{Maui Update: Day 3}

Today we ...


Walked to the local farmer's market. (Two fist pumps for finding Husband's favorite leafy green).


Spent time in the sun at Napili Bay.


Drank this coffee for breakfast. (Indeed, it was).


Found jazz hands in the most unexpected places.


Read these two books.


Walked through a grove of mango trees.


Played with sea turtles. (Who Twinner said looked like gigantic Milk Duds under water).


And ate dinner on our balcony while watching the sun disappear into the ocean. Another GREAT day in Maui Waui.

Ps, Twinner's been covering me in sunscreen every 20 minutes in exchange for the use of my toothbrush. Sometimes you have to work out deals, even when on vacation.

XOXO

{Maui Update: Day 2}

Today we ...


Woke up to rainbows falling from the sky.


Had homemade banana milk & granola for breakfast.


Went running at Kapalua Bay.


Saw rocks that looked like Swiss cheese.


Stopped at Hawaiian Village Coffee for bagels & espresso.


Felt free.


Stuffed our bellies with baked salmon and polenta at Lahaina Grill (Thank you Brother!).


And watched one of the most amazing sunsets we've ever seen ... another great day in Maui Waui.

Ps, It's been said that if you need music at the beach you're missing the point. Even though Twinner and I completely agree with this statement, we would highly suggest listening to Sean Hayes - Stella Seed at least once or twice. Even at the beach.

XOXO

{Maui Update: Day 1}

The average lifespan is 25,550 days. Today we ...


Got up at 3am to watch the sunrise on Haleakala.


Saw trees that looked like worms.


Watched photographers be one with the clouds.


Played with our shadows.


Visited the Haleakala Crater.


Fell in love with Jacaranda Trees.


Biked 27 miles to Paia while wearing our Woobie capes.


Watched paddle surfers from our balcony.


And played at the beach. A good day well spent ...

Tonight we're going to watch a movie and head to bed early. Twinner said she'd make me homemade vegan banana milk & granola for breakfast in the morning. Have I mentioned that vacationing with Sarah Eloise Latoya Rainbow Richmond is the shiz?

Hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful holiday weekend!

{Sayonara Dallas, Hello Maui!}

Dear Friends, I'll be taking a little break from posting this week, but be sure and check back for photo updates of the Twinner and I in Maui!

PS, My Twinner's name is Sarah (since some of you have been asking). Sarah Eloise Latoya Rainbow Richmond. And she maybe might have just texted to say she'd be picking me up at the airport wearing her bikini. Maybe.

(Photo by We Heart It)

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, sometimes you like to cover things with outdoor stickers. Like your lunch box and your laptop. I think this is awesome. Dear Ollie at Chase Bank, ever since they transferred you to another branch, depositing checks just hasn't been the same. You were the nicest bank teller I've ever met. Dear Twinner, this time tomorrow I'll be tackling your little vegan self in the Kahului airport. I bet I squeeze you so hard you yell "Aloooooooooha!!!" Can't wait. Dear Husband, because we'll be apart for 8 days I've decided to leave you my favorite sleeping shirt under your pillow. May you dream of Harley's, lightening bolts, and screaming eagles. Miss you already.

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, last night you asked me if I’d help you build a rocket. “Of course!” I said. Then you asked me if I knew of any rocket stores in Dallas. Dear Summer, welcome back. We missed you. Ps, thanks in advance for all of the after dinner bike rides, 8pm sunsets, and lightening bugs that will help make this summer a memorable one. Dear Dehydrated Pineapple, wanna come to Haleakala with Twinner and I? I think you’ll be the perfect snack for Bubby as she rides her hot pink bici down the volcano. (Insert Eye of the Hurricane by David Wilcox here). Dear Husband, tonight you greeted me with a kiss and a piece of key lime pie from Whole Paycheck. Thanks for making a special trip to the store just for me. To the moon … (on our rocket of course).

{World News by The Local Natives}

Guaranteed to make your Wednesday great ... inspiration found at 00:36.

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, this afternoon you started flailing your arms around in the air like you were spinning invisible pizzas. Then you looked at me and said you were just trying to get psyched up for your shower. (Reason #238 why boy roommates are AWESOME). Dear Newport Folk Festival, Andrew Bird, My Morning Jacket, Brandi Carlile, Low Anthem, Horse Feathers, Swellies, and The Avett Brothers? Really? Pretty sure I've died and gone to music heaven. Dear Fox & ABC, In the past 24 hours I've had to lose my two favorite Jack's. Don't be alarmed when Mr. McFeely starts delivering you my grief counseling bills. Just sayin. Dear Husband, love you more than spitting watermelon seeds by the pool at midnight. Ps, best way to end a day EVER.

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, this morning you said your new best friend was a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Then you asked if I was j-to-the-ealous. I said no because Mr. Clean Magic Eraser's make our bathroom look be-to-the-dazzled. Dear LOST, six seasons of pure awesomeness OVER. JUST. LIKE. THAT. 12 8 15 16 23 42 = the number of days Husband and I will be mourning your absence. Dear Nina, sending you 21 leg kicks in honor of your 21st Birthday. (Ps, your sisters and I think you're pretty fantastic). Dear Beloved, sometimes you like to use Woobie to send me secret messages. Like this morning. Thanks for reminding me that hanging onto my transitional objects can still be a good thing.

{Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!}

CONGRATULATIONS TO STEPHANIE FROM HOUSTON, TX
for winning our Blue Bell & Magic Shell Giveaway!

You will be receiving 1 lb of granola from Legal Grounds, 3 different flavors of Magic Shell, enough monies to buy 2 gallons of Blue Bell Ice Cream, and a hand drawn note from Mr. Loerke, because he's just that good with colored pencils.

Please email your contact info to em@todaysletters.com so The Pony Express can deliver your major award!

A special thanks to all 84 of you who entered this weeks giveaway. Your comments were both hilarious and encouraging. Beyond grateful for you guys!

{Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter}

Because Asparagus will only be in season for 3 more weeks we wanted to share with you our FAVORITE RECIPE for this skinny green veggie. We love asparagus like we do sleeping in, plus it makes our pee smell AWESOME.

Ingredients:
40 asparagus spears, trimmed (about 2 pounds)
Cooking spray
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons soy sauce (we use Tamari)
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Arrange asparagus in a single layer on baking sheet; coat with cooking spray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 400° for 12 minutes or until tender.

3. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat; cook for 3 minutes or until lightly browned, shaking pan occasionally. Make sure not to burn it just get it to a point where the butter has a nutty smell. Remove from heat; stir in soy sauce and vinegar. Drizzle over the asparagus, tossing well to coat. Serve immediately.


Original recipe by The Girl Who Ate Everything.

{Fist Pumps for Flying Vegan!}

Remember our very first giveaway sponsored by the Twinner's granola bar company, Flying Vegan? Well, check out this amazing review written by big time foodie, Gena Hamshaw in New York.


Won't be long before you start seeing Flying Vegan Granola Bars at Whole Paycheck. Mark my words. SO PROUD OF YOU SISTER!

Ps, I maybe might have ridden my invisible horse around the house a hundred times tonight while shouting, "MY TWINNER IS THE SHIZ!"

{Fist Pumps for Today's Letters}

Yesterday, Victoria Smith over at sfgirlbybay did a sweet write up on Today's Letters.
Click here to read her post!

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, today you are officially halfway through your family medicine rotation. Pretty sure this calls for some celebratory Popsicles by the pool. Dear Deep Ellum, whenever I pass by your murals it's like driving through a gigantic bag of Skittles. Thank you for always reminding me to never take color for granted. Dear REI, today began your biggest sale of the year. Thankful for dividend checks and for Gorillapods that will soon capture Twinner and I lassoing sea turtles in Hawaii. Dear Beloved, I think the tops of your feet feel like velvet. Just sayin'. Over and out.

Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway! Winner will be announced on Monday!

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, I know you're getting sleepy when you start to twirl your hair around your index finger and sing Bon Iver songs. Love this about you. Dear C&M, Tuesday night you came over and watched LOST with us. Three points for showing up in your jammers, four points for bringing Blue Bell. (Insert couple crush here). Dear Darby, Bubba and I have been wondering what's your favorite nickname for your Twinner? Ps, a good song for Rover's iPod = The Rabbit & The Bear by Josh Garrels. Dear Husband, thank you for always folding my unmentionables even though you know I like to wad them up and throw them in my drawer. To the moon ...

Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway! Winner will be announced on Monday!

{Lack of Height by Caroline Smith and The Good Night Sleeps}

Thursday afternoon recommended listening. You can thank me later with lots of jazz hands.

{Reason #976}

Reason #976 why I love the Mr: He smokes Black and Mild's with his fellas.

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, this afternoon you came with me to my Dr's appointment. Two points for knowing how to make a girl feel loved. Dear PB&J Sammy, while eating you for lunch I noticed you were extra sticky. This is because Husband patched every one of the holes in your bread with peanut butter. Dear Netzer, yesterday you left me a message saying LaraBars were 30% off at Sunflower Market. Thanks for looking out for me. Dear Husband, today you walked around looking like this. Congratulations on getting your teeth cleaned. You are so brave.

Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway! Winner will be announced on Monday!

{Holy Giveaway, Batman!}

In honor of Today's Letters 1 month Birthday, Mr. Loerke and I are giving away 2 gallons of Blue Bell Ice Cream, 3 different flavors of Magic Shell, and 1 lb of granola from Legal Grounds. Why? Because in addition to thinking this is the best dessert combination EVER, we believe there's just no better way to celebrate.


To enter, leave a comment below by Sunday, May 23rd and we'll announce the lucky winner on Monday.

By the way, Husband and I couldn't be more grateful for your support. Your comments have made us laugh, they've made us cry, they've even made us do chest bumps and leg kicks in jammers. THANK YOU.

A Note from the Pony Express: To honor our out-of-state and international readers, Husband and I will be including some Benjamin's in the winner's package to cover the cost of ice cream. Holla.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Today's Letters currently has a readership of 1,000+ readers per day and is viewed in over 60 countries. If you'd like to become one of our monthly sponsors please contact me. I'd be happy to send you a rate sheet.

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, this morning I found a note from you hidden in our cereal box. This was way better than a Captain Midnight secret-decodor ring. Dear Macbook, 2 broken screens in 8 months? Pretty sure I need to start carrying you wrapped in Woobie. Ps, three fist pumps and a leg kick for AppleCare. Dear Morrisons, only you guys could turn babysitting Ava into a hot date for the Mister and I. Thank you for last night's dinner, bottle of Shiraz, and for our Jack Bauer power hour. Dear Husband, whenever I catch you doing this it makes me wanna make out. Just sayin.

Ps, Today's Letters maybe might be having a giveaway tomorrow. Maybe.

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, last night you made my favorite summer dessert OF ALL TIME. I think I will call it, "Grilled Hobo Fruit Packs of Awesomeness" (with a side of Gingersnaps & Jazz Hands). Job well done. Dear Grass Between Our Toes, it was wonderful to feel you while running at the Arboretum this weekend. We promise to do this more often. Dear Food Dehydrator, congratulations on being voted our #1 appliance by Loerke Reports two years in a row. Yesterday's pineapple turned out d-to-the-licious. Dear Husband, you are the key of my lime, the Saran of my wrap, and the tire of my swing. Beyond blessed to call you Beloved.

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1.02.28

{Grilled Hobo Fruit Packs of Awesomeness}

Pretty sure we'll be making these a thousand times this summer. After all, they're FUN, they're EASY, and they taste AMAZING.

Ingredients:
1 lb nectarines (we used peaches since it was all we had)
3 Tbs of sugar (or Agave)
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup crushed gingersnaps (Whole Paycheck sells these in their bulk section)
Blue Bell's Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
More crushed gingersnaps for garnish

Directions:
1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, toss together all of the ingredients except the garnish.

2. Fill the Hobo Packs: Arrange four 12-inch squares of heavy-duty foil on a work surface. (We used 2 sheets of regular foil per pack). Spoon 1/4 tablespoon of butter in the center of each foil square and pour the fruit mixture over the butter.

3. Fold the Hobo Packs: Bring 2 sides of the foil up over the fruit and fold to form a seam across the top. Fold the remaining two sides to seal the hobo packs completely.

4. Grill the Hobo Packs: Grill the hobo packs over moderate heat until sizzling, about 10 minutes. (We threw ours in the oven for about 8 min at 300°). Open and pour the fruit into bowls. Serve with ice-cream and crumbled gingersnaps as garnish.



Original recipe by Food & Wine.

{Flyboys Movie Trailer}

Have you seen this film? I'm not sure where Husband and I were back in 2006 when it debuted, but we recently fell in love with it. Overall rating by Siskel & Loerke = two BIG thumbs up.



Happy Monday!

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, today you brought me home a cookie wrapped in paper towel and scotch tape. Two points for resourcefulness, three points for being the best gift wrapper I know. Dear Twinner, I'm convinced this is one of the many reasons why we're so close. Who said bonding in the bathroom was just for boys? Dear Lula B's Flea Market, thanks for being so good to me today. Your new Deep Ellum location off of Good Latimer and Main is every pickers dream. Dear Husband, tonight is dude night. Dinner with your boys then bonding with Russell Crowe. Ps, if you wanna sleep with your bow & arrows tonight, I'll understand.

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1.02.28

{A Letter & A Dog Named Mailbox}

Recently the Twinner confessed to me that she wants to name her first dog Mailbox in honor of how much she loves getting mail. I couldn't agree more with her decision or the reason behind it. (Ps, how cute is the Twinner?)


Yesterday Mr. McFeely delivered a sweet note all the way from Oregon. The friend who sent it was one of the first people who encouraged me to start this blog in the first place. A great reminder that having friends who believe in you is more priceless than a lifetime supply of Magic Shell.

So I just want to say a big THANK YOU to Cara Portland and to the other fans of Todaysletters. Your support has been better then any underwire push-up bra.

Enjoy your weekend!

Today's Letters

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, yesterday I got to ask for your forgiveness three times. THREE TIMES. Is that a new record? (Ps, beyond grateful for your grace). Dear Weekend, usually you are marked by good food, a clean house, rest, a foreign film, and time outside with dear friends. Thanks for always being the favorite part of my week. Dear LaraBar, are you really going to retire your pistachio protein bar of amazingness? Had I known I may not have eaten my last two for lunch. Dear Husband, sometimes when you're not feeling well I like to climb on you and make funny faces. I know you may not believe me, but this is the best kind of medicine. From the 1's to the 12's...

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1.02.28