Thunderstorms Ahead!

The trees are turning into the beautiful green beings we all know and love but not without the help of the spring thunderstorms! This past weekend I spent my time enjoying the daylight with my guy and his family. We managed enjoy a local bar and try some new brews and spend the next day exploring down-town Des Moines on the Des Moines B cycles. Now if  you're not aware of what those are let me explain to you....think of a traditional coaster bike..big seat low bars and high handlebars... now add a 20lb weight to the front of the bike and a basket. That is a B cycle. With three gears under our belts we escaped the busy streets of Des Moines and ventured into the paths of escape. Lakes and forests and rivers Oh My! We stopped at Mullets to fuel up for the ride after spending nearly thirty minutes finding TWO bikes to rent! Needless to say a drink, alcoholic or not, was necessary.  

Other bike enthusiasts were out and about as well as families spending their Sunday's together! I couldn't have felt more at ease with the beautiful scenery Iowa had to offer us that day.  Thus before we left, a grill session seemed to be the best way to top off a great weekend of sun and family.  Unfortunately MotherNature must have felt that we had a little too much sun...cue thunder clouds and lightning through the skies! The grill was already lit and the coals were burning red awaiting their grilling counterparts.  Naturally as any right-minded person would do.. we ignored the storms warnings and proceeded to prepare the nights meal.  Remember the saying "Rain or Shine"  well we took that to heart and through the oncoming downpour and proceeding tornado sirens the grilling continued. 

Grilled green beans, red potatoes and peppers, and pork for the men while I enjoyed a delicious spicy black bean burger.  No matter the weather we managed to bring together a PHENOMENAL Sunday dinner. A fresh salad with strawberries, baby lettuce and cauliflower manages to entice my taste-buds to ignore the "nearly-full" alarm of my stomach until I could no longer! So much flavor and enjoyment covered the table as we brought the weekend to a close. 

But thanks again to the springtime storms we were stranded for the night as tornado's were popping up all along our route back home. After that dinner, a little couch time to let the food settle and the conversation soar wasn't such a bad idea. I was overly aware of how lucky I am to be in a relationship with a man who's family is so easy to enjoy and I actually want to visit them! Same goes for him, my family couldn't be happier of my partner in crime and adventures.  This weekend provided me so much more than sunshine and great activities. I was able to bond with my extended family and truly appreciate the man they brought into my life. He deals with my crazy food habits and manages to be apart of it all as much as possible. Even though it was never my intentions to be a vegetarian I couldn't be happier with what the lifestyle has provided me.  Cheers to enjoying the storms!