Mother's Day 2013

Had a wonderful day of celebration!  Not sure where the time went, but here's a short recap.

JP and I were up early and off to the Minneapolis Farmers Market - one of our favorite places to be on a Sunday morning in the summer.  We had to purchase a few more items for the straw bale gardening, and some herbs for breakfast.  It was very cold and eerily quiet there, so we didn't stay long.  We will head back to people watch another morning.

a little foam with your latte?

With his fresh herbs and recipes splayed out on the counter, I left JP home, full with a caffeine buzz, to get breakfast started.  He is in his glory & element when left to do as he wishes in the kitchen!

the beginnings of yummy goodness!

Met my parents at church to see Oliver's last musical performance in the youth choir at Calvary.  He is in the top row, far left by the white flag.  This was obviously one of his favorite songs of the program.

Happy to be done with youth musicals, can you tell?

Headed back home to a scrumptious brunch made by Chef John Paul.  Sausage & Asparagus strata and Blueberry Pecan Coffee Cake.  Bloody Mary's by Julie.

The rest of the day was just a perfect, lazy afternoon, with a photo session tossed in to commemorate the day, of course!

 

Oliver, Grandma, Grandpa, Henry

 

Nothing like lovin' from ma boys to make the day complete!

Do you have a favorite photo from the day to share?

spring forward

Dinner with Pete & Sue @ Spasso on Saturday.  Dessert and drinks at their house afterward.

Church, singing, rehearsal, teaching Grace Place on Sunday.  My Osseo alum classmate, Tom Sullivan, sang a wonderful gospel solo with the Expression Choir.

We look forward to some quiet time on Sundays while Oliver is rehearsing for the Mother's Day musical.  JP and I bring our ipads and Henry his homework, and we look for a place to hide out.

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It was a weekend chocked full of eaitng out and catching up.  Losing that one hour must have really thrown our house into fast-forward, huh?  Okay, so I'm making an excuse for not counting calories and sticking to my workout and diet.  Oops.

However, it really was an exceptional weekend, including breaking the 1902 weather record with our Saturday high of 62*. 

Weekend Catch-Up!

Sometimes I wonder how I manage to cram so much into a weekend?  But it is always possible.

Picked up the puppies from the DaySpa (aka PetSmart) on my way home from work Friday. 

My girlfriend, Cheryl, came over and enjoyed dinner with us.  Afterward, we went to see the AHS performance of School House Rock.  Lots of energy, color and a fun night of reiminsicing about sitting in front of the television as a kid!

Saturday morning was spent at the Community Center once again watching the boys playoff games.  Two more weekends to go!  Happy to report that both teams won.

Saturday evening we had Ginny & Troy over for dinner.  An absolutely scrumptious evening menu was planned:  bacon-wrapped scallops, salad, brussel sprouts, twice-baked sweet potatoes, homemade olive bread, red wine and chocolate mousse with strawberries & chocolate shavings.  Yeah, you can bet I saved up my caloric intake for dinner!

Sunday was another morning at church, rehearsal for Oliver (Mother's Day musical coming up), and a meeting for LAX in the evening. 

In between, I found time to start a new book, and a got addicted to a new game app (Draw Something free).  Unfortunately, I didn't make time to work out.  I hope to rectify that next weekend.

Bring on Spring and the warmer weather this week...  looking forward to it!

FMSC @ Calvary {sunday snapshot}

Lots of activity at Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley this week!  We are hosting a mobile packout for Feed My Starving Children.  The kickoff was today and runs for an entire week.  These pictures and video are from the 8:45 am Grace Place kids' hour of volunteering!

the packout area goes from this....

to this!

everyone gets a job...  and a hairnet (even if you have no hair)



and even the littlest Superbowl fan can volunteer!



chicken . veggies

soy . rice

Such a wonderful organization...  join us and donate or volunteer this week!  We are celebrating Henry's birthday by filling one side of the table and packing this Saturday at 3:30 pm.

Blessed are those who are generous,
because they feed the poor. Proverbs 22:9

friendship {Sunday Snapshot}

It's a well-kept secret among the female gender that friends will be there for you through thick and thin.  I hope this same thing for my boys to know and learn, as they grow through these teen years into adulthood.  I pray that these boys stay friends for years and years to come.

Much of the vitality in a friendship lies in the honouring of differences,
not simply in the enjoyment of similarities.

pretty please

Oliver thought that by giving me puppy-dog eyes, I would take him to breakfast at Bruegger's.

It worked.

Trail Ride

It was a crisp, autumn day...

perfect for getting out and enjoying

before the first snow flies this week

Perfect for getting out with a friend
bundled up and outdoors on the back of a horse.

I rode Houdini

 He liked to walk slow, and brought up the rear of the trail,

along with Cheryl's horse, Snowcap.

The sun came out halfway through the hour-long ride.

Our afternoon ended with a sampling of

hard cider, cheese & crackers.

The Pacific Pear was my favorite!

yum

Smooches!

love ya, girlfriend!

...a little bit of celebration, with just a touch of bittersweet this weekend
as we get ready to send Kara's son Sam off to basic training...

good luck & God bless, Sam!