Midsummer nights in the middle of winter

January ended much like December, and it was just as memorable.

***

On New Year's Eve afternoon, Devin and I celebrated the unseasonably warm temperatures (and lack of holiday snow) to get the motorcycle out one last time in 2011.

We went from our place in West O all the way east to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Though it was 50 degrees, the ride was a bit chilly but totally worth it. It was, of course, a moment we had to capture.

Ringing in 2012 a little early.

***

I was so eager to get outside Monday and see if the temps really were climbing past 60 degrees. I didn't bring a lunch, so I had a great excuse to leave the building and soak up the sun, if only for a few minutes. At home, the heat went off, and the windows, opened. Putz enjoyed time on the deck with me as we watched families riding together on the bike trail.

When Devin got home, he brought some beer, food and a new grill because when it's just shy of 70 degrees in January, hells yes you treat it like summer! Unfortunately, there was more assembly required than expected.

Devin gets to work on that new grill.

The food may be delayed, but the guy knows how to keep me happy: Woodchuck.

Temperatures were no longer in the 60s by the time he fired up the grill. In fact, it was dark. I guess we can't expect too much extra daylight in winter. But we did get to witness a fab sunset during the process.

It was all worth it in the end. The smell of grilled hotdogs and brats made LoLo a happy girl. Tuesday night was even better when Devin grilled steaks.

Steak! Woo!

And then to ring in February, we grilled dogs again Wednesday! Who needs summer? Oh yeah, it's supposed to snow this weekend...

With the luck of the Buddha, here's to hopefully enjoying time outside (especially with the grill) every month in 2012! *Cheers*

Lucky Buddha beer