weekend lens {Memorial Day}

Memorial Day weekend had the perfect mixture of fun, relaxation, and family time; which is my favorite kind of weekend!

We had a great time at the Twins game on Friday evening. We were worried about the weather but it turned out to be just perfect!

Saturday brought rain showers.

Which made for the perfect day to cozy up in the house and read. {I finally bought this book and was so excited to dig into it. I saw the author, Kate Hopper at the MN Blog Conference last fall and she was fabulous! She teaches mother's "how to write the stories they need to tell".}

And time to snuggle up with the dog. :)

In between the heavy downpours of rain and the thunder and lightening, Jake helped a good friend of his who was working on his project for his Eagle Scout badge. They were planting a garden at their old elementary school. It is kind of neat because they have been friends since they were 3 years old, attending the same preschool. Boy time flies! {photos taken by Teri}

We enjoyed a trip out to our favorite Mexican restaurant.

Sunday we had a family BBQ at my parents house which always includes great company and good food! I brought a '7 Layer Salad'. The recipe is {here}. I haven't had this salad for years and years, and it totally brought me back to my childhood!

On Monday I finally got my garden planted!!

It was a great Memorial Day weekend!

{recipes} fish tacos :: Pannekoeken

These recipes have absolutely nothing to do with each other--other than we made them both the same weekend and they are both fabulous! :)

Click {here} for this amazing fish taco recipe.

And click {here} for the delicious breakfast Pannekoeken.

weekend lens :: great food & pretty flowers

My weekend couldn't start out more perfect... with a freshly picked bouquet of my favorite flowers from my favorite 14 year old on his way home from the bus stop.

Dinner was at Blue Door Pub in St. Paul.

My very favorite burger in the entire world is the Blue Door Juicy Blucy!

Another spot that Guy Fieri has left his mark. Last time we saw this mark was {HERE}.

Saturday was our first of the season visit to the Farmer's Market. Love!

We bought some pretty flowers for our front baskets.

And some vegi's and herbs to plant in my garden.

And we couldn't pass up the brats loaded with peppers and onions from the great stand at the Farmer's Market.

We stopped at Coastal Seafood's in St. Paul to pick up some fish for our dinner.

My front lilac bush in full bloom. Love.

Starting the marinade and sauce for the fish tacos for dinner.

AMAZING!!!!!

I made Rhubarb Torte with the perfect rhubarb we bought at the Farmer's Market.

Sunday morning I made Puffy Apple Pancake {Pannekoeken}. This recipe is in our family cookbook which was submitted by my sister. I have made this recipe several times over the years and it is always delicious, super easy to make and a family favorite!

While Pete used the smoker grill to smoke some pork shoulders for his amazing pulled pork  sandwiches!! Truly a family favorite!

Tyler was in Appleton, WI for the Ultimate Frisbee DIII National Tournament. His team had been favored to win but ended up with a 5th place finish. Still amazing for College Nationals!!!

And more importantly,  it sounds like he had a fun weekend! :)

 Another weekend where I really, really didn't want Monday to come!!!

{I will post a couple of these recipes later this week. }

last band concert?

Thursday evening we attended Drew's 8th Grade Spring Band Concert.

This was Drew's last concert at the middle school and since he is not taking band next year at the high school, it may very well be our last band concert...ever.  {sob}

The 75 member band put on quite a show playing some great music! (It is always so amazing to see how far the band comes since they started playing way back in 5th grade.) The songs they played were Foundry, Nevermore, The Seal Lullaby, Lullabye, and Phantom of the Opera.

A slide show of pictures played during the two lullaby songs. This was such a special part of the concert because the pictures were of each student as a baby and then a current photo. Loved this!

Another neat part of the concert was when the band director explained how the highlight of the students band lessons each week were when they got to use his "smelly markers" to circle the next weeks lesson. The kids love this so much that he gives a big pack away at the Spring 8th grade concert. As all of the students were seriously sitting on the edge of their chairs, Mr. B drew a name out of a hat.... and it was Drew!!

It was a great concert and we will have a lot of fun and special memories from it!

NHS Induction Ceremony

A little over a month ago, Jake received an invitation from his school to apply for National Honor Society. He submitted his application and shortly there after he received an acceptance letter congratulating him on being chosen as a new member of the NHS.

We were so happy for Jake and on Tuesday we attended the Induction Ceremony at the high school.

It was a nice ceremony which included a few guest speakers talking about thee background of NHS and The Four Pillars: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Character.

The new inductees recited the NHS Pledge.

And then they were called up to receive their certificate

and to sign the Book.

I am so proud of you Jake and I love seeing how all of your hard work these past few years are now paying off for you and giving you so many amazing opportunities!

.

Mother's Day Blessings

coffee and newspaper in bed

hugs from my boys

pretty flowers

special Mother's Day cards

my three biggest blessings

a yummy brunch

the whole family in the car

a trip to Lake Calhoun

a walk with the family

an ice cream treat

and maybe a nap :)

It was the perfect day to count my blessings!