Springy spring

I ran down to Princes Street to do a little shopping and on my way back to my flat I had to stop and admire Princes Street Gardens. Late on a Monday morning it was pretty quiet, but it smelled earthy and warm, and the sun was out just enough to have dried the benches. The hillside was covered in crocuses and I couldn't resist sitting down for a few minutes with the coffee I'd just bought, listening to the bagpiper playing above the National Gallery's cafe. I can't wait for some leaves to start popping out on trees, but my, this is a good start.

So looking forward warmer temperatures, too!

Cheers,
Kate xx

Bachelorette

Yesterday my sister (middle) had a bachelorette shindig that began with a drive to New London, Wisconsin for a quick stop at the Cupcake Mansion of Amanda Cupcake where we did a group tasting of the two kinds of cupcakes my sister has having at the wedding next weekend. I'm not going to give away what they were, but wow. Just, wow. Needless to say, I'm pretty stoked about the food next Saturday!

The sun came out just for us and it turned out to be a beautiful day all around -- for all of our sun dresses, of course! She received a gorgeous handmaid quilt from one of the bridesmaids and we all gave her a giant Ball mason jar full of handwritten date ideas and marriage advice. It was all quite fun and adorable, and totally her style. The bachelorette:

After the cupcake tasting, we drove back toward home for a stop at the wonderful Red & White Wine Shop and Bar for, well, wine. And also some amazing almost-tapas like "pizzettas," cheese plates and assorted grilled cheese sandwiches. I had never been there before, and it was a really lovely experience.

My favorite item there was, by far, the margherita pizzetta, which was layered with fresh mozzarella, basil and sun-dried tomatoes... it was awesome. Paired with my go-to celebratory Moscato d'Asti, I couldn't have been happier.

I think everyone had a good time; I didn't go crazy since I had to work bright and early this morning. About half the party stayed out a bit later, but we didn't forget to take advantage of National Doughnut Day, which culminated in sort of accidentally ordering a dozen assorted doughnuts for two people. We had a lot to share, and there are still some left! So, happy belated Doughnut Day!

I can't wait to share the wedding -- it's going to be fabulous!

Days to Edinburgh move-in: 91

"The earth laughs in flowers."

I'm just a leeeeeettle obsessed with how much the flowers have just gone bonkers suddenly! It's spring! It's spring! It feels like summer, but my, how it is spring. It was worth the long wait. It seemed to take forever for the trees to turn green, let alone for anything to flower, but with a couple days of good rain followed by sun and summer-like temperatures... the neighborhoods are heavy with unbelievable blossoms. I don't think I've ever noticed them so intense. And our own little lilac bush, never in the sunniest spot, has more flowers on it than I've seen in recent memory.

Just a little obsessed. ;)

All of these were taken around the house. The plant life is simply taking over. I love it! And the quote in the post title is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson.

On a separate, less lovely note, I was unfortunately not selected for the majorest of the major scholarships for school. Although I'm awaiting the verdict on one last opportunity, I'm pretty set to throw in all my chips and take out loans. It's the way it works, but at least from here on out I can focus on the school-and-travel aspect of things -- visa, airfare, accommodation, etc. -- rather than money, money, money, all the time money. It really is tiresome, and there is so much more to be enjoyed and looked forward to than how much it's all going to cost.

It will be worth it!

Days to Edinburgh move-in: 110

Good morning from High Cliff!

High Cliff State Park is only about nine miles from where I've grown up, but I can count on one hand the times I remember going there. And until yesterday, I hadn't ever walked any of the trails. I went in the morning and had the whole place practically to myself. Spring is finally in full swing.

Red Bird, chief of the Winnebago tribe, overlooking Lake Winnebago.

High Cliff sits on the Niagara Escarpment, hence the bluffs over Lake Winnebago in a predominantly flat part of Wisconsin. It's the same long geological formation of limestone that provides the bluffs for Niagara Falls.

A little trip into spring.

“The pleasure we derive from journeys is perhaps dependent more on the mindset with which we travel than on the destination we travel to.”
― Alain de Botton, The Art of Travel

If you're even remotely interested in the philosophy of travel, I recommend Alain de Botton's book, quoted above. In fact, I recommend just about all of his books, not all of which I have read (most of them, though!), but I'll hazard a guess that I'd recommend even the ones I haven't. His writing style is enjoyable to read, and his subject matter is diverse. The Art of Travel expounds on everything from the peculiar significance and even beauty of motorway service stations and airports to the impact of art on travel and vice versa. 

I think some of the best trips can be the least fancy. This could be a special trip to the country for that must-have meal at particular far-flung restaurant, a day trip to another part of the state, or, like today, a simple walk in the back yard. No matter whether the trip involves two weeks in Europe or a stroll down the sidewalk on the street I grew up on, the difference between a good trip (or stroll) and a crap trip is one thing: the spirit of discovery.

It's absolutely, 100% possible to walk down a street I've lived on for the better part of a quarter century (give and take a few years here and there for college, or living nearby), and see something new every time. Little Peter Cottontail isn't ever going to be as exciting or awe-inspiring as the Trevi Fountain or Stonehenge, but it's the mindset that counts, and I tried to get myself into that mindset this afternoon.

We're almost a week into May, and much of the landscape is still brown in Wisconsin, although rain the last couple of days has really given the grass something to work with. It's insanely green! So while the big oak trees in the woods behind my house are only just starting to bud, homeowners are tackling insta-thick green lawns. 

Today was a gorgeous day, so rather than dwelling on the as-yet mostly-leafless trees, I thought I would take a trip into my own back yard to see just what was happening. Spring has finally sprung.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Days to Edinburgh Move-In: 125