Kids, Lakes, Loons and Pines

Around Here...

March has been giving us a mixed bag of weather patterns. Stretches of warm and sunny days and melting snow. It has cold in the evenings and warm during the day making conditions great for lake skiing and biking, playing outside, and just re-energizing with the light of the sun.

The sap has started to run (this photo is actually one from last year). We are going to do a boil this year, my parents are set up and collecting sap from some maples at their winter home for us to boil down later in the season together.Yesterday we woke up to 8+ inches of new snow. Perfect timing for the Minnesota State Nordic Ski Competition our daughter was participating in. With the pandemic, they were limiting spectators, but we all got a piece of the action with the benefit of our alpine season passes. The boys and I embraced the new powder and skied and snowboarded all day yesterday and got to see our pass by during her races from spot in the alpine area where the course passed by.




We are proud of our girl and all of her accomplishments this season. We are also making the most of the opportunites that we have to get out and enjoy the gifts of each season.

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This act of sharing photographs and ramblings of our daily life is a practice in gratitude that brings me joy.

I encourage you to reflect on the good in your life.

What are you grateful for today?

 

It's Never Too Cold...

We are navigating a deep freeze cold front here in my neck of the woods, but we are not taking it as an excuse to refrain from going outdoors.

We're all getting out. This past weekend James took the two younger boys on an adventure on the North Shore of Lake Superior, with the need to "get out of town." The older two stayed back with me and we kept the fire going. The picture shows the two of them after a wood-hauling session, when we were bringing several loads of wood from our woodpile and stacked it closer to our doorway for easy access.

I have been getting out every day at least for a walk or a hike, bundled up and with Warm Skin applied to my face, which I feel really helps.

There is certainly beauty to be found in every season of the year, whatever the temperature!

Stay warm friends!

Taproot Magazine::Issue 43::ROOTS

Recently I received my contributor copies of Taproot Magazine - Issue 43::ROOTS.  

After much anticipation, I was able to see the article I wrote this past fall, Connecting to the Rhythms of the Natural World, in print and hold the product of my contribution to this lovely magazine in my own hands.  

This contribution was extra special because I contributed text, photos, and illustrations. I created a yearly, seasonal, and three (a 28, 30, & 31) monthly phenology wheels that are available as printable PDF links through this link.

Writing for magazines is a creative outlet that I thoroughly enjoy. Thoughts and ideas formulate in my mind, then are transferred thoughtfully and intentionally to words in print on my computer screen.   My completed articles are then sent to my editors, who polish my words, and graphic designers or illustrators who complement my writing and work their magic with the layout on the pages. When all is ready the magazines are published and sent out into the world for others to read.   When I pull up to my rural mailbox and receive a magazine that includes my contribution, I always get a rush of excitement and a feeling of joy and accomplishment!  

Writing for Taproot Magazine is a certain kind of special.  I hope you find the opportunity to get your hands on a copy and read the article that I wrote highlighting this creative mindfulness practice.

Around Here...

Around here...

We are enjoying a mild winter. We have enough ice and snow for our winter pastimes, and temperatures have been very comfortable (ranging from the teens to 30+ degrees Fahrenheit). So we've been spending a lot of time outdoors with activities, such as ice fishing, fat tire biking, skiing and snowshoeing.

The nordic ski season has also started back up and our bigger kids had their first race today. We're hopeful that they'll have a full season of the sport and that everyone will stay healthy and have a lot of fun along the way too!

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This act of sharing photographs and ramblings of our daily life is a practice in gratitude that brings me joy.

I encourage you to reflect on the good in your life.

What are you grateful for today?

Welcome 2021

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Sending you love and light as we embark upon a new year!

We've been keeping busy and healthy, getting out every day we can.

I've been busy with lots of freelance opportunities working from home including some new work for BobVila.com.  You can check out some of my first contribution through this link or the new sidebar button I just linked up here on this site.

Wishing you the best in the year ahead!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Wild Ice

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This afternoon I loaded up 4 kids, a German Shepherd, helmets, life jackets, rescue ice picks, and my fat tire bike with studded tires and we went out on a nearby lake to bike and ski on the beautiful clear ice. 

The conditions we are experiencing on the lake are called WILD ICE and it is nothing short of extraordinarily beautiful and FUN! We are taking our safety precautions, staying close to the shoreline and making the most of this amazing experience.

Here is a link to a short videos:

Wild Ice 1

 

 

 

Thanksgiving 2020

Well, Thanksgiving looked quite a bit different this year than it has in years past.   We had a smaller gathering, but made connections with extended family over the phone and zoom.

Our day included rhythms of preparation, feasting, rest and fresh air.

We are full of gratitude for our blessings.

Minnesota Parent November/December...the end of a chapter.

The November/December issue of Minnesota Parent Magazine is available throughout Minnesota and online now.

My ramblings in my School Days Column this month are my recommendations to promote family resilience in the challenging times we are living in.
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Pick up a print copy of Minnesota Parent Magazine, or read the full issue by clicking -->HERE.

Find the online link to my School Days column---> HERE.

It is with regret that I share that this is the last post of this kind, for now, sharing my contributions to Minnesota Parent Magazine.  The pandemic has had a major affect on Minnesota Premier Publications and, although the magazine is still for sale this will be the last issue of Minnesota Parent.

It has been a privilege to contribute to this publication, which has helped me grow my skills and voice as a writer over the past six full years.

 

Find the online link to my School Days column---> HERE.

It is with regret that I share that this is the last post of this kind, for now, sharing my contributions to Minnesota Parent Magazine.  The pandemic has had a major affect on Minnesota Premier Publications and, although the magazine is still for sale this will be the last issue of Minnesota Parent.

It has been a privilege to contribute to this publication, which has helped me grow my skills and voice as a writer over the past six full years.

 

Around Here...

Around Here...

I recently spent some time wreath making.   In this season that we won't be gathering for the holidays I wanted to put together something special to send off to the nana and papa, grandmas and grandpa that we won't be seeing this holiday season.   Bo helped gather evergreens on a short hike in our backwoods and the wreaths came together nicely!  The gifts were well received and the extras are on display both inside and outside of our home.