Snapshot Saturday
FOUR things for this Snapshot Saturday:
1) Sometimes it amazes me that anyone even looks at my piddly little recipe blog. Especially when I realize I’m sitting in the middle of Northern Minnesota and the majority of you are not (wish you were, though!). Thank you. From the bottom of my recipe-loving heart, thank you for visiting, commenting, trying recipes and generally just making this an awesome place for me to be in a virtual way. I really truly love all of your guts. A lot.
2) Cam woke up from her nap the other day attempting her best Who from Whoville impersonation. Not too shabby, Cam, not too shabby. I think she makes a pretty darn cute little Who, upturned nose and all.
3) Thanks to the book recommendations, my 1st grader (aptly named Walker) won’t even put his book down for a Sunday afternoon family walk. Reading and walking (on a curb, no less). Pretty impressive. Except that this photo was taken about 1.3 seconds before he biffed it. Hard. After the tears subsided, all he cared to know was what page he was on since the book closed during the epic fall and the walking and reading resumed right on cue. Love this little dude.
4) For those that have followed along on our moving journey, here’s a quick and dirty update. We spent the first 8 days in a hotel and have spent the last two weeks chillin’ at a temporary home of some very gracious people here in our new town while they are relocating to the Minneapolis area. Hotel stay #2 is looming as we start back up again there tomorrow (sob!). We’ll spend our time continuing to search and search for somewhere to live and in the meantime, we’ll make due with unlimited swimming and lots and lots of legos to get us through the 4-week hotel stint. And did I mention that winter comes e.a.r.l.y. here in Northern Minnesota? Someone (read: me) didn’t plan so well. I had no idea we would still be homeless and so I only packed weather-appropriate-at-the-time clothes for my boys. Now I’m regretting that and wondering how badly it will scar my boys’ lives and my new reputation here to continue to send them to school in summery duds instead of biting the bullet and buying winter gear (my cheapskate side is having a hard time with this ethical dilemma since we have all that winter gear already, it’s just sitting on a moving truck somewhere!). Anyway, not your problem. Mine, all mine. I’ll try to get over my immaturity about the blasted cold weather and figure something out.
In the meantime, I hope you each have a great weekend!
If you’d like to check out past Snapshot Saturdays, click HERE.
haha. typed in the wrong url for our blog. duh.
This might be a little weird or maybe not since you have followers everywhere. Can’t really remember how I stumbled upon your website (maybe pinterest??), but I’ve been getting updates of new recipes and posts for maybe a month and am just really falling in love with your blog. It’s a slow day at work here so I’ve been perusing through other recipes and dreaming of days when I’ll have more time to make ALL OF THEM! Also I’ve been really enjoying your snapshot Saturday posts and think you seem like a really really cool person. Very funny too. I’m very entertained by all the stuff you write. My husband and I moved to Williston, ND a year ago from Salt Lake so I understand all your winter/small town struggles! Anyway – seemed like you mentioned a few times how you like the feedback and I thought it would be nice to send some, because I think all your recipes look awesome and the ones I’ve tried have been fantastic and I think this blog might change my cooking life as a somewhat newly married person to someone who doesn’t share my same tastes and styles of cooking. Yup. That’s it. Thanks for all your efforts to make this happen!
-carissa
Mel & Sarah,
Just wait….it gets even colder…..
When I was in school at UMD, we had days of school canceled because it was so cold, cars wouldn’t start. That’s right, you heard me…would not start because of the cold. In Tower, MN they had a newscaster go outside with a boiling mug of hot coffee, throw it into the air and it was frozen before the drops hit the ground!! Be ready and buy a parka.
Oh man! Since I’m in northern Minnesota, too, and I know what the weather was like yesterday (10/5), I GOTTA KNOW…what did you do for cold-weather attire?! We’re in the midst of packing to move from our house as well, however, on an easier transition than you. I just had to rummage between the stacks and stacks of boxes in the garage to find the jackpot.
So between the experience of moving with children, unexpected changes and the cheap, er, frugal side of me, I get your dilemma and would have a hard time going out to buy something just to get you through. You left me on a cliff-hanger with this one though. I know, I’m a desperate housewife and easily amused. 🙂
And, if you dare to share, what ‘part’ of northern MN did you locate to? I’ll just say we’re close to the great Headwaters of the Mighty Mississippi if that’s anywhere near you.
Isn’t it crazy that we were in shorts and t-shirts only 5 days before?!
I’m sorry, have I never noticed before that this child of yours is a RED HEAD! Where did that come from? And why do I have friends all around me having adorable red heads when I have a red-headed mother and probably should have had a red head. Hmpf! She is adorable and your Walker reminds me of my Olivia who only takes her nose out of her book for swim team and gymnastics. I applaud you for dealing with all of the craziness of being homeless and keeping up your blog and your sanity. Truly amazing. You are the woman. 🙂 Love ya!
Mel! I still frequently check your recipes cuz I still think you are awesome and I love you to death but I rarely make the time to comment and I’m sorry. *hangs head in shame*
I had no idea you were moving!! Sounds like pure craziness!! I really hope you get settled in very quickly and that you love Northern Minnesota! It’s very beautiful and I drive through there a lot when I go “home” for visits!!
Best of luck to you! XOXOXOXOXO
Your food blog is one of my favorites. Good luck with the looming cold weather. I’m a west coast girl born and bred, now living at what is considered the top of southern California.
Hi Mel!
First off, your little “Who f/Whooville” is the cutest! I am f/the Twin Cities area and live in Osceola, WI now. I commented once about our town having the 1st Rhubarb Fest in WI. I am so curious to know what town up north you’ll be in….my Husband and I are heading back up to Grand Marais, MN to look again at some property we’d like to buy and would be moving there in about 5 years. We always go there for all our vacations and visit friends, also to pick wild cranberries in the fall! Winters along Lake Superior are much milder than in inland MN and the summers are the best! Would love to meet you if you are in the Grand Marais area?! They have the best food coop! Good luck and take care!
Shannon
Mel! Couple of ideas regarding the cold-weather clothing…
First and foremost, if you aren’t already signed up for the local freecycle in your new town, do so, and then explain your dilemma. I’m willing to bet you will get several bags of very nice clothing for free, perhaps more than enough to clothe your littles.
Second, try contacting the local Salvation Army. They will give vouchers out to people who are temporarily homeless for free clothing at their thrift store. Goodwill has a similar program as does St. Vincent de Paul.
Lastly, try contacting a local church or two. Many churches have a small store of clothes for donations and emergencies, and this would qualify.
Good luck!
These photos made my night! What adorable kiddos you have!
my bunny had that same outfit and is also a who! <3
ah…one more thing: regrettably we don’t live in Minnesota any longer–we live in Canada and I was on the website as I am going to make oatmeal pancakes for my seminary class on Friday morning.
Mel-I just wanted to talk to you after I read snapshot Saturday. (Your children are darling by the way). In September 2004 we (my husband and my two youngest children) were in the process of moving from Indiana to Minnesota. Our home had not sold, but I was so sure it would, that I took 4 plates, 4 bowl and 4 cups from the cupboard plus some clothes and started the drive to Minnesota (the kids were already there as they were both trying out for the school soccer teams). I remember getting gas in northern Wisconsin thinking to myself that it was a bit chilly. And you know the rest of the story–I had to buy jeans and a jacket just to go cheer at the soccer games! (Our home did not sell for 18 months–it was an adventure, but a very good one. If you move into the Eden Prairie or Waconia area I will happily alert my friends of your celebrity standing–at least you are in our household. I have 4 married daughters and 2 daughter-in-laws and we are all big fans of your recipes.) Thanks and good luck–I couldn’t resist “talking” to you.
I really hope you’re able to find someplace to live SOON! You are a saint!
I wish I was in the Minneapolis area! Nope, we are truly up north (about 10 minutes from the Canadian border).
If you’re in the Minneapolis are – you are not up north my friend – just wait – it gets colder….FAST.
If you are looking in the metro area – give me a jingle. We live in a GREAT neighborhood with awesome families and lots of kids, in a good public school district and a Catholic school right across the street. We have a few houses for sale here – a few foreclosers and would LOVE to have new awesome neighbors, such as yourself…
Mel- My sister lives in the Prior Lake area, and loves it. You should check out that area, plus the ward is really nice. I have really enjoyed your blog. Thank you for making dinner time so much more enjoyable. If you haven’t gone to the Zoo, it is a must! Most of it is in doors. We also like Mall of America They had a toddler time, so the rides aren’t as expensive. So much to do there. Good luck you’ll make it through it! You have a great/cute family
Oh Mel! I am sorry you are stuck in that position! Access your cheapskate side and go visit a Goodwill and get a few things to get you through, its not like you will need an entire winter gear, just a few things to help you out until you get settled! My family had to live in a motel for a while last year and it was the most awful thing I think I have lived through, no where to go and no other options. But come through we did and you will too. I am keeping you in my prayers! Oh and my husband says to thank you for A.) sharing the French Bread Recipe that I made over the weekend and he loved soooooooooo much it is gone!! AND 2.) for the colorful cupcakes recipe that I printed and HE made for my sons class that were a HUGE HIT!! AND my hubby then shared the pic, had his mommy friends begging for the recipe, sent them all here! One of them just made them in pink for her daughters birthday and they were the talk for the day! You are amazing Mel, thank you for being awesome!! Much love always!!
Your little princess has grown up so much! (And she survived a move!) I’m sure she loves all the attention from her admirers at home.
I love these snapshot posts!