Cold enough for ya?

I was reading Katelyn's Korner, her link is on my page and commiserating the blast of Old Man Winter we received! I don't believe the temperature was above 0 degrees today. The ice rink Al is working on in the back yard is nice and frozen! This makes me wish a teeny bit to be in Mexico-but because it is Christmas time, I am okay to be home here in Minnesota. We have a beautiful blanket of snow which is making for a nice White Christmas. BUT that said, you couldn't drag me out of the house for anything except work and bringing Carlos to karate today! I picked Carlos and the neighbor girls up and the bus stop and stuffed all four kids into my little VW bug. As crowded as it was for 1/2 a block I would not dream of letting any of them walk out in the bitter cold. Kim and Katelyn, I feel your icy pain! :) I think I need a cup of some wonderful hot tea about now.

Carlos is sporting his new yellow stripe belt he earned on Friday. He is SO proud of it he actually slept with his belt for a few night. It is the first in a series of belts he will earn. With a little luck the video will appear below! What kind of yummy things is everyone making for their Christmas dinners? I am in the cooking mood big time. Old favorites, new favorites. bring it on. I should mention our stay at the Bloomington Hilton was fan-tab-ulous! We had an unbelievable dinner at the Bloomington ChopHouse (hi! Paul! :) ). The room was gorgeous. We began with a stop at the Executive Lounge and went to our room to get ready for dinner. We arrived and felt like rock stars all night. We had a beautiful booth and had course after course of wonderful food. The chef first sent out a lobster salad on a bed of thinly sliced cucumbers. I had a glass of champagne with mine. We then ordered dinner. Al had a bone-in rib eye, I had scallops and together we shared a delicous spinach salad which was sprinkled with goat cheese and lightly candied pecans, I think. We, naturally, ordered the polenta which was really good! How beaming proud was I? We had a nice bottle of cabernet with our meal and afterwards the generous chef sent out a cheese plate. Al and I were in culinary heaven! We ended our meal with cinnamon creme brulee and coffee drinks. Carlos is looking forward to joining us for our second night at the hotel and is asking when we are going to the ChopHouse. I said Carlos it is expensive and he said but Mommy you won! I can't bear to tell him that Al and I already went! We will have to go down for appetizers for sure. I think it is so great that he is so into it and is an adventurous eater and will try everything. That's my boy. Until next time...