{favorite things minneapolis} coffee shop lovin'

I. Love. Coffee.

Black coffee, to be exact. And that means it has to be good coffee because I don't turn my morning java (or afternoon pick-me-up - yeah, that, too) into a milkshake with cream and sugar. I just like it black.

{favorite things minneapolis} the great outdoors

When I first decided to accept the job at Gen Mills and move to Minnesota, I got what seemed like the same question from everyone I told - but what do people do there?!

It turns out ... they do a whole lot more than people anywhere else I've lived. Minneapolis is a city filled with people that don't let 7+ months of winter fase them. They embrace the weather regardless of the season and find ways to stay active during months where others would prefer curling up on the sofa every night. In the winters, there's skiing at The Depot, observing or racing in the Loppett, dining at one of the many incredible restaurants  spanning the Cities, hitting one of the cities' many breweries ... the list goes on.

 I've never wanted for things to do in my time here - even when the temperature dips low into the negative realm. But let's be real. The BEST season to be a Minneapolitan is the summer.

{finding joy} when it snows in april

Minneapolis is expected to get 6-8'' of snow between today and tomorrow.

Also, it's April.

Needless to say, I'm antsy to move south right now. But I'm also determined to enjoy my last weeks (6.5, to be exact!) I have left in Minnesnowta. So I've been working extra hard to find the joy in the little things this week, and that has calmed my anxiety over having to break out my winter coat and brush the cold, wet, white stuff off my car this morning.

{favorite things minneapolis} restaurant edition

Okay, friends. It's here. The (non-)critically-acclaimed favorite Minneapolitan restaurants of yours truly. I can hear your stomachs grumbling already (oh wait, no, that's mine. late lunch today!), so I won't keep you waiting.

favorite things minneapolis - restaurant edition:

{favorite things minneapolis}

In two short months, the last piles of Minneapolis snow will finally give in to the warming spring temperatures and begin their imminent melt into a perfectly splashable puddle on the walking path around Lake Calhoun. In two short months, Minneapolitans everywhere will have traded in North Faces and snow boots for t-shirts and Keen sandals, nights savoring a glass of red wine by the fire for evenings savoring local music groups by Lake Harriet, and winter comfort foods for fish tacos at Tin Fish. In two short months, professionals young and old will come home from a long day at the office and, instead of throwing on sweats and settling in with a sitcom on the couch, will round up friends and family for a walk around the nearest lake or dinner on a local terrace. In two short months, Minneapolis will emerge from its winter cocoon and begin the time of year that stole my heart almost three years and nudged me to call this city home.