking lot and I think we hugged for a full minute straight!  Gosh did I miss this girl!  We decided on this little Diner where all the women working were incredibly cute and asking what we were doing in Wisconsin when we were currently living in California and Florida.  In fact, we spent at least the first hour talking and not even looking at the menu.  How do you catch up on nine years in just one Lunch?!  Well, we ended up shutting the restaurant down before they re-opened for Dinner later, talking for almost four hours.  My Twin is still exactly the same; we might have aged a few years but we didn't miss a beat.  I trust whatever advice she gives me is always out of love and believing in me, she's got a heart of gold, and our bond is really special.

Lunch at Spark's Cafe in Montello, Wisconsin with Sarah!

I got back on the road and made my way to St. Paul, Minnesota and my bestie's perfect home!  Sarah had a new addition to the household, Gemma, a beagle puppy, who I couldn't help but snuggle for the next 48 hours; talk about adorable!  We had Dinner and played catch-up that night but it was the next day when we walked around Minneapolis that I was confused and impressed all at the same time.  Of course, we had Erbert's & Gerbert's for Lunch, my favorite sandwich spot, and walked all around Downtown Minneapolis in the skyways.  Every single building in this metropolis is connected, and as long as you know where you're going, you can get anywhere in the city without having to go outside!  I was blown away.  We had Happy Hour at one of Sarah's spots, Sweeney's, before heading home to freshen up and get ready for a wonderful Italian Dinner at Scusi.  Along with a delicious bottle of wine, we had our fill of fresh amazing pasta!  Everything was so good and we even got this yummy dessert on the house, cheesecake with berries and lemon curd, and it was so good!  We still share the same jokes we did years ago in College and I always remember why this girl means so much to me.  Sarah always has my back, she'll always be honest with me, and have my best interest at heart.

Dinner at Scusi in Downtown St. Paul with Sarah!

I'm so lucky to have these two wonderful women in my life; I only wish that I could be closer to both of them so we don't have to wait this long between visits again!  The best thing about the distance is that they're always a phone call away, and no matter how I'm feeling, just talking to either of them brightens my day.  I hit the jackpot <3

An Arizona Wedding :)

Over Valentine's Day weekend I headed to Phoenix, Arizona, for my friend, Brad's brother's Wedding.  Todd and Carley were getting married on February 15th, and while it was my first time meeting Carley, I've known Todd for a few years from him visiting Los Angeles.  Plus, Carley's family is from Wisconsin and had a bunch of Wisconsinite's coming to Phoenix for the Wedding so I was looking forward to a fun-filled weekend!

Pizookie!!

I got in on Thursday and that was the night of the Wedding Rehearsal and Dinner.  Brad's parents were having it at this beautiful resort and the meal was just incredible.  Thankfully Brad's Dad, gave me the head's up on the giant cookie that was made to order and arrived in a deep dish pan with ice cream melting on top.  Absolutely amazing!!  

On Friday morning we went hiking in the mountains and got in a good work-out while enjoying the beautiful 80 degree day!  Brad was searching for rattlesnakes and we Go-Pro'd most of the hike but the only wild life we saw was a Jack Rabbit running along one of the mountains.  That night we went over to Carley's family's house where they were having a get-together so everyone had a chance to get to know one another.  A friend of mine, Ned, from college at Winona State University was actually there because he's been friends with her family for years!  I was just happy to get to hold some babies and chat with people from Wisconsin on top of eating more great food :)

Hiking in Phoenix!

Saturday was the Wedding and it was the perfect day for an outdoor Wedding at the Secret Garden Event Center.  The ceremony was beautiful and it wouldn't have been complete without some antics from Brad, offering a shot of Jameson from his flask to the Bride and Groom before handing over the rings.  Everyone loved it!  After that it was cocktail hour and we all made our way into the reception for Dinner and dancing.  They did a scavenger hunt before Dinner got started to see who would get to hit the buffet line first and I ended up being the one chosen to win it for our table.  Unfortunately, it was me against a woman from Wisconsin and I had my hands on that salt shaker but she wasn't going down without a fight and literally threw me around and I was far too worried about falling out of my dress to fight back.  It was all in good fun.  Dinner was yummy and then it was time for dancing and the usual Wedding songs that get every one up and moving.  I was sitting with a few of Todd, Brad, and Carley's friends, so it was nice to catch up with all of them!  After the Sparkler exit for the Newlyweds, Joyce, Mike, Brad and I went out in downtown Phoenix for a few drinks and I think we were all so exhausted it was nice to call it an early night before bar close.

Brad, me, Carley & Todd at their Wedding...Congratulations!!

On Sunday morning, we met up with some of the Wedding Party & Newlyweds as Brad's parent's took us out for our favorite breakfast at Waffle House!  Thanks to Harry & Nancy for letting me stay with them that weekend and taking such great care of me :)  I flew back to LA that afternoon and it was a really nice break from the hustle and bustle here at home.  Plus, the weather was so gorgeous and it was nice to see some friends and spend time with people who remind me of home in Wisconsin. 

Carley & Todd's Wedding brought a WSU Reunion for Ned and I!  Just a little bit of home makes me happy :)