"These are a few of my favourite things"

I've had that famous song in my head for the past few weeks, and finally realized it'd be a great title for my next blog about Minnesota!  It's hard to believe that our month long trip to Minnesota has already come and gone...where did the time go?!  After driving 27 hours in two days, we finally made it to Quebec last night; our North American road trip has officially come to an end.  

Here are a few of my favourite things from our month in Minnesota... (stay tuned for another blog about our time in MN...to wrap it all up).

View out of the kitchen window.  You can't beat the Minnesota sunrises or sunsets.  Pictures just don't do it justice, though.  The best are the ones that light up the whole sky!  Also love the northern lights and a sky full of stars during the wintertime.  One of the most beautiful places on earth!   

Making lefse.  It turned out pretty good for our first time making it!  

Reaping the benefits of making lefse....getting to eat it right off the griddle!  

More baking...this time, an apple pie per the request of my sister.  Not sure what I love more...the pie or the pie crust cookies made from the left over crust.  Yum!! 

This was by far the BEST omlet I've ever had!  My mouth waters just thinking about it!  Sausage, cheese, spinach, mushroom & sausage gravy on top....YUM!!!  Thanks again, Ben!!!  I'm already looking forward to my next world's famous Ben Huener omlet!!!  

One of my most favourite things about going home to Minnesota is spending time with both sets of grandparents.    

Spending Christmas Eve with my mom's family...what a wonderful tradition!  We had a great night, but were missing one of my cousin's and his family.  Hope to all be together next year!

And of course, Christmas Eve isn't complete without a visit from Santa Clause himself!!  

So glad we were able to be home for our annual Lieberg/Dvergsten Christmas get-together!

Kransekake and red-velvet cupcakes?....why sure, I'll take both!!  Christmas isn't complete without kransekake.  Thanks again, Sue!  You make the best!  

Life is never dull in Minnesota...!  Pictured above: my sister, Tina, and cousins Tanya and Joni (with Baby Wiskow )

Flat Thomas finally joined us in Minnesota.  We've since added Flat Riley and Flat Lilly to our  brood.    They're excellent travellers!  ;)

Sure do miss all my cousins... they seem to grow up so fast, especially when we only see them three times each year.  

Dexy-boy and my favourite canine of all time...Josie!!!  We may have gotten a bit attached to her while at home.  She graduated from sleeping in the garage to sleeping in bed with Guillaume and I.  Can't wait to see her when we get back from our travels!  

I didn't go to bed before midnight during the whole time we were home...thanks to our new favourite games Wizard and Bananagrams!  Scabble letters also double as excellent dominoes.

Ugly Christmas sweaters complete with the ugly earrings.  Thanks Mom!  This may be a new Christmas Eve tradition next year.  :)  (You also know you're home in Minnesota when you see a deer (or two or three) mounted on a wall.)  

Getting a piano tune in for Grandma...the best audience ever!  

More Josie.... (stay tuned for a few more pictures in the next blog).  :)