tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53362009069710839952024-03-05T23:32:20.758-06:00Harvest Moon by HandHarvest Moon by HandUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2324125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-47453179832260345732023-09-10T08:00:00.000-05:002023-09-10T08:00:53.579-05:00My Favorite Photos - August 2023<p>Another month passed and it feels like the majority of it was spent at work. The good thing is that many of the activities were ones that made me happy. One of the first ones of the month was Dalapalooza. We had a therapy horse at that one. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDJFPTf60PJfkXh-rvZ1h0WYxy83Sw0rLpL7koN1qNU1Or3HEkvyK_uUA6N9RItMGtFLkDQbEWT4rzlhY93jWfD2ztJvPP01rOwr_EtZlZ8uJF9rNy0DBrHNJjdLNrJt8BQuLvZxt49ttAuCdlXd3npD1lwUW8x8xZPpbS4PUFBpK963azIhssAXf6w/s2134/_DSC0099-011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1688" data-original-width="2134" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDJFPTf60PJfkXh-rvZ1h0WYxy83Sw0rLpL7koN1qNU1Or3HEkvyK_uUA6N9RItMGtFLkDQbEWT4rzlhY93jWfD2ztJvPP01rOwr_EtZlZ8uJF9rNy0DBrHNJjdLNrJt8BQuLvZxt49ttAuCdlXd3npD1lwUW8x8xZPpbS4PUFBpK963azIhssAXf6w/s320/_DSC0099-011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>His name was Arvid and he is a Norwegian Fjord horse. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYrev4xTUlJuSNtwrOXFq_wMPyD5VM9Pg7UAnEMf31HjoB4vQ786EPbne9H4fV9YjtFnCjYlTTppLCJHd6Bo0MaBtqg7f8YoSEH22c03VtT5uUGx0Cuklwn5a6aI4-E_myUiTzjMD1MVWa4FoZ62oLBG0v3eoQBuunXvbKWjccTNiE-oQRM8ADXkdHQ/s2691/_DSC0110-010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2691" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYrev4xTUlJuSNtwrOXFq_wMPyD5VM9Pg7UAnEMf31HjoB4vQ786EPbne9H4fV9YjtFnCjYlTTppLCJHd6Bo0MaBtqg7f8YoSEH22c03VtT5uUGx0Cuklwn5a6aI4-E_myUiTzjMD1MVWa4FoZ62oLBG0v3eoQBuunXvbKWjccTNiE-oQRM8ADXkdHQ/s320/_DSC0110-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>He was there on lunch break during a Dala horse painting class. Sophia took the class. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIJrkqmFFBZk2121m5JoqysUO0ucTUCT8xce9x9_IQpSxGn8UzN7NEYI2Kt9Mbw_xyT908KVALYhbUFOIEqln2Nvh641AIjezS8tkEM8AbNb0bVijhB_nGe5b6QBhg_DxG5oikjWSdEFAMO4L6hDKwDpAXh3LxpgW5CW3UJh4abXgHvDgDzq92re5Uw/s1942/_DSC0140-011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1942" data-original-width="1917" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIJrkqmFFBZk2121m5JoqysUO0ucTUCT8xce9x9_IQpSxGn8UzN7NEYI2Kt9Mbw_xyT908KVALYhbUFOIEqln2Nvh641AIjezS8tkEM8AbNb0bVijhB_nGe5b6QBhg_DxG5oikjWSdEFAMO4L6hDKwDpAXh3LxpgW5CW3UJh4abXgHvDgDzq92re5Uw/s320/_DSC0140-011.JPG" width="316" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Olivia did too.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykFQnXSwtQO-rIHO6oDelZaK8t2HMA-jN6FCFZEwv75CBhAEa3kc-B2wKOws3TtdUXyyBeFENa6IlfJ9fSMES0wwNSqs5HQAOv1U26gZGKjhOyUCCvQa9NiE8JYCMzjkqyNghBnaeW229K2muxpAKl_yD1bCCgZoYPlBiCppT-dSPlaT37xchaYRfPA/s2331/_DSC0141-011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="2331" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykFQnXSwtQO-rIHO6oDelZaK8t2HMA-jN6FCFZEwv75CBhAEa3kc-B2wKOws3TtdUXyyBeFENa6IlfJ9fSMES0wwNSqs5HQAOv1U26gZGKjhOyUCCvQa9NiE8JYCMzjkqyNghBnaeW229K2muxpAKl_yD1bCCgZoYPlBiCppT-dSPlaT37xchaYRfPA/s320/_DSC0141-011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the Washington County Fair, I saw this sunflower. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIRmqOu0JOCXIXsXHbQj0ZaM4kEeSW9psTZ9DAIgTyOxKTGO060PogY4ZLrYWA60yJ7jAVzeH-BgrlXK_qoY9srI5LU2nHVoE1zwGrodingZEAAr_LhrfCLqtVDIo81udDrV8v6lkTIgyUbvx_BT9Snjvbvy9IoO0stIMqAsCqDY3QR73a8Nsin6cOw/s1701/_DSC1044-003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1701" data-original-width="1527" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIRmqOu0JOCXIXsXHbQj0ZaM4kEeSW9psTZ9DAIgTyOxKTGO060PogY4ZLrYWA60yJ7jAVzeH-BgrlXK_qoY9srI5LU2nHVoE1zwGrodingZEAAr_LhrfCLqtVDIo81udDrV8v6lkTIgyUbvx_BT9Snjvbvy9IoO0stIMqAsCqDY3QR73a8Nsin6cOw/s320/_DSC1044-003.JPG" width="287" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Olivia entered about a half-dozen projects. The blue Diamond-Dotz project was one of her projects. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaakoxIbwkWzn4W1upp6IluZBr0qWoS-BW14Qkl4pJYWxeCvjvJE-RtHyh2Ff7eOyEv2otrP0k9v-zBCgD3axXugt4_4dYaSs6ZLfBduzqMjPPljJIIQE4OcwAaFjW69K7GPuE9eqdgFqyyL0MOAvwpftpY1Jy7dAl7DmSOZNGg4z6k_HE93P4kuO3GQ/s2992/_DSC1049-002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaakoxIbwkWzn4W1upp6IluZBr0qWoS-BW14Qkl4pJYWxeCvjvJE-RtHyh2Ff7eOyEv2otrP0k9v-zBCgD3axXugt4_4dYaSs6ZLfBduzqMjPPljJIIQE4OcwAaFjW69K7GPuE9eqdgFqyyL0MOAvwpftpY1Jy7dAl7DmSOZNGg4z6k_HE93P4kuO3GQ/s320/_DSC1049-002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The girls and I played Bingo at the fair. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wJtLXDqTk_OWCltB__nktN1wTLOXnuU3EI2v1DGlQ7UX9F6_IIsigGIEP6cybkbk-8xuX0IrF3P6MMzDBl0_dNKOukQcLIvsCX7fh-Mrn4YLHpmMMRvj9SMF6hyH_PVg6V_P-nF-ogKJtmfss3tSuNOfIcq_n56L1aF_dfgYSEH_5B_1_6qM3k4sCg/s2992/_DSC1053-003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wJtLXDqTk_OWCltB__nktN1wTLOXnuU3EI2v1DGlQ7UX9F6_IIsigGIEP6cybkbk-8xuX0IrF3P6MMzDBl0_dNKOukQcLIvsCX7fh-Mrn4YLHpmMMRvj9SMF6hyH_PVg6V_P-nF-ogKJtmfss3tSuNOfIcq_n56L1aF_dfgYSEH_5B_1_6qM3k4sCg/s320/_DSC1053-003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The first week of August, I coordinated the first-ever Sewing Camp at the museum. In addition to sewing for half the day, the girls did other projects - like making these suet log feeders for the birds.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7KF0N0_fznQ4dT9sp_U66ebr-chIQfkyBHg24TJf4K-H6R13mtZ0BhH2vD2HxSGNSAwfc7XCukIi40-EVbHZ3nVXz2PYggQiJXs_tIwwC1HIPLpEY0MiHchI_FPKsoThjfv94OmNsR0cluHdWIVNnwdwzzAqODNj5lBb1cBUrVdPaGGzo_OXF-luSA/s2287/_DSC0311-010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1765" data-original-width="2287" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7KF0N0_fznQ4dT9sp_U66ebr-chIQfkyBHg24TJf4K-H6R13mtZ0BhH2vD2HxSGNSAwfc7XCukIi40-EVbHZ3nVXz2PYggQiJXs_tIwwC1HIPLpEY0MiHchI_FPKsoThjfv94OmNsR0cluHdWIVNnwdwzzAqODNj5lBb1cBUrVdPaGGzo_OXF-luSA/s320/_DSC0311-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The girls also learned about natural dyes that the pioneers would have used. After the lesson, they created tie-dye t-shirts. They all turned out really well.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d48qfLPgq6P7-ovfAfQ2e6Bxn8wakCfOKFgyPShe0dABf-UH8eJ3UcEJqVLX6jPPtEW341d1Jo2McthnQZzO5EGNo3vhDVnzYgQwljR4wSmZ9hqyjDiV2DYqycAcKWBFxBfhSvM2_nZ9h9PXEiTtpt1izccxAHCfPxpvhZe4MFSJHXU2W3fGbvshhg/s2992/_DSC0335-010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1766" data-original-width="2992" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d48qfLPgq6P7-ovfAfQ2e6Bxn8wakCfOKFgyPShe0dABf-UH8eJ3UcEJqVLX6jPPtEW341d1Jo2McthnQZzO5EGNo3vhDVnzYgQwljR4wSmZ9hqyjDiV2DYqycAcKWBFxBfhSvM2_nZ9h9PXEiTtpt1izccxAHCfPxpvhZe4MFSJHXU2W3fGbvshhg/s320/_DSC0335-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The girls also learned about bees and made rolled beeswax candles. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8kRhoMXG-P1FgUiJ4yKHBEtANEvsVz4R2TgH0ELEOG8qJVd5IlPOp_Ula3_2jaj7vKRZOWwVJqE0F8CC5KRfGFPpD-T87V7YdW2sf1tOXiF4Vqyisbg9fjM1VT71EoJaDpA0P6Bp9cLCoGyGx8ieMWb3AdEbng4kzJ5SxCyO7lMWSbQTYJVoQA1dzg/s2000/_DSC0444-010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1713" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8kRhoMXG-P1FgUiJ4yKHBEtANEvsVz4R2TgH0ELEOG8qJVd5IlPOp_Ula3_2jaj7vKRZOWwVJqE0F8CC5KRfGFPpD-T87V7YdW2sf1tOXiF4Vqyisbg9fjM1VT71EoJaDpA0P6Bp9cLCoGyGx8ieMWb3AdEbng4kzJ5SxCyO7lMWSbQTYJVoQA1dzg/s320/_DSC0444-010.JPG" width="274" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The main project was a sewing and embroidery project. They made a shoulder bag.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8el9pmCGtgllyr0TU5Q0Hh_g5FZYsWTL7LnYxmIBDWWfiZkioNZh1Bz4FGAx5RvzTvrejyV_1yuB1kVpZ8rx0iAWI4HrjZGjQiossscElaKm7wSUccg71hRjgDztvGvDTwsrXQqwlspa6JUHLFD5tmJQozRrj9141kpumPZB5KBhFbx4bT-vWEIvcZA/s2711/_DSC0474-010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1759" data-original-width="2711" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8el9pmCGtgllyr0TU5Q0Hh_g5FZYsWTL7LnYxmIBDWWfiZkioNZh1Bz4FGAx5RvzTvrejyV_1yuB1kVpZ8rx0iAWI4HrjZGjQiossscElaKm7wSUccg71hRjgDztvGvDTwsrXQqwlspa6JUHLFD5tmJQozRrj9141kpumPZB5KBhFbx4bT-vWEIvcZA/s320/_DSC0474-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The following week at work, the children learned about cynotype printing. I taught my daughters how to do this when I homeschooled them so it was fun to do again with other children and see how excited they were with the photography process.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00doa7KTLp6shlJYlaPsFHmWBqt1dqf9zPbb8KCKjkiUkOqfZXG9rfqb1d_HNA2lsF3L-vXvWB55WBSB6cv9X8CkI47Wuoy0wg9cwX6vxj-yNZdrgEDfxVxC4ez2FT4xw2Gh-i6YLJov59OqVf8X8CMMgxcBEB2YnCOE8Yuzq1n8GY2V6z4dtvdfYxw/s2540/_DSC0661-011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="2540" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00doa7KTLp6shlJYlaPsFHmWBqt1dqf9zPbb8KCKjkiUkOqfZXG9rfqb1d_HNA2lsF3L-vXvWB55WBSB6cv9X8CkI47Wuoy0wg9cwX6vxj-yNZdrgEDfxVxC4ez2FT4xw2Gh-i6YLJov59OqVf8X8CMMgxcBEB2YnCOE8Yuzq1n8GY2V6z4dtvdfYxw/s320/_DSC0661-011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The children made stuffed tomtes and a couple other projects. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cbWAQ65Dg4qmhGojMn_OP_Mlh2L9-aLFYkx1Uy81FOOW1vVSkoNjGpKeWN108RgYeWsmgG-p654kIJvmVDmjopP8HdJMuwONdgVn8JnP_KdG8wXfyg5zYQ3Ks-fSQbBSbiFTL8Da_81cvWK_oKF4iPkR2yiffqmJochvjL-ghH2g1Jg1sMNwqu9KUA/s1961/_DSC0761-010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1961" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cbWAQ65Dg4qmhGojMn_OP_Mlh2L9-aLFYkx1Uy81FOOW1vVSkoNjGpKeWN108RgYeWsmgG-p654kIJvmVDmjopP8HdJMuwONdgVn8JnP_KdG8wXfyg5zYQ3Ks-fSQbBSbiFTL8Da_81cvWK_oKF4iPkR2yiffqmJochvjL-ghH2g1Jg1sMNwqu9KUA/s320/_DSC0761-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><div>The new building signs that I had been working on since February were installed. There was a small team of volunteers and I who worked with to upgrade the signs. </div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaJ1A8eORWc3XDcdOkew-pvfKgl-erMuFjcJGUktM5mt1mBBWgSVrFhaYyuNzrnfT0aoLIVMkrj9HptT5C9lbfDZ_BdAQKliJOsSjTtPZhTENfYCQFQhIJNMx6VoD82ppqj5i7xYFPX0nuKX7PcLpKdtV-QyuI83UQaz8uN4tq7NURQ4-FQfY3tG7PA/s2477/_DSC0826-010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1765" data-original-width="2477" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaJ1A8eORWc3XDcdOkew-pvfKgl-erMuFjcJGUktM5mt1mBBWgSVrFhaYyuNzrnfT0aoLIVMkrj9HptT5C9lbfDZ_BdAQKliJOsSjTtPZhTENfYCQFQhIJNMx6VoD82ppqj5i7xYFPX0nuKX7PcLpKdtV-QyuI83UQaz8uN4tq7NURQ4-FQfY3tG7PA/s320/_DSC0826-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The signs are in English and Swedish since Swedish immigrants settled in Scandia in the mid- to late-1800s.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjt81zuL9opB1gohtSiMt_fz-hlBSQIufLlPAsrof5kst9N-zE-Lg2NoLlbjKt3TSgVaX63m-vOgUkyfRr5Nyy7wUjSFEHlg4r3WNioMYibKrxtmuycvz5vdtwMHtXPgYmfrZDMcOtbwH7kcO4DLWpSOUwa8yulnG4ovRxxqShY1osIFVcgzsHWHNdNQ/s2785/_DSC0850-010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1492" data-original-width="2785" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjt81zuL9opB1gohtSiMt_fz-hlBSQIufLlPAsrof5kst9N-zE-Lg2NoLlbjKt3TSgVaX63m-vOgUkyfRr5Nyy7wUjSFEHlg4r3WNioMYibKrxtmuycvz5vdtwMHtXPgYmfrZDMcOtbwH7kcO4DLWpSOUwa8yulnG4ovRxxqShY1osIFVcgzsHWHNdNQ/s320/_DSC0850-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The heritage vegetable garden is doing very well now. The Washington County Master Gardens have revitalized this garden and a cereal garden.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquQfKwHOfP1IA670lP2D133Z3eGllRBrYa1cA7VdNoMsl-Ey2K784Am2dWPHDxGW0Ex5lC20H5uBzOhz5FWV4Q-zpaH2mLAETCZSQcdJvO6pHrZ36TtAQvNtkK-GeeTCqHvGBxnlTowvehb-Ky3oFbd1MYPCu6JqaFUHfDf1OzQKMj3cyAvlri1Tu0Q/s1436/_DSC0834-011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1436" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquQfKwHOfP1IA670lP2D133Z3eGllRBrYa1cA7VdNoMsl-Ey2K784Am2dWPHDxGW0Ex5lC20H5uBzOhz5FWV4Q-zpaH2mLAETCZSQcdJvO6pHrZ36TtAQvNtkK-GeeTCqHvGBxnlTowvehb-Ky3oFbd1MYPCu6JqaFUHfDf1OzQKMj3cyAvlri1Tu0Q/s320/_DSC0834-011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The summer intern repainted and/or created different wooden animals that would have been typical of an 1850s-1880s farm.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg980CkK2OdNGO1xlnNhmkGCf-SLngludYeBLPaCcrfn3gFyfeKvIxeZpnlREqnc7OvOiv-73nWxJJ9juXyC73Zswrsn7g4pp1-LA0mP-X5OvO2-Tq_EBy0neX_KI5VMS6wdgeIm6cUZlMz0CdcrCqMBC6OAb3sVhv2i6fzUKqxOxJ05wm_r-8v_4HzJw/s2550/_DSC0837-010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1879" data-original-width="2550" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg980CkK2OdNGO1xlnNhmkGCf-SLngludYeBLPaCcrfn3gFyfeKvIxeZpnlREqnc7OvOiv-73nWxJJ9juXyC73Zswrsn7g4pp1-LA0mP-X5OvO2-Tq_EBy0neX_KI5VMS6wdgeIm6cUZlMz0CdcrCqMBC6OAb3sVhv2i6fzUKqxOxJ05wm_r-8v_4HzJw/s320/_DSC0837-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">There was another big event at the museum - Spelmansstamman. Some of the children from the elementary school where I worked and the camp at the museum showed up which was fun. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YbcmT1HJPPBVgHH-2Q_siTHuNqFY5BsPX5YbUwSpQ5jEXvbRLw0ScKCDVkLzXRuIJ-5URTKDkiq4qOGaA21CS9-I73rG5285YfcWyIUHh4xMDd4apu0JBHEStcHHpPZZUmkLL53F4tVFVD-scKxfl_2pKIouSftwBjNeBxdjZ7W3o_jM4w8DiXqqPg/s1824/_DSC0806-010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="1726" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YbcmT1HJPPBVgHH-2Q_siTHuNqFY5BsPX5YbUwSpQ5jEXvbRLw0ScKCDVkLzXRuIJ-5URTKDkiq4qOGaA21CS9-I73rG5285YfcWyIUHh4xMDd4apu0JBHEStcHHpPZZUmkLL53F4tVFVD-scKxfl_2pKIouSftwBjNeBxdjZ7W3o_jM4w8DiXqqPg/s320/_DSC0806-010.JPG" width="303" /></a></div></div></div><div><br /></div>There were many musicians at the event - including this older gentleman who was tuning his violin under a tree.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvJe2dO7GKzVBWPNnp0spxugypYUnvTa97PpqFlufwohVwYGx4GDN_N6owwYgjUiW_UvfKZC4kStcAwEF7-ZiD9Ekk5rYLzVH1GKdfNYoxNy0dmQroS-NdzSfKARoONSPwov1_F3ubuy5laV7rz_wLLlqy_Z6ofClgC4vQqZE0F1QEqVniKi8r9WfXQ/s1219/_DSC0887-010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="749" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvJe2dO7GKzVBWPNnp0spxugypYUnvTa97PpqFlufwohVwYGx4GDN_N6owwYgjUiW_UvfKZC4kStcAwEF7-ZiD9Ekk5rYLzVH1GKdfNYoxNy0dmQroS-NdzSfKARoONSPwov1_F3ubuy5laV7rz_wLLlqy_Z6ofClgC4vQqZE0F1QEqVniKi8r9WfXQ/s320/_DSC0887-010.JPG" width="197" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I enjoyed seeing different generations of fiddlers performing together. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHH4nXmj6Ls6pD-CQk_2kh9Cj4hnvl2-QNibRwYsbvv0qDwV_L3-k9rIJTR7eSjdlqlbuef45ckwXN2eratDddu6Jiv2dK3PBUxXicgi6bOyKZjg-4BK8pUgJhfaHtWi7ri22fxumv0uKqLBsRlmqyzvScwLzrhZaf35BP6u-KwsDavtSnWbD7bUlrdQ/s2247/_DSC0902-010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1941" data-original-width="2247" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHH4nXmj6Ls6pD-CQk_2kh9Cj4hnvl2-QNibRwYsbvv0qDwV_L3-k9rIJTR7eSjdlqlbuef45ckwXN2eratDddu6Jiv2dK3PBUxXicgi6bOyKZjg-4BK8pUgJhfaHtWi7ri22fxumv0uKqLBsRlmqyzvScwLzrhZaf35BP6u-KwsDavtSnWbD7bUlrdQ/s320/_DSC0902-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The event in August had a dual focus - Swedish and Ojibwe culture and music. This is Julian who did drumming and short presentations about Ojibwe culture and music. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoceNKWnT_1dr7QAc_WJLuNQ4Gt0GuHz5rBGte7DJ5bvMv2AyV-WEp2wwjHzETln1Iht917eke5VXktAJ09xx7LzeTDUULa3oidGI9rYpCDz_wQzMndeg6hE0xS3fW-a_G_josGI5_fJmlOnutNusl_qTf8sGcw3_wqafv3KtldtsSau0p_eHbLkWzRw/s1916/_DSC0947-011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1703" data-original-width="1916" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoceNKWnT_1dr7QAc_WJLuNQ4Gt0GuHz5rBGte7DJ5bvMv2AyV-WEp2wwjHzETln1Iht917eke5VXktAJ09xx7LzeTDUULa3oidGI9rYpCDz_wQzMndeg6hE0xS3fW-a_G_josGI5_fJmlOnutNusl_qTf8sGcw3_wqafv3KtldtsSau0p_eHbLkWzRw/s320/_DSC0947-011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I liked seeing children interact with the Dala horses that we repainted and/or touched up. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljQE_ONHmF_vpQPdigd5-lx1erf6K4U--DgGOmyV5G4XG3WEYPtcxKpCCQkqOScPYEYWybvye6XZEK8-_tCrlwk6gsiGyUpCVcHl6Vjlz8uyKu7FRp_cQQhPc_ls_1BREi1O53BNWaRUPtZaDozzSDkdGOp7ZFNE9SGFNw20ogGx0USsU7PR9d7qmVg/s1685/_DSC0984-011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1685" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljQE_ONHmF_vpQPdigd5-lx1erf6K4U--DgGOmyV5G4XG3WEYPtcxKpCCQkqOScPYEYWybvye6XZEK8-_tCrlwk6gsiGyUpCVcHl6Vjlz8uyKu7FRp_cQQhPc_ls_1BREi1O53BNWaRUPtZaDozzSDkdGOp7ZFNE9SGFNw20ogGx0USsU7PR9d7qmVg/s320/_DSC0984-011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My sister and nephew attended the event. They had never been to it and really enjoyed the experience. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIBilaySYTFOMeCcvKbxjuIyv0bPLhHiwa1FdjAJRaXNcEKccnbYsv8Ovulu3FE2SL9U-p_eVHre1suLG42vUdzODhmdqeKtMTUXMrp4qsRP5GubFsEKL5qM4igZioHGfSicdgz3OzNlvxAy7MyW9GlysWyXvCWceQsaVnp0gCnaclKn4jYdEUcDjwA/s2335/_DSC1007-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="2335" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIBilaySYTFOMeCcvKbxjuIyv0bPLhHiwa1FdjAJRaXNcEKccnbYsv8Ovulu3FE2SL9U-p_eVHre1suLG42vUdzODhmdqeKtMTUXMrp4qsRP5GubFsEKL5qM4igZioHGfSicdgz3OzNlvxAy7MyW9GlysWyXvCWceQsaVnp0gCnaclKn4jYdEUcDjwA/s320/_DSC1007-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Towards the end of August, Olivia moved back to college. She has her own room again this year as part of her accommodations. It feels so much more spacious than last year's room, and she has set it up well. Sophia gave some input, too, about arranging the room and helped set it up. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78S8P9iuFfmmdkHGvoxUOI67QZaaCali0mZwqIqPPhx7hoFruxTLPpsOAXR_PZsi0tnSQ7O3_2G1-ZKyxZIVeONdXW8jOSJotqw0cB0cRhJ7w-YobxVxizO43fqm7GGXz4cM3eBJCqK6r49LH-9fxJeXYqrFpgjmUxcClgA0EmcQUAHsxYLa78GD-qw/s2992/_DSC1030-005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78S8P9iuFfmmdkHGvoxUOI67QZaaCali0mZwqIqPPhx7hoFruxTLPpsOAXR_PZsi0tnSQ7O3_2G1-ZKyxZIVeONdXW8jOSJotqw0cB0cRhJ7w-YobxVxizO43fqm7GGXz4cM3eBJCqK6r49LH-9fxJeXYqrFpgjmUxcClgA0EmcQUAHsxYLa78GD-qw/s320/_DSC1030-005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Another project at work was coordinating a Tomte Community Art Show. There are 43 artists who designed and painted 48 tomtes. The artists ranged in ages from 7 to over 80 years old. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-03BuRyIC2gDqlq_phON-8kyqRUNlaW37ZcOyNe5KVsRdhjxPmdKN47SQZYH3a4a-PpuAlKkeuLJc5RgT1rWT5qAQqWbvoWkQxMtesRGOvxs5HdYLv2HX7NYS1-FQIJmguw0mstI49UFJ5TyCzW6xmziuZku10KL0hGNAg168554LKJQ7SbPRrQubjQ/s2940/_DSC1093-003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1869" data-original-width="2940" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-03BuRyIC2gDqlq_phON-8kyqRUNlaW37ZcOyNe5KVsRdhjxPmdKN47SQZYH3a4a-PpuAlKkeuLJc5RgT1rWT5qAQqWbvoWkQxMtesRGOvxs5HdYLv2HX7NYS1-FQIJmguw0mstI49UFJ5TyCzW6xmziuZku10KL0hGNAg168554LKJQ7SbPRrQubjQ/s320/_DSC1093-003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The tomtes are all so different from one another. It's fun to see what people came up with and how some even added additional features to the wood cut-out.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yVlJmPfamYBXCfldDhfniiTYmm7a4WDD9yCAm2Nlk3gdWebFhhHicgKud13iIAqNtNihDRiqQQEfy6XwjV49SuHUVqJu_K5YhlLgTf8d3AWNfv6YKKMpOCH8JY9hH_u-kcm24G55oWuK8cKJ9TEsiqaVCiqbxQeO0AndztltdBDJObI5Trtd9fItLw/s2934/_DSC1098-003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1717" data-original-width="2934" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yVlJmPfamYBXCfldDhfniiTYmm7a4WDD9yCAm2Nlk3gdWebFhhHicgKud13iIAqNtNihDRiqQQEfy6XwjV49SuHUVqJu_K5YhlLgTf8d3AWNfv6YKKMpOCH8JY9hH_u-kcm24G55oWuK8cKJ9TEsiqaVCiqbxQeO0AndztltdBDJObI5Trtd9fItLw/s320/_DSC1098-003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On August 30th, I helped the Lions serve a meal and lemonade to students at the local elementary school. One of the students who I worked with last year (who is now going to school at the middle school) showed up. "Ms. Ann!!" I heard. Seeing him truly brightened my day.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGAV4VjM497FT3F-oHGh6sYtBSDMzOfTiTgYWx9JBAWhirQETuIdptTEeH2R5PCduQiLKZjDyfgaf6flw82GiwJeBE6E_x_zWOtAPiwWSQi7be2jH7PmmnKxctdNQQtvRb-gIi8lH0eCsN9AEqxpPAuUVVXMXu_tVMj4Gyccp_QTvRvt6K0DoxEXUJg/s2805/_DSC0011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1869" data-original-width="2805" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGAV4VjM497FT3F-oHGh6sYtBSDMzOfTiTgYWx9JBAWhirQETuIdptTEeH2R5PCduQiLKZjDyfgaf6flw82GiwJeBE6E_x_zWOtAPiwWSQi7be2jH7PmmnKxctdNQQtvRb-gIi8lH0eCsN9AEqxpPAuUVVXMXu_tVMj4Gyccp_QTvRvt6K0DoxEXUJg/s320/_DSC0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We served food to a lot of families that evening. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Bguz2JzJTS4WbuoPBfdOmsxQipQZknOF2r7CmbKKMGAcYJWwg8xfR0Iz3P4dp7kyhhMwqiMfCDGlW9nXhG4FE0J_pqBPic6QUCSuedAissmw7JnXUonVwbTSileTQYLCw8sUnYWKN7Uan_hAEP69pPCA-YOSjfmQIne7lace9XCWhOF80gav8zARpw/s2677/_DSC0018.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="2677" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Bguz2JzJTS4WbuoPBfdOmsxQipQZknOF2r7CmbKKMGAcYJWwg8xfR0Iz3P4dp7kyhhMwqiMfCDGlW9nXhG4FE0J_pqBPic6QUCSuedAissmw7JnXUonVwbTSileTQYLCw8sUnYWKN7Uan_hAEP69pPCA-YOSjfmQIne7lace9XCWhOF80gav8zARpw/s320/_DSC0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I started growing dahlias this year. This is a new one that just started blooming. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOG9Jyf6vHoYI2N9XXN1hOJcxesJip8p-8FavOL9J0MUiYGhNGTlOsEeQlZqAdDR1EmFvcL8qjnox3N_42bQW2xmyxFc7g8x6GBn58pheniGH33Raj99AhPTeInRc7T0S1_om1KpwQFkL0eTOKosWgdqhqB0JsvncT7bPRUqJ908n_WjIgYKIniL9RRw/s2120/_DSC0082.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1924" data-original-width="2120" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOG9Jyf6vHoYI2N9XXN1hOJcxesJip8p-8FavOL9J0MUiYGhNGTlOsEeQlZqAdDR1EmFvcL8qjnox3N_42bQW2xmyxFc7g8x6GBn58pheniGH33Raj99AhPTeInRc7T0S1_om1KpwQFkL0eTOKosWgdqhqB0JsvncT7bPRUqJ908n_WjIgYKIniL9RRw/s320/_DSC0082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This dahlia has bloomed constantly now for a month. There have been so many blooms on this plant.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIC76aXXjSqYTCvRvWuw0-wFHYjQsCbjovryZBr0cCPqBd4U3bTPamRTGB2cMQv74WPVNeUmyzHrvJSFwRzdWw4evW_mbklFhfqSiFNwQR7S7enkx8p-nIXNlVfC3OcxlDCAbNQKCf4Mx1yHmSARs5cUbBamDypd_FUCVhjQxA0suCXmQF3J6_1KBRLQ/s1927/_DSC0088.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1927" data-original-width="1615" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIC76aXXjSqYTCvRvWuw0-wFHYjQsCbjovryZBr0cCPqBd4U3bTPamRTGB2cMQv74WPVNeUmyzHrvJSFwRzdWw4evW_mbklFhfqSiFNwQR7S7enkx8p-nIXNlVfC3OcxlDCAbNQKCf4Mx1yHmSARs5cUbBamDypd_FUCVhjQxA0suCXmQF3J6_1KBRLQ/s320/_DSC0088.JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We're seeing a lot of yellows now in the yard and pastures. There's a lot of goldenrod which I'm not a huge fan of, but the bees like it. I prefer these type of yellow flowers.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSH0AtnYN2aVb52UMp_79xDFF9F6hXVTvzQJ-DzcnNNr45vFnsz3OKkNjsrbG-4xIrXmcOp0aXW95dMb1HiJT5ZDjt8noScMtXRjdMVvUBeo6GiGLW0OMwYvurbq0MMR5d5dgoq1I61A99Q8zBOYEIGoQIOKA5DsH5ayNA7Z4h4IlutmBm60Zdi6gWw/s1833/_DSC0090.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1696" data-original-width="1833" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSH0AtnYN2aVb52UMp_79xDFF9F6hXVTvzQJ-DzcnNNr45vFnsz3OKkNjsrbG-4xIrXmcOp0aXW95dMb1HiJT5ZDjt8noScMtXRjdMVvUBeo6GiGLW0OMwYvurbq0MMR5d5dgoq1I61A99Q8zBOYEIGoQIOKA5DsH5ayNA7Z4h4IlutmBm60Zdi6gWw/s320/_DSC0090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Even these yellow flowers I like, especially when I see they benefit bees and other pollinators. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBlStVeQBUGsuYKjf9TuTGkNfAzSA32CtUEkLmDkLX1c33ZZnIQ2vSlB1Pg-T6oxywn5_FcB_gRFVJmWUiA-QunpA55y0yZWpeuLrlz8EAjn8RljhdlR4ZKquq4rZUh6weuCsUPvrI63rn6aTtPnd9v0Tvcy9AO5jcltTGR9rosPeM9LfLdYpRvgiIw/s1716/_DSC0093.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1716" data-original-width="1640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBlStVeQBUGsuYKjf9TuTGkNfAzSA32CtUEkLmDkLX1c33ZZnIQ2vSlB1Pg-T6oxywn5_FcB_gRFVJmWUiA-QunpA55y0yZWpeuLrlz8EAjn8RljhdlR4ZKquq4rZUh6weuCsUPvrI63rn6aTtPnd9v0Tvcy9AO5jcltTGR9rosPeM9LfLdYpRvgiIw/s320/_DSC0093.JPG" width="306" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And that wraps up August. It's been a full month. <br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-4921013724446435682023-08-10T20:07:00.005-05:002023-08-10T20:07:30.473-05:00My Favorite Photos - July 2023<p>July seemed to fly by...most of spent working, though. So, I am happy to have had at least some quality time with family. The highlight of July was that my niece and her family moved back to Minnesota from North Carolina. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GtvbzWcAZecaKHEb1Y8c12gv2U5gIxwk6fjj6TvUj22nhKN5eo8K-OhMkisuH4eCtFaessVq5JZaGQW5yIu63ptdpYMG81_sFzHGljUr4dtkd2mKMhzTWW_vWkQRAPZzwGYKSfa7wsPxAI1b6F251WfCStNJdkWbXiN2GF7BykRe6uSm2UffzbxVOQ/s2992/_DSC0701-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GtvbzWcAZecaKHEb1Y8c12gv2U5gIxwk6fjj6TvUj22nhKN5eo8K-OhMkisuH4eCtFaessVq5JZaGQW5yIu63ptdpYMG81_sFzHGljUr4dtkd2mKMhzTWW_vWkQRAPZzwGYKSfa7wsPxAI1b6F251WfCStNJdkWbXiN2GF7BykRe6uSm2UffzbxVOQ/s320/_DSC0701-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We were able to have dinner, talk, and play games together in early July.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8-uZCJYE5CIv36xXLeLAFZ5fgOjzooEwLFmxi9S_VWWYM9MPvPRjYuV1lAuhTGmPwM_X0sv2AEWja3iA8V6Rn47mE8b3Waz91JUB9oq4hOnwfRfiLXddR71ZRhxxn4eHzrwpE18MP4lYwH_wUGx7pEz8cmvdiPoojDOoyAGZxU-zOIHTDGYX8xip-Q/s1944/_DSC0706-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1909" data-original-width="1944" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8-uZCJYE5CIv36xXLeLAFZ5fgOjzooEwLFmxi9S_VWWYM9MPvPRjYuV1lAuhTGmPwM_X0sv2AEWja3iA8V6Rn47mE8b3Waz91JUB9oq4hOnwfRfiLXddR71ZRhxxn4eHzrwpE18MP4lYwH_wUGx7pEz8cmvdiPoojDOoyAGZxU-zOIHTDGYX8xip-Q/s320/_DSC0706-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We've been having a lot of birds at our feeders. The grosbeaks love the seeds.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7SXx-Obnu1XATfEvImR6zqQh9FdEAth5RS8T1VWCBpW9l2Pkisa8n0ZWf5sd9jBgM3fv4imC9qs_Gyl8JbCRH2pbq8WxUBGk4RLlrV3GYoN1JiosGC-9uDNrB3_7OtWFF3R7pYnD9Yn6Maa-AgceyvPGty_THB5Sl_KgFMdz591jpUunNIne4yvtzw/s1804/_DSC0717-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="1804" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7SXx-Obnu1XATfEvImR6zqQh9FdEAth5RS8T1VWCBpW9l2Pkisa8n0ZWf5sd9jBgM3fv4imC9qs_Gyl8JbCRH2pbq8WxUBGk4RLlrV3GYoN1JiosGC-9uDNrB3_7OtWFF3R7pYnD9Yn6Maa-AgceyvPGty_THB5Sl_KgFMdz591jpUunNIne4yvtzw/s320/_DSC0717-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the male rose-breasted grosbeak. He's a lot more colorful than the female pictured above.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TRBZapZdkvBJclfKkujYY6CMjkI86Ip_7LYgA0oH1RVDvDk-GCQm3jgSs_0nykxGNGrTnb9rP48DRVmX2SHi5gu7KAC3rL1r1i_p73VhMtPQcXkcerd5Taz_69V1VuX_1yX9iG4jE1iQFA4QC1vPtOY9vp8NEVTVSHnQarqUAAmtqUqHx90r1Jn-yg/s865/_DSC0727-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="865" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TRBZapZdkvBJclfKkujYY6CMjkI86Ip_7LYgA0oH1RVDvDk-GCQm3jgSs_0nykxGNGrTnb9rP48DRVmX2SHi5gu7KAC3rL1r1i_p73VhMtPQcXkcerd5Taz_69V1VuX_1yX9iG4jE1iQFA4QC1vPtOY9vp8NEVTVSHnQarqUAAmtqUqHx90r1Jn-yg/s320/_DSC0727-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">The wrens raised a brood of little ones. They have since fledged. I miss seeing the constant traffic and singing of the wrens each day.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6hqBTFZIftKQWUmc0YJl-xPLgkF3wC51SHc3F2oszCsqVfxL0pDNkYgpkRLcsUmR6LkXTJoSpsrUN_iG1XzCQFipoiEPKM-pLORNJSbkAJM8-JAIcRIaHAp5O8Z7mPSd8joOJNyr6eTesOnCZ90lBAAvTV7yHaOwPhEy0pYXQscLt4dHWaJyIKlJhQ/s1713/_DSC0721-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1694" data-original-width="1713" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6hqBTFZIftKQWUmc0YJl-xPLgkF3wC51SHc3F2oszCsqVfxL0pDNkYgpkRLcsUmR6LkXTJoSpsrUN_iG1XzCQFipoiEPKM-pLORNJSbkAJM8-JAIcRIaHAp5O8Z7mPSd8joOJNyr6eTesOnCZ90lBAAvTV7yHaOwPhEy0pYXQscLt4dHWaJyIKlJhQ/s320/_DSC0721-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We had many orioles this year and went through bottles of grape jelly. This one is a much darker orange than what we typically see.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3U7YPZisPqB8ZdLw1Rok3hqUOTj5w4yAYe7CtKHmeIHeKtXLPxAJtO5ZNN6Mp8oOlgKWGdEAhqkiQwyz3L8qG8sOZbHL-CyLtChV2l2yxaaDtijSEdP7tlwl0h1RluOO4T33XLyDaOb3AqIWzy-hgp5eCHTD8wpZcnsnM5j1Ey9sdQ6kIbeJ20d8Mg/s1320/_DSC0724-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1320" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3U7YPZisPqB8ZdLw1Rok3hqUOTj5w4yAYe7CtKHmeIHeKtXLPxAJtO5ZNN6Mp8oOlgKWGdEAhqkiQwyz3L8qG8sOZbHL-CyLtChV2l2yxaaDtijSEdP7tlwl0h1RluOO4T33XLyDaOb3AqIWzy-hgp5eCHTD8wpZcnsnM5j1Ey9sdQ6kIbeJ20d8Mg/s320/_DSC0724-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is another type of oriole we saw. It is still beautiful, just not as dark-orange as the other one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYPcz9I_t87iRrHrqXGTer4jnoHP86KwLG7gpy1400vDJj0DcQzHcpGImhpxydEVldXYJtUWerMsk7aYaAyphoQ6Ua0187SpYHtZME8kW0lGuqylnvPh3vAd8BfbfbhkMCASYMI9IDDMWft06TuViVXSbzcxIUlH3V87Hw-OrL1icGzMC4SsfUlG36A/s1194/_DSC0729-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1194" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYPcz9I_t87iRrHrqXGTer4jnoHP86KwLG7gpy1400vDJj0DcQzHcpGImhpxydEVldXYJtUWerMsk7aYaAyphoQ6Ua0187SpYHtZME8kW0lGuqylnvPh3vAd8BfbfbhkMCASYMI9IDDMWft06TuViVXSbzcxIUlH3V87Hw-OrL1icGzMC4SsfUlG36A/s320/_DSC0729-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This wren caught a spider to bring back to the babies. The mother and father wren are such hard - and successful - foragers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFadMD2rHEMVlo_9hWKqEf8A8GDAWH80Xlz8Tv8-V3z59HNeaKb_V5k8No1H3N_QaTD3ghg_1SGCVcO5SaF5-Q1NrRxnQlFvAH0eZZlNAqbygfj44fGAR_LdyxARK6jXTm3ssmUh7Zb0YRR0YuIfnf-EsxiyKVAeKulCl5lLjSV6xnupzj1x1Ce09aFw/s2992/_DSC0806-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFadMD2rHEMVlo_9hWKqEf8A8GDAWH80Xlz8Tv8-V3z59HNeaKb_V5k8No1H3N_QaTD3ghg_1SGCVcO5SaF5-Q1NrRxnQlFvAH0eZZlNAqbygfj44fGAR_LdyxARK6jXTm3ssmUh7Zb0YRR0YuIfnf-EsxiyKVAeKulCl5lLjSV6xnupzj1x1Ce09aFw/s320/_DSC0806-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div> We have a variety of woodpeckers here. This one is about mid-size compared to the other ones we see.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV31Pltdk87gC7_93PApiyjloX34ztYtnFjjfj1JJeV4Y5-EJC9dYgvUI_yzyqEh_zcBbWcfZdAjJfvf72apGVgM8AaEheVHfVCQp6WRdXXDlpgbgLQIwaahf2qb5nKOisU1v0SwtScZW_XuLBLJcYnRwOL7x6BUZXur1oGGAiM-n0ViyueXb3p05zMg/s1357/_DSC0730-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1357" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV31Pltdk87gC7_93PApiyjloX34ztYtnFjjfj1JJeV4Y5-EJC9dYgvUI_yzyqEh_zcBbWcfZdAjJfvf72apGVgM8AaEheVHfVCQp6WRdXXDlpgbgLQIwaahf2qb5nKOisU1v0SwtScZW_XuLBLJcYnRwOL7x6BUZXur1oGGAiM-n0ViyueXb3p05zMg/s320/_DSC0730-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>One of my favorite things to see here are deer. These two fawns somehow got into our fenced-in backyard. We found out that even as young as these two were, that fawns can easily scale a four-foot fence. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyqiZyVFeXNHk6z4iqEE-CUhYjJ1Nkf9CEBhTnqyyhlymrQyvc3OX6a-puIEgKMpBqvaJZh6Opfyr9NjnVImMCB2Vjjn8ig6mdXyXZRWjfJUOEDwLDbM5Ish7rSIfthcV4dlyK2BluZi4DITf9_0Unt1RsOanGdGKEJmbIFtSs42-GoeHQD8ODL1iZg/s2568/_DSC0771-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1796" data-original-width="2568" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyqiZyVFeXNHk6z4iqEE-CUhYjJ1Nkf9CEBhTnqyyhlymrQyvc3OX6a-puIEgKMpBqvaJZh6Opfyr9NjnVImMCB2Vjjn8ig6mdXyXZRWjfJUOEDwLDbM5Ish7rSIfthcV4dlyK2BluZi4DITf9_0Unt1RsOanGdGKEJmbIFtSs42-GoeHQD8ODL1iZg/s320/_DSC0771-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This one was more curious and alert of the two fawns.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhne9yaAHegEknk1xAtU09bTgSWmQK4z09GuYQMchbwo2ap6BXjyuCJsHh1CVvi1_YGqwrsOPd7ZOoxUHuydEz24SH-hwZRJUCdHardSIxnmK1TtlzHfmXtldY6f4GD3TldGr3J1w0ePXa3_d9D_bvco_I1hsBIAZBDo8o3HO2xZLKyKbo4TZ6hR1J8wA/s2992/_DSC0777-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhne9yaAHegEknk1xAtU09bTgSWmQK4z09GuYQMchbwo2ap6BXjyuCJsHh1CVvi1_YGqwrsOPd7ZOoxUHuydEz24SH-hwZRJUCdHardSIxnmK1TtlzHfmXtldY6f4GD3TldGr3J1w0ePXa3_d9D_bvco_I1hsBIAZBDo8o3HO2xZLKyKbo4TZ6hR1J8wA/s320/_DSC0777-009.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This fawn liked to eat more than the other one.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmGv-qqtNZu2e2pzSdjz4eZczYOgtLcvVGShUzfypokvyU9MoJBvMvj4mgQV-wvGnwR925KeUC_2UrlWmjNSU2nEerwSENzGMn1iysx-GAJAycoVeEwDHhlvPLqtKPO03-tk4OcpGL5-NZclw_ddPJMj4dw_xdI1fOjVeXWLLVvD6-WSD9FjJnRudog/s1697/_DSC0778-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1697" data-original-width="1598" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmGv-qqtNZu2e2pzSdjz4eZczYOgtLcvVGShUzfypokvyU9MoJBvMvj4mgQV-wvGnwR925KeUC_2UrlWmjNSU2nEerwSENzGMn1iysx-GAJAycoVeEwDHhlvPLqtKPO03-tk4OcpGL5-NZclw_ddPJMj4dw_xdI1fOjVeXWLLVvD6-WSD9FjJnRudog/s320/_DSC0778-009.JPG" width="301" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The mother was on the other side of the fence and had an eye on her babies until she walked around the corner and then along the fence line. She jumped into the east pasture and later on her two fawns joined her by jumping over the fence. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL093d6ZTUeuV7GvirPBk2XEWE9EIJ_rbp0_fgUkPeYga5D9GC_oMcsr6y9O9LkFjXp3A03CGoCbKmz47fd3GEafaCofEsmYofNcBDBtPV1JNHZakeB34XkVMrPGbyUQbNL220duQWC5K0fNbqCXgjxPcaDBGPKsu6NIt96N6LEo16rnmmksE40gYiVA/s1810/_DSC0791-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1810" data-original-width="1662" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL093d6ZTUeuV7GvirPBk2XEWE9EIJ_rbp0_fgUkPeYga5D9GC_oMcsr6y9O9LkFjXp3A03CGoCbKmz47fd3GEafaCofEsmYofNcBDBtPV1JNHZakeB34XkVMrPGbyUQbNL220duQWC5K0fNbqCXgjxPcaDBGPKsu6NIt96N6LEo16rnmmksE40gYiVA/s320/_DSC0791-010.JPG" width="294" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is one of the sunflowers that grew from a seed that fell from the birdfeeder. The birds now - a month later - are eating the seeds from it.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B9U28hK-Zc01rVatokrA5htP_V0RlXUMUCyzcysVf-8wQRDDnhDUZFWbL8V-YX2vJnPd1ZAYUCxFo3JYbLTJ2rFcWUtXk7GqISJDEKeaT8h2DHsmszcSCowuqN8QZMKPPnPF51HTAR1IOIhphzyxPKG1BPf9GSHCkhTZWY15nIYrjUS6MgzmYcMjeQ/s2263/_DSC0803-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2263" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B9U28hK-Zc01rVatokrA5htP_V0RlXUMUCyzcysVf-8wQRDDnhDUZFWbL8V-YX2vJnPd1ZAYUCxFo3JYbLTJ2rFcWUtXk7GqISJDEKeaT8h2DHsmszcSCowuqN8QZMKPPnPF51HTAR1IOIhphzyxPKG1BPf9GSHCkhTZWY15nIYrjUS6MgzmYcMjeQ/s320/_DSC0803-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This is one of the dahlias that I grew this year from a root. It has bloomed quite a bit which I've enjoyed.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zna82kOXyeKodqZ-ceBav41vOKWDKR9ucYyJdkNOY81ydoi_yK7VVN31Bh_DeLj4vAoO-Z1UHXW0X909OyVaEqEpEFRaXvNRoFIrjvnPDTakUEZy1cLnlq5CBPYNqrkG0zWxab3jkgw3eDyk4oQ60wMNikuZRXBPpx_BUMequbxdaxzgw1JtRmMBMQ/s2622/_DSC0807-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2622" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zna82kOXyeKodqZ-ceBav41vOKWDKR9ucYyJdkNOY81ydoi_yK7VVN31Bh_DeLj4vAoO-Z1UHXW0X909OyVaEqEpEFRaXvNRoFIrjvnPDTakUEZy1cLnlq5CBPYNqrkG0zWxab3jkgw3eDyk4oQ60wMNikuZRXBPpx_BUMequbxdaxzgw1JtRmMBMQ/s320/_DSC0807-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>These little flowers come up every year by the back door. I need to cut the plant back throughout the summer and fall, otherwise it would take over the garden. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fZhA1rtSdh5el-oIMwG59dLlzdqva6dYrL7qBrtcMBo0CopPuj3MRXyqR6AJsV2t0NO9ZolhQJLQdTLwvmdY0aD2-cr55mvX--WN_3UV37hOjwVm1yG8fn_fOiwhI81WEmdeL2_OrX-1kue8WIwrmqrc-APPnh6m2bC3Afd8HUpG2IY714V5QKZnIw/s2259/_DSC0810-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1844" data-original-width="2259" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fZhA1rtSdh5el-oIMwG59dLlzdqva6dYrL7qBrtcMBo0CopPuj3MRXyqR6AJsV2t0NO9ZolhQJLQdTLwvmdY0aD2-cr55mvX--WN_3UV37hOjwVm1yG8fn_fOiwhI81WEmdeL2_OrX-1kue8WIwrmqrc-APPnh6m2bC3Afd8HUpG2IY714V5QKZnIw/s320/_DSC0810-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We celebrated Olivia's 20 1/2 birthday in July. We still celebrate half birthdays. I don't think that will stop. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHc2skb4Pl2MFwuerWyHJx8nODYwTWDKWopJTsl_QCKzxYDANWsouGlCdpUSUu8SjGrJXQkzVyCgus13qaH8Ce4Hf4w3t4ceeIenX8husYF_gvj0agaXYEiRFN3ao63swW1HLmdgsrpvCMK8BvbcUkBzNPIjxo7lWO-THpLgXqop0xzqrH6rty6aj3Wg/s2914/_DSC0813-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="2914" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHc2skb4Pl2MFwuerWyHJx8nODYwTWDKWopJTsl_QCKzxYDANWsouGlCdpUSUu8SjGrJXQkzVyCgus13qaH8Ce4Hf4w3t4ceeIenX8husYF_gvj0agaXYEiRFN3ao63swW1HLmdgsrpvCMK8BvbcUkBzNPIjxo7lWO-THpLgXqop0xzqrH6rty6aj3Wg/s320/_DSC0813-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We scaled back on the number of gifts, though, compared to past years. Two of the gifts we gave her was a Dala horse from Sweden and a silver Dala horse necklace. She really liked both gifts.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnh6oqUfYYMEvjCxXWYf_-LdGpY7k-c4lcyB7H-7BzJaHAiyPMKe6UCKIodyrAe5QkFITLZmj-3JzYOnkJ7I-pGb3d4pjioLi5B6kGnTZP9F398cXweiTYKM74IWgyq04-4BIv0clLxXc2H5M80Il8hEa6qx-qDV-uXUtYOhewvGiKlyLf_U4GVvROQ/s2307/_DSC0814-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1345" data-original-width="2307" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnh6oqUfYYMEvjCxXWYf_-LdGpY7k-c4lcyB7H-7BzJaHAiyPMKe6UCKIodyrAe5QkFITLZmj-3JzYOnkJ7I-pGb3d4pjioLi5B6kGnTZP9F398cXweiTYKM74IWgyq04-4BIv0clLxXc2H5M80Il8hEa6qx-qDV-uXUtYOhewvGiKlyLf_U4GVvROQ/s320/_DSC0814-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>During July, we had a Girls & Dolls Tea Party at work. This is one of the dolls in a collection - a Swedish Easter Witch. Girls dress up around Easter as witches and paint their cheeks pink and put a lot of dots on their faces to represent freckles. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXDtwDFH2gVcfjtQ95vTaXm3n91r153QWMxdfZ2yXp-Eyd-SscZeB_ftbPpMAPshwkz_XHgPb8_mtdeucWD_iSAfVyCdrlHIDWWVYbfOo1U8qAvyhDtHNz7rWQ3jgbmC_ci-jxpUNZ8iyP4pPn0a-2zE3Q0WWpvBXDSlwcNRlM1bpYdvH1qV6LdiDxQ/s1919/_DSC0832-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1919" data-original-width="1761" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXDtwDFH2gVcfjtQ95vTaXm3n91r153QWMxdfZ2yXp-Eyd-SscZeB_ftbPpMAPshwkz_XHgPb8_mtdeucWD_iSAfVyCdrlHIDWWVYbfOo1U8qAvyhDtHNz7rWQ3jgbmC_ci-jxpUNZ8iyP4pPn0a-2zE3Q0WWpvBXDSlwcNRlM1bpYdvH1qV6LdiDxQ/s320/_DSC0832-009.JPG" width="294" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Also at work is a collection of Charlotte Weibull dolls. These are two of them wearing the folk outfits from different provinces in Sweden.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgsgWPI8GpW_E1WEfRQBBRAvy9IqGlU2CFFJ4WrCMMNCz4jbS4sTnZgboroIQDlS_O-3LhmgI3a_JmrG6FZoWOtFBbApjKCdShE9cACIrZPtqqaxM1ZBTzj8lOtSDjtYtkQFtM9Of54R7qvUJEXscSP9aA2tjfn9OlLB3iiDCKsAGKr3WS7nb-mkJPA/s1598/_DSC0935-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="1598" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgsgWPI8GpW_E1WEfRQBBRAvy9IqGlU2CFFJ4WrCMMNCz4jbS4sTnZgboroIQDlS_O-3LhmgI3a_JmrG6FZoWOtFBbApjKCdShE9cACIrZPtqqaxM1ZBTzj8lOtSDjtYtkQFtM9Of54R7qvUJEXscSP9aA2tjfn9OlLB3iiDCKsAGKr3WS7nb-mkJPA/s320/_DSC0935-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Olivia entered ten projects in the county fair for her final year in 4-H. She received all blue ribbons and one reserve champion ribbon on the nautilus pictured below. It's a Diamond Dotz painting that turned out beautifully. She paid for the matting and framing which complement it nicely. </div><div><br /></div><div>Although she won a trip to the State Fair with this project, she decided not to go because it would be the same project area (Crafts) and with a similar project that she did last year (also a Diamond Dotz, but with a different image).</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSz0W3Ica5gWTPbq0UQxsmjwgzKVtUDwSRXfOvk0JJG7ZRvWiKwRIejs1-HG-rjAWFWr-_1etPCbqHECr4oWDRuQ35vwv60fkuJO0oGm2D3KT7n02FPVZ3jaCSfK0XfU1hYgTDa1aotmlPnWqFcqWp9coZEuzvqWkNnuVDXn_Do9argNKG1ony7Jb7w/s1791/_DSC0951-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="1791" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSz0W3Ica5gWTPbq0UQxsmjwgzKVtUDwSRXfOvk0JJG7ZRvWiKwRIejs1-HG-rjAWFWr-_1etPCbqHECr4oWDRuQ35vwv60fkuJO0oGm2D3KT7n02FPVZ3jaCSfK0XfU1hYgTDa1aotmlPnWqFcqWp9coZEuzvqWkNnuVDXn_Do9argNKG1ony7Jb7w/s320/_DSC0951-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After the last day of the County Fair, we went to Dairy Queen - our traditional meal. A bittersweet meal knowing this is the last 4-H year and the last County Fair as a 4-H family.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3nHvz6QIZqPLl8xj4LUWmUfRKH0XdzxFEcznuTUfvTBtgz6AvencZb6tifP5V2iMlQrw7dEkb3PYcHdVR8E0sq-C06jLcFdiBMQaz2Hf0xnN7DynOoFvpiQTa0ACQQiEqcRyBDASkzqbou5UI0Ny5D9MJIk1PJqXGuhdzR3vYodRqOUJDDIbXhVopg/s2992/_DSC0965-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3nHvz6QIZqPLl8xj4LUWmUfRKH0XdzxFEcznuTUfvTBtgz6AvencZb6tifP5V2iMlQrw7dEkb3PYcHdVR8E0sq-C06jLcFdiBMQaz2Hf0xnN7DynOoFvpiQTa0ACQQiEqcRyBDASkzqbou5UI0Ny5D9MJIk1PJqXGuhdzR3vYodRqOUJDDIbXhVopg/s320/_DSC0965-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When we came home from the County Fair, the mother deer was hiding behind a tree. She finally came out from behind the tree along with her two fawns. I love knowing that she feels safe here. She and the babies didn't rush away when they saw us. They watched us for a while and then walked off slowly. They know we are not a threat. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAEEvbahwy1_q6rGp_YmGN2Fz34ZWo5GjXrSzSDKLbuIZFDK30ynIbjdlRE3IMlCxjhBYUVXQAtJ3ZKEiQ9iFLhUfhYotdJU9NCwJbGHm_8dO1aPD6shSSzViBwzTGCdm6SNUJDnA_24godX-aex3cNeA6EKhEBXAGr66-1JLuhNlgCM7UZuoCfQ9Tg/s2826/_DSC0986-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1847" data-original-width="2826" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAEEvbahwy1_q6rGp_YmGN2Fz34ZWo5GjXrSzSDKLbuIZFDK30ynIbjdlRE3IMlCxjhBYUVXQAtJ3ZKEiQ9iFLhUfhYotdJU9NCwJbGHm_8dO1aPD6shSSzViBwzTGCdm6SNUJDnA_24godX-aex3cNeA6EKhEBXAGr66-1JLuhNlgCM7UZuoCfQ9Tg/s320/_DSC0986-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My sister went to an art museum in late-July. This is one of the glass pieces in the collection.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0K2sNtxIo77akN_pGeNEB9i5FQTZP5RjO0Qh94hL99bVcTKIcvU2LfeXQ3oiR_P77SOmvdK3AaMZJEFqxKwQy4cbBi11ofQSsY4IajOxVwGQOkP9z_hHALtZWBUckaXrTYoMQ8s9hKo7ZOLmXaHaf7nGp7LxRTPZTbVxZA6XlPkH-u14aj0LdburUg/s2992/_DSC1001-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0K2sNtxIo77akN_pGeNEB9i5FQTZP5RjO0Qh94hL99bVcTKIcvU2LfeXQ3oiR_P77SOmvdK3AaMZJEFqxKwQy4cbBi11ofQSsY4IajOxVwGQOkP9z_hHALtZWBUckaXrTYoMQ8s9hKo7ZOLmXaHaf7nGp7LxRTPZTbVxZA6XlPkH-u14aj0LdburUg/s320/_DSC1001-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This was a two-dimensional painting that looks three-dimensional. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BtAeQ_rNYDMosIV7eSTzyuaZK5BA4-Civmau6eFEZXRxnUcgWauOBreR_ddVw4a0MRAjmg2Uj8M7k_X0a_f-lde1QNYa3tmNPkQ2DLLXisDPxIpUDvzlznbtevYcnUZjSh-wWQvNMfcmdJylgMhZ0zWTRfC_gmZt_OG4YG1RYf4FqapPvKV-tOjSnQ/s1874/_DSC1002-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1874" data-original-width="1853" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BtAeQ_rNYDMosIV7eSTzyuaZK5BA4-Civmau6eFEZXRxnUcgWauOBreR_ddVw4a0MRAjmg2Uj8M7k_X0a_f-lde1QNYa3tmNPkQ2DLLXisDPxIpUDvzlznbtevYcnUZjSh-wWQvNMfcmdJylgMhZ0zWTRfC_gmZt_OG4YG1RYf4FqapPvKV-tOjSnQ/s320/_DSC1002-008.JPG" width="316" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I liked this glass and metal piece. The shades of blue were beautiful.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxIBCsI__ra10Y3Q8_SeC7mTqFz_4-HgyHBA4r3Y8fwydJaqeqFRr_WprNjGlrNRoKTJjyKMHXHYtkWta8B6ZY_kj-OEwzv2V8dYng76M3OLzUtu7U_ymEpXuLokhSK4Nm0AJ60uPdrm7p0nZmTzg4LotnDNm9jUJF0s2t3dpNhM4VYkJaMtnG6NJJA/s2992/_DSC1008-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxIBCsI__ra10Y3Q8_SeC7mTqFz_4-HgyHBA4r3Y8fwydJaqeqFRr_WprNjGlrNRoKTJjyKMHXHYtkWta8B6ZY_kj-OEwzv2V8dYng76M3OLzUtu7U_ymEpXuLokhSK4Nm0AJ60uPdrm7p0nZmTzg4LotnDNm9jUJF0s2t3dpNhM4VYkJaMtnG6NJJA/s320/_DSC1008-005.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is a glass and cement piece. The inner part is cement and outer part is glass.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhQZx-9no0-4gz5IQUWLIeBsAPPZOVX0p2dV6KI8mMhSP_WW7aadd7mgrTge_nDX3K5ZrgT3KP5Q2X7pYGxBkPbJrvnnZpNNXRrQ_1VP8NXV1zuojvLX0P7oF5rflgZJlzLBcZeN2j86ETea0EtCftXdPpAuKqIAa_we9IBtpX8G0-qtRjtG1wdwHSw/s2113/_DSC1009-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2113" data-original-width="1868" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhQZx-9no0-4gz5IQUWLIeBsAPPZOVX0p2dV6KI8mMhSP_WW7aadd7mgrTge_nDX3K5ZrgT3KP5Q2X7pYGxBkPbJrvnnZpNNXRrQ_1VP8NXV1zuojvLX0P7oF5rflgZJlzLBcZeN2j86ETea0EtCftXdPpAuKqIAa_we9IBtpX8G0-qtRjtG1wdwHSw/s320/_DSC1009-005.JPG" width="283" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This glass piece I thought was a tube - like the kind that were outside of the Minnesota Orchestra building decades ago. It isn't. It's a solid piece with a light color of glass in the middle. It is probably about three inches wide from the front to the back. Every few steps I took past this piece, it would have a different look to it. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Mj5di5ho4qyOWDVfRjDKNfYoE1t5MUyS5vWif8-7fZM6b6PK8ratNalnUKLC8kJ87JnQhWYs08FLnoDmy8P6ZHL7z0qixpON1OJOxEJx95L4yh15asF0W0BzqwBW7syO2v5P0IlkSvLkK7YBoqafVTX72HndRzLV5K4g_wCxxJGdk-Qu7v2-YcZO3A/s2463/_DSC1012-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2463" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Mj5di5ho4qyOWDVfRjDKNfYoE1t5MUyS5vWif8-7fZM6b6PK8ratNalnUKLC8kJ87JnQhWYs08FLnoDmy8P6ZHL7z0qixpON1OJOxEJx95L4yh15asF0W0BzqwBW7syO2v5P0IlkSvLkK7YBoqafVTX72HndRzLV5K4g_wCxxJGdk-Qu7v2-YcZO3A/s320/_DSC1012-005.JPG" width="248" /></a></div><div><br /></div>These pairs look like regular-size pears, but they're not. They are about three feet tall. The subtle color on the side is from sprinkling powdered glass on the sculpture. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kAQo_ZoU0rYKskHjxA4CGd94S35eVXJgPdc-zVVuDDxWCWhiWB14lKcX3wbsB1X6cmE-tfKhpQLJ2nmB8GrLr-leel8n1E3mhqNZD28mKIq5pxxJC_aIQ4jijF6AcK5iMJN6rzsubrtA_2YHhPWz3yFF7QfqjGt7OZWZuqMWo5yzvQFSmXL0ueLhPA/s2418/_DSC1022-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2418" data-original-width="1751" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kAQo_ZoU0rYKskHjxA4CGd94S35eVXJgPdc-zVVuDDxWCWhiWB14lKcX3wbsB1X6cmE-tfKhpQLJ2nmB8GrLr-leel8n1E3mhqNZD28mKIq5pxxJC_aIQ4jijF6AcK5iMJN6rzsubrtA_2YHhPWz3yFF7QfqjGt7OZWZuqMWo5yzvQFSmXL0ueLhPA/s320/_DSC1022-004.JPG" width="232" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At work, we have ten bluebird houses. This nest was placed well because it attracted two bluebird families. So we had ten bluebirds born this year! </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S1PABg5w_sRUWrn69J3WhGwFO5LmgfnTH6kGBdHUJBQ4UGOvQmQMfZ6b4CtT7f7u03Mvh_7NiRHSCLt2rLALg-yzzfO84tbM7w-CSLpK07IjcNB9GHJF7bGM8UTtcYHXx8Z01l2SbaV4ngiq6H3Jtv8BLUHPhg_JdbMJb58TAbMDkxztbrctyUgqYw/s1920/Bluebird%20Trail%20-%20July%2018%202023%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S1PABg5w_sRUWrn69J3WhGwFO5LmgfnTH6kGBdHUJBQ4UGOvQmQMfZ6b4CtT7f7u03Mvh_7NiRHSCLt2rLALg-yzzfO84tbM7w-CSLpK07IjcNB9GHJF7bGM8UTtcYHXx8Z01l2SbaV4ngiq6H3Jtv8BLUHPhg_JdbMJb58TAbMDkxztbrctyUgqYw/s320/Bluebird%20Trail%20-%20July%2018%202023%205.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Here are some baby bluebirds later in the month. They fledged by the end of the month.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN-gGRkU9BR8BUU2VlhOp-igA2TaA6cp75HX1x8d5qFelNAbilFuPt7n0avVPZLBbUveVzJdNwwlPPD_cuSyeP3aIm0KJz_tgKJ3VkWcvIF4ISCCU8LY157ZI9DaEmL6jJoFMNANmciN6BP-zYBW2YYAY91Q01yiNd-ueAzqXbHLTMav7Ne--YDda8Q/s1920/Bluebird%20Trail%20-%20July%2018%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN-gGRkU9BR8BUU2VlhOp-igA2TaA6cp75HX1x8d5qFelNAbilFuPt7n0avVPZLBbUveVzJdNwwlPPD_cuSyeP3aIm0KJz_tgKJ3VkWcvIF4ISCCU8LY157ZI9DaEmL6jJoFMNANmciN6BP-zYBW2YYAY91Q01yiNd-ueAzqXbHLTMav7Ne--YDda8Q/s320/Bluebird%20Trail%20-%20July%2018%202023.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>One of the projects I'm especially pleased with at work was creating four sensory kits and a box of fidgets for people with autism and sensory issues. These are all the items we purchased.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mx0pilllRyQodhQlhfjms1GlYsgSenlxUbDLD9xPf3inQF-MK6uf7WVG5ijFnmNUsYIxnQ045qQAbz50JNhlKvGHAPhp-wNSLFYF8FUx2nqrdzQMl_M1Dg46qbr28tCPFcWzyEwzyDI_GW0UaS7GEsJ1eMWPjyNEiYvHLWNMCwIlwm4rIolcv3KqfA/s640/Sensory%20Kit%20-%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mx0pilllRyQodhQlhfjms1GlYsgSenlxUbDLD9xPf3inQF-MK6uf7WVG5ijFnmNUsYIxnQ045qQAbz50JNhlKvGHAPhp-wNSLFYF8FUx2nqrdzQMl_M1Dg46qbr28tCPFcWzyEwzyDI_GW0UaS7GEsJ1eMWPjyNEiYvHLWNMCwIlwm4rIolcv3KqfA/s320/Sensory%20Kit%20-%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is an example of a sensory kit that someone can check out from the museum while they are visiting. They bring it back when they are ready to go home. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmtqkcCVxamkSV-pSIwO84QbD4b4H2SpeHmOyHSt2sGm9jdAPlsaBfE6d5JB-z3yRmQKWYexgMjmkvxAN1UoVUbG_PPQsCDPT8To_ccCSJhxPvNUjOnBLdcdlac1xsdwI-oFufwg1ll2hNsSsGSbZ8J3UZM2D3YnZhwBjgW-GvZg9y8hesSWxFwkkJQ/s640/thumbnail_IMG_3590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmtqkcCVxamkSV-pSIwO84QbD4b4H2SpeHmOyHSt2sGm9jdAPlsaBfE6d5JB-z3yRmQKWYexgMjmkvxAN1UoVUbG_PPQsCDPT8To_ccCSJhxPvNUjOnBLdcdlac1xsdwI-oFufwg1ll2hNsSsGSbZ8J3UZM2D3YnZhwBjgW-GvZg9y8hesSWxFwkkJQ/s320/thumbnail_IMG_3590.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>That wraps up July. I'm hoping that as the summer winds down that there will be more balance between family/home and work. Right now, it's out of balance which is challenging. <br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-49823797996356515612023-07-09T11:12:00.005-05:002023-07-09T11:12:26.540-05:00My Favorite Photos - June 2023<p>Many of my favorite photos are of flowers that I took in June. Since I already did a <a href="https://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com/2023/06/early-summer-flowers-at-farm.html" target="_blank">post about the flowers</a>, I will not be including them in this one. </p><p>One of the projects I started at Gammelgården Museum is a new bluebird trail. There are two volunteers who are monitoring the ten nest boxes. Within a few weeks of installing the boxes, we had our first brood of bluebirds! Since that time, all five sucessfully fledged and now there's another brood in the box.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNE0h1cmwUTMxCAtbnWIGQ-IJiw8OqiCv4OLv02bnnfe6GZXLRr2xJxLyDF3pAp0PztO1tOgq0NLsMJGdFB22xEK9v7wFVqRwhx77pctvIn9n6OmYyWz9tHR2FEdKq8xJKtzkUBpFss9FHZE7sMj3-O1GnRWmoE69pkkvhFuIvNHjtkotXiW4_T0a6Q/s2992/_DSC0894-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNE0h1cmwUTMxCAtbnWIGQ-IJiw8OqiCv4OLv02bnnfe6GZXLRr2xJxLyDF3pAp0PztO1tOgq0NLsMJGdFB22xEK9v7wFVqRwhx77pctvIn9n6OmYyWz9tHR2FEdKq8xJKtzkUBpFss9FHZE7sMj3-O1GnRWmoE69pkkvhFuIvNHjtkotXiW4_T0a6Q/s320/_DSC0894-009.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In one of the boxes, there are tree sparrows. What a contrast to the bluebird nest with all the feathers.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp0R0CWXz02N9nvNv_RPZOZtrJ85hwMChXyIHzYW5rvCyUDktRgikaxVFsVE_yijOsPp_koKT_vgPuRYLGZYB0d-xrRda7-6gTY8_bGOrbhAdVZ9oHgiiMtA-6aP5GpJ7Y-cct7M3nl0OiKFCc_8rpkTrpNBeR8Nfm414lXx0whRrAdk9vPvfUH2ckQ/s2992/_DSC0898-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp0R0CWXz02N9nvNv_RPZOZtrJ85hwMChXyIHzYW5rvCyUDktRgikaxVFsVE_yijOsPp_koKT_vgPuRYLGZYB0d-xrRda7-6gTY8_bGOrbhAdVZ9oHgiiMtA-6aP5GpJ7Y-cct7M3nl0OiKFCc_8rpkTrpNBeR8Nfm414lXx0whRrAdk9vPvfUH2ckQ/s320/_DSC0898-009.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Saw this little frog relaxing in the shade.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JKJoHWfT0Nf6L5qyOZpnPj0Oy7N4PLdoBAaFiyqXOIYlm3vdwMybTY3X4iLBOrP4A7azzXVejKOU8Z16KTf_Ha7KIApkXFRM6uPRHR5Mu_xobkdn22rzxeS3aqMvLyr9HiYpdqB2Vh_A0GEaTO4i6a38c8uLbunnEWMGywNqkUpIe8Cq9F5YF7aj-w/s1147/_DSC0945-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="1147" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JKJoHWfT0Nf6L5qyOZpnPj0Oy7N4PLdoBAaFiyqXOIYlm3vdwMybTY3X4iLBOrP4A7azzXVejKOU8Z16KTf_Ha7KIApkXFRM6uPRHR5Mu_xobkdn22rzxeS3aqMvLyr9HiYpdqB2Vh_A0GEaTO4i6a38c8uLbunnEWMGywNqkUpIe8Cq9F5YF7aj-w/s320/_DSC0945-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The bumblebees are around visiting the flowers. Look at how much pollen this one collected. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7c3__cSwdE8T21H9ukpVapiiVYK7VGegGALmRWdc4A0JuxgafJ2n3K-OhaRSiebwixtcrgqWF5bM8KajpZnOJYZPBxqtaoTvaWFdwCe6Kd-cPv9TJiOs4wM886kq4F2oU4YhzGhFEqCDRyiX6soEwJFwMDAFRfgOf2-jvek8bpre-MizTEeJF2fc6aQ/s1306/_DSC1007-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1306" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7c3__cSwdE8T21H9ukpVapiiVYK7VGegGALmRWdc4A0JuxgafJ2n3K-OhaRSiebwixtcrgqWF5bM8KajpZnOJYZPBxqtaoTvaWFdwCe6Kd-cPv9TJiOs4wM886kq4F2oU4YhzGhFEqCDRyiX6soEwJFwMDAFRfgOf2-jvek8bpre-MizTEeJF2fc6aQ/s320/_DSC1007-004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In our backyard, we had a nest box with black-capped chickadees. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXt6wle3IFgeiZm_x1LXLa0ARCSRd4KoeDKtsic9XUVKcu7wSaDR0bC5HGXpXy5kMe2naetlwT3zLN7msUdjNeSnvxxIQiMwShBwq3Y698gYbG6H09QQd7WiClktDzuG-4Mw3gur6RTquluKvQeKUpuLsmUknsx1PugXATw9WuJcVZVU_076kvbXV-g/s2175/_DSC1019-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="2175" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXt6wle3IFgeiZm_x1LXLa0ARCSRd4KoeDKtsic9XUVKcu7wSaDR0bC5HGXpXy5kMe2naetlwT3zLN7msUdjNeSnvxxIQiMwShBwq3Y698gYbG6H09QQd7WiClktDzuG-4Mw3gur6RTquluKvQeKUpuLsmUknsx1PugXATw9WuJcVZVU_076kvbXV-g/s320/_DSC1019-004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The girls are home from college now. Olivia accompanied me to work one day and had the opportunity to learn how to use the weaving loom at the museum. Parts of it were built in 1879 in Sweden and then brought to the United States where it was completed by a new bride and her husband. It was used by her until the mid-60s and then by another woman until 1999. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaT57yv76FbFTZDdGxGB7TTfK4Qor2-P5NcAvySzzUUl4XMl9I8WDeIRnXewuNxF9i4JlXdhq1jsWKsmieLYiU-nHi75Sjc7dW5I7GiPOQx-2dJbXTLe3gJO_YKQmZyzvY1TFM4fMQkliQiE8RMRtU8D3T_p_ZIchZaFBXOCU4ctO4eMbyuK0LkyR7A/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20Weaving%20Loom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaT57yv76FbFTZDdGxGB7TTfK4Qor2-P5NcAvySzzUUl4XMl9I8WDeIRnXewuNxF9i4JlXdhq1jsWKsmieLYiU-nHi75Sjc7dW5I7GiPOQx-2dJbXTLe3gJO_YKQmZyzvY1TFM4fMQkliQiE8RMRtU8D3T_p_ZIchZaFBXOCU4ctO4eMbyuK0LkyR7A/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20Weaving%20Loom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>We have had several deer families at our home. This is the first one we saw. The mother came to our front door one day and set off the Ring doorbell. Nearby was her little fawn. This is a view on another day of the two in the front yard.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIeSo_9pGJ2Ew8ZdPCJgKpsi76fTeOQm12gFxcnuH9QmV2MFW-O7DDmLPM5vPCqy8DWxt1FOMc3FJ98kExB4eDqbhDGIQWF_gRZNFxMI5ZWgnBsxLA5MeMBeABy92pPHff-Hi48-nI9ocLiAPNg2eaHqWVAyEoJ61HBnltNRdjj57xyp89NQ05UjPXQ/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20fawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIeSo_9pGJ2Ew8ZdPCJgKpsi76fTeOQm12gFxcnuH9QmV2MFW-O7DDmLPM5vPCqy8DWxt1FOMc3FJ98kExB4eDqbhDGIQWF_gRZNFxMI5ZWgnBsxLA5MeMBeABy92pPHff-Hi48-nI9ocLiAPNg2eaHqWVAyEoJ61HBnltNRdjj57xyp89NQ05UjPXQ/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20fawn.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the mother. She's giving her fawn a tour of all the plants to eat. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvsqulu3lqM639bLZdgSPiN4YqU61t9ai98qHIsSUivIrGlF5HNDDmMVOWFx8y_iUs2lS-dd40CE_6Lh_MRUSQG6PCspcHJrVdQKiN69-g82BRvSrsElqElRb8sGLQiIBnOXSIa87VpJXxYKYVcRuKjsL4GBnRs9Ho_JoFrVsTAfvkPefK5ly-1cYfQ/s6000/_DSC0012.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvsqulu3lqM639bLZdgSPiN4YqU61t9ai98qHIsSUivIrGlF5HNDDmMVOWFx8y_iUs2lS-dd40CE_6Lh_MRUSQG6PCspcHJrVdQKiN69-g82BRvSrsElqElRb8sGLQiIBnOXSIa87VpJXxYKYVcRuKjsL4GBnRs9Ho_JoFrVsTAfvkPefK5ly-1cYfQ/s320/_DSC0012.NEF" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The 6th graders had their class play. It was nice to see the students who I worked with in different roles and challenging themselves to do something out of their comfort zone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneaJ-eEbDSmi0LZZpFKH2IKmfHVf3ydv0yswoeI2PanbvQa_kPy5V8fnI_O_HMjWudAYQZgOp8FPt8pL1dU_gGF9fYAIXPL-dHgGknR3AeAge39CG4iRR3jhkn56t9ns1ydlzeaQtihVQ0z7moop9a6TdNV7fsidwC1eJeBpBX-M6Moyry7toVc-dcw/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%206th%20grade%20play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneaJ-eEbDSmi0LZZpFKH2IKmfHVf3ydv0yswoeI2PanbvQa_kPy5V8fnI_O_HMjWudAYQZgOp8FPt8pL1dU_gGF9fYAIXPL-dHgGknR3AeAge39CG4iRR3jhkn56t9ns1ydlzeaQtihVQ0z7moop9a6TdNV7fsidwC1eJeBpBX-M6Moyry7toVc-dcw/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%206th%20grade%20play.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We celebrated Father's Day with dinner at home. The girls surprised Paige the night before with getting a hotel room in Downtown Minneapolis, having dinner, and then the next day (Father's Day) going bowling at a place they haven't been to before. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGsOum8w6YgfjiOwMVRg06nO7CBZYqRTpApEPDEOdRq17ugwoz0wft5Rfohelv6eBtac71Yd3hwTS3UB_E5o70EzKhl3NEDkb65SckFT-cR6C0TwWLIema4Jjauu7P8AbR34hjH27SdxIk1hOQVG1sDsHzpB5iLIDywhAimeqfL2anRQO4qUUVMFqQw/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20father's%20day%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGsOum8w6YgfjiOwMVRg06nO7CBZYqRTpApEPDEOdRq17ugwoz0wft5Rfohelv6eBtac71Yd3hwTS3UB_E5o70EzKhl3NEDkb65SckFT-cR6C0TwWLIema4Jjauu7P8AbR34hjH27SdxIk1hOQVG1sDsHzpB5iLIDywhAimeqfL2anRQO4qUUVMFqQw/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20father's%20day%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The smoke from wildfires has been very thick here. This is what the sunrise looked like one morning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgr1f5YXLrwYHCIIjaw3cnW1yeNOJAX0n0DrP_b1I491kd8uHurUuFZ6ObZTnQ-4Zsg5JfTAywLG240VqSsdCvSnwPXGXtInMkr4t5LaXKO59apeGRKS2HaS6GxOYOro4GGJf2lWUSERoo4obYNujdYni-0lv8j-3isRqOP5OqR56pTu9mQ-LM4NZmzA/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20fog%20and%20sunrise%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgr1f5YXLrwYHCIIjaw3cnW1yeNOJAX0n0DrP_b1I491kd8uHurUuFZ6ObZTnQ-4Zsg5JfTAywLG240VqSsdCvSnwPXGXtInMkr4t5LaXKO59apeGRKS2HaS6GxOYOro4GGJf2lWUSERoo4obYNujdYni-0lv8j-3isRqOP5OqR56pTu9mQ-LM4NZmzA/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20fog%20and%20sunrise%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On another morning, it was clear when I took the dogs for a walk. The farmer of this field had the hay rounds all baled and ready for transport.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidayeBSV2PSoWutwGDbDu66hZE_6trfF4RMF5CcSK11Bi4aFwXHEVNbeP4aGH0GyU-Bln8sxZHyiFCXUURIPA7bgUgz1R3GVHOrKv4ixuAXyCtldS_hc9kYKqXhzG8oHNbL-H9a1Je1ZgegkZWt-OeTVZSmGiTn861MjkuRHaiquS_KTgg31pRYmQenw/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20hay%20bales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidayeBSV2PSoWutwGDbDu66hZE_6trfF4RMF5CcSK11Bi4aFwXHEVNbeP4aGH0GyU-Bln8sxZHyiFCXUURIPA7bgUgz1R3GVHOrKv4ixuAXyCtldS_hc9kYKqXhzG8oHNbL-H9a1Je1ZgegkZWt-OeTVZSmGiTn861MjkuRHaiquS_KTgg31pRYmQenw/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20hay%20bales.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One day, Sophia and I took all the dogs for a walk. Since Father's Day, I've been walking the younger and bigger two dogs early in the morning since it gets so hot and humid by mid-morning.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06OzdR7JZ9AD2d9PvJoROJ8YS2bXEp41FwM_cdOYgy8AbmK9owREREJzIl8fQaof9qBN-6mVzxTAVA33BecBvPFEeYbOEBKJMVYo40mdJFY776ym5u7_Z0b9NQGjhioZItkLUA_XpqYkrXpjkzKXLnz3wJ-BeCPpSSKfJknyhZi1B6EW0Es3G09iKvA/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20walk%20all%20the%20dogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="640" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06OzdR7JZ9AD2d9PvJoROJ8YS2bXEp41FwM_cdOYgy8AbmK9owREREJzIl8fQaof9qBN-6mVzxTAVA33BecBvPFEeYbOEBKJMVYo40mdJFY776ym5u7_Z0b9NQGjhioZItkLUA_XpqYkrXpjkzKXLnz3wJ-BeCPpSSKfJknyhZi1B6EW0Es3G09iKvA/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20walk%20all%20the%20dogs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the beginning of June, the 6th grade class at the elementary school where I worked had their last day and graduation ceremony at Gammelgården. Two of the students wanted to take a walk with me to the pond. We saw this female redwing blackbird in the reeds.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUvltl33UdZUtGIzYMPTRC1bVVFSta1H0RhKuAiu6QYNiRU2NTqxsFxI5dLO6oDpd97bNrSzeBmEiqMekI1nspgPPlbDgH9xGJWMP6I6DAUDBiClpi1rOIT0ZLSzCbOjz52e2q70qNc35RbJ-IFo6Nm-XhTN3KkS4Tdrt-PpD8TyKa-qlWP_uX6B3EA/s757/_DSC1025-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="549" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUvltl33UdZUtGIzYMPTRC1bVVFSta1H0RhKuAiu6QYNiRU2NTqxsFxI5dLO6oDpd97bNrSzeBmEiqMekI1nspgPPlbDgH9xGJWMP6I6DAUDBiClpi1rOIT0ZLSzCbOjz52e2q70qNc35RbJ-IFo6Nm-XhTN3KkS4Tdrt-PpD8TyKa-qlWP_uX6B3EA/s320/_DSC1025-003.JPG" width="232" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The students stopped on the bridge and we watched the birds and other pond life for a while.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6SqWyoFCS_ZLJUV0iB72at9N3D3L112MPjrm9zCvCOX4ZV6aWBnsM0sb0a_BHDN3nSHUhka782xDqhBgu_myUuymA7I7ZKbSTPij_99clRX2_DPO48t18U7Msyrf5Kw0zRzEgScpzTpT6yUTNSELT5hHVqLV6twe-J4cGlT3H06Al5TAjCvUDA-KQg/s2992/_DSC1026-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6SqWyoFCS_ZLJUV0iB72at9N3D3L112MPjrm9zCvCOX4ZV6aWBnsM0sb0a_BHDN3nSHUhka782xDqhBgu_myUuymA7I7ZKbSTPij_99clRX2_DPO48t18U7Msyrf5Kw0zRzEgScpzTpT6yUTNSELT5hHVqLV6twe-J4cGlT3H06Al5TAjCvUDA-KQg/s320/_DSC1026-003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There was cake afterward the DARE ceremony and 6th grade ceremony. This student made me laugh. He chose not to use a fork and dove right into eating the cake. Later he came back - slightly panicked - when I showed him all the cake on his face. It took lots of paper towels to get the frosting off his face. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFapg0U3OSvysnxGrIDdQf2ubFLM-oUxZx0fUIo3SkFlKi82eLNZjr4fCNNXi2zdVJGl6sYf2Acxp6tSXWMldGfPfILMvgYWVHadJa3ZXZXO1UIdvZiRhZA2b6uNDFuyA3wYyWWfFrJP_OARVn0ZUri6jQhhu968IkA9pILSFxtpc8xz_unQdhCtKlw/s2453/_DSC1045-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2453" data-original-width="1457" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFapg0U3OSvysnxGrIDdQf2ubFLM-oUxZx0fUIo3SkFlKi82eLNZjr4fCNNXi2zdVJGl6sYf2Acxp6tSXWMldGfPfILMvgYWVHadJa3ZXZXO1UIdvZiRhZA2b6uNDFuyA3wYyWWfFrJP_OARVn0ZUri6jQhhu968IkA9pILSFxtpc8xz_unQdhCtKlw/s320/_DSC1045-002.JPG" width="190" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The trees at our home are getting taller each year. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrE6E9Au1SRkAAQCC3nLwOLicTw-xTz7-R6GE0Rm-UxPZH3fdLkeZkNwl6vnQ7KoR45jTn3mF1BMaLMAE_tGN1PQkhcUR_cHqWgafAXVK40zMjVWkrf-YlIgTRlnKfKtG11xtKR0nyV7oeWMWbQywy6Yytjug5-4PVlypxKjGK4O0YJ225PQtOXz5xDQ/s2992/_DSC1094-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrE6E9Au1SRkAAQCC3nLwOLicTw-xTz7-R6GE0Rm-UxPZH3fdLkeZkNwl6vnQ7KoR45jTn3mF1BMaLMAE_tGN1PQkhcUR_cHqWgafAXVK40zMjVWkrf-YlIgTRlnKfKtG11xtKR0nyV7oeWMWbQywy6Yytjug5-4PVlypxKjGK4O0YJ225PQtOXz5xDQ/s320/_DSC1094-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the house from the driveway. The peony bed is to the right. The peonies were here when we moved to the home in 1995.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LybxuNubhRk5qYSU64B9Qr5wHQwGUXQ4rycdi5K9K2HW74TqDRx6DEiD1oQVmvOvX5E1Qup40vHXt-Ok4uURFnGFUsW4qCj24i_YfZncDU4yb3K5im4RjRoHiJNwqkHfuXxnzFbJW-koY0t_MBBY43B1nu3vF5ggu_O0dQSsqt8hE2qLIgXqqAPduQ/s2992/_DSC1095-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LybxuNubhRk5qYSU64B9Qr5wHQwGUXQ4rycdi5K9K2HW74TqDRx6DEiD1oQVmvOvX5E1Qup40vHXt-Ok4uURFnGFUsW4qCj24i_YfZncDU4yb3K5im4RjRoHiJNwqkHfuXxnzFbJW-koY0t_MBBY43B1nu3vF5ggu_O0dQSsqt8hE2qLIgXqqAPduQ/s320/_DSC1095-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is a view of the pasture. Most of the pond has dried up now because of the hot weather and lack of rain. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMXR6ZYPpl2kT0hB_BCusdxBWV8LlJdaG1edze4WlFtAZoNeh0XT4MEWJ5QB2_qxrX8JRWy81_G7l6xGvQS493Go16C2edsHaKcSeukdTHz1oB678oEJpSg4SGRExrPojndKUq78o-cfmMf6RM9PXfAM6zHwglilxyPbdw8bEh3d7z1najWRAnaTDBQ/s2992/_DSC1102-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMXR6ZYPpl2kT0hB_BCusdxBWV8LlJdaG1edze4WlFtAZoNeh0XT4MEWJ5QB2_qxrX8JRWy81_G7l6xGvQS493Go16C2edsHaKcSeukdTHz1oB678oEJpSg4SGRExrPojndKUq78o-cfmMf6RM9PXfAM6zHwglilxyPbdw8bEh3d7z1najWRAnaTDBQ/s320/_DSC1102-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In early June at work, a children's choir that sings Swedish songs and wears traditional Swedish folk outfits came to the museum. These two were the youngest ones in the choir.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9CjTPSx8RnXz9POvJ5WmdE2_m3kSLmBTuDAyKuDMqiysSWxoFeuEgCxFKcUU4SxjksjJcNPUPXGeWImwJ_HbzhxBTScSkD5QTy1X6EZkrZoMyuqdq5p2YjK2shUuawvMhJyoAIGQq8gFPaIQRKWk2Y35Du1UqWNmUSJDTZrbCAcfJT0MYgVC6-lhpg/s2032/_DSC1112-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2032" data-original-width="1325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9CjTPSx8RnXz9POvJ5WmdE2_m3kSLmBTuDAyKuDMqiysSWxoFeuEgCxFKcUU4SxjksjJcNPUPXGeWImwJ_HbzhxBTScSkD5QTy1X6EZkrZoMyuqdq5p2YjK2shUuawvMhJyoAIGQq8gFPaIQRKWk2Y35Du1UqWNmUSJDTZrbCAcfJT0MYgVC6-lhpg/s320/_DSC1112-001.JPG" width="209" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the full group - children and adults - including the musicians. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSpFQiFGw4xAdQW6PUUPI5qgdjHFiL5pnzU2hzaddITyFkHQeOmoEE9-rdKmU58oh5vJyq-GUtnJahq16WQSTGn3lfpVCNZ041nTpCWVe9VXtBoR4z4inYJyYAwZB-PLs5Eq710gpB3I8mvRIhmMG3w0y5B7AoKafYqohSVqeTabSggbeh_zqsw4Shg/s2826/_DSC1117-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1773" data-original-width="2826" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSpFQiFGw4xAdQW6PUUPI5qgdjHFiL5pnzU2hzaddITyFkHQeOmoEE9-rdKmU58oh5vJyq-GUtnJahq16WQSTGn3lfpVCNZ041nTpCWVe9VXtBoR4z4inYJyYAwZB-PLs5Eq710gpB3I8mvRIhmMG3w0y5B7AoKafYqohSVqeTabSggbeh_zqsw4Shg/s320/_DSC1117-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>One of the folk dresses hung in the hallway at the museum while the group had lunch.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxolfQYjLA1iHRzm5P7LQ6M5jCAtNBbpdtxWrWJvKKo1E2WeHQ4kZIh-YOCjjO5IcvDHYgyECDWaWrY2IJSDYVafdgpTq1Vo5i5bG0A4ZiA1sypYgFonBEoWwhJFQ2Xd-H3MYSbJr21U78vamszi7_NKq_voOQKKg6_EJTvvXZCtXP0Up0bygFH3iaw/s2865/_DSC1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2865" data-original-width="1417" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxolfQYjLA1iHRzm5P7LQ6M5jCAtNBbpdtxWrWJvKKo1E2WeHQ4kZIh-YOCjjO5IcvDHYgyECDWaWrY2IJSDYVafdgpTq1Vo5i5bG0A4ZiA1sypYgFonBEoWwhJFQ2Xd-H3MYSbJr21U78vamszi7_NKq_voOQKKg6_EJTvvXZCtXP0Up0bygFH3iaw/s320/_DSC1144.JPG" width="158" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been enjoying the sunrises when the dogs I go on walks around 5:30-6:45 a.m.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0buwfnxJ6CLMvKju9dkjsp01mOdJUPciHdeMFXew6ViftXX8P14kviK2XLWcWCzZ1IpoqNKNu84CpRTg6CbOeUQUnD0IeYDPTkGIU9EhMPJxIllnQiCbgbb5Q_yWilcyPYpdIll8_ANlcLkwEL-fZPH8UB23Qhwr6KCP4NtmPmm3o2p39TfylvURtQ/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20sunrise%20wildfires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0buwfnxJ6CLMvKju9dkjsp01mOdJUPciHdeMFXew6ViftXX8P14kviK2XLWcWCzZ1IpoqNKNu84CpRTg6CbOeUQUnD0IeYDPTkGIU9EhMPJxIllnQiCbgbb5Q_yWilcyPYpdIll8_ANlcLkwEL-fZPH8UB23Qhwr6KCP4NtmPmm3o2p39TfylvURtQ/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20sunrise%20wildfires.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In the middle of the month, we hosted Dalapalooza. One of the activities was painting cookies. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWUqq2dTL9e689EEh26v_-5W7icdrt_if4wRlEGyhiid4nPZWFcw-mLPA0fC3IDzW3fTar5bbI80n7zM0w_oNxhFOJjtgCHG98iWd46VZqz2ozjWczkQTGERDPfzdT0E2vD-2uVuGN_EQpCbwUWV_HBIioga4AQMWipnER_UXMEXL6azhLeh_fBOd2w/s2015/_DSC0041-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2015" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWUqq2dTL9e689EEh26v_-5W7icdrt_if4wRlEGyhiid4nPZWFcw-mLPA0fC3IDzW3fTar5bbI80n7zM0w_oNxhFOJjtgCHG98iWd46VZqz2ozjWczkQTGERDPfzdT0E2vD-2uVuGN_EQpCbwUWV_HBIioga4AQMWipnER_UXMEXL6azhLeh_fBOd2w/s320/_DSC0041-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />The participants also painted wooden Dala horses. These are some that had received two coats of paint and were drying outside during lunch.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgVrP8IWdVtVQE756F7GTXL5sfIZ7t3KOYFRGBSK31x3msooH7KydoFumkiuvBRE8qm7Zy9cM07dLPw57LZx8MGU_-03Rc4bEsOYj1zmXaqqKd6fmujAcJAnljnDiZSUXfFiuLVnBqWxit_7e-m_9URD6v6HjGpqNkgjQ-ah2vJVa0LxOC9kd76-kKw/s2049/_DSC0054-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="2049" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgVrP8IWdVtVQE756F7GTXL5sfIZ7t3KOYFRGBSK31x3msooH7KydoFumkiuvBRE8qm7Zy9cM07dLPw57LZx8MGU_-03Rc4bEsOYj1zmXaqqKd6fmujAcJAnljnDiZSUXfFiuLVnBqWxit_7e-m_9URD6v6HjGpqNkgjQ-ah2vJVa0LxOC9kd76-kKw/s320/_DSC0054-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>These were six of the 16 Dala horses that were made by children and adults.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLWbLKTTuOt-WWQ7eSIlXJpuwsVmkv_u78ycMAUrhpyVHv_lmSdua2ys3XvC1zgeBc9UhKcrfoT3TB4ui1ml3PYdQt7dWyMlq28VC9H6TCeiA7Stg3WiXTnIDMGA_GwCp4m1yiXYZED385T1P5mRmbfTrG__dXmz5-y6k_44ENVpvO64m7gl-UDWuGA/s2273/_DSC0087-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="2273" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLWbLKTTuOt-WWQ7eSIlXJpuwsVmkv_u78ycMAUrhpyVHv_lmSdua2ys3XvC1zgeBc9UhKcrfoT3TB4ui1ml3PYdQt7dWyMlq28VC9H6TCeiA7Stg3WiXTnIDMGA_GwCp4m1yiXYZED385T1P5mRmbfTrG__dXmz5-y6k_44ENVpvO64m7gl-UDWuGA/s320/_DSC0087-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Sophia and I went to Duluth on a Tuesday that I had off of work so she could take her driver's test. We stopped at Tobie's - the midway point between where we live and Duluth. This is a place where my parents stopped when they took the family up north. So, it is full of memories. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV11356swMmZKcMtpbNjxg4aetfxR5OG5MyysacMu8ChD2JTYOtVPXFSjblpksKCMZtUrle3KLNyOdMdbRGk6QLYtNVEkUq2fPrC1IjnZPSuXYUNiwziClNlVNJA9TFI_3Nj0v6LsSGrumnm-EXLXdm-I9bHz304uEWuxoGMbde6n7gx2Lth0lnl7s4Q/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20tobies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV11356swMmZKcMtpbNjxg4aetfxR5OG5MyysacMu8ChD2JTYOtVPXFSjblpksKCMZtUrle3KLNyOdMdbRGk6QLYtNVEkUq2fPrC1IjnZPSuXYUNiwziClNlVNJA9TFI_3Nj0v6LsSGrumnm-EXLXdm-I9bHz304uEWuxoGMbde6n7gx2Lth0lnl7s4Q/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20tobies.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Sophia passed her driver's test (and needless to say was THRILLED!). We celebrated with lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant. It was really good! </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcNoTXv0sZV97W5HdtjeG2ZgAARgSfqV0QmaA2_zhFMpmSSOHvnBY5QoxAe3QO3rCKS_ccKP5QTnnEoHJMmgE3O2VmF91pc9odcTX7fBBUZVouDc8ZT7zXc1JO95U49r293fT9SAoJBtmSUT-O1z9Fw7fym0Cycgxi3e0vC1j0RjrEJnOSsO-UZ2z2w/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20vietnamese%20restaurant%20in%20duluth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcNoTXv0sZV97W5HdtjeG2ZgAARgSfqV0QmaA2_zhFMpmSSOHvnBY5QoxAe3QO3rCKS_ccKP5QTnnEoHJMmgE3O2VmF91pc9odcTX7fBBUZVouDc8ZT7zXc1JO95U49r293fT9SAoJBtmSUT-O1z9Fw7fym0Cycgxi3e0vC1j0RjrEJnOSsO-UZ2z2w/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20vietnamese%20restaurant%20in%20duluth.jpg" width="241" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Towards the end of the month, one of the museum's supporters, Eleanor, came to the museum. She is 91 years old (the same age that my Dad would have been had he been living). She came to see the Midsommar decorations and the current art exhibit. Enjoyed talking with her and her aide over dessert and lemonade.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kW7xTO-voL_tkInqfw-PRH7g2Bm_f9TKyT3O34UtTgc6DsOiFFbTK6u0jiTAGAGwe4BrNwB0JJZ59NS6tbS4Dc3T-5Xl43WIE6RawUclyt0H-WcrsvldS0xNOj1W7-sw_KgE_XsAM4wdgTr9oZ-5_hWvd6eLHYoqRHeQc8HCkamcIHlNCS5THnqodQ/s1874/_DSC0106-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1874" data-original-width="1248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kW7xTO-voL_tkInqfw-PRH7g2Bm_f9TKyT3O34UtTgc6DsOiFFbTK6u0jiTAGAGwe4BrNwB0JJZ59NS6tbS4Dc3T-5Xl43WIE6RawUclyt0H-WcrsvldS0xNOj1W7-sw_KgE_XsAM4wdgTr9oZ-5_hWvd6eLHYoqRHeQc8HCkamcIHlNCS5THnqodQ/s320/_DSC0106-010.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For Midsommar at the museum, I wanted to have a floral crown/headdress made. However, when I went to the florist I found out it would be about $75 because of all the handwork involved. Choosing flowers (like the ones I selected below) still would have cost about $50. I opted not to wear a floral crown this year. Maybe next year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewNiHefQmywBMiyHos_mUYUBF2XXc5UuP8fvnv0lbvEDsxcHf4JwhsmSLYURk5ZF8NY0A0gudbArduHxzoOcAoW7nhQrhqaV4yTGdwc6sQavdw_X35-fsGCK3JSGnQ17fnrvZmnNUQfwKMqXmxo9kgP0jfXkufmM_WzHLR4hQrhxWvoCuB8MNzD_vaw/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20flowers%20for%20wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewNiHefQmywBMiyHos_mUYUBF2XXc5UuP8fvnv0lbvEDsxcHf4JwhsmSLYURk5ZF8NY0A0gudbArduHxzoOcAoW7nhQrhqaV4yTGdwc6sQavdw_X35-fsGCK3JSGnQ17fnrvZmnNUQfwKMqXmxo9kgP0jfXkufmM_WzHLR4hQrhxWvoCuB8MNzD_vaw/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20flowers%20for%20wreath.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On June 24th, there was a major event - Midsommardagen - at the museum. One of the vendors was a tintype photographer. He did old-fashioned photographs of people dressed in traditional Swedish or pioneer clothing. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIiGQXHXxjpPFCm41z0p-V_HpFsM7l81DRoG_SkUqaFtcsQ0L_QW7QRuekAAmdjCodjpzRj1tP4R_Ep-riDDvSL1Y8TdKkekQpYLmYh9nPnC4qyhSIIXj7LmrWw74WQLWP7Za4qDgTJcHGMqgIhb_nWkXqBrIkKNlhl5jY2N1k2ZuWknod80H1_nLFQ/s2377/_DSC0144-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2377" data-original-width="1995" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIiGQXHXxjpPFCm41z0p-V_HpFsM7l81DRoG_SkUqaFtcsQ0L_QW7QRuekAAmdjCodjpzRj1tP4R_Ep-riDDvSL1Y8TdKkekQpYLmYh9nPnC4qyhSIIXj7LmrWw74WQLWP7Za4qDgTJcHGMqgIhb_nWkXqBrIkKNlhl5jY2N1k2ZuWknod80H1_nLFQ/s320/_DSC0144-010.JPG" width="269" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is an example of a tinytype. It is of the American Swedish Institute (ASI) Cloudberries. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaicHhp_bk--02G5ySRkE3rpeQ6_II0Zs56Zsv8cSVyK0s4ZK7CmFDv7w_YPdxV9nIPzFtY5aORG8sdLm5kZJ_UwOcusCLx7R0sdzSPrCJRSOv4uWT49ka-qEhdNM8ZxnpDCsOSX51vh663_brmrQddczyMZX9cm_0LP9cBlEyKlGbfZlu4cCj_g_aQ/s2543/gg%20dag%20the%20cloud%20berries%206-24-23%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1927" data-original-width="2543" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaicHhp_bk--02G5ySRkE3rpeQ6_II0Zs56Zsv8cSVyK0s4ZK7CmFDv7w_YPdxV9nIPzFtY5aORG8sdLm5kZJ_UwOcusCLx7R0sdzSPrCJRSOv4uWT49ka-qEhdNM8ZxnpDCsOSX51vh663_brmrQddczyMZX9cm_0LP9cBlEyKlGbfZlu4cCj_g_aQ/s320/gg%20dag%20the%20cloud%20berries%206-24-23%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is a picture of some of the choral group in color.</div><div><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQGpyG4M8XI6c3FEiMxUw-Tf7RDOtymY6REx726wXYuhLiWUzWlD9rCqb_2Gd8hZzGMBawnplfokobMfHIJRZHdTB0nqTq_DZbgD3nWxYUsTqUO-zFhQ4hW6aEy9ncBgyzQNecPTDbhu0QXLiI_i3IYzf4Enl9-zSOfMW6bc59tAHJDmVHiTHktOpXg/s2761/_DSC0428-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1803" data-original-width="2761" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQGpyG4M8XI6c3FEiMxUw-Tf7RDOtymY6REx726wXYuhLiWUzWlD9rCqb_2Gd8hZzGMBawnplfokobMfHIJRZHdTB0nqTq_DZbgD3nWxYUsTqUO-zFhQ4hW6aEy9ncBgyzQNecPTDbhu0QXLiI_i3IYzf4Enl9-zSOfMW6bc59tAHJDmVHiTHktOpXg/s320/_DSC0428-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">This is the museum's intern. He has been incredibly helpful with event set-up and management, and painting/refreshing the museum's children's wooden games and objects. The pails are used with the yoke to show children what hauling water was like in the early-settler days.</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8b7PxRtOuVmmZHqArRek0w-GOG_vlM7SqJRvKlMJesx_3JrLdZkoXA4SDtYQI4KYmIfg1Aowk__1sujLnVszg6W8pQzpPO2KSe5ICVkgnVKyGvIs7rofm09QxA14Y99BUi3fHeJaBBJA9Pj_T31KvAtXRU3sfadC96RQ_6Vz_E35OTEA_OZe6pTjYog/s2291/_DSC0166-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2291" data-original-width="1290" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8b7PxRtOuVmmZHqArRek0w-GOG_vlM7SqJRvKlMJesx_3JrLdZkoXA4SDtYQI4KYmIfg1Aowk__1sujLnVszg6W8pQzpPO2KSe5ICVkgnVKyGvIs7rofm09QxA14Y99BUi3fHeJaBBJA9Pj_T31KvAtXRU3sfadC96RQ_6Vz_E35OTEA_OZe6pTjYog/w113-h200/_DSC0166-010.JPG" width="113" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0zm0WCwsyI_N3huMIdcKSumunZwMrsKJSVzbNNcYIdoNHolIrmJfbKw98a1lHErWarXMIj4HZwxzj7n5UZrdoGoq49aPER6Gy60p9DOnSVpiKApD78a3VLkVCSs1tMjy4RuBRguC4_LPs_KO1ljSvs5BwjKIqf7FfwLaw8A-wfdMI65OzvT6Lnh8Bg/s2015/_DSC0590-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1833" data-original-width="2015" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0zm0WCwsyI_N3huMIdcKSumunZwMrsKJSVzbNNcYIdoNHolIrmJfbKw98a1lHErWarXMIj4HZwxzj7n5UZrdoGoq49aPER6Gy60p9DOnSVpiKApD78a3VLkVCSs1tMjy4RuBRguC4_LPs_KO1ljSvs5BwjKIqf7FfwLaw8A-wfdMI65OzvT6Lnh8Bg/w200-h182/_DSC0590-010.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div>One of the items that was refreshed was the Dala horse croquet set. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulqW6wwzMl4da9hbkcyMaUqQ3UbMW4NvzC7rT_S7lK6B8qImg72i3aoKBxlo4u2Ps9bWFE8XIwgAf5ES9dTIsXXfREH9tQQrp_Aei4e1d5kZBF-c88QbR2BWdhVYT-4oYyigA2g5ePGgDp9oZYoZrSXNUP6Z1XbmiXGLqJn8rG369SP5z0BByd84BiA/s2303/_DSC0281-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1667" data-original-width="2303" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulqW6wwzMl4da9hbkcyMaUqQ3UbMW4NvzC7rT_S7lK6B8qImg72i3aoKBxlo4u2Ps9bWFE8XIwgAf5ES9dTIsXXfREH9tQQrp_Aei4e1d5kZBF-c88QbR2BWdhVYT-4oYyigA2g5ePGgDp9oZYoZrSXNUP6Z1XbmiXGLqJn8rG369SP5z0BByd84BiA/s320/_DSC0281-010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At Midsommar, people wear flower crowns. Some of people made them at the museum with flowers that the intern and director cut the day before the event. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPfZuKfJbqF7fQIm2YQCOQ981UQ9I8UGo3t52J9_WXx4svEy1Fnacr07o2vPPURl4UQYrzzzXJ5lbqYoi73HJQJ9Xjei2OfKhDrp_rxzW-PVVrn8cYJsFGzUP0DTrGvRtoCXdxoLh3IfGx3RRaCZeP_PQK4dE90QCa4yIsVI0DVrE3mtA_xvj2Dovvg/s2906/_DSC0410-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2906" data-original-width="1792" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPfZuKfJbqF7fQIm2YQCOQ981UQ9I8UGo3t52J9_WXx4svEy1Fnacr07o2vPPURl4UQYrzzzXJ5lbqYoi73HJQJ9Xjei2OfKhDrp_rxzW-PVVrn8cYJsFGzUP0DTrGvRtoCXdxoLh3IfGx3RRaCZeP_PQK4dE90QCa4yIsVI0DVrE3mtA_xvj2Dovvg/s320/_DSC0410-010.JPG" width="197" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0SiVsmT_dO9S0yQ65xj8Xk4EG4eGxVLAuiuQe1f8BJmk7ieXfmLmPLpawsR5ZM4XRfvSqi5MJKd3VaGVa8mh_nGxZaGm3nz9Tw3tmsPt2puAAMroTD5GtFA3M3UvALbwj1NEdAsvNPBKynpjvnLL2eTaF9pXs4caphgr4I9ESZdpaeve3V6Bj7OzjA/s1192/_DSC0473-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="841" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0SiVsmT_dO9S0yQ65xj8Xk4EG4eGxVLAuiuQe1f8BJmk7ieXfmLmPLpawsR5ZM4XRfvSqi5MJKd3VaGVa8mh_nGxZaGm3nz9Tw3tmsPt2puAAMroTD5GtFA3M3UvALbwj1NEdAsvNPBKynpjvnLL2eTaF9pXs4caphgr4I9ESZdpaeve3V6Bj7OzjA/s320/_DSC0473-009.JPG" width="226" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQNtuiMyOwlHKBPFfmJG_CEIyUMLAUpHMVEK8XejAnkyoNPlGlxpTzMri5N5NUccGuIlHFCNA9lrf8WRqMHwYa5PdmAdzZ8GVeCrhGzt2Eb3ac6MxnZRvHIuPugPjXYDtdIlCbnijiEtvpEDYDICqFbEnUJ9TJYZbh8XvWB80jU_FXZlexOmNJtVZPg/s1369/_DSC0468-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="1211" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQNtuiMyOwlHKBPFfmJG_CEIyUMLAUpHMVEK8XejAnkyoNPlGlxpTzMri5N5NUccGuIlHFCNA9lrf8WRqMHwYa5PdmAdzZ8GVeCrhGzt2Eb3ac6MxnZRvHIuPugPjXYDtdIlCbnijiEtvpEDYDICqFbEnUJ9TJYZbh8XvWB80jU_FXZlexOmNJtVZPg/s320/_DSC0468-010.JPG" width="283" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At Midsommar, there was a group of youth dancers. The girls are wearing the national folk dress of Sweden.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYUtvA7518AfIbTsFkX-dkavznIe-Z4GgpetZsneH9a61TU8apKw_gKneXFO8mvTUj6KPwqSznjAfzGUiij9-GAkUgRnzpFPq3QW0iEb208H28DWVBUSS1F1pDLfWzsIRJ4x9N1JFB-ONKd8tPmOQ0ZLplpj5vCwfKw2MdvhJq_RfpPU1f5kDtbvp_w/s1928/_DSC0456-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1928" data-original-width="1344" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYUtvA7518AfIbTsFkX-dkavznIe-Z4GgpetZsneH9a61TU8apKw_gKneXFO8mvTUj6KPwqSznjAfzGUiij9-GAkUgRnzpFPq3QW0iEb208H28DWVBUSS1F1pDLfWzsIRJ4x9N1JFB-ONKd8tPmOQ0ZLplpj5vCwfKw2MdvhJq_RfpPU1f5kDtbvp_w/s320/_DSC0456-010.JPG" width="223" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVi3Byr2Mh4UftMj0OlP95FJtfYL53FndrfA90Rb9HsYOGaUnkbU6neBL8pX4g1qrR_WFUZRDdH_FaxOdIrIKLdWFaUfKvW_DnGZ-VYoflfAa1-Sr-peUV4YE8frUuyKlxhLDumUfRYaUyBHByU1J1X9PGCIeG6hZMWxyJNPSFmWsjAfEpbMDUlVxOag/s2316/_DSC0464-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="1366" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVi3Byr2Mh4UftMj0OlP95FJtfYL53FndrfA90Rb9HsYOGaUnkbU6neBL8pX4g1qrR_WFUZRDdH_FaxOdIrIKLdWFaUfKvW_DnGZ-VYoflfAa1-Sr-peUV4YE8frUuyKlxhLDumUfRYaUyBHByU1J1X9PGCIeG6hZMWxyJNPSFmWsjAfEpbMDUlVxOag/s320/_DSC0464-009.JPG" width="189" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I've enjoyed seeing friends and neighbors at events at the museum as well as at the farmers market where the Lions handed out free native wildflower plants and activity kits focused on creating native wildflower seed balls.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbInYjJWosCltDjcXlpsksjqjsA-BgU6IQFp8DxAbXBR8EsucCUUQW-VQxj0mFI5SN_BFuTPKJzvjxC8_qY-WhNyEfhCZ8R1lcde1ICpOlc3Cm5HTDmjcXryheb_jFcxAI4Dw4gQSOOf5yr5_uodFf4o5S_eibyKV38Q8KZvoVOHWEDKFr-eBn4xmUA/s2717/_DSC0625-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2717" data-original-width="1427" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbInYjJWosCltDjcXlpsksjqjsA-BgU6IQFp8DxAbXBR8EsucCUUQW-VQxj0mFI5SN_BFuTPKJzvjxC8_qY-WhNyEfhCZ8R1lcde1ICpOlc3Cm5HTDmjcXryheb_jFcxAI4Dw4gQSOOf5yr5_uodFf4o5S_eibyKV38Q8KZvoVOHWEDKFr-eBn4xmUA/w105-h200/_DSC0625-010.JPG" width="105" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-e9krnbcgGHeezRY1Ic-iCYmLKVdaqMFK7WKsQX0DXCMokD9MxsyCloDDrKl2r_rcJ02XScjRUYIaAybgwPU9CpzwXWWEH-5gS-ZtFCtQMxLa80nVHT8bbJgA6HbcnFNbTPpd7lKoYDbmgRLfkjAcufYQjh6Q6I2nVHztAtSxvVZ4-m3wB-mnaiNF4g/s640/Gammelgarden%20-%20Activity%20Bags%20June%2021%20-%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="640" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-e9krnbcgGHeezRY1Ic-iCYmLKVdaqMFK7WKsQX0DXCMokD9MxsyCloDDrKl2r_rcJ02XScjRUYIaAybgwPU9CpzwXWWEH-5gS-ZtFCtQMxLa80nVHT8bbJgA6HbcnFNbTPpd7lKoYDbmgRLfkjAcufYQjh6Q6I2nVHztAtSxvVZ4-m3wB-mnaiNF4g/w200-h199/Gammelgarden%20-%20Activity%20Bags%20June%2021%20-%202.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On my birthday, I put together a "Mystery Trip" - only I knew where we were going. We made many stops including going to Downtown Minneapolis. We walked near the place where my parents had their wedding anniversary (the light-cream brick building). I believe it was the women's club in 1964.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13M8sX5lEmYqypxJcdvloaK3Dciz0CqOPyk3oG7pCwe4WucPl_ECC1KPdt-P9zm25IvGxCwwwqqBb__qM_ARuzxXSE6uUvHPd4j_1-ANyI17rsF5OGRE0HLyyvB8T7Q3NZ-Gc0CLDeCkeqdBbLQ_KsKFs8_6TdiOxH7htsm2MQS-G2xRKQ0c19Oh9vw/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20mom%20and%20dad's%20wedding%20reception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13M8sX5lEmYqypxJcdvloaK3Dciz0CqOPyk3oG7pCwe4WucPl_ECC1KPdt-P9zm25IvGxCwwwqqBb__qM_ARuzxXSE6uUvHPd4j_1-ANyI17rsF5OGRE0HLyyvB8T7Q3NZ-Gc0CLDeCkeqdBbLQ_KsKFs8_6TdiOxH7htsm2MQS-G2xRKQ0c19Oh9vw/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20mom%20and%20dad's%20wedding%20reception.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We went to the Foshay Tower to go up to the 30th floor where they have a museum and observation deck. Even though the website says the observation deck is open, it isn't. So, that was disappointing. The museum didn't have any lights on and no light switches could be found. We ended up walking through it with our phones' flashlights. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatOSf-GlDlFDl_gUoju6ux7YruDtcym5h9-h37NKBEPPqQF2Nqe2KCj7wMQKMSp8L3WDxqDukY5B6tsm473pgVTmdKlGBvNSkRKI2uONUGnxrop8gyUQHSUdSo_Z9CTFh3enPxbtotXLyN28XvUGJGNuh4efMu-cQ1cc2ewL_kfcnvV1n7DTYoMIE9Q/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20foshay%20tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatOSf-GlDlFDl_gUoju6ux7YruDtcym5h9-h37NKBEPPqQF2Nqe2KCj7wMQKMSp8L3WDxqDukY5B6tsm473pgVTmdKlGBvNSkRKI2uONUGnxrop8gyUQHSUdSo_Z9CTFh3enPxbtotXLyN28XvUGJGNuh4efMu-cQ1cc2ewL_kfcnvV1n7DTYoMIE9Q/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20foshay%20tower.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day at work, I was surprised by a party that the director had put together for me. The museum's intern, who enjoys baking, made this three-level cake. The bottom level is actually 2 levels and the top is a cake-topper that is filled with fresh-picked strawberries. It was amazing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUOQTCvZOfQa1OFydUvLNmPf-iE5GEUjVUJy2XsBvzS4aay7FerhFy29KQFDJHu-rPtEDnOKfBmQMII3vDO07aSTE05-I4uFCf13YOwUkkHMgFWrFa-UBNotMrdnqCU8x4WyodKtvWSL7QF8wFQpVBgasCv-Nm2hDeQA0rg267ePDS6F-M7MOiIeenQ/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20jace's%20cake%20for%20me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUOQTCvZOfQa1OFydUvLNmPf-iE5GEUjVUJy2XsBvzS4aay7FerhFy29KQFDJHu-rPtEDnOKfBmQMII3vDO07aSTE05-I4uFCf13YOwUkkHMgFWrFa-UBNotMrdnqCU8x4WyodKtvWSL7QF8wFQpVBgasCv-Nm2hDeQA0rg267ePDS6F-M7MOiIeenQ/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20jace's%20cake%20for%20me.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The 30th was Sophia's 22 1/2 birthday. We still celebrate half-birthdays. We went to see the new Indiana Jones movie which we enjoyed.</div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH58WpvelsnV2RrBCfdLRjCOIYjueaV1dwF6r_0ykMguIA76UHzgzHuajMF5KwDd8gEertKJAXRdkhA6aSaPLBpK4bti0GsDSp8nY7bKW5MTt0PvvUBmduxMSr9u27eGmLKJHcoSbGBrlXXKUDeN-p9KrhhVX6Y2Psuei6WV1ucCwmYX8M9PIo8gDPQ/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20movie%20on%20sophia's%20half%20birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH58WpvelsnV2RrBCfdLRjCOIYjueaV1dwF6r_0ykMguIA76UHzgzHuajMF5KwDd8gEertKJAXRdkhA6aSaPLBpK4bti0GsDSp8nY7bKW5MTt0PvvUBmduxMSr9u27eGmLKJHcoSbGBrlXXKUDeN-p9KrhhVX6Y2Psuei6WV1ucCwmYX8M9PIo8gDPQ/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20movie%20on%20sophia's%20half%20birthday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we came home, we gave Sophia some presents and a card. The wool fox purse matches a bag she got overseas that has fabric with foxes on it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1sdcGn89gOzrJPaahyYrrcyIr-TgdOXQVl60z9DulBxBjrYaT0jaJh21rhA7baE_53TrpD5-STLCsD8xxqPCerY1HUbPyVCTqrvvI3ZtuNLoxcATOnqp1sovgPODoxYj__SeLcJC-XG-PVDnIxfypBqgwC07mIPzqxUCY8i6l473C0jzUT7uZ5dKwg/s640/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20sophia's%20half%20birthday%20gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1sdcGn89gOzrJPaahyYrrcyIr-TgdOXQVl60z9DulBxBjrYaT0jaJh21rhA7baE_53TrpD5-STLCsD8xxqPCerY1HUbPyVCTqrvvI3ZtuNLoxcATOnqp1sovgPODoxYj__SeLcJC-XG-PVDnIxfypBqgwC07mIPzqxUCY8i6l473C0jzUT7uZ5dKwg/s320/Favorite%20Photos%20Swap%20bot%20-%20sophia's%20half%20birthday%20gift.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-37659822977989054812023-06-27T09:09:00.002-05:002023-06-27T09:09:23.341-05:00Early-Summer Flowers at the Farm<p> Below are some of the flowers that are blooming now at our farm. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNWfAcIYqkrUFBogX2pMbC_REL456CxPyO0bT0sf6mZuH9qSar6gAhXRWq9GYWPoBBsySfSCSfshiUHQhFKd-VmtosAwc4Z0l7-8EygWLRDuCuDx70MzbBcIR2iubww12H1fJ7icr5QEmW4UuvhH_W1CcQhebwWKZ-EcXqOp7mFTHaHSUVLkN0EAPuQ/s1939/_DSC0987-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1939" data-original-width="1781" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNWfAcIYqkrUFBogX2pMbC_REL456CxPyO0bT0sf6mZuH9qSar6gAhXRWq9GYWPoBBsySfSCSfshiUHQhFKd-VmtosAwc4Z0l7-8EygWLRDuCuDx70MzbBcIR2iubww12H1fJ7icr5QEmW4UuvhH_W1CcQhebwWKZ-EcXqOp7mFTHaHSUVLkN0EAPuQ/s320/_DSC0987-008.JPG" width="294" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Irix x germanica</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzgTgIKxIWePq7A-GGNXgFjHY-J6MzgjainxYQps4VEfY-7509TuNgVH6S_DaUnst4YaoWxMohKaHJmNEpYE_rpWZg5myG-7oHaIOz7AFBB_5gi_zkTC2LKsFytMYh7zZKEfmVGAdvW4AHBhDME0gIsrLBH4DxlB5do-wkZnqgzUYR8AVmQp45KY8AQ/s2348/_DSC0989-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1773" data-original-width="2348" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzgTgIKxIWePq7A-GGNXgFjHY-J6MzgjainxYQps4VEfY-7509TuNgVH6S_DaUnst4YaoWxMohKaHJmNEpYE_rpWZg5myG-7oHaIOz7AFBB_5gi_zkTC2LKsFytMYh7zZKEfmVGAdvW4AHBhDME0gIsrLBH4DxlB5do-wkZnqgzUYR8AVmQp45KY8AQ/s320/_DSC0989-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Anemonastrum canadense</i></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSXFMtHYwt4pAtpnwOEuD3W2A7oJlQhMHyFdX5X9O91D3l87nFINNU9RVTV0R4vOdtqxDlCpiYRgUEUymRGJPOCvF8KIiIoAMwfhx12QXxzE08Q4ND7t6KPGX-GawCQa_8Sgu7Vh_jntHGSWv96pRyt4SJgRfIQvg-oVOK8T7FL7aZ6flOYJ7hRXm1g/s2418/_DSC0988-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2418" data-original-width="1569" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSXFMtHYwt4pAtpnwOEuD3W2A7oJlQhMHyFdX5X9O91D3l87nFINNU9RVTV0R4vOdtqxDlCpiYRgUEUymRGJPOCvF8KIiIoAMwfhx12QXxzE08Q4ND7t6KPGX-GawCQa_8Sgu7Vh_jntHGSWv96pRyt4SJgRfIQvg-oVOK8T7FL7aZ6flOYJ7hRXm1g/s320/_DSC0988-009.JPG" width="208" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqx1opSqI0h4nY9TGDxzZqSrhB8PvWkh2dain8A03-aJU5UIN-2uCwQ42MxAP89uvihO-tbv6FjaN1w6TrdqBPgYSFMmT1PnNXb8Xr_Ig2gM0UrqyKJT5J0oNtJIbLZtzBwboQCeQvv8tWsclFKt-vDbHaMb2pp95dOx3mkUTLdZs1AoaAeUJ4cVoNw/s1883/_DSC0999-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1834" data-original-width="1883" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqx1opSqI0h4nY9TGDxzZqSrhB8PvWkh2dain8A03-aJU5UIN-2uCwQ42MxAP89uvihO-tbv6FjaN1w6TrdqBPgYSFMmT1PnNXb8Xr_Ig2gM0UrqyKJT5J0oNtJIbLZtzBwboQCeQvv8tWsclFKt-vDbHaMb2pp95dOx3mkUTLdZs1AoaAeUJ4cVoNw/s320/_DSC0999-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Some type of iris. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>It was gifted to me by someone who was getting rid of a lot of perennials.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqx8HK1FMdbOHtO_-NfWQYf8sVMBrgWjRJmC8hnNdiugXns75y_AXowXljlgyRKO9RgRU29CznQbEFynXRDzNeE3B1A9mm0Jag5CQiGexLqTmXwbTDOFb4Oq3SqphbD_PdrzjeY40Alwmi7JPmYuSzURKcU-zvNV8iiW_64IhslGDRk9FFkeaAkND-g/s1773/_DSC0991-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1773" data-original-width="1767" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqx8HK1FMdbOHtO_-NfWQYf8sVMBrgWjRJmC8hnNdiugXns75y_AXowXljlgyRKO9RgRU29CznQbEFynXRDzNeE3B1A9mm0Jag5CQiGexLqTmXwbTDOFb4Oq3SqphbD_PdrzjeY40Alwmi7JPmYuSzURKcU-zvNV8iiW_64IhslGDRk9FFkeaAkND-g/s320/_DSC0991-008.JPG" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dame's rocket. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Although it is an invasive, it also is one of the </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>first food sources for bees and butterflies in the spring.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l-DkUxiXtz5sM5vMwo6k41A4cZvQYgibt8DJ8Lc8XX_Ai_iOrYxEVne86-8hs7iQ6Kkh3TpQHUseCsreMTyvlyEG_QzFDDpNE9-XcCMHUpqq-wey8HDQ0gqYv-RB7PtqYZKyz2FgK4ZB9YqFuQgeJrQ9zlryLjhkxo7C23x-F68En-nCrqfeheqGlw/s2477/_DSC0993-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1681" data-original-width="2477" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l-DkUxiXtz5sM5vMwo6k41A4cZvQYgibt8DJ8Lc8XX_Ai_iOrYxEVne86-8hs7iQ6Kkh3TpQHUseCsreMTyvlyEG_QzFDDpNE9-XcCMHUpqq-wey8HDQ0gqYv-RB7PtqYZKyz2FgK4ZB9YqFuQgeJrQ9zlryLjhkxo7C23x-F68En-nCrqfeheqGlw/s320/_DSC0993-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Irix x germanica</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnG9RcxIWrOpuZe3KQK81eHZaWdaGDl_LGzpaAFjY_y9hEopA8UkMCuuFvab6MNh6XhTBjpSruhNjgAwn3p-1zzzXDY0HGFyez_kg6REgbn4op8JAU1YmR7gxK-HJZGwPmQ6Sfh74G_mGi5Dvo9VaA03433o3-qkCmyv4kmix4fNT8jcPK-aPS9-ARg/s2195/_DSC0998-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1925" data-original-width="2195" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnG9RcxIWrOpuZe3KQK81eHZaWdaGDl_LGzpaAFjY_y9hEopA8UkMCuuFvab6MNh6XhTBjpSruhNjgAwn3p-1zzzXDY0HGFyez_kg6REgbn4op8JAU1YmR7gxK-HJZGwPmQ6Sfh74G_mGi5Dvo9VaA03433o3-qkCmyv4kmix4fNT8jcPK-aPS9-ARg/s320/_DSC0998-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Purple wood sage</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmu_ufzpE6uIa8yetdn5kqODu1qIhaVzYjiZImY7JdNWgsqou1bpBqJ62N2ZsiTRad0_2zmfiWB-Kv4itAyzYz50UCvG4Hjsoq7W4_G0A9a3mRCheqCcWVCjStSoQKt2Z1Qc97gc61XzOCGEBSiHu5eto064GIIIZ-3tP2h6s4J8kWYVaaopSONTxBg/s1129/_DSC1005-005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1129" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmu_ufzpE6uIa8yetdn5kqODu1qIhaVzYjiZImY7JdNWgsqou1bpBqJ62N2ZsiTRad0_2zmfiWB-Kv4itAyzYz50UCvG4Hjsoq7W4_G0A9a3mRCheqCcWVCjStSoQKt2Z1Qc97gc61XzOCGEBSiHu5eto064GIIIZ-3tP2h6s4J8kWYVaaopSONTxBg/s320/_DSC1005-005.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bumble bee on Baptisia (Wild Indigo).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6Cxc-K70k1TXJVpN7rC7XILgkL2PNmHNqYeshZChfrfWwit19KotwdFGu-jNI5fo63nccbu8QiRAa0XioN9hTn_blra5uuHXxBqQ9Bx-I2H4vl9pYjd8_suSnrJq8T_YQeSryNTK7_p-5yZLUCMEgw6CKbJcse1TYOBvJrVqBU1l8EctebEAfrpH_w/s1712/_DSC1028-003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1712" data-original-width="1479" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6Cxc-K70k1TXJVpN7rC7XILgkL2PNmHNqYeshZChfrfWwit19KotwdFGu-jNI5fo63nccbu8QiRAa0XioN9hTn_blra5uuHXxBqQ9Bx-I2H4vl9pYjd8_suSnrJq8T_YQeSryNTK7_p-5yZLUCMEgw6CKbJcse1TYOBvJrVqBU1l8EctebEAfrpH_w/s320/_DSC1028-003.JPG" width="276" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Southern Blue Flag.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJDu7ejT1Q7e9XrnApKQVbTuFBrnL6jwYYPhhqV8kwyLVhdbTKLl-FnWQTogVbTm_74UurLAHLdHm03-qXVCZx6uH8YJEmRH47iI-VphOCKDr07d0se-RVIAw6VEPq4E-IhHYChmBxPSLWedWgIVDsj6mRb7nqDAFSIdpltmzXTQGS7CeE8D1mW4mAA/s1804/_DSC1046-002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1732" data-original-width="1804" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJDu7ejT1Q7e9XrnApKQVbTuFBrnL6jwYYPhhqV8kwyLVhdbTKLl-FnWQTogVbTm_74UurLAHLdHm03-qXVCZx6uH8YJEmRH47iI-VphOCKDr07d0se-RVIAw6VEPq4E-IhHYChmBxPSLWedWgIVDsj6mRb7nqDAFSIdpltmzXTQGS7CeE8D1mW4mAA/s320/_DSC1046-002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dahlia</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVFAIGpTq_CNefGHF4A7OkyMQNX8PG7AUnhr774-QRBQ1vcX9sjv0m7sJ8Y8PiwdhrwEBydB1oFBNvGzwd29A0Yn_c62Ad73NvXu2511O5k5LeHmacq6gGMeme3ymHfGi-4RWjWmTG12SJkLwJVkbU5TTj73MgxXSqJMWDL4HywlN0jnreX_WisHhVA/s1821/_DSC1047-002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="1821" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVFAIGpTq_CNefGHF4A7OkyMQNX8PG7AUnhr774-QRBQ1vcX9sjv0m7sJ8Y8PiwdhrwEBydB1oFBNvGzwd29A0Yn_c62Ad73NvXu2511O5k5LeHmacq6gGMeme3ymHfGi-4RWjWmTG12SJkLwJVkbU5TTj73MgxXSqJMWDL4HywlN0jnreX_WisHhVA/s320/_DSC1047-002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Centaurea montana (cyanus montanus)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11D9X1HxoVrBiAQozpzwKRrygh6DzAdPnFGmPj1vYkyVJsdqwkpcIGINqkrqD7rXZZeJ9R56aPNvdaV6Ka4CoyUiAtyWOO5S3BrHaD09qZ9M9iaR6U5UB2q6rC1FOUhCufp5vS7X1DQKAqA0AoqVazZYHk8YCsnPMbSzpVWy6CquMJm8yniNlj7tTbg/s2000/_DSC1048-002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1781" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11D9X1HxoVrBiAQozpzwKRrygh6DzAdPnFGmPj1vYkyVJsdqwkpcIGINqkrqD7rXZZeJ9R56aPNvdaV6Ka4CoyUiAtyWOO5S3BrHaD09qZ9M9iaR6U5UB2q6rC1FOUhCufp5vS7X1DQKAqA0AoqVazZYHk8YCsnPMbSzpVWy6CquMJm8yniNlj7tTbg/s320/_DSC1048-002.JPG" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Honeysuckle</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2nXymoBvlr9vWUjgSMyF9j-qY5scZFTDYceGFX1MT2iTEPbRPTT9zQcS96ZyFFLngpzYLfTEwKNuq_XUamr5oZf00NpNQJSHzlBuGceBxdC1MjyZQs28qPuKj5LJtUed-bhyL3-wRnK0ccSkmxwnZEehu6KRqhUgMDv81umaA_sk5s2_WYmjmEwTYQ/s2374/_DSC1049-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2374" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2nXymoBvlr9vWUjgSMyF9j-qY5scZFTDYceGFX1MT2iTEPbRPTT9zQcS96ZyFFLngpzYLfTEwKNuq_XUamr5oZf00NpNQJSHzlBuGceBxdC1MjyZQs28qPuKj5LJtUed-bhyL3-wRnK0ccSkmxwnZEehu6KRqhUgMDv81umaA_sk5s2_WYmjmEwTYQ/s320/_DSC1049-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Rose</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcjfG5ZrUUj_p619cNndCKnpJsV1EJS3pIad-fO5RnirApu_ypNAqx5hMwQWq-IS0P_IWRBdNt7bVahuFQTxSxor_B84-xaQJxE1Vd12MZbopyRTLTTYiFLnOlQnSf6EOny8V_TkPw8IBfFRuVR9Q2ewizWGR6xsxEq82XvLJKxljzSAGlDpt0igL3Q/s2992/_DSC1055-002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcjfG5ZrUUj_p619cNndCKnpJsV1EJS3pIad-fO5RnirApu_ypNAqx5hMwQWq-IS0P_IWRBdNt7bVahuFQTxSxor_B84-xaQJxE1Vd12MZbopyRTLTTYiFLnOlQnSf6EOny8V_TkPw8IBfFRuVR9Q2ewizWGR6xsxEq82XvLJKxljzSAGlDpt0igL3Q/s320/_DSC1055-002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Weigela</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tPZhZowyKRLFMPYG_2dd_tk-oychrj1Gh9R2pddJkvH7z3GWJKBY463fjKYGA6qi0GCjyaTo1yhTE9M259UWLjNxxviO0q6n4wqze-_1FZIGjx4sjjGvuFubDQ4hnFcTcDmZHKN3EPbd3uFL2ziMZ4VYIxMTd3VjlJMlLez9gk5yXaYBKulFvEgIRA/s2992/_DSC1058.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tPZhZowyKRLFMPYG_2dd_tk-oychrj1Gh9R2pddJkvH7z3GWJKBY463fjKYGA6qi0GCjyaTo1yhTE9M259UWLjNxxviO0q6n4wqze-_1FZIGjx4sjjGvuFubDQ4hnFcTcDmZHKN3EPbd3uFL2ziMZ4VYIxMTd3VjlJMlLez9gk5yXaYBKulFvEgIRA/s320/_DSC1058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Peony</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LMt4CsrqzjXKFpGgqkrezs7Jcs-QtQXbw1aY33nB_BCRvUty8w_WVaX_NxeUbi7XQ2sTAAxTM3HXA6CDvL557CoT3W0DSo-FCK2h1TwGWnk4bUn524G5E8bhsJAa-__d4DXykQkQ5LGjPCcGcwSKm-EhTcNN4L_UUCSB5zgdEd_AJI_48i4BCoAM1g/s2992/_DSC1060.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LMt4CsrqzjXKFpGgqkrezs7Jcs-QtQXbw1aY33nB_BCRvUty8w_WVaX_NxeUbi7XQ2sTAAxTM3HXA6CDvL557CoT3W0DSo-FCK2h1TwGWnk4bUn524G5E8bhsJAa-__d4DXykQkQ5LGjPCcGcwSKm-EhTcNN4L_UUCSB5zgdEd_AJI_48i4BCoAM1g/s320/_DSC1060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Roses</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV6aqQFODWJwwpTatpcDF2ujmTjZ7OU9cbGWMttZiJLyXRNnmp-ZL77R4DCFc5k9HUlDb2IyFyMrT7tjB37KUwDY4_alJEi6SUQ4aHLS7mwcOcIXpUfFs4TPaTvuKLJikbJWrLd-5yteL_0y2RVTN55lfeHxcdAFXAJqPm-aQDRG9LjJxxdEh7cE-ew/s2992/_DSC1062.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV6aqQFODWJwwpTatpcDF2ujmTjZ7OU9cbGWMttZiJLyXRNnmp-ZL77R4DCFc5k9HUlDb2IyFyMrT7tjB37KUwDY4_alJEi6SUQ4aHLS7mwcOcIXpUfFs4TPaTvuKLJikbJWrLd-5yteL_0y2RVTN55lfeHxcdAFXAJqPm-aQDRG9LjJxxdEh7cE-ew/s320/_DSC1062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Rose</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUq4Ke5_0WNBdXnwqQmCAP4ROYkfsfzkEuFHzvzQfPX_pcrd560odPZyr9L-ZiXDj-vSC9fD_IdMzvrUqMOxD5n7sBGBISBgt1n5CAN0PrtO0T6g5wSTgSyY_AmyicqlpK4KGkv8dP_OoYQu6G2pAdmnYvdlS2fhOQ5YCgfIANVOsFA9LU1PdW03_-JQ/s2992/_DSC1065-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUq4Ke5_0WNBdXnwqQmCAP4ROYkfsfzkEuFHzvzQfPX_pcrd560odPZyr9L-ZiXDj-vSC9fD_IdMzvrUqMOxD5n7sBGBISBgt1n5CAN0PrtO0T6g5wSTgSyY_AmyicqlpK4KGkv8dP_OoYQu6G2pAdmnYvdlS2fhOQ5YCgfIANVOsFA9LU1PdW03_-JQ/s320/_DSC1065-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Wax begonia with another flower that I don't know the name of</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbSnfRkPLss6fllZuEqhEY8RssAiWZXJYFT6I_Li1fGG_jIkRoGSrEIluJASP2xtLfO-awc6jbTviTR7Z5sABNoskGukrIYEBZIr0_m_w1AXd_gTVnV2LsXygNqH-vd88seGGJBXHoxkWHp0q-dsXopHxVe-eK98ukyUTEo0D3ErBiXI24saI1TUQ7A/s2992/_DSC1066-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbSnfRkPLss6fllZuEqhEY8RssAiWZXJYFT6I_Li1fGG_jIkRoGSrEIluJASP2xtLfO-awc6jbTviTR7Z5sABNoskGukrIYEBZIr0_m_w1AXd_gTVnV2LsXygNqH-vd88seGGJBXHoxkWHp0q-dsXopHxVe-eK98ukyUTEo0D3ErBiXI24saI1TUQ7A/s320/_DSC1066-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Wild columbine</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI75Nf2Wmi0d6lHm3kiFxBLT0ntqGkf4aZW0nkwX4tl4WuJWzwtOe_rJ9m09xoK5wHCszsiYrehkwbv14UYjcs-frBLkRzQeIEjrFzKxGMqeVyySTbO8FkfjdeBl_gfxTGUDtFNLKM8q5F710uuUbzYJRjiGAzqt1LUcvS9LE4F_sDdAooFMLwE1DbPQ/s2992/_DSC1067.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI75Nf2Wmi0d6lHm3kiFxBLT0ntqGkf4aZW0nkwX4tl4WuJWzwtOe_rJ9m09xoK5wHCszsiYrehkwbv14UYjcs-frBLkRzQeIEjrFzKxGMqeVyySTbO8FkfjdeBl_gfxTGUDtFNLKM8q5F710uuUbzYJRjiGAzqt1LUcvS9LE4F_sDdAooFMLwE1DbPQ/s320/_DSC1067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I don't know the name of this flower</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcT9QnG7qok3ctaDTGytYSpzyudbboD2GW0Q5zE-CSmWUZ-jht_MsJjiu_J4rpmt53w4JSIlFkAjxEaGyEGcgFS8y1wtgdIeDjdeBhlev5mG25j_XtE4hL829NKua6iPcr8UsoWexg3ppdxvlRWebn2fWyfjeyFBSlMiY1JZQMY6xauz3JEWGJgf9UmA/s2992/_DSC1072-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcT9QnG7qok3ctaDTGytYSpzyudbboD2GW0Q5zE-CSmWUZ-jht_MsJjiu_J4rpmt53w4JSIlFkAjxEaGyEGcgFS8y1wtgdIeDjdeBhlev5mG25j_XtE4hL829NKua6iPcr8UsoWexg3ppdxvlRWebn2fWyfjeyFBSlMiY1JZQMY6xauz3JEWGJgf9UmA/s320/_DSC1072-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Oriental Lily</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTaTRPZi7CwtHxLogUH5oXwEWzW-UlY3Vi2kbZQzJgD0Ldt8teNe3-i3qbvTu43D31XGzfszEl2kPnzZn07feaQIu0-HDbEFmF9k5ySphixyooTUG6YCkznndJRzh02HhUFWf0_7uUeL-tFSa6vGYUFoJMZLkRoYcIy9bp2K1HhnYsFUxFmsiXE3EqA/s2992/_DSC1073-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTaTRPZi7CwtHxLogUH5oXwEWzW-UlY3Vi2kbZQzJgD0Ldt8teNe3-i3qbvTu43D31XGzfszEl2kPnzZn07feaQIu0-HDbEFmF9k5ySphixyooTUG6YCkznndJRzh02HhUFWf0_7uUeL-tFSa6vGYUFoJMZLkRoYcIy9bp2K1HhnYsFUxFmsiXE3EqA/s320/_DSC1073-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Rose</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iYHPIpEnqoh86qg_BGkXnEM_Fn33_qcYGrwaFyM7LbjK8wMe_yC7FB_8XL3NWsrNdzxCl7cNz7Biu1zazI-uUpg1zUxX6sxKqf1Y-cKILAlP66_WDEllsKNTVWzBBzlifKHHDjb91VYf_Ori5UE3xEWp6uxeSGsNnYAGD9hYvCvalwAY5_lt9MSwtg/s2992/_DSC1074-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iYHPIpEnqoh86qg_BGkXnEM_Fn33_qcYGrwaFyM7LbjK8wMe_yC7FB_8XL3NWsrNdzxCl7cNz7Biu1zazI-uUpg1zUxX6sxKqf1Y-cKILAlP66_WDEllsKNTVWzBBzlifKHHDjb91VYf_Ori5UE3xEWp6uxeSGsNnYAGD9hYvCvalwAY5_lt9MSwtg/s320/_DSC1074-001.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Rose</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2W3M17hN9FH2gns5In77gZTJQdi3naIVumRFdKcSWYpqw2W0_GroPLoB6ds4r3eCEg8Oj9HNPlXdhuTPtOEwnxYE6WAggW_Dw4bvtU0C9OPtyp6M5Zd6gyilwVtoL-wDOj4tp5A3ue8i9Qp37pf0psi1j4Ldy_4khFNFR7j-Vhvc0eMQY1s_6GNVxCQ/s2992/_DSC1077-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2W3M17hN9FH2gns5In77gZTJQdi3naIVumRFdKcSWYpqw2W0_GroPLoB6ds4r3eCEg8Oj9HNPlXdhuTPtOEwnxYE6WAggW_Dw4bvtU0C9OPtyp6M5Zd6gyilwVtoL-wDOj4tp5A3ue8i9Qp37pf0psi1j4Ldy_4khFNFR7j-Vhvc0eMQY1s_6GNVxCQ/s320/_DSC1077-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dianthus</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW3tVCm1BIRwh3pL9rlIKGPrMwRGirI32zn0JlaCNDDdWL20Z8TF9wB0Yl-rJgZYanWpmL69M9hC3vVh6__V4phMvRxngHiG-HYuEmX1zz6ErNHQfQCO1wwBd44mFuZWNw8ZF5wBsRuWhhwMLqXAbdDQ1Sg7-KdV0DG1UFJL_cPLShqDVFXD84AEvVg/s2992/_DSC1078-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW3tVCm1BIRwh3pL9rlIKGPrMwRGirI32zn0JlaCNDDdWL20Z8TF9wB0Yl-rJgZYanWpmL69M9hC3vVh6__V4phMvRxngHiG-HYuEmX1zz6ErNHQfQCO1wwBd44mFuZWNw8ZF5wBsRuWhhwMLqXAbdDQ1Sg7-KdV0DG1UFJL_cPLShqDVFXD84AEvVg/s320/_DSC1078-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Maltese cross</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt4GwTsver3FYgdyTLfUHF-DuqMip-vXZdA6tx4WHdjnG54Lkqez91w4FQydG9FkyBm25TjeN5jxiAZJMWi7Nj-B-nmHg7bUB2L-2vIjnrbB4W65WU9Rvnd9BVKEDrQ6zkrb882ZUbv6q_5rrFeC0UZi5iD3hiNSULD0dXx00tzA-wykRDd2oZJkv0A/s2992/_DSC1080-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt4GwTsver3FYgdyTLfUHF-DuqMip-vXZdA6tx4WHdjnG54Lkqez91w4FQydG9FkyBm25TjeN5jxiAZJMWi7Nj-B-nmHg7bUB2L-2vIjnrbB4W65WU9Rvnd9BVKEDrQ6zkrb882ZUbv6q_5rrFeC0UZi5iD3hiNSULD0dXx00tzA-wykRDd2oZJkv0A/s320/_DSC1080-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>One of the areas where I have peonies growing. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This peony bed came with the house </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>when we purchased it in 1995.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxJhpNhL2G0pl66K_INGtKJmjTPChnMlZ1OExzNxQlbNoISn9jcI3NbrAoe-iu875P1ZUlK1VoxyMBTz4UhGMgOjiP2dapHEB_HEhOn2EbTX6dajLI5EJJC5nEVP59lH7gQckIefW7P1W_6CSJH31ynpl1M4hD42SYPjeCvbpF7X4udGLEaRAsWcPbA/s2992/_DSC1082-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxJhpNhL2G0pl66K_INGtKJmjTPChnMlZ1OExzNxQlbNoISn9jcI3NbrAoe-iu875P1ZUlK1VoxyMBTz4UhGMgOjiP2dapHEB_HEhOn2EbTX6dajLI5EJJC5nEVP59lH7gQckIefW7P1W_6CSJH31ynpl1M4hD42SYPjeCvbpF7X4udGLEaRAsWcPbA/s320/_DSC1082-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>One of the types of peonies in the peony bed</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpkhCvAbpTUS0Z9eOlSPwIEYWc_WAGje5-KwKdDChHrbhVvlMqFLOZpa6sRvoYGvbTNjYTH7S4r4twXNlOvjxNtK-HKvTpuXtbaYHC3Psb5p6mpIrx54WqmjUnpyXNbTHkI-4MjGVOPdP6hE0MrEXSG_J9UV7UrSzgITMjVSA6MTkhlB3dk44mL1SJQ/s2992/_DSC1083-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpkhCvAbpTUS0Z9eOlSPwIEYWc_WAGje5-KwKdDChHrbhVvlMqFLOZpa6sRvoYGvbTNjYTH7S4r4twXNlOvjxNtK-HKvTpuXtbaYHC3Psb5p6mpIrx54WqmjUnpyXNbTHkI-4MjGVOPdP6hE0MrEXSG_J9UV7UrSzgITMjVSA6MTkhlB3dk44mL1SJQ/s320/_DSC1083-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Another type of peony in the peony bed</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57gJOPWwY3mINO_KnnzE0oHIfRiLUJ-D3ge9RiI23Svt9Q3ifOLQE-Os29MSNq2-Kg19Tkc75UlW5h2Fl-a82xw4oAdjeFj1mN405WpvUZucY-swZ2QsIql2EqOI8xLxObyoxeG62wIPN-YWS4O8HqMt73LB_CoRg7Oozc3dPNuK-JVI99AoBApCcEQ/s2992/_DSC1084-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57gJOPWwY3mINO_KnnzE0oHIfRiLUJ-D3ge9RiI23Svt9Q3ifOLQE-Os29MSNq2-Kg19Tkc75UlW5h2Fl-a82xw4oAdjeFj1mN405WpvUZucY-swZ2QsIql2EqOI8xLxObyoxeG62wIPN-YWS4O8HqMt73LB_CoRg7Oozc3dPNuK-JVI99AoBApCcEQ/s320/_DSC1084-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The third type of peony in the peony bed</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBJOxANBbl0KEGfDx9kBI7j3fCt6JuMBskpq6xNfx3vUcX9KgYqGFLz8jDsI4Us0UJY0QmJ4ivTjcMTum_yHQmEGgJXKp5yK28ocoFYiWacZZjaCJRmtGYsE27u9xeSiaQPcPONaosCWoruhV_5y4i-L2wbCThPLMmzskQAj60UCy1vXeD6y0B8xC1A/s2992/_DSC1086-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBJOxANBbl0KEGfDx9kBI7j3fCt6JuMBskpq6xNfx3vUcX9KgYqGFLz8jDsI4Us0UJY0QmJ4ivTjcMTum_yHQmEGgJXKp5yK28ocoFYiWacZZjaCJRmtGYsE27u9xeSiaQPcPONaosCWoruhV_5y4i-L2wbCThPLMmzskQAj60UCy1vXeD6y0B8xC1A/s320/_DSC1086-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Bleeding hearts</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhZnt7flebfS4efwiqiD_H3N8f3_sXhhpNbNLyiDpOnt5Hebdey4sT0osGe_Qms_gL3T_WJqlLqk7oo1EVdiUzN295QH1gF0nNwSjES-VYfffXNo8zCQ3JmWk9E3leEjNNCkVN_MXIXGX_HskPw-67JHDxfbE4mGWNYwfuxLY5ehspj0Q9DmkLpaXLA/s2992/_DSC1089.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhZnt7flebfS4efwiqiD_H3N8f3_sXhhpNbNLyiDpOnt5Hebdey4sT0osGe_Qms_gL3T_WJqlLqk7oo1EVdiUzN295QH1gF0nNwSjES-VYfffXNo8zCQ3JmWk9E3leEjNNCkVN_MXIXGX_HskPw-67JHDxfbE4mGWNYwfuxLY5ehspj0Q9DmkLpaXLA/s320/_DSC1089.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Alumroot</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRXGtyXFWsXTwm9ie2qBOugNHFp3lo8TUocK9_8SFpUL_xDaFkgWo05XTbcgY7fG6-kBcdEMVYG2ZFP7b8k0VQL6A9j4rhAt4cUWe9XFNF2k4cFohharQ32iVjNF8q3RAl-C7dHBbSz33w2R9qQPGjjczhe1ePA9sfXoRwYcK1oWqHxfgJp8HVO4gaA/s2992/_DSC1091.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRXGtyXFWsXTwm9ie2qBOugNHFp3lo8TUocK9_8SFpUL_xDaFkgWo05XTbcgY7fG6-kBcdEMVYG2ZFP7b8k0VQL6A9j4rhAt4cUWe9XFNF2k4cFohharQ32iVjNF8q3RAl-C7dHBbSz33w2R9qQPGjjczhe1ePA9sfXoRwYcK1oWqHxfgJp8HVO4gaA/s320/_DSC1091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Columbine</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f71LGrVj5omES8Zwpd7KmZFh5ZPExd86k6OJSF8uGkKqgVZBMF0Nz5jetYskDmNMD-LbPoThZy-8l-7pouKvUsBwD-qIagSYZMWvBNQmldw_GDy05n9OWy49LXJJcCk3A3ZF4U1piDhLFvCYcMmn81nvXYZSPS3NCL2y75Xx29DaW0XooXeN6iPSsw/s2992/_DSC1093-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f71LGrVj5omES8Zwpd7KmZFh5ZPExd86k6OJSF8uGkKqgVZBMF0Nz5jetYskDmNMD-LbPoThZy-8l-7pouKvUsBwD-qIagSYZMWvBNQmldw_GDy05n9OWy49LXJJcCk3A3ZF4U1piDhLFvCYcMmn81nvXYZSPS3NCL2y75Xx29DaW0XooXeN6iPSsw/s320/_DSC1093-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Primrose</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad8fwYGrlJITUNoih3Op82V89626orq9FixK-KimxjYNNCOx2NB-uXE6ADs-O8yruf0ZS_V1v3daMEYFm6N2jM23XFgQkrv41FEE-Nvrz9F4fPi97_igTTkRPtsJd8PWUFYljkMHHYCDxd1Y8mpL_w2AJIRvgZoRLmaLxGmsHzjh5aAOhPN1tI8GddA/s2992/_DSC1099-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad8fwYGrlJITUNoih3Op82V89626orq9FixK-KimxjYNNCOx2NB-uXE6ADs-O8yruf0ZS_V1v3daMEYFm6N2jM23XFgQkrv41FEE-Nvrz9F4fPi97_igTTkRPtsJd8PWUFYljkMHHYCDxd1Y8mpL_w2AJIRvgZoRLmaLxGmsHzjh5aAOhPN1tI8GddA/s320/_DSC1099-001.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Great blanketflower</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN99EXJscUGH1EPq3Q1IAy2iyy3Nn1ZcxroV93M1NZ7y7xGYKNXB6v7_nAwv_9oDGi_RLgyYx8iDAOXxkw5FgXlPiIo6_1eC--lWIAi3apSVdm0xMCx34eIent1FK_lyAKVkHahoDGJHzTE5QR3-vkgQJ3i_Pl8pGQFYYbzvaGeGUpoM2NrZbe_8QVA/s2992/_DSC1100.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN99EXJscUGH1EPq3Q1IAy2iyy3Nn1ZcxroV93M1NZ7y7xGYKNXB6v7_nAwv_9oDGi_RLgyYx8iDAOXxkw5FgXlPiIo6_1eC--lWIAi3apSVdm0xMCx34eIent1FK_lyAKVkHahoDGJHzTE5QR3-vkgQJ3i_Pl8pGQFYYbzvaGeGUpoM2NrZbe_8QVA/s320/_DSC1100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Lantana</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZ38Zb2DMUag4h8-QsmXYETS8mBMl3O3lzeDx0L1djoYZdZFvwubUEkSgSkjx68IV-0ClXotWvkALuwRD5YqRG6cN0zR27Y6SgK11jiw0hRaIqfQnS3ELntYehiurksLkiqMYhuNLN6uIc93qAUrFxe7wBcHDdq_kLbSPFwSlpX9gWVjs9wZVQpjzBA/s2992/_DSC1104.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZ38Zb2DMUag4h8-QsmXYETS8mBMl3O3lzeDx0L1djoYZdZFvwubUEkSgSkjx68IV-0ClXotWvkALuwRD5YqRG6cN0zR27Y6SgK11jiw0hRaIqfQnS3ELntYehiurksLkiqMYhuNLN6uIc93qAUrFxe7wBcHDdq_kLbSPFwSlpX9gWVjs9wZVQpjzBA/s320/_DSC1104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Leucanthemum ("ditch daisies")</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgdZU0wx5c04nMW0eIZkCMIF8Wh1Mn32fKSHDhjZGAobZlXnDfYXMcfysP59WD1_11lQPVvcUCdfEqHVKbBipN7lcpmGPUadMgQ7HsuVtfOXasBpnDzqPMZrDS7jkYK4f3i35vWfmrd95obXHojdVjLxlB_QFllCpFEsvFYqykbcTCpuFk2hJWpCCzA/s2992/_DSC1108-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgdZU0wx5c04nMW0eIZkCMIF8Wh1Mn32fKSHDhjZGAobZlXnDfYXMcfysP59WD1_11lQPVvcUCdfEqHVKbBipN7lcpmGPUadMgQ7HsuVtfOXasBpnDzqPMZrDS7jkYK4f3i35vWfmrd95obXHojdVjLxlB_QFllCpFEsvFYqykbcTCpuFk2hJWpCCzA/s320/_DSC1108-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Sulphur cinquefoil</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJxlNJcKZXjuHX8rGYL47ugQz0Ng_3Wts2VaxA55m7Wy6L1BZGOBJl0MwhRUsKWMnaYNjKsGc-xu83aT9232L3noV-uYe6k9sgO1q0R4zJwrfqx7VJ7ptoYldrSl35vk-sDwFE21i3CJxDJNndAfA9AQjIeqCyw59UNEXVWoCHRCU8y1GbAJIoHBzqg/s2992/_DSC1111-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJxlNJcKZXjuHX8rGYL47ugQz0Ng_3Wts2VaxA55m7Wy6L1BZGOBJl0MwhRUsKWMnaYNjKsGc-xu83aT9232L3noV-uYe6k9sgO1q0R4zJwrfqx7VJ7ptoYldrSl35vk-sDwFE21i3CJxDJNndAfA9AQjIeqCyw59UNEXVWoCHRCU8y1GbAJIoHBzqg/s320/_DSC1111-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Common Yarrow</i></div><div><br /></div>At the museum where I work, we have a restored prairie. Here are some of the native wildflowers that have been blooming during June:<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPqariGiPeDusicfpPcJGF4E8z_PHqEcQp626rhPzL6jLL0B7aPoKW1zyD34y2VeGN_lweWAsWEoZ07LbYVD8eHUHnkTsijuu1UsPqwsOws28fYeGiVt9j-P6DkkpfAcKdBbejhx_lacjB6-jpEF4YDa5IF09YDrgSZFzkbYaJLfeOglOsOnWTLlgvw/s2743/_DSC0908-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2743" data-original-width="1660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPqariGiPeDusicfpPcJGF4E8z_PHqEcQp626rhPzL6jLL0B7aPoKW1zyD34y2VeGN_lweWAsWEoZ07LbYVD8eHUHnkTsijuu1UsPqwsOws28fYeGiVt9j-P6DkkpfAcKdBbejhx_lacjB6-jpEF4YDa5IF09YDrgSZFzkbYaJLfeOglOsOnWTLlgvw/s320/_DSC0908-009.JPG" width="194" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Wild Lupine</i></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NemtqWshiI_Tms5b5980hZJZsn5wLqjMQ1cv04JGq55vK8RsG597LJ_9wQhj-uFSY5CZUH_osC1Np3nF8MdwhQACGJoNgWaZ02dzuGuk13UZhlK5m2B1OWo5Lm33RpX2rzJmPwqlv-7ScP1onHg2j-BKULQAN80C4dKotQVRN6Wf4xHarBMPCreKOQ/s1788/_DSC0909-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1739" data-original-width="1788" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NemtqWshiI_Tms5b5980hZJZsn5wLqjMQ1cv04JGq55vK8RsG597LJ_9wQhj-uFSY5CZUH_osC1Np3nF8MdwhQACGJoNgWaZ02dzuGuk13UZhlK5m2B1OWo5Lm33RpX2rzJmPwqlv-7ScP1onHg2j-BKULQAN80C4dKotQVRN6Wf4xHarBMPCreKOQ/s320/_DSC0909-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Yarrow</i></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU36jvbKuZV0MBQbSBP7GLrjojaqFZBQ0elj228Pe1AgZ_P0aLh13_yAq3dfDBoKZmARf6j183Rv5X2RL6paVkpm5dyzXXEodfVovPljq7uEKHo0Wc5P0dy828ZG3XkvgJ6rS2vQuYZO6r22zxGLq0egtlFhlqpaw8lpKxWoSuvPtX5xLtdiXWZc_U9g/s1967/_DSC0910-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1766" data-original-width="1967" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU36jvbKuZV0MBQbSBP7GLrjojaqFZBQ0elj228Pe1AgZ_P0aLh13_yAq3dfDBoKZmARf6j183Rv5X2RL6paVkpm5dyzXXEodfVovPljq7uEKHo0Wc5P0dy828ZG3XkvgJ6rS2vQuYZO6r22zxGLq0egtlFhlqpaw8lpKxWoSuvPtX5xLtdiXWZc_U9g/s320/_DSC0910-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Prairie Smoke</i></div></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknl7Vz7jWgIwcva-Z5Z9iqylv1JSJbgffges6yjxLcmpyGzyXCP6_0f1SVuhBcxgQY44LXZXuYt_9ImhdZMOqTr1zG-qX1aNT4Gcgn81mdmr-iPbXZ83oMCC499f-yTlm6lM8a_w1u32NswrbfXHV4EN2AAFerkh4HRp1quT-wjP-z2ycWpd-lQ0Ajw/s1545/_DSC0947-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="1340" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknl7Vz7jWgIwcva-Z5Z9iqylv1JSJbgffges6yjxLcmpyGzyXCP6_0f1SVuhBcxgQY44LXZXuYt_9ImhdZMOqTr1zG-qX1aNT4Gcgn81mdmr-iPbXZ83oMCC499f-yTlm6lM8a_w1u32NswrbfXHV4EN2AAFerkh4HRp1quT-wjP-z2ycWpd-lQ0Ajw/s320/_DSC0947-009.JPG" width="278" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Some type of bush rose</i></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU9VAQ5dAuTgRj3O0q8ydV30PG0E1nQME1CsqUueuOT0J2vsdTZDu-Al47EoxGrgJs53JCsg7y2xzQpcjXXAS_AfcPEj2NqYlheAHKQ5fPqSqTVW0PchHvRu9Eg3UooyaI79yHSaXmPRPkD0vJAd60d7wa1I9a-_nc0sCqbWUY7umRRUBDDIcwaZN8A/s2765/_DSC0948-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="2765" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU9VAQ5dAuTgRj3O0q8ydV30PG0E1nQME1CsqUueuOT0J2vsdTZDu-Al47EoxGrgJs53JCsg7y2xzQpcjXXAS_AfcPEj2NqYlheAHKQ5fPqSqTVW0PchHvRu9Eg3UooyaI79yHSaXmPRPkD0vJAd60d7wa1I9a-_nc0sCqbWUY7umRRUBDDIcwaZN8A/s320/_DSC0948-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Bleeding Heart</i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIT2yfNKcphz2HKm1c6kvrlWbgSDO0WSaeSRxWbMjP1ZJ5jsathxVmrapKTGm0ZgzOvP1K7SOkn5sRI3Kotgc-cDISBMTXn3EicVEM5IeZia5sG11patXbJHfPLYAxA29BOys9nneRhaScqyZrguBYg34hDW7HqPttNmJaGql2uqctfRMvW4fzVdy1sA/s2525/_DSC0223-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2525" data-original-width="1690" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIT2yfNKcphz2HKm1c6kvrlWbgSDO0WSaeSRxWbMjP1ZJ5jsathxVmrapKTGm0ZgzOvP1K7SOkn5sRI3Kotgc-cDISBMTXn3EicVEM5IeZia5sG11patXbJHfPLYAxA29BOys9nneRhaScqyZrguBYg34hDW7HqPttNmJaGql2uqctfRMvW4fzVdy1sA/s320/_DSC0223-009.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Black-eyed Susan</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDnfhTnjpOl6RnhJLKWutHPCNEzufE_5f7jgxnkABfGdUyaLb7Akgvp9wt7HDfnpTIPVvp17JtFF0tcNhv0nadLknaMnFMwJvvz_MmxIxWEOR9-I1mkqDrko4L7-KOqJZYWB0Tmpcjy9-m2U6Slbytwg6K2d3iPdt725RLYeWTjhPZiXmWHAGWSj4Ww/s2591/_DSC0227-010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2591" data-original-width="1355" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDnfhTnjpOl6RnhJLKWutHPCNEzufE_5f7jgxnkABfGdUyaLb7Akgvp9wt7HDfnpTIPVvp17JtFF0tcNhv0nadLknaMnFMwJvvz_MmxIxWEOR9-I1mkqDrko4L7-KOqJZYWB0Tmpcjy9-m2U6Slbytwg6K2d3iPdt725RLYeWTjhPZiXmWHAGWSj4Ww/s320/_DSC0227-010.JPG" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Foxglove Beardtongue</i></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-6677864633881001902023-06-10T23:02:00.001-05:002023-06-10T23:02:16.453-05:00My Favorite Photos - May 2023<p> This month I didn't take nearly as many photos as I have in past months. It's felt like I've been working a lot and have little time to take photos of things beside work (with the exception of Sophia's graduation from college). </p><p>The month of May started out with an event I coordinated at the museum - the season's open house. There were lots of hands-on activities - some old favorites (like "milking" a cow) and many new ones.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwY-EonHpifqlRfCog-QxclC1pB2jMkWGjzlcfZI-An53Kb1JnVbbV2_b4QmxbDdTBawsWQUyoaSydsyA8J15m5UyTzlKcmMaOXDV-Glw4sXHkBgLNEpn4NOGm_ibhs0a4BkEBmdi0Ca8B1OAu85k3N92sExGX7AdR2XYs9qJCK91xXLZMWcvw9Vc/s640/GG%20Open%20House%20-%2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="543" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwY-EonHpifqlRfCog-QxclC1pB2jMkWGjzlcfZI-An53Kb1JnVbbV2_b4QmxbDdTBawsWQUyoaSydsyA8J15m5UyTzlKcmMaOXDV-Glw4sXHkBgLNEpn4NOGm_ibhs0a4BkEBmdi0Ca8B1OAu85k3N92sExGX7AdR2XYs9qJCK91xXLZMWcvw9Vc/s320/GG%20Open%20House%20-%2011.jpg" width="272" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">The museum partnered with the Living History Society of Minnesota. There were about a half dozen volunteers who dressed in outfits typical of the late-1800s. The women sew all the clothing they wear which is very impressive!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-SisTs8XJ983MC2TgyrNnYMfkmsrggX-t2-vS6e7cz4nQfxwUJE5qeDX5bqAHXcZ6WyCgpadNzwi--S7H79Ee1j-9CQyZbQgAkWsIGFl2uFjceiwCLFNzUoQCg9_H9J4Y_EPVflB1-1gRRi2Fo6OuNPcyafhSR30iFV7JOmq4XaNPz0ebfawbLI/s2436/_DSC0446-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2436" data-original-width="1785" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-SisTs8XJ983MC2TgyrNnYMfkmsrggX-t2-vS6e7cz4nQfxwUJE5qeDX5bqAHXcZ6WyCgpadNzwi--S7H79Ee1j-9CQyZbQgAkWsIGFl2uFjceiwCLFNzUoQCg9_H9J4Y_EPVflB1-1gRRi2Fo6OuNPcyafhSR30iFV7JOmq4XaNPz0ebfawbLI/s320/_DSC0446-008.JPG" width="234" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">After the open house, there was a 51st birthday party for the museum. My sister and nephew were there. A friend who I've known for many years also showed up and we all had a nice conversation that evening.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKui2H6145DQfOI3HHV_Yc4-juDLjyyrT5AY4Z8iPV-QnM41Psn-EpaF815wBHmlZtRHln1jlKTxQpJ0OgGvZIDCvadXHBXJc9G8Euc1DakvXVPGtKk3BO8U3zwbKY-s8G4LKsaA8ebu8dsknLrvueo2Z9p7H621la5vHIhZ6nvdBIumJkFbmpMPY/s2206/_DSC0545-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1899" data-original-width="2206" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKui2H6145DQfOI3HHV_Yc4-juDLjyyrT5AY4Z8iPV-QnM41Psn-EpaF815wBHmlZtRHln1jlKTxQpJ0OgGvZIDCvadXHBXJc9G8Euc1DakvXVPGtKk3BO8U3zwbKY-s8G4LKsaA8ebu8dsknLrvueo2Z9p7H621la5vHIhZ6nvdBIumJkFbmpMPY/s320/_DSC0545-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The following week, I was assigned to go on a field trip to the Minnesota Zoo because there was a student who has a track record of just getting up and leaving when he no longer wants to listen or be a part of the activity. He and I get along well, so we go to spend the day together. I brought my camera and let him use it. He had never held or used a camera before. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY1rFwX19SkauGV8Vydtps35lNXBpMDL2_Dfp48jkVfvALlDjJb-cTjgIx2VUYGoyIwxXpD982g98xKVHNZOCcVS8tWs1E_RqPVA50GQ-bW8T4KgG0Dbm6Svdeg9SgwOjXeNjcEE5piwW_7lBOLP4gT0tF-YQhIJ5LRwPYnFgDTTIBJv4y_aPOAg/s2403/_DSC0300-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1903" data-original-width="2403" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY1rFwX19SkauGV8Vydtps35lNXBpMDL2_Dfp48jkVfvALlDjJb-cTjgIx2VUYGoyIwxXpD982g98xKVHNZOCcVS8tWs1E_RqPVA50GQ-bW8T4KgG0Dbm6Svdeg9SgwOjXeNjcEE5piwW_7lBOLP4gT0tF-YQhIJ5LRwPYnFgDTTIBJv4y_aPOAg/s320/_DSC0300-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Within a half hour of being at the zoo, another student who I enjoy working with asked if he could be chaperoned by me. The teacher gave her permission, so the two sixth-grade boys and I spent the day together. Between the two of them, they took over 400 photos. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lz6QKYOXCUeHUDh-XXBlZd-mVUtFi_PGVQhQloMUW1l-G_2mghVBZAXuYO0ihlKLXItextWXsOLfFuNC09tVdJH0PafK9fSbGJyTZnQ2ipMWgOCCGuXRw0qIEDgm23gPZw0XH0o32tACcNu5crqf1qS6CXg4tAO0CFiJVNMV44PWqKMKL7A_wMY/s1936/_DSC0303-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lz6QKYOXCUeHUDh-XXBlZd-mVUtFi_PGVQhQloMUW1l-G_2mghVBZAXuYO0ihlKLXItextWXsOLfFuNC09tVdJH0PafK9fSbGJyTZnQ2ipMWgOCCGuXRw0qIEDgm23gPZw0XH0o32tACcNu5crqf1qS6CXg4tAO0CFiJVNMV44PWqKMKL7A_wMY/s320/_DSC0303-009.JPG" width="253" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We enjoyed exploring the zoo together at our own pace and having lunch together. It was starting to sink in that we only had a few more weeks together before summer break and of them both going to middle school next year. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Rvh9EOmbUIhSi84VmVCoQlLAwWxhitTzYivrs__-meaS3uRy7EN1v25NeSB82U9ml7JklPa03u0cFCsX9z1ITICjoftWfvcjTpnRBpFTJNBr5aR6yRFxFTHJGgDyOm0HrBLmCvztPWVhPWVnUHGt5ErQHAZr5VY7udHwr62G5o-SjY8aXUtbk38/s1543/_DSC0338-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="1543" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Rvh9EOmbUIhSi84VmVCoQlLAwWxhitTzYivrs__-meaS3uRy7EN1v25NeSB82U9ml7JklPa03u0cFCsX9z1ITICjoftWfvcjTpnRBpFTJNBr5aR6yRFxFTHJGgDyOm0HrBLmCvztPWVhPWVnUHGt5ErQHAZr5VY7udHwr62G5o-SjY8aXUtbk38/s320/_DSC0338-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>One of the things that saddened me was the snow monkey who somehow found a piece of gum and was playing with it. I later found out it was one of the sixth grader's chewed gum that the monkey had. I'm not sure if she spit it into the monkey's enclosure or if it fell out of her mouth. Regardless, it showed me how careless and thoughtless some kids can be. I'm glad I was with the two boys I was with that day. They, like me, were sad about the snow monkey and how a lot of kids were laughing at it as it played with the gum. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOyJRa5sH1KzIaPkG6I2-4uYRpEJI80r49rt8b26J7f24-sTE3AzEXKCSUWRvquToxMqmFYRrrBybA8uoIQyUCR5R98CDwv6_7XcJYscansY8DG9RM84gWY1dicI05ed8Kmmzd-7Gh2gHVHYM2jNWTJUH70ZxOcf3Kme3XaRaxKJFSSIl7VvKWMc/s2802/_DSC0341-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2802" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOyJRa5sH1KzIaPkG6I2-4uYRpEJI80r49rt8b26J7f24-sTE3AzEXKCSUWRvquToxMqmFYRrrBybA8uoIQyUCR5R98CDwv6_7XcJYscansY8DG9RM84gWY1dicI05ed8Kmmzd-7Gh2gHVHYM2jNWTJUH70ZxOcf3Kme3XaRaxKJFSSIl7VvKWMc/s320/_DSC0341-008.JPG" width="181" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back to more cheerful subjects. I got assigned again to help the two sixth-graders on track and field day. Both challenged themselves to do the hurdles which was something neither had done. They both did well. Did they receive a ribbon? No, but they pushed themselves to do something different. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSTNEEyZTDWGmkKnrFodcInmTM1ZfhVS6ZHKdovnAjgGFdlHDf98AcybHZSBakqdUtKMcuPaSBaPTLlnpUOosj7N7JscDtmN9xwmnE5HLEoNJggqaPxE4v7_cAxfAhTJiL9AdOzHrh9Z3dwdThqzyKTjXmD5fZqHaLYpzVJykanPKLQLvNC4pQZw/s640/Isaac%20-%20Hurdles%20-%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSTNEEyZTDWGmkKnrFodcInmTM1ZfhVS6ZHKdovnAjgGFdlHDf98AcybHZSBakqdUtKMcuPaSBaPTLlnpUOosj7N7JscDtmN9xwmnE5HLEoNJggqaPxE4v7_cAxfAhTJiL9AdOzHrh9Z3dwdThqzyKTjXmD5fZqHaLYpzVJykanPKLQLvNC4pQZw/s320/Isaac%20-%20Hurdles%20-%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Around the 20th of the month, I went to an exhibit at the county historical society. The museum is very well done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjLAAcfFhCqnAqELvwP5Akrcy5m6YwMBKrlYvRTDG8Q0CF14CY0im5dW4ZuIA6GZXVDO_JqrNrAER0-YIh_2V_zce3kwGZ2V6tmKWlie6GbGJ5VfmymMrgMEB71IFK6fXuRSDQlqf4LHvYsbZFW8uwIqQdvMVft_PSjTzRQUBPPeCXTWf97dt6u8/s640/Washington%20County%20Heritage%20Center%20-%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjLAAcfFhCqnAqELvwP5Akrcy5m6YwMBKrlYvRTDG8Q0CF14CY0im5dW4ZuIA6GZXVDO_JqrNrAER0-YIh_2V_zce3kwGZ2V6tmKWlie6GbGJ5VfmymMrgMEB71IFK6fXuRSDQlqf4LHvYsbZFW8uwIqQdvMVft_PSjTzRQUBPPeCXTWf97dt6u8/s320/Washington%20County%20Heritage%20Center%20-%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fast forward to the end of the month. Sophia's social work pinning ceremony was on the night before she graduated from college. Each of the social work students had a display board that presented their research findings based on their senor field work. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6FkK5lVI-HIFImIoB9TCEHTofs0H6PtP3fx2jwvM3ntYdTeIXNwrgFaFEC7j0HnIUFwNHFUbXLauEIoKjhU-GaDsfXn66qWzo4VQBwz5FrWKOc1CwDRNNGvvTwNZVYZ2dMEdimeeGAcutoy7zKkBrESWq5fnf-A3vLYrgcOlMP_mvDUqWKec9Ik/s2738/_DSC0546-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2738" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6FkK5lVI-HIFImIoB9TCEHTofs0H6PtP3fx2jwvM3ntYdTeIXNwrgFaFEC7j0HnIUFwNHFUbXLauEIoKjhU-GaDsfXn66qWzo4VQBwz5FrWKOc1CwDRNNGvvTwNZVYZ2dMEdimeeGAcutoy7zKkBrESWq5fnf-A3vLYrgcOlMP_mvDUqWKec9Ik/s320/_DSC0546-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>That evening, we went to dinner at a Thai restaurant. The spring roll were delicious! I would definitely order them again. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0VfqW0toQZ4QB95cpchgppj2gxpKlWAsthcDQ3u9ixgcL7Prg5tKFYVqRL_3yvB2gxIqZVU_KmB--Y7Tu2jlnAKG6xkFcNe2fONfy_Rz3lh3oaPPU7fJ5OeZsYqqQtng23AHu5TXlH5QvlnyucTb6J7ao7C13QNjuZ-8Q1nSL2P8ecGlLKITaG4/s2205/_DSC0570-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1684" data-original-width="2205" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0VfqW0toQZ4QB95cpchgppj2gxpKlWAsthcDQ3u9ixgcL7Prg5tKFYVqRL_3yvB2gxIqZVU_KmB--Y7Tu2jlnAKG6xkFcNe2fONfy_Rz3lh3oaPPU7fJ5OeZsYqqQtng23AHu5TXlH5QvlnyucTb6J7ao7C13QNjuZ-8Q1nSL2P8ecGlLKITaG4/s320/_DSC0570-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On Saturday, May 27th, Sophia graduated from college with a 3.94. So, the top honor: summa cum laude. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYEmzfiUPvx-LXsHbCnKsTLVgyHs7HIHLUeDvEWsQlMOVKFA4kG5HQR9qDpMPFt1JuBkIK8y87vkFQUMMyZwhvPBvhQGz7lUcGpFx64KdzGsU1t6G2M6uDa65e8sP0Omj7Za5YHW6W2uewMdmByE456YqxSicWiA0C3s-IkU8vafLGPWowSSkmXM/s1710/_DSC0623-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1708" data-original-width="1710" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYEmzfiUPvx-LXsHbCnKsTLVgyHs7HIHLUeDvEWsQlMOVKFA4kG5HQR9qDpMPFt1JuBkIK8y87vkFQUMMyZwhvPBvhQGz7lUcGpFx64KdzGsU1t6G2M6uDa65e8sP0Omj7Za5YHW6W2uewMdmByE456YqxSicWiA0C3s-IkU8vafLGPWowSSkmXM/s320/_DSC0623-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The purple stole is for being a Page Education Foundation scholar. The foundation provided funding to Sophia to help with her education.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLmhhPrgNj7iNZ3Yd_07C0RQ_Tni5qErR4J-lzNsT0D4OWdVCbislU2uXKlGwmanvD5AtQFQwAvXpCgzW0wY-jkyScjAcBXsU9IWu9BY5Ya-EbAUCTmdNNTjQM9_6M6JCB-mrrQLmNV2HclGMAzVJHO6va2zjvAjttMi5ZdmvlT-Cob1i3PzVXeU/s2586/_DSC0650-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2586" data-original-width="1081" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLmhhPrgNj7iNZ3Yd_07C0RQ_Tni5qErR4J-lzNsT0D4OWdVCbislU2uXKlGwmanvD5AtQFQwAvXpCgzW0wY-jkyScjAcBXsU9IWu9BY5Ya-EbAUCTmdNNTjQM9_6M6JCB-mrrQLmNV2HclGMAzVJHO6va2zjvAjttMi5ZdmvlT-Cob1i3PzVXeU/s320/_DSC0650-009.JPG" width="134" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaBkCh_3zqFoitNZMV8b4_hEbhHQW3DRC2enBk-zt3rJHvCYODZznJNp2oeh21Wt3sX9Ma1ziEr6yQ1uUVH0FuzMvsHmU78QLQ_iDvvH2TYUG72dtYIYklXkPXfdeOe4dcRLWwsvkOLczab6IqFLgILnC9PKC9BDmO9VmwAq2NsuZ98RaqbAVzQ8/s2566/_DSC0674-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2566" data-original-width="1929" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaBkCh_3zqFoitNZMV8b4_hEbhHQW3DRC2enBk-zt3rJHvCYODZznJNp2oeh21Wt3sX9Ma1ziEr6yQ1uUVH0FuzMvsHmU78QLQ_iDvvH2TYUG72dtYIYklXkPXfdeOe4dcRLWwsvkOLczab6IqFLgILnC9PKC9BDmO9VmwAq2NsuZ98RaqbAVzQ8/s320/_DSC0674-009.JPG" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is so hard to believe that she was once a little girl who I homeschooled. We learned, laughed, and discovered so much together. Now, she far exceeds me academically and did work that was out of my realm of experience and knowledge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After graduation, we all went to dinner at Namaste, an Indian restaurant. It reminded us of our trip last year to London where there were a lot of Indian restaurants. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrglQpgmkVoF-q6Fkddlr47xwaAah9WWjwRcPmPdWAvhuYQm8PR-H3EQnVqbWk7U_1bcIkPcS293RbzHvLGOKVlxCtDKBTOY4AGLMw9zGxAq0s8Q_jKJ1rTBTeJNnZ_-33LULV1ga6YTEgs7jPHfsuhPeggEzcvBUbl2GgWPfVMdyABHHALrhXuE/s2293/_DSC0725-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1609" data-original-width="2293" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrglQpgmkVoF-q6Fkddlr47xwaAah9WWjwRcPmPdWAvhuYQm8PR-H3EQnVqbWk7U_1bcIkPcS293RbzHvLGOKVlxCtDKBTOY4AGLMw9zGxAq0s8Q_jKJ1rTBTeJNnZ_-33LULV1ga6YTEgs7jPHfsuhPeggEzcvBUbl2GgWPfVMdyABHHALrhXuE/s320/_DSC0725-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After graduation, we moved both the girls out of their dorms/suites. Olivia was done right away. Sophia, on the other hand, had a much more extensive packing and cleaning job. It took much of the day to get her moved out. This is Olivia by the dorm she lived in during her freshman year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9I941CQjTq787FRrnxXDDWezJLfIxdjw_Xq28EFjCzzvzUJKwMmqpD1p05WDgHauW9hCXUT82Dxr7kZm8kAhumETHOGD_u8-OQ8ze8Vs9E-qkQpV0VC6cwdGsfHIGWIZiPY-lJme4aqTA6tePuesC4iPo3u6clzXEbRTd0APsZP-GHi9bRIuboXA/s2992/_DSC0743-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9I941CQjTq787FRrnxXDDWezJLfIxdjw_Xq28EFjCzzvzUJKwMmqpD1p05WDgHauW9hCXUT82Dxr7kZm8kAhumETHOGD_u8-OQ8ze8Vs9E-qkQpV0VC6cwdGsfHIGWIZiPY-lJme4aqTA6tePuesC4iPo3u6clzXEbRTd0APsZP-GHi9bRIuboXA/s320/_DSC0743-008.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After dropping off Olivia at home, I went to the museum for Immigrant for a Day. I had planned all the activities, but others (staff and volunteers) set it up for me. This was one of the activities - a miniature box baler. This (on a larger scale) was how hay and straw was baled. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VO_fdaC1kOG4tUYZkeY6PoWpaVAu8wVsM4JWrvAplYiKCZ_KApd4IsVpOhe1MphgLTd_O-HCSauP1J2lP0pnjkrJ67nTPJnMV4qaZzvtIfCtHSQz9hnnCUzlWp6v2QIVc3vh3WZao01HhUQAXhdsHcgZMtA6PJ0cu-TLRdeNkkLq9Xm7xXhiqkc/s1863/_DSC0754-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1783" data-original-width="1863" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VO_fdaC1kOG4tUYZkeY6PoWpaVAu8wVsM4JWrvAplYiKCZ_KApd4IsVpOhe1MphgLTd_O-HCSauP1J2lP0pnjkrJ67nTPJnMV4qaZzvtIfCtHSQz9hnnCUzlWp6v2QIVc3vh3WZao01HhUQAXhdsHcgZMtA6PJ0cu-TLRdeNkkLq9Xm7xXhiqkc/s320/_DSC0754-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another activity was writing on a slate like they would have done on the late-1800s. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-LcleX_UZCTw98lX5Hm7ngz6UVPto1o3BdnYHt9SyfpHpwHVg-bVOymoSn4ceqKlTlRgwJVWD7GWnBMBLJhjJm6g0W0rUyLNc3brw5QJ6rvuiknUhizXDjkCniUVAjoVJ_tMM6cU4ju_Dw2NqPxtuBbxJjyPt0yGk45rHquyrDCp52iewQfMWL8/s2992/_DSC0784-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-LcleX_UZCTw98lX5Hm7ngz6UVPto1o3BdnYHt9SyfpHpwHVg-bVOymoSn4ceqKlTlRgwJVWD7GWnBMBLJhjJm6g0W0rUyLNc3brw5QJ6rvuiknUhizXDjkCniUVAjoVJ_tMM6cU4ju_Dw2NqPxtuBbxJjyPt0yGk45rHquyrDCp52iewQfMWL8/s320/_DSC0784-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Memorial Day morning, Sophia - who just had graduated from college two days earlier - was headed to the Baltics with the Wind Symphony. It was their final international trip of their college career.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxi91EKKdqo-ZXFI6mBGMt9B_-71HS1qjMK9jPiu2U7bI0OLdbnJ2-jKgCguoeM6gISRok3fkzcbpCg7f3d43Z8XUGtYYNiceDjTYhGDPvlDsN0FqwnW3ciIaRO38b1sbeFLa-zxrk3C07d-FUEdZwACOIcI0U7xRyu_dd5hDMORq3FQ8oQ1Ylho/s2992/_DSC0739-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1732" data-original-width="2992" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxi91EKKdqo-ZXFI6mBGMt9B_-71HS1qjMK9jPiu2U7bI0OLdbnJ2-jKgCguoeM6gISRok3fkzcbpCg7f3d43Z8XUGtYYNiceDjTYhGDPvlDsN0FqwnW3ciIaRO38b1sbeFLa-zxrk3C07d-FUEdZwACOIcI0U7xRyu_dd5hDMORq3FQ8oQ1Ylho/s320/_DSC0739-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While she was flying overseas, I was at the local cemetery listening and watching the Memorial Day ceremony. When my dad was buried at Fort Snelling, there was a multi-gun salute. I kept two the metal cases from the bullets...just like I did with the bullets from the salute to him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0f4QQH-AhLMRhrMToDC7sgc_GdBgikTOdvFEkYcFCoiRdjC9OaxbHymh1T14iRt6CIL7d0yYHKGUoluO-_EhhFPCGx56Bt6W2kVsHS8lZqS4AMEiQK2FFwE1mjoyMD6O7h-lP2jUU3xrtUE32xYQZDU9Ice6Etjn5rcr4_AkOrfptS_w82gYDYk/s1782/_DSC0821-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1412" data-original-width="1782" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0f4QQH-AhLMRhrMToDC7sgc_GdBgikTOdvFEkYcFCoiRdjC9OaxbHymh1T14iRt6CIL7d0yYHKGUoluO-_EhhFPCGx56Bt6W2kVsHS8lZqS4AMEiQK2FFwE1mjoyMD6O7h-lP2jUU3xrtUE32xYQZDU9Ice6Etjn5rcr4_AkOrfptS_w82gYDYk/s320/_DSC0821-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>And that's May. </p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-42119478370576453902023-06-01T08:17:00.006-05:002023-06-01T08:17:39.387-05:00Birds - At Home and at the Minnesota Zoo<p>For this swap on Swap-Bot, the focus is on birds and photographing three images of birds in the wild or in captivity. </p><p>The first image is of a red-winged blackbird at one of our suet feeders. The red-winged blackbirds came back in mid-April this year and there was not a lot of food available for them. They flew from our pond to the backyard to eat seeds and suet. I always like seeing and hearing these birds because they are often the first signs of spring.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXohlebnedHppe8bZSIzj449Vi82Bz8W3AaG_9D-umS_YptMw5OReQT_cySp-6b4RFOkj9M9vle4Az9aoZhkmNyLV5Y_UYlIyISw5k4hOYBusBRWJsKaYfeEiX0PD9xi6lq2BTbh4WVYM50uEZDEoLB4ZBtjEggmBlWY7Yv7gBRY7_krG3gxxSq4/s2992/_DSC0157-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXohlebnedHppe8bZSIzj449Vi82Bz8W3AaG_9D-umS_YptMw5OReQT_cySp-6b4RFOkj9M9vle4Az9aoZhkmNyLV5Y_UYlIyISw5k4hOYBusBRWJsKaYfeEiX0PD9xi6lq2BTbh4WVYM50uEZDEoLB4ZBtjEggmBlWY7Yv7gBRY7_krG3gxxSq4/s320/_DSC0157-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is a Common Shelduck that is at the Minnesota Zoo. They are commonly seen in Europe, Asia, and the northern parts of Africa. Young shelducks are able to fly at only seven weeks old. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4YBFQhF6uGHE98wXS2DCtNvtevWEUTLY5YMO3qq_RIfklQzFNNZ57fin_SmVPW4XBh59L9byhd8aC92MwdCpjOITPB0xWIrfOS1lLu-IwF9nI4V9Wb_3tdqLgb9m61AdP5CtU7S1fQexFnelmOs9eeF5WLLmLQHl8Rru8tKUZoYQWB-1WJLpd_Q/s1924/_DSC0290-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1924" data-original-width="1243" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4YBFQhF6uGHE98wXS2DCtNvtevWEUTLY5YMO3qq_RIfklQzFNNZ57fin_SmVPW4XBh59L9byhd8aC92MwdCpjOITPB0xWIrfOS1lLu-IwF9nI4V9Wb_3tdqLgb9m61AdP5CtU7S1fQexFnelmOs9eeF5WLLmLQHl8Rru8tKUZoYQWB-1WJLpd_Q/s320/_DSC0290-009.JPG" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are Lesser Flamingos that commonly live in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. Although they are the tallest birds at the Minnesota Zoo, they are the smallest ones among flamingos. In the wild, Lesser Flamingos travel at night in a V-formation - just like Canada Geese.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3xrVAiqQnvvVi8Xy6VUOUiw1mSOq4Be7iTUpT_bCssvLOxam29yDwuDELXPiOfPM0w_K_h-Q7QA-yQ7_VlvSwFaZ-gcuOAiWLEwz_j0cI_LV-NMbByJ0NTlEwOr3HT864f2LiTmsARJQb1Z0pX-1nxBNi0Kq53xWmJhmw7quI37SK2-d_UJHvcw/s799/2248620136_79039c83d6_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3xrVAiqQnvvVi8Xy6VUOUiw1mSOq4Be7iTUpT_bCssvLOxam29yDwuDELXPiOfPM0w_K_h-Q7QA-yQ7_VlvSwFaZ-gcuOAiWLEwz_j0cI_LV-NMbByJ0NTlEwOr3HT864f2LiTmsARJQb1Z0pX-1nxBNi0Kq53xWmJhmw7quI37SK2-d_UJHvcw/s320/2248620136_79039c83d6_c.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Back to yard photos. These aren't great photos, since they are taken from a distance on my phone. That being said, this one is of two orioles - a male (by the orange on the feeder) and a female (waiting on the top of the metal pole). I am so happy to have the Orioles back again this year. They have beautiful songs and are such colorful birds.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyVl6z3cYhateO7yKklP-pVPz5JI536nnxOkxt_bYybCj_N41kc-fSZo3J_pqr27ZEhZ1cLGlaucSdQWc4S-auBObmPXZ5pecggN7HQUHh8arNT1qpHg1K1b9Yo15YSB4ig7OVPz9CzkktlLAr5yibUGdxNf2vnDxyhTiSgzYM0ijVtZzZZ6nfYE/s640/Orioles%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="598" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyVl6z3cYhateO7yKklP-pVPz5JI536nnxOkxt_bYybCj_N41kc-fSZo3J_pqr27ZEhZ1cLGlaucSdQWc4S-auBObmPXZ5pecggN7HQUHh8arNT1qpHg1K1b9Yo15YSB4ig7OVPz9CzkktlLAr5yibUGdxNf2vnDxyhTiSgzYM0ijVtZzZZ6nfYE/s320/Orioles%202023.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the Pileated Woodpecker. It is the largest woodpecker in Minnesota. Comparing this bird to the Red-Winged Blackbird in the first photo is a good way to see the size of these birds. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4hJ2-YtTWE5Qv9_GJ82fyLNEp5DxHQjks8PW3lqDLRMXqWRvbTKZ_30-ToeVe9vO4Nj6LktZCZgGS0yQo3S526gXTD3lJ1_3m1NGwCVK3TNyDAXno_L_vsJ5SVJqGtAVeFEq3MUrhMTogHc8P8b0TJpLT6pXjjvOt32fYelvJr1U4SCZeisHTpg/s640/Pileated%20Woodpecker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="640" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4hJ2-YtTWE5Qv9_GJ82fyLNEp5DxHQjks8PW3lqDLRMXqWRvbTKZ_30-ToeVe9vO4Nj6LktZCZgGS0yQo3S526gXTD3lJ1_3m1NGwCVK3TNyDAXno_L_vsJ5SVJqGtAVeFEq3MUrhMTogHc8P8b0TJpLT6pXjjvOt32fYelvJr1U4SCZeisHTpg/s320/Pileated%20Woodpecker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These photos are not my best work in terms of photography. With working multiple jobs, I have not had the time to take my camera and spend time photographing the birds around our yard. Hopefully, with the school year ending, I'll have more time to take better photos. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-9320655344153400052023-06-01T07:50:00.006-05:002023-06-01T07:50:38.548-05:00Field Trip to the Minnesota Zoo<p> There's a swap on Swap-bot that I signed up for with a focus on sharing photos of three animals. As I went back on my photos over the past month, I realized I didn't take any pictures of our dogs or wild animals that I've seen around our home. Instead, these are all photos of animals I saw at the Minnesota Zoo.</p><p>I went to the Minnesota Zoo on a field trip with the sixth-grade class and was assigned to a student in special education. It ended up that another student I work with wanted to join us, so the three of us explored the zoo together. It was a lot of fun, especially since I gave them their own photo disk and let them borrow my camera. They took over 400 photos of the experience there.</p><p>So, I had very little time to photograph animals myself, but to see the joy of the boys as they took documented their trip was well worth it. </p><p>At any rate, below are some photos I took that day. The first two are of snow monkeys. Snow monkey are from Asia and they live farther north than any other non-human primate. In Japan, they are able to survive the cold northern temperatures because of their long, thick fur and occasional dip in a volcanic hot spring. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NapOX9blORl616iSvXRSYYS-qTlS0kUuvpoVsSo9Yf_4afT9J4cU0t5269WgKrN_ORy_EKKZEJL9OmPk_kA6HbJ96xE2qpeRb50eSb0bFPrrXsHtRN26DLgMZfY1K9BZAFF48JDyleeJ7V9SxZW6D2yNpALwSOffzIp_4NAjo6xJ7HTEk0QviSE/s2403/_DSC0300-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1903" data-original-width="2403" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NapOX9blORl616iSvXRSYYS-qTlS0kUuvpoVsSo9Yf_4afT9J4cU0t5269WgKrN_ORy_EKKZEJL9OmPk_kA6HbJ96xE2qpeRb50eSb0bFPrrXsHtRN26DLgMZfY1K9BZAFF48JDyleeJ7V9SxZW6D2yNpALwSOffzIp_4NAjo6xJ7HTEk0QviSE/s320/_DSC0300-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p>Snow monkeys have long canine teeth and are very strong which helps keep them safe from predators when they are on the ground. They also have special cheek pouches. While foraging, they stash extra food in their pouches and chew it later. </p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQU1BJVl7xaLpyrvAgevIntxKYn0Pyyx7sqyPbhL31pUwR-7Zy8csCSIvKbsvq7NFS6aGl2dLFAadK8J_8jC9Tf5AjLB0Xp4ftrM73CkQGuncKGKZ6PXbyb0lT6VqkPVpi3Jw_7wbr7VEhsGhqeWMZh6-L3DvYTVDJg7Z3ybBTS1fDbhGOItmSiY/s1550/_DSC0298-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="1550" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQU1BJVl7xaLpyrvAgevIntxKYn0Pyyx7sqyPbhL31pUwR-7Zy8csCSIvKbsvq7NFS6aGl2dLFAadK8J_8jC9Tf5AjLB0Xp4ftrM73CkQGuncKGKZ6PXbyb0lT6VqkPVpi3Jw_7wbr7VEhsGhqeWMZh6-L3DvYTVDJg7Z3ybBTS1fDbhGOItmSiY/s320/_DSC0298-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was a beautiful, sunny day when we were at the zoo, so the brown bears (grizzlies) were resting. Brown bears are among the biggest animals on earth, and they are particularly large in Kamchatka, in Russia’s far east, and on the coast of Alaska. They may grow to be ten feet tall and weigh 1,300 pounds.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFbN8XOiQyBcsDFa5ZyHNXKnIa9mlzevNhFpGI1-ipEiYxem5bUVV5e3OzaHJdmcHKnJkcJVtdMYc279B7G24g1XdmeV7e_GIzPt9Yw8g7graZ1GM9iPF3ff4g1KY2f4A0L4kT2LqawZK54C1xdhKJwtNL4NxfYnat_M2YP0_L7gFzilYlvpTc70/s2992/_DSC0322-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFbN8XOiQyBcsDFa5ZyHNXKnIa9mlzevNhFpGI1-ipEiYxem5bUVV5e3OzaHJdmcHKnJkcJVtdMYc279B7G24g1XdmeV7e_GIzPt9Yw8g7graZ1GM9iPF3ff4g1KY2f4A0L4kT2LqawZK54C1xdhKJwtNL4NxfYnat_M2YP0_L7gFzilYlvpTc70/s320/_DSC0322-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is an Amur Leopard. These leopards live in the eastern part of Asia and are on the brink of extinction. With deer populations declining and their habitat being disrupted, the leopards are in a precarious place with fewer than 50 individuals living in the wild.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTO8-xNLOWNZ-ocqsWkk09-rRpW3oiCpTRVj8qwMlQSxDoXytsgIqH2OE2GV7nmN55sPwxrOuEI_Vt1WEDc1SazTYWrPtH8VJSA-ehV-TtevvSt6xCMF7CJGwluyfWUDie4AanrC_NlDbMYPlQW4rhlSr5RJBlMk4h_euUn78_VFdr7vqCoz5MWk/s2825/_DSC0329-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="2825" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTO8-xNLOWNZ-ocqsWkk09-rRpW3oiCpTRVj8qwMlQSxDoXytsgIqH2OE2GV7nmN55sPwxrOuEI_Vt1WEDc1SazTYWrPtH8VJSA-ehV-TtevvSt6xCMF7CJGwluyfWUDie4AanrC_NlDbMYPlQW4rhlSr5RJBlMk4h_euUn78_VFdr7vqCoz5MWk/s320/_DSC0329-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As we were walking on a path, a chipmunk came running out. It stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and it watched us as we watched it. Chipmunks have either seven or nine stripes depending on their type (Eastern or Least) and weigh only from one to four ounces. They have short lifespans - up to two years. </div><div><br /></div><div>Like the snow monkeys, chipmunks have cheek pouches too. However, with chipmunks, the cheek pouches can enlarge to three times bigger than their heads. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIvXFAWI1Vr31ESaeesOoMLXJo6yz9jQoWRKNa3GJYge7xsJzotdAXUn88fcQBxkX4dwnVO6oJ3LJ24RqGt6LTLMSLog712hzBypWbyCnwhQtGMpeaXpZaDL7dv4GB1_cNtmDEg9mIIV65G0vW-IKSf_xNamW4lBfzf3DLEVsnRtNo5TVAI-ciTE/s1543/_DSC0338-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="1543" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIvXFAWI1Vr31ESaeesOoMLXJo6yz9jQoWRKNa3GJYge7xsJzotdAXUn88fcQBxkX4dwnVO6oJ3LJ24RqGt6LTLMSLog712hzBypWbyCnwhQtGMpeaXpZaDL7dv4GB1_cNtmDEg9mIIV65G0vW-IKSf_xNamW4lBfzf3DLEVsnRtNo5TVAI-ciTE/s320/_DSC0338-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Zoos, for me, are challenging. Although I love to see different types of animals and appreciate that they are keeping some species from extinction, it is difficult for me to see animals in captivity - especially large ones with small enclosures or land space. I'm not sure the solution to this issue because, in some cases, the animals are safer than in the wild where poachers will kill them. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, for the time being, I need to focus on the gift of being able to learn about and see these animals; and for being made aware of the challenges that they face in the wild. <br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-27772102425602249532023-05-10T06:28:00.001-05:002023-05-10T06:28:18.618-05:00Photo Scavenger Hunt <p>On Swap-bot there is a photo challenge to find five items on a list of ten. I was able to find eight of the items from my current and past photos. </p><div><b>A Pet - </b>this is Aspen with one of her favorite stuffed toys, "Bunny." She was rescued from a high-kill shelter at only 6 1/2 weeks and we adopted her at around 8 weeks. She was so tiny. Now, as a Siberian Husky-American Staffordshire Terrier mix, she's a medium-sized dog. Aspen has such a wonderful personality. We all absolutely love this dog!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZtgxu7TmKADDnC4qG0RrbcB4xpYeKN4Dk0vr3-GuF_EHZfI-QQ-_jyVvA7iBMET72ABC5u77pk78BOAlE7N2EESK99TA96Y599mD0LUgEAeKFZuJUQsaXd87etR_I79HUnzYVZPEdUVVelqXyXhdQqo8XPdiM9NZVh1EE5LFU-Voh0x5_M3S20Q/s800/51939906538_b806ace530_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZtgxu7TmKADDnC4qG0RrbcB4xpYeKN4Dk0vr3-GuF_EHZfI-QQ-_jyVvA7iBMET72ABC5u77pk78BOAlE7N2EESK99TA96Y599mD0LUgEAeKFZuJUQsaXd87etR_I79HUnzYVZPEdUVVelqXyXhdQqo8XPdiM9NZVh1EE5LFU-Voh0x5_M3S20Q/s320/51939906538_b806ace530_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Something Blue - </b>At the museum where I work, we had an open house on May 6th. Of course, it had to drizzle in the morning and then go into a rainstorm in the afternoon about a half hour before closing. My godmother, her daughter, and her grandson came to the open house which was such a nice surprise. Pam's umbrella and Landon's blue jacket stood out and added a bright pop of color.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5NXDLfEKlbTUkNx_zmRo54v4UhSYMLgf3cP8yVsmAjmHKvPUNWC1v-HS8GrgFzkZcnz8LSnLMmRUpjW844fK9K1ngQBg1ATLfnojUxZDG3NmvLyPcRJoBm70kepkJ2Mty9DIcUTMHffohizS55-bu88QuQZhH4FH34WQenw6mt6fisJ3mxK55lU/s1837/_DSC0442-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1813" data-original-width="1837" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5NXDLfEKlbTUkNx_zmRo54v4UhSYMLgf3cP8yVsmAjmHKvPUNWC1v-HS8GrgFzkZcnz8LSnLMmRUpjW844fK9K1ngQBg1ATLfnojUxZDG3NmvLyPcRJoBm70kepkJ2Mty9DIcUTMHffohizS55-bu88QuQZhH4FH34WQenw6mt6fisJ3mxK55lU/s320/_DSC0442-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Something Beginning with H </b>- In late-April, I went to the Minnesota Association of Local History Museums in Austin, Minnesota. This is the Historic Hormel Home. It's beautifully preserved and presented and much larger than I thought. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2-Q4BnQzJZR-3EFqK5maqfXXIx6q76c2rXu8E9gmmvV4T7-rfKvGeD9hc9yA2FxAQ7Us5dtnyiqhmPE287ryGZjocUuwQsv01b-u8fDLrd3TaB7EQeZF2W8WmEl1-w5-jmQ7TYNIb4ms5vGHtoVn65gW_EIM6r_P0-X8o1uYFOXpsU0Ds2PeSPg/s2992/_DSC0072-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2-Q4BnQzJZR-3EFqK5maqfXXIx6q76c2rXu8E9gmmvV4T7-rfKvGeD9hc9yA2FxAQ7Us5dtnyiqhmPE287ryGZjocUuwQsv01b-u8fDLrd3TaB7EQeZF2W8WmEl1-w5-jmQ7TYNIb4ms5vGHtoVn65gW_EIM6r_P0-X8o1uYFOXpsU0Ds2PeSPg/s320/_DSC0072-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b> A Place of Worship </b>- many years ago, my sister and I spent a day traveling around southern Minnesota. This is a little historic church. The stained glass windows were so beautiful and detailed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo61mUh8fvNEpy-NS5OXXHNZwyN9MabGJ3drCG4r1GIk-49aEPpAWJALvBD7coFpHFuachZPV_8VMV44MVISk44Gq2hMtv4IHD3Bzn4EVJo6sfNhpwqeSUyL-4DaIjZE6WXYOUNi1DJePDWNNPoQXGJJG6G0cvmyhmwNII4sOsKbVrExKH-7pHvzU/s800/51610799787_132e40e565_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="535" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo61mUh8fvNEpy-NS5OXXHNZwyN9MabGJ3drCG4r1GIk-49aEPpAWJALvBD7coFpHFuachZPV_8VMV44MVISk44Gq2hMtv4IHD3Bzn4EVJo6sfNhpwqeSUyL-4DaIjZE6WXYOUNi1DJePDWNNPoQXGJJG6G0cvmyhmwNII4sOsKbVrExKH-7pHvzU/s320/51610799787_132e40e565_c.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Waterfowl </b>- last Wednesday I was able to accompany the sixth graders at the local elementary school on their field trip to the Minnesota Zoo. This was one of the waterfowl in the Tropics area. The zoo employees were cleaning the enclosure, so there was limited water for the ducks and flamingos when we were there. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLtyY1lpN8Z25TOPxvQZc0lmcaMIIDnb6xwTQoJC7mAp2-SKO0MrC9VZ7BCPoxyQ8Jf3gTiXPVzIMctM4wfzCNGxHV6vYYp8XMjKOc4MKKldWpdKEIucZ-B_ZbpWBq1-oNun9PR3Sy_PytWlQ6CfMaPVUuWJKzb8bFYKb6nFw68seB0yQo7Ja0Nk/s1924/_DSC0290-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1924" data-original-width="1243" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLtyY1lpN8Z25TOPxvQZc0lmcaMIIDnb6xwTQoJC7mAp2-SKO0MrC9VZ7BCPoxyQ8Jf3gTiXPVzIMctM4wfzCNGxHV6vYYp8XMjKOc4MKKldWpdKEIucZ-B_ZbpWBq1-oNun9PR3Sy_PytWlQ6CfMaPVUuWJKzb8bFYKb6nFw68seB0yQo7Ja0Nk/s320/_DSC0290-009.JPG" width="207" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Spring </b>- when I was in Austin, Minnesota, at the end of April, there were many signs of spring. This is one of the catkins on the trees on the Tree Trek there. There are 75 trees and shrubs planted along a little lake that showcase the variety of trees that can grow in Minnesota. Some are native and others are not. However, all can grow in this climate.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZzqlpwGvcxQW-WupQ3NsddzYU3TbnX6cEppmUOdeojyFeWTMDQHt2iMZR0767TVRw0VyjeHw086PvgCsZH1-9VD1xvm5uWug7b9LOFq43jyZ0XTRcwXztIigBXkkLl2LdWaJKwB9XyUA78a_K-f8ZCHXTRAn0Q_OMp-sGYiGbVxgXzV5nVnllSY/s2992/_DSC0011-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZzqlpwGvcxQW-WupQ3NsddzYU3TbnX6cEppmUOdeojyFeWTMDQHt2iMZR0767TVRw0VyjeHw086PvgCsZH1-9VD1xvm5uWug7b9LOFq43jyZ0XTRcwXztIigBXkkLl2LdWaJKwB9XyUA78a_K-f8ZCHXTRAn0Q_OMp-sGYiGbVxgXzV5nVnllSY/s320/_DSC0011-009.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Parade </b>- this photo is from a couple of years ago when my family and I went to see the parade in Osceola, Wisconsin. A Mexican restaurant put together this float. It was one of our favorite ones in the parade. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSms5cP9o6Bkmh5Fuo8n3xExbqgZT_tY21Y16Sd95BQrjgs2fP3Z28t8Hltqh6IWSiApTz59d55d3Sut2BRRFy9yTl4V26ju7Uj2XxwIny2NM1bWhMfBdJr086eTj0UT05deBgyyE6zM3TqFQS_W3_oAoski9F9JOadNI0uwFOtaoaBIcE0sQwLnU/s800/51619275547_75185cff13_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="800" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSms5cP9o6Bkmh5Fuo8n3xExbqgZT_tY21Y16Sd95BQrjgs2fP3Z28t8Hltqh6IWSiApTz59d55d3Sut2BRRFy9yTl4V26ju7Uj2XxwIny2NM1bWhMfBdJr086eTj0UT05deBgyyE6zM3TqFQS_W3_oAoski9F9JOadNI0uwFOtaoaBIcE0sQwLnU/s320/51619275547_75185cff13_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Shadow </b>- this image was from many years ago at a state park. I looked down and noticed the shadow of a plant on a rock. I didn't do anything to the image - this is how the lighting and image looked in the heart of the forest.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA78VFGpMXjxOXcSY94Enhgx1ItsE7Dac1vcOc28b_PB-nXl1zrByeLRysppmw20du1KUURA3KjKn2GbEpdSai4l23DTnoDFBdX0KVXJgeOuqAvwBT8UPliv8Z14QPY5T1BRERn2NcXQc92iyc5eFhcdVJ8RkpIr16jRpgdZdDBMwzq0RaNGRlaNk/s799/2543628886_74b0569220_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="799" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA78VFGpMXjxOXcSY94Enhgx1ItsE7Dac1vcOc28b_PB-nXl1zrByeLRysppmw20du1KUURA3KjKn2GbEpdSai4l23DTnoDFBdX0KVXJgeOuqAvwBT8UPliv8Z14QPY5T1BRERn2NcXQc92iyc5eFhcdVJ8RkpIr16jRpgdZdDBMwzq0RaNGRlaNk/s320/2543628886_74b0569220_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-82424437385824468772023-05-07T17:35:00.001-05:002023-05-07T17:35:15.649-05:00Favorite Photos from April 2023<p>Below are some of my favorite photos from April...or at least ones that I want to remember what happened in April. </p><p>On April 1st, there was a major snowfall. The snow, by this point, covered half of the doors and windows on the barn. This has been a nightmarish winter, to say the least. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZluz4LuRakUK6qzBwiT_0RjglpV4P5PFsJC3HM9IlzkSniCjoZuIDbq6x8JKxN7y8lZ61_o3X0EoInEVg2z93HoW99RMfWHKsMMgRi64AmLWQP_p4WUJNyWM6CY3cZzgL2otkDgBJCAuejhsUAMkv3G4Nx5O1GGdmu-AS8lmv6iukKNoBGv1Ais/s640/April%202023%20-%20Snow%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZluz4LuRakUK6qzBwiT_0RjglpV4P5PFsJC3HM9IlzkSniCjoZuIDbq6x8JKxN7y8lZ61_o3X0EoInEVg2z93HoW99RMfWHKsMMgRi64AmLWQP_p4WUJNyWM6CY3cZzgL2otkDgBJCAuejhsUAMkv3G4Nx5O1GGdmu-AS8lmv6iukKNoBGv1Ais/s320/April%202023%20-%20Snow%201.jpg" width="241" /></a></p><p>One of the things I like about the winter, though, is that I can see tracks in the snow. It amazes me how much "traffic" there is around the yard by different mammals and birds in the winter and early-spring.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IyZ4ivfbaNU_cRx-yz_nH76rxZW3MNxk8R6oV87pkEAFSLrJaNpfiMYUXz1t8gMYQeXqxYfSSxublZgIfP0ul99GCrnHnZDj0dEGZICmKHh42bH9OEesWG4KAYkA93rBfwqonpc9W_MAprcuk3fOPMJCajdr-wgFisRETf_fMfIqHMuZCtN3W_g/s640/April%202023%20-%20footprints%20tracks%20in%20snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="472" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IyZ4ivfbaNU_cRx-yz_nH76rxZW3MNxk8R6oV87pkEAFSLrJaNpfiMYUXz1t8gMYQeXqxYfSSxublZgIfP0ul99GCrnHnZDj0dEGZICmKHh42bH9OEesWG4KAYkA93rBfwqonpc9W_MAprcuk3fOPMJCajdr-wgFisRETf_fMfIqHMuZCtN3W_g/s320/April%202023%20-%20footprints%20tracks%20in%20snow.jpg" width="236" /></a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once the snow melted a bit, I took the dogs out for a walk. I need to get into the routine of walking again.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCdmO98og1BDMXZCub2OZGdypkJUWL3Fa6P53Ba927zlIKmnnywHAdmDg-qsI2DScnVde7KtxcYpwKgJ8U90_wxbsRpCrn1s12kmxI2gNMNPWZShCAQVxA8V6NeF73MCUvgNFsS6PEJmELeneJ3DUdmbUUQ83mooYVhfpgnXkGnrt8jnJTgnWoRE/s640/April%202023%20-%20Cooper%20and%20Aspen%20snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCdmO98og1BDMXZCub2OZGdypkJUWL3Fa6P53Ba927zlIKmnnywHAdmDg-qsI2DScnVde7KtxcYpwKgJ8U90_wxbsRpCrn1s12kmxI2gNMNPWZShCAQVxA8V6NeF73MCUvgNFsS6PEJmELeneJ3DUdmbUUQ83mooYVhfpgnXkGnrt8jnJTgnWoRE/s320/April%202023%20-%20Cooper%20and%20Aspen%20snow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The dogs love to walk along this road. There isn't a lot of traffic or walker/bikers, which is nice.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWm0x6W9oMYfH3ISBUXFn6FrPCpA3KbFqiyxnZlS6-BKPkHsdmcttvYuYHg0VoofbkEbI_T_fk47YN59_W2TZDwdLIWRllMl6R9xBJ-6UutrQax4T48bI6GI0Ff9_CMetJTbZakry5HFZBO3is_qVhlZDUhkBKMEZjiKcq9YTwLxpP_anBng8mRU/s640/April%202023%20-%20Danny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWm0x6W9oMYfH3ISBUXFn6FrPCpA3KbFqiyxnZlS6-BKPkHsdmcttvYuYHg0VoofbkEbI_T_fk47YN59_W2TZDwdLIWRllMl6R9xBJ-6UutrQax4T48bI6GI0Ff9_CMetJTbZakry5HFZBO3is_qVhlZDUhkBKMEZjiKcq9YTwLxpP_anBng8mRU/s320/April%202023%20-%20Danny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These photos are of Easter Cactuses that I got this year. In April, there was continued snow and it was becoming more challenging to deal with the never-ending winter and dreariness of the snow and ice. Bright, cheerful flowers were what I needed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEzRCaDK4qh7R3TJGBJz_L48_amjWRyT-ekb7DJsmm1V9dKu82HA1Zqp86vdqYfpZKP9BygvJydLzEMGasPPHE_YPXKsG3gs0uXGzG6wFxEwzmpWkKacsYhFn421HN8uYguZDgtIKwkJHkCzmLdAA-GW5yio44UfTXz6AiyrccVfZfNw9ooxow5s/s1559/_DSC0608-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1559" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEzRCaDK4qh7R3TJGBJz_L48_amjWRyT-ekb7DJsmm1V9dKu82HA1Zqp86vdqYfpZKP9BygvJydLzEMGasPPHE_YPXKsG3gs0uXGzG6wFxEwzmpWkKacsYhFn421HN8uYguZDgtIKwkJHkCzmLdAA-GW5yio44UfTXz6AiyrccVfZfNw9ooxow5s/w200-h193/_DSC0608-008.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXTbq8ZLBMPG7wjJ-OsHrJRzeEwGrP7uH1qN7kX48Xh3LY5TNsrC3nPdeXLcsXuhPoYDi4-eKxBXyUR6_S1WdKDtqu04R0uRhO2ctc_Kda_W-Ecqz9gaSjAH9N0zF_zDIkAu4j_Aa6jFrDAkxx6T0alI_j67TWNkKVvzx-lbHWGWX9U_WJnWUAUs/s2109/_DSC0609-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1695" data-original-width="2109" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXTbq8ZLBMPG7wjJ-OsHrJRzeEwGrP7uH1qN7kX48Xh3LY5TNsrC3nPdeXLcsXuhPoYDi4-eKxBXyUR6_S1WdKDtqu04R0uRhO2ctc_Kda_W-Ecqz9gaSjAH9N0zF_zDIkAu4j_Aa6jFrDAkxx6T0alI_j67TWNkKVvzx-lbHWGWX9U_WJnWUAUs/w200-h161/_DSC0609-008.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>As the month progressed, the ice and snow melted. The seasonal pond was getting larger each day. The ducks and geese were returning which was uplighting. Spring was finally getting here!<div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OJZUQBn1QeYDXYT2nVNuudiXXeO1TRcWWTRHaeu2902i0_0yFY0jahXo_WYS-0Qjyf3Obw-C50htYLwMAPZhFIu3g64Xy12BgLBvofANtdX5mfphtYsAmGYIySB9_L7r3Z8Odqc8pY-FXciszU52il7q0hildI7dW4SRZhTKgk1cecSz7vMMMlI/s640/April%202023%20-%20ducks%20in%20pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OJZUQBn1QeYDXYT2nVNuudiXXeO1TRcWWTRHaeu2902i0_0yFY0jahXo_WYS-0Qjyf3Obw-C50htYLwMAPZhFIu3g64Xy12BgLBvofANtdX5mfphtYsAmGYIySB9_L7r3Z8Odqc8pY-FXciszU52il7q0hildI7dW4SRZhTKgk1cecSz7vMMMlI/s320/April%202023%20-%20ducks%20in%20pond.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Paige and I visited Olivia at college one day. We all enjoyed dinner together.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToC410zSlkYDsOmN-Ozo-sxsruYZpANtArHmKfkbeKnOiTnYFIMncUn3zBNurgZ9sXJQzV2mBY1klkUXaM6DY-hPB-1K-EFdSOCP9ZM7w89S30hye4ZXC1ugusl-7_ItkMujfl93u31hYQgkRroOzw_2ss-yebluo815bxgX-K3Binsp7iPs5e80/s640/April%202023%20-%20Paige%20and%20Olivia%20at%20Bethel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToC410zSlkYDsOmN-Ozo-sxsruYZpANtArHmKfkbeKnOiTnYFIMncUn3zBNurgZ9sXJQzV2mBY1klkUXaM6DY-hPB-1K-EFdSOCP9ZM7w89S30hye4ZXC1ugusl-7_ItkMujfl93u31hYQgkRroOzw_2ss-yebluo815bxgX-K3Binsp7iPs5e80/s320/April%202023%20-%20Paige%20and%20Olivia%20at%20Bethel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Afterward, she showed us the drawing studio. This is one of her pieces she did with charcoal.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSj0zoi2cG4sxF8KPRf-Bhwo2gwNc-ZRZl5mSKk4GAEwhn01ZP46zd0NjdnVb9ZT7-ZuXsZ5M1-2cSDwvG63b3DZllvasElGozjirxNlfmL15Et6WH8BytpeHkpslD1XVq3_Q1xyxYeuPuOyAE2i_QvZyAoF0cPEK4avK5HEWcpENdFpuThMRwVo/s640/April%202023%20-%20Olivia%20-%20Artwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSj0zoi2cG4sxF8KPRf-Bhwo2gwNc-ZRZl5mSKk4GAEwhn01ZP46zd0NjdnVb9ZT7-ZuXsZ5M1-2cSDwvG63b3DZllvasElGozjirxNlfmL15Et6WH8BytpeHkpslD1XVq3_Q1xyxYeuPuOyAE2i_QvZyAoF0cPEK4avK5HEWcpENdFpuThMRwVo/s320/April%202023%20-%20Olivia%20-%20Artwork.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The red-winged blackbirds were returning to Minnesota in earnest. The tough thing for the birds is that there's not a lot of food for them since the weather has been so cold. Only a few trees have buds on them. I love to hear the birds sing and call to one another in the trees.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgPsMIgAtlaEZwIBLwe9fFHQwddUhOZVwyts0-BtvyjthvytQEirOBCrKZ-2z4AXetIIo2r8sZJMRPl708jQLdfjNpKe4SnjlDkJg3MHMUjHXzNUjCjtgqojQGwMMgPldxRLbdmp4DAIYgiqY2YgPxczowrmXuHpgtDOEZZID2yHgjMXS9Ki5bd0/s640/April%202023%20-%20redwing%20blackbirds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgPsMIgAtlaEZwIBLwe9fFHQwddUhOZVwyts0-BtvyjthvytQEirOBCrKZ-2z4AXetIIo2r8sZJMRPl708jQLdfjNpKe4SnjlDkJg3MHMUjHXzNUjCjtgqojQGwMMgPldxRLbdmp4DAIYgiqY2YgPxczowrmXuHpgtDOEZZID2yHgjMXS9Ki5bd0/s320/April%202023%20-%20redwing%20blackbirds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ashley (one of Sophia's roommates) had her final concert. There was a wide variety of music and everyone played beautifully. Sophia played the harp and Olivia played the flute. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS76J0HtxBRk-_F9h-AK2v19ibzUA0tPWUQVhas2YA5Djkg3i11zW5zaOSd204bPv2y0qBFwSbCQKN_kePpZidPo2jYBssP7hf0ZrF-5VaSUN-KTINsaFhyaZBqkte5LRP8LDQBJJgIh8YCVO7bww9fdYWpkVzNTFLHKP6HaK9RK1HqaXz9Nwsz9M/s640/April%202023%20-%20Sophia%20and%20Ashley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS76J0HtxBRk-_F9h-AK2v19ibzUA0tPWUQVhas2YA5Djkg3i11zW5zaOSd204bPv2y0qBFwSbCQKN_kePpZidPo2jYBssP7hf0ZrF-5VaSUN-KTINsaFhyaZBqkte5LRP8LDQBJJgIh8YCVO7bww9fdYWpkVzNTFLHKP6HaK9RK1HqaXz9Nwsz9M/s320/April%202023%20-%20Sophia%20and%20Ashley.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sophia and Olivia along with Nessa (Sophia's roommate) came home for Easter break. I asked the girls if they wanted to dye Easter eggs and they did. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzlrbFpLIX80hM2woAyfWzTKyUCnXBAtHYhweKdUlQODvkFW5JeJfxx24ycxggAXudtWvd9M9nlPq-JBLEFo-f7Qu7q63gzqHyA7Xk68nBkuBziGJTWEqixVfeNzPrHQx0luY1cb9uucb4EntlMl4zgwMhoMJE0bw-jAQqF08HVw4SF6JqFkF7lw/s2768/_DSC0620-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1511" data-original-width="2768" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzlrbFpLIX80hM2woAyfWzTKyUCnXBAtHYhweKdUlQODvkFW5JeJfxx24ycxggAXudtWvd9M9nlPq-JBLEFo-f7Qu7q63gzqHyA7Xk68nBkuBziGJTWEqixVfeNzPrHQx0luY1cb9uucb4EntlMl4zgwMhoMJE0bw-jAQqF08HVw4SF6JqFkF7lw/s320/_DSC0620-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They used crayons to create designs before soaking the eggs in dye which they enjoyed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpV3Buvg-W0Bi_zvEVrbh3Rcg6hZrVSUGjWCniLgCHCVpYmFAQYnhkA2GKivJ1DRGceeZn8PuuRUd2SCAWQ87ZoD96479lzTX9Oak6H4SURYq7kPsdyFYCwHRSxDAeg51eXBlM1qc8-x4eomkhSNeAxeaTbQvusIfd3d08Oktl343RfVftRD2jqis/s2992/_DSC0651-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpV3Buvg-W0Bi_zvEVrbh3Rcg6hZrVSUGjWCniLgCHCVpYmFAQYnhkA2GKivJ1DRGceeZn8PuuRUd2SCAWQ87ZoD96479lzTX9Oak6H4SURYq7kPsdyFYCwHRSxDAeg51eXBlM1qc8-x4eomkhSNeAxeaTbQvusIfd3d08Oktl343RfVftRD2jqis/s320/_DSC0651-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I had fun shopping for Easter baskets this year. This is Olivia with her Easter basket. She had more nature- and dog-themed items in her basket.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLS5cvxdCLa9leAeIPQSGQMKGqh3fvcR75iFC7KyHz086Pq0Z7ylaOT_kjlMrHbU4_zPGyQTnHYx-ewTq3vJyZzErar0b-2il1jpeBhKqRmjQqIyOCdG07zAKx39Hb8p4kDTjo51_Cn3H7Xo8CLFrSMknly2k8g0MBhO5QtwX3fYlZu752S6gtJw/s2992/_DSC0629-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLS5cvxdCLa9leAeIPQSGQMKGqh3fvcR75iFC7KyHz086Pq0Z7ylaOT_kjlMrHbU4_zPGyQTnHYx-ewTq3vJyZzErar0b-2il1jpeBhKqRmjQqIyOCdG07zAKx39Hb8p4kDTjo51_Cn3H7Xo8CLFrSMknly2k8g0MBhO5QtwX3fYlZu752S6gtJw/s320/_DSC0629-007.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That sunlight was bright on Easter. We enjoyed having breakfast together. Paige requested pancakes and Sophia wanted blueberries in them. It has been a while since we had fresh blueberries in pancakes. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpYy9-Ws3CS_xLMaKuSYZE8Vu68D8EMGI9Qyb3KhvpA8oBU-CCNV5Pse4vxdKYK0BQIy2zJeArf8gzWiUmZnXaVPp5xJUazVqe2_3Jbuul4O87l5dCCWQ6OUImlZDC78gWJjmirS2CkDzHDgCj68w69JYdrjV2dpFqgkKYFKAKsfWmIEyLT55wpM/s2992/_DSC0634-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpYy9-Ws3CS_xLMaKuSYZE8Vu68D8EMGI9Qyb3KhvpA8oBU-CCNV5Pse4vxdKYK0BQIy2zJeArf8gzWiUmZnXaVPp5xJUazVqe2_3Jbuul4O87l5dCCWQ6OUImlZDC78gWJjmirS2CkDzHDgCj68w69JYdrjV2dpFqgkKYFKAKsfWmIEyLT55wpM/s320/_DSC0634-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is Sophia's Easter basket. She was excited about the different items - some practical and others not so practical. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlh8kyakqT2ffT1LsB_Z_NSLdKEC4wKtk4D4iF04h97GJoXGhor2NcV6cO0d_UDbntJYquj-daVL8vMmg9JwP6v9Dn0EuN-I0SVwmjJdbtETVxzTEbMXBs6-jMOMqYkhjPm1hA-rFWytvxf2CMd2OULhkxtW3grswCaNzg_IQ1tdszvV7wIXvPds/s2992/_DSC0637-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlh8kyakqT2ffT1LsB_Z_NSLdKEC4wKtk4D4iF04h97GJoXGhor2NcV6cO0d_UDbntJYquj-daVL8vMmg9JwP6v9Dn0EuN-I0SVwmjJdbtETVxzTEbMXBs6-jMOMqYkhjPm1hA-rFWytvxf2CMd2OULhkxtW3grswCaNzg_IQ1tdszvV7wIXvPds/s320/_DSC0637-008.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We went to my brother's home for Easter. The girls were eating with two of their cousins at this table (one is pictured and the other joined later). </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMn9tUjL5UCg5Mi1HAM94MQ4C_P-CnJyAxJbl1zaHZsk0ozIFoilvYW6EQRm6aJ0YVa3v6-2TBlLE7Oqr5o6hGLhy5FtGfbnQwCbygprZtYiLhk2fz7qEYop1PTFIiVOQeuIa3BVtpa2vKKWHhI5K-Q1K_qAb6eSdaVRk1WuUKZA002l-gfeZG2k/s2992/_DSC0643-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMn9tUjL5UCg5Mi1HAM94MQ4C_P-CnJyAxJbl1zaHZsk0ozIFoilvYW6EQRm6aJ0YVa3v6-2TBlLE7Oqr5o6hGLhy5FtGfbnQwCbygprZtYiLhk2fz7qEYop1PTFIiVOQeuIa3BVtpa2vKKWHhI5K-Q1K_qAb6eSdaVRk1WuUKZA002l-gfeZG2k/s320/_DSC0643-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The rest of us ate Easter dinner at this table. We had an untraditional taco dinner for Easter which we all liked.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjr9lm736Zycm71OmLKSy3gYuPhG59EGifm0CojxgXWW_TkTsxTw1O1kPQ_geD4UNPg7zR4t5PcZjM-qRUVcLSaATkZuTQCtEYZ0p9QSdLKv-FOSekejNovfll2yNp6AR-N521suCTdw9rGiL5njMjc9Nrcmu1M8cwE2B192cvCb9aHBn6e7VUBcs/s2992/_DSC0645-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjr9lm736Zycm71OmLKSy3gYuPhG59EGifm0CojxgXWW_TkTsxTw1O1kPQ_geD4UNPg7zR4t5PcZjM-qRUVcLSaATkZuTQCtEYZ0p9QSdLKv-FOSekejNovfll2yNp6AR-N521suCTdw9rGiL5njMjc9Nrcmu1M8cwE2B192cvCb9aHBn6e7VUBcs/s320/_DSC0645-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For dessert, my brother got big decorated cupcakes. Here's Olivia and Sophia with their cupcakes. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGwv3g41bHSRB64N41yQqFbbMYDQcHN4v4DrKPyFbuTdic17hKv7jL2N4KFa7QePxhxgJYxDseEKbgfxWwy861ANJONMBRXiVeY0vjHFqxOP6-A8qu_E-GpNpg9b_oqOUqf2HM0CtTZhpXVHUO3YMAz2oVIPfHflLufUBAdKjKqmsY5XValma8HQ/s2992/_DSC0646-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGwv3g41bHSRB64N41yQqFbbMYDQcHN4v4DrKPyFbuTdic17hKv7jL2N4KFa7QePxhxgJYxDseEKbgfxWwy861ANJONMBRXiVeY0vjHFqxOP6-A8qu_E-GpNpg9b_oqOUqf2HM0CtTZhpXVHUO3YMAz2oVIPfHflLufUBAdKjKqmsY5XValma8HQ/s320/_DSC0646-008.JPG" width="214" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpf8s2s0lVCttBdU8dk2i4Dq4kC-92EH-XFe7faMuf8wXpsqDAe38ScSHGdbuOONMv8mwVsRcwqcLuTrm_t2v_p00LrY9m6EeyDaCNdmeoz8WsVorRm0qu0Q34hmC_3yDyDqH2U4RHHQhTThT4jZyJDtu9XlzGJWiE9tj3UeuxYXxZxmVBKgwnGX0/s2992/_DSC0649-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpf8s2s0lVCttBdU8dk2i4Dq4kC-92EH-XFe7faMuf8wXpsqDAe38ScSHGdbuOONMv8mwVsRcwqcLuTrm_t2v_p00LrY9m6EeyDaCNdmeoz8WsVorRm0qu0Q34hmC_3yDyDqH2U4RHHQhTThT4jZyJDtu9XlzGJWiE9tj3UeuxYXxZxmVBKgwnGX0/s320/_DSC0649-008.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sophia made a cheesecake since Paige had to work on Easter. He loves cheesecake.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7F_0gDfc56QU1l2l2o2S1CS35VIj4LJBOUn5Fz-Ekco3wrO4x-kdeNax1wCkXS67ok8vbfdrjI4-Iy0M-a1sPNuNLT69IOglVwP1PFyWhK8RJVypHO1PI3zBYEq6u6nL7p_FtNXFY17VmNknkNySi3s1g5IhxhFD7WwmTzXijjhPpU1ffyRQyqc/s2992/_DSC0650-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7F_0gDfc56QU1l2l2o2S1CS35VIj4LJBOUn5Fz-Ekco3wrO4x-kdeNax1wCkXS67ok8vbfdrjI4-Iy0M-a1sPNuNLT69IOglVwP1PFyWhK8RJVypHO1PI3zBYEq6u6nL7p_FtNXFY17VmNknkNySi3s1g5IhxhFD7WwmTzXijjhPpU1ffyRQyqc/s320/_DSC0650-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On April 15th, I coordinated and held a Service Project Sampler Day. The event took about four months to create and relied on many volunteers from the Lions and community to make it happen. We had 199 people attend the event - up from 137 last year and about 60 the year before. We had 15 hands-on projects and 21 collection drives. It was the largest one to date.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My sister is working on the Sole Hope project - creating shoe kits from blue jeans for children in Uganda who had and were treated for jiggers. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuPUYLRw01UtVkGBqJBT_uYMpaGK6bQW57cxvazp5rlq5Usv8lUC9QQZtM7lHW_62m__i5PxqmqsnHlY__BFMukScNyNdbtmPNTxaCPzou2p7bx6nxLrKJjWN5r-BLIpBnR08YXEEXsAWRVGvtoPsh6IWcXj6kOfmfChJfRPMsAENqhU5LE1u5U4/s2992/_DSC0826-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuPUYLRw01UtVkGBqJBT_uYMpaGK6bQW57cxvazp5rlq5Usv8lUC9QQZtM7lHW_62m__i5PxqmqsnHlY__BFMukScNyNdbtmPNTxaCPzou2p7bx6nxLrKJjWN5r-BLIpBnR08YXEEXsAWRVGvtoPsh6IWcXj6kOfmfChJfRPMsAENqhU5LE1u5U4/s320/_DSC0826-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Another project we did at the Service Project Sampler Day was knit and crochet hats for newborns in third-world countries. The hats are one of many things we made and donated, and are used as incentives for women to get pre-natal care and to deliver their babies in clinics/hospitals. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivilAMgRC6UVMwvw_WInsCLfTSer-48IRNDzpVeUSzn54Y8o1KMpNb2gTwsAVrsyGQipFsPIZVNeJ227JzQFeaFUuJClyr-jK3gwHFS9YRbaPOKzz4RL37_TDo92I8LfiZjBX8qgbr-_k0ytZuFy4smTPEvWLbyBwFVxxjFRZ6VjpLZqdfbstMXWg/s1829/_DSC0832-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1829" data-original-width="1469" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivilAMgRC6UVMwvw_WInsCLfTSer-48IRNDzpVeUSzn54Y8o1KMpNb2gTwsAVrsyGQipFsPIZVNeJ227JzQFeaFUuJClyr-jK3gwHFS9YRbaPOKzz4RL37_TDo92I8LfiZjBX8qgbr-_k0ytZuFy4smTPEvWLbyBwFVxxjFRZ6VjpLZqdfbstMXWg/s320/_DSC0832-007.JPG" width="257" /></a></div><div><br /></div>These were pillowcases that some of the volunteers made for children living on a reservation in California. The sewers made 55 pillowcases! </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q75JdahW5YGj1BgbWfl0gQSWOs7nqR9hR2wmrBv63O4R3CF90spcIv4Dbkwqe3om_9li6SMKYtQ-kAh3yrN2zReCoiCYsVi9j2-tD7q_o0kZ1PKTpWaV-8u_H8znpfR0pNk81zv47RFzcBU49p0DsZOw9Qxgzhwmrq8EZTPpAwx7mRIC-aR8d_4/s2460/_DSC0844-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="2460" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q75JdahW5YGj1BgbWfl0gQSWOs7nqR9hR2wmrBv63O4R3CF90spcIv4Dbkwqe3om_9li6SMKYtQ-kAh3yrN2zReCoiCYsVi9j2-tD7q_o0kZ1PKTpWaV-8u_H8znpfR0pNk81zv47RFzcBU49p0DsZOw9Qxgzhwmrq8EZTPpAwx7mRIC-aR8d_4/s320/_DSC0844-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the museum where I'm doing marketing/PR and now have become the Associate Director, we have a new exhibit called Swedish Folk Painting: Tradition and Innovation. This is one of 37 pieces that are being shown. The cupboard/case opens and has two shelves that hold tiny glasses.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViaFq-XQ4el7NDLYcwuNR3XffgoK81l8BIUJLYisjlIvQXO9rv1bSJtxnqjmoMlbDY9UZdiggBqrD1aDEfTskNuiS1Mzkf7SWdy6zr5tLgCaGB8UyvT6L7PuCX9LKEKIjbdN_jYaKYLzJiuDTHmUCtulSBfz85gDBAuhTPQNWiIb2TcBvkeBiGhw/s1729/_DSC0899-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1729" data-original-width="1690" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViaFq-XQ4el7NDLYcwuNR3XffgoK81l8BIUJLYisjlIvQXO9rv1bSJtxnqjmoMlbDY9UZdiggBqrD1aDEfTskNuiS1Mzkf7SWdy6zr5tLgCaGB8UyvT6L7PuCX9LKEKIjbdN_jYaKYLzJiuDTHmUCtulSBfz85gDBAuhTPQNWiIb2TcBvkeBiGhw/s320/_DSC0899-008.JPG" width="313" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is another painting. I like it because it has two animals in it. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROvrLbzklocmuj0rxLGH7vxBKfJDrbgFb8fKIYgsS-17VhVm6iTXlx5TiF_ZGFI2m54aawTNQcp1fDfa5ogx3g6i4Fakq8Md9O8JaIAb3dsN0JVRUlCZH_l6uGcS2w2VmbO4NM8lTx-VgyQX1IylWF125gJ-33JZ2UDKe7EJL9HOb_LNs2fmAXoI/s2001/_DSC0925-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1614" data-original-width="2001" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROvrLbzklocmuj0rxLGH7vxBKfJDrbgFb8fKIYgsS-17VhVm6iTXlx5TiF_ZGFI2m54aawTNQcp1fDfa5ogx3g6i4Fakq8Md9O8JaIAb3dsN0JVRUlCZH_l6uGcS2w2VmbO4NM8lTx-VgyQX1IylWF125gJ-33JZ2UDKe7EJL9HOb_LNs2fmAXoI/s320/_DSC0925-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There are five historic buildings at the museum, and this is one of them. Originally, it was the pastor's house and then it was sold to a family back in the 1800s. One of the children who was born in the home lived there until the 1970s. There was never central heat, air conditioning, or a bathroom in the home. It was heated by a wood stove in the living room. It just amazes me that a woman in her 80s was hauling wood in the late-fall, winter, and early-spring to keep her home warm.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykB3pQHwOYtEKFwNgQ8JbLUwL50nA46xkd1o_upANiSLMs8pqfITnU9ThYwAex6Oz7gpJbJ3MQoXPWkGrgUxYKvjrXEhDiESrp2t3IHdFIsN964e4ieDxYt_C5QjmfAE9zCk4iDBuXIQmjnC9SIgsentxvsqXgX_xlX5Z53e5aDE_lvcsTzPh0RU/s2992/_DSC0934-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykB3pQHwOYtEKFwNgQ8JbLUwL50nA46xkd1o_upANiSLMs8pqfITnU9ThYwAex6Oz7gpJbJ3MQoXPWkGrgUxYKvjrXEhDiESrp2t3IHdFIsN964e4ieDxYt_C5QjmfAE9zCk4iDBuXIQmjnC9SIgsentxvsqXgX_xlX5Z53e5aDE_lvcsTzPh0RU/s320/_DSC0934-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The last week in April, I attended the Minnesota Association of Local History Museums in Austin, Minnesota. I went on the Tree Trek that featured over 75 trees and shrubs that can grow in Minnesota.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcB6H2fjzmMC-lKHdrlXy59MFfoRT8x0ODNtYBUPJCXaaq3rScwG8BpJmULekE3B5780vJBt8yQlRnrxRpx59Z9TK79nAhw5wOqNJE9GIIO11Y_IhlZNOb0vYitmoy2Zaa73GKjYjSxNqgx2xJ6wngpacoTufRaLeCUGsUaIR7aTgU86cv7qRvms/s2992/_DSC0011-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcB6H2fjzmMC-lKHdrlXy59MFfoRT8x0ODNtYBUPJCXaaq3rScwG8BpJmULekE3B5780vJBt8yQlRnrxRpx59Z9TK79nAhw5wOqNJE9GIIO11Y_IhlZNOb0vYitmoy2Zaa73GKjYjSxNqgx2xJ6wngpacoTufRaLeCUGsUaIR7aTgU86cv7qRvms/s320/_DSC0011-009.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Here's another sign of spring.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAtdQHqAu0MMNTjOn5P2oR_qSjVAQYKCwGf7N9udNtgAWWvcHqFq5_JTxXHMHRUWKs3nD29jHfmD5Nb6sg5CBet4InATgmOfaBlmccauVQh3BLdCNjp1uzH7SaDgPKgcwTC3ztJKSi_rtr2WWQphwcuxr0WgHPEfyUgIE9-tR8IsBRv5rHi0BsFI/s2603/_DSC0022-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="2603" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAtdQHqAu0MMNTjOn5P2oR_qSjVAQYKCwGf7N9udNtgAWWvcHqFq5_JTxXHMHRUWKs3nD29jHfmD5Nb6sg5CBet4InATgmOfaBlmccauVQh3BLdCNjp1uzH7SaDgPKgcwTC3ztJKSi_rtr2WWQphwcuxr0WgHPEfyUgIE9-tR8IsBRv5rHi0BsFI/s320/_DSC0022-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the Hormel Historic Home in Austin, there was an old treadle sewing machine that was set up.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASsSGWPODawQu52MbyR47zqDjSCjijp1qBi2TTXIYJRNyDLn3M1TQFPJzjZeLxttCa6TpHtS9_M4FKJTxUPuzMC0-R1tnHuQLNGC5zbCQr2JeYAelBd0Ls2yw82lg71LrK0XIsbunknLC26E3CexKd8k5KJxiiIc017SmFcpKaYrgRJiMpSOJNPI/s2992/_DSC0094-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASsSGWPODawQu52MbyR47zqDjSCjijp1qBi2TTXIYJRNyDLn3M1TQFPJzjZeLxttCa6TpHtS9_M4FKJTxUPuzMC0-R1tnHuQLNGC5zbCQr2JeYAelBd0Ls2yw82lg71LrK0XIsbunknLC26E3CexKd8k5KJxiiIc017SmFcpKaYrgRJiMpSOJNPI/s320/_DSC0094-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This was another display at the Hormel Home that I thought was clever. I liked how the trunk is on one end and displays various linens. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6eZwC1_pqJNOBaRIi0earop39KgcVUcRfSv_di3d75oKGCTLIiVwhA-OAMjAJfSzI3pd7pkse1ym4ZKVckj1RVgfkDjadqePjTMhvOFS0nSb-UgfuJbzPXoaVPsLdN2nUJ6cxUsdR_eqxGwVaPTjjN2Emz1wZdXv1ADDXSiGnZB2-01PwIg_6ug/s2169/_DSC0098-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1866" data-original-width="2169" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6eZwC1_pqJNOBaRIi0earop39KgcVUcRfSv_di3d75oKGCTLIiVwhA-OAMjAJfSzI3pd7pkse1ym4ZKVckj1RVgfkDjadqePjTMhvOFS0nSb-UgfuJbzPXoaVPsLdN2nUJ6cxUsdR_eqxGwVaPTjjN2Emz1wZdXv1ADDXSiGnZB2-01PwIg_6ug/s320/_DSC0098-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the activities at the MALHM conference was to find rubber ducks that had been hidden around the conference area. On the underside of each duck were raffle tickets. I found four ducks - each with a different appearance. It was a great way to add more fun to the conference.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJqb2rIJrWd14a-0ld5yGkOjyLfU4iJ-KiDtnp4HppwGP5g2Z_J-hifTvNIp1VIy_FPyjM517ag8nkWjFWx99SWzjE6w7CDD3R9zQv08GJZB3gMEH9NEUP5PScj-b1uT9JQBgTfng4Y-kqCxDqtM1B_tsyo19cKmXy5klT-6v5HrnTrN344jM9eQ/s640/April%202023%20-%204%20ducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="640" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJqb2rIJrWd14a-0ld5yGkOjyLfU4iJ-KiDtnp4HppwGP5g2Z_J-hifTvNIp1VIy_FPyjM517ag8nkWjFWx99SWzjE6w7CDD3R9zQv08GJZB3gMEH9NEUP5PScj-b1uT9JQBgTfng4Y-kqCxDqtM1B_tsyo19cKmXy5klT-6v5HrnTrN344jM9eQ/s320/April%202023%20-%204%20ducks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was a small lake with a dam in Austin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_K3CBVJTGFtWjrYmVD0URIrmPup7NcEraW8DbXmRat3XPZ1UjTx3m1lkh4RrB5D6GwjTJTTjs5MzAeHIlzFhqB2apboHLJuo_9ssQynHa1l0X9bRrkFXhg-XdEciLwyqKROgAr6B3rQLeLAcR3ARLeOYA4JPNzvErmDj1tNS_Oo-f6V1HsrRIxA/s640/April%202023%20-%20dam%20in%20austin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_K3CBVJTGFtWjrYmVD0URIrmPup7NcEraW8DbXmRat3XPZ1UjTx3m1lkh4RrB5D6GwjTJTTjs5MzAeHIlzFhqB2apboHLJuo_9ssQynHa1l0X9bRrkFXhg-XdEciLwyqKROgAr6B3rQLeLAcR3ARLeOYA4JPNzvErmDj1tNS_Oo-f6V1HsrRIxA/s320/April%202023%20-%20dam%20in%20austin.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My sister and I went to the Como Conservatory to see their Spring Show. It was beautiful with its purple, white, and yellow flowers. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6v7udPaAWdqoY-l3rRy_rkg-mfFVlAH3yPb82h2mUE9Z67aiKICXWTTOm3l6hi_jkotKYC5agsglpsUKNQ4qyxLlR3WtQxMTYrSC5-3I7X0igh7WOCSZNdkxP9S7hIGXHf2MvvWRta2ycibvEql0Tmb5YRwUqsofin0BgEfgeWtRbU7w_uO--fQg/s2992/_DSC0113-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6v7udPaAWdqoY-l3rRy_rkg-mfFVlAH3yPb82h2mUE9Z67aiKICXWTTOm3l6hi_jkotKYC5agsglpsUKNQ4qyxLlR3WtQxMTYrSC5-3I7X0igh7WOCSZNdkxP9S7hIGXHf2MvvWRta2ycibvEql0Tmb5YRwUqsofin0BgEfgeWtRbU7w_uO--fQg/s320/_DSC0113-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I love the colors on these flowers.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNspbxfd6W03OnbHZsCVrlYHhn5NWh9CJHRbgV2Uwtg6eGxLGQUPrzq9XgjHaDFa8MFmcNzFeJ7QowHJ5tUeSG0PbR19l24upZyVWSnjRBF8wqW9WCZuwIYZo_XumHnvBYlYspIKuD6o5br02hWaJ9REP3p2o0K88gYZFVN3l3OXoZ6U9dnGMFGOI/s2992/_DSC0115-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNspbxfd6W03OnbHZsCVrlYHhn5NWh9CJHRbgV2Uwtg6eGxLGQUPrzq9XgjHaDFa8MFmcNzFeJ7QowHJ5tUeSG0PbR19l24upZyVWSnjRBF8wqW9WCZuwIYZo_XumHnvBYlYspIKuD6o5br02hWaJ9REP3p2o0K88gYZFVN3l3OXoZ6U9dnGMFGOI/s320/_DSC0115-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There were brightly-colored flowers tucked in little spaces throughout the display.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKM7eyVp67hLKkgNGZtylGnwToOUyfi-NSXOk2b-NENA5yPwtahDOOU4DUulX1Yk5oUfdmwARPJO_C-IbcMvA6CgaVphqJkB96AtGIs0IhxUgNWIxCstafyhQQx_UwIYju9YSAy3xP7qsZJwonUKuDehu8WNFRJo1OLE49ncfovwTuWQWFjG2Tyc/s2992/_DSC0116-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKM7eyVp67hLKkgNGZtylGnwToOUyfi-NSXOk2b-NENA5yPwtahDOOU4DUulX1Yk5oUfdmwARPJO_C-IbcMvA6CgaVphqJkB96AtGIs0IhxUgNWIxCstafyhQQx_UwIYju9YSAy3xP7qsZJwonUKuDehu8WNFRJo1OLE49ncfovwTuWQWFjG2Tyc/s320/_DSC0116-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The smell of the conservatory was amazing! It was just what I needed in April when things still were not in bloom yet outdoors.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-pnE_zIFBtmUs67phH1oN04QqtFTgpOPR9rJqt2m0UoqrVjGfTFvWoYaT113j-hfAdFRyaCTFu85nlliWvfBu3F7XOENN2-gW-wZf2e9dHlGICx-mhVD_utKdNWhoDPfgL-NbcRwAGLystI76aXW69t-9sMhFvaOANONs3GsHJz55fPDREcaGyQ/s2992/_DSC0119-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-pnE_zIFBtmUs67phH1oN04QqtFTgpOPR9rJqt2m0UoqrVjGfTFvWoYaT113j-hfAdFRyaCTFu85nlliWvfBu3F7XOENN2-gW-wZf2e9dHlGICx-mhVD_utKdNWhoDPfgL-NbcRwAGLystI76aXW69t-9sMhFvaOANONs3GsHJz55fPDREcaGyQ/s320/_DSC0119-008.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This flower had tons of little tiny flowers on it. I've always wanted to grow them, but the cost per bulb is so expensive. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAA_Goat5-6kqvmJ4ibTVWhiE5k5vKWoDPzZ7JznB2nSuUz8g6LvDbKg3ex3P_z835w4vGh8yWY_XGNxn9nGu2Kc5GKdYNTuR5P5sSQ2fufgJxkE6H3hnMd5ImNnJ1W3HDjx-CZ0Id1QFw9qnhC-fD-aEBAMoB7iDOQXc6-1JkMOuQqycvHDu9TA/s2992/_DSC0121-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAA_Goat5-6kqvmJ4ibTVWhiE5k5vKWoDPzZ7JznB2nSuUz8g6LvDbKg3ex3P_z835w4vGh8yWY_XGNxn9nGu2Kc5GKdYNTuR5P5sSQ2fufgJxkE6H3hnMd5ImNnJ1W3HDjx-CZ0Id1QFw9qnhC-fD-aEBAMoB7iDOQXc6-1JkMOuQqycvHDu9TA/s320/_DSC0121-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There was an orchid section in another part of the conservatory. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEhZrhwtfPD5238beXjHwfDrQh-XaSOiKzHhiCQ41ZpODC4OVyPRc98WPqwErZIZkWxbGia7zELO2514vshlXND1j4Y46FNllo4u-721njEKnQxMT_VirVKjdfQMGNSJfCWBfmFrrh-0fpE0CuYp64PJfel1Qx7LjIm73jEm8BY9DcEpGoyAhBuw/s2992/_DSC0138-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEhZrhwtfPD5238beXjHwfDrQh-XaSOiKzHhiCQ41ZpODC4OVyPRc98WPqwErZIZkWxbGia7zELO2514vshlXND1j4Y46FNllo4u-721njEKnQxMT_VirVKjdfQMGNSJfCWBfmFrrh-0fpE0CuYp64PJfel1Qx7LjIm73jEm8BY9DcEpGoyAhBuw/s320/_DSC0138-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This was one of the flowers in the bromeliad section. These flowers collect water in their centers.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOc-FsK4b4edlPO5E2wuDvrUdyC-1u-LiQ0HByqCt2NDHUKowpY_O7fd1rTHPwTfVhyvPdg83lRebmy5gVQOwbLFXXam8-CH1TNeYmVzVJ_KnY6-0UkwX04mcenhQZfnlXVHshpK5Na02e5vpBrG2mf2gb99dB5Kma-J-rl3FvoTA4XnYiy5QQPpA/s2992/_DSC0142-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOc-FsK4b4edlPO5E2wuDvrUdyC-1u-LiQ0HByqCt2NDHUKowpY_O7fd1rTHPwTfVhyvPdg83lRebmy5gVQOwbLFXXam8-CH1TNeYmVzVJ_KnY6-0UkwX04mcenhQZfnlXVHshpK5Na02e5vpBrG2mf2gb99dB5Kma-J-rl3FvoTA4XnYiy5QQPpA/s320/_DSC0142-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My sister stood next to one of the bonsai in the bonsai room. This one was the most impressive one because it was covered in flowers. It's an azalea. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37GXq1DFIKGJ9cSTz_tLMDegxPTpgzTARFQlmT5cRRnaTAvsZizG69BH4k9olpioV1tKFox2s_Jgx6pL4BXG1VlF1A-ZNlWVNcFP-flqNZJPhxLAqijYmP052oGjLvTyKcmLTfJafzxR76h6rbN5E-oCwwdtM23DG8OAyy47KiancyevattABldM/s2992/_DSC0147-009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37GXq1DFIKGJ9cSTz_tLMDegxPTpgzTARFQlmT5cRRnaTAvsZizG69BH4k9olpioV1tKFox2s_Jgx6pL4BXG1VlF1A-ZNlWVNcFP-flqNZJPhxLAqijYmP052oGjLvTyKcmLTfJafzxR76h6rbN5E-oCwwdtM23DG8OAyy47KiancyevattABldM/s320/_DSC0147-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was one of the little waterfalls in the Como Conservatory. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIgJ4-5VGSP3IZqymSkgNAoJUNwJJy83LarL2BZMS7O8dKd86ynRPUxJZ7nDzQPMbUlCa0ve4Sx1s3de7ahpQMv6z7Ws4FMO6p35MRajqgwVKIPdG24J5QXw5FMPUVzT9SVCWRzZ1hJ3yLtGPp6R_lUR2yyRHGfFEm5kxmb0KU-aAxeGvMrGUvFg/s640/April%202023%20-%20como%20waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIgJ4-5VGSP3IZqymSkgNAoJUNwJJy83LarL2BZMS7O8dKd86ynRPUxJZ7nDzQPMbUlCa0ve4Sx1s3de7ahpQMv6z7Ws4FMO6p35MRajqgwVKIPdG24J5QXw5FMPUVzT9SVCWRzZ1hJ3yLtGPp6R_lUR2yyRHGfFEm5kxmb0KU-aAxeGvMrGUvFg/s320/April%202023%20-%20como%20waterfall.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After going to the Como Conservatory, my sister and I went to Hmong Village to look around and then have some lunch. I got three spring rolls at Hmong Village. Before I realized that I didn't take a photo, I ate one of the spring rolls. It was delicious!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucAkwhgW0Qs4eSXPHzxomyTVUBUVVlOfB2Ks-soXP6TCw7zmqt8lp94FSxnR7EjfPFnhKH90atmGDLbppW2otMY0LcAka42H8hI0-HrY9Z-fx40kQ3ZcrFlwLDoaS4pAYz8PWq7rRkk9XIRrTWFdGcgJA9EXrpi-TFORlImZMQTvaS6D1oAGWymc/s640/April%202023%20-%20hmong%20village%20lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucAkwhgW0Qs4eSXPHzxomyTVUBUVVlOfB2Ks-soXP6TCw7zmqt8lp94FSxnR7EjfPFnhKH90atmGDLbppW2otMY0LcAka42H8hI0-HrY9Z-fx40kQ3ZcrFlwLDoaS4pAYz8PWq7rRkk9XIRrTWFdGcgJA9EXrpi-TFORlImZMQTvaS6D1oAGWymc/s320/April%202023%20-%20hmong%20village%20lunch.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At Hmong Village, Mary ordered a sesame ball with her chicken pad thai. It was huge!</div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2G57yZpfbaa2PQy8uGZNEfSRWWF_Ty5F1DYJWaz8WGeEvMd_dqEg4s8Rv_w9jLtgoBbufEP6JE0iRd-Wq1d1XvamBkXbzc_-Igkr1w8uehCKcw9QOoSj55kswbtf2rVuMzDWJATA3E8wcJmHFiC0iZe8-Ik-ojJJu7z0E6GvDIM7B0Yh4FqwCI8/s640/April%202023%20-%20sesame%20seed%20ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2G57yZpfbaa2PQy8uGZNEfSRWWF_Ty5F1DYJWaz8WGeEvMd_dqEg4s8Rv_w9jLtgoBbufEP6JE0iRd-Wq1d1XvamBkXbzc_-Igkr1w8uehCKcw9QOoSj55kswbtf2rVuMzDWJATA3E8wcJmHFiC0iZe8-Ik-ojJJu7z0E6GvDIM7B0Yh4FqwCI8/s320/April%202023%20-%20sesame%20seed%20ball.jpg" width="241" /></a></div></div><p>There was a long aisle of Asian restaurants - each with a slightly different focus. We ordered at one all the way at the end of the aisle. This was the first available table...that's how popular this place is!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gCnczB7vdVC59kW_ey6qQ4mzwmuPVQ6MlTqEkjZgSQJZ8823KzusdQsAJQn_xbj2qkgpJy6KzCpc-bV3zdKbGnl1K5wGPpsJvX_l9SoAgxwMjFIKSHF_kL9SRO5oef3GWTtGt7Uh3ao2guFwcJ7P6DUhpRjNqi7idh--7dfdLK0v84ko6gWD9rE/s640/April%202023%20-%20hmong%20village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gCnczB7vdVC59kW_ey6qQ4mzwmuPVQ6MlTqEkjZgSQJZ8823KzusdQsAJQn_xbj2qkgpJy6KzCpc-bV3zdKbGnl1K5wGPpsJvX_l9SoAgxwMjFIKSHF_kL9SRO5oef3GWTtGt7Uh3ao2guFwcJ7P6DUhpRjNqi7idh--7dfdLK0v84ko6gWD9rE/s320/April%202023%20-%20hmong%20village.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Afterward, we had some bubble tea. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjfwuEdfnNSUKULQgM7ybhyIldXeCYBkDyj_bP6R6M9Wlc8nBv_RTPp1iFWPKNPWIGDVriey2MShMpO_a5qIL4BIz1xKapf3q4i-pM7eS-10EKQZlV618icWUmJcN6V3GsnGc7RU6c9bmA5AeBRvmH_ofSVYvZsBVPaG1_6qtON-JhQBB67SQ9J4/s640/April%202023%20-%20bubble%20tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjfwuEdfnNSUKULQgM7ybhyIldXeCYBkDyj_bP6R6M9Wlc8nBv_RTPp1iFWPKNPWIGDVriey2MShMpO_a5qIL4BIz1xKapf3q4i-pM7eS-10EKQZlV618icWUmJcN6V3GsnGc7RU6c9bmA5AeBRvmH_ofSVYvZsBVPaG1_6qtON-JhQBB67SQ9J4/s320/April%202023%20-%20bubble%20tea.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><p>That wraps up April. </p></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-88503474145747739582023-04-29T20:04:00.005-05:002023-04-29T20:08:05.524-05:00Focus on a Color<p>On Swap-Bot there is a swap that focuses on color. The goal is to choose a single color and create three images with that color. So, I picked blue and found five photos that I took recently that had blue as the main focus.</p><p>The first photo was taken at the Hormel Historic Home in Austin, Minnesota. I like the way that these items are displayed in the trunk. It's an innovative way to group and present these items. I don't know if the drawers came with the trunk or if they were built. Either way, it caught my eye.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheW5j3ZowJH4P9Jf2BPLaOoHgLeAeAlGj_JbyxG8mxo3e086ILcLmoqK1zynKBz9AJ68De15P7i5Tg8woYLS7NHBB-sgLpVM-Agtj4i1DgO4p3pgCba8nhWJ-8iwk_ZW5qH17mg7gEicuLdz0Rl-6yi7feCoHs8jw__GgjHW9zXhZVhBcQGeXTdSI/s2169/_DSC0098-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1866" data-original-width="2169" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheW5j3ZowJH4P9Jf2BPLaOoHgLeAeAlGj_JbyxG8mxo3e086ILcLmoqK1zynKBz9AJ68De15P7i5Tg8woYLS7NHBB-sgLpVM-Agtj4i1DgO4p3pgCba8nhWJ-8iwk_ZW5qH17mg7gEicuLdz0Rl-6yi7feCoHs8jw__GgjHW9zXhZVhBcQGeXTdSI/s320/_DSC0098-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My sister and I went to the spring show at Como Conservatory in St. Paul. There are only two more days of the show, yet it still looked fresh and smelled <i>amazing</i>! Winter seems to be lingering here with more snow forecasted for tomorrow. So, it was refreshing and uplifting to be in a room that looked so beautiful with flowers in a blue-purple-white theme. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYNpsWiQM7CjYY5XWvrH0pVBCs4816yQ5ButifcjMir7VDxablUqZv6xG25voG3ccLwSWGZt4qqJy7mAQ_Yzb9SO1e3H1hrQyk2rg5eNcbfqM_cj6ogcqWXw40vE_YqC4iGKn4OC-xPOcsXoQHyWSsSm2phm7lWSIbjAbPSugrkrbBQtfFHHtAT4/s1791/_DSC0118-009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1762" data-original-width="1791" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYNpsWiQM7CjYY5XWvrH0pVBCs4816yQ5ButifcjMir7VDxablUqZv6xG25voG3ccLwSWGZt4qqJy7mAQ_Yzb9SO1e3H1hrQyk2rg5eNcbfqM_cj6ogcqWXw40vE_YqC4iGKn4OC-xPOcsXoQHyWSsSm2phm7lWSIbjAbPSugrkrbBQtfFHHtAT4/s320/_DSC0118-009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>While I was in Austin at the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums conference, I went to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. The exhibits were engaging and educational, and the outdoor trails were beautiful. In the middle of one trail, there was a lake and stream with multiple pairs of geese. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSXmkKwyioRTSfelzdohvyD-gg1667NnE2f6pxAGjcvrRIQLhTwO8iNBA5s7aBSdwqiahvQMj5drYvNE8mYbB-BjH8D0ILZEGkGJJaHCk2BHnpZrmIs2GED4bXblZJaFkgmA1oMLDHy2ggUCMIZnn-P4SfRwLzsecBnhf-k0UWvcufoDRpZ_5ncs/s2992/_DSC0973-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSXmkKwyioRTSfelzdohvyD-gg1667NnE2f6pxAGjcvrRIQLhTwO8iNBA5s7aBSdwqiahvQMj5drYvNE8mYbB-BjH8D0ILZEGkGJJaHCk2BHnpZrmIs2GED4bXblZJaFkgmA1oMLDHy2ggUCMIZnn-P4SfRwLzsecBnhf-k0UWvcufoDRpZ_5ncs/s320/_DSC0973-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, there is an art exhibit called Swedish Folk Painting - Tradition and Innovation. This is one of 37 pieces of art done by artists living in about a half-dozen states. This particular artist only uses the three primary colors in her paintings (and various shades of those primary colors). I didn't notice that until the museum director pointed it out. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfVEhpiQu5dfOMbaacB6ZbPSIZGOXpFwwTxn_JMMXHLUP196_WEr3PPL1UxUl9PtVLLck2sSdcJBvgtUEmXhDyXLVoqWDKeZlHXCm6F0kwneLE2tljVUoHLbGkED2OD9bMnro2wf1KQuVIiuoyCgplDfALTvYTIanZklI0trsvxTG-kZOcC_rq_s/s2185/_DSC0880-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2185" data-original-width="1654" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfVEhpiQu5dfOMbaacB6ZbPSIZGOXpFwwTxn_JMMXHLUP196_WEr3PPL1UxUl9PtVLLck2sSdcJBvgtUEmXhDyXLVoqWDKeZlHXCm6F0kwneLE2tljVUoHLbGkED2OD9bMnro2wf1KQuVIiuoyCgplDfALTvYTIanZklI0trsvxTG-kZOcC_rq_s/s320/_DSC0880-008.JPG" width="242" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Also at Gammelgarden is a funeral flag of a soldier who died in WWI. His funeral was on June 14, 1921. The flag was donated to the museum. I'm not sure if this is the original folding or if it was unfolded and then refolded. The flag that draped my dad's casket was so precisely folded by veterans at Fort Snelling, so I'm thinking this may have been refolded since it isn't tightly folded. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcQ-My_-aKyrCVJzD9C6wR87mn_S_gB2onouWdScfeorz8ZMDGXQupuSGp6MUNVZoU_XuLDK6LCj-tobl86aNdHLie24Mx80H9IA4Y6fDtnxNL7bDwPvVlnJ1XCmXKcOh2k1NYmjvXYjSH14-HQhYu4GgpNYCHLFhy37hQHJN3qCMfgy0wk6xSo0/s2748/_DSC0512-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="2748" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcQ-My_-aKyrCVJzD9C6wR87mn_S_gB2onouWdScfeorz8ZMDGXQupuSGp6MUNVZoU_XuLDK6LCj-tobl86aNdHLie24Mx80H9IA4Y6fDtnxNL7bDwPvVlnJ1XCmXKcOh2k1NYmjvXYjSH14-HQhYu4GgpNYCHLFhy37hQHJN3qCMfgy0wk6xSo0/s320/_DSC0512-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I enjoyed looking through photos that I had taken over the past month and seeing that I had quite a few ones that had blue as the main color. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-15805860356414391312023-04-12T07:08:00.001-05:002023-04-12T07:08:23.311-05:00Outdoor Photo ChallengeOn Swap-Bot, there was a swap which focused on an outdoor photo challenge. When I signed up, I thought that April was a long way off and I could easily capture all of the items on the list. As it turns out, with having one of the snowiest winters on record, find the majority of items on the list was a challenge. However, I was able to find 10 items (the minimum was 5 items). <div><br /></div><div>All of the photos were taken in my backyard or in one of the two pastures. Ten days ago, there was a huge snowstorm that dumped eight inches of snow on us. It was the wet, heavy kind. Thankfully, we have many warm days and most of the snow has melted...except the snow in deep or tall piles. So, it has been wonderful to hear the birds and frogs singing, and flowers starting to emerge.<br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Flying insect other than a butterfly </b>- there's not much flying around now...just boxelder bugs mostly. Saw the first ladybug and the first fly. This fly was basking in the sun on the side of the house. </div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQibRV7bv3Da3aiUAQHXKI10JAF41qhOzrmcaz4TKCsdICBsXpdZCgodvq75XPDxxpaBhYdogU3HBxyYWMmvs4IF__u5bfQd4h9f66g3gICW-M7gQzlbodLuyDUIIGIoDL0u2XPNyzGEshPlmIZVWcdOQYFwK1WKkKPN9di8N4PsEoE6Nj1B236T0/s676/_DSC0585-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="676" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQibRV7bv3Da3aiUAQHXKI10JAF41qhOzrmcaz4TKCsdICBsXpdZCgodvq75XPDxxpaBhYdogU3HBxyYWMmvs4IF__u5bfQd4h9f66g3gICW-M7gQzlbodLuyDUIIGIoDL0u2XPNyzGEshPlmIZVWcdOQYFwK1WKkKPN9di8N4PsEoE6Nj1B236T0/s320/_DSC0585-006.JPG" width="320" /></b></a></p><p><b>Something yellow </b>- last year I was given a native cactus to Minnesota. I didn't even know we had them here. Apparently, the plant dies like this in the winter and then comes back to life in the spring. Sure enough, there are little yellow "buds" (I don't know what they are called on cacti) that are emerging.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wuS_TnBToLOMuEL3bjkyPEF91BECiE0_pAp_meCiWVMejzJBbe1sY-jAtV8UENJPoQTGrux26IK7UeR_JdB032DaarGYvnvJjFmELwUNvVJSVQVVxMArYRYx4XbI9aSCragKKLlTeJ7wPhHzHKcVbXUfvZMvXMCrGknBYdnNJdUQ8ka3bba-UXk/s2570/_DSC0589-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1839" data-original-width="2570" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wuS_TnBToLOMuEL3bjkyPEF91BECiE0_pAp_meCiWVMejzJBbe1sY-jAtV8UENJPoQTGrux26IK7UeR_JdB032DaarGYvnvJjFmELwUNvVJSVQVVxMArYRYx4XbI9aSCragKKLlTeJ7wPhHzHKcVbXUfvZMvXMCrGknBYdnNJdUQ8ka3bba-UXk/s320/_DSC0589-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p><b>An animal track </b>- this is Cooper's track in the snow. I let him in the pasture to run around since most of the snow had melted - except in areas near the pond. This was a track he left in a slushy part of the snow.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWePZIoog22YubhBhKs5vpW4NUIjagqaHmgv__IppdgKg2OYRLyxTAd42aRDBRwmJKBSqxYEt3LgXh2v7KmbIq8o3VZ4f1Eoeu863_t1QcfxwjeXcXk_bUlZ1mI7rkJRgV8aDwabRR8eLoBU-jhN6ig107fCeB0GBkcydiJ62Z6nxaPAlQET8W_kk/s1155/_DSC0599-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1155" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWePZIoog22YubhBhKs5vpW4NUIjagqaHmgv__IppdgKg2OYRLyxTAd42aRDBRwmJKBSqxYEt3LgXh2v7KmbIq8o3VZ4f1Eoeu863_t1QcfxwjeXcXk_bUlZ1mI7rkJRgV8aDwabRR8eLoBU-jhN6ig107fCeB0GBkcydiJ62Z6nxaPAlQET8W_kk/s320/_DSC0599-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p><b>A rock at least as big as your hand or bigger </b>- this rock is one of many that creates a border around the butterfly garden in the backyard. A nearby farmer stacked rocks that would surface each spring and were left in a rock pile. This is one of the many "rescued" rocks.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Q-XXf-vB5BjrHN0HwqIWV3Y7XvVqGGbB_sftd7HChyoFS8T_H1U5m0Wvuii2NjiaLlQAlt0Zoto3BkgjlJYz9mKxlxj94IV-MMy-7kNv68IXhtj2LahVZduFcTBo6HpeLhNmXihQ0EbbG5yE4YiSaRaBWM4s2I7EtWK4A4OLTPn2VcTNNNS1-L8/s2125/_DSC0582-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="2125" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Q-XXf-vB5BjrHN0HwqIWV3Y7XvVqGGbB_sftd7HChyoFS8T_H1U5m0Wvuii2NjiaLlQAlt0Zoto3BkgjlJYz9mKxlxj94IV-MMy-7kNv68IXhtj2LahVZduFcTBo6HpeLhNmXihQ0EbbG5yE4YiSaRaBWM4s2I7EtWK4A4OLTPn2VcTNNNS1-L8/s320/_DSC0582-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p><b>Flowing water + Water reflection </b>- Cooper is looking through the woven-wire fence at the neighbor's farm. The sun is creating reflections of Cooper, the post, and some of the grasses in the water.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQJqpkcdLvWIEAy0iH53bRlYd0zHdQcWo0VH43nhj9WiQZ18TaxveDtRwta9FFhNK4oQgZ1bWzB7utSmlY0b-QC9X8npeIWYgpV7IXEiYFfr0gngiCChY22cjSuT0panMt7qOL5hemDYx9f719VSiIC0ZbCFnzTbi05DGze0szvXUK4Yua3gFF14/s2992/_DSC0601-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQJqpkcdLvWIEAy0iH53bRlYd0zHdQcWo0VH43nhj9WiQZ18TaxveDtRwta9FFhNK4oQgZ1bWzB7utSmlY0b-QC9X8npeIWYgpV7IXEiYFfr0gngiCChY22cjSuT0panMt7qOL5hemDYx9f719VSiIC0ZbCFnzTbi05DGze0szvXUK4Yua3gFF14/s320/_DSC0601-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p><b>Hole in a tree</b> - one of the trees in the little forested area in the northwest section of our farm had some large holes in it. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rUEmZTRoUWim7HBDeZ3H8GinbZ9j1Paanu9gOR9BNo7kvPGwQlzSUkiDlVHPTMtLLmhUsv1IIzazsbphJbMXT7dMREv8M8pN0w3d8kEvg3YYpyvPhH00xnhqEBkWyHkeQOWiLyu41R3uHI9hsgxE556Lta5BmGwX1iQzlww78LWdbcPuPRGMgBA/s2992/_DSC0602-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rUEmZTRoUWim7HBDeZ3H8GinbZ9j1Paanu9gOR9BNo7kvPGwQlzSUkiDlVHPTMtLLmhUsv1IIzazsbphJbMXT7dMREv8M8pN0w3d8kEvg3YYpyvPhH00xnhqEBkWyHkeQOWiLyu41R3uHI9hsgxE556Lta5BmGwX1iQzlww78LWdbcPuPRGMgBA/s320/_DSC0602-008.JPG" width="214" /></a> </p><p><b>Really tall tree </b>- The pine tree closest to our home in the backyard has grown substantially (probably more than double its size) since we moved here in 1995. We had to have some of the lower branches trimmed off since they were touching the house. However, there are still low ones to hang bird feeders and a wren house.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaBB3fAS9GYwF1gVrhag6A0ZOda5abhtpRBjYHCk-9dRi68nvMBdnJzt6-b0BEfp44gZiKZmWtYv86bycxMIurQ19d_1nxQ6rdW3NmeyuvxmQITXZZVcR1sz3NvXss0a05GlVYQ7bvBhKVC1qr5XYa1zZPuPipuHmUAvlXnUNeGs-3WHeJU7kzVc/s2581/_DSC0590-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2581" data-original-width="1855" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaBB3fAS9GYwF1gVrhag6A0ZOda5abhtpRBjYHCk-9dRi68nvMBdnJzt6-b0BEfp44gZiKZmWtYv86bycxMIurQ19d_1nxQ6rdW3NmeyuvxmQITXZZVcR1sz3NvXss0a05GlVYQ7bvBhKVC1qr5XYa1zZPuPipuHmUAvlXnUNeGs-3WHeJU7kzVc/s320/_DSC0590-008.JPG" width="230" /></a></p><p><b>A pine tree or other conifer </b>- when Sophia, Olivia, and a friend (Nessa) came home for Easter break from college, Olivia and Nessa climbed to the top of the pine tree (the lower one near the road since it had more sturdy branches). Sophia made it around eight feet up and that was high enough for her. They got some beautiful pictures and video at the top of the tree.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiAVS8nMWwqNg_wAyCrtVYNKVZMsw30m3ekgn7OXrdCkHQPp_aQHm8RVoBniX5IorWRcqWWibadSn-FqXsthbZyC27kg-CZlG-3Szg9KY5oPmDZQCLhVvn-ibml3joMFwpIfCAqduj6CV2Zns8tLCcFZM1C8BY8i_Lq63HKISvATwnQ4BzUu8Fdo/s2596/_DSC0613-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2596" data-original-width="1790" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiAVS8nMWwqNg_wAyCrtVYNKVZMsw30m3ekgn7OXrdCkHQPp_aQHm8RVoBniX5IorWRcqWWibadSn-FqXsthbZyC27kg-CZlG-3Szg9KY5oPmDZQCLhVvn-ibml3joMFwpIfCAqduj6CV2Zns8tLCcFZM1C8BY8i_Lq63HKISvATwnQ4BzUu8Fdo/s320/_DSC0613-008.JPG" width="221" /></a></p><p><b>Catkins/pussy willows </b>- I was surprised they were even emerging since less than a week before it felt like the dead of winter with cold temperatures and snowstorms. The pussy willows remind me of a friend who had cancer who asked to come to over one day to cut some. His oncologist encouraged him to find one joy each day. That particular day - it was bringing a sign of Spring into his home. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BfOocdtU3Vb5OShGNbQMmFJepcu5GA4u4ltETpl9nT_pbp9J-peITm7rC8-Mng_jScREstsSOYXaLBXyYCpkXrBr4J6vJCf_mXOPjakAsd6zNBhoo21_PU35Ji65ieTzq-k48bA-Ji4nPh7SMEL-on1MicgZ3QjuhuJJepgzeQeOxmw3Icx9veo/s2822/_DSC0597-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2822" data-original-width="1860" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BfOocdtU3Vb5OShGNbQMmFJepcu5GA4u4ltETpl9nT_pbp9J-peITm7rC8-Mng_jScREstsSOYXaLBXyYCpkXrBr4J6vJCf_mXOPjakAsd6zNBhoo21_PU35Ji65ieTzq-k48bA-Ji4nPh7SMEL-on1MicgZ3QjuhuJJepgzeQeOxmw3Icx9veo/s320/_DSC0597-006.JPG" width="211" /></a></p><p><b>Something red - </b>In about a day or so after the snow melted, the plants started emerging in the garden. I have no idea what these plants will be since I planted a lot of native plants in the Fall. It will be a surprise to see what this garden looks like this year. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOaLGIZ2D5dM7atqXifgOfhkzN1wZb_p1vxZ8rTZZ4C0bxSCRrF6trcrT4JJwJIBZewtQOHAeIv0OT3tHMixrqiFkL7Igwb6b8d3dUFT2hMs8Amt_FRY7a79NWoG67u6wQiNEw6ibVxh9L_sZcG1BTapcPGPFtdA9_qY5I5GGsa8DrEl5MO3_wkU/s1840/_DSC0580-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="1840" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOaLGIZ2D5dM7atqXifgOfhkzN1wZb_p1vxZ8rTZZ4C0bxSCRrF6trcrT4JJwJIBZewtQOHAeIv0OT3tHMixrqiFkL7Igwb6b8d3dUFT2hMs8Amt_FRY7a79NWoG67u6wQiNEw6ibVxh9L_sZcG1BTapcPGPFtdA9_qY5I5GGsa8DrEl5MO3_wkU/s320/_DSC0580-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Another red</b> - This is one of many blooms of a new Easter cactus I got this year. Home Depot had a lot of little Easter cactuses full of buds. So, the kitchen is colorful with pink, orange, and red flowers now.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigW39N__Ru-uK6pSU1r2G_BM-HG9Uxc5UbELmkq5brzw0o8YSWMlBoEBm8jzbgRESyHwyi9nGKQRGpp1KL7xu0tVlajNjwc9NM_AbO_pjOSIQDlC4TCJk8klnLqny3XOKD6JaCRpKxD1FopjqUR9kGMIVtZlNk9YwHGfw20Fp-Q0ePJ3hBNsJf-3Y/s2109/_DSC0609-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1695" data-original-width="2109" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigW39N__Ru-uK6pSU1r2G_BM-HG9Uxc5UbELmkq5brzw0o8YSWMlBoEBm8jzbgRESyHwyi9nGKQRGpp1KL7xu0tVlajNjwc9NM_AbO_pjOSIQDlC4TCJk8klnLqny3XOKD6JaCRpKxD1FopjqUR9kGMIVtZlNk9YwHGfw20Fp-Q0ePJ3hBNsJf-3Y/s320/_DSC0609-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>One more red</b> - the crabapples on this tree last all winter and provide the first fruit for early-migrating birds. Yesterday, I noticed a flock of over 30 robins in the tree eating the apples. They were gobbling up the apples - and flitting from one branch to another. There was a feast of fruit for them to enjoy! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQWW49oQBeh959AnsB1Up6MMLOzi3Ws45Sk5RlFCWiFBrXGUJP4GM2eBeyFtduI-0270VG41VEtqTFwO-W7W18R7nRZSqNv9dKsspli4QNWbbO6C3y9EaslhPruIsKMlA-v8IRcZFRv5Et9SxnfmTWq9ITI70JeM7w8XZTftdpdel8OrwJkuy6Bk/s2634/_DSC0611-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="2634" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQWW49oQBeh959AnsB1Up6MMLOzi3Ws45Sk5RlFCWiFBrXGUJP4GM2eBeyFtduI-0270VG41VEtqTFwO-W7W18R7nRZSqNv9dKsspli4QNWbbO6C3y9EaslhPruIsKMlA-v8IRcZFRv5Et9SxnfmTWq9ITI70JeM7w8XZTftdpdel8OrwJkuy6Bk/s320/_DSC0611-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-81531778094489310622023-03-03T19:48:00.001-06:002023-03-03T19:48:22.779-06:00My Favorite Photos - February 2023<p>This month I have a very small number of photos compared to past months. I'm working about 50+ hours a week between three jobs now that the girls are both in college, so my free time is limited as is my time to take photos. </p><p>Honestly, this is kind of depressing for me because I love taking photos and documenting life. I guess when time is spent working, things change. Perhaps going forward this year I need to make a conscious effort to prioritize using my camera and creating images that I can be proud of and enjoy looking at. </p><p>The ones below are just quick shots. Nothing fancy. They do bring back good thoughts of having Sophia at home one weekend from college. We went to the Lions breakfast for Vinterfest.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzVFsPNMBb4ZIGKrO2pddA2l3E8JH-DWzyimmjxXucYyjJie6n-BktEWKUXTJTElmY6ELxqUGG275sX97liWV6qcww6VJSzbHh7QUNxa-8jfa4dFjWbVEfo11zrBMdCUDE1KZcdOeF6xM3chMe5KniARL9_cs9q9YU6FicSC3mT9uAv4Qec9nGgM/s2982/_DSC0001-008%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1554" data-original-width="2982" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzVFsPNMBb4ZIGKrO2pddA2l3E8JH-DWzyimmjxXucYyjJie6n-BktEWKUXTJTElmY6ELxqUGG275sX97liWV6qcww6VJSzbHh7QUNxa-8jfa4dFjWbVEfo11zrBMdCUDE1KZcdOeF6xM3chMe5KniARL9_cs9q9YU6FicSC3mT9uAv4Qec9nGgM/s320/_DSC0001-008%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is one of the Lions. He's a vet who served in Vietnam. He has interesting stories to tell and is into nature and wildlife. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtWyO2EoO2kdgmoLDZR2-PHyFqASVlJFKnq2CIZUk-IscdUjGSRQsHOcwhDySUM_LSyBF47b_9XFXsBOg4GRfWaLyCA8Qor8p7LuWizKeX-RglXy7CpOYzt16xj1m1OruzwO08ZZS8UODjJZrufnUcWiqVSR1FMT-w04nG7VNEp2W0fk2M24sp_s/s1899/_DSC1016-003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1899" data-original-width="1484" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtWyO2EoO2kdgmoLDZR2-PHyFqASVlJFKnq2CIZUk-IscdUjGSRQsHOcwhDySUM_LSyBF47b_9XFXsBOg4GRfWaLyCA8Qor8p7LuWizKeX-RglXy7CpOYzt16xj1m1OruzwO08ZZS8UODjJZrufnUcWiqVSR1FMT-w04nG7VNEp2W0fk2M24sp_s/s320/_DSC1016-003.JPG" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These two women also are Lions and have been so supportive of me. They are both in their 80s, but you would never guess it by how active they are. They do a tremendous amount of volunteering not only for the Lions, but for other organizations around town. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRr1jKn-eOOVfhf_85CkW7nF2Yj4yGJI3xnCbyJ9G27GlPE2s4kObGG_FLROEOVzYAFcXoXNWDHw_EADLh_vUV4bMpiLyW0mz4aRGKWhjrF4-fxPnZuoaYuySQM7gbwtL7-s8wdOWOU_uXDwoepJC9y1A2sAavHQLCu3aIaOgO9Sqp6ypUlGUGwI/s2598/_DSC1021-003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1859" data-original-width="2598" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRr1jKn-eOOVfhf_85CkW7nF2Yj4yGJI3xnCbyJ9G27GlPE2s4kObGG_FLROEOVzYAFcXoXNWDHw_EADLh_vUV4bMpiLyW0mz4aRGKWhjrF4-fxPnZuoaYuySQM7gbwtL7-s8wdOWOU_uXDwoepJC9y1A2sAavHQLCu3aIaOgO9Sqp6ypUlGUGwI/s320/_DSC1021-003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There were fires outside around the community center for everyone to enjoy.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxHqhzsrCzE_U5tYMKy-igKNbq1NnE9CGlvAwANlExkc8R2tqd9dJNjPyuvXpoLlubeelKRnLeojvs-JbPZxmjGADAzaKQCo8uVn_qAJNqDYtzxMqO46dpLj3_eKl5vgfvHPQfttmYx6zkGj4ns13RG0l1YvSUx_kuwCfUn0RbvCtZ2VmKfilM-c/s2544/_DSC0044-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1889" data-original-width="2544" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxHqhzsrCzE_U5tYMKy-igKNbq1NnE9CGlvAwANlExkc8R2tqd9dJNjPyuvXpoLlubeelKRnLeojvs-JbPZxmjGADAzaKQCo8uVn_qAJNqDYtzxMqO46dpLj3_eKl5vgfvHPQfttmYx6zkGj4ns13RG0l1YvSUx_kuwCfUn0RbvCtZ2VmKfilM-c/s320/_DSC0044-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There was a mini donut food truck, so Sophia treated me to mini donuts which was nice. The donuts were piping hot and the air was so cold. She's showing me the steam in the air from the donut...though my camera isn't picking it up.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7kQGAR7akNCRvWjm_WRaNcUnCdgCibwFi4YS40urDFtog89doGW-MUalwfywyjHu8uxZGjXk0lYNay912N9aX6EgVYP3xZorwW_vMjtT5WqYb8IB2jz-aG5uTH9_BrmKuVhhswv9Nq3Jgy59rjY5EaQyOMjgKRZz9hvzohHbm2G4wrzXNjumVxg/s2243/_DSC0048-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2243" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7kQGAR7akNCRvWjm_WRaNcUnCdgCibwFi4YS40urDFtog89doGW-MUalwfywyjHu8uxZGjXk0lYNay912N9aX6EgVYP3xZorwW_vMjtT5WqYb8IB2jz-aG5uTH9_BrmKuVhhswv9Nq3Jgy59rjY5EaQyOMjgKRZz9hvzohHbm2G4wrzXNjumVxg/s320/_DSC0048-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We watched some hockey. Neither of us is a hockey fan, so we didn't stay long.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4iW5BQXghZPO9eIEkGVJpERMVSjH2vU2w9It1H_KsCwLpGJRzisvgYeRP4FILq7ESFu31TYl5TDFW8OhzK2QKapw6ItXyPLPjDtUfbcuBItupcd_K1HQ5OuNXO5yiY8Oha_pVXt8gcyklcGmDnAPNqcAeb2gvOv64ZOm4GYkIZgHz151LSDl2gi0/s1055/_DSC0054-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1055" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4iW5BQXghZPO9eIEkGVJpERMVSjH2vU2w9It1H_KsCwLpGJRzisvgYeRP4FILq7ESFu31TYl5TDFW8OhzK2QKapw6ItXyPLPjDtUfbcuBItupcd_K1HQ5OuNXO5yiY8Oha_pVXt8gcyklcGmDnAPNqcAeb2gvOv64ZOm4GYkIZgHz151LSDl2gi0/s320/_DSC0054-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I dropped her off with a friend in Stillwater and then headed back to Vinterfest. This time I went across the street to Gammelgarden Museum and saw the exhibit that the Scandia Heritage Alliance put on. There were antique sleds like this little one. I could imagine myself pulling the girls in something like this when they were smaller. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-86kHNw3LMaoiILwf5YtrSh6O9OPCukRc7ct_1frIgtSD-qgxLb1xYkyPy5mg70P8PY4j96jignwrpphJVNSxx6-yNfOeGE5P6u4lvkV5mWSthn2f5ebLGL7Lfx6E70Jtl4Y_Z9scBImhanVrxsElRKwZYpMrUcj-HJuFjQv4xJrw4Drz_opQXiY/s1978/_DSC0098-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1679" data-original-width="1978" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-86kHNw3LMaoiILwf5YtrSh6O9OPCukRc7ct_1frIgtSD-qgxLb1xYkyPy5mg70P8PY4j96jignwrpphJVNSxx6-yNfOeGE5P6u4lvkV5mWSthn2f5ebLGL7Lfx6E70Jtl4Y_Z9scBImhanVrxsElRKwZYpMrUcj-HJuFjQv4xJrw4Drz_opQXiY/s320/_DSC0098-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There was a big wooden toboggan. I remember having a wood sled growing up with metal runners. You had to be careful where you placed your hands on the sled.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vnrx0IH5a9OAve73k4ooVF9qm9YjgLAenl0GHP0BfCmK9kNy6wCmklD0fqmSiN2oW1E79CP9sh-gPFEWnI0eaMaKhDry-Xcgq5Vo561ieycr1ONT7IusVSF-kr19pDOGfrsIk47qZQ2d-CDXJnmRujewbRk-GTf53_U81H4GhDc0P5ESvE6WnzM/s2721/_DSC0099-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="2721" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vnrx0IH5a9OAve73k4ooVF9qm9YjgLAenl0GHP0BfCmK9kNy6wCmklD0fqmSiN2oW1E79CP9sh-gPFEWnI0eaMaKhDry-Xcgq5Vo561ieycr1ONT7IusVSF-kr19pDOGfrsIk47qZQ2d-CDXJnmRujewbRk-GTf53_U81H4GhDc0P5ESvE6WnzM/s320/_DSC0099-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>These are snowshoes. I remember trying to use snowshoes when I was in fourth grade. It didn't go so well. Never tried again. Wonder if I would have better luck as an adult. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrr8VKLZ1z5i_GAQLYtVj0vluPkYu4w5KW9ssoylF9xRUoI7ImpHv5fM0ixV2sbiiV_LT4pzm6fTiGbPCRoeOwDaDxz-27v7GMyYk9y1Mf9Xo7b_sM8ezO6Uh5wWE2kuwEB4mk_8IpdE7zHO7c402l2ZhOMB8iuduOs6FSAlCHODHkPN6zk0ktd_s/s2511/_DSC0106-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2511" data-original-width="1604" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrr8VKLZ1z5i_GAQLYtVj0vluPkYu4w5KW9ssoylF9xRUoI7ImpHv5fM0ixV2sbiiV_LT4pzm6fTiGbPCRoeOwDaDxz-27v7GMyYk9y1Mf9Xo7b_sM8ezO6Uh5wWE2kuwEB4mk_8IpdE7zHO7c402l2ZhOMB8iuduOs6FSAlCHODHkPN6zk0ktd_s/s320/_DSC0106-008.JPG" width="204" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Wildlife Science Center was at Gammelgarden with a couple of owls. This was one of them.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiEoNf3aiMQJ0-RnKsHea_JC2qOqdqttE-mBNrPcqInU9FmoWWInd5ja5stHReF3Olm9U1ni7GVZwAsJiO0uE2oB_YWhQpO3eK_M4cYpe5ayg4BCUuH1p-YBxbG_507x0tOGV3u6PJLIOz_ExzNYcbLdRUEuOVGHpliQPe-5vomJBpo3R7Hl3z7Q/s2671/_DSC0119-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2671" data-original-width="1609" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiEoNf3aiMQJ0-RnKsHea_JC2qOqdqttE-mBNrPcqInU9FmoWWInd5ja5stHReF3Olm9U1ni7GVZwAsJiO0uE2oB_YWhQpO3eK_M4cYpe5ayg4BCUuH1p-YBxbG_507x0tOGV3u6PJLIOz_ExzNYcbLdRUEuOVGHpliQPe-5vomJBpo3R7Hl3z7Q/s320/_DSC0119-007.JPG" width="193" /></a></div><div><br /></div>They let me get pretty close to the owl. It was so calm. I wish I could have touched it...it looked so soft. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1kyUicil1n2nRQl9fIHFBdFpjQW9h7RfhijC6Ofbwq2HlT1YHSfIIDZOzYUpdFXSdx-ATtKMiyM9gszJYyj4-FfeLkrkJN-nnWCSzVCRsKCLjACeF6rPdKUBSYYYtfuJ002652tmXdzHtsVDRhOVYE854Gyva_1BQIfO2uWY_NGhGpbHnbdXqxg/s1132/_DSC0120-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1108" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1kyUicil1n2nRQl9fIHFBdFpjQW9h7RfhijC6Ofbwq2HlT1YHSfIIDZOzYUpdFXSdx-ATtKMiyM9gszJYyj4-FfeLkrkJN-nnWCSzVCRsKCLjACeF6rPdKUBSYYYtfuJ002652tmXdzHtsVDRhOVYE854Gyva_1BQIfO2uWY_NGhGpbHnbdXqxg/s320/_DSC0120-008.JPG" width="313" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This little owl is missing an eye. When it was born, it was missing an eye. It would have very little success in the wild - both in terms of catching prey as well as potentially being eaten by a larger predator - like a Great Horned Owl which we have around here. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCJcYZj6-jEJTil6XFyoxh8SkfAw_pFfY_F7EHue05bTfjhWxyB31_6LcsSeLU9lKg1syVycskmRNgtYMutcYrRLeWWkIgfM3ePWvTnA52brBsUGxDQDBh1pgobYQrNINHJanT4OKxGUekPsW85g_c2a_Aug80Aap3jDWjWdxzaxtkEsxLnamC2E/s2596/_DSC0129-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2596" data-original-width="1715" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCJcYZj6-jEJTil6XFyoxh8SkfAw_pFfY_F7EHue05bTfjhWxyB31_6LcsSeLU9lKg1syVycskmRNgtYMutcYrRLeWWkIgfM3ePWvTnA52brBsUGxDQDBh1pgobYQrNINHJanT4OKxGUekPsW85g_c2a_Aug80Aap3jDWjWdxzaxtkEsxLnamC2E/s320/_DSC0129-008.JPG" width="211" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The coloring on the owl is similar to a birch tree and it blends in beautifully with its surroundings. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62iPV4wbETpPjFNKxxzFFt0AkhLgpDTwMOJRxrUIusH2XKO825sgxqNPrp-8Hn6UX2K72I_IlgSxnHEaP0uu6Gj6jbXRocFinun72QIsBNpwcTyQFZvhwnCV5GAXbk5iXd7RQeTxbLOqNGERaon-kRnDlhvm2K1fdcciC3VaJYH9YgbssJ9zLT6k/s1404/_DSC0130-008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="1373" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62iPV4wbETpPjFNKxxzFFt0AkhLgpDTwMOJRxrUIusH2XKO825sgxqNPrp-8Hn6UX2K72I_IlgSxnHEaP0uu6Gj6jbXRocFinun72QIsBNpwcTyQFZvhwnCV5GAXbk5iXd7RQeTxbLOqNGERaon-kRnDlhvm2K1fdcciC3VaJYH9YgbssJ9zLT6k/s320/_DSC0130-008.JPG" width="313" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the end of the month, we got another ten inches of snow. We really don't need it. At this point, the front doors of the barn are inaccessible. What is not apparent in this photo is that there are sections in the backyard that have at least 2-3 feet of snow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Near the fence line leading to the east pasture, the snow is as high as the top of the fence. Cooper can literally walk over the top of the fence. This is not good because if any wildlife - like deer, fox, or coyote - wanders into the pasture, they could just as likely walk over the fence and into our backyard. It would not fare well for any of the animals - dogs or wildlife. Hopefully, the temperature will warm up and melt all this snow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgLI1wO02vlWeu1Yfck6AOZqtHRB_dBaWj__JRsa8KyDsgc8dlNZh-lLd9sdYAGzFVCN5_avLgzahsRIatHrK7Tu30zC0BPnDTjH_Q-klAIBwrMS1H3A-561cC-igj-D3P0yv5dToDW8Orord0wP2LNV7st3MB5ndT7P9qzm4lakNGMbGmnUj584/s2992/_DSC0146-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgLI1wO02vlWeu1Yfck6AOZqtHRB_dBaWj__JRsa8KyDsgc8dlNZh-lLd9sdYAGzFVCN5_avLgzahsRIatHrK7Tu30zC0BPnDTjH_Q-klAIBwrMS1H3A-561cC-igj-D3P0yv5dToDW8Orord0wP2LNV7st3MB5ndT7P9qzm4lakNGMbGmnUj584/s320/_DSC0146-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of dogs going over the fence, this is Cooper who is pretty proud of himself that he got into the pasture and could run at full speed through the snow. He was having fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCowZMGOcR_dVFT3w21Xzhy5TLrmR6WRQl2L4kCHUhCmvLdc6XYoAcrpCCVlZVWfUeCU0Jy8DhyVt_xQwvKaqS2GCzkSR1c8peT9CsEYEqZp7mFt3Tki7axh_CFco2UHrd6QbKmqn3WoXLKrHEl4Xrvuej2kV9NPK8mw_7ZO4xp-lpFTFIeDagrhU/s2992/_DSC0157-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCowZMGOcR_dVFT3w21Xzhy5TLrmR6WRQl2L4kCHUhCmvLdc6XYoAcrpCCVlZVWfUeCU0Jy8DhyVt_xQwvKaqS2GCzkSR1c8peT9CsEYEqZp7mFt3Tki7axh_CFco2UHrd6QbKmqn3WoXLKrHEl4Xrvuej2kV9NPK8mw_7ZO4xp-lpFTFIeDagrhU/s320/_DSC0157-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Interestingly, the snow reveals tracks that sometimes are easily recognizable. Other times, I have no idea what they are. For example, in the photo below, there's a big blob of tracks to the left of the photo. That's Cooper as he is running through the pasture. What I found strange was the rectangular shape made of small tracks. I have never seen anything like that before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I posted the photo on Minnesota Naturalists (a Facebook group) and one person identified the tracks as those belonging to a deer mouse. Apparently, this type of mouse walks on top of the snow - rather than under it. I would think that would make it quite vulnerable to predators. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At any rate, I was surprised at how the mouse made abrupt turns and made a rectangle.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8s49lZsCV5yTcFVWIlfirPt7rUtfSHiNU8X8fIp6qSvYkwFKTsjUFsSLh36YZE7y918GdVL5tq87iUN3RD49J0r5q0tT7pES6hpgKOq4eKwDyrF-WIN32p2AUPHNZrCurI8f5t7eX-paQ4vuGDqXL08jMEw5tH9h4yswuBph5dQL-u6NqrTfc0Y/s2992/_DSC0156-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8s49lZsCV5yTcFVWIlfirPt7rUtfSHiNU8X8fIp6qSvYkwFKTsjUFsSLh36YZE7y918GdVL5tq87iUN3RD49J0r5q0tT7pES6hpgKOq4eKwDyrF-WIN32p2AUPHNZrCurI8f5t7eX-paQ4vuGDqXL08jMEw5tH9h4yswuBph5dQL-u6NqrTfc0Y/s320/_DSC0156-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are two trees in the far back part of our property. In front is some sort of pine tree. In the back is a Weeping Willow. We planted these trees (at the time - about 5-6 feet tall) - a good 20 feet apart from one another. We thought it was far enough. It isn't. These two trees are right next to one another and both could use more space. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are two sets of tracks leading up to the pine tree. I wonder if both are used by the same animal or if there are multiple ones living under the tree.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9sON99LIPe18TqkbOrKuokGtncT9y6Qhc36B2igup9NKrR3b4o50vfxqOieSxgHodzEhZSe6RzqF9w86XHEWqW0tA6EHnNY7sJA22x3u-9hG1XnC0XGtsvtAyMvtDcOj_qRkdhMAOv_fs2Qjr2KrWm3WUd9UtTJ999jnLe9NHJrZHWiGHrg1Aa0/s2561/_DSC0160-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2561" data-original-width="1975" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9sON99LIPe18TqkbOrKuokGtncT9y6Qhc36B2igup9NKrR3b4o50vfxqOieSxgHodzEhZSe6RzqF9w86XHEWqW0tA6EHnNY7sJA22x3u-9hG1XnC0XGtsvtAyMvtDcOj_qRkdhMAOv_fs2Qjr2KrWm3WUd9UtTJ999jnLe9NHJrZHWiGHrg1Aa0/s320/_DSC0160-008.JPG" width="247" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the girls were little, we would sit under those trees - sometimes just us and sometimes with the dogs. We had picnics under them...and we'd just enjoy the quiet and peacefulness of being in the country. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So many good memories of this place. I am incredibly grateful we found it and chose to call it home.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-51799428544995548472023-02-12T08:35:00.001-06:002023-02-12T08:35:00.280-06:00Nature in Black and White<p>For this photography swap on Swap-Bot, I chose to focus on nature in black and white. All of the images were originally taken in color, but I felt like the color detracted from the pattern and detail of the object. So, I changed them to all black and white images.</p><p>The first image is one that I took on April 28, 2019, in Seward, Alaska, of jellyfish. Watching them float and swim was mesmerizing. Inside their bell-shaped body is their mouth. They both eat and discard waste from this opening. They digest their food very quickly because they could not float if they carried a large, undigested meal around. </p><p>To me, the black and white image shows how delicate the jellyfish are and better illustrates their bodies.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfSCWvD4Q4omNJvg8HoKQC9QVPDhISr3fvU4QLWOTl1y8J-Tk3_WiQFmsIsvlm4GChwglg4NQh0aPc9AvEcuWToxWwf9cfcvo1w8DIExkmRN4QR5tnucXwZT8KkqKklSCDir0bBGBE521sjDleU5RPDntSe-iWV5s04NqCrapxg_XGhhMdAPB9HI/s800/46959723565_c91d30b0df_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="800" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfSCWvD4Q4omNJvg8HoKQC9QVPDhISr3fvU4QLWOTl1y8J-Tk3_WiQFmsIsvlm4GChwglg4NQh0aPc9AvEcuWToxWwf9cfcvo1w8DIExkmRN4QR5tnucXwZT8KkqKklSCDir0bBGBE521sjDleU5RPDntSe-iWV5s04NqCrapxg_XGhhMdAPB9HI/s320/46959723565_c91d30b0df_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The image below is of milkweed seeds with their fluffy floss (what looks like a tail on each seed). I took this image on October 15, 2021, when opening milkweed pods and spreading the seeds. It was a beautiful fall day, slightly overcast, with a nice breeze to carry the seeds off to their new destinations. <div><br /></div><div>In color, this image has greens, browns, and whites. It has a lot going on. However, when you remove the color from the image, the pattern of the floss and its wispiness shows better. <br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jTIc3XfZl-vfVV4UJPKuMPNTOa9uhgGTTpbD_FTQ6JF98DjDtq9J0QCISv_YbeAVMznqrrVm-jVbSaLMsul37BJBHuRj-Teiq-hMP0ddII0Nzb-75wYrnAhkLPn-wAH5EINCfNLmM34amxVjg0bds7L_jOIYvWFXttScKpGB8Kv1hWUJgVS4kxo/s800/51621171570_0d43d20e7a_c%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="800" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jTIc3XfZl-vfVV4UJPKuMPNTOa9uhgGTTpbD_FTQ6JF98DjDtq9J0QCISv_YbeAVMznqrrVm-jVbSaLMsul37BJBHuRj-Teiq-hMP0ddII0Nzb-75wYrnAhkLPn-wAH5EINCfNLmM34amxVjg0bds7L_jOIYvWFXttScKpGB8Kv1hWUJgVS4kxo/s320/51621171570_0d43d20e7a_c%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Each year in March, we get rainstorms that turn to ice overnight. This image, taken on March 5, 2022, shows the layer of ice covering the woven-wire fence. Imagine this on everything - trees, buildings, the ground, and roads. It's a rather precarious drive until the sun melts the ice. I removed the color from this image because I wanted the focus to be on the icicles and the ice-wrapped wire. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8-dcmVLhX7U6rws3i_I-wJwMvwCbGp0CFljqZ4tVRP3pmQdhlibj_k7a-1MPnElqpQfH8KCX-cEjTI0p3zs5l19mlrCKqN_onqZX36R9GP1UR7RTid83o4eckvEjOCBJ4JVTIwdHC9f5nL8TQ8idwb1mQ90_ewd-TcRrkWFgSH3LSyB1DIvWYUc/s800/51947976631_9236cf4e0a_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="800" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8-dcmVLhX7U6rws3i_I-wJwMvwCbGp0CFljqZ4tVRP3pmQdhlibj_k7a-1MPnElqpQfH8KCX-cEjTI0p3zs5l19mlrCKqN_onqZX36R9GP1UR7RTid83o4eckvEjOCBJ4JVTIwdHC9f5nL8TQ8idwb1mQ90_ewd-TcRrkWFgSH3LSyB1DIvWYUc/s320/51947976631_9236cf4e0a_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This image was one I took on April 30, 2008, of rocks at Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls. Although the rocks are slate-gray, it was better to remove the color so that the lichen (on a couple of the rocks) didn't distract from the arrangement of the rocks and the lines between them. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirn9pTjP5jfuS9_yl71FH-kNCLhzv8UCLxsD5AQbkBa-MkwxWSJMI6c_LZkMU2V15ifjmNeF27xttNkOJzlC077gTD0v9ZZVp2Xo6b6gWfvj5P1_PVMidPHPNPm9fN7-uRA-f82O3UdR3eF6uMZkOUi0R0EgfMmje2qYvZ59D7eRRemQV1B5L3WJo/s799/2488682667_4408c26aca_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="799" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirn9pTjP5jfuS9_yl71FH-kNCLhzv8UCLxsD5AQbkBa-MkwxWSJMI6c_LZkMU2V15ifjmNeF27xttNkOJzlC077gTD0v9ZZVp2Xo6b6gWfvj5P1_PVMidPHPNPm9fN7-uRA-f82O3UdR3eF6uMZkOUi0R0EgfMmje2qYvZ59D7eRRemQV1B5L3WJo/s320/2488682667_4408c26aca_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p>On June 2, 2021, I was taking photos of the gardens and took this image of leaves with raindrops on them. When I downloaded the photos, I noticed that the leaves appeared to make an "A" - the initial of my first name. I preferred the image in black and white because there were many muted colors in the background from other flowers and plants, the green of the leaves of the "A," and the clear raindrops. The black-and-white version seemed cleaner and more focused on the image I wanted to show. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30O09lxVNOZD9UmgwScnWAQviObjPrcz0VFsUMSqmNWTow9dF9Rj7NIm4P7pk03LKoIAbIFOvzgJwOffeY5kdYdTjzIKEWkfF4XnLouPiTRfkHI4BtoOGWbcU4dLTDfmvOOc4mfpMwbu3PrYf-Nlfth2MXIDwrGEQYU0ktQFDZGo9_gLMq7hyoNM/s800/51600830446_8ce7b13805_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="800" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30O09lxVNOZD9UmgwScnWAQviObjPrcz0VFsUMSqmNWTow9dF9Rj7NIm4P7pk03LKoIAbIFOvzgJwOffeY5kdYdTjzIKEWkfF4XnLouPiTRfkHI4BtoOGWbcU4dLTDfmvOOc4mfpMwbu3PrYf-Nlfth2MXIDwrGEQYU0ktQFDZGo9_gLMq7hyoNM/s320/51600830446_8ce7b13805_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I go either way with clouds - sometimes I like the image in color and other times I like them in black-and-white. In this case, I prefer black and white. The clouds had such dramatic shades - from the dark black to white depending on where the sun was and how big/deep the clouds were. This image was taken on August 21, 2007.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOsMMozKegxUFr-D__Ko8NkRmTLnQoXgY8mxN-3Mlfqw7eZpb5uCrGt4GBhTW8kLaCFB_gO8DwMtPrnzxoHec66k-L0I8SrrTR6wxcuPvY_wj_DMV_nG9CiwvMSL8pLD_hDI7Tlf08ZsU6pirnm7tXmYv-uZV0f5FEwCMQYZIoQQGGM2fIg_ggaA/s799/1338476468_2e281d223b_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="799" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOsMMozKegxUFr-D__Ko8NkRmTLnQoXgY8mxN-3Mlfqw7eZpb5uCrGt4GBhTW8kLaCFB_gO8DwMtPrnzxoHec66k-L0I8SrrTR6wxcuPvY_wj_DMV_nG9CiwvMSL8pLD_hDI7Tlf08ZsU6pirnm7tXmYv-uZV0f5FEwCMQYZIoQQGGM2fIg_ggaA/s320/1338476468_2e281d223b_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p>As I was taking the dogs for a walk on the afternoon of October 23, 2019, I saw this bright purple thistle with green base. The thistle plant was huge - probably a good 4'-5' tall. This one flower stood proudly above the rest. Although I love the colors purple and green, what I wanted to focus on was all the little spikes on top and the tightly-clustered spikes below that. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uiDs1Kraypvc-4dqcVmTLESkkkuCDA5faMTsc9judayop8aIJaoifkAZXBwQZUUC8nnYoZIUEYMiPRnvWeX4CgkEskJRJCFo0i0KLhG7zFvETjI1YQHL3NO7nKNFMa6SOIlN-RC9UMI9dvwjBlCsbotMeIpfG9KcXhWZ2Sy0I20gb07zUQROUoE/s799/51419333985_859061f84c_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="730" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uiDs1Kraypvc-4dqcVmTLESkkkuCDA5faMTsc9judayop8aIJaoifkAZXBwQZUUC8nnYoZIUEYMiPRnvWeX4CgkEskJRJCFo0i0KLhG7zFvETjI1YQHL3NO7nKNFMa6SOIlN-RC9UMI9dvwjBlCsbotMeIpfG9KcXhWZ2Sy0I20gb07zUQROUoE/s320/51419333985_859061f84c_c.jpg" width="292" /></a></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-78292781121905981742023-02-11T07:13:00.001-06:002023-02-11T07:13:47.014-06:00Photo Scavenger Hunt<p>There's a photography swap on Swap-bot that I thought would be fun to do. There are words or phrases that are provided and participants take a photo or find an image from the photos they have taken. </p><div>Below are the words and the images that I created.</div><div> </div><div><b>Singer </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>This is a wren that was singing quite loudly on July 21, 2021. There's a house near this post where he has a home full of baby wrens. He and the female would fly continuously back and forth between the pasture and house to feed the babies. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWW6Zs-TzqHUXTbrxjUiCR7ltqjdiYZtlVfbpSFqr95emWANIJaKvfQLaFokWbTO_r3pQD_xcFmSSd2_IDur4OwAcQZroe-22-Qd1VxrnOIFnc6LpVmFvr59dJ2SwMzP7wMwjZfOjjaVmEJIEJYWOzBMM4GynUbFQn3oXyy_Hz-Muki6IXRTYAwI/s800/51603727101_e6f4bd1579_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="674" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWW6Zs-TzqHUXTbrxjUiCR7ltqjdiYZtlVfbpSFqr95emWANIJaKvfQLaFokWbTO_r3pQD_xcFmSSd2_IDur4OwAcQZroe-22-Qd1VxrnOIFnc6LpVmFvr59dJ2SwMzP7wMwjZfOjjaVmEJIEJYWOzBMM4GynUbFQn3oXyy_Hz-Muki6IXRTYAwI/s320/51603727101_e6f4bd1579_c.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b> Something that Starts with the Letter P </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>On June 5, 2022, my family and I were in Scotland. We saw the National Monument of Scotland in Edininburgh which, according to Historic UK, the monument was "most famously called by its resident architect the ‘<b>p</b>ride and <b>p</b>overty of us Scots.’" </div><div><br /></div><div>It is one of the iconic landmarks of Edinburgh being a facsimile of the <b>P</b>arthenon. However, the building of the structure was abandoned in 1829, leaving a "ruinesque <b>P</b>arthenon of Calton Hill."</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMM-t_jYDHVSL-Os5SrAldX-8trotZDP1fYcYAGeK94WYcLRQe4PSixHZll9TU6PfdXe17ypzkiX-7TC20QD9B62eBPJGX38CzkUDzygIvxAYODsJU9yEtCqHrsMx8w0i5hFQULxc1i-7p1xDUSSpO5C4yusuFPkcxCKKSGnwMpvu9UtQwUwPKpA/s2480/_DSC0117-003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="2480" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMM-t_jYDHVSL-Os5SrAldX-8trotZDP1fYcYAGeK94WYcLRQe4PSixHZll9TU6PfdXe17ypzkiX-7TC20QD9B62eBPJGX38CzkUDzygIvxAYODsJU9yEtCqHrsMx8w0i5hFQULxc1i-7p1xDUSSpO5C4yusuFPkcxCKKSGnwMpvu9UtQwUwPKpA/s320/_DSC0117-003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>A Wild Animal </b></div><div><br /></div><div>We had a trail cam for a while which I enjoyed using at different spots around our farm. On March 5, 2020, the trail cam caught these two rabbits in the front yard. I had no idea that rabbits could jump or leap that high! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2zPCxlh0bX4NBd_kowxmFsMgDMTEDjskaKeIBcr-lU5nEO6qZbBs_Odn0g3Vd77Pe2lXnXf1ROBh0bXCTKNfBMuZRvKEYFswjd_2t9iBJU2dY3QAUSU5229jo_uxX1TRFR4YN8Yw6vITTnRYzETp9CPmrHoqsHRkiwKDHNGaS77cEsBIONXbWfU/s800/51535533521_a639b9f1d9_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2zPCxlh0bX4NBd_kowxmFsMgDMTEDjskaKeIBcr-lU5nEO6qZbBs_Odn0g3Vd77Pe2lXnXf1ROBh0bXCTKNfBMuZRvKEYFswjd_2t9iBJU2dY3QAUSU5229jo_uxX1TRFR4YN8Yw6vITTnRYzETp9CPmrHoqsHRkiwKDHNGaS77cEsBIONXbWfU/s320/51535533521_a639b9f1d9_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b> A Potted Plant </b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is a potted plant that I got on December 11, 2022, for my daughter for Christmas. She liked it, but wanted to create a planter that had a variety of succulents - like this one. So, we went back to Home Depot where she bought a trio of succulents to create her own planter. This one now is sitting on my kitchen ledge by a south-facing window and doing well.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEPUOWZPinZgzT6pA2zNYOa2mcXlI-mUuAp75KSpanwccdp5y2O_J89iXg5c8_7DLkjhoBYEJ_H8EAvh8iCq_eLhj_vp2NEHNqYStADnS0qBUrxHh6cMIXXavqP8pYd1PkZUEGCo3kaKO4Az6R9bPeGjSJxxqJjO5q68XzMvKikt9n1yyotddA_Y/s1705/_DSC0243-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1705" data-original-width="1460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEPUOWZPinZgzT6pA2zNYOa2mcXlI-mUuAp75KSpanwccdp5y2O_J89iXg5c8_7DLkjhoBYEJ_H8EAvh8iCq_eLhj_vp2NEHNqYStADnS0qBUrxHh6cMIXXavqP8pYd1PkZUEGCo3kaKO4Az6R9bPeGjSJxxqJjO5q68XzMvKikt9n1yyotddA_Y/s320/_DSC0243-007.JPG" width="274" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Red </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>During this past December, we were having snowstorm after snowstorm. By the middle of the month, we had the amount of snow that we would typically get in an entire winter. It was too much snow in too short of period of time. This photo was taken on December 15, 2022. The birds love to eat these fruits during the winter and spring. Sometimes, if there are enough remaining on the tree in the spring, flocks of cedar waxwings will come to the tree to eat the fruit.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXZJA1O4XKDFk-LehhJQbwSwcC1cYi2HxkndxK_enNmO11voVfC2SlkELi4SjrISrVtNcq5K0ErfS7sINdhwqWeG0cmuK02vtAFgH9Es2DbeCSbw9oMyXB717W7ZFB4nXIvOMOoLZ8c_bOmvde4aoyE3XK_wVHL_j-9F-qAuDc_gWqzCYN1cv9G0/s2992/_DSC0323-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXZJA1O4XKDFk-LehhJQbwSwcC1cYi2HxkndxK_enNmO11voVfC2SlkELi4SjrISrVtNcq5K0ErfS7sINdhwqWeG0cmuK02vtAFgH9Es2DbeCSbw9oMyXB717W7ZFB4nXIvOMOoLZ8c_bOmvde4aoyE3XK_wVHL_j-9F-qAuDc_gWqzCYN1cv9G0/s320/_DSC0323-007.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div><b> Something that Reminds You of Your Childhood </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>On December 31, 2022, my sister and I went through old slides that my parents had. This was one of the photos of our home being built in summer 1974. My brother and sister are sitting where the solarium or sun room would end up being. </div><div><br /></div><div>Below that was a patio, my bedroom, a door, my sister's bedroom, and then my brother's bedroom. We all had windows facing Bass Lake. The upper level had the family room, door, kitchenette, kitchen, and my parents' bedroom. Again - all facing the lake. The front section of our home had other rooms. </div><div><br /></div><div>This was truly a beautiful, well-constructed home that my parents lovingly took care of. I loved living on a lake, seeing the sunsets, taking the row boat out around the island, and making fort houses with my sister in the nearby woods. So many good memories. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPJ2mOV40qm2QBMoWqiTY6kvwRoq7Zc3aHgda74Tdeo1IZejblmG7BlZR_XiBZJZdaQHXweSTYV2FrfNRCAm-9NPLpRrXqSheI7OQ3Gks8FhUFRx5XzRcarM-stY8oocBYmUbd_LZwXxhHabLsZvKIzYjUfdQxEcjgmo84Arox7tBQ6HEJrtuOLQ/s2851/_DSC0593-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1933" data-original-width="2851" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPJ2mOV40qm2QBMoWqiTY6kvwRoq7Zc3aHgda74Tdeo1IZejblmG7BlZR_XiBZJZdaQHXweSTYV2FrfNRCAm-9NPLpRrXqSheI7OQ3Gks8FhUFRx5XzRcarM-stY8oocBYmUbd_LZwXxhHabLsZvKIzYjUfdQxEcjgmo84Arox7tBQ6HEJrtuOLQ/s320/_DSC0593-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div><b> Something in Your Garden or Backyard</b></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The snowstorms that I was referencing earlier dumped a lot of snow in a short period of time. This photo that I took on December 22, 2022, shows how much snow we received in less than a two-week period. There is a picnic table with two attached benches under that snow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_cceTd27t0yh5bVZVExq8jdx1egQMf3uv_Z73jKr0S75Zi4RLfmyzQYYKj7lvyV1O2iee_Xtn_-3KDl16iakofrCWQmhvgys1pvAx_FUf9mbdnBdoxFxdkw8dZXfk1tF6VTU2sg3mdbmc_bBNm45lov58ooOjjtCGtKC9fheuTKDtI1oCh1ZmwU/s2573/_DSC0350-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1602" data-original-width="2573" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_cceTd27t0yh5bVZVExq8jdx1egQMf3uv_Z73jKr0S75Zi4RLfmyzQYYKj7lvyV1O2iee_Xtn_-3KDl16iakofrCWQmhvgys1pvAx_FUf9mbdnBdoxFxdkw8dZXfk1tF6VTU2sg3mdbmc_bBNm45lov58ooOjjtCGtKC9fheuTKDtI1oCh1ZmwU/s320/_DSC0350-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><b> Light Painting</b></div><div><br /></div><div>This image is of a chalk painting that was done on September 5, 2021, as part of a chalk festival. It depicts swirls of light and a hand. I was so amazed at the beautiful chalk paintings - some 2D and others 3D. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DFSrDzfwaH6e0tHRVdaTXxNMWcbeD0I2juQ96xASzMr9aBjgC5neqdpGm81I567wpNqu4tmrGhkfSx8R7i2ttNm09Y7YjGwMnAtVZ-M0AlUd2zKPd414j6BltKpo6FYeTi33EcMnjfsTvCEMLvMdCCjaCWngWnhb2SsegtUkvSbhpUyGiFYjtCM/s800/51611360107_4fdc389b57_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="800" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DFSrDzfwaH6e0tHRVdaTXxNMWcbeD0I2juQ96xASzMr9aBjgC5neqdpGm81I567wpNqu4tmrGhkfSx8R7i2ttNm09Y7YjGwMnAtVZ-M0AlUd2zKPd414j6BltKpo6FYeTi33EcMnjfsTvCEMLvMdCCjaCWngWnhb2SsegtUkvSbhpUyGiFYjtCM/s320/51611360107_4fdc389b57_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Someone Working</b></div><div> </div><div>I went further back in my photos to find this photo of Sophia and Olivia working in the 4-H malt booth stand on July 17, 2015. Sophia is making a strawberry milkshake. Working in the malt booth was a coveted position because it was nice and cool in the trailer. When it was 85-95 degrees outside, it was nice and chilly inside the trailer, and made the work much more enjoyable.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVDfntS4xPfJBqzu923eRuR_AGvZIoDXYC14XbWZtHkKbbydmJt8rmsLpxS0vF_FGTlDHzAsHEMn6fyzzhjL1q7QAXePZ0kJfd3ceUyN-8XIG0HIh8C5AQvEh-iLWQpjgTGnOjeLLUJSNnsjrzMDLK4AwucpdkGEkKWweq-a4Ld7kKIQyhdwBqw8/s500/46894154774_8ce8141406_e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="500" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVDfntS4xPfJBqzu923eRuR_AGvZIoDXYC14XbWZtHkKbbydmJt8rmsLpxS0vF_FGTlDHzAsHEMn6fyzzhjL1q7QAXePZ0kJfd3ceUyN-8XIG0HIh8C5AQvEh-iLWQpjgTGnOjeLLUJSNnsjrzMDLK4AwucpdkGEkKWweq-a4Ld7kKIQyhdwBqw8/s320/46894154774_8ce8141406_e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Something Edible</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>One thing that we do each year is celebrate the Chinese New Year. In 2011, it was on February 3rd. The girls were only 8 and 10 years old, and one of the things that was popular back then was the "muffin tin meal" concept. Each muffin cup was filled with different items - in this case, rice, sushi, and fruit. It encouraged the girls to sample a little from each of the muffin cups. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEM9vqzkpS2rRa2diRaatBKSBD-ts9usbk8lf0JIUMP7j_68vSoM28XJT6dbqlt9nCmvGHXRHFjenhi0ZhkaLJMDbE1nnX-sJfnwWa9CPi5_3ko_Nql0S1GMZ7QXuHI44wGXGbU8Aj8A9STWjqoZH_egP1NnirgnFo-ddmL899AImwcZOBIefXpnY/s800/5415952322_31a0b33bd0_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="800" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEM9vqzkpS2rRa2diRaatBKSBD-ts9usbk8lf0JIUMP7j_68vSoM28XJT6dbqlt9nCmvGHXRHFjenhi0ZhkaLJMDbE1nnX-sJfnwWa9CPi5_3ko_Nql0S1GMZ7QXuHI44wGXGbU8Aj8A9STWjqoZH_egP1NnirgnFo-ddmL899AImwcZOBIefXpnY/s320/5415952322_31a0b33bd0_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-40896231418424521342023-02-10T11:55:00.001-06:002023-02-10T11:55:14.233-06:00My Favorite Photo - January 2023<p>January was perhaps the month that I have taken the fewest photos on my camera in decades. Most of the photos I took were on my iPhone. As I look back on the month, the photos I took were basically documenting what had happened. None of the photos - with the exception of perhaps the sunset and highly-textured snow - stand out as particularly good photos. However, they all are meaningful to me. </p><p>Olivia, Paige, and I went out on January 1st at the local Chinese restaurant to have our annual Chinese meal to start off the new year. Paige and I have been doing this since we lived in San Francisco back in 1991-1993.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZ-hlbb09PSs7WGjhgodlJK23AwRATej6qjUnHCWL_fliAZNOciTVHyESM67IaEIs52a6Hi6sf2OUPYDpw9uGhxfo6j6EQP6FwPyz1UB8M32yXyqlndfGdc_cHkEiCT81DeoGDIq_5lQymVI7nFJksGVf3hrnqD5ZGxGsZGecujdEg-B7PpiUD0c/s640/Olivia%20-%20January%201%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZ-hlbb09PSs7WGjhgodlJK23AwRATej6qjUnHCWL_fliAZNOciTVHyESM67IaEIs52a6Hi6sf2OUPYDpw9uGhxfo6j6EQP6FwPyz1UB8M32yXyqlndfGdc_cHkEiCT81DeoGDIq_5lQymVI7nFJksGVf3hrnqD5ZGxGsZGecujdEg-B7PpiUD0c/s320/Olivia%20-%20January%201%202023.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The snow early in the month was overwhelming. We were getting snowstorm after snowstorm. It was piled up higher than it has ever been by the back of the house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FXi_1dbQm_fvslybnzXbRxCNZqOr9j_xs9Tf9rHDS6-FdKe9WT7deH7voYC_pT6L-Gx8F6_P25EWEc5_xMxh8KAxytaGiL-rk8045Udb9gV6hr9pzuqPxxWUR1jstctp651Bj3_z4EuBWgyMBtBwe2c_UBXgP6AdZe7V285RqkCNhUMUxx_LAH8/s640/snow%20in%20backyard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FXi_1dbQm_fvslybnzXbRxCNZqOr9j_xs9Tf9rHDS6-FdKe9WT7deH7voYC_pT6L-Gx8F6_P25EWEc5_xMxh8KAxytaGiL-rk8045Udb9gV6hr9pzuqPxxWUR1jstctp651Bj3_z4EuBWgyMBtBwe2c_UBXgP6AdZe7V285RqkCNhUMUxx_LAH8/s320/snow%20in%20backyard.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had to hire a guy who could snowplow our driveway. The snowbanks were as high as the fence.</div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TLiR6-a2oAL2XbeHxxwfqbbPFdOfCvuUmhQuu8MpeYEBOxkb43RNFz_mIYEd4CQwCM9sZjUBy1oL703KeabbCfVGZ1ie62eMk_2t_91Ez9WWPF3yf_m92BGGvAcc356ED1zFJQ1UIAjYdnSZQU-yCBZM19UMsPHd0XkxivZllxD6wO00bNEO6aA/s640/snow%20pile%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TLiR6-a2oAL2XbeHxxwfqbbPFdOfCvuUmhQuu8MpeYEBOxkb43RNFz_mIYEd4CQwCM9sZjUBy1oL703KeabbCfVGZ1ie62eMk_2t_91Ez9WWPF3yf_m92BGGvAcc356ED1zFJQ1UIAjYdnSZQU-yCBZM19UMsPHd0XkxivZllxD6wO00bNEO6aA/s320/snow%20pile%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The snow on the west side of the driveway was so high, making getting to the other side of the garage and the birdfeeder behind the garage impossible to get to safely.</div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKZgT37qYyIsLUUkHSRoaCpDgtaMhPJc8Dr4v56ysomk2X-PfRcg8uiVFd7jYsiFLOq0zdTvLmnMWxrWKH4yKbikPbmdKyWq0uXf5FuNUQGwa4ywUtW1DAJmZoW2Xlv8wFBIfMFLtYt-Vx2D5ExGWKkB99YHb6vlbVYbmZPtytZaIHkRCwl6HuOs/s640/snow%20pile.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKZgT37qYyIsLUUkHSRoaCpDgtaMhPJc8Dr4v56ysomk2X-PfRcg8uiVFd7jYsiFLOq0zdTvLmnMWxrWKH4yKbikPbmdKyWq0uXf5FuNUQGwa4ywUtW1DAJmZoW2Xlv8wFBIfMFLtYt-Vx2D5ExGWKkB99YHb6vlbVYbmZPtytZaIHkRCwl6HuOs/s320/snow%20pile.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What I liked about the snow in January was its texture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DlDJ56qrkdnXUdEp8KwGiK380cX9SnM6-qbKWhr6PCzIKLt1eavqER0UjRwC_S0dPLRsEw-bzecL4sZymiakhPNCNISHDCuNkFahDgKi1JUiSl_WTak3vp45tnPcAWdKXslTHx7fJd1NXlOz54OctdR4OJXD_7Yh012bP24cNsxd117KaGeSaBU/s640/fluffy%20snow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DlDJ56qrkdnXUdEp8KwGiK380cX9SnM6-qbKWhr6PCzIKLt1eavqER0UjRwC_S0dPLRsEw-bzecL4sZymiakhPNCNISHDCuNkFahDgKi1JUiSl_WTak3vp45tnPcAWdKXslTHx7fJd1NXlOz54OctdR4OJXD_7Yh012bP24cNsxd117KaGeSaBU/s320/fluffy%20snow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is one of my favorite pictures from January - with the textured snow and the sun setting one evening.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrpSUj8xBzZL-bsWSkfohROIen21JcPqBb-UWm8BcnbtVwbZTX5PYKkwBXASvPYIaaRDvdhCnXJt8WLfnS_HFchZKe-v7g-lvy9K1yldLxSHH3SbHpCIbpUZvaJlCOv7TIsM4XnGbhelwZnmRFUaXlpTm7hpHYFH-VOFur2kuz8c14V8nz6RVSXA/s640/january%202023%20-%20snow%20sunset.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrpSUj8xBzZL-bsWSkfohROIen21JcPqBb-UWm8BcnbtVwbZTX5PYKkwBXASvPYIaaRDvdhCnXJt8WLfnS_HFchZKe-v7g-lvy9K1yldLxSHH3SbHpCIbpUZvaJlCOv7TIsM4XnGbhelwZnmRFUaXlpTm7hpHYFH-VOFur2kuz8c14V8nz6RVSXA/s320/january%202023%20-%20snow%20sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the sun was setting, it was perfectly lined up between the branches of this tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNF-eufq1x5jjv_CIS2jF-RHs3LJbcJe0oeII8S-gry-JTtXnVvXoSQa3EpQCttrkwB7jNRuCcgw990WkyOrbJe00PSGHjs_3slNpcludHLBHjDXD-4bg7Omijk0sz8bESfbr8OlfLLvvTJuyGSIFcWUx0XNPrPHccjFxHPdE9RwsQUDrXetM9U7w/s640/sunset%20between%20the%20tree.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNF-eufq1x5jjv_CIS2jF-RHs3LJbcJe0oeII8S-gry-JTtXnVvXoSQa3EpQCttrkwB7jNRuCcgw990WkyOrbJe00PSGHjs_3slNpcludHLBHjDXD-4bg7Omijk0sz8bESfbr8OlfLLvvTJuyGSIFcWUx0XNPrPHccjFxHPdE9RwsQUDrXetM9U7w/s320/sunset%20between%20the%20tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A couple days after Chinese New Year, when Sophia and Olivia both had time off of classes and work, we went to a new Chinese restaurant close to their college. It was an excellent meal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPD2tydUtEoYLBzQFILk7Fs9BQijAN2tFlO7WufAXMtnkZ5eg1-d7zppOPxL4q19ecrL2AYoa-TBP1JV6lSDQL-qMeu3vt5HmuCh_1yxZSL1rJ2dChlVUKRSRHFPeyCkT9JeDbWRtDE2iS8RuprJ5vuxPU6kmUYe-RRTRpQ_DLRX-7EhiQALProg/s640/chinese%20new%20year%202023%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPD2tydUtEoYLBzQFILk7Fs9BQijAN2tFlO7WufAXMtnkZ5eg1-d7zppOPxL4q19ecrL2AYoa-TBP1JV6lSDQL-qMeu3vt5HmuCh_1yxZSL1rJ2dChlVUKRSRHFPeyCkT9JeDbWRtDE2iS8RuprJ5vuxPU6kmUYe-RRTRpQ_DLRX-7EhiQALProg/s320/chinese%20new%20year%202023%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also went out to eat at a new restaurant to celebrate Olivia's 20th birthday. It is hard to believe she's already 20 years old...no longer a teen.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wqqPNfaI3sIxuZ7GbJFSH85RDBzpn-2GMmEc1YnnIbIXAMwfChmNK5KYdbIqUUEvJ9la4u0PAjN6TktRZACGXqQJY2QT4EoCfRVbedpIcTBgreHB4zd3bFVELuBrZ3VBgRaiopBAFu26E9epYyFlXzJUzwgtSV7qSTSvtqj9rcpbywSKx4v-aCo/s640/olivia's%20birthday%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wqqPNfaI3sIxuZ7GbJFSH85RDBzpn-2GMmEc1YnnIbIXAMwfChmNK5KYdbIqUUEvJ9la4u0PAjN6TktRZACGXqQJY2QT4EoCfRVbedpIcTBgreHB4zd3bFVELuBrZ3VBgRaiopBAFu26E9epYyFlXzJUzwgtSV7qSTSvtqj9rcpbywSKx4v-aCo/s320/olivia's%20birthday%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sophia ordered a build-your-own pizza. There was plenty left over to bring back to college for meals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7omyZQ5BkGkXUbCbkCJQvE--xRlLgUGME_Lovn6sTAmz8qubHuN2sv0YfBDrgSdJKQ2WHyXFg-NnBVOXo3qhF8ZImLSGNljF7erGKwFcW404hSF7zZ08cS-a1HAz1ooRMgWFhNAXkPjjPyMv5oWFIiE3K5QFU0e0tYrAR3YKM2uLhfYr6bfqg0k/s640/sophia%20with%20pizza.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7omyZQ5BkGkXUbCbkCJQvE--xRlLgUGME_Lovn6sTAmz8qubHuN2sv0YfBDrgSdJKQ2WHyXFg-NnBVOXo3qhF8ZImLSGNljF7erGKwFcW404hSF7zZ08cS-a1HAz1ooRMgWFhNAXkPjjPyMv5oWFIiE3K5QFU0e0tYrAR3YKM2uLhfYr6bfqg0k/s320/sophia%20with%20pizza.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Paige, Olivia, and Sophia are at the restaurant after Olivia's birthday meal.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4BLS4CLnrOkjlWntVfqoFYrttGgF58dJl6VNXDbWrbwA0n-G_hBSqd8vKjq2dgsCsHHp7ONz-0z7MGzZq7XnSF-xkc-C1GIdqUlxwt3dsbiHtdbsvIC94iyNA_MFn-m51G_84G7tksITWkG1ZomgXBTRExYaos-DQQ2ZmmvOD_ZJkxN3lT14AE4/s640/paige%20and%20girls.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4BLS4CLnrOkjlWntVfqoFYrttGgF58dJl6VNXDbWrbwA0n-G_hBSqd8vKjq2dgsCsHHp7ONz-0z7MGzZq7XnSF-xkc-C1GIdqUlxwt3dsbiHtdbsvIC94iyNA_MFn-m51G_84G7tksITWkG1ZomgXBTRExYaos-DQQ2ZmmvOD_ZJkxN3lT14AE4/s320/paige%20and%20girls.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a pheasant family hanging around our home during January. These birds are in the backyard. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBPAz8eLbE2KyA_YPahO2ADKSqZJVYjiDNsE7A9OI--EgcUDE-iritq7wNgB38zBg129VlCjjQ_N6i3laTYTQyUnMQx04vNOOp9E7mlSioeMOAesCNfrCfVHYCQ7hTKpvvkeBcr0ZUcJg1P-ww9BgqoAogtKAAMx8aT-ovQeWxTTYyRC0tCqKmmM/s1489/_DSC0861-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="1489" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBPAz8eLbE2KyA_YPahO2ADKSqZJVYjiDNsE7A9OI--EgcUDE-iritq7wNgB38zBg129VlCjjQ_N6i3laTYTQyUnMQx04vNOOp9E7mlSioeMOAesCNfrCfVHYCQ7hTKpvvkeBcr0ZUcJg1P-ww9BgqoAogtKAAMx8aT-ovQeWxTTYyRC0tCqKmmM/s320/_DSC0861-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I worked a lot during the month at my second job. I'm doing consultancy work in marketing and public relations. This is the new logo for the museum that I worked with a designer to create. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiievU8YAxIBQ_TCdUqPi7djhvS443WVHCxLilXFtr5RZiGHYma50qvY3udd8MP8yyHO6JXyZiRYoYJGpc4lZDPrMAcdgqUE0vxBsOXAleEEcaQ7oauk7DdZGR_lsD1ZZGf_R-ftGVGUOcQmdhfs9RYZBP1dm6sPe0N9_OaJDTjDtbuGa8Jw8xTQBI/s239/GammelGardenFINALlogo2023-teal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="200" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiievU8YAxIBQ_TCdUqPi7djhvS443WVHCxLilXFtr5RZiGHYma50qvY3udd8MP8yyHO6JXyZiRYoYJGpc4lZDPrMAcdgqUE0vxBsOXAleEEcaQ7oauk7DdZGR_lsD1ZZGf_R-ftGVGUOcQmdhfs9RYZBP1dm6sPe0N9_OaJDTjDtbuGa8Jw8xTQBI/s1600/GammelGardenFINALlogo2023-teal.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pheasants were back...this time they brought more of their friends to join in the birdseed feast. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPOIiTMmu6tTY6joxknAof4FNG4QT5If2kmh8pMihV9MEWQruJtR05LDElvVPr-3RR9WCJra3bigKqfYtXKIjQ8IDtuBSZzwuK0it3HxtYvzm93siPWUB70amM0epzZ89cHaJATtvIVQuNyci30YCOdhhhKRN7Y__wkCf6ZgyRI6pnwy9W69bbEk/s2992/_DSC0884-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPOIiTMmu6tTY6joxknAof4FNG4QT5If2kmh8pMihV9MEWQruJtR05LDElvVPr-3RR9WCJra3bigKqfYtXKIjQ8IDtuBSZzwuK0it3HxtYvzm93siPWUB70amM0epzZ89cHaJATtvIVQuNyci30YCOdhhhKRN7Y__wkCf6ZgyRI6pnwy9W69bbEk/s320/_DSC0884-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The snow was so high that Cooper (far right in the picture) was level with the middle of the door. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaX1Q850OLY6yJjmVApur5HGhp9UrQlhZISzPU_c213lrL4KMUcl9mxItFN173CHSNQaLwQ_EPxX9mAv08JGtMrdYHgbkxoEd2cFg5hBmAT0VOIlCpeZgICbCjsZjNXRp-x2ABKyIzfwYeX0NdJ_r7373IUwU2dRCpxBeZMQ7G5jWTnHpEiKQY44/s2902/_DSC0977-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1654" data-original-width="2902" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaX1Q850OLY6yJjmVApur5HGhp9UrQlhZISzPU_c213lrL4KMUcl9mxItFN173CHSNQaLwQ_EPxX9mAv08JGtMrdYHgbkxoEd2cFg5hBmAT0VOIlCpeZgICbCjsZjNXRp-x2ABKyIzfwYeX0NdJ_r7373IUwU2dRCpxBeZMQ7G5jWTnHpEiKQY44/s320/_DSC0977-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Toward the end of the month, I went to Stillwater and looked at the snow sculptures there. People from all over the world come to compete in the contest.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqQHe18bj4RfPNH4VZClfBxX3effAYVOeqqd0HMUquPvprzukQO4bYV1hZphQKo5UkVC3DWqV1W0wE-9p_KJH4b6HK6bx0mggMac0S8tUCRcnYm6qYSZHHiDlunAUcGgZopWbYoCtcTuxvrLoSJvEltvtWEL_OFrJ9qHLtqRgdUqh-vFJFakorms/s2992/_DSC0981-005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqQHe18bj4RfPNH4VZClfBxX3effAYVOeqqd0HMUquPvprzukQO4bYV1hZphQKo5UkVC3DWqV1W0wE-9p_KJH4b6HK6bx0mggMac0S8tUCRcnYm6qYSZHHiDlunAUcGgZopWbYoCtcTuxvrLoSJvEltvtWEL_OFrJ9qHLtqRgdUqh-vFJFakorms/s320/_DSC0981-005.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is another snow sculpture. It is of Axolotl - the God of Fire. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3oN5FoL9pzn_UuOEpJr0ByPo7D9Zn7ci1cA00gaayPO6rgG_-gLCpIVXNNs7GCr6btRZ2cxm4IcsaDhEcgbFpJnztUPsWergn02Z8nm-SIfC5hsGCLKTXUVmVHgepwLlYxZNqO-idC4usdU9WspjKuqys0O8vlei7GX8Hd1COdjY6lCsLp0UFvY/s2992/_DSC0987-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3oN5FoL9pzn_UuOEpJr0ByPo7D9Zn7ci1cA00gaayPO6rgG_-gLCpIVXNNs7GCr6btRZ2cxm4IcsaDhEcgbFpJnztUPsWergn02Z8nm-SIfC5hsGCLKTXUVmVHgepwLlYxZNqO-idC4usdU9WspjKuqys0O8vlei7GX8Hd1COdjY6lCsLp0UFvY/s320/_DSC0987-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a lumberjack holding the world on his shoulders with the flags from all the snow sculpture teams. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaXNHTWkKZ2Uj3VuyRtV3kA7Agqe6DvLYGnL-uSt1Fqt2N_oTlqa0FQ4EXWforLTLPqgN84Yvon3qByuWHe24B2cSjRmkrNhr-1D6Jb8YcdKKJlLukf3tDuqjJZTmwSggi0xGr2RFE10GTDr6dNyhPCXVoZAhoqhijiN8zEQQGrxkH3Rk9JmQMvU/s2992/_DSC1007-003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaXNHTWkKZ2Uj3VuyRtV3kA7Agqe6DvLYGnL-uSt1Fqt2N_oTlqa0FQ4EXWforLTLPqgN84Yvon3qByuWHe24B2cSjRmkrNhr-1D6Jb8YcdKKJlLukf3tDuqjJZTmwSggi0xGr2RFE10GTDr6dNyhPCXVoZAhoqhijiN8zEQQGrxkH3Rk9JmQMvU/s320/_DSC1007-003.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was playing around with editing on Picasa for this photo of the bridge in Stillwater. One of my favorite colors is purple.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKWIQOlNRktjcnEMV4qud3UQOR1hPMo5GbXeHCSQXDDB0_fcDjOZfm9-U-Cm5V3EdAn8lYGdr8rQA4gBHTL7MuPPWChAo6X_GBrofHJWoj9A179uuuMw08YONApunLL40izSp2pQp7ZEbHWbQiy9WSv-NqCdvaA4B4q8-v1mu4lhGuCjE60RkzTo/s2992/_DSC1002-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKWIQOlNRktjcnEMV4qud3UQOR1hPMo5GbXeHCSQXDDB0_fcDjOZfm9-U-Cm5V3EdAn8lYGdr8rQA4gBHTL7MuPPWChAo6X_GBrofHJWoj9A179uuuMw08YONApunLL40izSp2pQp7ZEbHWbQiy9WSv-NqCdvaA4B4q8-v1mu4lhGuCjE60RkzTo/s320/_DSC1002-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-57501283844253477992023-01-09T20:37:00.006-06:002023-01-09T20:37:43.171-06:00ESG: My Favorite Photos - December 2022<p> Here are some of my favorite photos from December:</p><p>At the beginning of December, we attended the Festival of Christmas. Olivia is on the tech team, so she was operating a camera. She worked with the team to set up the stage, lighting, and sound.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLGruIdox1DJjvKHd9jLDDRQf0a5Hbi7a_3AqsVwst4SEXknLoyoaF48rGNNJMyEC8v5MCLGclFnoI5IHFKUaMh0XUydOuN11ZuPp5YahkX0JbEJETL7NTVMZrcakx5agS2DodPZ9G_UYGLyuQkRdz9gsOAU5Kg_N3lIQlFfnjO_hAEGZSfReI54/s2985/_DSC0904-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1601" data-original-width="2985" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLGruIdox1DJjvKHd9jLDDRQf0a5Hbi7a_3AqsVwst4SEXknLoyoaF48rGNNJMyEC8v5MCLGclFnoI5IHFKUaMh0XUydOuN11ZuPp5YahkX0JbEJETL7NTVMZrcakx5agS2DodPZ9G_UYGLyuQkRdz9gsOAU5Kg_N3lIQlFfnjO_hAEGZSfReI54/s320/_DSC0904-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Sophia performed in the Festival of Christmas on handbells. There was a pre-concert performance which I really enjoyed.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MbY2sStLhptNHwvHnGXwty8eReSIOf0ONI2SXTmV_0MYNlOxzSPQfXi7QTZsqFTvqSL8_hg0XifcJ62AMER-deykjOL0tT9v0dZCWHYbMTvr8SiWu2pDpC4CdIrJR9jSyAevxBsCuvE20L1cVtT5G197SBVGST3Duf8vEoCuvENrPgi9OAJIPEc/s1910/_DSC0913-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1904" data-original-width="1910" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MbY2sStLhptNHwvHnGXwty8eReSIOf0ONI2SXTmV_0MYNlOxzSPQfXi7QTZsqFTvqSL8_hg0XifcJ62AMER-deykjOL0tT9v0dZCWHYbMTvr8SiWu2pDpC4CdIrJR9jSyAevxBsCuvE20L1cVtT5G197SBVGST3Duf8vEoCuvENrPgi9OAJIPEc/s320/_DSC0913-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is what the stage and lighting looked like. Throughout the performance, the lighting and images projected onto the walls would change. It was beautiful!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw60t8Avfm5xA6rOQCwNWjVCNzWUIUHn5RO2Qgk5CgJAsj6BCb2uGIu1OJxQo_qxcx8_Z3H1hbSNimGA_NalZMguBsFPkBSOIITBf9iPKbQuXHEDHfShI3DqAn-ivePkxhNiP-WNFO5RCLdhIS02U3YyMpwwsG3RWimdJwzj8ZeFhEOtIEl_imq2g/s2363/_DSC0954-005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2363" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw60t8Avfm5xA6rOQCwNWjVCNzWUIUHn5RO2Qgk5CgJAsj6BCb2uGIu1OJxQo_qxcx8_Z3H1hbSNimGA_NalZMguBsFPkBSOIITBf9iPKbQuXHEDHfShI3DqAn-ivePkxhNiP-WNFO5RCLdhIS02U3YyMpwwsG3RWimdJwzj8ZeFhEOtIEl_imq2g/s320/_DSC0954-005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After the performance, Sophia - along with the handbell choir - went "caroling" throughout one of the buildings. The college was hosting major donors, so this is one special feature they do as part of the event.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxvDiPKFFG-FnRoUm_WcrTf9hm5E0WUSE7fTydi5ZoNOLWfvc-M37V3Jue3Pjh8K1_5fkBZ0ukThyJwpGF6BkKd-EFENZLa0zwh2Aovylb2BTX1B3cWStK96xLbzKegODD0S11oX9ewf2qgnEuElBjiwzBNh0CObpCtMd8zqA_qAbrUd5e_tiHA8/s2172/_DSC0978-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1594" data-original-width="2172" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxvDiPKFFG-FnRoUm_WcrTf9hm5E0WUSE7fTydi5ZoNOLWfvc-M37V3Jue3Pjh8K1_5fkBZ0ukThyJwpGF6BkKd-EFENZLa0zwh2Aovylb2BTX1B3cWStK96xLbzKegODD0S11oX9ewf2qgnEuElBjiwzBNh0CObpCtMd8zqA_qAbrUd5e_tiHA8/s320/_DSC0978-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the 10th, the Lions held a Breakfast with Santa + Bake Sale. It was a fun morning. I was in charge of the five collection drives, and was so pleased with how generous people were to help local organizations.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQMehwAztI6wHJeCp_8iz3TrEuGKjoiMC6in1CMg_X3ZrPtEy9UBibH8_WIPsErGW8p67cydbzsGWinj7_aCGLHLxrnDSAWHnk36II8uQs7V4ivbmZspY3MjhvyE7UEOV1lbQjYs32VTiPqpcp4zngUPDjCoriVsFvWVL6OmEPjDh60-Ub3aKKks/s1964/_DSC0052-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1698" data-original-width="1964" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQMehwAztI6wHJeCp_8iz3TrEuGKjoiMC6in1CMg_X3ZrPtEy9UBibH8_WIPsErGW8p67cydbzsGWinj7_aCGLHLxrnDSAWHnk36II8uQs7V4ivbmZspY3MjhvyE7UEOV1lbQjYs32VTiPqpcp4zngUPDjCoriVsFvWVL6OmEPjDh60-Ub3aKKks/s320/_DSC0052-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Also on the 10th, was one of the Annie's Coffee Parties across the street at Gammelgarden Museum. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1QXt6OmYkNXkD8HbStbrRAF2MFoYANVHyhjZIeyunrK7_U6jQr_f_bzwy0mMKuAecgVpoMxNdTSvLkfuaaho4UPNli-BbnuZebCc66fplDA1I_gx9VWgcs_-Mz-6gTxaiSw_ooKgILK5YxocIiAh812bKc2_ohsgaynZ0KmLIDucHhLNNkCT0Hg/s2882/_DSC0101-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1679" data-original-width="2882" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1QXt6OmYkNXkD8HbStbrRAF2MFoYANVHyhjZIeyunrK7_U6jQr_f_bzwy0mMKuAecgVpoMxNdTSvLkfuaaho4UPNli-BbnuZebCc66fplDA1I_gx9VWgcs_-Mz-6gTxaiSw_ooKgILK5YxocIiAh812bKc2_ohsgaynZ0KmLIDucHhLNNkCT0Hg/s320/_DSC0101-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All the windows had these lights in them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYxBCwp6KKdUdo_E6AVvW2LCAMz_tjkFsCJxZWCpO9RCOgGccdWSp5NgncGZBCmQIz2qzJgyOpMhoxxk5Imj3AHa7AF2Tjkzkf90GUq4lLgyehOz9zM7TDGpNLPMYcS68J9vWsnPyMspcRJnL2UJpO0YgUuaf49Y6WVTuH7NkJNH5-mr4K3-gmQs/s2533/_DSC0081-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1796" data-original-width="2533" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYxBCwp6KKdUdo_E6AVvW2LCAMz_tjkFsCJxZWCpO9RCOgGccdWSp5NgncGZBCmQIz2qzJgyOpMhoxxk5Imj3AHa7AF2Tjkzkf90GUq4lLgyehOz9zM7TDGpNLPMYcS68J9vWsnPyMspcRJnL2UJpO0YgUuaf49Y6WVTuH7NkJNH5-mr4K3-gmQs/s320/_DSC0081-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although this isn't a great photo, I was thrilled to see a flock of cedar waxwings in the apple tree. We left apples on the tree and a wide variety of birds peck away at the frozen apples.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFPks1DW9yXOPaVdogujGXVEpe0UeptFF1Cj_ZnnibZ99rbu_9Ek5zsEnaPZQzu0SY-QwQoIWFctx7tcxYPzCP6IvtrF9lfhV1tk6SAfl6gOiciOugH0csl0OykB20Qjj4ir2C4vTKFZUx3_MzrVyiZWsric1M6jcSHFf1UvegqVEMjC7NkZJAnQ/s1650/_DSC0981-004.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="1650" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFPks1DW9yXOPaVdogujGXVEpe0UeptFF1Cj_ZnnibZ99rbu_9Ek5zsEnaPZQzu0SY-QwQoIWFctx7tcxYPzCP6IvtrF9lfhV1tk6SAfl6gOiciOugH0csl0OykB20Qjj4ir2C4vTKFZUx3_MzrVyiZWsric1M6jcSHFf1UvegqVEMjC7NkZJAnQ/s320/_DSC0981-004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There are five cardinals that are hanging around our feeders a lot - three males and two females.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzhME6ghLuWEMSQMS2xiSgOhK0QzcPhiXUIevPHdT7bgVTvyogCUEVR_KpAAxRAwfmNW_eVJqM1ENrUC2U1v3tfWHN_cRam-ZkULKoY6E8aMVxlaIVJXVHfQ71lSOvnwZ6UDDjgGbBRlqT8hQlQYWbBYe2TaQmaexFEp2p5omZPd9dpPzgNLMgxw/s746/_DSC0988-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="746" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzhME6ghLuWEMSQMS2xiSgOhK0QzcPhiXUIevPHdT7bgVTvyogCUEVR_KpAAxRAwfmNW_eVJqM1ENrUC2U1v3tfWHN_cRam-ZkULKoY6E8aMVxlaIVJXVHfQ71lSOvnwZ6UDDjgGbBRlqT8hQlQYWbBYe2TaQmaexFEp2p5omZPd9dpPzgNLMgxw/s320/_DSC0988-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I've been getting some new plants during December. It seems like the big-box stores had a nice variety of houseplants this year. It's nice to have some different types of plants. This is a jasmine.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GHe7blDLVk6Tkabu_9HtCs-IR1Z7nXBw_awSvEh9BiMp1wPPt9V-_EqaT9jOOnuZ2Q5WKygfT9zD5Lfmt7rVEXkpcfrNDzN1PkhwkmH6K8TXByZ9I8xb8NaDJeb-xOSoyOQdq_WXlwAlih8aM1V3PP7ExYNgxe5ryeEIPDKEDH3-ltymXFa3bEY/s2035/_DSC0234-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2035" data-original-width="1685" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GHe7blDLVk6Tkabu_9HtCs-IR1Z7nXBw_awSvEh9BiMp1wPPt9V-_EqaT9jOOnuZ2Q5WKygfT9zD5Lfmt7rVEXkpcfrNDzN1PkhwkmH6K8TXByZ9I8xb8NaDJeb-xOSoyOQdq_WXlwAlih8aM1V3PP7ExYNgxe5ryeEIPDKEDH3-ltymXFa3bEY/s320/_DSC0234-007.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I like the one too - the flower is still blooming over a month after I purchased it.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVS0gg-xuTaKLsqCQqjUbyKMcsy_eXEEJmC8o3rBE2v0vjtenR13ugOdESfNe1VwZUM8MWaCVzEEuTjf_040iphGq9X6A_hJhmFLKZmgQUF3CTX3R5TaGFr3YE8isfzv0zj8cwtWNkU5a1o7IxewjOIAIadRkIff-VYjaOUbza9NeSI1SNPpZoEo/s2336/_DSC0242-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1926" data-original-width="2336" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVS0gg-xuTaKLsqCQqjUbyKMcsy_eXEEJmC8o3rBE2v0vjtenR13ugOdESfNe1VwZUM8MWaCVzEEuTjf_040iphGq9X6A_hJhmFLKZmgQUF3CTX3R5TaGFr3YE8isfzv0zj8cwtWNkU5a1o7IxewjOIAIadRkIff-VYjaOUbza9NeSI1SNPpZoEo/s320/_DSC0242-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is a Christmas Cactus that belonged to my dad. It's about 45 years old now. I realize, as I look at the photo, that it needs more height. I'm not sure how to do this.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmryHmySlAoM06iTJYTObvbKHQbCw4JAut2ce3b0H6CcOTeHeRlSiYnPiDOFafnpwlp2zvO-OJa-RHLERoGbaWB069NK6AiRfj6OKyEJAmX6Ur8arYcloHOJxRyDDsMuC3MRGWzYbHvqmuIBt0-RCCVID-Cn85SIFETJW_SpDC3JettqVjAM1wQUU/s2611/_DSC0248-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="2611" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmryHmySlAoM06iTJYTObvbKHQbCw4JAut2ce3b0H6CcOTeHeRlSiYnPiDOFafnpwlp2zvO-OJa-RHLERoGbaWB069NK6AiRfj6OKyEJAmX6Ur8arYcloHOJxRyDDsMuC3MRGWzYbHvqmuIBt0-RCCVID-Cn85SIFETJW_SpDC3JettqVjAM1wQUU/s320/_DSC0248-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is another plant that is doing well. The jade plant/small tree is about 15 year old now and has just begun flowering during the past few years. It was one very small plant that Sophia, Olivia, and I got when we built a terrarium when they were about 5 and 7 years old. The little plants outgrew their terrarium.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTLDYksuRSiYjVlXPRGcE69zncR8ocf3IGBoO7b_d9GSjQa1kwI70OCQZiAq_G51_DWx4u7EfE3cM8HlY_nx8ZCMT_Cd13iPD1wxxunXLLFYkF5Okg-1LqW8YKeigmMBvvSF3QU-3pwYknXJx76JrFlvUjfbaCucwZyzu4lFtI3ONOjh2jRk0VrE/s2375/_DSC0252-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2375" data-original-width="1840" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTLDYksuRSiYjVlXPRGcE69zncR8ocf3IGBoO7b_d9GSjQa1kwI70OCQZiAq_G51_DWx4u7EfE3cM8HlY_nx8ZCMT_Cd13iPD1wxxunXLLFYkF5Okg-1LqW8YKeigmMBvvSF3QU-3pwYknXJx76JrFlvUjfbaCucwZyzu4lFtI3ONOjh2jRk0VrE/s320/_DSC0252-007.JPG" width="248" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On the 11th, I attended the Lucia Dagen service at Gammelgarden. Typically, up until this year, we've attended the St. Lucia Day service at another Lutheran church. Without the girls here, I did something different. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUc7ApKFulJdfNeEE36ZwzJM3ANqayGtt0VsS4TQxTug0FZ-4ghkn7cOPcScpAIIR_7Sf1N9jfvFNfRDV3MRE2qFzGF6ZdGo3IE1NKLFoN80Y33hqRcsODkuy4mO2qQv91MFfc1s5PBUPXHh2lJd4Z1lrFKTkIJaEUCk4Lphxe7cGfWW5h2u51Dk0/s2491/_DSC0113-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2491" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUc7ApKFulJdfNeEE36ZwzJM3ANqayGtt0VsS4TQxTug0FZ-4ghkn7cOPcScpAIIR_7Sf1N9jfvFNfRDV3MRE2qFzGF6ZdGo3IE1NKLFoN80Y33hqRcsODkuy4mO2qQv91MFfc1s5PBUPXHh2lJd4Z1lrFKTkIJaEUCk4Lphxe7cGfWW5h2u51Dk0/s320/_DSC0113-007.JPG" width="237" /></a></div><div><br /></div>it was held in an historic church that was built in the 1800s. It is unheated, so people had to wear coats, gloves, hats, and boots just to stay warm.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemIt5ZEakhcycPvbo8NJ6zgm_1tW-j4Akked1jfcCn2s_xlZproNRuXZpsEtxHfjosNVQc5c7k1iwjw5VZPKgKFKzBmFSyUpV9bDxLZStQdI3VSQwT10GpGSMm0zOZouX_99Vo3n6FeZ9EzIlMSXdBfmfpeHX9eo4W0NKV3RFHqReptj6tUK03bE/s2918/_DSC0133-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2918" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemIt5ZEakhcycPvbo8NJ6zgm_1tW-j4Akked1jfcCn2s_xlZproNRuXZpsEtxHfjosNVQc5c7k1iwjw5VZPKgKFKzBmFSyUpV9bDxLZStQdI3VSQwT10GpGSMm0zOZouX_99Vo3n6FeZ9EzIlMSXdBfmfpeHX9eo4W0NKV3RFHqReptj6tUK03bE/s320/_DSC0133-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>While I was at Gammelgarden, I enjoyed walking through its prairie. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBjcajdzOvzRN4j2Mdp05M-UDvOELDZay3uE-QgoyFRWdjNytBIhj9V9SqZAyzIZhXeAxaIoQt_taylaMGN06hAgL7lb7S66s3No7FUBv-K5euZdBpWpmOV3c35tFBE9MDzJFFFhZAyPVo3TQ5GCzemEUw6cFXyMnMVOkdVz5FkzeSkXFtJQADbM/s2446/_DSC0166-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2446" data-original-width="1724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBjcajdzOvzRN4j2Mdp05M-UDvOELDZay3uE-QgoyFRWdjNytBIhj9V9SqZAyzIZhXeAxaIoQt_taylaMGN06hAgL7lb7S66s3No7FUBv-K5euZdBpWpmOV3c35tFBE9MDzJFFFhZAyPVo3TQ5GCzemEUw6cFXyMnMVOkdVz5FkzeSkXFtJQADbM/s320/_DSC0166-007.JPG" width="226" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There were a variety of native plants - all now in shades of tan and cream.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMYe-VxWn9gVjA3c7sMEI8_W0snuOQwP0kTPnrgxtBK1SFXnpjfDO_TFN-STWzRHLNBU6kCLXPT3C2bEX_jfMPdqAdttkB41-Bo3J154UNqCuxZXQ9E3GIejL4j3e8DHHdqrZV3ZdgbiGxnAyfB03EC4IifVnh5T139thKNqxy1oWLlkVFoE7sK0/s2213/_DSC0173-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2213" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMYe-VxWn9gVjA3c7sMEI8_W0snuOQwP0kTPnrgxtBK1SFXnpjfDO_TFN-STWzRHLNBU6kCLXPT3C2bEX_jfMPdqAdttkB41-Bo3J154UNqCuxZXQ9E3GIejL4j3e8DHHdqrZV3ZdgbiGxnAyfB03EC4IifVnh5T139thKNqxy1oWLlkVFoE7sK0/s320/_DSC0173-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Inside the historical church, everything was lit by candles. The half-hour service was done all in Swedish.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtF2URTPCBcc5RdyF-FPHD9XuQcdmEJyY_khJHZcQ4ajxjM2-FvXC-e4trEdNyCtq0cRfowbuRdlNIBQkcl1TuBtjiGzi5miehJyh3yp4wwlqv7rVPURhC-lK5T74SwVg9tePRbVPs_rw2wIcCgJREXS61V5KPmF6RxVMcmUPGLHQgkpKTcdRh5Ks/s2476/_DSC0185-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2476" data-original-width="1795" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtF2URTPCBcc5RdyF-FPHD9XuQcdmEJyY_khJHZcQ4ajxjM2-FvXC-e4trEdNyCtq0cRfowbuRdlNIBQkcl1TuBtjiGzi5miehJyh3yp4wwlqv7rVPURhC-lK5T74SwVg9tePRbVPs_rw2wIcCgJREXS61V5KPmF6RxVMcmUPGLHQgkpKTcdRh5Ks/s320/_DSC0185-007.JPG" width="232" /></a></div><div><br /></div>During December, there were a few significant snowfalls. This was the first one that blanketed all the plants in snow.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSV65YlgeMY-zyQGObXS5gKoBL3VZ6FhgPaBVKH_mZV5I7Ye6KGl__K6EWWKaV7uRgsSSLks8BHnue3QqNKUlDpQzUKMLPVfIwHT4rEEAdvDNA8O0giyOQnAnlhH0OMNpcVtaEMcjpdIFvzjfpEGryfrqGj8wiXy1ozk39Ml9hAfEF-pP5ukSIK4/s2766/_DSC0266-007%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2766" data-original-width="1649" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSV65YlgeMY-zyQGObXS5gKoBL3VZ6FhgPaBVKH_mZV5I7Ye6KGl__K6EWWKaV7uRgsSSLks8BHnue3QqNKUlDpQzUKMLPVfIwHT4rEEAdvDNA8O0giyOQnAnlhH0OMNpcVtaEMcjpdIFvzjfpEGryfrqGj8wiXy1ozk39Ml9hAfEF-pP5ukSIK4/s320/_DSC0266-007%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="191" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Everything was covered with snow. It was very pretty.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzMsd1U-h3ack-g9Wu4Cw6U9ruZE-K4xvIx8MNsxL30SsIkwAYrJ1CU2mtIj_RRVWEv9ln6XSFStZ4LKm0um96tHlrPWcZoF4cDszZVi3hayan5Vp6MaFdIeHEPls-LENDZXMSlTU_dz_E_zDeQ0ogOmy6JzbwLjwffV2E9V8-jjedlqezf6NqIM/s2992/_DSC0270-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="2992" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzMsd1U-h3ack-g9Wu4Cw6U9ruZE-K4xvIx8MNsxL30SsIkwAYrJ1CU2mtIj_RRVWEv9ln6XSFStZ4LKm0um96tHlrPWcZoF4cDszZVi3hayan5Vp6MaFdIeHEPls-LENDZXMSlTU_dz_E_zDeQ0ogOmy6JzbwLjwffV2E9V8-jjedlqezf6NqIM/s320/_DSC0270-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Cooper enjoyed burying his face in the snow and looking and listening for activity near the ground.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1e3xCaW-FhTzR5Tp7HSTEmdooO0b9xPuHHlw5fHw5mqu7A2ErGqz5-486AdmIY-ndYp5Xipo-55tY1jK0-uuIdjFha5P21BTR6Ws0vRkIoK-Ev5ofi406suWDKq0kl-nKQmguMZBaQ-XtPTOo7KOUuAIEav-bGLmOtZ07TrunsVi-5c8FnaucKXs/s2453/_DSC0274-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1615" data-original-width="2453" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1e3xCaW-FhTzR5Tp7HSTEmdooO0b9xPuHHlw5fHw5mqu7A2ErGqz5-486AdmIY-ndYp5Xipo-55tY1jK0-uuIdjFha5P21BTR6Ws0vRkIoK-Ev5ofi406suWDKq0kl-nKQmguMZBaQ-XtPTOo7KOUuAIEav-bGLmOtZ07TrunsVi-5c8FnaucKXs/s320/_DSC0274-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I liked the look of the snow clinging onto seed pods. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSsDBPswi8ZTvd0DNzvVF2e9pqsZiMMGWNA3p9QitqSHqVrH2s7aFs2UyJuXoWUsgjtPTP2ZD8AKZoJkItKmSfxFivMWxqiIqSgC9P1w_X7qpnr4b1kppNIB7X-NLmK3HKL0UzVEPbd1PylXaZ_3K-mvcr8RxxpaFlPmgEXiFePsnjSaEw_3NsK0/s2751/_DSC0283-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2751" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSsDBPswi8ZTvd0DNzvVF2e9pqsZiMMGWNA3p9QitqSHqVrH2s7aFs2UyJuXoWUsgjtPTP2ZD8AKZoJkItKmSfxFivMWxqiIqSgC9P1w_X7qpnr4b1kppNIB7X-NLmK3HKL0UzVEPbd1PylXaZ_3K-mvcr8RxxpaFlPmgEXiFePsnjSaEw_3NsK0/s320/_DSC0283-007.JPG" width="215" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The apple tree in the backyard was gorgeous. It kind of reminded me of a willow tree.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAUilvxgv7Ml2RpkKIJcXhOOd3fwQOh-bUaBNsE2kTl0ozYcujX_sAf7Aa7052Ax_S58QEgMXceQbLd6EiccGf5YBYSvnlbY3-yzlYVEA0mcNFQGK8ClPsVSBaJiy0lKP0aIUyU20TEe3foJ6vT6OVYJ1hk_Cf5OZvv3nvhAeS-kXabItIO7iSr4/s2500/_DSC0284-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1855" data-original-width="2500" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAUilvxgv7Ml2RpkKIJcXhOOd3fwQOh-bUaBNsE2kTl0ozYcujX_sAf7Aa7052Ax_S58QEgMXceQbLd6EiccGf5YBYSvnlbY3-yzlYVEA0mcNFQGK8ClPsVSBaJiy0lKP0aIUyU20TEe3foJ6vT6OVYJ1hk_Cf5OZvv3nvhAeS-kXabItIO7iSr4/s320/_DSC0284-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The snow left an interesting pattern on the fence. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO3su8ytmuqWMzqwMFR4VOX2cP4t6pr2aScq9dWQ7RtWCj3_c1lah_tcn4pv5LkQzyM4aViP5KMZod8J3VrjOkdrqJuVEecjA4VuoiVdpK97P5NhGCmH-5olhXyDmHERQaa3-Vc4MS4GErLwBlsk5N2OJHx049l-GOaxb6B4Ol0JLS4RIXo1Qifg/s2992/_DSC0292-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO3su8ytmuqWMzqwMFR4VOX2cP4t6pr2aScq9dWQ7RtWCj3_c1lah_tcn4pv5LkQzyM4aViP5KMZod8J3VrjOkdrqJuVEecjA4VuoiVdpK97P5NhGCmH-5olhXyDmHERQaa3-Vc4MS4GErLwBlsk5N2OJHx049l-GOaxb6B4Ol0JLS4RIXo1Qifg/s320/_DSC0292-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The trees in our front yard were loaded down with the heavy, wet snow.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_eGHwsxPT85_5fn_50nswLhQrsQ6sejMWvcaxOB0i4jgVv4Wy9XKBTXlc7TUTfOG7Yd_PPTA1wSreoj_u5ie2D3xjhHd8LFTbd9qqThhleZD9PGyEiyIK_95bvRGeKRrzlPGY2mCNLTnFLvpf-JSi6kJTdio2rzJprP0KvQZ2t_uIW5NeO0rf8Y/s2992/_DSC0307-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_eGHwsxPT85_5fn_50nswLhQrsQ6sejMWvcaxOB0i4jgVv4Wy9XKBTXlc7TUTfOG7Yd_PPTA1wSreoj_u5ie2D3xjhHd8LFTbd9qqThhleZD9PGyEiyIK_95bvRGeKRrzlPGY2mCNLTnFLvpf-JSi6kJTdio2rzJprP0KvQZ2t_uIW5NeO0rf8Y/s320/_DSC0307-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the view of the trees along the road from our driveway to the west side of our farm.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwu0H_tCoSlFpfp5u5L2jWayCBd2fGmctl9BA62GiEUtqZB6ttslvgHkFlBquGklEsjfGMwMqKInto6KDhjrEMNEWbyDDuH1aPWySb3BKzvE-IGVX-umYrNPj4jTS47gfipbit-TJHxS4LR4PPXILDJ4h-CnmkqOa82Tpitv8VzUP2ucakobojKE/s2992/_DSC0309-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwu0H_tCoSlFpfp5u5L2jWayCBd2fGmctl9BA62GiEUtqZB6ttslvgHkFlBquGklEsjfGMwMqKInto6KDhjrEMNEWbyDDuH1aPWySb3BKzvE-IGVX-umYrNPj4jTS47gfipbit-TJHxS4LR4PPXILDJ4h-CnmkqOa82Tpitv8VzUP2ucakobojKE/s320/_DSC0309-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Even the Christmas lights were covered with snow.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuOlAWpBs0WiDtiJKbhsKzH8pWRCDKSpCjnENTFeQTnfz2Z4ebCyMh_vjt43Ino2r2N2IwV80vitkE0YPwPksm11INpgf4StvnecA4XBLoSswQXhVs9uOTwhkEp5uGvZ2n9vCRjVnZwZueTCKd9ecXZoGts5hOfZWN3Hpv7jhoQZSGo76NaCtF60/s2992/_DSC0312-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuOlAWpBs0WiDtiJKbhsKzH8pWRCDKSpCjnENTFeQTnfz2Z4ebCyMh_vjt43Ino2r2N2IwV80vitkE0YPwPksm11INpgf4StvnecA4XBLoSswQXhVs9uOTwhkEp5uGvZ2n9vCRjVnZwZueTCKd9ecXZoGts5hOfZWN3Hpv7jhoQZSGo76NaCtF60/s320/_DSC0312-007.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Inside, the St. Nicholas Christmas Village grew by two new buildings - a ski chalet and a home. It started with two buildings that belonged to my parents. There were a few more buildings, but when we had a fire in the hobby shed, we lost them and a lot of other items that I had inherited.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTUo9fDrwOfQB5ylFqn4H5LOtD8hAQAR1Zu6X4acJNjCjJ96AzW5YDyslO87vAH7890KVKBsfKbhgFWObW1MW3cQVrdB-jGUaHqAlRGs1nP94s6RpslsDAL2bkBszzQR6MZV0oqi9JSyO7aPdmJ7_z0hW5MKY818-ZW81ZvJdrRYrAo7NCU3VDxE/s2992/_DSC0330-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1843" data-original-width="2992" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTUo9fDrwOfQB5ylFqn4H5LOtD8hAQAR1Zu6X4acJNjCjJ96AzW5YDyslO87vAH7890KVKBsfKbhgFWObW1MW3cQVrdB-jGUaHqAlRGs1nP94s6RpslsDAL2bkBszzQR6MZV0oqi9JSyO7aPdmJ7_z0hW5MKY818-ZW81ZvJdrRYrAo7NCU3VDxE/s320/_DSC0330-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Christmas stockings were hung by the wood stove. At one time, both sides were packed with stockings that I had made for all the pets and livestock. The years have passed and animals have died. We now have three dogs left.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsSkKW__IrB6BRPatWw30k0MxylU1RMSwarqC0xk4xkQnSt7U8nwgw9SDkETcSW-pXwvkbTfn_zapJXTO02QgFxK6MhWdMVYwEjJ6XOsLIRBAV0pynYtSKdjALDgvWSTeihL6pJgd1i3j0FmrxUrIzDPfhqO5DRKz3XwPEFkVADpAb2ztedS3-bM/s2099/_DSC0332-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1950" data-original-width="2099" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsSkKW__IrB6BRPatWw30k0MxylU1RMSwarqC0xk4xkQnSt7U8nwgw9SDkETcSW-pXwvkbTfn_zapJXTO02QgFxK6MhWdMVYwEjJ6XOsLIRBAV0pynYtSKdjALDgvWSTeihL6pJgd1i3j0FmrxUrIzDPfhqO5DRKz3XwPEFkVADpAb2ztedS3-bM/s320/_DSC0332-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The windows in the dining room and living room had stars that I made throughout the years. Some are coming apart, so I'll need to make some new ones for next year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSljIksXaVhaY1xhkSHRUhLDjn0omCEsaUG2Km8cRtWEwGhSIzPauiR4MxjuvCN9ILDdMtuNpvbQO63lZsbytMgcYhutBokacs2kpYxWtTVVgKg48USRxvYZdXsBYNLHDxV9SO7_q7dBNpJ0L6xfMlc7AeDo9i85UDB9GBwdGTWsmYzOhnTCwzDI/s2453/_DSC0328-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1933" data-original-width="2453" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSljIksXaVhaY1xhkSHRUhLDjn0omCEsaUG2Km8cRtWEwGhSIzPauiR4MxjuvCN9ILDdMtuNpvbQO63lZsbytMgcYhutBokacs2kpYxWtTVVgKg48USRxvYZdXsBYNLHDxV9SO7_q7dBNpJ0L6xfMlc7AeDo9i85UDB9GBwdGTWsmYzOhnTCwzDI/s320/_DSC0328-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We had a second major snowfall. This is the picnic table that belonged to my parents. We have not seen this much snow in the first month of winter for as long as I can remember. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTVSalppNNpRS-Ncr7ShkY2EpWPnZaXIPkgE0VQh0xKU8cEivhf54ciuZZ-FMovlpbOFrfNV-xi1MAdgZVZSVd-w6d6-pP73Jvz1IK3tO9qQpr6Kgvsz1he_pPEghnwOnf_CliefDmJ-pedQeJZrixKU45sZLWqXUkyqw2WoNkSJL8GWUQPFrLw4/s2573/_DSC0350-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1602" data-original-width="2573" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTVSalppNNpRS-Ncr7ShkY2EpWPnZaXIPkgE0VQh0xKU8cEivhf54ciuZZ-FMovlpbOFrfNV-xi1MAdgZVZSVd-w6d6-pP73Jvz1IK3tO9qQpr6Kgvsz1he_pPEghnwOnf_CliefDmJ-pedQeJZrixKU45sZLWqXUkyqw2WoNkSJL8GWUQPFrLw4/s320/_DSC0350-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This second snowfall didn't load down the trees as much this time. The snow wasn't as wet.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPy8_wwJdspq64pcriDhK3XNAIWl1AIcGd9zIibbh5CeJq0oYp9eDE5UkliosIHgpYpmo69EjReS26heVvxdeMHS-4NmopaMDcHXmq_FR2vEhFARBA99x6ij1-BUgg6wGjjJ2a4jIIQm1z_JFc8PS7cchQ9iux_MxMN4wWSFFYAfVt8XDfYDPzZM/s2992/_DSC0354-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1896" data-original-width="2992" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPy8_wwJdspq64pcriDhK3XNAIWl1AIcGd9zIibbh5CeJq0oYp9eDE5UkliosIHgpYpmo69EjReS26heVvxdeMHS-4NmopaMDcHXmq_FR2vEhFARBA99x6ij1-BUgg6wGjjJ2a4jIIQm1z_JFc8PS7cchQ9iux_MxMN4wWSFFYAfVt8XDfYDPzZM/s320/_DSC0354-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the view down our driveway.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjES1PTCZ7tsGeMwZVHexLq_ZRipS0G_2JhRogIUXBXx4ylr3B3rTqFiEfp99UG7r9t3N8izLS0OIFnj8gbHCJ4-dABvf6lx5N36spypEH4MGH19m0La3O2GI02CofDXC0mwSLkjgBsdD3agLEWAOVyUIpBqEklSxTV3YbQpSWpBYa2r9e113zLxOo/s2992/_DSC0357-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjES1PTCZ7tsGeMwZVHexLq_ZRipS0G_2JhRogIUXBXx4ylr3B3rTqFiEfp99UG7r9t3N8izLS0OIFnj8gbHCJ4-dABvf6lx5N36spypEH4MGH19m0La3O2GI02CofDXC0mwSLkjgBsdD3agLEWAOVyUIpBqEklSxTV3YbQpSWpBYa2r9e113zLxOo/s320/_DSC0357-007.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On Christmas morning, I woke up at 6 a.m. to make this maple twist coffee cake. It took four hours to make from scratch. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg802vamEzLZBJXSue-kY9LYXBhFS1klsjcHVpg3C40L1mHf3nESZ8GyFa9ARrcbDGxijDns34LOzyoUkPBskwAsoejZ51Hobahlzo2mqdbKmWBKkjiY-NDNgXHkEtioDoOEIfZpKt6-WnsT9TFRA6ixx7bhAQIhLL2Y7tbhV2YejHon9HrmdXMah8/s2992/_DSC0362-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg802vamEzLZBJXSue-kY9LYXBhFS1klsjcHVpg3C40L1mHf3nESZ8GyFa9ARrcbDGxijDns34LOzyoUkPBskwAsoejZ51Hobahlzo2mqdbKmWBKkjiY-NDNgXHkEtioDoOEIfZpKt6-WnsT9TFRA6ixx7bhAQIhLL2Y7tbhV2YejHon9HrmdXMah8/s320/_DSC0362-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>During December, I bit on some items that were on an auction that the humane society where we adopted the dogs from was having. One of the items I bid and won was this wooden Christmas tree that was loaded with lots of dog treats and dog-themed items. Needless to say, the dogs loved it!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE8c7cm40yMjJ9K3XEUy0GYCTcn45Fco9yW64U2YJnIo0J4lTe-ZHeSB3BJZ_sgT55bzb41Ezgh886-DIOImoswgLYqjyLuWn-7Azhz36QkvvExpS3E4QFa10khKQuN5k3PCv00Ko1QA_w0HODkhpiDQFhWVAkviM6CL05YXyCQ5KSdJvkewcMv0/s2992/_DSC0364-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE8c7cm40yMjJ9K3XEUy0GYCTcn45Fco9yW64U2YJnIo0J4lTe-ZHeSB3BJZ_sgT55bzb41Ezgh886-DIOImoswgLYqjyLuWn-7Azhz36QkvvExpS3E4QFa10khKQuN5k3PCv00Ko1QA_w0HODkhpiDQFhWVAkviM6CL05YXyCQ5KSdJvkewcMv0/s320/_DSC0364-007.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I love seeing how happy the girls are when they open gifts.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyysPeA4G4IBY4Qm4JV2D9yiGNl4TUOKYO88BYJmdzuT_ZM5-I8csGGzjkZFqruRcpo-cUv_JUJq9gmwMvgE8089YtdmuU7vAePT6ld5wKdyMe7N2AMHsHsjjuybVQNJaggSASVOuPkNNASOlF7GTPEXU9d6OSuQWIXJzb3tKgKdRzm9rGLZ_epDM/s2992/_DSC0393-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyysPeA4G4IBY4Qm4JV2D9yiGNl4TUOKYO88BYJmdzuT_ZM5-I8csGGzjkZFqruRcpo-cUv_JUJq9gmwMvgE8089YtdmuU7vAePT6ld5wKdyMe7N2AMHsHsjjuybVQNJaggSASVOuPkNNASOlF7GTPEXU9d6OSuQWIXJzb3tKgKdRzm9rGLZ_epDM/s320/_DSC0393-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Here, Aspen is checking out the Christmas tree for dogs. Her favorite toy from it is a stuffed lamb. She loves to carry it around with her and have it next to her while sleeping.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJyI6SaV9t-Y_AJhhl5m6vTdVEJJOWckBOUDpI6zE_4m5IMrbCj89G6YgtXPL9v6UkAHNTJJJ_LErVVXmmhFf7secN_qHXfPnQmUuAy0tkfQHdMjrYuWeGVjM1EMBOJcqqxef7deXc_90flfEhbu_j07rZOqtSKflsh_O16SmceLJSpERcDzQVdU/s2992/_DSC0407-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJyI6SaV9t-Y_AJhhl5m6vTdVEJJOWckBOUDpI6zE_4m5IMrbCj89G6YgtXPL9v6UkAHNTJJJ_LErVVXmmhFf7secN_qHXfPnQmUuAy0tkfQHdMjrYuWeGVjM1EMBOJcqqxef7deXc_90flfEhbu_j07rZOqtSKflsh_O16SmceLJSpERcDzQVdU/s320/_DSC0407-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Cooper is playing with "Long Husky." It has crinkle-paper in it and multiple squeakers. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3V_jqylZkHIviEEjMdfOnlwxI5r_FQdJ4aniyKVpnjzaDRPpkgH7XwbM32LZqSgTYadE-BURL6jwRY9SWvum1623EPbPdb2EGR5rt9IMPCyGfBph-id4MypeM7BkvC2FkJCu_m768yRIt4uVLUIk7pTJzbM419llnP8-jrU0IW9RwAOSDqYPFuI8/s2992/_DSC0413-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3V_jqylZkHIviEEjMdfOnlwxI5r_FQdJ4aniyKVpnjzaDRPpkgH7XwbM32LZqSgTYadE-BURL6jwRY9SWvum1623EPbPdb2EGR5rt9IMPCyGfBph-id4MypeM7BkvC2FkJCu_m768yRIt4uVLUIk7pTJzbM419llnP8-jrU0IW9RwAOSDqYPFuI8/s320/_DSC0413-007.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Here's Aspen with the stuffed lamb.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxENb015WJAM5vz3B1vNN7OfGukRp3Qosi59CssgsC7T2CoQkWdi2dYhOpQlve81lgRJP_S8_mi19xMoDjtA1Dxvi-PXB8yyo2y7HCmzIZjCtSVUj8bjn-RAzmTBlzo6KUZaUSDWfGKVtiN2ylf4LOgGJOiOCDEeHIBhX9gz1dZO_BmpSkisLWg18/s2992/_DSC0416-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxENb015WJAM5vz3B1vNN7OfGukRp3Qosi59CssgsC7T2CoQkWdi2dYhOpQlve81lgRJP_S8_mi19xMoDjtA1Dxvi-PXB8yyo2y7HCmzIZjCtSVUj8bjn-RAzmTBlzo6KUZaUSDWfGKVtiN2ylf4LOgGJOiOCDEeHIBhX9gz1dZO_BmpSkisLWg18/s320/_DSC0416-006.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On Christmas, we went to dinner at my sister's home. This is the "young cousin" table.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpcu1SwawJ7wTtcCG2helIABvoUFV9vXr7wnejkyupDJpN0mK56VtBanycd7T7xV-OxxSwJ_BvK__gEDe1hEN3LLAoAzyozdvKpriQl96ZLnGwDIBvF0MKATtY4lwXR4o3BuoUaIpiWPqYWXvRRsFemXaMbe4VKe2t9TipgJuE59pTsOZkM0W3d4/s2992/_DSC0418-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpcu1SwawJ7wTtcCG2helIABvoUFV9vXr7wnejkyupDJpN0mK56VtBanycd7T7xV-OxxSwJ_BvK__gEDe1hEN3LLAoAzyozdvKpriQl96ZLnGwDIBvF0MKATtY4lwXR4o3BuoUaIpiWPqYWXvRRsFemXaMbe4VKe2t9TipgJuE59pTsOZkM0W3d4/s320/_DSC0418-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the adult and "older cousin" table.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA6MZakmP0qCEupleu-fzNPZwBEG8-GtI1epxIi00r6kGYL4mcCEAr3jNPOahpdIvjtBs0g3JZSznmmac-Mr6hpRVVPXVFL75gIaSBWWF8j9O5EnVkDhifUZ5HchTAwoox2xrF0RPYH7eiJNhvIadaBnNl-g6StGY1paY3IErXBvAgkqvX0uKsaM/s2992/_DSC0419-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA6MZakmP0qCEupleu-fzNPZwBEG8-GtI1epxIi00r6kGYL4mcCEAr3jNPOahpdIvjtBs0g3JZSznmmac-Mr6hpRVVPXVFL75gIaSBWWF8j9O5EnVkDhifUZ5HchTAwoox2xrF0RPYH7eiJNhvIadaBnNl-g6StGY1paY3IErXBvAgkqvX0uKsaM/s320/_DSC0419-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My brother brought his dog, Bear, a Corgi. He's such a good dog.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRxeMYf_jmGbNHdxXvmaAy1yCaUi07RldtnJGkA8fMHrI2TQVhioS_s0nPmvvtFzOwEZlMYnf_QsrF7CKZFNWy6_taaLDTPh2XvQu-547NDbzmkUxkZTXITvlLujPTMxJSVVBxgHR7zHlCDHTMbQ1IHAH1tRAt046gb7z_Kmta-v8_3vBNvsOIOA/s2992/_DSC0421-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRxeMYf_jmGbNHdxXvmaAy1yCaUi07RldtnJGkA8fMHrI2TQVhioS_s0nPmvvtFzOwEZlMYnf_QsrF7CKZFNWy6_taaLDTPh2XvQu-547NDbzmkUxkZTXITvlLujPTMxJSVVBxgHR7zHlCDHTMbQ1IHAH1tRAt046gb7z_Kmta-v8_3vBNvsOIOA/s320/_DSC0421-006.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When we came home, we rested a bit and then opened some more gifts. One of the gifts I gave the girls were handsewn hats that someone made. Unfortunately, they didn't look quite right on either Sophia or Olivia. Sophia was a good sport and put it on.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIg8WsB8fXH56zy64iZDuBJbFcOZx9_fTU-Bdflsqlwc_F_To6aL-WVftxb1tDnj9jys24ykgk0m-pf1QFfAr3Y97I7S4h8HDajfH7THEUTpE1jcfHXNWm_JLdEfFEs6gFy4oJNIcy4C89Uf6PeE-7PoxliJWVmmMSJnQr87m5Od53HQ-8RXQdfI/s2992/_DSC0432-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIg8WsB8fXH56zy64iZDuBJbFcOZx9_fTU-Bdflsqlwc_F_To6aL-WVftxb1tDnj9jys24ykgk0m-pf1QFfAr3Y97I7S4h8HDajfH7THEUTpE1jcfHXNWm_JLdEfFEs6gFy4oJNIcy4C89Uf6PeE-7PoxliJWVmmMSJnQr87m5Od53HQ-8RXQdfI/s320/_DSC0432-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For Sophia's 22nd birthday, she spent it in California with one of her roommates. She had never been to this roommate's home or met her parents, so - being it is her senior year - it was a good time to visit. At any rate, we celebrated Sophia's birthday a couple days early.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tdz2N1p1IraE8LQPCLD5m-79mBJ2CaPx3HM-tLweOwRt6OAZlkTIQ28m8QVTypfuSuZwd_t8KLEkw9QBN3Ndf_HO0WonZt2cR-frZ5S9bAT-99V-Gj6Don994AeibfC2bo37Zv74NSPxhfPUUwmMfDhiJ3CQS75HMxcYfO8uSlLOprVer5mQ8Ww/s2992/_DSC0433-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tdz2N1p1IraE8LQPCLD5m-79mBJ2CaPx3HM-tLweOwRt6OAZlkTIQ28m8QVTypfuSuZwd_t8KLEkw9QBN3Ndf_HO0WonZt2cR-frZ5S9bAT-99V-Gj6Don994AeibfC2bo37Zv74NSPxhfPUUwmMfDhiJ3CQS75HMxcYfO8uSlLOprVer5mQ8Ww/s320/_DSC0433-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On the 29th, I was invited to a luncheon hosted by the director of Gammelgarden and the Butik manager. The other ladies are volunteers - greeters and tour guides. It was such a nice luncheon.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkxA917o-q7uETA57RTmiHzpy2PMkgfGhPzGM606ZtsaAZ4W5N9HbQWtR7nv_XHX_RWigYKA8JOasPi_xud1ohs0tGzs6Td9NoyubAPue1FaWnqGMV0LnddTH4y8CD0E8pI1rk2cEITYkcnVb2qDgr7M2WIuq35_ajMQD5bZ1-b_4hqerm02nI6o/s2992/_DSC0444-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkxA917o-q7uETA57RTmiHzpy2PMkgfGhPzGM606ZtsaAZ4W5N9HbQWtR7nv_XHX_RWigYKA8JOasPi_xud1ohs0tGzs6Td9NoyubAPue1FaWnqGMV0LnddTH4y8CD0E8pI1rk2cEITYkcnVb2qDgr7M2WIuq35_ajMQD5bZ1-b_4hqerm02nI6o/s320/_DSC0444-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On New Year's Eve, my sister came over and we watched hundreds of slides that my parents took and that we inherited. This is my dad and me - I would have been about 4 months old.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0u0Wto7X_MVcVNzqJfKP2NGrWqV2kNixSLF_uHUb49jhDHOzpmTMVKTZELypBIIM2KSiig6Bu8XJbMEESifM5WzxjchGPWLCRXDLD2n3wmAJSCfE8G30xqLKPmmI6dlzTjLEnvKB8uKMVifhBz5jR_XiUxdhKQ-2lHqFgc7UKqnMAy9TCfg9NNI/s2992/_DSC0466-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0u0Wto7X_MVcVNzqJfKP2NGrWqV2kNixSLF_uHUb49jhDHOzpmTMVKTZELypBIIM2KSiig6Bu8XJbMEESifM5WzxjchGPWLCRXDLD2n3wmAJSCfE8G30xqLKPmmI6dlzTjLEnvKB8uKMVifhBz5jR_XiUxdhKQ-2lHqFgc7UKqnMAy9TCfg9NNI/s320/_DSC0466-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This was my favorite costume that my mom sewed: a kangaroo complete with a kangaroo baby (joey) in my pouch.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZfDJXqgBDj1JQhIPF5HYzqG6TqXY64A78gxjRDpDU7vrK_wlyxNqw5pcXHGjIsaOnoCxlguMfr9QtvAsDGpFQ2yCGsy3rwsTDLruFQ2kIVn7NUOsjVW2qMKlAYJXZOssALatAKHhmxa04hyKQi59ag_JdKOv3u8WxXEb5tQyYqMChTEugxR2ywo/s2992/_DSC0555-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZfDJXqgBDj1JQhIPF5HYzqG6TqXY64A78gxjRDpDU7vrK_wlyxNqw5pcXHGjIsaOnoCxlguMfr9QtvAsDGpFQ2yCGsy3rwsTDLruFQ2kIVn7NUOsjVW2qMKlAYJXZOssALatAKHhmxa04hyKQi59ag_JdKOv3u8WxXEb5tQyYqMChTEugxR2ywo/s320/_DSC0555-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My first tap dance outfit was for the song "Secondhand Rose." My parents planted red geraniums and white flowers in their raised flower bed.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uG4YvA6S1uucAB5ltKPSH7VuKayIGeJcEym-7zyjgFMBhmbaT4KfelVEgNlUgIisjOzzeIFri7ZWyC7XuGkVmq8fLBXRZR4kJg9fDbHGytOwuGw2XFX_7bR2LcimMziF3pydC1OoJhRMC56Zy0zqCGQ-SyllNZGDSpoATIyKTD19vHaad5kNz6w/s2992/_DSC0557-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uG4YvA6S1uucAB5ltKPSH7VuKayIGeJcEym-7zyjgFMBhmbaT4KfelVEgNlUgIisjOzzeIFri7ZWyC7XuGkVmq8fLBXRZR4kJg9fDbHGytOwuGw2XFX_7bR2LcimMziF3pydC1OoJhRMC56Zy0zqCGQ-SyllNZGDSpoATIyKTD19vHaad5kNz6w/s320/_DSC0557-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In 1974, my parents acted as contractors and oversaw the building of their home.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwC-A8bSUybbp8JfmWUus3tPm6SPgBovb-NvCZO3YALJiUmGrszks2GMBf-hDcOUTzkcREIOiv3TleoSc5YlJs6kegTswN7eszQlF5Ov3WmLATUTfRN-TFaMTdJBbaM54wcrsFxgdaluh1CbYx5WXHKCR3_VLBhuicFAEO4FITtUXgo8vIKSdeLg/s2992/_DSC0593-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwC-A8bSUybbp8JfmWUus3tPm6SPgBovb-NvCZO3YALJiUmGrszks2GMBf-hDcOUTzkcREIOiv3TleoSc5YlJs6kegTswN7eszQlF5Ov3WmLATUTfRN-TFaMTdJBbaM54wcrsFxgdaluh1CbYx5WXHKCR3_VLBhuicFAEO4FITtUXgo8vIKSdeLg/s320/_DSC0593-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is one of my favorite photos of my mom when she was a little girl. Even as an adult, my mom loved dolls - so this captures one of her loves in life.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM3LJcBYe8pU8KxnSXyanMLKixYdxQTJd1tOPv6kRwG6KXiSXF6rSaEnKOdaDIPZy1Pwe_tFVHMpyLZK4gw3rdvo0E8SMecXY6XPXpyhlSFmeVkqWMx_KiGcio6HoaCvcW6hvVhl_ibv-drJ5pahd-RPpe8aUCBktoNI-QSfargVptbH26zJb41U/s2992/_DSC0606-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM3LJcBYe8pU8KxnSXyanMLKixYdxQTJd1tOPv6kRwG6KXiSXF6rSaEnKOdaDIPZy1Pwe_tFVHMpyLZK4gw3rdvo0E8SMecXY6XPXpyhlSFmeVkqWMx_KiGcio6HoaCvcW6hvVhl_ibv-drJ5pahd-RPpe8aUCBktoNI-QSfargVptbH26zJb41U/s320/_DSC0606-007.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is a photo I never saw until New Year's Eve this year. It's of my Grandma Olive by part of her garden - tomatoes. This was take in 1960 - six years before she died. She would have been 48 years old in this photo. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqlWMiQMBmLJ4EPejm2g5yx1FJLUz4PCeFWY2wgGrf1IpoFMYR2TbAqshiinKBhdaJVs9-wgn42nqaEVJuvxE1BKHVFXqxl4xFwlvqLShPvZ9W7wvMKZ3XCNZp-aNOSoypqKPM3pgsiopJ88lqzjIxOL9z-Y3skdmqaK7X5QuCcJcKXl3lacsALs/s2643/_DSC0763-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1731" data-original-width="2643" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqlWMiQMBmLJ4EPejm2g5yx1FJLUz4PCeFWY2wgGrf1IpoFMYR2TbAqshiinKBhdaJVs9-wgn42nqaEVJuvxE1BKHVFXqxl4xFwlvqLShPvZ9W7wvMKZ3XCNZp-aNOSoypqKPM3pgsiopJ88lqzjIxOL9z-Y3skdmqaK7X5QuCcJcKXl3lacsALs/s320/_DSC0763-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On the 30th, I went to lunch at Famous Dave's with my friend, Karen. I made her an apple pie. Although it got a little overdone on one side, she said it was delicious. She loves pie, but never makes it from scratch. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFZ0r7VGNwSecoJo1ZGsxNQ6Y8u3Bd1JzlfEHSmsNMT_6or9sgpC1TU_zGJC5lwKPRaKdgqGpKQO3Jelt69-ttqjsPa-4H55mYucApPnsL4zgJorYYG_qYxZiMxZ3phTQ8DlH0J3gks5pSuiJWcrp-xCwR6o4mbXiBAtK27N-rDqcNLnPnuKzOi4/s2992/_DSC0858-005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFZ0r7VGNwSecoJo1ZGsxNQ6Y8u3Bd1JzlfEHSmsNMT_6or9sgpC1TU_zGJC5lwKPRaKdgqGpKQO3Jelt69-ttqjsPa-4H55mYucApPnsL4zgJorYYG_qYxZiMxZ3phTQ8DlH0J3gks5pSuiJWcrp-xCwR6o4mbXiBAtK27N-rDqcNLnPnuKzOi4/s320/_DSC0858-005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">On the 31st, I made another apple pie for my sister and me. She, too, doesn't make pie since she lives alone. So, this was a treat for her too.</p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-33888682580359919282023-01-05T22:09:00.014-06:002023-01-05T22:15:24.099-06:00Winter Walk at Gammelgarden Museum <p>Last month I went to Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia to attend the Lucia Dagen service at the oldest Lutheran church in Minnesota. </p><p>As I entered the parking lot at about 6:50 a.m.,, the buildings were lit. Against, the indigo sky, the buildings looked so bright. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLoa5Cs5G2F4p33jz9CctkLYxT1U1tlYEmLjwvfrDAw6jXd-EdcVAThUVSZZ9_CYKgFTUpHnqXvxzn5oRPJ0bRrSzOHTbmn7P1qzOY9GdkCWb5jkDnlsOlWoHo6mSbfkRbLfpEHBEEqzwGkof1TwF2EeqGsECp2lkwoTs-ruDOyIoI5vBryhsFUQ/s2273/_DSC0111-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="2273" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLoa5Cs5G2F4p33jz9CctkLYxT1U1tlYEmLjwvfrDAw6jXd-EdcVAThUVSZZ9_CYKgFTUpHnqXvxzn5oRPJ0bRrSzOHTbmn7P1qzOY9GdkCWb5jkDnlsOlWoHo6mSbfkRbLfpEHBEEqzwGkof1TwF2EeqGsECp2lkwoTs-ruDOyIoI5vBryhsFUQ/s320/_DSC0111-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the Valkommen Hus - or Welcome House. It's the main building where there is a gift shop, a classroom, and displays with museum artifacts. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5l3YvWgHhiyKOCn44Rs5koMEILOTl4Whrvu11ajTHP9bXJpgPOQLJMNO4lIGXIA4mKSRAeYA-BP5Jwmto-diCnsey6mRDpQYpoDPfHp_rU8c5nmVSYlEI4PYfYIeKgsBGsce-AC_g8SDZLW1lxzmf9tw5aBhoQaf1W7vNu0z0f_tUE_cBVrGBE8/s2694/_DSC0112-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1719" data-original-width="2694" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5l3YvWgHhiyKOCn44Rs5koMEILOTl4Whrvu11ajTHP9bXJpgPOQLJMNO4lIGXIA4mKSRAeYA-BP5Jwmto-diCnsey6mRDpQYpoDPfHp_rU8c5nmVSYlEI4PYfYIeKgsBGsce-AC_g8SDZLW1lxzmf9tw5aBhoQaf1W7vNu0z0f_tUE_cBVrGBE8/s320/_DSC0112-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This was the pathway to the Gammelkyrkan - the first sanctuary of Elim Lutheran Church and the oldest Lutheran Church in Minnesota. As I was walking on it, I could hear two owls calling to one another. Otherwise, it was still and incredibly quiet.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhRRVb6YZH9YMrv5Z63vGDxLVeBqF23bAHqbJScCB8yBK-TZnu5u-sEvrtW5Pr4mg2C1zaGpFDyfmNHcAgjKcWZy-inxFLw6jQKn19lFfLV3ocQbtI9Ts6aWYLXMZ_CUMBM0wVK9XoPkbdGGxM9b7cHTHE3uWOxbw4dxP6k_PYUKmrDJJyg3Ug4U/s2491/_DSC0113-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2491" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhRRVb6YZH9YMrv5Z63vGDxLVeBqF23bAHqbJScCB8yBK-TZnu5u-sEvrtW5Pr4mg2C1zaGpFDyfmNHcAgjKcWZy-inxFLw6jQKn19lFfLV3ocQbtI9Ts6aWYLXMZ_CUMBM0wVK9XoPkbdGGxM9b7cHTHE3uWOxbw4dxP6k_PYUKmrDJJyg3Ug4U/s320/_DSC0113-007.JPG" width="237" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Inside, the windows were decorated for Lucia Dagen - a holiday that celebrates St. Lucia. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdV-t-EvYvNsof0AgrG_11MHov2lTeJF8Hp6wfHqwJqjP-M3xi69tJAtSh8UcEZDo3dy1dlStja2DXgextpz3ovZSeLf-tu0xU136pC8pVJM7RMwlX1toMrZPnqR1NRzm-OdklHEpwZzc2inUmKi_iqNb8d2RBz4gj5JnNOCS1O7CMPoggEyEpiE/s2586/_DSC0127-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2586" data-original-width="1579" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdV-t-EvYvNsof0AgrG_11MHov2lTeJF8Hp6wfHqwJqjP-M3xi69tJAtSh8UcEZDo3dy1dlStja2DXgextpz3ovZSeLf-tu0xU136pC8pVJM7RMwlX1toMrZPnqR1NRzm-OdklHEpwZzc2inUmKi_iqNb8d2RBz4gj5JnNOCS1O7CMPoggEyEpiE/s320/_DSC0127-007.JPG" width="195" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Each year, there is a high school girl who plays St. Lucia. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EsfADmXpYlTjlC8xI1nW8G7XlCHncce8b3zELZ2B_mLzf_OkrImjcBwtm-9kUvsgkn2rJhb98wdrwV0Qi3uMsXhksnr1f5k8Lle0g9uxeaSqsPcKwx_SJtSi_MvUB8vqZ7usKi71YLONLlreU8HcapO8eXWXqhmrfddUQIrTYef_YWYGPq9URUk/s2918/_DSC0133-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2918" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EsfADmXpYlTjlC8xI1nW8G7XlCHncce8b3zELZ2B_mLzf_OkrImjcBwtm-9kUvsgkn2rJhb98wdrwV0Qi3uMsXhksnr1f5k8Lle0g9uxeaSqsPcKwx_SJtSi_MvUB8vqZ7usKi71YLONLlreU8HcapO8eXWXqhmrfddUQIrTYef_YWYGPq9URUk/s320/_DSC0133-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Before each service, she and others lit candles. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMG8qIqxwtivQtxjneUURELvMtkXclXf7jtz72ruVHlyRhfA69kUeKkIN19C4APOw7FgfOKKX9azX0ubLByRP8JVy7tnHa8N9gCSfYiOCKxJPSsWjL74iIPe_44VZHnzqRd7YIbP0HE2H-rUWDNaSBrcIuBysU1ArpwAQWta9Fcn7JUqu4n8mfcBE/s2577/_DSC0136-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1789" data-original-width="2577" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMG8qIqxwtivQtxjneUURELvMtkXclXf7jtz72ruVHlyRhfA69kUeKkIN19C4APOw7FgfOKKX9azX0ubLByRP8JVy7tnHa8N9gCSfYiOCKxJPSsWjL74iIPe_44VZHnzqRd7YIbP0HE2H-rUWDNaSBrcIuBysU1ArpwAQWta9Fcn7JUqu4n8mfcBE/s320/_DSC0136-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After the first service, there was a break until the second service at 8:30 a.m. I took some photos outdoors of the church. As a side note, the service was held in this <i>unheated </i>building. Mind you...this is the middle of winter in Minnesota. It's chilly - though not <i>too </i>bad at about 32 degrees! Nonetheless, people wore jackets, hats, mittens, scarves, and some even had blankets. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BHRIKM-f45y8WfuIq8gS9W9G08IR2jrl7kIK4OlS0YEO-Nsjpr3Rm4c1VwDbz3jVQYe1IduvS5zxHLjyjhHfMlkhT4_3I7EpTTnVtzTlEXgTEamLyAI8sqVDAR2ZA2Zv4uZo4V29Ze7z3ixENKVPQ7yGlYaj2-f-KP8L_BPvGHUsiogUvp1BbBw/s2660/_DSC0151-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1461" data-original-width="2660" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BHRIKM-f45y8WfuIq8gS9W9G08IR2jrl7kIK4OlS0YEO-Nsjpr3Rm4c1VwDbz3jVQYe1IduvS5zxHLjyjhHfMlkhT4_3I7EpTTnVtzTlEXgTEamLyAI8sqVDAR2ZA2Zv4uZo4V29Ze7z3ixENKVPQ7yGlYaj2-f-KP8L_BPvGHUsiogUvp1BbBw/s320/_DSC0151-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As I walked outside near the restored prairie, there were deer tracks. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwVJ43oInCAxcHCpe7UV0osnUt6qFY_Gjeum1thD2zvdIeeW9GReLBNQ3eYpHqXd4hbIv7Zaa49qO-ELBAnB_UHSjQqjs6X9GEmhCOes6mBAlIZwztxjMA_qXi3PZFNwsdkFG04cwJeC1-kfF0kUBdIMvw7sa9at_hekQmzNjEuLxCR6jOQ9sKRk/s2992/_DSC0153-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1719" data-original-width="2992" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwVJ43oInCAxcHCpe7UV0osnUt6qFY_Gjeum1thD2zvdIeeW9GReLBNQ3eYpHqXd4hbIv7Zaa49qO-ELBAnB_UHSjQqjs6X9GEmhCOes6mBAlIZwztxjMA_qXi3PZFNwsdkFG04cwJeC1-kfF0kUBdIMvw7sa9at_hekQmzNjEuLxCR6jOQ9sKRk/s320/_DSC0153-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is a better view of one part of the prairie. It's not much to look at during the winter, yet it still provides some seeds and cover for wildlife. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeC0M-gOk9QkC9leqzPrOHPZH0FHyq_ZXcBPNQ141sfMvg0M03KfbxTPI_wFkbkVxvYVEOPIGJQfhPzHNhqtrvM6KpYYyJLJH7qOhXXgMRHkthPIvTdQgjWQbfAnOkDyI0D9L3Gb-ixq1oJg-2etF7fJsMIyuqYE3ut_J1oPippiSZYTFCKVZoHvE/s2837/_DSC0154-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2837" data-original-width="1980" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeC0M-gOk9QkC9leqzPrOHPZH0FHyq_ZXcBPNQ141sfMvg0M03KfbxTPI_wFkbkVxvYVEOPIGJQfhPzHNhqtrvM6KpYYyJLJH7qOhXXgMRHkthPIvTdQgjWQbfAnOkDyI0D9L3Gb-ixq1oJg-2etF7fJsMIyuqYE3ut_J1oPippiSZYTFCKVZoHvE/s320/_DSC0154-007.JPG" width="223" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There's a bridge in the prairie that crosses over the pond.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuLrMu6sDQZizgnqACxCZycgV9nosrATf8SBDzLO3hF3vNfj8lNpC9YhSoTb-VgsfCecACPt836HlIiTjySThlp1g3jY-DIjBb66mdp31YMjZwsoTGlxH17raQ9TB9M9Hn-I-Pc0VW6pEgxzZI3kZ8LqZIGMKKFzQxStlgni__ynLOM6C9AwJg_M/s2992/_DSC0158-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuLrMu6sDQZizgnqACxCZycgV9nosrATf8SBDzLO3hF3vNfj8lNpC9YhSoTb-VgsfCecACPt836HlIiTjySThlp1g3jY-DIjBb66mdp31YMjZwsoTGlxH17raQ9TB9M9Hn-I-Pc0VW6pEgxzZI3kZ8LqZIGMKKFzQxStlgni__ynLOM6C9AwJg_M/s320/_DSC0158-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At that time, we still hadn't received a lot of snow, so it was making interesting patterns on the wood slats of the bridge. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bxwRTXWMekAz0EaxF8lrXY94WHoObBs8aiEWzb9D_MjwMGxUW8UJrsR7vBzY97g6Db_5zh-Z_DaF_-zFRCpZtGmSVWyBaffDctdd575CKVK7XmfJGAAvPSvlSDeQMNp1vfwO3alCQpABl1Y4De8Ft61IMbfl0jKXZXSZROQkeXd6MBcNzYKfQB8/s2992/_DSC0159-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bxwRTXWMekAz0EaxF8lrXY94WHoObBs8aiEWzb9D_MjwMGxUW8UJrsR7vBzY97g6Db_5zh-Z_DaF_-zFRCpZtGmSVWyBaffDctdd575CKVK7XmfJGAAvPSvlSDeQMNp1vfwO3alCQpABl1Y4De8Ft61IMbfl0jKXZXSZROQkeXd6MBcNzYKfQB8/s320/_DSC0159-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Looking back from the bridge, the Gammelkryrkan looks protected nestled between the trees. </div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSPmHpokv9vGz38y0-2wkbw_-LsYFq2lP0MBLeJychQDGBqTEphoXXVZgp0q3UvA6PRg0UH9V_3Ldpgz84B5Lx71LrhL2u-m0J4Z_iOrqD6BM15sFe-NzcGJlaQl7KbYQ4mnz8ui5tWw0Yf5OZqTosLI44Tjzzr-TFOHYqBfp95hhpSb2tGDy_yg/s2992/_DSC0161-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSPmHpokv9vGz38y0-2wkbw_-LsYFq2lP0MBLeJychQDGBqTEphoXXVZgp0q3UvA6PRg0UH9V_3Ldpgz84B5Lx71LrhL2u-m0J4Z_iOrqD6BM15sFe-NzcGJlaQl7KbYQ4mnz8ui5tWw0Yf5OZqTosLI44Tjzzr-TFOHYqBfp95hhpSb2tGDy_yg/s320/_DSC0161-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The pond was covered with ice and snow. There were quite a few tracks on the the pond. Despite all the activity, I saw no wildlife at this time of the day. It was also very quiet in the prairie - such a peaceful and relaxing place to be.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Y4-XeSjG0b-eUU52cKbLlaOppIx3F8AIepj7bKjnGHZ0O2nQahhMx91yKrnsUcb4dklQLE53koB3ZqglBoCj6zwyTPHaiicMP4bAIcEdE1MQvip71Xsl6j2M8JT0oJUUs6NWNfzrVu-MXECHnVnKOAsYNmcNMyxkPc77NzhLAp6fQbmzIgwaNpY/s2992/_DSC0163-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Y4-XeSjG0b-eUU52cKbLlaOppIx3F8AIepj7bKjnGHZ0O2nQahhMx91yKrnsUcb4dklQLE53koB3ZqglBoCj6zwyTPHaiicMP4bAIcEdE1MQvip71Xsl6j2M8JT0oJUUs6NWNfzrVu-MXECHnVnKOAsYNmcNMyxkPc77NzhLAp6fQbmzIgwaNpY/s320/_DSC0163-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Looking to the north, the five other buildings were easily visible. The barn quilt on the barn is one that my daughter designed and painted. She had a group of volunteers who helped her with the painting. She was 12 years old at the time. She ended up doing something like 14 or 15 more barn quilts that created the Washington County Barn Quilt.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRk4A7Im-s8LXIY0whnuwQM_yZo3ALtOIUrkwt-qzfHtJQTvynGeww8U5MXVxwHGJFMOGuJPpo5Iv6gVZMrVHmeLzvkH8oLq1tFCL3d0AVZ7SWVg4A8l4_lQw6-fHCzgmmYLSer0BDkwag1pZr1SFB6BznqAWGPgiEPn_s-EwZjHgzCX3GSXKsy4/s2647/_DSC0171-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="2647" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRk4A7Im-s8LXIY0whnuwQM_yZo3ALtOIUrkwt-qzfHtJQTvynGeww8U5MXVxwHGJFMOGuJPpo5Iv6gVZMrVHmeLzvkH8oLq1tFCL3d0AVZ7SWVg4A8l4_lQw6-fHCzgmmYLSer0BDkwag1pZr1SFB6BznqAWGPgiEPn_s-EwZjHgzCX3GSXKsy4/s320/_DSC0171-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Anyway...back to the prairie. There were dried native flowers that had beautiful patterns in them.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUEuQVLXq-u-ZzwHGtF3nYrdmIBtQE25wTOAqpfL_dsMKl-ALMBjZHAU1YrVhG52NsNyAp5FyJGWEypRVOAb5bQXM59qfVQPfoCzaxS465rBwjImrP14nNEI72-Dh3ScW-Dgsj2DZy473cUwSHa76bF701EEGjBGT3MTsy1x_rzCQiyfHqQHrvIo/s2446/_DSC0166-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2446" data-original-width="1724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUEuQVLXq-u-ZzwHGtF3nYrdmIBtQE25wTOAqpfL_dsMKl-ALMBjZHAU1YrVhG52NsNyAp5FyJGWEypRVOAb5bQXM59qfVQPfoCzaxS465rBwjImrP14nNEI72-Dh3ScW-Dgsj2DZy473cUwSHa76bF701EEGjBGT3MTsy1x_rzCQiyfHqQHrvIo/s320/_DSC0166-007.JPG" width="226" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Everything seemed to be colored in creams and tans.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSJyb3KiWnsryFKKj3t1NVr1qDBWLovu-k-P_uE_rTN8xgToZTMBx5gluwA8UiZ8q264R1VWIoIMICNf0mQ2onRjpDHoJFS_G3FPQKidwTkdtgg0NsAy0FiEbxjAnhqs9BPJUnwVMveHSvnTez7lN7L_2l3RQTsro1CXev7cgObuZV4qLp0uKgvo/s2610/_DSC0167-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1866" data-original-width="2610" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSJyb3KiWnsryFKKj3t1NVr1qDBWLovu-k-P_uE_rTN8xgToZTMBx5gluwA8UiZ8q264R1VWIoIMICNf0mQ2onRjpDHoJFS_G3FPQKidwTkdtgg0NsAy0FiEbxjAnhqs9BPJUnwVMveHSvnTez7lN7L_2l3RQTsro1CXev7cgObuZV4qLp0uKgvo/s320/_DSC0167-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The grasses provided coverage for the wildlife.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsak7HAdKyLdOE79qGlHhfEiOYmmuYeaS9Bz6L0kvVQLgHJwrnHPRi1KRQAyOeaOShoohYdQGUOv43tcbVKe-QgPQRFZ9muNgjIr7-m3BaBnwXzcrqPA83x43GyCr4St4FyZCJEslOYqhO7-74ppeRwFQi6h5mwtrFQMKnrEduNIjcXF8oiD1mho/s2353/_DSC0168-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1853" data-original-width="2353" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsak7HAdKyLdOE79qGlHhfEiOYmmuYeaS9Bz6L0kvVQLgHJwrnHPRi1KRQAyOeaOShoohYdQGUOv43tcbVKe-QgPQRFZ9muNgjIr7-m3BaBnwXzcrqPA83x43GyCr4St4FyZCJEslOYqhO7-74ppeRwFQi6h5mwtrFQMKnrEduNIjcXF8oiD1mho/s320/_DSC0168-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is another native flower. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAw7Rh_Z6G4I73-yNjFS6swvqXNrzUv933-PFZGmg6H7OfqWctoq0Ij1OEeLsywBFEc8YpaWx3x_4mR4MxQiDJp9oLh2D5njtKhGuXdXBQni2F1H7fYZ08Kjv_qVvRtDbFISqg_0WJmP7NeTjdzdZ9Fay5SXT_ztFLN9lCyLgCle02KSCQpl4lHcQ/s2213/_DSC0173-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2213" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAw7Rh_Z6G4I73-yNjFS6swvqXNrzUv933-PFZGmg6H7OfqWctoq0Ij1OEeLsywBFEc8YpaWx3x_4mR4MxQiDJp9oLh2D5njtKhGuXdXBQni2F1H7fYZ08Kjv_qVvRtDbFISqg_0WJmP7NeTjdzdZ9Fay5SXT_ztFLN9lCyLgCle02KSCQpl4lHcQ/s320/_DSC0173-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As is this one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZBsNNfYAeq2hKOqx-3nenFRyL47Hin8f3rRHPHFyjyjB8HJ-xef4e7CIlyonmMe8zTxE9kiU-dTFvMBmLwO4jK-u2CUCh23ZmGxkNa3o4gUfIXshRc94dbP-j8MWyxpLPpj8CIcdfs64IJDYd_ocEXclbd3ly-9MFqfTzjVqIw71gmTgYl2yoL0/s2000/_DSC0175-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1753" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZBsNNfYAeq2hKOqx-3nenFRyL47Hin8f3rRHPHFyjyjB8HJ-xef4e7CIlyonmMe8zTxE9kiU-dTFvMBmLwO4jK-u2CUCh23ZmGxkNa3o4gUfIXshRc94dbP-j8MWyxpLPpj8CIcdfs64IJDYd_ocEXclbd3ly-9MFqfTzjVqIw71gmTgYl2yoL0/s320/_DSC0175-007.JPG" width="280" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Around 8:20 or so, people started walking from the Valkommen Hus to the church for the next service.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJZCgdeAoxGGuJ3ITt8e3xFOPtwqJXhmU0n_1Zw5Vxj4NZerQyebDxQYMUaYALQUIcUyZoT-25OZeWMuBlUEAmPMVp2fcNxdb0xWZv3vt2kfiD0RIEEu7EUzTuoIda5Y8NDXgAQxnOvt3kinw1co8XBhA-Rsmk-w6tciwrj4lwbCfzINfklWNDJE/s2808/_DSC0176-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1769" data-original-width="2808" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJZCgdeAoxGGuJ3ITt8e3xFOPtwqJXhmU0n_1Zw5Vxj4NZerQyebDxQYMUaYALQUIcUyZoT-25OZeWMuBlUEAmPMVp2fcNxdb0xWZv3vt2kfiD0RIEEu7EUzTuoIda5Y8NDXgAQxnOvt3kinw1co8XBhA-Rsmk-w6tciwrj4lwbCfzINfklWNDJE/s320/_DSC0176-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I imagined what it must have been like in the mid- to late-1800s when pioneers trudged through the snow to go to church in unheated buildings. Such dedication and commitment to one's faith!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtBVQpWTAEvNxbeDZbJjEXv2L_3Lii48io64dV22y0Jo7iV5wA9T7fvRs5xYhb0T4n2_m-aDIIrX8YvdIXQ9eh6fBBgTK91b5besfVhCz7lH1I0rdkq1zczE8L_YmovBmbCEuu6-hkhXmRBx4rav1G3lgAeQr5bqtu57fzJDHlNeG_CHmn91sJF0/s2768/_DSC0178-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1933" data-original-width="2768" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtBVQpWTAEvNxbeDZbJjEXv2L_3Lii48io64dV22y0Jo7iV5wA9T7fvRs5xYhb0T4n2_m-aDIIrX8YvdIXQ9eh6fBBgTK91b5besfVhCz7lH1I0rdkq1zczE8L_YmovBmbCEuu6-hkhXmRBx4rav1G3lgAeQr5bqtu57fzJDHlNeG_CHmn91sJF0/s320/_DSC0178-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There were quite a few candles to light. These are ones that are on the altar.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUqt_R_Wh5J-mpzfq7wGhlz6JCke6h-aUb8-25GHahsTJDFM6tufaWeCwvTiPtJnljbUQznFuv0cxFZejmmPoczIpfzlu7jv36lo8pKw7TdhHOGdSkvz-JTY2wyXYZC3UqwVbGXJXPiYusaeyzOlYrTzPLvF7HswLVWfRlUTBmKuuU4W5GIXE5oE/s2476/_DSC0185-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2476" data-original-width="1795" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUqt_R_Wh5J-mpzfq7wGhlz6JCke6h-aUb8-25GHahsTJDFM6tufaWeCwvTiPtJnljbUQznFuv0cxFZejmmPoczIpfzlu7jv36lo8pKw7TdhHOGdSkvz-JTY2wyXYZC3UqwVbGXJXPiYusaeyzOlYrTzPLvF7HswLVWfRlUTBmKuuU4W5GIXE5oE/s320/_DSC0185-007.JPG" width="232" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are ones that were rather high up - there are two of them. Before the majority of people arrived, another volunteer and I were lighting the candles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I took a lit candle in one of my hands after taking my boots off. Stood on a folding chair and, not thinking, put my feet too far towards the back of the chair and it collapsed. My legs were literally stuck in the chair. Of course, everyone turns around and I could hear a collective audible gasp. "Nothing to see here, folks!" Just me stuck in a chair trying not to light things on fire. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks to the other volunteer, I was able to get out of the chair without lighting anything accidentally on fire. I still have bruises on the leg and it is sore to the touch. It was a memorable morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQz_X90qWnoxV34sjChuWO468mceapvTFt3ZLlJl62SNM_lA6N6MpgaVkV9nT2EjmcWkCEHQca-k4gPId9CZYxV4PvEwLW7Hf2tHG2a-ekgBmjsyZ4Fr4vWgeAOKzXPGdkFKodEE1FZ1lCOISSvOaiItiF7tOVhWrBM3OG3iKfa26kTSsXymwkqIc/s2351/_DSC0199-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2351" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQz_X90qWnoxV34sjChuWO468mceapvTFt3ZLlJl62SNM_lA6N6MpgaVkV9nT2EjmcWkCEHQca-k4gPId9CZYxV4PvEwLW7Hf2tHG2a-ekgBmjsyZ4Fr4vWgeAOKzXPGdkFKodEE1FZ1lCOISSvOaiItiF7tOVhWrBM3OG3iKfa26kTSsXymwkqIc/s320/_DSC0199-007.JPG" width="216" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After that drama, I looked at the altar again. This is a Bible all in Swedish.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M8Hkyw9Fb2eVjMP85gPFqhkrmxg_MmTgjyFRp7p4Nd7nXEUjTmzRX6t7_1ncSteWDW8uMjvjsooirQnZge6lTr39Uite7d5R_FmFxzoT1akeMnk8rHIzXwKuZAQ0bwBeNbZbRfW-F6Mv5jN1pY8iA4qiV2_Kw86dPzaHkuq10ewNm0RTF2lW9Ws/s2590/_DSC0186-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="2590" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M8Hkyw9Fb2eVjMP85gPFqhkrmxg_MmTgjyFRp7p4Nd7nXEUjTmzRX6t7_1ncSteWDW8uMjvjsooirQnZge6lTr39Uite7d5R_FmFxzoT1akeMnk8rHIzXwKuZAQ0bwBeNbZbRfW-F6Mv5jN1pY8iA4qiV2_Kw86dPzaHkuq10ewNm0RTF2lW9Ws/s320/_DSC0186-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Everyone was taking their seats and holding candles. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbar73WEQv_oY87-GzDbUOraS4CQAQF9oK1GBNKJpZ4Ym-BbCYAiNox_7N5KXxibijrVuhtj3Ko0Fw0aqfouJCw2boPWKXdZzM6YfgPQpcyfz1vlCU2qG1zaNjjZvh2WGHqzgDuYGQ2Z9oF2pqO8L0NjtOqDfQAo0N0_Ck1HBnDopwHAilanvp5U/s2500/_DSC0189-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1933" data-original-width="2500" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbar73WEQv_oY87-GzDbUOraS4CQAQF9oK1GBNKJpZ4Ym-BbCYAiNox_7N5KXxibijrVuhtj3Ko0Fw0aqfouJCw2boPWKXdZzM6YfgPQpcyfz1vlCU2qG1zaNjjZvh2WGHqzgDuYGQ2Z9oF2pqO8L0NjtOqDfQAo0N0_Ck1HBnDopwHAilanvp5U/s320/_DSC0189-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although it was much brighter outside now than when I had arrived 1 1/2 hours prior, the candles still added a warmth and peaceful feeling to the church and experience. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrSxqZ_dtv6K8H8Hnmsw7yzbIrYam7NAEzHYojrGvpe7twTZDowLFaB_dvENlR0DviosPdQT-ftKdKWaH807Q3tItH4qMfK-NPV6OQ0aXbFPPT0YuMksz5dtIRCjTTsdA011_hdVJe5QqV7ppGir1w_QVOrQdQwoUYycFzq6RGoM_oMHGlPLVnlw/s2332/_DSC0187-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1763" data-original-width="2332" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrSxqZ_dtv6K8H8Hnmsw7yzbIrYam7NAEzHYojrGvpe7twTZDowLFaB_dvENlR0DviosPdQT-ftKdKWaH807Q3tItH4qMfK-NPV6OQ0aXbFPPT0YuMksz5dtIRCjTTsdA011_hdVJe5QqV7ppGir1w_QVOrQdQwoUYycFzq6RGoM_oMHGlPLVnlw/s320/_DSC0187-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That was a nice way to spend my morning. It was something I had never done before, and I was able to listen to Swedish be spoken by multiple people and then songs sung in Swedish by all those in attendance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I could imagine what it was like going back in time to the 1800s and feeling like a Swedish immigrant. It was such a wonderful experience!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-1072311528535410422022-12-31T21:53:00.001-06:002022-12-31T21:53:45.931-06:00Gratitude List<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I look back on 2022, I am grateful for the following:</div><p><b>PEOPLE</b></p><p>- <b>My family </b>- Paige, Sophia, and Olivia. My life is so rich because of what each one has contributed to it. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWX2O9Dpxdd_TAn7ZPTbkCOPlBwgaBkFF1NRSnc4Q_b4nVASz_jsjjjoxjfcRpZ70XkocIy_rE_hw_ee8lLwsA5N-5dc1z5gPog0anLy1k9X-ia5PWGsV7Hs0OsP2Fb-J3s1AXP5ujgH5K4UEtOQ8BTob5AAB_l0SZ6iMjwCrrwNj8JZSGKRXL9nQ/s1419/_DSC0217-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1419" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWX2O9Dpxdd_TAn7ZPTbkCOPlBwgaBkFF1NRSnc4Q_b4nVASz_jsjjjoxjfcRpZ70XkocIy_rE_hw_ee8lLwsA5N-5dc1z5gPog0anLy1k9X-ia5PWGsV7Hs0OsP2Fb-J3s1AXP5ujgH5K4UEtOQ8BTob5AAB_l0SZ6iMjwCrrwNj8JZSGKRXL9nQ/w200-h163/_DSC0217-001.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRUwe4u17B4nGqDYyyQ0T3wLbk5YuOvIZtCPjWbcsZkUSk_wb09UVnkrPThwpMdIgfRtFgTKrOdjHcHuH_NAN3NQxqzEXUyedG1ezUoFPh-XxbIbeBfBI3ljrTe4XMI03MlWkgnx8PZ8SkTTooO0O6OTOVHYZSO-aQM3F7MRKIZ2H8m2o0a5eMs8/s2992/_DSC1128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRUwe4u17B4nGqDYyyQ0T3wLbk5YuOvIZtCPjWbcsZkUSk_wb09UVnkrPThwpMdIgfRtFgTKrOdjHcHuH_NAN3NQxqzEXUyedG1ezUoFPh-XxbIbeBfBI3ljrTe4XMI03MlWkgnx8PZ8SkTTooO0O6OTOVHYZSO-aQM3F7MRKIZ2H8m2o0a5eMs8/w200-h134/_DSC1128.JPG" width="200" /></a> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgBUuNbSNRBiSpil2qN0fklKc9RRlxRokOYLj5h5MRBhCP8W8LXAi-e3WeLb8bxyG-E1ItWdK4K35YnBPtzvCej4qp6GlFiz_b6q-ZChx98YN7rz-HK01YnpcTyZAkogUBgRdSPhpW6M0xydxh9IupoRLp5fpIFudJ7OiPsQJuDqamCjkGX6kL34/s2992/_DSC0939-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgBUuNbSNRBiSpil2qN0fklKc9RRlxRokOYLj5h5MRBhCP8W8LXAi-e3WeLb8bxyG-E1ItWdK4K35YnBPtzvCej4qp6GlFiz_b6q-ZChx98YN7rz-HK01YnpcTyZAkogUBgRdSPhpW6M0xydxh9IupoRLp5fpIFudJ7OiPsQJuDqamCjkGX6kL34/w200-h134/_DSC0939-005.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">I am so thankful that both Sophia and Olivia attend the same college and live close to home (about 35 minutes away). </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdUYqaw5spnYApH1YK4nU-H1ZE8NNMQuyc4kyaskeCInDOP3vmMRIWT5dZJJLmK4Qxx4MbBhsIMFeaWy2x3LdDSSO79s3_N8n9aLBgT4_HcabPInDsUFrTQlgJYkagXOPRac8Qeffd5mhk_Ja38zfQrPcMlQSGFOakBBMbu8-EQbLJdqSEanbE2M/s2992/_DSC0116-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdUYqaw5spnYApH1YK4nU-H1ZE8NNMQuyc4kyaskeCInDOP3vmMRIWT5dZJJLmK4Qxx4MbBhsIMFeaWy2x3LdDSSO79s3_N8n9aLBgT4_HcabPInDsUFrTQlgJYkagXOPRac8Qeffd5mhk_Ja38zfQrPcMlQSGFOakBBMbu8-EQbLJdqSEanbE2M/w200-h134/_DSC0116-001.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw_b4cxR86e427piQVAj3ibr9pPH-8m0OMWgxa0-A4uUeLEyZUGYkGuGTvw1QUEZQOaE4xCs0zphw4hLn6mu4a1YQPkrifmJ90xOcp4kM6lEROqh11RQYBqJaFXdKVo8TNknGoRVkNMXHVPj-XPG9k8L3ww4vqWCg89WIq7JUKhywBbSoA5YYBdk/s2992/_DSC0811-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw_b4cxR86e427piQVAj3ibr9pPH-8m0OMWgxa0-A4uUeLEyZUGYkGuGTvw1QUEZQOaE4xCs0zphw4hLn6mu4a1YQPkrifmJ90xOcp4kM6lEROqh11RQYBqJaFXdKVo8TNknGoRVkNMXHVPj-XPG9k8L3ww4vqWCg89WIq7JUKhywBbSoA5YYBdk/w134-h200/_DSC0811-004.JPG" width="134" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4kN5a6kDOdw3vRztGXW2MSSY149Xlm8Z7MIYxDiqTAkE2GacQL4c6YYE30SNxizscntNdsM5VcZt2E-tl2RdIBt0BFsXz8hLy6thROq5RXvVgBC9EAtUMt4xdTsrcqt4OwZahLCOWJSE222ZVe9yi3mdmcBwVhL3PRhQXO8urW9duKODlrF4aiI/s2992/_DSC0846-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4kN5a6kDOdw3vRztGXW2MSSY149Xlm8Z7MIYxDiqTAkE2GacQL4c6YYE30SNxizscntNdsM5VcZt2E-tl2RdIBt0BFsXz8hLy6thROq5RXvVgBC9EAtUMt4xdTsrcqt4OwZahLCOWJSE222ZVe9yi3mdmcBwVhL3PRhQXO8urW9duKODlrF4aiI/w200-h134/_DSC0846-003.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYCf8w0gW22fW9XBCVMPbd0iEINd8wSocpTa7jJrzt2sKWxkCN6XiZrUiuWOy2nKeOFXeUPB7hxFOU2jH5hDbkQukmGTwAybnL7Mi8-tYEHfvlq_KcjVcq726JEyJVbdM4EoRc2dDc5pIORYKSzLgr1fe5zFLC9-lc342RPKZT5pMEkJSplIPbIM/s2382/_DSC0868-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1393" data-original-width="2382" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYCf8w0gW22fW9XBCVMPbd0iEINd8wSocpTa7jJrzt2sKWxkCN6XiZrUiuWOy2nKeOFXeUPB7hxFOU2jH5hDbkQukmGTwAybnL7Mi8-tYEHfvlq_KcjVcq726JEyJVbdM4EoRc2dDc5pIORYKSzLgr1fe5zFLC9-lc342RPKZT5pMEkJSplIPbIM/w200-h117/_DSC0868-004.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiHqnmfPzZCN58IcNIUrTNHeLiRAice-Q1SUhDYWS0ZHJhfoS5uhITih4VkdEZCacOZ5l7S29p2Di01XlSmZmfstnLencxa04cjG-gHGydB4YDFUDdpXRmfj8IXwisTizcPiTlfCnd-3AX8GZQYKfqc8FJiDBCWC6I1qnRZaNHArunjMd7wEjlbI/s2391/_DSC0874-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2391" data-original-width="1995" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiHqnmfPzZCN58IcNIUrTNHeLiRAice-Q1SUhDYWS0ZHJhfoS5uhITih4VkdEZCacOZ5l7S29p2Di01XlSmZmfstnLencxa04cjG-gHGydB4YDFUDdpXRmfj8IXwisTizcPiTlfCnd-3AX8GZQYKfqc8FJiDBCWC6I1qnRZaNHArunjMd7wEjlbI/w167-h200/_DSC0874-004.JPG" width="167" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUrZ70hYmICHtWHw0s7Nl9_iX3piv9E_SRYT2g6XZyetNk5UkowWNi1isVBdPcuj-RAitJJEpy_eWSidWrySL1mx_Aj1tNLPty0uZ-WA1JfGMKEs3L--jsdneWCutmnmarBgPYpzT4qqC2OGathNmMzLXGLa7c43j-LrV3ewUGnfEiZKbEe092WI/s2992/_DSC0095-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUrZ70hYmICHtWHw0s7Nl9_iX3piv9E_SRYT2g6XZyetNk5UkowWNi1isVBdPcuj-RAitJJEpy_eWSidWrySL1mx_Aj1tNLPty0uZ-WA1JfGMKEs3L--jsdneWCutmnmarBgPYpzT4qqC2OGathNmMzLXGLa7c43j-LrV3ewUGnfEiZKbEe092WI/w200-h134/_DSC0095-006.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><p>When I think back on the past year, I am grateful for all the experiences Olivia has had - finishing up homeschooling - not only graduating from high school, but earning 30 college credits through the PSEO program. Right before she started college, she tested and was promoted to the next level in Tang Soo Do. In late-August, Olivia started college, learned a tremendous amount through her on-campus job of doing tech/video work in the performing hall, and did very well with her classes. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQMBPqeaM7Gta6P5oZQXI3gi9HURiJdB5AJ4lokDyq9IfmeWhv7q3a4dTlMAup1zJFakofvIak97TAaeyy6iUyN4X9Nvpe84EnUvRrv8oTzZWLgUjXlLurOwOjoBiOuZsAXl7mfbgx3rbGK3ojMVfHEuFW2IT-Sl26sGozaBVTLWI0s_Rp1NMTwc/s1974/Scan_20220328%20(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="1974" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQMBPqeaM7Gta6P5oZQXI3gi9HURiJdB5AJ4lokDyq9IfmeWhv7q3a4dTlMAup1zJFakofvIak97TAaeyy6iUyN4X9Nvpe84EnUvRrv8oTzZWLgUjXlLurOwOjoBiOuZsAXl7mfbgx3rbGK3ojMVfHEuFW2IT-Sl26sGozaBVTLWI0s_Rp1NMTwc/w200-h161/Scan_20220328%20(13).jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCU01SVwXwxkZCeumnug6Bcfu1bDOd2kLlqpwEeH8ukrC3FneCJU7uYUaqHTedCw8sNfmTGGZ1yGSYMy8iJHTyvlx9k0ftPZdXhIUggcqvz5d0eih3Km6xmmrT98vLKdFUceRcEF8jFklvL8JGXshee8cd72okhvumk2IAlYhx000KQKIONdURXE/s1982/Scan_20220328%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1982" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCU01SVwXwxkZCeumnug6Bcfu1bDOd2kLlqpwEeH8ukrC3FneCJU7uYUaqHTedCw8sNfmTGGZ1yGSYMy8iJHTyvlx9k0ftPZdXhIUggcqvz5d0eih3Km6xmmrT98vLKdFUceRcEF8jFklvL8JGXshee8cd72okhvumk2IAlYhx000KQKIONdURXE/w200-h161/Scan_20220328%20(2).jpg" width="200" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JKG_dUelGoN5e-CdSIn_Z9kVYJfqYF4WXRWyCw-qXBVNsgO6SFgH_C06WPDsrtvA8e7H69mcaVeBnxaUaQ4dgB1dVzIBXgwzVVmRUOuEZSzGg6AtgH9X6yNyy1k_4NNcN9kagN3Xi7niimKXJM64Ws9fxyyz6eEsgm4LxewuvTCRuW_u5kEm9Tw/s1942/_DSC0724-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1414" data-original-width="1942" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JKG_dUelGoN5e-CdSIn_Z9kVYJfqYF4WXRWyCw-qXBVNsgO6SFgH_C06WPDsrtvA8e7H69mcaVeBnxaUaQ4dgB1dVzIBXgwzVVmRUOuEZSzGg6AtgH9X6yNyy1k_4NNcN9kagN3Xi7niimKXJM64Ws9fxyyz6eEsgm4LxewuvTCRuW_u5kEm9Tw/w200-h146/_DSC0724-004.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1sZJ2UPCaz0MK0DISYEYfP0oE7GaxC-cn1hre-AZFLWiI5eK-yHQwEOWvu2th1pPRM9pwSotTNyXdtC4TDfGfVm4gGr_K_c17qD-yy6YTrUX1snNd70yExn7Z4LrpArFfxs9QqmhtpnSzm7pankg4xXPsv4QFMH9tlzUeLVB4vG2kigkaFPAAJo/s2992/_DSC1002-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1sZJ2UPCaz0MK0DISYEYfP0oE7GaxC-cn1hre-AZFLWiI5eK-yHQwEOWvu2th1pPRM9pwSotTNyXdtC4TDfGfVm4gGr_K_c17qD-yy6YTrUX1snNd70yExn7Z4LrpArFfxs9QqmhtpnSzm7pankg4xXPsv4QFMH9tlzUeLVB4vG2kigkaFPAAJo/w200-h134/_DSC1002-005.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvPVVE8hVuNrGLLjm6XshcFq6HJpE27ke_wnWPqIvpCCpxiOzirYF_b_9CexJSaMl3mT-5b37dUOElgglcSk5SZglj7bAFVuwP1PmflSS5NQtzK0lserhN6kwmBM-o_LGtamO7cYoXxs6wAQUCD6fxtKb77PFAR-U3QRkVVIv3oeeVBGBcpu2vSM/s2985/_DSC0904-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1601" data-original-width="2985" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvPVVE8hVuNrGLLjm6XshcFq6HJpE27ke_wnWPqIvpCCpxiOzirYF_b_9CexJSaMl3mT-5b37dUOElgglcSk5SZglj7bAFVuwP1PmflSS5NQtzK0lserhN6kwmBM-o_LGtamO7cYoXxs6wAQUCD6fxtKb77PFAR-U3QRkVVIv3oeeVBGBcpu2vSM/w200-h108/_DSC0904-006.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>- <b>My sister, brother, and their families. </b>I am grateful that we have been able to get together again for holidays - Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I also am grateful that my sister lives close to me and that we are able to do things together.<p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Noc4udpXQRrr4oZau1GjMokYiA186xoC4kBmanHMKY1MviDf-QphCZS0Z2hurxbbHofK04fLta0GWNSG1frSBFLqHlTV-u3XVaf8yrZVJsLiBhzf7lOSnnwBFQhlrnoEcRoFB4VuP19hrizOOZD38fGA6SnLdOjgZlaoNoewuirYa_YPwH5fcKk/s2992/_DSC0886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Noc4udpXQRrr4oZau1GjMokYiA186xoC4kBmanHMKY1MviDf-QphCZS0Z2hurxbbHofK04fLta0GWNSG1frSBFLqHlTV-u3XVaf8yrZVJsLiBhzf7lOSnnwBFQhlrnoEcRoFB4VuP19hrizOOZD38fGA6SnLdOjgZlaoNoewuirYa_YPwH5fcKk/w200-h134/_DSC0886.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOki3MOFi54KA_OOcJGoYCt6LtbnBx0KznXV8QEn4PH1Qb6yd7cIsOpxb0V1fC7oRqAuBy5hXa1sI_4B2p4MSdbOiBm1W85CRx8o3H9iU82w5wix021JTDP35saaDh2po1T8nhWqrKbKYcA5EI7jK044hWEarIXs8Hjb9dEY0X4L8KbuaD7cM1XO0/s2992/_DSC0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOki3MOFi54KA_OOcJGoYCt6LtbnBx0KznXV8QEn4PH1Qb6yd7cIsOpxb0V1fC7oRqAuBy5hXa1sI_4B2p4MSdbOiBm1W85CRx8o3H9iU82w5wix021JTDP35saaDh2po1T8nhWqrKbKYcA5EI7jK044hWEarIXs8Hjb9dEY0X4L8KbuaD7cM1XO0/w200-h134/_DSC0884.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VJSutoU0RkSjmuCsxorN1y1qyVyBOhnjAaDNIyf9EYkJftkhVge5ogQo_kOdKeGF7Sv7fmrCyKeXHPgkwdCUV6SudbNweU6vJp0Ao_TLcxyaKh1Is0ovOGpslXGoFxCdVOXAVUPPF0ydrtM77-i9bfLGvQysESahQdr4R3abjmmOQTHFYIPqn3I/s2952/_DSC0488-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="2952" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VJSutoU0RkSjmuCsxorN1y1qyVyBOhnjAaDNIyf9EYkJftkhVge5ogQo_kOdKeGF7Sv7fmrCyKeXHPgkwdCUV6SudbNweU6vJp0Ao_TLcxyaKh1Is0ovOGpslXGoFxCdVOXAVUPPF0ydrtM77-i9bfLGvQysESahQdr4R3abjmmOQTHFYIPqn3I/w200-h107/_DSC0488-006.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6vIKdnax4iRBHjEWFdPH31a2oOhRV444ctU1XkyVsCwQCATVxYqiRyHza5dKy2ppZnDBupx5A7bZzxQ0cIVPQmmjMiLvKl4SxH5qJQaWnQCtzIpEX0OeSD25rWDKIE7XvB5ZV8zTS6TQMN8N57SzsbtXWQASFEmV-2z5uvQpi2xeovzlYuTiVAc/s2992/_DSC0489-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6vIKdnax4iRBHjEWFdPH31a2oOhRV444ctU1XkyVsCwQCATVxYqiRyHza5dKy2ppZnDBupx5A7bZzxQ0cIVPQmmjMiLvKl4SxH5qJQaWnQCtzIpEX0OeSD25rWDKIE7XvB5ZV8zTS6TQMN8N57SzsbtXWQASFEmV-2z5uvQpi2xeovzlYuTiVAc/w200-h134/_DSC0489-005.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis48mcqkWOM5nqgShaJO9Kv3aPiDdV-d2zRmdnx-2Sab7j9F0zoAKh09zrnScZsXv5RFeA5Z161kdZQAjaswxxNxdN-liL3KKOyfiJOd7g7N3aGr3DkPyRDWFp5Lsk6KnTpASgsnHBrES8FVYe1r7NOW6LbGp8KRP_AoVhSfVuCB088TGOpCbpN-Q/s624/Day%20with%20Mary%20-%20May%206%202022%20-%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="321" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis48mcqkWOM5nqgShaJO9Kv3aPiDdV-d2zRmdnx-2Sab7j9F0zoAKh09zrnScZsXv5RFeA5Z161kdZQAjaswxxNxdN-liL3KKOyfiJOd7g7N3aGr3DkPyRDWFp5Lsk6KnTpASgsnHBrES8FVYe1r7NOW6LbGp8KRP_AoVhSfVuCB088TGOpCbpN-Q/w103-h200/Day%20with%20Mary%20-%20May%206%202022%20-%201.jpg" width="103" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgZjJSwED_tHAWUdGOclkKrRQoA52cCE_by5jnj1gF25dKwzGqs-FXYGHeclUVFl-7seHE2Sfc6SrpEXWjXVZtSp97Ev7hp-Q7gQDcd5JDhKuMGq-WkjaSIi3FM5SQaRcUPrss6y1zsrJRUr76a5-mep0TTVBRFscaaZtgMbV6Cxarq74aN4QcXU/s1765/_DSC0756-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1765" data-original-width="1549" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgZjJSwED_tHAWUdGOclkKrRQoA52cCE_by5jnj1gF25dKwzGqs-FXYGHeclUVFl-7seHE2Sfc6SrpEXWjXVZtSp97Ev7hp-Q7gQDcd5JDhKuMGq-WkjaSIi3FM5SQaRcUPrss6y1zsrJRUr76a5-mep0TTVBRFscaaZtgMbV6Cxarq74aN4QcXU/w176-h200/_DSC0756-005.JPG" width="176" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div>- <b>My parents </b>- even though both have died (2012 and 2015), the values and traditions they instilled in me live on. I am so grateful for both of my parents and the unconditional love and support they provided to me. <div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JszImSPB4VCItRXowp6S2j4j0OdXzZWNMobNnAQrGyaoh3jsxfobKGyzgjZmJZGxrdXpzbLFdHCfVzoAyEy26iApHnuc7pDJD7BVa0daB5O8A1a9dNNGHzROvCItdG98cV_1Aj1QnsEnHTJKw1jfICVO9Jb7kmOJ_8285OCwSeZdtDx6ZjtjPUI/s1349/_DSC0538-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1349" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JszImSPB4VCItRXowp6S2j4j0OdXzZWNMobNnAQrGyaoh3jsxfobKGyzgjZmJZGxrdXpzbLFdHCfVzoAyEy26iApHnuc7pDJD7BVa0daB5O8A1a9dNNGHzROvCItdG98cV_1Aj1QnsEnHTJKw1jfICVO9Jb7kmOJ_8285OCwSeZdtDx6ZjtjPUI/w200-h159/_DSC0538-006.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>-<b> My in-laws. </b>This was a difficult year with seeing my step-father-in-law decline in health. By September, he was on hospice. On my first day of a new job (after being a stay-at-home mom/homeschool mom for over 20 years), I had planned to take my daughters to visit him after work. He died that morning. I got a text that he died while I was in a classroom. I am very thankful for his love of Sophia and Olivia, and his thoughtfulness and generosity towards Paige and me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWWPyd5jTOMs3gucwVkYi4HHuVzcZPUjnDrqw0FxYOixD5VBghOFKd7zp9qYUmUZqw7Ch4euh3jP9sppvb3EOMb4avtLfR_BlWb9CbW1JdGhM4WPOFYHGHObabKHc0N0HN3Kd7iuyNE2l4C6CVlonMOpiORrJz1dWvBpdjQJdHFDIPQced7j2qnY/s2557/_DSC0791-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1890" data-original-width="2557" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWWPyd5jTOMs3gucwVkYi4HHuVzcZPUjnDrqw0FxYOixD5VBghOFKd7zp9qYUmUZqw7Ch4euh3jP9sppvb3EOMb4avtLfR_BlWb9CbW1JdGhM4WPOFYHGHObabKHc0N0HN3Kd7iuyNE2l4C6CVlonMOpiORrJz1dWvBpdjQJdHFDIPQced7j2qnY/w200-h148/_DSC0791-005.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>- <b>The Lions Club I'm involved with. </b>Many of the Lions are in their 70s and 80s, and are so active and committed to service. It is inspiring to see and I enjoy spending time with them and others at service events I coordinate. <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIKGYTk7bhmhUtDmJKOqNi6lxoCttjqicz4yhII1Toi7Uq5ahKygH5_JnmEh76B-slZvYh9Rg3KPiubGDxomPqIutTpRSPHKOZgcmR6DShSIStqAZyZFugAwKk13m7SPkE77LeJp3g-TbfqZ0IPLR5llX__Z2GMAlHDZ0Ulz8-tVgmzqCX5lETiY/s1811/_DSC0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1811" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIKGYTk7bhmhUtDmJKOqNi6lxoCttjqicz4yhII1Toi7Uq5ahKygH5_JnmEh76B-slZvYh9Rg3KPiubGDxomPqIutTpRSPHKOZgcmR6DShSIStqAZyZFugAwKk13m7SPkE77LeJp3g-TbfqZ0IPLR5llX__Z2GMAlHDZ0Ulz8-tVgmzqCX5lETiY/w200-h149/_DSC0204.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_X0d3sZZzDszHccR55D2RPqeXNVPonKX4KN9EQtiIXMUCNfr5OlgzlvjBjDJxPd_ynWUvdiRx9Dt_-2vTyxggENIzZAeazUcxQBhoPQnUp5e392H-OCrWzyjldzH8WZEBWwZ4WpcIsOkZOUrkX7pPskQW7yRI4L4Q_94jjnKBIek4goaTANqhVU/s2500/_DSC0861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="2500" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_X0d3sZZzDszHccR55D2RPqeXNVPonKX4KN9EQtiIXMUCNfr5OlgzlvjBjDJxPd_ynWUvdiRx9Dt_-2vTyxggENIzZAeazUcxQBhoPQnUp5e392H-OCrWzyjldzH8WZEBWwZ4WpcIsOkZOUrkX7pPskQW7yRI4L4Q_94jjnKBIek4goaTANqhVU/w320-h178/_DSC0861.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>-<b> My dogs.</b> I know that dogs are not people. However, our dogs feel like our "children" to us. I am so grateful to have many dogs who (for the most part) get along with one another. I love having them gather around me when I'm resting, and seeing them play together, especially outdoors. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJmWaeZhk0g2AjA1eNTIbdt6Z1mg73QR9mLLcqvm-1J5Vn_FCM4_TFw4ntdMtcnPb60TzrZdfLhN0uaRKbqnyDLhLxcXgkZYeAAS8jnAXERPSMKmTlWptV325qdpARp7HxmNwOv7OWGkOxFEquV7ycM_l-xy-5Pd6M1C_KPkXZozE5Ks5lqpeGys/s2597/_DSC0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1846" data-original-width="2597" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJmWaeZhk0g2AjA1eNTIbdt6Z1mg73QR9mLLcqvm-1J5Vn_FCM4_TFw4ntdMtcnPb60TzrZdfLhN0uaRKbqnyDLhLxcXgkZYeAAS8jnAXERPSMKmTlWptV325qdpARp7HxmNwOv7OWGkOxFEquV7ycM_l-xy-5Pd6M1C_KPkXZozE5Ks5lqpeGys/w200-h142/_DSC0373.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUZj912YTGPnGRtnDAuHQU7zucmXy35c4MUHZssDgU3bIeGGgoZfGN6-8QSH6mUC_wuzaY4JgdhA3y5ftWNKKnmRQrlvCgN0SqXzFsa2A6vKORvOaRovZRUXCJS9MWcpNCUdr48bEvalVdDtCqitLYsAYTbSXdKi6ePmcagagIYo9HDHuWN3Zt0I/s2928/_DSC0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1826" data-original-width="2928" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUZj912YTGPnGRtnDAuHQU7zucmXy35c4MUHZssDgU3bIeGGgoZfGN6-8QSH6mUC_wuzaY4JgdhA3y5ftWNKKnmRQrlvCgN0SqXzFsa2A6vKORvOaRovZRUXCJS9MWcpNCUdr48bEvalVdDtCqitLYsAYTbSXdKi6ePmcagagIYo9HDHuWN3Zt0I/w200-h125/_DSC0374.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJ9FBKCp46WFWVT-BQDv2QXUSm0yJZecWyyZjK4vEAEAXrng_ZyLD6qKv7ohLJcthTDtehDkAHodn7hvh_r9pUgmVfh8RIwJ03cNEzjNB4x3Vs-Z2qOdkH5a1y4f5o_sQNWPlij_kq66obyx4HbANwHr-vYUlLa-1zyz4vs4GAf8mr48AEA5le6Y/s1828/_DSC0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1755" data-original-width="1828" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJ9FBKCp46WFWVT-BQDv2QXUSm0yJZecWyyZjK4vEAEAXrng_ZyLD6qKv7ohLJcthTDtehDkAHodn7hvh_r9pUgmVfh8RIwJ03cNEzjNB4x3Vs-Z2qOdkH5a1y4f5o_sQNWPlij_kq66obyx4HbANwHr-vYUlLa-1zyz4vs4GAf8mr48AEA5le6Y/w200-h192/_DSC0487.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmzFnht1bf_TaUvCUxGeqRF7TihVoWUPonh40fQNYuXQKZBJQwhiFdIoxIcokc0XlaQDdAuKeWZSG-2p306QL6QUYXDyXY4ggb4kg2_kvj0fL-rSR7K_r1gKDzbRwzo5czJOLFpgeo_gTNgODEBfFmXgABLTcWsfqTkafKlYWoh4hgzAVOeSyS_A/s1310/_DSC0071-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="1275" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmzFnht1bf_TaUvCUxGeqRF7TihVoWUPonh40fQNYuXQKZBJQwhiFdIoxIcokc0XlaQDdAuKeWZSG-2p306QL6QUYXDyXY4ggb4kg2_kvj0fL-rSR7K_r1gKDzbRwzo5czJOLFpgeo_gTNgODEBfFmXgABLTcWsfqTkafKlYWoh4hgzAVOeSyS_A/w194-h200/_DSC0071-001.JPG" width="194" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Although one of our dogs (Scooby) had to be put to sleep in November due to serious health complications he wasn't able to overcome (he was 15 years old), I am grateful we had over five years with him (we adopted him when he was 10 years old).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A4y5Z4p-NnmzDYZpIgGc-L6lysTtWtZeg_fkDcLobdZkBD20KjRwXu68ML82qnWIlIuPj_6LjtEg4P6rP8NDTt0wnhok_Rb_PqVPHgd5jDXlQ_eKF1NPMCTU9JS0fv34S6n45yKMyPuNGxirkyezkO8mrTxh1Xs_RxQE0J_OVLJH7ElRStSZZF8/s1664/_DSC0986-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1664" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A4y5Z4p-NnmzDYZpIgGc-L6lysTtWtZeg_fkDcLobdZkBD20KjRwXu68ML82qnWIlIuPj_6LjtEg4P6rP8NDTt0wnhok_Rb_PqVPHgd5jDXlQ_eKF1NPMCTU9JS0fv34S6n45yKMyPuNGxirkyezkO8mrTxh1Xs_RxQE0J_OVLJH7ElRStSZZF8/w200-h136/_DSC0986-003.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyuRWqLT6no-v4HBC-tdpnOxLydWHw-cpmKOaLX7-dPQh_gZI_1ofwQGs5T7YwwMgVbEU4shwWnTuf6xQONKLGvRNjj6Lw8EAWHv7Kog0zLMRPBkvS1fD1lbVJvwa3kskxk24bOVhLcxGHwgS4Q3B3XBTvGUJgGM5VlW5ydvbanRH0fh0Hlod3pA/s2992/_DSC0439-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyuRWqLT6no-v4HBC-tdpnOxLydWHw-cpmKOaLX7-dPQh_gZI_1ofwQGs5T7YwwMgVbEU4shwWnTuf6xQONKLGvRNjj6Lw8EAWHv7Kog0zLMRPBkvS1fD1lbVJvwa3kskxk24bOVhLcxGHwgS4Q3B3XBTvGUJgGM5VlW5ydvbanRH0fh0Hlod3pA/w200-h134/_DSC0439-004.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><p>- <b>Sophia's roommates at college </b>who are all so supportive of her and who we genuinely enjoy spending time with - even when Sophia was in Thailand. I am grateful she has met a great group of women, and that we have been able to see them gain and develop skills and talents at college. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nANk1WMbqv8ovCAigIaEooMHFrSEQVDp_7ewE5tqfG0MqvaPSadTZGMVx8_r-m7ku7Gaz8ILdRhxJW8wMLsSVk4hOLV3SGkHre9dyPASoAMF6M6CFjXjxuBTs-BiQ9tvcjrK3QFcakdrx5CroVX3bsM6EfDl2TPQ_c4ATCdODQj3pY4u98ANGCs/s2085/_DSC0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="2085" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nANk1WMbqv8ovCAigIaEooMHFrSEQVDp_7ewE5tqfG0MqvaPSadTZGMVx8_r-m7ku7Gaz8ILdRhxJW8wMLsSVk4hOLV3SGkHre9dyPASoAMF6M6CFjXjxuBTs-BiQ9tvcjrK3QFcakdrx5CroVX3bsM6EfDl2TPQ_c4ATCdODQj3pY4u98ANGCs/w200-h151/_DSC0904.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0R-5oIDN4jZi0moV4BVlfcVjrXw9eWbGoKqkSLQ548021go9u4qj7F8kemj0FWZRQYiPQ1oJZg6QHOR0pbLep_Uivm-D6rOVOFW6mhky587laoYTBfsA0yCNcUNOHmjXGG7J6dKo_3NtjXToZSsUFXEZA7GPTWoirsLIGisOhM2q1HpTl2mcyyQg/s1437/_DSC0908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrD-lkANlOhn_OliCFw4LyIoc28A0Xjj-3bZXvfhB2PEKwYxtnTemO4lt-kPTV1-vHvv3tN_wBHbK8lD196nidykd-y5Yz7ezl12RGJOJ8D-RFym3Z-JSI_1P33gpFR8cnUqYpkcv-qajrPYxlZ8whW7hnISv0A6p4mUB5QRBE0JneBGDV8oythC8/s2249/_DSC0459-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="2249" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrD-lkANlOhn_OliCFw4LyIoc28A0Xjj-3bZXvfhB2PEKwYxtnTemO4lt-kPTV1-vHvv3tN_wBHbK8lD196nidykd-y5Yz7ezl12RGJOJ8D-RFym3Z-JSI_1P33gpFR8cnUqYpkcv-qajrPYxlZ8whW7hnISv0A6p4mUB5QRBE0JneBGDV8oythC8/w200-h158/_DSC0459-005.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRSiYHR26o7TlslTgYojqib6jNO5ALG4ARA18lB55OUW2vpOpM6L-PAt_DjG1Cp-w0kLC_-AfqtRTJ3-CbSzEept6W7GHs6xY_ZSWMSnbPJFqqHpusV0BTO_4Ts4YfIUTqCvpNfLvoxllT7s4bYsMuy-qyEILCq9Hzdddnk5uHfgqRx0KjZxxIiE/s2025/_DSC0463-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1631" data-original-width="2025" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRSiYHR26o7TlslTgYojqib6jNO5ALG4ARA18lB55OUW2vpOpM6L-PAt_DjG1Cp-w0kLC_-AfqtRTJ3-CbSzEept6W7GHs6xY_ZSWMSnbPJFqqHpusV0BTO_4Ts4YfIUTqCvpNfLvoxllT7s4bYsMuy-qyEILCq9Hzdddnk5uHfgqRx0KjZxxIiE/w200-h161/_DSC0463-006.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">- <b>My friends</b>. I don't have a huge number of friends - I never have. What I lack in quantity, I make up for quality. Karen is a friend who I met in pottery. She is incredibly creative not only with pottery, but with quilting. We were able to get together this past year a few times. My favorite time was going on a quilt shop hop and traveling hundreds of miles to see quilt shops, look at fabric, and - most of all - spend time talking and catching up. We visited some Amish farms on our trip which was a lot of fun. There were so many good deals, especially on canned goods.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mvULYdUDqzkf7WEefpdT12NUHkryuhPeYhR6dx15DLoxYtglyQ6OeLVFSa5AQdFEvGXkVEMaXSvvrbEp5u6e3wWUHg5Gi-HS-l5QUfPNWBXFqHHSaNgkdrlDWqEoC9aQIAjGo-6AqGfRPV88DfbCT6J4NzJODeoy4rCAsk_D1uVQ6CUJPmRPw90/s1955/_DSC0695-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1897" data-original-width="1955" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mvULYdUDqzkf7WEefpdT12NUHkryuhPeYhR6dx15DLoxYtglyQ6OeLVFSa5AQdFEvGXkVEMaXSvvrbEp5u6e3wWUHg5Gi-HS-l5QUfPNWBXFqHHSaNgkdrlDWqEoC9aQIAjGo-6AqGfRPV88DfbCT6J4NzJODeoy4rCAsk_D1uVQ6CUJPmRPw90/w200-h194/_DSC0695-003.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0q86VroxkR5HPgGwI89NmVxxqnWJnb_iVgQ1UeHeD_JwS6WMeFazGwtMUKWht7IRn7IAjQWgsSg31ZXuDfSokL9fWKtYvc3fqlIrlZtub_T8JhA_x8X7Qyz7zzbPENOUYh6ZG8W3KA6yipEkGD06JWxosL3oQmEa8uWCBb0_klqmCFhlfWbCl_xo/s2389/_DSC0699-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1722" data-original-width="2389" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0q86VroxkR5HPgGwI89NmVxxqnWJnb_iVgQ1UeHeD_JwS6WMeFazGwtMUKWht7IRn7IAjQWgsSg31ZXuDfSokL9fWKtYvc3fqlIrlZtub_T8JhA_x8X7Qyz7zzbPENOUYh6ZG8W3KA6yipEkGD06JWxosL3oQmEa8uWCBb0_klqmCFhlfWbCl_xo/w200-h144/_DSC0699-004.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><p><b>PLACES</b></p><p><b>- My home and land.</b> We have lived here since 1995 and we have made a lot of improvements to the land (and home) over the years. This year, I am grateful that I am continuing to see wildlife throughout the year. It was especially rewarding to see multiple nests of baby birds fledge - so much new life on our land.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzA-0twBb6Iwu7AyrCMAsCMmkkN_L81tmBjdSCk8GZU5kLb31hstqRohK7YRGm6uPbYN_Mhesi2fOxci1mlzK1hJPwZL-30E7_4NhIGD458MbNqzH7tYunoXTPz16IAxs94cK-FFzgJxU9ctMrGnIiNHv7XRpe5b0TUi44dt2StT7AmjPL2O1JLI/s573/_DSC0127-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="515" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzA-0twBb6Iwu7AyrCMAsCMmkkN_L81tmBjdSCk8GZU5kLb31hstqRohK7YRGm6uPbYN_Mhesi2fOxci1mlzK1hJPwZL-30E7_4NhIGD458MbNqzH7tYunoXTPz16IAxs94cK-FFzgJxU9ctMrGnIiNHv7XRpe5b0TUi44dt2StT7AmjPL2O1JLI/w180-h200/_DSC0127-001.JPG" width="180" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietw_hp70DtOsSNuyF80NKHr-Cn9NcjenFat5i_YjoegX7Uvt-XWoWXMCj68hQbzGKDM1xocWqZYmweZnYV6pxCWR9gu9p3QC2CwyyYqSv5z-8AkTHfQvXgyiEI7Z_H3HDyj-PG7z49rAxPW6357GPDeyYxurkXQebzi9BULZgGOuZCw5FEQwqkQE/s1884/_DSC0195-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1554" data-original-width="1884" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietw_hp70DtOsSNuyF80NKHr-Cn9NcjenFat5i_YjoegX7Uvt-XWoWXMCj68hQbzGKDM1xocWqZYmweZnYV6pxCWR9gu9p3QC2CwyyYqSv5z-8AkTHfQvXgyiEI7Z_H3HDyj-PG7z49rAxPW6357GPDeyYxurkXQebzi9BULZgGOuZCw5FEQwqkQE/w200-h165/_DSC0195-004.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><p><b>- </b>For Olivia's graduation trip, we went to <b>England and Scotland</b>. When Paige and Olivia booked the tickets, they didn't realize that we would be there during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. It was an amazing experience! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXtA97Z283UlzsF6PAvo_456DuCe3H8cY9qdx2IIMkn9JIOh4mVUrwzpIDIpjl_aOo91oSsy4p7Nsa7NnGmW6y1Mnck-Bl3QlVSYGYwIZX5Kt4RsSErwe4iWttAgTz-bxDSXQpHCOcS83NinBGWM7ivN8hmdZ_35qNVjIsx2pmMf8WXx16C4tr7I/s2271/_DSC0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2271" data-original-width="1735" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXtA97Z283UlzsF6PAvo_456DuCe3H8cY9qdx2IIMkn9JIOh4mVUrwzpIDIpjl_aOo91oSsy4p7Nsa7NnGmW6y1Mnck-Bl3QlVSYGYwIZX5Kt4RsSErwe4iWttAgTz-bxDSXQpHCOcS83NinBGWM7ivN8hmdZ_35qNVjIsx2pmMf8WXx16C4tr7I/w153-h200/_DSC0481.JPG" width="153" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFnbVQBxbyCDbOL9C4XvZxlnSoIqkGCkPw3GSlTXnkuwtItMQn6E5Qi5KFdoSzrEzMunwp1mCzwBAMEIjBE2yazzeNFxA4GYO4hkMOZDMTD182-hwe8tGSUU7tPyJDIF-Efhcq004dxI95IQbLLlnetVx_cwvkQNNecoA4iG8caAnA0n2dKrfz24/s1914/_DSC0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="1514" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44GKcanFy5nU_eu1gwbxTbs38WGS_xYbNnB1gxndjA1sSxfMESF05cKYDuhwwtK8KvU9oy476ICKiYJ2gVZzClYD5sYD6edHDmDkeEoPpUGT-nIYUVaF9JEpFr_TAbEsNpkrtJUNTaVWUuk2KCXcKVb-rpWQlozxrHadft88GXV2cfT1sRgsOG8E/w152-h200/AnnRinkenberger_GreyHeron.JPG" width="152" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- One of my favorite places that I visited while in England was <b>Kew Gardens</b>. What an amazingly beautiful place. The flowers were in bloom which was delightful. I wish I would have had more than one day to explore Kew Gardens. There were so many unique plants from all over the world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAV0CjWnJi7a0gJo2egZlhgicJecTHcAg6norVyPHWFcuLJ7_E1dW74Dkgjse0sYfSRn2zy4Vba1pPyDed1pEsiIbdhlsC6dTNsDwxmvmPsDE5fXfVEfXhk4rINavLmAZdYIZAVR1DJzxEbpAm5ezhjw9TK1Hy7fSY600m7IsMJ09tXWYRFt_4XU/s1781/_DSC0075-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1749" data-original-width="1781" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAV0CjWnJi7a0gJo2egZlhgicJecTHcAg6norVyPHWFcuLJ7_E1dW74Dkgjse0sYfSRn2zy4Vba1pPyDed1pEsiIbdhlsC6dTNsDwxmvmPsDE5fXfVEfXhk4rINavLmAZdYIZAVR1DJzxEbpAm5ezhjw9TK1Hy7fSY600m7IsMJ09tXWYRFt_4XU/w200-h196/_DSC0075-002.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXOnLEyEF9ZToqEwxQ1rY0nLYXGiXbGatCEhZyGq_a21VZSZ2q6M7j0qSaa5IHzubYHoTAtfsvM6xBbM8aL8rK2IYPu8EfIYZ-VWOey6L4wVS0faSjU7xRvRHVVA7XdQ8bE_YkVolY4_bZffyzxzcja5x1cSj0sT9KN-9KK-P3Ggdg_NkGsHLkzQ/s1864/_DSC1016-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1789" data-original-width="1864" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXOnLEyEF9ZToqEwxQ1rY0nLYXGiXbGatCEhZyGq_a21VZSZ2q6M7j0qSaa5IHzubYHoTAtfsvM6xBbM8aL8rK2IYPu8EfIYZ-VWOey6L4wVS0faSjU7xRvRHVVA7XdQ8bE_YkVolY4_bZffyzxzcja5x1cSj0sT9KN-9KK-P3Ggdg_NkGsHLkzQ/w200-h192/_DSC1016-001.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzAgEwda02GWu9yl-EzNfa3w-QbfQgyZoN4gyETMo4X-sqfZ3ZmVFyfBp9497gZ2a1rkmQPWURkTpFZGi9CM2y4cfCFPVRllkwyVcoZgPpvzphhsI8FPMpixHUsYCuPhdavJvx-7Rv3Zv2rKpgHB8BjPJ7c0lSDfNblPl4kZjXTR_AkwnOA5FLec/s2379/AnnRinkenberger_FloweringCactus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1903" data-original-width="2379" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzAgEwda02GWu9yl-EzNfa3w-QbfQgyZoN4gyETMo4X-sqfZ3ZmVFyfBp9497gZ2a1rkmQPWURkTpFZGi9CM2y4cfCFPVRllkwyVcoZgPpvzphhsI8FPMpixHUsYCuPhdavJvx-7Rv3Zv2rKpgHB8BjPJ7c0lSDfNblPl4kZjXTR_AkwnOA5FLec/w200-h160/AnnRinkenberger_FloweringCactus.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuLsEczyBJgtO1prW6ovFpWeU9WtyZFuauRgTolikW-WyqszgWvlbdOAtFupUDi8JX42eGFz2c2hnwxoFp7plmZMwGnT-pKuYSsqIgrJB_ggnqnfu12SrFbDkwNK4ot23AVTJdz3xpp1NmM-aWqqS5NhfunGp5fPC13JAiOXYuDOrJhb_iSmmkT4/s2657/AnnRinkenberger_WaterLily.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1870" data-original-width="2657" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuLsEczyBJgtO1prW6ovFpWeU9WtyZFuauRgTolikW-WyqszgWvlbdOAtFupUDi8JX42eGFz2c2hnwxoFp7plmZMwGnT-pKuYSsqIgrJB_ggnqnfu12SrFbDkwNK4ot23AVTJdz3xpp1NmM-aWqqS5NhfunGp5fPC13JAiOXYuDOrJhb_iSmmkT4/w200-h141/AnnRinkenberger_WaterLily.JPG" width="200" /></a></div></div><p><b>- </b>In <b>Scotland</b>, we spent only a weekend there, but crammed a lot into that time. The architecture, history, and beauty of the North Sea far exceeded what I expected from Scotland. I wish we had more time there, yet was so grateful for the opportunity to be there. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CX3YtHG2mZX2sX_0XVqjE8Rh22wfFviS2CJSsoTt4fJPH1Rj9oaGQy33u2Ust2lWLwmm6i7mBblQ84PnRoPOjdNTf1l1tTxtL-FFbw1iNTNWuRUEE44Iwyi2p9xOe3bmSoHbWpihCp0btud4XIFKk1Xv6cpvlFI6-itsSjkrhGlrjYRFfTMeR58/s1885/_DSC0086-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1885" data-original-width="1785" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CX3YtHG2mZX2sX_0XVqjE8Rh22wfFviS2CJSsoTt4fJPH1Rj9oaGQy33u2Ust2lWLwmm6i7mBblQ84PnRoPOjdNTf1l1tTxtL-FFbw1iNTNWuRUEE44Iwyi2p9xOe3bmSoHbWpihCp0btud4XIFKk1Xv6cpvlFI6-itsSjkrhGlrjYRFfTMeR58/w189-h200/_DSC0086-003.JPG" width="189" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZhEuyNzwjkfivz2uG-dajAXJ5YFuUtpQ2wGW3zDWpQ9wfpjfEn-55-504EhnX-HF3KG1H0luM0xqWuBQkf5G2WD-0pdgYpdtqjPytYoj3nuaIzIdo0_tpP_ZHuW-Xrc7wbiyB5SHCx0yNBoMJ-i7Zs6OpKZHNIcdUZCubo_ZabZG6OsMysfdOH4/s1955/_DSC0182-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1955" data-original-width="1609" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZhEuyNzwjkfivz2uG-dajAXJ5YFuUtpQ2wGW3zDWpQ9wfpjfEn-55-504EhnX-HF3KG1H0luM0xqWuBQkf5G2WD-0pdgYpdtqjPytYoj3nuaIzIdo0_tpP_ZHuW-Xrc7wbiyB5SHCx0yNBoMJ-i7Zs6OpKZHNIcdUZCubo_ZabZG6OsMysfdOH4/w164-h200/_DSC0182-003.JPG" width="164" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WNn26VdA4EQOCcKR3PZWosyWrRfojlKDnKN5ef3gEiMnz8nqnpxRFUWYXvzTePDhqkZX8pOyF0ZmnOttGvHcGZglgLyTlRJPVUfDihr5BENhKUsUwbhNma7cehFvtRD8eGMEQpTtJuMIfIjMUqty7M7gxjtBuanqHjYNJSIhSvlYtp9uFZAZgzo/s2992/_DSC0285-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WNn26VdA4EQOCcKR3PZWosyWrRfojlKDnKN5ef3gEiMnz8nqnpxRFUWYXvzTePDhqkZX8pOyF0ZmnOttGvHcGZglgLyTlRJPVUfDihr5BENhKUsUwbhNma7cehFvtRD8eGMEQpTtJuMIfIjMUqty7M7gxjtBuanqHjYNJSIhSvlYtp9uFZAZgzo/w200-h134/_DSC0285-003.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtd05aQJGvDGkroKI8_h9AGAfK-MXCk03c7qtxUyhnNck8txfl9yUNSdj6v0hozcsna42pw0OypoRXlfZeF5I-dKmGhfKMYzgMUcquuXa01zoFxtTZUSmGRu0A9BlI-AQ-ORptzr7JeIJjR2v0FOE-dfp7pJZSPcQ3r_gPA5XQa5sJkS18hEYmPd4/s2992/_DSC0436-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtd05aQJGvDGkroKI8_h9AGAfK-MXCk03c7qtxUyhnNck8txfl9yUNSdj6v0hozcsna42pw0OypoRXlfZeF5I-dKmGhfKMYzgMUcquuXa01zoFxtTZUSmGRu0A9BlI-AQ-ORptzr7JeIJjR2v0FOE-dfp7pJZSPcQ3r_gPA5XQa5sJkS18hEYmPd4/w200-h134/_DSC0436-003.JPG" width="200" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmEP0CbjiRGGfYbefwFBrKn7HkFSIy390BPa3n_ploTJ7x7d2wyQSDJEfIs6SnktIB7PHfR7Ohm7RFqPn0zR9QKvqpPhXWclgN2h0AkeKuzqzMW9OpWFF2dAXJF3h4Ghm718-Xu8Xm_1ttUW4zDbZ0dIitAjEe9e_3a33DAZTmASRHaKGkSZPjtI/s2992/_DSC0504-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmEP0CbjiRGGfYbefwFBrKn7HkFSIy390BPa3n_ploTJ7x7d2wyQSDJEfIs6SnktIB7PHfR7Ohm7RFqPn0zR9QKvqpPhXWclgN2h0AkeKuzqzMW9OpWFF2dAXJF3h4Ghm718-Xu8Xm_1ttUW4zDbZ0dIitAjEe9e_3a33DAZTmASRHaKGkSZPjtI/w134-h200/_DSC0504-003.JPG" width="134" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr0ZFhFL3FXfGsgCeuOgOuqlpoGbIWI6XApc3YYq30r_s_th0nU4ThqfJg9DT-PvNrhTQr7IP3mNHzZ1_5Yg7RtKYHgdTUGH73CWANA-v9tsSg47N-R1sRyz62jTQG6dIx-SmUmfZJDWh3lRBxIsTbRtEk609x1gDzFwldu3dXQaZvwFVABN3wX8/s2031/_DSC0546-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1651" data-original-width="2031" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr0ZFhFL3FXfGsgCeuOgOuqlpoGbIWI6XApc3YYq30r_s_th0nU4ThqfJg9DT-PvNrhTQr7IP3mNHzZ1_5Yg7RtKYHgdTUGH73CWANA-v9tsSg47N-R1sRyz62jTQG6dIx-SmUmfZJDWh3lRBxIsTbRtEk609x1gDzFwldu3dXQaZvwFVABN3wX8/w200-h163/_DSC0546-003.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><p>- <b>Gammelgarden Musem. </b>In November, I was hired as a consultant to do marketing/PR work for a museum. It focuses on the Swedish-immigrant experience. I have loved photographing items in the gift shop as well as artifacts from the museum's collection. I truly am grateful to the director for hiring me and giving me this opportunity!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3x8Na8QP9IIjnYOr02hhJo9H_KyrmVrwcP8x9PaI1n8CqtFPzMphw_JJ_gsIU6oQ7NyeDNsFlWy513UyycUr0y1dEBOl8XPMe4tqvd4mFm93ZTC6ISteytHaLBzzlbZEvvJxgfYSutwT8XyYky67WwhJelDTuZ2Y1ubU_h-xpczjuFhBHWCeVZI/s2882/_DSC0101-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1679" data-original-width="2882" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3x8Na8QP9IIjnYOr02hhJo9H_KyrmVrwcP8x9PaI1n8CqtFPzMphw_JJ_gsIU6oQ7NyeDNsFlWy513UyycUr0y1dEBOl8XPMe4tqvd4mFm93ZTC6ISteytHaLBzzlbZEvvJxgfYSutwT8XyYky67WwhJelDTuZ2Y1ubU_h-xpczjuFhBHWCeVZI/s320/_DSC0101-007.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3u1xCMxBF2Z8iiGYTHz0sFCRZCmQOob-h6o4eWkHQm5aehP--wc_2AC8QbReiBMpFyeA7ri8unJGNN0YTnQMwbA1VW-JeeAHo4HV7C45k2BgPHIo_KAV_yOq5a4nIS2pVwLZ6lEnBF_vBF7dEJhJ3D6DHR9pp1qkmarWaD5yw1xALPFYN5nAKa4/s2657/_DSC0146-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2657" data-original-width="1428" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3u1xCMxBF2Z8iiGYTHz0sFCRZCmQOob-h6o4eWkHQm5aehP--wc_2AC8QbReiBMpFyeA7ri8unJGNN0YTnQMwbA1VW-JeeAHo4HV7C45k2BgPHIo_KAV_yOq5a4nIS2pVwLZ6lEnBF_vBF7dEJhJ3D6DHR9pp1qkmarWaD5yw1xALPFYN5nAKa4/w108-h200/_DSC0146-006.JPG" width="108" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiTCCYoQ1qZCZqWF98tqK6lJfKTCHFLyw-n11ITvNa7vTQQZHolJBONfR42cLX7FDYpiLt2ODLrOfNNZK_Ufb6H9MguM7KPp08kloAI57SK2UkrMXF3DoYFAbicV-u5fHkBpJiS4Kx7aFs9PxWEIRFdL3-WpNevU_loMYW8LjWhMmTn2ukWvu0yE/s2992/_DSC0220-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiTCCYoQ1qZCZqWF98tqK6lJfKTCHFLyw-n11ITvNa7vTQQZHolJBONfR42cLX7FDYpiLt2ODLrOfNNZK_Ufb6H9MguM7KPp08kloAI57SK2UkrMXF3DoYFAbicV-u5fHkBpJiS4Kx7aFs9PxWEIRFdL3-WpNevU_loMYW8LjWhMmTn2ukWvu0yE/w200-h134/_DSC0220-006.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbROzsewL195qMNp_-U381j15qV7mYgICIptNKFTw3Yyg2iz42O6u2uxzNQQYZIDX42CWRaHj51_h2QL0UBdPuejVuQniOQN-a6jK3SlAGPIiObKNN9fBboa5pvQr_qNWT197_YSPZIgZN-IcQc17PyNPDDanPLJIq9LrY5Rile8SatAqhTdpBR0/s1901/_DSC0223-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1702" data-original-width="1901" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbROzsewL195qMNp_-U381j15qV7mYgICIptNKFTw3Yyg2iz42O6u2uxzNQQYZIDX42CWRaHj51_h2QL0UBdPuejVuQniOQN-a6jK3SlAGPIiObKNN9fBboa5pvQr_qNWT197_YSPZIgZN-IcQc17PyNPDDanPLJIq9LrY5Rile8SatAqhTdpBR0/w200-h179/_DSC0223-006.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRlOcF5SGswrbqdMnyOqC0QWLpuZ9YofE2rPYA9m5KWccZUiFI_-mUY5YhB49hbc94iUD0tGl1T0U9Tqxej0xdLNL28Cu-uFsrGZ4RyIx-IjPT6N5jf2JOGbxqCd2DOuGVj-8JR-bDnp2SRsk4BY2_LwzR0lJE6WfFz9Wju4MsiAQ3CLMi72K63I/s1736/_DSC0319-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1736" data-original-width="1684" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRlOcF5SGswrbqdMnyOqC0QWLpuZ9YofE2rPYA9m5KWccZUiFI_-mUY5YhB49hbc94iUD0tGl1T0U9Tqxej0xdLNL28Cu-uFsrGZ4RyIx-IjPT6N5jf2JOGbxqCd2DOuGVj-8JR-bDnp2SRsk4BY2_LwzR0lJE6WfFz9Wju4MsiAQ3CLMi72K63I/w194-h200/_DSC0319-006.JPG" width="194" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLFb0jmhnGOqpimT9-j3P1hAhWlI0C72OCxXgzq0HUGrEbeA8w7-TZYpRZ_qGbvduPze83auxtT55CbazL4eglT5AyXbTWYpiW_hzwdeMiZbz7f5uSI-xyOUb8-scD8XBYAiEwI_oL5hzOH-aU4AUlFEhVj6PktmxDP2QMTB6huqfunl_MuHhI4M/s2606/_DSC0368-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2606" data-original-width="1563" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLFb0jmhnGOqpimT9-j3P1hAhWlI0C72OCxXgzq0HUGrEbeA8w7-TZYpRZ_qGbvduPze83auxtT55CbazL4eglT5AyXbTWYpiW_hzwdeMiZbz7f5uSI-xyOUb8-scD8XBYAiEwI_oL5hzOH-aU4AUlFEhVj6PktmxDP2QMTB6huqfunl_MuHhI4M/w120-h200/_DSC0368-006.JPG" width="120" /></a> </p><p><b>MUSIC</b></p><p><b>- Listening to Olivia practice for music auditions for college </b>was a joy. Although she didn't get a music scholarship, we all feel it worked out the way it should. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8riZvI2ZA4Zk3aFB0ksVpF_2ogWImpg8MBmIeqEw6vsXa8eAo8UXc7rvst2XZT1Fcq6mkyP6uUPqHh2YmKY3guJFP1aHYRY3NvJOHqcCOrfQFInO2BWC1rrWQ_qmioXvMKtHfZ67EBR2815Y815n_h0mZG2fCYmQ5TIR_vuHdrjmDRdP6XnzD4P0/s2992/_DSC0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8riZvI2ZA4Zk3aFB0ksVpF_2ogWImpg8MBmIeqEw6vsXa8eAo8UXc7rvst2XZT1Fcq6mkyP6uUPqHh2YmKY3guJFP1aHYRY3NvJOHqcCOrfQFInO2BWC1rrWQ_qmioXvMKtHfZ67EBR2815Y815n_h0mZG2fCYmQ5TIR_vuHdrjmDRdP6XnzD4P0/w134-h200/_DSC0101.JPG" width="134" /></a></p><p><b>-</b>In May, November, and December, I heard <b>Sophia play the harp and handbells</b> in concerts and the Lions Club's anniversary celebration. She plays the piano, too, and did that when she came home after her first semester of her senior year. I continue to be grateful that we invested in music lessons for her and Olivia. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAnv2-qF9N9UBWvEp6I3hQSkupLyJnzUTzHqIjq6dudkC3chik_RK56HXQZPdz5xqtbg8oJolkVGO9aCQGOVXsCdLqhKUDAFFzMA80XIrY3a0A3D7PYIl3auNpnEqGRGoD1g_34sqbPcYMX8LTQYQlyDOk8iCk8tW5muKfVrXaqbLbv8DzrIEWu8/s2505/_DSC0342-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2505" data-original-width="1529" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAnv2-qF9N9UBWvEp6I3hQSkupLyJnzUTzHqIjq6dudkC3chik_RK56HXQZPdz5xqtbg8oJolkVGO9aCQGOVXsCdLqhKUDAFFzMA80XIrY3a0A3D7PYIl3auNpnEqGRGoD1g_34sqbPcYMX8LTQYQlyDOk8iCk8tW5muKfVrXaqbLbv8DzrIEWu8/w122-h200/_DSC0342-001.JPG" width="122" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyzhb8PNZDKbeSYIsrBDXrJWgcyPs5RBnLfsrxbT2XbhU320agj-8s7Unh9MeGSe2Zg0maf4Gum32WkSlinAnA60FLHiza9wPFjJG3HaSYJUuqFfDgecAPI3GDrVBqLwl7394OMnC3y0o7oqJyjDiIZs-7JVXtzlOJkdDhy0CZVEg5WRH2bMc6R8/s2752/_DSC0132-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2752" data-original-width="1373" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyzhb8PNZDKbeSYIsrBDXrJWgcyPs5RBnLfsrxbT2XbhU320agj-8s7Unh9MeGSe2Zg0maf4Gum32WkSlinAnA60FLHiza9wPFjJG3HaSYJUuqFfDgecAPI3GDrVBqLwl7394OMnC3y0o7oqJyjDiIZs-7JVXtzlOJkdDhy0CZVEg5WRH2bMc6R8/w100-h200/_DSC0132-006.JPG" width="100" /></a></p><p><b>- </b>In June, I was able to hear <b>live bagpipe music in Scotland</b>. What a treat that was!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3syaepcRnPECVTcDkfYXNDjGLYaHSC-d9mHtbp2wgSAH7BdWGZt2ZV_fBSKmTjnnBSGgm-g27kLyWuXrhra2-lOBubTCdw5LzGok2QB8mB2_fv8dCtovwoHRQQPShRF4SInExfRjxSb9W-9M-TVKYm0DFnOdWD_5C3OobxKftVGPGfy2ERw-UgNA/s2241/_DSC0451-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2241" data-original-width="1193" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3syaepcRnPECVTcDkfYXNDjGLYaHSC-d9mHtbp2wgSAH7BdWGZt2ZV_fBSKmTjnnBSGgm-g27kLyWuXrhra2-lOBubTCdw5LzGok2QB8mB2_fv8dCtovwoHRQQPShRF4SInExfRjxSb9W-9M-TVKYm0DFnOdWD_5C3OobxKftVGPGfy2ERw-UgNA/w106-h200/_DSC0451-003.JPG" width="106" /></a></p><p><b>- </b>Paige and I attended the <b>Festival of Christmas</b> - the college's annual Christmas performance that has over 300 student musicians. Sophia played the handbells again this year for a pre-concert show as well as during the Festival of Christmas itself.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjol4aydl4PqccrOl-eoIZxAtoOB0ghfG4qdR7Tuc7E2R3zMY2S6Wf6yDPNXRM4hKtOin999vujGpa5lfXkj2cmYvAgsrUD8sS_l0kN6LaRb9UWOGOea1lnkCLbX8B_kB2JqCZv9iGXusFq3WPBOd5kfLf2RT1tDJ2CVkJjVgykX9yR7w-M6LMUplk/s2130/_DSC0926-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2130" data-original-width="1689" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjol4aydl4PqccrOl-eoIZxAtoOB0ghfG4qdR7Tuc7E2R3zMY2S6Wf6yDPNXRM4hKtOin999vujGpa5lfXkj2cmYvAgsrUD8sS_l0kN6LaRb9UWOGOea1lnkCLbX8B_kB2JqCZv9iGXusFq3WPBOd5kfLf2RT1tDJ2CVkJjVgykX9yR7w-M6LMUplk/w159-h200/_DSC0926-006.JPG" width="159" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxX7vbvNLiO4RyPnOCHppnw0oC7Aaz3G9NelAJgN055SIHpqATzhMs1j1U-Ex944ZKDiX37ohbEegvnvPVfsCoz21RrSdlbGgw63DMnq_2jIqjuqLOH7-7mI1yHT4O3sCaZrPwFEN3RvioMrBycPEKd_n09bQZY_Cc_Jd7TANEkBzLY7XcTz4bSA/s2363/_DSC0954-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2363" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxX7vbvNLiO4RyPnOCHppnw0oC7Aaz3G9NelAJgN055SIHpqATzhMs1j1U-Ex944ZKDiX37ohbEegvnvPVfsCoz21RrSdlbGgw63DMnq_2jIqjuqLOH7-7mI1yHT4O3sCaZrPwFEN3RvioMrBycPEKd_n09bQZY_Cc_Jd7TANEkBzLY7XcTz4bSA/w200-h168/_DSC0954-005.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><p><b>SEASONS</b></p><p><b>- Winter (January and February) </b>- I am grateful to be able to continue traditions that have become an integral part of our family - like Chinese New Year. This year we ate had take-out food instead of eating in a restaurant.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWilfhDzX9-DDnTuBYD8rE0Ct81n7vHFnC_oLfyvjOPKosMeVll_2QrkGR2lCEFaic8mxnIG1ztKdhpVxzShuTBZBZONjwEzeVcPVegOtzu3fbqMGFW3JGQ7FJeDw8E72bginWXESTyx3lMl6rYaVlA-KP2NzIeg5HK_JP6i1hfVvdbqNlhyFQ_KI/s2296/_DSC0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1769" data-original-width="2296" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWilfhDzX9-DDnTuBYD8rE0Ct81n7vHFnC_oLfyvjOPKosMeVll_2QrkGR2lCEFaic8mxnIG1ztKdhpVxzShuTBZBZONjwEzeVcPVegOtzu3fbqMGFW3JGQ7FJeDw8E72bginWXESTyx3lMl6rYaVlA-KP2NzIeg5HK_JP6i1hfVvdbqNlhyFQ_KI/w200-h154/_DSC0269.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><p>Although I don't enjoy the cold temperatures, I am grateful for the beauty of the snow - and sometimes ice. It's pretty to photograph. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKZ1tQEUTrRJrIzNeRugTFHmI__UZ8tt2vjb0tkIdhSby9sjznrgxalPYib4W2ecfESDX6No28l2tilk-5uhikAFXr7EBPxa6mHx-5VnypBTBfkom6CNRYWSJAF4MPfz7kCg4sTz_ufV4gXUKdt1ak_20a2ov17oh_4DWbmrp_Lyhx-L3yTQTP44/s2490/_DSC0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="2490" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKZ1tQEUTrRJrIzNeRugTFHmI__UZ8tt2vjb0tkIdhSby9sjznrgxalPYib4W2ecfESDX6No28l2tilk-5uhikAFXr7EBPxa6mHx-5VnypBTBfkom6CNRYWSJAF4MPfz7kCg4sTz_ufV4gXUKdt1ak_20a2ov17oh_4DWbmrp_Lyhx-L3yTQTP44/w200-h160/_DSC0454.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><b>- Spring (March, April, and May)<i> </i>-</b> I am grateful that Olivia had good experiences with milestones in her life - like prom and graduation. She received a tremendous amount of scholarships which paid for her freshman year at college. <div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBf4GhYk6nhLzDQEGtjuJ0EtEhJrY4dSSb_3igXAGCNECZpwly_aGzkXXYKQ0wP4OCPpAYanY5Ut5LNMqhESednMN3jM_Vw3IH2DvDrSdrvjKo-InsVpxayRjWOdQ1t8fzh-FuH8VEBObRum3o6c8ozdGOgQj40tr2yBf1gsZGm19O1x_l7Jz9Dk/s2055/_DSC0023-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2055" data-original-width="1008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBf4GhYk6nhLzDQEGtjuJ0EtEhJrY4dSSb_3igXAGCNECZpwly_aGzkXXYKQ0wP4OCPpAYanY5Ut5LNMqhESednMN3jM_Vw3IH2DvDrSdrvjKo-InsVpxayRjWOdQ1t8fzh-FuH8VEBObRum3o6c8ozdGOgQj40tr2yBf1gsZGm19O1x_l7Jz9Dk/w98-h200/_DSC0023-001.JPG" width="98" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX59wy0xncPEH9fMRhuInqqjklJLmvZIjVDEp4PXAbaN84p_r2vyh5Ej2Snf-nOHJEuko97H4dcyiy6_6nFH7aptT8OGBeh5ZKSfX4OMAmfSS485mNy2I88lyuOtfrSFved8Ln0s1XMzQhDEF-6rRA4Z4HbV8Pk6tow4lOYk7Oe5QpLFjMwA9A478/s2731/_DSC0029-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="1769" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX59wy0xncPEH9fMRhuInqqjklJLmvZIjVDEp4PXAbaN84p_r2vyh5Ej2Snf-nOHJEuko97H4dcyiy6_6nFH7aptT8OGBeh5ZKSfX4OMAmfSS485mNy2I88lyuOtfrSFved8Ln0s1XMzQhDEF-6rRA4Z4HbV8Pk6tow4lOYk7Oe5QpLFjMwA9A478/w129-h200/_DSC0029-001.JPG" width="129" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-hn4xI1h6KYuKzlc-NxlMnP6gO3sgCRLF3nblljJ_49dS9WacOwanOW7TTXNUnlTuPfAMrhJdo-GINywDFYGvPfZD_VX6ULe8psU3VYg5Pwt97iyRAQJFATxFE74GSKBC4TJAl8CwpSQZMgnptVh4Zg_ZJNY9lAZtEIuAWsBY8tNyk4XcRLRMoI/s1548/_DSC0147-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1548" data-original-width="1263" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-hn4xI1h6KYuKzlc-NxlMnP6gO3sgCRLF3nblljJ_49dS9WacOwanOW7TTXNUnlTuPfAMrhJdo-GINywDFYGvPfZD_VX6ULe8psU3VYg5Pwt97iyRAQJFATxFE74GSKBC4TJAl8CwpSQZMgnptVh4Zg_ZJNY9lAZtEIuAWsBY8tNyk4XcRLRMoI/w163-h200/_DSC0147-001.JPG" width="163" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74jCQ7Mfyeuvra0OXk3koZGbpEX9Ms8U8cnCIiBxztOWnAxt1KJQQX38hSCvsAmCWCPc_moJboKyMtInkCEsRfrPoXYh_FRM5QU6yTnU5kAutwuWI_cwo3h4ETa8ymJRzBP8szxiaRFS9djTQWXAtOFAD4wxmM0uSv-vDbskaQeyLuE7dh0y8IMg/s1943/_DSC0160-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1943" data-original-width="1727" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74jCQ7Mfyeuvra0OXk3koZGbpEX9Ms8U8cnCIiBxztOWnAxt1KJQQX38hSCvsAmCWCPc_moJboKyMtInkCEsRfrPoXYh_FRM5QU6yTnU5kAutwuWI_cwo3h4ETa8ymJRzBP8szxiaRFS9djTQWXAtOFAD4wxmM0uSv-vDbskaQeyLuE7dh0y8IMg/w178-h200/_DSC0160-001.JPG" width="178" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WYvL-QqtqcBHsT4tAPiBeiAWe_BqXt_pnpq8TzpT-Yt-56AHZ8maM8MTPXrgglRVUJTJ7UfzlkxFZOAlaIevsrECJkr0p0ctDWoMva-fQwAjgDfWX4fXBdcR5IOnhRhzgn4_3mDEK5f6tjFgnDsUVzeaqIq6VWnMMw_3KpuKr7nlhMXUDelvunc/s2236/_DSC0210-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1611" data-original-width="2236" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WYvL-QqtqcBHsT4tAPiBeiAWe_BqXt_pnpq8TzpT-Yt-56AHZ8maM8MTPXrgglRVUJTJ7UfzlkxFZOAlaIevsrECJkr0p0ctDWoMva-fQwAjgDfWX4fXBdcR5IOnhRhzgn4_3mDEK5f6tjFgnDsUVzeaqIq6VWnMMw_3KpuKr7nlhMXUDelvunc/w200-h144/_DSC0210-001.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4L7KGNEboPrF0FeO8iT3DZ80ylwhG-JQ5Zokfa8Yz7rhhLVDimIL6ouGrsLVk5ZWX0hdlT-gj9dxC4_iQtKFaU2ypyA3Aw0qCW-7yRVQJNprj7wJ0lDI3G3PfUoeaLxK3W_6Xv-XZ01toM-a0i4UtUv3VjpwNDBwP689SPN0pWBIXQwaW2b2Jj8/s2010/_DSC0163-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="1935" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4L7KGNEboPrF0FeO8iT3DZ80ylwhG-JQ5Zokfa8Yz7rhhLVDimIL6ouGrsLVk5ZWX0hdlT-gj9dxC4_iQtKFaU2ypyA3Aw0qCW-7yRVQJNprj7wJ0lDI3G3PfUoeaLxK3W_6Xv-XZ01toM-a0i4UtUv3VjpwNDBwP689SPN0pWBIXQwaW2b2Jj8/w193-h200/_DSC0163-001.JPG" width="193" /></a> <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxdTWglRi8gDO9LBlVcMMThvrD9uy0p1AEBcNyukWuJNIBZBigA4wW8x-o2mzhU32Ur62ogfQiIHNxP8HgGP2C8ca5iZGBDIq9Opi2pmQJx_WMsO0EfGJiwaaDOt6cL1ZjNSJ-XXMQreUp6p6YQqO1ixNJjsrXZNSM5zkpY-sjKt9zM07g-j9uc4/s2300/_DSC0832-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2300" data-original-width="1629" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxdTWglRi8gDO9LBlVcMMThvrD9uy0p1AEBcNyukWuJNIBZBigA4wW8x-o2mzhU32Ur62ogfQiIHNxP8HgGP2C8ca5iZGBDIq9Opi2pmQJx_WMsO0EfGJiwaaDOt6cL1ZjNSJ-XXMQreUp6p6YQqO1ixNJjsrXZNSM5zkpY-sjKt9zM07g-j9uc4/w142-h200/_DSC0832-002.JPG" width="142" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9sinUxELeLEbYh7HAFkJntxLbp6rKXV27mHzDmRgYZwmOSubjuyx-_aVZliFYcFCYhuIhEiVHPQ0chl1kN630UovVRTdpKi88zfKFnOSK74ZLMC0W7WGWKdesz_siCp_HOuIB1O3YqjAEwgldRfh4r8EFoM_tAr3F29KDpKzMKZDA1HTUpUJMHY/s2577/_DSC0902-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="2577" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9sinUxELeLEbYh7HAFkJntxLbp6rKXV27mHzDmRgYZwmOSubjuyx-_aVZliFYcFCYhuIhEiVHPQ0chl1kN630UovVRTdpKi88zfKFnOSK74ZLMC0W7WGWKdesz_siCp_HOuIB1O3YqjAEwgldRfh4r8EFoM_tAr3F29KDpKzMKZDA1HTUpUJMHY/w200-h152/_DSC0902-003.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>- Summer (June, July, and August) </b>- I love this time of the year because the flowers are in full bloom. There's so much color, fragrance, and beauty wherever I look. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHIz5N52FQvfjOmZ5m9IhPE010eEL6ydzQ7cNo37KLPp2umeVKIU_t2mLHDvFt6pxC8pdGWyY_MGLqirwycujwfu-d5r2xN04FFpIJsuOisAh37amZI9yySQfzYCowmkXmcIn4AMGg_TImFsBoI808AezOudZ_Mvlk-OK7YNnr3Aac3GAZ6lcktg/s1638/_DSC0770-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="1433" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHIz5N52FQvfjOmZ5m9IhPE010eEL6ydzQ7cNo37KLPp2umeVKIU_t2mLHDvFt6pxC8pdGWyY_MGLqirwycujwfu-d5r2xN04FFpIJsuOisAh37amZI9yySQfzYCowmkXmcIn4AMGg_TImFsBoI808AezOudZ_Mvlk-OK7YNnr3Aac3GAZ6lcktg/w175-h200/_DSC0770-002.JPG" width="175" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg829Nnm5b9AANgyym1h_74zNfljvZOMJ3wI4E2JdR_L-RpZ-eD8NRc5snmP9rBAwR1NQIWX5jDVDeUiELSUOiJ2kv8gjbHG70o1jQAfIQLDNGrwK8Lx7SxHIXn2bkE4EEtb8u57UkZETOffm2viB4FngJ9YTqQgV3w9MylROoAKinZQhU-V5F9s0U/s2065/_DSC0795-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1654" data-original-width="2065" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg829Nnm5b9AANgyym1h_74zNfljvZOMJ3wI4E2JdR_L-RpZ-eD8NRc5snmP9rBAwR1NQIWX5jDVDeUiELSUOiJ2kv8gjbHG70o1jQAfIQLDNGrwK8Lx7SxHIXn2bkE4EEtb8u57UkZETOffm2viB4FngJ9YTqQgV3w9MylROoAKinZQhU-V5F9s0U/w200-h160/_DSC0795-002.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUKPJk2o7g23g4-3ywl30u5LWzGJW3wvYr0v6KHN0i1ZVDsw_56tbbOk8jRHD1Q0TwPbdrcNOiilaq665soQ2xizSwbJ_4RRl3948Yme7HvmljwgSKtaO8atHBgshDu7LMSAHVSWtp7LktFcnWpezM_XbXoHZrP3PdiDMJ8Bx4LKIteagcUbclic/s1924/_DSC0796-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1924" data-original-width="1564" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUKPJk2o7g23g4-3ywl30u5LWzGJW3wvYr0v6KHN0i1ZVDsw_56tbbOk8jRHD1Q0TwPbdrcNOiilaq665soQ2xizSwbJ_4RRl3948Yme7HvmljwgSKtaO8atHBgshDu7LMSAHVSWtp7LktFcnWpezM_XbXoHZrP3PdiDMJ8Bx4LKIteagcUbclic/w163-h200/_DSC0796-002.JPG" width="163" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNsuIhXsx609T9WMiGWmh_Mmm8y63PS57EV9LrGWcSZr_EU9Uo5pk2_xgFk1-NSZxA90PWRDBBjp10QyqHv-ZIrnUxRYQ30M7sfnpTK6wISiMWTCcr1dMSuDIMZ59SKrvJBOMye1lZ136BCei-2N3ImxVY1nUsuGj7OSI6v82RuHigf5St2nBtB8/s2691/_DSC0396-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1525" data-original-width="2691" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNsuIhXsx609T9WMiGWmh_Mmm8y63PS57EV9LrGWcSZr_EU9Uo5pk2_xgFk1-NSZxA90PWRDBBjp10QyqHv-ZIrnUxRYQ30M7sfnpTK6wISiMWTCcr1dMSuDIMZ59SKrvJBOMye1lZ136BCei-2N3ImxVY1nUsuGj7OSI6v82RuHigf5St2nBtB8/w200-h113/_DSC0396-004.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I began going out each week and collecting flowers that were blooming. It was fun creating arrangements with the different flowers, and was so grateful that I have a variety of flowers from which to choose. The green vase and the turtle flower holder are both items I inherited when my parents died.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8FG1_9abrvF2wm9Js1kwhgpdbDePNEePuWW6E1PMSkr2cELwpe-m-kMXv4mI1A6lyPETS50U63asgfuPdN3SZHljbnjtaAU4D57Vcg_ywVjYRWVhwKPT3JxzK7uYqHM6zKUfaPDhUD2AHVSPuw5FtoxstnYDaP6je6NDnUmZNpxdlFbzPt2308M/s2255/_DSC0321-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2255" data-original-width="1705" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8FG1_9abrvF2wm9Js1kwhgpdbDePNEePuWW6E1PMSkr2cELwpe-m-kMXv4mI1A6lyPETS50U63asgfuPdN3SZHljbnjtaAU4D57Vcg_ywVjYRWVhwKPT3JxzK7uYqHM6zKUfaPDhUD2AHVSPuw5FtoxstnYDaP6je6NDnUmZNpxdlFbzPt2308M/w151-h200/_DSC0321-004.JPG" width="151" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOgd6V97fbW5vr3IphiOf0C9JfnZouWp-v-BAQgJ5dQuG3spFA2M22X9WvZM_49ef5eT9nQdJyUmtqmz9NFACrGrpWb7_Np3U7_CVnURIX1lJRUdeu1eDG0b-mrcpyUiEzzx9iRgnG1moiPZoUV_P6iMnC8iIDdGkhTq6BOFrCjqKgQrSPQiGleY/s2341/_DSC0322-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2341" data-original-width="1760" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOgd6V97fbW5vr3IphiOf0C9JfnZouWp-v-BAQgJ5dQuG3spFA2M22X9WvZM_49ef5eT9nQdJyUmtqmz9NFACrGrpWb7_Np3U7_CVnURIX1lJRUdeu1eDG0b-mrcpyUiEzzx9iRgnG1moiPZoUV_P6iMnC8iIDdGkhTq6BOFrCjqKgQrSPQiGleY/w151-h200/_DSC0322-004.JPG" width="151" /></a></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1GodXYcZdOsBkOlCXmcVJtj9G6xNZ_pgqUvaIT3r0byjJeWxhMtmp3I9nS_Pfpt3qRyYXdd5Z1I9aa--fJbr29Rm7mkYs6kgQzzv1TZx4MkR0RC3yyr49fZ-ViTw0cD-kzWtQI49JNRYPdq0fjpBrgh4Z8s5mMirVg0ntP_uSGoaJsB7eZIbop8/s2178/_DSC0323-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1745" data-original-width="2178" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1GodXYcZdOsBkOlCXmcVJtj9G6xNZ_pgqUvaIT3r0byjJeWxhMtmp3I9nS_Pfpt3qRyYXdd5Z1I9aa--fJbr29Rm7mkYs6kgQzzv1TZx4MkR0RC3yyr49fZ-ViTw0cD-kzWtQI49JNRYPdq0fjpBrgh4Z8s5mMirVg0ntP_uSGoaJsB7eZIbop8/w200-h160/_DSC0323-004.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzKSa9cFZEiy1YHgWrRZroAa4uW_NxM1Wky2dWIt_XN-LKzZ_blVnBK-amgAsk74tSfqOm1AcQrs5goNI-plZXPUOrxcKOtng8pOA5kXu_9hZonj4qZywSzSc5yH-EFxFEfAPDxoJL0imY8uW15GVrYeSqm5DI-xEOc6KlbYrIUOm2JNOSX3-7NU/s2010/_DSC0684-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="1459" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzKSa9cFZEiy1YHgWrRZroAa4uW_NxM1Wky2dWIt_XN-LKzZ_blVnBK-amgAsk74tSfqOm1AcQrs5goNI-plZXPUOrxcKOtng8pOA5kXu_9hZonj4qZywSzSc5yH-EFxFEfAPDxoJL0imY8uW15GVrYeSqm5DI-xEOc6KlbYrIUOm2JNOSX3-7NU/w145-h200/_DSC0684-003.JPG" width="145" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYnLc_IzCiZcJNeueSAaXXSIuzS5bRdWFED3zufe1IVjhULNub1LPp1ERW114DsyOIPgHhVEzEqxVStjc1oG_nFg7987mVch57NeExwgVyxzMZioZqamLrDY6OfukhlWyu4ea1p5BIWPoBbET1uiZN3kHjKG-8O_HWNbrgZNDaSusKw7RlLxSfpU/s2243/_DSC0682-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1736" data-original-width="2243" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYnLc_IzCiZcJNeueSAaXXSIuzS5bRdWFED3zufe1IVjhULNub1LPp1ERW114DsyOIPgHhVEzEqxVStjc1oG_nFg7987mVch57NeExwgVyxzMZioZqamLrDY6OfukhlWyu4ea1p5BIWPoBbET1uiZN3kHjKG-8O_HWNbrgZNDaSusKw7RlLxSfpU/w200-h155/_DSC0682-004.JPG" width="200" /></a></div></div></div><div><br />- <b>Fall (September, October, and November)</b><i> </i>- only for its natural beauty. There is just too much loss and grief to deal with each month.</div><div><br />- <b>Winter...again (December) </b><i>- </i>this month has been particularly challenging in terms of snowfall. We have never had this much snow so early in the season. Even though I'm not a huge fan of the snow, I do like how it looks...and that it makes for some interesting pictures. Below, by the way, is the snow on the picnic table. The second row of photos is our front yard (with the big pine trees) and then the trees lining our west pasture.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_bm6xhYtTH2YabPwy-SXag58Z7WURqTV8ojG5oJpmTLLh4qFMIef0cjF49fENmV5WZXISLcWJyGsDndlh4ahlPUGEOVqKyPLv2UEEawaV7hHakGVvGF2-x20puKGN1UhlyTHVxxsrcFfjhSPl1e1ePuYrfhIAhZcm_k-ty2vO_cA49EMn0DWm9U/s2573/_DSC0350-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1602" data-original-width="2573" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_bm6xhYtTH2YabPwy-SXag58Z7WURqTV8ojG5oJpmTLLh4qFMIef0cjF49fENmV5WZXISLcWJyGsDndlh4ahlPUGEOVqKyPLv2UEEawaV7hHakGVvGF2-x20puKGN1UhlyTHVxxsrcFfjhSPl1e1ePuYrfhIAhZcm_k-ty2vO_cA49EMn0DWm9U/w200-h124/_DSC0350-007.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MqQdEUh15ej-lGTIa88IzCM-BvSDcI-u8ujNx_fKOgqE3lGI-uABhbQwvLZn7uIxH8IdlZCt8mJSLxuGN5MqUFrF8nBrNji3zgcEZvuKoLuj_xUkN0aSVzNcrIWkZB6VBvdRGbDgbk4I54ylW4ZyUXlPtZYOnwQT100q6lniBN5xc2IRgKcvGrM/s2992/_DSC0292-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MqQdEUh15ej-lGTIa88IzCM-BvSDcI-u8ujNx_fKOgqE3lGI-uABhbQwvLZn7uIxH8IdlZCt8mJSLxuGN5MqUFrF8nBrNji3zgcEZvuKoLuj_xUkN0aSVzNcrIWkZB6VBvdRGbDgbk4I54ylW4ZyUXlPtZYOnwQT100q6lniBN5xc2IRgKcvGrM/w200-h134/_DSC0292-007.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm-PN6Sj-Gk6QzumGLV8Y-rh-mCBqLa91Z4ylSNNHqEEVAwYh1xQlWleV1GHepVo82TuGqxtSubtOLulpQJwGUsmKVLJoxyjv9YAOmcyXNkCiwwWYxdsP8qfSsM4K4aWbu99Lim9ZV7ErucGpIWHXYYt1VrpMtuMNfdVM0uRutEcQroXaAFca9bM/s2992/_DSC0308-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1910" data-original-width="2992" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm-PN6Sj-Gk6QzumGLV8Y-rh-mCBqLa91Z4ylSNNHqEEVAwYh1xQlWleV1GHepVo82TuGqxtSubtOLulpQJwGUsmKVLJoxyjv9YAOmcyXNkCiwwWYxdsP8qfSsM4K4aWbu99Lim9ZV7ErucGpIWHXYYt1VrpMtuMNfdVM0uRutEcQroXaAFca9bM/w200-h127/_DSC0308-007.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32KfP3uPV1T37ZzgR2MZLqbNqJ9yqqFp2h0_br6w-YFp7vt0PiIdLXMChn2unnNoxwtPoNmuQHb3-AP2oUM8P5wZGhMKlTWYpS8YZ6yw-Dxp962SfKmbNBrzjN-JLAABhNvYB3XUyBDqh9-I06RZa7TZSyNxn4hM_D-5nPxSLZTpS8mXGC4UzMhQ/s2992/_DSC0309-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32KfP3uPV1T37ZzgR2MZLqbNqJ9yqqFp2h0_br6w-YFp7vt0PiIdLXMChn2unnNoxwtPoNmuQHb3-AP2oUM8P5wZGhMKlTWYpS8YZ6yw-Dxp962SfKmbNBrzjN-JLAABhNvYB3XUyBDqh9-I06RZa7TZSyNxn4hM_D-5nPxSLZTpS8mXGC4UzMhQ/w200-h134/_DSC0309-007.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p></p><p><b>QUIET-TIME </b></p><p>- A lot of my quiet time is spent watching and enjoying the birds at our farm (songbirds, gamebirds, waterfowl, and raptors). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxygjAQUI8s5ALIHjQxDmfmOOxLf6O7siUDGGLaJgKzlzPhV6BHB-RXOYF68XqPQGz2Vh4rhNiRZdTXG-jFNcyoCvCwTadRITDYbkX4uL6CjJIh-ELRTuLumlQIAgLyaujlXhb4ugB76KAX2NuQSB2chgRr2hFkkJqE4da1FpD7cD78-ANV12vLU/s799/_DSC0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="799" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxygjAQUI8s5ALIHjQxDmfmOOxLf6O7siUDGGLaJgKzlzPhV6BHB-RXOYF68XqPQGz2Vh4rhNiRZdTXG-jFNcyoCvCwTadRITDYbkX4uL6CjJIh-ELRTuLumlQIAgLyaujlXhb4ugB76KAX2NuQSB2chgRr2hFkkJqE4da1FpD7cD78-ANV12vLU/w200-h173/_DSC0063.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6LTbZGliIcsVGhzyJrIiNzC_ait4P-eTPf-Yk7X1jt9b_khlMNpugz0uD0_VfFeKxDa-dicHm7w0TwhsUGuVQzd-1c_jRdM1elQg9JI89tFhbdo5zpcRBLy6qbt0eoEyXgT2w8oFNGxMARB3Iu89SMHyGp-qJhh5aQFl7EqQD_clb4UNDlEe3Xk/s1572/_DSC0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1474" data-original-width="1572" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6LTbZGliIcsVGhzyJrIiNzC_ait4P-eTPf-Yk7X1jt9b_khlMNpugz0uD0_VfFeKxDa-dicHm7w0TwhsUGuVQzd-1c_jRdM1elQg9JI89tFhbdo5zpcRBLy6qbt0eoEyXgT2w8oFNGxMARB3Iu89SMHyGp-qJhh5aQFl7EqQD_clb4UNDlEe3Xk/w200-h188/_DSC0068.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="632" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEpK0ZSqxtlzVzrxACm2tsdUyiNmhlk83Sz-8LTMxIMP5s7oDLFbSvxPmMQXejwHgMlYx0_-L7JER8GkQ1e3YCzJsDNVgf7pBYqJ0g6vgyHaTUxiQEwcdeCA5YiDwlCLcrdgNFxwBEjS8iAOyrnAQvDbuwhZoK_JMIMPYjTVMcwwX_akpIOgqjXM/w164-h200/_DSC0876-005.JPG" width="164" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HIifEprkr_fsJKqm3Epnenx6vROxEwduOYwGvmKKAUw35jkfl2XvnsAVNNMO3_T3ZanC2xXeP3G0xX2sIsZJbixmlZAL3odUCmfraZdK92U-n9zVRrP8DVN_Edv5QWZfyPwCjIe8NL88wDhG2JNaD3NBCGIZNAqBY5QhDz3AQdnuxL45rXt88Ps/s2168/_DSC0908-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1866" data-original-width="2168" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HIifEprkr_fsJKqm3Epnenx6vROxEwduOYwGvmKKAUw35jkfl2XvnsAVNNMO3_T3ZanC2xXeP3G0xX2sIsZJbixmlZAL3odUCmfraZdK92U-n9zVRrP8DVN_Edv5QWZfyPwCjIe8NL88wDhG2JNaD3NBCGIZNAqBY5QhDz3AQdnuxL45rXt88Ps/w200-h172/_DSC0908-005.JPG" width="200" /></a></div></div><p>- I enjoyed going on hikes and walks throughout the year. I am grateful for our ten acres of land and being able to care for it and preserve it. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVNq7Vf_hkzupUULOxTaOd84XLDoZj1cds_Nz2utUcVR_f-yrFB5cTqazkLI6oXMt0_YE8LP-lOSRTddjit4fc1MDuW4FdGnptzCkqi_foLv271Szt9HYGgABtHH5eoOSiAbO9agOe5zHQP1kspyIt2Uxlioed6fctjqBczUhBjqdxzKoX9WRgjM/s2985/_DSC0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1755" data-original-width="2985" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVNq7Vf_hkzupUULOxTaOd84XLDoZj1cds_Nz2utUcVR_f-yrFB5cTqazkLI6oXMt0_YE8LP-lOSRTddjit4fc1MDuW4FdGnptzCkqi_foLv271Szt9HYGgABtHH5eoOSiAbO9agOe5zHQP1kspyIt2Uxlioed6fctjqBczUhBjqdxzKoX9WRgjM/s320/_DSC0156.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Paige, Olivia, and I also went to a waterfall that we hadn't been to before that's located in Osceola. I am doubly grateful as I look at this photo: (1) the waterfall was beautiful and no one was there besides us which made it very quiet and peaceful, and (2) as I descended the hill, my camera lens fell out of my pocket. Thankfully, as it rolled down the hill and toward the water, it was stopped by a rock. What a relief!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9trES5ZiYAHzZLE_tEXOdCsN9-49J9JJGXYxaSqPxD32CKDuAOX5BUXP6jcv9Ume6Kx4AbmqYRmM17U13gt5YMWEQ_MqbF6lj-YGILeYNqkmd0v-hHiA02kb0fy_xWRzMXxd7knGTaaxke5Ybun7FIIecdnEZ1tAfayWrS8yEBkPWJQgMOfaHBs/s2142/_DSC0710-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1930" data-original-width="2142" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9trES5ZiYAHzZLE_tEXOdCsN9-49J9JJGXYxaSqPxD32CKDuAOX5BUXP6jcv9Ume6Kx4AbmqYRmM17U13gt5YMWEQ_MqbF6lj-YGILeYNqkmd0v-hHiA02kb0fy_xWRzMXxd7knGTaaxke5Ybun7FIIecdnEZ1tAfayWrS8yEBkPWJQgMOfaHBs/w200-h180/_DSC0710-004.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- Sometimes during my quiet time I make window stars. This pattern was on Pinterest and I wanted to try it. After folding the papers over 500 times and gluing the points together, I had this star. I am thankful I can figure out incomplete directions and create these window stars. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpjh0I6_A5xOcurAW1V-_ven3Pi6QpCwS6-SuHMRVDh0gEnLcoSxJQLs9JXza1nlYPyYCWjcI1W2z2-SkFGtfkpHta4OrHx9-CL87opm_48dt0LgN_NzCyMFenL1oQt_rv4SlpizxNviFrz_FlXwOd4IXZXDPkRbkviLJOvn-vtijafmlHqJZOwc/s1424/_DSC0310-004%20-%20Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="1363" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpjh0I6_A5xOcurAW1V-_ven3Pi6QpCwS6-SuHMRVDh0gEnLcoSxJQLs9JXza1nlYPyYCWjcI1W2z2-SkFGtfkpHta4OrHx9-CL87opm_48dt0LgN_NzCyMFenL1oQt_rv4SlpizxNviFrz_FlXwOd4IXZXDPkRbkviLJOvn-vtijafmlHqJZOwc/w191-h200/_DSC0310-004%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="191" /></a></div><p><b>LESSONS LEARNED</b></p><p>- <b>Sometimes we need to make sacrifices for the greater good.</b> Sophia left for a study-abroad program in early-January. She needed to test multiple times for COVID prior to departing as well as when she arrived in Thailand. To ensure she could travel (she had to be COVID-free), we chose to quarantine from about December 23rd, 2021, until January 5, 2022. </p><p>We missed multiple holidays with our extended family and/or spending it in public, but it was worth it when Sophia was able to travel. Below, I was grateful I had shopped for Chinese food prior to January 1st when we have a family tradition of having a Chinese meal together. <br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5pEbbQxp076TFJ8KCKnXjByXWsUXvvLsCNxH1LkrhUb6ZOFXfWg81YdW6wdKceXJEgJ4gV4Blfyz68lM-qgsTSOCGVIpRQX9-7Vymlkc6n3frOKMkyBxP51PsWsU46VA5WivezLvrmQeWY4_H43ZRy3OVwh7DO6yyE8WsutXTxWyWRZVlsnFO6k/s2444/_DSC0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1749" data-original-width="2444" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5pEbbQxp076TFJ8KCKnXjByXWsUXvvLsCNxH1LkrhUb6ZOFXfWg81YdW6wdKceXJEgJ4gV4Blfyz68lM-qgsTSOCGVIpRQX9-7Vymlkc6n3frOKMkyBxP51PsWsU46VA5WivezLvrmQeWY4_H43ZRy3OVwh7DO6yyE8WsutXTxWyWRZVlsnFO6k/w200-h143/_DSC0002.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />- <b>Think creatively when there are limits.</b> When 2022 began, COVID was still a challenge and we were not able to meet as a Lions Club, for example. We adapted by offering "Dinners to Go" and meeting by Zoom - which gave us all a sense of community and connectedness, despite not being able to meet in person.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIKGYTk7bhmhUtDmJKOqNi6lxoCttjqicz4yhII1Toi7Uq5ahKygH5_JnmEh76B-slZvYh9Rg3KPiubGDxomPqIutTpRSPHKOZgcmR6DShSIStqAZyZFugAwKk13m7SPkE77LeJp3g-TbfqZ0IPLR5llX__Z2GMAlHDZ0Ulz8-tVgmzqCX5lETiY/s1811/_DSC0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1811" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIKGYTk7bhmhUtDmJKOqNi6lxoCttjqicz4yhII1Toi7Uq5ahKygH5_JnmEh76B-slZvYh9Rg3KPiubGDxomPqIutTpRSPHKOZgcmR6DShSIStqAZyZFugAwKk13m7SPkE77LeJp3g-TbfqZ0IPLR5llX__Z2GMAlHDZ0Ulz8-tVgmzqCX5lETiY/w200-h149/_DSC0204.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Cn4ixSvf6jlOE2X_YeRS5eHgJiE6Tzt8JhkLxsjxL3jQ_0hUIZ7dYIjOVR31LJN6tl4W5UWklQYGGGnEl3p49025m32-dSNzBihnV5R25sSXtfCJua5uxQiX4Kssm_2YCC1I8-rlgqRj14Nws389kO8QlkX5jpSQoPwvUWc9CUjXRp2byjb2B-8/s2855/_DSC0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1889" data-original-width="2855" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Cn4ixSvf6jlOE2X_YeRS5eHgJiE6Tzt8JhkLxsjxL3jQ_0hUIZ7dYIjOVR31LJN6tl4W5UWklQYGGGnEl3p49025m32-dSNzBihnV5R25sSXtfCJua5uxQiX4Kssm_2YCC1I8-rlgqRj14Nws389kO8QlkX5jpSQoPwvUWc9CUjXRp2byjb2B-8/w200-h133/_DSC0400.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><p>- <b>Be open to trying new things when there are major changes in your life. </b>Early in the year (from January through early-May), Sophia was in Thailand. Paige, Olivia, and I searched for new things to do - just as Sophia was doing new things in Thailand. One thing we did was go to a snow sculpture event in Stillwater. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBlHhnaqMwG6jERU1ZAHnmQeNR2zHcPNhCjTU2aRJ9GKUPLm63xFk7g4bmet-ChntrJvYoRItvkouDt0xBmVD-iEClgqvvkS0IX9H6ReQWzdtBZ8hFLkUEIzQlbqddx5XjtZqdUIZiP8yu0Xdq0WQDgp3aVho5xCoQbfnw6krPncmjIPFxdLP0bU/s742/Fullscreen%20capture%202262022%2051614%20PM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="698" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBlHhnaqMwG6jERU1ZAHnmQeNR2zHcPNhCjTU2aRJ9GKUPLm63xFk7g4bmet-ChntrJvYoRItvkouDt0xBmVD-iEClgqvvkS0IX9H6ReQWzdtBZ8hFLkUEIzQlbqddx5XjtZqdUIZiP8yu0Xdq0WQDgp3aVho5xCoQbfnw6krPncmjIPFxdLP0bU/w188-h200/Fullscreen%20capture%202262022%2051614%20PM.bmp.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8FvaltR_VvLyB_Kyta4wJdKOGsDk_S8uz6GODyL-WViKqFHrBeGLjkUc1IwptFGZ5IJLjRA3VvK5T4gRpYn1bDxf93kZcn0O4SANsMojOwnWIIX3lHvqdVtzG1kDA7CCQNKktTh6jRlAGdgTV7n0ZEKx3BW2aw2JbyExRTD_RxFWyUo0N31LAoc/s2215/_DSC0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2215" data-original-width="1740" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8FvaltR_VvLyB_Kyta4wJdKOGsDk_S8uz6GODyL-WViKqFHrBeGLjkUc1IwptFGZ5IJLjRA3VvK5T4gRpYn1bDxf93kZcn0O4SANsMojOwnWIIX3lHvqdVtzG1kDA7CCQNKktTh6jRlAGdgTV7n0ZEKx3BW2aw2JbyExRTD_RxFWyUo0N31LAoc/w157-h200/_DSC0219.JPG" width="157" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYPD5bCwsR80PhGDAzSpHPazemow0xAmSZkdSPKf-ZQ0C6JPJX1xsqSxn1pZM_OWCQqjv6eyEXPz09fP2urmG7RysEfTTELHyLznnlypKJKboQyN30j_VBXyI3pf3rhAYVqkz37mfO1bfDSYTszTa24xPCzcy3YUcULbw5a-wDC72cLPfgFfyXoU/s1886/_DSC0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1886" data-original-width="1653" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYPD5bCwsR80PhGDAzSpHPazemow0xAmSZkdSPKf-ZQ0C6JPJX1xsqSxn1pZM_OWCQqjv6eyEXPz09fP2urmG7RysEfTTELHyLznnlypKJKboQyN30j_VBXyI3pf3rhAYVqkz37mfO1bfDSYTszTa24xPCzcy3YUcULbw5a-wDC72cLPfgFfyXoU/w175-h200/_DSC0229.JPG" width="175" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSUxYQPgym8lnJe606Zs5s1rU1rk121rqxhOQM0gQVy6wVloaR56fJ22rmVW7EVwYpzZ2cudbLBUC1Lvlj66T9zOUgnHXzgdsfdLhmy3lvURjTIBOssA68LVz7f7ydFKLBVEuMtmnmnAQaXzPhL9dHJJKcBacrhp2NM3VYli4LhuN3TQznKtWMz0/s931/_DSC0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="767" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSUxYQPgym8lnJe606Zs5s1rU1rk121rqxhOQM0gQVy6wVloaR56fJ22rmVW7EVwYpzZ2cudbLBUC1Lvlj66T9zOUgnHXzgdsfdLhmy3lvURjTIBOssA68LVz7f7ydFKLBVEuMtmnmnAQaXzPhL9dHJJKcBacrhp2NM3VYli4LhuN3TQznKtWMz0/w165-h200/_DSC0994.JPG" width="165" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One new thing I did this year was attending the Lucia Dagen service at Gammelgarden Museum. I've never done that before because I've always done the St. Lucia service at CLC. The Lucia Dagen service is held in the oldest standing Lutheran church in Minnesota, and is spoken and sung all in sweden. It was definitely a new experience. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJNv0sDHn0RG0t_uWpxee5noWbD8zrrGqJLypQ1IyPpwSi2M7ULVxTWNQopZqMabf_rNZ_le9-fbtzjkhYtSmDqmva03RocxGuzCo0tZvS-7hdPx69rhZX7C3IjnS7ByIruNKZ2Il2Au4js8qLOBotWWyiAPrriTHtYxZ4_gMEHr2xLCm4C4CL5A/s2491/_DSC0113-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2491" data-original-width="1845" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJNv0sDHn0RG0t_uWpxee5noWbD8zrrGqJLypQ1IyPpwSi2M7ULVxTWNQopZqMabf_rNZ_le9-fbtzjkhYtSmDqmva03RocxGuzCo0tZvS-7hdPx69rhZX7C3IjnS7ByIruNKZ2Il2Au4js8qLOBotWWyiAPrriTHtYxZ4_gMEHr2xLCm4C4CL5A/w148-h200/_DSC0113-007.JPG" width="148" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroNfIX039KlX3a3MTr6XWZjQQcEq9gvv-9K3dfIqBzTJivGAn8BoqzEr10jZyEHQePxQInfOODGob1KET8BoWlytVLkqk8ILDQcbvjZBD9_NwV9k9SiN6QXh3o-tbkDh9JPTNxij-0UAnDoZRQ8lqBQwtXSxpmiTkohDUVKKe9Koxf4Jieb76fHU/s2918/_DSC0133-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2918" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroNfIX039KlX3a3MTr6XWZjQQcEq9gvv-9K3dfIqBzTJivGAn8BoqzEr10jZyEHQePxQInfOODGob1KET8BoWlytVLkqk8ILDQcbvjZBD9_NwV9k9SiN6QXh3o-tbkDh9JPTNxij-0UAnDoZRQ8lqBQwtXSxpmiTkohDUVKKe9Koxf4Jieb76fHU/w200-h137/_DSC0133-007.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqa6Iz6vMZiC6FD-6ZJEo2CLQJ-FOmS70CPRG3Pqxp2o2UFxvJUXTRTHw9OVHh1vdy8D_FftLRRagwLsDfVe5RvQjSMyWDu9kgv_BO9giln6tpOYJ6rPwXN-qAr1yyBYnhXCW4tneLYnvNgD_btnUKqd-UZCQaZZP8fP4WOnLG6qLBx2Ok_zDMcQ/s2476/_DSC0185-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2476" data-original-width="1795" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqa6Iz6vMZiC6FD-6ZJEo2CLQJ-FOmS70CPRG3Pqxp2o2UFxvJUXTRTHw9OVHh1vdy8D_FftLRRagwLsDfVe5RvQjSMyWDu9kgv_BO9giln6tpOYJ6rPwXN-qAr1yyBYnhXCW4tneLYnvNgD_btnUKqd-UZCQaZZP8fP4WOnLG6qLBx2Ok_zDMcQ/w145-h200/_DSC0185-007.JPG" width="145" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>- <b>Continue to think beyond yourself and search for ways to make a difference. </b>I enjoyed, in particular, doing shoe kits for Sole Hope. I am grateful for shoes, clothes, and healthcare - things that are difficult for some people to have in developing countries. I also was happy with the major community event I helped coordinate. People said it was best event yet and many aspects I coordinated were highlights for them. That made me feel good.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3P71U8FcQOQliXjx74aZc6oddGv1_p9kvSCrjIxaL5kNm-_Yh0cD-EbKqTyPOL9d-5DErEfGh60a_uPeZqoJXNiZewq33TAkxqoNQP6LBKVo973T1_KHcx_8I9aGQOSotP8laH0PTyephrVi0YgeiGrc-qXWmGPsbyN2qTWLprrynvS3pCMVfACg/s2791/_DSC0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="2791" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3P71U8FcQOQliXjx74aZc6oddGv1_p9kvSCrjIxaL5kNm-_Yh0cD-EbKqTyPOL9d-5DErEfGh60a_uPeZqoJXNiZewq33TAkxqoNQP6LBKVo973T1_KHcx_8I9aGQOSotP8laH0PTyephrVi0YgeiGrc-qXWmGPsbyN2qTWLprrynvS3pCMVfACg/s320/_DSC0140.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2l5zuFO2Ov-G86R3UGfUSbuWDMDjif7ZVaAEAJSv2nP9Nx8d62Qox8ci24iU5i40KnmaBd28tAGqGOlBpMvK4qIzM0i80D4eB4MAHY9yfiFGAM1XxAYAqXk-LLyjRtU2wM6G0bog5a7cJaQ9IR1Fzb8Zzt2kEhrZcMNi8LHpgeHteET_n93kKYMI/s2992/_DSC0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2l5zuFO2Ov-G86R3UGfUSbuWDMDjif7ZVaAEAJSv2nP9Nx8d62Qox8ci24iU5i40KnmaBd28tAGqGOlBpMvK4qIzM0i80D4eB4MAHY9yfiFGAM1XxAYAqXk-LLyjRtU2wM6G0bog5a7cJaQ9IR1Fzb8Zzt2kEhrZcMNi8LHpgeHteET_n93kKYMI/w200-h134/_DSC0532.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWXvPszSRYysngSJt3oc01aQytkFEFSMs75cPTxA28kcMbe_O57XmZf8WFkesg4QC3i-71iea21rhq_pZuuWejXGDM3_G7clfY2IK26JmH5A5PTMRXzesmrAXszrxoxzE7elq9Fpis_OAwXQPgZxNCZ7RdmaWPwURsl6MwbBKT-JXdp00VskClJ4/s2661/_DSC0534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1692" data-original-width="2661" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWXvPszSRYysngSJt3oc01aQytkFEFSMs75cPTxA28kcMbe_O57XmZf8WFkesg4QC3i-71iea21rhq_pZuuWejXGDM3_G7clfY2IK26JmH5A5PTMRXzesmrAXszrxoxzE7elq9Fpis_OAwXQPgZxNCZ7RdmaWPwURsl6MwbBKT-JXdp00VskClJ4/w200-h127/_DSC0534.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDz7YCq91ami7mn0qZB09kgFSurdZwqC85hXAeWYGL5SnMt454N-zx6KZw_nd1mWhHT9IKxnaVWOf6lQeqA2-IgU4RR0MxOjWXjzr6T3k-U1eVpohYTq0NzNC8D1NCu_PmjlveO-Y9IefuC5UCHv6zXZnuwBiZ6QiPVzUQdFzCAx9lQ5WYlfYC2sI/s2992/_DSC0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1685" data-original-width="2992" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDz7YCq91ami7mn0qZB09kgFSurdZwqC85hXAeWYGL5SnMt454N-zx6KZw_nd1mWhHT9IKxnaVWOf6lQeqA2-IgU4RR0MxOjWXjzr6T3k-U1eVpohYTq0NzNC8D1NCu_PmjlveO-Y9IefuC5UCHv6zXZnuwBiZ6QiPVzUQdFzCAx9lQ5WYlfYC2sI/w200-h113/_DSC0615.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcE2Mg04YaU8vut2Tnu1Hc1qV8alF-EIBSYZOqjq4112JTPl9o3nOvXqh2r4oFHBe1H5Wx7OWvqByZkYftay93vESbhij7AyaejQuMOoP8kq3JRUxMjVsZzWoINAsTvptcopq3uu53D5sGvtiur8fbLdcBxsj83FKYCBZ6eK2bTX68UByrdEVIfs/s2731/_DSC0392-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="2731" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcE2Mg04YaU8vut2Tnu1Hc1qV8alF-EIBSYZOqjq4112JTPl9o3nOvXqh2r4oFHBe1H5Wx7OWvqByZkYftay93vESbhij7AyaejQuMOoP8kq3JRUxMjVsZzWoINAsTvptcopq3uu53D5sGvtiur8fbLdcBxsj83FKYCBZ6eK2bTX68UByrdEVIfs/s320/_DSC0392-004.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>- <b>Persistence pays off.</b> Olivia has shown persistence throughout her life to overcome many obstacles. Despite this, she has challenged herself to be a leader and do projects that have improved the community. In April 2022, she spoke in front of over 600 people at the Ann Bancroft Foundation's 25th anniversary. She received a standing ovation after her speech. As a side note, when she was younger, she didn't speak (up until about 3 years old she used ASL to communicate). After that - and for the majority of her life - she worked with a speech therapist. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IiAf9Q2WVDEe_W5gxfbrIk9mTm_-wB2bB4GGJJ82oeK8Y0RxrSclAecqbf2zLd0Bn--hX-vvR1z-9oPyQ41ZLxzJkeseAXjLYN42OpVCx6fCXCjX-2Bd1BGr58J5kOHjUIMa6E_MVPWnCbo2WzLph_avnDK-uHVcXJ5MP37CvYEArH0dpnn7Dy0/s1928/_DSC0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="1928" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IiAf9Q2WVDEe_W5gxfbrIk9mTm_-wB2bB4GGJJ82oeK8Y0RxrSclAecqbf2zLd0Bn--hX-vvR1z-9oPyQ41ZLxzJkeseAXjLYN42OpVCx6fCXCjX-2Bd1BGr58J5kOHjUIMa6E_MVPWnCbo2WzLph_avnDK-uHVcXJ5MP37CvYEArH0dpnn7Dy0/w200-h191/_DSC0961.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHryidoflgOkgrT3xzW1x8zVj1fROFKsGQSLfMyU-v8r3gKQrbK7C6u1KBtX4jvD2oKCGK58_xA7SaujK7Jy6POK2cuxrXPWDcxdsHk90qQIk4Z2ZvtFzj5cSyRbOixTvCXP8Rq2ZLyV3Ab60pANDSlFB_Z4NRlsKWmq4xgOLvfE75W9-QlebygaY/s2992/_DSC0969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHryidoflgOkgrT3xzW1x8zVj1fROFKsGQSLfMyU-v8r3gKQrbK7C6u1KBtX4jvD2oKCGK58_xA7SaujK7Jy6POK2cuxrXPWDcxdsHk90qQIk4Z2ZvtFzj5cSyRbOixTvCXP8Rq2ZLyV3Ab60pANDSlFB_Z4NRlsKWmq4xgOLvfE75W9-QlebygaY/w200-h134/_DSC0969.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">- <b>Continue to plant native plants.</b> Although we have a lot of non-native plants, I'm noticing that there are a lot more bees, hummingbird moths, and birds here now that we have been planting native wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs. It makes me so happy to see these native plants and the wildlife that benefits from them. </p><p style="text-align: left;">What was particularly exciting this year was seeing dozens of monarchs migrating through our yard and gardens. I've never seen this before. There would be anywhere between 4-10 monarchs on different native plants, and groups of monarchs resting and sleeping in the trees.</p><p style="text-align: left;">A few of the native and non-native plants are shown below (we have over 400 different types of plants now which I am grateful we have been able to plant).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHXmc3V_KJd8aB1GBUWLuGYbTWuJFtrBbTiukwaqhfeg_LASQW0fDGx3dqd159WmGw6mKGu7vxnSOEXjI-k0EXshoxy8BowzHEt6OHypfvdWqqTVvQnJ7RDTbotd97alVmqpk8Rf1Y0au1RdK5NEJdHcKUy0IVK1rV5NSO5kqmlNWYq8v1_a3bpY/s1873/_DSC1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1873" data-original-width="1429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHXmc3V_KJd8aB1GBUWLuGYbTWuJFtrBbTiukwaqhfeg_LASQW0fDGx3dqd159WmGw6mKGu7vxnSOEXjI-k0EXshoxy8BowzHEt6OHypfvdWqqTVvQnJ7RDTbotd97alVmqpk8Rf1Y0au1RdK5NEJdHcKUy0IVK1rV5NSO5kqmlNWYq8v1_a3bpY/w153-h200/_DSC1153.JPG" width="153" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9Gzte5T5hZ3GzLmMLVCiRUJltdZ4jSxRdpAGnpNKJjA8j6iUCjmFZMxNSzqV2gYBTxwW_v6WF_Rb7m-Lo6jt5Yx-4loZpmR3CGPuZpoT1L10pTEdxYOPuiFvRaT6bRL-kNf88w3zTEkE2vFY7cP89pFc2OEEUzQrlzdOJ5lKNIgBNhl53III91I/s1408/_DSC1154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="1408" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9Gzte5T5hZ3GzLmMLVCiRUJltdZ4jSxRdpAGnpNKJjA8j6iUCjmFZMxNSzqV2gYBTxwW_v6WF_Rb7m-Lo6jt5Yx-4loZpmR3CGPuZpoT1L10pTEdxYOPuiFvRaT6bRL-kNf88w3zTEkE2vFY7cP89pFc2OEEUzQrlzdOJ5lKNIgBNhl53III91I/w200-h193/_DSC1154.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOMLOZB8FjWi3YUKlevK1mxRvknZRojyCgQivkupoTsbxX6OUZZEUWV-UIymdaX4ZI3_wER6zm-_9AxNURR_Cx3Vjo2dq5REm9vLViJpasTMPA6WSfjYxVMIp68MxDWUYhUEpaiPBpgSZrFMvxVMoQHolOpfMQ3VOQ3T2qA4TO_gTsq5ni9ajYvU/s967/_DSC0646-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="967" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOMLOZB8FjWi3YUKlevK1mxRvknZRojyCgQivkupoTsbxX6OUZZEUWV-UIymdaX4ZI3_wER6zm-_9AxNURR_Cx3Vjo2dq5REm9vLViJpasTMPA6WSfjYxVMIp68MxDWUYhUEpaiPBpgSZrFMvxVMoQHolOpfMQ3VOQ3T2qA4TO_gTsq5ni9ajYvU/w200-h196/_DSC0646-004.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_XG10A2jOzeCB0WCzJU_2G_zp3gHYk-27h_P7WHHaJfpUEawL0C2yQSWvmM0-pgj4Ox-Ze-orjZqQEP2Fbx_WIFHyj7D3BtqACgowuvGP_Gi5wz4ZsoD-tGgytpglqlQWdN6gZS1QQk-6c2_zi7XQZXi7dY4t7ioxOhxxggqybNZDbx5Szz9sIg/s1841/_DSC0654-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1812" data-original-width="1841" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_XG10A2jOzeCB0WCzJU_2G_zp3gHYk-27h_P7WHHaJfpUEawL0C2yQSWvmM0-pgj4Ox-Ze-orjZqQEP2Fbx_WIFHyj7D3BtqACgowuvGP_Gi5wz4ZsoD-tGgytpglqlQWdN6gZS1QQk-6c2_zi7XQZXi7dY4t7ioxOhxxggqybNZDbx5Szz9sIg/w200-h197/_DSC0654-003.JPG" width="200" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYysBBdBG8GbEA0D8eQvYD57eit2IMALgY8y2zwHahkgjDNF81Dcn00ZTH4Cpn8aN1LnIuYpziscgk654UJkrvkiiuIqDHBjXShSN_9JHUh6pT3IgNCjeXRCwZBDU3vmediBAbvz7dDIzGpXp8e5Fhx18PtUo7WZbLQ3XNd8wy017JGeGN_DvEWcE/s2486/_DSC0681-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2486" data-original-width="1970" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYysBBdBG8GbEA0D8eQvYD57eit2IMALgY8y2zwHahkgjDNF81Dcn00ZTH4Cpn8aN1LnIuYpziscgk654UJkrvkiiuIqDHBjXShSN_9JHUh6pT3IgNCjeXRCwZBDU3vmediBAbvz7dDIzGpXp8e5Fhx18PtUo7WZbLQ3XNd8wy017JGeGN_DvEWcE/w159-h200/_DSC0681-004.JPG" width="159" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupXbhNyG0_cgaKb92XNr7jhz07qViBBTO-wDQskVHXUwubMW2eiRRnhqlgrNxxa5DGlfuOyLKWRRO516GuRL-P3Q9mq6sDMkjf7gF_5-p7XDQ-kznzNCKyDJEyrLWxfSpiLb0X4uCRPb2zTNvd6riPhdrIDKRNidw17jyRi9eXCOZNa8z0KGovyU/s1898/_DSC0667-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="1898" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupXbhNyG0_cgaKb92XNr7jhz07qViBBTO-wDQskVHXUwubMW2eiRRnhqlgrNxxa5DGlfuOyLKWRRO516GuRL-P3Q9mq6sDMkjf7gF_5-p7XDQ-kznzNCKyDJEyrLWxfSpiLb0X4uCRPb2zTNvd6riPhdrIDKRNidw17jyRi9eXCOZNa8z0KGovyU/w200-h194/_DSC0667-003.JPG" width="200" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETT6dHfcayahgH7k3q5zgG_Z9DZi0eT6HBldd0cq9OfdVNkjf-Vg80eJwNF-1PM1uLIwZszR-_mD3bRXjZ3uBzXN1OLgDpnAdsECnqXvhIPAjWf3AAjOm_uySZrg4qpfLWe1IgLUvFlLf5P6vJyKrkhctGfl2Gm0uYPbILPlkjKSJDrtwUWWo0yY/s1993/_DSC0939-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="1800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETT6dHfcayahgH7k3q5zgG_Z9DZi0eT6HBldd0cq9OfdVNkjf-Vg80eJwNF-1PM1uLIwZszR-_mD3bRXjZ3uBzXN1OLgDpnAdsECnqXvhIPAjWf3AAjOm_uySZrg4qpfLWe1IgLUvFlLf5P6vJyKrkhctGfl2Gm0uYPbILPlkjKSJDrtwUWWo0yY/w181-h200/_DSC0939-004.JPG" width="181" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-lfoUL5Fm8fWTLiZN7vJvdPdzs456DbJLFdxkNlwg3-RXrgSPw9sOVcUqM7okEmoV75ps01jtsMiPVnkY7yeSzZ0KPotHuh-o-Px7BF8lZVL38Zf3-Dbtp8sbD2lc3lmvOlSgT2ZGAsnHpFnr9OesyqTfHea_m95Jaq0tluzoKTnZrAIUovcBeo/s1032/_DSC0980-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="963" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-lfoUL5Fm8fWTLiZN7vJvdPdzs456DbJLFdxkNlwg3-RXrgSPw9sOVcUqM7okEmoV75ps01jtsMiPVnkY7yeSzZ0KPotHuh-o-Px7BF8lZVL38Zf3-Dbtp8sbD2lc3lmvOlSgT2ZGAsnHpFnr9OesyqTfHea_m95Jaq0tluzoKTnZrAIUovcBeo/w187-h200/_DSC0980-003.JPG" width="187" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">- <b>Look for simple things to bring you joy.</b> This was a challenging and stressful year in many ways. However, little things - like a rainbow - made me smile. I was so happy about these simple pleasures.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4fswbdhmG6SlviGEpacL3ScKx0QgeIxxM9zWO1kJvyMQ3eMWXvabqEgyJoywz5QJGN3vW5KmPQJnFUHEFIYKtqIFZ7-paSEwV63f2-PvRgCVhR2UDOI_SdzJuk7whz8DUqw6xpJida9WKVPk4KJ7E6jv_LNmHt29Ft5IbPML-lvDLxb9066uQDE/s1405/_DSC0075-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1343" data-original-width="1405" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4fswbdhmG6SlviGEpacL3ScKx0QgeIxxM9zWO1kJvyMQ3eMWXvabqEgyJoywz5QJGN3vW5KmPQJnFUHEFIYKtqIFZ7-paSEwV63f2-PvRgCVhR2UDOI_SdzJuk7whz8DUqw6xpJida9WKVPk4KJ7E6jv_LNmHt29Ft5IbPML-lvDLxb9066uQDE/w200-h191/_DSC0075-001.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">- <b>Encourage family members to continue with traditions that are meaningful to your family. </b>One of the things that I encouraged the girls to do was to be actively involved in 4-H and then enter their projects in the county fair and state fair. Sophia was too old to do this, but Olivia still can enter her projects. She did very well this year and I am grateful for all the judges who take the time to talk with the youth, and offer feedback and encouragement.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHO_sRs1S92qNki5BDlsz5VI0n7wfuBorQgzI75Adhfgwy73HC8KqcCstgW3aYRHfegdQ4mkiVYvnkolDRzpurF7nTPsutG4e4uR8W_jN2KznkGPkkpSaKLpBypDmReq3b9EElca1rqLH-uhunb5Bg4iCvSAW2TlOuD_4klB-QdMKqKuCs3IJJG4/s2326/_DSC0273-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1712" data-original-width="2326" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHO_sRs1S92qNki5BDlsz5VI0n7wfuBorQgzI75Adhfgwy73HC8KqcCstgW3aYRHfegdQ4mkiVYvnkolDRzpurF7nTPsutG4e4uR8W_jN2KznkGPkkpSaKLpBypDmReq3b9EElca1rqLH-uhunb5Bg4iCvSAW2TlOuD_4klB-QdMKqKuCs3IJJG4/w200-h148/_DSC0273-003.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrJQclYUoZBm9oOnhlnW0-IkUDerv5JscveX38u15ZCzM2PEiryc49eu2NgjNHrQdjZGZV9fBCtZ4i06S2SB3-khNg_WX6pt6go4oQtzUFXjkTYHF8NDD8y73dJgqUEDoZx-uR7UjBrWZAvK-p4M8XaLaEz77IYbIyTEwmSyYtMJEFlqV-sW0XuY/s2692/_DSC0309-004%20-%20Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2692" data-original-width="2000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrJQclYUoZBm9oOnhlnW0-IkUDerv5JscveX38u15ZCzM2PEiryc49eu2NgjNHrQdjZGZV9fBCtZ4i06S2SB3-khNg_WX6pt6go4oQtzUFXjkTYHF8NDD8y73dJgqUEDoZx-uR7UjBrWZAvK-p4M8XaLaEz77IYbIyTEwmSyYtMJEFlqV-sW0XuY/w149-h200/_DSC0309-004%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="149" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelroprOMCScXvIPDxRehsJ2TVqJytzVCcAFney0eZPjtVgAtGQ66LBDePskGLDBTPRmH4qHV9vOQXfmN9R0OFbfBkxrNOO6g4LHaljzS6rvOMtrEoum4XnRO3q_anuc2j0fyp_VaFcROCqfRD9bxC7KQCEzAzdjYeTekZsrWXroxAaYgbqu4MYj8/s2992/_DSC0066-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelroprOMCScXvIPDxRehsJ2TVqJytzVCcAFney0eZPjtVgAtGQ66LBDePskGLDBTPRmH4qHV9vOQXfmN9R0OFbfBkxrNOO6g4LHaljzS6rvOMtrEoum4XnRO3q_anuc2j0fyp_VaFcROCqfRD9bxC7KQCEzAzdjYeTekZsrWXroxAaYgbqu4MYj8/w134-h200/_DSC0066-005.JPG" width="134" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">One thing that we do after the county fair is go to Dairy Queen. When the girls were little, we would stop for an ice cream treat. When they got older and had more projects (and stayed over the dinner hour competing), we would stop for a meal after the judging process.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_SDI5Z2WdsEajPsxHS0eBaXT2VUNTGz6QGq5NeTsNK2uuQWMvj2qrmX3tNQTLA74m_f1noHtOv4VM6Vq4I_i-oHbajzwrPgJm1atCUUwbit7FtO0WfhUSBUgStLp31UW2whQbYpp3XzTTKBgdsuHUAr4a8aoMGOY0yq9EfYaWl2TtqUe8O15UxY/s2992/_DSC0272-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1725" data-original-width="2992" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_SDI5Z2WdsEajPsxHS0eBaXT2VUNTGz6QGq5NeTsNK2uuQWMvj2qrmX3tNQTLA74m_f1noHtOv4VM6Vq4I_i-oHbajzwrPgJm1atCUUwbit7FtO0WfhUSBUgStLp31UW2whQbYpp3XzTTKBgdsuHUAr4a8aoMGOY0yq9EfYaWl2TtqUe8O15UxY/s320/_DSC0272-004.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Another tradition we have is going out to eat at a restaurant (of each daughter's choice) on her adoption day. Olivia chose a Chinese restaurant and Sophia chose a Thai restaurant (though it ended up being closed so we went to a nearby Mexican restaurant). Celebrating their adoption days makes me happy and I hope shows them how grateful Paige and I are for having them as our family. We truly are blessed! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqk2X6od8IbNvHBqXaYkNPPTT6RosFfO1CM4VCnCAvAd-u5GfzCuz-nnmC7dsVuMS5PqljvFfNWK72sMAuWdw_sla4kISFpOgvMuiAYIv8lEA8A7iK90ZKP2O0xXIWQ1eTbF3Z25pLd01JEQ5iqQIZoyd5pFK0q5Gnr5NdFxpK7VsNNqy4Vu8sps/s2185/_DSC0413-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2185" data-original-width="1930" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqk2X6od8IbNvHBqXaYkNPPTT6RosFfO1CM4VCnCAvAd-u5GfzCuz-nnmC7dsVuMS5PqljvFfNWK72sMAuWdw_sla4kISFpOgvMuiAYIv8lEA8A7iK90ZKP2O0xXIWQ1eTbF3Z25pLd01JEQ5iqQIZoyd5pFK0q5Gnr5NdFxpK7VsNNqy4Vu8sps/w177-h200/_DSC0413-006.JPG" width="177" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYOBseZU4Uw8NPLLUUNtcosNjlMdrFmyRmXnUKiOxVyRMZOonzWqtTjewUxDzbkb5JW1btJTNfx2blQ_1RoRg-2bxtm6BQAddUHdSgW3AF5lMgalSK8x72TayK_rUxV1GHhVnQLltHcqz7waQDp-L7StMPbL6xuAyhzhc6pypAUiZyTr33LMV_Jg/s2935/_DSC0899-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1571" data-original-width="2935" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYOBseZU4Uw8NPLLUUNtcosNjlMdrFmyRmXnUKiOxVyRMZOonzWqtTjewUxDzbkb5JW1btJTNfx2blQ_1RoRg-2bxtm6BQAddUHdSgW3AF5lMgalSK8x72TayK_rUxV1GHhVnQLltHcqz7waQDp-L7StMPbL6xuAyhzhc6pypAUiZyTr33LMV_Jg/w200-h107/_DSC0899-006.JPG" width="200" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">A third tradition we have is that we decorate for Christmas. The St. Nicholas Christmas Village started with two buildings and some figurines that belonged to my parents. When our hobby shed burned to the ground in 2018, we lost the items that my parents had purchased. I've been trying to rebuild it since then. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKW68P0Nxu-cAv4n9Gu59hzyOqq1DisV-AgYR9cepM02crvj9n64OVB18ZBNQ33eK-FLHbGf2l9kXpZADghUQXAF-TIUjL9SaZqWMTXo7j2MoCxf74WOg6HbpR4BBaRnN6HEsV745G2xArS0DqPplzTqVQuS9y1JGjKULoLbGJJ8DQPk4kQg-QsU/s2992/_DSC0330-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1843" data-original-width="2992" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKW68P0Nxu-cAv4n9Gu59hzyOqq1DisV-AgYR9cepM02crvj9n64OVB18ZBNQ33eK-FLHbGf2l9kXpZADghUQXAF-TIUjL9SaZqWMTXo7j2MoCxf74WOg6HbpR4BBaRnN6HEsV745G2xArS0DqPplzTqVQuS9y1JGjKULoLbGJJ8DQPk4kQg-QsU/s320/_DSC0330-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When my step-father-in-law died, we inherited a few Christmas decorations - like the ones below on the wood stove. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPYxLqFQLKuUE0TC9YJNkL-Zml6TPFakHONzp0ddC7SSJ89WAhUJ37J9Oblj5B6lEOOAnX_r4ECzivcxByL0K4V8KOnN58YGNSj0CCQzr1Cw9N7hfd-lO9D9Rq0Q9qX4gkP6wDrbySTsF0sHY0hqwoEPJBK4GbF75r5hMx4n0MkunUY4LiOWeST0/s2332/_DSC0331-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="2332" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPYxLqFQLKuUE0TC9YJNkL-Zml6TPFakHONzp0ddC7SSJ89WAhUJ37J9Oblj5B6lEOOAnX_r4ECzivcxByL0K4V8KOnN58YGNSj0CCQzr1Cw9N7hfd-lO9D9Rq0Q9qX4gkP6wDrbySTsF0sHY0hqwoEPJBK4GbF75r5hMx4n0MkunUY4LiOWeST0/s320/_DSC0331-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">The stockings that I made are all hung up. It looks a bit bare with one less dog, no cats, and no horses.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxVekQg0-g8QCiNTpv_Hv-erTtsXuxr1Tnu-hlqgDin1CEDhT-kotc4AwaeI6L7uj2zpxeEE56IMXCbwpYwC0dpy8EBhjiHOOtZKBA7PkfbUbW3ohouoMf1fIWP-mv6zmmWyH0aIWNUCcajd4Wgl5YqUJIWOM8lY-HEcWtx83N1tyQ_uMxWiYMvg/s2099/_DSC0332-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1950" data-original-width="2099" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxVekQg0-g8QCiNTpv_Hv-erTtsXuxr1Tnu-hlqgDin1CEDhT-kotc4AwaeI6L7uj2zpxeEE56IMXCbwpYwC0dpy8EBhjiHOOtZKBA7PkfbUbW3ohouoMf1fIWP-mv6zmmWyH0aIWNUCcajd4Wgl5YqUJIWOM8lY-HEcWtx83N1tyQ_uMxWiYMvg/s320/_DSC0332-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">- <b>Enter projects in the country fair if you want to see the fair continue</b>. I've been noticing that the number of projects that people are entering in the local fairs is decreasing each year. I love seeing the projects that people do and feel like part of my responsibility as a good citizen (and someone who loves fairs) is to enter projects so that there's a variety of projects that the public can see. This year, I entered over 60 projects. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZTP0-yWqlPfnnwoLcfHH9QxTj70VSmkh1vfxDkuVkg6VybEEDwhHTMbdANWXh5_PB8WbStneQDRXKeeE_feheZUUnjIY4FHCTueZWCtgYpJ1dh4NYyegWH_2HMyDKO310txZ7BIjTT_cPVltvL2dlfzCEPzPmRtFcWMNj7CQzWI-H9vRnQlsBbk/s1749/_DSC0406-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1749" data-original-width="1737" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZTP0-yWqlPfnnwoLcfHH9QxTj70VSmkh1vfxDkuVkg6VybEEDwhHTMbdANWXh5_PB8WbStneQDRXKeeE_feheZUUnjIY4FHCTueZWCtgYpJ1dh4NYyegWH_2HMyDKO310txZ7BIjTT_cPVltvL2dlfzCEPzPmRtFcWMNj7CQzWI-H9vRnQlsBbk/w199-h200/_DSC0406-004.JPG" width="199" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3viJ6NKIE1xXJx4ztdonpNUvNyZXptw6jHuwiRr8UjfY-HloVbxMSmI9oUd55Eh4vy09oxF37k_c6poFiQvrDDPmMarfuw4_1kUaZjUJGn_KncgD8m18slxXDKSlCGPQHxwMDbgESDxQUkyBAe8GogJIbTJRldrUggc4Xw9Cwqt_Nt7YU0givNt4/s1494/_DSC0417-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="1398" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3viJ6NKIE1xXJx4ztdonpNUvNyZXptw6jHuwiRr8UjfY-HloVbxMSmI9oUd55Eh4vy09oxF37k_c6poFiQvrDDPmMarfuw4_1kUaZjUJGn_KncgD8m18slxXDKSlCGPQHxwMDbgESDxQUkyBAe8GogJIbTJRldrUggc4Xw9Cwqt_Nt7YU0givNt4/w187-h200/_DSC0417-004.JPG" width="187" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">- <b>It is worthwhile to do genealogy work. </b>My sister and I have been doing a lot of work on Ancestry.com and enjoying it. In addition to doing online research, we visited a cemetery and cleaned up the graves of our maternal grandparents and great-grandparents. </p><p style="text-align: left;">We also visited homes where our parents and grandparents lived, and saw the church where our parents were married. </p><p style="text-align: left;">At Thanksgiving and on New Year's Eve, we looked at slides that we inherited from our parents. There were many (hundreds) that we hadn't seen. I am so grateful that my parents took photos of their parents, themselves, and of us kids so we can see what life was like back in the 1960s-1980s. </p><p style="text-align: left;">We hope to continue to do more research and grave cleanings in 2023. As I learn more about my ancestors' lives and struggles, I am even more thankful for the life I am living now.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6fslvlG6KL5VmARZTpveO9X1wfSWxgmM4-BVgYvfNE6Kc7AnjfdJ1G7deEc9nmybvEI8b-rMkwnCBeSjRKTux4_pMBYsJrm5KicviB_MrrqvlY3290HcSBfXAxhETEFYI81djbUWUY5h49wUQMQg0KXBml4NdPPCuHpvqhqvIlaQTa--o_YPDRY/s2898/_DSC0039-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="2898" height="64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6fslvlG6KL5VmARZTpveO9X1wfSWxgmM4-BVgYvfNE6Kc7AnjfdJ1G7deEc9nmybvEI8b-rMkwnCBeSjRKTux4_pMBYsJrm5KicviB_MrrqvlY3290HcSBfXAxhETEFYI81djbUWUY5h49wUQMQg0KXBml4NdPPCuHpvqhqvIlaQTa--o_YPDRY/w200-h64/_DSC0039-006.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ppOvJ8eW7wWq7Uq77edbS9r7ASLSqZrbof9EfJdCstq5Qv2vACxvbKuJLl9c66N631X1aCl3rAiEmUrF6m1x8z-8UNtBQiF9rR7TYfLXIb3u8QGy7FVycnmD1ATsKjMFpDxkbzGeCbqVL0rMiou6QonXlvlnvwYGNA9Lq5l1IJ0VKtL45QiC7po/s2992/_DSC0057-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ppOvJ8eW7wWq7Uq77edbS9r7ASLSqZrbof9EfJdCstq5Qv2vACxvbKuJLl9c66N631X1aCl3rAiEmUrF6m1x8z-8UNtBQiF9rR7TYfLXIb3u8QGy7FVycnmD1ATsKjMFpDxkbzGeCbqVL0rMiou6QonXlvlnvwYGNA9Lq5l1IJ0VKtL45QiC7po/w200-h134/_DSC0057-006.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEhNiLOEHuLKpvLgh0PG2nd1oCJ2gStO6KwK7p0Zt9IbRIuK51l2GcdHPDUGkAHhEu56o6rcNW0s0GU2L6EBnkiwEHcABFvL3UiAmBx5syn9fpqPk5o0ZpiX67_vjv8U9O2WLVVv6bFih1EnX17CY51Fy0pdnAqztxtiwvFDPc9dUDDSHa-LYGsc/s2992/_DSC0068-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEhNiLOEHuLKpvLgh0PG2nd1oCJ2gStO6KwK7p0Zt9IbRIuK51l2GcdHPDUGkAHhEu56o6rcNW0s0GU2L6EBnkiwEHcABFvL3UiAmBx5syn9fpqPk5o0ZpiX67_vjv8U9O2WLVVv6bFih1EnX17CY51Fy0pdnAqztxtiwvFDPc9dUDDSHa-LYGsc/w134-h200/_DSC0068-006.JPG" width="134" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrP02mmYhKtbZpQntBRDnrsss52fp4X-O-pKM_7dAU5JBslzH0meo-A19pI-zV4qAaluSjqeWfS-rXQxc4RDswcYS6dAfrPEqXejXAUSv1dL_X6pn46OY-OQYR20A_t5x2inbLkt16qyQB0NuAIBlUrI7CajYebcI5Gouem-eSyqpg7pDWzKw8bU/s2005/_DSC0088-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1876" data-original-width="2005" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrP02mmYhKtbZpQntBRDnrsss52fp4X-O-pKM_7dAU5JBslzH0meo-A19pI-zV4qAaluSjqeWfS-rXQxc4RDswcYS6dAfrPEqXejXAUSv1dL_X6pn46OY-OQYR20A_t5x2inbLkt16qyQB0NuAIBlUrI7CajYebcI5Gouem-eSyqpg7pDWzKw8bU/w200-h187/_DSC0088-006.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtRnnLC1EcfSckCDq8KCoMB-XTig-w_xrwh87sqvX_UPmqpbFDhSfv2sM8XG-uKWbRxF9GaRVm8TZaK3lAMRo7WrDIMdUHL3QEqSTDUPefuFEQXLELnJY-Oi5eymAn0EsxW1eeToiu711KSiF-HM5FZmT7LvsmhluUA-38Sqq5-jGW1aNQ9OCuxM/s3529/_DSC0001.NEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2745" data-original-width="3529" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtRnnLC1EcfSckCDq8KCoMB-XTig-w_xrwh87sqvX_UPmqpbFDhSfv2sM8XG-uKWbRxF9GaRVm8TZaK3lAMRo7WrDIMdUHL3QEqSTDUPefuFEQXLELnJY-Oi5eymAn0EsxW1eeToiu711KSiF-HM5FZmT7LvsmhluUA-38Sqq5-jGW1aNQ9OCuxM/w200-h156/_DSC0001.NEF.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwgZf0LLTFv-o7yKtF_hz-Cpm7A6VNYoaqVk8ecpuBRxH1ummGKNy-yxqOfGcFKilt1Of5Qt2GQ8TsUSDUnxz4KoP9I22DiO48pltFUrZt5kFlX6rZXmrcISvjKW9BOlwK-JTRgmsZMb4XYWLZ_Wl2bk4zbad5EgHciC1lkUhVyu-zwUYuk-GdqE/s1784/_DSC0758-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="1784" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwgZf0LLTFv-o7yKtF_hz-Cpm7A6VNYoaqVk8ecpuBRxH1ummGKNy-yxqOfGcFKilt1Of5Qt2GQ8TsUSDUnxz4KoP9I22DiO48pltFUrZt5kFlX6rZXmrcISvjKW9BOlwK-JTRgmsZMb4XYWLZ_Wl2bk4zbad5EgHciC1lkUhVyu-zwUYuk-GdqE/w200-h152/_DSC0758-006.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">- <b>Start a hobby when you become an empty nester.</b> Although I've always had plants, this Fall - after Olivia went to college - I began adding more plants to my collection. It's been a lot of fun looking for houseplants, especially for ones that are different than the ones I had. I am particularly grateful for the sales that some places have on housplants...that certainly saves me a lot of money!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtAyKqXcZcQcB2J0x8zSuvP4spYpO9MB-hHmH4yyCSRsFIDFlQsKD_p0z_7lUJZ_oA6LRAzrSiqkJRFA-3ev1q81lsB_rKofQ3Qym6U8alM__NGklJoXb4Ci2-Y-qBXJ4vqRz48pyAa9zl4EVeHoeCW0ME1K15fnT9dOk4Dh1eKRe1jBY3VC1fg4/s2992/_DSC0229-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtAyKqXcZcQcB2J0x8zSuvP4spYpO9MB-hHmH4yyCSRsFIDFlQsKD_p0z_7lUJZ_oA6LRAzrSiqkJRFA-3ev1q81lsB_rKofQ3Qym6U8alM__NGklJoXb4Ci2-Y-qBXJ4vqRz48pyAa9zl4EVeHoeCW0ME1K15fnT9dOk4Dh1eKRe1jBY3VC1fg4/w200-h134/_DSC0229-007.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YheIKeoHWagAsYLDRUKPcrqK1Z6w558vvdq_vf90yDu_77_v-XD0F_ycPriSJkw7GgFwCC1dusi5Wyls1tXZj2hnmIe2mTwruV8byjxpeOUe4GMJuP9TvdxM-EznrUsDW60vnVFDtvQQGtw4e_CkP4ioYrT6VO4TYTTzONL73BJf-38pdroPxqY/s2611/_DSC0248-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="2611" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YheIKeoHWagAsYLDRUKPcrqK1Z6w558vvdq_vf90yDu_77_v-XD0F_ycPriSJkw7GgFwCC1dusi5Wyls1tXZj2hnmIe2mTwruV8byjxpeOUe4GMJuP9TvdxM-EznrUsDW60vnVFDtvQQGtw4e_CkP4ioYrT6VO4TYTTzONL73BJf-38pdroPxqY/w200-h120/_DSC0248-007.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73udeNnP1OGUWWWLG66f3LQtbTyJodgdB_pjwsP1fEaSNL3_iPL7gHFTdxL6jgEzRZYveBpNtJnwJkQKAo0Rt-Ru_hEusXMWGKYWWCIFssqlUlZsGlpXf2Xq3vbp3rtEJxk1GMtQW83vD-JV_K3DRWj0sfLpNOS4YxeoUzAbH9FSAQ11m1hLX7gU/s2375/_DSC0252-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2375" data-original-width="1840" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73udeNnP1OGUWWWLG66f3LQtbTyJodgdB_pjwsP1fEaSNL3_iPL7gHFTdxL6jgEzRZYveBpNtJnwJkQKAo0Rt-Ru_hEusXMWGKYWWCIFssqlUlZsGlpXf2Xq3vbp3rtEJxk1GMtQW83vD-JV_K3DRWj0sfLpNOS4YxeoUzAbH9FSAQ11m1hLX7gU/s320/_DSC0252-007.JPG" width="248" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-4923448341464146552022-12-18T22:08:00.003-06:002022-12-27T20:40:24.933-06:00Christmas Decorations 2022<p> This year, with both girls in college, I didn't decorate as much for Christmas as I have in the past. That being said, there are things I do enjoy putting up each year. </p><p>One of the things I put on the windows each year is the collection of window stars that I have made throughout the years. These are the stars on the dining room and living room windows. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbCLY8FP7OAh-icZZjpWBKNNbF3klBCumddz_AN88n-ESjXml2qYdyZauVlcN73sZ-ikT1GSmtj4a05CfUKNlG3inFLdcX5hi4OltrdsXnLns1XBNqWwmiKttdQzqsq4E9KJeK81M-W3TPEOSfyD4CdaegILkihuPQgtFYqEeFBGg5GFBY1vGrXI/s2453/_DSC0328-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1933" data-original-width="2453" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbCLY8FP7OAh-icZZjpWBKNNbF3klBCumddz_AN88n-ESjXml2qYdyZauVlcN73sZ-ikT1GSmtj4a05CfUKNlG3inFLdcX5hi4OltrdsXnLns1XBNqWwmiKttdQzqsq4E9KJeK81M-W3TPEOSfyD4CdaegILkihuPQgtFYqEeFBGg5GFBY1vGrXI/s320/_DSC0328-007.JPG" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoNgEWXJGJRbqkBBVOzq-C1MdZcGPG2H9PA8_kpLWqxsCY8iomBbXzoVUGYwBnAG9i3zPKhsYrE1y05rgLybAN3YWFt7iv3vs8EGVehQQ10-qB2-s061Bk7-68GV5yLgnwzTJDGz-hlwC9jYkWERhjGsMHEMzqnnZHeg1LBcKaBFilNW8_ecVDyA/s2561/_DSC0343-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2561" data-original-width="1573" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoNgEWXJGJRbqkBBVOzq-C1MdZcGPG2H9PA8_kpLWqxsCY8iomBbXzoVUGYwBnAG9i3zPKhsYrE1y05rgLybAN3YWFt7iv3vs8EGVehQQ10-qB2-s061Bk7-68GV5yLgnwzTJDGz-hlwC9jYkWERhjGsMHEMzqnnZHeg1LBcKaBFilNW8_ecVDyA/w197-h320/_DSC0343-007.JPG" width="197" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my favorite things is the St. Nicholas Village that I have in the dining room. A couple of the buildings belonged to my parents who had a little village set up in the living room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In 2018, we had a fire at our farm. The building where the majority of our bins with Christmas decorations were stored burned to the ground...and with it many of the little buildings that my parents owned. It was very disappointing. However, the following year at Christmas I was thrilled to see that I had transferred a couple of the buildings already to the basement.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUxDoE4yqaXtcqNZWDEBa1sJP7CVLqMm475t3kMFscfYz7isnfzUIBCck86f60Dv9s5LAVgQk_GlIc8N-E6O3BBBdBq5F7gyQxs8G7fsl2xo156TDV_MKojgjjYywhgnvo1w3SSsoG5oUdYgyq5Z2GrIjvFOc1NcLbKZvlA9wTUWIcmb2rJEomlY/s2912/_DSC0329-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1846" data-original-width="2912" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUxDoE4yqaXtcqNZWDEBa1sJP7CVLqMm475t3kMFscfYz7isnfzUIBCck86f60Dv9s5LAVgQk_GlIc8N-E6O3BBBdBq5F7gyQxs8G7fsl2xo156TDV_MKojgjjYywhgnvo1w3SSsoG5oUdYgyq5Z2GrIjvFOc1NcLbKZvlA9wTUWIcmb2rJEomlY/s320/_DSC0329-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>So, starting in 2020 I began adding buildings and people to the village. I go to the second-hand store and look for St. Nicholas Christmas Village boxes. This year, I found a ski chalet (far left in the picture below) and a home with Christmas lights (far right in the photo above). <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCp1116a4KChk3Co1gTnyXR6XTsEsIgjVIV2UVXYcWX21ClN_h2kpqWDNv1u2K0avASiakK2wt4IZFHWqyVHb1PaXLgQlZX-7j7WMzpmrJGzt2i6WYSPF_Tq17UYrEsQzel75n92AoHo2ZbkOaSF4iIJE_Lgij5IS6HrfypyJBsuwwi-BU6O07I3Y/s2992/_DSC0330-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1843" data-original-width="2992" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCp1116a4KChk3Co1gTnyXR6XTsEsIgjVIV2UVXYcWX21ClN_h2kpqWDNv1u2K0avASiakK2wt4IZFHWqyVHb1PaXLgQlZX-7j7WMzpmrJGzt2i6WYSPF_Tq17UYrEsQzel75n92AoHo2ZbkOaSF4iIJE_Lgij5IS6HrfypyJBsuwwi-BU6O07I3Y/s320/_DSC0330-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This year, on September 6th, my step-father-in-law died. Two of the things we inherited were these Santa figurines. I put them on our woodstove (when we don't have fires in it) so we can see them each day.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSWu7EEybeo_kM8X0shLOaHdnZjoTWXx1RWH_LHCX8Rao5HVBlxiFQjXwGI0aexwlTjGgmD39VNpnft1keQGFvQx-Yzfv24Ik1vghyb9hmJHsXpTM0Jp4M4kHi6jqNR5bwR_LG5JjEojESb9Gek-cxvT_40TawglcwZ0iGL30inxE7OsqfC1UwyA/s2332/_DSC0331-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="2332" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSWu7EEybeo_kM8X0shLOaHdnZjoTWXx1RWH_LHCX8Rao5HVBlxiFQjXwGI0aexwlTjGgmD39VNpnft1keQGFvQx-Yzfv24Ik1vghyb9hmJHsXpTM0Jp4M4kHi6jqNR5bwR_LG5JjEojESb9Gek-cxvT_40TawglcwZ0iGL30inxE7OsqfC1UwyA/s320/_DSC0331-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I put the stockings that I made for each person in our family (on the left) and our dogs (on the right). As I look at the stockings, it seems really bare in comparison to past years when we had many more animals - stockings for 4 family members and 13 pets (4 dogs, 6 cats, 2 horses, and 1 hedgehog). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Right before Thanksgiving, one of our senior dogs - Scooby - died. He was 15 (almost 16) years old. So, it's hard to see only 3 dog stockings up there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kfrJf1WlosJi4lEKDVjSmoxpEvKFarZ7OmpgsAMo6RBWIBZekwgcj4hyelOm7FrTD0YVZrWMHJxE0LAVXvKbKrwpd29gi5wpbbM-p5U6E0ifM199hZyyCfUX6QF7NO43oPyZd436ljKbo6NRCFgtcLdCKgDTFIc1Hf6Okg3hjbJdpaNffRepfNY/s2099/_DSC0332-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1950" data-original-width="2099" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kfrJf1WlosJi4lEKDVjSmoxpEvKFarZ7OmpgsAMo6RBWIBZekwgcj4hyelOm7FrTD0YVZrWMHJxE0LAVXvKbKrwpd29gi5wpbbM-p5U6E0ifM199hZyyCfUX6QF7NO43oPyZd436ljKbo6NRCFgtcLdCKgDTFIc1Hf6Okg3hjbJdpaNffRepfNY/s320/_DSC0332-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the family room, I have a couple of Santas. If I open them up, there are smaller Santas inside them. I don't know where I got there...maybe an antique store?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiX_Tykhc9jnGACdORVjBHvvBCkMWz6QnVcdVZZL4g3Osd86kBH19M8Do720ZZxv6QnkM_ROJp2nPIYOZRb7-VIS6U4UH5zLNy0_--94REp3TPd7hUJm8STg19jnSm04H_6Hdth-atlRXuYMVaMuaMkmnHHRyK27kq6s1HmdbWr6zUHq4cgXyyGqM/s2000/_DSC0339-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1775" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiX_Tykhc9jnGACdORVjBHvvBCkMWz6QnVcdVZZL4g3Osd86kBH19M8Do720ZZxv6QnkM_ROJp2nPIYOZRb7-VIS6U4UH5zLNy0_--94REp3TPd7hUJm8STg19jnSm04H_6Hdth-atlRXuYMVaMuaMkmnHHRyK27kq6s1HmdbWr6zUHq4cgXyyGqM/s320/_DSC0339-007.JPG" width="284" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For our Christmas tree, we were given one which was nice. Normally, we go to a local Christmas tree farm and cut a tree, but it didn't work with both of the girls' schedules when they were home for Thanksgiving. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I put a bunch of lights on the tree (about seven or eight strings of lights) and added a few ornaments. This is one that I got for either Sophia or Olivia when they were younger and received gifts from St. Nicholas on December 6th. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzh7ipY25-0pQhUzkkWDCpTHaLFrkLFk2m-ZKwTIttKiYyTeA0W70dVcj-6iD6skvYSKL33Egyi0Cdv7Ua4hwompUnnpUDzHZYyR0Yuc-hUyEGpZs9X-hPVjbKCLOmWbTfpuFkQdCm7KBH1RwWabap6z-golwEssXh6thPzCH5bVV9Egp3uBFEIk/s2992/_DSC0340-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzh7ipY25-0pQhUzkkWDCpTHaLFrkLFk2m-ZKwTIttKiYyTeA0W70dVcj-6iD6skvYSKL33Egyi0Cdv7Ua4hwompUnnpUDzHZYyR0Yuc-hUyEGpZs9X-hPVjbKCLOmWbTfpuFkQdCm7KBH1RwWabap6z-golwEssXh6thPzCH5bVV9Egp3uBFEIk/s320/_DSC0340-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is another ornament from Gammelgarden Museum (a historical museum that focuses on the Swedish immigrant experience). I always thought it was a horse. It's not. It's a goat...a Yule goat.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO4fQn6tEoDOaZhzXYAljPpqa8gBNyFnBPv_7xw_v5hnOUdbHD12n76lkbsVybL4gfmnbI9oOLTvrKHvDoWnIEwYD6R8xvsblnz-apc_P0uQ2uRTY366_k5Byc8CVR0JZvQH0yeYdZQxDqVL6PeRwutW9akTc-xevJbi0QGzaeTAdT4wt7ap01HI/s2506/_DSC0336-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2506" data-original-width="1990" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO4fQn6tEoDOaZhzXYAljPpqa8gBNyFnBPv_7xw_v5hnOUdbHD12n76lkbsVybL4gfmnbI9oOLTvrKHvDoWnIEwYD6R8xvsblnz-apc_P0uQ2uRTY366_k5Byc8CVR0JZvQH0yeYdZQxDqVL6PeRwutW9akTc-xevJbi0QGzaeTAdT4wt7ap01HI/s320/_DSC0336-006.JPG" width="254" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is one of the ornaments I inherited from my parents when they died. This one features blue jays. There are two other ornaments with birds that are commonly seen here. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE79FzsIvhBNnS4vOeFqqOMDBXTg7s1JGfqY4YSbrVlwySaZUsp1REYjulpm6wMeezmjEk0lWqiLvOaJphvrcUPSUZgLpYvqw06A4jtqWo5Q23qz34b6zLXoQZ9hK7jhcb3FEk7krbCFADwIVuzG4TuW9jWNt-T-aBetQlrBx91k2QINkpzSMCb0/s2717/_DSC0335-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2717" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE79FzsIvhBNnS4vOeFqqOMDBXTg7s1JGfqY4YSbrVlwySaZUsp1REYjulpm6wMeezmjEk0lWqiLvOaJphvrcUPSUZgLpYvqw06A4jtqWo5Q23qz34b6zLXoQZ9hK7jhcb3FEk7krbCFADwIVuzG4TuW9jWNt-T-aBetQlrBx91k2QINkpzSMCb0/s320/_DSC0335-007.JPG" width="236" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is one of many ornaments that Sophia, Olivia, and I made when the girls were much younger when I was homeschooling them (in early elementary school age). They were clear ornaments and we put acrylic paint in them that we swirled around. The result was these marbled-looking ornaments. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HV5L9C2fBD0IkD23-JzVliKgByny-GhoLemfzZ9Yd5QsyJccz1NbpR6U-aMkvc0RZmGxpq3KwI2WqEiAbzl4gwtJLeM7zEUX0Wss1a9EPh5vpNURSq-8z89iRvaOBdtT8ybZ8MHgmbPRvPdBZu5WqEmz_C1qotb9kXmQNiLh_fb0YZBELA1YddM/s2586/_DSC0334-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2586" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HV5L9C2fBD0IkD23-JzVliKgByny-GhoLemfzZ9Yd5QsyJccz1NbpR6U-aMkvc0RZmGxpq3KwI2WqEiAbzl4gwtJLeM7zEUX0Wss1a9EPh5vpNURSq-8z89iRvaOBdtT8ybZ8MHgmbPRvPdBZu5WqEmz_C1qotb9kXmQNiLh_fb0YZBELA1YddM/s320/_DSC0334-007.JPG" width="247" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In the family room, I have the flag from my dad's burial (he was a Korean War veteran). I put little nativity figurines in front of the flag. My dad, who was a deacon later in his life, would have loved these little figurines.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbXRgC2C-VAqQBMyGULpkH-TcpuqArjbNc-kfeW1X6ltCp13y733a6RKjzwikFPykwjeC3jwXiWPJzIGTIwP1XrCOYTg1crfkpCFthLwlciDauVmmF7G2NUVRFLJLAJjUaCqJeHWELCACmsrIOhXL-v8GrpWYNle2MbW2n1jvb2Ad_6D_kQx0OjY/s2731/_DSC0333-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1655" data-original-width="2731" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbXRgC2C-VAqQBMyGULpkH-TcpuqArjbNc-kfeW1X6ltCp13y733a6RKjzwikFPykwjeC3jwXiWPJzIGTIwP1XrCOYTg1crfkpCFthLwlciDauVmmF7G2NUVRFLJLAJjUaCqJeHWELCACmsrIOhXL-v8GrpWYNle2MbW2n1jvb2Ad_6D_kQx0OjY/s320/_DSC0333-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have a nativity scene in the living room. Between last year and this year, one of the kings broke (the leg came off). I need to glue on the parts I can, but it won't fix his leg completely. I have had this nativity set since the girls were little - so probably a good 20 years now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMOdsFgZGoO0fa9KIwtxk-ISu8EwBym104Wyr5rjJNCPmINHBgE2r2Vpk4YvaL-OMSoeC5TknHW0knbhGWuQ6dBCSu3uBHwM2tUzSqG49TuxLEcnV7vmvHZorZHJphbGe44LljgBVpK_isln4j6n-6qIi48YuCIFdvxCVs7INwh4l4ksWOnm4H64/s2594/_DSC0342-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2594" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMOdsFgZGoO0fa9KIwtxk-ISu8EwBym104Wyr5rjJNCPmINHBgE2r2Vpk4YvaL-OMSoeC5TknHW0knbhGWuQ6dBCSu3uBHwM2tUzSqG49TuxLEcnV7vmvHZorZHJphbGe44LljgBVpK_isln4j6n-6qIi48YuCIFdvxCVs7INwh4l4ksWOnm4H64/s320/_DSC0342-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the advent wreath that Sophia made last year when we went to St. Croix Falls. There was a church that was offering this free craft using wood from a tree that had fallen down about a month earlier. They provided the (fake) greenery, candles, and decorations. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwa6H4Uku5W_YOAFXd2iZu2NC17w5EMlnnENbIE3mvM2GmEXw7xSAyFzkum4uKjMQTOycKSQ2xT5wYdJl3JiDarW8eNuNI06FsS8hEPS3co6W40ePJRZ6NYuyCb2dNFSRnkNkJpgo2Sd8ODspd7splfYuguK-hnzd99P-0bNlsfFsficx0ebuo-M8/s2647/_DSC0341-006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2647" data-original-width="1694" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwa6H4Uku5W_YOAFXd2iZu2NC17w5EMlnnENbIE3mvM2GmEXw7xSAyFzkum4uKjMQTOycKSQ2xT5wYdJl3JiDarW8eNuNI06FsS8hEPS3co6W40ePJRZ6NYuyCb2dNFSRnkNkJpgo2Sd8ODspd7splfYuguK-hnzd99P-0bNlsfFsficx0ebuo-M8/s320/_DSC0341-006.JPG" width="205" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Outside, I have lights that are strung on t-posts. For the past couple of years we had smaller lights. However, they were damaged last year by an animal that chewed through the cords - a rabbit...I have no idea. At any rate, it was frustrating to have to toss the lights. I do like these, lights, though. They are colorful and festive, and they are a nice welcome home when I come home in the dark. I also like seeing all the colors reflected on the snow when I wake up in the morning and it is dark outside.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyE735wvDR2rp2XMEtbkwqQ6ANkPPHR2uLz7IktjmVedpewnCtLxCxV4sZbHkFI4zl9qzpD4fAJxwT1_mq--KG11cZMbtAaMf5Vzizy0tNyak4cadXcpkm33lDgz4vc-8_kCRYQm0hyDduMd40TBEBiG6QKG3qQfCaI8Wmo1Wu9O3zFj_ehBBZ4ng/s2992/_DSC0311-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyE735wvDR2rp2XMEtbkwqQ6ANkPPHR2uLz7IktjmVedpewnCtLxCxV4sZbHkFI4zl9qzpD4fAJxwT1_mq--KG11cZMbtAaMf5Vzizy0tNyak4cadXcpkm33lDgz4vc-8_kCRYQm0hyDduMd40TBEBiG6QKG3qQfCaI8Wmo1Wu9O3zFj_ehBBZ4ng/s320/_DSC0311-007.JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmzTyPwKeUp-m0K3FHAy-DBBRRcGCuvSSjFIb-cwCZe8MGaSVEYCUp5B31E52Wg-QPDaWKqBr_7g3cgSpWI2yd14S2fKTva8UevDQBtDNqNkh7glmMP0w5k0AKjDTY40_d1l2KV5ySghuLv4mLgPd8SiMbz3c4kVI9F4ei3_pbcPWjJzAp1wjysE/s2992/_DSC0312-007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmzTyPwKeUp-m0K3FHAy-DBBRRcGCuvSSjFIb-cwCZe8MGaSVEYCUp5B31E52Wg-QPDaWKqBr_7g3cgSpWI2yd14S2fKTva8UevDQBtDNqNkh7glmMP0w5k0AKjDTY40_d1l2KV5ySghuLv4mLgPd8SiMbz3c4kVI9F4ei3_pbcPWjJzAp1wjysE/s320/_DSC0312-007.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">So, that's some of the Christmas decorations around our home this year. Some new...some old...and the majority attached to memories that sustain me throughout the month of December. </p><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-82926882416133716312022-12-14T20:54:00.001-06:002022-12-14T20:54:15.338-06:00House Plants<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">It seems like each year the number of house plants grows. Partly this is a result of starting new plants from existing plants. I have two main areas where my plants are located - by the south-facing window in the kitchen and the east-facing window in the kitchen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">By far, the south-facing window has the most plants. This is the sunniest and warmest place in our home.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZDnpA7OfAt5oyGrZmtKeaHusXvIr6pVrwYDYGVk5oAYyN0m9Ne2P28nfcEqoIrW_YM2u_x2aum3VhoFnD-0sR8OHTqwdsafqsjFqoisL4jJebvzmCQ6aU-4lMKplUO859AS-MFIvoUiaJBMeMcnixvhgc0ewwCSMXDFc9Ra7P_ZU9dVW1ZG66QA/s2992/_DSC0229-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZDnpA7OfAt5oyGrZmtKeaHusXvIr6pVrwYDYGVk5oAYyN0m9Ne2P28nfcEqoIrW_YM2u_x2aum3VhoFnD-0sR8OHTqwdsafqsjFqoisL4jJebvzmCQ6aU-4lMKplUO859AS-MFIvoUiaJBMeMcnixvhgc0ewwCSMXDFc9Ra7P_ZU9dVW1ZG66QA/s320/_DSC0229-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">The east-facing window has five plants. Some could benefit from being in stronger light, but so far they are doing fine here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkMN60XuH74MWLcWfoPjwCMvQyvi-z_j0wx6IymcV3KHmGD4ASP1Ms0LBfpHAwaLSx-1ikwcPJkvtyTiCMgkt9C7lF7G4ne71MLe27BBbc3bewcvrhqPFlWxpT1oCDjkSuVrsik71PmvRzY2MgfzOgMuR8yUEWhX1yu8OQoRzYa-jXN85JfJOEiw/s2608/_DSC0231-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1873" data-original-width="2608" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkMN60XuH74MWLcWfoPjwCMvQyvi-z_j0wx6IymcV3KHmGD4ASP1Ms0LBfpHAwaLSx-1ikwcPJkvtyTiCMgkt9C7lF7G4ne71MLe27BBbc3bewcvrhqPFlWxpT1oCDjkSuVrsik71PmvRzY2MgfzOgMuR8yUEWhX1yu8OQoRzYa-jXN85JfJOEiw/s320/_DSC0231-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">The largest plant in our home is the hibiscus tree. It was a quad-grafted one that my daughter, Olivia, got from an Amish-run greenhouse in southeastern Minnesota in 2018. After several seasons, we weren't seeing anymore of the pink and orange blooms - just the red and yellow ones - which are still beautiful. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The hibiscus enjoys the warmth of the woodstove during the winter. In the summer and early-fall, it is an outside plant. Since it has been inside, it has sprouted two new plants near the base of the tree. I'm curious to see what color blooms they will produce.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAIjHM3yZdxfxoWRetEEvNh_3z8NJC5TSEwFR3EAdJNJhBaMmuzDNOiQsdc9RozVMLOdstqHeblDsNl0vBZAly4e3SyZUNX6Mtpk6RbO7rCv-GZxY3Q-GEPzTWqxaEXTIbJKfEksQBzEktwIBZXPH6qTYJa8sL2sTDvc6SoEa920Nl20sMA84vCw/s2235/_DSC0232-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2235" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAIjHM3yZdxfxoWRetEEvNh_3z8NJC5TSEwFR3EAdJNJhBaMmuzDNOiQsdc9RozVMLOdstqHeblDsNl0vBZAly4e3SyZUNX6Mtpk6RbO7rCv-GZxY3Q-GEPzTWqxaEXTIbJKfEksQBzEktwIBZXPH6qTYJa8sL2sTDvc6SoEa920Nl20sMA84vCw/s320/_DSC0232-007.JPG" width="281" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">Two of the most recent plants I purchased from Home Depot are on the dining room table (though not in these photos) on a Christmas table runner. The first is a fragrant Madagascar Jasmine which is a type of vine. It is blooming now and will do so again in the summer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmR3p2Pa2399-I6Flu81E3PCy-i1N5DZ88hwaxgvijBbaJr_FTd0qfKeqzIEpYJVbv850UPVTTgkdSUJyOFXa0vVUGI5IoUM4EwrtkwPc25rfUDOSNSU7CIYrTQjHo12Zxly7d5okvlSEmFtIO4I4afXmtoPmUL29KHDN8H-ZIW_jMgJvlh-PAnA/s2035/_DSC0234-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2035" data-original-width="1685" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmR3p2Pa2399-I6Flu81E3PCy-i1N5DZ88hwaxgvijBbaJr_FTd0qfKeqzIEpYJVbv850UPVTTgkdSUJyOFXa0vVUGI5IoUM4EwrtkwPc25rfUDOSNSU7CIYrTQjHo12Zxly7d5okvlSEmFtIO4I4afXmtoPmUL29KHDN8H-ZIW_jMgJvlh-PAnA/s320/_DSC0234-007.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">The other plant I recently purchased is a Kalanchoe. Its bright red flowers attracted my attention and I thought it looked nice with the jasmine. The Kalanchoe is a tropical, succulent plant native to Madagascar and tropical Africa.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BUUjtCl7DfKgtFd4nPwNMKJmE3nibZFZ92EjCDc06MEWHMN7iWpbNYBlHcGBifdcSy854lKyY-5FXUzIaGHJoFPb8ZOC0C1baztA-aR-gaLNTY_74kp63ZzE8vWe5-Cmm-a0M_gFH8ehWs1NEkyLkqr-252R0V6pl-AH6Y5wLNqOmKxYBPG4MqE/s1821/_DSC0235-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1655" data-original-width="1821" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BUUjtCl7DfKgtFd4nPwNMKJmE3nibZFZ92EjCDc06MEWHMN7iWpbNYBlHcGBifdcSy854lKyY-5FXUzIaGHJoFPb8ZOC0C1baztA-aR-gaLNTY_74kp63ZzE8vWe5-Cmm-a0M_gFH8ehWs1NEkyLkqr-252R0V6pl-AH6Y5wLNqOmKxYBPG4MqE/s320/_DSC0235-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Although this Philodendron Congo Rojo looks unassuming now, it produces showy flowers and interesting leaves. The name "rojo" comes from its new leaves which unfurl in a deep, shiny red. It's hard to see in my plant, but there are new red leaves forming under the green ones near the stems. As the leaves mature, they fade to the burgundy-green color they are below. (This is another Home Depot purchase a couple weeks ago.)<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILTOoxSVuL3U2lvfnrprguYGBsoFhPEjDKD5wqg68oftIgm6TP0dEyq4gE9QaTWdhAMqguXZp5p07vvXygkisTPdFqyJf1SkOIObDhUgkH5mMt2Hjs_UpQ3kvq7Jz4waLlKwtNMl4QyBr7jpPZvQC6v7W0-7-xkO_8mYXsD3YddZ9vgdPSjWeEes/s2581/_DSC0236-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1722" data-original-width="2581" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILTOoxSVuL3U2lvfnrprguYGBsoFhPEjDKD5wqg68oftIgm6TP0dEyq4gE9QaTWdhAMqguXZp5p07vvXygkisTPdFqyJf1SkOIObDhUgkH5mMt2Hjs_UpQ3kvq7Jz4waLlKwtNMl4QyBr7jpPZvQC6v7W0-7-xkO_8mYXsD3YddZ9vgdPSjWeEes/s320/_DSC0236-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These two plants are Tradescantia Pallida "Purple Heart" Wandering Dude. The plant on the left was given to me by a friend who I met in my pottery class a few years ago. The cuttings (which grew into a plant) were from a plant that belonged to her mother. </div><div><br /></div><div>The plant on the right was created from cuttings from the plant on the left. I had the older plant outside during the summer and it grew so many vines. I cut it back and put the cuttings in soil. After watering it, I didn't do much with it. Within weeks, little green leaves were starting to sprout. These plants are fast growers, so I'm regularly trimming them. I want to see if by regularly trimming them I can create "denser" plants.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTF4q6ZOGy2PJwkYbVuOs5wKnXAxhQBjmYghgo3FAlhYMHPI1EYxjPG-dBKn4fOhFxP525LAjG2GgC8BRECGGux9bb4EZArx30GdDhjya82_yLN8HUqi2UQcWxHsdgNtCMItRN3FnAqbqehqc3NOll-ARPFKh9JNfYzNuroSG3T7-AmdSiG414BE/s2350/_DSC0237-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2350" data-original-width="1725" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTF4q6ZOGy2PJwkYbVuOs5wKnXAxhQBjmYghgo3FAlhYMHPI1EYxjPG-dBKn4fOhFxP525LAjG2GgC8BRECGGux9bb4EZArx30GdDhjya82_yLN8HUqi2UQcWxHsdgNtCMItRN3FnAqbqehqc3NOll-ARPFKh9JNfYzNuroSG3T7-AmdSiG414BE/s320/_DSC0237-007.JPG" width="235" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uDym8c4iWIPBgFE0USDhtuprUn2E9Nt8RSYsAnISf_X_fzN5qn5sPMGy142sfB6EeCrvAZlmcDl6Y2wd8Yudfj08YJSevnvvDVqf091gbW4k2wwtZSE2R0By0G2lGWel5HmRJ2oKHGI8QrwPC-0wd0fWF3cq0NmK-jRjl2G_No_m0M7EsYJcHqY/s2029/_DSC0250-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1843" data-original-width="2029" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9uDym8c4iWIPBgFE0USDhtuprUn2E9Nt8RSYsAnISf_X_fzN5qn5sPMGy142sfB6EeCrvAZlmcDl6Y2wd8Yudfj08YJSevnvvDVqf091gbW4k2wwtZSE2R0By0G2lGWel5HmRJ2oKHGI8QrwPC-0wd0fWF3cq0NmK-jRjl2G_No_m0M7EsYJcHqY/s320/_DSC0250-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I also have two aloe vera plants. The one on the left needs to be divided. This one continues to create shoots. This could easily be six smaller plants. I've had this plant for many years.</div><div><br /></div><div>The aloe vera on the right was given to my daughter, Sophia, in her sophomore year of college. She's a senior now. She didn't want to have it in her dorm room, so she asked me to take care of it. I still haven't transplanted it from the plastic container it came in.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQd_7QkVPe9oH9MUQS1DrU-QeKtEp4m8LJ-MlfaCpvpFxB3kH-OkT01zk4-lhWYanYfc0qd3qkZtvOGBgZ2sr_SNb7XJd0iK9mlfhDFeomI3VB69wKb1c_T9v8ZDEsmvdd1z99DDBkbPFJCw4rF6ZxIaj2mNDIE3nWJXEVE9ih4dDqTmxtlKGHdI/s2601/_DSC0260-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2601" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQd_7QkVPe9oH9MUQS1DrU-QeKtEp4m8LJ-MlfaCpvpFxB3kH-OkT01zk4-lhWYanYfc0qd3qkZtvOGBgZ2sr_SNb7XJd0iK9mlfhDFeomI3VB69wKb1c_T9v8ZDEsmvdd1z99DDBkbPFJCw4rF6ZxIaj2mNDIE3nWJXEVE9ih4dDqTmxtlKGHdI/s320/_DSC0260-007.JPG" width="246" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DYvM4RTbYaHJJZ9JS_83YUyO6y7xImxSC4-Byq7yrN4EqZMrgVdItq3asNcaoklGF2LFB-Wj05aMZg8NpwXwsjgDwms99MvSMNDMLGZ12I__4sp30WarKHERtoGjB8RKX-na7BOT16NdUHuM9qzULRCg4JWEDY9uhu5W1fGoDzs2G4Gaihy768E/s1871/_DSC0238-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1752" data-original-width="1871" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DYvM4RTbYaHJJZ9JS_83YUyO6y7xImxSC4-Byq7yrN4EqZMrgVdItq3asNcaoklGF2LFB-Wj05aMZg8NpwXwsjgDwms99MvSMNDMLGZ12I__4sp30WarKHERtoGjB8RKX-na7BOT16NdUHuM9qzULRCg4JWEDY9uhu5W1fGoDzs2G4Gaihy768E/s320/_DSC0238-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Now for a couple of sad plants. These are rosemary plants that I left in the mudroom a bit too long into the late-fall/winter. I brought them from the backyard to the mudroom. Then, I neglected them by not watering them or transplanting them. I just cut them back and put them in new pots with potting soil. So, we'll see if they come back to life this winter.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGneWVLXmLKmq78sYcET8rRh4pwZkAaCw4x4igEzvvbfxfiD7KNYWwEeZsoOkKeiPRMi4jJsFaoUNqKlBL_U5eMFrt41t_mLx7tY5X6j0oUZV4blajzw8bkPkrZutE0FvyA7nNfar5sW89a9D-G4JV9gqnbifOkCY5BKnX_pF29ahi7oTjv09-gU/s2239/_DSC0239-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1711" data-original-width="2239" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGneWVLXmLKmq78sYcET8rRh4pwZkAaCw4x4igEzvvbfxfiD7KNYWwEeZsoOkKeiPRMi4jJsFaoUNqKlBL_U5eMFrt41t_mLx7tY5X6j0oUZV4blajzw8bkPkrZutE0FvyA7nNfar5sW89a9D-G4JV9gqnbifOkCY5BKnX_pF29ahi7oTjv09-gU/s320/_DSC0239-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In addition to the rosemary, I have a basil plant. My brother bought it for me before Thanksgiving. I've used the leaves to make lasagna. There's nothing like fresh basil.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtQ_9CrtqSBViouHPAm3-0qdayKEOIIlSmTHflKOYgjZaEPuiDdqPO3ZLpdW-OaxIHpI8WA2J2lrKvyHXAUx8ZDBnFKU-FfLQ0o_rUqFaPWWAXUapSXGz2ACRVMwMbFAcjBVGUkA1Vd3DWGb0AsYGGBDibC2jdfIlBapWU0f1682Qv7uS46OcaCs/s2216/_DSC0259-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2216" data-original-width="1945" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtQ_9CrtqSBViouHPAm3-0qdayKEOIIlSmTHflKOYgjZaEPuiDdqPO3ZLpdW-OaxIHpI8WA2J2lrKvyHXAUx8ZDBnFKU-FfLQ0o_rUqFaPWWAXUapSXGz2ACRVMwMbFAcjBVGUkA1Vd3DWGb0AsYGGBDibC2jdfIlBapWU0f1682Qv7uS46OcaCs/s320/_DSC0259-007.JPG" width="281" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This plant is another plant that Sophia wanted me to take care of. It is a type of agave that she got when she was at a leadership camp in Patagonia, Arizona, in 2018. The goal was to plant agave seedlings to promote agave restoration. </div><div><br /></div><div>One of the interesting things about agave plants is that the agave flowers are an essential food source for the Mexican long-tongued bat and the long-nosed bat. These bats make their way from Mexico to the United States where they give birth to their young before returning back to Mexico in the fall. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYkryL4Nntlw7Jv1ujUjPXllR1MtHtmv6uxjWXdzj1g13Fp3tTfRoL552z6H-U977Yu2RoR1pLoeYa0Fs53C5h4l57dPzp258laVPkNGVgqJ41lY6cJo7Aw8Bpo_jenTCvACbqrjYfl8hSJ20Sh698kpseMJPm6FZgSxX3Z3ctqyjJFEIsogpr9s/s1547/_DSC0240-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1547" data-original-width="1523" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYkryL4Nntlw7Jv1ujUjPXllR1MtHtmv6uxjWXdzj1g13Fp3tTfRoL552z6H-U977Yu2RoR1pLoeYa0Fs53C5h4l57dPzp258laVPkNGVgqJ41lY6cJo7Aw8Bpo_jenTCvACbqrjYfl8hSJ20Sh698kpseMJPm6FZgSxX3Z3ctqyjJFEIsogpr9s/s320/_DSC0240-007.JPG" width="315" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is a little Bromeliad plant that was at Home Depot in early-December. I've seen larger versions, but wanted to start out with a little one. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqgrnyEKQKtvdBCIAJetYhRwH2JPTAgRQrQ5RQEiySupGnHni_8oYVkPx2L6k7f-DXJ4WQALAXXKU9Us3jxOblcSbwjSKDa-zZYU6kK0niE98cTwYC5BGkludUCyReEnPhTfnBQZgfDht6I9Qbvp-XqPUDp5pdiaBQH1BIJM39UIWBT0liNe3tdU/s1619/_DSC0241-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="1619" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqgrnyEKQKtvdBCIAJetYhRwH2JPTAgRQrQ5RQEiySupGnHni_8oYVkPx2L6k7f-DXJ4WQALAXXKU9Us3jxOblcSbwjSKDa-zZYU6kK0niE98cTwYC5BGkludUCyReEnPhTfnBQZgfDht6I9Qbvp-XqPUDp5pdiaBQH1BIJM39UIWBT0liNe3tdU/s320/_DSC0241-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I really like the flower on the Bromeliad plant. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KTHAK4ui0DKc7GMI185x-UjiEBvEN3kD6QEUge7YbEwZoPhYDCNmkKOnPnZ4J7e13UFWYSNoGY4DsaAyyfn-y-A2eGk8AAZZEKc8wpq5NXkKFHifygnGWvlp3R1rD9bakOYhjqdtWiV5qrAxJtmL7C31ko0CpE230Hm9SYU5pMnc-i--gl7iRH8/s2336/_DSC0242-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1926" data-original-width="2336" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KTHAK4ui0DKc7GMI185x-UjiEBvEN3kD6QEUge7YbEwZoPhYDCNmkKOnPnZ4J7e13UFWYSNoGY4DsaAyyfn-y-A2eGk8AAZZEKc8wpq5NXkKFHifygnGWvlp3R1rD9bakOYhjqdtWiV5qrAxJtmL7C31ko0CpE230Hm9SYU5pMnc-i--gl7iRH8/s320/_DSC0242-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My daughter, Olivia, said that we should keep a tiny succulent that was on one of her graduation bouquets (from May 2022). She took it and placed it in one of the Christmas Cactus plants that were outside for the summer. By the end of the summer, it had grown quite tall. I propped it up with small twigs as it was growing. She tried to grow it at college, but she has a north-facing window so light is minimal. This one needs stronger light and is doing well in the south-facing window in my kitchen. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrV6OF9GYNJGLG0mYhm5zojdm5qrLfzx-fzsCZm51VeBMFwuyQxuemydzBIF98XyFFGGxZrvBTLq1rxxmJMs_1qnN-yYqgjPlXAEKj6U2avWcVpFG1nIce-UKjviU7gYjHL4sbogFfKQc6XqDXRmXEG53jkUG-W43tL_aM5-KYqv9gyV-c7ADKBuM/s1789/_DSC0244-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1789" data-original-width="1780" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrV6OF9GYNJGLG0mYhm5zojdm5qrLfzx-fzsCZm51VeBMFwuyQxuemydzBIF98XyFFGGxZrvBTLq1rxxmJMs_1qnN-yYqgjPlXAEKj6U2avWcVpFG1nIce-UKjviU7gYjHL4sbogFfKQc6XqDXRmXEG53jkUG-W43tL_aM5-KYqv9gyV-c7ADKBuM/s320/_DSC0244-007.JPG" width="318" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Because Olivia likes plants, I found this Haworthia/Gasteria at Home Depot a couple of weeks ago that I'm going to give her for Christmas. I'm not sure of its specific type/species. The plant has such a curious texture to it with the raised white dots. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnPhC7t2_E9OKV03k5RIfiwHBIOdedX0GYCxa6bd18zf_XxGDUKlNp9hUEn11JXXWbOMcIST-Ib7Qt3YJ68gQQn_SqqF7PGT1iJ1lVBkYwr8h7J82St84hUOJKhgecz4XWWSIzotLSbDoo5Rj7ZGVpttgjnyaqBE8x3ugby2IeMvG3oI95Bfm8OM/s1705/_DSC0243-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1705" data-original-width="1460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnPhC7t2_E9OKV03k5RIfiwHBIOdedX0GYCxa6bd18zf_XxGDUKlNp9hUEn11JXXWbOMcIST-Ib7Qt3YJ68gQQn_SqqF7PGT1iJ1lVBkYwr8h7J82St84hUOJKhgecz4XWWSIzotLSbDoo5Rj7ZGVpttgjnyaqBE8x3ugby2IeMvG3oI95Bfm8OM/s320/_DSC0243-007.JPG" width="274" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is a type of Radiator Plant called Peperomia "Napoli Nights" and it was at Home Depot in early-December. I like the texture and coloring of the leaves. What I'm looking forward to seeing are the yellow flowers that are starting to come out. The plant sends up thin stems on which the yellow flowers grow. People say they resemble mouse tails. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANaJeXSwTd5-T8e4bdIlEYSj8dGNr083M7h2AexU0fAXGuZAYSrpIgG-7dEMWln22843kbFfUq_YWbzdEoVIUp1yaBn6WU6OnLCFeqp7lQ2dRdcDPaHjzdBY8EDeauAk2OZ4VVMOEICgzjhbPU8ZOKIN8XubffwDcYW-zCn9kt5Qs5fYMJIsEo58/s1689/_DSC0245-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1689" data-original-width="1640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANaJeXSwTd5-T8e4bdIlEYSj8dGNr083M7h2AexU0fAXGuZAYSrpIgG-7dEMWln22843kbFfUq_YWbzdEoVIUp1yaBn6WU6OnLCFeqp7lQ2dRdcDPaHjzdBY8EDeauAk2OZ4VVMOEICgzjhbPU8ZOKIN8XubffwDcYW-zCn9kt5Qs5fYMJIsEo58/s320/_DSC0245-007.JPG" width="311" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">My oldest plant is a Christmas Cactus that my dad gave me when he was in the middle stages of Alzheimer's and he was forgetting that he watered the plant. He was overwatering it which was making it die. I was able to bring it back to life, thankfully. At that point, he was no longer capable of caring for the Christmas Cactus. He had this plant probably since the mid-1970s. If I use the date that we moved into our new home in 1974, then it is 48 years old. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR38laqTLK9aTqMCUPZ6Ty9fRRZRoj6X8D32SIqcQANC2eRmMJ1j5Rl9XtqRoqZkTVRrMJzIAfpLFk6jDxQEgHvuCFnsVjIZRO1CL4BkBGOfLBE2YpOPDvpJ1_qUag95nYMfSuneli29a0sDGk90tyv3hcrVD-Tq6oFDCzVglElxT6Ij8f7SYqIzM/s2611/_DSC0248-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="2611" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR38laqTLK9aTqMCUPZ6Ty9fRRZRoj6X8D32SIqcQANC2eRmMJ1j5Rl9XtqRoqZkTVRrMJzIAfpLFk6jDxQEgHvuCFnsVjIZRO1CL4BkBGOfLBE2YpOPDvpJ1_qUag95nYMfSuneli29a0sDGk90tyv3hcrVD-Tq6oFDCzVglElxT6Ij8f7SYqIzM/s320/_DSC0248-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">From that plant, I started two other plants - one for each of my daughters. They do not know the plants are for them. I want to give them one either when they move to their first home or when they get married - a gift - in essence - from my dad. Both are doing well in terms of blooming. The one on the left seems a bit more well-balanced in terms of height. The one on the right is the plant where the succulent (pictured above) was growing. So , there's a gap now where the succulent was until the fall. I need to do something for re-building this part of the plant. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORz9g5jyhJqa8oRp3FqI9EwCtZ8qqmYzxBQVBIedAlvStI7VNiI3fpheXVySvkIuKUXdJq3-agJfQUiB5L5Dm0a5aGi235NqLhzzRHZBnU5xhqGYJqCWXRGKYLGFvTVA_9_xu75vCHNOOgG52zyp9-ZcBt7vhqwvRd_m12Hzc71B40Nke6ScFoE0/s2543/_DSC0246-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1769" data-original-width="2543" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORz9g5jyhJqa8oRp3FqI9EwCtZ8qqmYzxBQVBIedAlvStI7VNiI3fpheXVySvkIuKUXdJq3-agJfQUiB5L5Dm0a5aGi235NqLhzzRHZBnU5xhqGYJqCWXRGKYLGFvTVA_9_xu75vCHNOOgG52zyp9-ZcBt7vhqwvRd_m12Hzc71B40Nke6ScFoE0/w200-h139/_DSC0246-007.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05ghhYmoi-F7dmiFY6D7ibc6kt0dd3bWiNoVp4h-qyxJPYL-OqTxVJfuRtcG5WW32voawGp690LvWHpp49c5K9JRPO4VdxwE4dcS7m3qUBb4Lw_o87le3xC26lQDridwelPA-UN505Mefc8wU9zSdB2YKEVSQlz2vMuUwHUT8FBDaOo0ZGmqgtm8/s2661/_DSC0247-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2661" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05ghhYmoi-F7dmiFY6D7ibc6kt0dd3bWiNoVp4h-qyxJPYL-OqTxVJfuRtcG5WW32voawGp690LvWHpp49c5K9JRPO4VdxwE4dcS7m3qUBb4Lw_o87le3xC26lQDridwelPA-UN505Mefc8wU9zSdB2YKEVSQlz2vMuUwHUT8FBDaOo0ZGmqgtm8/w200-h108/_DSC0247-007.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a Zamioculcas Zamiifolia or ZZ plant that I got at WalMart in October. I was looking for some different types of plants than I had and this one had much darker leaves than any of my plants. I don't believe this one has any flowers.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOal9ZBmPt0ZJY7GDRkawt1xJuLQncSkDvJ6ddGGEPY8MrYd4niO_8vlOHf1mnS3tVgHTpxnWyEQ6UGfgHN7XLSoEY1juiMUGA106QTl6dy4rjgiVyodNFCvYsqII3PZP0cughCWNPzg86O9MkyztuzBt-n-1uRUZMJz3VvwJObTvnBWfRUKF33I/s2094/_DSC0249-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2094" data-original-width="1825" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOal9ZBmPt0ZJY7GDRkawt1xJuLQncSkDvJ6ddGGEPY8MrYd4niO_8vlOHf1mnS3tVgHTpxnWyEQ6UGfgHN7XLSoEY1juiMUGA106QTl6dy4rjgiVyodNFCvYsqII3PZP0cughCWNPzg86O9MkyztuzBt-n-1uRUZMJz3VvwJObTvnBWfRUKF33I/s320/_DSC0249-007.JPG" width="279" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Another plant that I have is a jade plant. Jade plants are native to the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa, and Mozambique. The plant, pictured below, started out small - probably no more than five inches tall. Sophia, Olivia, and I purchased it and several other plants to create a terrarium. Eventually, the plants outgrew the terrarium and each got its own planter. The jade plant did exceptionally well and has now grown into a small tree. It is 15 years old. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6FnXHfGpunA8PybXbyqbrVI6DSe1_5o8Fbh8SFGO3pETGu8xuNLMVS3yskgBtHmL2krmrWncaf2AeyXk4LqFHEPNQM5Qj6mJ5E3fmX53aaWuXhJz4yfzY4_izaXwz2trbi6TCR12SHG6ZuQvkSN7c1ETLic-nSrXanbwpaKpI4QqsFSCUb8rW8E/s2375/_DSC0252-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2375" data-original-width="1840" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6FnXHfGpunA8PybXbyqbrVI6DSe1_5o8Fbh8SFGO3pETGu8xuNLMVS3yskgBtHmL2krmrWncaf2AeyXk4LqFHEPNQM5Qj6mJ5E3fmX53aaWuXhJz4yfzY4_izaXwz2trbi6TCR12SHG6ZuQvkSN7c1ETLic-nSrXanbwpaKpI4QqsFSCUb8rW8E/s320/_DSC0252-007.JPG" width="248" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Several years ago, my jade tree started blooming. I had never seen it bloom before, so it was fun to see all the pink and white star-shaped flowers. This is typical of jade plants - that they need to be mature for them to flower. </div><i style="background-color: white;"></i><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pmmhF8BvdUUdf0mpnBqmPbPSYyoSeawiqicjofAQ7oSbgV7LF86PB3U0Pvk-kYQrFGMmTD39KliXN-dNMdIhvbZS3F-XHRxeCv0g3xqeTevZL3bmmgN2MaRfyR1kNTAakKBK_gdn8aXC5dsHIg2SR6em1vfrp_l_0kqV9zZ6FxCXjJdWdCyVDcg/s2030/_DSC0254-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2030" data-original-width="1343" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pmmhF8BvdUUdf0mpnBqmPbPSYyoSeawiqicjofAQ7oSbgV7LF86PB3U0Pvk-kYQrFGMmTD39KliXN-dNMdIhvbZS3F-XHRxeCv0g3xqeTevZL3bmmgN2MaRfyR1kNTAakKBK_gdn8aXC5dsHIg2SR6em1vfrp_l_0kqV9zZ6FxCXjJdWdCyVDcg/s320/_DSC0254-007.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I have another smaller jade plant that I started from parts that fell off the larger jade tree. To create new plants, all that I needed to do was stick a leaf or stem with leaves into the soil and water it. Jade will start growing into a plant. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2J6gQ5by66JkrdqrjG3OzUeavC3kVDRhIbQiQQ09CjtZT8Z0ssknS7CfIQMvjXkgivgpQdHfXZwSqgNcWVB34ZZZ5JaCooEUME4RYT8lsrR-rH2Ii6UDs5vG0uAEZ5MZj9xaRdRTYqUw6sJo_-avbhwr95muztLvZOqkmERqTXNrmnNPqWNOogU/s2661/_DSC0251-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2661" data-original-width="1468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2J6gQ5by66JkrdqrjG3OzUeavC3kVDRhIbQiQQ09CjtZT8Z0ssknS7CfIQMvjXkgivgpQdHfXZwSqgNcWVB34ZZZ5JaCooEUME4RYT8lsrR-rH2Ii6UDs5vG0uAEZ5MZj9xaRdRTYqUw6sJo_-avbhwr95muztLvZOqkmERqTXNrmnNPqWNOogU/s320/_DSC0251-007.JPG" width="177" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>In October, I bought this Anthurium Andraeanum from WalMart - also called a flamingo lily or painter's palette. This plant is native to Ecuador and Columbia. It can grow up to 16" tall so it will get much larger than it is now. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnqgLIch716PPduD-CB4WF1PBTK--DU9KW6s_-xG91zLQ3F3Nmo5Ut9e21WxiQKewc_NrPGtMPlGUmoQEDnXgaPcRROiEej3EWUtHtPrP2LBZNaZjLOsbONq-c8g05ZYvJgpna4W5KXXG3HqmYJC7rZtROk6MvknSAoTssS2VaNLcD5iLqKWKGC0/s2150/_DSC0255-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2150" data-original-width="1820" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnqgLIch716PPduD-CB4WF1PBTK--DU9KW6s_-xG91zLQ3F3Nmo5Ut9e21WxiQKewc_NrPGtMPlGUmoQEDnXgaPcRROiEej3EWUtHtPrP2LBZNaZjLOsbONq-c8g05ZYvJgpna4W5KXXG3HqmYJC7rZtROk6MvknSAoTssS2VaNLcD5iLqKWKGC0/s320/_DSC0255-007.JPG" width="271" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Several years ago, I got another type of Christmas Cactus from a local nursery - though it may be a Thanksgiving Cactus since its leaf shape is different from the other ones I have. It also has a red tint around all of the leaves. I'm not sure if that's okay or a sign that something is wrong with it. Yet...it looks healthy. So, I'm not sure.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclQqGiEPzpTQYnHT30vOaHPyI2YdQ5AHXCgY-3-VgkX1C7QdmtXx01aNyDz1TSFx3NOLUiHQFPoNIgU2J-wTLo5EC6oWeoezprWnZUcpBVCV1LfFWD9cHjEVwmlxuEfMNEBf0mBvA-uPGYMaNmUVIuOPTwAR0K7DfQZBFUlZsXDrw0eXOzyY37DE/s2166/_DSC0256-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1735" data-original-width="2166" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclQqGiEPzpTQYnHT30vOaHPyI2YdQ5AHXCgY-3-VgkX1C7QdmtXx01aNyDz1TSFx3NOLUiHQFPoNIgU2J-wTLo5EC6oWeoezprWnZUcpBVCV1LfFWD9cHjEVwmlxuEfMNEBf0mBvA-uPGYMaNmUVIuOPTwAR0K7DfQZBFUlZsXDrw0eXOzyY37DE/s320/_DSC0256-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In October, I got this bamboo plant from WalMart. I liked how the stems were formed into the shape. I'm hoping that it does well during the winter. I've never grown bamboo before.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuBhR3LekwbRn0oMjF7t_OgvuO9c73z2rIRXWBgYGGvSJpZc8aQy875B9pjQxBzQ6Q4W4gQy6CO4fg5FhOhDgeW6JcyRCK9euPa8zPuuvYgJSsw2YlWN5TB7JFCApP1_vEOGrYPOIGv4VaLn5BnUD6XbmACCWP52LoyeiF4jUah3Ho8gmcyJBU9g/s2556/_DSC0257-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2556" data-original-width="1003" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuBhR3LekwbRn0oMjF7t_OgvuO9c73z2rIRXWBgYGGvSJpZc8aQy875B9pjQxBzQ6Q4W4gQy6CO4fg5FhOhDgeW6JcyRCK9euPa8zPuuvYgJSsw2YlWN5TB7JFCApP1_vEOGrYPOIGv4VaLn5BnUD6XbmACCWP52LoyeiF4jUah3Ho8gmcyJBU9g/s320/_DSC0257-007.JPG" width="126" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This little plant that I recently got from WalMart is called a Codiaeum Variegatum "Petra Croton." It is an evergreen shrub native to the western Pacific Islands and southern Asia. I liked the various colors in the leaves. In the upcoming month, I want to transplant it into a pot.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RR0A9ChiGOYlnx6LvXyOa_nsfq1tBYN85mMGcCnAXgHfR0glk0WwBv1mByxdJ_E_nDREZKnnVxW2TdO8esvKLg4EsiakkuCFOh3XaBW4F2np49okH80TXzTO3eAUDt_RzSkCFFhQfC-MgY-3kaseHELjpFBRkvjLyVqxHX3e96ZuaSV5Vwgo2ds/s1981/_DSC0258-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="1981" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RR0A9ChiGOYlnx6LvXyOa_nsfq1tBYN85mMGcCnAXgHfR0glk0WwBv1mByxdJ_E_nDREZKnnVxW2TdO8esvKLg4EsiakkuCFOh3XaBW4F2np49okH80TXzTO3eAUDt_RzSkCFFhQfC-MgY-3kaseHELjpFBRkvjLyVqxHX3e96ZuaSV5Vwgo2ds/s320/_DSC0258-007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last houseplant I have is one I just got about a week ago from Home Depot. It's a Hoya Macrophylla and is also known as a wax plant because it has waxy leaves and flowers. The plants originate from New Guinea, New Zealand, and Australia.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This plant is a trailing vine and can grow five feet in length. The leaves grow between four to eight inches long and one and one-half to four inches wide. Blooms appear in the spring and summer and will have white or cream-color clusters of star-shaped flowers. The flowers release their scent at night when natural pollinators come out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEh3It0r4CctnBsHzkBr0Im7-OMjx7Z1jSgixSVJteVh87AilyLg-wKlOvr9sGocfmnARuywbk2-lvsVFfJomg11Zy_MihMK9Nl1jQRiPz_8bPgYnQpRl2EQF9EVj-JYnVlKDdLtkjgieamct79NFt8xbzCwjJI-o8gfCWRhplosCyg1As8ghoWRA/s2290/_DSC0262-007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2290" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEh3It0r4CctnBsHzkBr0Im7-OMjx7Z1jSgixSVJteVh87AilyLg-wKlOvr9sGocfmnARuywbk2-lvsVFfJomg11Zy_MihMK9Nl1jQRiPz_8bPgYnQpRl2EQF9EVj-JYnVlKDdLtkjgieamct79NFt8xbzCwjJI-o8gfCWRhplosCyg1As8ghoWRA/s320/_DSC0262-007.JPG" width="252" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">All these plants are easy to take care of - it's just time-consuming in terms of watering. When the majority of the plants are outdoors during the summer, it is much easier since the rain is usually sufficient to take care of them. When I transition them back inside, I do a lot of pruning of each plant since they seem to grow quite a bit in the three months they are outdoors. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">In an ideal world, I would have plants in each room of the home. However, there isn't enough light in all of the rooms. I haven't gotten to the level of plant shelves and grow lights. However, maybe someday that could be a possibility. It would give me something fun to do with my time as I learn about different plants and how to grow them. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-70863398085836567862022-12-05T20:52:00.002-06:002022-12-05T20:52:00.232-06:00My Favorite Photos - November 2022<p>This month I started a new position with a local museum to do their marketing/PR work. One of my favorite parts of the job is photographing items in the gift shop and the museum's artifacts. Below are Dala horse salt and pepper shakers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOk3JDGuB4Ngp6VWF5qlBAjhjUMsDivreOUkVBk2CCvJqhMCgnhaKSe5QGtHoCEaMKonVqOSgi3ziRDfeFoRwM5oIGQgac9nHo1_Q8Y6pq9sWJlv23G2RkuGaQOGi3YAthXbai28bRv_88VpuO9VRfVa_6_l7DdCARwcem3HzGIWFVUyusX9Y804/s2992/_DSC0220-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOk3JDGuB4Ngp6VWF5qlBAjhjUMsDivreOUkVBk2CCvJqhMCgnhaKSe5QGtHoCEaMKonVqOSgi3ziRDfeFoRwM5oIGQgac9nHo1_Q8Y6pq9sWJlv23G2RkuGaQOGi3YAthXbai28bRv_88VpuO9VRfVa_6_l7DdCARwcem3HzGIWFVUyusX9Y804/s320/_DSC0220-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is a hand-carved tomte and pine tree.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdmXo5D7-h82c7_QjLgmteaAulZrx1El1eYaLiLHP2423pf14n85uFBoP9yurRn3pROncfulsaNkookVxlyo9vb_2MZZXBcvu_8zwUU5YVj4mCMy7sDcYudUI9KohWkPqTwDzzPWdJP-7LzLs9YJdP179oxqEZQXwy4aeaTJ1oXHi8hFsz3E65FM/s1901/_DSC0223-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1702" data-original-width="1901" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdmXo5D7-h82c7_QjLgmteaAulZrx1El1eYaLiLHP2423pf14n85uFBoP9yurRn3pROncfulsaNkookVxlyo9vb_2MZZXBcvu_8zwUU5YVj4mCMy7sDcYudUI9KohWkPqTwDzzPWdJP-7LzLs9YJdP179oxqEZQXwy4aeaTJ1oXHi8hFsz3E65FM/s320/_DSC0223-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is one of 150 dolls that were donated to the museum. Each doll has an outfit that represents the clothing typical to a region in Sweden.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWfGmhb1_QTHlOHC-3oSYOo0czX5g9geN_7PFrlkowAlWS5M1wb68ZLdLA1L3cwmXaYgHb6QADzIYN_iBhPHDvcRopupfU6vV5X8dPW-5J1J5ebUR__zYnwFAaVaTlGes5rSLnMMa7Th758bpLu6kdUdaYzaK1JQoxRabS1g8d-W1e9sPx5obkLk/s2772/_DSC0369-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2772" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWfGmhb1_QTHlOHC-3oSYOo0czX5g9geN_7PFrlkowAlWS5M1wb68ZLdLA1L3cwmXaYgHb6QADzIYN_iBhPHDvcRopupfU6vV5X8dPW-5J1J5ebUR__zYnwFAaVaTlGes5rSLnMMa7Th758bpLu6kdUdaYzaK1JQoxRabS1g8d-W1e9sPx5obkLk/s320/_DSC0369-006.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When I was taking the photos, my younger daughter was helping me. At the end of the session, I took photos of her. The first one she liked the best. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJH25OIor79OodaXEBdFRlB236QStIUND6Bx2yw6t9R7tyOzEzQ7UtfnPPf--jwKX_N54-bNn7Ix8UmmjX-mgfmNUci5PsZHVWAsc5Zk45gWzlEzOThf_bM29H13QtMPkr2i-gdAwIfkPm1cre_87LUWtdMSbDUvDMUtNXzH5BG8AIBzL_qaQLEg/s2471/_DSC0395-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2471" data-original-width="1609" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJH25OIor79OodaXEBdFRlB236QStIUND6Bx2yw6t9R7tyOzEzQ7UtfnPPf--jwKX_N54-bNn7Ix8UmmjX-mgfmNUci5PsZHVWAsc5Zk45gWzlEzOThf_bM29H13QtMPkr2i-gdAwIfkPm1cre_87LUWtdMSbDUvDMUtNXzH5BG8AIBzL_qaQLEg/s320/_DSC0395-005.JPG" width="208" /></a></div><div><br /></div>These two, though, capture her spirit more - her laugh and mannerisms. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9hKTCrYJgdzDZfoHeaFbtH67lAZqMXxCfuFf11y3-2dfLfw7PlFW-TFfKdk3F5nITG3j_6-hKSogkI-dDIWWg3hCcRaXkpGRgvRnK8W8PFI9cmv572BV_EEznkBE1lvevqo5ThvS0sr3pwBlG3ekGAI-DTjQLNCCqYT3HBEvI2Q355hR2xseeds/s2802/_DSC0400-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2802" data-original-width="1885" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9hKTCrYJgdzDZfoHeaFbtH67lAZqMXxCfuFf11y3-2dfLfw7PlFW-TFfKdk3F5nITG3j_6-hKSogkI-dDIWWg3hCcRaXkpGRgvRnK8W8PFI9cmv572BV_EEznkBE1lvevqo5ThvS0sr3pwBlG3ekGAI-DTjQLNCCqYT3HBEvI2Q355hR2xseeds/w134-h200/_DSC0400-006.JPG" width="134" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrjCbyAWdqfxq4Todjk6a5BotUBNUYTwnZfoWVR9pEh72zI1vITjMsFkUYdgasFHqM2rW-4A-X4fTcRvpcMbqy2myrq-wM7Tn9ZmUv1yeZyrZY_xx-zdROeR9NkqWtCekWocsK8-5vWmJtXtDjK4ipGRfvZeNcK9AcWbutWo9lzZoPAT0eEfVELk/s2671/_DSC0402-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2671" data-original-width="2000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrjCbyAWdqfxq4Todjk6a5BotUBNUYTwnZfoWVR9pEh72zI1vITjMsFkUYdgasFHqM2rW-4A-X4fTcRvpcMbqy2myrq-wM7Tn9ZmUv1yeZyrZY_xx-zdROeR9NkqWtCekWocsK8-5vWmJtXtDjK4ipGRfvZeNcK9AcWbutWo9lzZoPAT0eEfVELk/w150-h200/_DSC0402-005.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I took some photos of Cooper on the first day that it snowed in November. This is one of them. He is looking out at the tree and watching the birds.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifu_qjvsqai22LNDOSpga5U7u_2n0O_E9697-jRkQoeLqGOnruHUL59NlMbDMpJSVGD0L2yeWi7Mu8BkOUnEH-wnKI1gj1oYrYmvxs6x8iQMast64hpJdqYeB1pB2oI6gPi9aG1ZpEbC0MIWlgwUEwOjb-ESsqopAJzz_d7qyaPg7lnOZGeGA54Y/s2992/_DSC0406-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifu_qjvsqai22LNDOSpga5U7u_2n0O_E9697-jRkQoeLqGOnruHUL59NlMbDMpJSVGD0L2yeWi7Mu8BkOUnEH-wnKI1gj1oYrYmvxs6x8iQMast64hpJdqYeB1pB2oI6gPi9aG1ZpEbC0MIWlgwUEwOjb-ESsqopAJzz_d7qyaPg7lnOZGeGA54Y/s320/_DSC0406-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the 18th, we celebrated Olivia's anniversary of her adoption day. She found a restaurant near her college that we all enjoyed. Her anniversary is actually on the 17th, but she had a class field trip for her Humanities class that was meeting on the 17th. So, the 18th it was for our annual anniversary dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9c4ozGrh0jRIly4xKrfHl-aDtEmFnCFmP2zhGbkbZobpt5DKfSBTXgbzkyGJlJfqY1dfX47fjUQQD8eruf-A03HD9UnYYCYb4WDd646V8-JXW27qT3CTXc-aadV414loy_Y292xXFeWq4NNj4QIURL2_KUXnAVm9qhRXgrq9NLXKvxL20kxtyHXk/s2185/_DSC0413-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2185" data-original-width="1930" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9c4ozGrh0jRIly4xKrfHl-aDtEmFnCFmP2zhGbkbZobpt5DKfSBTXgbzkyGJlJfqY1dfX47fjUQQD8eruf-A03HD9UnYYCYb4WDd646V8-JXW27qT3CTXc-aadV414loy_Y292xXFeWq4NNj4QIURL2_KUXnAVm9qhRXgrq9NLXKvxL20kxtyHXk/s320/_DSC0413-006.JPG" width="283" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On the 23rd, Olivia, Sophia, and Nessa (one of Sophia's roommates) came home for Thanksgiving. On the 23rd, we celebrated Nessa's birthday by going to a new arts organization in Wisconsin. She hadn't been to Wisconsin, so that was another bonus "gift." </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeCtT8LinOYPXpQryH45wgAB1iJ4rEU8egRz80rG-i_-Jq4uguGEf8E43hxVVPhNphA0zhHpCKwLz8XH2yo-rEwaTM9e6ZnwR-e8GYBlET7zAjALBWFD3YTTHQ8AdsbFKDX-zSCFgK8JyZSM5huC5ATOcpvu0ru9caCCCJZJbRx0IgFhdpY_-W60/s2888/_DSC0447-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="2888" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeCtT8LinOYPXpQryH45wgAB1iJ4rEU8egRz80rG-i_-Jq4uguGEf8E43hxVVPhNphA0zhHpCKwLz8XH2yo-rEwaTM9e6ZnwR-e8GYBlET7zAjALBWFD3YTTHQ8AdsbFKDX-zSCFgK8JyZSM5huC5ATOcpvu0ru9caCCCJZJbRx0IgFhdpY_-W60/s320/_DSC0447-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The picture above and below were in the gallery.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wjEP3-tRaFKE4yuLGvb_gohOF80iMsb1GVGIXDRCmBI9Ju23INbcQQxwhaerVnWfotgRPwZwJCUiYEDnJBpJVCvp4f56g2xaeEh736J2Wm9rhlEMK27aZOkNpO2wkXPX5gNF9Ty33qI7vhS5GxzhyMRRC4aRrF6unHwTao7P0C-2WdcwtAat9Wk/s2115/_DSC0448-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1819" data-original-width="2115" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wjEP3-tRaFKE4yuLGvb_gohOF80iMsb1GVGIXDRCmBI9Ju23INbcQQxwhaerVnWfotgRPwZwJCUiYEDnJBpJVCvp4f56g2xaeEh736J2Wm9rhlEMK27aZOkNpO2wkXPX5gNF9Ty33qI7vhS5GxzhyMRRC4aRrF6unHwTao7P0C-2WdcwtAat9Wk/s320/_DSC0448-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We continued exploring Osceola, Wisconsin, by going to an antique store. None of us had been there, so it was fun to explore a new place.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkmMnADzglwtmFXY0i8D9ADgNb5U8sk3s46uL-oaI5Qp-qk3KS3O5HIqmLzQIbSmOtNvN9e5OxfgoWwhFTq7PoMi5JGKJya_zKMcLGA8WtvRovKnA4mW8hC5nS6ohLrv34qM6A7tnLLRAymGMoKslvNLMB_D2o82NyH7NjhQ9YDml78YVikaP0Vs/s2149/_DSC0451-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="2149" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkmMnADzglwtmFXY0i8D9ADgNb5U8sk3s46uL-oaI5Qp-qk3KS3O5HIqmLzQIbSmOtNvN9e5OxfgoWwhFTq7PoMi5JGKJya_zKMcLGA8WtvRovKnA4mW8hC5nS6ohLrv34qM6A7tnLLRAymGMoKslvNLMB_D2o82NyH7NjhQ9YDml78YVikaP0Vs/s320/_DSC0451-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For Nessa's birthday, I made lasagna. I made some changes to my mom's recipe - like adding more mushrooms, spices, and fresh mozzarella.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiR0bMlbDhuVosdbiTTuiQ2zOsXOoGbQK0x2_H1vgcY9HZfH0AJVlhElOq9wxLgklbSpb-t-zENAGuN8nHzQLU3sHhOFrBIgaHn8vgStLS9XtnYgy1SXzFBY96hPzNTQmVPYkJDWesbbygE5Qh2STRiPD5kJXgW4RFCvnSoYp938XEwPsTlPP3ykA/s2249/_DSC0459-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="2249" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiR0bMlbDhuVosdbiTTuiQ2zOsXOoGbQK0x2_H1vgcY9HZfH0AJVlhElOq9wxLgklbSpb-t-zENAGuN8nHzQLU3sHhOFrBIgaHn8vgStLS9XtnYgy1SXzFBY96hPzNTQmVPYkJDWesbbygE5Qh2STRiPD5kJXgW4RFCvnSoYp938XEwPsTlPP3ykA/s320/_DSC0459-005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I made a Toll House Chocolate Chip Pie (instead of a birthday cake). Danny (the dog) is hoping the pie is for him. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHdUJrgU4-EvPwEovijFQcUTjAHYxgzmue8uODk8exsMMjKiuzyfAplzHoxyQxqeziPOyCVXF7YCTlJanvvA1068EHDTQXvt81PcXPVUwbC82iT2hyia6dNWc7GiZSxShOQPzt0jO4fkk536Cyxlma6AKnoTzIukQGp_-ytvBii8FSu33ARDPpww/s2025/_DSC0463-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1631" data-original-width="2025" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHdUJrgU4-EvPwEovijFQcUTjAHYxgzmue8uODk8exsMMjKiuzyfAplzHoxyQxqeziPOyCVXF7YCTlJanvvA1068EHDTQXvt81PcXPVUwbC82iT2hyia6dNWc7GiZSxShOQPzt0jO4fkk536Cyxlma6AKnoTzIukQGp_-ytvBii8FSu33ARDPpww/s320/_DSC0463-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On the 24th, we celebrated Thanksgiving. There were 14 people total. We had both a turkey and ham, plus a lot of side dishes. We had three different pies for dessert.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZW0wXtUZmJdJ_7V7NMclOw8wDnps7LmZbYhPdoiitRgQxUUN5ev0DqQWRSOuMMWdX3LL8dkB1j7lMhdsy20zkzya0z-h_8dF9SkCUzQOTW57ebUXeq7Y71o1YQPNed0uOc4EBCwFsanVM-c9gY98lmZNlH81xtyNrrDOEST7Gq5RkCLXo4qrPjc/s2329/_DSC0491-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1809" data-original-width="2329" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZW0wXtUZmJdJ_7V7NMclOw8wDnps7LmZbYhPdoiitRgQxUUN5ev0DqQWRSOuMMWdX3LL8dkB1j7lMhdsy20zkzya0z-h_8dF9SkCUzQOTW57ebUXeq7Y71o1YQPNed0uOc4EBCwFsanVM-c9gY98lmZNlH81xtyNrrDOEST7Gq5RkCLXo4qrPjc/s320/_DSC0491-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On Thanksgiving, my sister brought slides that my parents took. There were quite a few I had never seen before, so that was nice to see them. My brother, sister, two nephews, and I watched the slides. For some of them, we could share details that the others did not know. </div><div><br /></div><div>Below is my sister (on the left) and me (on the right) with my mom and dad. There's a plant to the left in the photo. It's fake. That plant traveled from the house in Minneapolis (pictured below) to the one in Plymouth. They had it for decades.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NKYDbA633-X5WQhKWP84wrlwMSWxDQE3CqvG7PemobE2H5-Dzm8VClC_H5gt0pH9wz8Ppa0Ek3AsQPX57MZDv1cN-N_BfbeR8a2G9OGDSBaukASjtuQJuLy-yCAwZylfdeZav9Da5U2-wnNEdazhG25pGHy8YrqPpc7dUc8PjCbzyi0CmY9Jxh0/s1349/_DSC0538-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1349" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NKYDbA633-X5WQhKWP84wrlwMSWxDQE3CqvG7PemobE2H5-Dzm8VClC_H5gt0pH9wz8Ppa0Ek3AsQPX57MZDv1cN-N_BfbeR8a2G9OGDSBaukASjtuQJuLy-yCAwZylfdeZav9Da5U2-wnNEdazhG25pGHy8YrqPpc7dUc8PjCbzyi0CmY9Jxh0/s320/_DSC0538-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My sister explained the significance of this photo. For my parents' entire marriage, my mom wanted a real Christmas tree. My dad didn't want one because of the mess that real trees can leave in a home. Well, one year, my parents went out to get a real tree. My mom looks so happy by the tree. Another slide after this one showed my dad using a saw to cut it down. This photo would have been taken after we graduated from high school. New traditions once all the kids leave the home...I know this all too well now that Sophia and Olivia are both at college.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoxgXasAI3QF4TLRXXXAW_6J-icO33pc6ksdHZ76n9ZKtDi67fo5j2NelTUXzFIRBgX2f_eS2HHFpI_-wUX_LQIl0ER62MDvVHbj0Xscm21pcNte7Js5O3gg_OsIK3AbRkgQnOjOARC6mg4s56OIgWOqlWB5ECwTm1bhgOPVoet8NW-Gp_tvZNLo/s1418/_DSC0573-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="1023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoxgXasAI3QF4TLRXXXAW_6J-icO33pc6ksdHZ76n9ZKtDi67fo5j2NelTUXzFIRBgX2f_eS2HHFpI_-wUX_LQIl0ER62MDvVHbj0Xscm21pcNte7Js5O3gg_OsIK3AbRkgQnOjOARC6mg4s56OIgWOqlWB5ECwTm1bhgOPVoet8NW-Gp_tvZNLo/s320/_DSC0573-006.JPG" width="231" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Another photo I never saw was this one of my sister (on the left) and me (on the right) in front of one of our elementary schools. This is the second elementary school I attended in Minneapolis - Hamilton was Kindergarten and first grade, and Loring was second grade. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once we moved to Plymouth, I had three more elementary schools: Cedar Island (third and fourth grades), Fair Oaks (fifth grade), and Edgewood (sixth grade). It was insane. There were yearly school border changes because the suburbs were changing and boundaries needed to be changed. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbJ7SW-ha_VRyUJTAVbZr1sLcnH3a0gspsd7ofQdPGVVfz5V7Z1CYbxP0ud-yZkRiY0HNpilahK9D7sLfizPfKft5tSbWGkLp6DhaYwKJCq9fA4teqWGlqOa4if9Z2sohZMSQYqtB5SckmJRqkkKR6TY4lJ44BeZKnVxvvTO1LIYbzBkdmgjq8uQ/s1734/_DSC0753-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="1734" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbJ7SW-ha_VRyUJTAVbZr1sLcnH3a0gspsd7ofQdPGVVfz5V7Z1CYbxP0ud-yZkRiY0HNpilahK9D7sLfizPfKft5tSbWGkLp6DhaYwKJCq9fA4teqWGlqOa4if9Z2sohZMSQYqtB5SckmJRqkkKR6TY4lJ44BeZKnVxvvTO1LIYbzBkdmgjq8uQ/s320/_DSC0753-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I loved seeing this photo of (L to R): me holding my brother, my sister, and our dog, Corgi.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qD9LvY5NNNmw1hqKlPqvOvz3LORKdPQkmO_fm3zPyBhPcplYOq9h1Agrnc6kf1CrDQM8Vox0W1oBY2svQ_8I1vPnV8rDw9XT8KH4P_vl_GDI4kHVeHbaVPzzFusaNPzsZXd3P3NZ-aSGcGFY3r28pdRXACV_lAO-koHVRpqKkjuUoXNEy50RCT8/s1340/_DSC0755-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="1155" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qD9LvY5NNNmw1hqKlPqvOvz3LORKdPQkmO_fm3zPyBhPcplYOq9h1Agrnc6kf1CrDQM8Vox0W1oBY2svQ_8I1vPnV8rDw9XT8KH4P_vl_GDI4kHVeHbaVPzzFusaNPzsZXd3P3NZ-aSGcGFY3r28pdRXACV_lAO-koHVRpqKkjuUoXNEy50RCT8/s320/_DSC0755-006.JPG" width="276" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My mom used to sew all of our Halloween costumes. This one was my favorite one - a kangaroo. It's not the clearest pictures, so the little joey in my kangaroo pouch isn't as visible as I hoped it would be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMPvIEEEZPxmv54qFadDsYxEnHeZpLirOMgQFshggiWRHMrXuVLY9Zw2XeIRbdvyeLP9pk7g5FABkWkaw0KGSaSfZgP-ku1wuoRT5o9PKMnf3uYlfONN96ncg7aM4Vy_yLRHV8hLTOUvBOgYabaIWB3PrZV1qM_BY7yQCH88yrzeNqnWouwNyqS8/s1793/_DSC0883-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1793" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMPvIEEEZPxmv54qFadDsYxEnHeZpLirOMgQFshggiWRHMrXuVLY9Zw2XeIRbdvyeLP9pk7g5FABkWkaw0KGSaSfZgP-ku1wuoRT5o9PKMnf3uYlfONN96ncg7aM4Vy_yLRHV8hLTOUvBOgYabaIWB3PrZV1qM_BY7yQCH88yrzeNqnWouwNyqS8/s320/_DSC0883-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Getting in the holiday spirit, my handmade stocking was made by Grandma Olive (she had made my stocking during the summer of 1966 - either before or shortly after my birth in June. She died in August. So, this was an extra-special stocking). My mom made matching stockings for my sister and brother using the same concept as mine. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55MhKJGQU7Lfh19DVKAnlnWjxV2hO5K3PxwUx8x-NXFkYUnk260fPd3_asj8_x5rx_VJfZktQN_Tf5eVZWQ8fPXL5DBAcgKfVUImeQIYxD1DyMprjfqc0k6YvXeOPcuHYUDruHRvbdOwxOzlpXc9sCNGhOsRIUH9jfEA1X43ph5ijHA2MvbFaXTo/s1800/_DSC0786-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1800" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55MhKJGQU7Lfh19DVKAnlnWjxV2hO5K3PxwUx8x-NXFkYUnk260fPd3_asj8_x5rx_VJfZktQN_Tf5eVZWQ8fPXL5DBAcgKfVUImeQIYxD1DyMprjfqc0k6YvXeOPcuHYUDruHRvbdOwxOzlpXc9sCNGhOsRIUH9jfEA1X43ph5ijHA2MvbFaXTo/s320/_DSC0786-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a better picture of my stocking. I would have been about four or five years old in this picture.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48V3U4wcFeXJ2l2nksd9iQnk9RNhJlSU26aDl-CgBpMcCIe_unEtFXJVkASeYvQAMD_BNythNZMeQIoJCCkAaUtvyWI4TYSC8F5Ah8ougXMbn7L6TVL0XdXYWujXqIaW8oEBuwhgEI56yCmGiKBNp_cKLKojl4xtNd7r50ojCPMGfzU4qSuMChF0/s1714/_DSC0866-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="1714" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48V3U4wcFeXJ2l2nksd9iQnk9RNhJlSU26aDl-CgBpMcCIe_unEtFXJVkASeYvQAMD_BNythNZMeQIoJCCkAaUtvyWI4TYSC8F5Ah8ougXMbn7L6TVL0XdXYWujXqIaW8oEBuwhgEI56yCmGiKBNp_cKLKojl4xtNd7r50ojCPMGfzU4qSuMChF0/s320/_DSC0866-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If this doesn't give kids nightmares, I don't know what would. The Santa that visited us at a friend of my grandma's home wore a mask. I swear that mask doesn't even have openings for the eyes. It would have to, but it sure doesn't look like it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apparently, we are either in shock or fascinated by this masked Santa. Actually, now that I look at the picture, I'm wondering if this was supposed to be St. Nicholas since he is using a cane. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QSpFrme5zbhlmF78g5arEB7EmtWZa-IziBL-Y1r88yXOUU2GkIfOUQSXcOJ_kwtkP2IZRgMSpY7ARddqPptyfEVDsyrNwl6h6CBUxIsEsUBhgKwu_6zVKAqJhzF75D3LIvf7s4a4vwWla3H1QJoHNTV7yt68eEJDYLt_-n2xsnAPX22Nh1lF3Ls/s2020/_DSC0874-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2020" data-original-width="1288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QSpFrme5zbhlmF78g5arEB7EmtWZa-IziBL-Y1r88yXOUU2GkIfOUQSXcOJ_kwtkP2IZRgMSpY7ARddqPptyfEVDsyrNwl6h6CBUxIsEsUBhgKwu_6zVKAqJhzF75D3LIvf7s4a4vwWla3H1QJoHNTV7yt68eEJDYLt_-n2xsnAPX22Nh1lF3Ls/s320/_DSC0874-006.JPG" width="204" /></a></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fear set into my brother. It's probably St. Nicholas/Santa's lack of eyes in the mask. Apparently, the mask isn't bothering my sister or me. </div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDriKkvqd3hnfUUNtkAFJ6H-4B5LusObUbGgtqD7TCyCSU_nCb5fk6CV5RITmBGpE8tLk8oazZX5oOoE2ByqoXF4n9nmgTR6u9MtpTNo4Zv9YYI_6DluipIe3wYoeKm7IflDo2XW1l6G7GX_b-a58a8qKDn3pilQgcAONe-3UIeXNONSE-FXnLDM/s928/_DSC0890-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="820" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDriKkvqd3hnfUUNtkAFJ6H-4B5LusObUbGgtqD7TCyCSU_nCb5fk6CV5RITmBGpE8tLk8oazZX5oOoE2ByqoXF4n9nmgTR6u9MtpTNo4Zv9YYI_6DluipIe3wYoeKm7IflDo2XW1l6G7GX_b-a58a8qKDn3pilQgcAONe-3UIeXNONSE-FXnLDM/s320/_DSC0890-006.JPG" width="283" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is our first Christmas in our new home in Plymouth in 1974. I'm in the middle with the curlers under my mom's hair bonnet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_z0Jx4Vt5UulmG8r1ogIq6Px1FUBhqhDSEpBKHJxQqzy7GY51-3Tu3UT48OV-SCn3AXdXOmbwNAcLF7H657X6rBI4mj0C0o0NPuxlxHqkquOauzThSa1NZLYU2Vdaf-uwZ7ULgJcdCEWKJL3jG17QdzsF6PTLcpLsE3T6NWZOsK6tnPsihotEBR4/s1784/_DSC0758-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="1784" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_z0Jx4Vt5UulmG8r1ogIq6Px1FUBhqhDSEpBKHJxQqzy7GY51-3Tu3UT48OV-SCn3AXdXOmbwNAcLF7H657X6rBI4mj0C0o0NPuxlxHqkquOauzThSa1NZLYU2Vdaf-uwZ7ULgJcdCEWKJL3jG17QdzsF6PTLcpLsE3T6NWZOsK6tnPsihotEBR4/s320/_DSC0758-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So those are some of the 200+ slides we looked at on Thanksgiving this year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the day after Thanksgiving, Sophia, Nessa, and I went to Feed My Starving Children to pack food. We were at a table with about eight other people. This was a hard-working group of volunteers who ended up packing 26 boxes of food for children in El Salvador. We have packed food on the day after Thanksgiving for three years now and have really enjoyed doing this. It's a meaningful way to share our time and give children who are hungry or starving healthy meals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibz05ppuLCpOYzom83beBvRsAE0ld8QEClX07QBSo9w4tGYXHWMYUqsW9CDln8skL9N50sL685sET3zgatGUqeIkeHcGRnjehBnVinAf3Ctk2WIiAZSblKuxx17xD7v50eEILNBzJJ8BMmoTE-TnLzRJ16jwUi_haKJsxSCUQmSU5HZnZeugGZps0/s640/Feed%20My%20Starving%20Children%20-%20Sophia%20and%20Nessa%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="441" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibz05ppuLCpOYzom83beBvRsAE0ld8QEClX07QBSo9w4tGYXHWMYUqsW9CDln8skL9N50sL685sET3zgatGUqeIkeHcGRnjehBnVinAf3Ctk2WIiAZSblKuxx17xD7v50eEILNBzJJ8BMmoTE-TnLzRJ16jwUi_haKJsxSCUQmSU5HZnZeugGZps0/s320/Feed%20My%20Starving%20Children%20-%20Sophia%20and%20Nessa%202022.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After packing food, we went to Momo Sushi - our traditional meal two years in a row now. We had a bento lunch box with a variety of food which we all enjoyed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WYlcGqdL9AaSKqfmZ6ymvL86y9gK6v5uaJXE0D5GuuAL5veleR9zDr64c_8RxOdltx14umS7-JdmrSf-TEwK9cC3CiqI9RMbmVZOwhcqfjoVV8VvgJ8tsPHywio5uYs1C9iunRIu47B8RE8KbDX6w6BdRO-fUVJzqCoi14BVx5lQJgaCNNZ67zA/s640/Sophia%20-%20Momo%20Sushi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WYlcGqdL9AaSKqfmZ6ymvL86y9gK6v5uaJXE0D5GuuAL5veleR9zDr64c_8RxOdltx14umS7-JdmrSf-TEwK9cC3CiqI9RMbmVZOwhcqfjoVV8VvgJ8tsPHywio5uYs1C9iunRIu47B8RE8KbDX6w6BdRO-fUVJzqCoi14BVx5lQJgaCNNZ67zA/s320/Sophia%20-%20Momo%20Sushi.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sunset that night was beautiful. This is the end of the sunset, so the colors are not as vibrant at they were 15-25 minutes earlier that evening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7Q3DIgJMyKYg2ZBhHUJ5h4Egmgl8uDVv6_uzDXVljVLsLIjHLxUpTofDNFqOXU8ZQkztCoyVSOxLCTxw4cIr1dZAoIvvkjqq8ssziYaU-gBm2wAYStDi7oZ_vcf-EOOsOXW-vp-au112gmmycFXbgtviiKEhFd0UpMjUb8IvkFzGKELjdK7ewSI/s640/Clouds%20-%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7Q3DIgJMyKYg2ZBhHUJ5h4Egmgl8uDVv6_uzDXVljVLsLIjHLxUpTofDNFqOXU8ZQkztCoyVSOxLCTxw4cIr1dZAoIvvkjqq8ssziYaU-gBm2wAYStDi7oZ_vcf-EOOsOXW-vp-au112gmmycFXbgtviiKEhFd0UpMjUb8IvkFzGKELjdK7ewSI/s320/Clouds%20-%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On November 26th, we celebrated the anniversary of Sophia's adoption day. It's hard to believe that we adopted her 21 years ago. (For Olivia it was 19 years ago on the 17th.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRciZ6qiiF1gfqFJivJWsBXYenl4b8LT8VVckVcQrFH4GeknodNOfz381EW5clbjIGG3_EOcKMLqPVsWnrRqE7jyDQTvMVEVKeqJCXNUKSbbNzeKQRP7q9kHiL2umVZkSo8WKZbjQgyCnmE_fBVqwgkRu5ODnp7-9vPscN1sm_3kj3NKPA5X2TDc/s2415/_DSC0898-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2415" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRciZ6qiiF1gfqFJivJWsBXYenl4b8LT8VVckVcQrFH4GeknodNOfz381EW5clbjIGG3_EOcKMLqPVsWnrRqE7jyDQTvMVEVKeqJCXNUKSbbNzeKQRP7q9kHiL2umVZkSo8WKZbjQgyCnmE_fBVqwgkRu5ODnp7-9vPscN1sm_3kj3NKPA5X2TDc/s320/_DSC0898-006.JPG" width="254" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-58539374109591372242022-12-04T20:40:00.001-06:002022-12-04T20:52:18.223-06:00Clouds<p>One of the things that I enjoy taking photos of are clouds and the sky - especially during sunsets and sunrises. I'm going to work backward in time, with the first image from November 25th - the day after Thanksgiving. The sun is setting so early these days. This was at 5:22 p.m.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNytFtz4Tlc6H9Dc9fxWR6VADdyMxsE0WF4-sAKbopkIpoRfbz6d9X4AKsLAolSxSX5flW2LWuxZjYMfLKcW2zWuWsBNRFdPACZxuuEkPPGRobmUD4x4jq2PT9fwfGRkhrf09lTMnr_nrpzGSVBcK7J2uLi9Io5HGcd9rZMVdb3TjO6vU7r6THqnQ/s640/Clouds%20-%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNytFtz4Tlc6H9Dc9fxWR6VADdyMxsE0WF4-sAKbopkIpoRfbz6d9X4AKsLAolSxSX5flW2LWuxZjYMfLKcW2zWuWsBNRFdPACZxuuEkPPGRobmUD4x4jq2PT9fwfGRkhrf09lTMnr_nrpzGSVBcK7J2uLi9Io5HGcd9rZMVdb3TjO6vU7r6THqnQ/s320/Clouds%20-%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This picture was taken on the same day, except at 4:52 p.m. - just 30 minutes prior to the picture above. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPc_LAc2GNeiC_57UCBqMoKRKTKQZZskaHbkojdj3kNBSz0merrRGHdef_GazUw8gFzxbK7iHwK_-_o7H6wtZpnnSljUeiptTCnlOZjAC34mCJcIS75OaAJXKqc9mjwtnLfoBaJnin8YOSJCiDWq6CjBHKk3WIuYhFq2On451r514Av8_QRjpvnu0/s640/Clouds%20-%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="640" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPc_LAc2GNeiC_57UCBqMoKRKTKQZZskaHbkojdj3kNBSz0merrRGHdef_GazUw8gFzxbK7iHwK_-_o7H6wtZpnnSljUeiptTCnlOZjAC34mCJcIS75OaAJXKqc9mjwtnLfoBaJnin8YOSJCiDWq6CjBHKk3WIuYhFq2On451r514Av8_QRjpvnu0/s320/Clouds%20-%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Even just a minute apart - at 4:51 p.m. - the clouds and sky were different shades of oranges, golds, and magentas. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil97bD00ni-tWjk3SPT1YQio4u1TwmOOuO5E_yQOI-7DdjpOv3Ty5IwbcPO-LGgrlGfqfdlKtg62P_PzTYqP55PHoiymTZMg_KrqlJiTGvIZGOj2DX8tS6fz0SAZUIWAJnULo--lQU7nSwoENxoAQ3CUVm-NHuXfd5j1sEsxabDb_3PvUMENHWYIA/s640/Clouds%20-%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="640" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil97bD00ni-tWjk3SPT1YQio4u1TwmOOuO5E_yQOI-7DdjpOv3Ty5IwbcPO-LGgrlGfqfdlKtg62P_PzTYqP55PHoiymTZMg_KrqlJiTGvIZGOj2DX8tS6fz0SAZUIWAJnULo--lQU7nSwoENxoAQ3CUVm-NHuXfd5j1sEsxabDb_3PvUMENHWYIA/s320/Clouds%20-%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Earlier in November, on the 2nd, the sun was setting at 6:10 p.m. I like how the clouds are shades of pink.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7in-wwK-hIjPY87GyFsycdYj75YoEYGaDsT2_XGRH9JsDRP-pRP41VLHgkTXt3wowDrqNnCUE033720AH7l7cp62H_w115pRVc49v8dmJvlqD_Pxu4fD9QGqwVlSiEawjyc5Bvu-atOAxCaL7IrGpD6Elv8A0HcVYMDDcSqn6yR1h3bCGnGqg1o/s640/Clouds%20-%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7in-wwK-hIjPY87GyFsycdYj75YoEYGaDsT2_XGRH9JsDRP-pRP41VLHgkTXt3wowDrqNnCUE033720AH7l7cp62H_w115pRVc49v8dmJvlqD_Pxu4fD9QGqwVlSiEawjyc5Bvu-atOAxCaL7IrGpD6Elv8A0HcVYMDDcSqn6yR1h3bCGnGqg1o/s320/Clouds%20-%204.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It's hard to believe that it was only 39 days between the first photo above and this one below, taken on October 17th. It was such a warm, pleasant day with heavy cloud coverage. The sun had a hard time peeking through the clouds at 4:07 p.m.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKBhF4IaDjshH1-gg4qoHQ2ocd6pAluj6wmaQ2MLi-a8gc9w0QmYZqtuctl46SVYPDKbpxUDiB8E859UAoNqxEtzsI8KYNNuh9-2wtlID1y3ElELH2xIkc8c2ydumAMXAydl7EdmmLWSqsURAwINHkCaK43AG7zvcIXwM9_KxgBQPGDaw1aNi_g8/s640/Clouds%20-%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKBhF4IaDjshH1-gg4qoHQ2ocd6pAluj6wmaQ2MLi-a8gc9w0QmYZqtuctl46SVYPDKbpxUDiB8E859UAoNqxEtzsI8KYNNuh9-2wtlID1y3ElELH2xIkc8c2ydumAMXAydl7EdmmLWSqsURAwINHkCaK43AG7zvcIXwM9_KxgBQPGDaw1aNi_g8/s320/Clouds%20-%206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Two days before the photo above, I took this picture on October 15th. At 6:26 p.m., there were so many clouds. In the gaps in the clouds, the orange sky can be seen. I can only imagine that if the clouds weren't there that the whole sky would be vibrant shades of orange. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoe2_-gYB0pvGfVdsYHVoLJjbsjsJ9ZBDxRetlR17witLiSuucTi6RFGyAkQgA6clzaW8Ad2cNCl0kg4F-5ce9UuoIhE5ebp0lRYV00b5imLmoKS3mJRqOGWDOwfA11KK2LglPbnLlL6axHLnhxdR5884TX62TZpKzJczz2FUu26q4RF7icJ9SGI/s640/Clouds%20-%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoe2_-gYB0pvGfVdsYHVoLJjbsjsJ9ZBDxRetlR17witLiSuucTi6RFGyAkQgA6clzaW8Ad2cNCl0kg4F-5ce9UuoIhE5ebp0lRYV00b5imLmoKS3mJRqOGWDOwfA11KK2LglPbnLlL6axHLnhxdR5884TX62TZpKzJczz2FUu26q4RF7icJ9SGI/s320/Clouds%20-%207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On October 6th, on my afternoon walk with the dogs, I loved seeing the clouds and the bright sun. It was just what I needed to see at about 4:50 p.m.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGIgEcei5LDdTB5f4GedO6i14nea5f9PTw-eQ20-EKjLqMAynMWRmDJDtDTVnIhhQdI0P9nZ60cYo4LyKn3Mt43IxnzrZRhzkRD1dZiM2DcXaFM6yHzHWdi3mGgEXlEvzbvnTokwOLU5PS4JZMsTxnETpMdRfQtpz9OR4na3TMGVIkbtZ7o7mvjg/s640/Clouds%20-%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="640" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGIgEcei5LDdTB5f4GedO6i14nea5f9PTw-eQ20-EKjLqMAynMWRmDJDtDTVnIhhQdI0P9nZ60cYo4LyKn3Mt43IxnzrZRhzkRD1dZiM2DcXaFM6yHzHWdi3mGgEXlEvzbvnTokwOLU5PS4JZMsTxnETpMdRfQtpz9OR4na3TMGVIkbtZ7o7mvjg/s320/Clouds%20-%208.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On another part of my walk on October 6th, the clouds covered the majority of the sky too. This photo was taken at 4:05 p.m. - about 45 minutes before the photo above. So, the clouds were definitely staying around that afternoon. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKRSwdKMMQgnoiJKQpGJOWkSXw9xfiJMrCBsI2j_YPbqiqSPBt78iuSkL9DnCGP3mp42YhdgtiaNCK2BcoeW9elZFy3k-YrATt9q3If6QRBoiTZaIeDgaEtuXQ0FO8lyIlpOdNXByH3TPFL3vJ4ybgzyjiKbVcA49mnlMJZ4om1TSQPA0tEY9jlc/s640/Clouds%20-%209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKRSwdKMMQgnoiJKQpGJOWkSXw9xfiJMrCBsI2j_YPbqiqSPBt78iuSkL9DnCGP3mp42YhdgtiaNCK2BcoeW9elZFy3k-YrATt9q3If6QRBoiTZaIeDgaEtuXQ0FO8lyIlpOdNXByH3TPFL3vJ4ybgzyjiKbVcA49mnlMJZ4om1TSQPA0tEY9jlc/s320/Clouds%20-%209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>It was interesting going back on photos I have taken over the past few months. The majority of cloud pictures I took were either on my afternoon walks with the dogs or of sunsets. Regardless of where I took the photo, seeing the image again brought me right back to that moment when I took the picture. That's one thing that I love about photography...being able to be transported in time through a photograph.</p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-46852980195549491902022-11-07T14:32:00.004-06:002022-11-07T14:36:33.302-06:00Scavenger Hunt #3This is a swap on Swap-Bot that I'm participating in that I thought looked fun. The goal is to take five photos (from a list of ten items) and give some information about them - where did I take it, is it part of a series of photos, or whatever other information that I think is interesting. <div><br /></div><div>Another option is to use old photos that I have taken. This latter option is what I chose to do. I always enjoy going through photos that I've taken and seeing if they bring me back to when I took them.<div><br /></div><div><b>Purple</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I took this photo on June 8, 2019, in Osceola, Wisconsin. The town has a committee that does floral or natural displays along the main and side streets as a way to beautify the community and drive throughout town. One of my favorite colors is purple, so this display caught my eye.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rbM8NUjArj-uCY_pq5VCOJBfTOSrrsHpLmAQy_mZ_uQVPoZtPM_B2YeM8pjBZFwM5qYUnOkaCyVU3dBwyb4PVRZYj6b62AlI4TZC2qoE3qhtwX0H0iFIa5JPUzbqJov31aElk4KTUw8dYTixt_eDqjrdgan3D_N-2QGlbAkSGugwu1qNJRumIAc/s800/50573503671_e94f9e0c0f_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rbM8NUjArj-uCY_pq5VCOJBfTOSrrsHpLmAQy_mZ_uQVPoZtPM_B2YeM8pjBZFwM5qYUnOkaCyVU3dBwyb4PVRZYj6b62AlI4TZC2qoE3qhtwX0H0iFIa5JPUzbqJov31aElk4KTUw8dYTixt_eDqjrdgan3D_N-2QGlbAkSGugwu1qNJRumIAc/s320/50573503671_e94f9e0c0f_c.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Diamonds</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>On June 18, 2017, Sophia (then 16 years old) completed this diamond quilt. This was, by far, her most ambitious quilt because of the cutting and layout she needed to do to create the diamond pattern. She was very happy with how it turned out.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkuKBbErQMGgBmVhi1y7TY4Oi-AICUd9PMVSXz8U-ZVkBVQ4Bq8dh7mQO4k2Fh4Dbwft5-RMqTcs4Oia52eI_mBX0yhWUzWFboztUZdaX2Y0de8Uyo89DjtCCF4Xksp7nEYL6gDMSAyMFNBUaPWS1rVAhHt1784cUGKtbn7vyYbhlUl76_99ywDc/s800/32899122017_cd92db2719_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="800" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkuKBbErQMGgBmVhi1y7TY4Oi-AICUd9PMVSXz8U-ZVkBVQ4Bq8dh7mQO4k2Fh4Dbwft5-RMqTcs4Oia52eI_mBX0yhWUzWFboztUZdaX2Y0de8Uyo89DjtCCF4Xksp7nEYL6gDMSAyMFNBUaPWS1rVAhHt1784cUGKtbn7vyYbhlUl76_99ywDc/s320/32899122017_cd92db2719_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Keyboard</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I had totally forgotten about this "learn how to type" program that I had Sophia and Olivia do as part of homeschooling. Here, on April 23, 2013, Sophia is playing a game on computer using the keyboard to learn to type.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoACZXHiy4l7MYGZnmaAmbewPA8bjPdZMhI-b_waQKCDWYDrk77jAlLy-QjSbjW21YNnTXA2BdtSIBY38iJw5Kwh1-Kl8t_28P1MKomvhiJp8NA7AgQE_6N_mGTnX6N2RKnaKvlio14n_LRkFH04MN48YUqpUVwZLEy0pFiPV6u7pNeqB-VLxqLw/s800/15253842163_9376cf3ccf_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoACZXHiy4l7MYGZnmaAmbewPA8bjPdZMhI-b_waQKCDWYDrk77jAlLy-QjSbjW21YNnTXA2BdtSIBY38iJw5Kwh1-Kl8t_28P1MKomvhiJp8NA7AgQE_6N_mGTnX6N2RKnaKvlio14n_LRkFH04MN48YUqpUVwZLEy0pFiPV6u7pNeqB-VLxqLw/s320/15253842163_9376cf3ccf_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Wheels</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div>On June 18, 2018, the propane company came out with a Bobcat to move our tank to a new location after we had a fire that burned down our hobby shed. The propane tank was about 15 feet - at the most - from it. Thankfully, our neighbor who was a retired firefighter saw the fire (we weren't home) and turned off the tank. Things could have been quite different had he not done that. </div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbTnIecEqOmePDjlSlCyX387hsiBP9L2ZQVBH3vJrURz54MVh2ZxHB-XqeuyQn25-pmm55zcGjyJEGay5tB0MPwmf6Yvstseh-L3G6tHluhpP8KPwO-PW9yllvA8nmlaRB0WHlgrtZeVO_0xv4wwDQ-s9SarSLUFpdleWt9zVzrwXhryDjbHOqRA/s800/47806758172_668b14690d_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="800" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbTnIecEqOmePDjlSlCyX387hsiBP9L2ZQVBH3vJrURz54MVh2ZxHB-XqeuyQn25-pmm55zcGjyJEGay5tB0MPwmf6Yvstseh-L3G6tHluhpP8KPwO-PW9yllvA8nmlaRB0WHlgrtZeVO_0xv4wwDQ-s9SarSLUFpdleWt9zVzrwXhryDjbHOqRA/s320/47806758172_668b14690d_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Flags</b></div><div><br /></div><div>On May 28, 2018, Memorial Day, I visited Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Someone had put a flag in front of my parents' gravestone - as they did in front of the gravestones in the entire section. I was so touched to think that someone took time out of their day to honor my dad who served in the Korean War. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu22ua34Vb82N_7NoK3YKk7fzg1GZjh27IiZyN5BYQUCaJL18xCCwyrsUn9UNf_Us_gRp_B09NPQtB3_-ipR66-V1DDbauJytX953hJAAaUYav7SDcLX2TvAhvirOM0VdxT70AukFpSY1rdCOZdX8JdJTBfo3r26ZrqyXjkTjIvphM85LGwnLHiCo/s799/32914602807_5cd13be708_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="799" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu22ua34Vb82N_7NoK3YKk7fzg1GZjh27IiZyN5BYQUCaJL18xCCwyrsUn9UNf_Us_gRp_B09NPQtB3_-ipR66-V1DDbauJytX953hJAAaUYav7SDcLX2TvAhvirOM0VdxT70AukFpSY1rdCOZdX8JdJTBfo3r26ZrqyXjkTjIvphM85LGwnLHiCo/s320/32914602807_5cd13be708_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Shopping</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>On March 12, 2020, the shelves at Walmart were completely stripped of paper products - toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins. Other sections of the store, likewise, were bare. It made shopping for the basics quite difficult.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiG9Bvu8vL9RTQlsj-0tjHyWYb-ptTEMM8Zo_GfvzqIVL_uwlHtRvjXyT8h9sVIiSYqoKu_e19GkFS5QdWMVHe4pUNX79d6WxBqUIhZr_6QwqVNslCGDOpa8wYPbea-9kdYBtWW75GOUw0WJ7zDJhqvYvM2M8Lvfo_R6hXSefruNGaSpuKoCBZa4A/s800/51536290454_13c169c542_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiG9Bvu8vL9RTQlsj-0tjHyWYb-ptTEMM8Zo_GfvzqIVL_uwlHtRvjXyT8h9sVIiSYqoKu_e19GkFS5QdWMVHe4pUNX79d6WxBqUIhZr_6QwqVNslCGDOpa8wYPbea-9kdYBtWW75GOUw0WJ7zDJhqvYvM2M8Lvfo_R6hXSefruNGaSpuKoCBZa4A/s320/51536290454_13c169c542_c.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Mountains</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>For Sophia's (homeschool) high school graduation, we took a trip to Washington (state) and Alaska. This is one of the many mountain ranges in Alaska. It was such a beautiful place to visit. We went there before she graduated since the costs increase substantially in the summer there. This was taken on April 27, 2019, on the way to Girdwood, Alaska.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSgBjZv3AmNBZfny5-0LdNBvG6JKRh2DJbTLJEyWHd0eSJhHp10S84xFqKGUOOUAUwkVAvrpbyTNaAeP6S8QpXSoHqVspSfeY8pO_IEtwSNeiTQQ3K3FQmtrTj55KhaZlNkf64PMHR98dG8BrVbsfN-eCxLGEHAlJ80KNgwPll0mhZOudRUGdPvw/s799/32930253907_89be622ae4_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="799" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSgBjZv3AmNBZfny5-0LdNBvG6JKRh2DJbTLJEyWHd0eSJhHp10S84xFqKGUOOUAUwkVAvrpbyTNaAeP6S8QpXSoHqVspSfeY8pO_IEtwSNeiTQQ3K3FQmtrTj55KhaZlNkf64PMHR98dG8BrVbsfN-eCxLGEHAlJ80KNgwPll0mhZOudRUGdPvw/s320/32930253907_89be622ae4_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Boots</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Of course I could have used a photo showing a normal pair of boots, but why do that when these attractive blue plastic boots were documented on June 3, 2012? Sophia, Olivia, and Colton (their cousin) went to a dairy/creamery operation. Everyone had to wear these blue boots when they went into the creamery. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtuxk_m78CtoYM2NB3c3IbBx4Q_n0Oj9sOJDDH2CnaF4HC7_8R2rhINAjZV3giDjnQI410wydLqxDCz4qzwb_3eI57_j23qFJ-JTV5mFFRhBBQ_eUfdKqFS1q9fhByw5vYLAbU2O9qvV0zX0m8PjnBRTLRPur_BVVaoE1OgLGmahkDFnXqkqrcOs/s800/7346125592_19cf328aea_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtuxk_m78CtoYM2NB3c3IbBx4Q_n0Oj9sOJDDH2CnaF4HC7_8R2rhINAjZV3giDjnQI410wydLqxDCz4qzwb_3eI57_j23qFJ-JTV5mFFRhBBQ_eUfdKqFS1q9fhByw5vYLAbU2O9qvV0zX0m8PjnBRTLRPur_BVVaoE1OgLGmahkDFnXqkqrcOs/s320/7346125592_19cf328aea_c.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Vintage</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>This was one of my favorite ornaments when I was a girl. When my parents died, my sister, brother, and I went through the ornaments and I picked this one. On December 8, 2013, the little red fawn with white fur trim was on our Christmas tree. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Pp6A1RnHrKHMD9jIeoDfwQVcLBgXjZb5WLk8Ef-GYE2uvxlNR_aSPM9wZHZEj6UM6LKT7XVxwpcbORuMGmZCO5QZU_5EDYY70gPwOZq5zuFZS1NcsIV4_B2xoHT-HHzKSeEQDvBAOPg12diE9E1yKV0xInIOfbogz8c1m_T3zFJR2eaLTfHSYfs/s800/39333788070_3c5712a1a6_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Pp6A1RnHrKHMD9jIeoDfwQVcLBgXjZb5WLk8Ef-GYE2uvxlNR_aSPM9wZHZEj6UM6LKT7XVxwpcbORuMGmZCO5QZU_5EDYY70gPwOZq5zuFZS1NcsIV4_B2xoHT-HHzKSeEQDvBAOPg12diE9E1yKV0xInIOfbogz8c1m_T3zFJR2eaLTfHSYfs/s320/39333788070_3c5712a1a6_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Glass</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div>By far, one of my favorite places we visited when we were in Seattle, Washington, was Chihuly Garden and Glass. The glasswork there - both inside and outside - was spectacular. I especially liked this boat scene with the glass orbs in and around the boat. The black floor reflected the boat and some of the orbs. I could have spent hours there looking at all the different colors and patterns of this on exhibit alone.</div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2D1QMK3JMnSX6sTQ6XgTpmvtLcd9gxVXIfRrZ2EDFfC4gMnz-i4IAf34_zFmf8pbO86sMhmPJTQHBAH85Sl8S9pxrYF3JQkC3TyRnAwmUxI0tqp7QjErtY14JtRLLpBspNkBV_-YjP2qHLSy-5XbLU8JrKu3SvcGvauFx0pqgomKiaA7FO_UScgc/s800/47083063694_39793db3ee_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2D1QMK3JMnSX6sTQ6XgTpmvtLcd9gxVXIfRrZ2EDFfC4gMnz-i4IAf34_zFmf8pbO86sMhmPJTQHBAH85Sl8S9pxrYF3JQkC3TyRnAwmUxI0tqp7QjErtY14JtRLLpBspNkBV_-YjP2qHLSy-5XbLU8JrKu3SvcGvauFx0pqgomKiaA7FO_UScgc/s320/47083063694_39793db3ee_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-19166077636328030782022-11-07T13:43:00.001-06:002022-11-07T13:43:58.988-06:00Homemade Salted Nut Rolls<p>Back in August, I entered Homemade Salted Nut Rolls at the county fair. I saw the recipe on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/212795151134849000/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> that led to <a href="https://www.shugarysweets.com/salted-nut-roll/" target="_blank">Shugary Sweets</a>. My entry received first prize in the candy category.</p><p>Would I make this recipe again? No. Although the taste (especially the center filling) tastes just like the store-bought version - although much fresher - the process for getting the hot caramel onto the frozen center and then quickly rolling them in chopped peanuts is challenging. The caramel almost instantaneously hardens so that the peanuts can't adhere to it. At any rate, the recipe is below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Salted Nut Roll </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnu47dyjI9awDmhfBYCXK4xyDrP1gDCReOCEaSwckkRkEhqUqJdoHdf51PGOYISRwx52NGp8SH-XLMO08UBP-HK0QrDxt2eBVB9Nf1ZuGpSvf0brdhvGJEWnZ4w8lyHvrjgNxtpJPRtn73ZYM_HcU5YBfbssupRlP117qvIvJauW42TA4MU1g5AdU/s2088/_DSC0430-004.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1809" data-original-width="2088" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnu47dyjI9awDmhfBYCXK4xyDrP1gDCReOCEaSwckkRkEhqUqJdoHdf51PGOYISRwx52NGp8SH-XLMO08UBP-HK0QrDxt2eBVB9Nf1ZuGpSvf0brdhvGJEWnZ4w8lyHvrjgNxtpJPRtn73ZYM_HcU5YBfbssupRlP117qvIvJauW42TA4MU1g5AdU/s320/_DSC0430-004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Ingredients </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>For the filling: </b></div><div><br /></div><div>½ cup unsalted butter </div><div>7 ounces marshmallow cream </div><div>5 cups powdered sugar </div><div>1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract </div><div><br /></div><div><b>For the coating:</b></div><div> </div><div>2 (11 ounce) bags caramel bits </div><div>2 tablespoons unsalted butter </div><div>2 cups chopped peanuts </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Instructions </b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>For the filling: </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Melt the butter and marshmallow cream in the microwave, for about 30-60 seconds, until the butter is fully melted. </div><div><br /></div><div>In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter and marshmallow with the powdered sugar and vanilla. Cream together until just blended.
Drop onto a large piece of parchment paper. </div><div><br /></div><div>Use your hands to knead the “dough” into a large ball.
Divide the ball into 6 equal portions. You’ll then want to use your hands to roll each portion into a 7-8-inch log (the key is to keep it 1-inch thick around). </div><div><br /></div><div>Wrap each log in parchment paper and freeze for two hours until firm. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>For the coating: </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Melt caramel bits and butter in an 11x7-inch baking dish in the microwave, for about 1 ½ minutes, until smooth. The mixture will be thick, and the butter will separate from the caramel. That’s OKAY. </div><div><br /></div><div>Allow the caramel to cool slightly, then using your hands, combine the butter into the caramel and press the mixture into the bottom of the baking dish. Score it into 6 equal portions. </div><div><br /></div><div>To cover the marshmallow centers, unwrap the frozen log and using your hands, take one section of caramel and spread it over the center completely. It will feel like you’re working with playdoh. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once the entire log is covered, press the chopped peanuts into the caramel. Re-wrap in parchment paper and refrigerate. Repeat for each log. </div><div><br /></div><div>When ready to enjoy, slice each log into 1-inch pieces.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5336200906971083995.post-30244352486988947682022-11-01T23:25:00.003-05:002022-11-01T23:25:56.031-05:00My Favorite Photos - October 2022<div>During October, my favorite photos centered around birds, flowers, spending time with my younger daughter at college, and spending time with my sister doing genealogical "field trips." </div><div><br /></div><div>In early October, I saw a white-throated sparrow. I like the little yellow spot on its forehead.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjckNOZyOx9yWbwOYwDV3XBNiFSBqkiu4rVop92yct5qRsMZXINaoBes-NtZhouaUYAbdcDhGZ7SC9moPqwxA618qT9B6gDqku6cEIhzRmKngH2XbL-hwH7gUzbqbmiR70_srskeRbyw8VPUWZ3os5Llr2klRU5arV8xcGbPqRyQEg8VfXYprTjY/s1008/_DSC0860-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="757" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjckNOZyOx9yWbwOYwDV3XBNiFSBqkiu4rVop92yct5qRsMZXINaoBes-NtZhouaUYAbdcDhGZ7SC9moPqwxA618qT9B6gDqku6cEIhzRmKngH2XbL-hwH7gUzbqbmiR70_srskeRbyw8VPUWZ3os5Llr2klRU5arV8xcGbPqRyQEg8VfXYprTjY/s320/_DSC0860-004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The cardinals are now coming back to the feeders. During the fall and winter, they spend more time near our home and at the feeders. They remind me of my parents who were equally overjoyed when a cardinal - or a pair - would show up at their home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFA7xOy2rbtTHdwyJckN-I3eGC5XQHn5RTidqe_EsTgTKcdcvURQeDFK-SLbBSZU11Nl62oH0vbAFP3PfHx9DdsvpNAW8NYK9d8hn4blptJsuqVbZ3H1yXt3Due9C6kHYOJ_xwUgunlK7qwMzbdlfXwUw6CVl5Z-cPyoivDM1Jkd7TTD2jeX2GgE/s1549/_DSC0870-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1549" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFA7xOy2rbtTHdwyJckN-I3eGC5XQHn5RTidqe_EsTgTKcdcvURQeDFK-SLbBSZU11Nl62oH0vbAFP3PfHx9DdsvpNAW8NYK9d8hn4blptJsuqVbZ3H1yXt3Due9C6kHYOJ_xwUgunlK7qwMzbdlfXwUw6CVl5Z-cPyoivDM1Jkd7TTD2jeX2GgE/s320/_DSC0870-005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A new type of bird showed up at our farm - a red-breasted nuthatch. Normally, we see the white-breasted nuthatches. So, this is a pleasant surprise. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6A4h44MLLd8Cb4-5_oSPL5TPJfPCRTPO9RmqDNLIsufNGLgpEhZV-Vk8F92CvpcMRgnLtnljR7SqBNAC0ZWtG9B5lmAh7DPGnIwuuauVd_3AUK-vf71vLC7rw_ZkzZ7CCPjU3ucYbVlVzyfD8t3llT3yCn9DBZKGlGiZywT-yi5jJWqZIO3KMywk/s773/_DSC0876-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6A4h44MLLd8Cb4-5_oSPL5TPJfPCRTPO9RmqDNLIsufNGLgpEhZV-Vk8F92CvpcMRgnLtnljR7SqBNAC0ZWtG9B5lmAh7DPGnIwuuauVd_3AUK-vf71vLC7rw_ZkzZ7CCPjU3ucYbVlVzyfD8t3llT3yCn9DBZKGlGiZywT-yi5jJWqZIO3KMywk/s320/_DSC0876-005.JPG" width="262" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The flowers have been blooming well into October which is unusual. This one surprised me when I looked closer at it after downloading it to my laptop: the center of the flower is heart-shaped! <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77l80iaCqJZ7J5LZTJsKkyiqn34ThfA2k2sxPxOi0sK3ow6GZ8CXRGrqIK5IHhLeRmBSqMLD4ggkKJT2Fv7jgXRXl4fF_64y-1wksenoj1wj_MLlqlJ1DW4WVswqBHbHlTaXs9NrVR6QNYK0pA8Btlr3wfEc_5IEagBOLISsKpQ5_uIslF4AjwHs/s1503/_DSC0886-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="1503" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77l80iaCqJZ7J5LZTJsKkyiqn34ThfA2k2sxPxOi0sK3ow6GZ8CXRGrqIK5IHhLeRmBSqMLD4ggkKJT2Fv7jgXRXl4fF_64y-1wksenoj1wj_MLlqlJ1DW4WVswqBHbHlTaXs9NrVR6QNYK0pA8Btlr3wfEc_5IEagBOLISsKpQ5_uIslF4AjwHs/s320/_DSC0886-005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On warm days during October, the sparrows love playing in the birdbath.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_g-WNC_SNo262AAqjDH_absrS8MAhT-1KX6IYPwBJfW8H8ohHngWcA4WEsCe29RVVjr5_fKtxut_cmUVKJBElRg-J3ENkhipspcrf6_aJKy3CTRY19NDJEmpEs3wlBG-OcUaalBs9p7eNF6le91IU5E6MWKbMCdLyBkC-mnjK4ZEFw01tWnuh0w/s2168/_DSC0908-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1866" data-original-width="2168" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_g-WNC_SNo262AAqjDH_absrS8MAhT-1KX6IYPwBJfW8H8ohHngWcA4WEsCe29RVVjr5_fKtxut_cmUVKJBElRg-J3ENkhipspcrf6_aJKy3CTRY19NDJEmpEs3wlBG-OcUaalBs9p7eNF6le91IU5E6MWKbMCdLyBkC-mnjK4ZEFw01tWnuh0w/s320/_DSC0908-005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the middle of the month, the bird feeders were getting lots of "customers." It's always a bit bittersweet when the goldfinches' vibrant yellow feathers change to a tannish-gray color.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXNKJjJunsDelr7QQcQGQUwt6eit6WnsyYtILLiKodbO5VT8gOX_IQJNOfjSZsXoFHhGvtSJkm-GsmLP_oyp7jQYXqLNKU8YMiLFYwexvFa956fP-YUXgb-XSXVvVH_b1S8ieRYctUy9mzkmG00Brd-IGSX4zb-EFkHyznIWhhjD2vWRQ8v2Loho/s1432/_DSC0017-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="1432" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXNKJjJunsDelr7QQcQGQUwt6eit6WnsyYtILLiKodbO5VT8gOX_IQJNOfjSZsXoFHhGvtSJkm-GsmLP_oyp7jQYXqLNKU8YMiLFYwexvFa956fP-YUXgb-XSXVvVH_b1S8ieRYctUy9mzkmG00Brd-IGSX4zb-EFkHyznIWhhjD2vWRQ8v2Loho/s320/_DSC0017-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After spending a weekend at home, I brought Olivia back to college. She is on the video/tech team and enjoys it. She took me around the auditorium. This is one of the catwalks. I found out that she is tethered when she moves across the wooden pieces to her right. What isn't quite visible in the photo is that there is a gap between each piece. She needs to re-tether herself as she moves along them to adjust the lights. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxu0Jfjy0fNCzo8UQYsXBsNo3uZWrwnAhGVOBq_BdmdjcqCRe924CFMXM7BluuKWXWtaAnhS5kbi3YuiTo6paaDnISo-QACjvVtpoLOl9I2vtkRly0kOEpO0P4wng2SB8nUVlW9fxiWTQkdXtV36i5X5-xP-WyOliKZcYVZgGxg8Iz_SAomMNYyOw/s2992/_DSC1002-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxu0Jfjy0fNCzo8UQYsXBsNo3uZWrwnAhGVOBq_BdmdjcqCRe924CFMXM7BluuKWXWtaAnhS5kbi3YuiTo6paaDnISo-QACjvVtpoLOl9I2vtkRly0kOEpO0P4wng2SB8nUVlW9fxiWTQkdXtV36i5X5-xP-WyOliKZcYVZgGxg8Iz_SAomMNYyOw/s320/_DSC1002-005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is another catwalk that has a lot of stage lights. Below are the first six rows of the auditorium. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2r1YFR05SKJYFojpfjXrbjcDy7Q17OT5hcug7lMrsjY3TWP7zGJ00MVYVCnwhRA7LrmrsFwi6v5EsFNL3lDMkFhseOyWWbNUa6MYWcBjlX0kMiFs6Rk7uvvBAydDWq1FqNcboMVJqXMF41IAvDegIPf848XPAA9rwxJ4XUYEq4ceWF9kZd2U_dVY/s2992/_DSC1006-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2r1YFR05SKJYFojpfjXrbjcDy7Q17OT5hcug7lMrsjY3TWP7zGJ00MVYVCnwhRA7LrmrsFwi6v5EsFNL3lDMkFhseOyWWbNUa6MYWcBjlX0kMiFs6Rk7uvvBAydDWq1FqNcboMVJqXMF41IAvDegIPf848XPAA9rwxJ4XUYEq4ceWF9kZd2U_dVY/s320/_DSC1006-002.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As we stood on the catwalk, this was the view down. She also works at the soundboard which is the table in the middle section. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBBggcqFNJ66_5O2OhICWjCaMzrG9kVHdVhZ9MkqCvDQDP17P--0fd_aftffi8tyQ6OVpRqnVMAnrqE8x51cf2AKW99yRoid0OzZA72DV34TgnEqEW1ktkjcWBaSeoMAafpS9Rt4Wbq1GsDitg6pDg-Ug-CxnIE00NOSSWmyXTuN6kAZbyBAT2rY/s2992/_DSC1007-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBBggcqFNJ66_5O2OhICWjCaMzrG9kVHdVhZ9MkqCvDQDP17P--0fd_aftffi8tyQ6OVpRqnVMAnrqE8x51cf2AKW99yRoid0OzZA72DV34TgnEqEW1ktkjcWBaSeoMAafpS9Rt4Wbq1GsDitg6pDg-Ug-CxnIE00NOSSWmyXTuN6kAZbyBAT2rY/s320/_DSC1007-002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the third weekend, my sister and I went to a cemetery in Minneapolis where our grandparents on our mom's side are buried. We cleaned the graves and got the grass back from them. We didn't have a lot of water. So, after the next rain, the gravestones should be a lot brighter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdufbeRlh3dG_Y9hnmAQxRoUJRFElmfKbeha4xHyRGbLJBEE_Wg__gyL0AllY3jzlpfU4eYco4FeJaxv8eDITtX3hKLUUc9i-i207dLYc1ZJlxcLuwKERm6uEA9e4Ec3_ReUeGK9XbNZnuyufiaAgPwJY37m6ttXJE8ydyJEOm0PNZ5nIEUVXW_4/s2898/_DSC0039-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="2898" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdufbeRlh3dG_Y9hnmAQxRoUJRFElmfKbeha4xHyRGbLJBEE_Wg__gyL0AllY3jzlpfU4eYco4FeJaxv8eDITtX3hKLUUc9i-i207dLYc1ZJlxcLuwKERm6uEA9e4Ec3_ReUeGK9XbNZnuyufiaAgPwJY37m6ttXJE8ydyJEOm0PNZ5nIEUVXW_4/s320/_DSC0039-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the same cemetery, we visited our great-grandparents on my maternal father's side. I had never been to this marker or the graves before, so this was something new. We saw that there were three additional gravestones - two belonging to their unmarried adult children and one belonging to a married adult child. Again we cleaned off each of the gravestones which was a big task. I don't think anyone in the family had been there in decades to do that. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AGp0G1KYUk2vdrGTHtCM5DwowWFVyIuQcX13BaClPwzQFJugTCHH-vjzfS3u_8_CD4cFSmd4R2Obm-aX8tg8IBgKUtWPBP4Q-LgmYDZV4oHZxjQoajkF5wc7dzuCyqw48AXjTYAtL8ZuBhs59Y8_pmdgrAoepxR0bolB0GJOIBXi4Iu6Ev58Tyw/s2992/_DSC0059-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AGp0G1KYUk2vdrGTHtCM5DwowWFVyIuQcX13BaClPwzQFJugTCHH-vjzfS3u_8_CD4cFSmd4R2Obm-aX8tg8IBgKUtWPBP4Q-LgmYDZV4oHZxjQoajkF5wc7dzuCyqw48AXjTYAtL8ZuBhs59Y8_pmdgrAoepxR0bolB0GJOIBXi4Iu6Ev58Tyw/s320/_DSC0059-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>While we were in the area, we stopped by the church where our parents got married in 1964. At that time, all of the portraits were in black and white. Needless to say, the church was beautiful with its stained-glass windows. We were even lucky enough to be able to see a quinceanera. The young lady looked beautiful in her pink gown with the bouquets of pink flowers lining the aisle.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LZrMUmFpaablgYTQjLe-RjvnOlWbB3gttDQz9H2E2zzYDgKr4BFNzRK3KHlOH61sL70sqyxxFzjgAceEvxUJ7RSAl4gkywG3hQKZIw3Aw6w2UHGlJr4qPTxSQ50wdaxjUD1wdPogQmd8KcW1DduKCGuau3F0MKGD1-eDl1ZsYJgtHmUqsPC-XFA/s2992/_DSC0071-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LZrMUmFpaablgYTQjLe-RjvnOlWbB3gttDQz9H2E2zzYDgKr4BFNzRK3KHlOH61sL70sqyxxFzjgAceEvxUJ7RSAl4gkywG3hQKZIw3Aw6w2UHGlJr4qPTxSQ50wdaxjUD1wdPogQmd8KcW1DduKCGuau3F0MKGD1-eDl1ZsYJgtHmUqsPC-XFA/s320/_DSC0071-006.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Around that neighborhood, which was considered a "Tier 2" area during the riots after George Floyd's death, there are a lot of murals. This one caught my eye.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTa1vCvab87f21w46dcR7Gj8xLGzxewpO625hwFidpGgumDSp3HMxssVPHJA1sYx53hntM9JZhhonEzfcNFEP5CurpcUjnEZqG96JFJ7AsH8Pvlx710SZwSTpo1ATMd3jH2A180mKIdf9AwWoEHGAAUeTVI4j8T-cGN0DCeVUdmp988vEmcvZqXT4/s2460/_DSC0082-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="2460" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTa1vCvab87f21w46dcR7Gj8xLGzxewpO625hwFidpGgumDSp3HMxssVPHJA1sYx53hntM9JZhhonEzfcNFEP5CurpcUjnEZqG96JFJ7AsH8Pvlx710SZwSTpo1ATMd3jH2A180mKIdf9AwWoEHGAAUeTVI4j8T-cGN0DCeVUdmp988vEmcvZqXT4/s320/_DSC0082-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This one did too...for a more humorous reason.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6q1ongfwhBfMUm456fJuZzaQdjYjnHbgw1LXeGvgTU1lyhljtHARyO251s4rVQsE2pIE_KXNRlzukwSGvK_lyE4WGlPmYpow2c5T_X2YJKPiZB0g57O8UwUwbYJq6O4tsZqnJGLgksXHwn5C7FFypB8HYgUgrRyjJIzpWp5njhfaZbZYB5WfZR8/s2423/_DSC0084-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1855" data-original-width="2423" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6q1ongfwhBfMUm456fJuZzaQdjYjnHbgw1LXeGvgTU1lyhljtHARyO251s4rVQsE2pIE_KXNRlzukwSGvK_lyE4WGlPmYpow2c5T_X2YJKPiZB0g57O8UwUwbYJq6O4tsZqnJGLgksXHwn5C7FFypB8HYgUgrRyjJIzpWp5njhfaZbZYB5WfZR8/s320/_DSC0084-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our last stop of the day was at the home where my grandma and grandpa (on my mom's side) and my mom lived starting in 1942. Our grandpa died in 1951, my mom got married and moved out to her first home with our dad in 1964, and our grandma died in 1982. So, the home was in the family for 40 years. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMzwildfkOGcUsGPHIyLQRQisgDzdzEk1lnQHIFjThUTxIfrxPa04Azy2Va37su5_9v5B1x4pbD_5Lh9pRsQGtgxCpBiCBXRLTP8itll3FIdTkG1RPtnQdgQQnJYAyxubK-k88lYm4a-gHPQOQRH6Y59eqVi2Pr1YxForU3HDXasQa5MdhaKMGas/s2005/_DSC0088-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1876" data-original-width="2005" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMzwildfkOGcUsGPHIyLQRQisgDzdzEk1lnQHIFjThUTxIfrxPa04Azy2Va37su5_9v5B1x4pbD_5Lh9pRsQGtgxCpBiCBXRLTP8itll3FIdTkG1RPtnQdgQQnJYAyxubK-k88lYm4a-gHPQOQRH6Y59eqVi2Pr1YxForU3HDXasQa5MdhaKMGas/s320/_DSC0088-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were simply going to take some photos outside of the home. After we did that and were in the car, we noticed a woman peering out behind the door. I went back and introduced myself, and told her the purpose of taking photos. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To make a long story short, she invited us in and we were able to see the home 40 years after we last saw it! A highlight was seeing the beautiful stained glass window still at the landing on the staircase. It was such a gift that the current homeowner gave us by letting us see the home. What was so touching was the care they are taking to preserve and restore the home. All the original woodwork - since 1904 - is there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-fQ6PI7BhzlyWLZ80fvbXdFK6T693UlozkVx7KHexPS42lmBfAQJ0LMb36eEUXnerou53z7X_dEVUdp01qevcpBQbHdNkvlnwdDY22dJC7pMA7U3CLVdHOD6DZj9wk0l2oe6WEJHoklwmoXYQDEOVe3hbDZOMZ0ILJqdvWjkY1a2DN6hMMiAzdo/s640/Grandma's%20Home%20-%200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="496" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-fQ6PI7BhzlyWLZ80fvbXdFK6T693UlozkVx7KHexPS42lmBfAQJ0LMb36eEUXnerou53z7X_dEVUdp01qevcpBQbHdNkvlnwdDY22dJC7pMA7U3CLVdHOD6DZj9wk0l2oe6WEJHoklwmoXYQDEOVe3hbDZOMZ0ILJqdvWjkY1a2DN6hMMiAzdo/s320/Grandma's%20Home%20-%200.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our last stop of the day was seeing a duplex that my grandparents and mom lived in from 1938-1942. My mom would have been 8-12 years old at the time. I'm not sure if they lived on the first or second floor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Interestingly, we have passed by this home hundreds (probably thousands) of times. It wasn't until my sister and I started doing genealogical research that we were able to get the addresses of some of the homes where our ancestors lived. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bq355ejmkGqxJP7VxQyiOmelSPFlsGvf18F4trTEk1nTlAySNv1ffswg0SSff98qqyMlPnSZwlHJILwM7t6gb_rDa3gDKddQoxLOzBiA2a47HnwwRmwQcL4b2I9U0u6p5nVv5O0jC7yGlcOjThWrKAuKB9_ZVkDwE50U3BXRHvbRGVDgiya7agA/s2343/_DSC0093-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="2343" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bq355ejmkGqxJP7VxQyiOmelSPFlsGvf18F4trTEk1nTlAySNv1ffswg0SSff98qqyMlPnSZwlHJILwM7t6gb_rDa3gDKddQoxLOzBiA2a47HnwwRmwQcL4b2I9U0u6p5nVv5O0jC7yGlcOjThWrKAuKB9_ZVkDwE50U3BXRHvbRGVDgiya7agA/s320/_DSC0093-006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>After that, I became pretty sick and have been dealing on and off with laryngitis, fever, a respiratory infection, persistent cough, and sinus issues. Lots of children at the school where I work are sick now - over 5% with the flu alone (which they need to report to the Minnesota Department of Health). So, there are no more photos from the third week of October through the end of the month. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2