The Sky Over Fargo/Moorhead on 7/5/10

Did you see it for yourself? It was gorgeous! And for once I thought to grab my camera. Just in case you missed it, let me fill you in:

Still nothing creative or juicy to report. Maybe if I remember to strap my camera around my neck more frequently I'll become a little more inspired. We'll see.

Fall Findings

With H1N1 (a.k.a. "swine flu") making its presence known lately, we've been a bit hermit-like in these parts. Due to the fact that Avery and I have no obligations to the outside world on a day to day basis, I thought we'd just weather this storm in the comfort of our home.

Then I remembered we currently share a home with my mother (and who filled in at the pediatric department last week, assisting in the treatment of approximately 40 sick children).

As I was thinking of all those scary germs, I remembered another frightening fact: money is some of the most germy, yucky stuff on earth. It just so happens that money is something my husband handles EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. *shudder*

Needless to say, I implemented a strict hand washing law; the minute one walks in the door, hands must be washed, and clothes must be changed.

I feel I need to defend myself...I am usually not a germ-a-phobe. The 3 second rule for eating food dropped on the floor in our house is sometimes stretched to 5 and even 10 seconds. Heck, if a piece of candy goes unnoticed for a few days, and Avery snatches it up and eats it, I've even managed to not cringe.

But this flu has us all in a tizzy, so we've stayed in. We've been baking (more to come on that later), doing craft projects, reading books, and playing indoor games. Autumn has all but passed us by. Then, yesterday I glimpsed the sun shining through the window as my son jumped wildly on my couch cushions.

Okay, so we won't be going to the park and exchanging nasty high-fives with germy kids, or careening down the booger-smeared slide. But we sure can walk around the neighborhood! So off we strolled into the crisp autumn air.

By the time we returned home, I had an armful of "pwetty weaves."








I'm so glad we didn't miss this.

S*U*M*M*E*R

(Please excuse the food on my child's face. We were at the park, and after a picnic lunch there, excitement trumps manners.)







I love this season...almost as much as I enjoy autumn. I can't wait to try capturing all the rich, glorious colors it has to offer.

For now, though, we are perfectly happy to bask in all the sunshine, warmth, and all that is green.

I'm Still Here!

Well, there's been an awful lot going on lately. The most dramatic thing going on would be the flooding. I think we've all heard enough about that lately that we don't need another dose from me.

The most exciting piece of news is that I got my dream camera for my birthday! Yay! My Nikon D60 is everything I could have hoped for! I've been out and about snapping photos...and hopefully will be able to post some of the decent ones on here soon.

I just thought I'd better make sure you all weren't planning to send out a search party for me. The move went all right, slow and painful, but it got done! And I can't tell you how happy I am to be out of a ground-level apartment considering the state of flood waters in this area!

I'll be back soon.

Oh baby, it's cold outside!

It is now nearly 6 pm. After a full day of not venturing outside to even run errands, you could say we're a little stir crazy...well, some more than others. Avery doesn't seem to care that he'd be knocked over by blowing snow and his tears of boredom/frustration would freeze on his little cherub face.

He just wants to get outside - NOW.



Sorry, kiddo, this what it's like to be snowed in.

Let the Sunshine In...

It gives me immense pleasure to know that Avery will have the sort of summer experiences I had throughout my childhood. There will be hours upon hours spent swimming and playing in the cool, crisp water, steps away from the family cabin, where you could find grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins playing friendly (but VERY competitive) games of cards.

Each morning, just as the sun starts to creep into the sky, the fishermen and women will rub sleep from their eyes, remembering dreams of reeling in "The Big One." If you stand still for a moment, you'd just be able to make out the occasional slam of someone's screen door from across the lake - probably starting their own fishing adventure. You can also smell coffee being poured from a thermos that never seems to get emptied. If you're really lucky, and you woke up early enough, there's enough time to have a breakfast of fresh cinnamon or caramel rolls from the local gas station/grocery store/bakery, which would be all gooey and coated in melted icing from the humidity. Even after you guzzled your orange juice, loaded all the fishing necessities into the boat, and claimed your seat, there would still be delicious icing to lick off your fingers as the boat pulled away from the dock.

The sound of the boat motor is deafening against the quiet hush of the still lake. As you pull into the first fishing hole, hoping Wally the Walleye spent the night here and is waking up hungry, the motor is shut off, and the only sound now is the rush of waves left in your wake. As you bait your line, making the important decision between minnow, worm, or leech, you can hear my dad forcing air between his teeth in the rhythm of a song that's likely older than you are.

For the next many hours, few words are exchanged. You can hear the hiss of the line leaving the reel as you cast, coffee cups being refilled, bait containers opening and closing, and the occasional, "Agh! I've got one!" followed by my dad's, "Hey! Hey! It's fish for supper tonight!" If you're fortunate, you may even hear the sound of the metal stringer clanging against the side of the boat, reminding you of your success.

And later, on your way in for lunch, as the boat speeds across the lake and your eyes start to droop, you can weave your fish story in your mind, and dream of an afternoon of tubing, skiing, and more fishing.

Ahhhh...now that's the magic of childhood.

Spectacular Summer!

I thought after my last post, I needed to add something positive here...

We spent some quality time at the lake cabin this weekend, and were fortunate enough to have lovely weather! Here are some of the highlights:














After all that excitement, we had an awfully tired child on our hands. Naps were taken whenever there was an opportunity!

Nebraska Nature Shots

The ducks...

Shorty (See earlier post regarding this one!)...

Beautiful rooster...

Buddy...

Smokey...

Everything

Is

In

Bloom!

While Snow Pelted Fargo...

We were in Nebraska enjoying warmer weather!



Chasing chickens


Giggling with Grandma
and cousin, Teghan


Playing


Having
FUN
with
Grandpa


AND
EATING
MUD!!

Horses & Chickens & Ducks, OH MY!

Well, it's off to Nebraska for a nature-filled weekend! Matt's parents have a small farm there. It's beautiful, quaint, and tucked just far enough away from a paved road that you can pretend you're in the middle of nowhere, when really you're only a ten minute drive from crazy traffic and gigantic mobs of people.

Avery will surely have the time of his life. He's been there before, of course, but this time he'll be old enough to chase after the chickens and ducks. He'll also be able to enjoy the velvety tickle of the horses' mouths against his hands and face. There is also a large population of cats (who are luckily VERY tame) and an especially friendly mutt named Rosie.

There is a second dog, the black sheep (the dog's a sheep?) of the family. She's actually not so bad...she's just getting old and cranky. This little demon's name is Shorty. She's black (or used to be - she's awfully gray now) and has rather long ears that stand straight up off her head - the tip of one flops over making her look a little mischievious. She's short (obviously. hence the name) like a Dachshund and has this curly tail that looks like it belongs on a pig. Not only does she have a pig's tail, but she also acquired their stench at some point. Despite all this, she's really quite lovable - as long as you don't get in her way.

Anyway, I'll be sure to capture lots of outdoorsy pictures to post upon our return.

You'll be relieved to know that Jessica has agreed to care for Cheetoh and Charlie while we're gone. Sorry boys - no farm adventures for you!

The Winter That Never Ended

That'd be this one, of course.

My view from our patio. Our poor newly-purchased grill is covered with a blanket of ice and snow. Avery's multi-functional Radio Flyer wagon is also getting beat up by the elements.

Will we ever see spring and summer?