post by leslie

This weekend was spent not working. Instead, we bought and carved pumpkins. We made monster cookies. We had friends over. We built fires and played cards and solved puzzles and played Jenga. There were long dog walks and leaf raking and a lot of BBC murder mysteries.It was glorious and perfect.On Saturday night, as I scrolled through Instagram, I was sad for a beat that I am in a stage of life that is beyond costume parties and that we are no longer invited to such events. But as I pondered that, I realized I don't really have the energy for those shenanigans anymore. I'm happy and content to be home by the fire, snacking on home-made goodies and playing games with my family. In other words, I'm old now. And it's not as bad as I feared it might be.For your internet shares of the day:+ Pies that are far too beautiful to eat.+ Please remember what refugees and immigrants are escaping when they ask us to take them in.+ One of my favorite live bands, Diarrhea Planet (I know, I know) played their last show at the Ryman in Nahsville. You can watch clips here. That hair! That dancing! Those FIVE guitars!

Post by Lucy

 On a recent City Pages assignment, I visited the new Popol Vuh in Northeast Minneapolis. Whenever I'm out shooting at new restaurants, I am never quite sure what to expect - there aren't often photos online, the dishes I shoot are picked by the editor, the restaurant is sometimes packed with people making shooting difficult, etc. Sometimes the food that comes out of the kitchen is less than exciting, and I really have to stretch my creativity to get the shot. And sometimes, every dish that comes out of those doors is more gorgeous than the last. As I hope the pictures below demonstrate - the menu at Popol Vuh is just that - exquisite. City Pages food editor, Hannah Sayle, reviewed the spot - you can read about it here. And after you do that, I highly recommend making a reservation and heading to Northeast.Happy Friday!

post by leslie

Are you tired of seeing the more nature-y side of Minneapolis? Sorry, it's what is making me happy right now. The colors and the light this time of year are so fabulous, not to mention the cozy feeling I get while snuggling up next to the fire with my pup and family as I try to forget the dumpster fire of politics happening in our nation. Thought that was gonna stay positive there, didn't you? Sorry. (Not sorry.)Today I volunteered to work phone banks and to go door to door talking to strangers about politics. It's that important to me. I ask my servers, my shop clerks and my babysitters if they are voting and what their plan to do so is. Are you voting? Do you know how you're getting to the polls that day? When are you going? Please don't let life get in the way of this important American privilege. Unless you think our current president is a genius -- then by all means stay home and watch TV.Here are your internet shares of the day:+ Well of course I'm going to link to this. Here's how you can volunteer before the election.+ A new movie that looks spectacular!+ Close-up photos of butterfly wings! Gorgeous!

post by leslie

Just another shot taken during a family session last week. Quite lovely in the woods, as usual. And much needed after this week of news. I mean what in the world is happening out there? (I'm referring to this, this and this.) I am so saddened by the state of our nation. I thought we were so much better than this.But here are some internet shares anyway.+ Doctors are now prescribing time in nature to improve health and well being. See that photo up there? Think how depressed I'd be if I wasn't out in these locations!+ Moms get such a bad rap. For a long time, I fully believed having a kid would be fun, but I didn't want to be a "mom." Ah well, here I am, with my cool factor out the window!+ Something to cheer us up. Because lord almighty, we could use some cheering up!

post by leslie

When I'm out photographing families, I'm often stopping to take in the scenery as well (as you might have figured out). Last week, I was shooting over at Minnehaha Falls, and the water was raging. It was so magical with the fall color that I had to share.And for your internet shares of the day:+  This dinner was a HUGE hit for us last night. After each bite, Ezra kept telling me how yummy it was.+ This obituary will stay with me for a long time.+ A weekend project that might be fun...

post by leslie

This weekend, I forced myself off the couch and out to see Jain, an artist who I listen to regularly and really wanted to dance with in a live setting. She did not disappoint! If you haven't listened to her music, I highly suggest it. It always makes me smile, and we listen to it a lot during our kitchen dance parties. Enjoy!

Post by Lucy

Last week I received a weather alert for Duluth: there was a significant storm coming -- winds predicted to be 65 mph, waves up to 12 feet, shoreline damage expected. I have *always* wanted to be on the North Shore during one of these giant storms, and I happened to have a couple of flexible days in my schedule, so decided to trust the weather reports, book a hotel, and head north.The storm rolled in overnight and I woke up to thundering wind and waves and headed straight for Canal Park. Getting out of the car, I was overwhelmed. Winds were so strong it was difficult to open the door. And, it was nearly impossible to see anything with the rain whipping at my face.But, the height of the waves and power of the storm were magnificent, and that was enough to persuade me to get out there and explore regardless of how slightly overwhelming the situation seemed. The gale brought on more than expected. Wind gusts topped 85 mph (hurricane strength starts at 74 mph!), waves were over 20 feet, and tons of rain. All of that lead to destruction along the shoreline, and it was humbling to see that all progress as I spent the afternoon stopping at various spots along the Shore, ranging from Duluth to Palisade Head, and below are a few photos from the day. Seeing Superior in this state absolutely solidified the fact that it's a lake you don't mess with.