The number one reason to move back to Iowa:

Glorious Sunset

M and I drove the back roads home from Iowa City to Des Moines, stopping in Pella so he could see where I went to college my Freshman year.  My grandma grew up there, so it was fun to walk the square and show M where the family's general store had been, and the house my grandmother grew up in.  We brought her back a dutch letter of course, and treated ourselves to the spice cookies I am always ready to eat! As we drove the countryside we listened to an amazing mix Amanda made me once upon a time and got to drive for 40 min through this glorious sunset.  I  do love the horizon. 

Gobble Gobble Gee

      It has been 5 years since I have had Thanksgiving in Iowa with my family, so it was a real treat to get to spend the past few days in Iowa City with my siblings and niece and nephew!  Matthieu and I took Ella and my old babysitting charge, and his little brother to the Iowa Children's Museum.  We had a blast playing with the different exhibits and got ice cream AND rode the carousel too!  I watched O for about a year and a half at the beginning of his life so seeing him as a SECOND grader is amazing.  Of course, the fact that he is a superb reader with a witty sense of humor is awesome.  His parents are smarty-pants so no surprises there!

       Jim had hunted down some great recipes for the meal and  he and Matthieu made up Stuffed Jalapenos that were a huge hit, dressing that was amazing, and fried up a turkey.  

         To top off the evening, we all watched the Iowa All-State concert on PBS- as Keegan made the orchestra.  He is a bassoon player and it is quite the honor to make it as a Freshman.  Jameo kept looking for him on tv and would yell "Keeg-keeg!  More Keeg-keeg!" anddelighted us with wonderful dancing to the music. 

     Hope everyone else had as wonderful of a turkey day as we did!

Artistic Downtown Des Moines

After dropping Keegan off (J's younger brother) at the Temple for Performing Arts for Youth Symphony practice, we passed the Des Moines Public Library

and wandered the recently completed Pappajohn Sculpture Park. 

 

We then enjoyed a delectable hummus and roasted red pepper sandwich with Peruvian coffee at Ritual Café. More pics in the gallery!

    Des Moines is not the doldrums you may expect. Jackie is amazed by all the changes in the past ten years.  Here is a fantastic city guide that she really likes: http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/09/des-moines-guide.html

 

Home Sweet Home - 10x15x8 edition

After a troubleless trip (Thanks Kevin!!!) that took us across NH, MA, NY, PA, OH, IN, ILL and IA, we have settled here:

Or at least most of our worldly possessions have. They will await, dry and cosy, our return from Ye Olde Continent. We have for our part enjoyed time with Jackie's family and will do so until just after Thanksgiving week-end, replete with its own excitement. More to come on that!

All the best from Iowa!