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Posts Tagged ‘Minnesota’

Wordless Wednesday

Posted in Wordless Wednesday, tagged , , , , , on December 5, 2018| Leave a Comment »

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The Colors of a Minnesota Summer

Posted in Everyday, tagged , , , , , on June 20, 2017| 4 Comments »

Minnesota is the state in which I was born and raised.  I’ve never lived outside of the state and don’t intend to ever leave it.  I’m not a cry baby about the cold and snow in the wintertime and I can survive the heat and humidity of summertime.  Spring and autumn are most glorious here, especially autumn.

But this isn’t a post about the reds, golds and oranges shown across the forests of Minnesota in autumn.  It’s summertime and the colors in my back yard during spring and summer are absolutely glorious when it comes to Husby’s excellent execution of landscaping.  Blooming occurs at different times of the season.

Bridal Wreath Spirea

 

Daffodils

 

Sweet Woodruff

 

Peonies

 

Iris

Even the herbs have lovely blossoms

Chives

But there’s more color to Minnesota summers than flowers, shrubs and herbs.  The weather has a definite color too.  Yes, I said weather.  The color of weather for Minnesota summers is green.  Green means “go!” for severe weather.  Thunderstorms and tornados are a way of life.  Could mean running to the basement for shelter, or going outside for photo ops.

 

Grey and green in definite layers, from the west…not a sign of peace.

 

Beautiful, yet threatening.

 

Green skies send warnings but are so fascinating.

And then comes the storm.  But weather is as fickle as a gigolo.  It looks beautiful, it could turn dangerous.  It spreads it’s fury here and there, hither and thither.  One part of our area had to call out the snow plows to rid the streets of the hail that fell.  Our deck…not such a big deal, but still was a weather thing.

So, so green, and pouring little pellets of ice in the middle of summertime. Nature is awesome.

Blue skies, blooms of white, red, purple and pink shining in the summer sunlight.  Then comes the green.  Green skies that pour all sorts of havoc.  It’s all about colors this time of year, and they’re all glorious.

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Judged By The Company I Keep (Hopefully!)

Posted in Artists and Shops, tagged , , , , on April 14, 2017| 6 Comments »

You might know by now that Auntie B’s Wax products can be found in a shop or two around town.  It’s so cool to be included in shops that contain the works of some of the best artisans around.

This month the White Bear Lake Magazine did an article featuring The Farmer’s Daughter.  This shop is the best, the owners are geniuses at how to run a business and treat their artisans and patrons with love and respect.  I’m proud to be a part of this great shop in White Bear Lake.

Carrie and Lynn, owners of The Farmer’s Daughter in White Bear Lake, MN. Photo credit: Tate Carlson

Auntie B’s Wax has a bunch of stuff for sale in this shop, and even more thrilling terrifying is that Carrie and Lynn asked me to be one of the artisans interviewed for the magazine article.  The interviewer was great, the fact-checker was kind of scary (did I really say those things?!) and the final printing made me look kind of, well, artistic.  I’m sheepish and humble about the whole thing, but deep, deep inside I’m pretty proud.

If you’re ever in White Bear Lake, check out The Farmer’s Daughter.  They have a shop full of really fun gifts, and even more importantly things you’ll need in your own life.  The shop itself is welcoming, the owners and staff are friendly and helpful, and the items for sale, well, they’re just wonderful…if I may say so myself.

See the article here.

 

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Surviving The Winter of 2014

Posted in Everyday, tagged , , , on February 26, 2014| 4 Comments »

OK, it’s been two weeks since I last posted anything and I feel just terrible.  Not because I haven’t been entertaining the masses, but because I haven’t written.  I want to write, but I don’t write.  I read, but I don’t write.  What’s wrong with me?

Today the answer came to me.  It’s this dang winter that’s bringing me down.  I hate it when all people can talk about is the weather, and I hate it even more when people in Minnesota complain about snow and cold because, seriously, you live in Minnesota and what do you expect?  But this winter is different.  This winter even has me complaining.

It’s been bitterly cold and massively snowy for three solid months.  A lot of people might think “bitterly cold” is anything at the freezing mark (32 degrees F), but I’m talking sub-zero freaking degrees…for months on end.  OK, maybe not sub-zero for three months solid, but I can’t remember the last time we reached a wind-chill factor over twenty degrees F.

I love winter.  Really, I do.  It’s a wonderful time to lie dormant like everything else.  It’s quiet time.  It’s cozy time.  But people around here are obsessed and have turned ugly for the fact that they can’t even go outside without their faces hurting.  Everyone’s crabby.  And those that aren’t crabby are sickeningly positive saying how beautiful the world is covered with the pure white snow and glistening ice.  We all know the people who are being positive are just trying to compensate for the car that won’t start or the driveway that needs shoveling before going to work.

There’s going to be a day not too far in the future when everyone around here will be complaining about the heat and humidity and they’ll be wishing for a sub-zero day with -75% humidity.

Me, personally?  I’m crabby too.  I’m stir crazy and just wishing I could get to the day job on a road that isn’t coated with two inches of ice.  I’m tired of shivering.  I’m tired of hearing, “cold enough for you?”  I’m tired of listening to people who are tired of this winter.

There.  I’m ashamed of this rant but I got it out of my system.  I’ve had enough of this winter.  I would like some temperatures above 25 degrees F.  I would love the wind to die down to about 5 mph.  March is my least favorite month of the year, but I hope this year it brings a little bit of warmth.  Minnesota can surely use it.

Current temperature: 8 degrees F.  Wind: 34 mph.  Windchill factor: -35 degrees F.

Sun and blue skies give the illusion of warmth. Trust me, it’s not warm.

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It’s Back!

Posted in Everyday, tagged , , , , on August 22, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Today is the first day of the 2013 Minnesota State Fair. If you are from Minnesota and didn’t know that you’re either living in a cave or you don’t care about the fair at all.  If you live in a cave you probably won’t benefit from this post anyway, so carry on with that cave stuff you do.  If you fall into the latter category, not caring about the fair at all, well I just pity you because obviously you don’t get it. 

You may say you don’t like the crowds. It’s true, there are lots of people at the fair. How can all of these people love the fair and you don’t? There’s got to be something wrong with you.

This is an optical illusion. There is actually space between all of these people. Walking with, through, and even against the mob is quite possible.

Maybe you don’t want to see the midway because you don’t like going on rides.  What’s with that?!  You don’t have to ride the rides to take in the excitement.  The lights alone will give you a thrill.

Whee!

Are you afraid you won’t get a healthy, balanced meal at the fair? So what! You eat healthy fifty weeks out of the year; I think a little indulgence at the fair won’t hurt you. Besides, if you live in Minnesota you need to start packing on that winter fat for those sub-zero days. Yes, they’re coming, and will be here before you know it. Here, have something on a stick.

Always Pronto Pups. Not corn dogs. Not Poncho Dogs. Pronto Pups.

Well, if you still don’t want to come to the fair I won’t force you, but you’ll be missing out on the highlight of the summer. I’m going and I’m going to have a ball. It’s Minnesota summer’s last hurrah and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

 

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