A trip with memories

Today Jeff and I will head down to Gays Mills for a fun weekend with his sister.  On the way there we will talk about all the other times we have traveled there from Iowa with our parents and son.  Memories...

Nervousness of my first "date" trip with Jeff.  Shaking the chicken box and have our lunch end up on the floor of the car. Getting to know each other and finding we had a lot in common. Enjoying sitting down by the big river, walking through antique stores, enjoying the nature that surrounded us there. That was the first trip to Gays Mills for me.

Soon after that we included parents and son.  We will remember the trip when Shirley was on "bus patrol" and "toilet stops", Gaylord eating so many concord grapes they should have weighed him before and after he went to pick,  Dain eating his way across Iowa and Wisconsin, stopping at Fort Atkinson for a buckskin rendevoux on the way, always eating lunch in the park by the river in Praire De Chen, Shirley having Dain climb an apple tree to fetch her a "fresh" apple, and Mom getting little sweet treats every time we would stop and buy more apples than she could ever eat so that she could share with us during our lean years.

As Mom and Shirley aged and they battled with cancer the trips became harder to make, but we continued the fun fall trip every year while we still had them with us.  At Mom's last trip she was content to sit in the car at almost every stop and smiling because she just enjoyed the view and spending her time with us. She had her apple cider donut, cheese curds, apple cider, and queen's apple (kind of an apple sundae) with Dain generously helping her finish what she could not. She did manage to go to the riverboat casino to play the nickles and have a buffet lunch.  When I took her home she was tired but so happy that she made her annual trip with us.  Six month's later she was no longer with us.

As cancer took over Shirley's body, we worried about her at the orchards as there were always people and she was so tiny and frail, in fact Jeff questioned whether or not it was a good idea.  Shirley wanted to go.  We only did a couple of orchards as Shirley tired quickly and she bought treats for us to stop and eat at the rest areas along the way home.  We drove by where they camped at Fort Atkinson and other stops she wanted to see on the way.  Next spring she joined Mom and Gaylord.

We did not go to Gays Mills the next fall, but Dain starting doing the trip with his family as he had enjoyed the trips he made with us.  Traditions are fun to pass down. 

We actually did not think we would do the river trip again as it was a special trip we did with loved ones who were gone, but two years ago we met Shelley there.  The whole trip was different, full of laughs, new memories of Shelley never buying an apple, but her car filled with pumpkins, haybales, apple tarts, apple pies, apple donuts, soup mixes, jellies; dinner on the riverboat in La Crosse and happy birthday being sung. 

I am looking forward to revisiting those memories today with Jeff as we leave the woods to head to the river and the orchards. It will be wonderful to spend time with Shelley again and just enjoying the mini holiday.  I might even have to have an apple cider donut and some cheese!

Happy Anniversary Me!

Four years ago I had gastric bypass surgery. Funny thing, when I was born I was a runt, sickly child.  My dad would make me special milk shakes with eggs in them so that I would grow and get a little "meat" on my bones.  The tiny me hung around for quite a few years and then the tinier me left.

 

Being overweight is a combination of things for most people.  Genetics, nervous habit, enjoys food, etc, etc, etc (sorry love musicals).  If it is in the "genes", it is a battle you will fight all of your life.  If it is a nervous habit, it is one you will have to battle to keep under control.  If you enjoy food, well I have no good answer for you as being a foodie it is not easy when you truly enjoy food. 

 

The final tipping of the scales for me was when I was no longer able to move comfortably.  The knees were worn out, but surgery was not going to be a good answer because I was too heavy for the surgery. Luckily I had not become diabetic.  Sleep apnea, yes.  High blood pressure, you got it.  Cholesterol on the rise.  All signs that my health was deteriorating.

 

Dieting was a yo-yo exercise for me.  Atkins, Weight Watchers, Mayo Clinic all would work for a time period and then I would fall off the wagon and be back on the gaining spree.  For every 20 pounds I would lose, I would gain 30 back.  Not a pretty picture.

 

Weight loss surgery is not the "easy out" that you will hear people talk about.  After much research I traveled down to Grinnell, Iowa, and met with Dr. David Coster to see about having a lap band, my preferred method as it was not as invasive.  Jeff came with me to learn all that he could from this visit.  I was comfortable with Dr. Coster and his assistant Stephanie from the beginning, which is a good thing because you see a lot of these folks.  We watched movies, heard the pros, cons, good, bad, and ugly. We found out that I would be going through a lot of testing, meetings, appointments with other specialists before this surgery would happen and the surgery was going to be a gastric bypass as I was not a good candidate for the lap band.  This meant a lot of trips to Grinnell.

 

Before my surgery Jeff and I went on vacation to the UP of Michigan. We did a lot of soul searching and visiting about whether this was the right decision for us and it definitely was a surgery that affected both of us so we both needed to talk through it.  I was pro and Jeff was con, but still very supportive if I chose to go that route.

 

Back and forth to meet with Stephanie to discuss surgery more, meet the nutritionist to learn how to eat all over again, to meet with the physical therapist to learn about movement and how important it would be.  All of these trips were made with Joyce, my "sis".  Joyce is a dear lady who my mom brought into my life to be there for me once mom was no longer with me and be with me Joyce was cheering me on all the way. 

 

The surgery day came and it was a success.  Down 200 pounds it was like finding a new person under there.  Now it has been 4 years and I am able to walk, hike, ride bikes, snowshoe, and enjoy life.  Food choices are something I have to be careful of as different things are not tolerated.  Dehydration is a battle because I don't like drinking water.  Coffee, tea, wine, you betcha ya.  Water not so much. Then the back aches and I know it is time to get on the water bandwagon.  Kidney stones are a little bothersome problem that pop up from time to time as a side effect of the surgery. Iron deficiency is another issue (even with our water up here in the mining country).  This is not a surgery I would recommend to everyone.  In fact I would say research, think long and hard because it is a life changing surgery, and remember it fixes the weight issue not all of the other problems in your life.  You have to like you fat or thin as being thin does not change that.

 

I still have the best support system around, Jeff, Joyce, and my friends.  Jeff watches my.food intake faithfully daily (I tend to get busy and to forget I need to eat).  He packs my lunch for work, buys snacks that are healthy for me, and pampers me.  Joyce is still the best sis anybody could ask for, always there with her ear and her heart, now unfortunately far away in miles, but still there.

 

On the upbeat since the surgery I spent a wonderful day with my grandson that would not have been possible before.  We went trout fishing and then sightseeing to Bond Falls, climbing all of the way to the top and back down.  I was a little more out of breath than he was and a little slower, but I made it!

 

Four years ago, wow, it does not seem that long ago.  Happy anniversary and now go get a glass of water please!



Canning Memories

I love to can.  There I have said it.  I know it is old fashion, but I get pleasure from making jams, jellies, pickles, preserving peaches, tomatoes, etc. 

With that being said, gardening is an essential tool to my canning process.  I hate to garden.  I truly hate to garden.  I don't like pulling weeds, tilling the dirt, moving the rocks or removing the rocks, planting the seeds, fighting the bees for the beans, or anything at all that goes with gardening.

Jeff was the gardener.  He loved to plan the garden and do all of the things that come with the garden until we moved north and we live on rocks, but that will be another blog.

As I got my supplies out and meticulously cleaned them for the event, memories of other canning/food processing events came to mind.

My mom was not a canner, but she did make the best peach jam I ever ate and showed me how to put up peaches. She made my father pickles once, putting something extra in them to make sure they were crunchy. Unfortunately the extra something was alum and she misread the recipe and put the amount for the whole batch in each jar. Over the next few weeks the jars exploded down in the basement and she never canned again.

My Aunt Louise canned everything, sort of like me, only much better.  She had a huge crock down in the basement for lime pickles and bread and butter pickles.  It was hard as a child to push that lid back, but I would and dip my hand in pulling out the not quite ready pickles and munch away.  She would know where I was if I disappeared from my kitchen stool.

Our friend Bobby had sweet corn.  He would call to let us know when it was ready to for us to pick.  We were at a family birthday party (actually Ryan's and mine) and the call came.  We  gathered our nephew Zak and up to the farm we went.  The boys headed into the corn patch.  I opened the trunk, mind you the trunk was huge.  With in a short time period, those two fools filled the trunk.  Now it was approaching 5 p.m. and we all know the best time to put up produce is immediately after it is picked.  Home we flew, called in the troupes (Jeff's mom and dad).  We all shucked corn until we got enough cleaned that I could start blanching it and Shirley cutting it off the bone.  Jeff and his dad were laughing in the yard and Shirley and I in the house.  Memories.  We did 72 quarts of corn for the freezer that night, but most importantly we did memories.


Another adventure came after a long fun day with my mom. I walked into my home and there were tomatoes.  Tomatoes on the counter, tomatoes in coolers, tomatoes on bags, and a note from my honey saying Bobby called.  Of course the man also had to leave to go to his Friday and Saturday night job of playing in the band.  There I sat with my tomatoes.  After a little thought and fretting, I got my sleeves rolled up and picked up the phone to call my canning mentor, Shelley.  With the phone on my shoulder (no cordless or speaker phone back then), I visited with her through 30 quarts of juice and stewed tomatoes.

Shelley is a special friend.  We met at the Ritz in Clear Lake, she being a Ventura girl and I a Laker.  She was the set up girl and I the potato girl.  We hit it off and have been friends for life.  Life has thrown Shelley some curve balls and I thought cancer was going to take my friend.  Unfortunately it has taken her eyesight so she is not able to can or garden any more, but as I got my canning weapons out yesterday and got the first batch of jelly cooking, I picked up the phone and called.  Now with the speaker phone I laughed and visited with Shelley all the while as my cranberry jelly was cooking. She is an amazing woman.  She is learning braille.  She calls her recorder Wilson.  She still takes in all of the stray animals in Ventura heights.  She still knows more about canning than I will ever know and shares with me while I put up my jars and glow in the fact that I have just provided another homemade treat for my family and friends.

Yes canning always gives me memories along with good food for family and friends.

The elusive Red Apple Vodka

Summer is winding down up here in the woods and I would like to be able to mix up a batch of Red Apple Sangria and have a BBQ with friends at our home.  Jeff can get the accordion out, Larry can sing in his lovely baritone voice, and we can all laugh and have a great time, and the other gathering of friends can come over for the late night croquet challenge and campfire stew along with being silly and all around having fun.  We have the accordion, friends, game sets, campfire ring, and plenty of good food will be available.  Unfortunately this little bottle of vodka is missing from the line up.  Now whoever would think some thing this yummy would be difficult to find.  The Brite Spot (which has a plethora of adult beverages) has none, Super 1 and 2 nope nada.  Now the mission begins.  I have heard it can be found on the Keeweenaw Peninsula in the UP of MI.  I am hoping maybe Rockford, IL might be an option Minneapolis, MN.  I have put out feelers for this rare treat so hopefully before the snow flies (which can be sooner than one might think) I shall have a bottle or 2 in my possession.  Then the dilemma begins to hoard or use........    If you happen to see a bottle when you are out wandering and really like good sangria, grab it and I will send you the recipe (oh and grab one for me too!).

Now to a much more important event, the birthday. I have no problem with having birthdays. Lets face it we either get a year older or there is the other option which just is not as much fun. I will even tell you how old I am going to be, 57.  Yuppers, no problem at growing older.  I love birthdays.  I like giving presents, getting presents, treating friends special, being treated special; you name it.  I love birthdays and my own is no exception.  Tuesday I started the celebrating with a beautiful packages of handmade cards from my sis in Iowa. Yesterday it was lunch with Mary Ann and a fun gift bag of goodies. Last night I went out for wine and dinner with Char, Larry, and Jamey.   Jeff had to miss out on the fun as he was in Green Bay.  Tonight my sweetie and I will have a quiet evening at home.  Saturday I will get calls from the kids, SIL, and friends.  We will go to Paavo, maybe the fair, and just have a fun day.  When I was younger (45 or so) I would snoop through the house looking for my presents (also Christmas packages were not safe either), so the gifts would be hidden at his mother's house.  Now that I am grown up I do not snoop at all in the spare bedroom closet on the shelf in the corner, nope not me.  See I might be getting another year older, but there is still a lot of the silly youngster left in me.


Well it is time for another cup of coffee.  Have a great weekend everyone.  If you are near Hurley, the Paavo marathon is Saturday with the torch lighting tonight.  This is a qualifier for the Boston marathon.  Who would have ever thought that would happen in Mayberry?

Road Trip and other tidbits.

Today Jeff and I are heading south off the Ponderosa (Jeff's term for up north) to go to Rhinelander, a shopping mecca.  We are returning that rotten umbrella that caused a month of grief to Home Depot, then a trip to Menards (I know you are all wishing you could come too), and Kohls! 

Now I am headed to Kohls not for clothing or household linens (although that is an addiction too), I am looking for dishes.  Christmas dishes, grandma's dishes, Fiestaware, you name it I love dishes.  I had 2 more sets before we moved here and I constantly am at Dan's Antiques in Ironwood checking to make sure the one set with the roses is still there. Woe is me I was looking online at a Kohls flyer and there it was, Flamingo Fiestaware. I have been drooling ever since and since I am going to be another year younger in a week I whined and wined until somebody said okay we have room for one more setting (or two).  Now he made this silly statement about getting rid of a couple of place settings that were a little scratched, like that will happen.  Funny thing is I have passed this dish addiction on to my son, who also texted me to let me know there was a new color in Fiestaware and did we have it yet?  This is not for an idea for him to get me for a present.  This is for us to make sure to keep the colors up so he has a full set to inherit when the time comes.

After our shopping expedition we will go for lunch.  When we first went to Rhinelander we were thrilled as there was a Pizza Hut, so lunch was there for many a trip.  Now we have branched out and found a fun little cafe downtown that we both enjoy.  Jeff gets his liver and onions with bacon (nope not me) and I get something different each time.

After the Explorer is full and we are too we will head back to the Ponderosa. Tomorrow looks to be a gorgeous northwoods "cool" day so am looking forward to a little deck time and grilling.

Till the next rambling as Char says "ciao!".

The Bluejay returns and rambling rose.

I heard a familiar noise this morning and when I looked outside a little buddy was scolding me for not getting something out there for him to eat. I have not usually seen these little bluejays return this early since living here. I stop feeding in the spring because of some of the backyard visitors and wise advise from long-time UPers of Wisconsin (she came out to a little bear hanging off her deck one spring.).

Of note:  I did not take this picture, it was taken by a friend and I had permission to use it.  She lives up by Baraga, Michigan.

Jeff and I have seen some black bear up here since we moved.  A few were crossing Highway 2 to go to Mc Donalds one morning on Jeff's way to work. I have heard one thrashing around in the groove and they have eaten every black berry on my blackberry cane plants.

Heritage Festival was this weekend with a parade going down Silver Street in Hurley.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day.  We sat in front of Freddy's Good Time Saloon on a city bench in the shade and enjoyed the festivities as it went down the street going east and then again as it went down the street going west.  Life in the small town has it's perks.   Fun little celebrations bring people out of the wood work.  Of course the all school reunion and loads of family reunions also help.   We also visited with friends at the Farmer's Market in Hurley earlier in the morning, not buying, just visiting.

Our church, Salem Lutheran, celebrated their 125th anniversary this weekend with the president of Finlandia University giving the sermon for the service. We loved his remark at how far things had come in 125 years.  He was a norweigen who was president of a finnish college preaching at a swedish lutheran church.  Being good Lutherans we have our pew and our spots that we sit it, but since the church was full we did not get to sit there (pertinent information for later in this rambling).  Jeff and I were excited as our good friend was singing with the Ironwood Chamber Singers at the service and we have not had the priviledge of hearing the group yet.  We have heard Larry sing at our home while Jeff played his accordian.  He has a beautiful voice.  Unfortunately they had just started to sing when I felt a stinging sensation on my wrist right by my watch. Looking down a hornet is attached to my wrist.  Wonderful.  I had an allergic reaction as a child so have always been very careful to stay away from the little buggers if at all possible. Up and down the stairs to the basement to grab some ice and monitor myself. Numb fingers and swelling, but nothing else so we headed back up to the service. By the time we figured out I was going to be okay, they were done.  Now if we had been sitting in our right pew in the right spot I would not have been stung.

On a sad note, our little 4-legged guy had a rough weekend with seizures all weekend. After visiting with our vet we may try giving him so medicine to see if that helps him but if he has a hard time with the medication we may have to weigh out our choices.  He has given us loads of pleasure for 13 years.  He is my constant companion.  He gets special treatment at hotels when we take him with us because everyone thinks he is so cute.  As responsible pet owners it is our job to make sure that we don't let him suffer.  I know his time here with us is winding down and thankfully Jeff will help push me when it is time to say goodbye.  Right now, we just love him and see how the medication works.

Boy, definitely a rambling day!

And then it rained!

Today there is a wonderful rain falling on the very dry lawn and garden.  It is such a blessing and it reminds me to be thankful for the blessings.

Life in the woods has been a little hectic lately.  Jeff put his back out  afew weeks ago, has taken forever to get better, and needless to say that has been a worry.  A stubborn man, but a good man, who would not go see the doctor because he was not into having lots of tests and pictures taken of somthing that happens now and then, although he did call just to make me "happy".

Our young man whom we hired to redo the salad bar, a.k.a. flower beds, wrecked his knee wakeboarding.  I have given up having  pretty flower beds because Freda, her children, children's children, and anyone else she can tell have eaten everything in the flowerbeds except the weeds.  (Freda is the name I gave to the deer that frequents our back yard, side yard, front yard and any other part of the yard.)  The few noneaten surviving plants went to my friend's home in Ironwood where I can sit and enjoy them in their unmunched glory.  He had such a great start and was a wonderful worker along with just being a sweet kid. 

Then there is the umbrella.  Our patio umbrella went sailing in a gust of wind and broke.  Now this may sound silly, but that umbrella cost me many moments of frustration, long and repeated visits with customer service on the phone, and more frustration only to get one the engineer is not happy with.   Since the engineer did not like the new umbrella he has figured out a way to fix the broken one and we can take the new one back to Home Depot in Rhinelander, so I guess all is well with the umbrella.  Let me say some people have good luck ordering online, me not so much so!

Sometimes I forget these are all small little bumps in the road and let them drive me nuts.  Then I have this little thing (my stomach) that lets me know to take a step back, take a breath, nothing of the above is important.  Amazing how when I get stressed the stomach gives me pain and then when  I relax the stomach is okay (albeit I need to eat healthier and lighter).

Reminders come in other forms too such as:

• The two young girls missing in Iowa. I know my grandson is safe and I don't have that nightmare. Even though I don't see him as often as I like, every visit is special.  I love it when he takes his two hands and puts them on each side of my face so that he knows I am listening only to him (Cayden is a chatterbox much like his dad and sometimes my thoughts wander).  At our last visit he gave me a little birdhouse for my chickadees that he helped feed last winter when he came for a visit.  Now my chickadees have the cutest blue and green house to hang out in that you have ever seen. 

• The elderly homeless man who came to a wedding off the street where he lives to be with people and feel like he belongs.  I am surrounded by wonderful friends who have become family and know I don't have to be alone unless I choose to be.

• A coworker is mourning the loss of her husband, another her sister, a close friend is coming up on the anniversary of the loss of her husband.  Jeff greeted me with a smile, a kiss, and left the house with an "I love you, drive safely, and have a good day.  Call me if you need me."  These are words he says every morning and means with all of his heart.   I am also blessed with a brother, whom I definitely do not get to see often enough, but loves me too and we chat frequently.  I am happy as I know he too is surrounded by a good woman who loves him along with his children. 

Thank you for the reminder that I am blessed with many happy and wonderful things in my life and that the little bumps in the road are definitely just that bumps, not mountains.

Recipe Share time...Red apple sangria.... Oh My!!!

I am sorry I am chatty today, but definitely wanted to share the Sangria recipe from the wedding last night.  I am wishing I had some red apple vodka in the house, but I don't so I guess it will be a glass of sweet red for me, but at the next gathering of friends and food, this is going on the beverage list.  Now I need a Sangria pitcher.....

Red Apple Sangria

3 ounces sutter home cabernet sauvignon wine

1 ounce shakka red apple vodka
1 ounce cranberry juice
1 ounce pineapple juice
1/2 ounce grenadine
splash carbonated lemon-lime beverage
2 pieces apple

1 orange wedge and 1 lime wedge

1 maraschino cherry

  Now this is for  one lovely glass of Red Apple Sangria, but once you have tasted this you will think....what the heck... make a whole pitcher.  These were definitely good (even the Jeffrey said yum!)

We finally got some Mexican vanilla so I am baking today.  Oatmeal raisin bars are in the oven as we speak.  I will package these and put in the freezer for 1 a day treats for us.

Go out and make it a great day!  Ciao as my friend Charlene says!

The Wedding

We were invited to a wedding of our Realtor's daughter, Ellen, last evening.  Her father and I are one church council together and we have gotten to know the family over the 3 years that we have lived in the UP of Wisconsin.  I designed her wedding invitations and helped with a few of the decorating projects that she had in mind to have.

The event was held at our church in Ironwood.  Now Jeff was not enthusiastic about attending the event as  (1)  It was hot and our church has no air conditioning.  (2)  There was going to be a crowd with 250 wedding invitations sent out. and most important (3)  It was hot and our church has no air conditioning.  Yes, I know I repeated myself, but so did he.  My friend, Kim, and her family were also in attendance and that made the evening very enjoyable.

The church was not as hot as it has been, but it was full.  Actually full and over flowing full with folks in the balcony.  So nice to see Salem that way.  Ellen's pastor from when she was active in youth group performed the wedding and did a very nice job.  After the church service we headed to the Memorial Building.  Now there was when it was HOT!   Beautiful decorations, awesome food, and fun evening.  Their signature beverage was an apple sangria and let me tell you yummy.  Kim and I decided this would be a go for girls night out!

This is the couple's card box.  The boxes are actually frosted and then paper leaves which were cut out using a die and then colored with craft paint were attached while the frosting was still "wet".  The leaves are actually cut out of coffee filters.  The cake is actually attached to a box with a big hole cut out of it so the cards fall straight through to the bottom.   Her colors were Merlot, black, and a silver gray.  Gorgeous!  Mobiles were made of the leaves hanging above the guests in the twinkling of little white lights!

A side note from the decorations; dinner was amazing.  Everything was delicious.  We had BBQ ribs, Lake Superior salmon, chicken cordon bleu, and portabella ravioli along with mashed potatoes, wild rice (definitely to die for and lucky for me Janice is sharing the recipe), green beans, salad, and cranberry bread with cranberry butter.  Desserts, oh my.  In my other life I would have been in sugar overload, but had a very small piece of the actual wedding cake  and shared some cranberry walnut cheesecake with Jeff.  Kim had a piece of rainbow cake that was gorgeous to look at and she said equally yummy! 

All in all an enjoyable time spent with good friends.

Finally a current stamping project.

This is the card that Jeff and I are giving to a young couple getting married today.   I love using lots and lots of paper and ribbon.  I love the white on white card with the 2 black birds.  I am happy with this!

The Hound.

Pablo, Peewee, Booboo, and the Hound.  This is my early morning coffee buddy, my appendage, my protector. Our little guy joined our home 13 years ago with the plan on him being Jeff's dog.  I had Miss Cricket, a rescue papillon, and he wanted a nice little lap dog for his own.  He picked out the Hound, named him, even gave him his first bath, but the Hound is mine.  Surgery was necessary for me and 8 weeks off made this little guy all mine and Grandma Shirley's (who hound sat for the first couple of weeks).  He loves to burrow under the blanket and sit with me pretty much all the time.  He shows his displeasure with me by having his ears almost touch. 

He is my stamping companion when I head down to the family room to stamp.  He never critizes, just sits patiently in his blanket while I work away.

As a side note, I had a wonderful visit with my favorite Pastor, Pastor Jeff.  I needed a character reference and he was kind enough to let the world know the character that I am.  We both came to be members of Galilian Lutheran Church at the same time and a friendship bloomed.  He is heading off to ELCA Lutheran Youth Encounter down in New Orleans with 8 youth for the gathering and wanted me to keep him in his prayers.  I am always pleased to do that as I know he keeps me in his.  My mother dearly loved him and he sang a beautiful song at her funeral.

Another Child to Hold

By  Ray Boltz

 She looks down at her angel
Sleeping in his bed
She gently kneels beside him
And then she bows her head
And just like other mothers
Who lived so long ago
She brings her child to Jesus
And give him to the Lord

Jesus, here's another child to hold
Keep this child safe and warm
This world can be so cold
Take this child in Your arms
And never let him go
Jesus, here's another child to hold

He watched his only daughter
Leaving on a date
He doesn't want to worry
But now it's getting late
Waiting in the darkness
He kneels down on the floor
And offers up a silent prayer
As he listens for the door

Wherever there are children, Lord
In danger or in need
May you find someone there
Praying on their knees
Oh, please

Jesus, here's another child to hold
Keep this child safe and warm
This world can be so cold
Take this child in Your arms
And never let him go
Jesus, here's another child to hold

Living Life and loving it!

Yooper, nope.... cheesehead, well not really, but living life in the UP of Wisconsin you betcha!  Going to give the blogging a try again, partially to share my craft with you, partially to chat, and probably therapy for me to talk things through.

Leaving Iowa, family, and friends behind was hard 3 years ago.  The Brattruds were going their separate ways with Jeff up here, Shelley in Iowa City, and Scotty staying in Clear Lake.  The Manns were separated too with my brother down in MonMouth, Illinois, Dain moving to Mason City, and me up here with Jeff.  Our parents had passed, so changes were made for us all, but life was going to be alright because the Big Guy was definitely steering our ship.  

During the past 3 years Jeff, Pablo, and I have met wonderful friends, found a church family, and adjusted to life in Mayberry as a good friend calls the UP way of life. To say shopping is limited is an understatement; to see the kids playing outside summer, fall, winter, and spring  awesome and definitely happening. 

Our home in Montreal is the best of both worlds.  Looking out to the south, you are in town.  Looking out to the north, you are in the woods.  Getting up in the morning and seeing a buck lying down in the yard under the apple trees is always a treat. 

So that is life in a nutshell.  So much is wonderful, still miss family and friends from Iowa, but have been richly blessed with friends and "new" family in the woods.

Enough rambling for the day.  Monday chats, eh?