{Our Most Popular November Posts}

Hey Homies, just thought you'd be interested in knowing our most read posts for November. Here they are in case you missed them! XOXO

1. {Campfire Orange Cake Recipe}
2. {Team Loerke Holiday Gift Guide}
3. {Holy Giveaway, Batman!}
4. {Our Story}

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, after a rough day at the hospital and a two hour commute home you walked in the house and said, "I just wanna be a real boy, Emma." This was followed by a long, deep sigh and a reminder to always put my teeth in milk if they ever get knocked out. Dear Sour Patch Candy Canes, I have a feeling we're gonna be best pals this Christmas. Just like Zuzu and her petals, Uncle Eddie and his eggnog, Randy and his mashed potatoes and meatwad. Dear Charlie Brown, you would be so proud of the tree we brought home. It has lots of bald spots and leans too far to the left, but he smells like Christmas. Dear Timothy James PA-S III, sometimes you need to be reminded of certain things as you're leaving for work. Love you more than folded laundry and a deep cleaned kitchen.

What are you most looking forward to this week?

Don't forget to enter Twinner's Giveaway! Both winners will be chosen at random and announced on Friday!

And special leg kicks and fist pumps to those who continue to vote for our blog ... No whammies, no whammies ...

{A Letter & Giveaway} From the Twinner!

One of my favorite things about living in California includes shopping for fresh produce year-round at the local farmer's markets. I have quickly learned that seasonal eating is D-TO-THE-LISH, and soup is one of my new favorite ways to enjoy produce throughout the changing seasons!
My dear friend and chef Rebecca Stevens, is the creative genius behind Berkeley's beloved soup cookbook called, SOUPLOVE. It includes 12 vegan friendly seasonal soup recipes that are both amazing in taste and easy to create.
To celebrate the fall and winter season, I'd like to offer 2 lucky readers an autographed copy of SOUPLOVE! To enter, just leave a comment below by Thursday, December 2nd and we'll announce the winners on Friday! You can also purchase this little gem of a book HERE, as well as read a stellar review written by 101 Cookbooks HERE.
Have a SOUP-er Monday, Homies!
Twinner

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, sometimes you like to eat cookies at 7:05 in the morning, and sometimes you like to pluralize items on our grocery lists. I love these things about you. Dear Chilled Salad Bowls, four points for reminding me of my Papa, three points for making our homegrown arugula taste UH-MAZING. Dear Self, if husband is missing check A) the bathroom B) his fort C) the 8ft tall teepee in our living room or D) all of the above. Dear Timothy James, I know our condos say that Christmas trees are a fire hazard, but I'm pretty sure our treepod needs a Frasier Fir companion this year. Just sayin.

What do you put on top of your Christmas tree? Ours is topped with Twinner's angel she made out of a toilet paper roll and construction paper when she was 5. It's my fave.

SOME POSTS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:
Happy Toerke Day
Friday Fist Pump Photos
We made it to Round 2!
Thanksgiving Weekend Photos
Holiday Gift Guide 2010

PS, we maybe might be having a special blog post from the Twinner later today ... and it may or may not involve a giveaway. Bam!

{Thanksgiving Weekend}

Mr. Loerke and I had a wonderful time celebrating Toerke Day in Tulsa with Tim's side of the family. We had two Thanksgiving dinners, played outside, attended the Utica Square lighting ceremony, roasted s'mores, watched football, and just enjoyed being with family. How bout you? Did you enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend? Please tell me some of you already have Christmas trees in your living room! (only 27 more days ...)

{Fist Pump Friday!}

After seeing the movie Whip It, I couldn't help but shimmy across the hardwoods when I received the above photo. Meet the referees for the Minnesota RollerGirls: Dee Deadpoint, Winona Collider, Ro Hoe, Edelvice, Jayne Slayne and Apathe' Carrie. Pretty sure these chickies are my new heros.


Last weekend I got to do a photo shoot for my dear friends Brandon & Kaity who celebrated their 1 year anniversary. As you can imagine, there was much fist pumpage and leg kickage going on.


Lastly, meet Jocelyn, a fellow Taylor University student and my new recruit for Indian Princess anonymous. Three points for celebrating Toerke Day in style.

Thanks to those of you who sent in photos. We love getting to know you! Ps, Mr. Loerke will resume his letters next Friday. He is currently on holiday kickin it with his family and eating his weight in leftover pumpkin pie.

To participate, send a picture of you and your Homies throwing fist pumps and leg kicks to em{at}todaysletters.com ... it's just that simple.

{Happy Turkey Day!}

So T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L for each and every one of you. Do you know this? Now go stuff your bocas with mom's sweet potato casserole and nana's pumpkin pie!

XOXO,
Little Running Bear

{In the Dirt by S. Carey}

Bon Iver + Imogen Heap = S. Carey.

I recently fell in love with S. Carey's new album, "All We Grow." You can thank me with extra servings of fried turkey and green bean casserole.

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, this morning while driving to work you pulled over to text me a photo of the sunrise. Just because you didn't want me to miss it. I LOVED THIS. Dear Special Delivery, you are better than a fort, smaller than a giraffe, and will take up half our living room starting today at 10am. CAN'T WAIT. Dear Bossman, yesterday it was 78° so you took us out for froyo and let us have the afternoon off to play. Thanks from the bottom of my candied yams for giving us an early start to Thanksgiving Break. Dear Husband, sometimes Americanos from The Pearl Cup make you so EXCITED. Kind of like Lenny and his rabbits.

HAPPY (almost) THANKSGIVING! What are you most thankful for this year?

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, this morning you confessed that you forgot to wear your night guard last night, thus causing all of your teeth to feel like they fell out. Reason #127 why we always wear our grillz to bed. Dear Science Experiment, for the past 4 days I've been sprouting radish seeds in our office window. Pretty sure Dwight Schrute called and wants me to be his next beet farmer. Dear Justin Vernon, thanks for being the catalyst to my increased productivity at work yesterday. Your For Emma, Forever Ago album has always made Mondays feel like Fridays. Dear Husband, lately we've been reading this book before bed. It makes me wanna have 10 of your babies. Not. gonna. lie.

What good books have you read lately?

{December Sponsors}

We have almost a DOZEN NEW SPONSORS lined up for DECEMBER and would love to give you the opportunity to claim the last couple of ad spaces for next month. Be sure and contact us THIS WEEK if you're interested in receiving our rate sheet! XOXO

{Ame Sensible by Lili Ster}

Some Monday afternoon motivation for all my non-coffee drinking Homies. Enjoy.

XOXO

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, Friday night we built a fort, wore paper crowns, and watched Where The Wild Things Are. Here's to dirt clod wars, wild rumpus games, and sleeping in piles. Dear Whole Paycheck, after noticing you had Christmas trees for sale we decided to check every one for Aunt Bethany's cat and Jello mold. All clear. Dear Liberte Strawberry Greek Yogurt, I'm convinced they've packed you with a pint of strawberries and two fist pumps. Thanks for giving me another reason to look forward to brekky. Dear Husband, today begins your long 5 month journey of rural, pediatric, and surgery rotations. Looking forward to taking things one day at a time. Beyond blessed to be your wingman.

What's your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

HAPPY MONDAY, LITTLES!

A special thanks to those of you who bid on our Vincent Van Loerke Paintings. We raised $82.00 for the McKeaigg Family Adoption and couldn't be more grateful!

Also, in case you missed our earlier post we were recently nominated by The Blog Guidebook for Top Blog 2010! To vote, click on the bird located in our sidebar.

Lastly, if you're a faithful reader of Today's Letters would you mind following our blog? We love knowing who you are!

{Last Chance!}

We just wanted to remind everyone that tonight's your LAST CHANCE to bid on our Vincent Van Loerke Paintings to help raise money for the McKeaigg Family adoption. Let's bring their baby home!

Go HERE to bid.
(auction ends at 8pm CST)XOXO

{Fist Pump Friday!}

When Emily & Keith emailed me this photo for our Fist Pump Friday post I both smiled and cried. Meet their son Tage who recently had open heart surgery to repair a unique condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Only days after surgery this little guy was already throwing fist pumps. Go Tage!


Our next photo comes all the way from China. Kara and her husband Peter recently introduced some of their students to homemade chocolate chip cookies. This resulted in the only appropriate response I can think of ... fist pumps and leg kicks!


Noooow here's a cutie. Check out Cara's sweet cub Mae rockin her woobie cape and jammers all the way in Portland, OR. (Insert bonus points here for correct usage of woobie).


Our last Fist Pump Friday photo features Sarah, Stephanie, and Alyssa, three recent college grads workin the 9-5 in Tulsa. They get bonus points for taking their photo at the center of the universe and for living in Husband's hometown. T-minus 5 days until the Loerke's invade the Utica Square lighting ceremony.

Thanks to those of you who sent in photos. We love getting to know you!

To participate, send a picture of you and your Homies throwing fist pumps and leg kicks to em{at}todaysletters.com ... it's just that simple.

{Husband's Letters}

Husband's Letters: Dear Mrs. Loerke, sometimes you ask me to sleep on your side of the biscuit so it will be warm when you get in. I give you 10 points for creative use of Husband. Dear Physician Assistant Blog, this month you turn 100 posts old! It's hard to believe you began at the start of my PA education. Only 175 more days until graduation! Dear Commerce, TX, please be kind as I drive over 2.5 hours to visit you each day. The Fart Box can't take many more commutes. Dear Little, do you know how excited I am about our Thanksgiving road trip to Tulsa? I especially can't wait to play the iPod game with you.

Love,
Husband

The Mr. asks: What's the longest road trip you've ever been on?

HAPPY FREAKIN WEEKEND!

Be sure and check back later today for our FIST PUMP FRIDAY photos!

Also, our Vincent Van Loerke Paintings have currently raised $61.00 for the McKeaigg Family Adoption. We'd love to make it a hundy! Go HERE to bid. Auction ends THIS Sunday 8pm CST.

{Sayonara Beard}

Today, Husband and I both had the day off from work. We slept in, studied, had lunch with our friend Adam, spent time baking in the kitchen, and got some much needed REST. The Mr. also got his first haircut in 3 months. Doesn't he look handsome?

Happy (almost) weekend, Littles.

Can't wait for you to see tomorrow's Fist Pump Friday photos!

{Loerke Holiday Gift Guide 2010}

After receiving several emails about holiday gift recommendations I decided to put together our first Holiday Gift Guide. Almost everything suggested costs less than 20 dollhairs because let's be honest, most of us know extravagance as getting a few extra minutes in our jammers. Enjoy!

1. Blue Bottle Coffee: For the coffee lover we'd definitely recommend Blue Bottle's Ethiopian Yirgacheffe ($19.75 lb) or Mexican Chiapas ($17.75 lb) whole bean coffee. Both are two of our favorites.


2. Mustache Glass: Team Loerke thinks this glass is for anyone with a sense of humor and lack of facial hair ($15.00).



3. Camera Lens Bracelets: I am not a big jewelery wearer, but these lens bracelets totally make the photographer in me clap my hands and say yeah (2 for $15.00).


4. McClure's Garlic Dill and Spicy Pickles: You guys know how we feel about pickles. We recently saw these on one of our favorite TV shows, "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" and can't wait to try them ($12.00 each).


5. Mix Stix Drumstick Kitchen Spoons: Thanks to one of readers we now want to rock out while cooking with these ($10.00).



6. Funk Off! Vegan Bath & Body Products: Ever since Michelle & Chad introduced us to their shiz last month we've been hooked! We highly recommend all of their products but our favorites are their Oatmeal Milk & Honey Soap, Sapmoss Bonsai Body Spay, and their Later Gator Moon Goddess Body Lotion ($7.00 each).



7. Jonathan Safran Foer and his wife Nicole Krauss have both released new books that we're dying to read: Tree of Codes ($26.40) & Great House ($12.47). We'd also suggest reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and The History of Love.


8. Charles Chocolates: For the chocolate lover you can't go wrong with Triple Chocolate Almonds ($12.00) or Orange Truffle Twigs ($17.50) from Charles Chocolates. Both will have you singing, "Fra ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra."


9. Telegram: Did you know that you can still send an old fashioned telegram anywhere in the world? With TelegramStop all you have to do is type in your message in true telegram fashion (the word "stop" is substituted for periods), preview your telegram, then click send. Telegrams are delivered within 4-8 business days via mail truck ($5.65, international postage included).

10. Tiny Bird Ring: Again, I don't wear much jewelry but this bird ring is too cute for words ($22.00).


11. Yellow Submarine Tea Infuser: Perhaps with iTunes latest announcement this would be the perfect gift for Beatles fans and tea drinkers. "We all live in a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine ..." ($16.00).



12. Fred & Friends Ninjabread Men Cookie Cutters: What's not to love about leg kicking and fist pumping ninjabread men? Yes please! (3 for $14.00)


13. Electric Throw: Okay, okay, so this isn't less than $20.00 but it's certainly cheaper than a standard electric blanket and much more attractive than a Snuggie. As winter approaches I can't help but want one of these to A) put on our biscuit when Husband's gone on rotations B) to take to work (since space heaters got the axe) and C) wrap up with on the couch for late night movie watching ($29.95).


14. Egyptian Goddess Perfume by Auric Blends: I can't tell you how many people ask me each day what perfume I'm wearing. I've worn this since I was 14 not because I'm afraid of change, but because I LOVE IT. THAT. MUCH. ($7.00).


15. Postcards from Penguin: What's not to love about post cards and old Penguin Book covers? We think this 100 card boxed set is a steal ($16.50).



We hope you enjoyed our Holiday Gift Guide! If you have a little larger budget we'd highly recommend getting your loved ones a pair of TOMS ($54.00) ... the Loerke's have been fans for a couple of years and now they're one of the few shoes we'll wear. TOMS is even offering free shipping today!
Only 36 more days until Christmas.

XOXO

{Salmon & Shrimp Corn Chowder}

Earlier this week I mentioned the Mr. and I had discovered our new favorite Fall soup recipe. Here it is! We suggest you go put on your jammers and build a blanket fort because this soup is gonna make you toasty warm.

Ingredients: (serves 5-6)
3 Tbs olive oil
2 celery stalks cut into 1/2" slices
4 small red potatoes cut into 3/4" cubes
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground white pepper
5 green onions coarsely chopped (including the green parts)
4 small ears of corn (or 3 large ears) kernels removed
4 cups fish or chicken stock (we used chicken)
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 pound salmon fillet, skin and bones removed, cut into 1" pieces
20 shrimp, shelled
grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
4 Tbs minced dill

Directions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute the celery for 2 minutes. Add potatoes, salt, pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally for 3-5 minutes. Then add green onions, corn, and chicken stock while scraping away any pieces of celery stuck to the bottom of the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 12 minutes or until potatoes are almost tender.

2. Add heavy cream and let simmer uncovered for about 3 minutes or until the potatoes are completely soft. Stir in the salmon, shrimp, and lemon zest. Simmer gently until the seafood is cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Add lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle dill on top just before serving.


Original recipe adapted from Epicurious.

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, next week you begin your rural rotation in Commerce, TX. Pretty sure I miss you already. Dear Homies, Christmas came early this year after recently being nominated by The Blog Guidebook for Top Blog of 2010. This made Santa say, "Ho ho ho holy sh%tballs." (Voting begins Saturday, more info to come). Dear Fall, I think you're coming along just fine. That's all. Dear Homeboy, you are brave enough to slay dragons, can bench press two small children, but are still terrified of roaches. I can cook a mean pot roast, show you how to spot a good bargain at a flea market, and will chase bugs around our house with a hammer, HazMat suit, and paper towel. We make a good team.

What are you most afraid of?

We'd love for you to consider bidding on our Vincent Van Loerke Masterpieces to help us raise support for the McKeaigg Family adoption. Let's bring their baby home!

Also, check back later for our new favorite Fall soup recipe. You're gonna love it.

Lastly, our button no longer has the white border around it in case you want to update the code for your blog. Bam!

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Yellow Belt Loerke, last night you said your favorite thing about your room growing up was having enough space to practice karate. This comment was followed by 4 junk punches and 10 roundhouse kicks in our living room. Dear BRod, yesterday you brought us a bag of freshly picked snap beans from your garden. We think your first fruits are d-to-the-licious. Dear Pioneer Woman, this weekend Husband declared that your Blackberry Cobbler is now his favorite dessert. OF ALL TIME. (And he hasn't even tried your Cinnamon Rolls). Dear Husband, I'm a Swifferaholic, prefer lukewarm tea over hot coffee, and am currently sleeping in enough clothes to keep an army of Eskimo's warm at night. Thanks for loving all parts of me. To the moon!

What was your favorite thing about your room growing up? (Someone please say NKOTB posters and bunk beds).

{Holiday Blog Sponsors}

If you'd like to become a sponsor of Today's letters for the month of December be sure and email me for our rate sheet! Today's Letters receives 3,000 - 5,000 page views per day (120,000 per month) and would love to promote, introduce, and publicize your website or small business under our RECOMMENDATIONS heading. December is a great month to consider advertising for the holidays! Werd.

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, this weekend we slept in past 9, made pumpkin pancakes, went to The Freelance Whales concert, watched Toy Story 3, made our favorite Fall soup (recipe to come!), and celebrated my mom's 57th birthday. A GREAT weekend. Dear Happy Place, why is it I often find you in doing things like reorganizing our spice rack? I. need. help. Dear Bank Teller, sometimes I try and balance my checkbook before you send back my receipt through the tube. It's kind of like a game, but this morning you were fast like jackalope. Dear Husband, last night before showering you taught me how to make farting noises with my armpit. Reason #250 why boy roommates are AWESOME.

What are you most looking forward to this week?

SOME POSTS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:
The Cameras & Editing Software We Use
An Opportunity to Win Our Paintings
Fist Pump Friday Photos
Husband's Letters

{Vincent Van Loerke's}

Remember last month when Husband and I took a painting class? Well, guess what? Now we're giving you the opportunity to hang our masterpieces above YOUR biscuit instead of ours.


Meet our sweet friends Kent & Emily McKeaigg. Infertility has been a part of their story for close to 3 years which has now led them to the process of adoption.


In an effort to help raise support for our friend's future bambino the Mr. and I will be auctioning off our paintings on Ebay. What what. We would love for you to consider bidding as you process ways to give this holiday season. The winner will receive both of our paintings, two McKeaigg adoption t-shirts, as well as a hand written letter from Mr. Loerke and I. The auction will close THIS Sunday, November 21st at 8pm CST.

Please go HERE to bid and HERE to read more about Kent & Emily's story.

Much love,
Em & Tim

HAPPY FREAKIN MONDAY, HOMIES!

Ps, check back later this morning to read Monday's Letters!