Fire Punch  Serves 10 to 12 3 lemons 1/2 cup granulated sugar 16 oz brandy 10 oz overproof rum 16 oz strong brewed black tea, cooled 32 oz pineapple juice freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish (optional) lemon wheels, for garnish (optional) * you can use just rum or brandy to streamline the recipe. Remove the […]

Malted White Russian Serves 1  2 oz Vodka 1 oz coffee liquor 1 oz half and half 1 Tablespoon malted milk powder Add the vodka, coffee liquor, half and half, and malted milk powder to a cocktail shaker. Stir to dissolve the malt powder. Add ice and shake vigorously until well chilled. Strain into a […]

  Camping Sangria Serves 6  32 oz. red wine, like Merlot 8 oz. freshly squeezed grapefruit juice   1/4 cup sugar Juice of one lime 1 cup chopped Strawberries Combine the wine, grapefruit juice, sugar, and lime juice in a large pitcher,  stir until the sugar dissolves. Add ice and berries and enjoy!   *note the addition […]

Maple Syrup Old Fashioned Makes one glass 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup, or more to taste 2 dashes Angostura bitters 2 ounces rye whiskey or bourbon orange-peel coin, for garnish Stir the maple syrup, bitters, and whiskey together in your cup. Add more syrup to taste if needed. Squeeze the orange-peel coin, peel side facing down, […]

The iconic “Spoonbridge and Cherry” and now the “Hahn/Cock” are 2 of the most recognizable sculptures in Minneapolis. Sure, I’ve been here tons of times but its still fun to walk through and see the art with the kids. We went during the middle of the day but I’d recommend early morning or evening in […]

South Dakota in the fall   I kept hearing great things about visiting S.D. in the fall because it isn’t as hot and there are less tourists. So we decided to go in October when the kids had a few days off from school. It was just long enough for a quick road trip. While […]

On our way home from South Dakota last year we decided to stop off at the Largest Candy Store for some treats. I was pretty tired from driving so my photos don’t even do it justice. You should definitely add this to your bucket-list. A few of the kids favorites were: the British phone booth […]

I have visited Hyland Park in Bloomington many times with the kids many times over the years but only so they could play at Chutes and Ladders. One of the best playgrounds in the area in my opinion. How is it we have never explored more of the park until now? The playground is just the […]

We LOVE going to Franconia Art Park. Only about an hour outside of the twin cities, located in the scenic St. Croix River Valley, not far from Taylor’s Falls. Franconia Sculpture Park is a beautiful 43-acre outdoor sculpture park with active artist residency, and community arts programming. Open from dawn to dusk 365 days a […]

A favorite hike of ours is close to home and easily accessible by car or bike for us, PIKE ISLAND (Dakota name Wita Tanka). This is a hiking trail within FORT SNELLING STATE PARK. From the entrance of the park, follow the road to the Visitors Center. Once you park you will see trail maps […]