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Posts Tagged ‘wisconsin’

Hello again!

I just returned from a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway to Door County, Wisconsin.  I don’t know how many years Husby and I have been going there, but it never disappoints.  The tiny motel in which we stay is tidy, clean and unpretentious, but offers a most spectacular view of Lake Michigan.   Not only that, the house which inspired my novel-in-progress is right across the street, so I get more writing inspiration every time we visit.

*Insert House Picture Here…When you find it amid the thousands of Door County pictures you’ve taken throughout the years…I know it’s somewhere…Now I wish I’d taken another one this week…*

Speaking of writing, I tried something novel and daring while we were on our retreat.  I didn’t take my laptop with me, and when I wanted to write I did it by hand.  Yep, I took a note book with me and put my cursive writing to action instead of tapping away on a keyboard.  I must say it was refreshing, and I was surprised at how the process of writing is different when doing it by hand.  I felt like things flowed from my mind through my arm and out the pen in a more thoughtful way.  Also, I didn’t feel so detached from what was going on around me.  I may begin a practice of writing by hand every day, even if it’s just a stream-of-consciousness thing.  I really enjoyed it.

I’m sure I’ll be writing more about the peninsula soon as its abundance is all I can think about right now.  Here’s to the strength and peace of big water…

 

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The autumn season has begun here in Minnesota, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.  August and September were such busy months for me, and now I look at the calendar and see October is more than half over!  Here’s what I’ve been up to…

1.  The Minnesota State Fair was the highlight of August.  One special thing Husby and I had the opportunity to do, in recognition of our contributions to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation, was dedicate a bench.  (Benches are a necessity at the fair ~ I’m finding that out the older I get.)  We dedicated it to Dad and my brother Diggy, who died just before his 26th year of working at the fair with Dad.

The small plaque on the back of a bench dedicated to Dad and Diggy and twenty-five years of working at the fair (and taking bench breaks) together.

2.  September was full of craft shows.  I was at the Dancing Dragonfly Winery, the Chateau St. Croix Winery, and the Baker Orchard, all in Wisconsin.  I love Wisconsin.  I went into each of these shows with doubts of one kind or another, but they all turned out to be fabulous.  The organizers of the shows did a tremendous job, it was a blast to spend weekends with my fellow artisans, and of course the food and music at all of these events were wonderful.  Husby and I have a special place in our hearts for Dave Ybarra and the Northside Dukes, who have twice invited us up to the stage to do the Hand Jive.  They played at both winery festivals, so we got our share of the blues.

Dave Ybarra (center) and the Northside Dukes. Premium blues band.

Husby and I aren’t the only ones who like to dance to the music at the festivals…

Four ladies dancing it up in front of Auntie B’s Wax’s canopy.

3.  Then came October, and Husby and I went to our beloved Door County for a bit of R&R after three consecutive weekends of craft shows.  Our trip this fall seemed to be much more relaxing than the visit we paid in the spring.  We managed to see a bunch of stuff we hadn’t seen before, and plus discovered some new restaurants that will surely become favorites for us.  Not only that, we got to lounge around and do whatever we wanted whenever we wanted, which no one can do unless one is on a true vacation.  *deep sigh*

A lovely autumn in the County of Door.

4. There was also a trip to the family cabin to close it up for the winter. There was much raking and other miscellaneous chores to be done before the cozy little cottage is left to weather the forthcoming winter on its own. One never knows how it will fare, as it was built in 1950 by Grandpa Mike…from scraps.

Work gloves and rakes were the tools du jour at the family cottage.

One leaf of millions.

What now?  There’s still a lot to do, but the chaos of deadlines is behind me for the moment.  This is the time of year I cherish and I plan to enjoy it to the hilt.  I have lots of projects in store for our home and a list of hot, comforting food to make during the chilly and downright cold months to come.

I also hope to visit this site more often too, documenting happenings at the Auntie B’s Wax World Headquarters.  I’ve been away too long.

Here’s to a bright autumn and a peaceful season of dormancy.  *squeal*

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An exciting weekend awaits many people as it will be a first for a bunch of us.  This weekend is the First Annual Grape Stomp and Rib Fest at the Dancing Dragonfly Winery in St. Croix Falls, WI.  I’m a little nervous because the events page says nothing about there being art/craft vendors at the event.  I’m almost positive I got a confirmation to attend, so I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to be there.

The Dancing Dragonfly Winery is brand new and had its grand opening this spring.  Husby and I went and checked it out, finding a beautiful vineyard surrounding an equallly beautiful building.  It’s enormous!

Can you imagine sitting on this balcony with a refreshing glass of wine? *Squeal*

The tasting room. It’s gorgeous!

There will be all sorts of live music throughout the two days of the event, as well as some barbecued ribs which will most likely result in a lot of finger licking. 

There’s going to be some grape stomping going on too.  For $15 you get to stomp those grapes like crazy and you’ll also get a t-shirt out of the deal. 

Admission to the event is free.  I’ll be there, whether I’m supposed to be or not.  If I’m not selling my wares on the beautiful grounds of the Dancing Dragonfly Winery I’ll be sipping wine, eating ribs, and listening to music.  Oh, who am I kidding – I’ll be doing all that if I’m selling too! 

St. Croix Falls is only an hour from the Twin Cities, so all you city slickers can come out and spend the day in the countryside.  You won’t regret it! 

Waiting for you.

See my Events Page for festival days and times.

* All photos are via Dancing Dragonfly Winery website

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See this guy?  When I saw him I wished I could do what he was doing, though what he was doing specifically I couldn’t tell you.

I like to imagine he’s working on writing a piece of historical fiction.  He looks like a historical fiction kind of guy.  Of course he could be doing the paperwork for his construction business or something, but in my mind he’s an author.  Probably because I fantasize about being an author.

The best thing about historical fiction guy is the fact that he’s having a glass of wine while he works.  What a perfectly wonderful place to work, up in the trees, and with a glass of wine.  Wine and trees can be found at Cooper’s Corner in Fish Creek, WI.

That’s exactly where this guy was when I saw him.  The bar area of Cooper’s Corner is practically en plein aire on the second floor.  Husby and I spend a little time here when we visit Door County.  We sit and talk about our dreams and aspirations over a glass of wine or two while we enjoy the cool breeze blowing through.

The last time we were there I saw historical fiction guy.  It’s pretty unlikely that I’ll be buying a get-away writing abode anytime soon, so I decided I’m going to pack up the laptop and spend my summers writing at Cooper’s Corner with an endless glass of Pinot Grigio within reaching distance.

Cooper’s Corner.  All about dreams and aspirations.

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