Street Food

Creamy sweet potato tacos topped with spicy black beans, steaming Indian-spiced mini donuts coated in sugar, and an icy glass bottle of Mexican Coca-Cola - lunch doesn't get better!

It was the summer of street food in downtown Minneapolis. Gourmet meals and treats cooked on propane and served out of a truck. How very big city for us!

I was first introduced to Chef Shack by my hipster friend Jenn. I was skeptical to say the least (think hot dog stand), but I trust Jenn so I trekked over to 5th and Hennepin with her and ordered my first street food. We brought it back to our desks that day so I had to email her to comment on how freaking awesome it was. The message was something to the affect of "OMG - I'm licking my fingers! Can we go back tomorrow?!"

No question I was immediately hooked. I loved the chance to escape outside over lunch, plus my usual stops just don't match up to the unique and delicious offerings of the trucks. And with the menu changing daily, there was always something new to feed my addiction.

Topping my list are Dandelion Kitchen's grilled cheese with slaw, World Street Kitchen's spicy yum yum rice bowl, and, of course, the previously mentioned sweet potato tacos and mini donuts from Chef Shack.

Oh how sad I am that Chef Shack's tweets have changed from what they are serving down the street to where they are dining in NYC (jealous!). They all closed for the season last week, aside from Dandelion Kitchen, which is sticking it out into November "weather permitting." Glad I still have the chance to try their much acclaimed pumpkin soup!

Then I guess its back to the skyways for me. But I am keeping my WSK sticker on my bulletin board as a reminder that winter in only a temporary inconvenience and there will be more yum yum to come...

Learning The Art of Being A Working Mom (A.K.A. Bring On The Reinforcements)

April 1, 2010, marked the first day that our family of five had two parents who work full time outside the house. Before that point we had managed to maintain the flexibility of either me or my husband working part time and/or from home. It was grand.

When my husband started his new job after many months of unemployment it was such a blessing that the issues of scheduling and time management hardly crossed our minds - for the first couple months we were floating on joy and relief. Then summer came and we enjoyed the ease of our in-home summer nanny.

So, it really wasn't until the start of school last month when reality sank in. There are simply not enough hours in the day (and I mean this literally) to work, commute, participate in the kids activities, do homework, shop, cook, clean, do laundry, see friends, continue our hobbies, maintain our property, sleep, and - most importantly - have fun as a family. My head is spinning and my heart is yearning for a simpler life.

How do we keep this up without becoming lifeless cogs in the 9-5 machine? The joy of my family is really important to me.

I here declare that I refuse to let the insanity consume me.

So what am I going to do? I am calling in the professionals.

Yep, I am finally giving in and paying people to help me balance my life. I have never liked paying for services that I can do myself, but hell, I'm at the point that I barely can!

First up, I signed up for grocery delivery service and it is spectacular. Why did I wait until now?

Next, I am meeting with LifeShine coach Michelle Stimpson tomorrow to define one thing I can start doing differently right now to help create more balance in my life. I am very excited about this opportunity for guided motivation!

Then, on Tuesday I have the professionals from In The Pink cleaning service coming for a cleaning AND organization consultation! I am seriously going to let these people into my closets and all and help me create the organized systems that a busy family like ours needs. Yay! Plus they are going to clean the place top to bottom once a month. (Yes, there is a huge smile on my face as I write that!)

When I told my friend Jenn about all this she said "Someone's got a fire lit under her!" Yeah, I know, a lot at once. But would you really expect anything less of me?

I am all about breakdown prevention!

Now I just need to find someone I can pay to do the laundry...

Light Please Overcome The Shadows

Beautiful Lindsay, my sister's beloved buddy - her soul mate that I never have been. Today we celebrated your life and grieved that this world was only granted the grace of your soul for 28 short years. Although I never knew you well, you have been an always present part of my life - my sister's other sister.

Today the room was adorned with 1,000 cranes - it was gorgeous, a reflection of you - a Chinese symbol of peace. It took many friends a full week to fold the origami birds in your honor. I think back on the 1,000 cranes you folded for my sister's wedding all on your own. The countless hours you must have spent folding the tiny papers in sheer love and dedication to your friend. Such a gift for her. You were such a gift for her.

Now, I will do what I can to fill that void.

Death always casts such a dark shadow, but the illness you suffered leading to this point makes it seem all the more unjust. Lymes Disease. How a tiny tick could lead to such suffering is so hard to understand. It is so misunderstood. More must be done to prevent this pain from others.

I mourn for your parents. The loss they have suffered is more than I can imagine. I was so proud of your Mom today. She is so proud to be your mom. You and Jennie lived too short of lives, but the impression you made in the world while you were here was very clear today.

I believe there is light beyond the shadows and the two of you are basking in it within each other's arms right now. May your souls live on in peace.

For Suz, please lean on me. I will be here for you, I promise.