thanksgiving

love.

morning ride

My commute this morning was awesome.  I spent some time this weekend adjusting my winter ride.  I got some new handle bars and new (locally made) clip-type things for my pedals.  Both are a big improvement from where my bike was at.
  The weather was really nice-a balmy (and I mean balmy) 40 degrees and the sun was rising just as I crossed the river, so I had to pull over and get a photo.  It was one of those "damn, I love Minnesota" moments.  Don't get me wrong, I love Wisconsin, too.  But lately I have been really happy with the state I live in. 

Ive been writing a paper for a class I am taking (Sociology) about the bicycling culture in Minneapolis.  Doing the research, and hearing others talk about their love and passion for this town, well it really made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

So, while we haven't reached the crazy snow, and freezing cold wind (as seen below)  I am loving this Minnesota Winter so far (ha....it isn't even December yet......)



This is my "I beat you Winter!" face.

Happy Monday, Friends.  Take 5 minutes today to think about why you love this place (or whatever place you do live in.)

Gobble Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  I am hoping you all have some fun things planned for your long weekend.  I *love* thanksgiving (not my FAVORITE, but in the top 5 holidays) mainly because it gives us a few extra days off each year. 

Last Thanksgiving A, the pugs and I drove to DETROIT to see Mandy's Dad and best friend, JK.  This year we decided that we do not want to travel.  We just want to do out own Thanksgiving and start our own traditions.  I love this idea.  So we plan on going to a movie tomorrow, and then we will probably head home, start cooking and maybe even get out some Christmas decorations (because that's how A rolls... :)  )

This year, A is in charge of the potatoes, and the dessert.  She is making cheesy mashed potatoes, and we bought a pumpkin pie (i personally don't care for the pumpkin pie too much.  I am more of a pecan pie kinda girl. straight up, that is my FAVORITE!)

I am in charge of turkey (we are not making a whole bird, because it is just 2 of us, and A doesn't really eat much meat anyways.)

I also am doing stuffing.  A asked for cornbread stuffing, so that is what we are going to do.  If the recipe I got works out well, Ill post it up here.  In fact if ANY of our recipes work, Ill post them!

We couldn't decide which veggies to make, and because I like veggies a lot, we are making green beans, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.

So that is our potential menu.  I think it will go pretty well (or I hope it will....A and I have pretty reasonable expectations for one another.)

And in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for many things.

                                                           I'm thankful for Love

                                                       And old(*best!*) friends

                                                            and beautiful scenery

and bestie-hipster-gay boys (again, best friends)

I'm thankful for having a friend that will always meet me at the rail station

And other friends that will always shoot Whiskey with me (and give me love when I'm in the Chi, of course!)

I'm thankful to have a brother

and a mother (and father and step mother too....just couldn't find a picture of them )  And really Family in general.

I'm thankful for bicycles.

And drum sets

Most importantly, I am Thankful for our little family.  We may be 50% pug, 50% lesbian, but I think that is just perfect. 

Happy Thanks, friends.  If you are in the Minne this weekend, holler at me!

Let the Wild Rumpus Begin

After posting a quote from one of my favorite kids books yesterday (gray day, everything's gray, I watch but nothing moves today)I had a handful of my friends recognize it.  Well, mainly a lot of people who have in the past, or currently do work with me at Fraser.  Oh yeah, and a handful of friends who have kiddos of their own.  Anyhow, it got me to thinking about my favorite kids books.  Below is a list of some of my favorites.  There are some I am missing, because they are abstract/unpopular and I can not for the life of me remember the names (2 of which were books that my Grandma's used to read to me.  One is about a porcupine teacher and her classroom and I think there is something about a substitute. The other, a story about a pony that thinks it is old enough to go out on its own and its Mamasays no, but in the night he sneaks out, falls through the frozen lake and LUCKILY, the Mama knows he snuck out and is able to get to the lake in time to save him.  That one is REAL old and lived at my Grandma Shirley's house.)

 I very much love me some Berenstain bears.  I think I own all of the collection.  My FAVORITE was the spooky old tree.  My Aunt Chris had it at her house and whenever my brother and cousins would go to do cool stuff and I was left to occupy myself, besides digging thru all of their drawers, I'd go into my cousin Rob's room and read the book while listening to a narrator read along on a cassette tape that went with it. (if you havent seen it yet, ask me about my spooky old tree tattoo....it's Rad)

 Another favorite....imagine why

 This is what I constantly felt like as a kid, minus all the pink and bows.  I wanted more than anything to hang out with my brother and his friends, however they were 5 years older than me and not too interested (much like the above pictures.)

 Classic.  I can imagine my mother reading this.  I think it was one that was often pulled out in my house (anyone can have a bad day, and for real, it happens, but don't let it upset you too much.  Or move to Australia with Alexander)

 I have no idea why I loved this book as a kid.  I just vividly remember the cover, and pulling it off my book shelf a lot.

 Who Hoots was added to my collection about 5 1/2 years ago when I started at Fraser.  It is SO good!  it is funny, and you get to make animal noises.  PLUS, it holds a special place in my heart that reminds me of some of the kiddos who have graduated in the last 5 1/2 years.  And my work buddy, Sara.  QUACK!!!

 This book is wonderful.  And the first gift I ever gave to Amanda. 

 Chicken Soup with Rice is amazing.  Another one of the top 3.  it goes thru each month and talks about why it would be good to have Chicken Soup with Rice throughout the year.  and OF COURSE it is a good idea to have Chicken Soup with Rice throughout the year.  go look into this book.  you won't regret it! plus it is Maurice Sendak.

 No need to discuss why this book trumps MANY other children's books.  I personally loved the movie, as well.  I think people who didn't appreciate it, didn't get it.  AND, I was Max for Halloween last year.

 This book is tops.  I love reading it to kids.  You can get SO ANIMATED and they think it is HILARIOUS!  I used to love reading this to Zach before he got too old to think I was funny when I talked like (loveable, friendly, old) Grover.  Also, this is one of the books that I can straight up hear my Grandmother's voice in my head when I read the words.  I can imagine my 4 year old self in the big canopy bed while she read to me to fall asleep.  One of my favorite memories of my Grandma Shirley. 

 "please do not turn the page......pleeaaasse, pleaaaase, PLEEEEAAAAAASSSSEEEEE!"

 I like all of the critter books.  they teach good things and I like looking for the little "critters"(spider, grasshopper, etc. on each page)  I recall being in Sutton's Bay with my whole family and my Grandma Lorraine reading this to me and us laughing about getting how the little critter makes a mess out of everything ALL THE TIME!

And of course, the ultimate classic.  Growing up, my Mom (who is a kindergarten teacher) would make note of Dr Seuss birthday by making us green eggs and ham.  She still does it to this day for her class.  now THAT is a cool mom. 

Do any of you have a favorite kids book that I didn't mention (I am sure you do!)  Please send them my way.  I could list off about 30 other kids books that I really like, but these are my tip-topity favorites!

WEEKEND!!!

Hey people.  Just some photos from my fun filled weekend.  Recording drums tracks for an EP, riding my bike in the snow.  Going out to both Fat Lorenzo's AND Victor's with family, and finally meeting my new favorite golden, Tavish!
ENJOY!