Perfection in South Minneapolis

There is controversy in the old south Minneapolis neighborhoods when people tear down an existing home and build a McMansion that does not fit with the neighborhood.  This remodel doubled the size of the home, but kept the style of the neighborhood well.  They also have a double lot so it doesn't look like a monster house compared to it's neighbors as the tear downs often do.

I might also add that people who live in Minneapolis or St. Paul proper, like to brag about how urban they are.  I did it when I lived there. I swore I would never move to a suburb. In reality, unless you live right downtown, all of Minneapolis is like a big leafy suburb compared to most cities.

Having kids changes a lot of things, especially if you can't afford a private school education.  And for the record, I live in a small town, not a suburb, and I walk most places here.

Love you not so yellow couch and perfect rug.

Love you too, not so yellow dining room and gold buffet table.

Hellloooo black cabinets and bamboo stools, you would be lovely in my kitchen.

sigh.

Does that happen in other metro areas?  Are you less cool for living in a suburb?

Don't forget my giveaway ends today.

Don't forget my giveaway ends tomorrow

You could pretend to buy this for your kids, and when when you want to get away from your family, you go there and hide.  Read a book, or... You'd only need $2,705 more dollars after the giveaway.  Enter here.

Animal, Vegetable, Mineral III

How do you feel about faux fur?  I kinda love it, but would hate if someone thought I was wearing the real thing.  I don't own any, but it is a huge trend for fall.  Piperlime.com

It's harvest time in Minnesota.  I could eat this every day.

Ingredients

Serves 8

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large eggplants, (2 pounds), peeled in strips and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 4 to 5 medium zucchini, (2 pounds), cut into 1-inch cubes
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 3 yellow or red bell peppers, ribs and seeds removed, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven (or other heavy 5-quart pot with a tight-fitting lid), heat oil over medium heat. Cook onions, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in eggplant and zucchini; season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Add 3/4 cup water; cover, and simmer until vegetables are beginning to soften, stirring once, about 5 minutes. Stir in bell peppers; simmer, covered, until softened, 5 minutes.
3. Stir in tomatoes and thyme; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Partially cover; simmer, stirring often, until vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat. If serving immediately, stir in basil. (If freezing, leave out basil.)

Yes, please.  JCrew.com

Because I Love You: A Giveaway

In my house the kitchen table is the center of all things good, important and otherwise.  When we are not eating there, we are coloring, or playdohing, cutting and pasting, practicing our letters or mixing up a batch of rice krispie bars.  It is also the landing spot for all things that come into the house.  For some reason, everything much touch down here first before it gets put away.  Anything important that needs to go to school or work the next morning is also placed here the night before.  Birthday presents and cards are put here for the recipient to find when he or she wakes.  My table is a massive wood pedestal table that comfortably seats six, and I have squeezed 10 around it before.  

I love these iconic kitchen tables, and  you could have one, because I love you too.  And CSN Stores like my little blog.  We want to give one of my readers $40 to spend there.  Just be a follower of the blog and leave a comment.  Leave two if you post about the giveaway.  A winner will be picked at random on Monday, August 30th after 5pm.  

Cottages in Cottagewood

On the steps of the Cottagewood General Store, literally steps from the trail I ride every week.  I didn't know it was here until today.

Inside was adorable, I felt like I was on Martha's Vineyard

Lots of goodies to choose from and in the back, that is the cooler. Cool. They also have ice cream and espresso,  of course.

Anna had a rock candy sucker.

The patio was lovely

And cozy spots to sit inside as well

Across the street, I fell in love with this house

And this one, it had a tuck under garage, I love those, and pretty red porch chairs.   Sorry about the photos, I wasn't planning on photo journaling, just a quick ride around the neighborhood, the Mister had his iPhone in his pocket so I confiscated it.  This was all a 10 minute ride from my house and seconds from the trail I have ridden a million times, but it felt like a step back in time. So without writing a cliche about getting off the beaten path...

I didn't get much housework done today.

Day off

I will be spending my day off at my villa in Malta.

Check that, I will be spending my day off doing laundry, cleaning the house, buying groceries, walking the dog, and trying to soak up the last few days of my kid before he goes off to kindergarden.

What kind of floors are those anyway? And how many staff members does it take to get them to look like that?

Lots more drool worthy homes here.

I think I will always love

a white washed beach house