Market Morning

I find farmers markets so energizing. The bright colors, baskets of fresh produce, and rows upon rows of flowers are all so inspiring. My family and I spent last Saturday morning at the Minneapolis Farmers Market collecting ingredients for the most amazing summer salad. We also splurged on the most gigantic cinnamon roll before heading home. It was the perfect way to spend a weekend morning!

A Summer Market

I love checking out the Greenmarkets around the city with Brian. He excitedly wanders from vendor to vendor, asking about how they grow their produce and carefully selecting ingredients for our next meal. Meanwhile, I get to see the market through my camera lens. During this trip, we stocked up on organic arugula, raw cow's milk cheese, and fresh tomato sauce for the most delicious homemade pizza. I loved it so much, I asked Brian to make it again a few days later.

Our market adventures are always enjoyable.

Life according to Instagram, Week 19.

Another week brought to you by Instagram...

1. My clog sandals are back. 
2. Perk of being home in Minnesota- listening to all of my favorite CDs from high school. My CD books are jam-packed with memories. And the homemade CD mixes? Forget about it. 

3. Sunday we celebrated my little sister Katie's upcoming nuptials. It was a wonderful day! 
4. After a delicious lunch of fresh salads, soups, and breads, we indulged in cookie pizzas. My mom and I had fun prepping all of the desserts! 
5. The cookies were delicious (and so cute!). 

6. Africa preparations begin! 
7. My mom carefully packed all of the cookie pizza fruit leftovers in my suitcase back to NYC. I enjoyed fresh fruit all week! 

8. After days of rain, there was a little glimpse of sun Wednesday morning. 
9. Brooklyn brownstones. 

10. Wednesday morning our school attended an African dance performance at BAM. 
11. The theater is beautiful. 

12. After walking home with 26 second graders in the rain (sans umbrellas) after our morning at BAM, eating lunch with the kids, and no prep, I was in desperate need of some Ralph's after school.  
13. My peanut butter fudge pretzel and peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough made me very happy. 

14. Sage turned four on Thursday! I got to see her open all of her presents over Skype. 
15. Our weekly pizza date night. I always have to take my first bite the second I pull my piece from the box. I just can't wait. 

16. Gloomy Friday morning. 
17. Where did the city go? My morning commute view was covered in fog Friday morning. 

18. Rain, rain go away... 
19. We celebrated our second grade May birthdays on Friday; I asked for seconds of the Mochi ice cream treats. 

20. 8th Street blur from the Q train. 
21. Union Square Greenmarket. 

22. Blue skies finally returned Friday afternoon! Amen! 
23. Stay away clouds. 

24. Good morning Astoria. 
25. Saturday morning pick me up while running errands. 

26. Roses are blooming all over Queens. 
27. Boo's daily routine. 

28. Saturday felt like summer! 
29. My favorite: The Chrysler Building. 

30. Sunset in Manhattan. 
31. Fleet week in NYC! 


Want to follow me on Instagram? My username is Daina_A. 

Linking up with Amy from A Good Life. 

These are the things a great spring break is made of...

Coffee and a book in Bryant Park, followed by lunch with a friend on a bench surrounded by tulips and sunshine. 

Free ice cream sandwiches from 'wichcraft in the middle of the afternoon. After sending out a tweet about craving an ice cream sandwich from Coolhaus, Isabelle quickly replied with all of the info for free ice cream in Bryant Park. It couldn't have been more perfect! Oh, the joys of twitter. When Brianne and I arrived a few minutes before the official 'wichcraft opening at 2 pm, the line of people wrapped around the paths of the park. Luckily, we only waited about ten minutes for our spring break treat. 

My peanut butter cookie sandwich with strawberry ice cream was delicious. 

A stroll through Madison Square Park. White and pink branches framed views of the Empire State Building and the magnificent Flatiron Building perfectly. As always, the park was bustling with people satisfying their Shake Shack cravings and enjoying the beautiful spring weather. 

A trip to the Union Square Greenmarket, where yummy maple candy was purchased and devoured before my train ride home. I cannot resist this market, and rarely leave without some sort of treat. 

I have enjoyed everything this spring break has offered, and am cherishing these final days of relaxation before returning to work early Monday morning. Happy weekend everyone!