My Favorite Photos - November 2021

 November was a good month that went by way too quickly. It started out with Olivia's senior photos. For some of the photos, she wore a purple dress that we purchased in China when we adopted her. We were thrilled that it fit her on this special occasion. These are all photos that I took. We haven't received the professional photos yet.

The Chinese headdress is one she picked out.

For other photos, she wore her Tang Soo Do outfit. She takes lessons twice a week and really enjoys them. 

In between the studio and outdoor photoshoots, we went to a sunny room by the studio and took a few photos.

We went to a regional park since she loves nature. 

There were areas in a forested area and along the river where we took photos.

The sun was setting as the photoshoot was wrapping up.

During November, we've been seeing some interesting line-ups of planets and the moon. On this night, Venus and the moon seemed close to one another in the sky. 

On another night, Jupiter, the moon, and Venus were almost in a diagonal line.

Olivia and I went to Stillwater one day since she needed to take some photos of architecture for her PSEO Digital Imaging class.

The St. Croix River was so peaceful and still.

I enjoyed seeing the reflections in the water.

We walked around and saw these positive messages on the steps near the south end of town.

There were a lot of positive thoughts.

This is a mural that has been on the side of one of the buildings in Stillwater for decades. 

In the middle of the month, Sophia and I tried a new restaurant - Namaste. It had excellent, flavorful Indian food.

The next day, Olivia and I volunteered to help with a 4-H sewing workshop. The project was a bag that had 18 squares on the outside and one color of fabric on the inside. 

We celebrated the 18th anniversary of Olivia's adoption day. It's hard to believe it has been that long. 

On the 21st, we went to the photographer to look at the proofs of Olivia's senior photos. We narrowed down 75 photos that the photographer chose down to about a dozen.

Afterwards, we went to the sunny room down the hall from the studio and I took some photos of Sophia. 

The sunsets have been gorgeous this month.

For Thanksgiving break, Sophia came home with one of her roommates (Nessa) who is from out of town. It was her 21st birthday. Sophia found out Nessa's favorite dinner so I made that. 

I also got an ice cream cake since Nessa likes them. I let Sophia bring the cake to Nessa. She was so surprised and happy.

On Thanksgiving, Sophia peeled the potatoes while Danny looked on.

We had 14 people at Thanksgiving this year. What a change from last year - 2020 - when it was just Paige, Sophia, Olivia, and me.

After everyone left, the girls played Skip-Bo.

On the day after Thanksgiving, we - along with my sister and members from the Lions Club - went to Feed My Starving Children to pack food for children in Haiti. Mary, Sophia, and Nessa are at one of the bag-filling and box-packing stations.

Paige and Olivia worked behind the scenes with putting rice into the bins. Each of the scoops of rice was between 5-6 pounds.

Collectively, the volunteers packed 74 boxes (Mary, Sophia, Nessa, and I packed 6 of those 74 boxes). 

Afterwards, we went to Momo Sushi in Northeast Minneapolis for a late lunch to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Sophia's adoption. This is Olivia with a plate of wontons.

Sophia had a bento box lunch. Olivia, Nessa, and I did too. They were really good!

On the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, we went to Marine on St. Croix to see the Enchanted Forest. The Lions purchased lots of Christmas trees that the residents, businesses, and organizations could decorate. They will be up and lit during December.

Santa was at the Enchanted Forest.

There were grilled brats and hotdogs. Sophia and I each had a brat. 

We went to Taylors Falls for the annual Lighting Festival. One of the things we did was go to the Lutheran Church that has an Advent wreath-making activity. 

Later, we went to get a Christmas tree.

It was so tall that we had to drive home with the back door open and Olivia sitting in the back. Luckily, it was only a two-block drive home.

As in past years, we picked a tree that was too tall. Some of the top had to come off.

One of the things that Sophia asked I make was turkey pot pie. She likes pot pies and Nessa had never had one. So, that our meal on Saturday night before we watched a holiday movie together as a family.

On Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, the girls decorated the Christmas tree. Olivia untangled the lights. 

Sophia put the lights and some of the ornaments on the tree.

On the Sunday evening of Thanksgiving weekend, we went to Vinterlights in our town. There were cookies in the shape of Dala horses that were at the lighting ceremony.

There were a couple fires to stand by to stay warm.

After seeing the community center lit up, we drove home. We stopped at Gammelgarden Museum on the way home to see it lit with white lights and candles.

The church was lit with candles.

Our Christmas tree is blue and green this year.

I set up the Christmas village in the dining room. Some of the pieces belonged to my mom and some I added this year. 

It is looking more like a village this year which makes me happy.