Keeping Joy in the fore front

I need to stay positive and focused on God's goodness and many blessings,

 even when I'm feeling cooped up and mostly alone.

So I decided to write a random post of the recent joys in my life... I am so blessed.

A fun gift from my Brother Rick and s.i.l. Cindy. 

They brought this colander filled with pasta and sauces when they stopped by for a visit last week, 

cant wait to break it open  :)

Being laid-up is no fun, especially for this girl who is always on the go,

never an idle moment for me, not even for my hands, 

so... while I was at the cabin last week I decided to pick up my crochet hook and find a simple yet usable pattern to try. Here's the result of my first "Twisted ear warmer"! I think it turned out pretty well, 

but I think I need to change up a few things to perfect it.

My kids have kept up my spirits with photos of the grand babes, 

I'm so thankful for that, these little ones bring so much joy to Rick and I.

Little Lew throwing rocks in the lake on a recent trip for their family to the cabin.

We are hoping to watch Carson play soccer this weekend, 

He also just started Flag-football, it's so fun to watch him play.

On the way home from our cabin, we had a "stop-by" to see Brice's family, 

Scarlett was so excited to sign my cast, she pretty much colored in one whole side.

The day before we left the cabin we had lunch with our sweet friends/neighbors

How is it that she looks like a teenager already, Love you jojo

My Gavin delivered me a sandwich from Erberts & Gerberts, a few days after surgery.

 I gave him a good tip as I asked him to do a couple of favors for me before he went back to work.

 

Our baby G-boy started preschool, how can this be?

 A mix of home-school, and hybrid, and just plain all day at home.

 I really feel bad for the kids this year as they looked forward to seeing classmates, 

and having some "normal".

But look at these 4... I just smile and thank God they are healthy and doing well.

So as I've put this post together I've found myself smiling as I look at the photo's, 

I'm so thankful for the JOYS in my life.

Last but NOT least my biggest joy...

He's my everything.

Good friends and traditions....

• affectionately

Affectionately called "The Redwing Trip" It's been happening every December for over 30 years...

A band of friends, (some family) that go way back, the original connection was church. 

It's become a multi-generational trip for a few.

 A look at the bus that carried us, there was plenty of room to have our own seats and have plenty of space for purchases as we traveled from town to town along the river. 

 From St. Charles, to Kellogg, then across the river to Wisconsins Nelson and Stockholm. 

Last stop was Redwing for more shopping and dinner.

We played bingo, had a guessing game and sang Christmas carols on the bus.

 It was a fun to pass the time between stops.

Lark toys in Kellogg is always a fun stop, 

several rode the carousel

Rick and I chose to "ride the bench"

Next we stopped at the Nelson Cheese Factory

A very popular stop along the River.

Time for lunch....

Everyone buys something and then it's plated-up and served on the bus as we head to out next stop

 This is Grace holding one of the platters filled with food. Grace and I are married to 2nd cousins.

The fruit and veggie tray

Stockholm Wi was by far my favorite stop.

A quaint little village in Pepin County that was founded by immigrants from Sweden who named it after their country's capital. Stockholm has shops galore and plenty of "Sweden" to go around.

Rick and I stopped to pose with this guy standing outside one of the shops.

Not sure if he's a Swedish Santa or a nome. I should have asked him.

 These brown sugar cubes caught my attention

  The guys chat while the girls shop.

 Horses were carrying people up and down the streets, in a sleigh on wheels 

 Even Santa comes to Stockholm to shop

This lady was demonstrating Hardanger

After a few hours in Stockholm we loaded the bus and headed to Red Wing, our last destination and  more shopping, but not before we had a little remembrance ceremony for a friend we lost two years ago to cancer. Sherry loved her friends and really enjoyed going on the "Red Wing" trip

 Sherry's daughter Melissa was along on the trip.

 Melissa is in the black coat, (blonde) 2nd from the right.

There were sweet memories spoken, we sang a Christmas song written by Sherry, and remembered our dear friend who is missed so much.

 The wreath with Sherry's name was sent floating down the Mississippi

The day ended with dinner at Liberty's before heading back to Rochester. 

 Photo taken by our entertainment 

Neal a, topliff

Neal has a gift, such a blessing to have him play for our group! 

Good friends and traditions are really a part of the Christmas season.

Tis the season...

Rick and I have had a whirl-wind start to our Christmas season and celebrations.

I thought it would be fun to document the fun we have been having the first few weeks of December.

Not so calm... but bright and cheerful indeed.

Decorating came quickly this year as Thanksgiving was late in November.

I even invested in some fun socks.

 I'm not one that usually wears socks but if I'm going to they might as well be cute. 

Target $3, they are fuzzy and warm.

It's hard to capture the magical look from all the lights and colors, 

but I love the look of "Christmas" all over my house.

A new purchase this year, I wish I would have bought this years ago,
I intend for my grandkids to play with this one.

 I decided to place the nativity scene here instead of an animated "Bob Cratchet & Tiny Tim"
 that usually occupies the space.

Two of my grandkids are terrified of Bob and I usually end up putting him away anyway.
 So until they are older he will remain in storage. (the light flickers and Bob moves)

Our family room is cozy and festive, this is where we spend most of our time.

A look from my kitchen back to the living room

Rick's mom made this for me back when we were first married. It is ceramic and hand painted by her. It has survived 3 children and 4 grandchildren. 

I really really like this piece!

Celebrating....

First up, an annual Christmas party with friends (and some family)
 always held the first Friday night of December, at our friends Ken and Linda's home.

 We share a meal together and then play a "White Reindeer" gift exchange.

Lots of fun and much laughter to bring in the holiday season!

In my next post I will share the fun travels we had with friends on what we call "The Red Wing trip".
Now that was a lot of fun!

Uffda, that's a lot of Lefse...

UFF DA, that's a lot of Lefse.....

Being 1/2 Norwegian (My dad is full-blooded) 

I have a need for Norwegian tradition that is planted in my soul.

I never had the chance to make Lefse with my grandma, it's just something that was always on her table as part of the holiday meals. Learning from a full-blooded Norwegian would have been fun but that didn't stop me from learning from others. I first learned from my friend cozy! 

Several years in a row my co-workers and I made Lefse together before the holidays. 

 I even made it one year with my Dad, and mom.

 F.Y.I.

Potato Lefse is a traditional soft Norwegian flat bread made with potato's.

 After baking the Lefse on a griddle, this delicate paper-thin flatbread is prepared by spreading a pat of butter followed by a sprinkling of sugar, then rolled up for consumption.

 It has a soft chewy texture and when warm off the griddle it will melt in your mouth.

Yesterday a good friend of mine Valerie, (not Norwegian) and I spent the afternoon together talking, singing, reminiscing, and making  Lefse. 

Valerie had made Lefse once, many years ago and wanting "re-learn". She knows how much her husband Jim LOVES Lefse and she wanted to make it for him... isn't she the sweetest.

We prepared the evening before by each cooking and ricing our potatoes, adding the butter and then refrigerating them, to have them ready for day 2.

Both Rick and...

 Jim helped with the ricing.

Ricing can be hard work and takes some muscles to do it.

Day 2, we added the heavy whipping cream, salt, sugar and flour, we dug in deep and mixed with our hands, then made these little patties, all ready to roll out.

Here are the things you need for making Lefse...

 I believe Lefse-making is an art. 

There is the feel of the dough, the gentleness of rolling the dough, 

the skill of lifting the Lefse and placing it on the grill and timing as to not burn it!

Looks perfect to me.

Click on this little video clip to see my "Norwegian touch" 

when placing the rolled Lefse onto the griddle, ha ha!

We got approx, 70 sheets of Lefse from 10# of potato's.

Mine is in the freezer awaiting our Thanksgiving meal at mom & dad's.

Valerie and Jim will enjoy theirs however they see fit  :)

This photo courtesy of Goggle images

Finished product, ready to devour... 

It doesn't last long in our family, it's used as an appetizer, 

also plated during the meal, and again after dinner. 

I believe Lefse-making is to be done with friends and family, it's not meant to be done alone.

There is too much to be shared in conversation and memory-making.

Thanks for inviting me to your home Valerie, I hope we can do it again.... we make a great team.

Another year.... How will your 2018 look?

I think of the New Year as a new book with empty pages

 A book of the year to come, my life, and my dreams, my energy!

As I begin to compose the story of 2018 I think about things I hope to accomplish,

 who do I need to hug, and spend more time with?

My heart says I need to be more intentional with my free time, 

spend more time with those I love and enjoy more time with friends and family. 

 These are some of the ones who are very near and dear to my heart....my family

As I have gotten older I have realized that taking advise from those who are 

older and wiser with more life experience is so important! 

Why is it that we have to become older and wiser ourselves before we realize this?
Busted....yep I'm guilty. 

 Is it pride, is it that Know-it-all attitude we have in our 30's and 40's when we seem to heed the advice of strangers who write books on certain topics or write articles on social media. Yes books and article can be helpful and any information on a topic can be good, but...

why not ask the very people who love us and have had the life experiences before us, and possess knowledge in so many areas of life.

This weekend I loved the many conversations my oldest boy had with his dad.

 I couldn't help noticing how they hung out together, and covered many topics from 

family, to jobs, to finances to woodworking and design, I love my sons inquisitive nature and

 how attentive he is to his dad's advice and thoughts. 

When you hear a young adult exclaim something as if it's the first time it's ever been heard.... 

guess what, It's usually old news to those who have lived life a bit longer. 

So why not sit down with someone a little older and wiser, and ask their advice.

Advice doesn't mean that's what you have to go with, after all God gave us a mind, 

so use it with a little help from the aged and wise.

 I know as I get older that's exactly what I'm intending on doing.  

I'm not "old" yet, but I'm just starting to feel like I could maybe be the wiser one

 with some things that might be worth hearing.

The older and wise may not be with us forever......

A friend of mine died this week. 

Sherry lost her husband at a very young age with 3 small children. 

She never remarried and raised 3 wonderful kids by herself. 

She worked hard, she was strong, courageous and brave. 

She was 12 years my senior and I loved talking with her, she was caring, loving and generous!

 I miss her big smile, kind words and sweet sweet demeanor! 

She taught my kids about Jesus as their Sunday school teacher, she invited our family over at Christmas time so share a meal and create memories for our families. 

She beat cancer twice, but the third time was too much for her body to fight, and she went home the day after Christmas to be with her Lord and to be reunited with her husband.

I'm so thankful for her faith and her example of living her life like Jesus intended.

I miss you my friend!

How will your 2018 look, will you be more intentional with those you love.

I hope to be kinder, more positive, compassion, considerate, selfless, loving and maybe even a bit wiser  :)

Happy New Year to all my Family and friends,

May God bless you in this new year to come!