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