And, how will you party?

For those of us who are 'older', remember when New Year's Eve meant either going out for a really nice (expensive) meal or having a house party with family and friends?  These days it usually means staying home, off the roads, and having a glass of wine and reading a good book!  So, whatever your plans are, have a safe but fun New Year's Eve.  Maybe even stay up for the dropping of the ball in New York City!

A review of 2013....Two Inlets

As we trudge thru the snow and our fingers freeze from the bitter cold, let's go back to the warmer days of Two Inlets 2013.  A fish fry, or s'mores around the fire, sounds pretty darn good about now; dream on.....

He's a fan to the bitter end.....

Neither sleet nor snow, heat or cold...or a lousy season...keeps Cliff from cheering on his Minnesota Vikings.  To perhaps guard his identity against less enthusiastic fans, he got this fabulous Christmas present!  Forget about the 'bad hair' day.....it's all for the team :)

The Edgewater Beach 'dragon' in the winter

A year or so ago, I posted a picture of a tree in our neighborhood which from a distance looks like the head of a very sweet dragon.  Well, he's still here and standing guard in his frosty winter coat.  Mother Nature does have treats....now and then!  

Oh yes, some of us do remember these 'rules'.....

When was the last time you saw a clothesline?  You know, the kind where a whole week's laundry was carefully pinned to the lines running across your yard.  Well, for you young'uns, here's what you missed......

Need a date for New Year's Eve?

Got the following classified ads from Ron Magnuson......those people in The Villages sound a bit wild, eh?  New Year's Eve is coming up so pass this along to your friends who may be looking.....

Holiday greetings

Sending warm holiday wishes to you and your family on this beautiful day....Merry Christmas all!

A reflection on life......

This particular posting has been sitting in my files for awhile, and today, the day before Christmas, as nerves may become frayed....it's time to think about how we view others.....

Birthday first, then Christmas.....

Bet the birthday guy today got a bit short-changed as a youngster with his birthday just days before Christmas....presents sort of covering both bases?  Derald Krentz (#69) is getting a whole day to himself on the blog (!), not to be confused with Christmas...just yet.  Happy birthday, Derald.....let the elves be generous :)

It's worth looking at.....

Christella sent the following narrative re: a wooden church located in Poland, and since several family members will be traveling there in May, we are taking a sneak peek at what we're likely to see.  If not this particular church, then one that's similar.  Make sure to use the arrows to pan up, down and around the church!

Really??? Only the first day?

I know it's extremely hard to believe this year, BUT, today is the first day of winter!  It seems like it's been here forever.  So, if you want to celebrate, go out and make snow angels or even throw a shovel full of snow around :) Let the games begin.......and my moose are very happy to pose for this shot!

Anniversary #10

A milestone today in the lives of Chad & Jackie (Korkowski) Hanson as they celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary.  Hope you have something special planned for this milestone in your lives.  Congratulations!

That very naughty elf......

The 'elf on a shelf' is a huge hit, and I only wish that we had it around when our kids were young!  The ideas, both good and bad, that are seen on the internet are endless and very clever.  These pictures show the elf doing something very naughty, but then, he's also quite funny too.....

Just in time for the holidays.....

What would the holidays be without great food to eat and people to share it with?  The following recipe is our first 'entry' in favorite recipes we mentioned some weeks ago. This came from MaryLee Korkowski who said they had it at Sr. Cordy's for dinner one time, and then they made it recently for their own party where it received kudos from even those people who ordinarily don't care for cranberries.  Sounds delicious....and in plenty of time for your holiday dinner!

Terrible two's?

There'll be two birthday candles on Dylan Stark's (Mike & Lisa Krentz Stark) cake today along with plenty of excitement in the house.  Remember those 'terrible 2s'?  I'm sure that today, Dylan will be on his best behavior!   Happy birthday, Dylan......

Hallelujah Chorus Tom Larson Memorial carolers 12 14 13 w/Deb Korkowski

Minnesota tourist sites

Wow, I am impressed with a couple of you who took the Minnesota 'test' (see earlier blog entry).  Obviously I have been leading a very sheltered life!  And, so how did some of you do?  That sister, Theresa, is probably out right now checking off the rest of her 'not seen' places on her list.  You can probably beat her but you'd better get moving :)

Another birthday today.....

Birthday greetings today for Susan (Krentz) Roers on her 35th birthday.  Give the kids a cake mix and spoon so they can prepare you a gorgeous cake!! Hmmmm...maybe not? Happy birthday, Susan.....

Smiles for today.....

Thanks to the many of you who have sent me pictures, jokes or other tidbits over the past week or so.  You have no idea how much easier that makes getting something on the blog every day....so, thank you!

Your 'test' for the day......

The following was on Facebook recently, and after seeing some of my friends report back with their 'number', I decided to check it out myself.  It's a great example of the many things Minnesota has to offer, and if you're looking to add to your own 'bucket list' (seems to be the new thing these days, eh?) then here are many options for you to add if you've not already been there.  I only got 40 out of 100, and I thought we'd seen a lot of the Minnesota tourism spots...guess not!  So, how will you do?
http://www.listchallenges.com/minnesota-tourist-attractions?ref=share

And, not on the list of 100 but certainly worthy of seeing are these two pictures from Jim & Staci Korkowski taken on their recent Thanksgiving visit back in Minnesota.  The first shot was sunset on Pickerel Lake...gorgeous!  And, checking out the ice's thickness were these trumpeter swans...easy, easy now.....

New use for old socks.....

This nifty idea came from Dennis & Chris.......you know those 'orphaned' socks that seem to appear on laundry day and then the mate finally shows up AFTER you throw the other sock away?  Well, here's a tremendous idea on keeping your tush toasty warm and cushioned on these miserably cold days....and don't let it be said that we are not a good public service to you all! :)

It's a monster....no, it's a fish!

You all know the saying "be careful what you wish for'...and this picture pretty much sums that up.  Gavin Nicholas was most likely hoping for a big one, but when it came thru the ice hole...well, that was a different story!  His mom Megan says he was terrified of this catch, but, he refused to let his dad Bill throw it back.  Gavin, you must know that every man seeing this is wishing he had such a lunker on his line at some point!  Great job, buddy....

Birthday party again....

Another birthday today...this time it's Ray Murray (#41) who gets to blow out the candles on his cake and take the biggest slice.  Happy birthday, Ray!

Warm birthday wishes on a cold winter day....

Birthday greetings today for Dawn Inman as she celebrates #38.  We hope you have a wonderful day; we know you'll find warmth in the wishes from friends and family today. Happy birthday, Dawn!

The artiste, Dawn

A star is born....Joe Korkowski, shake that booty!

A dream come true.....

It was on his 'bucket list', although his list isn't nearly as long as some of us.   But, Evan Oxentenko (Shawn & Amy Korkowski Oxentenko) had been hoping and hoping that he'd get to attend a Timberwolves game one day soon, and for his birthday 10 days ago, he got his wish.  So, this last Saturday evening, he and his dad headed to the game where he was very lucky to get many Timberwolves players' autographs on his jersey.  The only 'downer' in that whole thing was that he was wearing a Kevin Love jersey, one of his favorite players, but Kevin's grandmother had died and he was not playing that night.  But, I'm willing to bet that jersey is already enshrined in his bedroom where any and all visitors to the house will be shown his prized possession.  Great night for a young guy!

Jose Barea signing

Ricky Rubio (grandma's jealous!!)

Well, he says it was on his bucket list!

A few weeks back, we had a picture and narrative on Staci Korkowski fulfilling one of the items on her 'bucket list'....riding a motorcycle.  Well, it seems YOUR brother Mike has recently crossed a few items off his list, one of them just recently.  The following is his narrative on what he's tried.  Oh, and Sr. Cordy...close your eyes for this picture...but it had to be shown as part of the wish fulfillment! :)  And, here's Mike's story:

A couple years ago, we were able to check off lutefisk from our bucket list; Mary Lee and I both tried it twice and decided that was enough. Then tonight I went with two other friends to try another strange food, Rocky Mountain Oysters.They were the main dish at this festival in Clitherall.   They actually were a lot better than the lutefisk! Counting the Para sailing two years ago, that's three things checked off the list for me.

Oh boy, I do know all three of those items are NOT on my 'bucket list'!

Birthday bash

It's time for little Jackie Inman (Doug & Dawn O'Donnell Inman) to celebrate her 4th birthday today, and you can bet she'll have plenty of action at her house as she does. Better stay inside today though as that cold air will be nipping on your nose.....happy birthday, Jackie!

Double celebrations

There's a 'daily double' today as we have an anniversary and a birthday to acknowledge....the anniversary is a big milestone for Al & Annette O'Donnell as they celebrate their 40th anniversary today.   And, the birthday is for the newlywed in the Korkowski family....Jessica Peterson, Caleb's new bride (#36).  So, congrats and happy birthday all rolled into one day!

Thanksgiving 2013 memories.....

Thanks to Jim and Staci Korkowski for sending these pictures of their Minnesota Thanksgiving (bet they're mighty glad to be back home this week, although I believe it's pretty chilly...for them...down there as well).

Jennae, Staci, Jim and Joe....hmmmm, what is that they're drinking??

There's always cleanup...and Joe and Jan are doing their part

Grandpa Jim checking out these very smart-looking kids!

Jim Korkowski and Diane Campbell

A long-time Korkowski pasttime....cards!

Love this picture.....Colin Hanson enjoying his dessert at a table for one please!

Adults play games too....

Christmas greetings from Bismarck ND.....

The following picture came to me via grandma Christella of Christopher Korkowski and fiancee Julie Balzer in their 'Thing 1' and 'Thing 2' Dr. Seuss tribute this holiday season. Even their dog got in on the act (bet he loved that hat of his!).  So, Merry Christmas to you all from Chris and Julie....