$100

As you may know, I am a benefit auctioneer. This means I go into fundraising auctions and auction things off. I try to record one video a year so I can critique myself and get better. Here is an auction from yesterday compared with the same auction from last year.

And that is that.

First Snow 2010

I tend to by a cynic when it comes to weather predictions.

If the weatherman says, "We will see 5 inches of snow" and it's early November, I assume that it will all be melted by 2pm. I was wrong.

Knowing this morning was going to be Saturday, I had closed my black out shades so we could sleep in. Around 9:00 I rose out of bed and opened the shades to find a winter wonderland. Nate kept saying, "I feel like the double rainbow guy only with snow." NOTE: if you don't know the double rainbow guy, visit youtube.

Although, I have an auction to prepare for tonight, Nate and I have spent the morning lounging with our fire place filled with candles. Perfect for the first snow.

Elections

The TV is off earlier than I thought it would be tonight. It is only 9:00 pm as I begin to write this post, and all I hear is silence.

Now, you may want to ask me, "Why is this significant?" That is a good question.

As you may or may not know, Nate and I take care of my grandmother, Gloria. If I had to describe Gloria in two words it would be: eternal optimist. If, however, I had to describe Gloria in one word it would be: Republican.

The three men she admires the most are Jesus, Harold MacDermott (aka Grandpa Mac) and Ronald Reagan.

She's not just a voting republican, but a passionate and committed republican. When she's not listening to FOX news she has it on mute with subtitles while she listens to Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity. Normally this "noise" bothers me, but I couldn't let it get to me today. We walked past her tonight as she patiently waited for the results and Nate tenderly whispered in my ear, "Awe, she's so excited." She was like an elementary schooler waiting to hear if her class won their Spirit Day.

She has been waiting for this election since Obama was voted in as President of the United States, and yet she is in bed before the results for Minnesota have been fully announced. Tiring easily is one of the things that bothers her the most about getting old.

I am tracking the election online for her since it is a process too new and complicated for her. I'll leave her a post-it with the results in the morning.

"Most bad government has grown out of too much government."

-Thomas Jefferson

For Gloria. The bravest and most passionate women I have ever known.

Still Camping.

Perhaps I'm so inconsistent with posting because I really feel that Fall is the best time to mention in Minnesota. We are now into October. The trees are warm shades and the air is brisk. It is peaceful.

I wanted to share pictures from our last camping trip to the North Shore. The weekend was perfect, but the nights were freezing!

Apple Pie

It's still summer officially, but in my mind it is already fall. I bought a beautiful autumn wreath to hang on my door and recently baked an apple pie. My apple pies are absolutely heavenly. As I was making it, Nate told me I put too many apples in. He was convinced it was going to overflow or burst or have a burnt crust with an uncooked middle or something else equally dramatic. I refused to listen to his input. I kept piling on the apple bits covered in sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg until I could pile no more. I waited 50 minutes until my plump pie of perfection was finished. It was delicious and I even gained Nate's approval. I plan to make many more pies this season.

Marriage

I have now been married for a little over 5 weeks. I think it's funny when people ask me how it is. Of course it's fabulous; we're in the honeymooner's stage. However, I plan on letting our honeymooner's stage last several decades.

Nate and I sharing a dance with my parents at our wedding in St. Paul.

Today is my parents' 25th Wedding Anniversary. Obviously they have been in love for quite some time. I would argue that they are still in their honeymooner stage. It embarrassed me in high school when my parents would make out in the kitchen in front of us and our friends or make sexual innuendoes with one another. Now I find it endearing. At ages 50 and 54, they are still wildly attracted to one another. It's not because my dad is an everyday George Clooney and my mom a Christie Brinkley. They are normal people without personal stylists and trainers. Although they have aged well and keep with the trends as they see fit, they are still just normal. But their red hot chemistry is something I don't see in many other marriages. You could read articles and articles on "how to keep your relationship sizzling hot" and still not get it. Here's what I have observed that my folks do:

1. They are affectionate. They still hold hands at the mall. Like I mentioned before, they kiss passionately in public. It's not a gross kiss, but one that says, "baby, I love you." I remember my mom telling me one Valentines Day, "You know, your dad doesn't buy me expensive gifts all the time or bring me home flowers or write me poetry, but at the end of the day when he holds me I KNOW he loves me. That is important." It is so romantic.

2. They go on dates. At least once a week they make it a priority to spend time together alone. Usually this means going out to dinner. Some nights though, it's just getting a drink and an appetizer at Kincaid's or going shopping together or going to see some live music. Just a chance to talk and be together with out kids monopolizing the conversation.

3. They put each other first. Aside from their relationships with God. However, their relationship came before us kids. When my dad would come home from work or after dinner my parents would talk to each other. If we would interrupt, my parents would say, "Please don't interrupt. You're going to have to wait. Mommy and daddy are talking now." Obviously if it were a matter of health or trauma, they would drop anything to help us, but usually we just wanted to ask for a snack. They knew their relationship was the rock that held us together.

4. They are best friends. They legitimately enjoy spending time together. If they are ever doing an activity with out the other they will say, "I wish your mom/dad were here. They would really enjoy this." Then, more often than not, they will go back to do that activity together. They love each other obviously - they always have. More than that, they ENJOY each other.

Overall, my parents' love for each other is magical and inspiring. I look forward to many long years of marriage with my husband.

Late in the Game

With Labor Day quickly approaching, my husband and I (did I mention I got married this summer? More details to follow) decided to start camping. Now, most folks would buy camping stuff at the beginning of the summer, but we decided to wait to the end of August. Lucky for us some of the best camping happens in September.

My siblings and a few close family friends in front of the "The World's Largest Tiger Muskie" in Nevis, MN.

This Labor Day weekend, I am introducing Nate to Nevis, MN as we head up to do some leisure camping at Camper's Paradise where we have booked a lake front site. We are excited to break in our new gear.

Forgive me for not blogging regularly. Consistency has never been my thing. I tend to do things on a whim of passion.

A kiss of Spring

Last night it took me far too long to fall asleep because my feet were freezing. I never sleep with socks, but eventually had to get up and put on a pair of my favorite Smart Wool socks.

Luckily, we've made it through January. It's February and I'm convinced Spring is just around the corner. Yesterday my mom threw a bridal shower for my cousin Gwen. It was a sweet and floral tea party full of conversation, gifts and NO games. The whole time I was there I felt like it was May.

The Bride-to-be and her tea. Congratulations Gwen and Nate!

We had the most beautiful assortment of antique teacups.

I made the effort to be extra dainty for the event.

I think it was the tulips that had me thinking spring.

My mom had fresh roses too!

We had the nummiest treats!

Notice the antique teapots sporting an assortment of teas.

Gwen's mother-in-law (to be) collects teacups and teapots.

Forgive my lack of participation. There will be more to come. I apologize in advance if much of it has to do with weddings though. It's kind of where my head is at this time.

Until Later.

XOXO

For the Domestic Ladies

November is the perfect time for some of my favorite pies: Apple and Pumpkin. I make a killer apple pie and an average pumpkin pie. My mediocre pumpkin pie doesn't bother me, because I figure anything tastes like heaven when paired with homemade whipped cream.

I could use one of these darling aprons by Skylark Dawn:

APPLES

A woman at Hot Mama on Grand Avenue this morning informed me that we're expected to get another inch of snow by the end of the day. It's October and it's snowing. With that in mind, and a cup of hot cider close by, I'd like to revisit the best day this fall.

Last week, on a beautiful day sandwiched between many days of rain and clouds, my dear and I took one of our adventure days to the Minnesota Harvest Apple Orchard in Jordan, MN.

We started our time there with brats and burgers and some hot cider. Our meal was serenaded by this sweet little man playing polka on his accordion...

Then we got lost in their corn maze. It's across the street so we got to take a tractor ride there!

Nate got to touch a pony! This is just a little one, but Minnesota Harvest has a bunch of different horses that you can go for rides on too. Apples, corn maze, horseback riding...AWESOME!

We had a wonderful time and went home with some fabulous wild blackberry jam, freshly made apple cinnamon donuts, 5lb of perfectly crisp apples, and a gallon of Cider. All in all it was a perfect day.

Weird Minnesota

My honey and I were at Barnes and Noble last night perusing the coffee table book section and I asked him if, when we're "roommates" (hitched), we could have a Minnesota coffee table book in our living room. I was thinking something featuring all the old mansions in the Twin Cities or all the scenic state parks. This was the book he picked up:


Although this particular book doesn't have the most aesthetic cover, I do love how it features all the random statues and other Minnesotan oddities that have become the pride of many small towns. A personal goal of mine is to have my picture taken in front of as many of those statues as possible. Have no fear. All pictures will be posted! Where should I start?

Book information:
Weird Minnesota
by Eric Dregni, Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman
ISBN: 1402739087

RIP Deer Town

I saw this sweet deer photo on one of my favorite blogger's site and it reminded me of one of my favorite childhood tourist destinations: Deer Town near Park Rapids, MN. Sadly, I just googled it and this is what I found:

Deer Town Description

ATTRACTION IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

Deer Town has been designed to look like a frontier village. Wildlife include deer that can be fed by hand and trained bears. The Billy Goat Gruff Bridge, a children's farm, trout pond, museum and playground are other highlights.

I loved going to deer town and feeding dry corn to the deer. Children for generations to come will miss out on this nature experience. Please tell me if you know about anything else similar to this adventure.

Bacon

I love breakfast dates. There's something about bacon, pastries and bottomless coffee that welcomes us to stay and chat for hours.

Needless to say, I was very pleased when I received my Mpls St. Paul Magazine this month and they were featuring Minnesota's top 57 breakfast and brunch joints. I was disappointed, however, when the place where my lovely and I go for breakfast was not featured. Jensen's Cafe in Burnsville, MN.

Jensen's is nestled in the Heart of the City in Burnsville, MN. A true gem in the southern burbs. Nate and I love it for it's bacon, coffee, and homemade berry jam. Let me take a moment to mention their bacon again. It's thick and crispy and purely wonderful. Give them a visit. You won't regret it.

Note: MSP MAG did mention lots of wonderful breakfast places. I'll get those later...

Pig's Eye

A historical note:

Saint Paul, MN, our beloved capital city, was originally named Pig's Eye after Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant who started a popular tavern in the area. Luckily for tourism, the Log Chapel of St. Paul (St. Paul Cathedral) was built and the name was changed.

Throw Down

I'm a sucker for throw pillows. How darling is this one from Patina? It's where a cozy night at home with a good book meets the peaceful air of the north woods.

The beginning...

I was perusing through the fashion section of a recent issue of Minnesota Monthly and I found myself getting genuinely upset over the choice of featured fashions. Not only were the prices unreasonable ($500 for a blouse) for the average Minnesotan citizen, but there was absolutely no Minnesotan representation other than the photos being shot at our new Guthrie. I can find a Neiman Marcus anywhere! Show me a local designer. I want something that's unique to Minnesota!

With that, I begin this blogging journey. I promise to represent Minnesota to the best of my abilities. I am no expert about Minnesota other than the fact that I grew up here and am so proud of my home state. I'll do the research and all you have to do is bask in the wonders that are found right here in Minnesota.