A Good Day in My NoMi Life

Today I'm feeling rather reflective, rather content. Validated. Reassured that my efforts and energies are accurately aligned. Just getting a bit of pleasure from all the simple things in life, that make one's life, well, alive.

For example I just can't stop gazing in adoration at my newly hung painting in my bedroom. A simple, ordinary yet extraordinary bouquet of flowers that I met at an antique store in Osakis, Minnesota. As soon as I met this fella I fell instantly in love and had to take him home with me. And I'll have him with me for the rest of my life. (The special bedspread and a little bat-itude keep me smiling, too.)

Here's something that will make a day brighter. Spring's gift to me, my tulips in my front flower bed. They don't stay around long so I had to snap a picture for memory. They will be even prettier next year.

Another gift from Mother Nature, these cute little darlings live in my back yard for a too-short time every spring. I can never have enough of them.

And since today was such a simple, yet reassuring and content day, I decided to celebrate it with a glass of sweet blush wine, given to me by a sweet guy, brought all the way from Louisiana. I enjoyed it with some olives from a bent-n-dent store in the outskirts of Minnesota and a handful of Texas nuts.

Yes. My life is simple and ordinary. But it's filled to the brim with small treasures, amazing people, a nonstop social scene, stories and adventures so exciting they can't even be created in the most colorful imagination. And everyday I am given the signs and reassurances that I'm on the right track.

Thank the Lord He led me to NoMi.

Easter Brunch on the Jordan Pond

I call this one "Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor's Goods."

Deb Wagner wore her mother's 50s apron and felt closer to her today. Delicious Bloody Mary. Oh, the pineapple upside down cake was not bad, either.

There's never a lack of good food when we get together.

Amie and her little man light up the room with sunshine.

It didn't take long for the party to move outside. Actually some folks never came inside except to dish up some good food.

It was like herding cats to try to get all the kids to sit for a picture. Take One.

Take Two.

Take Three. This is as good as it gets, folks.

The Bubble Machine was a big hit with the younger crowd.

Chasing bubbles leads to a necessary rest.

Two Alexs.

Erica and her new baby sister.

Two of my favorite people in the world. Well, three, really.

This lady has the right idea. I hear she always has the perfect excuse, too.

This young guy gets his very own "Dessert with Don." Poor boyfriend. Not sure he realizes what he's gotten himself into.

Brian and Jacqui prepare for the Annual "Egg Roll."

Allie gives her egg a roll, trying to land it near a "big money" flag in the grass.

Brian checks the money flag closest to the egg, and dishes out the prize. This is a Mondl family tradition that Brian has brought to our Jordan family Easter gatherings.

CC counts her loot. That girl knows how to roll an egg for "big money."

Asante Samuels shows off her winnings just before she runs to catch her departing caravan of Samuels peeps.

All the festivities took place on the beautiful Jordan Pond. Some have nicknamed it Laughing Duck Pond, because in the early quiet morning hours the ducks laugh and laugh as the sun rises over NoMi-land.

Happy Spring everybody out there in NoMi-land!

Sometimes, people who aren't aware of the well-kept secret that is NoMi ask me "Why do you live there?" My reply is "Because I have the most wonderful neighbors on this Earth."

Today was one of those times I am reminded of that.

See you all out on the pond for more sunshiney afternoons and great food this spring and summer. Love.