a Little Help

At one of Drew's recent hockey game's the zamboni came out between periods to resurface the ice...and it broke down. After much time trying to get the zamboni started again, both teams came out to push it off the ice.  In all my years of watching hockey,  I have never seen this before. :)
{blurry photo but still had to post }

weekend lens :: two views

Thanksgiving was over and the leftovers were just barely put in the refrigerator when our weekend started bright and early Friday morning.  Drew had a weekend hockey tournament in Roseau and had to be at the rink at 8am to catch the bus that would take the team and the parents on the 7 hour trip up north.

Pete and Drew's weekend was a lot of fun; with a lot of team socializing, 5 hockey games, Drew scoring a bunch of goals including a hat trick in the final game, and a 3rd place finish.

My weekend view was completely different and absolutely what I needed. I had not been feeling well for about a week and after hosting Thanksgiving I really needed a quiet weekend. For three full days, I didn't leave the house at all and spent my time reading magazined, watching HGTV and the Food Channel, watched our high school play in the State Championship Football game on TV, did a bunch of blogging, played some Scrabble games with Jake... and just refreshed my soul. Exactly what I needed and I felt so much better by Sunday evening.

Two different views for the same weekend...which turned out to be a perfect weekend for all.

Thanksgiving thoughts

We were so blessed to be able to host Thanksgiving again this year.  All the fixings were made {a 21 pound turkey, stuffing, mash potatoes, gravy, sweet potato casserole, rutabagas, green bean casserole, rolls, cranberries, salad, pumpkin pies.}

I am so thankful for these two! And  was sure missing Tyler this Thanksgiving, it was harder than I thought it would be having him so far away on this family holiday.

But we were able to Skype with him, and I think he really enjoyed 'seeing' and chatting with everyone.

The star of the show.  :)

I am so thankful and feel so blessed for the family that was able to join us this Thanksgiving!

And a Thanksgiving would not be complete without these two battling over the wishbone. :)

A dusting of sparkly snow was the perfect way to end the day!

So Thankful!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

giving thanks

weekend lens :: my birthday

The weekend of my birthday was perfect and filled with so much that made my heart happy.

cocktails at Porter Creek :: hockey games in Red Wing :: a dandelion in the yard in November :: 

2 new little potted trees by the front door :: a stop at the Main Street After Hours Wine Bar :: 

cards and gifts :: warm weather :: a walk around Lake Harriet :: birthday dinner at Dixie's on Grand :: skyping with Tyler :: my favorite birthday cake!! :: 44

a recipe:: Salted Peanut Chews

I made these treats this week to bring for our Wednesday morning bible study. This recipe came from my Mom who made these often while I was growing up. They taste like salted peanut rolls and are so good!!

Crust:
1 1/2 cup flour
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 egg yolks
3 cups mini marshmallows  

Topping:
2/3 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
12 ounce package peanut butter chips
2 cups rice krispies cereal
2 cups salted peanuts

Directions:
Combine all of the crust ingredients except for the marshmallows, until crumb mixture forms. Press into bottom of an ungreased 13x9 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Immediately sprinkle with marshmallows and bake for an additional 1-2 minutes or until marshmallows begin to puff.
Cool completely.
Meanwhile, in saucepan heat the corn syrup, butter, vanilla, peanut butter chips until smooth. Stir in cereal and peanuts. Spoon topping over marshmallow layer and spread to cover. Chill and cut into bars. After bars have been cut, store at room temperature.

weekend lens :: 15

Friday after school we headed over to the DMV so Drew could take his permit test.

He passed! :) 

And now we have another driver in the house.

This weekend we also had a family birthday celebration. Still can't believe this guy is 15!?!

Happy Birthday, Drew! We love you!

Drew's Birthday

iPhone 5 :: homemade cinnamon rolls :: Yo-J :: Osaka:: baby bottle sake (lemonade) :: 

birthday mask :: chocolate birthday treat

Happy 15th Birthday, Drew

Yesterday Tyler turned 21 and today Drew turns 15!!!

It really doesn't seem possible and it truly doesn't seem that many years ago that we welcomed our third baby boy into our family, and our hearts were full!

Happy Birthday, Drew Drew! We love you!!

Happy 21st Birthday, Tyler

21 years ago we had a brand new baby boy.... and we became a family of 3!

Last night at 11:30pm Minnesota time, we Skyped with Tyler to wish him a happy birthday. 

It was 7:30am Greece time and he was already 21!

I posted this photo on Facebook this morning, along with this:

"Happy 21st Birthday to my oldest boy! Wishing you a day of happiness as you celebrate in Athens, Greece!!!" 

Happy 21st Birthday, Tyler! We are so proud of you and the man you have become!

Pumpkin'd

Waking up on Saturday morning, we heard the dog growling out the front window.  She hardly ever barks or growls, so we went to investigate. And Bella was right, there was something not right in the yard.

Pumpkins and 'snowplow guide sticks' all over the yard--none of them were ours. :)

This made me laugh- our hockey net had been on the back side of the house, and somehow it ended up on the driveway. :)

Yes, we were pumpkin'd! :)

{Only one pumpkin was smashed, so cleaning up was not too hard. We just stacked the pumpkins on the side of the house to wait for garbage day--

but they were mysteriously gone when we woke up this morning. Hmmm?}