Renaissance Cafe in Assaria, Kansas

On Friday night Mr. Pihl and I decided to visit the Renaissance Cafe in Assaria.  By the time we left I was mumbling about how I couldn't believe I've lived here so long and haven't tried it before now.  Oh, the wasted years!

But, really.  It was superb.

This Week in PK: June 20, 2014

Posted to Instagram

Living in a town that has dubbed itself as "Little Sweden" has its perks.

Exhibit A: Lingonberry Margarita from The Swedish Crown  (shown above, obviously)

Exhibit B: Midsummer's Day Festival

Exhibit C: Kubb

Did I just hear you say, "Huh???  Mid-what?  Berry...somthing.  Kuuuuu... I give up."

Don't worry.  I was once like you, but then I moved to a place called "Little Sweden" and married one of their people.

Our town has been preparing all week for this weekend's annual Midsummer's Festival, which essentially celebrates the summer solstice.  You can read more about what makes this Swedish tradition so awesome here.

Lingonberries are a big deal to those crazy Swedes.  I think that they are positively delicious when mixed with tequila and sugar.  Amen.

Lastly... the kubb tournament.  Pronounced "coob".  It's a deceivingly fun yard game played with wooden dowels, blocks, and whatnot.  I don't think Mr. Pihl and I will be competing this year, but we have our own set to play with.  Mr. Pihl and I are becoming obsessed with it, and it's a game I'm going to force my parents to play when they visit in 3.5 weeks.

Mr. Pihl and I are pretty darn excited to join in the festivities this weekend!  If you're in the area (I'm talkin' to YOU, Salina) you should check it out.  Here is a schedule of events!

Happy in Central Kansas

Even though I don't live IN Salina anymore (technically), I still consider it mine.  It was my first home as an adult, I went to school here, and I currently work here.

If that's not enough, our Downtown folks just released this parody to Pharrell's "Happy".

Go on.

Watch it.

According to Salina Downtown Inc.'s website: 

"It took over 200 people, including the City Commission, a coyote, the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce staff, gospel singers, dancers, cheerleaders, the Salina Symphony, two pugs and a cat to make this video."

I guarantee that it will be one of the neatest community collaborations you'll see this week.

Your toes will be tapping and you'll want to come visit this fun place.

I love my home.

My In-Laws' New Land

Last weekend, Mr. Pihl and I accompanied my in-laws out of town to take a gander at their new baby.

And by baby, of course I mean hunk of property out by Herington, Kansas.

Kansas the Beautiful

Occasionally the beauty of Kansas knocks the wind clean out of me.  I just gape in awe of the beauty of the heartland.

Or, in this case, I skid to a halt on a dirt road (on the way to my in-laws), throw my loaner car into park, and pray that my p.o.s. iPhone camera can adequately capture the beauty of the sunset before me.

Tuesday Ten

Whew, what a week!

I don't know about you, but the last seven days have been nutty.  Absolutely nutty!

In an attempt to organize my crazy while sharing some of the highlights of our week (this one's for you, mom) I'm going to start a new tradition on Pihling Kansas.

Welcome, Tuesday Ten.

Rather than tell you what Tuesday Ten will be about, let me show you...

One

As a wedding present my colleague, friend, and fellow librarian collected a sample of our invitations, RSVP cards, and our programs and sent them out to StudioNCreations on Etsy.com.  When I got to work on Thursday these two lovely keepsakes were waiting for me.

Aren't they awesome?!

I can't wait to get my act together and take them home after having them sit on my desk for 4.89537 days and show them to Mr. Pihl.

Carb Fest

During normal months, Mr. Pihl and I practice low-carb eating.

I know.  It's rough.  I'm a lover of sugar, sweet potatoes, and bread.  And rice.  And baked goods.  And beer.  And...

Ahem.

Anyhow, while we DO practice a generally low-carb lifestyle throughout the week, we also allow for "cheat days" once a week.  On a cheat day we can indulge in whatever we want.  

Truth be told, December 2013 has turned into an ENTIRE cheat MONTH, which I'd really like to ignore.  My new muffin top however is a serious blow to my reality.

There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

I love this season.  Truly I do.

The orange pomanders, the music, the treats, the magic...

But... amidst all that magic, nobody ever mentions the mail.

Christmas cards are wonderful, and we've received some truly lovely cards this year.  Really!

I mean come on-- where else but in a stack of Christmas cards can you get a healthy dose of tiny human pictures?!  And folks are getting so creative!  I'm convinced our friends have all given birth to tiny models.

Um, back to the mail.

My point is this:

amybpihl on Instagram

Wow, right?

This is what I came home to one night this week.

You should see our recycling bin.  Whew!

Needless to say, I made Mr. Pihl carry in the heavy ones.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas (in spite of my many cardboard-box-induced papercuts)!

Amy (BP)