Wistful Wednesday: Christmas1965

My baby brother and I reminisced about a trip a long time ago. We drove with our parents and our other baby brother to California in 1965.  We left from Minnesota and drove what seemed like forever before stopping all night in Provo Utah. Apparently my parents took turns sleeping and driving.  I remember being discouraged at not being able to stop at The Great Salt Lake.  I was very impressed with the mountains in Provo. We either ate or hid all the fruit we had in the car at the California Border.  We didn’t stop at many restaurants..we ate sandwiches and fruit along the way.

We went to see my Dads sister..my Aunt Anna and Uncle Stanley and cousins Clark and Leann for Christmas.

My Mom took this photo.  It is marked Disney Land 1965.

My other baby brother Jody, My Dad, Me, My Aunt Anna hugging my baby brother Carey and Cousin Clark in front.

We went to Church at Midnight on Christmas Eve, after a supper of Pork Roast, Potatoes and Gravy and Lutefisk at Uncle Stanley’s parents.  I can still smell the Lutefisk cooking. Uffda.  Lutefisk is the Norwegians idea of a delicacy..it is dried cod that is soaked in lye and then cooked. 

As for the trip to Disneyland..I enjoyed the Jungle Cruise and the Haunted House the best!  The weather in California was wonderful.

My Dad shared that one time during this trip my baby brother and I were fighting in the backseat.  He stopped the car and made us get out and drove away.  Of course he didn’t drive far..and when we got back in the car we were well behaved:)

Bubble Lights

We got the downstairs tree up.  This year it will have one stringer of Bubble Lights for the entire season.  Last year we put them on the tree for awhile..then we took them off..they get pretty warm.  If they worry me too much I will take them off the tree and pack them away.

Chance and Far Guy admiring their work.

The Bubble Lights are mesmerizing..the liquid heats up and then they bubble..some are slow.. so you have to tap the glass tube to get the bubbles moving.

The tree would only have lights..but the Calvary(Jen, Andy, Noah and Adam) stopped by on Sunday afternoon and the tree was quickly decorated.  Many hands make short work of a big project.  www shopjendotcom  delivered three gifts to be wrapped. Far Guy was going to drive 90 miles to pick up two items…and Jen graciously agreed to pick the items up for us.

More packages were delivered in the mail yesterday..we are getting quite a pile upstairs on the gift wrapping table.

The Calvary brought extra cookies from the cookie exchange..so we won’t be baking any cookies:)

Health Updates:

Far Guy is still exhausted..he tires easily..but managed his mile walk yesterday morning.

My Mom is surviving..she walked a short distance (five feet) with the aid of a walker in Physical Therapy yesterday.  There has been big medication mix ups several times at the Nursing Home..she is not getting her pain medication in a timely manner and then she gets behind and cannot catch up with the pain and lies awake all night in pain.  I spoke with her Nurse yesterday..and I believe my brother spoke to the Charge Nurse.  I told one of the Nurses that I can call every two hours if that is what it takes to get a Nurse to give her the meds. (they said that was not necessary)

It is very frustrating..yesterday I immediately knew that she had not slept well.  She has to be able to sleep to heal and to get better. 

Treatment for a broken pelvis includes bed rest, physical therapy and  pain management.  It may take 8 to 12 weeks before she is all better and is able to care for herself. 

Hand Carved Ornaments

Every year we try to come up with a new design for a Christmas Ornament.  We give them to family and friends.  This year we made 64 ornaments.

Most of them have been delivered or are in the mail today.

We knew we wanted a spool ornament.  HOWEVER spools are hard to come by..we finally found a whole bunch in an Antique Shop but they were all hardwood.  Hardwood is very hard to carve.

Our Son In Law Handy Andy has a wood lathe and he was roped into the making of the spools.  These are basswood.  We worked long and hard carving on the spools. I can carve the face in about twenty minutes.  The first few took hours.

After they were carved they were painted. 

Flesh..white..red..eyes..and snow on their eyebrows and moustaches and finally antiqued.

All were wood burned with the year.  I am pleased. They are not our greatest design..but they will do.

I have two extras that I made to give away. I will throw the names in a hat and I will draw one from the blogspot blog and one from the local area voices blog.  To enter just leave me a comment on todays blog.  I will draw a name on Wednesday night at 9PM and reveal the winners on Thursday and get them mailed out:)

Chance: Duck Update

Something or someone tore up my duck..it is in pieces.  Someone must have been playing too rough and been so excited that he just ripped off the ducks feet…one by one.  After that someone took all the stuffing out and chewed up the noise maker.  It was a vicious attack.  Someone spread that stuffing fluff around on the floor and some of it accidently got on my nose.  It looked incriminating..but every dog should have his day in court. Doncha think?

 I am in the dog house ..I was out by the wood pile chasing rabbits and got all full of woodchips from the chain saw. I drug a bunch of wood chips in the house on my fur…between that and that messed up duck..I was feeling a little sad.  

I was really good during the rescue call the other night..  I tried to make Far Guy all better by licking him in the face.  I did not bark..and I listened really good.  When Far Side said to go lay down I did..and when she told me to come downstairs off the landing I did.  She said I was the best dog ever.  The Fire and Rescue guys all patted me on the head and said I was a good boy too.

Since I was such a good boy maybe someone will look extra hard for a new duck.

Far Guy and I walked to the mailbox yesterday and hauled the garbage to the dump..I make sure he takes a nap every day.

I go along to the Nursing Home..but I cannot go inside because they have a fat girly dog named Maggie in there.  Far Side said “We don’t need no ruckus.” So I stayed in the car and watched other dogs barking in their cars!  Far Side reports her Mom was finally able to sleep a little and she looks a little better too:)

December 10 2011

We still have minimal snow..

I took this photo on December 08, 2011…and two days later it still looks the same.  Not enough snow to cover the grass.

We did some Christmas Shopping Online and some in town. It is a start.  We can always just write checks..

I am still tired and I napped for several hours this afternoon.  Far Guy and Chance napped too. 

My Mom had her first Physical Therapy session yesterday, my brother and I went along to see what she could do, and how to properly do it.  She can get herself up out of the wheelchair one handed and to a standing position at the walker.  She can transfer from the wheelchair to another chair.  It was painful ..but she did it and her confidence level was greatly increased.  Mom was concerned that she would have no Physical Therapy over the weekend..we found out that the Nurses can assist her practicing and getting stronger over the weekend. She is not sleeping well because of the pain. I strongly suggested that her Doctor be consulted.

My brother was cooking vegetable soup to freeze..and my Aunt Anna was cooking chicken soup for supper for the men.   My Dad has never cooked..well toast and an occasional egg and oatmeal..that is his entire cooking experience.  The next few months his cooking skills may improve.  I must get the few cooking skills I have from him:)

Shopping days left 14.  Gifts purchased  a few  whoo hoo!  Decorations up 0. Trees up 0.

Ice and Medical Updates

The other day..when things were still normal…we stopped by Leech Lake to walk Chance.  It was still about zero degrees F so it was good ice making weather.

The ice might have been singing a happy cold chorus..or perhaps it was the water singing its death throes as it was turned into ice.  The sound was almost continual..it came in waves of groans and moans almost as if the lake was serenading someone.  Perhaps it was the waves under the ice trying to break free.. there were huge ice ridges out on the lake.

There is not much snow. Just enough to cover the ground in some spots.  The winter shadows are long..and it gets dark at 4 PM…sunset is officially 4:30 PM..but if there are any clouds in the sky it is dark at 4.

Updates:

Far Guy is doing just fine, he is listening to me and is resting and taking his medications.  He has no chest pain..I guess I ask him about it too often because he said “Are you going to ask me that question from now on?”   Maybe..I have not decided yet.

My Mom has a wonderful roommate who is 104.  Mom is still in pain.. and she is very tired.  There are plans in the works for a handicap ramp to be built..possibly she will go home next week. We will see how she progresses.  My brother from Oregon arrived safely.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and prayers

Say a little prayer

Tuesday Far Guy, Chance and I took a little road trip.  We went to Duluth.  It is one of our favorite places..it has a great Train Shop and some antique shops that we wanted to explore.

Far Guy was feeling fine when we left.  Along the way he felt like he had a catch in his shoulder that moved to his arm. He thought he had lifted something wrong.

We continued on..in Duluth he started to experience some Chest Pain.  We headed home..we discussed going to the ER on our way through town.   Far Guy just wanted to come home and lie down. He was cold and could not get warm..I had the heater on high and he was covered with a blanket.  At home he rested and took some nitro ( it didn’t help..he had a stress related Heart Attack in 1995) he went to bed, about 11:30 he got up..talked to me and headed to the kitchen to make some toast because he was hungry.  I heard him fussing in the kitchen and then a huge crash.

I was able to arouse him..he asked “What happened?”  Well that is what I wanted to know.  I had him lie still. I said “This is it you are going to stop *******around and go to the hospital.”  I grabbed the phone to call my brother.. My parents and my brother share the same last four digits of a phone number because it is easier for my Dad to remember.  The first three numbers are different.  CRAP..I dialed my parents phone number and my Mom answered.  I hung up.  I redialed my brother..she who sees robins first answered..I said “Send Jody now.”   As soon as I hung up..the phone rang it was my Mom..I told her that Far Guy had collapsed on the kitchen floor but was conscious and I needed to tend to him and hung up.  Jody arrived, he said call 911 so I did. We figured we might need some oxygen and backup.   It was looking very much like a heart attack.  Far Guys Buddies from Carsonville Fire and Rescue showed up..and then the Paramedics.   He was in good hands..but not doing great..his color was like a sheet of paper.  They ran a portable print out of his heart activity..he was deteriorating rapidly.  I said “let’s bring a backboard in here.”  I was certain that he was going to bottom out..and he almost did..he lost consciousness and turned even paler when they administered some IV Nitro.  He was having difficulty breathing and was not “with it.”  The last thing you ever want to do is CPR on people you know..I have done it several times..with no good result.  The situation was rapidly spiraling downward.  (I was an Emergency Medical Technician years ago.)

My Dad stuck his head in the door and said “Send out Jody, Mother fell.”  My parents drove out to see what was happening. Mom fell.  They got her up and had her sitting on a gurney outside the door.  Her hip hurt and her shoulder. They called a second ambulance.

Meanwhile Far Guy needs to get moved on out.  We get him backboarded and up the steps and out into the ambulance.  They ran another strip..the paramedic came in and said “He has a blockage in the lower part of his heart and needs to be air lifted to the cath lab.”  I said “do it.” After some more farting around..they leave for the airport.

The guys move Mom who is now on one of my kitchen chairs outside covered with a blanket, inside onto the landing. ( area where you can go up or down) We wait for the next ambulance to arrive.  The paramedic doesn’t think Mom broke her hip.

I call the girls and pack a bag.  Jody gets all my stuff into the car and Chance and I trek to Fargo 90 miles away. It is 1:11AM. There are herds of deer along the road..but no traffic.

At 2:12 the phone rings..it is Jen.  She was there when the helicopter landed after a 25 minute trip. She reports “ Dad was talking and they took him right on into the cath lab.”  BIG sigh of relief..talking is a good sign.  I was nearly to Hawley. 

I arrive at 2:45AM to fill out paperwork.  The phone rings Jen says “The Doctor is coming out to talk to me..better hurry on up.”   The Doctor that performed the cath found no blockage and reports a healthy heart.   I am dumbfounded..why then did he exhibit all the signs???  The Doctor doesn’t know..but they will run more tests in the morning. Far Guy is stable and has no chest pain.

We get to see Far Guy..I told him “You scared the crap out of me.”  He says “I already told the Nurses not to listen to you.”

Trica arrives with the Grandgirls.  Far Guy has a room full of girls that love him!  He gives me a rash of shit when he asks about Chance and I say “He is in the car laying on your down coat and toasty warm cause it is 30 degrees and he has a little of his own hair too.”

I put Jen in charge of the cell phone.  Jody calls with a report about Mom..she has a dislocated shoulder and has broken her pelvis in three places.  She is being transferred to a hospital with an Ortho Doctor where they will be able to give her pain relief.  Damn..double damn.

Later we decide to send Chance home with Trica and the girls..they leave about 5AM..there is nothing to do but wait anyway.

Throughout the night they ran blood tests.  They run EKGs..and in the morning..it is now Wednesday they run an Echocardiogram.   The Cardiologist waves to me..goes into the room and has a quick look and says “His heart looks good..the function is fine.  Your husband has inflammation of his pericardial sac.  (The double walled sac that surrounds your heart.)  It is treatable.  It is caused by a virus, it happens sometimes..we see it occasionally.  He will be fine..don’t worry.  It presents just like a Heart Attack..and until we can rule a heart attack out it is treated just like one.”  He patted me on the shoulder and said again  “ He WILL be fine..don’t worry…he can go home this morning.”

Jen left..because she hadn’t slept all night. There was lots of “no sleep” going around.  We finally got all our instructions and left too..170 miles later we  picked up Chance and a prescription and stopped by the Nursing Home where my Mom will be spending a couple of weeks.  She was not there yet..we were both exhausted..we came home and took a nap..the phone rang off the hook..I was just too tired to answer it.

I spoke to Mom later..she is in considerable pain.  My sister was with her Wednesday..and my brother from Oregon will be here soon.  Prayers for my Mom would be greatly appreciated.  Prayers for pain relief and for a complete recovery.

Far Guy could always use a prayer too..I am still a bit miffed with him for scaring me half to death.  He has no chest pain..he has some pain at the cath site and is supposed to take it easy for a few days.  I have had enough excitement to last me a long time..:)

Wistful Wednesday : Christmas 1969

This is a photo of Far Guys Maternal Grandparents.  This was taken in December of 1969.  The year that Far Guy and I got married.  

I am not quite sure why these two got married?  Opposites must attract. 

Curt was kind and gentle, small things delighted him..just visiting brought out the best in him..he loved to read..mainly westerns.  He always sat in an old oak rocker.  He was tall, he walked bent over..his hips and knees had seen better days and he walked with a cane. He died in 1973 four years after this photo was taken.

Meade was ornery.  Of course we have to cut her a little slack, she almost died from Tuberculosis.  She was in the sanitarium for many years. The TB destroyed her hearing, she was deaf and refused to learn to read lips or sign.   Everyone used the “Magic Slate” to communicate with her.   She would talk to herself..of course she could not hear herself..she often cussed under her breath, or so she thought.   She did beautiful handiwork, embroidery and crocheting with fine thread and a very small hook..until she lost her eyesight.  I have many of her works of art.  She lived a good long time. She spent 17 years as a widow.

Curt liked a “nip” occasionally and kept a bottle hidden in the barn.  All the Grand boys knew where it was hidden.  If he went to town with Walt the next door neighbor, Meade would be sure to send Alaska Guy along..thinking that they wouldn’t stop at the liquor store for a drink if they had a child with them…she was wrong.  Alaska Guy enjoyed a soda at the bar almost every trip to town…and he was sworn to secrecy.

For a wedding gift we got a full set of embroidered tea towels.  I still have them in the same box with the same tissue paper covering them.  The box was decorated in an odd way.  I wish I had kept it.  Tied to the bow was a large plastic spoon, tied to small holes on the outer edge of the spoon were many blue and pink bows that held about a dozen tiny babies..Meade wrote on the spoon..a little poem..about “spooning” and the result which would be lots of babies!

Our  girls called her “the scary grandma”..because she couldn’t hear she spoke loudly and made lots of extra noises that she didn’t know she was making. Her voice was high pitched and squeaky.  We took them to visit late on Sunday afternoons for years…when she became blind..often she would grab at people..searching for a friendly hand.

One day before Meade went totally blind.  She looked at Far Guys Mom and then at Far Guys Dad and said “ You sure have been bringing that man with you for a long time.” :)

Waiting for snow..

We are waiting for snow..no I have not heard that any is coming.  The ground is barely white. My prediction of no measurable snow until February is getting closer to fulfillment every week…

Next door there is some big time waiting happening.

New shovels ready for three kids to shovel some serious white stuff.  They told me that they love to shovel.  Their Mom told me “ We only had one shovel and they were fighting over it.”  She did what anyone would have done..she went out and bought three shovels, one for each of the little darlings. Now there will be no more fighting over shovels.  I told them to come over and shovel at our house if they run out of snow at their place. 

It is below zero here.  It was –5F or –20C at 10 PM last night.   It was a cold damp day yesterday, the air was bitterly cold.  If it would snow it would feel warmer…at least I think it would. 

18 more shopping days until Christmas..gifts purchased 2.  Ornament project completed. Trees decorated..0.  Decorations up..one carved Santa from a garage sale, I cleaned out my wood carving bag :)

Christmas Parties

I am not a big fan of Christmas parties. I am all partied out.  The two parties I was expected at are over..I can breathe a sigh of relief. Goodies were purchased..gifts were exchanged.  All is well in Christmas party land.

My cousin was all decorated for Christmas..her tree was up and everything.  I think hosting the Cousins Christmas Party may have something to do with that. Most of my cousins had some kind of old lady Christmas shirt on..some had ornaments..some had glittery poinsettias..some had snowmen.  I wore my thermal hot pink top..you know the kind..it looks like long underwear and is toasty warm…and being thermal if I have a hot flash or two it absorbs all the beads of sweat.    I do not have the inclination to muck up my wardrobe with some fancy smancy glittery thing that I will only wear once or twice a year. How in the world do you wash some of those 3D sweaters and vests anyway?  Goodness sakes..I suppose they go to the dry cleaners.  I have been there..I take my feather pillows there every five years or so to get cleaned and re-ticked.

At cousins the food was all potluck..I took a pork roast and some Chocolate Covered Cherries and some Turtles..my kind of baking..straight out of the package!

At the Historical Societies Party..it was order off the menu at a local restaurant..but with restrictions since we were a group of 18 we could not order anything but baked potato or French fries..and could not order their specialty a “Sizzler”..which is a decent steak served in a cast iron skillet.  We thought we were being nice by making a reservation..instead it just gave them the opportunity to restrict us.  I asked “Don’t you have enough cast iron skillets?..next year we can bring our own.”   The service was fine..but the food was not that great..the salad bar had no herring and no sunflower seeds. Plus that..it smelled like grease in the place.  I absolutely hate it when I am out for dinner and my hair comes home smelling of fried grease..it is still quite obvious that their fans in the kitchen have not improved. That was one of the reasons we stopped going out for dinner there years ago. We most likely will not return for a very long time.  I would not have left a tip..but my husband overlooks poor food and  feels sorry for the struggling wait staff. 

 

Gifts purchased 2.  Shopping days left..19.  Decorations brought out 0.  Trees decorated 0.  The Hand Carved Christmas Ornaments will be all finished tomorrow morning..and Far Guy and I have discussed the tree:)

Chance: I Killed My Duck

My name is Chance and I killed my duck.  I ripped out is innards and sent them flying..innards were everywhere.  Far Guy said “Stop already, take it to Far Side and she will fix it for you.”

Okie dokie..here it is..

My duck had a hole in it and his squeaker fell out. Luckily Far Side can wield a simple needle and thread.

She would never have made a good surgeon..but she stuffed that squeaker back in and sewed it all up.  It only has one little wing. I think someone may have eaten the other wing accidently.   It is almost good as new..and may last a couple more days minutes.  My duck  used to live on top of the fridge and then someone who is tall forgot to put it back up one day last summer..so it has been in my toy bucket..it is one of my favorite toys.

Yes, my name is Chance and I love my duck to pieces:)

Cold Feet

We checked out the water coming out of Fish Hook Lake yesterday.  The lake seems frozen for the most part. The ice is not safe yet..for dogs or humans.  I heard that there was a successful rescue of a dog on a nearby lake.

The Fish Hook River has quite a current and the water is open.

“Whatcha been doing ..are your feet cold?”

“Crazy youngins ..I guess when they get cold enough they will sit on their feet and warm them up.”

“Bottoms Up!”

I had a blast watching the Swans.  I wonder if they will stay all winter?   We will have to keep an eye on them.  Chance rolled down his window ( he does that all by himself if he wants to hang his head out..it scares the crap out of Far Guy) anyways Chance watched patiently and did not bark.  As soon as he rolls down his window Far Guy locks all the windows..so he doesn’t try to roll it up on himself..crazy dog. 

Swans and other fowl like ducks and geese can get cold feet.   The temperature in their feet is cooler.. they escape hypothermia because their arteries and veins are close to each other and exchange cold for heat and visa versa..very efficient.  If all else fails they sit on the ice and cover up their feet, or hold one foot up under their feathers to warm it up. 

A much better system than fuzzy socks! :)

21 shopping days till Christmas..gifts bought 2..both were wrapped and delivered.  Ornaments left to paint..14.

December: Christmas Lists

It is the second day of December.  22 more shopping days till Christmas.   We have a skiff of snow..not enough to cover up the grass.  We have had some real frosty mornings.

Usually we have lots of snow by now..It is hard to get into the shopping mood without three feet of snow and the wind blowing and temperatures below zero.

So I am not in the shopping mood yet.  I am not sure when or if the mood will strike me..guess I will just wait around and see what happens.  I have 22 days..that is over three weeks!!  Certainly within the next three weeks I will be in the mood to shop for an hour or two.  Maybe.

I guess everyone has a list someplace on some web site..not sure how to find it..I suppose I should figure that out first. I was there once and couldn’t find anyone's “stuff.”

I never gave my Grandmother a list.  I usually got one gift from Grandma and Grandpa because I was their God Child ( they renounced the devil and all his wicked works and ways for me when I was an infant at my baptism.)  The other grandkids didn’t get anything.  They got a gift when they were born.

Sometimes I got a pair of flannel pajamas from them..warm and cozy for the long winter.  Or a hat and a scarf that matched..or mittens. When I got older, I got Corning Ware..and much later in life..Grandma would say, “Pick out a couple of my pretty dishes to take with you.”

My baby brother and I would mark up the Wish Book that came in the Fall.  We would circle all the treasures we wanted, and dream about what would be under the tree for us.  The Wish Book was good for many hours of entertainment.  We used to save them from one year to the next so we wouldn’t have to share the same book. I suppose the Wish Book was our way of making a list.  We may have made a list of the most important things we wanted and tucked it into the Wish Book.

I suppose Amazon or wherever those lists are must be the equivalent of a Wish Book..however sometimes I would just like to feel the paper between my fingers as I turn the pages.  Of course that makes me “Old Fashioned.”  Sometimes the Grands say  “Grandma, you just have to get with it.” :)

Playing With Dolls

I never was much for playing with dolls. 

At the Museum we had a naked doll.  I shivered every time I passed her case. I was tempted to cover her with some kind of blanket.  I wished I could sew…alas I cannot.

However I have a Board Member who is a kind gentle soul who can sew!  Her name is Alice!  Alice has her own Schoenhut Doll. She told me that her name was Margaret or Beverly or some such name..all really good doll people name their dolls.  I have never named a doll in my entire life.

This was the poor naked doll, one foot is a little longer than the other.  I am showing you this for a reason.  Notice the joints.

Albert Schoenhut was a German Immigrant that settled in Philadelphia, PA in 1911.  His family was well known for wooden toy making.  He made this doll completely out of wood. The doll heads were carved from basswood.  Then they were put in a mold of some sort and heated up to make the head all smooth.  Now for the joints. Albert designed and patented a steel spring hinge tension technique. The joints were flexible and allowed the doll to be posed.

Alice sewed. We test fit the new outfit..Alice didn’t like the color of the muslin she used, it was very white.  I suggested that she mix up some tea and let the fabric soak up the color.  The next day there was a package for me on the Museum steps.

Inside the package was tea stained clothing and tiny little shoes.  I sat at my desk and dressed the doll and took some photographs of her.

I emailed Alice a photo.  She called me back..and said cut the shoe laces..please!  So I did. This doll looks pretty good for being 100 years old.

Some days at the Museum I get paid for playing with dolls.   I am working for the Museum part time over the winter..from home.  I can work in my jammies..and sometimes I do! :)

Wistful Wednesday: Relatives

This is an old photo from years ago.  I found it among the hunting and fishing photos in my Father In Laws album.   I finished that scanning project and made a CD of the photos and packed it all away in the trunk.  One more project completed! All the photos were marked with who, when and where with a photo safe marking pencil.

Uncle Willard, Lola, Evelyn, Don and Aunt Louise

This was taken sometime in the early 1950’s.  That is Far Guys Mom at the end of the table.   The photo is taken from Far Guys Dads spot at the table.  So I can safely say he took the photo.  It was taken in the formal dining room at their home in Park Rapids Minnesota.

I think this photo has a spring feel to it, the ladies are in short sleeves, the linen tablecloth is the one with the green leaf pattern.   They have just finished a platter  of sweets of some sort and the silver creamer and sugar set is on the table. I bet it was taken on a Sunday afternoon.  Years ago Sunday afternoon was a time for relatives and visiting.

Uncle Willard is not in the best health.   Most of his children were here for Thanksgiving.  On Sunday afternoon they converged at our house along with other cousins from Detroit Lakes Minnesota..there was no linen table cloth..and no one showed up in a suit…but there was much laughter and lots of reminiscing and coffee and a plate of goodies. Alaska Guy and his brother from Washington DC were very impressed with this photo..it was one that they had never seen before.  I made them both copies. ( Lola and their Mother Louise are sisters.) It was a fun afternoon..almost like old times visiting with the relatives on a Sunday afternoon:)

Back to Brown

It was unseasonably warm one day..it was almost 50 degrees .  So all the snow melted.  Let’s all say AWWWW together.

So our second snow has come and gone.  The next snow.. the third will stay.  We are back to brown.

My Dad stopped by one day, I told him that we were going to have a frosty winter without measurable snow until February.  He said “Oh no the muskrat houses never lie and we will have lots of snow.”  I asked him if he wanted to bet 20 dollars…he didn’t.  he said “ If the muskrat house is low..there will be lots of snow.  If they are built high..not so much snow.”  We will just have to wait and see. 

We are still working on the carved Christmas ornaments.  In the next day or two or three I will have it all wrapped up!  What a pain in the butt this design has been.  As soon as I have them all packaged up and mailed out I will share all the details.

I passed up shopping Black Friday..and I passed up shopping on Small Business Saturday too..and Cyber Monday passed without me buying a thing.  I never got that shopping gene that women are supposed to have…you know the one where they get all dressed up and shop all day long and smile as they rush from one store to the next picking out the perfect gift for everyone on their list. Was I gypped or just one of the lucky ones?:)

The Five

We have five grands and it doesn’t look like we will get anymore grandchildren.

They are growing like weeds.

I took the above photo in May of 2011.

Thanksgiving Day I took another photo.  Someone who just might be the oldest has stopped growing for the moment…maybe forever.  Her sisters passed her up.  She was not happy to have slipped two spaces.

She asked me several times “Grandma are you sure? Are you positive that they are both taller than me?”

Sorry “Shorty” ..Your sisters really have to slouch while standing next to you for you to be taller than them.

Just as there are no two stars in the night sky or snowflakes in the air that are exactly the same.  These five are very different from each other, they continue to amaze and entertain Far Guy and I:)

Men at Work: Making Lefsa

Last Wednesday evening was the making of the lefsa.  Jen learned how to make lefsa from Andy.  His family makes lefsa. Lefsa is mainly potatoes and flour.  From what I understand every family has their own recipe, handed down from generation to generation.  Andy's family has honeybees so they put honey in the potato mixture…so does Andy.  ( I was not paying close enough attention to tell you exactly what the recipe was…besides that it may be a family secret.)

I will eat lefsa..even though potatoes are one of my favorite foods..lefsa is not.   IF I eat it I like it with butter and sugar.

I took some photos whilst the men worked!

Andy is mixing and rolling..Far Guy is frying the lefsa on the lefsa griddle. You pick it up with that stick and flop in on the griddle..it looks easy..but I think it might involve a wee bit of coordination.

You need special tools to make lefsa..a special board with a cover and a rolling pin..and a lefsa stick and a griddle.  The potatoes must be cooked ahead of time and riced in a potato ricer.

After it comes off the griddle it is folded in half and then half again to cool..then these triangles are cut in half again and packaged.  There are no preservatives..so it must go into the freezer until it is used.  Take it from me..lefsa can grow some great looking penicillin mold in the fridge if it is kept there too long.

I think this one might be an oops.. maybe Far Guy did it on purpose..he loves lefsa!

I asked Far Guy, “how was your lefsa experience?”  He replied “ Fun! I learned how to flip lefsa.”

My Aunt Skip used to work at a lefsa factory,  I am not sure where it was located..it might have been in Lake Park or perhaps Hawley.  I know there is an old lefsa factory in Hitterdahl Minnesota because there is still a sign on the old building.

Lefsa is a “holiday food” that many people in Minnesota enjoy:)