last day of 2020

So far, we are taking it easy on this beautiful winter day. Katie is feeling very sore after our snow adventure I’m feeling a tiny bit sore and Anders is feeling slightly sore. We plan on ringing in the new year tonight! 

snow much fun!

Trollhaugen 2020. Had a lesson @ 10:00am with an 82 year old who taught me great tricks at skiing. Went down the big winding hill 5 times and the bunny hill many many times. 

Those with me were Anders for a little while (learned to snow board), Katie all day (experienced snow boarder) and Siri all day (learned to snow board). The weather was perfect and I feel great right now. I’ll report how the next couple days go after they happen. 

Here are some photos of our adventure:

wizard of oz

Last night, Osten and I were channel surfing 🏄‍♂️ as we recently upgraded to full cable so we can watch Timberwolves & Twins games. We landed on the wizard of oz. We didn’t get overly far into the movie as our internal clocks are still set to school year time, but it was sure fun to watch with Osten. He kept asking me questions about how it felt to see this movie as a kid. I think his impression is that I was living when the movie was released. He makes my heart sing. 

Here is Katie as Dorothy back in 2017 with the River Ramblers club 

local goods and cozy times

Looking back at the many photos I’ve taken since nesting on winter break I’m noting some themes in gift giving and activities.Cozy socks, reading by the fire, local gifts from downtown shops, our lovely office space, Lindsey’s new cozy throw, and a gift basket of local beverages. 

Christmas 2020 has been different but so far, very cozy. 

 

the Sunday after Christmas

Picked up a new motor for our little boat; a low enough HP to take to the BWCA next summer. Then had lunch at a little restaurant in Prescott. 

Katie and I are going on a walk and then will head over to the office to do some more painting of window sills. 

Got a text from brother Kent today...he proposed to his girlfriend Eden and she said yes! 

Returned from our walk...it was breathtaking 

the Saturday after Christmas

A nice brisk hike on Saturday morning with Meg...lost a yak track on the trail and found it again. Painting window sills at the office. A lot of lounging and reading my 12th new book of the year...This Close to OK by Leesa Cross-Smith and long naps. 

Lovely day. 

winter wonderland on Christmas Day

The Vikings are playing the New Orleans Saints today and look like they will be dealt a loss. Fun game though. Alvin Kamara just tied the most touchdowns I a game (6)...very impressive.

I’m starting to get a little sleepy after two good, long hikes today in the beautiful winter wonderland. 

Then I got some lovely photos from loved ones wishing Merry Christmas 

What a wonderful day. 

so this is Christmas

Here is our 2020 Christmas Eve. 

Katie and I walked up to the grocery store after lunch to get some vegetarian meatballs, milk, egg nog and saltines. Then home to do some tidying and start dinner of Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, butternut squash and veggie meatballs. 

We put a heater on the porch to get it warmed up. 

Then we opened gifts with Anders and Lindsey. We received some fun surprises! 

Brad’s favorite gifts were his books, a flannel jacket and his new hiking sandals. 

Osten’s favorite gifts were Madden 2021, the new Dog Man book & a lego set from Anders and Lindsey. 

Katie’s favorite gifts were a big sign with her birthdate and location and some neat clothes she picked out from GoodWill. 

Anders favorite gifts are still to be determined.

Lindsey's favorite gift from us was her new little Corgi stuffed animal. 

Karen’s favorite gifts are new socks, tea, flannel, immersion blender and and some games like Tenzi, Slapzi and Guess in 10. 

Now Osten is playing his Madden 21 and I’m going to see if I can watch our church service on YouTube and watch a Little House on the Prairie Christmas show. 

let it snow let it snow let it snow

The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful & since we’ve no place to go, let it snow, let it snow let it ❄️ 

happy 4 dozen

Happy 4 dozen birthday to my amazing Bradley Cole. We celebrated tonight at Sapporo in Hudson. Fun evening.

Drinking some saki

solstice

Today is the winter solstice and is also the day that Jupiter and Saturn appear to be one planet on the horizon. 

After school I hiked to the summit of River Falls to capture the sunset and also get a panoramic photo of the city. 

Anders made dinner of tacos tonight and Katie is finishing up her essay. What a nice evening. 

The photo of the planets is from my friend Leah who lives in the Kansas City area 

who stole the cookie?

Today is Christmas cookie baking day. I am going solo as Katie has a big paper due on To Kill A Mockingbird due, Anders is working at DQ and Osten is watching the Vikings loose to the Bears...but someone stole the cookie from the cookie cooking rack...who do you think it was? 

possibly a possum?

This morning, Meg Andrea and I went for a walk on the UWRF campus and noticed some cool animal tracks. These tracks were on top of one another...very unusual. I took a photo and texted Brad. He thought they might be skunk tracks. 

Then I posted and a good conversation commenced. After more research, I’m thinking they were possum tracks. So interesting 

flannel day

Today, our teaching staff have declared it to be flannel day. I'm very excited to wear flannel today!

It’s Petra, Karen and Rainbow 

just a few of my favorite things

This morning, as I'm gazing at our beautiful Christmas tree and visiting with our amazing 10 year old. I'm thinking of a few of my favorite things...

Favorite Christmas decoration--hard to pick one, but one of my favorites is the new snowman that was crafted by the artisan, Osten at school.

Osten's favorite:

    sport--football

    number--85

    video game--Madden 20

    football player--Adam Thielen

    song--Thunderstruck by ACDC

    Christmas song--Rockin Around the Christmas Tree

    food--noodles and meat sauce

    blanket--a super soft blue blanket from Target 

    Christmas cookie--cut out cookies

the gathering

Last night, I was able to watch a favorite Christmas movie with Brad, Anders, Osten and Lindsey. The movie, the Gathering was one of my parents favorite movies when I was a kid and I wanted to watch again as a middle aged adult. It didn't lose any of it's charm. I loved seeing the old styles of clothing, hairstyles, toys and cars. In fact, main character Adam Thornton drives a car very similar in style to my 1978 Buick LeSabre.

We laughed at some of the music-Anders was especially annoyed by a recurring synthesizer playing, but I think it was enjoyed by all. 

It was a pleasure to gather with some of my loved ones to view the Gathering. 

so cold

Wow, the temps are dropping and it's getting more challenging to get up and out of bed. Walking to school today, I was very happy to have a nice warm coat and cozy hat and gloves. 

Taking a photo of my new boots first time on ice...brrrr

favorite time of year

Sitting in the living room, checking out the beautiful Christmas tree lights, watching the cozy fire in the wood stove. Feeling a little drowsy from a walk downtown with Katie to get some fruit and oatmilk...what a wonderful feeling. 

12-13

Such a sobering and joyful day. In 2014, it was one of the worst days and in 2017, it was a tremendous day. 

In 2014 our special nephew and Godson Ross Isaac lived his last day in earth. 

In 2017, our special great niece, Kesleigh Rae made her earthly debut. 

We will NEVER forget Ross. We will ALWAYS rejoice in the birth of Kesleigh. My brother Kurt, Dad of Ross, grandfather of Kesleigh had these strong words today... 

Kindness and humility, these are two traits that stand out when I reflect on my son Ross’s 16 years with us on Earth.  Today marks 6 years that he was tragically lost.  From performing as Peter Pan in the school play, performing for 12 days at the State Fair and also singing with the Windom Chordhustlers, Ross still had time to say hello to the school janitor every day.   In my grief, I began reading the Bible every day and have nearly completed it six times.  I can say that Jesus tells us many times to be humble and kind.  Also, as an example of God’s rich mercy and grace, today also marks my granddaughter Kesleigh’s 3rd birthday.  Praise be to God!

preparing for Bailey's 2020

We are doing Bailey's party 2020 virtually. I am going to prepare the beverage and then at 7pm, my group of friends will gather on Zoom and toast our friendship/open Secret Santa gifts. I am so thankful for my group of friends who thinks outside of the box.