frolicking in Franconia

Yesterday I met Julie along as I took Siri and Katie to the sculpture garden in Schaefer, MN. It was beyond my wildest dreams. I’ve driven past numerous times and never stopped. It was really pretty amazing. 

a treehouse, blazing firepit and eager puppy

Last Saturday, Brad, Osten, Katie and I drove to visit Nate and his kids, Natalie and Micah in Little Canada, Minnesota. Nate has a new job with MedTronic as a writer, Natalie is a 7th grader and Micah is a 5th grader. They all have been home throughout Covid doing school and working so they were eager to have some visitors to talk to and to wrestle with (Osten and Micah). 

Micah built a fire in their new firepit where we roasted some marshmallows...

We took a tour of the treehouse they built during their time at home complete with a clear roof

We ordered in Jimmy Johns for lunch

and we met their new puppy named Gander who is about the cutest little mixed breed dog you've ever seen. 

It was lovely spending a few hours with them, we thank them for their hosting. 

fun date night

 I’m living vicariously through Anders and Lindsey’s Instagram accounts. They went out for dinner for their one year dating anniversary. Looks like an exciting evening on the town

breathtaking sunrise

Walking to school this morning at 7am this was my view 

root veggies, veggie sausage and orzo--it's what's for dinner

Basking in the glow of a yummy dinner that I prepared this evening. 

First I got a 3 pound bag of root veggies from the Coop--from Harmony Farm in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Veggies included were: orange carrots, turnips, parsnips, rutabagas, celeriac and sunchokes. 

Then, I got some veggie sausages by Field Roast. 

Lastly, I prepared whole wheat orzo and tossed with olive oil and parmesan. 

To prepare the veggies, I chopped them, placed them on a cookie sheet covered in tin foil. I drizzled 3 tablespoons of olive oil, a tbsp. paprika, a tbsp. of oregano, a tbsp. of parsley, 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. I popped them into a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. 

While they baked, I sliced 2 Field Roast sausages. 

I removed them from the oven, stirred the veggies and added the sausages. Back in the oven for 25 minutes. Stirred them and back in the oven for another 20 minutes. 

Everyone liked the meal--Anders and Osten definitely preferred the orzo. Brad said he would eat it again and Katie thought the veggie sausages were great.  I packed two days worth of lunches for myself. Satisfaction has been achieved!

happy 25th birthday A & K

To our incredible cousins and nephews Kyle and Adam. Happy Quarter century 

thinking of sunny St John

One of my amazing coworkers sent me these photos today from her daughter vacationing in St. John. Wish I was there. 

the view

Here is the view of River Falls dated 1/24/21 (another palindrome date) 

our Baileys party had Bernie & his mittens

Just loving this Bernie meme. Apparently he attended our Baileys party a few years back 

sunny day

So wonderful to have a beautiful sunny day! We’re currently at Perkins in Hudson for our Friday night dinner. Yum! 

sunny day for a nature walk 

triple 21

Today, another RFSD educator was observing a student in my classroom and noticed we made a big deal about the date with all the 1s and 2s. She sent this image to me after she got back to her office and it was pretty amazing to my number nerdiness...

inauguration day!

 Our country has elected it's very first female vice president. What an amazing day in history. 

The 2017 youth poet laureate and youngest inaugural poet,  Amanda Gorman delivered her poem "The Hill We Climb". Wow, how invigorating. "There is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it." "We lift our gazes not to what stands between us but what stands before us."

family football tournament

Anders had been a holdout, he hadn't agreed to be a member of our family football tournament. He now has relented and agreed to be a part of the fun. 

Brad is playing as the Vikings

Karen is playing as the Packers

Osten is playing as the Chiefs

Katie is playing as the Broncos

Anders is playing as the Ravens

This should be fun! We start this adventure on Saturday. 

Here is Osten at his end of year football game in 2020 with the sweet Andrea family who came to cheer him on. He LOVES football. 

15

So this is 15. Our beautiful, intelligent, curious, charming, inquisitive, socially conscious, powerful, athletic, musical, environmentally conscious, dramatic, silly, sensitive, philosophical & amazing daughter Kathryn Grace is enjoying the 15th anniversary of her birth. 

Out for dinner at Applebee’s and now on our way home for cupcakes, gifts and singing.

putting the skis to work

Several years ago, Brad and I got used cross country skis for one another at Christmas. Today was the maiden voyage. Julie and I drove to Owatonna to dear friend Ivy’s house & we skied on the golf course right behind her house. What a wonderful day and great day to catch up with Ivy! 

The skiing was fun and I hope to get out again very soon here in River Falls. 

sledding and a wedding

Today, Anders went to a wedding with the Andrea family in Florida and Osten and I went sledding  with Osten’s buddy Jayden here in River Falls at Hoffman Park. Super fun day! 

snow day

At 5:15am we got the call from superintendent Benson that made us all cheer! Extra long weekend. Photo of Osten at breakfast and Osten snowball fighting with his buddy Wil. Katie also received a birthday card from Cory and Joan...15 is creeping up on us. What a nice day.