"Every hour in every life contains such often-unrecognized potential to affect the world that the great days and thrilling possibilities are combined always in this momentous day.” ― Dean Koontz, From the Corner of His Eye

 What a momentous day it was....

Today was all about my mom. We celebrated her 84th Birthday. Mother Nature was looking down on us today and she decided that Mom deserved a perfect day and she delivered. 

We started to day by taking family pictures at Mom and Dads house. It was a  miracle that we managed to pick a day that worked for all 32 of us and find a photographer that had an opening on a Saturday without much notice.  We cannot wait to see the pictures! 

After the professional pictures were taken some silliness took place....

When pictures were done we headed over to my nephews house where we all had brunch and of course birthday cake. 

A softball ball game broke out and was enjoyed by the young and old.

I wish had taken more pictures of everyone but I think it was more important to enjoy the moments and memories we were creating. 

I laughed and hugged everyone and also had a few tears. Family really is everything......

It was a momentous day.....

Sharon 

"Life is kind of hard, and it's nice to have something that feels easy" -Julia Schrenkler

 

Lately life has been kind of hard and this past weekend I got to have something that was just easy. Rick and I along with some great friend went to Camden State Park for a much needed weekend away from life. 

Rick got to do a little fishing on Brawner Lake. When we were last at Camden State Park in 2016 the lake was drained so it was great to see water in it again. Rick did not have any luck fishing but enjoyed it just the same. 

The DNR guy told us that the dock is scheduled to be replaced this month so that is great, it was falling apart. 

We did some biking and hiking. The trails were so peaceful. It was just nice to listen to the birds and running water as it flowed down. 

We did not see another person on the trails when we were on them. 

The wild flowers were just starting to bloom. 

Rick made pizza for everyone on Saturday night. A great time was had by all. And the pizza was delicious!!! 

A mandatory selfie of Rick and I. 

I forgot to take a picture of our campsite so my closing picture will have to be of the Redwood River. 

When I think of my happy place I always think of our camper van. She brings me so much joy, peace  and having that thing that just feels easy. I love that she takes us to so many places and it is just easy....

Do the thing that makes life a little easier.....

Sharon 

“America, you great unfinished symphony, you sent for me. You let me make a difference. A place where even orphan immigrants can leave their fingerprints and rise up.”— Alexander Hamilton

I was having a pretty tough week last week and just when I needed it I got an invited to go see a play.  I was at work on Thursday afternoon when I got an unexpected text from a friend saying she had an extra ticket to see the play Hamilton on Saturday would I be interested in going. I did not even think about it I just said yes! It was exactly what I needed to get my mind off of life.  

I had not been to a play in theater district of Minneapolis since I had retired from my job at Carleton in 2018. I realize now how much I missed going to plays. I love the Orpheum Theatre.

It was a great night going with a friend and meeting two new women. We went out for supper before the show and had great conversations.  It was also the first time I have driven up to the area by myself. I have been to many shows in the area but have always had someone else with me. I was proud of myself for getting there, finding my favorite parking lot, walking and finding the restaurant and getting back home all on my own.  At 61 years old I figured it was about time to get over my anxiety of driving someplace on my own. 

 

The play was GREAT!! I would recommend it to everyone. Go see it!! Thank you so much to my friend Colette for the invite and the great company. 

Get out of your comfort zone....

Sharon  

"Life is full of challenges, but I always have the Three Ps: Passion, patience and persistence. And the fourth one is pizza.- Butch Hartman

 

Last night we got to watch Rick be inducted in the Minnesota Archery Hall of Fame. I was so proud of Rick and all of his achievement. His passion for archery and coaching goes above and beyond. 

We had to gather things for a display at the banquet. It was so fun going though everything and hearing all the stories that go with all the trophies, medals and pictures. They were not just things but memories.  

  Ricks passion for archery has been passes on to countless kids and adults throughout the years that he has helped by coaching them, helping with their equipment or just giving them an encouraging word.  

Rick and his son Jese. Jese introduced Rick and had us all in tears. And when Rick gave his speech we all had more tears. 

We were all so lucky to be able to watch Rick be inducted. He was so happy and humbled by being nominated and then to be inducted. It was an honor of a lifetime for his dedication, passion, patience and persistence in shooting and coaching archery. 

Congratulations Rick! I am so lucky to have you in my life

Sharon  

“Here is a great day, here is a perfect choice! A camp in nature! What else do you need? You don’t have to dream because you are in a dream now!” – Mehmet Murat ildan

 

Last weekend we did our first every winter camping trip. I know it is really spring now but we had four feet of snow on the ground and then temps got down to 17 degrees...so it was like winter. 

We went to Jay Cooke State Park in Carlton, MN It is just south of Duluth. It was so, so pretty and we had so much fun. 

We went on a couple of hikes with the dogs. As long as we stayed on the trail all was good. One foot off the trail and you sunk up to your knees...

Otis who never wants to hike in the summer acted like a puppy! I guess he is a winter camping dog. He usually is dragging behind me as we hike but not this time. He was the leader the whole time. He was like a different dog. 

We did run into a couple of very icy spots and may have had to slid down a couple hills on our butts. 

But the funnest part of our trip was the birds. We stepped out of our camper to go on a hike and the chickadee's and nuthatch's just started to fly down to us. I told Rick to hold out his had and one just landed right on it! 

We went and got a tiny piece of bread and crumbled it up and then they had a feast.

It was just so fun to have them just land in our hands. 

We were so happy that everything worked great in the camper van...her ever changing name is Ida at the moment. She kept us warm and cozy. I would do winter camping again in a minute. I am already thinking about where we can go next winter....

So in this endless Minnesota winter you can always find a little joy...

Sharon 

"No one who cooks, cooks alone. Even at her most solitary, a cook in the kitchen is surrounded by generations of cooks past, the advice and menus of cooks present, and the wisdom of cookbook writers". -Laurie Colwin

 

My Mother-in-law has decided it is time to move into an assisted living facility and when we were visiting her yesterday she was asking if we wanted anything. When I asked her if she was taking her cookbooks with her she said no and told me I could take any that I wanted. I was super excited to see she had the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook! To me it ranks right up there with the Betty Crockers cookbook as a must have to answer all your cooking questions and traditional recipes. 

You can see that Avis has used it over the years and I love that! I can see which recipes have been her favorite and love seeing notes she has added to the book. 

I love all the completely outdated/vintage pictures in each chapter.   

Notice that they only have the man cooking when it is outdoors...the feminist in me wants to roll my eyes at this but also it just makes me chuckle. After all, we all know that Rick now does pretty much all the cooking in our house. We have no "traditional" rolls in our house :) 

  

I remember the days when I was in 4-H learning how to set a table the right way. A useful skill now days ...hahaha 

I am going to treasure this cookbook even with its outdated ideas and sections because it also has so many good things in it. And mostly I am going to treasure it because I know that my Mother-in-law has used it and loved it over the years and now I get to do the same thing.  

Learning from the past is a good thing....

Sharon