The Great Minnesota Get Together...

So my hubbie surprised me yesterday by announcing that he wanted to go to the State Fair with me (he's not big on crowds...so we usually only go every other year or so). I actually had my doubts as to whether I'd have fun being that it would be the first state fair without children, but I went anyway. It was great!!!!! Now my time with the kids was special, don't get me wrong....but being an empty-nester....well it rocks! Does that sound bad? Does it sound selfish? Nahhh. To be honest, I spent the majority of my adult life devoted to bringing up the best child I could...spent all my time with him, or thinking up things to do with him or for him. And I don't regret a single moment...it was a priviledge to bring up such a special young man. I'll always be his mommy...even through college and throughout his life. But this new freedom feels wonderful and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.


Back to the fair. We drove to Energy Park and took the bus into the fairgrounds. The bus driver was a maniac...and I still don't know how we escaped running over that kid...but we eventually made it there. Lots of walking, lots of food, and an awesome fireworks display! Here's my menu:


Pronto Pup (6" flour battered, deep fried hot dog served on a stick)


Diet coke


Big Fat Bacon (1/3 lb slice of bacon fried and carmelized with maple syrup, served on a stick with dipping sauces)


Corn on the cob (sweet corn on-the-cob roasted in the husk)


Kettle Corn


Cashew nut roll (nut rolls made on site-peanut, pecan, cashew-which may be dipped in chocolate and served on-a-stick)


Funnel cake


Cookies (Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar-4 dozen/tub)


Beer

Wine (from local wineries including Plum, Rasberry, and Rhubarb)

*Note...much of this I shared with hubbie...lol*

A view of the fireworks....


















Let's talk some more later...need some Maalox :)

A Perfect Evening

I really have to say that last night was probably the most perfect night ever. We didn't go to a club or a show or some gourmet restaurant. My husband and I stayed home, sat out on the deck, and talked. Good wine, beautiful weather, the gorgeous lights on the deck...everything was lovely. We need to do that more often :)

Work

This is sorta boring, but I felt the need to post something positive about the organization I work for...West Side Community Health Services. Here is Maritza, our chief administrative officer, talking about our mission. Yeah, kind of boring, but may be interesting to some...