My Boys in the Badlands

These two brothers are taking in the Badlands.  Not a soul in sight!!  Gotta love the Dakota’s

Oh Sweden...

 My cousins, older sister and I are traveling to Sweden this summer. We are reaching beyond our immaginations and seeking out our Grandpa's relatives and we will stand on Grandpa's homeland. 

I have written letters, sent some emails and made some connections.  Our adventure is sketched out on a map that my cousin from Sweden gave me.  We have names of certain people written on their home towns.  I finger the folded map book and trace our destinations.  How will I really get from here to there?

There is a small band of us sisters approaching the motherland!!  I hope my emails haven't come as warnings but are being received with great anticipation.  Do they wonder about their loved ones that left Sweden for America? 

 I have many of these postcards!   What does this card say? A treasured word from back home. 

 Ragunda, My Grandpa's home.  I can't wait to see Ragunda! 

 In my heart, I hope to return to Sweden even before I get there once. 

 I took Simon over to meet our neighbors and peek in on their new puppies!!

 We are shipping home two labradore pups to Mia for a gift!!  I think she's old enough for responsibilities.
Hole filler, poop scooping, floor sweeper, and dog training!

 Minnesota's last snowball of the season!  Trade it in for a baseball!!  Spring is here!!

 This snow pile can be long standing!  It's been a smidge of a pile on Mother's Day a few years.  I have photos to prove it!!  ...In the Pines, In the Pines, where the sun never shines....

 

 

 Our German Son!  Simon!

 

Simon in Minnesota

 Yeah, it is 78 degrees in Minnesota and no snow storm in sight for Simon's visit.  We took in the bike trail while Grant stayed home and made lunch.  It took us longer then I thought.  (out of breath and a little slow I am).  We biked into the wind and sailed all the way home!!

 

 

Woodduck Houses

 Christopher is whipping out some neat wood projects.  Today it is woodduck houses.  I already bought mine and I expect it to be on the oak down by the pond tomorrow!!

 

 

 There is a notched ladder inside for the ducks. Place an order [pick ups only, no shipping] Early order prices are $20 for pine house or $35 for cedar.  Leave order in comment box.

The Other Girl

 She will even growl at us if we walk to close to him tonight!!

 

The Gifts Are Overflowing

 My birthday was full of blessings!  It started Thursday at work and it's still overflowing this Monday afternoon!

I'm going to tell you that it was the friendships and sharing in my day that really was the best gift of all.  I was uncommitted to the day and took in whatever was coming my way.  For each person who sang to me or sent cards or called or texted or baked bread or swedish goodies...for the coffee and conversations...for the lovely brunch at my co-workers home...for the gifts...a "jog"partner who encouraged me onward, visits with my sons and Aaron was here too!  These are among the blessings of my day! 

These beautiful roses were given to me today, by my youngest.  A note puts my heart in a squeeze. 

 Love is profuse!  Did I mention how much I love you?

Oreo Bombs

On our morning news [WCCO] they were sharing this recipe that one of the reporters made. So I thought it was easy enough for myself to tackle in the kitchen. I don't like baking!! T-h-e-n, I heard other co-workers talk about the chocolate chip cookie brownies they found on Pintrest. So.....after work I drive on down to the store and pick up my ingredients. I get home, I'm starving and I start to bake. Not good! I munch on some nuts. I drank some coffee. I ate three Oreos. I ate a biscuit. I haven't eaten a bomb yet. I gotta sit down and watch The Biggest Loser first. Maybe I'll just freeze these bad boys until we need them. I then make the cookie dough brownies... oh my!

So, take one package double stuff Oreo's and put in food processor. Crush until like dirt! Dump into a mixing bowl and add softened cream cheese. Use pastry cutter to cut in. Make balls. Melt chocolate flavored bark. 1/2 package works for 1 package of Oreos.
Dip, roll and set on wax paper to harden. Put in refrigerator or freezer!

Svenska!! Our Heart

The Cousins are heading to Sweden! We long to make a connection to the people and homeland of our Grandpa! Our hearts are bursting with excitement and anticipation! It's not just a place...I can't wait to meet the relatives who live there.

We will make a summer trip! I will keep you posted!

Nut Feeders

These nut feeders are the most visited feeder in my back yard. I buy shelled peanuts or broken nut pieces for birds. It doesn't take them long to discover it and you will fill this daily! Nut hatches, sap sucker, chickadees, piliated, downy, harry and more.

I have a bored son who is keeping a beloved shop warm and producing crafts and furniture. I asked him to whip me up a few and will save a few for gifts. I think these would sell great!
So, he is going to make a half dozen and I'm going to list them for sale. He is also designing fly threw feeders. They will be charming as he has ideas to make them look made from nature! Can't wait!