I love coming home from a trip- I am so thankful for my husband, and my home, and my own bed… and of course, my little pup.
With that said, I apologize for the next few posts, as they’re a little behind schedule. 🙂
My first morning home, I had lots of work to catch up on, including errands. I hooked Abbie up, laced up my running shoes, and ran to the post office and the bank. I even ran through the “drive through” at the bank, since I can’t take Abbie inside, and when the tube came back through the little vacuum thing, there was a biscuit inside!
She sure earned it, as she did a great job as District 4 Alderdog and welcomed everyone we saw on the run. Thanks, Chase!
This is random, but we picked up some sweet corn, and I just LOVED this middle cob. Why have straight lines, when you can be crazy? 🙂
I was able to squeeze in an engagement photo shoot with Brigitta and Stryder. They’re such a neat couple, and we were so excited to work with them!
We had gorgeous weather, and we went for a little walk on the Green Circle. Lovely!
It is so hard going on vacation during the middle of wedding season, and I have so much to try and catch up on. This year was even crazier, as I am also staying very active as a new alderwoman, and trying to learn as much as I can from everyone around me. This brings me to Bob. Meet Bob!
Bob runs Poky Pedaling, a totally free group of organized bicycle rides around our community. He’s an active advocate for pedestrian and bicycle safety, so I had my meeting with him on our bikes, and we rode around the city. Thanks for sharing your thoughts during our “mobile meeting,” Bob!
I made it home in time to help stack some wood near our shed, and I amazed at this piece that I found…
Bark beetles do some beautiful work. Art by bugs. They must have been incredibly busy before the bark fell off, revealing this masterpiece. 🙂
We worked up quite an appetite working in the yard, and we were more than happy to have dinner with Brian’s family, at Dale and Sheri’s house.
Fish fry, jalepeno poppers, french fries… yes, we’re spoiled.
It was really awesome. I sure love these people!
We got home late Friday night, and I was exhausted, but I climbed out of the covers just early enough to run the Violet Thompson 5K, a fundraiser for a very special little girl in town. I had no idea if I’d know anyone there, but sure enough, I found George and Marc around mile 1.5. 🙂
Great run, boys. 🙂
I’ll leave you all with a few photos from paddling out on the chain. I just can’t get enough of my SUP and Marl Lake.
I made us SUP hatch-friendly blackberry mojitos. I muddled the rum and mint and berries before we left, and the rest is a delicious memory. We know how to spend a day on the water. 🙂
So many more shoots to share with you- it will be an engagement and wedding explosion here for a while!
As always, thanks for reading, friends!
I burned off all that gummy candy with a super windy and hilly nine miles with Lydia on the Wau-king trail. 
We refueled with beer at Chain Bar, and I headed home to pack for a crazy week.
I had such a busy day- when Brian got home, we headed up to Wausau for a ballroom dance lesson with our first dance teachers, Missy and Jeff! We hadn’t seen them since they taught us to dance before our wedding. Eight years was too long! Of course, I was too excited to see them and I forgot to take a picture, but after our lesson, we headed over to the election headquarters for our alderman Mike Wiza, and we were present when they called the vote, making Mike our new Stevens Point mayor! Congratulations, Mike. 🙂
Brian and I spent the week in the Valley, while he was at a training for work. It was pretty cool for me- since most of my work is portable, I can work from anywhere. I was able to catch up on some photo work, make all the games for Amy’s upcoming bridal shower, and shoot a gorgeous pastry (with the cutest edible orchid!) from 
On our last morning at the hotel, we went out for breakfast at this fabulous cafe- Molly’s. They had sweet potato hash browns! Made. My. Day. I loved the treadmill at the hotel, so I headed back to our room, changed, and logged a few miles in the hotel gym. After a quick shower, we packed up and headed down to Chicago to celebrate my great aunt Eileen’s 75th anniversary of being an active member of the ancient order of Hibernians.
It was a beautiful party where I got to see a lot of my family, including my brother and his family. Happy National Sibling Day!
We caught up with everyone and danced until we dropped! It’s fun to visit my Hoffman side, because I’m the short one among those cousins, and I’m 5’8″! 🙂
I think she was upset that she wasn’t invited to the party. She wouldn’t smile for me! 🙂 We left very early on Saturday morning to head up to Wausau for Amy’s bridal shower! My car celebrated a little palindrome milestone of her own somewhere in northern Illinois…
We stopped at home for a whirlwind half hour- showered, changed, styled my hair, brewed some iced tea, boxed up the shortbreads, made simple syrup, then packed it all up in a cooler and took it to the Hirn home for Amy’s bridal shower. Becky, Brooke, and I planned this adorable tea-themed shower, and it turned out beautifully! 
Congratulations, best friend! I’m so happy for you and thrilled to be your matron of honor. ❤️ 
They’re known for their egg rolls, but all the food was delicious. They were so sweet to me, and they packed up all the food after the shoot for me to take home for dinner. They even included a bottle of that orange-y drink… I think it’s called Thai tea. It was kind of like a spiced iced tea with milk and sugar.
Thank you for your hospitality, Lemon Grass Noodle House! We’re happy to have you join the downtown businesses. 🙂
This is Stef. She’s an absolutely stunning woman (seriously, those eyes!), with a sweet personality and a powerful creative streak. I met her on dance team back in my high school days, and it was really fun to reconnect with her over a couple shared brides as clients. The salon is beautiful, and filled with fabulous products! 
Thanks for bringing me in, Kasha staff! It was a pleasure working with you all! 
I had a busy week, but was able to steal away for a Skype coffee date with my first sole sister, Nancy. 
Nancy moved to warmer climes last year, so we’ve only been able to keep up our dates virtually. 🙂 I hope to get out to the Vegas area to visit her soon!
Of course, I ate them as soon as I was done, and I washed it down with my newest favorite food- bug macaroni and cheese!! 
As a fly angler, I have a special appreciation for all things buggy. 🙂
…and I finished off the work week with a beautifully rich French Napoleon from Andersonville’s 
I spent Saturday at 
I hurried home on Saturday night, and packed for Sunday… the highlight of my weekend was a trip to Chicago with this little love… 
…my niece, Ember! ❤ My sister, Erin, and I had a chance to catch up, and I spent a little time down in Chicago, including lunch with my cousin, Max. 
A whirlwind week, filled with my favorite things. With spring around the corner, spirits are high!
Marathon training is ramping up! 🙂
That is the Wisconsin River a couple blocks from my house. I still ventured out in the cold to go to Green Bay TU’s annual banquet. They have the biggest chapter banquet in our state, and their banquet committee is filled with exceptional volunteers. I was even lucky enough to win an air compressor! Brian was absolutely thrilled.
Just when I thought I’d had enough ice, I had a photo shoot with some iced coffee. 🙂
I love poached eggs.
The ceremony was at St. Therese, where my Grampie built the altar. It was a sweet and short ceremony.
I’m lucky. ❤
artist & athlete | a glimpse into real life, Heidi style 