Finally Saw Two Doe

Finally after 10 weeks of waiting and watching I saw a couple deer.  I've seen the tracks and the poop but now I've actually seen the deer.  These photos where taken out of one of the house windows.

Hailey Idaho

This week I'm in Hailey Idaho at our Marketron Corporate offices.  There's plenty of mountains and snow but it seems really warm here.  Today it must of been in the low 40's, which is nice after leaving below zero temps.

Brainerd Jaycee's Fishing Extravaganza

This Saturday was the annual Fishing Extravaganza on Gull Lake.  Makita was out there working and Josh, myself and Cory Hines fished it.

Everyone had to bundle up.  When we arrived on the ice it was -19.  I guess it warmed up but I didn't notice that it did.

Cory digs in to the Southern Comfort.

Cory and I give the thumbs up (although neither of us could feel our thumbs anymore).

Worse part of the whole deal.... I'm having a HUGE episode of penis envy at this point.

Yep.... the beer was freezing fast and hard.

After several of those frozen beers, Josh and I tried to take a picture of ourselves.

Broke out the Raclette Grill

This past Saturday night we broke out the Raclette grill.  Jesse came by to share in the fun.  It's rather hard to find Raclette cheese around these parts.  Got some in St. Cloud though.

We even had a couple of Makita's world famous margaritas.

And if you're admiring my fancy wine glasses, Tonya and Mike got them for me.  Mike hand painted them and Jesse and Mike handmade the wine charms that accompanied them.

Visit to Minneapolis

Last weekend we traveled to Minneapolis seeking out a dinning room set (I know kids...you're disappointed we won't be sitting at a plastic table. with plastic folding chairs...with a table cloth of course).  We stayed at the Marquette Hotel in downtown Minneapolis.

We ate at Solara, a favorite tapas restaraunt down there.  Had some really great food including this tapas pictured here: Shrimp “a la Plancha” in Sherry Sauce with Serrano Ham.

A must at Solera is a pitcher of Sangria.

We can't be downtown Minneapolis without a stop at the Local where for four years running, they’ve poured the largest volume of Jameson Irish Whiskey in the world. Primarly to the fact their signiture drink is the Big Ginger. 

Mike's 28th Birthday

Yesterday was my son Mike's 28th birthday.  We celebrated with Norwegian potato dumplings (at his request), Irish whiskey (always on his list of requests) and a lazy cheapskate 9x13 chocolate cake from a box.  Happy Birthday to You!  Rock on little soldier boy.

Insulating the Garage

Last night Josh and Cory stopped by and insulated the garage ceiling.  They had to talk about it for awhile.  You know... plan things out.

And plan some more......

Nice job building the scuttle hole Dad.  Looks a little scary with that ladder though.  Makita... you're a dork.

Cory hands out his big blue hose.

I, in my slippers and sandals, drag Cory's big blue hose into the garage.

Josh is masked up and ready to go to work (finally).

Cory feeds the hopper.

Before...

During.....

After.... yippy.  All fluffy and warm.  Good job guys!  Thanks a bundle (or 17).

Grandma Alyce's African Violet Loves it's New Place at Irish Acres

In the summer of 2009 my Aunt Karen brought me an African Violet that would have originally came from a plant my Grandma Alyce once had.  Well that plant sure does love it's new perch in the Southeast corner of the house.  It's gone crazy with flowers and more buds.  It's a nice touch to an otherwise Minnesota winter/dormant environment.

Holy Workout Batman

Mike and Jesse brought over their Xbox Kinect last night.  Wow..what a hoot.  It's so cool.  I'm not sure how it works but it's very smart.  The workout is awesome.  We danced, skied and all kinds of other activities.  I was pooped.

Happy New Year

New Years Eve everyone from Fellowship came by (except Moon) and had some snacks and hung out.  Jen, Nick and Marley left before midnight but the rest stayed and we watched the ball drop twice.  Once at midnight EST with Carlson Daily and then again at midnight CST with Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest.  It was painful watching Dick Clark.

The Mighty White Hunter Takes One Out