SNOW

While in Sunny California, I can not tell you how many times I had to try and describe the current weather conditions in Minnesota. Most people I talked to couldn't really comprehend what it is like to have 5-6 foot piles of snow lining your driveway ... so I thought I would help you all out and show you a few pictures of our house in the middle of WINTER. Note: I also had to explain how, after 6 months of living in Minnesota, I already had an accent...

These were taken a couple of weeks ago after a small snowy storm--- and they really don't do it justice.



This is my cute new car.


The park across the street.




So there you have it. A little taste of our Minnesota Winter lives.

I love books.

I will be traveling these next few weeks so I am in desperate need of some book recommendations. The last few books I have read (and loved) include:

Same Kind of Different As Me
The Book Thief
Beautiful Boy

These are all non-fiction. Oh wait, The Book Thief is fiction. Why do I always confuse those descriptors? I like fictions, too. Can you help me??

If you don't, I will have to resort to an emotional-last-ditch-effort pick while I'm wandering around the MSP/FLL/SFO/DEN airport(s).

I feel like I am so behind. I had some posts planned out but I didn't bring the right cord to CA with me to upload pictures and be able to write my posts. and really, the posts revolve around the sweet pics, so those will have to wait. sorry to leave you all in anticipation of what is going on in our lives ... to sum it up: I am on Vacation (well kind of) -- I'm in CA visiting my family and am thrust in the middle of wedding fever over here. I'm enjoying the sunshine, and being able to wear skirts with no tights, open up the sunroof in the car and just have a little R&R with my momma.

Winter LOVE Party

To further embrace this winter season, we decided to throw a Winter LOVE Party. We invited some of our friends over from the singles ward we used to attend, and some couples from our new ward. I spent all day Friday and Saturday preparing (ie: shopping, cooking and baking) and I loved every second of it!! It was so great to see some of our friends we haven't seen in a while, and I like to think our party gave everyone something to look forward to in the middle of a Minnesota Winter. Some of the groupies even went over to the park and went ice skating on our local ice skating rink! I can't wait to have another party in the summer where I can report that we BBQ'd and played a game of softball. Oh well, at least I can report that the winter LOVE party was a success!! I decided to make this an annual thing ... maybe its because it gives ME something to look forward to in the winter!

Note: I didn't take quite enough pictures (You know how hosting a party goes) and so here are the few I took.

The Spread


Since you can't really see it in the pictures, I made: Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup, a Cheeseball, Jalepano Artichoke dip, Chocolate Covered Strawberries & Oreos, Sugar Cookies (that I didn't have time to frost--- oops!), Brownie Trifle, and Cranberry Bread.



Two Fabulous girls that are in the Minnetonka Ward with us!!

Winter Carnival

Since winter is such a big deal here in Minnesota, Ryan and I have been trying to EMBRACE winter through a variety of activities. One of which was, Winter Carnival in St. Paul.

Supposedly, every 10 years or so, this carnival creates an Ice Castle (like, the size of a 2 story building--legit). Unfortunately for us, they didn't build a castle this year, but we still enjoyed the Ice Sculptures, Ice Maze and Snow Sculptures!

















It was so cold this day that after the Winter Carnival we went to my new favorite little deli for the best Tomato Basil soup and fresh bread! YUMM.

Jeralyn, this one's for you.

Over Thanksgiving break, Ryan and I spent some time in Utah with his family. Jeralyn, my new mother-in-law, took me out for a little shopping the day after Thanksgiving. One of the things I picked up were some gorgeous silk flowers. I was so excited to use these flowers to create a beautiful arrangement for my living room. Too bad the Holidays got the best of me, and its now February before I got this project done. For never arranging flowers before, I think it looks pretty good. Let me know what you think.


This is what I created:





And here's our mantle now: The new additions are the flowers, and our new Angela Johnson replica the bronze statue of Jesus Christ, Come Unto Me. We love love it.



A better picture of the statue:


Note: The vase I used for the flowers is from a flower arrangement Ryan had sent to me while we were dating -- he figured out quickly that I love cool vases. Nicely done, babe!!

Chicken Pot Pie

I made this again last night, and I think it's Ryans new favorite (Parley was practically licking his plate as well). I had a request for the recipe, so I thought I'd post it here. I hope your family likes it too!!

1 package of Pillsbury pie crust
3-4 Chicken breasts, cubed (I like to season my chicken and saute with onions and celery to bring out the flavor)
2-3 cups veggies (I use some frozen peas, frozen corn, and fresh celery, carrots and potatoes, red or russet)-- veggies can be subbed for your favs.
2 cans cream of chicken soup (can also use cream of celery, cream of mushroom, cream of potato).
Seasoning: I like Italian Seasoning Mix, and Dill weed. Can also add thyme and rosemary, whatever tastes good.

Mix together soup, veggies and chicken. Season to taste. (I also like to heat up but you don't have to).

Roll out pie crust, place in bottom of pie dish. Pour soup mixture into pie crust. Lay 2nd pie crust overtop; pinch the 2 pie crusts together. Use a knife to create a design and slit holes into the crust so steam can escape. Cut away extra pie crust around sides.

Cook at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until crust is brown.

Our San Francisco Treat!

Ryan had the opportunity to attend The Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, and being the sweet husband that he is, he bought me a plane ticket to go with him!!

I love love love San Francisco and we had such a good time exploring the city again together. Our adventures began with an early flight, and a bit of a sketchy walk to our hotel... I remember thinking "We're not in Minneapolis anymore, hunny!" We quickly found a great little Thai restaurant in Union Square and then hopped on the bus to explore Golden Gate Park.

I had never been to Golden Gate Park before, which is crazy for how many times I've been to SF. We loved exploring the park and trying to find our way to the Japanese Tea Gardens!


[Gorgeous, right?]


[my cute cute husband]


[gorgeous]


[our toe toes]

[just call us riley]

[love those japanese tea gardens]


[this was a pretty tall bridge/ladder. i think he's scared]


[we make these buildings look tiny]


[redwoods in the middle of the city]

After the Park we headed to Fishermans Warf on the cable cars. We went straight to the Food Market to get us some Crab Chowder in a Bread Bowl. It was sooo amazing. We then checked out some freaks on the street and then went to the Bay Aquarium, which was so cool. Another thing I had never done before in SF. Lots of jelly fish, starfish and sharks! Ryan even faced his fears and touched a sting ray!! I was so Proud


[on the cable car]


[yummy. dinner awaits]


[crab chowder.]

[sting ray. his face is so cute]


[doesn't this remind you of finding nemo?]


[awesome.]

The next day was Sunday, and we wanted to go to church, so we had a quick breakfast outside Starbucks (we got cups of hot water there and made our own hot chocolate and ate the yummy homemade cranberry bread I had brought). Such a great breakfast. Church was awesome, what a great downtown ward. After church we had brunch at The Flaming Omlette. So so good. Then Ryan headed to the Fancy Food Show and I hit the stores!! I was officially a personal shopper that weekend for my Mom and my girlfriend Diana. I can say that I was quite successful!! I am seriously considering making this my new Profession. That night we went to a favorite restaurant E&O Company. The corn fritters and banana spring rolls were amazing!


[Can I just say I love love window storefronts. And I love the ballet.]

Monday began with a quick run in the city. I considered taking a picture of us after the run, but we really were wet rats, so I decided to not do that. Then, Ryan went back to work eating a million samples at his Fancy Food Show and I hit up the BART to meet Miss Linds Fife in Walnut Creek/Danville. I loved getting to spend some quality time with my good friend Linds and going into little Antique Shops and Boutiques. We also went to this great little cafe for lunch where I had the most amazing Butternut Squash Raviolli. This is also where I ran into Miss Jen Lloyd What a small world right? Great to see you, Jen.

Monday night included a long walk up a ridiculously high hill to get to this great Cathedral, and then a stroll through Chinatown to remind Ryan of his Mission Days. Of course we concluded the night with some yummy Korean Food and a delicious crepe from a crepery nearby. Let's just say we ate our way through this city!!

[Just look closely at how steep this hill is!!]


[Doors of the Cathedral]


[Chinatown]


[See no evil...]


[us]


[yummy korean food]

Tuesday morning we had to leave ... but not without having breakfast at Specialty Cafe -- a family favorite for breakfast and lunch and especially the cookies!!

Ryan, thank you baby for a fabulous weekend in one of my favorite cities!!

Merrill Family Goal: EMBRACE Winter!

We all know its COLD in Minnesota, so Ryan and I have been trying to embrace the weather and take advantage of some of the winter-only activities. A few weeks ago, we decided to get out on a Saturday and go Cross Country Skiing. I have to admit, I LOVED IT We had such a great time at Elm Creek Park. For $12/each we were able to rent skis and rock the trails all day long. Check out how much fun we had...

[Don't worry -- this is me stuck on a hill. I never said I was good I just said I had fun.]


[I had just gone down a sweet hill.]




[We may or may not have gotten caught on each other's skis going up a hill...]


[Yup, Definitely caught.]

This one's for Karah.

One of my favorite things about being married and working part time right now is that I have time to cook dinner, and experiment with new recipes and ideas. I made this a few weeks ago-- my first attempt at a Chicken Pot Pie. I have to admit, it was pretty much amazing. Ryan licked his plate clean-- which, I think, means success! I will definitely make this again!

Just Call me Smiley Kiley

Things that make me smile: Ryan, The Son, The Sun, coming home to fresh flowers on my mantle, making dinner for my love, finding a really great pair of boots (for my mom!), watching Ryan teach our 9-10 year old church kids, waking up next to Ryan in the middle of the night and saying I love you to him- only to hear him say it back mid-sleep, a great conversation with one of my wonderful friends, funny gchat statuses, coming home to my cute cute home, getting a letter in the mail and especially sending a letter in the mail, the temple, a good hug, anything letter press, Punch Pizza, anything with peanut butter, chocolate, catching a single snowflake, London, making others smile, chocolate chip pancakes, volunteering.

I Know I'm Behind

I promise I'll catch up soon. I've just been so busy loving THIS GUY, that it's taking up all my spare time.