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!

Weekend Lens

Although the weather didn't seem very summer like; it was another great summer weekend. And now that all the boys are out of school, it really is starting to feel like summer break in our house. I absolutely love having the boys around and all the activity that goes with it.

Friday night was cold and rainy so we decided to stay in and have a quiet night with some take out sushi from Byerly's and watched an old movie. It was a perfectly relaxing Friday night.

Saturday was spent getting some things done around the house, 2 of the boys reffed some soccer games, and another boy took the ACT test. We went to a grad party and took the dog for a walk.

Today, we decided we needed a little more activity so we took the dog and headed out to one of my favorite walking spots at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis.

After the 3 mile loop around the lake we stopped to grab some lunch at Bread & Pickle, the new snack shop at the band shell.

It was a little chilly out but it was still fun sitting by the lake enjoying our lunch. I got the Black Bean Burger which was so good (and huge!).

After we left Harriet we ventured a few blocks to a favorite ice cream spot for a little treat.

I love the patio at Sebastian Joe's (especially on a warm summer evening.)

We had a great low key kind of weekend which was perfect and what was needed before a busy week ahead.

Weekend Lens {last weekend}

This last weekend was one of the first 'good weather' weekends we have enjoyed in quite a while. It has been too long, in fact!! And we totally took advantage of the gorgeous summer weather and enjoyed every second!

Simple things. Like mowing the lawn.

Making sun tea.

Bonfires.

And smores.

Planting flowers.

And my little garden.

We also enjoyed a day at Minnehaha Falls.

Simply gorgeous!

And we stopped at the 'Sea Salt Eatery', a great little restaurant that is right there in the park. This place is truly a gem.

And you definitely know this is a great spot when the line goes out the door just to place your order at the counter.

We placed our order and then grabbed a table at the enormous patio area overlooking the falls. The 'Sea Salt Eatery' has a great patio, great energy, great scenery, and great food! I got the 'Strawberry Ahi Tacos'. Which were amazing!

Pete got the 'Grilled Talapia Tacos' which were equally amazing!

This is definitely a spot we will be back to this summer!! After our lunch we walked around the falls area some more.

And then we headed over to the St. Paul airport. Pete has always been fascinated by old war planes and so when he saw that the 'Liberty Belle' was going to be on display we thought we would go check it out.

We even got to walk through the plane, which was pretty amazing. And then to top off a great afternoon already, we stopped at Trader Joe's {one of my favorite stores}.

Awesome weekend and am loving and living by a quote I saw recently:

"Stop waiting for a good day...create it!"

From the simple every day things, to the fun outings- we are creating.

Love.

Friday Favorites

Here is some favorite things that put a smile on my face this week.

•  I recently found this website called bubblesnaps.com   This site lets you upload pictures from your computer or from flickr and then you can play around with adding captions. What is kind of cool and different about this is that you can add multiple captions and the captions scroll on the picture. You can email the finished photo or even blog it. Here is a photo of Ty and Jake when they were much littler, that I had fun with. (Click the blue arrow to start the captions.)

• The Thai Chopped Chicken salad from Panera Bread is a-m-a-z-i-n-g! And the calories and fat grams are pretty good too! (I actually had this for lunch today!)

• The farmers market is another favorite. One of my favorite spring and summer treats is is to head out to one of the many great farmer's markets and see what can be found. I love strolling around with a coffee in hand, and seeing and smelling all of the amazing bounty. It is always fun to watch how the market changes as the season progresses. Last weekend we found rhubarb, asparagus, potted flowers and herbs.

• Another thing that put a smile on my face this week was my new little bistro table that I found at Kohl's and it was on sale. I have been wanting a little table for my deck and have already been enjoying it with my morning cup of coffee, a quiet lunch or an evening glass of wine. It is a perfect little spot that I am loving!

• Watching my boy play baseball also puts a smile on my face. I love sitting out on a nice summer evening and watching Drew playing a sport he loves.

• Pennies from heaven.

I have 'found' a penny every day this week just laying on the ground in different locations. I really didn't think too much about it until today when I spotted another penny in the gym parking lot. It must be a very lucky week. :)

"Pennies From Heaven" by Billie Holiday
A long time ago
A million years BC
The best things in life
Were absolutely free.
But no one appreciated
A sky that was always blue.
And no one congratulated
A moon that was always new.
So it was planned that they would vanish now and then
And you must pay before you get them back again.
That's what storms were made for
And you shouldn't be afraid for
Every time it rains it rains
Pennies from heaven.
Don't you know each cloud contains
Pennies from heaven.
You'll find your fortune falling
All over town.
Be sure that your umbrella is upside down.
Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers.
If you want the things you love
You must have showers.
So when you hear it thunder
Don't run under a tree.
There'll be pennies from heaven for you and me.




I am so looking forward to this weekend and the weather is actually suppose to be really nice on Saturday and Sunday so I am planning on taking advantage of that and hopefully find some more favorite things!

Happy Friday!

Appetizer Recipes

These are a few of my go to appetizer recipes that I have been making for years. And best yet, they are all super easy!

Cheesy Reuben Appetizer

8 ounces of cream cheese
1 1/2 cups Swiss cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Thousand Island salad dressing
1/4 pound corn beef, chopped
1/2 cup sauerkraut, drained

Directions: Mix cream cheese, 1 cup Swiss cheese, salad dressing and corn beef. Spread in a pie plate and top with the sauerkraut and 1/2 cup Swiss cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Serve with rye party squares or pretzel crackers.
***

Italian Sausage Appetizer

1 pound Italian sausage
2/3 cup mozzarella, shredded
1/2 cup sour cream
6 Tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon worshteshire sauce
Party Rye bread squares

Brown the sausage and then cool. Mix all ingredients together. Place a good amount on a slice of the party rye bread. Place pieces of prepared bread on a baking sheet and place under broiler until bubbly.
***


Ham Appetillas

1 package large tortillas (I prefer Azteca Supersize flour tortillas)
16 ounces cream cheese
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons green onions, chopped
1/4 cup black olives, chopped
1 pound sliced ham lunch meat

Mix cream cheese, mayo, green onions, and black olives. Spread a thin layer of this mixture on a tortilla and then top with a layer of ham. Roll up and wrap each roll with cellophane until ready to cut and serve.
When ready to serve, unwrap each roll and cut off ends. Cut each tortilla roll in 1 inch servings.


*I am linking up to Kelly's Korner appetizer blog hop.