Pretty Pantry

Love this pantry! Hope you enjoyed the beautiful day we had today. We are grilling tonight for the first time in 2010...steaks and veggies! We're also starting to pull out the patio furniture-it's a great time of year and especially nice since it's early. The loons have been very vocal in the last week and we enjoy listening to them in the spring. Most of them leave after a few weeks. I've been very busy at school and at home I've been working on some sewing projects-chair covers, curtains and things like that. I'll take photo's when I'm finished. Steaks are almost done-gotta run!

Happy Easter!

Hope you all enjoyed a beautiful Easter weekend. I have pictures of the weekend to post soon. We spent a good part of the weekend in Cyrus. Dan's highlight was attending the Twin's exhibition game and watching their first unofficial win. He had a great time with his HS buddy Brian. Yesterday, Kris left an exciting message on our machine, Teri had a baby boy on Sat afternoon! Congrat's to Teri and Joe and of course Grandpa and Grandma Huemoeller!!! And how could I forget Auntie Tami!!! We can't wait to meet your little guy. We're so happy for all of you!

Speaking of babies, head on over to Farmgirlfare.com to get your fill of farmyard cuties! I think I'd like a little farm.

Sunday

This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago. The lake started to open up about a week ago, right by the point on the distant left. I took another picture this morning and will try to document the lake opening this year. It is early this year and it will be interesting to see if the loons arrive within a week of the ice out as usual.

Mom and I met in Alex yesterday to do some shopping. There were some good $5 deals at Herbergers and I found a couple of tops, one was even a spring top from last year so I can wear it now. Mom bought a new grill at Menards and they plan to use it this Easter weekend. Kind of a cloudy rainy day yesterday and there were plenty of shoppers about. Today is starting with not a cloud in sight so hopefully we'll have sun all day. Don't you love the prospect of reaching 70 this week? Maybe just 60's in our area but I'll take that too.

The 3rd quarter ended on Friday and I have lots of grades to enter in the next few days. Will try to get most done today. Looking forward to two 4 day weeks ahead of us. Spring break is Easter at our school. Have a great day and enjoy all the signs of spring popping up all around!

Skating Weekend

Courtney

Two weekends ago, we had a fun weekend with the Smith family. Courtney and Kelsey were skating at Battle of the Blades in Alexandria on Saturday so it was a great excuse for the Smiths in this area to get together. Jim & Darlene, Heath's and Alexandria Smiths all came over for dinner on Friday night. The girls skated on Sat morning and we relocated to Warren and Ann's for the rest of the day on Saturday. It was the first skating event for many of us-myself included and it was fun to watch the girls skate, especially the freestyle.

Kelsey

Waiting to hear the results!

Go Eagles!!!

Nancy's husband David is the head coach of the Eden Prairie Boys Basketball team. They made it to the state tournament and had their first win today at the Target center. They beat Owatonna by a fairly wide margin. Dan was working in Mpls today, so he was going to attend the game. Haven't talked to him yet. They play again on Thursday. Congrat's on your first state win, David!!! Hope two more will follow!!

First Robin 2010!

There were two males chirping away in my yard this morning. What a great way to start the day. Not too many people around here are reporting them but I heard Jan Nelson saw her first one today too. I miss comparing spring birds with you, Jan!
My head is full of flower gardening plans. I think my color scheme for planters and boxes will be red and shades of pink this year.
Speaking of birds, isn't this a great collage of pictures? I have a gorgeous bird print from Charice hanging in our bathroom but the humidity is making it curl a bit so I will have to find a new spot for it. It looked so pretty against the blue too.

Aren't these little guys darling? Love that teacup too!

Vegas with the Huelles!

We had a wonderful time!!

Wish we lived closer!

The weekend went by too fast. We miss you guys!

Hey, Charice-I threw this picture in just for you and you know why. :)

Viva Las Vegas!

Did you catch the sun today? It made a rare appearance here for most of the day. Since I have no windows, I felt a class walk was in order. We walked out to the nature sanctuary for the first time and I am wondering why we never did this last fall? Too busy and overwhelmed I guess. This spring, we'll take our books up the hill and enjoy the sunshine and migrating birds who will surely fill the marsh with their songs. It was a little muddy today but not too bad. It was a great way to fill 20 minutes and I think it was good for the kid's spirits too. :)
Vegas is coming up soon!!! We're staying at the Encore and the Huelle's will be on the same property at the Wynn. Temp's should be in the 70's with plenty of sunshine. My fake tan has been applied and is terribly horrid looking and sticky at the moment. Hopefully, this is temporary!
Time to watch the Idol results. I was very disappointed to lose my Lilly last week. I'm not voting (yet) so I'm partly to blame I suppose. I thought most of the guys and gals were very good last night-personal favorite was Siobahn.

Spring begins on Saturday, I always know as it's Shari's birthday. What a nice day to have your birthday! Have a good one Shari! And Happy Spring to everyone!!!

Another Gray Rainy Day..

This week reminds me why I hate spring-cold, wet, gray, bad hair days, wind, sloppy roads, water in my basement, messy bird feeders, YUK!!!

On a brighter note, I am going to try something new next week-spray tanning in a salon so I don't have to be pasty white in Vegas. I made the appointment tonight. Much faster/safer results than a tanning bed but of course it won't last as long. I like instant gratification.

AI Boys

Well, I have to eat my words, the boys on American Idol were very good tonight!

Idol Girls

These are my favorites, not in order or Crystal would be at the top. The guys are not so great this year. I do think that Ellen is doing a very nice job and gives good feedback considering she doesn't have a big musical background. She's a lot kinder than I expected her to be but still funny.

Lily

Siobhan

Didi

Lacey

Crystal

Hanging in there!

For those of you who have been worrying about me, I am feeling much better and will be going to school tomorrow. Just laid low today, took a nice long nap, made dinner and am watching the Oscars now even though I earlier said I wasn't really that interested. Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin are quite the funny pair. Remember when I told you I saw two movies this year? Well, I forgot about Julie and Julia so that makes 3!!

No, we didn't get another cat, this image is from Farmgirlfare.com which is just a wonderful blog. Lots of great rural pictures and recipes. It's on my side bar if you want to check it out. Have a great week!!

Sunday

Good morning! Thought I would re-use a favorite photo before we're out of winter. It's so peaceful and captures the spirit of the fox.

Besides getting my hair cut and highlighted on Friday after school, I've spent most of the weekend trying to get rid of the nasty cold I managed to pick up last week. Dan is adamant that I take Monday off, we'll see, that would involve planning for a sub and running to school today.

I did some rearranging of furniture in the living room and tried the French baguettes again-much better. It looked like a loaf of bread instead of a breadstick! Thanks for some of your tips. I put water in the stove while the bread was rising and that seemed to help, and also oiled the top of the bread so that the cloth would not stick. Also spent some time going through recipes that I have collected here and there and put them into an old vintage photo album.

Anyone excited about the Oscars tonight? I'm not although I did see Up and Avatar. I really wanted to see Up in the Air but will have to wait now. I hope Up does well, it was a wonderful movie. Have a great day! ~Laurie

Spring Fever?

Do you have it yet?

I'm getting there...

Students are starting to get on each others nerves more thus getting on my nerves more! Thoughts of spring and eventually summer fill me with hope & cheer! Some schools are on spring break about now and there is a reason-we're tired out- we all need a break. Sadly, we don't have a spring break. Dan and I do have a mini vacation planned in the near future to Las Vegas, so that is a very cheering thought as well.
The days are getting longer, pheasants all over the place, skunks out and about, ice has melted from our sidewalk, gravel roads are getting slushy, chickadees are calling their spring call, cats are shedding big-time, fish houses are off the lake, Easter items for sale in stores-yes, spring is on its way!

Hang in there!

(I will too.)

Can You Spot the Creeper??

He spends most of his time on the trees and he blends in well. He's not that easy to see, so I zoomed in on him for you. Keep looking....

I really like how I captured the creeper and the chickadee in this shot. At first I thought it was just a picture of a chickadee until I zoomed in. They are similar sizes, the chickadee is just puffed out a bit.