Minnesota Mom

Beware! Nutbar with a camera from the mediocre state of Minnesota

A Minnesota Staycation – Day 3 August 11, 2009

Filed under: Friends, I'm a Foodie!, Leisure, Loved Ones, Minnesota, Restaurant Reviews — minnesotamom @ 4:41 am

Day 3 of our staycation included:

  • Morning at the MN Science Museum.
  • Boca Chica for lunch.  We weren’t terribly impressed with Boca Chica. It hadn’t come recommended by anyone and didn’t have stellar reviews. The three of us split an order of chicken flautas and a pick-two lunch of a beef and bean tostada plus a chicken soft taco. Each plate comes with your choice of Spanish rice (which had peas and carrots in it…strange…) OR black beans OR refried beans. I think it’s the first Mexican place I’ve ever eaten at that didn’t give you both rice and beans. The service was poor. We had to ask for our beverages twice and also had to ask for the free chips and salsa. The flautas were decent—covered in Mexican crema, cilantro and guacamole. The tostada and taco were fine, but nothing above average. I’d give it probably two out of five stars.
  • National Night Out for supper.  This is often the only time of year we get to talk to our neighbors, but unfortunately we couldn’t stay long…
  • Perkins with out-of-town (as in California out-of-town) friends for dessert.
  • A cost of $36.
 

Prayer for a Friend July 1, 2009

Filed under: Christianity, Friends, Mothering — minnesotamom @ 6:29 pm

Hi everyone,

A friend of ours recently emailed with some news, and I would like to ask you all to say a prayer on her behalf.  Since I don’t have permission, I won’t be sharing her name, but she is about as far along as me in pregnancy, and she was just diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome.  They may have to do treatment while she is pregnant, so please pray not only for her full recovery but that the baby will come through any treatment unharmed.

She is currently in the hospital being monitored until they can determine if/when her symptoms have plateaued.

Thank you for your prayers!

 

Things to Do in An Elevator April 25, 2009

Filed under: Bad Guy, Fargo Fridays, Flashback Friday, Friends, How Awkward, Leisure, The Internets — minnesotamom @ 9:16 pm

MckMama posted about riding in elevators today, and since I shared this with her, I figured it was only appropriate that I give you all link to a list similar to the one that some friends and I put to use in our college dorm elevators (Mandi, if you read this, ask T about ordering pizza to the elevator).  Fun times.  Enjoy!

 

Pray for Stellan April 20, 2009

Filed under: Christianity, Friends — minnesotamom @ 8:55 pm

If you aren’t already in the know, this dear one is possibly having surgery this very evening.  Please be on your knees for the MckFamily.

 

Sunday Sunshine 04.05.09 April 5, 2009

Filed under: Christianity, Friends, Photography, Politics, Sunday Sunshine — minnesotamom @ 4:14 am

Get excited for a little Dinner Theatre over at Oh Be Careful.

I’m considering going to this (is that okay, Husband?).  It’s free, and I’ve heard a lot of good things about Dave Ramsey.

Starting the Day with A Positive Outlook – This made me laugh out loud!

A photo of a senior I shot last weekend (for more click here):

034

 

The Letters – Sunday Sunshine 02.22.09 (a little early) February 21, 2009

Filed under: Chores, Christianity, Friends, Husband, Loved Ones — minnesotamom @ 2:53 pm

I’ve been doing a little spring cleaning as of late, and today that included going through a folder of old letters and cards. Those pieces of paper are such treasures to me, and it is hard to part with something when you know the memories of that person and that time will fade with its disappearance.

I held in my hands fragments of the last ten years—encouragement from scripture, tender words of appreciation, daily happenings, birthday and anniversary wishes—blessing upon blessing heaped on my heart. A quick note scratched by a friend from high school on a magazine page reminded me of an inside joke. A fat envelope spilled forth artwork and trinkets of expressed love from a 3rd grader whom I counseled at summer camp. A love note from Husband (pre-marriage) praised my beauty inside and out. Shaky, scrawling letters on lined paper from my grandpa reassured me of God’s love during his battle with cancer. Note after note from my closest and dearest of college friends thanked me for friendship, encouragement and sharpening (Oh the grace of God to have them in my daily life! I wish it could be so again!). All these sang from their pages, “You are blessed! You have been influenced by many and had influence on many!”

Sometimes I talk myself into thinking that my life has no meaning, that God has never used me, that I could die and no one would be worse off. But these letters, these graces, have cheered me. Even if I feel un-useable or rather, un-used, I know that in some small way in someone’s life, I am a part of God’s sovereign plan. Or I wouldn’t be here.

So take heart! If you are feeling low, take your eyes off yourself for the moment and cherish the opportunity to bless someone else with a hand-written letter. It could be that God uses is to cheer them now and then again years down the road.

 

RIP, old friend February 16, 2009

Filed under: Friends, Photography, Writing Takes Up Time — minnesotamom @ 4:07 am

My hairdryer, who has been my (almost) daily companion for 10+ years, bit the proverbial (why do I feel like Eugene Meltzner every time I use that word?) dust last week.

Dryer 1

Old friend, you have been with me through bobs, short and sassy cuts, shoulder-length and chin-length, through the rich, full days of pregnancy hair and the post-partum months when it seemed I would go bald, through blow-drying my entire head upside-down to learning to use a flat brush (my triceps thank you!).  I will miss you, my light-weight, perfect-heat pal.

But…hello, shiny new friend!  I hope you will be given the gift of longevity like your predecessor.  And your blue?  It’s the closest earthly representation I’ve ever seen of my favorite color–not turquoise, not cobalt, but this beautiful in-between that truly kicks hinder.  Photos cannot do you justice.  Also?  Be kind to me.

Dryer 2

 

Some More Blog Bling February 7, 2009

Filed under: Awards, Friends, The Internets — minnesotamom @ 4:23 am

Though if a hairy ear passes for bling, I don’t know if I want to be blinged out…

——–

I have been negligent in mentioning a couple of awards that have (somewhat) recently been given to me.  The first is the “Honest Scrap” Award from Tara.  I am supposed to list 10 honest things about myself. So where’s the line between honest and TMI? We’ll see if I can toe it today.

honest-scrap

1. I got new, kind-of-sassy underwear for Christmas. Husband is happy (see the 1 Cor. 7:5 Challenge button on the side? If you’ve not clicked it before, you should check it out. Your husband will thank you.).

2. I am quite near-sighted. My mother was shocked and appalled when she once accompanied me to the eye doctor and found out that my eyesight was, in fact, even worse than hers.

3. I birthed Anja with no drugs. I also tore a lot. It hurt.

4. I can assemble a banker’s box in about 30 seconds.

5. I came across something even worse than this episode when Anja was about 9 or 10 months old.  Let’s just say it involved apparent “chocolate stains” around the mouth.  She apparently cannot be left unsupervised in her own room for longer than about 20 seconds.

6. I blame my husband almost every time we’re late getting somewhere, even if it wasn’t completely his fault.

7. I like cookies.

8. I have regularly lifted weights since I was about 14.  Due to some rather heavy lifting when I was younger, my arms bulk up quickly if I lift too much.  So I’m stuck lifting small weights for a million reps unless I want to look like a (male) pro wrestler.

9. I have a hard time making and keeping good friends.  I often lament to Husband that I miss college, when the environment made it so easy.  We lived in community.  Moving to the Twin Cities has made it especially hard.  Someone might attend your same church but live 45 minutes from you, which doesn’t make for convenient play dates and get-togethers.

10. I have irrational fears that I don’t want to type out because Satan might read my blog.

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The other award is this hairy ear from Lori:

vangoughsearaward

Here is the story behind the award:

This is the Van Gogh’s Ear Award as created by Roger of Idaho Photo.

This is what he wrote about the Van Gogh’s Ear Award:”Every year I like to make up a award and hand it out to people that make a difference in the blogsphere. I like to make it an award for all to enjoy and pass out if one so wants to, I just ask if your going to give it out to link back to me as the creator of the Van Gogh’s Ear Award.

“Inspiration of the Van Gogh’s Ear Award”:
You may know the story of Vincent Van Gogh a well known artist in history. Although a brilliant painter in his later years went quite insane he received the nickname of fou roux (“the redheaded madman”). The most bazaar of Vincent’s behavior is when he cut off the lower part of his own left ear lobe, which he wrapped in newspaper and gave to a prostitute named Rachel in the local brothel, asking her to “keep this object carefully”. After this he suffered recurrent bouts of mental illness, which led to his suicide July 29, 1890 he was 37 years old. His works of art are priceless. “The point of this award” We are all artist in are own way be it art, photography, writing, philosophy, comedy, blogging and we all go a little crazy sometimes.

Thanks, ladies!  I appreciate them both–and you’re great, too!

 

A Gift December 9, 2008

Filed under: Friends, Holidays, Husband, Leisure, Photography — minnesotamom @ 11:39 pm

Tonight a friend of ours gave us a marvelous Christmas gift–a night of babysitting so we could go catch a movie (Australia, if you’re wondering).  This may seem insignificant to some of you, but note this: It’s been over 3 years since Husband and I saw a movie in a theater together.  God seemed to sense the intimacy needed/wanted for our little date, and He arranged to have the entire theater empty but for us.  Pick of seats!  We only ate half of our gigundous bag of popcorn, but I left a little more appreciative of my family and my easy life.  So thanks, Liz!  We appreciated it SO much!

———————-

Believe

 

Deck the Halls Meme December 1, 2008

Filed under: Friends, Holidays, Leisure, The Internets, Writing Takes Up Time — minnesotamom @ 10:31 am

I got tagged for this fun meme by Whitney at BabyTunnelExodus.

 

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate.  I like all different kinds…peppermint, Mexican, Irish, White, you name it!

Does Santa wrap presents or set them under the tree? No Santa, but I wrap the gifts!

Colored lights on tree or white? White on the big (real) tree, colored on the miniature tree I’ve had since I was a pre-teen

When do you put your decorations up? As soon as I can after Thanksgiving

What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?  Probably stuffing.  It’s the only time of year I have it.  Yum!

Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Decorating the tree together on the day after Thanksgiving and making (and decorating) spritz cookies

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I figured it out when I was about 7 and proceeded to ruin it for my brother.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Sometimes.  Definitely, if we’re spending it with Husband’s family.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? With great anxiety.  Husband absolutely hates putting up a tree, so it’s always full of stress until I get it all finished.  Honey, let’s change that this year, eh?

Snow! Love it or Dread it? I like it for Christmas, but wish it would melt away mid-January.

Can you ice skate? Sort of…

Do you remember your favorite gift? The most memorable is my 10-speed bike I got in elementary school.

What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Keeping Jesus at the center of our thankfulness, our joy, and all the celebrations.  It’s HARD sometimes!

What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Either pecan or pumpkin pie.

What is your favorite tradition? Spending Christmas Day with Dad’s family.

Which do you prefer, Giving or Receiving? Can I say both?

What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night (I’m starting to realize that many of my answers are the same as Whitney’s)…

Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Yum!  I used to get one really huge fat stick one at Ben Franklin and suck on it for months.  I don’t know if I ever finished one completely.

Ever recycled a Christmas present? Yeppers.

Don’t Be A Scrooge! Tag 7 friends to Deck the Halls… Paula, Bren, Erica, Erica, Elizabeth, Hibby and Carrie!