GOING TO THE LAKE IS

always a blast, especially when you can throw rocks in practically the middle of the lake.
We have never been to Detroit Lake in the winter and were so surprised at how low the water level was. It was awesome walking out in the middle of it.

PS - I still can't skip a rock.

DETROIT LAKE

We stayed at The Gescher Lakehouse in Detroit Lake this weekend. This awesome cabin is a retreat in the woods.
We saw a deer as big as a moose. Personally, I think it's Big Foot's pet.
This cabin is minutes to the boat docks in the summer and 30 minutes to skiing/sledding in the winter.

This cabin sleeps 12. It has 3 bedrooms, a loft, 2 baths, a large great room with a gas fireplace, textures and comfy furniture, a large deck with a Traeger BBQ, a large yard with a fire pit, a fully stocked kitchen with a gas range, dishwasher and microwave.

It is an inviting, cozy, yet spacious cabin that makes you feel at home while you stay there.

If you are wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle and have some fun family time, this cabin is where you should stay.

We had a fabulous, man clan approved, two thumbs up weekend.

WE HAD A WEEKEND EXCURSION

to the snow.

Sledding, snowballs, sunshine, snow angels, hot cocoa - it was a blast!

We discovered we need more snow gear.

What is your "must have" for winter play and/or warmth?

AFRICAN SWEET POTATO & PEANUT STEW

This dish is filling, delicious and tastes like winter.

2 yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, pressed
2 red bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch squares
1 TBSP light brown sugar
1 tsp grated or minced fresh ginger
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 can kidney bean, drained and rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes
4 cups vegetable stock
1 tsp salt, or to taste
Rice, quinoa or couscous
dry roasted peanuts, garnish
cilantro, garnish

Saute onions and garlic over medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes. Add bell pepper, cover and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in brown sugar, ginger, cumin, cinnamon and cayenne pepper and cook, stirring for 30 seconds.

Stir in peanut butter. Add sweet potatoes, kidney beans and tomatoes. Stir to coat. Add vegetable stock. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer until sweet potatoes are soft, about 30 minutes. Salt to taste.

Serve over rice, quiona or couscous and garnish with dry roasted peanuts and cilantro.

For Christmas I received some vegan cookbooks. This yummy recipe is found in The Vegan Table by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.

WINTER SOLSTICE 2010

is tonight at 11:38.

Photo taken after the 2008 ice storm

Hello winter, I hope you'll bring us a white Christmas.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE

It was a gorgeous day - sunny and crisp with a touch of wintry windy chill.
We went up to Brent and Juli's house to get our tree. We had a plethora of trees to choose from with hot cocoa, cookies and even Santa waiting on the sidelines.It was a such a fun afternoon and a perfect way to excitedly start December decorating.
Our house smells amazing and now we get to decorate the tree!

HAPPY DECEMBER

image via Rocky Top Studios

Crisp air, twinkling lights, remembering the true meaning of Christmas, hot cocoa, jingling bells, roaring fires, ho ho ho's, mistletoe and carols.

December makes me happy.

FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS

my father and I have had the tradition of getting together and decorating the "off limits to children due to breakables" tree.
It's a fun thing the two of us do. We listen to Trans-Siberian Orchestra and decorate the tree with my parents gorgeous ornaments.
Can you believe December is just a few days away?!
I'm really not ready. Are you?

TIME LAPSE PHOTOS

were one the agenda for Adam squared, so we went to Silver Creek Falls and got the surprise of seeing snow.It was a gorgeous and fun afternoon, despite the cold rain. Needless to say, we got drenched.