Mississippi River & cheese curds

Today was our annual Mississippi River trip. The colors are not at their peak yet but we sure enjoyed the beauty along the river.


Our first stop was the War Memorial Park in Arcadia. What an emotional experience as you view the memorials from each of the wars, along the Soldiers Walk. They recently added the War on Terrorism 9/11 Memorial. Made me cry as I was reminded why we are fighting this war.
May we always remember and never forget.


We drove up my favorite bluff, Buena Vista Park in Alma, overlooking the mighty Mississippi and had fun posing for pics.



My Mom & Dad have been married for over 58 years. They sure do look great!


We always stop in Nelson for ice cream and cheese curds at the cheese factory. YUM! Then we walked across the street and bought rutabagas and squash at a veggie stand. As you can see, Randy is enjoying his bag of cheese curds. They are sooo good!
What are cheese curds, you may ask? Read HERE. I have always called cheese curds... squeaky cheese!

apple picking

Me, Ginny, Mom, Gary and Randy showing off the fruits of our labor. And are these Cortland apples ever crisp and juicy! Randy & I picked two bags (a bushel) to bring back to Phoenix. I'm thinking sweet applesauce for our sweet Emolyn!


My Mom is so active and capable and well... she happens to make the best apple pies on the planet! The apple pies that she brought to the church bazaar auction the other night, went for $20.00 each!

And what did I get at the church bazaar auction? Stay tuned. Cuz it's rather strange. In fact, I could tell you, but without a pic to see for yourself, you would just think I'm crazy. So, check back for the mystery auction item reveal.


Be sure to scroll down to catch all the other posts I've been posting since arriving in Wisconsin. Thanks!

the cabin on the farm

My Dad & Mom, my brother Gary and Randy relaxing at the cabin.
This is the cabin that Randy & I are staying at. Ron & deb had this cabin built a few years ago. It takes the Amish a year to build and then they deliver and set it up. It's gorgeous on the inside. And the pellet stove keeps it so warm and cozy.


This is the view we have. If you clic the pic below to enlarge, you can see the blue Harvester silos in the distance. The farm is about a mile walking through the fields. Or a couple miles driving around Beaver Creek and Timber Creek roads.


My Dad checking the soybeans. He is 83 years old and still helps out on the farm. He amazes me.


Ginny, Gary, Randy & I went for a long hike through various parts of the 350 acre farm. Randy took this pic of my sister Ginny and I enjoying the crisp autumn air. Man, I feel healthy here!

Boomer & Reba

This little puppy is giving us hours of entertainment, especially when the neighbor dog comes over to play. Poor Reba misses her buddy Ole terribly. You see Ron & Deb's beloved dog Ole was run over a few weeks ago. Ole & Reba were inseparable. So little Boomer is helping everyone get over the loss of Ole.


Boomer loves climbing all over Reba... chewing on her tail and floppy ears... testing Reba's patience till Reba has had about enough. What a precious Mama she is to Boomer.


Hey, it was 28 degrees when we woke up this morning. I am loving it!

the farm in Wisconsin

We're here! Wisconsin is so beautiful in October. The farm just glows with the changing colors. I'm in heaven.
And it is so wonderful seeing my Mom & Dad. They are so incredibly healthy and active. I pray I have the level of energy they have when I'm their age!


This is the farm house I grew up in. My brother Ron & his wife Deb live on the farm now. And my parents built a home next to the farm.

I love being here. So many memories. So many emotions. Everywhere I look I remember a moment and I am taken back to a time and place... my summer playhouse in the little corn crib, listening to Paul Harvey's "Rest of the Story" on the radio in the barn as I fed the calves, sleeping in the porch on a hot summer's night, waiting out a tornado from the basement, walking to the windmill on the hill to turn either on or off. Mmm, life was good.

But guess what? I'm in love.
You see, there was someone Randy & I were anxious to meet.
Umm, no, it would not be these two.


But this little guy! Is he just the cutest puppy ever! OK, maybe not as cute as our Koda. But a close second.
Boomer is Ron & Deb's new little puppy and well, I'm totally smitten with him! Randy & I cannot get enough of him. Trust me, you will see more of this little ball of energy in the posts to come!

1880 town

We stayed in a gorgeous Holiday Inn Express while in Custer. It had only been open 2 months. And get this, it is closing in two weeks for the winter! In the back patio you could sit around a fire pit and there would be deer everywhere. I actually thought they were fake at first.


And then as we headed out the next morning we were surprised to see a humungous bison crossing the road! They actually run free in the wild. What a thrill!


We took a tour of the "original 1880 Town" near Murdo, South Dakota. A must see. Check out more about it HERE. The props from "Dances with Wolves" are on display in the upstairs of the round barn.



My favorite was the Longhorn Saloon. The inside was simply exquisite! I can only imagine the entertainment and laughter and carousing that filled this room every night!



Btw, We're in WISCONSIN!
I'm posting from Panera Bread in LaCrosse, WI. Had me the best Blueberry Muffin! Anyway, as we walk in we see FREE Wi-Fi!! Life is good.
Oh and, Randy & I slept in the van last night at a rest stop near Albert Lea, MN. We were sleeping by 10PM (8 PM Phoenix time) and didn't awake till 7 AM ( 5 AM Phoenix time)!! AND it was 38 degrees when we woke up! Yes, life is good.

We interrupt

this regularly scheduled posting of our travel adventures to bring you-

our 7 month old granddaughter Emolyn Kate, weighing in at a pleasingly plump 11 pounds!


News bulletin- she loves her veggies! And doesn't she wear them well?


Hey, do you want to see Emy in action? Well then, head on over to watch her Daddy's video blog post HERE. It's precious.
Her Pop-Pop & Grammy are in Custer, South Dakota and we miss her terribly.

*** More vacation posts to come!

Yosemite

We are officially on vacation! The wedding was wonderful and now we are on our way to Wisconsin! 

But first, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK! We had so much fun! 

Sorry I seem to be in most of the pics, but just before we left for CA, we bought a new Sony SLR digital camera and I let Randy break it in.

Oh my gosh, the trees are ginormous! Everything soars high into the heavens. I continue to be in awe of God's creation. These pics can not begin to capture the grandeur. Hey, that's me among those trees.

Yes, that would be me inside the trunk of an enormous fallen tree! 

I'm game for any fun, wacky photo ops!

Big trees and big rocks are everywhere!

So, as I explained before, when we travel we sleep in our van. In our early years of marriage, we did this because we had to. Now we do it because we want to! As you can see, we are snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug! SOOO warm & cozy under my soft, fluffy vintage bedding. Saturday night it was 40 degrees when we woke up!
We cover the windows with this blue thin foam that Randy custom cut to fit each window perfectly. And we found the perfect white noise... a battery operated fan from Walmart that lulls me to sleep.
And lest you think I can camp in our van for days on end, well you're wrong. I can do it for two days in a row... and then it's time for a shower and clean clothes. Custer, South Dakota, here we come!
Hey, be sure to check in now and then. I'll be posting when I get me some wi-fi. Until then, I'm loving the time with my sweet Honey!

Ben & Helen's wedding

We started out our vacation by heading out to Laguna Beach, CA for the wedding of Randy's nephew Ben and his lovely Swedish bride Helen. What a stunningly beautiful wedding! The sights and sounds were intoxicating! How could it NOT be! The wedding was overlooking the Pacific Ocean!
Here Randy is getting ready to officiate the wedding.


Ben & Helen returning from photos on the beach following the ceremony. Now on to the reception & dancing!


Randy & I basking in the sunshine and scenery. Oh, did I mention the humidity? Ya, I don't do humidity well.


This was our view from the ceremony, reception and dancing area.


The best tasting cake I have ever had at a wedding!


Oh and you know those dance lessons we've been taking... well, they really paid off! We looked pretty darn good! Randy even taught Miranda a few cool moves. And she caught on instantly!
Isn't she lovely! Isn't she wonderful? We sure think so.

the Larson farm

*** The farm is located between Eau Claire and Black River Falls off of I-94.

This is what draws me back to Wisconsin every single year. My childhood home. It represents security and safety. It's where I was free to explore, pretend, dream, create, question, imagine... and grow in my faith.

Oh how I would spend hours day-dreaming about my life, my future. There was no limit to what God could and would do in and through me. Even as a little girl, I was aware of God's hand on my life. That the plans He had for me were unique to who He created me to be. That I was destined for great things. Yes, I had quite the vivid imagination.

And you know what? God did not disappoint. I can look back now and see how He showed His unconditional love. How He became real and trustworthy and steadfast throughout my journey. How He lead this little farm girl to the big city. How He gave me countless opportunities to use my gifts and talents to sing and act for Him. How He gave me a wonderful husband and three terrific kids. How He has remained by my side through every twist and turn. How He has never failed to meet my every need. And how He continues to show me that He is not done with me yet.

Anyway, I know that many of my values and morals were formulated during those first 18 years on that farm. The importance of being good and honest and hardworking. To always do the right thing.
But that unfortunately lead to my need to perform, to be the best, to measure up, to be accepted. Years of self-doubt, questioning my value, worth and significance. But then finally realizing, many years later, that it only matters how God sees me. His acceptance, His approval.

As my husband says "the Christian walk is simply learning the same basic truths over and over again in different circumstances and from different perspectives". Well then, I sure have done that well!

Back to the farm. My Dad bought the farm 50 years ago, a few weeks after my brother Ron was born Oct. of 1958. Ron was the fifth of six kids. I was almost 2 at the time. The oldest was 7 1/2 years old when Ron was born. YA, I can't imagine moving 5 kids under 7 1/2! Oh, and the sixth was born 11 years later! I know!

Anyway, 20 years ago Ron bought the farm from my Dad. We are forever grateful that the farm has remained a Larson Farm. A place to come home to. To recall my roots. To reflect on God's faithfulness. To reclaim that time and space that I left behind 30 years ago.
And remember.

*** Be sure to clic the farm pic to enlarge.

only one more week

A week from today we will be on our way to Wisconsin!! I can hardly focus on anything else. Randy & I just want to hit the road and experience the scenery, the silence, the sweet serenity of just being together.
But for now, let's catch up.
Well, last night was a dream come true! We went and had dance lessons!
The sweetest, most lovely couple in our church hosted a fund-raiser where they taught everyone to dance! I was in my glory! You know how much I love to dance! And get this, Randy really enjoyed it! And he did great! In fact, the next lesson is this Thursday night... the night before we head to CA for a wedding that Randy is performing. I was assuming we would be in the thick of last minute packing but Randy said we're definitely taking the lesson! Sooo happy! Hey, I'll bring my camera so I can post pics.
Anyway, we learned the swing and the rumba. And we caught on real quick and had the most fun! I can't wait to learn more dances!
Yes, we'll be driving to CA for Ben & Helen's wedding. (Randy's nephew) We will then be leaving from CA to WI the next morning and driving through Yosemite National Park. Oh, be still my heart, I will be in heaven!


I received a package in the mail this week from my new blog friend Tricia @ Tricia's Treasures. What a sweetheart! She sooo knows me!
Thank you so much Tricia for the spool angel! I love it so much that I'm taking it all the way to WI with me so I can show my sister! And I am sooo excited to grow my very own Rick Rack Cactus! To think someday mine will be as huge and gorgeous as yours! (Be sure to check out her beloved cactus HERE!) And you know how much I love buttons so thank you for the vintage buttons!


Randy & I spent some time at the Healing Field last weekend. Just so you know, every single flag had a laminated sheet with the name and occupation of every single person that perished that day along with a yellow ribbon. I thought I'd share a couple pics.

But you have got to check out my friend Amy's blog, as she posted pics HERE of a 9/11 Memorial in CA. Her pics are simply breathtaking!

flower power pins

I am thinking these retro pins are from the 60's and 70's. What do you think? Anyway, I love em! I found all of these flower pins in a zip-lock bag at my little thrift store for 75 cents! I have a couple ideas for these beauties... like actually wearing them... but also displaying them in a shadow box with real cool vintage fabric in the background. Hey, why not display your jewelry as 3-D artwork!
Here's the deal... wrap your fabric around foam board so you just stick the pins on the fabric covered foam board. How easy is that to grab and wear your favorite art piece. I have seen several of these online and they look so cool, hip and mod!

gingham craft paper

I snatched up this vintage craft paper at my little thrift store in Phoenix yesterday for 50 cents. It wasn't till I got it home that I noticed the funny verbiage on the packaging. Enlarge the pic if you are unable to read it.

For Making Homely Things Beautiful

Does that strike you as kinda strange? I mean, what is so homely that it needs to be covered in craft paper! I don't know about you, but a mixed nuts can does not appear homely to me... nor a Morton's salt container.
OK, so maybe they didn't think the packaging back then was as charming as we see it to be. Maybe it was big back then for crafters to cover everything. Come to think of it, I do remember that the standard 4-H knitting project was to cover a cardboard oatmeal container with contact paper to exhibit at the local County Fair. And trust me, it was not as easy to do as it sounds.
Anyway, I was quite taken aback by the mere sight of the word homely. When have we ever seen the word homely in packaging? That would so not be appropriate in this day and age.


I will leave you with the cutest tag I have ever seen! I bought this white linen dress at my little thrift store in Tempe a couple weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised at the saying on the tag. You know they didn't have to go to the trouble of attaching such a sweet statement. But they did. And it made me smile.
So, how about you! Have you come across anything of the sort? Oh, do share!

the Healing Field in Tempe AZ

Be sure to spend some time this weekend walking through the Healing Field at Tempe Beach Park.
Each year they display 3000 flags that represent each person that died 7 years ago today.

One flag for each life lost.

May we always remember and never forget.

What a beautiful video to watch if you are unable to come see for yourself.

Video link HERE