Describe your bedroom as a child-

I remember specifically all of my bedrooms in the 3 homes that we lived in.  When we lived in Cedar Falls, this would have been before 1978 because that is when we moved to Minnesota, I had a lime green room with big white daisy wallpaper.. that is all I remember of that room but I LOVED the wallpaper.  The second room I remember was in our house on 13th Avenue in Plymouth.  We moved up there in February of 1978 and there was a huge snowstorm when we moved.  I had the corner room right next to Mom and Dads.  I honestly don't remember the wall color but I remember that I had 3 big shelves in the corner where I could keep all of my nick knacks... and I LOVED nick knacks.  I had my desk right below it and would listen to music there.  Because I was in the corner room I had windows on 2 walls.  The south windows looked out to the front yard and the east windows looked down onto the driveway.  I could see my best friends house right next door... Deb Wysocki (Smith now).  We moved over to 5th Avenue in Ferndale North when I was in 7th grade.  My bedroom was upstairs with Mollie's and Mom and Dad's room.  I remember when Mom and I went to pick out wallpaper for my room and how "cool" it was to be able to pick it out for myself.  It had little streaks of pinks, blues, yellows and greens and then there was a border at the top.  The best part of my room was my closet.  Inside my closet were giant stairs, more like landings, that led up to the attic but they were carpeted.  My parents let my friends and I write on the walls so every time I had friends over we would write notes or memories on there and of course it stated who loved who for the day!  I think mine changed at least a dozen times!  It was really fun to reminisce through the years from that wall.  I remember my Dad saying how neat he thought it was and knew how much fun we had doing it.  That was the best room because I have the best memories of hanging out with my friends and listening to music etc.... ahhh to be a teen again.

These will no doubt make Elise happy!!

Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

Ingredients:

3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup organic sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 cup non-dairy dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F and line a half-sheet pan with unbleached parchment paper.
2. In a large pot, combine oil, bananas, sugar, salt, and cardamom; warm over low heat for 2 minutes and whisk to incorporate; remove from stovetop and set aside.
3. Sift together pastry flour, all-purpose flour, and baking soda; add 1/2 cup at a time to the oil mixture and gently combine with a rubber spatula until no flour spots remain (about 2 mins).
4. Gently fold in chocolate chips and walnuts until well incorporated and forming a ball.
5. Place dough ball onto a cutting board; roll into a rounded log, approximately 16" x 3".
6. With a sharp knife, cut the dough into 12 even pieces; place on the cutting board and press down, rounding the edges, ensuring that all pieces are evenly sized. Using a small spatula, transfer to the half-sheet pan.
7. Bake for about 15 minutes; remove from oven and let set on sheet pan for 5 minutes.

http://www.meatoutmondays.org/7days.htm#cookies

I just have to leave out the walnuts and Elise can have HOMEMADE chocolate chip cookies... can't wait to try them. It's the little things that make us happy!

20 years ago...

It is really hard to believe that this summer marks 20 years since my high school graduation. Does that make me officially old???  This picture hung in my dorm room in a frame for a very long time.  It captured the pure joy of the day, the good friends I had (and still have) and what a goof ball my dad can be.  :)  In the picture next to me is my dear friend Jennifer Blomlie Waymire.  She died suddenly February 9th, 2004.  She had a 5 month old baby at the time and we were all devastated by her death.  She will always be remember for her great smile, great attitude and most of all a GREAT friend. I miss her dearly.  On a happier note the gals in the photo next to Jen are Shay Kratchen, Sara Minors and Mallory Hill (now Hasz).  Mallory is still one of my best friends.  We have known each other since 3rd grade, how crazy is that!  She lives in Minnesota so I get to see her when I get home to visit Dad and Lucy.  We have had our ups and downs over the years but she is a true friend and no matter how long it has been since I have seen her, we pick up right where we left off.  This photo was also one of my favorites because my friends loved my dad and he loved to goof around witht them... he is always the jokester that is for sure.

My 20 year class reunion is in 2 weeks up in Wayzata at the Wayzata Country Club.  At first I was really excited to go... then I decided I maybe wasn't going to go... for superficial reasons that I shouldn't even care about, so after a pep talk from my awesome sister... I have decided to go and I know I won't regret it.  I can't wait to see my old friends... and the ones that can be judgemental... who cares.. right?.... right!  Now I just need to drop 20 in 2 weeks... don't think that is going to work out too well for me :)  I will update after the evening and let you know how it goes.

I LOVE this!!

I love this necklace.  I have had my eye on it for awhile now.  Etsy is awesome.  Eric wasn't so keen on it but I thought it was super cute.  These other ones are in my top choice for a mother's necklace too!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/61540654/two-peas-in-a-pod-necklace-sterling?ref=mt

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/59660063/hand-stamped-modern-mom-sterling-silver

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60798238/personalized-hand-stamped-domed-disc

Memory Lane

I was going through old papers and came across this list of questions my friend gave me.  She gives them as gifts along with a journal to capture memories and tell the stories we want to someday share with our kids.  I have always thought this was such a great idea but I have never taken the time to do it.  I thought that as I continue to blog I can capture these stories and maybe add some old photos to along with the stories... if I can fine them :)

Question #1: Describe a few of the favorite hairstyles of your youth.

This one is easy... BIG HAIR.  I grew up in the 80's so big hair was, well, big.  Everyone permed thier hair, we wore it as puffy as we could.  And for the lucky ones who had bangs, they would tease them so they would stick literally straight in the air.  Some of the guys wore thier hair long, maybe shoulder length especially as we got closer to the 90's and the grunge look became popular.  The guys would also have ducktails in the back, some would even have the mullet.  Most of my guy friends had shorter hair as they were athletes but it is still hilarious to look back on.

I have no idea who these people are but they fit the mold for the 80's... I didn't graduate until 1991 and it was mellowing a bit... but not much.  One of the fashion trends we all hope doesn't repeat itself.

http://www.liketotally80s.com/1980s-hairstyles.html

Can we get one... please, please please...

 The girls and I are working on Dad for a new puppy dachsund.. he says no, but we are still working on him!

Is this not the funniest thing you have ever seen... I couldn't stop laughing!  I had to make this my profile photo for Face Book!

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Mini+Dachshund+Photos&qpvt=Mini+Dachshund+Photos&FORM=IGRE

Root Beer Float Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 cup rootbeer soda
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. rootbeer extract
1 1/3 cups flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
Frosting
1 cup vegetable shortening
3 cups confectioner’s sugar
2 Tbs. vanilla soymilk
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a dozen cupcake tins with papers.
2. Combine the soda and vinegar and let stand for a few minutes.
3. Add the sugar and oil, whisking vigorously until slightly frothy; integrate the extracts, and gently introduce the flour, along with baking powder and soda, and salt (Note: be careful not to over-mix).
4. Distributing the batter between the prepared tins, fill cupcake liners approximately 3/4 of the way to the top.
5. Bake for about 18-22 minutes. Allow them to cool completely before topping with frosting.
6. Make the icing by combining room temperature shortening into a mixer; beat thoroughly until creamed, then add sugar and start on a low speed; incorporate soymilk and extract, and combine thoroughly.
7. Apply to cupcakes and have a great Mother's Day.

http://www.meatoutmondays.org/7days.htm#rootbeer

How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You....

Elise was missing Mommy this weekend because I had to go out of town for a few days.  When I called her Monday evening she was telling me all about her cheerleading camp and how she spent the day with Grandma and Grandpa Hubbard.  She informed me that the tooth she has been working on for WEEKS, finally came out over at Grandpa's house.  I asked her if she was going to set it out for the tooth fairy and she said that she wanted to wait until I got home so she could show me her tooth.  I had a huge grin on my face over the phone I couldn't help it.  The next thing she says to me is this.  "Mommy, I really miss you and I really wish I could give you a hug right now."  I could hear her voice getting shaky and eyes tearing up.  I told her how much I missed her too and that she should turn to Daddy, pretends it is Mommy and give him a great big hug.  It is so funny how we as parents at times can't wait to get away from the kids and have a little "quiet time" but yet as soon as we are away, we miss them dearly!!