Blog Hoppin

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This week’s theme for Blog Hoppin is favorite photos.

I love photography and how each photo tells a story so it was so difficult to choose just one. All the stories in my life make up my life......as do my photos.

I chose the following photo not for the angle of the shot, quality of the lens, etc.....but for the story it tells and memory it holds in my heart.


This is my son, Justin, getting ready for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Justin LOVES gifts and treats and he has always felt very strongly that the more you fed Santa the more gifts and treats he would leave for you. "You take care of Santa. Santa will take care of you" :)

Justin would spend the better part of his evening preparing Santa's feast. Ham sandwiches, salads, pieces of cake, cookies, chips, crackers, cheese slices, and of course, don't forget the fresh milk. The very last thing Justin would set out before he scampered off to bed.

Santa never had it so good as the spread he was getting from Justin.

This photo encompasses so many of Justin's characteristics and so much of his personality.

A simple photo that tells a big story.

That's what I love about photography!!

Random Pleasures

I cleaned off the card from my camera today. It contained photos I have taken in the last week. Random shots. Random simple pleasures in my life.

God bless my dear friend who not only made this scrumptious tort for me for my birthday, but also knows how old I REALLY am!

How my son makes his bed.

The beautiful parks and lakes Minneapolis has to offer, and the fact it is getting closer and closer to the time of year we can begin enjoying them more!

Sir Winston.

Justin and Gregory taking in a beautiful day outside at the river.

The sunlight dancing off the water.

Gregory's jazz musical this morning. I love a school program and the eagerness of the children to share with us.

What joy to watch Gregory fully enjoy himself!!

Enjoy the simple pleasures of your day!

Saturday Simple Pleasures

I should title these posts "Saturday Simple Pleasures Posted on Monday", it seems that is when I can finally get them posted!

Busy weekend, but these are some of the simple things I enjoyed on Saturday:

Gregory first noticed the beautiful sunrise. We went out and stood in the quiet, sleepy street and took some photos in the glow of the watercolor painting surrounding us.

I went out in the sunroom to see if I could get a good shot of the sunrise.....it was amazing


When I was out in the sunroom I realized it wasn't freezing! How exciting to know that we are going to get to be spending some time out there. I can't wait to watch the gardens bloom and watch the kids in the backyard in not too long from this great vantage point. This is a photo of 1/2 of our backyard. I can't believe we have yet to use our smokehouse or our sauna.....kind of forgot we had them.


While I was out there I looked over at the daybed and had to laugh. This pillow case on the daybed shows the last time we were out in the sunroom. I will be getting something springy on there!

I had to take a photo of my Valentine's Day flag blowing in the breeze and the melted road beyond it. We're turning that corner into spring!!!!


Saturday Bundt. Was gone by Sunday night. Homemade German Chocolate with a homemade frosting. It was soooooo yummy.



This also brings me to another pleasure. Many have written me asking me why I don't post the recipes to these delights. Very exciting news........we are adding on to our blog house with a recipe wing. It won't be ready for about 7 weeks. I know, but those that know me know...... I don't MOVE fast. It will be very exciting when it is ready to move into and all of these recipes will be there!

Speaking of MOVING. Whenever we have moved, the last thing I have taken off the wall in the "old" house and the last thing I put up in the "new" house to signal the transition is complete is the following :


It was hung up this Saturday signaling the transition from Stillwater is finally complete. If anything can bring a smile to face that is sure it!


Yes, I know it is "wintery" but it stays up all year. If you are going to make something out of that you will probably want to make something out of my kitchen calendar that NEVER gets changed. I hung it up (it was the correct date) the first Christmas after we got married. I am too busy to spend my time re-doing a calendar every month, so it has stayed the exact same ever since. Every December 1st I check it to see if this is its year to be correct. (I don't look beforehand, because it is like a Christmas present and I don't want to peek). Something to look forward to every year!

Some call it laziness. I call it a great life lesson.

I think it's a very creative gift for the entire family once a year. So we have to look at the wrong month and date 11 months out of the year. Here is the great life lesson: With everything great there is always a sacrifice!

And because even after looking at the wrong date for 11 months (sacrificing) it usually still is not correct (another great life lesson: Just because you sacrificed doesn't mean it is always going to turn out the way you hope!)


It is going to bring me great pleasure to walk into all of your kitchens now and see calendars with the wrong month and date, sharing these life lessons with your family :)

Can we come up with a life lesson for falling way behind on laundry?

Saturday Simple Pleasures

Simple. Little things that brought a smile to face and pleasure to my day today:

Justin always brings a smile to my face!

So does Kyle

You won't see a photo of Gregory, because he was skiing with his dad, but, of course, thinking of him makes me smile :)

Who wouldn't smile at 50 degrees after the long cold spell we have had!!!

Love, love, love, the sound and sight of that snow melting off the roof and falling like silver sparkles from the gorgeous blue sky!

Is there ANYTHING better than ice fishing when it is 50 degrees and you don't even need a coat!!



And, of course, the Saturday Bundt cake. I was feeling soooo springy, because of the melting snow, slushy streets and balmy ice fishing, I made a springy Bundt. St. Louis Orange with Orange-Lemon Syrup.

The making of this cake offered up a beautiful morning as well. In juicing the oranges and lemons for the cake, we juiced extra oranges and Dave made a delightful breakfast of pancakes, sausage and fresh squeezed orange juice.

Is there anything more peaceful and pleasurable than visiting God's house in the country.

My "Tuesday"

What is a "Tuesday".

I was introduced to "Tuesday" by Bobbie.

One day, many years ago, on a day when it seemed like my candle was not only burning from both ends but also ready to blow apart in the middle .....I was on the phone with Bobbie and she said........."you know Marnie, you need to take a "Tuesday". A what? A Tuesday. "O.K., Bobbie, what is a Tuesday?"

When Bobbie was a single parent, working many jobs, blowing up her candles, she was introduced to the "Tuesday". On Tuesday, which happened to be the day of the week, at that time, that worked for her schedule, she would take some time for herself. Recharge her batteries. Maybe go to a movie, take a walk in the park, read a book, go to the beach, something that didn't involve work, kids, or taking care of anyone else. Spending some time with herself. Enjoying herself. Taking care of herself.

Later she found that the day....Tuesday....of the week, didn't always work out.....perhaps it had to be on a Thursday, or a Wednesday, perhaps a Monday, or any other day of the week. It didn't matter what day of the week it was, it was just important to make time, not even an entire day, but make some time........for a "Tuesday". Time to take care of you. Time to spend time with and enjoy YOU.

She was right. I soooo needed a "Tuesday". It was hard. How unusual and foreign to plan to spend time alone, even stranger........to have permission to do it! How odd it is in our society that we have to make excuses if we want to be alone. How we are looked at with a peculiar eye if we tell someone we do not wish to do something with them or as a group because we need some ME time. What is wrong with her? How unsocial!

More of us need to learn to enjoy and cherish our own company. Get to know who we are. What do I like to do. Who am I? Other than a mother, a wife, a business associate.
Who Am I? Learn to enjoy ourselves.......by ourselves.

We also need to learn not to make excuses for "such behavior". It is perfectly acceptable to go "hang out" with a group of friends in mindless entertainment such as watching a football game on a big screen in a crowded sports bar, or sitting in a room full of people watching the television hanging on the wall............with no interaction. Why is it unacceptable to go to a park alone, enjoying the outdoors, reading a book, enjoying a beverage. Why is it unacceptable to pack yourself a picnic lunch and go "exploring" down a state park trail; opening your mind and thoughts up to new experiences. Why is it so difficult to simply say "I want to spend the day alone, by myself", without someone being offended or taking it the "wrong" way.

Why is it so many people find it uncomfortable or don't like to be alone? If they don't like spending time with themselves..........what makes them think anyone else does either?

A "Tuesday" doesn't have to be the entire day. It can just be a couple of hours. Which, because of my hectic schedule, is typically what they are. But, even with the limited time, what good it does for my soul. A little "down" time is truly a wonderful thing! Sometimes it is amazing what I come up with!

This week my "Tuesday" was on Tuesday.

I had an appointment in Stillwater and made plans afterwards to take a couple hours for my "Tuesday".

I drove down some random country roads and walked along some trails next to frozen fields and ice covered rivers. I was alone. I felt so far from the world, and it was happy.

I had brought my camera along and snapped some random shots.

Walk with me:







Take time for yourself. Take a "Tuesday"!

Saturday Simple Pleasures

Sorry this isn't being posted until Sunday. I was too busy enjoying all my simple pleasures yesterday! :)

Simple. Little things that brought a smile to face and pleasure to my day today:

Perfect way to start the day.....baking one of my (and Justin's) favorites; my chocolate mayonnaise Bundt cake with homemade chocolate butter cream frosting with chocolate shavings.
(I am also a proud member of the Bundt Cake Club!)

Which brings me to another pleasure of the day: My Aunt Audrey and Step-Mother Bonnie sending me all the below links for Crock-Pot recipes (remember my Crock-Pot Club Membership)

CLICK ON ANY ONE OF THEM!

Crock Pot - Beef All Day Crock Pot Beef Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry Beef and Pasta Casserole Beef Diablo Beef Fajitas Beef Ragout Over Rice Beef Tips Beer Braised Beef in Crock Pot Burritos Crock Pot Style California Tamale Pie Cattleman's Beef and Beans Cheeseburger Sandwiches Cheesy Meat Loaf Chili Beer Brisket of Beef Classic Swiss Steak Complete Crock Pot Dinner Corned Beef and Cabbage Country Swiss Steak Cowboy Casserole Cranberry Pork Roast Crock Pot Beef Burgundy Crock Pot Beef 'n Peppers Crock Pot Beef with Mushrooms Crock Pot Beef Roast Crock Pot Cabbage Rolls Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage Crock Pot Creole Steak Strips Crock Pot Delight Crock Pot Easy Swiss Steak Crock Pot Enchiladas Crock Pot Fajitas Crock Pot Fajitas II Crock Pot Italian Beef Crock Pot Meatballs Crock Pot Rump Roast Crock Pot Sauerbraten Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce Crock Pot Swiss Steak Crock Pot Taco Casserole Fiesta Tamale Pie Glazed Corned Beef Glazed Corned Beef #2 Harvest Dinner Harvest Pot Roast with Tomato-Wine Sauce Hot-and-Spicy Sloppy Joes Lean Crock Pot Beans Nina's Beef and Beans Pot Roast Dinner Old Time Beef Stew Pot Roast with Noodles Ranch Style Beef Reuben Casserole Roast Cooked with Coke Roast with Veggies Sage Pot Roast Salsa Swiss Steak Savory Pepper Steak Savory Stewed Beef Slow-Cooked Beef Stifado Slow Cooked Pepper Steak Slow Cooked Steak Rolls Slow Cooked Swiss Steak Supper Slow Cooker Italian Spaghetti Sauce Slow Cooker Lasagna Slow Cooker Swiss Steak Slowly Deviled Beef Smothered Steak Strips Spaghetti Sauce Italiano Spicy Wine Pot Roast Stuffed Cabbage Casserole Stuffed Pasta Shells Swiss Bliss Swiss Steak Teriyaki Steak Three Pepper Steak Three-Way Beef Yankee Pot Roast and Vegetables Crock Pot - Pork Casserole in the Cooker Chicken Lickin Good Crock Pot Pork Chops Chinese Style Country Ribs Country Pork with Mushrooms Cranberry Pork Roast Crockpot Apricot Pulled Pork for Sandwiches Crock Pot Festival Sausage Crock Pot Hawaiian Pork Crock Pot Pork Chops Supreme Crock Pot Sausage & Potatoes Crock Pot Sausage and Egg Casserole Crocked Cherry Pork Chops Polish Kraut and Apples Pork Chop Delight Pork Chops and Mustard Sauce Potatoes Pork Chops with Corn Stuffing Pork Stew with Vegetables Rosemary Potato Pork Chops Sauerkraut Supper Slow Cooking Pork Chops Soy-Glazed Spareribs Super Easy Pork Chops Sweet and Spicy Kielbasa or Polish Sausage Sweet 'n' Sour Ribs Sweet 'N' Sour Sausage Crock Pot - Poultry 90s Style Crockpot Coq Au Vin Bacon Wrapped Chicken Baked Cajun Chicken Baked Chicken Breasts in Crock Pot Basil Chicken Broccoli Rice & Chicken Caf? Chicken Cantonese Sweet & Sour Chicken Caribbean Chicken Cheesy Crock Pot Chicken Chicken & Cherries Jubilee Chicken a la King Chicken and Cherries Jubilee C/P Chicken & Rice Casserole Chicken and Artichoke Casserole Chicken and Dumplings Chicken Breasts Supreme Chicken Creole Chicken Crock Pie Chicken Curry

Cupcake tasting for an upcoming wedding (08/01/09): Chocolate with Chocolate Ganache frosting, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, red velvet with cream cheese or butter cream frosting; any combination of those and variety of fillings.

Groom-to-be who knows what he wants out of a cupcake.

The heavenly aroma and tantalizing sights of fresh oven baked breads and savory pastries of my favorite bakery.

Complimentary goodies from the owner of the bakery who is a vendor of mine. Fresh baked Parmesan Onion and Cobb with rye and flax breads and delectable chocolate cream cheese brownies.

The exit ramp to go to New Richmond after I forgot to get gas in Stillwater and my car's gas tank was sooooooo on empty and screaming at me by this point!

Gifts from Hawaii. For those of you that drink coffee. Stop on by.....I got some great stuff now!

Thanks Bill!

Getting Gregory a new hat to put his two pins in from his two pins!

Is there anything better than a small town house of God?

God is SO good!