One of our favorite things to do is take a spontaneous little weekend getaway, somewhere not too far and not too planned. Just pack our bags, get in the car and drive. Find a hotel on the way there, and figure out what we want to do when we get there.
That's exactly what we did on Saturday morning. Vince got his haircut and after a couple errands and the Caribou drive-thru, we were on the road. (Nitro High Rise is my new boyfriend).
Our first stop was Penzey's Spices in Minneapolis. We love that place and it smells like a cook's heaven. We try to stop there a couple times a year to stock up on spices we regularly use and try a new one or two.
Vince scored a great deal on a hotel in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, with a pool and a view of the city.
After getting settled and relaxing for a bit in our room, we walked a couple (chilly) blocks to have dinner at an English pub. Nice atmosphere, and good food too.
I had the ale battered fish n' chips...with salad instead of chips (go me).
Vince had his favorite, shepherd's pie. Both were excellent.
The cabinet behind the bar was gorgeous and our server said it's from Wall Street.
After dinner we walked back to our hotel, chatting with another couple who ate at the table next to us, and enjoyed the sights and feeling of the downtown city streets at night.
We aren't big on night life anymore, and much prefer relaxing at home or in a nice cozy place. So since we had such a great view from our hotel room, we decided to spend the evening enjoying the city lights, Michael Buble' and a glass (or two) of wine. It was very peaceful and romantic. No phones, no laptops, no tv. We didn't turn it on all weekend. It made us realize again how overstimulated and distracted we can be with all those things.
The top of the Target headquarters has a "digital aquarium" which is so many ways of awesome. Especially the puffer fish :)
Sunday morning convinced us to get light blocking curtains in our bedroom at home because we slept in until 8am, the room was still pitch black, and we had no idea what time it was.
Breakfast looked like this and gave me so many ideas for breakfast buffets at home when our people are over.
One of my requests while Vince was choosing our hotel room was that we stay somewhere with a pool. I haven't been swimming for years, and it was one of my favorite things to do in the summer growing up. I have been craving some water therapy lately, and that's exactly what it was for me this morning...reconnecting with the little girl I used to be and for probably the first time since then, I didn't worry one bit about what I looked like in my swimsuit. I felt free.
After checkout, we went to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in Minneapolis.
It was awesome! We need to come back with our kids and grands :)
It smelled amazing in here. I could have stayed all day (or a really, really long time).
Our last stop of the weekend was one of our favorite restaurants in the cities...
We brought home with us a bag of spices, a bag of leftovers, and hearts full of memories.
And two VERY content and happy people!!
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