Minnesota

It has been almost impossible to sum up our visit to MN.  I can say that a sense of homesickness has come over me since leaving, and I don't know exactly why.  It was a vacation to top others I believe, and we made several new friends while there, as well as were able to visit with old friends.

Weds was travel.  Thursday was the State fair, which has ruined all local fairs for us, forever.  It was gi-normous and packed with things to do, and see, and experience.  The largest fair in the country, more than 1 million people walk through the gates over the 10 days it is open.  Second and occasionally trumped only by the TX state fair that has as many people but over 30 days!  You can see why we were enthralled.

Hubby and our guide (friend and soon-to-be married), Matt, tried to "shoot out the star" at one of the carny booths, as well as ring a bottle.  Fun for all, but no winning results.  That was fine since carrying a HUGE creature around would have been quite the feat!

We ate well also.  Cheese curds, sweet potato fries, bbq sandwich, french fries, a pronto-pup, 4' long sausage, mini-cinnabuns, lemonade, Tap Rootbeer (best EVER!), strawberry smoothie, and there was so much we couldn't get to!  A ride on the gondola, a rodeo and a demonstration at the Colosseum, a lost watch (mine, it came off somewhere in the Colosseum I believe), and almost forgetting the bag of cotton candy, and then having that same bag almost get lost out the window of the truck which created a squished bag of cotton candy ...

Friday we arrived at the wedding location, a bit unexpectedly, to help the couple prep for their wedding.  I helped in the kitchen, and we had a great time.  I am so pleased to have gotten to know Annie and her soon to be mother-in-law during those hours.  The guys helped where they were needed, and kept the dogs busy.  After the desserts (vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting, and carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting) were made and stored, we sorted the bouquets of flowers Annie had picked up at a farmer's market on Wednesday and while she made her bouquet, the brides maids bouquets and a boutonnière for the groom I filled vases with flowers to decorate the tables.  Friday evening, the couple invited the 'out of towners', in all 4 of us, to Buca di Beppo.  Buca's food was outstanding, and the atmosphere was grand.  We were encouraged to each choose a dish, of which a small was ordered.  One of the guests ordered the "chef's choice" and after a little confusion we communicated with him that we wanted him to make his specialty (favorite dish).  He didn't disappoint.  None of the food at Buca disappointed, though the portions were extraordinary.  A small feeds three, a large six, though with all the food ordered and tried it ended up that the small fed all six of us without a problem with lots left over.

A long day, but very productive, and very fun!

Saturday morning we arrived to get the rest of things set up and I had the pleasure of setting up the dessert table.  It turned out pretty good, and had several compliments on the 'design layout' though it was Annie's request that created it.  Boxes of different heights to add dimension, plants and flowers to liven up the table dressing, an antique table cloth in white to add elegance, and the dessert labels (little tin buckets with dirt, stones, and flower-labels with descriptions of each dessert!).  Desserts were set out and the ceremony started shortly afterward in the garden.  A lovely wedding, a made-to-order day, and delightful company!!  A picnic lunch was served, and games were played afterwards.

We did make it Saturday evening to the MOA but sadly the store we were so hoping would be there has been closed.  We will have to find those items online or elsewhere.  We did get a couple things to remind us further of our trip, but didn't spend a lot of time there as the evening was wearing on and we were tired from such an event filled day.

Sunday was church and a fellowship dinner following.  We were able to catch up with a lot of our friends, though briefly.  We headed out shortly afterwards to a half-way point that had been offered to us by a new friend.  His home is lovely and the fenced yard for Blitz to play in with his dog, Polly, his hospitality, and the bed were very much a welcome half-way point in the 14 hr drive.  He treated us to a local pancake house for what turned out to be brunch.  Everything was delicious, though the portions were again HUGE.

So much food, good company, lovely weather, friends, and fun packed into a few short days, and it really feels like it ended too soon.  Or perhaps it ended perfectly since we really weren't done, and had so many more things we could have done!

Blitz joined us on the trip and was a trooper on the long drives, and made several new friends as well, and behaved phenomenally throughout.  He is such a good boy, and we were glad we could take him to meet everyone and their pets!

I cannot find the right words to express how tremendous it was to be in MN again, and we have vowed to not wait so long for another trip out.