Friday, December 31, 2010

"Champagne" preview

Cellars wine shop was sampling three New Year's Eve "champagne" options. Did you know that only "champagne" produced in the Champagne region of France can be called "champagne?" All others are called "sparkling wine." Cellars carries 25 varieties of champagne or sparkling wine bottles ranging from $5.99 to $200. Their options come from France, Italy, Spain and California.
Cheers! Happy New Year - 2011!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

'twas nice on the ice

Our daughters met another family ice skating at a city outdoor rink at the corner of Pilot Knob Road and Cliff Road at dinner time on Wednesday evening. Their 4 and 3 year old sons were trying the ice for the first time!


Wednesday, December 29, 2010

A lipstick trophy

An independent beauty consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics has earned this pink Cadillac. She's a hard working business owner who sells lipsticks, mascara, hand lotions and much more to women in our area. She must have been one of the women in the huge line at the post office...


Tuesday, December 28, 2010

W is for "Whiskey plate"

In Minnesota, if you have been arrested and convicted three times with a "Driving while intoxicated" offense, then you receive mandatory "whiskey plates." These white license plates beginning with the letter W designate prior drunk driving offenders. (Numbers after W - altered for confidentiality)


Monday, December 27, 2010

Groceries from the net

Coborns Delivers brings fresh groceries to your front door from your internet order, quick and easy. They used to be called "Simon Delivers;" click here to see a previous summer delivery.


Sunday, December 26, 2010

Celebrating Christmas together

We drove to neighboring Apple Valley to visit my twin brother and his family on Christmas Day. Our parents and my brother's parents-in-law were also there. The dinner menu included: mashed potatoes & gravy, turkey, baked carrot dish, cranberry fruit salad, raisin stuffing, lefse, breads, and cranberry cake with butter sauce for dessert.



Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas blessings to you

My family and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope that you are enjoying a special holiday season! This photo was taken after the Christmas Eve worship service at our church, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in St. Paul.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Santa says "Merry Christmas!"

It's Christmas Eve day and we drove to the nearby Burnsville Center shopping mall this afternoon for a photo with Santa. I felt like the GRINCH because they wouldn't let me take my own photo but I was able to scan our purchased photo later....
Ho Ho Ho

The Reason for the Season

This Nativity scene greets parishioners at St John Neumann Catholic Church on Pilot Knob Road. Through Advent, Christians worldwide have been anticipating the birth of the baby Jesus. On the evening of Christmas Eve, Jesus will be placed in the manager.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!





Thursday, December 23, 2010

"Over the top" lighting

This home in a cul-de-sac in neighboring Inver Grove Heights is all lit up for Christmas. It was on a newspaper list of most illuminated houses in the Twin Cities. His neighbors also had LOTS of lights!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas caroling

An Eagan High School choir sang Christmas carols at the Eagan Rotary Club's lunch meeting today. The students were all dressed in pajamas since today was "Pajama Wednesday" at their school.
Fa la la la la la la la la

Dazzling Daytons

For many years, a main department store in Minnesota was known as Daytons. Then it was called Marshall Fields and finally Macy's became the new name! Take a swing over to the Mall of America for dazzling holiday options at Macy's!


Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Svenska kringla med kaffee

Tim Strand, our Gloria Dei Lutheran Church organist and music director, joined us for coffee and a Swedish Christmas pastry on Saturday morning.


Monday, December 20, 2010

A Christmas-y glow

Out on a "night photo safari," I spotted this lovely house decorated for Christmas.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Mount Calvary Lutheran Church has offered worship and service opportunities in Eagan for over 50 years. Their sanctuary is decorated for Advent - come and worship!


Saturday, December 18, 2010

Buried black boxes

These mailboxes are up to their necks in snow from last weekend's blizzard! And the red fire hydrant is almost covered up with white fluffy powder. (Yes, that homeowner SHOULD uncover it!)


Friday, December 17, 2010

a Christmas program

On Thursday afternoon, our 5 year old daughter's preschool presented their Christmas program at a local church.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

fresh Turkey options at Byerly's

Thinking back to Thanksgiving, I sure enjoyed turkey for the holiday meal and turkey leftovers in the following days. I think we should cook another turkey.... What do you think? See other "food for thought" here.



Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Framing up a good time!

Tami's Fast Frame next to Cub Foods won a front window decoration prize. And last week, Tami invited photographer Wayne Moran to display his photos during a "Meet the Artist" evening in her store! Cheers!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

snowy Johnny Cake Ridge Road

Aren't the pine trees lovely all covered with snow?! Over 14 inches (35 cm) of snow fell this past weekend and the temperature was 5 degrees Fahrenheit (- 15 Celsius)!



Monday, December 13, 2010

Unlawful to pass

When the red lights are flashing, it's forbidden to pass a yellow school bus.


Sunday, December 12, 2010

Third Sunday in Advent

At Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, the sanctuary is decorated for Advent. Every Sunday, more Christmas ornamentations are added as we wait and anticipate Christmas.


Saturday, December 11, 2010

Blog chat time

Great Kate, one of the St. Paul city daily photo bloggers, and I enjoyed cafe' mochas and treats together in St. Paul on a quiet Friday afternoon. We chatted about our favorite CDP blogs and caught up since our last visit in Eagan a year ago.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Knit night with church friends

Some church friends came over tonight for knitting, crocheting, talking and fun. From left: Jeanette, Judith, Pat, Ann, my wife Anne, Julie and Sarah. Wine or coffee and a smorgasbord of treats and snacks were enjoyed by all before some "serious" stitching!

Gifts from Rotary

Eight Eagan Rotarians met at Walmart on Thursday morning at 7 am to shop for Christmas gifts for 10 local, needy families through the "Armful of Love" program. Photo by Rotarian Jerry Swanson.
Merry Christmas!


Thursday, December 9, 2010

"To Support & Guide Those in Need"

Mayor Mike Maguire cut the celebratory red ribbon for Eagan's new "Pantry" with the help of many community volunteers. This new, larger, brighter, better equipped food shelf aims to serve the growing hunger problem in our area.
Bad news: in 2005, just 38 families benefited from this service but now 525 families need monthly help with food.
Good news: this new facility improves the Eagan Resource Center's ability, capacity and quality of food shelf help for those in need.
Congratulations!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Wrapped with tape & lots of love

The Eagan Lioness Club joined with the Eagan Lion's Club for a de-licious potluck dinner on Monday night at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. After dinner, 35 people wrapped 350 Christmas gifts for 15 local families and 3 flood victim families. This "Armful of Love" project is a fun annual team effort!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Talking, tea & treats

Loads of lovely, Lutheran ladies met for a Christmas Tea at Easter Lutheran Church (by the lake) on Monday evening. Each hostess decorated a table with her Christmas dishes and finery which made for a colorful, beautifully decorated room. Pastor Deb Stehlin spoke and music was provided by "Amy & Carol."

Monday, December 6, 2010

Santa & his reindeer



On Sunday afternoon, Eagan's "Holz Farm" Park welcomed families for hayrides, photos with Santa, hot beverages with treats and a chance to see "Comet" and "Cupid." Maybe "Rudolph" and the other reindeer were staying warm in the barn?