Simple Girl

Forget Chicago and New York - you can get great pizza right here in northern Minnesota!  Just three hours north of the Twin Cities (that's Paul Bunyan country if you can't read the sign), in the small town of Cross Lake, Minnesota, lives the legendary Zorba's Pizza.  Zorba's found its niche where the mega chains dared not venture.  Boasting 9 locations (all in the remote cabin towns of northern Minnesota), Zorba's classic kitschy ambiance is exactly where you'd expect to see a water-skiing flip-flopping crowd. Here, the "Bunn Zpecial" Pizza boasts five meats, including a rather spicy Italian sausage.  This is pizza that calls for commitment.  The menu reads, "Red Meat Ain't Bad For You - Green Meat with Fuzz on it is!"  For the tree huggers out there, they also have the PETA Special - All Veggies - No Meat. In addition to some tasty pizza, the kids also found these cool vacation T-Shirts. Who needs Hilton Head?  We've got Zo...

There's something about going back  to a childhood place - A single exhale clears the soul. Discoveries await in rocks and sand and slippery fish send the heart racing. Old Cousins Reunite and new ones share the joy of laughter. Marshmallows stretch like sweet, sticky taffy Tangerine sunsets melt into a cool, starlit sky Crackling campfires echo the soulful cry of loons. It's what I call Cabin Magic.

Although my mom's 70th birthday was in May, we decided to celebrate it in July when we could all be together.  My sister-in-law, Janet, and I put together a party that was simple, personal and fun.  We created a theme around a favorite old photo and tied in a fun element from the photo - polka dots! For the less-than-artistic (me), the photo theme proved to be easy and fool-proof.  I like to call the following examples "Photo Copy Crafts."  If you can push a button, you can do this! Since mom loves flowers and has created a beautiful cutting garden in her yard, we decided to create personal centerpieces from her garden and make her the star - the most beautiful flower of them all! To insert pictures of my mom in each of the centerpieces, I found stem wire at a local craft store.  I held one end with a pair of pliers and then wrapped the wire around the pliers three or four times. The end result was something that resembled modern art paper clips, but th...

Tim Tebow holds a Heisman Trophy and the 2010 first-round draft pick as quarterback for the Denver Broncos.  On the Fourth of July, our family had the chance to hear his perspective on life, football and faith. If you can get past his cuteness and the way the spotlight reflects off his broad shoulder pads, you'll find that Tim Tebow has a heart of gold.  Here are four things that I learned from this All-American: Obey the Little Things .  Tim Tebow never dreamed of the impact that a single, small decision would make.  One morning he woke up and thought, "What if I wrote a personal message on the black strips I wear beneath my eyes?"  He wrote Phil 4:13.  The scripture read, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"  He wore that reference for most of the season.  One game, he thought he should change it.  He wrote, John 3:16.   "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes i...

The annual neighborhood 4th of July Parade and Festival is one good reason to stay in town!  Kids dress up in their most patriotic garb and design their most creative parade float!  Our covered wagon is fashioned from flexible tubing, cardboard, plastic ties and muslin.  Shoe polish gives the cardboard a faux wood finish. Even the cool boys join the fun! The parade begins with a fire truck, police escort and the Sons of the Revolution. Ponies pull our covered wagon, while dad monitors the driving! Ella throws saltwater taffy to an appreciative crowd! At the parade's conclusion, awards are given for Best Decorated Vehicle (Us!)  and Most Patriotic Family (The Adorable "Parade Pops") But that's just the beginning of the festivities...... .......a park full of fun (and a perfectly temperate day) awaits! We Jump Get Soaked Defy Gravity Ride Ponies, And Eat all things Nutritious! A clown makes balloon sha...