A mix of photography, recipes, personal thoughts, faith, and lots of family stuff, but not necessarily in that order.

Monday, March 18, 2024

Retirement trip Part 1

Our first Retirement trip

We had never been to Texas, and we have family who live there so mid February
 Rick and I had a little midwinter getaway and drove to Texas.
We took 3 days to get there stopping the 1st night in Kansas City and the 2nd night in Oaklahoma City.

Rick's Aunt and Uncle are gracious hosts and alway show us a good time.
We visited them a few years ago when they still lived in Arizona

They recently moved to Texas to be near their two daughters, so now they all live in the same town.
Here we are with Rick's cousin Christy and family
(Low light quality photos')
and now his cousin Cindy and family.

They all exemplify "Southern Hospitality"
We were able to spend the better part of a week with these sweet families.

We did step away for an overnight in Fredericksburg Tx
It was a cute little town with lots of shops
We enjoyed some taste testing in this shop, everything from dips, jams and salsa 

Then we checked out the National Museum of the Pacific War.

Back to Brownwood Texas where the family lives...


We got to visit this awesome book store that used to be 1 of 12 Theaters in Brownwood.
A women met us at the door and gave us a little history on the building, 
At the top of the photo you can see where the stadium seats were taken down and on the wall are shadows of the theater seats, The theater was open 24 hours and the soldiers would come in to rest when the hotels were full. The round dots are said to be where the soldiers rested their heads, 
apparently they wore lots of "brylcreem"in their hair. 

we walked under this arch of old Library books, there is a story about these books too, 
but I can remember it.
I liked this old wheelchair adorned with spooky books
Uncle Wayne, Aunt Jo Anne and I, Rick was golfing with his 2nd cousin Austin.

We had just the best time with Ricks family, after a week we headed to the ocean...
Stay tuned for Part 2


 

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

From Christmas to now.....

Time just gets away from me sometimes... I have been MIA since Thanksgiving. 

Blogging is something I do for myself, It's kind of like a diary of my life in photo's. 
Also it's something my kids can go back to someday when I'm long gone.  
Those who want can follow along to see what I'm up to.
Retirement has been good to us, we stay busy with family stuff and recently 
some updates and minor fixes around the house.
The photos' start with most recent to late November, just a few snippets of our life.

Last weekend we traveled to the Twin Cities to watch our #3 grandchild 
perform in a musical called "A kids life". She is front and center, the one with the glasses and light blue jeans. Such a talented group of 3-5 grades.

The weekend before that we had fun celebrating my daughter's 40th birthday, all the kids and grands were here to surprise her with a dinner out, then back to our house for cake and presents... 
it felt like Christmas all over again with everyone here.
Girl cousins Scar and Auds
Audrey found my highschool letter jacket, it now belongs to her. 
She doesnt go to Mayo high school, but still likes the idea of "wearing it around"
* * *
Playin Guess who with out littlest, Lew.

Rochester ACTUALLY got 5 inches of snow in late January, 
Carson came over and built a snowman with grandpa's help.
* * *
Rick updated Gavin's old bedroom with an accent wall and new paint. I cleaned the carpet and it's like a new room. It's now our "Relaxation room", we have a new massage chair and keyboard, it's a popular room, especially when the "bigs" are home.
This chair is glorious.
* * * 

 Christmas...
Audrey always has the BEST expressions when she opens her presents.
Someone is always snuggled up against Uncle Gavin.
 LOW LIGHT = blurry pics
Every year I buy the kids new PJ's for Christmas evening. 
Here is the Obligatory photo...they are good sports 


I love the weeks before Christmas, all the decorating...
and old classics watching.


November...
Making Christmas cookies.
With my side-kick Carson

* * *
Scarlett's last night in the "Toddler bed" in which she refused to give up on, 
notice her feet coming out the bottom of the bed. 
Needless to say we now have a new trundle bed that accomadates our growing grandchildren.


Took a trip with my sister to St. Charles Il to watch Matteo Bocelli in  concert



* * * 
My sweet friend Valerie, made me a birthday lunch with all my favorites
I'm so spoiled

I think I'm Semi caught-up for now


 

Friday, November 24, 2023

I shared my birthday with a turkey

 I shared my birthday with a turkey yesterday, 

yes....about every 4 years my birthday falls on Thanksgiving. 

 I was blessed to be surrounded by FAMILY... 

My daughter orchestrated the singing of "Happy Birthday" while I was cutting pie in the kitchen.

It began with my Brother Randy's voice singing, "Mee mee meee meeeeeeee" 

Followed by the sound of 25 voices from age 86 down to 7 singing Happy Birthday.

I dont typically like THAT much attention but truly, it was beautiful!

We are a blessed family to all live within 2 hours of each other. Only a few were unable to be there and they were missed, 26 of us made it for the Thanksgiving lunch. 

My Brother was gracious enough to open his home for our family celebration, it's our childhood home and I love that we can still be gathering together and making memories. 

Me and my big brother






Being together fills my heart.
It was a Happy kind of Thanksgiving/Birthday day.

Saturday, October 28, 2023

He will wipe away all their tears, and death shall be no more....

It's been a year since that warm October afternoon, the day my dad would leave this earth, 
the day no one wishes for but in truth, it was time and Jesus called him home.

* * * 
The other day I went to the cemetery to "visit" my dad.
I sat on the cemetery bench that dad & mom had designed... 
It was good to reflect on our times we had together!

 I had recently been to Bucksnort Dam our favorite place to stop by on our drives down to his old 
stomping grounds in Southern MN
BucksnortI remember this day a year or two before he passed. I was so nervous as he was very unsteady on his feet. I didnt want to take away his independence, so I stuck pretty close.

 I miss our Lunch & coffee stops in the small towns, and how we usually had to 
make room for ice cream as well...a must with dad.
 
I miss having him in the passenger seat, telling me which way to turn as the 
country roads ALL looked alike. 
Now I have to figure it out alone, without his promptings. 
I'm sure he is smiling from above as he watches me struggle with direction.

 I can still find the "Old Farm Place", a 2-lane grass path is the only way to get to it now.
I LOVE this photo of dad walking, (hands in pockets) toward the old windmill that his 
Maternal Grandpa Erickson built, it's all that's left of the farm.


I took a little excerpt from my Blog Post after dad died,  click here to read

"On that final day, Saturday October 29th...
 
I walked through the door of your room and knew your time was near. 
I sat near your head, held your hand and played music for you.
 In your final moments here on earth I whispered love in your ear as you drew your last breath...
There was only peace, no suffering as Jesus reached for you and took your hand.

Dad, did you feel me wipe that single tear that fell from your eye as you left this world, 
It's the last thing I did for you as you went to be with Jesus. 
I believe it was a tear of joy as you were welcomed by your twin and all your people in heaven". 

A few days ago as I sat a single yellow rose on my dad headstone, this happened....
Look closely... A single "tear' fell from the rose as I laid it on the headstone.
Just like the tear that fell from dad eye the moment he passed.
I'm gonna take it as a happy tear from dad.

Click the arrow to watch the video


We all miss you Dad.
Save us a spot, we'll see you soon.

Love you dad.

 

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Fall happenings at the cabin...

Our son Brice and the grandkids were here over the weekend to help get the
 dock and boat lift out of the lake. It was a fun few days of both work and play.

The cabin will some day belong to our children so they need to "learn the ropes", ha ha

Brice always carries the kids into the lake with his chest waders on.
It's a bit nippy out there, so he keeps them high and dry.

Games....
Scarlett has the remote to the wench, she's in charge of pushing the button that 
activates the wench to pull the boat-lift up on shore. 

Lew is finally old enough to navigate his own Kayak.
His Dad is close by to make sure he stays safe.

We love spending time with our littles at the cabin

I saw a neat idea on "Pinterest" a few weeks ago and tucked it into my memory banks...
We did "Nature bracelets" for our walk in the woods
You take a piece of double sided tape and wrap it like a bracelet on the kids wrists
 then have them fill it with things they find along the way.
Lew just wanted to take apart a pinecone and put the individual piece on the bracelet,
he is ALL BOY!!!

Then there's the GIRL bracelet.

The hike was fun, the colors beautiful and the company perfect.

He got his toes wet....crazy kid 

The kids have since gone home and Rick and I are left to pick away at the "closing" duties here at the cabin. There is a sense of peace with no hurry this year
It's called Retirement 
and we love it!