Minnesota, Hats off to thee

Once upon a time, I worked in Minnesota. I lived in Illinois, but about once a month, I flew to Minneapolis to meet with the AARP volunteers in the tiny field office at the Mall of America.

And thus began my deep and long-held affection for Minnesotans.

We used to stay at the Sheraton over by the Mall where they had an indoor pool.  In an act of daring that I have not displayed since, unless you count those crazy business trips with the property managers, I actually donned a swimsuit and frolicked in the pool with the people for whom I worked.  At first I declined their entreaties to join them.  But have you ever tried to wiggle out of something with a bunch of Lutheran, Nordic and Germanic-based women over the age of 65?  They didn't care about my vanity.  They were in a pool in the middle of winter in Minnesota, six inches of snow on the ground, happily warm from a little wine with dinner.  Who cared about cellulite?

"Look at us," the ring leader cried, tucking a gray curl into her swimcap.  "Now please go change and have some fun!"

Fast forward to 2007 or so when I started hanging out online and what do you know?  I tend to have an affinity for Minnesota bloggers. And they are just as warm and wonderful as those people who first introduced me to the special thing about the Land of A Thousand Lakes.  The people.

Mommy Lisa, Mnmom, and Whiskeymarie got together and baked cookies last weekend.  I'd mentioned to one of them in comments that I wished I could join them.

Well, they brought the party to me.  They sent our family a box stuffed with the most delicious cookies and a set of cheery kitchen towels and recipes.  It was a great surprise to get that box on Friday.

Thank you, my friends.  The only thing sweeter than these cookies is you.

xoxox,

Lisa