{Husband's Letters}

Husband's Letters: Dear Mrs. Loerke, this weekend we drove around Dallas looking at houses. Your ability to see the potential in things energizes this dreamer! Dear Africa Reading List, Em and I have been so blessed by the vast depths of knowledge poured over us in preparation for Uganda. We are continually challenged by the charge to care for the poor, orphan, and the widow. Dear Super Bowl, thanks for giving us a reason to make homemade hot wings. Looking forward to burning off our lips while using Ranch as ChapStick as we cheer on the Giants!  Dear Emma, sometimes you like to crawl up into my lap while we watch TV. There is nothing more enjoyable than having you near.

Over and out,
Tim

What good books have you read lately? And Giants or Patriots?

{Salmon Fishing in the Yemen Movie Trailer}

Three reasons to see this movie 1) Ewan McGregor & Emily Blunt 2) written by the screenwriter for Slumdog Millionaire 3) fly-fishing in Yemen.

Release Date: March 9th, 2012.

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, sometimes when I'm reading in bed you'll dump a pile of warm laundry on me and say, "Here's your poor man's electric blanket." This always makes me laugh. Dear Austin to Boston Tour, thanks for being a concert worth Twinner flying in for. Can't wait to road trip it to OKC in March to see Ben Howard, The Staves, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Bear's Den all share the same stage! Dear Homies, the movie Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was just as powerful as the book. Definitely a must see. Dear Timothy James (who always gets two letters), wanna speak at Merge on Valentine's Day? I was hoping you'd take me out afterwards on a hot date to In-N-Out.You know how I feel about their chocolate shakes.

Happy freaking Monday, Homies! How was your weekend? Did you do anything that made you laugh? Listen to anything that made you dance? Watch anything that made you grateful? Or eat anything that made you ride your invisible horse around your living room while shouting, "Holy deliciousness, Batman!"

{Sloom by Of Monsters And Men}

These guys = the perfect perfect sidekick to Saturday morning pancakes.

{Fist Pump Friday!}

To kick off this week's FPF photos we have University of Arkansas medical students Mallory and Adam who threw fist pumps at the Statue of Liberty before getting engaged. This dynamic duo also ...

... threw fist pumps after walking down the isle. Team Loerke says CONGRATS on almost being done with medical school! So proud of you both!

Lastly, meet Laura and 100 of her homies who are affiliated with SIFAT, a non-profit organization that focuses on training community leaders from developing countries. Way to teach others about water purification, sustainable agriculture, and community development!

Thanks to Mallory and Adam, we've met our second FPF challenge this year! Here's to accomplishing some others! Take a photo of you and your homies A) at the Pyramids in Egypt B) while riding an elephant C) with your mailman D) at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo or E) in front Antique Archaeology in Nashville. Of course all other entries will be accepted! To participate in FPF email photos to em{at}todaysletters{dot}com. Most importantly, happy freaking Friday, Homies!

{The Motomethod Documentary}

I know I've been throwing a lot of documentaries at you lately but this one reminds me of spending Wednesday nights at shop class with my dad. If only there were more places like this to teach younger generations to repair what they have instead of buying something new!

{You All Are So Brave!}

Just a quick hello to say THANK YOU to all of you who answered our questions on the blog today! You are officially no longer considered closet commenters. It's been fun getting to know you better, and in doing so we have realized five things: 1) you all are a bunch of talented people - everything from stay at home mama's to ivy league students 2) more of you live in the Dallas area than we thought 3) there are officially 2 men reading our blog 4) you all have impeccable taste in music and 5) you guys keep Crest in business. We love you guys!

PS, in case you haven't heard, Patagonia is having a huge sale ... go getchu some!

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, as we prepare for our trip to Uganda, one thing becomes more clear to me each day: this life we have together is such a *gift*. Dear Jack Bauer, looking forward to watching the premier of your new show on Fox tonight. Keeping my fingers crossed that you'll carry a satchel and phone CTU for backup. Dear Go Month (Get Organized Month), so far you've been marked by newly scrubbed hardwoods, a deep cleaned kitchen, and the tossing of all expired foods in our Frigidaire. Fresh starts are sometimes just what this girl needs. Dear Timothy James, your giving tree peace offerings are also the shiz. BAM!

For those of you who are comment shy on the blog, today's your day to put on your Wonder Woman (or Superman) skivvies and comment! We'd love to know A) your favorite song B) the most beautiful place you've ever visited and C) preferred toothpaste and D) occupation.

Tim's answers: Three Tree Town by Ben Howard, Alaska, TOM's Whole Care, Physician Assistant.
Em's answers: Re:Stacks by Bon Iver, Maui, Burt's Bees Multicare, Watermark Community Church Staff (for last 7 yrs) ... can you believe they let me work with kids??

Okay, your turn. We believe in you.

{Husband's Letters}

Husband's Letters: Dear Mrs. Loerke, lately you have been surprising me on our runs. Always on the last leg, you pick up the pace and kick my tail. I love being pushed by you!  Dear 63 Yr Old Cutie Grandma Patient, thank you for the thoughtful gift last week. Hopefully I will no longer be known as having cold hands during your knee injections. Dear Brother, I know you are in for a long recovery after your back surgery, but I have high hopes of you persevering. I'm proud of you, Matt! Dear Emma, this weekend you left me a chocolate covered pretzel decorated with Valentine's Day bling under our giving tree. I love your peace offerings after conflicts.

Over and out,
Tim

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! What's your favorite Valentine's Day candy?

{Can't Wait to See These!}

The Missing Piece: The Truth About the Man Who Stole The Mona Lisa



The Apple Pushers: The Story of Immigrant Street Vendors On A Mission to Sell Fresh Fruit in Inner City New York


Press Pause Play: The Truth About Art and Talent In Today's Digital Era



SOMM: The Story of Four Sommeliers Trying to Pass The Prestigious Master Sommelier Exam.

{The Civil Wars Concert}

The Civil Wars concert Saturday night was INCREDIBLE.

They played at The House of Blues, one of our favorite concert venues in Dallas.

The opening band,The Staves, pretty much had all of us eating out of their hands like the Sirens in Homer's Odyssey. Talk about incredible harmony!

Of course, one of my favorite moments was seeing The Civil Wars perform, Poison & Wine. You could have heard a pin drop it was so magical.



Overall Highlights: 1) pre-concert dinner with the McGuires & WMBM at The Velvet Taco 2) taking a fist pump photo with The Staves 3) Joy Williams' dancing (nuff said) and 4) hearing The Civil Wars pay tribute to Etta James by singing "To Whom It May Concern."

For those of you who listen to The Civil Wars, what's your favorite song they sing? Happy freaking Monday, Homies!

{Other concerts :: Mumford & Sons // Bon Iver (CO) // Bon Iver (CA) // Bon Iver (TX) // Nathaniel Rateliff}

{Mexico by The Staves}

Required Saturday morning listening in honor of the The Civil Wars concert tonight. (The Staves will be opening). Pretty sure these three sisters from Liverpool will sound just as magical as Joy Williams and John Paul White singing Poison & Wine. Team Loerke, Tyroch, and McGuire hope to see you there!

{Fist Pump Friday!}

To kick off this week's photos we have Auburn nursing students Mac, Margaret Rose, Caroline, Drew, Mark, and Cameron who went skiing over Christmas Break in Boone, NC. Fist pumps and leg kicks for thrifted ski jackets. Yours is a true treasure, Margaret Rose!

Next, meet Alex who threw fist pumps and leg kicks with Twinner at Local123 in Berkeley. Bonus points for loving on one of the cutiest girls on the face of the planet and for rocking your Pearl Cup shirt!



Our next photo is of Lindsay and Rita who ran their first half marathon in Los Angeles last weekend. So proud of you two for having already started this year with such a huge accomplishment under your belts!

Next, meet newlyweds William and Christy from Auburn, AL who threw fist pumps after tying the knot on their special day. Survey says: you both looked HOT.


Speaking of weddings, meet sweet friends Annie and Kelley who threw fist pumps and leg kicks after Kelley and Mike's big day. These two sent us one of the best packages ever last year!

Our next photo is of Amy's one week old niece, Ivy Rae, who most definitely deserves bonus points for being from the great state of Minnesooooota. Stay warm little bear! 


Remember our headboard tutorial Tim and I posted on the blog a few months ago? Well, look who gave their biscuit a facelift! Kat couldn't be more excited about her new headboard. Way to go, Little!


Lastly, meet sisters Jill and Julie (Texas A&M) who threw fist pumps in South Dakota at Mount Rushmore. George, Thomas, Theodore, and Abraham would be so proud of you two!

Happy freaking Friday, Homies! Thanks to Alex we've already met one of this year's fpf challenges. Here's to accomplishing some others! Take a photo of you and your homies A) at the Pyramids in Egypt B) while riding an elephant C) with your mailman or D) at the Statue of Liberty. Of course all other entries will be accepted! To participate in FPF email photos to em{at}todaysletters{dot}com.

{The Art of Pesto by Kinfolk}

Time to get your pesto on.

{Happy National Popcorn Day!}

The average American eats 68 quarts of popcorn a year. SIXTY EIGHT! Tim and I are not big popcorn eaters, but we're grateful this day gave us an excuse to make homemade Cinnamon Caramel Corn with Pecans & White Chocolate. Talk about delicious!

What's your favorite flavor of popcorn?

{Moonrise Kingdom Movie Trailer}

This will be one of your favorite movies of the year. Mark. my. words. {Premiers May 25, 2012}.

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, just when I thought this grocery list couldn't be topped, I find this on our kitchen counter. Well played. Dear John C. Campbell Folk School, your classes on woodworking, gardening, and music make me dream of building my own bamboo fly rod and clawhammer banjo. If only North Carolina wasn't so far away! Dear Broken Loveseat, you were faithful for 7 years, but as Pap-reeka Shaniqua would say, it was time to kick you to the curb. So grateful for our new couch and that we can now take naps without being wadded up like a ball. Dear Timothy James, sometimes you watch shows about SA80 assault rifles. You also like to read me children stories before bed. You are indeed, a Tender Warrior.

If you could buy anything at the grocery store this weekend what would it be? (Price not an issue). Clearly, we are out of Paprika.

{Linotype: The Film}

I can't wait to see this documentary! It features the Linotype casting machine and premiers Feb 3rd at the SVA Theater in New York. Please tell me some of you are going??

{Husband's Letters}

Husband's Letters: Dear Mrs. Loerke, whenever you get out of the shower you stand on the edges of our bath mat so I can have the dry space in the middle. This is one of the numerous ways you love me well. Dear Chicken Broccoli Casserole, you are one of my all-time favorite meals that Emma makes. It's got good ole home-cooking written all over it. Dear Medical City ER, I have spent a lot of time over the past few weeks preparing for my start date. I can't wait for Feb 6th! Dear Emma, sometimes I do funny things to get your attention. Last night I did sit-ups and push-ups in the kitchen while you cooked dinner. Know that you'll always be the girl that I flex for.

Over and out,
Tim

Have you ever been to the ER before? If you live in the Dallas area, perhaps we will meet at Medical City. (Or hopefully under better circumstances!).

{Happy Martin Luther King Day!}

It's no secret that one of my favorite holidays is Martin Luther King Day. Our world would be such a different place had it not been for this man's efforts to help end racial segregation. Amen?



Traditionally Tim and I celebrate by cooking Martin Luther King's favorite meal: fried chicken, sweet potatoes, green beans, mac & cheese, sweet tea and homemade pecan pie.

This year we decided to rope in some of our friends to join in the celebration. Each couple brought a side and Tim got his Colonel Sanders on and cooked fried chicken in our new turkey fryer. It was a feast!


Tim and I also like to to celebrate MLK Day by watching a documentary about his efforts to transform the civil rights movement in America. There's still so much about this great man we don't know! Btw, Netflix has a wide selection of documentaries in their "watch it instantly" section.



We'd love to know if you have any other traditions or creative ways to celebrate Martin Luther King Day. There's so much more to this special day than just taking time off from work and not getting our mail!

"I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." - MLK

{Past MLK Dinners Here: 2010 // 2011}

{Calling all February Sponsors!}

Today's Letters receives over 200,000 page views per month and would love to have your blog, Etsy shop, or website listed as one of our sponsors for the month of February!

In honor of Valentine's Day, we've decided to offer 50% off all of our advertising prices for February. That's right, FIDDY PERCENT! These spots will fill up fast, so be sure and email us for a rate sheet.

In the meantime, you can enjoy a 15% discount at Meatbagz when using promotional code LETTERS. Happy freaking Saturday, Homies!

{Fig + Fauna Farm by Tiger in A Jar}

Here's to creating a more meaningful relationship with our food.

{Fist Pump Friday!}

To kick off this week's photos we have Jill (Arkansas grad) and her sister Megan (Harding University) who went snow shoeing in the Rocky Mountains while visiting their older brother. Fist pumps and leg kicks for blue skies, pine trees, and 3 feet of fresh powder!



Lastly, meet San Diego natives Jill, Michele, and Terese who threw fist pumps and leg kicks after Michele's baptism. So fun to share such sweet memories with friends.

Happy freaking Friday, Homies! To participate in FPF email photos to em{at}todaysletters{dot}com. We're still looking for the following submissions: A) at the Pyramids in Egypt B) while riding an elephant C) with Twinner at Local123 in Berkeley or D) with your mailman. Of course all other entries will be accepted!

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, coming home to a clean house after being gone for two days was perfect. Thank you for loving me this way! Dear Twinner, I'm always amazed at the treasures you find at flea markets. Love you more than brass pulleys and old books that smell of adventure. Dear Turkey Fryer, this weekend you're going to help us cook a fried chicken feast for 8 of our friends. With seasoned flour sent from KC, you're destined to be finger licking good! Dear Timothy James, congratulations on completing your 250th surgery. I officially crown thee king of all things suction and retractors. So very proud of you!

Anyone else enjoy coming home to a clean house after being gone? It's like CRACK. PS, here's a song I've been listening to lately. {Inspiration found at 02:19}

{Our Favorite Salad}

Popeye says, "Three fist pumps for spinach!" This salad takes about 5 minutes to make and will have most veggie fearing individuals asking for seconds. Trust me, you're gonna love it.

Ingredients:
Spinach
Pine Nuts (toasted)
Dried Cranberries (we use Craisins)
Brianna's Poppy Seed Dressing (the bottle with the peach on it)

Directions:
1. Toast a hand full of pine nuts on medium heat in a small skillet. Remove from heat once they start turning golden brown. Pour into a small bowl and set aside.
2. Wash and rinse spinach and place in a medium bowl.
3. Sprinkle a handful of Craisins, toasted pine nuts, and enough poppy seed dressing to your liking. Toss and serve!

{Husband's Letters}

Husband's Letters: Dear Emma, sometimes I like to lay out your jammers for you after a long day at work. My selections rarely match but you wear them just the same. Dear Beard, I used to only let you stick around until my face started to itch. Now with my new beard trimmer you are here to stay! Dear Birch Box, thank you for teaching me the importance of having soft hands and smelling good. You ended up being one of my favorite Christmas gifts. Dear Little, you share truth with me when I'm not being the man God wants me to be. Your honesty blesses me so. Love you!

Over and out,
Tim

What do you think about beards? Bueno or no bueno?

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, this weekend we had dinner with friends, went on a run, grilled pork wrapped in bacon Woobies, and set up our Kammok in the front yard. All of these things made me so grateful to be your wife. Dear Sweet Potato Fries, I wish we could quit you. Dear 10pm, you are officially my new bed time ... and my mornings have never been sweeter. Dear Husband, sometimes you like to practice boxing while waiting on the microwave. Reason #269 why boy roommates are AWESOME.

Happy freaking Monday, Homies! What are you favorite kind of fries? Curly? Sweet Potato? Shoestring? Waffle-cut? Seasoned? Do tell!

{Our Next Big Adventure!}

As many of you know, Em and I have been given the opportunity to speak at a Leadership Conference in Uganda with Watermark Community Church from March 2nd - 10th, 2012. We will be partnering with African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministry (ALARM), teaching on the topics of conflict resolution and forgiveness while developing the future leaders of Uganda.

{Em before getting her immunization shots ... ten in all. She is brave!}

The Total trip cost is $3,500 per person ($7,000 for both of us). Because several of you have asked how you can financially support our trip we thought we'd let you know that a tax deductible donation can be made through February 15th.

If you'd like to financially support Em and I, please make your checks payable to "Watermark Community Church" and include "Uganda: Tim & Em Loerke" in the memo line, and Watermark will send you a tax receipt. You can mail checks to:

You can also find out more about Watermark and ALARM's efforts in Uganda here. We look forward to learning from the Ugandan people, and are grateful that you would consider being a part of our adventure with us!

Much Love,
Tim & Em

{Fist Pump Friday!}

To kick off this week's photos we have Timothy, Sibyl, Kelly, and Robyn who threw fist pumps at their recent reunion at the Semien Mountains in Ethiopia. Even though Robyn now lives in Kenya, she was thankful to have spent time over the holidays with her friends.


Our next photo is a whole bag of win. Thankfully, I get to work with two of these jokers every day (Whitney & her husband Jarrod). They threw fist pumps with Jarrod's twin brother, Jordan, his wife Lauren, their younger sister Blair (on the floor), and her husband, Kip. Love me some Rudesill Family fist pumps! PS, I spy great grandma's vintage aluminum Christmas tree in the background. M-A-G-I-C-A-L.

Next, meet Janie, Erin, Lauren, and Marti who threw fist pumps at Passion this weekend in Atlanta. Over 44,000 college students gathered at the Georgia Dome and raised more than 3 million dollars to help end slavery and human trafficking.



Madison and Beth also threw fist pumps and leg kicks at Passion this week. These turkey's go to Berry College in Rome, GA and were thankful to be apart of such an amazing conference.

Don't forget to email photos to em{at}todaysletters{dot}com. We're still looking for the following submissions this Spring: A) at the Pyramids in Egypt B) while riding an elephant C) with Twinner at Local123 in Berkeley or D) with your mailman. (Of course all other entries will be accepted).

Happy freaking Friday, Homies!

PS, for those of you who are going skiing before the end of the season, check out Patagonia's sale on Capilene. Won't get any cheaper than this!

{Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Movie Trailer}

One of my favorite authors is Jonathan Safran Foer. He wrote best selling novels, Everything Is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. His wife, Nicole Krauss, is the author of one of my favorite books, The History of Love. You could say that these two are as dynamic of a duo in the literary world as Batman & Robin. I'm thrilled to see one of Jonathan's masterpieces finally made it to film. And who better than Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock to star as Oskar Shell's parentals?

"I shook my tambourine the whole time, because it helped me remember that even though I was going through different neighborhoods, I was still me." (pg 88)

{Grandma Loerke's Homemade Banana Pudding}

I made this pudding last week for Tim (per his request every year on his birthday), and I'm convinced he would sleep with a bowl full under his pillow if he could get away with it. Nom, nom, nom ... Get ready for some of the best nanner pudding of yo' life!




Ingredients:
1 (6 oz) Box of Instant Vanilla Pudding
3 Cups Milk
1 (8 oz) Package of Cream Cheese (room temp)
1 (14 oz) Can of Eagle Brand Milk
1 (8 oz) Carton of Cool Whip (divided)
1 Box of Vanilla Wafers
6 Bananas

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl whisk together pudding and milk until thick (about 3 minutes).
2. Cream together Eagle Brand Milk and cream cheese in a stand mixer (about 2 minutes).
3. Pour pudding into Eagle Brand Milk mixture and mix until well combined (about 1 minute).
4. Fold in 1/2 of the Cool Whip and set aside.
5. In a large bowl alternate: 1 layer of Vanilla Wafers, 1 layer of bananas (sliced 1/4" thick), then pudding. Repeat this step until you reach the top of the bowl (or run out of pudding).
6. Use the remaining Cool Whip to cover the top, then sprinkle with a couple of crumbled Vanilla Wafers.

Tastes best if made the night before. I will also sometimes use reduced fat cream cheese and low fat Cool Whip. Neither of us can taste the difference!

{The Swell Season Movie Trailer}

I fell in love with Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova the moment I saw, "Once ." Since then I've seen them a couple of times in concert. This made me fall in love with them all over again.

{Today's Letters}

Today's Letters: Dear Mr. Loerke, last week when I accidentally locked my keys in the car at the airport you drove 25 miles just to bring me your fleece so I wouldn't freeze while waiting on the locksmith. Don't do these kind of things unless you wanna make out in front of strangers. Dear Trader Joe's, you're officially coming to Dallas! Reason #483 to move to Lakewood. Dear Vintage Camera Nightlight, you 1, Gloworm, 0. Dear Husband, we go together like eggs & bacon, salt & pepper, bread & butter, milk & cookies, meat & potatoes. To the moon!

I wanna know how many of you have ever locked your keys in your car. Then I suggest we start a side business cramming doorstops behind windows and tapping the unlock button with a steel rod. Rolling in the Benjamin's, we would.

{Husband's Letters}

Husband's Letters: Dear Mrs. Loerke, this past week we ran together three times. Working out with you is one of my favorite things to do! Dear 6-Day Staycation, thank you for reminding me of the peaceful moments brought by a good book. Hoping to implement more of you in the days ahead. Dear Butcher's Son Food Truck, your Reuben brat and lime fries were by far the best food we tasted at Food Truck Friday's. Thanks for making the Park Lane parking lot the place to be for lunch in December! Dear Emma, I can't believe our blog will be two years old in April. I think we should celebrate with malts and a new yard game. Over and out, Tim Did you read any good books over the holidays? I read "Lone Survivor" (a true story about the only survivor of Navy SEAL Team 10). Now I have fighting dreams and want to be a Navy SEAL. PS, Em updated our "Best of Dallas" list with our food truck recommendations. You can check them out here!

{The Art of Bread Making}

Recently I had a chance to make something for a friend that kept me home most of the day. It was liberating. A great reminder to slow down, appreciate the process, and to make the most of the in between moments that are often filled with mindless web surfing.

{Happy New Year!}

{Source}

Today was filled with: naps, reading, a run, our weekly questions, the removal of Santa (tear), goal setting, homemade black eyed peas and football.  A fantastic start to the New Year. Btw, I'm convinced fresh starts are as life giving as 12 hours of sleep or the first fallen snow. Anyone else with me?