oh what a beautiful day...

I’ve got a beautiful feeling, everything’s going my way

oh what a beautiful morning

I got to walk with my dear friend Petra this morning and saw this incredible sunrise 

It’s gonna be a good day...

lovely day

I had an opportunity to go on a lovely hike with my sweet daughter this evening. The sunlight was perfect and the temps just right. Thanks Katie. 

too many goodbyes

The past couple weeks have been filled with loss. April 1, aunt Jeannie. April 13,, my friend Laura to a very aggressive cancer, April 20 my dear friend Lynn’s husband Darren to pancreatic cancer and just found out a former students’ Mom just lost her battle with MS. 

I know it’s part of life, but it’s just a lot to process sometimes. 

newly wed

 

Congratulations to my amazing first born brother Kent and his lovely bride Eden. They were married in a small ceremony on Saturday. Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness! 

little getaway to Eau Claire

Yesterday afternoon Katie, Osten and I drove over to spend some time with Anders. We ended up having lots of fun, drink Bubble Tea, eating yummy sandwiches, getting Anders a FitBit for his birthday, Osten a bat and glove for his birthday and laughing and enjoying one another’s’ company. We ended the evening on a grocery run. Fun day! 

Packers vs. Seahawks

The Packers beat the Seahawks today by a good margin 31-7. Osten had a nice run and really was happy his team was victorious. My student Luke scored two touchdowns. 

new haircut

Katie got a sweet haircut yesterday. She looks so grown up!

time warp

I had been doing so well posting every day...oops. On the 22nd I celebrated earth day with a lovely walk with my friend Michelle. We hiked to Foster cemetery and along the Kinni. Happy belated 🌏 day! 

look Mom! I found violets

I was telling Mom last night that I’ve seen a lot of violets here. I don’t think she believed me...here they are! 

math materials

Our math materials are so fun to use! 

bat jerkey

This was a photo brother Kyle sent...so funny 

hike and a suit weekend

Today we started the day in Grantsburg and tried really hard to get the pontoon in the water but it just didn’t work out. We got back to RF and then I turned around to go on a hike with dear friend Julie at William O’Brien State Park. 

Lindsey sent a great photo of Anders in his new suit. So handsome! 

Now I’m  lesson planning for the week and hope to get to bed soon. 

packers vs. Chiefs

Osten plays for the Packers and they played the Chiefs today. It was quite the game...37-7, Chiefs won. 

The rest of the day was driving to Wood Lake, having a picnic lunch at St Croix Falls. Putting the dock into the lake, hanging out with the Weaver-Olsons. 

Now we’re watching the BFG and will soon be heading to bed. 

bonfire

We’re enjoying a beautiful bonfire in our backyard. Burning up downed branches and bark. Lovely starlit evening. 

fun in the classroom

fun in the classroom. 

snow? a really great spinach/mushroom quiche and cornbread muffin meal

It always happens, you think it’s spring and then... this morning there was snow on the ground. Tonight Brad has a cozy fire started and soon I’ll be making dinner of quiche and muffins. 

I wasn't planning on writing more, but dinner was too good not to document. The recipe for quiche from feastingnotfasting.com 

Ingredients

• ▢1 tsp. avocado oil (or whatever type of oil you prefer)
• ▢1/2 onion, sliced into thin strips
• ▢1 red pepper, seeded and sliced into thin strips
• ▢1 tsp. minced garlic
• ▢1/2 lb. mushrooms, sliced
• ▢2 cups loosely packed spinach
• ▢1 refrigerated pie crust
• ▢1 1/2 cups milk (I used whole milk but 2% is fine)
• ▢5 eggs
• ▢1/4 tsp. salt
• ▢1/4 tsp. pepper
• ▢1/8 tsp. nutmeg
• ▢1/2 cup grated cheese (sharp cheddar, swiss, or gruyere work great)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350° F.
• Heat oil in a medium sized pan. Add onions and peppers and sauté for 2-3 minutes until onions start to turn translucent. 
• Add mushrooms and garlic and cook until mushrooms are cooked through, approximately 5 minutes. Add spinach and cook 1 minute longer until spinach is wilted. Remove pan from heat and set aside. 
• Unroll refrigerated pie crust and press into 9-inch pie pan. Set aside. 
• Crack eggs and whisk until frothy. Add milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and whisk to mix in.
• Remove any excess liquid from the cooked veggies by squeezing them in a kitchen towel or paper towels over the sink (this keeps the crust from getting soggy).
• Place veggies on top of crust in pie pan in an even layer. Sprinkle cheese on top. Pour egg mixture evenly over the veggies and cheese.
• Bake for 40-45 minutes until starting to brown on top. Remove from oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving.

Cornbread muffins by onceuponachef.com

These tender cornbread muffins are the perfect side to any Southern or Southwestern dish. You can whip up the batter in no time!

Servings: 12 muffins

Total Time: 30 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
• 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3/4 cup milk (preferably whole but low-fat works too)
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F degrees. Line a muffin pan with paper liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray. (I prefer to use non-stick cooking spray so the muffins get nice and crisp on the edges.)
2. In a medium bowl, break up the eggs with a whisk. Whisk in the honey, and then the milk. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the milk mixture and the melted butter to the dry ingredients. Whisk until just blended. Do not overmix; it's okay if there are a few lumps. Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin pan, filling each cup about 3/4 full. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are set and golden. (Note that the muffins will not dome.) Cool the muffins for a few minutes in the pan, then serve warm.
4.   

famous someday

I’m quite sure this student will be famous someday for her writing and illustrating. It’s wonderful to be in her presence now. 

this guy...

He just whooped me at a game of Vikings Yahtzee and now we are dancing to a little AC/DC Dirty Deeds while brushing our teeth. I LOVE THIS BOY. 

icky icky icky

I’m very happy to be immunized but last night the icky came in full force. I felt like my cells were being filled with spiky contents. Nausea, fever, aches and restlessness was in full force.

I’m feeling much better today but have heard from 3 of my co-workers they are still sporting 101 fevers and don’t know if they can go to school tomorrow. 

I did walk to school to prepare for the week and saw some beautiful wildlife along the river. Great reminder that life goes on. 

Little flowers from our yard 

Daffodil in aunt Jeannie’s vase 

Goose on the shore of the Kinni 

hugs from Jeannie for my final dose

Today I dressed in my Jeannie fleece and socks as I walked over to the high school to get my 2nd dose of the Covid 19 vaccine. I sent a message to cousin Diane and her daughter Sara and they are so happy to hear I’m wrapped in Jeannie hugs. 

makers station

Tonight my friend Sarah hosted several friends at her home to make door mats. Gretchen, Sharyl, Kim, Sarah and I made some of the most beautiful mats ever. 

football season begins

Osten is playing spring football. He is playing with several of  his buddies. It is interesting that their team name is the Packers again😜

The Twins won their game this afternoon. Osten’s buddy Luke was in the stands for their home opener. The Twins have a 5-2 start to their season. 

farewell Jeannie

What a lovely tribute to my beautiful aunt Emma Jean. Lovely service in Luverne, MN followed by a trip to the cemetery near Elkton, SD. Then to lunch at Perkins in Brookings, SD with Diane, Sara, Ashley, Chris. Chuck, Carol, Cierra, Cameron, Kyle, Kim, Kurt & Mom. We met Diane in Ellsworth at Jeannie’s house and each found and claimed some of her personal belongings to remember her and use. 

It was a long day, but very much filled with love and laughter. 

We left Kurt’s at 7:42 and I got home at 10:32. So great to be home.

home

I’m at my home near Butterfield. Sitting and watching KEYC. I got to say goodnight to my Dad, Ross and uncle Butch. It’s raining pretty heavily here right now. Tomorrow I’ll be heading to Luverne to say farewell to aunt Jeannie. 

jump to summer

It was in the 80s today! The daffys are blooming and it was picture perfect. 

Lunch walk view...

The Timberwolves won tonight! 116-106. 

He has risen

Happy Easter! Brad, Osten and I were able to attend our 2nd service in less than a week. I served communion at Ezekiel for Maundy Thursday and now we attended Easter service at Faith in Grantsburg. We had communion today too. 

We got to see Brent who is recovering from his stroke on March 17. So wonderful to see how well he is doing after such a major medical event. We also got to see Molly, Siri, Ivan and Ike. God is good. 

Beautiful Easter brunch with begneits made by Katie and Siri and egg bake, French toast and fresh fruit by Betty. 

Osten and I just watched part of the first episode of season 2 of the Chosen. It is so powerful.