What a Difference

Oh what a difference a week can make. Last weekend it was a winter wonderland around here. This weekend it is very cold, still white from snow - not a beautiful, and the roads are a skating rink. The Highway Patrol is telling people to STAY HOME! Hope the crazy football fans are careful as they drive down to the game, because we all know they will still go. Go Vikings!

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland!

 

 We got our first snow of the season! It is beautiful as it comes down, but it did a lot of damage. It was the very wet-heavy snow that snapped branches off tree, flattened bushes and took out power-lines. Hopefully power has been restored. Luckily we had the furnace repairman out here Friday afternoon and stayed toasty warm.

The road conditions weren't good in the morning but our fine crew of state plow drivers hit the roads and they were much safer to travel on by early afternoon.

The change of seasons is one of the many reasons we love living in the midwest. I know that this snow won't last too long. The temp is supposed to warm up and it will melt away. But soon enough snow will fall again and it will be clean & crispy white again.

Now it is time for the clean-up...

Later,

FALL

Summer is my favorite season, I love the heat. But Fall comes in at a very close 2nd.


Cool crisp air, sun shining & college football. I love being in the stadium and being a part of the excitement. Unfortunately I don't get to spend much time in the stadium so I enjoy it in the comfort of my home. My team? The Iowa Hawkeyes! and anyone playing the MN Gophers!!

The Gophers just lost to the USD Coyotes and lost. USD is G's undergrad school so we are very pleased with the 41-38 score. Our beloved Hawkeys will play their biggest rival, Iowa State, this afternoon. Kick off is actually in 3 minutes. GO HAWKEYES!!

What is your favorite season? Why?

Later,
Debbie

It's Hard to say "Good Bye"

My sister & her family just boarded the plane and are heading home after a great week at the cabin. We had beautiful weather (most of the time) watched a parade, watched fireworks, did some shopping (just the girls), some fishing (very little catching), ate good food and spent some quality time with family & our friend Craig.











Dad joined us at the cabin. He has to be the hardest one to say "Good Bye" to. Since my Mom & Father-in-Law passed away I treasure the times we get to spend with family. I have always enjoyed getting together with family & friends but have learned  to appreciate those moments even more. You just never know what is going to happen tomorrow.

Dad went home yesterday after lots of hugs and a few tears. I am thankful that he has a great group of friends at work, at church and neighbors.

I miss them already and can hardly wait for the next visit.
Later,
Debbie

                                                                                                 

Mining for Iron

We spent last weekend at our cabin with Sheri & Dean. 

It didn't start out the best but soon became another wonderful weekend at the cabin.

 

We arrived at the lake around 9:00pm ready to get to the cabin, but the boat motor had different plans. Turns out there was an issue with the prop and we strolled to the cabin at about 5mph using the kicker motor that I wasn't sure we needed to have installed a couple years ago. Thanks G, for insisting on getting it. This is the 2nd time I have needed it.  Friday in the rain/dark & going 5mph it took about 1.5 hours. (The ride usually takes 10-15 minutes which is a very nice ride.) 

Dean insisted that he was fine riding in the rain.  

All boating issues were resolved the next day.

This is my brother-in-law, Dean. He always has a smile

We went into the town of Soudan and toured the Iron Mine. If you are ever in the area and have time this is a treasure that you must see. Take a coat and wear long pants; it is around 54 degrees and breezy down there. Our tour guide was wonderful, telling us some great stories and helping us to understand what is was like to be a miner.

The weekend was filled with relaxing on the porch, fishing, reading, eating great food (because G does the cooking) and  spending time with our family.

We are now home and getting ready to head back up to the cabin with Coleen, Mark, Isabelle, Craiger and my Dad. Have a Happy 4th of July!

Later,
Debbie

Manicures & Strawberries

Getting a manicure is my guilty pleasure. Everyone should do something special for themselves once in a while. I spent a week at our cabin in the woods last week. I napped, read, worked on projects, napped, read, napped, picked wild strawberries, ate wild strawberries and napped some more. I  am very fortunate and very thankful to have a cabin in the woods.

Here you can see the berries & the manicure.

 Do something special for yourself today:

• soak in the tub
• go for a walk
• read - book, magazine, paper
• take a nap
• get a manicure
• get a pedicure
• spend time with a friend
• go fishing

What do you do for yourself?

Later,

Debbie

Jack of All Trades

I'm sure you have heard the title 'Jack of All Trades, Master of None' That is how I like to describe myself. Others think 'Queen of Unfinished Projects' or 'Living with AOADD' (Adult Onset Attention Deficit Disorder) says it like it is. 

I love trying new projects! 

I just don't always get around to finishing them before I have another idea. To my family I say "Sorry!" and "Thanks for putting up with me."

Currently I am working on:

• Redecorating a guest/craft room: painting walls, painting trim, new floor, sewing curtains, adding corkboard to cabinets, hanging artwork and organizing stuff.
• Refinishing an antique dresser I found on the side of the road
• Cleaning out and organizing many closet/storage areas
• Organizing years of photographs
•  Refinishing bent oak chairs
• Cabin decorating
• Sewing quilts for the cabin beds

While this sounds like enough to think of for now....... I am creating a new list of things that I could do, but if I actually start listing the ideas, my husband might not appreciate my plans.

This is the guest/craft room I am currently working on. I better stop typing and get to work. We have company coming in 2 days & I promised I would try to be very close to being done with this room by then.

It's Tomorrow

Welcome to my blog. I have often thought about doing this but never got around to it. You know, I'll do it tomorrow. Well, it's tomorrow!
I believe that one should always try to find the silver lining in life's everyday events. It isn't always easy & I am the first to admit that I don't always find that lining or even take the time to look. My hope for this blog is that I will use it as a gratitude journal sharing stories of my life, past & present and I hope to hear some of your silver lining stories.
Thanks for stopping by.
Later,
Debbie