China Across the US

A couple weekends ago, my Aunt Hedy made the 12 hour drive from Columbus to Minneapolis with her friend, Amira ... to pass down my grandmother's China - how cool.  I am now the proud owner of a gorgeous set of China from the 1940's with enough pieces to serve 12 people, complete with crystal water glasses!  Thanks to my Aunt for the delivery and thanks to my Grandmother for having such good taste.  :) Perfect timing as we're hosting Thanksgiving this year and can christen the dishware in our new home.

My Aunt also bestowed upon me her set of fine silver and gorgeous bright orange Le Creuset pots and pans that she purchased long ago but was never able to use much.  Don't worry - they will get a ton of use in this house as Kyle and I pretend to be chefs in our spare time.  Aunt Hedy and Amira even joined in the fun while we cooked up some new recipes and enjoyed a Mediterranean feast.

Of course the weekend would not be complete without a few beers on Lake Minnetonka, so we spent a wonderful sunny afternoon at Lord Fletchers ...

... and Kyle gave rides on the RAZR side-by-side ... becoming a staple for all of our visitors.  It's like Camp Petersen out here.  Send your kids.  Or not.  :)

Paisley also had a fabulous weekend as Aunt Hedy brought her gifts as well.  True to form, she demolished the first one in about 5 minutes ... here's what is left of her football and her rope before she got to it.  The rope is now in two pieces, but still providing her hours of fun.  Thanks, Aunt Hedy! 

Paisley was so in love with her new friend - I think she must have sensed that Aunt Hedy is a cat person, and she was trying to be super lovey-dovey to change her mind.  Sorry, Paisley, it's not going to work - we've been trying to make her a dog lover for years.

It's always nice to have family visit (and even better when they leave gifts) - so thanks to Aunt Hedy and Amira for a wonderful weekend!  Glad you were able to enjoy a piece of Minnesota summer ... it's what keeps us all living here through the rest of the year. 

A Deere With Headlights

Adding to our fleet ... I am now part owner of a pick-up truck, a Razr side-by-side, and a shiny new John Deere!  What is the world coming to?!  Not exactly what I dreamed of when I was a little girl.

BUT ... I did dream of having an amazingly loving husband - check.  A good job - check.  A cute dog - check.  A nice house - check.  A loving family - check.  Great friends - check.  So, I guess I can't really complain too much.  Welcome to the family, Mr. Deere.  :)

Tour de Minneapolis

Not only was last Saturday one of the hottest and most humid on record in Minneapolis, but it also happened to be the day that we were scheduled to celebrate a friend's birthday ... outside!  You can already hear Kyle getting grouchy, right?!

We joined our good friends, Adam and Danielle, for Adam's birthday celebration on the Pedal Pub in Northeast Minneapolis.  It's a 12-person bike that you can drink beers on while you pedal around town.  It came with an approved DD, a cooler of beers and speakers for some iTunes ... can't complain.

We worked up quite the sweat but got a little breeze going and beat the heat ... well, at least put up a good fight.  Kyle was sweating the most because I think he was pedaling hard enough for the rest of us.  Seriously, I kicked up my feet on occasion because I couldn't even get any resistance on my pedals.  Thanks, honey.

It turned out to be a wonderful night - a very unique way to tour Minneapolis ... some great dive bars to cool off in the AC ... and dinner on a patio along the river to finish out the night.  Here's the whole crew, most of whom we were meeting for the first time that night (the birthday boy is in the center with the light blue polo and his wife is just in front of me.)

 We won't be entering any bike races anytime soon, but I'm sure Lance would have been proud!