Minnesota Mom

Lots of Coffee, lots of kids. It's a peaceful life.

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Surprised by the Truth

by Filed Under: Anecdotal, Hearth & Home, Minnesohta, Minnesota Me 3 Comments

I think, “It’s pretty warm outside. I wonder if I should offer a cold beverage to the guy fixing our garage door.” I say, “How it’s going?”He thinks, “It’s about time she came out to check on me!”He says, “Pretty damn hot.”I think, “Oh my!”I say, “Would you like an ice water or a lemonade?”He replies, “Anything. Yes. That’d be great.”I go back … [Read more...]

Red, White and Blue Jello Jigglers

by Filed Under: Food and Drink, Minnesota Me, Special Events 7 Comments

Look like this:They tasted good and were gobbled up (once people figured out that the white ones weren’t cheese) but they did not taste as good as:Danielle’s cupcakes, which disappeared from the tray in five minutes flat. I’m serious. I didn’t even get one and that’s not fair.Photo credits go to my daughter, Cate, who asked to take pictures of both … [Read more...]

An Exchange

by Filed Under: Minnesota Me, Special Events 4 Comments

Setting: My husband and a neighbor are orchestrating their annual fireworks display. Illicit aerials from Wisconsin burst noisily overhead. Illegal rockets give off an impressive red glare.The two of them have just ignited their New Yorker Salute finale—a “500 Gram Maximum Load Repeater” or some such thing—when a squad car pulls into the … [Read more...]

A Treatise on Red, White and Blue Jello

by Filed Under: Just Me, Minnesota Me, Motherhood, Special Events 24 Comments

Subtitled: On being thankful for my independence and yet, not.I need a hug.The sun is shining. The coffee’s brewing. My arms and legs and eyes all work.So what’s the problem?I don’t know, and that’s the problem!We’re hosting a neighborhood block party tonight and perhaps it’s that I’m stressed. That would be why I’m sitting in front of the … [Read more...]

My New Favorite Song

by Filed Under: Just Me, Minnesota Me 4 Comments

Peter Gabriel’s Down to Earth (from the WALL•E soundtrack)I saw Peter Gabriel’s So tour in 1987—the best concert ever. I was in Glasgow and happened to see a poster for his concert that evening. Bought a ticket at the door, the lady said, “Seated or standing?” I said, “Standing,” and there you go. I was right in front for the whole performance. … [Read more...]