Wishing on a KitchenAid Mixer - a Kitchen Dream

I just ran across a fun giveaway posted on Dagmar Bleasdale's blog. http://www.dagmarbleasdale.com/2014/06/kitchenaid-mixer-giveaway/#more-17345

I follow Dagmar on Instagram & she had a tease about this sponsored post for PartSelect.com.

The rules: 

• "How to Enter: choose from one of the blogging topics, write a post on your blog about it, and send the URL of the post to contests@partselect.com. Easy!"

My chosen topic:

• "Do you long for a dishwasher? A double oven? Beyond a KitchenAid Mixer, tell us about your top three dream kitchen appliances!"

So in the slim chance that I actually win one of the 3 KitchenAid Mixers they are giving away, I'm sharing my top three dream kitchen appliances.

1. If cost wasn't a factor I'd chose the Thermador PODC302J.  Each oven is 4.7 cubic feet! I miss the double ovens I grew up with at my parent's home & when we are hosting large family gatherings, the two ovens is almost a necessity. As long as there were no strings attached & I had my choice, it would be a loaded package like this one.

See Photo on http://www.warnersstellian.com/product/11016/thermador-podc302j

2. My second choice would be a much larger refrigerator. We have a very small opening today & I was sad with how tiny we had to go to replace our current refrigerator.  This Electrolux EI23BC35KS would certainly work for us with the double doors, double wide shelves, ice & water in door, plus shelves & baskets in the freezer.

See Photo on http://www.warnersstellian.com/product/10009/electrolux-ei23bc35ks

3. Choice number three would be an upright freezer.

The Electrolux EI32AF65JS has some great features. An alarm system to alert you of a power failure or if a door has been left open. With 18.6 cubit feet of space I would be able to go prepare meals in advance and have plenty of storage to hold it all. Shelves would be wide enough for full size pizza boxes. I could even make homemade ice cream or Popsicles.

See Photo on http://www.warnersstellian.com/product/10505/electrolux-ei32af65js

One day when we remodel our 80's era kitchen, I hope to add at least one of my dream items to our plans. One can certainly dream, right?!

I was not compensated for this post, but I sure as heck hope I win a brand new KitchenAid mixer... I know you're jealous of my old school hand mixer. 

(And yes, I still keep it in the original box.)

Spring in Minnesota...Finally!

Each year about this time I do an obligatory gardening post. This past winter was an extrordinarily horrid one. So many hashtags emerged to help us all deal with the day after day of frigid cold. A sampling...

#PolarVortex
#Coldmageddon
#BlameJerrid

One reward for having an abundance of patience is gardening. It allows you have a place to strategize, plan, retreat & relax...to nurture, to escape.

It is a few days away from June and most of us only started the serious in ground & container planting this past week. I started with sowing seeds. Being a complete amateur at growing things from seed did not deter me from giving it another go. Last year sowing pea seeds was a rousing success & the herbs were a huge flop.

This year I have two indoor trays going... 2 kinds of Swiss Chard, 2 kinds of carrots, green onions, 2 varieties of tomatoes and a sweet pepper mix. This time everything has sprouted except the peppers. Outside I am direct sowing seeds for peas, sugar snap peas & green beans.

Growing tomatoes is a treat here in Minnesota. Summer & Fall's home grown tomatoes make up forball the cold months of suffering with bland hot house tomatoes. Come October, we actually start coveting the last few ripe tomatoes which can be picked & saved before the threat of a hard frost.

Along with Mr. Stripey Heirloom, Sweet 100's, Roma & Wisconsin 55 Heirloom starter tomatoes I've planted cucumbers, 6 varieties of peppers, tomatillos, basil, thyme, oregano, chives, mint, cilantro and rosemary. Oh...and Strawberries. Can't forget those.

The front of our home is well shaded by mature trees, so the selection of annuals is always slim pickings. The Fushia is a new choice, but it's quickly growing on me.

Previously Unpublished Reflections: Take Me Out To... Target Field

Stumbled upon this draft post from forever ago. Not only do we have funding for the new Vikings Stadium, but construction has begun, plus they were awarded the Superbowl in 2018. How times have changed in such a short time! 

Finally it was my turn to visit Target Field with my Hubby & Munchkin.

It's truly a sight to behold.

Although we didn't win I now know: 

We are truly blessed to have been able to build this fabulous home for our Minnesota Twins.

(Now if only the Minnesota Vikings could get their act together & sell the legislature on rallying around funding for their new stadium)