"Weekend" with Mom and Dad

So...mom and dad were able to come up this weekend for a visit!  I put WEEKEND in quotes in the title of this post, because I actually only spent a little time with them on Friday evening, and NO time with them today.  The REAL fun occured on Saturday!

Duane and I met everyone at Robin and Dave's at 8:00, and we headed to the Minneapolis Farmer's Market.  It wasn't very crowded, as I think most people assume that it's already over for the season.  We found some GREAT fruits and veggies, mom found an AWESOME jacket, and Duane bought me a TOTALLY COOL chicken print that a local artist created, Eric Carle style, from junk mail...VERY CREATIVE!

We had breakfast brats at our "brat stand", coffee from our coffee place, found the last of the Colorado peaches, and enjoyed PERFECT, sunny, warm weather.  It was AWESOME!  I think that was probably our last visit until they start up again next spring.  We SO didn't get there enough this summer, but, that's how it usually goes...

After a couple of hours at the farmer's market, we headed to Bachmann's.  They were hosting an antique sale in the greenhouse, and had LOTS of cool stuff.  I actually made it out of there without purchasing anything...no plants...no antiques...nothing.  PRACTICALLY unheard of!

After Bachmann's we went back to Robin and Dave's for lunch.  Duane and I made a quick run to Baker's Wife for bread and pastries, then we all chowed down on Fat Lorenzo's pizza.  Pepperoni and green olive...YUM!  If you are ever on Cedar Avenue, near Highway 62 in South Minneapolis, check them out...they make REALLY, REALLY GOOD PIZZA!!!

Since we are not a crowd to just "sit around", we then rushed off to see "Secretariat" at the Regal Theater in Eagan.  WHAT A GREAT MOVIE!  I knew a little bit about the events surrounding Secretariat's life, but not much.  Wow!  What an amazing horse!  Diane Lane played Mrs. Chenery Tweedy...she was AMAZING.  I've been a fan since "Under the Tuscan Sun".  It was GREAT to see her in another "Oscar worthy" performance!

After the movie, they all headed back to South Minneapolis, and Duane and I BOOKED IT back to our place to start cooking dinner for everyone.  We had about two hours to get it all together, but pulled it off, and had an awesome dinner of homemade bread, pastitsio, salad, and key lime cake. 

It was a CRAZY, BUSY day, but also REALLY fun, and it was GREAT to have mom and dad here!  Dad continues to improve after his surgery in September, and we're SO thankful to have him around to enjoy!!!!!!

Here's hoping YOU were able to spend quality time with family recently!!!!