wordless Wednesday

{I posted this on twitter the other day but thought it would be the perfect picture for Wordless Wednesday.}

Drew is doing a Monday thru Friday, 5 week hockey camp this summer.

I think it may be wearing him out a little. :)

He was on his way to take a shower and I guess couldn't make it another step.

20 minutes in this spot. :)

Weekend Lens #5

This past weekend was another great summer weekend. The weather even cooperated and it was beautiful on Friday and Sunday. It rained for most of Saturday, but we still got some fun things in and overall it was a great weekend.

We had a grad party to go to, golf lesson for Drew, and Tyler headed back to his college for the weekend to visit friends.

Some other things we enjoyed this weekend:

I hung little lights around the spot on my deck where my bistro table is. I love how this turned out and it is just the perfect lighting out there in the evening.

a bonfire

 

Pete playing cars. :) Actually, he pulled out this huge tub of matchbox cars (that I am saving from when the boys were little) and was looking for a specific car that was given to him at our wedding by my cousin (who

was little at the time), and is now himself getting married.

  

Dinner at the 5-8 Club.

Had to get a Juicy Lucy. :)

a walk around Lake Calhoun.

After our walk around Lake Calhoun we stopped for lunch at the Tin Fish. 

we sat and enjoyed the view over the lake

eating some delicious fish tacos

did some weeding in the front of the house

finally planted my flower from 'Project Flower Bomb'

got my little garden all weeded

and enjoyed a beautiful sunset

equals a perfect weekend

Friday Favorites

This week just flew by and it is Friday again. This summer is flying by and I am so hoping that the weather makes a turn and catches up with the date on the calender. It has been a cold and rainy spring and summer and I think I know we are all ready for some nice summer weather!

Some things that made me smile these past couple of weeks (since I missed doing this post last week):

1)  Pinterest
I have gotten lost on this virtual pinboard sight for hours. It is very addictive but so much fun and a great place to find pretty things and to 'catalog the things you love'. 
Go HERE to see what it is all about.

2)  Lake Harriet (and the other lakes in the chain of lakes).
This is one of my favorite summer activities. I love taking the dog down to one of the lakes and heading out on one of the awesome walking paths. Always great scenery, fun people watching, and a fun way to get in a little exercise. (Plus, it always brings back fun memories from high school cross country. We spent many hours running these lakes.)

3)  Fruit Pizza
A great summer dessert and always a favorite in our house!

Recipe:
1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 (8 ounces) cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Assorted fresh fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries. kiwi, etc. cut into pieces

Place rolled out dough on baking sheet or baking stone. Bake 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
For topping, combine cream cheese, vanilla and sugar and spread over cookie dough. Then place on the fruit.


4) A new outfit from Chico's
I found an outfit in the June catalog that I just fell in love with. I kept that catalog open to that page on my kitchen island for a couple of weeks and would randomly say to any of the 4 boys in my house "isn't this outfit so cute, and wouldn't it look adorable on me?"  :) I got a lot of "sure Mom" and "ya's" but they were just not as excited as I was about it. :) Anyway, Pete surprised me one day last week with lunch out at Mall of America and then a little shopping trip to to get this outfit!! He even patiently waited while I tried the outfit on! So sweet!

5)  Homemade pesto
Made with fresh basil from my herb garden. I made a batch of this last night for dinner. I love the smell of fresh basil!

Recipe:
2 cups packed basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup pine nuts
2/3 cup olive oil
kosher salt and pepper
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Combine basil, garlic and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the olive oil and process until fully mixed and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Mix in Parmesan cheese. And it is ready to serve. {This freezes well.}

Weekend Lens {#4}

Father's Day weekend :: Dinner at Bucca :: golf lessons :: Coastal Seafood :: soccer tourney reffing ::

Weber smoker :: rain :: salmon BLTs :: baptism for a nephew :: fruit pizza

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day

to my hubby

the father of our three boys

20 years

of being a daddy

thank you for being so involved

and a part of our lives

We love you!

And appreciate all that you do and give to us!

We wish you the best Father's Day!

You deserve it!

***********************************

And also a big Happy Father's Day to my Dad, the best dad a daughter could ask for.
"You're My Hero"

"I would ride on your shoulders
And look out on the world
Pretending I was big and tall like you
When you were there to hold me
I never was afraid
You made me feel there's nothing I can't do

If I'd spread my wings to fly
When I was very small
I knew that you'd be standing by
To catch me if I fall

You're my hero

Chasing the monsters from my room

Going on trips around the moon

The one who's always been there faithfully

You're my hero

And 'cause you're my Dad...

I'm twice as blessed and lucky to be me

As I kept on growing

We often disagreed

But you let me find myself in my own way

And it's funny, how just lately

I've come to recognize

How wise you are becoming every day

There's so much you've given me

I hope I've made you proud

You're everything a Dad should be

And it's time to tell you now

You're my hero
You didn't have to say a word
Your love was the message that I heard
Inspiring me to be all I can be



You're my hero
And 'cause you're my Dad...
I'm twice as blessed and lucky to be me"

{lyrics: You're My Hero by Teresa James}

Love you Dad.

summer music

It is summer... and I am enjoying every second. I have always loved summer, but the older I get-- and the older my boys get, I seem to be appreciating this season even more. This summer we have many new fun things planned and mixing those with some of our favorite summer traditions.

One summertime date night we have been doing for the past 5 years or so, is going to 'Music in the Zoo' at the MN Zoo. This is always such a fun and relaxing night and really there is nothing more perfect on a summer evening than listening to some live music outside.

We started the night by meeting friends at a favorite little Mexican restaurant not too far from the zoo.
El Azteca always has great food and great drinks and the service is wonderful. We were so lucky that it was a beautiful night and we could sit out on the patio. Perfection!

After dinner we headed out to the MN Zoo in time for the concert.

We enjoyed some great blues music by Charlie Musselwhite

and the James Cotton Band.

It was such a fun and relaxing night and made me really glad that we booked two shows for this summer. I can't wait to see George Thorogood in August!