One of the reasons I love Brian Simmons...

I have the best son-in-law! He is ever so patient with me. We chatted on-line earlier this morning regarding video cameras and where the closest Curcuit City was. So I take off in my brothers truck determined to find my way. I did fine locating Barnes & Noble. But it started to pour and I got all twisted around. I looked at the map I had borrowed from my sister. I couldn't tell which way was up or down let alone north, south, east or west! It's pouring rain so I can't get my bearings from the sun...(yes, Dad I did listen to that part when learning direction 101 from you), so I pull over and look at the map again. Frustrated, I called Brian. Yes, Brian in Utah who quickly got onto to mapquest and figured out where I was and told me where to go. Yes, I know that many young men often joke about where they'd like to tell their mother-in-law to go... I am so lucky to have such a kind and patient son-in-law who can even give me directions in Minnesota while he is still in Utah. PS I decided Minnesota needs mountains. I can always tell where I am by the mountains in Utah.

Proof of the "critters" in my Parent's Yard

I sat down at my laptop to check my email only to discover a deer had walked into the front yard. She was Beautiful. I knew if I opened the door to get a better picture she would dash away. So I had to take the picture through the window - the screen made it fuzzy. It was with my camera phone too - so not the best. But at least I could grab it and take the picture quickly. It is proof that I'm not just making up the tales of critters in my parent's yard. She enjoyed about five apples that had fallen to the ground from the wind earlier in the day and then walked away when it started to rain or rather POUR. I love this place.

Well, the Minnesota girl in me has come out! I love trees. There is something about being here that feels so comfortable and feeds my souland I know in part it is the terrain. Yesterday, I drove to Belle Plaine to see my older sister, Bonnie. Along the way I rejoiced in all the trees. As you can see, I even snapped a picture from the highway. Those of you closest to me know that I've had the hardest time growing trees in my yard. Clark and I finally got a little maple tree start from a friend a number of years ago. I prayed over that thing and it took off. It is in my front yard and home of my bird feeders. Well, I noticed this spring a little maple tree growing by my front door. A seed took root. I cannot bring myself to just pull it out. It's like when flowers grow in obscure places and you wonder how they can find enough dirt to grow between the cracks in the cement. So my latest challenge...or maybe the challenge for Scott and Brian since they are the ones that usually rescue me...is to see if we can transplant that little seedling that is growing. I know it is just more proof that the older I get...the weird comes streaming out of me!

Nothing like a wonderful Fourth of July hat to make the day complete. This is my niece, Savannah in the lovely hat she made to celebrate the holiday. Our Fourth was spent together at Mom and Dad's. Good food, great company!

Funny Folks

So, many of you know that I like to do word searches. The other day I began working on a page called Funny Folks and I circled the word "Laurel" and started laughing. Yes, Laurel is a Funny Folk! So I have to blog this picture, well, just because! I love that girl and her sense of humor!

The Tradition of Prizes!

So, last weekend Vanessa went to San Diego for Anna Lisa's wedding. I got periodic calls and pictures via my phone as she visited the area, went to the beach and into Mexico. We've always done this "prize" thing...which can I say is wonderful when it starts out a little tradition when your kids are little and you bring home prizes after a trip or something and the tradition spills over into their adulthood. And even after a divorce as Clark and I still give each other prizes...anyway - Vanessa calls me this week and says she stopping by to say hi and that she has prizes from her trip for me. Yes, I am like a little kid. I got excited. It is always fun to see what Vanessa will come up with. When she came in with a killer purse from Mexico (Laurel you'll be jealous!!!) I thought - she did have fun in Mexico! So, she pulls out the mexican vanilla - which is always a treat - especially in chocolate chip cookies! Then a fun, colorful little saucer...with purple in it. And three little rocks, collected from the beach. Oh, how well, my children know me. It wasn't so much the things...it was looking into her face as she gave them to me. It was seeing her joy in giving, knowing that she had thought of me and carefully picked up these things. It was the pausing as she handed me the rocks and I sensed her memories of being on the beach. I often think to myself, oh, please let the memories I have cherished from this life (that don't always come back as quickly now cuz there are so many), please let them all be there when I leave this body - that they all really will be connected to my spirit. Oh, how I treasure the interactions we have in this life. I am a very lucky and blessed mother.

Fried Dill Pickles from Lon's Cooking Shack...

First Julie talked about the potato salad at Lon's Cooking Shack. So, I had to investigate. Then last Sunday Scott was talking about fried dill pickles. I couldn't even image that but today, I was a bit adventurous. I had forgotten my lunch in the fridge and had already planned to go renew my license on my car. So I ventured to Lon's on my way back up University Avenue to work. I realize that I am not very extreme in my adventure of new food - not like that crazy guy that Brian and Julie showed me on cable TV. Yuck - that was disgusting. My children are leading me astray...and I go so willingly. The only thing I could think of though is that I wish I could give some to my Dad to taste. My father is known for his unusual combinations. But, I just don't think they would taste very good if I smuggled some on the plane. So thanks for the tip Scott!