used a new app to "document" the day :)

Tina's "30th" Birthday

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Twin Cities Metro Area
Sun 27 Feb

Coffee. Church. Lunch. Presents. Tio Santiago Bakery. Rosedale Mall: Forever 21, Apple Store, See's Candy, Gap. Kohl's. Staples. Barnes & Noble. Blue Door Pub. Cake.

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The Birthday Itinerary

Sunday, February 27, 2011

The day in pics.

	Tony even found the sign.		Church & coffee with the boys.
	Arrived home to lunch & this thanks to Tony.		happy happy
	Tio Santiago Bakery		The Apple Store at Rosedale Mall.
	Blue Door Pub. Waited 30+ minutes for a table. Jiffy Burgers!		Arrived home to find this gift from Stacey.
	Cake.

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Sent from my iPhone by My Vacation app (http://www.myvacationapp.com/)

straight out of the camera [sunday]

You might recognize the following from THIS POST.

If you look closely, you'll notice that this lovely coaster was made from the same tile used in my FIL's New Mexico home. Tony and I stumbled upon a box of extra tiles while packing up the place and thought they would make wonderful gifts for his siblings. (Tony added felt dots to the back to make them tabletop-safe.)

I really wanted to tone down the lighting a bit in this image. But resisted the urge. It was posted straight out of the camera.

Gingersnap Berry-Apple Crisp

My house smells like this today :))

Gingersnap Berry-Apple Crisp

Topping

3/4 cup quick-cooking oats

3/4 cup crushed gingershap cookies

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, cut into small pieces

Fruit Mixture

1 cup frozen unsweetened blueberries

1 cup frozen unsweetened blackberries

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 can (21 oz.) apple pie filling

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 12x8-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix all topping ingredients except butter. With pastry blender or fork, cut in butter until crumbly.

In large bowl, mix all fruit mixture ingredients; pour into baking dish. Sprinkle topping evenly over fruit.

Bake 35-40 minutes or until fruit mixture is bubbly and topping is golden brown. If necessary, cover with foil during last 15-20 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning. Best served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Makes 6 servings (1/2 cup each).

Weekly Challenge #8 - Favorite Day of the Week

Here's the digital backdrop for this week's scrapbooking challenge:

The theme for this week's challenge is your favorite day of the week. When you journal, take time to reflect on why it's your favorite day... is there anything in particular that sets it apart from the rest of the week?

As with the other hybrid pages, I'll share the completed page in a future B&A post. (You will be able to view all of the "before" and "after" pages by click on the tab entitled "Hybrid Scrapbooking" on the left-hand side of the page.)

5 Fun Things Friday

1. Love retro styling, especially in swimsuits.

Love THIS ONE from Victoria's Secret. And this one from Juicy Couture that is sadly, sadly unavailable:

2. The annual Junk Bonanza that takes place in our backyard.

A 3-day event at Canterbury Park. Click HERE for details. (I am SO going this year.)

3. My friend Lynn stopped by the other day with special treats.

I have NO IDEA what these candy/cookie-like treats are called but they were wonderful dipped in hot coffee. We also sampled some heart-shapped chocolate cherry brownie bites that were perfect on their own. While I have had the opportunity to stop by Emily's Bakery & Deli myself, I will be soon!!

4. I realize it's a little late in the season for this one but these knee highs have been my winter staple.

Seriously, THE BEST for wearing with boots. They stay on and up. And they are only $2/pair and available in a ton of patterns and colors at Target.

5. Burlap bags. Like this bohemian messenger bag. And this darling bag with ruffles (actually, I love this one from the same Etsy seller a teeny bit more). Speaking of ruffles... and that very same seller... I chose this one as a birthday gift to myself:

Can't wait to see it in person :)

Happy Friday!!!

the four of us :: february 2011

So here we are again :)

* one family photo * MY family * each month * for an entire year *

The month has simply flown by. Ren had strep throat for the first time since his tonsillectomy a couple of years ago. Our fourth level flooded after a major sump pump FAIL. Tony surprised me with a box of Cabela's fudge and it wasn't even Valentine's Day! Started up with photography sessions again this month. Meeting after meeting after meeting. Our first Faithbooking Crop in ages. A Pippy playdate. Lots of special munchkin moments. Filed my sales tax. Went to Mickey's Dining Car AND Red Lobster - both special treats for the kids. Girl Scout Cookies. The best sermon ever at church. So good in fact, I'm going to post it here:

I hope you're blessed by this message of love as much as I was.

The month still isn't over. The kids have another day off of school (and another sleepover), we're getting both a new AND back-up sump pump installed on Tuesday, and my birthday is next weekend. Our family began the tradition sometime back of letting the birthday person plan their own special family day... and family members can't complain. Which means if I want to spend an hour browsing in Archiver's and stop at Chipotle for lunch, there can be NO COMPLAINTS. They don't have to like it, but there can be NO COMPLAINTS.

I'll let you know how it goes.

straight out of the camera [sunday]

A shot from earlier in the week. Along with the recipe :)

Chicken Enchiladas

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2-1/2 cups chicken broth

1 teaspoon dried coriander

1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, divided

2 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 cup (4 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese

8 flour tortillas (7-8 inches)

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

For sauce, melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in coriander and half the chilies. In a bowl, combine the chicken, Monterey Jack cheese, and remaining chilies.

Spoon 1/3 cup chicken mixture onto each tortilla; roll up. Place seam side down in an ungreased 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour sauce over enchiladas. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake, uncovered at 375 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Makes 4 servings.

It was very easy to make and absolutely DELICIOUS, especially when served with a heaping glop of Wholly Salsa!

Weekly Challenge #7 - Love/Hate Relationship

Here's the digital backdrop for this week's scrapbooking challenge:

For those of you using the weekly challenges given in the 2011 Memory Logbook, you'll notice I branched out on my own both this week and last. My mind was on other things and I decided to take advantage of the self-inspired ideas. I'm not quite sure what I'll do for added embellishments, but that's the joy of a hybrid page... I don't have to worry about that part right now! The theme for this week's challenge is a love/hate relationship in your life. Could be a person. Could be a thing. Focus in on that relationship and journal your feelings.

As with the other hybrid pages, I'll share the completed page in a future B&A post. (You will be able to view all of the "before" and "after" pages by click on the tab entitled "Hybrid Scrapbooking" on the left-hand side of the page.)

If you have any questions, let me know!

it was magical | Minnesota Family Portrait Session

The only way to describe this family session that took place last fall (yep, still catching up on session blogging). The family has a beautiful home (all of these shots were taken on their property); my favorites follow:

╰⊰⊹✿ ✿⊹⊱╮

See what I mean? MAGICAL.

5 Fun Things Friday

1. For those who've struggled with food, this book by Lysa TerKeurst might be life-changing for you.

It's called Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deep Desire with God, Not Food and you will find it by clicking HERE.

2. Be sure to tuck this one away for next year... I {heart} You! Vanilla Cupcakes w/Strawberry Laffy Taffy Icing.

You'll find the recipe by clicking HERE.

3. This book by Laurie Kanyer. While technically it can't be described as "fun" it grabbed me nonetheless:

25 Things to Do When Grandpa Passes Away, Mom and Dad Get Divorced, or the Dog Dies: Activities to Help Children Suffering Loss or Change - click HERE for details.

4. Can't wait to check out this book (to be released this summer).

Backroads & Byways of Minnesota: Drives, Day Trips & Weekend Excursions is the title and it is available for pre-order HERE.

5. I SOOOOO love this Etsy seller (BeachHouseLiving). Especially the hand-stamped vintage flatware:

This spoon is a favorite (click HERE for details). As is this sugar, cream, milk set (HERE) and the herb markers (HERE and HERE) and the wedding reception table markers (HERE) which would be ADORABLE in a centerpiece.

Happy Friday!!